WARNING: This thread contains material exceeding the general board rating of PG-13. It may contain very strong language, drug usage, graphic violence, or graphic sexual content. Reader discretion is advised.
Private for Sage! PP agreed on before, but let me know if you want anything changed <3 #396
Barrett slept through the heat of the day and into the late afternoon, until the pitter-patter of raindrops against the roof of his covered bridge roused him to wakefulness. His eyes opened to behold the drab wooden ceiling; he rubbed one hand over his face and thought someday, he might hire an artist to cover it with intricate designs and interesting patterns. He still had to collect pillows and blankets for the floor, too, but any interior decorating would have to wait.
For now, he descended from the barren loft with Helix in tow. The teen sat cross-legged, overlooking the rushing creek as it swelled with falling rain. He reflected how much nicer it was—having somewhere to seek refuge from the elements, somewhere to store his belongings. This was the first he really felt at home in nearly a moon, and he was surprised he felt little desire to steal away to Halifax. But that didn't mean he didn't want to move.
Fortunately, the localised cloudburst relented and the skies began to clear. The air was balmy and pleasant, so the wolf decided to take a stroll. Helix assumed his usual position on the mocha yearling's shoulder (or rather, Barrett put him there). In a remarkable display of initiative, the Patrician decided to do a sweep of the borders.
His patrols carried him into the early evening, and although he encountered nobody, he did not consider this venture unfruitful. Although he was careful to avoid covering the leaders' marks with his own (as custom dictated), he got his scent out there. It showed he was trying to be a useful citizen, if only behind the scenes. He also wondered if Ehno might mention his construction efforts to the Consul; he guessed the Marino man found his note, since it was gone when he went to return the borrowed tools.
Suddenly, a different scent wafted towards him on the gentle breeze. It was out of place, but neither unfamiliar nor unwelcome. With his nose to the air, the Dreamer trailed the smoke well past the borders and into the unclaimed reaches betwixt Crimson Dreams and Cour des Miracles. The optime rounded a small knoll and spotted a feminine figure in the distance, whom his nose pinpointed as the source of that mouthwatering aroma. She'd probably seen him already, but he waved an arm just to be sure.
Short, but I replied! So much for posting this on Thursday. @_@ *trying to be faster, blargh!*
Sage did not frequent the Shiloh Hills, but roamed there today in search of new landmarks to catch her eye. She had not grown tired of her Cours des Miracles haunts, certainly not, but today she had not seen a soul. Desperately seeking attention outside of her home, Sage had wandered atop Lennon, leaving smoke trails wherever she roamed.
The tall, thick trees were sparse here, and she could navigate easily across the wide grassy range. The ochre Optio had chosen to dismount here, sliding easily off of the stallion's bare back onto the soft ground. With a few soft words in Low speech and some loving pats on the neck. With a simple gesture, she released him to graze freely and as she tossed the charred remains of a roach back to the earth, she dug in her leather satchel to retrieve another. Raising it to her lips, she lost herself in the beauty of the scene, the smoke adding a lovely level of intensity to the experience.
Lilted, reddened eyes stared down into the small valley atop the knoll, noting with vague, hazy surprise that she was no longer alone. Pleased with this fact, she grinned, hoping that he would be friendly company. He waved to her from the distance, and her brows raised with surprise, large ears perking up, her tail wagging once excitedly.
This was just what she'd hoped for-- the pleasant company of someone else. Someone that wasn't family-- by blood or Inferni. Someone that wasn't constantly negating her hard-working efforts. Anyone outside of Inferni. Sage heaved a heavy, relieved sigh, and beamed in return as he approached her, giving a quick, happy wave in return.
The aura she exuded was positively glowing, simply radiant. From that bright face to that merry wave and swaying tail, her body language emanated cheer and good will. The boy gravitated to that sort of energy like a moth to the flame. Life was too short to waste on the bitter and resentful, too wonderful to stagnate with the miserable and downtrodden. No—he had neither patience nor desire for the ugly souls of the world and their company, but he already knew hers was beautiful. And as he drew nearer, he realised that excellence bubbled up from within to penetrate the surface, too.
