This post contains content that may be sensitive or triggering. Click to view at your own risk.
So he was a native as well; it was tempting to ask if he recalled any lives previous to this one, but she could feel the tickle of his magic prying at her resolve. A brief flash of calm, and she shoved it aside with a sharp lash of her tail as a nauseating mixture of irritation and fear whirled in her chest.
"...you don't need magic to convince me," she said, and hooked a dexterous claw beneath the knot of the bundle to toss it casually into the soft moss at the foot of her log. She'd certainly prefer him taking that over a bite of her, though the rumble of his growling laugh was doing little to convince her that he wouldn't try for one even after having the honey and herbs. Carefully, keeping her eyes still firmly on the huge wolf, she stepped lightly across the soft wood until she was within leaping distance of a few tall branches. She made no move to jump for them yet, not wanting to trigger the reflex of chase by suddenly turning tail if the stranger himself didn't lunge first.
It felt a little better knowing she had somewhat of an exit plan. It wasn't a great one, damn his wings, but...well, it was better than nothing. She took the moment to examine him more closely, noting with visible interest the vibrant embers which clung to his breath and lit his beady eyes.
"How long have you had your fire?"
This post contains content that may be sensitive or triggering. Click to view at your own risk.
The water was so close but also so far. If he could reach just a little bit more he could almost manage to do it. Pink tongue managed to poke out from between his lips and tiny canines that were already beginning to appear just a bit too large for his small mouth as he strained and stretched for his toes to touch.
A voice speaking suddenly nearly made him jump and lose his balance as he was caught off guard. Pulling his paw back up so it was under him instead of reaching down toward the water, he looked around with an almost guilty look on his face for being caught doing something he wasn't supposed it. Only when he looked around he did not see his parents or any of the adults who were familiar to him. A large feline creature was moving toward him and his fur bristled up just a bit at the unknown. Who was that? "It's loud." He said this as if it was an explanation as to what he was doing. Clearly it was a good enough reason. It was enough to pull his attention away from the stranger and back to the water as if tempted to try and reach down for it again.
"Speaking."
This post contains content that may be sensitive or triggering. Click to view at your own risk.
It did not take long for the fox to find him and he could have laughed. She wasn't shaking or pissing herself but she would be a fool not to recognize the possible danger she was in. It would only be a matter of lunging forward in an attempt to snap his jaws around her for it to be easy. How fast was she? Would she put up that much of a fight? The prospect of it made his blood race in anticipation but he held himself back.
A response was given as she dropped the package down beside her and his eyes trailed it for only a second before moving back to her. Was that bitterness he detected in her words? A dark chuckling growl rumbled from his chest. "Yes, well, little to be done about these settlers I suppose." He supposed they were a much bigger problem for smaller creatures like herself. Less likely to fend off the larger predators after all.
Then another question was thrown at him, one he was not expecting. A new world? "No. I am quite familiar with the ways of this world." He just did not care for whatever boundaries these settlers as she might call them set. "Fortunately for you I'll be taking that from you."A buzz of energy seeped from him, reaching to wrap invisible tendrils around the fox in an attempt to lull her in to a sense of calm in an almost drowsy sense."Speaking."
Attempting to use Empathy to lull her in to a sense of calm.
Success: Any concerns or doubts are eased by a sense of trust and she might start to feel just a teensy bit drowsy from being comfortable
Failure: Nothing happens. You can choose if she detects the use of any sort of magic or whatever.
This post contains content that may be sensitive or triggering. Click to view at your own risk.
Yanna, Uno committed the name to memory. She let out a noncommittal "hm" at the proclamation of her generosity, pelt prickling self consciously as she kept her gaze fixed firmly to the stone beneath her. So Yanna was more like her than she'd initially thought--at least in age and ranking here. She chanced a moment to turn back to the other girl and give a quick sniff, though on her short pelt she scented nothing but the sharp tang of Duskborn smoke and ash.
"Formidable indeed," she muttered, though kept her voice carefully neutral as she turned and continued picking her way down, "the forest south is more familiar. Still dangerous, deep in especially. My mother and I stay there. The storm will pass, we've lived worse."Spirits, her mother. Uno was not looking forward to the scolding she'd get for running off like she had. Perhaps if she brought Yanna back with her...hm.
A sudden sneeze jolted her out of her musing, nearly slipping off the slick rock as she whirled to look back again at the other girl. She bit back a huff of irritation, more annoyed with herself for being so startled before she took a few final bounds down the stone and landed at the mouth of the shallow overhang. If she was sneezing, that probably wasn't a good sign. Uno was no herbalist, but again she thought of her mother. She certainly would be able to help her if she was falling ill, or at least could soothe her throat and lungs from all the smoke she'd choked on up here.
