"A monster in your closet, a beast under the bed... waiting to come out to consume your soul and essence..." The beast mused to himself laughing softly as he laid there "I am far worse than a mere nightmare you had from your dream... I twist and corrupt the dreams of those who have managed to see what I am truly capable of. Inside I have a toxin that will sink into one's mind when inhaled... and once inside it finds the deepest, dearest memory and corrupts it into a true horror. Turning what is reality and good into a fantasy and death..."
No one had ever fell into the corruption of such a state before but there were those chances, each time the monster snorted out smoke while he was angered... there was always that risk "It corrupts love... it corrupts happiness... it could turn a beautiful moment into a horror in the blink of an eye. That is where my title comes from... a Sweet Dream when calm... a Beautiful Nightmare... when not..."
*steals new page*
—
"Your efforts are insignificant! I carry you to your deaths!"
The stag couldn't help but stare at Nightmare in wide-eyed fascination. A being who manipulated and corrupted dreams... He should've figured as much, but it nevertheless intrigued him. It was difficult for Sorog to experience fear, at least in the terror sense. His past life was considerably rough, and a concept like death was nothing he had ever worried about or even considered. It just meant nothing to him anymore. Even the sight of such a hulking beast only made him wary at the most. Still, he was not planning on getting on Nightmare's bad side anytime soon, or ever for that matter.
"It's interesting, really. To tarnish someone's fondest memories and turn them into something horrific and unbearable would cause more pain than any wound could give," Sorog pondered aloud, and then looked Nightmare in the eyes. "Have you ever...done this to anyone?" he asked, genuinely curious.
"I have never done such things to anyone... or if I have I would never recount the event. Back then when I was an uncontrollable beast, I never knew what I was doing..." The beast sighed deeply and gritted those serrated fangs together in his mouth as he shook his head for a moment, growling out sharply and standing quickly, shaking that massive head again before turning around as to not face Sorog.
"Little bitch get out of my head..." His fur bristled some, standing on end as those feathers flared up... though as quickly as that anger came... it disappeared and the beast quickly settled again though Nightmare panted softly afterwards. Lifting his head up and catching that heavy breath he grunted before laying back down.
--
Mwahahaha! You shall get a new page someday
—
"Your efforts are insignificant! I carry you to your deaths!"
The stag nodded his head slightly at Nightmare's reply and couldn't help but feel a small sense of relief. The beast, indeed, had at least some control. That was where he differed from Nightmare the most, it seemed. He watched Nightmare stand, and blinked when he spoke again...only this time it was not directed at Sorog, or anyone else for that matter. The striped stag cocked his head, observing Nightmare closely as his fur and feathers bristled. Clearly, the beast had many inner demons. Sorog remained silent as Nightmare settled back onto the ground, his ears flicking forward to the sound of the beast panting. "You and I really are kindred spirits," he announced after a moment, cutting the silence. "It's funny. I never thought I'd connect with anyone in this forest. This place is Hell for me...but I find my peace in the strangest places. I suppose that's what keeps me sane here."
After just a few moments being taken to recover... Nightmare shook his head again and just laid there. Saying minor swears and curses under his breath before he had finally collected himself in time to hear Sorog's words. The stag glancing back to the other before he snorted out in amusement "I doubt you have the dead spirit of your mother haunting your mind and taunting you..."
That's when Nightmare shifted and stood again "I fear that she is trying to destroy me... that she is trying to make me lose everything... her words are cruel, they slice through my heart...
—
"Your efforts are insignificant! I carry you to your deaths!"
Well, he had him there. Sorog didn't have any dead spirits nagging at him, thankfully, although his inner demons were invasive enough. "I don't, but I do know that feeling of being taunted," he replied dryly, watching Nightmare as he stood once more. His ears folded back, frowning, as Nightmare continued. "I'm sorry to hear that," he said sincerely, his voice low. He knew he mustn't pry, but the words came before he could stop himself. "I take it you had a...rough relationship with her?"
"I killed her... she died on the largest rock in the playground giving birth to myself and my brother. We consumed her from the inside out and left her to rot. Because of such a death she could not find the peace to leave this world, so she haunts the playground... torments and taunts me with words. Saying she is only looking after my well being..." The beast stomped one of those massive feet on the ground, claws digging into the soft soil "First born... last one... I'm the only one to survive in my family, I destroyed my brother out of spite... killed my children just for the sheer pleasure of being healed..."
A dark tone came from Nightmare as that fur seemed to bristle again, though again... just as quickly as it did, the monster calmed. Shaking his head and sighing deeply, those claws digging into the ground as he growled again "You can see why I fear for Herla's safety... my mother has never done this before... she only talked to me before while I was around the playground... while I was by her deathbed... now she spreads like the damn plague..."
—
"Your efforts are insignificant! I carry you to your deaths!"
Nothing could have prepared Sorog for Nightmare's reply. He cringed at the thought of someone being consumed from the inside out, let alone Nightmare's own mother. The striped stag's skin prickled when he realized which rock Nightmare was talking about. It was the same one that Sorog would frequent when upset, injured or just wished to be alone. When he recalled, he sometimes felt a chill there... He flinched as Nightmare stomped his hoof, instinctively curling a little tighter around Sianna. So Nightmare killed his family, essentially... Sorog could never imagine doing such a thing. It was then he realized just how dark this creature was, and what he was truly capable of. Sorog thought that he himself was tormented enough, but no...Nightmare had him beat in that area.
"Christ..." he muttered, casting his gaze away from the angered beast. He remained still, quiet until Nightmare began to calm down. His sigh echoed Nightmare's own; this was proving to be a most unusual encounter. "Yes...I fear for Herla's safety as well, for many reasons," he replied, watching the beast dig at the earth. "But I know that you can protect her, Nightmare. She...needs someone like you." Not like me... He chased away the fleeting thought.
The beast shuddered some, visibly... it was rare to see Nightmare showing such signs of... weakness... and such a true sign of possible madness. When he was around Herla however... the voices would die... they would become almost nothing...
Nightmare tensed... hearing what Sorog said She... needs someone like you..." The beast shook his head and growled out deeply that fur bristling again, in and out of his angered state... in and out of the madness. But slowly Nightmare calmed and just collapsed himself down on the ground in a pile of blue fur, shaking.
"But what if I hurt her?"
—
"Your efforts are insignificant! I carry you to your deaths!"
To see the hulking beast shuddering and vulnerable was a strange sight, but Sorog did not find it amusing. After all, he had been in such states of mind himself, although his past paled in comparison to Nightmare's own. He flinched when the blue beast collapsed, and he remained silent for a moment, just staring at Nightmare's shaking form. When Nightmare's question reached him, Sorog's ears slid back, and he looked down with a heavy sigh. "I don't know what to tell you, Nightmare. I thought I would never hurt Herla, and yet I did." The striped stag closed his eyes, his jaw clenched. He didn't know what else to add to that without giving Nightmares false hopes and empty reassurances.
Carefully Nightmare pushed himself back up to his feet, that fur... those feathers... everything bristling and standing on end. With that fur bristling up Sorog got a good view of what lied underneath, muscle... raw muscle without anything covering it, a deep rich purple in coloration. Scars were littering that body, but there were very notable ones, ones that looked as though the monster had been run through by several swords.
"He fills your mind with false hopes my son... he fills your mind with the desire to love. You could never love my son, you could never be happy with someone."
"SILENCE!" The roar that came out of Nightmare wasn't the most pleasant, one of those massive feet slamming down onto the ground causing the soil beneath to sink. Digging his claws in he dug deep vores into the ground before charging forward and slamming that massive skull into the tree before him, twisting himself as those sharp tines from his horns got caught up in the bark.
After a moment, he ripped his face away from the tree before rearing up and gripping onto the bark with those jaws, twisting his head and hearing as the tree creaked and groaned under the strain. Sitting his feet on the bark, he dug those claws in and shoved... putting more strain on the small half grown tree until he heard a snap... growling again he let go of the trunk... watching as the tree hit the forest floor while he was still standing there. Breathing heavy, shaking uncontrollably...
