the stars are all afire

Ithiel de le Poer · 12-07-2011, 07:38 AM

[html]<style>#sieLoc td {vertical-align:top; text-align:center; }
#sieLoc #location{background-image:url('http://www.soulsrpg.com/images/BSMapPixels_subterr.jpg'); width:150px;height:150px;float:right;border:1px solid #000000;margin-left:5px;background-position:45% 44%;}
#sieLoc #pushpin{position:relative;left:89px;top:59px;}</style>

Form	Info Time: Late afternoon Words: 637

Shattered Coast

(--)
Ugh. I am so sorry for rambling. Tl;dr -- Ithiel shoots a deer, then dismounts and starts prepping it after hobbling his horse. :| <3 New character = SIE RAMBLES LIKE OMFGSGHJGHG \;

Marked Aw after the intended party dropped. ^^;;

Ithiel is by Kitty!

Ithiel now felt he had an adequate handle on these southern packs. He had traveled far enough south to investigate the two most southerly of the packs, packing up his camp and leaving the lake he'd used as his base of operations for roughly two days. The dusty coyote would return to Inferni tomorrow, full of information regarding these groups. The dark coyote was certain he'd discovered nothing new, but he preferred his own assessment to relying on the judgment of others. He viewed the world through Zedekiah's eyes, and Zedekiah was not capable of lying, to Ithiel's knowledge.

The horse beneath him shifted and snorted, her tail whipping the air behind her as she pranced back and forth. Ithiel grunted his annoyance and reigned her in hard, pulling on the hackamore he used to control her. Some in Scintilla had metal bits, and the man sorely wished he had one of those. It would make you behave. Maybe, he said, twisting the reigns back a final time. Lystra did settle, though she was nervous in this country. Ithiel had been more nervous squeezed in between two pack's borders. It was a conspicuous place, and not one he had wanted to be. It was necessary to see all of the land, though, and so he had ridden further south, riding Lystra at his usual leisurely pace once past the squeeze between the two wolf packs.

The dusky coyote thought it necessary to find dinner, now that the day was ending. His own stomach was beginning to grumble, and Zedekiah was grunting now and again, muttering the word "hungry" under his breath, his not-so-stuble way of informing Ithiel it was time to eat. The man had his bow drawn and an arrow notched lazily, though he'd had to stick the arrow in his teeth and use the freed hand to calm Lystra again. Now, he re-settled the arrow in its place and wished for a more obedient horse, certain he would find nothing to shoot now that Lys had made a racket. He was proven wrong in a few moments when he spied a doe some yards away, standing in a small clearing surrounded by a thick boscage of low, gnarled shrubs.

It was not an extremely long shot, but Ithiel avoided chasing deer on Lystra's back. They could easily outrun her if he failed to disable his prey, and Ithiel strongly preferred killing to leaving a wounded creature to wander. It left a sour taste in his mouth, though hunting failures were apparently inavoidable no matter their technical advances. His bow was not infallible, as he had believed as a youth. It was one of the beliefs that was most painful to lose, though the dust-colored man was glad he was at least realistic enough to lose the belief. Some young soldiers went into battle with too much faith in their weapons; they scarcely returned.

Drawing the string taut, Ithiel aimed with an expert's eye, releasing the arrow. It flew toward the deer with speed that still roused his blood. The arrow struck the animal in the side, and it bolted. Ithiel gave chase and loosed two more arrows to bring it down; the moment it fell, he slid from Lystra's back and moved to slit the still-live deer's throat, silently thanking God for his blessing in providing the deer's life for his sustenance. He used the same knife to work at the animal's corpse, skinning it and slicing the meat neatly. Zedekiah hopped from one foot to the other beside him, grunting eagerly as Ithiel fed him choice slivers of meat. Ithiel himself ate the meat raw, preferring raw or nearly-raw meat to anything with a slight char.

Terra · 12-19-2011, 08:46 PM

It was tiring, hobbling all the way back to her pack. The sting of the hook really bothered her, and no matter how hard she tried she just couldn't reach it. Having left Shandom in the abandoned city hadn't made her feel any better. After all, one of her few friends had left the pack, heading north to 'rediscover' himself. Terra didn't get that. She knew who she was, through and through, and the idea of one's nature being destroyed was odd. She thought it always remained.

