She's in the common area. Mid-afternoon, and her daughter is not present. :> (385)
It had been a week since the black-cow Eris had allowed her entry into Salsola, as the pack was called. This term fitted them, as did the land. Harsh and overgrown, it was terrain easily defended and easily hidden. While she had spent most of her time getting acquainted with the land, she had met others during her stay. Siv was not antisocial despite her rather cynical outlook on life, and was pleased to have crossed paths with Eris’ rather gruff mate. While he had been initially short with her, Siv made a point to bring her daughter around to see the horses and gradually became comfortable around the dark wolf. A giant of a man, she enjoyed knowing that the pack was protected by such things. She wondered if he carried jötnar blood; certainly, he was built as if he might.
She had learned several other curious things during her stay. The leader of this pack was a man who was lean and dark, and it surprised her he commanded such a massive man—it surprised her only until she heard him speak. The power of his voice was such it could not be denied. Later, she drew allusions to Loki and laughed at herself for such a thought. Her gods were simply symbols, things weighted because hey most likely reflected men. If the gods lived in all living things, could she not call Eris, who commanded two cats now, Freya? Was her savage daughter not Skadi? The whole pantheon might as well have lived here if she thought of things in such a manner.
It was foolishness, the dark woman thought to herself, and shook out the pelt she carried. While she had turned the buck over to Eris, Siv was not a helpless woman herself. She had hunted the lands over the past week and come back with several small kills. Her main prize had been a silver fox—while Siv had little qualms killing the thing, she would have just as well left it alone…save the fact the stupid thing had gone after her daughter. Of course, now she had a winter-thick pelt to work with. She brushed her hand along it, admiring the color (how much like her own it was, she thought) and debating what to do with it.
Hrafn had been part of Salsola a week now as well and though he spoke very little he had met, or had been introduced, to most of the community by now. He especially knew all of the slaves; learning their names as he often went to Borgata Coatl—as they called it—to gather supplies for the shop he hoped on gaining persmission to make.
He had accumulated quite the collection: an axe, the knife he already possessed, a crude hammer that would have to be remade, a rusted saw and some promising wood for a work bench. He would of course have to collect much and more wood for him to build his promised gift and any other useful items that the pack might require which meant cutting down trees. It was a request he had put off for some time after asking for so much already, thinking it best to make his gift first before asking Eris for anything more—she would perhaps even make him approach Sirius about this, whom he had only met once for a very short conversation since Hrafn was not talkative by nature.
Hrafn was making his way to the commons, having spent quite some time crouched and drawing plans for his design in the dirt where he kept his saw and growing supply of wood, stashed in a place that not even Sirius or Eris knew about. It was a gift after all and gifts were meant to be a surprise.
As always the tall hybrid—standing at an intimidating 7'4"—carried his bow and quiver with him, slung across his back and shoulder. He had also fashioned himself a crude rope belt, which held his axe, hammer and knife so he could easily make use of them. Turning the corner of part of the ruins he spotted a familiar face whom he had met a couple brief times in the past few days. Siv Helsi was only a couple inches shorter then the brown agouti Associate, her fur much darker and more uniform then his own and her eyes... he had been quite unsettled by them when he had first met her but now he had grown accustomed to them, his own ice blue gaze a normalcy compared to her purple hues.
He stood and watched her for a moment, looking at the pelt she stroked with one tall ear cocked forward, scratching at the white patch of fur upon his throat. He remembered that she had a daughter and he was glad that the young girl was not here for he felt very awkward around children, unsure how to act around them, especially around such a quiet one. "Siv," he said in way of hello, a smile lighting up his merle features handsomely as he moved in closer.
The lessons of Salsola had been taught in a flash, learned through observation. If there was one thing that Siv was good at it was the talent of adaptation. She had done so with the women of her sect, with her cousin, and now she would do so here. Magic was simply learning patterns and manipulating them. This was why she had gotten as far as she had so easily—her masks and her disguises were many but oh they all lived under her dark face and her peculiar, pale eyes.
She heard him approaching, for his weapons made slight swish,swish noises against his fur. The belt was the cause of this, for it was poorly made and hardly suitable for such a purpose. Siv frowned at this, but her face turned into a pretty smile at his greeting. Between his size and his general demeanor, Hrafn reminded her of her own home. This was perhaps, above all others, she was comfortable with him. “Hello Hrafn,” she replied, careful to pronounce his name correctly. It was not very hard to do so for her, but she wanted to ensure no one found fault with her. Even if she was not perfect, she could do to pretend.
“This stupid animal tried to attack my daughter,” she explained, tugging lightly at the ears of the pelt. “Still, it is pretty. I can’t say the same for your belt,” the woman went on, eyeing it humorously. “I could make you one that works, you know.” This too, was the truth. While she had not brought much, the tools she had carried from her home were well worn and more than capable. She doubted that she would have been able to replicate them herself, having little knowledge of metalworking. It was one of the few things she envied of the men.
Word count — 305 · +3 41 points (38 prev count) He wants to build her a bed. *wiggles eyebrows* XD
Eris had been very diligent about teaching Hrafn the ways of the pack and he was more then willing to learn. Sometimes he felt she would leave things out though to better protect his normally hidden sensibilities but he was fine with that as long as he had a home and a place to work.
