[p] cities encircled in iron - Printable Version +- 'Souls IPB Archive (November 2007–October 2012) (https://soulsrpg.com/ipb) +-- Forum: Dead IC (https://soulsrpg.com/ipb/forumdisplay.php?fid=110) +--- Forum: Dead Topics (https://soulsrpg.com/ipb/forumdisplay.php?fid=21) +--- Thread: [p] cities encircled in iron (/showthread.php?tid=28103) |
||||||||||||||||||
- Draugr Helsi - 05-21-2012 [html] (800)
The drab-furred wolfdog was in a sour mood, though she knew she ought not to be. Though the wagon ride hadn't been comfortable in the least, it had been educational. Draugr was learning -- and quite quickly -- how to drive a wagon. She was not so expert a rider it came easily and naturally to her, but nearly three days riding south with Miqui had educated her quickly -- not only in how to drive, but how to survive a long, boring ride. At present, she walked beside the cart, occasionally jogging ahead to remove debris from the road. Their travels had taken them over both unbroken ground as well as along the old human routes, dilapidated and unkempt as the roads were.
Miqui sat in the driver's seat, reins in hand. He looked half-asleep. Though he outranked her, Draugr would be the one to speak to the AniWayans. Miqui had made this clear to her -- in no way did he intend to represent Salsola. Though the Associate found such an attitude strange, she supposed she understood -- Miqui had come to help load and unload the wagon, as well as keep after the livestock. A mottled herd trailed after the wagon, sheep roped to one another and the leader, a tall llama, roped to the wagon. It was at least interesting to have traveled quite so far from Salsola -- this was as far south as Draugr had ever been, and she took in her surroundings with bright purple eyes, curious to see just where they were headed.
Draugr looked toward the wagon, calculating, and scrambled up when the timing was good, plunking herself down next to Miqui quickly, lest he snap at her about not rocking the wagon. Dra looked over the backs of the horses -- Trader, implacable and calm beyond calm, and Blanche, the taller and far paler of the pair. Where will we stay tonight? the youth asked, glancing toward Miqui to see if he really was asleep. He stirred and looked at her, brilliant red eyes almost derisive -- almost, but not quite.
Not in AniWaya, the coyote grunted. We'll get whatever trade there is, turn around, and leave. Sleep on the road, same as last. You want to stay with these outsiders? There was dangerous scorn in his voice.
Dra scoffed herself, tossing her hair as she looked quickly away from Miqui. No, she said, trying her hardest to mimic his indifferent, flat tone. But it would be nice to sleep anywhere but the back of a wagon. Miqui only snorted in response to that and called for the horses to stop with a word, handing the reins over to Draugr and murmuring something about a nap regardless of its location. Dra took the rains and called for the horses to start again. When they didn't move, she flicked the reins and called again. Trader and Blanche both started forward again, and the bleating from the rear told her the sheep were moving as well.
It was some hours until they came across the border, and by then, the sun was dipping lower in the sky -- almost late afternoon, but still plenty of sun left. Dra smelled the border long before they reached it and called to the horses when they'd gotten close enough. They stopped where they were and Dra threw the brake. Miqui clambered up front and grunted, stretching and shaking sleep from his body. Ah, we're here. Well, get to it, he prompted, taking the reins from her hand and wrapping them about the post. I'm just here to take care of them, the dust-colored hybrid said, moving to unhitch the horses and allow them some time to graze. He brought Trader and then Blanche away, leaving the wagon where it was.
Dra first went and checked on the sheep and the llama, whose name she did not know and did not care to know. He was the bigger and stronger of the pair taken from Ichika, and besides -- he couldn't birth a cria. The sheep huddled close to the brown llama, gazing toward Dra with dull eyes. She looked over each of them, checked the wagon stores, and finally moved to the front of the wagon, tossing up her muzzle and baying in the deep hound's tones an offer for trade. When she lowered her muzzle, she hopped up into the wagon seat, uncertain of what else she ought to do.
Eris had told her to come here, having experienced good trade with this pack previously. Draugr thought she'd traveled awfully far for some sheep and a llama to be traded off, and was somewhat annoyed -- albeit secretly -- with the Auxiliary. Miqui, on the other hand, seemed entirely unperturbed by the journey. @import url('http://sleepyglow.net/rp/post.css'); </style>[/html] - Io Berlin - 05-21-2012 [html]
<style>#kae-lights b {color:#EBA102;}</style>[/html] - Draugr Helsi - 05-21-2012 [html] (305)
Dra was not certain of her own abilities, and this lent to a certain amount of apprehension as she awaited the attentions of a packmember. The road hadn't been kindly, but she was a naturally pretty creature (though she did not know it as of yet). Still, she preened and groomed herself, running fingers through the tick mop of dark hair atop her head until the silvery ends fluffed outwards. She straightened her necklaces, untwisting the thick leather string of the cordierite necklace. She brushed her hands over her thighs and straightened in the seat, hoping she looked presentable. Miqui laughed, apparently amused by her primping and preparing, and it was all Draugr could do not to reach behind her for a projectile to pitch at his head.
