[Prp] Delicate Flowers (Lady Halldora Snaeblod/Gypsy Charm)

[Of The Epidemic]

The winter snows hadn’t quite taken over the lands yet but it was clear they would be taking over soon. It wouldn’t be long before the ice and snow would clog the mountain paths and there would be no travel for some time. As it was the wind was bitterly cold in the shade and only barely standable in the sun. Perhaps it was this that caused Halldora to venture out into the low lands with her band one last time. They never handled being cooped up on the mountain tops well. They got restless and tended to get into trouble when there wasn’t anything to do. Lady Halldora was hoping that maybe they could capture a few thralls to help entertain the war band while they were locked on the mountain top. As it was there wasn’t anything like a new face to help tame the boredom.

If truth be told Halldora was just happy to feel the warmth of grass beneath her paws once more. She loved her mountain home, treasured it, but there was something to be said about the meadows and valleys below. The warmth, the sweet smell of flowers, and various other little novelties could only truly be appreciated down here.

“Hold!” Her voice carried easily over the group who followed orders without complaint. The trip down the mountain had been a bit of a taxing one, especially for those with hooves. She smirked pleasantly at how well they all looked. Perhaps a bit tired but for the most part they seemed excited. There was a sort of energy coursing through the group that had her grinning.

“We rest here.” She called out once more before dropping her heavy cloak into the grass. She stepped over to the stream lowering her great head to drink. That was one thing she’d never quite gotten used to, the water here tasted a little less fresh. She imagined it wasn’t something many noticed but the few streams from the mountain peaks just tasted so crisp.

She crinkled her nose before lifting back up to inspect the surrounding area. It was certainly warmer down here that was for sure. Once she was sure everyone was there, accounted for and uninjured she turned away to inspect the forest around them. The mare never much cared for deep woods, her horns got stuck in the trees quite often and it was just a hassle to move through.

Grumbling slightly under her breath she approached the edge of it carefully taking a moment to make sure she cleared the low hanging branches. Wouldn’t do to end up getting caught and hurting herself as soon as they had reached the bottom after all; carefully she made her way into the trees while her war band rested.

Figuring it’d be rather simple to map out a little ways, it wasn’t like she’d never been here. She’d traveled these woods often but things were prone to changing during her long absences. Besides it was easier to pick up on the tracks of others when her entire war band wasn’t twitching with excitement behind her. If she could pick up on the trail of a few wayward ponies before they were ready to go it would save her some trouble in the long run.
 

[Meepfur]

A sweet breeze rustled the leaves of the trees, stirring up scents unique to the forest, and Gypsy Charm breathed deep. If she had to place it, she would say that it was a little damper, more fundamentally earthy, than the smell of the open plains, but not so oppressive as the swamp. She cared not at all for that place, with muck that clung to her hooves, which had taken far too long to wash from her tail and her feathery white stockings. The dirt, the murk, the smell, the bugs...one visit there had been more than enough for her, thank you very much! But the forest, the forest she had always enjoyed, at least for little day trips. The trees pressed too close for her to fly, rendering it impractical for her to ever consider making a home here, but it was a nice change from time to time to leave tall grass and open sky behind. The sights, the sounds, the tastes, everything was so different, so refreshing! The mare could so easily lose herself in it all.

Too easily. There was no room for thoughts of danger in her reverie, no thought that the tracks she left behind in her wanderings might be of any interest to anyone, let alone followed. She browsed peacefully, lipping at tender grasses and leaves while branches creaked and birds sang to one another. Her tail flicked idly as she moved along, sampling a bit of this and a bit of that, pausing here and there to examine the shape of a mushroom or the color of a flower. It was lovely to wile away the day this way, holding on to no thought for more than a few moments, whether they were fanciful or serious or somewhere in between. This was not a day for thinking, not of the future or of the past, not of her two sons or of where she might go or what she might do next.

This was a day just to be, and to be content. She lifted her head to admire the way the sunlight filtered through the leaves of the trees, exhaling in a soft sigh.  