The smell of a fresh kill drifted through the air, causing Terra's stomach to growl. Dropping down she dragged herself nearby. There was a horse, tied up so it wouldn't go far. That meant she couldn't eat it. A coyote was pretty close though. The scent told her he was a purer breed of coyote than herself, but as a first generation cross she couldn't help that both her parents had been pure blooded. Besides, the smell of Inferni clung to him, which meant that she couldn't trust him. It was best to treat him like a wolf than a fellow coyote or she would regret it.

Ambling towards the hybrid Terra was careful to make sure that her injury wasn't noticeable. Sitting a short distance back she crouched down, making herself appear even smaller than she really was. Terra let out a small whine, letting her presence be known. If she could get close enough, Terra would grab some of that meat for herself. First though, she had to throw him off balance.

Ithiel de le Poer · 12-21-2011, 03:03 PM

[html]

(447)
Assumed Terra is in Lupus? o:

Ithiel is by Kitty!

The dusky man took the choicest parts of the deer then and there. Much as the dusky man loathed the thought, it would seem some of this kill would have to be wasted. Not all of it could be carried back to Inferni, and a whole deer was far more than he could down in one sitting. Thinking they would travel the best, the man set to the slow work of carving the flesh about the deer's legs, breaking the bone, and separating them. They could be strapped to Lystra's sides and they could dangle, carrying neater than the torso.

Ithiel extended his hand toward Zedekiah, and offered the bird a sliver of meat. The vulture snapped it up greedily, his beady eyes already regarding Ithiel with the question -- more? -- clear in them. Lystra's sudden movement behind them caught Ithiel's attention; the horse stamped her legs, whinnying that high-pitched noise Ithiel recognized as her nervousness. The man glanced up, peering around; his crimson eyes sought movement several yards away, and he watched the small hybrid approach, though his fingers still offered the vulture pieces of meat. The bird was precise enough to avoid his fingers, and apparently charitable enough to do so, something Ithiel had always appreciated.

She appeared to be coyote, and Ithiel noted this gravely. She smelled of one of the nearby packs, and to Ithiel's knowledge, these were wolf packs. She was younger than Ithiel, but not by much. The dark hybrid peered at her with calm, curious eyes, waiting a moment to see if she would speak. When it appeared her only communication was a whine, the man stuck his knife into the shoulder of the deer, carving out a chunk of meat. He sliced it in half, offered the first half to Zedekiah, and ate the other half deliberately, peering at the hybrid with sharp eyes.

Did the wolves teach you to beg so, poor soul? he asked. There was no mockery in his voice; as was the dark man's custom, he remained stoic, face impassive before her plight. In truth, however, there was pity in his soul -- she was rail-thin, and young as she was, Ithiel did not think she deserved such. Still, perhaps it was what served her best, as she walked the path of the wolf for now. Ithiel supposed it was not a choice, but fate, after all; still, the dark man could not help but hold such a thing against a coyote, however impassively Ithiel might do so. He carved another chunk of meat, a long sliver from the deer's shoulder, and tossed it in her general direction.

Terra · 12-21-2011, 08:06 PM

[html]

OOC Yep! Lupus

The coyote hybrid turned to her, acknowledging Terra's presence. Pleased that she had been invited Terra's tail thumped silently. Keeping close to the ground she crept closer, making sure that the deer remained between her and the stranger. Just like the wolves she'd stolen from as a youth, the hybrid made a deliberate mocking of her begging, taking a slice of meat and eating it in front of her. Terra didn't react though, knowing that it was best not to show anything other than submission. They tended to think that she was weak that way, incapable of moving as fast as she could.

A few feet still remained between her and the deer, as Terra waited for the next sign that she could move closer. Terra was unsure how much distance she'd be given so she could grab the meat and run, but knew that patience made the distance a lot smaller. The smaller the distance the shorter the amount of time the stranger would have to react. Terra's hackles partly raised as the hybrid said that the wolves had taught her to beg like she did, but she wouldn't show why she was displeased. Terra would let the male think as he wished, as Terra didn't especially care for wolves anyways. Actually, she didn't care what kind of species a canine was, though she did like those that were coyotes like her.

