The coyote woman still held wariness in her for Inferni's closest neighbors, and she had decided, should Salsola deal with the coyotes in a friendly manner, she should never represent them. Though she and Sirius both had held membership in coyote clan, the sable hybrid had left it on worse terms, to be certain. Eris had been older when she'd departed, and she'd lied to Kaena, though the woman had little reason to suspect the drama between herself and her mother was just that -- between herself and her mother. She had no reason to suspect otherwise, and in the typical fashion, Eris had elevated what had transpired between herself to a crisis spanning the entire pack, a direct affront to Inferni's honor or something of the sort. It was much the same with Anathema; the hybrid feared the entire pack disliked the Salsola canines, and she had hoped to craft at least indifference between her new homeland and their two closest neighbors.
The woman had therefore trekked from the borders, hoping to encounter a member of either pack. Eris hoped to find an unfamiliar face from either pack rather than one who would recognize her and perhaps attribute a past misdeed to her face. She had commanded Molcaxitl to follow her, hoping the presence of two canines would dissuade any would-be attackers. They needn't know the smaller, slighter coyote was a slave; only Eris and a scant few others might recognize the golden ring embedded into the woman's nose. She would not speak unless Eris commanded her to in the presence of strangers. Hoping to attract attention rather than keep to herself, the woman had taken to hunting in her four-legged form. She kept to smaller prey, of course, and the woman found herself in possession of a raccoon and a rabbit after not too long. It was thin, and hardly an ample meal, but it would do.
The hybrid padded back toward Axi, finding the woman where she had left her and fiddling with the beginnings for a fire. There was no fear within Eris for Molca's escape; the slave was thoroughly accustomed to her place. The hybrid, who had shifted after felling the rabbit so she might carry both back to the slave without excessive awkwardness, peered at the small fire with distaste in her chartreuse eyes, and looked to Molca with a brow lifted, but she said nothing, and instead settled down with her back against the trunk of a tree. She watched the other canine continue to play with the fire until it burned with sufficient brightness, and watched with more interest as Axi began to skin the creatures, working with a few scant tools she had carried from Salsola. As the smell of cooking meat filled the air, the hybrid wondered if one might come to greet her, and whether it would be an angry coyote or a more gentle Anatheman. The opposite -- an angry Anatheman or a gentle coyote -- would not have surprised her, either.
She panted heavily in the hot weather as she trotted around her own borders and her neighbors neighboring lands. She wasn’t afraid anymore. She belonged somewhere now, and the only reason she would be close to her neighbors would be because she was near her pack. She wouldn’t have a problem, or she BETTER not have a problem. She was in one of those moods today. The ‘mess with me and die’ mood.
Her brow was low and crinkled in slight annoyance as she walked quickly. She was in her usual, most comfortable form: lupus. It allowed her to move more naturally, although Secui form wasn’t that bad either and Optime was only when she needed her hands. She didn’t need them now. She was lost in thought about her annoyance, when the smell of meat slapped her across her muzzle. She stopped abruptly, and forgetting about fear and why she was mad, she trotted toward the smell of smoke and cooking meat. Someone who was nearby had to be a neighboring somebody, and hopefully a civil somebody.
As she drew closer, she smelled a familiar scent. Eris. She slowly shifted into Optime form, now knowing that she didn’t have to fear anything. There was another unfamiliar scent entwined with Eris’s, but Axelle figured whoever was with her was safe too. By the time she reached them, she was just getting off her hands and back paws. She strode toward them and waved, smiling.
What a nice night to be camping out and making a fire!
She looked toward Eris first as she said this, and then when she was done, she smiled toward the other female. She didn’t know who she was, and never seen her before. She had a strange ring in her nose that Axelle had never seen on anyone else before. Interesting.
The wind was not so strong that it whipped the smoke away from their camp, but a gentle breeze certainly spread the scent, calling to any in that area to come and join them. The sable-shaded hybrid was fearless -- even if she were to be attacked, she could easily outright Molcaxitl, even if the woman decided to run. Eris might command her to stay and be ripped to shreds in her stead; she could easily obtain a replacement for Molca, even one who might be more attractive, physically, and more capable, too. She considered this as she peered at the skinny coyote girl in distaste, chartreuse eyes focused instead on the meat the woman cooked. There was that useful aspect, but that alone did not make Molca completely worth keeping.
