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 Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2026 5:21 pm
(This is a solo RP for ToniCourtel's following ponies: Mahiz Indurata Vesihiisi & Shaoyao Hong Xiu Qiu
Please do not post here unless you are invited.)
[Teepee]
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Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2026 5:43 pm
Quote: The white cery-kirin stallion Mahiz Indurata Vesihiisi, more often than not just called Hiss, was honest to sunlight nervous about his new position. Not because it was precarious, but because it was important. Different. A new year, a new life.
For much of the previous year, Hiss had been something of a free spirit, a wandering soul, adrift in the world as he attempted to find his purpose. Before that he had left behind his home herd because living amongst them had not felt like home for some time. Whatever his path was supposed to be, he did not think he would be able to begin walking it while still living in the Harvest Herd. Admittedly, his sister had left first, and though he was willing to let her live her own life when she left... something about being left behind had not sat well with him.
So he had followed.
Naturally, one could not even begin to guess what twists and turns life might throw at them when the wheel of fate was set to turning. Hiss was no different, determined to see that Revontulet was well after being just relaxed enough to let her leave in the first place, he had set out to follow. He wanted to make sure that she was alright, that she was living a good life... and maybe he wanted to be sure that if they met their fate, they did so together.
Perhaps he should be more careful what he wished for... Or learn to be more specific in his wishes? For all that Hiss had managed to find Revontulet before any great harm could come to her, she had certainly already found her fate before he trundled along after her. Which was good, honestly, wonderful. In no way at all did the thought rankle. He was honestly delighted that she had found someone, her soulmate, so early on. She had made friends and so had he... They had cobbled together a rather odd little harvest herd of wanderers, good friends, to spend time with when not in the middle of their new herd life.
But to have a herd life, and such a herd, was nothing short of strange.
The Underland.
Somehow, Revontulet had mated into The Underland, and now they were part of it. Which, Hiss loved being part of something, particularly something so wild and wonderful and ultimately welcoming. But he wanted to be an active part of it. So he had said as much, stepping up to the Queen and making the offer to be useful. Ekaterina had considered him in silence for several minutes, and then nodded.
'Perfect, I have just the task for you. Hold back after the meeting, and we will discuss the Spring Festival.'
The Spring Festival. Hiss hadn't really ever celebrated for Spring, part of a herd that prioritized Autumn Festivities above all else. Spring was largely notable for marking the end of the Winter snows, but not much more. They had not decorated, or thrown any grand parties. If anything, it had been time for cleaning and planting and generally preparing for what they would be harvesting in the fall. It was new beginnings like the new year, but a quiet, unremarked sort. Not the time for fanfare.
Apparently Underland wasn't exactly big on fanfare, but there were still important things to be done, Spring Festival or not.
All of that somehow lead to him being here, standing on the outskirts of a field draped in red decorations, having delivered a basket of lucky envelopes to the leader of another herd. They would take over the task of dispersing the envelopes to the families that were gathered to celebrate, freeing Hiss up for other things.
With his delivery mission complete, Hiss then moved to the greeting field and taken up the next task, that of acting as an Envoy on behalf of the Underland Herd. His second assigned task today was to meet petitioners, to hear bids for new memberships and alliances. Today was his first day doing so on his own, and he was -admittedly- quite nervous.
"Just remember to breathe, Hiss... You've got this."
Maybe he should go back to the Spring Festival idea... Was it too late to go instigate a massive spring cleaning? Or to go make offerings to the ancestors? Surely the dead would not judge him as harshly as the living might be inclined to do.
"Stars and Ancestors, Hiss, how do you always get yourself into these sorts of fixes, hmmmm?" The glass gem corn stallion muttered at himself with quiet resignation. "Why is it always us?"