I have no choice. Terra didn't say what she didn't have no choice about, leaving that up to the stranger's imagination. Her eyes didn't meet the male's, instead off to the side in a sign of respect. It also let her check out where the meat would be best to take from for a rapid getaway.

Ithiel de le Poer · 12-28-2011, 08:09 AM

[html]

(302)
Ithiel carved a bit of meat off the shoulder for her, is in the last sentence of my previous post. ^^ No worries.

Ithiel is by Kitty!

He watched her with the same impassiveness, thinking all her creeping and crouching was for naught. He was perceptive enough to realize there was some kind of ruse going on here, but he was not quite so perceptive as to be able to say just what it was. Still, he did not think he was in any danger -- at most, he could lose his kill. Zedekiah could take to the trees, Lystra could outrun the hybrid, and Ithiel could take care of himself. If she took something he cared about -- his bow, perhaps, or his stock of arrows -- he would give chase, but that was all. It hurt him to see a woman of coyote blood walking with wolves, but he could no more sway her than he could divert the rivers and stay the tides.

Perhaps not, he agreed, and pointed rudely with the tip of his knife at the piece of meat he'd given to her. There is more here than I can eat, and more than I care to take. Would you have it? he inquired. I would not table long with one who walks the wolf way, but I cannot deny you, lady. The speech was clearly fusty, but Ithiel would have it no other way. Few seemed to elevate women to their proper pedestal these days -- he would do so gladly.

The next gesture Ithiel made was to the deer's carcass, but this time, he used his hand to gesture rather than the bloodied knife. Zedekiah muttered at his side and took a few wary hops away from the strange canine. He had little taste for strangers, even when food was involved. His distaste for strange canines outweighed his taste for red meat, apparently. Ithiel did not blame him for this; the coyote felt similarly.

Terra · 12-28-2011, 02:51 PM

Terra grabbed the meat that had landed near her and wolfed it down. The invitation to join him for the meal was quickly accepted. Her goal had been the meat, and moving without revealing the hook in her fur would cost her a fair bit. Coming into the meal was much better, easier if little else. His reference to her following the wolf's way was met with raised hackles. Terra was much less wolfish than many of the so called coyotes she'd met. She didn't deal with submission and dominance the way many of them did, and she freely took as she wanted the way coyotes had for generations. Their choice to live 'nobly' and to not stoop to scavenging and stealing was wolven to her. They didn't even have a sense of humor, or have the capability for pulling off a decent trick.

Terra straightened slightly, still wary of the stranger. He talked of being a coyote, but that didn't mean much to her, as his coat told a far different tale in her mind. Of course, the assumption that she followed wolves came from the same source. The pack she belonged to was made up of wolves and dogs, leaving her as an outcast. I am not a wolf, nor do I act like one. I simply chose a pack that would allow me to act as I please. Inferni wouldn't allow that, now would it? The undercurrent of her tone indicated her opinion of the place, marking it as the same as other wolf packs. They were far too high and mighty, with their border of skulls and strict protocol.

Ithiel de le Poer · 01-05-2012, 06:16 AM

[html]

(527)
Kinda assumed she was coming forward to the foods when her hackles raised? :3 Lemme know, if not good I can definitely edit. Also sorry for the delay, I feel bad, you are SO fast. o_o

Ithiel is by Kitty!

The man was uncomfortable with the thought of tabling with a coyote, and he was equally uncomfortale with the thought of allowing a woman to go hungry when he had so much to spare. In the end, his chivalry had dominated, along with his desire not to waste. There was enough of such in the world, and Ithiel de le Poer need not contribute to it. Humanity had wasted itself to death, after all -- if the plague had not decimated them, their habits and practices would have destroyed them in the end. One needed only look at Halifax's scar or the larger cities to the west for prime examples. The desert cities still burned against the sands in his mind; he could not erase their dusted streets and emptied buildings. Perhaps one day the desert would swallow this evidence of humanity, but Ithiel thought it would take many years. Perhaps by then, Luperci might even take up where the humans had left off, and the high rises would echo with the sound of life once again. Ithiel hoped he would be long dead before then.

