[ Mod ]

It seemed Logan and Piérre were experiencing opposite issues: while the witch's horse was eager to go for a jaunt, the wizard's pony dragged his hooves every step of the way. Regardless, they both managed to maintain momentum with the rest of the group, a fact that earned an approving nod from Tamasa as she halted her mule in the middle of the bridge. "Connecting with creatures does not always mean submitting to their will," she observed. "We must establish a level of control as well as cooperation: something you'd all do well to keep in mind as you approach your animagus ritual."

Pericles chose to stay in his saddle so as to keep an eye on the others, observing Mahlioz from his high vantage while the wix worked her way down to the water. Once treats were in hand, the otters left caution to the wind to take turns eagerly approaching. They accepted snacks with webbed paws and nimble claws, proving to be incredibly agile, nothing but brown blurs when they sped away underwater. Some floated on their backs, gnawing off chunks with sharp little teeth. The goodies which Avery tossed off the bridge bobbed at the surface of the water. The mother otter wasn't willing to bring her slumbering pup in arm's reach of a human, but she accepted this opportunity, sidling up to the treat and scooping it onto her chest without waking her whelp. Whistles and chirps filled the air as they voiced their excitement, all smacking jaws and shiny brown eyes.

The red squirrel- a brilliant bolt of orange against the emerald scenery- wasn't one to be left out. When Piérre squeaked its way, it squeaked right back, a sound as curious as it was cautious. As soon as a morsel landed at the base of its tree, it skittered down with marked speed and grace. The vivid creature hesitated with a flick of its bushy tail, then scampered forward to take the bait. It almost looked panicked when Avery's offering landed not too far away, glancing back and forth between the two snacks in a struggle to solve its dilemma- how to carry both up the tree? With the humans keeping their distance, however, it took a moment to gnaw on one before fetching the other. (It was wise for Pi in particular to have stayed in his saddle: Pookah would have absolutely headed home without him.) Pericles had only given Evelynn a small smirk when she noticed the runes, though that shared love of unorthodox knowledge danced in his eyes. There was a story to be shared and Tama told it best. She answered Eve's question at that projected drone of hers, with the subtlest tinge of storytelling bravado, loud enough that the others might hear.

"The ranch may seem simple, yet centuries ago, there was an entire commune of wixes once residing here." The sleeve of her robe swayed as the elder motioned back the way they'd come from, towards the wide open field now home to only the cozy cabin and decrepit barn. "It was occupied by druidic animagi, who believed this land- where sea and forest meet- to be a primal focal point. They lived with wild beasts, communed with nature, took part in its bounties without disrupting the balance...." Tamasa trailed off momentarily, watching the otters gleefully come and go from Mahlioz. "Very few knew of its existence. Seldomly, aspiring animagi followed rumors here on pilgrimage, seeking wisdom and guidance on their path to connecting with their inner animal. Boni claims even the legendary animagus Cliodna once spent a spell visiting." That last line was spoken rather dryly: Tama doubted its validity, as her old friend had a great love of stories, but it was worth mentioning all the same. "Yet obscurity was not enough to preserve their way of life from muggle interference, let alone the passages of time. Bonnibel's ancestor was among its founders; her family has kept the legend alive over generations. There is regrettably little left of their rituals, though Boni hosts a bonfire in the spring we old animals attend." We, as in, Tamasa was also an accomplished animagus.

The pieces fell into place: this ride wasn't only for sightseeing, but an opportunity to walk where ancient animagi had, to follow their trails alongside a modern one. Whether or not aspirants came face-to-face with their future form, these woods granted a chance to realize the immemorial ritual which lay ahead of them. It was a time to reflect on nature and their individual place in its ceaseless cycle. While the commune might be long gone, the forest was just as green and teeming with life as it had been, back when they built the bridge our party stood upon. The old witch waited until everyone was back in the saddle before suggesting "Let us carry on. We ought not waste daylight."

Next mod: April 15^-ish

Reducio

Summary: Tamasa reminds the group of the importance of fostering cooperation with animals. Avery, Mahlioz, and Piérre feed the otters and squirrel. When Evelynn asks where they are, Tama tells a tale about an ancient animagi commune that used to stand where the ranch is.