"I will destroy you Catrin...mark my words..." He muttered out, that fur slowly sinking down back into place as the monster was slowly calming once again. Seeming as though that venting was much needed.
—
"Your efforts are insignificant! I carry you to your deaths!"
The sight of not skin, but muscles beneath Nightmare's fur and feathers sent an unpleasant chill down Sorog's spine. He saw the scars...there were many, as to be expected from such a violent creature. The roar was unexpected, and sliced through the silence causing Sorog to start. His eyes wide and his body paralyzed, he could only watch with a mixture of horror and fascination as Nightmare completely decimated yet another tree as if it were nothing. It was only when Nightmare stood before the fallen tree, huffing heavily and shaking, did Sorog remember to breathe. His own body was quivering slightly at the sudden display of rage. He had never seen such power before, such anger.
Nightmare's voice seemed to fluctuate, change as he spoke, and Sorog's skin crawled. Catrin... That must have been his mother's name. The striped stag stared at Nightmare, taking in that hulking form, his ears flat back against his skull. His heart was pounding wildly, his throat and mouth dry. For the first time in ages, he felt the sudden need to take flight...but he couldn't leave. He...didn't want to.
"Nightmare..." Sorog's voice surprised even himself with its soft and sympathetic tone. He let out a long breath, his heart refusing to slow down. He was beginning to feel a little light-headed.
Heavy breathing was coming from the beast as he stood there... looking at the splintered trunk of the tree that he had just toppled over. Feathers laid tight against that blue mass of fur as he was taking in deep, heavy breaths... "Nightmare..."
The monsters mind snapped too at his name and he glanced over his shoulder towards Sorog... he stood there, with a bit of a shrunken posture... something that seemed afraid... worried and a mixture of emotions. It had been a roller coaster ride the past couple days, and his weakness had allowed the doe to get in his mind.
Sighing out the stag turned and moved away from the brutalized tree, walking in front of Sorog before slumping down and laying in front of the other... almost like he was seeking some hidden comfort in the other stag.
—
"Your efforts are insignificant! I carry you to your deaths!"
The striped stag watched the beast carefully as he stumbled back to where he lay, and as Nightmare got closer Sorog couldn't help but feel insignificant compared to the mass of fur, bone and muscle towering over him. He flinched slightly when Nightmare slumped to the ground, feeling the earth quiver slightly beneath his own body at the impact. The creature was laying pretty close...maybe too close for comfort. Try as he might, Sorog couldn't deny the company of the strange beast, and so with a sigh he attempted to relax. Curling a little tighter around Sianna, he closed his eyes despite the fact that he wasn't tired. He wasn't the best at starting conversations, and hoped that Nightmare would say something. But the silence between them was apparent. Sighing, Sorog finally asked, "Just how old are you, anyway?" It was a stupid and inappropriate question, yes, but he was never one for breaking the ice.
"I suppose I will be 'four' by your standards this fall..." Of Course, Nightmare didn't know how old he would have actually been... likely more to be honest... he was dead for an entire year before coming back once... and remained dead for several months at one point... it was just a part of his life that he had grown to accept.
"You don't hear her like I do... I must have looked like an outright fool in front of you doing what I did..."
—
"Your efforts are insignificant! I carry you to your deaths!"
Sorog nodded his head, and then briefly wondered how aging worked in the forest. Maybe it was different for everyone, but he wasn't sure how long he had been in the forest himself. He sure didn't feel any older, or younger for that matter. He began to wonder how old he was before he came here. It was a distant memory, almost unreachable. How silly, when it's something as simple as your age.
As Nightmare continued to speak, it took Sorog a moment to realize that he was talking about his deceased mother. The striped stag shook his head with a small sigh. "No, you didn't look like a fool. I couldn't hear her, but I could see her." He looked up at Nightmare's prone form after a moment. "I take it that it didn't go well." Sorog wasn't very skilled at putting things delicately.
A deep sigh came out of the beast as he shifted and brought one of those talon paws up covering his skull and scratching long lines down it... as if trying to dig something out of his mind but not succeeding "I may have torn up where she died but she's still here... she'll come back... she says she will and I doubt it will be any different..." Another sigh as he drew the paw away and slumped it back to the ground.
"So many got in the way, trying to tell them to fuck off didn't work. The chasing and running, and then getting in the middle of it all... I've got more nicks and bruises than before and some wounds were reopened due to the asses valiant efforts to protect Herla. I understand their will to do so, and I was protecting her as well but all they did was get in my way of her..." He snorted before chuckling out some "Not that I didn't mind you getting involved... but the others... they just got in my damn way..."
—
"Your efforts are insignificant! I carry you to your deaths!"
A frown formed on Sorog's face, and he looked away with a snort. "There were many, I admit. I would have kept you to your business, but when she went after Herla...I lost it. I can't watch her get hurt anymore. I know you were trying to get it under control, but I can't sit by and watch Herla get attacked." His ears were flat against his skull as he thought back to that night. He wondered if Herla was frightened by him being there, but it didn't matter. What really mattered was that he helped drive the fiend away. He didn't expect thanks from her; she had run back to Darcy. That was alright...she was safe.
His ears swiveled forward to the sound of Nightmare chuckling, and he grinned. "Yes, they were getting in my way as well. There were so many there. I don't even know where they came from." In truth, it put him at ease knowing that so many were willing to defend Herla.
"It's not like you or anyone else were doing any harm to Catrin... she's a spirit... and because of that she would not have harmed Herla either... she can try as much as she likes but in the end there is no way she could ever harm Herla... unless it was mentally..." A deep snort came out of Nightmare as he sighed softly "It is nice to know so many are so valiant in protecting her... but I do wish they had taken a little more time in not trampling others who were around... I am not sure if Herla got hurt or not through all the chaos. Not by my mother no... but by those rampaging to help her..."
The stag shifted and those jaws formed into something that did look like a frown, merely at the thought of Herla getting hurt in the midst of hooves, claws and antlers.
[/size]
—
"Your efforts are insignificant! I carry you to your deaths!"
"I know she's not a physical being, but...just seeing someone go after Herla like that just sets me off. Ghost or not, I couldn't stop. I looked more like a fool than you did, trying to destroy a ghost. But that's just what I always am. A fool." A heavy sigh escaped the stag, and he flinched at the mention of the possibility of Herla getting hurt from the scuffle. He would always remember to that day when he hurt her. It was an accident... Rage blinded him.
"Nightmare...that day, when I snapped...I didn't mean to hurt Herla. I would sooner die than harm her," he muttered as he looked away, closing his eyes as he took a breath. Who knew why he was spilling his guts to this beast that he had only just met.
Nightmare shifted and watched Sorog from where he laid, that rather pathetic looking heap of blue fur and purple flesh in front of the other stag... his tail would shift and curl around him as he sighed out body shaking a bit due to the uneasy feeling of having that doe ravaging his mind with brutal words "None of us would ever mean to hurt her... sometimes things happen... and we cannot rewind time to make it right. We were all fools for chasing a ghost but I handled it... the rage, the anger... tearing apart the moss bed... it finally made her leave, made her sink back into the rocks where she belongs..."
Another heavy sigh and the stag shifted before lifting his head up "She will... come again however... and next time, it is likely to be worse... she will likely not relent on chasing Herla... not until she terrifies her and makes her stay away from me. All because she is a coward and afraid of finally having a peaceful end to her miserable life..."
—
"Your efforts are insignificant! I carry you to your deaths!"
Wind whipped through the feather crown of the small black doe as she leapt between the forest trees, bounding effortlessly over logs and other obstacles, her tiny blue hooves barely seeming to touch down on the mossy ground. Herla was running…and not in fear or because she was being chased, but for the sheer joy of it. Her eyes alive and glittering, she trotted to a stop in a brightly lit clearing looking up through the forest leaves at the sun shining through. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply the forest scents, recognizing the soft mossy floor, and the poppies she was standing among. She felt alive and well. Suddenly though, she caught a scent that raised an instant alarm. Her eyes darted and her ears swiveled about. There. In the distance. Sorog was sleeping. The little doe shrunk back behind a large tree. Had he seen her? She ventured another serendipitous peak around the tree’s bulk, her ears flattened against her neck. Her body quivered, muscles bunching in preparation to flee…but she didn’t.