[Of The Epidemic]

Meepfur

Halldora had picked up several tracks but most of them seemed old. It would likely be a bit of a task to attempt to find the owners of those tracks. She’d been a bit bummed out honestly until she stumbled upon a rather dainty set of tracks that seemed terribly fresh. Too fresh almost, as if they‘d been made only earlier that day. She hesitated a moment, should she go back and get the band or follow them? She didn’t want to lose the owner of the tracks and with every moment they were getting farther away. It was a solo set of tracks so honestly she didn’t suppose she needed the entire war band for it.

With a roll of her shoulders she turned about and headed after the tracks. Deciding she could handle this on her own and with the woods clear they could search the plains instead. It’d be easier for her and some of her larger members.

She walked painfully silently through the woods for someone so large. Her paws made nary a sound as she prowled towards the unsuspecting mare. Much to her surprise and pleasure she picked up on the scent trail not long after she’d started following the steps. It appeared whoever was ahead of her was in no big rush if they’d only gotten this far.

With a smirk she circled to a better vantage point coming to a bit of a surprised stop as she laid eyes on the mare in the underbrush before her. Halldora had known for as long as she could remember that she was attracted to females. Thankfully no one in her tribe much cared either way, but she’d come across a few in the low lands that frowned upon it.

Yet she still couldn’t help herself, the mare in the glade before her took her breath away. She was small, dainty and delicate just as the butterfly wings that adorned her back were. Wings meant she could reach the skies of the Olfattir, fitting for one so pretty. For a moment Halldora only stared before she decided that she had to know her. There was no question about it, this would be her thrall. A fine addition to the herd, even if most would find it laughable that one so dainty lived in the harshest of mountain climates.

“We can do this the easy way or the hard way.” Halldora broke through the trees, her great size sending a shadow across the mare before her.

“You walk in Snaeblod territory, which makes you fair game little lady. Come with me and I won’t harm you.” Her tone was heavy but without venom. She didn’t want to hurt the mare if she didn’t have to but she’d gone out to bring back thralls for the herd and that was what she was going to do. Even if admittedly this was more of a personal capture than a herd one.  

[Meepfur]

Caught up in her idle pastime, the painted mare was blissfully oblivious to the predicament she was about the be in, the hunter who tracked her meandering steps. Just as she lifted a hoof to continue on - that flower over there was quite a fetching color, perhaps she would pick it and put it in her tail - a voice broke unwelcome through her daydreaming, accompanied by a looming shadow. To say she was startled would have been an understatement: Charm near to jumped out of her skin, lurching forward with a hop and a gasp, muscles twitching and skin shivering, a fleeting instinct to take flight cut off before it could form, impossible amidst the trees.

She whirled to face the speaker with wide, pale blue eyes, ears pinned back and delicate wings flared out, all of this in the space of moments, without time for thought. The spooked female stilled when she laid eyes on the source of the voice as her mind raced, processing the sight of the one who had scared her right out of her reverie. Impressive didn't do the mare justice; she was positively massive next to the little flutter mix, her head crowned with horns the like of which Charm had never seen, her paws tipped with thick claws...the damage those could do! Her appearance, when paired with her words, was a concern, to say the least.

Suddenly aware that her mouth was open, she clicked it shut. Swallowed, cleared her throat, cleared the shock from her face and replaced it with a nervous smile, followed in short order by a nervous laugh. "Oh, goodness, you gave me such a fright!" It took several syllables for her voice to settle, but she schooled herself and smoothed it. "What a silly filly I must look, all a-flutter..."

"Please, do forgive me! I meant no trespass, I had no idea the forest was claimed." She fluttered both her eyes and her wings, looking up at the stranger with guilt and hopeful apology plain on her face. Perhaps she could charm her way out of this trouble she'd landed herself in! "There's no need for you to trouble yourself with me, I'll just show myself out, I remember the way I came."

"Although, ah, if you wanted to escort me, I could hardly refuse you, of course." That was what the other mare meant to do, wasn't it? See to it she left the area? Charm couldn't imagine - didn't want to imagine - why else she would demand she go with her. No, she stalwartly refused to think something else was meant by that, as though not thinking about them made other possible outcomes less likely.