Pericles Dralt- Irish Hunter, Protective temperament and Athletic condition
@Logan Baird- Irish Hunter, Feisty temperament and Athletic condition
@Mahlioz Evethisawe- Kerry Bog Pony, Feisty temperament and Hardy condition
@Sage Lilly- Connemara Pony, Protective Temperament and Hardy Condition
@Piérre Marchonné- Kerry Bog Pony, Flighty Temperament and Barn-Soured Condition
@Lindsey Springhall- Irish Hunter, Feisty temperament and Hardy condition
@Avery McCall- Irish Cob mare, Steady temperament and Hardy condition
@Evelynn Decipio- Irish Sport Horse, steady temperament and Athletic condition

Date: December 29 2023 Time: Midday

Interacting with: the otters, the bridge, her horse

English | French Thoughts

Otters were known to be adorable. It was a famous fact, it shouldn't have surprised her. It wasn't even the first time Mahlioz had seen any before. But the urge to jump in the water and hug the little creatures was almost overwhelming. She could barely stand having to refuse treats to some who had requested them a few too many times. (If they weren't supposed to have this many to eat, why on earth were they so flipping cute?)

The mention of animagi by Tamasa made her wonder how many of those wixes could turn into otters. Animagi were already extremely rare, so there was quite the chance that there were none of that specific sort, but imagine being able to communicate with the otters, as one of them! Imagine swimming with them!
Tamasa's explanation was just interesting enough to veer Mahlioz's mind a little ways away from the cuties. The place they were visiting - a magnificent one, to be sure, but one the Slytherin hadn't thought was much more than it seemed - was actually a rather important spot to wixes, especially animagi.

And not just important. Old animagi had lived here. They had lived with the woods and the sea and the fields and the animals. They had had rituals. They had lived with the nature, in a peaceful balance until muggles and time and probably other wizards had brought it all to an end. Had Mahlioz lived ages ago, could she have been one of them? What would that have meant for her? Would she one day be able to take part in the bonfire event Bonnibel hosted, as an animagus herself?

The main thing at the front of the second year's mind was that this. Was SO. COOL. All thoughts of her home and the fight with her family had evaporated. Sure, they'd come raining down later, but for now animagi and this awesome trip took up all of her brainspace. She reluctantly got back in her saddle, leaving the otters and squirrel behind, and as they continued she kept looking back at the bridge. She couldn't wait for next year, and being able to take Ancient Runes. Maybe she'd come back after and be able to understand what was etched into the stones of that bridge.

Until then, though, she had an animagus forest to explore. Every single spot they'd pass, she would now see with whole new eyes, imagining a bunch of animagi friends hundreds of years ago prowling through the same place. It was... almost more magical than the thought of animagi itself.

Mahlioz has chosen a Kerry Bog Pony with a Feisty temperament and Hardy condition

Sage has chosen a Connemara Pony with a Protective Temperament and Hardy Condition.
Interacting with/Mentions @Pericles Dralt @Avery McCall
Actions: ---

Calming Presence in Effect: All Participants (Including Horses) Affected
Beast Master in Effect: In Whatever Caliber it May Assist

Well, Piérre was sure that the squirrel would find a way to get both of its little treats up the tree... animals always seemed to have some manner of inventiveness, else how would they have possibly survived to evolve into such various shapes and sizes? His own animagus form played a very dangerous game of balancing consumption of food with trying to hurry about looking for more food, fast maneuverings that starved and demanded more fuel than what could likely be found among flowers or the like. That was the reason for eating insects when the poor little critters had to migrate during their mating patterns--had to get some good protein and amino acids in them, after all.

The boy was finding himself more comfortably swaying on the back of the pony as his hips started to find a regular rhythm with the way that Pookah liked to walk. It would make it easier on the poor pony's back, that--to sway in a balancing way as opposed to rocking in a way that staggered or hindered. For probably the second or third time since they had started out together, Piérre pet the pony approvingly. "See, you can be a good boy. Thank you." He fully expected a snort of derision in return, but at least there was an effort being made.

He did half-listen to the tales of the old animagi, but despite himself Piérre couldn't help but feel those words blurring slightly into the background in favor of enjoying the moment as it simply was at the time: the weather, the horse under him, the skies above him and trees waving on all sides, whispers of wind sizzling past his ears and the scratching of animals in the foliage safe and sound. The deep and the symbolic were somewhat lost on the boy, the tales of yore and legends of old. Of course he could find it in himself to cherish those times, those moments that deserved their righteous due of awe and respect, but there was something about it that was gauzy and distant to him in particular as a still-pilgrim in the world of magic, in the land of curiosity and unknown that he was a mere traveller in.

He couldn't quite bring himself to find any of the tales remarkable... and perhaps that was sad... but the boy was not quite able to bring himself to feeling woe or grief at his lack of intrigue. Not when his mind was stuck on other things, on other beautiful things that were outside the restrictions of the words of man or the tales of tongue. Rituals of the past meant little unless they were profound to Piérre, not in the way that traditionalists may have lauded them. It was not out of disregard, not out of disrespect, but perhaps more out of the feeling that... well...