She had not seen the scarred, striped stag since that confusing evening at the playground. The terror at being chased by Walter and then the spirit of Catrin had driven her to frenzied running to avoid the bizarre attacks. But in that chaos, she had recognized that Sorog had tried to protect her. As she stood, trembling behind the tree now, the striped stag in the distance, she tried to reconcile her warring feelings about him. They had had tender moments. She had trusted and cared for him. And somehow it had all gone terribly wrong. In her injured state after that day when she had thought he had gone insane and meant to harm her and Ciel, there had been no ability to communicate with him. The pain and fear was still fresh in her mind…but as the injuries had faded she had began to gain a new perspective. She leaned her forehead into the rough bark of the tree, and squeezed her eyes shut. A tear falling down her cheek. What had happened?
The striped stag's lips curled into a small snarl at the mention of Nightmare's mother continuing to haunt Herla. It was aggravating, infuriating...especially since everyone was helpless against the specter. Thank the Gods it was impossible for her to harm Herla, but the fact the small, black doe would be continually terrorized made his fur bristle. She had been through enough... "If need be, I'll continue to help drive her off with you. I can't her near Herla. I just can't," he replied in a low voice, his gaze shifting as if he expected Catrin to crest one of the nearby hills, silhouetted against the light of the moon.
--
(Lady)
A deep slumber had befallen the striped stag named Sorog, and he shifted restlessly in his sleep. He was alone for now; Sianna was nowhere to be found, though he was not worried. He was beginning to trust her fully, knowing that she would not go against his wishes. Still, his dreams were unsettling and haunting. Inner peace...that is what he had constantly failed to achieve. Ever since he arrived at the forest, he had been tormented internally, driven by his own demons. He became overcome with a lust for blood, for pain. It was a beautiful release, for he could take out all of his frustrations, all of his bottled-up emotions on the one unfortunate stag who decided to taunt him.
And then, he met Herla. Something about that petite, ebony doe just changed something inside of him. Suddenly, he was becoming empathetic. He was beginning to choose not to fight, especially around Herla. He wished to make her proud, to impress her. She was the first creature of the forest who ever tried to connect with him. And then, as they got closer and as she began to find comfort in other stags, he became jealous. Dangerously so. He would begin to attack stags that Herla would be with, but somehow she had always managed to forgive him. It baffled him, and was left feeling ashamed because of his actions. He had never been given so many chances.
But eventually, those chances had to run out. Recently he snapped, and began to attack any stag that Herla associated with who came close to him. He tore into them like a demon, blinded by rage and fueled by hatred. He felt no pain; he even took on several of them at once. His goal was to get to Herla, to be with her...as if he could just walk up to her after attacking her friends and she would be completely accepting. So lost was his mind at that point. No...she cowered before him. She was terrified. When he saw that look in her eyes, he froze...and snapped back into reality. Gehirn drove him away, but Sorog didn't resist him anymore; he was shocked, heartbroken, devastated. In Herla's eyes, he was a monster. He would call out feebly to her, only to be responded with another cower, and enormous antlers pushing him back. He turned, limped away. He didn't want to look back, but he did. He wished he hadn't...
And now, a familiar scent graced his olfactories. One that he had been trying to avoid for fear of frightening its owner. Slowly, his eyes fluttered open, and he vaguely registered that his body was aching slightly. All of his muscles were uncomfortably tensed, and he realized that even in his dreams he was poised to take flight. What was he running from...? It was then that he noticed the scent again, and his heart picked up its pace. Slowly, Sorog raised his head, his vision slightly blurry from sleep...although he could make out a very familiar small, black form hudding beside a tree not too far from him.
His heart seemed to stop along with his breathing, his mouth and throat dry and his body frozen. It was Herla. His mind began to race with a million thoughts. Was she there before? Should he run? What if Sianna came back? Where was Darcy? What was she doing here...? And then, a single word escaped him...one that was faint, unsure and choked. He didn't know if he was still dreaming or not...he couldn't think. "Herla..."
(Whew...so sorry the post was so long, lol! I just wanted to throw in some background stuff in case if someone's reading who's shady on Sorog's and Herla's history. c: )
(Oh my gawd...randomly listening to Apocalyptica songs led me to this. The lyrics perfectly describe Sorog's inner thoughts and stuff, it's crazy. WOO NEW THEME SONG. @3@)
Nightmare heaved out a sound and sighed before lifting his head and looking at Sorog... looking at the other with these black voids before he turned his head to look where the stag had done so... knowing how the other was possibly feeling. Catrin likely retreated because of what he did to the stone and moss... but it would only keep her away for so long. For now, the spirit was only around the playground... but what if she came out and wandered?
Shaking his head he sighed deeply "I appreciate the help, just don't get in my way all right? I'd rather not trample you..." Nightmare let out with a chuckle before turning his attention back to Sorog "Do you know why she is doing this?"
—
"Your efforts are insignificant! I carry you to your deaths!"
Right? I can't believe I've never heard it before, and I'm an Apocalyptica fan! /slapsself
--
His eyes met Nightmares' own for a moment, and although they were merely dark voids he could have sworn he saw flickers of emotion there. The corner of his mouth twitched into a small grin, and the striped stag replied with a chuckle, "I'd rather not get trampled by you, either, but I can't guarantee that I won't get involved." At Nightmare's question, Sorog's smile melted into a slight frown. He shook his head with a sigh. "I only know as much as you do. She wants to drive Herla away from you, but hell if I know why. Maybe she's afraid that you'll become heartbroken." He clenched his jaw, casting his gaze to the ground. Yes...that had to be a possibility. Sorog had experienced the brunt of such heartbreak before; it could happen to Nightmare, too. In fact, it may be inevitable.
Haha, I'm a huge fan myself and even I NEVER heard it haha!
---
A deep and amused chuckle came out of Nightmare at what Sorog said, if his mother was afraid of him becoming heartbroken she would not be relentless in herding off the small black doe... no, she'd want her son to be with her. Chuckling more he shifted, he didn't expect Sorog to not get involved... his devotion to Herla was just as superior to Nightmare's own. They almost had that equal sense of devotion to the little doe.
Shifting he lowered his head and sighed out chuckling more "If my mother had any care of me becoming heartbroken she would not torture Herla and chase her to such a degree... no... she is afraid of me breaking free from her and loving some. If I were to actually find happiness, to find a better life. Then she herself will disappear and finally get the peace that her miserable soul wants... and she's afraid of that... afraid of having that sense of peace and finally passing on like she should have the day that I was born..."
—
"Your efforts are insignificant! I carry you to your deaths!"
((I do that too…a little bit of background so it makes sense, lol!))
When the striped stag stirred, the black does’ breath caught in her throat and her eyes grew wide, darting about, instantly calculating the best route of retreat should it be needed. When his gaze settled on her, her heart rate shot up and her breathing became short and rapid. Instinctively, she moved closer into the shadow of the tree. But he spoke, and the sound of his voice saying her name made her freeze as emotion rolled over her. She choked at the sound. This was Sorog. How many times had he uttered her name so tenderly and…lovingly?
The days after that day when he’d seemingly gone insane, she’d been convinced of the fact that he had meant to kill her and Ciel. Days of unconsciousness, her only thoughts of pain and fear when she would awaken or see him. Her friends driving him away as she watched terrified. But now that that miasma had been lifted from her she found herself looking upon him and the fear was fading. The sound of his voice cut through all of that and she was seeing him. Really seeing him for the first time since that day. Tears where blossoming in her eyes.
She stepped out from the tree’s shadow, knowing that she would be visible. “Sorog?” she answered, tentatively.
The striped stag shook his head, resting his chin atop of Sianna's nape with a long sigh. "I don't know why such things have to find Herla. She's tortured, haunted. She doesn't deserve all of this pain, this torment. I'll just never understand it." His eyes shut tightly, his jaw clenched almost painfully against his frustration. "I am the one who has committed so many sins. I am the one who has caused so much pain. Why can't I be tormented by ghosts and vengeful stags in her place?"
