Flowers of Heaven 2: avante en garde

[idolpro]

There's a snap in the air like the fluttering of a banner in the wind, and then the heavy sound of some large animal breathing.

Gathering around you, though, are creatures that more resemble the idea of animals: lions, wolves, gryphons, unicorns, and stags with stunted bodies, gaping mouths, and rearing poses—like nothing so much as... heraldry. Indeed, upon closer inspection, their bodies seem to be made of stitched brocade. Nevertheless, they bow their heads to you, solemn and respectful, and nudge at you with their heads, paws, and horns, guiding you toward a gap that's opened in the thick curtain of kudzu vines and onto a winding path beyond.

Once you cross through, the vines grow rapidly to cover the open space behind you, and the voices of your fellow idols fade from your ears. It seems as if you’re on your own, now.

❀ ❀ ❀

Here, the path beneath you is partially-paved with ancient-looking stones, and in the distance, from no identifiable direction, is the faint, steady sound of a drum.

It seems the herald-creatures are carrying some things for you: a collection of sixteen different flowers, and a small lantern of blue flame, and a wreath woven from vervain, star of bethlehem, and chamomile.

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Quick Links: Flowers | Status Effects | OOC Rules

Comments

Re: DISCUSSION

[daios]

[He read the rules and immediately got a headache.]

I don't know. None of this is ever any good. I am tired of it.

..... I am glad to see you, Lady Amaranth, though the context is terrible as ever.

Re: DISCUSSION

[worthathousand]

And how much greater my regret would be, had I returned to find all of you had endured while I had been unable to support you.

[ a pause. then, softer— ]

....But it is tiring, every time.

Re: DISCUSSION

[daios]

Lady Amaranth... I think that sometimes, it is better if not all of us have endured together, hahaha.

Who will pick up our pieces now? Well, one of us will hopefully come out of this unscathed.

Re: DISCUSSION

[worthathousand]

That part, at least, is easy to answer: we pick them up for one another. No war is fought alone.
—Not even by one such as I.

And the banner is lightest of all when there are many to carry it.

Re: DISCUSSION

[daios]

Of course. I suppose I just prefer it if we are not all in pieces.

This doesn't... seem like it will end that way, but I feel like if I get comfortable thinking that, that's when it will prove me wrong.