The dark-furred hybrid waited, and before long, the sounds of an approaching horse caught her ears. Blanche snorted, and in the distance Draugr saw a pretty red figure. As horse and rider swept closer, Dra was able to distinguish them. Both were red in coloration, the rider possessing the more crimson hue. The horse, however, was what caught the drab Associate's attention more immediately. A leggy beast, it swept over the ground with perfect confidence, surely a wonderful specimen of horse. Dra remained in the wagon, but she stood up, not offering a smile to the woman. Her response was prompt, however.
Eris Eternity bids me come here and trade with AniWaya. She said she had good experiences with one named Liliana, and also told me we'd get good trade value for our livestock. That is a llama, fair trader. She paused to inhale, still smiling. They can guard sheep, goats, and other herd animals. We had two, but they work best alone. A rarity, the wolfdog declared, parrotting her Auxiliary's words. @import url('http://sleepyglow.net/rp/post.css'); </style>[/html] - Io Berlin - 05-21-2012 [html]
<style>#kae-lights b {color:#EBA102;}</style>[/html] - Draugr Helsi - 05-22-2012 [html] (386)
Miqui made no motion to join them, which was just as well. Draugr didn't have to speak loudly enough so he could hear, and perhaps he would tune them out anyway. The drab wolfdog's ears twitched at the richs ounds of the mottled canine's voice, lavender eyes following the woman's motions. Though she professed no knowledge of Eris or Liliana, she agreed to consider trade -- so far so good. Draugr did not know Liliana, either, and she hadn't even known AniWaya before undertaking this journey -- they were all strangers, then, for Miqui had flatly told her he cared not a whit for the trivialities of the outsider packs.
Thank you, Dra said, this time offering the woman a smile. The Associate wondered if she ought to introduce herself, but figured it didn't matter much -- she was simply a vessel for the Colotl ranks, which was just fine by her. Though the drab wolfdog was not extremely knowledgeable with this llama creature, she'd had many long hours to talk it over with Miqui on their way here, and she knew what to say. Sheep were common enough, and the ewes they offered were younger ones. That horse is very fine, but we can talk price later, the wolf said, shrugging her broad shoulders. No rush -- I am going nowhere, she said, grinning and gesturing to the empty traces before her. It would take Miqui some time to hitch the horses back up, and Dra didn't intend to leave until her business was completed -- successfully or unsuccessfully.
The llama -- it makes wool, like a sheep, and can be sheared. It's very, very soft. Umm, she paused, thinking a moment. They live much longer than sheep -- like a horse. They can be trained kind of like a horse, too -- useful for carrying things here and there, like a pack animal. Dra hopped down from the wagon's seat and stood, watching the red woman interact with the creature. Their best use, though, is as a guard animal -- they bond closely with sheep, cows, and other sorts of herds, and protect them quite well. This male -- Rory -- is very well-tempered, and already guarded sheep before. We haven't trained him to carry things, but I think it can be done. @import url('http://sleepyglow.net/rp/post.css'); </style>[/html] - Io Berlin - 05-23-2012 [html]
<style>#kae-lights b {color:#EBA102;}</style>[/html] - Draugr Helsi - 05-23-2012 [html] (--)
She awaited the bicolored woman's decision, lacking in any sort of anxiety regarding the matter. This was of no personal consequence to Draugr -- she'd been sent here at the behest of the leadership, that was all. When the AniWayan spoke, Dra's tail wagged a few times and she nodded, happy she'd done well. This was a success, and perhaps a step toward promotion.
Good, she said, clearly pleased. The horse is lovely, but -- well, we brought a wagon hoping to haul off goods, too. I was told to look for any things that alter the the mind, and useful stuff -- bowls, jugs, furniture, she said, shrugging a shoulder and looking almost shyly toward the ground. Do you have anything like that? @import url('http://sleepyglow.net/rp/post.css'); </style>[/html] - Io Berlin - 05-23-2012 [html]
<style>#kae-lights b {color:#EBA102;}</style>[/html] - Draugr Helsi - 05-24-2012 [html] (--)
Draugr knew little about training a llama or what happened when a llama went bad, but she thought this one was rather nice. The female was friendly, but she could become irritable on occasion, treating Luperci as she did her fellow llamas -- that is, with spitting and attempts at wrestling. The brown one was easier to handle, and perhaps it was for that reason he'd been chosen to accompany Draugr and Miqui south. The drab-colored wolfdog walked toward the back of the wagon and began the task of untying the rope from the rear. The knot was tightly tied and had swollen thanks to the drizzling rain on the first day of their journey, but after a moment, the wolfdog had gotten it untied.
