Ragnvard nodded his thanks to the lioness he had been speaking too. He didn’t know her personally but he had seen her around the pride enough to stop her when he had seen her passing by. He had needed to know where Auðlín denned and after a few false starts he finally found someone who knew her. The lioness moved off and Ragnvard continued on his way, headed now towards Auðlín’s den, knowing it was likely that she would be alone, as Ronan was out viking with Lucivar.
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Auðlín was indeed in her den, having been doing a bit of housekeeping. Several of her furs were old and torn, the hair worn away entirely in places. Though they were no good any more for bedding, she was calmly slicing them into stripes with her sharp claws, intending to turn them into useful leather straps. Of course she would need to replace the furs, but she would simply ask her brother next he visited. It was, after all, useful to have a sibling who was a reaver.
A sound outside her den made her look up, frowning at the shadow of a male that fell across her entrance. Setting aside her work she stood and moved to the mouth of her den, stepping out to prevent whoever was there thinking they could come inside.
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Ragnvard bowed his head as she appeared, having been wavering between simply walking in or calling to her for invitation. Judging from her frown it was a good idea that he hadn’t simply invited himself.
Bowing briefly to her he gave her a charming smile. “Greetings. I am sorry to simply appear like this, but I simply had to visit.” He saw her annoyance turn to puzzlement at his words and he chuckled softly. “Indeed, you are probably thinking what on earth I am on about… well, I have wanted to speak to you for some time now, but sadly, I have been kept away viking.” Lowering his gaze he looked abashed, glancing up after a moment to smile somewhat faintly. “I apologise if I am too forward…”
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Auðlín frowned again, staring at him. What the bloody hell did he want? He stood there blathering at her but he wasn’t really saying anything. Swallowing the urge to sniff at his superfluous words she pinned him with a glare. “Who are you?” She demanded, hiding a smile when he appeared quite taken aback by her sharp comment. She was no fool…only a male who was after something came a-calling, and she rather suspected which particular service he was angling for. Well, he would have another thing coming if he thought she was happy to warm his bed for a night just like that!
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Covering his irritation at being spoken to so shortly he had to swallow his growl and instead smiled easily. After all, he was not here because he actually liked her. But he needed to win her over, and he was going to treat it like any other campaign. Gather intelligence, learn her weakness, plan his strategy, and set up a trap for her to fall into.
“I beg your pardon, I quite forget myself. I am Captain Ragnvard.” He saw her eyes narrow and realised his mission had just become harder. She had evidently been listening to his fool of a brother, or maybe her own. But regardless, he would simply have to take her bias into consideration and work all the harder. After all, he had not yet met a female who could resist him when he put his mind to it.
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Auðlín fought hard not to roll her eyes. So this was the male her brother spoke of. Well, that answered her main question. Evidently he was here to spy on her, or maybe to try and persuade her to spy on her brother and his band for him. Either way he would find her a far tougher nut to crack. Suddenly another idea occurred to her. Why couldn’t she spy on him! The idea would of course mean putting up with him at close quarters, but she could handle any male that thought they had a chance with her. Smiling at her new plan she dipped her head to him graciously.
“Well, Captain. It is indeed a surprise to see you here. How may I be of service?” She was not about to invite him inside, too many things could happen and he was still, annoyingly, a male and thus naturally stronger than her. But she would suggest a walk outside and keep to more populated areas… Then they would see who would be spying on whom…
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Pleased that she had not immediately kicked him out or demanded he leave, he smiled again. “I wondered what you were doing, and if you were not busy, if I may invite you to dine with me. I rarely have the pleasure of company better mannered than my reavers.” He gave her a wry grin, as everyone knew he favoured brute strength and cunning in his band than good manners.
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She eyed him for a long moment, knowing better than to suddenly change her attitude, but finally she nodded, as if reluctant. And besides, she had actually forgotten to eat as of yet so his offer held a real appeal. Food and a chance to test out her theory….
“I suppose such a request could be granted.” She returned, arching a brow with no little challenge behind it. “Are we to visit the store, or to go find fresh prey.” She smirked, knowing most reavers hated t hunt, considering it beneath them, and she had deliberately suggest it to see if he would accept her challenge.
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Nonplussed by her question he glanced towards the store, knowing it was always well stocked and even if it was not the freshest meal, it was easy and had a good choice. Where as hunting was far less predictable. But he had to admit it did taste better and anyway, it would give him the chance to show off for her. Didn’t every lioness like a male who could provide as well as protect?
Looking back at her he gave her a broad, toothy grin, showing he recognised her taunt and did not mind rising to the occasion. “If you have a desire to hunt, then we shall hunt. It will make a nice change.” Stepping back he motioned for her to precede him, giving her a sly, challenging smirk.
He wasn’t too sure when this had become a contest between tem, but he had to admit he was pleasantly surprised. She was far more interesting than he had assumed..
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Inclining her head to him when he replied, acknowledging his recognition of her actions, she smirked as she sauntered past, tail flicking lazily. “Then let us go hunt.”
(words = 1,14 cool