Siv quickly noticed him and he nodded when she greeted him in return, never a man of many words. He was glad though that she pronounced his name flawlessly, not many here could, especially the slaves whom seemed almost afraid when they tried to say his name and failed. Hrafn was of course a gentle man though and would ignore the mispronunciation more often then not. When she explained to him the reason why she had the pelt Hrafn frowned, touching the cord of his bow as if readying himself to protect Siv from the harmless fur. She continued talking though so Hrafn was unable to get any words in and instead swayed an ear back, his frown slowly dissipating.
"Hmn?" He voiced, surprised by the quick change in topic as he grabbed hold to the sides of his rope belt, looking down at it with his ears folded back contemplatively. The quiet man didn't quite care how his belt looked or hung on him, he was just more concerned that it held his tools, but if she was offering to make him a proper one he wouldn't turn it down.
"We will make trade of it or it's unfair." Hrafn had in fact been taught woodworking and carpentry by his gruff uncle and could make just about anything with the proper tools. "Do you need things built?" He asked, "maybe bed frame for nice bed." He suggested seriously, for most other minds might find hidden meaning in those words.
There was much that was different about this Salsola, but Siv recognized rules and standards that suited her. While there was an obvious line drawn between those who led and those who followed, she had seen that power was respected—and spiritual power, too, had cause. Rumors had whispered of their previous Crone, a woman Siv had not seen yet, growing ill. Perhaps, then, she had come here at just the right time. It would require patience, first, but she was a woman that knew how to play the game. Over eagerness would be seen in a poor light. Weaving a web would take time.
A suggestive smile graced her face at the mention of a bed, though the idea was not a bad one. Eventually, she would find the right to claim a home, and when she did it would need to be stocked and prepared. Her daughter was young yet, but in a month’s time she would be running and doing everything in her power to frighten her mother to death.
“That would be lovely,” she replied, and looked up to him cooly. “But come, let us see what you need. Are these the only tools you carry?” Already, she was figuring how best to weight the leather, and how best to replace this crude and ugly thing.
Hrafn was oblivious to Siv's suggestive smile, as he was to most suggestive things. All he did was respond with a toothy grin when she said that it would be lovely. "Carry nails once I get some." He answered, "keeping feathers and arrowtips in my quiver, but it's not good." The feathers would fray because he didn't have a proper pouch for them and the arrowheads would sometimes go dull.
He tugged at his makeshift belt and it made the tools sway and shift against his muscled, brown furred thighs as he tilted his head downward to look it over. He had been proud of his belt making "skill" but obviously he was not a master at it, or even near an apprentice for that matter. His strength lay in woodwork when it came to making something and that was where it would remain. Hrafn moved closer so Siv could better inspect it, leaving couple feet of space between them, having no qualms with personal space, especially with another member of Salsola whether he knew them well or not.
"Can you do?" He asked, once again lacking the proper vocabulary from being raised in an incredibly non-vocal environment as a child. Hrafn did not care though or perhaps did not notice, for it had been months since he had spoken before coming to Salsola and he was glad to have others to talk to again. Talking reminded him of his parents and it was nice to have a reminder.
Though he did not respond to her look, Siv did not doubt it was from lack of interest. She knew her powers well enough—the way he spoke was short and simple, suggesting he was not well-educated. Of course, he was hardly stupid; a stupid man wouldn’t have been able to form a belt from rope, or be a carver. No, some men were just…simple. That was nothing she found flaw in. Men were inferior to her sex, as she had always been taught. Good for word, battle, and sex, but not much beyond that.
Still, she found him a pleasant enough companion. Even while she took care not to touch him much, her fingertips brushed over taunt muscles and recognized the power in them. Her eyes darkened a shade. “I think so,” she began, and lifted her eyes to his own. While she would never do such a thing to a higher ranked member, they were equals here. For now, at least.
“You will have to let me borrow your tools for a little, so I can fit them. How big of a bag do you need?” She asked, smiling. This would be a good way for her to prove herself to the leadership as well. While she had bragged about her skills, being able to display them would certainly assist in gaining their trust.
He looked at Siv curiously, a smile still in place though his teeth were now hidden behind canine lips. Hrafn indeed was a simple enough man; he lived for his work for that was all he knew and had never felt the pull of a woman's allure, though Siv was doing her best at interesting him, with her knowledge of that or not. It was not sex for him but emotion, for he had never experienced either but knew more of the latter and this dark bound woman elicited emotions within his simple mind, especially as her fingertips touched him gently as she inspected his makeshift belt.
Her voice brought his eyes to hers and they spoke with a gratitude that he could not form with words, not bothered by the impudence that others might find in her unwavering gaze. "I will give them to you," he promised, placing a hand on the top of his hammer as if ready to hand everything away, though he paused in the motion, ears inching further forward as he spoke again. "But maybe where you stay so you won't have to carry." His statement was more of an assumed proclamation then a question, Hrafn of course not wanting to burden her with a handful of his ware but also wanting to spend more time with the mysterious woman.