So little attachments had he, and so these attachments in the form of even tradition itself seemed so hollow.

But a bonfire, as he had managed to hear as his ear piqued in curiosity, did sound fun enough. His brow piqued and he looked towards their guide. "Bonfire? Are we making bonfires? Will there be s'mores?"

Wow, way to ruin a solemn and profound moment. Good job, kid.

Action: Getting Distracted [but what else is new?]

Periclatsu Decided: Kerry Bog Pony with a Flighty Temperament & Barn-Soured Condition

Statistics: Stamina 7 | Strength 5 | Evasion 18 | Wisdom 12 | Accuracy 16 | ArcPower 5

Abilities:
Keen Eye | Calming Presence | Beast Master [Cat] | Cat's Grace | Animagus [Hummingbird]

Items:
Light Winter Coat | Soda | [Sharpened] Locksmith's Knife | [Red] Deck of 52 Playing Cards

[ Mod ]

As Evelynn maneuvered Cassiopeia to better absorb his grandmother's wisdom, Pericles coaxed his horse to roam behind Sage and alongside Mahlioz. He gave the latter a sideways smirk, tilting his head back towards the bridge behind them. "Considering something semiaquatic?" He muttered low so as not to interrupt Tama's tale, but when Piérre asked if they were making bonfires, the witch croaked a blunt and monotonous "No." The last thing she wanted to do while visiting her friend's forest was run the risk of setting it ablaze. Pericles turned in his saddle, bracing a hand against the cantle as he called: "What are s'mores?"

Tamasa sat sideways in her seat, reins resting between her hand and the horn of the saddle. Her mule had tread this trail a thousand times and knew where it was headed, allowing her to hone her focus on her charges. She met Evelynn's inquiries with eyes hooded in appraisal. The girl was curious, and attentive, traits an old storyteller could appreciate. Yet Tama was unwilling to divulge too much information on her friend, aside from what she had already shared, so chose to answer with a succinct repetition and vague details. "Bonni is the keeper of the ranch property, these horses, and the legacy of those who came before. I fear her predecessors provided no written record, though her parents passed on what stories and rituals remain. She's carried on their ways since they moved on, near forty years ago now. We met not long before that at an International Symposium of Animagi. Boni was attending as an outspoken advocate of animagi acceptance. Our ideals aligned, so we became allies, and with time friends." Her eyes crinkled at the corners as she dredged up the memory, though her tone was precautionary. "As you embark on this path, children, you must come to understand that the ability is not well-loved in some societies. There are those who deem the magic 'uncivilized', even in modern times. Even amongst our own kind." Whether the witch meant wixkind or animagi was intentionally ambiguous. It was safe to infer, on that note, that muggle witch hunts hadn't been the only force to disturb the druids from their naturalistic commune.

Tamasa paused for further questions, dialogue trailing off as their path crossed a clearing. Mud gave way to a carpet of moss, defiantly green against the wintry chill. Weak sunlight filtered through the break in the canopy. There in a circle stood thirteen statues, each carved into a different animal: a fox, serpent, feline, stag, bull, seahorse, wren, fish, swan, horse, wolf, falcon and butterfly*. A heap of vegetable scraps had been strategically piled in the center, successfully summoning some of the local wildlife. A band of hares was gnawing on carrot tops, while a flock of little black birds took turns flying from the food to the statues, communicating noisily with staccato squawks and chirps. Pericles observed them through his binoculars before commenting: "Irish hares and jackdaws. I was hoping we'd see them this season. The hares aren't hibernators, and the birds are nonmigratory."

Next mod: May 5^-ish

Reducio

Summary: The group rides on, leaving behind the bridge and coming across a clearing. In it stands a circle of thirteen stone statues shaped like various animals. A small heap of vegetable scraps has been dumped in the center, being picked at by a band of hares and a flock of jackdaws. Tama vaguely precautions the party of animagi discrimination, something to consider as they pursue the ability.

*The statues were yoinked from the "Celtic zodiac", which is not a real thing, but a new-age fantasy concept! They aren't symbolic of any real spirituality, only borrowed as flavor for this story.