The Patrician's moonlight yellow eyes traced the curves of her body quickly and subtly, never lingering anywhere very long. Coyote blood ran thick in her veins, granting her a petite and feminine build overall. Thick, chestnut locks cascaded down her back and framed the youthful features of her face. Even stoned and bloodshot, her golden eyes seemed vibrant and expressive. Her oversized ears were cute and endearing; that splash of red on her pointed muzzle was somehow familiar, but his recollection of the day he met her father was hazy at best.
“Well hey there, Sunshine,” he greeted when they were very near, with his tail swaying coyly. “Your presence is quite magnetic, you know,” he added, “drew me in from all the way out from Crimson Dreams.” Bold and flirtatious perhaps, but his tone was playful and light. And yes, the smoke that curled away from her smouldering joint was a big part of it, but he still would've bugged off if it seemed like whoever was in a bad mood. As it stood, he felt he would have enjoyed her company regardless of whether or not she was smoking his favourite herb. What could he say? He was a chill guy and he liked laid back folks, especially pretty women.
Dark thoughts of her home were immediately dashed; he was instantly charming, and she was drawn in, as he had been. Perhaps she should have been wary, but instead she offered a mirthful laugh at his playful banter; she did like being doted upon, after all. Black-lined lips peeled back to reveal a toothy, seductive grin, eyelids half-hiding gold. Well hey there to you, too, handsome, she replied brightly, inclining her head to him gently before raising the joint to her lips and inhaling. "Did I now?" she breathed out in response, small plumes of smoke accompanying each word. "Well, I suppose that's quite impressive, hmm?" With another playful laugh she tossed the dying roach to the ground before retrieving another, fresh joint from her bag.
Moving closer to him, nimble fingers lifted the freshly rolled, tightly packed joint to his nose, tempting him to sniff. You're sure it wasn't this that drew you out, charming Mister? she asked quietly, coyly, tail swaying pleasantly behind her. Sage knew that the scent of marijauna-- especially her own personal variety-- was often stronger (and perhaps more alluring) than her own scent. But that didn't mean she wouldn't use that smell to her advantage; the scent was attached to the effect of the drug, which heightened senses-- and often libido. Occasionally, the earthen princess would pay special attention to such cues.
Hahahaha, you have no idea how much I love this thread. We're only a couple rounds in and she's already blown through TWO joints. LOL
He returned that provocative grin with a playful smirk of his own, though there was only a casual, appropriate level of intensity behind it... nothing predatory, nothing deceptive or scheming. It was simply an automatic response—for it was natural to mimic the gestures of those one found particularly attractive or interesting—but that made it no less sincere. Similarly, she echoed his speech patterns, with her soft, whimsical tones complimenting his purring baritone in the still evening air. His tail swept broadly behind him; this girl was good at pushing his buttons. His smile grew in response to her rhetorical question; surely she knew how impressive she was already.
His gaze followed the movement of the discarded cig as it arced through the air, then rose again as she waved a fresh replacement in front of his nose. His muzzle trailed along with it as she moved it in front of his face, all while his nostrils fervently flared and wriggled. He licked his lips quickly as she pulled it away; it was obvious the teen was interested. And yet—“Come now, what would I want with a weed,” he said, waving one hand dismissively, “when it's overshadowed by such a vibrant flower?” A light laugh. “And Barry's fine,” he said, offering to take her hand in a delicate shake; such formalities seemed inappropriate. “But I will say, it does seem deliciously... potent.” He referred, of course, to the marijuana. Right?
Again, she bowed her head humbly at his comments of beauty. Certainly she knew she must be fairly attractive, as much of her family was, but the young girl often felt that her looks were overshadowed by much of her family. Her gaze flew away for a moment, finding her mottled stallion's form to reassure herself of his presence. Then, turning back, she took his hand softly in her own; his large, chocolate hand was much more rough than her own, and her curious fingers lingered there for a moment. With a chuckle as her eyes found his, she beamed a natural, wide grin. Oh, but Barry... you should see the flowers that it makes! This particular strand produced buds of such a unique color, it was hard for her to describe. The buds were absolutely vibrant, brighter than any other plant she'd owned; searing orange tendrils covered it, but bright spots of purple lay just beneath. It had been... simply beautiful.
