|
|
|
|
|
|
|
psychotic__Gal Vice Captain
|
 Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2023 6:48 pm
Day 2 of story time.
Present Day
AKA avoiding the main story
Location: At a property near Barton that is not THoR
A furry head poked itself from underneath the couch. She hadn't meant to stay so long under the heavy piece of furniture but she'd fallen asleep. Now, she was curious about her slaves. What had they done in her absence?
She didn't expect much from them to be honest. Her paws darted out in a stretch, claws snagging the rug. The kitten pulled her claws free before exiting from her hiding place through the side of the couch. Her ears twitched, following the gentle sounds of her staff.
The kitten stared from the edge of the doorway, looking from person to person before spying something of interest. The one off to the side had long dark hair and he was holding a toy--moving it to and fro. It was obvious he was doing so to entertain her.
The kitten stalked her prey (and easy thing really as he hadn't moved). In the last stretch, she sprinted at the man, coming up short and standing on her hind legs. She batted the air in front of the toy (the art brush), but not quite touching it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2023 5:02 am
Eastern Europe / The Meeting Grounds
106-275 AD
Late Summer/Early Autumn
Evening -- Day 3
Caecilia was the first to notice the arrival of the nightwalkers. She felt them. All at once a feeling of otherness hit her and then unease. The wolves felt familiar--her family. She had grown up around them. Their emotions felt in some ways like extensions of her own--differing only in the important ways.
These new emotions felt different. The fur along her spine rose and her ears flattened a mere ten seconds before the wolves around her did the same. Responding not to her cues but to the smell and sound of the others. Caecilia knew beyond a shadow of a doubt the nightwalkers sensed the wolves almost as soon as the wolves sensed them. She sent this knowledge down the connection she had with her alpha--her father.
Though Aldric stood in his human form with his mate, Tatiana, he received his daughter's message. Such was the power gifted from Zamoxis to his leaders. That the alpha wolves showed themselves at all to the nightwalkers was a feat of trust.
Through an involuntary and purely instinual move, Caecilia found herself lowering to the ground, a fierce growl ready to be unleashed as the night walkers entered the clearing.
The wolves here would have appeared much larger than the average wolf the nightwalkers would see. They would appear more intelligent. Their own sense of otherness and god-kissed clinging to their fur.
Caecilia's head tilted, staring at the small body of the one they held tentative peace with. The other was a complete mystery--her skin so beautiful, so dark Caecilia had never seen its likeness. She could feel the confusion coming from her pack in waves.
"you will have to excuse us. We thought it best to be prepared." Aldric's voice thundered across the clearing, anything but apologetic despite his careful words. The tension was palpable.
The small nightwalker laughed (a small tinkling, musical thing). She looked younger than Caecilia. "I would not have expected any less from your tribe, leader."
|
|
|
|
|
|
psychotic__Gal Vice Captain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
psychotic__Gal Vice Captain
|
Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2023 2:08 pm
Eastern Europe / meeting site
106-275 AD
Late Summer/Early Autumn
Evening -- Day 3
The clearing held at least fifteen wolves, perhaps twenty. Too many for Eydís to feel quite comfortable. The one in his human form appeared to be their leader. The small vampire felt tension sitting in her shoulders. Too long they had sat opposed and she expected them now to, what, collaborate? Mmm, she reminded herself, you are only here to talk. You are hoping they collaborate but today is just for conversation."
The trip to the meeting grounds themselves had been effortlessly quick and relatively boring without any distractions. And now here they were...
The leader jerked his head as if inviting Eydís and her party forward. Eydís stepped into the clearing, taking measured slow steps toward the alpha. She was too sure the pack would react negatively should she engage with her true speed. A bit of movement caught the nightwalker's eye in the form of the wolf nearest the alpha and his mate. A wolf smaller than the others tilted her head. Her eyes were challenging as if...no...was she daring Eydìs to show her true power and speed? Eydìs looked away. No. She would not be doing that.
Though there were many wolves here, the nightwalkers were old and strong. They would be evenly matched. Unease drifted through the clearing as everyone present was aware of this fact.
The leader was standing at a table. Two chairs were set on either side. The man and his mate were already standing behind two of the chairs. Out of respect there were no wolves on the other side of the table or directly behind it. Eydìs would not need to watch her back as carefully during the meeting. It seemed there was honor among the mutts.
Eydìs' eyes glazed over for a moment, glowing dimly. The group in the clearing was not alone. "it seems your ancestors wait with bated breath for this meeting to occur as well." The spirits of the wolves long gone bared their teeth in unison with her voice.
"I don't pretend to know what you are speaking of as I would hope our ancestors would have joined Zamoxis in the afterlife." Eydìs gave a simple shrug of her shoulders, "In any case, please join us at the table."
Before moving closer, the small nightwalker turned to the foreign one, her fingers reaching for the pouch at her throat. The wolves growled around them. "My friend will need to understand and to speak." Eydìs explained quietly. She opened the pouch, standing on a rock as she drew runes across the other's throat, cheeks and ears. She whispered the activating word and the one foreign words would now be as understandable as the beauty's natural tongue.
