Dead weight

Zombie Feral · 03-09-2011, 07:31 PM

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Forest of Nod.

Combing her long fingers through her wild tangle of black hair, Zombie sat idly beside a nondescript tree—a tree that looked like any other tree in the Forest of Nod. But there was indeed something special about this tree, you see, because it was Zombie's tree. She'd carved her name into it with a rusty butter knife and was quite proud of her artistic work. The swirls, the grace of which it was written, the unique lettering; it was very much her and seemingly normal behavior for a very bored enigma. She considered, once or twice, about taking the knife to her skin, but figured that she'd make something less, personally disfiguring.

Unconsciously, her right hand crossed her slender stomach and lightly touched the deep scarring on her left side. She sighed to herself and closed her eyes, lying her head back against the trunk of the tree, her name glittering freshly just above her. There wasn't much to do as a new packmate, she realized. She'd yet to find a permanent residence here, but intended to do such soon—until then, she felt more or less useless and not quite integrated. It'd take time, she assumed.

It also wasn't on the top of her to-do list.

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Halo Lykoi · 03-10-2011, 10:17 AM

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Hai thar! Hope you don't mind Halo dropping by!

It was not too often she made use of this area, but she was aware that as a long-time member, it would never hurt to become completely familiar with the clan’s lands. She had been here before, but the warrior was usually seen within the proximity of the mansion or by the borders. Whether it was because she was bloodthirsty or unsocial was not exactly clear either. But now she was moving through the sub-territory and was quick to catch a scent that was foreign to her. Whether it was a newly accepted member or a trespasser had yet to be discovered, but she was eager to find out more about this individual that had left this faint scented trail.

It was on quiet feet she walked, and her approach was soundless as she after some time found the unmoving canine sitting with her back against one of the many hovering trees. As they so often did, ruby eyes narrowed in instant suspicion towards this female. She looked relaxed; as if she belonged here, and the Triarii had to admit that it was now very likely that this was fresh blood to Inferni. ”Well, well,” the melodic purr of the Lykoi uttered, and if her soundless approach had not been noticed, her presence certainly would be now. Arms folded across a chest draped with warm cream shades. ”Who are you?” For she certainly had yet to be added to Halo’s list of current members.

Talitha de le Poer · 03-10-2011, 04:26 PM

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And a Talitha...or something. Herp derp. Hope you don't mind a second; can have it removed if so.

Wordcount: 417 (3+)

A sigh passed through cream lips as she took a step into the fresh air. The world was darker than it had ever been before. Still, she couldn't hide from it. The princess was part of Inferni, and her distaste of interaction could only go so far. It wouldn't be long before she'd need to help. That was, if Gabriel ever made her lift a finger. Faint laughter trickled from the Lykoi's lips at the thought; Gabriel had continued his common benign fatherhood, without making his little girl do anything. Perhaps that should have been more troubling. After all, she held herself to higher standards than most.

The auburn-haired woman's decision to take a walk led her across the snow-covered ground and into the trees that sat against the eastern border. The Forest of Nod was a hideaway for many, giving cover and comfortable solitude. Talitha loved it, even if it did mean dealing with Marlowe every odd minute or so. The damned bird was on his last leg with the sunset girl; she hated it, enough to try and kill him herself. Of course, she hadn't. He was a friend to the men in her life. It would have been rude to simply erase him.

She caught the vaguely familiar scent of the newest recruit against the winter air and turned her path in the direction it wafted from. She'd brought her into the clan, to Kaena, but she hadn't thought to get to know the woman. It wasn't in her nature to be so forward as to ask for information that pertained to the person, rather than their abilities as a coyote. That nature had left her with few friends; Cotl, Revan and Ezekiel seemed to be the only ones who could really stand to interact with her. As the russet Lykoi came upon the willowy black creature, her awkward smile appeared. "Zombie." The name was spoken softly, as not to startle the packmate.

It wasn't until she took a look that she realized Zombie wasn't alone. Much to her dismay, a familiar face caught the crimson eyes of the de le Poer princess. She tensed, head raising to a comfortable level; she tried to hold confidence in her posture, though confidence in itself was not her strongest point. "Halo." Where there had been faint touches of amiability in her voice as she addressed the ebony fae, it was lacking as she spoke to her cousin. She had been avoiding her. Rather than linger, she turned attention back to who she'd been looking for. "Are you settling in well."