The sable-shaded hybrid did not have to wait long for another to appear; a familiar figure, black and white starkly contrasting against both sides of her face, made her way toward the glow of the fire and spoke in tones Eris recognized. Axelle -- the woman she had met in the dead city, and brief pack-mate. The coyote sat up a bit straighter and grinned, sweeping her hand toward the fire. “That it is. Join us, if you would,” the coyote invited, nodding toward the flickering fire. It was not so cold a night they needed to sit atop it for warmth, but there was nothing quite like enjoying hot and cooked meat. Such a meal she would be willing to provide for Axelle. She was, after all, a part of Anathema, as well -- the coyote hybrid expected the other canine might at least be able to describe the atmosphere of Eris's former pack and their attitude toward Salsola.
“How have you been?” the hybrid woman inquired politely, focusing on pleasantries before she delved into her business. Even business would be presented as a pleasantry, of course, but the sable wolf would gather her knowledge nonetheless.
Ish okay. I don’t remember what pack Eris was in before Salsola—it was Inferni, right? Orrrr Anathema?
Word Count: 303
Points: 3
She was still breathing a little heavy when she approached the two. It would take a minute before she was breathing even tones again. She approached the fire and sat down before it, between the two coyotes. She felt like a sandwich, but it was a friendly sandwich. She eyed the meat cooking on the fire, and smiled at the unknown female to her right. She hadn’t gotten a reaction out of her yet. Her eyes lingered amongst her for a few more seconds before sweeping to her left to look at Eris.
She wasn’t going to ask about the female yet, but she did wonder who she was and maybe why she wasn’t talking. She smiled toward Eris and answered her question with ease.
I’ve been okay. Settling into Anathema. Not a bad place.
Then she wondered why Eris didn’t carry the same scent she did before and inhaled deeply. Nope. She carried the scent of a different pack. One that she hasn’t smelled around much. Salsola. She wanted to visit it, but now she was in a pack. Her trespassing days were over. Almost.
Weren’t you in Anathema before?
She could’ve sworn they had a conversation about Naniko’s leadership. Yeah, that’s right. They did. She was confused for a bit. Her memory wasn’t that good as of late. Whatever. Either way, right now she was in a different pack than Axelle, but they were still friends. That’s what mattered most.
The fire danced before Axelle’s eyes and it brought back memories. Not so good memories of not so good deeds. She shook her head slightly, shaking them out of the front of her mind. She didn’t want to think about dreadful things right now. She wanted to be happy to see her friend, Eris, who she hadn't seen in a while.
Word Count :: 354 Anathema, yus. Inferni before that. :3
The tawny coyote poked and prodded at the meat, turning it about the stick she had fashioned to cook it. There were a few other sparse utensils -- a pair of bowls, along with a utility knife, the edge chipped and dulled from age. Axi wouldn't be able to cause much damage with a weapon such as that, but she could chunk meat well enough, which was exactly what she had done. The sable-shaded woman nodded as Axelle spoke, her attention focused on their visitor rather than her slave.
“Ah, Anathema,” the hybrid said, her teeth cracking into a smile. The deadliness of a viper lurked in that smile, though none of her poison was directed at the bi-colored woman. Axelle had committed no offense to Eris. “I was,” she said, her tone rather somber. “But I have since departed to make my own home,” the coyote said, her smile refusing to fade from her sable-hued muzzle. Molca stood from the fire, turning toward the bowls and sliding the meat from the skewers and into the bowls with the edge of her cooking knife.
“How is the mood in my old home? No dislike for me, for leaving so abruptly?” the coyote said, inquiring quickly before their meal could be served. It wasn't good to discuss business over food, but the bi-colored woman had provided quite the opening, and Eris disliked the thought of dredging the subject back up later -- she could not afford to such a segue into the topic she'd come to discuss.
The younger slave, ever-diligent, presented her master with one of the warped earthenware bowls, turning toward Axelle and presenting her with the other. Still silent, Axi's face remained stony and impassive, unchanging and indifferent to her surroundings and even her own actions. The hybrid woman instead spoke, offering Axelle the bowl the slave clutched. “Do feel free. A guest eats before a slave,” she allowed, very nearly spitting the word slave with no small hint of distaste. Useful as they were, they were no more than mere objects, intended to serve their purpose and serve their purpose alone.
