shadow and flame
#1
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pray to your god, open your heart

Word Count: +3 ● Wisteria's horse is this one. I'll be playing her slightly for the time to have her join/ect, but she is an NPC and Open Character for the pack! SOMEONE SHOULD ADOPT HER ;-;

For weeks now, she had traveled with no destination in mind save one: her brother. Wisteria had been lucky—her sibling and aunt were a hard to miss pair, and they had been remembered by those they had passed. East, always east. Freetown had been the best lead. A trader had mentioned an area where many wolves lived and suggested she might try there.

Warm leather creaked under her thighs, the steady gait of the mare constant and familiar. She had brought the horse from Khalif, as had been her right. Exile had cost her everything except the mare. Misty was a good companion for the new mother, who relied on the horse to travel now that she had a squirming daughter to take care of. Odessa, despite being labeled as a curse, was nothing but joy to her pale mother.

Wisteria had the girl tucked into a large bag on her belly, where the puppy slept comfortably. The weather here was much like Khalif, and so it did not bother the woman much. However, she was tired and hungry—hunting was hard as a lone wolf, especially with a child in tow. With any luck, they would find someone soon.

As it turned out, the pair was in luck. They had traveled far enough south to attract the attention of a dark wolf patrolling the borders. He approached the horse and rider without fear, slowing only as he neared. Recognition hit the pair almost at the same time, and Wisteria scrambled from the horse as the burly wolf all but charged at her.

It was an awkward embrace due to his size, for even in lupus form Larkspur was tall enough to reach her shoulders with his paws. They touched and made noises as familiar siblings might, for even though they were not allowed such a thing in Khalif, a secret kinship remained. Only once she had begun to explain did Larkspur understand why his sister was here.

The puppy, woken by the noise, was presented to her uncle once he had shifted to his Optime form. Wisteria explained the rest of her sordid tale to her brother, who offered colorful exclamations in response to their family’s treatment of her. He promised her she could remain, and once the girl-child was safely in the arms of her mother, the dark wolf called for his thistle king. With Magnolia still serving her time as a trial member of the Family, Larkspur needed his Boss to approve of the pale woman’s arrival.

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#2
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Word Count » 5+


Since the run-in with Gabrielson, Leader of Inferni and unannounced rival of the Thistle King, Sirius had been bristling over his apparent lack in equestrian skills. The animals had never seemed overly important nor useful to him before - Cumbersome, stupid creatures, with flesh chewier than deer and thus less appetizing. He had eaten horse before, and although the meat had a tangy flavor, it was no meal for a King. He had seen the beasts put to labor, though, and was now beginning to recognize their worth; Larkspur had a way with the animals, and utilized them well.


Vain as always, it had pleased the Boss to be gifted the handsome stallion he now owned. He had yet to reward Jeremiah for the gift, although currently had full intentions to do so, much to the potential luck of the other man who now held the Alpha's pleasure. Although by no means an expert, both his time abroad and basic common sense told the Revlis man that the stallion he possessed was a strikingly handsome creature. He favored it immensely, for it was his newest toy. He had given strict commands to Larkspur that it be fed only the best that the fields and meadows had to offer, and that it be groomed regularly and to perfection.


He had gathered the animal near to the barn earlier in the day, and much to his satisfaction, it had practically gleamed. The horse's ivory mane was neatly braided, held at the end with small ties of cured brown leather. It was a proud creature, tossing its head as Sirius saddled it. His mirth faded initially, for it resisted his presence as they rode, shying and grinding its teeth on the bit. Although an attractive animal, its temper was somewhat challenging. Holding his own temper in check, and pushing from mind the irritably glorious image of Gabrielson riding his golden beast with ease, Sirius allowed the stallion it's head.


They ran freely for some time, and as was the way with such speed, optime and beast were quick to give up their bickering and instinctively enjoy. The Revlis man was a quick learner, and he settled his weight forward over the Rocky Mountain's withers, allowing it to gallop recklessly. It may have seemed foolish, for the land here was wild and dangerous, but the ebony horse took to it with relish and never stumbled.