Snapping back to her senses as recovered from a near daydream, the girl laughed again, waving a hand in a similar dismissive gesture. Sage River Lykoi, dashing Dreamer. You can call me Sage, if you find it easier, she purred airily, bewitching grin returning to her lips as she held the joint out to him in offering. Well, would you like to try it, then? she asked, head tilting to watch him curiously, one large ear twitching. Oh! she exclaimed, digging into her purse once again, Here! From the bag she retrieved an old, beaten, and nearly empty lighter; it was metal, and may have once been bright green in color, but the paint had chipped so badly you could hardly tell. Nevertheless, she presented it proudly and held it out for him to use, as well.
Smoking on the hilltops has always been a favorite of mine, she commented in a light breath, golden eyes staring out at the landscape in admiration. Oh, how she longed for places like this in Inferni. Nothing really compared, in her mind. It was a sad thought, so she pushed it a way in favor of the current, happy company.
Powerplay with the sweetness of her strain (just a guess XD), but if it's wrong, let me know and I'll change it ^^ #455
She turned her head bashfully at his compliments—it gave her an air of innocence, even if she was anything but. He followed the line of her gaze to the grazing hooved animal; enraptured as he was with her, he'd missed the beast completely. He'd even forgotten about Helix, and now stole a glance at the indifferent mollusc as it crawled along his shoulder. The snail was soon forgotten as their hands met; his were calloused from heavy labour around the garage, while hers felt so smooth and dainty. He gazed wistfully after her paw as it withdrew from him, and when his eyes returned to her face they were met by hers, which brimmed with heartfelt exuberance.
“I'd gladly take a look at your flowers,” he replied... again with the double entendres. “Perhaps we could work out a deal; variety is the spice of life, eh? What I grow is more piney than sweet.” And the buds of the carefully maintained indoor crop were dusted in frosty white, nothing spectacularly colourful—but then, he didn't know exactly what she was talking about. Meanwhile, her surname set off a number of bells in his head, and he half considered mentioning his friendly encounters with Ezekiel and Razekiel, or his grandfather's ties to Kaena and Gabriel—but the boy made a point of avoiding family talk in conversations with lovely young women. It was too easy for such things to kill the mood.
“I'd love a taste—my stash is back home, unfortunately.” He accepted the fresh joint and worn lighter with a gracious wag of his tail; he'd hit her back for her generosity some day. With a deft flick of his hand, the joint was lit, and he passed the lighter back smoothly—though his fingertips lingered in contact with hers for a fleeting moment, just an instant longer than he might with anyone else. He inhaled slow and deep, sucking the THC-laced smoke in until it filled his lungs. The hit was remarkably smooth; he exhaled in a tight jet of air without any coughs or sputters and passed it back.
Her remark on the scenery elicited a quick nod from the yearling, and he sank as gracefully as possible to the ground, patting a patch of grass at his side so she might join him. He sat facing west; the sun would be setting soon. “Who's your friend, by the way?” he wondered, pointing his snout in the direction of the horse. “This here's Helix; check this out!” he said. He scooped up the gastropod and cupped his hands about it, leaving an opening for her to lean over and peer inside. As if on cue, the snail flashed its strange, iridescent green glow.
hmm. you can take the paragraph about the dankosity of the pot into consideration or not. idk how much he smokes so you can play it however you like. :] LOOK AT THIS NICE LENGTHY POST YOU GET!
Sage hadn't noticed the small creature crawling about her company's fur, for she had been too busy admiring the dark wolf's physique. Maybe it was only because coyotes were always outnumbered, but the petite Lykoi had found herself increasingly attracted the larger of the two species. Amber eyes grazed over him slowly and without embarrassment before his voice broke the temporary spell and she blinked.
The innuendo was lost on the girl-- there was still much naivete in her--, but she smiled brightly nonetheless, nodding then fervently to his suggestion. You grow, too? she asked excitedly, gentle voice rising prettily. Sage's eyes were wide, amazed to be meeting another grower besides herself and her family; of course she would have to taste his own! Oh, that would be splendid! The prospect of trading goods (especially when it came to that tasty herb) excited her, and it showed; smoking new strains was entirely thrilling to the tanned Optio. Each high was different, complex, and interesting. She would never turn down the opportunity for a fresh taste.