Her gaze turned toward the other coyote who was cooking. She didn’t stare hard, but simply observed what she was doing. Cooking meat was something new to Axelle, but she might like to try it herself one day. She would need supplies from Halifax. Axelle turned to Eris just as she began to speak; she was all ears and ready to listen. She spat Anathema out like it was something rotten. Axelle hadn’t a clue what happened with her and Anathema, but now wasn’t the time to ask. Maybe she would confide in Naniko later.
Axelle listening to the clay clanking noises of the bowls, it was kind of soothing to her ears. Dislike? Axelle was still wondering why anyone would dislike Eris for leaving, but maybe there was a reason behind it all. ”No, no dislike for you as far as I’m concerned. I haven’t heard anything about you from anyone, actually,” she spoke honestly on the subject since she was still uncertain about what happened.
Their conversation was interrupted when the other coyote offered them bowls. Eris took the one, while Axelle took the other appreciatively, but she turned her appreciating eyes toward Eris. She nodded her head in thanks, and began to eat, but a word caught in her mind. “Slave?” she asked with interest, and wasn’t sure why this other female would be a slave to Eris. Axelle eyed the slave with inquisitive eyes, before returning them to her bowl and bringing a piece of warm meat to her lips. She threw it in and chewed quietly, enjoying this new delicacy. ”Not bad,” she said. She was enlightened by the new taste of cooked meat that she never had. It was definitely less chewy than raw meat and had a better taste. She seriously thought about doing this everytime she hunted.
Word Count :: 426 Derp, it was totally ambiguity on my part, but in the last post, when speaking of Anathema she wasn't really talking in a mean tone, I just meant that her smile is just pretty derpy cruel-lookin' in general. <3 No biggie~
The coyote listened with interest at this, finding it a satisfying answer. She did not know the bi-colored woman's rank; she may as well be speaking to a Zepar-ranked canine, but the hybrid did not care. From what she remembered of Anathema, news spread quickly and they were rather open canines with their thoughts and opinions. Perhaps that had simply been the effect of thirty canines in those caves, however; the sable hued woman had no idea of knowing how many the pack numbered now.
“That's good to hear,” the hybrid woman said, nodding her head a few times as she picked gingerly at the meat Molca had presented to the pair. “There is no ill in me toward my old home,” she said before the first bite, and quickly moved on to other subjects. “Her name is Molcaxitl, and she belongs to me -- body and soul,” the hybrid woman said, a faint air of pride in her. It was not quite so overbearing as to become arrogance, but it lingered there nonetheless.
“She is from where I was raised. There, the weak serve the strong. Poor Axi could not survive on her own in the wicked world -- she was nearly dead when she washed ashore,” the sable woman confessed, pausing only to select a small chunk of meat and place it on her tongue, swallowing before continuing. “I protect her in turn for her servitude, you see,” the woman said, rationalizing her ownership of the coyote rather simply. Molca was another class of canine entirely, unworthy of any full rights granted to herself or Axelle. Still, Eris was not a cruel owner. Molca could attest to that.
“It's a good trade-off,” the coyote said, tilting her head toward the thin coyote. “Wouldn't you agree, Molca?” The Auxiliary crooned toward her slave, teeth still bared in that venom smile. The woman smiled, though it was not without weariness, and nodded her agreement. “Momoztli delivered me to Miss Eris,” the slave said, surprising the coal coyote. She had never heard the tawny coyote speak in such a manner, and though she did not wish to engage her slave in true conversation in front of a virtual stranger, the hybrid filed the comment away for later, turning back toward Axelle with a fainter version of her fierce smile. “Momoztli is her god,” the hybrid murmured, explaining the comment with a sort of pity now. Eris did not take stock in Momoztli anymore -- he was a falsehood, proven so by Eternian lies.
Don’t worry about ittt – what culture is this were talking about?
Word Count: 246
Points: 0
As Eris explained the basics of her slave, Axelle nodded. Having a slave sounded interesting, and she couldn’t say that she was all against it either. Axelle looked at Molcaxitl with wonder. She seemed happy to be a slave, and being a slave wasn’t that enjoyable. Sure, if you worked for people- that was generally some form of slavery, but one would get something in return for their efforts aside from just protection. ”What do you protect her from? She doesn’t seem to be in any real danger…” What would one possibly want with a slave aside from their services? Why would Molca need protection when she didn’t speak to no one or interact with no one?
