Seilah | Female | Eleos Dynasty | Horse

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Seilah

[attr="class","dropfrumbodytxt"]PERSONALITY With age brought wisdom and change - and that's definitely true for Seilah. To some, hearing that the typically benevolent queen used to be quite temperamental to stoic might come as a shock.

Friendly - Seilah is quite friendly - if not even a bit nosy at times. She's far from the type of leader who'd be cooped up in their den 24/7 - nope, she's the type that's in your face, wondering what you're eating and what's on your mind. This possibly comes from the fact that she wants to establish a bond with all of those within her dynasty - they are both her friends and her family. So don't feel too surprised if the queen suddenly approaches you and invites you out on a little run.

Kind - A common trait of her dynasty, but Seilah is a very kind individual, if not even slightly affectionate.

Independent - In short, the mare would rather do things herself than have another do it for her. It's somewhat irritating to her when she has others climbing over each other to do a simple task such as getting something to eat. She's not a soft-spoken individual at all, and despite her kindness, her boldness and sometimes even bluntness might surprise others - especially those of other dynasties. She's still a very capable equine, and this may shock others. No, she's not being rude when she states she doesn't want your help - she just does't need it. She can be slightly intimidating because of this, as when it comes to serious affairs, her playful, 'goofy' side is gone completely. Furthermore, her stubborn, steel-will can be a bit off putting - but really, Seilah means well.

Wise - Seilah is incredibly wise. The good thing about hardships is that they always give back in the form of wisdom. She's always willing to give advice or may even pull another aside should she feel something is wrong. In short, she's that friend whose willing to give a listening ear.

Polite, but informal - The biggest thing Seilah prides herself with being is...herself, despite her 'royal' title as queen. Some may find her more....bizarre traits as odd {for example, Seilah is a berry/herbivore food connoisseur - she could go on for hours about it} to even her improper speech or simple looseness when around her dynasty. She prides herself with not being as 'dainty' as most would think, and has no problem with letting her competitive side show, while still being as polite as ever, and get 'down and dirty' with the guys.


APPEARANCE The Eleos have always been the definition of 'beautiful' and 'graceful' - so its only expected that their queen would live up to such expectations, correct? To some, Seilah is...odd, possibly due to her slightly larger size - her powerful, towering, and 'not so willowy' frame. Despite this, there's none denying that Seilah, like all creatures of the Eleos, is beautiful - hence one of her alias' being the 'Dark Beauty of Eleos'. She is a Gypsy Vanner mare, explaining her billowing black mane and the dark feathering upon her legs. Her coat is that of 'blue roan', as seen by her silvery 'blue' body with darker flecks and the darker, near black, color of her head. Perhaps the most distinguishing trait of Seilah is the white marking upon her forehead - formally called a 'star'. Her eyes are another mystical trait - they're an almost greyish blue in color.

Unlike many of her dynasty, Seilah is not 'unmarred'. Typically hidden by her mane is an ugly scar that travels along her neck. Another smaller scar is present upon her flank, in the noticeable shape of feline claws.

HISTORY Seilah was...a birth that never should have happened - as stated by Shaman, and perhaps if it hadn't, things would be...different. Whether it for the good or for the worst. When the 'white dove' of the Eleos, Ahyoka, gave birth, it was a happy occasion - a strong foal was sure to be born, with their mothers beauty and grace and their fathers strength. Except...one had became two - a dangerous, unforeseen occurrence that the shamans hadn't even seen. Twins being born was rare - and sometimes dangerous. The birth of the twins left a sickly, weak mother, but two healthy foals were born. The first had been a smaller, but beautiful foal, whose coat was pure white - like her mother - she was named 'Misae'. The other was larger, bulkier, and dark in color, unlike both her mother or even her still lighter colored father - she was named 'Seilah'. This caused questions to arise - however, Ahyoka was far too tired to deal with rumors - far to enamored by her twin foals. Despite her weakness, she showered the two foals in love with what little time she had left. Every Eleos member knew it - Ahyoka knew it. She was going to die.

And alas, she did. Several nights after the birth, her body simply...gave up. Maybe she had lost too much blood from the birth? Maybe the mental and physical stress was too much? It was a mystery, but the grief at losing such a member who embraced the true values of the Eleos was haunting. The two foals were raised by a nanny and their father. Well, Misae was raised by their father. Seilah...it wasn't uncommon knowledge that she was the odd one out - the 'second' foal...and to be frank, the one whose birth led to Ahyoka's death. Neither her sister nor father would ever say this to her but...she knew.

Despite this, the foal would never forget the one thing that her mother desired from her, the one thing her mother would often mummer in her ears at night - the one thing she would stress...The one thing she had made the foal promise. That she'd always look after her sister - protect her. "Look at her - she's so frail...she may be your 'big' sister...but she needs someone to protect her. You two are sisters...never forget that."

Seilah held onto those words - she held onto them tight as they grew up into becoming pupils. Seilah and Misae had always been close, despite being opposites. Misae was friendly - weak, but innocent. Seilah was skilled - but horribly bad tempered and often uninterested in others. Despite this, the two sisters were peas in a pod - they had a bond that few could understand just how deep it ran.

Eleos and Skotadi ties were becoming thin and aggressive. While the herbivores of Eleos were peaceful, even they grew tired of their feline neighbors occasionally. And a tense encounter on the border had been more than enough to cause the ties between the two dynasties to become even more damaged. Of course, members of the dynasty suffered as border scuffles became common - simple arguments turned into full blown fights. And for the two siblings it was...scary. Terrifying even.