"Here," she said, and angled herself so that Yanna could enter first. She gave a sharp nudge to her side, a silent go on then so that she too could make her way inside. When she had the space to do so, Uno too slid beneath and laid against the black stone. It was warm from all the volcanic activity, and with a huff she peeled off her sodden mask and tossed it aside to dry beside her. She took a moment to breathe and savor the warmth before yet again she was on her aching paws, kicking bits of hot rock and spare coal from all corners of their little cave to gather in a shoddy pile beside Yanna. She slumped down, eyes narrowed as she focused hard on the simmering embers and felt for the foxfire deep within her chest.
DICE ROLL: INT
SUCCESS: Uno manages to channel her fire and heat the coals, giving them a place to warm up and dry as she lays down and catches her breath.
FAILURE: The air is too damp and Uno is too tired to channel her fire, getting a few sparks out before sighing and laying down. She scrapes about half the stones over and presses them into her pelt to manually try drying herself.
This post contains content that may be sensitive or triggering. Click to view at your own risk.
Not too far off Angror was comfortably resting up top of a flattened stone. The Allvandr found that times were extremely peaceful, allowing him to finally allowing him the chance to relax and soak in the mid morning sunlight into his coat. The feline was near approaching a light slumber, until the scent of an unfamiliar hit his nose. And it was far too close to be near the borders. Someone was in his territory.
Near instantly did the sabered feline roll over to push himself onto his paws. A snarl tearing through his throat. Was this an attack? Had someone snuck past the sentries in order to sneak attack from within?
All those worries were quick to wash away, like water over earth. Gazing over to where the water fell from the cliff, stood an unfamiliar wolf pup staring at the waterfall in awe. Though admittedly, far too close to the edge he was. And so with gentle steps, the Voline made his way towards the strange pup, one paw after the other. You are far too close to the edge of that cliff little wolf, you could call.”
This post contains content that may be sensitive or triggering. Click to view at your own risk.
Abyss watched as a wolf she'd never met appeared, a dainty little lady with a mix of fur and scales much like herself, and antler-like structures which appeared to be made of coral. She couldn't tell if they were ornaments or a bodily structure, but she'd never seen coral growing on a person before. Maybe the newcomer would let her have a look sometime, to satisfy her curiosity.
When Reed spoke up about her intentions and goals for the near future, Abyss approved for the most part. She would be happy to help build up their community, knowing her strength and magic would be quite helpful in that, but as for raiding... She glanced to Sjannr, who had glued herself to her hip, wary of the strangers. The child was wicked smart for her age and seemed to know things she shouldn't yet, but she was still a child and needed protecting. No, Abyss wouldn't be doing any raiding any time soon. Besides, she'd never had a taste for needless conflict. She'd stay here and hold down the fort, so to speak.
The coral-adorned wolf mentioned that she was a crafter of nets and trinkets, but willing to learn more. Abyss nodded, being herself in much the same boat. She'd built small shelters before, but never anything as complex as a boat or an entire building. Those had been incredibly rare where she came from. Loch explained his capabilities, and Abyss perked up a bit when he mentioned having a weather sense like hers. They would have to compare notes sometime.
That was when a large, sinuous form emerged from the waves. Abyss was quick to put herself between Sjannr and the stranger, just in case, but it was more from reflex than true worry. Though much more squat than herself, the newcomer, a seal of some sort, was even longer from snout to flipper-tips as she herself was from nose to tailtip. Covered head to flippers with scars, this stranger's countenance was intimidating indeed. Their voice was gruff, their tone brooking no nonsense. They mentioned "running a place up the cove," and Abyss wondered what exactly they meant. Afterward, the newcomer demonstrated their shapeshifting ability in reference to Reed's suggestion of raiding.
That's about the time Abyss realized she hadn't spoken up herself yet beyond her quick greeting. Glancing to the little girl sitting beside her, she made her decision. "I'm no raider, Reed, and I've no intention of putting Sjannr in harm's way. Between my air and water magic and raw strength, I can help with construction, hunting, caretaking, any of that, but no combat unless someone comes here looking to cause trouble. And like Loch, I can predict and somewhat manipulate the weather, though it's easier to seed a storm than to dispel one, or else I'd have done something about this already."
This post contains content that may be sensitive or triggering. Click to view at your own risk.