Of The Epidemic

 

[Of The Epidemic]

Meepfur

Halldora gave a bit of a sigh as she watched the mare. She almost felt bad about frightening the poor dear… almost. With one careful step forward she closed the gap a bit more. She could tell that the mare was frightened, what with the way she seemed to shuffle about. Though admittedly she was doing well to hold her composure, at least she hadn’t bolted which was always a nice change of pace.

“You’re forgiven silly filly.” She mimicked the mare’s words with a bit of a smile. In all truth Hall had never been big on the use of thralls. Some ended up being loyal but others would just as happily munity. It wasn’t like they were treated terribly but she supposed it made sense that they wouldn’t be overly fond of their situation. Still they were provided for, cared for, protected, there were far worse lives out there.

“However, I unfortunately can’t let you leave. You’ll have to earn your freedom from the tribe.” Halldora stated carefully closing the gap a bit more, making no attempt to hide the muscles that rolled under her coat. There was little chance the mare would be capable of getting free, a good thing they were in the forest. Winged ponies tended to be harder to capture, their ability to take to the sky a saving grace most the time.

“I’d be very appreciative if you’d merely come along without a fight.” The mare spoke up once more swaying her tail slightly, the extensive length picking up debris in the process. She looked wild and untamed with all the various fragments of the forest in her mane. Somehow in her travels she’d managed to pick up various twigs, leaves, and even whole sticks in her mane and tail. Despite how clear it was that Halldora wasn’t going to let Charm go; she still waited for an answer. Admittedly she did love the chase just a little bit, something about it was quite thrilling.
 

[Meepfur]

Charm took a tentative step back when the stranger took one forward, tail flicking nervously. She wasn't usually one to allow herself to be pushed around, but neither was she a fool; there was no doubt in her mind that the enormous, clawed mare was quite capable of making very short work of her if she wished, even if she didn't seem inclined to at this particular instant in time. For a very brief moment, when she smiled and said she was forgiven, Charm had a faint hope that she was off the hook, but it was quickly squashed. Her gaze darted to their surroundings as she considered her options, chief among them: running. Her would-be captor was exceptionally large, as were her horns - she might have difficulty keeping up any speed through the trees. On the other hoof, if she were wrong...claws. No small risk. She needed more time to assess the situation before making a choice she might regret. Fighting was right out, running was out for now, and courtesy had gotten her nowhere. Fine then. Contrary it was.

"Earn my freedom?" she questioned sharply, healthy sense of self-preservation temporarily overshadowed by indignation. "But- But that...well that's preposterous! And it's not fair! How was I to know this forest was claimed?"

She set her jaw and stamped her hoof, turning up her nose. "No, absolutely not. I'm not moving from this spot no matter what you do, so unless you mean to carry me, I'm not going anywhere with you."

Although, given the stature and physique the mare possessed - which under other circumstances Charm might have been admiring - it probably wasn't completely outside the realm of possibility.

Of The Epidemic

 

[Of The Epidemic]

Meepfur

Halldora shifted slightly from paw to paw as she weighed her options. Much to her surprise the little mare had grown a fiery backbone. She was being quite contrary which was her right Hall supposed. With a slow roll of her shoulders and a rather long suffering sigh she eyed the tiny mare.

“Yes little butterfly, earn your freedom. Through work given to the tribe.” She shook her great head horns easily rustling the trees around them sending leaves fluttering to the ground. Halldora lifted a paw and easily took the bark off a tree, drawing a design in its place. She glanced back at the mare before looking back at the mark.

“Our sigils mark this area as our own. Besides everyone know the Snaeblod tribe owns from the great mountain peaks down to this forest.” Halldora stated in a rather matter o fact manner before glancing back at the mare. Carry her? Well she supposed that wasn’t completely impossible honestly, it’d be much easier if the other simply walked along politely but she’d carried the weight of her sisters before so a tiny mare such as this shouldn’t prove too terrible.