Pericles Dralt- Irish Hunter, Protective temperament and Athletic condition
@Logan Baird- Irish Hunter, Feisty temperament and Athletic condition
@Mahlioz Evethisawe- Kerry Bog Pony, Feisty temperament and Hardy condition
@Sage Lilly- Connemara Pony, Protective Temperament and Hardy Condition
@Piérre Marchonné- Kerry Bog Pony, Flighty Temperament and Barn-Soured Condition
@Lindsey Springhall- Irish Hunter, Feisty temperament and Hardy condition
@Avery McCall- Irish Cob mare, Steady temperament and Hardy condition
@Evelynn Decipio- Irish Sport Horse, steady temperament and Athletic condition

Calming Presence in Effect: All Participants (Including Horses) Affected
Beast Master in Effect: In Whatever Caliber it May Assist

He hadn't been anticipating any other answer than the one he had been given, but that didn't prevent him from slightly pouting in disappointment anyways. "Oh." He said deadpannedly back. "I just thought... nevermind." Well how couldn't he have made a remark about hosting a bonfire when the tradition of hosting a bonfire was one that had been the focal point of the story leading up to this point. Well, either way his shot had been shot; he'd tried his best.

At least Pericles had seemed intrigued by something that he had said instead. Smores. Piérre hadn't often had smores, had found them just a hair too messy and sticky to deal with even for him (he usually liked eating the graham crackers and chocolate alone and eating roasted marshmallows right off the stick as well), but that didn't mean he didn't like the process of making them. "Smores? Ohhhh Peri you'd love them." His green eyes glimmered. "They're like a sandwich of campfire sprit. Two graham crackers as the 'bread'--that's a sort of sweet cracker thing sometimes cinnamon flavored--a good chunk of chocolate, and a fire-toasted marshmallow preferably golden brown and slightly melty." Piérre bit his lower lip and pinched his fingers in that cliché way that was often attributed to his people. "E ' fantastico. It is fantastic." He said before returning his attention to Pookah--if the pony was up to it with a light prompting, he would try to get side-by-side with the pale Pericles and his noble steed, just for ease of conversation. "Gotta do it when camping out. Best atmosphere, that."

Somehow he was able to stay quiet enough to listen to Tamasa more, and he blinked lightly before tipping his head at the items of thought given him. The idea of animagi not being 'well-loved' was something that Piérre never considered before but had never given any concerned thought to. After all, it wasn't like his animagus form would do any harm, if anything it was simply quite pretty and served no purpose other than another way to kiss the skies and make it so that he as a human was no longer fully bound to the earth but could always somehow find his body in the clouds along with his own mind. The question of 'Why?' was brought to his mind, but it was left unspoken as Evelynn took the initiative of the conversation in a much more intelligent and divisive light than Piérre could have ever dreamed of himself. She, at least, was taking all of this seriously and would likely be taken more seriously than Piérre himself.

But that didn't prevent Piérre from pondering a bit as he chewed the inside of his cheek lightly in thought. After all, what was much different between being a pariah for an animal form and being a pariah for a blood status? Or being a pariah for a lack of knowledge of blood status, or even for any other innumerable reasons and things that Piérre was certain existed but was often never given a voice to. Was he not himself possibly a pariah of many of these things combined, a strange amalgamation of 'untasteful' societal loathings depending on where he was and what world he decided to step foot in? Just as much as he was loathed, wasn't he simply trying to find a place in this world--it didn't matter what labels he had, but how he ignored them and simply decided that nothing and nobody would put him into a box. What a dehumanizing thing--to be put into a box--more dehumanizing than any animal form.

And then to be the pariah even among the pariahs--what a curious and unfortunate situation, one that Piérre was more than sure that he would somehow find himself a part of or otherwise mixed up with in some deep and unknown part of his self.

The ring of animals before them... Piérre's green eyes looked about their numbers shortly. Like any circle of creatures like the Chinese zodiac or the Western zodiac, they had their traits: they had their tricksters, their nurturers, their strong and bold, their wild, their domesticated, their heroes, their antagonists, their small but full of spirit, and their large and full of love. Yet, as he looked upon them and his eyes alighted upon the wren, he only smiled softly. One of the smallest among them, the most overlooked and common to some eyes--but everywhere, almost invasively. Had not even the smallest of these creatures found a way to survive, and that they had evaded the hands of humanity and found themselves free and wild--a way of life not many could bring themselves to live, to be apart and yet peripheral to the rest of humanity. Pests to some, but appreciated by others...

Ah... appreciation...

At Peri's mention of the creatures, though, Piérre also snatched for his own binoculars to look in the same direction. "Where? I don't see... oh! There they are!" He watched the birds and the rabbits for a few moments with a soft smile, right in front of his eyes, of course--pay attention you silly Piérre. "Hullo little fellas! You like this season, huh? Applause to you, I'm a little chilly." He cracked a joke lightly before tucking his nose into the neck of his jacket.