Zombie Feral · 03-10-2011, 05:28 PM

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Not at all, you two *wiggles around*

With cold sunlight trickling silently through the hardy, yet sparse canopy, Zombie found herself dozing beneath her carved tree, maroon eyes closing and slender muzzle nodding with the sleepy tilt of her head. But a voice, decidedly feminine even in her dreary state, startled the black hybrid awake. Eyes widened sharply, and her face snapped to meet the tawny, half-dressed body of an Inferni superior. Though the newcomer's initial reaction had been surprise—especially since she was out here to be alone—the tense set of her shoulders faded and her lips relaxed to a neutral set upon her sleek face. "Zombie," she said casually, lids drifting to their naturally lazy composure over her bloody eyes.

"And you must be Stealth McQueen," she lulled, her dark lips curving into a sardonic grin. Playful banter may have ensued, but a more obvious approach distracted the Feral woman, her tall ears twitching and her face turning in the opposite direction to meet the dog-pelted Talitha—her initial greeter onto these lands. Because she felt no need to, Zombie remained sitting, looking up at the two ladies casually and observing the terse way in which Talitha addressed the other, apparently named Halo. Quirking a brow, her gaze settled finally on the second arrival of the trio, smiling without light again. "Well enough," she mused; "a bit of alcohol always helps the nerves, mind you," she added after a moment, twiddling the rusty butter knife idly between her fingers.

"Haven't found a place to officially crash, though. Alcohol also prevents logical decision-making." Not to say that she'd been drinking since her arrival, but it seemed more interesting to note that she was always drunk, rather than simply too lazy to do anything of great importance.

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Halo Lykoi · 03-11-2011, 05:19 AM

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--

A strange name, but Halo had encountered far worse titles in the past. Her own name mocked the dark personality. Her attractive frame could mislead others to think that her name was righteously given, but it was a scam. There was no etiquette used with the greeting to one that obviously was higher ranked, but for once Halo decided against making a scene instantly. No response had managed to form before a comment had left the other female. Eyes in the colour of freshly drawn blood narrowed in instant displeasure at the mocking name that was given her. How dared this woman to speak such words. Lips pulled away to reveal the row of perfect white teeth, though she did not get further before a cousin arrived.

And it had been some time since she last had laid eyes on this woman. A lykoi by name, but that was the end of it, was it not? Rubies widened again as they sized up the traitor, but there was no plain disgust to see in Halo’s face just yet. No, glare was calculating; wondering. She knew that Talitha had been back for some time, but would the end result be the same as earlier? Last time she had seen this woman she had stomped away in fear. ”Did you ever find your diary?” The woman simply had to ask, as it definitely could not have been easy to find the book after Halo had tossed it away. The slightest hint of a smile found her lips, but there was no love for this woman. Halo only knew her mistakes and error, and she could not respect such a creature. Sometimes, Gabriel could be too meek for her liking.

Talitha de le Poer · 03-11-2011, 10:53 AM

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Wordcount: 3+

The simple fact that Halo was even there left her unstable cousin on edge, but she didn't allow it to distract her from the onyx creature that stood before them. Zombie mused about alcohol, helping the nerves but preventing logical decision-making. Talitha let out a rather amused laugh and gave a nod of her head. "Oh, yes. I know that part quite well myself," she murmured, crossing her still-thin arms under the body that had morphed into something less grotesque over weeks of eating. She was still simply too thin, but Ezekiel had taught her to hunt and she couldn't dishonor her beautiful brother by refusing to eat. Still, it wasn't often; her body still spoke of malnutrition, ribs glued to the top layer of her short fur and features gaunt.

For the briefest moment, she didn't register that Halo had spoken. Seconds ticked past, her black-rimmed ears empty of the sound of her cousin's voice until it hit her. The diary. For weeks after her argument with the Lykoi, who surely wasn't a real Lykoi as she hadn't been born of Inferni like her older cousin, she had sought out the diary that had gone missing. The smile that had been on the cream maw of Talitha twisted into a vague representation of amusement. "I did find it, yes. Of course, I wouldn't have had to waste time searching if some horribly ignorant bitch hadn't touched my things and tossed it away," she countered, shrugging her shoulders up to her neck. "Surely, such a creature has left since my most recent excursion into the world."

Though the words were unclear, the meaning was not. The de le Poer princess brushed auburn curls away from her features as she studied her cousin, scanning her for new additions to an otherwise flawless form. She approved of the way Halo carried herself, but not of the way she treated others; of course, Talitha herself was not known for kindness. A shake of her head turned her attention back to the ebony fae she had neglected. "Perhaps I can help you find yourself a home. I know Inferni very well; it's been my home for nearly three years." There was a soft stress on the word 'my', but she made no move to further harass the warrior Lykoi with them.

Zombie Feral · 03-11-2011, 12:43 PM

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Last post before my vacation, guize I'll be back in roughly 10 days.