Halldora took two steps and closed the gap between them easily enough. Once she was this close she could tell just how small the other truly was compared. She shook her head carefully before lifting a pawed foot to almost brush against the mare’s side. Claws not quite touching skin before she lowered it back down once more.

“If that’s what you wish little butterfly, then I shall carry you. I suppose you should save your strength for the trip back up the mountain anyway. Unless you plan for me to carry you the entire way up?” She queued before lowering her head slightly like she was going to lift Charm up in her horns.
 

[Meepfur]

Gypsy Charm snorted derisively. Work? Did she look like someone who worked? She very nearly said as much, too, until the beast of a mare ripped the bark off the tree to draw her little 'sigil.' She couldn't have cared less about the mark - what a silly thing! - but if it was that easy from her to strip the bark from a tree, separating skin from flesh would be nothing at all. A chilling thought, and one that reinforced for her her decision not to immediately attempt to run.

Her options had been whittled away, not that it had taken much time, and realistically, she knew that escape was - at least currently - not a possibility. She was more likely to be injured than she was to succeed, which would render later attempts more difficult still. No, it looked like a trip up the mountain was inevitable. But if her captor wanted her that badly, then she was damn well going to have to work for it. The little hybrid would make herself as much of an annoyance as possible. "I've never heard of you before," she asserted, "So it can't be everyone."

Charm twitched away slightly when the mare almost brushed her with her claws, but stood her ground, head still raised high. "Oh, you'll most certainly have to carry me the entire way. I'm not built for climbing mountains." It would probably be far from comfortable, but being a thorn in the side of her kidnapper would be worth a bit of discomfort. "Well, are you going to do it or not? I haven't got all day, you know."

Of The Epidemic

 

[Of The Epidemic]

Meepfur

Halldora shook her head and snorted. Feisty little thing wasn’t she? Well she supposed if that was what it would take to get her up the mountain then so be it. Truthfully the little mare didn’t look like one that would take well to a mountain climb no. Then again with that fiery spirit she supposed the mare might be able to do anything she set her mind to.

“Alright, but know that you asked for this little butterfly. I’m not to be held responsible for your embarrassment.” Halldora spoke carefully before lowering herself to indeed scoop Charm up. She was careful not to poke the little mare with the wicked long horns, which was a feat in itself since there wasn’t much room to get them under her. It was a rather easy slope down Halldora’s neck with a slight jolt upon hitting her broad shoulders and back. Never mind the fact that her mane was like a living thing that tangled in limbs and anything else that it could. Still Halldora didn’t seem to complain at all as she shook herself slightly to adjust Charm to a more comfortable position, for Halldora anyway.

“Though, honestly, I think you could climb a mountain if you truly wished it little butterfly. You have spirit, I like it.” Halldora stated carefully before she started off rather easily. The ride was surprisingly smooth for the sheer girth of the mare’s body.

Oh yes, this was her thrall. She’d likely not do well with any of the hard labor anyway. The mare seemed much more inclined to simple hearth tasks as opposed to heavy manual labor. So a maid would suite her best and there was no way any other mountain gruff was getting their paws on her.

She was rather quiet the rest of the trip back to her war band not that it took very long to reach them. The hoots and hollers of their appraisal echoed around the glade. Some weren’t so kind about their pleasure at the site of the little mare, gruff and rather vulgar but none dared approach the two mares.

“Will you tell me your name little butterfly, or are you still too busy spitting fire at your plight?” Halldora asked amusement evident in her voice. She made no attempt to apologize for her band but neither did she let them linger about. Carefully she watched them as the milled about before glancing back towards the mare on her back. Without word she rather ungraciously plopped Charm on her previously discarded fur shawl though she didn’t move away after doing so. She stayed close, too close almost, as if she was daring Charm to try to run or fly with her right there.

“M’lady, when will we move to take more?” A large stallion approached, the grey in his soot colored mane standing out rather obviously. The scars that ran down his front were rather nasty but he seemed to bare them with pride as he looked at Halldora.