He would keep looking through the binoculars, eager to spot any other animals to include those not in the ring of vegetable scraps that had been left out for them, particularly small rodents. There was something so cute about those little fellows, how active they were--perhaps that kind of exuberance had something to do with the reason the boy's animagus form was that of the flighty and almost hyperactive hummingbird.

Action: Mad Chillin'

Periclatsu Decided: Kerry Bog Pony with a Flighty Temperament & Barn-Soured Condition

Statistics: Stamina 7 | Strength 5 | Evasion 18 | Wisdom 12 | Accuracy 16 | ArcPower 5

Abilities:
Keen Eye | Calming Presence | Beast Master [Cat] | Cat's Grace | Animagus [Hummingbird]

Items:
Light Winter Coat | Soda | [Sharpened] Locksmith's Knife | [Red] Deck of 52 Playing Cards

Date: December 29 2023 Time: Midday

Interacting with: @Pericles Dralt, sorta Pi and Eve

English | French Thoughts

Back on her horse again, and Mahlioz was starting to get the hang of riding. Her horse had been eager to be let out, and though it had seemed grumpy when the group halted to take in the sights, now that it was back on the road, it seemed happy as ever. As was Mahlioz. First goats, then otters, and then an awesome history about animagi? Who could have asked for more? She also couldn't help but wonder how many people here were animagi. Pericles and Tamasa for sure, but there were quite a few older years as well. How many of them had an animal form? How many of them had tried and failed and were going to try again?

Pericles brought her out of her questioning with a query of his own. "I'm not sure," Mahlioz replied with a smile. "I have to admit I'd definitely want to live with them, because they're so cute, but there are honestly so many animals out there I don't think I'd be able to choose something to prefer." Semiaquatic would be cool, though - two different ways to travel. But if Mahlioz's wishing wasn't going to do anything anyway, wasn't it better if she just decided to accept what she got, when the time came? If she managed it at all?

The fact that the bird boy didn't know what s'mores were was horrifying to the second year. Before another older boy could get an explanation in, she had to of course look at Peri with a face visibly, though quite exaggeratedly, affronted - "How do you not know what s'mores are??" The green-eyed, sharp-eared boy was quick to come to the rescue, but Mahlioz mentally noted down that if no one else was going to do it, she would have to organize some sort of campfire somewhere so he could actually try the exquisite food.

Tamasa had been talking to a redhead about something, but the witch raised her voice to address everyone as she explained that animagi were not well-loved by many societies. That was... Mahlioz had to admit it was surprising. It had always felt like something amazing, that only the best of the best could obtain, that everyone longed for. But it turned out not everyone saw it that way. Some deemed it... uncivilized. She couldn't wrap her head around that.

She thankfully didn't need to, because the group entered a clearing, somehow even more beautiful than the creek with the otters. Giant statues of animals watched over smaller, more alive ones as they munched on snacks that had clearly been left there earlier. Mahlioz tried to memorize the names - Irish hares and jackdaws. Hares and birds. Like giant versions of Eusèbe, almost, though she knew hares were a different species than rabbits. But funnily enough, the scene caught more of Mahlioz's attention than the animals. "This place is... ethereal," she noted. It almost felt like they were no longer on the same planet as when they'd left.

Mahlioz has chosen a Kerry Bog Pony with a Feisty temperament and Hardy condition

Logan sighed as she listened to the all of the noises around her, it was so similar but so different from trail riding at her own home. Here it was peaceful and you could hear the movements of all the animals, unlike her home where it was close enough to the city you could hear the muggle vehicles as they drove down the surrounding roads. It was distracting but something she had gotten used to and grown to love. Pulling herself out of her thoughts, Logan smiled softly as she listened to their guide. The Hufflepuff was definitely enjoying herself on this trail ride. It made her even more excited to get home and take her own horses out riding.

As they made their way into the clearing, Logan gently attempted to slow the large gelding down and out of the way of the others as she tried to get a better look at the animals and statues present in the clearing. In her opinion they were beautifully made and unique. Guiding the gelding slowly around the circle of statues, specifically taking interest in the horse statue. "Do each of the statues have a meaning for something?" The Hufflepuff questioned as she stopped the large gelding and turned slightly in her saddle to face their guide.

Logan is asking questions and attempting keep her horse slower and out of the way

Logan will be riding a standard bay Irish Hunter with Feisty temperament and Athletic condition.

Mentions/Interacting With:
Outfit: Here