Zombie, perhaps a little crass, couldn't understand how someone could be offended by her meager jest. But it was obvious, by the dark expression shadowing Halo's face that she had struck a nerve. One of her tall ears flipped backwards in soundless apology, but that was something that would never be vocalized in earnest—it was surprising enough that she even offered the motion, but because she had inadvertently irritated the warrior-looking young woman, she didn't feel as if she should be making enemies so soon into the damn game.

Her thin shoulders shrugged slightly, inwardly dismissing the subject. There wasn't much to be done; she was already sitting on the ground, lower than both her superiors and precariously placed between them—she didn't see how much more respectful she needed to be. Crossing her legs, she peered up at the two, glancing back and forth much like a giddy, clueless child might watch her parents argue. It was interesting, because they weren't yelling at each other and their tones were held in an almost sickly sweet pleasantness, but the air between them was thick enough to cut with a.. rusty, old butter knife. Nondescriptly, Zombie lifted the knife very slightly and made a small slashing movement—pantomiming the cutting of the air.

She didn't much pay attention to the subject at hand, but she was aware when she'd been addressed again. Her head tilted, and her dark eyes met Talitha's lightly. "That'd be enormously well received," she purred, baring her teeth in a light grin. "But I was doing something totally useless, but entirely stress-relieving," she said, glancing towards them both nonchalantly, without implying anything. She twiddled the knife dexterously in her right hand, then pointed above her head with the other so that their eyes were drawn to the carving of her name. "Juvenile? Yes. Entertaining? Just a little," she added, holding out her palm and presenting the knife to either of them.

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Halo Lykoi · 03-17-2011, 12:14 PM

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--

Voices crowded the air, but she was not a part of their conversation. She was not one for loose gossiping about nothing anyway, which was what she saw this as. She would have been satisfied to learn that Talitha had lost the silly book she had scribbled in, but apparently the story was another. Oversized ears dressed with lovely auburn twisted somewhat at the insult, but she knew how to play this game as well. ”Should be careful throwing private diaries around,” she said, as if she agreed and offered a well meant suggestion to avoid it in the future. Talitha had in fact stormed away and left the silly little thing behind. ”for it would have been a shame if other people learned of your disgraceful act during the first war.” Halo was crossing lines, and she knew it. How much had Talitha toughed up since last time the two had interacted? She seemed different, but how much had changed?

However, she could not help lifting her fine eyebrows as the other Lykoi woman spoke a lie. ” A few months, you mean.” Talitha was a traitor. How dared she pretend otherwise in such a fashion. But now the newcomer with the strange name caught her attention. Ruby wandered to the name carved into the tree. She would have to agree; that was a totally useless thing to do. ”Carving your name into bark, I’m sure it’s a worthwhile diversion,” she said, voice dry with dull disapproval. And what a lovely way to waste a perfectly good blade? Halo’s blade ate through flesh and blood only.

Talitha de le Poer · 03-18-2011, 08:28 AM

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Wordcount: 3+

Halo's biting retort drove a laugh from the chest of her cousin, brilliant and melodical, at the thought of someone reading the small diary she had drawn and scribbled in to no end. Bloody rubies gazed with vague mocking at the younger female, the warrior of Inferni who was respected by the Lykoi but not recognized for what she was. "They wouldn't have been able to read it." It was a simple fact that dropped from her muzzle without restraint. Talitha Lykoi, princess and returned-traitor, lacked common skills used to communicate outside of words. Her pages, one after one after one, were covered in something akin to runic markings that made sense to no one but the author. Internally, she wondered if Halo had tried to decipher the pages, and her response to the strange scribbles within.

Offering Zombie help in finding a home was easy, though Halo interjected that Inferni had only been her home for months rather than the years claimed. The older female's crimson eyes rolled subtly in her head; in her mind, she had committed no grievance in calling it her home regardless of where on the map she had been sitting at the time. She was sure Gabriel would feel no annoyance in her love of the territory, and Gabriel's opinion trumped that of the proud Halo before her. She didn't respond to the mention, focusing her attention on Zombie's work. The Lykoi saw art for what it was and respected it without fault; though the wraith-like creature may not have meant it to be a piece of work, the older female was keen to notice anything that could be translated to artistic medium.

Delicate fingers pressed against the signature, her other hand reaching out to take the utensil offered to the Lykoi women. While her cousin agreed that it was a waste of time, divulged in the dry tone of disapproval, the de le Poer princess jabbed the knife into the bark beneath the carved name. Quick, deliberate motions were made to create an image under the moniker, crafting eight segmented legs and a curved tail with a barb. She wasn't sure what it was called; they didn't have such animals in the area, but she had seen them in books picked up in Halifax. "The trees don't get enough love out here. My family lacks fundamental capabilities in artistic expression, preferring battle to ink. The forest might appreciate some individuality."