“Rickton, you can take a party out to round up what you can. Take the more restless of the group, I shall guard our prize till you return. She’s a bit of a spitfire and I don’t trust her to not try something.” Halldora stated with a bit of a snort as Rickton shook his head with a smile.

“Very well m’lady.” He stated with a smile glancing down at Charm for only a moment. “Quite the catch, with wings no less. A good one for patching the tops of the cave.” He nodded his head before turning around and walking towards the group. Halldora didn’t say much else before glancing back towards Charm with a roll of her eyes.

“Cave patching duty, yuck.” Halldora mumbled softly crinkling her nose before smiling very slightly at Charm as if she pitied the poor mare. It wasn’t like she’d ever actually let Charm be stuck into that group but the mare didn’t need to know that.

 

[Meepfur]

"On the contrary, I don't find it embarrassing at all," Charm maintained, inwardly somewhat pleased - it didn't compare to the trepidation and indignation she felt, no, but there was petty satisfaction in forcing the stranger to carry her. Servant she might be, but she was the one being carried, not the other way around. It was the little things.

Though it did begin to seem a slightly less sound idea when her captor actually went about the business of picking her up. She held quite still while she slipped her horns underneath her, afraid that a wrong movement might end poorly for her. Being scooped up by someone and slid down their neck was far from dignified - or comfortable, for that matter - but Charm suffered it without a sound, not about to let on that she was having any second thoughts. Once she was positioned, however, it wasn't as bad as she'd thought it might be, as the mare's back was rather wide. It would still probably get old after awhile, but she would persist for spite's sake.

"If I wanted to climb a mountain, yes, I probably could," she conceded, flexing her wings a bit to ensure no damage had been done to them before tucking them back against her sides. "However, given your intentions, I have no reason at all to want to." Ordinarily, she would have taken being told that she had spirit as a compliment, but she was still far too offended by the situation for it to mean anything.

She frowned at the sight of the warband when they came into view, and that frown quickly deepened into a grimace that gave way to bared teeth. She might not have fangs, but it was a universal threat regardless, and one she would follow through with even if there wasn't much damage she could do. She was soon deposited on the ground, a rather graceless maneuver, but the impact she braced herself for was lessened by the fur she was dropped onto. Wordlessly, she settled there, shaking out her mane and stretching her wings, gathering herself as though she were perfectly happy to recline there. Only then did she answer the question of her name. "Charm. My name is Gypsy Charm."

When a stallion came near, she eyed him suspiciously until he left, at which time she snorted and looked back to the pawed mare, appraising her more thoroughly with a skeptical look. "'M'lady,' is it?" She turned her nose up then, with another light snort. "I don't know what cave patching is, but I'm not doing it."

Of The Epidemic

 

[Of The Epidemic]

Meepfur

D8 I'm sorry that took so long! TA T I ended up being super sick and busy all week. orz

Halldora smiled at the little butterfly as she stated her name, pleased to finally learn it. The slightly snide tone didn’t offend the large mare at all. She supposed had she been in the same situation it likely would have caused her to be quite waspish as well.

“Charm, a fitting name I’d wager.” She spoke her tones measured, it wasn’t like the particularly wanted to cause a fight with the mare. If anything she’d like to avoid upsetting her anymore than she’d already done. Once she was sure that they had relative privacy, as most the war band had gone out raiding she lowered herself carefully to the ground. She was well within Charm’s personal space but aside from that she made no volatile movement.

Halldora ignored her agitation at the prospect of cave patching in favor of the question. She mulled it over in her mind before inclining her head slightly. It was hard to explain their customs to outsiders, or those that hadn’t been exposed to it from a young age.

“Yes, I’m considered a lady among my tribe. My sister is queen, and that extends the title lady to my name. As well as the fact I lead my own warband.” She shook her head before glancing around the clearing for a moment. Eventually her eyes drifted back to Charm.

“I’d get some rest if I were you. The trip is a long one.” With that Halldora said no more on the matter and fell into a sort of silent guard. She was ever vigilant, her eyes never seeming to tire. The time seemed to drag by as they waited for the warband to return.