She came forward, and although Ithiel thought her movement strange, he did not attribute it to injury -- her concealment of such was good enough to fool even his sharp scout's eyes. In any case, the lady was hungry enough to take his offer -- or perhaps merely intelligent enough. Ithiel, if he were in need of a meal, would not pass on such opportunities. While the trio of travelers from Scintilla had hunted their way across the country, the man thought a journey of such magnitude undertaken alone would involve quite a bit more scavenging. He was prepared for this, though there were no immediate plans to depart Inferni, nor any in the foreseeable future. His commander had sworn an oath to Inferni, as had Ithiel and his brother -- they were bound to the clan, at least for now. This did not mean he could not entertain ill thoughts about Inferni, which he had. It did not surprise him to hear the woman speak ill of the coyote clan, and Ithiel considered her words a long moment, as was his custom.

No, it would not, he agreed, and shook his head. Inferni would require loyalty and contribution. Does your pack not? he asked, ears twitching with a prickle of interest. He was, for once, genuinely curious -- both about her knowledge of Inferni, and her apparent homeland. The latter caught Ithiel's curiosity more than the former; the dusky coyote had never interacted with wolves in Scintilla. The few wolf travelers the Scintilla-born trio encountered on their eastbound journey were avoided or disposed of, whichever caught Kastra's fancy, it seemed. Ithiel had not enjoyed killing for such whim, but he did as he was ordered. This stranger was coyote enough for him to at least converse with. He hoped she might gasconade regarding her pack's culture and values -- such boasts were generally true enough for one to glean useful information, however hyperbolic they tended to be. Ithiel thought this conversation might prove more useful than his entire journey southward.

Terra · 01-05-2012, 04:09 PM

[html]

OOC

Not waiting on ceremony Terra dug into the deer. It was fresh, blood still dripping from the meat. Hungrily she tore through it, digging for the better parts. Removing the liver she tossed it at the hybrid's feet before resuming her hungry burrowing. Terra would have very much liked the liver herself, but since she had been invited to share it seemed right to give the best of it to him. His questioning of her pack slowed her down for a minute before she finished choking down the piece she'd been eating. Though she wasn't starving, instinct drove her to eat until she was stuffed, never knowing when her next meal would be.

Lazily she scratched behind one ear, the food making her relaxed. All packs demand loyalty, and they wouldn't keep someone who didn't give something to the pack. No, I'm talking about the whole dominance game that Inferni has going on. My pack's pretty lax on that. I could probably pull a prank on the alpha and he wouldn't bat his eyes. That's not to say he doesn't require respect. Terra didn't want to give the impression that her pack was weak in any way.

Inferni claims to be a coyote pack, but it's a lot more wolf like than the one I'm actually living in. Mine has tricks and games like my birth pack did, while Inferni stinks of death and is military in it's rigor. I have no wish to give up my freedom for the sake of my blood. No self respecting coyote would.

Ithiel de le Poer · 01-12-2012, 01:45 PM

[html]

(600)

Ithiel is by me!

The dusky coyote watched his companion eat as he himself did so with more reservedness. Ithiel chose not to comment on her manner of eating -- it was of no consequence to him. He had planned to take his fill of this felled prey and move along -- if the remnants were torn to pieces and the bones ground to dust, it mattered not so much as a trifle to him. His pity for the coyote hybrid increased, though alongside it rose a stronger feeling of dislike for the wolf packs. Who were they that they might let a young woman starve and beg for her meals? Were he more charitable of heart, he might have attempted to insist she accompany him back to Inferni, no matter her feelings on the place.

Thankfully, Ithiel's dislike of wolves and desire to avoid trouble for his pack kept his good sense in order, and the man merely watched her eat, not wishing to move the knife and spark his apparent dining companion's suspicion. He had no ulterior motive; Ithiel was genuinely concerned of causing a fright by jabbing his big knife toward the kill (and therefore her, as well), as he presumed she was typical of the female sex, at least in his mind. Most were such flighty things, after all. When she seemed quite sated, she responded, speaking at length.