Eydìs moved away from Nefretiri and made her way cautiously to the table. Once they arrived, they all sat in unison. "This one has quite the story to tell, dear alpha." she purred, before settling back into the chair, "perhaps it might even necessitate an alliance of sorts..."
Notes!
None!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2023 7:18 pm
Eastern Europe / Dacia
106-275 AD
Late Summer/Early Autumn
Evening
His brother was careful with his words...to use Parvula though? Cassian couldn't help but think of their youngest sister lost before Marcus ascended. In the same breath his brother called Parvula ancient. Which was it? Was she a child--untested and new--or ancient? ah. Marcus had thr ability to answer Cassian's questions before he asked them if Cassian was only patient enough to wait. Part of being a hunter meant that Cassian was patient enough.
Hm. his brother did not control the wolves. Odd. Was there some reason for that? Cassian filed it away--not to use it against his brother but to use it for knowledge of where they were blind.
"I see...there is still information we need then to fully conceive of a plan. Please let me know if i could be of use to you--scouting or otherwise."
Cassian thought of his superior's question. No hint of embarrassment or defensiveness colored his view. Well, no. There was a slight bit of defensiveness; however, Cassian quickly shut it down. It had been a fair question and one that needed contemplation. What good were Cassian's leadership skills if he could not think critically of himself or if his men distrusted him? Thus, Cassian contemplated his brother's question.
"No." he finally stated, his memories coming quickly and easily, "they trust me with their lives. They did not look resigned or frightened when the idiot died. They expected it." Cassian took a measured beat before adding, "As you know, that group was formed of the best of our hunters. They expect the best in their ranks and do not tolerate it if someone acts out or form. While they may not be brothers as you and I, they are brothers in arms still. No, they trust me with even the mundane. That legionary was newer to our ranks."
Notes!
|
|
|
|
|
|
psychotic__Gal Vice Captain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2023 11:39 pm
Day 2 of story time.
Present Day
AKA avoiding the main story
Location: At a property near Barton that is not THoR
"You're welcome," said Jianshen using what he knew to be the proper response instead of the more natural response of 'sure' or 'mn, it is nothing' that he was more inclined to do. He was perplexed by her sudden shift in mannerism from assertive to agreeable. Was she that eager to experience a white day, was she in want of gifts, did his agreement make up for the rat earlier, or did he agree to something he should not have?
The approaching rapid heart beat of the little mischief maker caught his attention soon after he continued to paint and ponder on the other’s mood. They weren’t going to easily allow him to finish this tonight and cause him trouble. Should he have worn red today?
With a quick nimbleness of fingers Jianshen switched to a dry brush, moved it off the paper, and continued with his painting movements as she sprinted.
“Hoi kwan ji ma (trouble maker),” he said quietly with a slight smile and lightly tapped her batting paw with the brush and zipped it away with movements inviting her to paw at it.
When Dan set back down with a blood pop in his mouth he gave his cousin an inquisitive look.
"Horse bringing trouble to its herd." He chose to say something close to the literal meaning.
"So, a black sheep," said Daisy as she took her seat again. "Rotten apple," Dan said nearly at the same time, having removed the treat from his mouth.
He now playfully moved the clawed fingers of his empty hand in a wave motion, but was careful in moving it closer to the cat to get her to play with the fingers as well and to see if she'd let him pet her. "Yes, but this one not intending to say she is bad in group. This one meant trouble maker or causing trouble."
"You just like that phrase?"
Ma's lips pressed together slightly as he answered with, 'mn,' and gave a barely noticeable nod as his response to that observation.
(If at some point you want Veni to call the cat, just do so)
Notes: 'mn, it is nothing' is what his dad said
Hoi kwan ji ma 害 群 之 馬 - lit. a horse that brings trouble to its herd (idiom)/fig. trouble-maker/black sheep/rotten apple
————
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2023 11:47 pm
Eastern Europe / Dacia
106-275 AD
Late Summer/Early Autumn
Evening
Marcus was confused as to how one so useless got into that group. "If that's the case, then all is well. I desire you to be the best that you can be. I need useful idiots for some tasks, not fools who run back and forth with a stupid expression." One such fool who seemed favored by Fortuna came to mind. He could not figure out how this fool was still frolicing among them.
"What I mean is, this other one is old in years but her physical appearance is that of a child. But according to the locals we can't allow Parvula's small stature to deceive us.
"As for the wolves in the area, it's possible that I haven't gotten close enough to start influencing them if their alpha is strong….or…perhaps…”.