The pair headed north, where the ground grew rockier. Not wanting to push his good luck, the dark Revlis man settled deeper into the leather saddle, slowing the eager stallion to a trot. Thick salty air drew in on an easterly sea-breeze, and for a moment the Boss allowed himself to relax, his wickedly fast mind slowing for the first time in many, many days.


It was then that he heard the call. Large, elegant ears lifted in mild amusement, narrowed pupils glancing in the vague direction of who he knew to be his valuable Arbiter, Erismate and Family member. Clucking to his steed, the Thistle King cantered toward the border, slowing only when the dark male came into sight. He was not alone. Mouth quirked slightly, a quick frown of irritation settling over his gaze and lifting again almost instantly. He had come to trust Larkspur, but newcomers would always be viewed with vain superiority and suspicion.


The horse was drawn to an abrupt halt, and it snorted, showering loose stones around its clattering hooves. The Revlis man dismounted instantly, quick to cover the stiffness formed in his joints from the short ride. He would have to practice more at this 'horse-riding' thing - He'd never been overly fond of it in London, more prone to wasting time with chess games and pretty, easy women than pondering the value of handsome horseflesh. But if Ezekiel could make it look simple, then he too was capable of learning.


"Arbiter," Voice was gruff in the short greeting, but his eyes looked past the man to the woman standing near to him. He smiled, but it was a dangerous smile, full of sharp yellow teeth. "What have we here?" Hand jerked on the leather reins to hold the stallion near to him in check; The glossy beast pranced eagerly, rolling his eyes at the mare yonder as Sirius likewise eyed the ivory Lady and her as yet undiscovered offspring.


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#3
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pray to your god, open your heart

Word Count: ●

As expected, the wait for the Boss was hardly long at all. Larkspur warned his sister in plain terms how she was expected to behave, and the woman hid her child in order to be further presentable. Her eyes—the same color as her brother’s—widened at the arrival of the hybrid on the horse. It was a striking sight for her, one she intended to remember. This man was handsome, powerful, and had striking poisonous eyes that reminded Wisteria of so many of her family.

Larkspur dropped his head, averting his eyes from Sirius even as he advanced. While much larger than the hybrid, he rubbed his muzzle against the leader’s own face before retreating. His sister all but balked, startled her gruff and terrible kin would bow to this man. No one had ever gained such submission from him in Khalif.

“My sister,” Larkspur began, looking to the woman. “Wisteria. She has come here looking for a home.” At a look, the white woman advanced, dropping to a knee and bowing her head below the lean and scarred stranger. “My brother spoke to me of your kingdom, sire, and I desire nothing less than to serve.” Her voice, heavily accented with German, rolled honey-sweet from her mouth. It was not the first time she had flattered a male, nor would it be the last. “If you would have me, my lord,” she added, but did not look up from his feet.

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#4
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Word Count » 3+


Larkspur had become an invaluable asset to the Thistle King. The sight of him filled Sirius with a strange level of calm - It soothed the need within to strive and conquer, for if a man so mighty in size and strength could bow head in submission, then all those who followed would do likewise. A strange, instinctual bond connected the two men since their dangerous encounter with the bear on the mountain - Something physical as much as it was mental. While he was a man of eloquent words and silver tongue, it was a relief to sometimes drop the pretence of permanent civility, and allow himself a taste of the feral air that hung constantly around the D'Angelo man, who had reclined with surprise grace and willingness into his submissive permission.


It occured briefly to the male that his Crone shared a dissimilar view of the wolf. She was fiesty and hot-blooded, but it irritated him to think that she should discount his view of the male in favour of her own. Sirius had claimed Larkspur as a part of The Family, and this was to be enough for all who might have contested. In the land of thorns and mist and wilderness, the word of the Thistle King was law above all.


It was with such arrogance of thought that venomous olive eyes graced the woman. Large, elegant ears tilted to capture the Arbiter's gravelly tones, instantly storing away all information presented. When the woman knelt before him, cradling a bag close to her stomach, his interest flared. Whatever she held she prized greatly, and this was always useful information to the Boss. Her words pleased the vain royal, and he mentally preened his feathers as a peacock might - However, the sinful Cheshire smile that sometimes awarded such efforts was kept hidden, locked away from the burning jack-o-lantern gaze of the Arbiter. "I see," He mused, dark brow-spots rising in interest. The large ebony stallion at his side stretched his lean neck out, flared nostrils seeking those of the handsome mare; Without moving his gaze, the Boss jerked the animal back into line. "What use is she to me?" While his eyes remained on the kneeling woman, secretly admiring the valleys and curves of her sweet ivory form, he adressed the other man first. One cream hand moved down, aiming to fix fingers beneath the woman's lowered chin and delicately tilt her head up towards him, as one might when observing a particularly handsome animal. Olive gaze was appraising, and the smile revealed itself now, sharp and cunning. "What have you to offer King and country, Lark-kin?"