Axelle picked around in her bowl, bringing various pieces of savory meat to her lips, chewing them, and then swallowing. She looked toward the slave who was still preparing food, and whatnot, and back at Eris, who seemed to be surprised that the female had spoken. Axelle didn’t say anything about it, and just continued to eat. She understandingly nodded between bites. Momoztli was the God. Their God, as was presumed since Eris was from the same place as her slave. She imagined Eris a servant for a moment, and a smile almost was exposed to her lips, but she pushed it back. It was a funny idea, but impossible. Eris was too high to be a slave to anyone else. She couldn’t see her friend stooping that low.
The sable-shaded woman looked thoughtful for a moment. She had experienced the hardships of the world first-hand, and in her youth, she might have traded freedom for a bite of meat or a mouthful of water. Lean times had befallen her before, unbelievable as it might seem to see the dark-hued canine in her glorious prime. She was quiet for a long moment before she looked to Molcaxi again, a slight toss of her head given to the thinner coyote
Before me, there were others to protect you, yes? Did they always do so? she asked, wondering if the younger woman would surprise her yet again. The previous comment was unprecedented, and the dark Auxiliary was very nearly curious to see what Molca would have to say for herself. The tawny canine turned her big vermillion eyes toward the fire, hesitating only a moment before she affirmed Eris. Others, yes. They... no protect, no always, Molca admitted, shifting her stance uncomfortably. The yellowy female seemed to anticipate the direction of the conversation, but she did not begin to speak again until Eris addressed her with another question.
What did they do to you? the coyote asked, her own voice soft now. She was not needlessly cruel to Molcaxi, but this bordered on it -- ordered to speak her own troubles, Eris did not think herself capable of sharing some of the darkest blemishes of her history. Molca's jaw worked up and down a few times, silent huffing escaping her throat, and Eris shook her head, cutting the woman off with a wave of her hand. Don't. We don't need to hear it, she said, a darkness creeping into her voice.
Turning back to Axelle, the hybrid woman appeared troubled now, as if she herself did not know the darkness that lurked in the slave's past. She might have guessed, but she did not actually know -- the hesitation, the hurt. It was enough to confirm to Eris what Molca had experienced. So long as she is mine, no man can take her. None could so much as slice her fur without facing my anger, the sable hybrid said. She did not intend to suggest that all slaves required this particular flavor of protection, but Molca did.
There’s no actual real culture behind Eterne, though? It’s all just made up?
Word Count: 345
Points: 3
Axelle ate quietly and listened as Master and slave had a small conversation. Eris seemed to be interested in what her slave had to say, and the slave seemed willing to share to her Master. Though, the conversation became awkward when Molca mentioned she was not protected always. They must’ve done horrible things to her for her to look as uncomfortable as she did. Axelle felt for her. Being raped was not fun. Being touched when you didn’t want it was not fun. Any unwanted attention from anyone unwanted was not fun. Axelle’s ears lowered in sympathy for the girl.
Then Eris turned back to Axelle; Axelle’s ears returned to where they were and she stopped feeling sorry for the enslaved coyote. ”Do you see her as a companion in times of loneliness?” Axelle really couldn’t see having someone there with you most of the time and not knowing much about them. If Axelle was Molca’s master, she would definitely talk to the female, slave or not. She didn’t know if Eris was the same on this one. She didn’t seem to know much about the femme, and seemed a bit surprised at the fact that she had spoken.
”Slaves seem quite useful.” She redeemed herself. As useful as they were, she would need somewhere bigger to live before she actually acquired one, even if she wanted one. She was perfectly capable of doing things on her own, though. She enjoyed catching her own food, making her own drugs, finding her own items, and doing things for herself rather than have someone else do them for her. Axelle finished the last of her cooked meat chunks, and placed the bowl on the ground closer to Molca. She assayed the bowl, and it looked like it might've been made from clay. It wasn't that important.