However once they did return there was a flurry of motion and laughter. They were all quite overjoyed at their haul. A large number had been captured this turn, and it was cause for celebration. This jubilation lasted well on into the night, before they finally settled in to rest, groups of four taking watch in turn.

When morning broke the peeks the group was already up and getting ready for the trek back up the mountain. True to her word, Halldora lifted Charm onto her back once more, just as gracelessly as before but that was neither here nor there. Once everyone was settled and in line they started out with Halldora leading the way.

They moved at a surprising pace considering how little sleep some of them had gotten. As they made their way up, the air grew colder; the ground became hard and frigid. They only slowed once the ground faded into snow and those with hooves had to tread carefully. Even Halldora was being more cautious than normal, what with Charm placed upon her back.

“Are you warm enough little butterfly?” She queued, glancing back over her shoulder at the mare.


 

[Meepfur]

Lady. Ha! A 'lady' to a pack of uncivilized barbarians, perhaps, but not a real lady. Real ladies didn't go gallivanting about with warbands, snatching up unsuspecting folk to haul back to their mountain home and patch their caves, and spirits only knew what else. No, that was not Charm's idea of a lady at all, royal blood or no. Thus far, she thought her captor much more a brute than a lady, though her manners seemed a little better than those of some of her subordinates...not that that was saying much.

The mare considered giving voice to her thoughts on the matter, but ultimately chose to sum them up with a snort. Bid to rest, she was tempted not to out of spite, but after a few minutes the appeal of the notion began to wane. While she was not particularly tired, nor would she have had an easy time resting given her current situation, simply staring at the so-called lady as if looks could kill got old quite quickly. Charm laid down her head and closed her eyes, drifting a little as the time passed, but there was no true sleep to be had...especially once the band returned with more captives, and their merrymaking carried on well into the night. She shut it out to the best of her ability, pinning back her ears and stubbornly ignoring the ruckus.

Eventually, morning came, and with it she was scooped up again. She endured it in silence and with that smug upturned nose, still taking some solace in having forced this queen's sister to carry her, and trying to look like she was enjoying it. It was better than having to climb the mountain herself, at least, especially as they reached higher altitudes. Gypsy Charm shivered in the chill air, pressing her wings close against her body.

"No," she answered bitterly, breaking a long silence. "Butterflies freeze and die in the cold, didn't you know?"

Of The Epidemic

No need to apologize! <3 I hope you're feeling better.

 

[Of The Epidemic]

Meepfur

8DDDDD

Halldora laughed slightly at the response she was given. She supposed she did know that butterflies froze rather easily but she didn’t suppose this lady was all that fragile that she’d die from a little cold.

“Aye little butterfly, but surly you are not so fragile that you plan on killing over due to a little cold?” Halldora craning her head backwards to grab her cloak in her mouth and pull it over Charm in an attempt to warm her up. Really the best way would be for her to get down and walk some, use those muscles to help work up some heat but she supposed the little mare would be vastly opposed to that idea. This would just have to do.

“You can pull my cloak over you better, it’ll help keep out the chill.” She stated slogging through the snow with relative ease. They weren’t getting off to a very good start but then Halldora supposed that was relatively normal considering the circumstances of their meeting.

“You know I got that cloak off a snow cat that was terrorizing a herd of mountain healers. A little niche of unis and uni crosses hidden away up here. The cat had taken one of their young earlier in the spring and when the hard times of winter came about it came back for some easy food. They weren’t warriors by any stretch but this cat. He was bigger than you little butterfly, well just look at his pelt for a size reference.” She mused, attempting to distract the little mare from how cold it was. It wasn’t the best story but it was something at least.

“It took me three nights and four days of stalking him to finally corner him in a snowy mountain pass. He’d chased off one of the mare’s young filly and was stalking her while I was stalking him. I’ve never seen such a beast, he put up one hell of a fight. Got the scar along my shoulder from him, and the one down my right back leg was his teeth. It was brutal, I eventually found the filly and returned her and the large cat was broken down into parts to help both the unicorns and the Snaeblods.” Halldora nodded her head slightly as they rounded a bend and the large cave opening came into view.