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#5
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pray to your god, open your heart

Word Count: ●

For all her flattery, Wisteria observed. She was an intelligent woman. It had what kept her alive in the Khalif even after she had broken their laws and spoke to her brother, even after she took herbs to prevent her from conceiving, even after she looked down on the man she called mate. There was as much witch in Wisteria as there was subversion. Sirius betrayed himself to her in subtle ways, showing he was taken by her words and her looks, but certainly not swept away. He was, as she had expected, formidable.

Larkspur remained silent and still, a dark shadow marked by blazing white signs and accents. He hesitated to answer when the earthen-hued male spoke to his sister, whom he was pleased to see kept her eyes affixed low. This was a test. Everything with Sirius was. “She is clever,” Larkspur said, choosing the word carefully. “In our home she served a priestess, and marked those who were worthy.”

Wisteria, listening carefully, did not move but spoke once she was certain her brother had finished. “I bring little, my lord. I can give you my loyalty, and whatever you might ask of me.” Her eyes watched the feet of the stallion, shuffling with eagerness at the sight of the mare. There it was. “I can also turn over the mare. She has served me well, and she is young—a fine animal to breed, if you so desire it.”


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#6
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Word Count » 3+


Larkspur's reply was blunt, but pleasantly so. While Sirius himself had mastered the art of deception and manipulation, such things were not presented in the Arbiter's nature - His word was his thought, and thus truth. Because of the simplicity of this, the Thistle King allowed himself to believe the monolithic salt and pepper male with much more ease than he might have any other. Larkspur did not play the mindgames of which he, Loki-incarnate, was so proficient. Sirius' guard slipped lower, and he peered closer at the ivory woman, judging her with silent eyes of olive poison.


Her previous duty as a priestess somewhat unnerved him. Although he was not a man of god, or of any god, the supernatural struck alarm bells within Sirius. In truth, he feared those who walked the other world - Feared the unnatural power that came with singing so close to death. But this fear manifested itself as a strong dislike, and a weak respect. Eris and Tlantli were powerful because of their sacred-ness, and it was with fear for his soul that Sirius allowed them to continue in their supernatural meddlings.


The woman, Wisteria, spoke again, and her heavily accented voice was pleasant enough to the ear. Releasing her chin, the Thistle King turned his gaze thoughtfully to the mare she offered. The horse was indeed a handsome animal, young and spirited and not altogether unlike his own stallion. The Revlis man had a well known addiction to things of beauty, and he enjoyed the way the horse's creamy mane was lighter than its mottled brown body. After a moment of thought, the dark man nodded abruptly, more to himself than to the D'Angelo siblings. "Larkspur, take the mare back to my stables. She will make a fine addition to Salsolan stock. Don't let that mangy gelding near her - Save her for my stallion." With a somewhat fond pat of the ebony equine's arched mane, Sirius nodded again to himself. He knew very little of the correct way in which to breed and procure livestock, and in truth, his orders to Larkspur were empty of knowledge. The Arbiter would be able to do with both chocolate mare and black stallion whatever he wished - the Boss had minimal interest in the workings of such a thing, more so in the outcome.


Turning swiftly, he remounted, settling uncomfortably into the leather saddle once more. "She and the child may sleep in the Ruins, in one of the empty chambers, for now," His gaze glittered where the child was concealed, momentarily annoyed that it had not been presented to him - It was unwise to conceal anything from the eyes of the jealous Thistle King, for he prided himself in knowing all things, "Have Tlantli mark them both. Oh, and Wisteria-" The sharp smile returned to his darkly handsome features, both dangerous and alluring, "Welcome to the Family." And with that, the man set heels to his beast, and thundered off the way he had come.


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