So one could only imagine their horror when their father knelled over due to wounds from a fight with a Skotadi. Laid in camp on his side, the stallion bled to death, his daughters watching as the blood lapped at their hooves and his estranged gasps fell silent. It was a day Seilah would never forget. A day where she couldn't cry - not now. Not while Misae was weeping on her shoulder. Yes...just for now - just for this moment, she'd force herself to be the 'strong one'.In a way, their fathers death brought the two far closer than they had ever been - possibly from fear of losing the only other immediate family they had.

Time would pass, and eventually, the two would graduate. Seilah became a warrior and Misae, a shaman. It was...hard. Hard having neither a mother nor father to congratulate them. To wish them luck as adults. But...perhaps seeing the smiling face of her sister - seeing her cheering about for the both of them...Maybe it was all she ever needed?

Seilah became renowned within her can for her expertise as a warrior - her plans, her skills...It went against the typical belief that all Eleos' were gentle and peaceful. Her main drive in bettering herself and her skills? Misae. "Lets do our best," the mare had told Seilah on the night after they had risen from being pupils. "You'll always have my support, so you better do your best!" Even today, Seilah often uses her sisters encouraging words as motivation.

One day, Seilah was asked to accompany Misae out in collecting herbs, and so, the pair left. The two would stray closer and closer to the Skotadi border without noticing, too busy playing around - too preoccupied to see eyes watching them. Too busy to notice when a sudden figure had struck. A feline, a lion, had struck. He roared, rearing and lunging at Misae, claws digging into her back, a wild look in his eyes. The sight of her sister howling in pain was enough to set Seilah off.

She couldn't stop. She didn't stop. Even at her sisters cries, she couldn't. She was terrified, terrified she'd lose her sister. So terrified that she couldn't stop her hooves from slamming over and over onto the feline, even as he tried to crawl away. Breathe heavy, the dark horse stood over the slump, broken body. The lion was dead - he had been minutes before. Seilah was mortified - her fear had gotten the best of her, and though it had been in self defense, there was no denying that she had murdered an unwilling target.

It was Misae who gently nudged her sister along, directing her back to camp after cleaning her coat of blood, who ensured that she wouldn't go into shock. Who swore that the incident would be 'their little secret'. And to this day...it has. It's a secret that Seilah still feels guilty about, but can't bring herself to reveal.

As their lives continued on, Seilah...met someone. A stallion - a friend. Or...so she thought he was, until he asked her to become his mate. Seilah, someone whose only concerns was her protecting both the clan and her sister, had never expected to take on a mate. Let alone become pregnant. So when she told her sister, the peppy white mare was ecstatic - if not tearful that her 'little sister' was growing up. Alas, the fated day of the foal's birth came. Seilah had never been the motherly type, but she was...happy. Excited. She was having a family of her own...something her mother had been robbed of too early. And she would as well.

The foal was born still.

It was something that broke Seilah - even if she tried to deny it. "I'm fine," she told others - even her sister. Her mate? He...Seilah's former mate isn't really mentioned to this day. Some time after the foal's stillborn birth, they had a 'falling out'...He left her for a younger mare - a pretty, willowy little thing. One who would eventually deliver his foal without a problem - one who'd be the 'perfect mate and mother'. "I'm fine." Seilah would once again say to her sister when asked later.

The loss of her first foal to the departure of her mate...It changed Seilah. She became more motivated on her work - more focused onto it. Misae noted that not once had her sister cried - not once had she really broken down...Perhaps she changed her sorrow and grief into strength? Either way, her efforts didn't go unnoticed. When the former female guardian died due to injuries at a 'peace negotiation gone south' at the Skotadi border, Seilah was chosen as the next guardian. It was an honor - an honor that she was hesitant to take. It meant she'd be spending far less time with her sister - with her fellow warriors and friends. It was, of course, Misae who convinced her to take the offer....and who cheered the loudest when it was announced.

Being a guardian, Seilah was in her prime. Noted to be a brilliant planner, she often caused the Eleos to play a more aggressive hand than they had in the past - demanding respect and truces from their enemies to no longer tolerating the small offenses done. While some are critical of her frontal ways and the small battles she caused, there was no denying that peaceful times were once again in the Eleos' grasps thanks to her efforts.

During the last 'major' battle the Eleos had, and the battle that brought an end to Skotadi and Eleos conflicts, the king had been killed and his son missing. Seilah was blamed for his death due to her not being by his side and instead aiding others in fighting or protecting. Misae argued for her sister - stating that Seilah had done little wrong in helping her fellow clan-mates. However, the fault lie in the fact that she was a guardian - her sworn duty was to protect the king and queen and them only. Several, distressed by the sudden loss of the heir and the king, even spoke of exile.

It was the queen who brought the discord to silence. She told Seilah that she was not fit to be neither a guardian or a warrior...but instead, fit to be that of a queen, a protector of all. It was then announced to all that the queen would be stepping down from her title, and giving it to Seilah. A mixed amount of response were revived. Backlash at the choice, confusion, shock, perhaps even anger that the duke wasn't being chosen to step up. But, the queen's choice was final...and with the blessing of the duke given to her as well, it was settled.

It was hard. Getting everyone to agree with her being the new queen, to accept her rule. But she was patient. She was kind. No longer was she 'Seilah, the terrible temper' or the 'Maiden of battle'...she had grown. Matured. Learned. Loved...and lost. She decided to set the Eleos back onto their path of tranquility and love - the way they should've always been.

OTHER INFO

• Seilah has several titles and alias' given to her over the years. In reference to her skill, 'storm bringer' is often said, in reference to her battle plans and silvery colored coat. She is sometimes referred to as the 'dark queen of eleos' once again referencing her coat or her former talent at being a warrior.
• Misae would eventually pass away from sickness. It's a day that Seilah often reflects back on, wondering if Misae would've liked what Eleos is this current day - or if her sisters watching over her.
• It's not uncommon to see flowers within her mane - possibly due to foals offering her them and she being unable to say 'no' to them.