She was still chewing the last of her bite, and swallowed. She sighed in contentment of being actually full for once. She looked up from looking at her hands, and returned her gaze to the coyote who would answer her questions.
just so you know, i suck but yeah -- eterne is probably a mishmash of aztec junk, a bit of catholicism, and a hint of other nonspecific native american influences. sort of. >_> <3 i pulled things from those three things, and basically twisted it to my own ends there! you wanna wrap this up shortly? :c can even end it with my post if you'd like, OOCly ending or w/e since i suck and took so long to reply. :\
The hybrid considered the dual-hued woman's question a moment before responding. Perhaps if we spoke the same language, she said, somewhat troubled. She could only look at Molca for a long minute then, still seeming to brew over the question. Axelle spoke again, and the sable woman smiled, lowering her muzzle toward the fire and gazing toward it. They are. It benefits master and slave, though, she said, professing an honest belief. Some in this world were weak and required protection. Through no fault of their own, they had been made into the world's scapegoats and servants. The sable woman did not blame Molca for her status -- it had been chosen for her, gouged into the course of the world long before even the first wolf had walked the earth. Fate was fate.
I'm glad to share my fire and food for such good company, the hybrid began, setting her own bowl to the side. She had left some for Molca, as she was not quite so famished as to eat all of it herself. She found Axelle to be good conversation, stirring and prodding at those topics where others dared not. Eris grew just slightly jealous of Anathema and what it had in its membership with Axelle; she wished she had known of Salsola and its stirrings when she had first encountered the black and white canine in Halifax. Perhaps even then she might have invited the other woman along, but there wasn't much in telling her this now -- she had claimed a home in Anathema, and she was unlikely to depart from the pack so soon after arriving for a new place.
It’s okay, I understand =] Life is busyyyy – anddd you can end it with your next reply (whenever that is ) You could have Eris answer Axe’s questions and then just yeahh have everyone leave I guess?
Word Count: 355
Points: 3
After the food was finished, there wasn’t much else to do, but sit and converse. Axelle always spoke of what was on her mind, whether it was good or bad or just curious thoughts to be put out in the open. Either way, she felt no shame in asking others about daring topics because she didn’t see such topics as being audacious. If Axelle were to acquire a slave, she would be more a companion to them than a master, but that was just how she saw things. Others saw things differently, as did most of the world from each other. No two beings thought the same, no matter how one would slice it.
Axelle shifted down to her Secui form as she listened to Eris answer her questions. When she was shifted down to a more comfortable state, she smiled to her dark friend. ”I’m grateful for the food and warmth. And also the interesting lesson about slaves…” Not that it was a ‘lesson’, but it had informed her enough to know what the whole thing was about now. She brought a question up from a few minutes ago, ”Don’t you and Molca come from the same place? Why don’t you both speak the same language?” This confused Axelle a little, ”I mean, of course, Eris, you’ve come here and lived her for a bit, while she hasn’t, but you don’t remember any of the language from when you lived there?” Probably prodding and stepping into daring territory again, but she did it all with kindness and curiosity.
The two-toned fae would wait until her friend had answered her before mentioning her leave and thanking both of the females, yes even the slave, for the meal. Then she would take her leave back to her packlands. Axelle did wait until Eris answered her question before saying calmly, ”I must be off now, but thank you for everything and I hope to see you soon, Eris.” After she dipped her head slightly in farewell to the Salsolan, she slightly nodded toward Molca as well. Then she turned for her depart, leaving the ladies to themselves.
The hybrid watched with mute fascination as the other's form shifted, becoming more massive and four-legged. The transition stopped around Secui form, and Eris's yellow-green eyes appraised the half-and-half coloration of the Anatheman appreciatively, though her sable-hued face hardly changed. You're quite welcome, she said, perfectly polite. It would seem the questions weren't done, however, and Eris considered her companion's inquiry a moment before she answered
I never bothered to learn Molca's language, regrettably. My family gave me a slave able to speak Molca's language and my own native tongue, and no learning was required of me, she said, albeit lacking her usual pride and swagger. It was not a choice that the coyote was particularly proud of, but she didn't think it was necessary to concoct a lie to keep Axelle from knowing the truth. It was in the past, and Eris was a different sort of canine now -- or, at least, she hoped she was.
Axelle's departure was quick and kind, with the Anatheman adding another thanks before taking her leave. Eris returned this with a smile and a dip of her head, yellow-green eyes watching the other female's retreat back toward Anathema. Take care of yourself, she called, taking a few moments before she packed up her own things, instructing Molca to douse the fire with dirt and ensure no single wisp of smoke survived.
mall-caps;}
but yeah -- eterne is probably a mishmash of 
) You could have Eris answer Axe’s questions and then just yeahh have everyone leave I guess?