--
(Lady)
She was moving. Not away like she usually did, but into view. The little black doe stepped from the shadows, her gaze locked with his own. He expected her to bolt at any second, to take flight and never look back. Perhaps that would be the last he'd ever see of her. But no...she stayed. And she spoke. He never thought he'd hear his own name escape her lips again; he had forgotten how sweet it sounded.
Slowly, his head light, he stood atop quivering legs. He never broke eye contact with her, and somehow despite his misted vision he could see her perfectly clearly. Time seemed to disappear altogether as they stood staring at each other; maybe it had been hours until Sorog finally mustered the strength and courage to take one tentative step forward. Somehow, he was able to find his voice.
"Herla...I would like to explain about what happened...that day. If you'd let me," he finally said, his tone nervous and uncertain. He didn't sound at all like he normally did. Everything about his "normal", violent self was a guise, a visage. Very few got to see his more vulnerable side. Right now, he was more human.
The striped stag got to his feet, Herla reacted with a backward step, but she could see that he rose shakily and seemed to stand with effort. She looked at him clearly, through eyes unclouded by fear and pain. He didn’t appear menacing or threatening now. She gazed into his face for the first time having never seen him without his mask and looked into his eyes. It was Sorog. She knew him. Emotions flooded into her and she blinked back tears. They stood like that for ages. When he took a step forward…she matched it, giving a tentative duck to her head, but keeping her eyes locked with his.
He spoke again, gently, softly. He mentioned that day and she closed her eyes against the remembered pain and fear. How afraid she’d been. How stunned and heartbroken she’d been that he’d apparently turned on her and Ciel. And Sianna had come several times to try and finish the job. She looked back up at him, wanting to understand now. “Sorog, I cared for you…why?”
At first, when Herla took a step forward as well, Sorog was convinced that it was his imagination. His mind was playing cruel tricks on him. No, no...he was still dreaming. He knew that she would never step toward him again, that she would sooner run to Darcy or Gehirn...someone who was more deserving of her. She was crouching slightly, but her eyes remained on his. He couldn't look away; it would be an impossible feat. He then noticed how glossy her eyes were. Was she...crying? No...don't cry, sweet one. It's alright... Would everything ever be alright again? That was what he had wondered for days, prayed for even. Maybe today, maybe now, he could make amends...
They were only a few feet apart, now; apparently, Sorog's hooves had moved without him realizing it. And now they were cemented to the forest floor, gazing down at Herla's small form. His face was weathered, his eyes and body tired. He wished he could smile, but he couldn't bring himself to. Not now. Despite her approaching him, he couldn't find joy; he could see how frightened she still was. And then, her words struck his heart. She cared for him... Not cares, but cared. Past tense. Past... No...
"Gods, I...Herla, I am so sorry that I hurt you. It was an accident...I-I didn't see you when you got close. I was...lost. Blind. I didn't think..." He took a shaking breath, tried to think. "I would never, ever hurt you or Ciel, Herla. I would sooner die than hurt either of you. I would give my life to protect both of you." His posture slumped, feeling defeated. Why would she believe him at all? He didn't expect her too. But it was the truth, and as long as she heard it while he had a chance to talk to her, he would feel a little at peace. But why was there still a sinking feeling in his heart?
Nightmare snorted and whatever eyes were in those black voids closed... any small flicker of light that would make the monster seem as though he had them disappearing as he shifted before shaking his head "This would be... the last time I will ever allow my emotions to get the better of me... if things go wrong with Herla, I might just destroy myself..." He muttered out, the blue giant seemed to have a feeling of commitment for the little black doe.
But as Sorog though, the little doe deserved better... there were others... Gehirn... Darcy... though Nightmare knew of what Darcy said... knew of what the monarch spoke of. Shaking his head he sighed out and gritted those fangs in his mouth against each other making a very disturbing sound of bone rubbing against bone "I cannot bear the lose of another cherished one... the first two killed me and I came back... this one... will literally be the end..."
—
"Your efforts are insignificant! I carry you to your deaths!"
"Yeah...I felt like doing that as well. Just ending it all so I wouldn't have to suffer anymore. But I was saved." Sorog looked down at Sianna, smiling softly as he watched her sleep for a moment. "Maybe you could be, too. I guess the Gods took pity on me, for whatever reason." His skin crawled at the sound of bone grinding against bone, his ears laying back flat against his skull. Nails on chalkboard, for sure.
The end... Sorog looked at Nightmare, his expression unreadable. "How have control over your own deaths, do you not? Are you so certain that you would never return again, to give yourself another chance? Interesting, considering that the other day you were so quick to call me a coward," he said evenly.
A chuckle was brought up from the blue giant at that... indeed, the other had spoken the truth there. He was so quick in calling Sorog a coward but he was one as well "I have the control over when I choose to die and if I want to come back. When I was gone for that long month being reborn as you see me now, I walked through the world of... Limbo... I suppose that's what you would call it."
A deep snort came and another big drawn out sigh "During that time I had conversations... with my deceased brother and Catrin... my brother being the more helpful of the two if you would call it such. I wanted to stay gone, become a lost memory to those that knew me but my brother drove me to come back because I had so many that cared for me. But I doubt they would have missed me..."
A shake of that head before the beast laid it back down on his forepaws "Who would ever be capable of missing something like me..."
—
"Your efforts are insignificant! I carry you to your deaths!"
A few days ago she would have run at the sight of Sorog, but now Herla could not tear her eyes away from his face, the weariness and pain she saw their kept her glued her to where she stood as he approached. She found herself experiencing all the same emotion she always felt when she saw suffering like that in his eyes. She wanted to take the pain away for him and smooth his brow with her caress. When he spoke, she could hear the sincerity in his voice and she wanted so very badly to believe him. She looked up into his face…and remembered how he had attacked her friends. How terrorized her and Ciel had been and the memories made her squeeze her eyes shut, and duck her head. And not only from him. Sianna as well. She looked up again with tear filled eyes, wanting everything to be alright. To believe him. She gazed into his eyes again, searching. “But Sianna. She tried to kill us. Ciel and I. How could you…” a sob choked out. It was common knowledge that the pair where lovers now. Herla feared the doe more than anybody. And Sorog knew that. Her head ducked she took a step back from him, falling into herself slightly, fear and misgiving creeping back into her.
Sorog listened intently as Nightmare spoke, feeling curious about this world of Limbo. He had heard of it, of course; he was raised Roman-Catholic. He just never knew it could be real until now, now that he knew that Nightmare had experienced it himself. A lost memory... Sometimes, Sorog wished that he could remain as such to those he knew in his past. Most of them, anyway. He did many things that he regretted; a day didn't go by where he wished that he could take everything back.
He gazed at Nightmare as he rested his head atop of his forepaws, and he snorted softly. "In the time you've been here, you've made allies and acquaintances, even friends. I personally don't believe that no one would miss you. Herla would, very much." He hoped he sounded sincere enough.
--
(Lady)
To see Herla squeeze her eyes shut and duck into herself made Sorog want to be swallowed up by the forest floor. He had come to expect these reactions from her, but he was never prepared. This was not the Herla he used to know...and he was not the Sorog that she knew. It was surreal...and terrifying. His heart plummeted into his stomach at her accusing words, her choked sob stabbing into his very soul.
"How could you..."
The phrase repeated itself over and over in Herla's distressed, grief-stricken voice. He swayed slightly, catching himself with a small gasp as he grew light-headed. He needed to focus...needed to think. He may never see her again... "Sianna and I...we are alike. She came to me that day...and we connected. I saw this side of her that I have never seen before. She is so much more than you and I used to believe, Herla. What she did to you and Ciel, it was terrible. But I...seem to give her guidance. She listens to me...looks up to me. She swore to me that she would never hurt you or Ciel again..." His voiced trailed off, and he slumped again in defeat. Nothing he would say about Sianna would ever change Herla's mind, he knew that now...but he could still try.