Zombie Feral · 03-23-2011, 09:59 PM

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There was definitely something between these two women that Zombie didn't care enough to pry for. Of course, she was a tad interested as the subtle hostilities unfolded right before her innocent red eyes, but there was nothing she felt the need to ask or stick her nose into. This was certainly not any of her business, and the one called Halo would sooner probably rip her head off than tell her anyway. The black 'yote thought that she'd like to live another year or so, if no one else minded. She didn't care much for the tawny one's disapproval—it meant little to nothing to the Feral woman and she wasn't going to change her ways simply because one being did not like her.

Actually, plenty of beings didn't like Zombie, but she'd simply bat her bloody eyes, much like she was doing now, and internally not give a shit for who didn't approve. "More or less. I mean, I find this less painful than putting such a dull knife to my own skin, and I presently have no desire to carve my name unto anyone else's body," she said idly, gazing up from her seat into the finitely disgusted face of Halo. Not everyone needed to like her. Besides, it would seem that she had found a slight companion in Talitha, who took the otherwise useless butterknife and began carving some sort of creature beneath Zombie's carefully crafted signature.

"Battle savvy, hm?" she offered pensively, casting a meaningless, sidelong glance at Halo. "Blood.. ink, I like both," she shrugged, grinning to herself and licking her lips in a lazy manner. She looked up and studied what Talitha was drawing, but found that whatever it was, was unfamiliar to her. The enigma could read well enough, but she didn't do it often, and hadn't picked up a book in at least a year or so. Zombie flipped her body, balancing herself on her knees so that she would be eye level with the carving. She drew her fingers over the finished portion before turning her slender muzzle to the one who accepted her. "What's this?"

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Halo Lykoi · 03-28-2011, 05:29 AM

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Byebye Halo! Big Grin 300+

Did the other suggest that Halo was too savage to know the art of reading? The day long ago when Talitha had exited with tears flowing down her doggish face, Halo had not paid much attention to the written pages in the journal. She had thought she knew all she needed to, and Gabriel’s daughter had received no pity for being a rape victim. ”Really?” she simply replied, taking notice of the unfaltering impression on her cousin’s face. She seemed hardened compared to last time, and though it did not really make Talitha better, strength was something Halo appreciated, this in all forms.

Was love cutting into a living being with a sharp blade? The trees would weep their transparent blood. But Halo was no environment activist. Her general respect for life was flawed, as it should be for an individual that specialized in death. Talitha could keep her ink and her written memories. Talitha could say what she liked, for it was Samael’s daughter that had remained and proven herself to the clan. Halo did not know why she had to compete with the other in her mind. Perhaps it was the remaining traces of the fear she had harboured when she was younger and thought her blood to be full of filth. Halo’s perspective had broadened over the last years, though it could still be considered narrow by some.

The Zombie woman did seem to be the peaceful part of the group. The woman only regretted walking into the scene though, for she did not want to deal with the traitorous woman more than she had to. What was the point? She always left shortly after she arrived, and Halo trusted this time would be no different. But the Triarii was wrong. Halo’s smile lacked life, but it was all she would offer the newcomer before she turned from both females and strode away. Carving names into trees was a waste of time, and the warrior princess could easily think of other things she’d rather do than to hang around and kill conversation.

Talitha de le Poer · 04-09-2011, 03:48 AM

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Very short. My apologies; they rest WILL be better.

While she drew in the soft wood of the tree, she didn't pay attention to her surroundings. Halo's exit, Zombie's words. All went unnoticed until the black creature asked a direct question. What was the thing she drew? Talitha's shoulders shrugged upwards. "I'm not sure. I've seen it in books." She wouldn't admit that she couldn't read them to find the name of the animal. It was a weakness she was not yet ready to divulge to the world. As the final curve to the barbed tail was finished, the artist stepped back to study her work. "It looks dangerous; I think it suits you and your name." Empty crimson eyes turned sideways to view her companion. Scorpions felt fitting.

An exhale escaped cream lips. "Have you enjoyed Inferni so far, friend?" Friend? No, Zombie was no friend; it was the Lykoi's habit of no-names that drove her to classify the woman as such in that moment. Perhaps later, she would enlighten the dark fae thing to her beliefs. First, she needed to help the woman with...something. Home. Sobriety. The land. With her desire to draw upon the bark of the tree, she'd forgotten exactly what she'd offered to do.

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