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Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2026 7:14 pm
Quote: After a journey spanning several days long, Shaoyao Hong Xiu Qiu steps into a strange celebration grove on silent red hooves, his pale coat draped in swathes of red silk just like so many of the decorations swaying in the trees. Beneath draping sashes the white coated stallion is marked with deep red lace flourishes along his neck and foreleg, the patterns a mix of elegant sweeps and delicate floral motifs. They are a legacy of his homeland, quite far from here, the last remainder he has of kin he has not seen in far too long. With his equally bold red mane and tail swept up with combs and held in place with pins, he paints a rather accurate picture of an elegant traveler from quite a faraway place. He looks suitably part of all the celebrations, for all that he is a stranger in this place and not yet a part of any of it, only recently arrived. These celebrations are not his, and yet at their heart they are familiar to him. Days ago he had begun to celebrate the beginning of the Spring Festival with the herd that had become his home after leaving his family behind. While he was still among his herd they had observed the new moon and honored the ancestors, making offerings to the Gods and Goddesses as well as the Tea Spirits they held in high regard. After the third of day, convinced mere offerings were not enough, Xiu Qiu had struck out on his own to do more. To find the Tea Spirits, or perhaps a wandering Goddess, in truth. To ask them for help, for protection, for safety for the herd that he had joined and held so dear. The Broken Lotus Band is a modest herd of exceptionally gifted mares, each with her own heartache and broken parts. As their envoy, Xiu Qiu hopes to find them a safe place, a new homeland, allies or friends or family to aid them in building something. Something new and beautiful and safe. A herd or a family or just an alliance. Whatever shape it takes, he is here hoping his efforts will prove successful, that he can dispel their past bad luck, and earn them the favor of those they so revere. Seeing a stallion all shades of autumn, Xiu Qiu steps up with an elegant bob of his head. "You are the Envoy, I trust? It is to you that I would speak in an effort to find and make an offering and appeal to the Tea Goddess?" He was bound and determined that this Spring Festival would be the one he succeeded... This time, he would find them a home. Failure was not an option, not this time. When the KiriCery stallion seemed to hesitate Xiu Qiu forged onward. "It's very important I speak to her, I hope you can understand."
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Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2026 10:37 am
Quote: There is, of course, no joy to be found in lecturing or chastising one's own self. Not that it will completely prevent the stallion from doing so, but from time to time the logic of the matter resurfaces and he can give himself a break. So he does, reluctantly, looking for some other thing to occupy his time and attention.
With a low hum, Hiss redirects his attention to the Festival occurrences around him, silently and a little stubbornly trying to lose himself in the busy, excited edge in the air. He doesn't share their beliefs or preoccupations, but at the moment all of their problems seem so far away. That, in itself, is quite an appealing illusion. Hiss embraces it wholeheartedly, trying to sink into the whirlwind energy of those darting around, the dancers in the distance, the cheerful foals and waving banners and happily chiming bells. There are instruments being played and food being grilled and sweets being carted around by cheerful purveyors. It's a spectacle of joy and frivolity, over here... and in the distance still he sees those making their offerings, observing tradition, honoring spirits.
Hiss must moderately succeed in allowing the Spring Festival unfolding around him to envelop his senses, consume his attention, for when a stranger clears his throat he's far closer than Hiss was expecting. The white and red stallion is marked in lacework patterns and has his hair swept up in an elegant bun. He certainly looks like he's part of this place, this festival, this elegant and spiritual and joyous time.
"I am," Hiss murmurs in response to the question once it sinks in that he is being spoken to. "I am Mahiz Indurata Vesihiisi, most just call me Mahiz or Hiss. I cannot speak directly on her behalf, but I represent the Herd that has the honor of serving and hosting her."
Hiss gives the stranger a sweeping look, shifting on his hooves, and tries to strike the balance between offering assistance within his own wheelhouse and not overly promising on behalf of someone who can and will make her own decisions.
"Could you provide a little bit of information, so I can try to assist you?"