"We calm each other. We help control each others' demons. I wish I could explain what has transgressed between her and I, but...I can't. I just can't explain it. All I know is that everything will be alright." His gaze slowly met hers, only to see her crouch further into herself. His heart felt as if it would collapse within his chest; he had never been so nervous, so afraid, so grief-stricken. "Herla...I have always cared for you, ever since I first laid eyes on you. I still do, so much. I would never, ever bring you or Ciel harm. I...I don't expect you to ever forgive me, or to see me again. I just want you to know that...you mean so much to me, more than you may ever know, and I am so very sorry for all of the hurt I have caused you. You don't deserve that...you don't, Herla..." You don't deserve me...
There was a heavy silence to come from Nightmare as he took in Sorog's words... would she miss him? He knew she seemed to have when he had disappeared earlier in the last few months to be reborn as he was seen now... but he doubted it at times. He doubted it a lot now, thanks to Catrin's horrible words... the things that filled his mind when he slept and that haunted him when he was awake.
Keeping that hulking head down on those legs he just remained silent, a clear look of distress coming on the beast as those feathers on his head ruffled for a moment. Clearly, the relentless spirit was filling his mind with words again... trying to ease him out and away from all those he held dearest to him.
"She doesn't deserve me... no one deserves me..." The stag found him muttering out the same words that Sorog would often think or say to himself. But were they by his choice? Or were they venom laced words that his mother was spewing into his mind?
—
"Your efforts are insignificant! I carry you to your deaths!"
"Well, I wouldn't be so quick to say that," the striped stag replied, taken aback by the creature's attitude. And he thought he was miserable; Nightmare had been suffering for a long time now. And yet, hypocritically, Sorog related to those defeated words. Indeed, he would catch himself saying or thinking it a lot. The only difference was that he didn't have his deceased mother nagging him in his head, influencing him. No, his inner demons drove him. His own conscience, really. He couldn't decide if that was worse or better than Nightmare's own reasons.
This & This Made me think of Sorog >3< More so that first one <3
-----------
Slowly Nightmare pushed himself up to his feet standing once again, that intimidating hulk of a beast before Sorog as he shifted and turned himself to a side, as though he were venturing to leave the area "I have one final request to make... keep Sianna away from Herla. I do not mind her when I am with you and her, but if she ever approaches Herla again I am not afraid to attack..." The beast muttered out, his tone in a low growl before he turned and slowly walked off, making his way to head to the graveyard, so that he could rest on the large stone slab that rested at the edge of the grounds closest to the graveyard.
—
"Your efforts are insignificant! I carry you to your deaths!"
Ooh, I like the sound of this band! Both of the songs sound very appropriate, hehe; thank you for linking me to them! <3
--
The beast was shifting, standing up. Wearily, Sorog's eyes watched as the hulking mass stood atop clawed feet. At Nightmare's request, Sorog's ears slid back, his eyes narrowing as the beast began to slowly trudge off. "She won't ever hurt Herla again," he replied evenly, just loud enough for Nightmare to hear him as he gained more distance from their prone forms. He snorted in agitation and shook his nape with a long sigh. She won't be any trouble, he made sure of that.
His jaw clenched, he rested his chin atop her exposed shoulder and closed his eyes, trying to control his heart rate so that he may finally rest in peace. His ears swiveled to every moo, every creaking tree, but eventually exhaustion took its toll. He slipped into reverie beside his lover, feeling warm again.
Gotta love watching random videos on Youtube and finding epic songs~ hahaha I found those 2 while listening to one of my friends drawing videos XD They seemed so fitting >3<
—
"Your efforts are insignificant! I carry you to your deaths!"
XD Too bad I can't really seem to find too many that actually FIT Nightmare, the only major one I've ever found was Beyonce "Sweet Dream" XD All the rest I added on his list because they seem to be capable of relating to him haha
—
"Your efforts are insignificant! I carry you to your deaths!"
Lol, who'da thunk that a Beyonce song would suit Nightmare? j/k =P Yep, I listened to a few of them, and they fit him well. I sometimes try not to find relevance in lyrics since it's difficult to find the perfect song, so I usually just resort to the overall tone of the song itself. That's why I usually end up choosing instrumentals. c:
Instrumentals make for a happy Gravey~ hahahaha Because you can find so many that fit the theme of a character, better than some of the songs XD And yeah it's amusing that a Beyonce song fits Nightmare but oddly enough the song was his namesake and how he was made in the beginning HAHAHA XD
—
"Your efforts are insignificant! I carry you to your deaths!"
I absolutely love instrumentals~ ;; They let your imagination run wild. I love listening to ambient and electronica music while I draw or just space out; it helps kick-start my inspiration...hopefully!
Haha so true~ Sometimes a lot of instrumentals inspire my mood and just what I draw in general. If I'm listening to something pumped I often draw something that's violent or monstrous haha
Edit~
Snarling with that massive head lowered, heavy breathing and thick growls coming from the beast that fur standing a bit on end as a couple thick smoke tendrils flowed up from those rather intimidating jaws. A quiver running down his spine before Nightmare raised that head up, those voids for eyes having a very nasty red glow to them as smoke flowed from them "So help me if I ever see her come near Darcy again... or you for that matter... I will not be afraid to tear you both to shreds." Those words were venom laced before the beast lowered that head down again roaring out, making his point clear... "You said you had her under control... you lied... fucking liar... you are lucky I was too afraid to hurt those around me..." The blue giant muttered out before raising back up, turning around and slowly walking off. His blue fur having a slight mix of red specks in it from the chaos that was going around.
—
"Your efforts are insignificant! I carry you to your deaths!"
Funny thing about that: the tone of the music I listen to while I'm drawing doesn't seem to affect the overall emotion of the piece. So, if I listen to heavy, brutal music I might make something syrupy-sweet, haha. It's weird!
--
Shaking, Sorog paced around Sianna, peering through the eyeholes of the skull mask that she had given him. He looked around in a paranoid fashion, waiting for someone to come charging at any moment. He'd be ready to drive them off, to keep them away from his mate. She had lost herself, as she was wont to do...just as he was wont to do. He'd rather drop dead than see her become even more hurt.
His gaze suddenly locked on Nightmare's own quivering form, and his eyes narrowed from behind the mask. "Threaten me all you want, but leave Sianna out of this. She wasn't going after you. I was getting her under control until you had the nerve to get closer. You're just looking for an excuse to fight!" Sorog spat, his fur bristling with rage. He ignored the liar part; he didn't care what Nightmare thought of him. Right now, he was too upset and outraged to think straight. He watched the blue giant walk away, and he snorted before pacing around his mate again. The day started off nice enough. Why did it have to end in disaster?
LMAO! Sometimes I draw pretty normal stuff while listening to epic violence and stuff like that. It all depends I guess LOL! Though I could never draw, uber CUTE AND KAWAII! Stuff to save my life LMAO!
----
Leave her out of this? LEAVE her out of this!? The giant stopped where he was at Sorog's shouts... had he under control... was getting her under control... bullshit. That fur on the beasts body slowly collapsed back down against bruised and sore flesh... it was a lie though, Nightmare had not calmed.
You're just looking for an excuse to fight!
Those words caused a response... that fur blasting up and flaring around the monsters body as it revealed skin. Bleeding areas from old wounds and a heavy layer of smoke rising up from that skull. That body heaved with one breath before Nightmare turned and glanced over his shoulder, red glow flaring madly before the giant just did a double over his body and charged. That head lowering down like a battering ram really as he was putting a full force behind it... he was not looking for an excuse to fight! When he was coming to see Daneth and Darcy he was looking for anything BUT a fight... Sianna just ruined it... ruined it by attacking Darcy... someone that was a friend of the giant and someone that he had vowed to protect.
—
"Your efforts are insignificant! I carry you to your deaths!"
It definitely depends! Music has just become a background thing for me, really; to me, it's just noise that doesn't really affect my art that much or at all. c:
--
When Nightmare froze up, his fur bristling to expose the bloodied muscle, Sorog knew he should have kept his mouth shut. He didn't know the beast too well, but he had a good idea of the sheer power of his temper. Sorog could smell the smoke from where he stood, and his face winced from behind the skull mask. He watched Nightmare carefully, his body rigid and tense...and then, the beast began to charge. Thinking fast, Sorog moved forward, away from Sianna so that Nightmare may have to go through the striped stag to get to her. He braced his entire body, his head lowered and his heart in his throat. He knew he wouldn't be able to stop the hurtling mass of muscle, bone and rage, but Gods be damned if he wouldn't try. But in his mind, only one word repeated itself over and over. Fuck...