A familiar? Bones hummed over the idea for a bit as Larkspur continued to speak on. Didn't familiars require magic as well? He'd never considered it before, and he'd have to consider it further once he had more time. The seed had been planted. "I would be honored to have you as my floral linguist. You would, of course, be welcome to any of the herbs you find here. I only ask that if you take from my personal garden by my home, that you take little, for that's what feeds me." It was nearing summer and he had to grow as much as he could to feed himself during the long, snowy winter.
Bones rounded a corner in the trail, picking his way along the now rocky terrain, and up ahead he spotted the fuzzy, rounded leaves of the sheeps ear. They were scattered about, growing wild and natural. "Here we are!" he announced as he lifted his head and swung it around, smiling back at Larkspur. "There should be plenty here to harvest. It's a healthy patch." Bones then sat down to patiently wait for Larkspur to harvest to their content. Normally he'd fret over the plants, being sure they were harvested correctly and that not too much was collected, but if Larkspur was connected to the plants, he figured he wouldn't need to babysit them.
This post contains content that may be sensitive or triggering. Click to view at your own risk.
Bones let out a hyena chuckle at Eiko's surprise and enthusiasm at the quality of the tea. The comment was... morbid, to say the least, and Bones had to shake the sensation out of himself. Then there was a compliment offered toward his home, and Bones' heart warmed at this. He was very proud of his humble abode and took any compliment towards it to heart. As the fox stood and stretched, flexing his wings, Bones leaned away to give him space. He hoped he wasn't going to try flying around his home. It was not that big. Thankfully, he didn't, and settled back down to introduce himself and turn to pick at his wings.
Bones took another drink from his tea, savoring it. Perhaps he should of added honey... "Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Eiko, even if it was a bit... unexpected." He smiled at the fox to show that he meant it as a joke. With the excitement of the events easing, Bones felt himself feeling tired. There was no time for sleep, though, not with Tsuki and her kits. "So, what are your plans for Tsuki and her babs? I'm a bit worried about the black and white one, there." Bones moved with his tea back to the edge of the box where he could peer quietly over the edge and look down upon the family. He motioned towards the small kit that was pushed away from Tsuki and the others. It was noticeably smaller and weaker. "I checked it when she decided I wasn't going to eat them or her and it seemed fine, but she keeps pushing it away." Bones was obviously worried about the kit, expressed both in his tone and body language.
This post contains content that may be sensitive or triggering. Click to view at your own risk.
The youth's excitement and enthusiasm at his proposition made Bones fall into another fit of hyena giggles as she quickly declared him the winner and was up on her feet, prancing around and unable to stand still. Again, Aeolus suggested that they barge into the faction's territory to deliver this secret important mission. Bones felt himself agreeing with the youth, not because of the secret admirer idea, but because he thought that perhaps the storm had masked his whoop, and maybe they had not heard him.
Bones rose to his paws and picked up the package by the thin twine that wrapped around it. It was unusual for the patient creature to intentionally break rules, but he'd reasoned with himself until he felt it was alright, as he was on a time crunch. He was needed back home. "Let's go see if we can find someone. Maybe the storm is keeping them." He let out another short, loud whoop to call out again, then stepped forward from the shelter of the tree's branches and out into the pouring rain, his head low as he carried the light package.
Bones prompted some conversation with the youth as he slowly walked along a defined trail, trying to make it easier to find them. "So, Aeolus, what sort of exciting things have happened on your adventure so far?"
This post contains content that may be sensitive or triggering. Click to view at your own risk.
It had been...startlingly easy to fall into the rhythms of living in a group again. It helped that none of the creatures of Stoneveil were hyenas. There was no familiar scent or shape or voice to awaken memories she'd rather let lie, though Urna still sometimes caught herself thinking of the forms at the corners of her vision as clanmates.
The ideals of the faction were honorable, but she still felt herself straining against the bonds of its essential camaraderie as if at a heavy harness.
Ohr's voice had gone silent. The god had done his piece in leading her here, it seemed, and the rest fell to her to make her own way.
Fine. She could do that. She was doing that. Urna had offered to spar at the meeting, and she meant it. If she knew how her allies fought, she could learn to fight beside them.
And first on the list to figure out was her leader. Angror had been an open book so far. Time to learn if he fought the same as he spoke. Foul weather or none, Urna thought with a grimace as tiny hailstones pinged off her back and ears.
The spotted hyena gave a jerk of her head and closed the vast circle she'd inscribed on the ground with a sturdy stick as her stylus. "Good?" she called up to Angror, who was better positioned to judge the overall dimensions of the makeshift arena.