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Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2026 11:38 am
Quote: Though it might be a little rude, the red and white stallion finds his mouth is running away with questions and requests rather than introducing himself as would likely be most proper. He can't exactly help it, the whole matter is fraught with emotion and tension and he's just doing the best he can with what he has. "Apologies for my poor manners." Xiu Qiu murmurs with a shy dip of his head in deference. "It was not my intention to cause offense or disregard protocols. Honestly, I know that I do not know much about such things and I do not wish to waste anyone's time, but that's no excuse for a lack of introduction. I am Shaoyao Hong Xiu Qiu, most simply call me Xiu Qiu. I am here to speak on behalf of Broken Lotus, to entreat the Tea Goddess to mercy. It is the hope that she would extend her grace and protection to them, and help them find solace in this unkind world so they can rest and heal." He shifts nervously on his hooves, flicking his tail and rocking weight to one side with a stretch of his other leg, tipping his hoof to just barely rest in the grass. His muscles tense and then slowly relax, unknotting slightly as some of the tension eases with deep breaths and sudden stillness. "It is good to meet you, Mahiz, I just hope that you can help me help them. I do not know too many places to go that would be safe for them should something from their past come hunting." Tension surges again, rising with his worry. "I am out of my depth in these matters, and I think the waters are getting deeper."
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Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2026 3:21 pm
Quote: Hiss shifts on his hooves, attempting to stifle the urge to pace nervously, tension coursing through him. The stretch of hide over his haunches twitches like he's been fly-stung, muscles taut as wire strung too tight beneath the skin. He flicks his short tail and exhales sharply, steeling himself and attempting to convey a steadiness he does not have enough experience to actually possess. Yet.
Perhaps, one day. If he remains an Envoy long enough to develop it to a satisfactory degree? But at the moment he is attempting to do what he can with what he has, what he knows, and what he can guess at. The red and white stallion before him does not have the composure that he would expect from someone lying, which follows then that he is telling the truth. Nervously telling the truth.
'At least we're kindred spirits in that regard?' Hiss thinks with a bitter-sweet twist of amusement.
"Your manners are fine, Friend," Hiss tries to reassure him with a straightforward look. "This is not a normal situation or experience. I, at least, am not going to blame you for being a little wrong footed. If you can tell me a little of what's going on, we can figure out if there is correct protocol to follow... But at the moment, no offense was meant or caused and the rest can take care of itself."
He definitely does not wish to speak on behalf of any of the Tea Spirits he is familiar with, however how distantly or casually... but he also can't really picture any of them turning away a herd of broken ladies away from sanctuary. The mere thought of it makes him frown and lay his ears back to his skull in reluctance. No, not acceptable.
"I cannot speak for her, but I can ensure you that the herd you represent would be welcome to seek sanctuary within The Underlands territories in pursuit of safety. The rest can certainly be sorted out later. For now, can you tell me... are they safe?"
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Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2026 5:43 pm
Quote: Xiu Qiu can't help the nerves still clinging to him, and shifts restlessly as he watches the autumnal colored Cery Kirin stallion before him do the same. Well, it seems they are both nervous, both out of their depths. Granted, Mahiz seems a decent sort of fellow, not high and mighty on the power of his rank, not immune to stories of the suffering of others. Even if Xiu Qiu is going about things incorrectly, this perfect stranger seems willing to help him do things right, to help where he can. Considering all he wants to do is help the Ladies of the herd, Xiu Qiu is grateful for it. Maybe together they can sort this out, or find them something approaching swift Sanctuary while they work on a permanent solution. "I think we're both trying to do our best with the responsibilities we have," he offered as a sort of olive branch. "And honestly, I'd be grateful for any help that could be rendered on that matter." Xiu Qiu feels some of the tension melting away as Mahiz offers assistance and sanctuary before even bringing up the option of an audience with the Tea Goddess or other such spirits. Honestly, he'll take all the help he can get. If the herd lands are safe before even bringing the Spirits into it, so much the better. "They're traveling in smaller bands, moving somewhat erratically in an effort to avoid being tracked." He explains with a harried look and a bit of a helpless shrug. "No clear destination in mind outside of seeking the audience, so ideas would be appreciated. If the Tea Goddess can't or won't see us, and perhaps even if she will, they need somewhere safe to call home."
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