Ithiel, not wishing to be rude, listened to her with a cocked ear. He went back to work cutting his own dinner, tossing slivers toward Zedekiah. The big bird remained far outside either canine's reach, appearing more sour than usual. He gobbled his dinner all the same, however, and Ithiel ate several pieces meat while listening to his green-eyed companion's diatribe. Such lofty conversations were not Ithiel's favored mode of conversation, but he would entertain her all the same, in the only way he knew how.

No smile crossed his face at her talk of jesting and pranks; rather, a look of perplexity appeared on the dusky Praeses' countenance as he regarded his companion. The pause he gave following her answer was long, and the man appeared in deep thought. His gulping and cutting had ceased, and his crimson eyes narrowed in contemplation, brows knotting with the effort of it. The man's gaze drifted to his horse, and he considered her with contemplative eyes until it appeared he looked through her, as if the bonny mare was transparent. The dusky-hued coyote stroked his chin and finally moved to make an answer to her, having thought it out to the fullest.

Inferni does what it must, he responded. Inferni's leader is my very half-brother, yet I would not dare make a fool of him, so perhaps you speak truthfully. A soldier is obligated to follow his orders, and Inferni's ranks consist of soldiers. The man paused a moment, though the look of his face suggested he was not finished speaking. The death Inferni stinks of -- this death is that of our enemies, Ithiel added, his deep voice perfectly confident in his answer, though lacking in any proselytizing. He did not seek to sway the woman of her choice -- her path was her own to walk.

Tell me truthfully -- would you truly chose games and jests over strength and protection? the coyote asked at last, the tone of his voice indicating this was a truthful question rather than rhetoric. It was apparent the tawny half-breed had made her choice, of course, but even Ithiel could not help but ask the question, despite himself.

Terra · 01-12-2012, 08:09 PM

[html]

OOC

Terra's ears drooped at his look of perplexity. She didn't understand why the coyotes in this land didn't feel the same as she did, the need to trick her enemies and laugh at death. For so long that was how coyotes had survived, yet none of them felt this. Instead they had banded together as warriors, choosing to walk away from the path Coyote had created and forge one of blood and strength. Terra had no place in such a world, unable to fight and surviving only by her own cleverness.

He confirmed what she had thought, painting Inferni as a place unwelcome to such as her. She couldn't change her nature, and a soldier she definitely was not. Terra was lippy, insubordinate, always pushing boundaries. She wouldn't survive in such a place. His question surprised her though. Of course I would choose strength and protection over jests and pranks. For me though, these tricks are my strength. I'm no soldier. Terra didn't mention the more practical side of her pranks, turning her thief and spy at the same turn. She could get places most couldn't without detection, trap enemies with a laugh, and never turned from death. It just didn't occur to her that others might not see it the same way.

Ithiel de le Poer · 01-13-2012, 05:38 AM

[html]

(640)
The first paragraph and last can be skipped; sorry for rambling. D: At least I was quick this time, hehe~

Ithiel is by Kitty!

This truly was a novel thought to the dusky man. He had experienced only militarized strength before, and stoic Ithiel could not keep the surprise from his usually stoic face. For one to admit their willingness to fight without morality -- to trick and deceive one's enemies. The coyote found the thought abhorrent, and it served to confirm his previous impression of this one as having walked the wolfish way. Perhaps Inferni and Scintilla had lost the ways of coyotes -- if they had, it was due to their wolf harriers. The Praeses was not well-versed in the history of Scintilla or Inferni, but he knew enough of both places' beginnings to piece together the impossibility of surviving as loners and pairs, as their ancient ancestors had.