Back home he would have not been so curious about a woman. Even during his travels here not even a thought of the opposite sex crossed his mind, but now... He knew it was more then just lust—for he had felt that before—but he knew he would have to experience those motions before he could pin point his exact feelings towards her. These were crude thoughts though and ones his parents—though deceased—would not appreciate him thinking toward a woman he was not completely abstained to.
The magic that Siv practiced was one of manipulation. All magic, all faith, was such a thing. Her power was in her voice, her body, the way she carried herself and the way she wove others. Hearg members had known of such things, of the rules of wands and weaving, and would have been cautious around her. Yet as a stranger, her skill was unspoken here. For now this gave her an advantage. For now, she was free to do as she pleased with it.
Hrafn asked to take them for her, which Siv found surprising. She was hardly a weak woman; her size and well-toned arms spoke of such a thing. Yet he seemed determined to aid her. Not one to pass such a thing up, the woman nodded shortly and folded the pelt over her arm. “Come,” she said, though the whisper of a command lay in that voice. She was used to men obeying her; they always had, one way or another.
The walk was not a long one, for the common areas were close together. Her “home” for the time being was a single room. Siv was glad to see Draugr was still asleep, though the puppy stirred at their noise and woke with a wide, sleepy yawn. The dark woman went to her first, and after a few moments of soft reassurance, eased her back into a slumber. She rose and returned to Hrafn, motioning to a small bench and table she had pulled in for work. “Now then, let me see those,” she said, and pulled out a single long strap of leather. This was tanned already, but not tooled; obviously it was scrap, and she would use it as such.
He followed obediently, trailing slightly behind her and not to her side as he would have normally for he was by no means a submissive man, to watch her as she moved. He was of course surprised when they arrived at her home so soon and a felt a wash of disappointment that he quickly pushed aside, pausing in the doorway when he caught sight Siv's daughter waking from her slumber. He stood in the door awkwardly as Siv put her child back abed, not wanting to disturb the time between them and also in a way afraid of the child. Not scared for his well being in any means but hers. He felt so large around the girl and did not want to accidentally hurt her.
As the girl fell back asleep and Siv turned her attention back to him he swayed his ears forward from their once thoughtful position and moved in beside her as she made her way to her work bench.
Curious he leaned closer to look over her shoulder at the scrap of leather in her hands, a hand hovering over her shoulder as if he was subconsciously going to place it there, if only to keep his balance, but when he realized the motion he dropped his hand to his side and steadied his pose.
"Here," he said after clearing his throat, one ear thrust forward and the other flicked sideways as they so often were, Hrafn pulling his tools from his makeshift belt to place them on her table for her use. He laid them out neatly in a row--hammer, axe and knife--making sure the ends of their handles lined up precisely, even adjusting the knife to ensure this. With a grin he moved aside, briefly making eye contact before patiently waiting for her to make her measurements.
Do you want to maybe wrap this up and have their exchange thread/sexy time next? :O
It was obvious to her that the man was hesitant around her daughter. Siv did not know why, though suspected the child’s peculiar silence was a part of it. Here was something strange about the girl, but Siv loved her fiercely and without regret. She hoped that Salsola would keep her child strong—that was all she truly wished for.
The tall man offered her the tools and Siv leaned over them. She positioned herself in such a way that her one leg brushed against his own, though appeared oblivious of such a thing. Personal space was something she did not mind when it came to handsome men. One hand reached for a sharp knife on the table, and the other laid the leather strap over the first of the tools. Using this as an exact guide, she positioned the leather and cut a smaller with to size.
Familiar with such practice, it did not take her long to measure out all of the leather holsters. While these were crude measurements, they would be accurate. Already, she was planning on other variables—width and length, and just where to procure a metal ring strong enough to hold all these things up. She would have to see in Salsola had any items, or perhaps ask the burly man known as Larkspur. Satisfied, she lowered her tool and turned to him. “I will have this for you soon, Hrafn,” she promised, beaming. It was the first time in a long time she would be able to put her skills to use.
[html]For sure, I'll wrap it up now! If you'd like to get another reply in feel free and I'll PM you about the other thread.
Suddenly he felt her plush thigh against his and a feeling stirred within him, one that was as foreign to him as her amethyst eyes. Tensing he did not flinch away, for he wasn't some rabbit or child, who was easily frightened. Instead he remained still, watching her work, flexing his right hand which remained so near the curve of her back that his eyes could not help by travel down the line of her spine.
When Siv spoke Hrafn's eyes shot up guiltily but he did not appear bashful or ashamed and instead smiled. "Then I will have bed for you soon," he promised in return, looking down at her work with interest. "Are you done?" He asked, referring to the tools that lay where she had placed them, waiting patiently for her answer and for her to complete her work before collecting them--silently, with a worried glance Draugr in case he woke her--putting them back in their place. Hrafn then made for the entrance of her home, so unaccustomed to good byes and conversation in general that he almost crossed the threshold before catching himself at the doorway and turning.
"I will see you soon," he informed her, parting with one last handsome smile as he left the doorway and made his slow progress to where he kept his supplies.