Barry accepted her offer and took a generous hit from the joint; Sage nodded in encouragement, grinning coyly. This strain had particularly gentle smoke, but the active chemical ran strong in it's leaves, a truly potent plant. It hadn't occurred to her that the weed may have been too strong for him; he seemed eager enough to accept it, either way. But after maybe half of the joint, she knew that he would be drifting.
He sat, and she followed eagerly, sliding gently to the soft grassy earth with ease, her body folding up beside his with her legs folded beneath her. The handsome wolf had turned his sunflower gaze to Lennon, and her ears perked up as he was mentioned. Oh! she exclaimed, catching the stallion's attention and gesturing for him to come nearer. That's Lennon, she introduced softly as the pastel Gypsy Vanner trotted slowly over to them. He stopped some feet away, as if used to being shown off, and continued to graze lazily on the lush turf.
The Crimson Dreams man mentioned a name, but she hardly caught it before he scooped something off of himself and extended cupped hands towards her. Unsure, she glanced up a him warily, but he appeared nothing but honestly eager, and so she peered inside cautiously. Inside she saw a strange sight; was it a snail? She couldn't be sure, but it's spiral pattern glowed a bright, gorgeous green, casting a strange light on the rough pads of his hands. Wow! That's-- ...how does it do that?! she asked, amazed, moving her head about to try to catch the best view of the eerily beautiful creature. The sun would be going down soon; then, she could see it's colors even more brightly.
I'm really sorry about the wait. T_T My muse gets really cranky after major IC changes x.x
“Sure do,” he replied, his baritone voice smooth as silk. “You'll have to hit me up in southeastern Halifax sometime; whole joint's pretty chill, I think you'd like it,” he added casually, stealing a friendly glance at her youthful face. And he genuinely believed it—Hilsburn only grew more magnificent by the day. The vast swarths of marijuana and poppy plants were only the beginning. Alae's aromatherapy and incense plants painted an olfactory landscape as spectacular as the sight of countless blossoms swarmed by vibrant butterflies in the day, or the iridescent green flicker of fireflies and snails at night. The only deficient area was the garage's interior—this was something he would remedy, as soon as he found the damn time.
But right now, he was hardly in a rush. He was thoroughly enjoying himself—and that was true even before the effects of the drug took hold. Given his recent track record, one might be tempted to write him off as indiscriminate when it came to women. So long as his blood ran saturated with testosterone, this would always be somewhat true—and yet... there was no real spark with Ghita or Naniko; he enjoyed their company, yes, but there was no long term potential. There was no romance. Something about Sage was different.
Even her horse seemed mirthful and kind; the cream and tan beast breezed closer to them and Barrett shifted forward slightly to get a better look. “It's almost like he's painted,” he murmured quietly, leaning back maybe an inch closer to her from where he had started. It was a subconscious manoeuvre, and his appreciative gaze stayed on the stallion. His colouration was much more unique than Viggo or Magic's; he wondered what other patterns the animals came in.
As for Helix? “I think it's like a firefly... probably,” he trailed off with a shrug. “Got more of these guys in Halifax, too,” he added, dreamily putting the creature aside. The high had crept up on him, and now his head buzzed with the rhythmic hum of the evening and his own haphazard thoughts. He wiped his hands in the grass as Helix went back to feeding, then turned his focus to the setting sun... all while stealing glances at her from the corner of his eye. He could see a sunset any clear day, and though he certainly hoped to see her again, he wasn't going to take the present opportunity for granted.
He lived in Halifax? Her face fell into a gentle "o" before she caught herself, shaking her head with a laugh. I'd love to check it out; I've never known anyone that lived there. Sage loved traveling to that crumbling, half-city; there were treasures to be found there. But it was dangerous, too, so she never stayed for too long. But if he had a home there...