He again considered her words, though this time the pause before he spoke was shorter. No soldier is born knowing his trade. Each of us has his destiny and most require some amount of training and perseverance, he said. Though his tone was confident as it had been, the dusky coyote was not absolutely certain his meaning was clear. Ithiel was not one adept at expressing himself, verbally or otherwise. At times, this was mistaken for a lack of thought and depth, but in truth, Ithiel was full of thoughts and aspirations, though he was infrequent to express them and inept when he did attempt such. I comprehend your position. You do what you must, he began, emphasizing the speech with a nod, as if his dining companion required his approval.

He did not suggest the woman depart immediately for Inferni; on the contrary, he would have preferred she remain away from his clan, for she would be one more half-bred, former wolf within their borders. Alternatively, she might find herself a male protector, or even learn the fighting trades herself. To fight with trickery and deceit was entirely unappealing to Ithiel, but he would not raise so much as a mild objection to her choices. They were hers to make, and hers to claim when the day of judgment came. He could almost understand them, even. While Ithiel thrived on order, he had known those who balked at it and considered it a yolk to bear, itching for their independence and freedom. The dusky coyote was in a decidedly different camp, of course.

But I do not think trickery would save you from an enemy truly determined to eliminate you. The hybrid wondered if his nameless companion had ever faced such before, as he had in Scintilla. He recalled the faces of those wolves quite well; though strangers to Ithiel, they had burned with hatred for him and his kind. It was this education in prejudice which had established Ithiel's own bias firmly within his mind. Those wolves, with their hellfire eyes and brutal snarls, would not give the chestnut and fawn woman time to play her trickery and japes. With them, there was one option: deal death to those who would otherwise deal it to him, for no reason save the blood his heart pumped.

The dark man was silent, then, considering her response still. He pressed the fingers of one hand together and then separated them again; the deer's blood had dried to a viscid state and his fingers stuck to one another. Ever-conscious of his appearance, Ithiel lifted the hand to his muzzle and licked away the splotch, his gaze shifting to Zedekiah as he did so, then back to his companion. It was rare for him to engage in such lofty discussions, although for once, he was not finding it entirely uncomfortable. She had not dismissed his thoughts not presented her own as gospel's truth, and the Infernian had attempted to remain respectful of her, abhorrent as he found some of her choices.

Terra · 01-13-2012, 09:25 PM

[html]

OOC

Destiny? What a strange world. Terra knew nothing about prophecies, fate, or anything beyond the world that she could smell and feel. The place she was born was much more feral than others, the only guide that which would allow them to live being survival above all else, and each day unknown. Terra's culture was full of stories about Coyote, but even those who lived the stories never truly felt Coyote was real, more of a collection of everything that had ever happened compressed into one being so they could learn and live better lives. Only pack came before self, and even then that was tested with the willingness to trick one another, only the strong and brilliant allowed to lead. Weakness was weeded out, and killed.

Terra did understand what he meant when he spoke his next part though. Terra knew it took practice to get better. After all, she was constantly working on the next trick, getting better, faster, stealthier. It made sense that a soldier would be the same. His words about trickery not saving her though lead Terra to laugh lightly. I've faced death many times, and still live to mock it. I am a coyote, after all. I can't win with brute strength against a bear, or even a wolf. It takes cleverness to succeed. Surely he'd be able to see that, that her size and strength worked against her when in a simple pitched battle. It took more than that to survive.

Ithiel de le Poer · 01-19-2012, 09:26 AM

[html]

(358)
Terra reminds me of Kaena. :3 This post be terribad, I am le tired. :C Must post, though. >< We can probably end this soonish, if you'd like. c:

Ithiel is by me!

He could best a wolf -- he had, previously. There were but two kills to Ithiel's name, but he had struck both of them down. They hadn't been large wolves, no, but they had been trained warriors -- at least as well as the wolves could train them. The dusky man considered her for a long time. Death was not a pretty thing to face; he wondered how young she had been at first glance into his skeletal face. Ithiel had been lucky enough to be nearly a man when he had first glared into those empty sockets. Perhaps if he had been younger, he would not retain the breath to speak of it.