"A monster in your closet, a
No one had ever fell into the corruption of such a state before but there were those chances, each time the monster snorted out smoke while he was angered... there was always that risk "It corrupts love... it corrupts happiness... it could turn a beautiful moment into a horror in the blink of an eye. That is where my title comes from... a Sweet Dream when calm... a Beautiful Nightmare... when not..."
*steals new page*
"Your efforts are insignificant! I carry you to your deaths!"
The stag couldn't help but
"It's interesting, really. To tarnish someone's fondest memories and turn them into something horrific and unbearable would cause more pain than any wound could give," Sorog pondered aloud, and then looked Nightmare in the eyes. "Have you ever...done this to anyone?" he asked, genuinely curious.
--
Bah, curses! *shakefist*
"I have never done such
"Little bitch get out of my head..." His fur bristled some, standing on end as those feathers flared up... though as quickly as that anger came... it disappeared and the beast quickly settled again though Nightmare panted softly afterwards. Lifting his head up and catching that heavy breath he grunted before laying back down.
--
Mwahahaha! You shall get a new page someday
"Your efforts are insignificant! I carry you to your deaths!"
The stag nodded his head
--
Yes...someday... *sobs into pillow*
After just a few moments
That's when Nightmare shifted and stood again "I fear that she is trying to destroy me... that she is trying to make me lose everything... her words are cruel, they slice through my heart...
"Your efforts are insignificant! I carry you to your deaths!"
Well, he had him there. Sorog
"I killed her... she died on
A dark tone came from Nightmare as that fur seemed to bristle again, though again... just as quickly as it did, the monster calmed. Shaking his head and sighing deeply, those claws digging into the ground as he growled again "You can see why I fear for Herla's safety... my mother has never done this before... she only talked to me before while I was around the playground... while I was by her deathbed... now she spreads like the damn plague..."
"Your efforts are insignificant! I carry you to your deaths!"
Nothing could have prepared
"Christ..." he muttered, casting his gaze away from the angered beast. He remained still, quiet until Nightmare began to calm down. His sigh echoed Nightmare's own; this was proving to be a most unusual encounter. "Yes...I fear for Herla's safety as well, for many reasons," he replied, watching the beast dig at the earth. "But I know that you can protect her, Nightmare. She...needs someone like you." Not like me... He chased away the fleeting thought.
The beast shuddered some,
Nightmare tensed... hearing what Sorog said She... needs someone like you..." The beast shook his head and growled out deeply that fur bristling again, in and out of his angered state... in and out of the madness. But slowly Nightmare calmed and just collapsed himself down on the ground in a pile of blue fur, shaking.
"But what if I hurt her?"
"Your efforts are insignificant! I carry you to your deaths!"
To see the hulking beast
Carefully Nightmare pushed
"He fills your mind with false hopes my son... he fills your mind with the desire to love. You could never love my son, you could never be happy with someone."
"SILENCE!" The roar that came out of Nightmare wasn't the most pleasant, one of those massive feet slamming down onto the ground causing the soil beneath to sink. Digging his claws in he dug deep vores into the ground before charging forward and slamming that massive skull into the tree before him, twisting himself as those sharp tines from his horns got caught up in the bark.
After a moment, he ripped his face away from the tree before rearing up and gripping onto the bark with those jaws, twisting his head and hearing as the tree creaked and groaned under the strain. Sitting his feet on the bark, he dug those claws in and shoved... putting more strain on the small half grown tree until he heard a snap... growling again he let go of the trunk... watching as the tree hit the forest floor while he was still standing there. Breathing heavy, shaking uncontrollably...
"I will destroy you Catrin... mark my words..." He muttered out, that fur slowly sinking down back into place as the monster was slowly calming once again. Seeming as though that venting was much needed.
"Your efforts are insignificant! I carry you to your deaths!"
The sight of not skin, but
Nightmare's voice seemed to fluctuate, change as he spoke, and Sorog's skin crawled. Catrin... That must have been his mother's name. The striped stag stared at Nightmare, taking in that hulking form, his ears flat back against his skull. His heart was pounding wildly, his throat and mouth dry. For the first time in ages, he felt the sudden need to take flight...but he couldn't leave. He...didn't want to.
"Nightmare..." Sorog's voice surprised even himself with its soft and sympathetic tone. He let out a long breath, his heart refusing to slow down. He was beginning to feel a little light-headed.
Heavy breathing was coming
The monsters mind snapped too at his name and he glanced over his shoulder towards Sorog... he stood there, with a bit of a shrunken posture... something that seemed afraid... worried and a mixture of emotions. It had been a roller coaster ride the past couple days, and his weakness had allowed the doe to get in his mind.
Sighing out the stag turned and moved away from the brutalized tree, walking in front of Sorog before slumping down and laying in front of the other... almost like he was seeking some hidden comfort in the other stag.
"Your efforts are insignificant! I carry you to your deaths!"
The striped stag watched the
"I suppose I will be 'four'
"You don't hear her like I do... I must have looked like an outright fool in front of you doing what I did..."
"Your efforts are insignificant! I carry you to your deaths!"
Sorog nodded his head, and
As Nightmare continued to speak, it took Sorog a moment to realize that he was talking about his deceased mother. The striped stag shook his head with a small sigh. "No, you didn't look like a fool. I couldn't hear her, but I could see her." He looked up at Nightmare's prone form after a moment. "I take it that it didn't go well." Sorog wasn't very skilled at putting things delicately.
A deep sigh came out of the
"So many got in the way, trying to tell them to fuck off didn't work. The chasing and running, and then getting in the middle of it all... I've got more nicks and bruises than before and some wounds were reopened due to the asses valiant efforts to protect Herla. I understand their will to do so, and I was protecting her as well but all they did was get in my way of her..." He snorted before chuckling out some "Not that I didn't mind you getting involved... but the others... they just got in my damn way..."
"Your efforts are insignificant! I carry you to your deaths!"
A frown formed on Sorog's
His ears swiveled forward to the sound of Nightmare chuckling, and he grinned. "Yes, they were getting in my way as well. There were so many there. I don't even know where they came from." In truth, it put him at ease knowing that so many were willing to defend Herla.
"It's not like you or anyone
The stag shifted and those jaws formed into something that did look like a frown, merely at the thought of Herla getting hurt in the midst of hooves, claws and antlers.
"Your efforts are insignificant! I carry you to your deaths!"
"I know she's not a physical
"Nightmare...that day, when I snapped...I didn't mean to hurt Herla. I would sooner die than harm her," he muttered as he looked away, closing his eyes as he took a breath. Who knew why he was spilling his guts to this beast that he had only just met.
Nightmare shifted and watched
Another heavy sigh and the stag shifted before lifting his head up "She will... come again however... and next time, it is likely to be worse... she will likely not relent on chasing Herla... not until she terrifies her and makes her stay away from me. All because she is a coward and afraid of finally having a peaceful end to her miserable life..."
"Your efforts are insignificant! I carry you to your deaths!"
Wind whipped through the
She had not seen the scarred, striped stag since that confusing evening at the playground. The terror at being chased by Walter and then the spirit of Catrin had driven her to frenzied running to avoid the bizarre attacks. But in that chaos, she had recognized that Sorog had tried to protect her. As she stood, trembling behind the tree now, the striped stag in the distance, she tried to reconcile her warring feelings about him. They had had tender moments. She had trusted and cared for him. And somehow it had all gone terribly wrong. In her injured state after that day when she had thought he had gone insane and meant to harm her and Ciel, there had been no ability to communicate with him. The pain and fear was still fresh in her mind…but as the injuries had faded she had began to gain a new perspective. She leaned her forehead into the rough bark of the tree, and squeezed her eyes shut. A tear falling down her cheek. What had happened?