“Ah finally, home.” She mused softly as she stepped through the opening past the guards, leading her warband into the main receiving hall. “Think you can walk from here little butterfly? The caves get sort of tight where we are going and I wouldn’t want your delicate wings or head to get hurt.”

 

[Meepfur]

"I've done my best to avoid finding out, thus far." Charm sniffed, but did as advised and pulled the cloak further over herself, though she made a face at having to put her mouth on it. There was no telling where it might have been! It had been years since she'd weathered a winter, having decided very early in life that the cold was not for her; she much preferred to migrate to warmer climes. And now she was being hauled up a mountain, of all things! So much for going somewhere warm and pleasant this year.

She listened to the story about the snow cat - not that she had much choice - and found her decision not to run further reinforced. Assuming it was true, it was a rather impressive feat of strength, but she had absolutely no intention of acknowledging that. Her contrariness was far from exhausted. "That's all fine and ever so charitable of you - why, you didn't even make off with the filly! - but I hope you have a spare, if you expect to keep me from freezing to death. I'm not nearly so...well-insulated as you, after all."

And then came the cave. Wonderful. Just the sort of place she'd always dreamed of living: a rocky hole in the ground! She supposed it was a marginal improvement over being out in the snow, but still. A cave! The little mare wrinkled her nose as she answered, "Very well, I suppose."

Of The Epidemic

 

[Of The Epidemic]

Meepfur

Halldora gave a hearty laugh at Charm’s comments. It was one of those kinds of laughs that bubbled up from the belly, making it ring out.

“Aye little butterfly, I am indeed well insulated. But never you mind, you will not be freezing.” She let Charm down gently onto the earthen floor, making sure she landed as softly as possible this time. “You will be warm, comfortable, and safe. Perhaps one day you will even be happy.” She stated nudging her gently with her nose in the rump. “Come, this way.”

Halldora started off, expecting the little mare to follow, after all what choice did she really have at this point? She was already well within the lion’s den and even if she did get out where would she go? There was no way this little summer mare would survive the ice of the mountains; Hall was sure she knew that.

Thus she didn’t much bother to keep a close watch on her ‘prisoner’ as she made her way towards her living quarters. While she knew eventually she would have to show off her catch for right now she figured Charm likely needed some time to grow accustomed to things.

As Halldora had stated they passed through several small corridors, in which the mare’s horns nearly brushed the ceiling and occasionally clinked off the side. This didn’t seem to bother her of course, instead she seemed much more intent upon her destination though she did glance over her shoulder every now and then to check that Charm was indeed still following.

“Later I will take you to be inspected, and show you off as is tradition. For now however you seem like you need time to adjust.” Hall stated softly, as she pushed into a large cavern, not as large as the entry way but it was a good size, it was warm and clearly a nesting sort of area. There was a pile of large warm looking furs in one corner, various bits of armor in another. The walls were lined with bits and bobs, shells, dried flowers, feathers among other things. A strange sort of trinket collection that didn’t make much sense when compared to the large brute of a mare.

“This is my home cave and the larger area you just passed through was the common area. It’s where friends of mine gather to speak with me. This will be your responsibility. Everyone here has a job, your’s will be to keep this area clean as well as the common area. For now you are free to wander the rooms in this section, not all are used and if you wish to pick one out to sleep in you may. However I’d prefer if you didn’t wander the full extent of the cave system as of yet. It’s large and deep and you could get lost. So to keep you safe please refrain from wandering down that long hallway there.” She pointed to a smaller opening before lifting her clawed paw and pointed back down the way they came. “Or that one there. Unless you are being escorted of course.” Halldora stated simply before eyeing Charm for a moment.

While visibility wasn’t at it’s very best in the cave it was still there. Lighted moss along the walls as well as various placed holes allowed for light in the area, dim as it might be. Still Charm’s dark pelt made her a bit of a dark mass in the gloom though her wings stood out vibrantly.

“Do you think you can manage that little butterfly?”