Yes, he admitted at long last, looking down to his hands. He placed the shiv on the ground and flexed both of them, grimacing at the feeling in them. There was a strange tautness to his muscles, though he thought perhaps it was simply due to sitting so long. The soldier who cannot use his wits -- dies, the man said. Perhaps there was more soldier within Terra than she realized, and more trickster within Ithiel than he realized. Cleverness makes for a good leader, too. Ithiel admitted this readily, for he knew he lacked such cleverness as to make a good leader. The dusky-hued coyote was no Gabriel. He would lurk in his father's shadow as his subordinate for all his long (or short) life.

Do not mistake me -- you do what you must, as I've said, he added, the faintest look of a smile crossing his countenance. This rare expression was not one he expected to come of this meeting, but there it was, all the same. He had learned something thanks to her, and he was obliged to return her kindness with one of his own, however meager it was. And, I do see the usefulness of your tactic. This was perhaps as close to compliment as Ithiel dared venture with the wolf-coyote before him. He would not openly accept her lifestyle, as it now stood, but he would begrudgingly admit its practicality for one such as Terra.

Terra · 01-19-2012, 10:23 PM

[html]

OOC here.

Terra listened as the hybrid spoke, finally accepting her words and the nature she held. He grasped more than she'd have guessed, with his talk of cleverness needed for a good leader, bringing a small wag to her tail. Perhaps there was more to this soldier than she'd guessed, more coyote than she'd first imagined when he talked of brute strength and living as the wolves did. A faint smile danced across his face, surprising Terra. She hadn't expected such a reaction from someone so set in his ways, so stoic and silent.

She accepted it as the compliment it was, tail wagging softly as he continued, almost complimenting her cleverness. Thank you. She bowed her head down briefly before returning to tearing at the deer, eating as much as she could. A poor hunter she made, but a scavenger and thief she was in plenty. For a while she sat there, enjoying the meal and the slight warmth of the fire. Filled to the brim Terra stood and backed off towards where she'd come from. Something for you for the meal: a path runs by here, hidden in cover. In lupus you can move through undiscovered. Swiftly she faded into the night, turning to complete her journey home.

Ithiel de le Poer · 01-21-2012, 04:42 AM

[html]

(414) Archive when you've read (or not, as it's not an important post at all XD)

Ithiel is by me!

The tawny coyote wagged her tail, thanked him, and Ithiel nodded. The smile did not return, and he did not return her thanks, but instead set to contemplating her words, no longer partaking of the deer. Zedekiah grunted his irritation with the coyote currently devouring his meal, but Ithiel paid him no mind -- there were other meals to be had in the world, and Zedekiah was grumpy at the loss of food no matter how full he was. Ithiel supposed this was due to being capable of digesting it near-rotten, but he preferred to feed his bird fresher meat, if such could be helped.

Terra's words resonated in him, and he considered. Coyotes were a shorter species, and smaller: he had been tall and strong within Scintilla, easily capable of besting many by virtue of these advantages alone. Of course, there were occasionally the small and quick opponents who had beaten him in their play-scuffles and real brawls, at times. This had vexed him previously, but now he saw why, understanding Terra's predicament and thus, the predicament of those small coyotes in Scintilla. They had to fight by virtue of being a trickster; they perished otherwise. It was not dishonorable to survive: all ceremony and morality aside, Ithiel could not disagree with a creature simply wishing to survive.

The dusky coyote's thoughts had occupied him for some time, though his hands had mechanically picked up the knife and his sharpening stone from his bag. He scraped it quietly, though the motion stopped as Terra got back to her feet and moved away, and his cherry-colored eyes watched her go. She spoke to him, and Ithiel was about to protest -- he rarely traveled in Lupus form, after all -- when the woman's earlier words drowned this thought, and instead, he nodded, a deeper one of thanks. Thanks. Farewell, he said, wishing the last word earnestly. He had learned something here, unexpected as the lesson was. Terra had removed a remora to Ithiel's advancement, perhaps unknowingly, and the dusky man was grateful for that, little as he showed it.

A few moments later, the dark man cut a decent chunk of flesh from the carcass, one of the few remaining since the coyotes shared their meal, and called to Zedekiah to show him. The dark man was saddled and ready a few moments after this, moving off himself with his ill-tempered horse quibbling with him the whole way.

Login




Remember me Lost Password?