He started to frown. “I stated earlier that I don’t know what Parvula’s familiars are. It would be a problem if she can influence the wolf as well. This is a detail we need to know because it might mean we’d have to give up that chase and avoid the area.” Cassian knew that was the extreme case, and on the lesser it would limit who they could send and still be a disadvantage.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2025 11:01 am
Eastern Europe / meeting site
106-275 AD
Late Summer/Early Autumn
Evening -- Day 3 Nefretiri was miffed as she wondered why Eydis hadn't done this before they were in hostile company. She spent time before she went to sleep the previous morning and this evening hanging around the locals trying to absorb their language. Now the effort was slightly wasted even though she didn't want to rely on Eydis for her ability to communicate. And since she hadn't done this for her other children, Nefretiri had thought that the skill was limited to her. Was this a minor display of her abilities to them? Would it have been suspicious for her to speak their language? or...did it just occur to her to do this? She wasn't too keen on the immediate need to pretend that she was perfectly comfortable with the Little Goddess' fingers on her throat either. However she kept the same expression as it was done and she followed Eydis’ lead as they sat. What everyone whispered was about what she expected. Of course it was. They were all tense and slightly afraid. Some braver ones were better at hiding it than others, but she knew. Another thing that she noticed is that no names had been spoken. She wondered if it was custom, like the practice of not asking names of travelers in case an ancestor of theirs had wronged the host family. In this way it protected the traveler from the host family seeking revenge for a past wrong. “ Thank you for allowing me to speak. I am a transient guest from the Roman conquered land of Egypt to the south. Several months ago my companion urged me to travel. He led my small group here. On the way we saw many places lacking in beings such as us but they were still in the minds of the citizens. Our path lead us close to the army and we moved past them, but they are always close behind. I desire to warn and tell you of them if you would hear.” (Notes: most of the story is on page 5)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2025 12:38 pm
Eastern Europe / The Meeting Grounds
106-275 AD
Late Summer/Early Autumn
Evening -- Day 3
The Wolves
The wolves listened to the other one speak, their eyes bright in the darkness, their bodies still poised for action, becoming neither relaxed nor bored.
"Does this have anything to do with the others" Tatiyana's voice was quiet, careful, "the other wolves?" Aldric gave his mate a sharp look. ah. The smells...The howls...The others not native to these lands. Had they been native, they would have known better than to cross this pack. They would have smelled the markers, the borders. Cecelia thought back over the last few days...the frustration and confusion she had felt radiating from her father. The nervousness of the pack. Invaders.
Her father had been close to hunting the others down himself to demand answers and submission.
The small night walked hummed, "Mmm...the southern birds...?". Her ethreal voice melodious. She looked expectantly toward her companion.
The juvenile wolf knew nothing of the birds... but the others that refused to listen to her pack's warnings...she felt the unease of her pack. Their indignation at the topic. Her father--her alpha--regarded the vampires cooly, betraying no emotion. "To what end have they? What do they seek?", He growled "if what you said is true, why did you lead them here? They follow you do they not?".
|
|
|
|
|
|
psychotic__Gal Vice Captain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
psychotic__Gal Vice Captain
|
Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2025 12:40 pm
Eastern Europe / meeting site
106-275 AD
Late Summer/Early Autumn
Evening -- Day 3
It seemed the wolves understood more of the changes in the world outside than the diminutive night walker had when she first heard the news.
Trust the wolves to think of the change in nature... Eydís hummed to herself.
"Mmm...the southern birds...?" She asked quietly, remembering her confirmation of the borders earlier and the feeling of the souls...there had been birds of prey she did not recognize. Ones that were competing with kites and owls. It was not time for the birds to move just yet...
"if what you said is true, why did you lead them here? They follow you do they not?"
Eydís clicked her tongue, "So distrusting, Aldric."l My companion has stated how she was lead here; she was lead by her companion." She chided, the wolf did not spare her a glance beyond the usual one of a predator checking her location, his lips downturned in annoyance, "Would you believe me if I told you the pathers told me to trust her and her kin?"
"No. I'm not convinced they would be at our doorstep if not for this outsider."
"Would you allow me to vouch for her and her kin?" Eydís asked with a frown of her own.
"No."
Well that was that, Eydís presumed with a sigh. For beings with such...higher connections, they really did not put much confidence in Eydís' connections--spiritual or living. Her small shoulders shrugged, attempting to dislodge the tension.
Notes!
None!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2025 2:18 am
Eastern Europe / meeting site
106-275 AD
Late Summer/Early Autumn
Evening -- Day 3
The southern birds…? she repeated in her head. She wasn’t sure what Eydis meant by that…
“Your skepticism is natural… However,” she looked around, gaze piercing at each wolf it looked at. “ I am not convinced that they wouldn’t have come here anyways, with or without me. Have you kept yourselves hidden or did you leave visible warnings to others of your kind? Surely roaming wolves can find you from quite a distance in this country. From what I’ve observed is that there are wolves in their numbers. If you are as mighty as she claims and from what I see, then they would come eventually.”
Either their leader used wolves or someone else very close to him… Who had that Maximus Cato claim to have come on behalf of? She couldn’t quite remember at the moment as thinking about him and the wounds she suffered from him made her very angry. However…HE had a very fast bird!
That Maximus Cato… the one who came as a representative… HE was a very fast traveler. She wasn’t sure where those birds went and the timing of their movements… but maybe it was unusual for them to be here now… “I heard that this is not the first confrontation between the two countries. Are you certain that you wolves weren’t scouted out before” Her demeanor changed slightly and she didn’t hide her loathing when she said, “maybe you noticed an unusual raptor in that last conflict?”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