(Graveyard) The striped
The striped stag's lips curled into a small snarl at the mention of Nightmare's mother continuing to haunt Herla. It was aggravating, infuriating...especially since everyone was helpless against the specter. Thank the Gods it was impossible for her to harm Herla, but the fact the small, black doe would be continually terrorized made his fur bristle. She had been through enough... "If need be, I'll continue to help drive her off with you. I can't her near Herla. I just can't," he replied in a low voice, his gaze shifting as if he expected Catrin to crest one of the nearby hills, silhouetted against the light of the moon.
--
(Lady)
A deep slumber had befallen the striped stag named Sorog, and he shifted restlessly in his sleep. He was alone for now; Sianna was nowhere to be found, though he was not worried. He was beginning to trust her fully, knowing that she would not go against his wishes. Still, his dreams were unsettling and haunting. Inner peace...that is what he had constantly failed to achieve. Ever since he arrived at the forest, he had been tormented internally, driven by his own demons. He became overcome with a lust for blood, for pain. It was a beautiful release, for he could take out all of his frustrations, all of his bottled-up emotions on the one unfortunate stag who decided to taunt him.
And then, he met Herla. Something about that petite, ebony doe just changed something inside of him. Suddenly, he was becoming empathetic. He was beginning to choose not to fight, especially around Herla. He wished to make her proud, to impress her. She was the first creature of the forest who ever tried to connect with him. And then, as they got closer and as she began to find comfort in other stags, he became jealous. Dangerously so. He would begin to attack stags that Herla would be with, but somehow she had always managed to forgive him. It baffled him, and was left feeling ashamed because of his actions. He had never been given so many chances.
But eventually, those chances had to run out. Recently he snapped, and began to attack any stag that Herla associated with who came close to him. He tore into them like a demon, blinded by rage and fueled by hatred. He felt no pain; he even took on several of them at once. His goal was to get to Herla, to be with her...as if he could just walk up to her after attacking her friends and she would be completely accepting. So lost was his mind at that point. No...she cowered before him. She was terrified. When he saw that look in her eyes, he froze...and snapped back into reality. Gehirn drove him away, but Sorog didn't resist him anymore; he was shocked, heartbroken, devastated. In Herla's eyes, he was a monster. He would call out feebly to her, only to be responded with another cower, and enormous antlers pushing him back. He turned, limped away. He didn't want to look back, but he did. He wished he hadn't...
And now, a familiar scent graced his olfactories. One that he had been trying to avoid for fear of frightening its owner. Slowly, his eyes fluttered open, and he vaguely registered that his body was aching slightly. All of his muscles were uncomfortably tensed, and he realized that even in his dreams he was poised to take flight. What was he running from...? It was then that he noticed the scent again, and his heart picked up its pace. Slowly, Sorog raised his head, his vision slightly blurry from sleep...although he could make out a very familiar small, black form hudding beside a tree not too far from him.
His heart seemed to stop along with his breathing, his mouth and throat dry and his body frozen. It was Herla. His mind began to race with a million thoughts. Was she there before? Should he run? What if Sianna came back? Where was Darcy? What was she doing here...? And then, a single word escaped him...one that was faint, unsure and choked. He didn't know if he was still dreaming or not...he couldn't think. "Herla..."
(Whew...so sorry the post was so long, lol! I just wanted to throw in some background stuff in case if someone's reading who's shady on Sorog's and Herla's history. c: )
(Oh my gawd...randomly
That song *3* *instant
-------------
Shaking his head he sighed deeply "I appreciate the help, just don't get in my way all right? I'd rather not trample you..." Nightmare let out with a chuckle before turning his attention back to Sorog "Do you know why she is doing this?"
"Your efforts are insignificant! I carry you to your deaths!"
Right? I can't believe I've
--
His eyes met Nightmares' own for a moment, and although they were merely dark voids he could have sworn he saw flickers of emotion there. The corner of his mouth twitched into a small grin, and the striped stag replied with a chuckle, "I'd rather not get trampled by you, either, but I can't guarantee that I won't get involved." At Nightmare's question, Sorog's smile melted into a slight frown. He shook his head with a sigh. "I only know as much as you do. She wants to drive Herla away from you, but hell if I know why. Maybe she's afraid that you'll become heartbroken." He clenched his jaw, casting his gaze to the ground. Yes...that had to be a possibility. Sorog had experienced the brunt of such heartbreak before; it could happen to Nightmare, too. In fact, it may be inevitable.
Haha, I'm a huge fan myself
---
Shifting he lowered his head and sighed out chuckling more "If my mother had any care of me becoming heartbroken she would not torture Herla and chase her to such a degree... no... she is afraid of me breaking free from her and loving some. If I were to actually find happiness, to find a better life. Then she herself will disappear and finally get the peace that her miserable soul wants... and she's afraid of that... afraid of having that sense of peace and finally passing on like she should have the day that I was born..."
"Your efforts are insignificant! I carry you to your deaths!"
((I do that too…a little bit
When the striped stag stirred, the black does’ breath caught in her throat and her eyes grew wide, darting about, instantly calculating the best route of retreat should it be needed. When his gaze settled on her, her heart rate shot up and her breathing became short and rapid. Instinctively, she moved closer into the shadow of the tree. But he spoke, and the sound of his voice saying her name made her freeze as emotion rolled over her. She choked at the sound. This was Sorog. How many times had he uttered her name so tenderly and…lovingly?
The days after that day when he’d seemingly gone insane, she’d been convinced of the fact that he had meant to kill her and Ciel. Days of unconsciousness, her only thoughts of pain and fear when she would awaken or see him. Her friends driving him away as she watched terrified. But now that that miasma had been lifted from her she found herself looking upon him and the fear was fading. The sound of his voice cut through all of that and she was seeing him. Really seeing him for the first time since that day. Tears where blossoming in her eyes.
She stepped out from the tree’s shadow, knowing that she would be visible. “Sorog?” she answered, tentatively.
(Graveyard) The striped stag
The striped stag shook his head, resting his chin atop of Sianna's nape with a long sigh. "I don't know why such things have to find Herla. She's tortured, haunted. She doesn't deserve all of this pain, this torment. I'll just never understand it." His eyes shut tightly, his jaw clenched almost painfully against his frustration. "I am the one who has committed so many sins. I am the one who has caused so much pain. Why can't I be tormented by ghosts and vengeful stags in her place?"
--
(Lady)
She was moving. Not away like she usually did, but into view. The little black doe stepped from the shadows, her gaze locked with his own. He expected her to bolt at any second, to take flight and never look back. Perhaps that would be the last he'd ever see of her. But no...she stayed. And she spoke. He never thought he'd hear his own name escape her lips again; he had forgotten how sweet it sounded.
Slowly, his head light, he stood atop quivering legs. He never broke eye contact with her, and somehow despite his misted vision he could see her perfectly clearly. Time seemed to disappear altogether as they stood staring at each other; maybe it had been hours until Sorog finally mustered the strength and courage to take one tentative step forward. Somehow, he was able to find his voice.
"Herla...I would like to explain about what happened...that day. If you'd let me," he finally said, his tone nervous and uncertain. He didn't sound at all like he normally did. Everything about his "normal", violent self was a guise, a visage. Very few got to see his more vulnerable side. Right now, he was more human.
The striped stag got to his
He spoke again, gently, softly. He mentioned that day and she closed her eyes against the remembered pain and fear. How afraid she’d been. How stunned and heartbroken she’d been that he’d apparently turned on her and Ciel. And Sianna had come several times to try and finish the job. She looked back up at him, wanting to understand now. “Sorog, I cared for you…why?”
At first, when Herla took a
They were only a few feet apart, now; apparently, Sorog's hooves had moved without him realizing it. And now they were cemented to the forest floor, gazing down at Herla's small form. His face was weathered, his eyes and body tired. He wished he could smile, but he couldn't bring himself to. Not now. Despite her approaching him, he couldn't find joy; he could see how frightened she still was. And then, her words struck his heart. She cared for him... Not cares, but cared. Past tense. Past... No...