Tobacco is good. Bowls and jugs, too. What is "i tak dalej," though? the woman asked, cocking her head to one side and peering at Io with queerly pale eyes. She remembered the rope and handed it over -- perhaps a trusting move for a Salsolian, but it was not as if they didn't know where this pack was if they were cheated, anyway. The Associate glanced toward the chestnut horse, roving over it with appreciative eyes. She was not very experienced with livestock, but even she knew a nice-looking animal when she saw one. Trader was not worthy of being compared to this creature physically, and while the chestnut mare was not quite so big as Blanche, she was leggier and looked positively sleek. @import url('http://sleepyglow.net/rp/post.css'); </style>[/html] - Io Berlin - 05-24-2012 [html]
<style>#kae-lights b {color:#EBA102;}</style>[/html] - Draugr Helsi - 05-26-2012 [html] (373)
Rory seemed to like Io well enough, which was good -- if the llama had, for whatever reason, decided he disliked his new owners, things might not have gone so well. But the creatures were well-socialized; whoever had raised them in Ichika had certainly taken care to establish the proper dominance roles between beast of burden and Luperci. The wolfdog listened to the silvery tones of the woman's howl, smiling -- they were lighter and higher of pitch than her own deep bass, baying hound's cry. You have a nice voice, the wolfdog complimented, the silver tip of her tail wavering as she wagged her tail.
With the explanation of the phrase, the wolfdog nodded, curious as to just where "back home" was, but not wishing to press the mottled woman. She was certain she'd return here for trade -- whether at the behest of her leadership or as a solo adventurer -- and perhaps then she might learn more about this woman and the pack behind it. Draugr realized the rest of Salsola might not approve of such thoughts, but all her experiences with outsiders thus far had taught her they weren't useless -- after all, many of these outsiders joined Salsola.
Oh, she said suddenly, scrambling into the back of the wagon. Here, she said, handing over a few sheets of leathery parchment. It was pale yellow and poorly bleached, but well-made. On it, a small, impeccably neat Luperci hand had scribed all there was to know about the llamas. One of ours wrote down all of this. It's all we know about the llama creatures. Not much, but enough.
When the second canine arrived, Miqui drifted over with the horses, too, and began the process of rehitching them. They probably wouldn't travel far from AniWaya in order to give their equines a good rest, but they would make a show of doing so, anyway. Draugr smiled at the newcomer and thanked him, turning back toward the red woman. This has been a good trade. I thank you, and so do my leaders. We'll come to these southern lands again, she suggested. Thank you, she said, making ready to depart if there was nothing further to accomplish. @import url('http://sleepyglow.net/rp/post.css'); </style>[/html] - Io Berlin - 05-26-2012 [html]
<style>#kae-lights b {color:#EBA102;}</style>[/html] - Draugr Helsi - 05-26-2012 [html] (--) And close! ♥
The drab-hued wolfdog nodded, still smiling faintly. Her lavender eyes were glancing toward the chestnut thoroughbred now and again -- Draugr knew she'd ride this horse back, at least part of the way. Miqui couldn't stop her. Well, he could, but she'd do as she pleased anyway. At the red woman's question, however, she hesitated, uncertain as to whether it was welcome to invite these AniWayans to Salsola. She looked at Miqui, who gave a slight shake of his head. Dra's ears and tail drooped, and she frowned.
Maybe it would be better not to come north, she said, hesitating. But if you want to find me in the northern lands, I think that would be okay. She glared back at Miqui proudly -- no Salsolian could tell her what she could do in her spare time, and if she established a trading connection outside of the scope of her leaders -- well, that was all the better for her, right? Thanks again, the woman said, heading toward the tall chestnut mare. The creature's brown eyes appraised her new owner, and for a moment it seemed the horse might shy away. Dra offered out the flat of her hand and let the horse sniff her, and extended her other hand to stroke the equine's gently arched neck. Smiling, she took the animal's reins in hand and began leading the horse away from the pack's territory. @import url('http://sleepyglow.net/rp/post.css'); </style>[/html] |