She cleared her throat softly, feeling the heat rise in her cheeks as she glanced away from him to the sunset that began to paint the sky. She took a deep breath as a cool breeze blew up the valley, appreciating this air for it's lack of the ashen, mildew and sulphur scent that pervaded Inferni. A grin crawled over her black-lined lips at the mention of paint. No, horses don't like paint, Sage said matter-of-factly, but she couldn't stifle a giggle, remembering the time she had actually tried to paint her own pony. She had been younger, then, but it had been so appealing; a bright green pony! What she had ended with was a brightly colored mess that stuck to the pair's hair and fur for weeks. She never tried that again.
The coyote felt the gaze of the wolf as the man peeked at her, and turned her head slowly to smile at him. It sure sounded like he had a great set-up, back in Halifax. With a heavy puff on the joint, she passed it back to him, breathing out messy rings of smoke. She'd never been able to make the perfectly. You're making Halifax sound better and better, Barry, she crooned as she leaned back on her elbows with a cheshire grin, propping up at a perfect angle to watch the sun and her handsome companion together. We've a show to watch, she muttered softly with a nod to the skyline as the oranges and pinks of the hiding sun brightened and bloomed simply magnificently.
-Le fail- So much has happened since this thread started, ahaha. (All my fault, but dfjkal) Do you maybe want to do a fade to black soon, then have an up to date thread? She really needs to see his place before it gets too cold and all the flowers start dying for the winter, plus now he'll even have his own horse :o This has been awesome though, these two are adorable <__< >___>
One brow lifted in amusement at her literal interpretation of his remark regarding Lennon's colouration; it was unexpected and inexplicably precious, and he chuckled along with her. "I'll keep that in mind," he assured her, although--at least at present--he could not imagine a likely scenario in which such knowledge would be required. But then... who knew? Considering less than two months ago he'd never even seen a horse and now was this comfortable around them... and they did seem to be the "in thing"... Well, he wasn't immune to peer pressure. The boy shook his head slightly, pushing the thoughts aside. Even if he wanted a horse, he wouldn't know how to find, care for, or pay for one. It seemed like a lot of fuss right now, but he still didn't understand the full potential of the beasts, either. He'd mostly seen them used as mounts, which disinterested him.
That subject, at any rate, was best suited for the back burner. She probably hadn't intended for the simple, ironic comment to derail his thoughts so completely, but he always found it hard to focus. The drugs, no doubt, compounded the issue. Her smile roused him back to the present and his tail thrumped once in response; he took the proffered joint and inhaled slowly as she spoke. When he replied, the smoke billowed out haphazardly. "Well, feel free to stop by if you're in the area," he offered, genuinely hoping she would. The journey was pretty straightforward from Inferni--even though Maserati had picked the spot, it had sure done Anselm well. Trekking all the way from Crimson Dreams, unfortunately, was much less convenient. He supposed he might give her directions later. After a certain point, it was pretty easy to smell the place--admittedly more because of the half acre or so of thriving marijuana plants than his scent markings.
She called his attention to the setting sun and he gazed off in its direction. "Ain't I lucky then?" he mused. "Best seat in the house." With that, he passed the joint off, stretched out on his back in the grass, and extended an arm behind her, inviting her to rest her head on it as a pillow. He wouldn't try anything else--if she accepted his offer, it would be more than enough. The boy heaved a contented sigh and watched the heavenly light show unfold.
Sage was charmed, and interested beyond reason in the dark and handsome wolf that sat beside her. Was it luck or fate that had drawn them together? It wasn't often that she found anyone that she might name a true friend, or anything even close to that. Golden eyes appraised him with a smile, pupils flickering to follow the trails of smoke rising above his shaggy head. She gave a sweet, gentle nod at his invitation. I'll be sure to do that, she accepted softly, eyes squinting slightly with the spread of her grin. You can expect me soon, then.
His charms knew no bounds, and if her fur had been paler he may have seen her blush. Sometimes, she could still be swept away. You're sweet, she said, taking the joint back and inhaling deeply, body flowing to the ground like silk beside him. Rolling onto her side, she opted for a more comfortable position, and rested her head softly on his chest. She curled there contentedly, a free hand roaming the thick fur along his chest and stomach gingerly. Her eyes watched the sunset, but she was thinking on other things.
Private for Sage! PP agreed on before, but let me know if you want anything changed <3 #396