"Gods, I...Herla, I am so sorry that I hurt you. It was an accident...I-I didn't see you when you got close. I was...lost. Blind. I didn't think..." He took a shaking breath, tried to think. "I would never, ever hurt you or Ciel, Herla. I would sooner die than hurt either of you. I would give my life to protect both of you." His posture slumped, feeling defeated. Why would she believe him at all? He didn't expect her too. But it was the truth, and as long as she heard it while he had a chance to talk to her, he would feel a little at peace. But why was there still a sinking feeling in his heart?
Nightmare snorted and
But as Sorog though, the little doe deserved better... there were others... Gehirn... Darcy... though Nightmare knew of what Darcy said... knew of what the monarch spoke of. Shaking his head he sighed out and gritted those fangs in his mouth against each other making a very disturbing sound of bone rubbing against bone "I cannot bear the lose of another cherished one... the first two killed me and I came back... this one... will literally be the end..."
"Your efforts are insignificant! I carry you to your deaths!"
"Yeah...I felt like doing
The end... Sorog looked at Nightmare, his expression unreadable. "How have control over your own deaths, do you not? Are you so certain that you would never return again, to give yourself another chance? Interesting, considering that the other day you were so quick to call me a coward," he said evenly.
A chuckle was brought up from
A deep snort came and another big drawn out sigh "During that time I had conversations... with my deceased brother and Catrin... my brother being the more helpful of the two if you would call it such. I wanted to stay gone, become a lost memory to those that knew me but my brother drove me to come back because I had so many that cared for me. But I doubt they would have missed me..."
A shake of that head before the beast laid it back down on his forepaws "Who would ever be capable of missing something like me..."
"Your efforts are insignificant! I carry you to your deaths!"
A few days ago she would have
(Graveyard) Sorog listened
Sorog listened intently as Nightmare spoke, feeling curious about this world of Limbo. He had heard of it, of course; he was raised Roman-Catholic. He just never knew it could be real until now, now that he knew that Nightmare had experienced it himself. A lost memory... Sometimes, Sorog wished that he could remain as such to those he knew in his past. Most of them, anyway. He did many things that he regretted; a day didn't go by where he wished that he could take everything back.
He gazed at Nightmare as he rested his head atop of his forepaws, and he snorted softly. "In the time you've been here, you've made allies and acquaintances, even friends. I personally don't believe that no one would miss you. Herla would, very much." He hoped he sounded sincere enough.
--
(Lady)
To see Herla squeeze her eyes shut and duck into herself made Sorog want to be swallowed up by the forest floor. He had come to expect these reactions from her, but he was never prepared. This was not the Herla he used to know...and he was not the Sorog that she knew. It was surreal...and terrifying. His heart plummeted into his stomach at her accusing words, her choked sob stabbing into his very soul.
"How could you..."
The phrase repeated itself over and over in Herla's distressed, grief-stricken voice. He swayed slightly, catching himself with a small gasp as he grew light-headed. He needed to focus...needed to think. He may never see her again... "Sianna and I...we are alike. She came to me that day...and we connected. I saw this side of her that I have never seen before. She is so much more than you and I used to believe, Herla. What she did to you and Ciel, it was terrible. But I...seem to give her guidance. She listens to me...looks up to me. She swore to me that she would never hurt you or Ciel again..." His voiced trailed off, and he slumped again in defeat. Nothing he would say about Sianna would ever change Herla's mind, he knew that now...but he could still try.
"We calm each other. We help control each others' demons. I wish I could explain what has transgressed between her and I, but...I can't. I just can't explain it. All I know is that everything will be alright." His gaze slowly met hers, only to see her crouch further into herself. His heart felt as if it would collapse within his chest; he had never been so nervous, so afraid, so grief-stricken. "Herla...I have always cared for you, ever since I first laid eyes on you. I still do, so much. I would never, ever bring you or Ciel harm. I...I don't expect you to ever forgive me, or to see me again. I just want you to know that...you mean so much to me, more than you may ever know, and I am so very sorry for all of the hurt I have caused you. You don't deserve that...you don't, Herla..." You don't deserve me...
There was a heavy silence to
Keeping that hulking head down on those legs he just remained silent, a clear look of distress coming on the beast as those feathers on his head ruffled for a moment. Clearly, the relentless spirit was filling his mind with words again... trying to ease him out and away from all those he held dearest to him.
"She doesn't deserve me... no one deserves me..." The stag found him muttering out the same words that Sorog would often think or say to himself. But were they by his choice? Or were they venom laced words that his mother was spewing into his mind?
"Your efforts are insignificant! I carry you to your deaths!"
"Well, I wouldn't be so quick
This & This Made me think of
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"Your efforts are insignificant! I carry you to your deaths!"
Ooh, I like the sound of this
--
The beast was shifting, standing up. Wearily, Sorog's eyes watched as the hulking mass stood atop clawed feet. At Nightmare's request, Sorog's ears slid back, his eyes narrowing as the beast began to slowly trudge off. "She won't ever hurt Herla again," he replied evenly, just loud enough for Nightmare to hear him as he gained more distance from their prone forms. He snorted in agitation and shook his nape with a long sigh. She won't be any trouble, he made sure of that.
His jaw clenched, he rested his chin atop her exposed shoulder and closed his eyes, trying to control his heart rate so that he may finally rest in peace. His ears swiveled to every moo, every creaking tree, but eventually exhaustion took its toll. He slipped into reverie beside his lover, feeling warm again.
Gotta love watching random
"Your efforts are insignificant! I carry you to your deaths!"
Oh, absolutely! I love it
XD Too bad I can't really
"Your efforts are insignificant! I carry you to your deaths!"
Lol, who'da thunk that a
Instrumentals make for a
"Your efforts are insignificant! I carry you to your deaths!"
I absolutely love
Haha so true~ Sometimes a lot
Edit~
"Your efforts are insignificant! I carry you to your deaths!"
Funny thing about that: the
--
Shaking, Sorog paced around Sianna, peering through the eyeholes of the skull mask that she had given him. He looked around in a paranoid fashion, waiting for someone to come charging at any moment. He'd be ready to drive them off, to keep them away from his mate. She had lost herself, as she was wont to do...just as he was wont to do. He'd rather drop dead than see her become even more hurt.
His gaze suddenly locked on Nightmare's own quivering form, and his eyes narrowed from behind the mask. "Threaten me all you want, but leave Sianna out of this. She wasn't going after you. I was getting her under control until you had the nerve to get closer. You're just looking for an excuse to fight!" Sorog spat, his fur bristling with rage. He ignored the liar part; he didn't care what Nightmare thought of him. Right now, he was too upset and outraged to think straight. He watched the blue giant walk away, and he snorted before pacing around his mate again. The day started off nice enough. Why did it have to end in disaster?
LMAO! Sometimes I draw pretty
----
You're just looking for an excuse to fight!
Those words caused a response... that fur blasting up and flaring around the monsters body as it revealed skin. Bleeding areas from old wounds and a heavy layer of smoke rising up from that skull. That body heaved with one breath before Nightmare turned and glanced over his shoulder, red glow flaring madly before the giant just did a double over his body and charged. That head lowering down like a battering ram really as he was putting a full force behind it... he was not looking for an excuse to fight! When he was coming to see Daneth and Darcy he was looking for anything BUT a fight... Sianna just ruined it... ruined it by attacking Darcy... someone that was a friend of the giant and someone that he had vowed to protect.
"Your efforts are insignificant! I carry you to your deaths!"
It definitely depends! Music
--
When Nightmare froze up, his fur bristling to expose the bloodied muscle, Sorog knew he should have kept his mouth shut. He didn't know the beast too well, but he had a good idea of the sheer power of his temper. Sorog could smell the smoke from where he stood, and his face winced from behind the skull mask. He watched Nightmare carefully, his body rigid and tense...and then, the beast began to charge. Thinking fast, Sorog moved forward, away from Sianna so that Nightmare may have to go through the striped stag to get to her. He braced his entire body, his head lowered and his heart in his throat. He knew he wouldn't be able to stop the hurtling mass of muscle, bone and rage, but Gods be damned if he wouldn't try. But in his mind, only one word repeated itself over and over. Fuck...