she hid around corners and she hid under bedshe killed it with kisses and from it she fled
Word Count → 379 :: She's not trespassing, just to tell anyone who reads this. xD She's just close enough to the borders for this to be in the Cercatori forum.
Sparrow shook her feet as she stepped out of the stream, the cold water easily flying off of her body. She hated getting wet, and wanted the liquid to get off of her now that it was no longer necessary. The scent of Inferni was now nearly washed clean from her, leaving her with a fresh, forestry musk, and despite her hate for water, she was glad that she was “in disguise”, knowing that she will pass off as a loner if anything else than a wandering soul. She slipped back on her necklace and bag, carefully placing both things carefully on her body. The reminder of the Boreas wolves hung heavy around her neck, as if it detected that the coywolf woman was surrounded by the species that sought to destroy her own kind, but the woman found comfort in the dagger that rested in her opened bag, ready to be drawn.
Lastly, she placed on her cloak, and covered her head with the hood, tugging on the sides of it to make she it covered her face, her slim muzzle only poking out, and started off. She had cleanse the rest of the clan’s scent near the city of Halifax, and for a couple of hours, walked southeast, though her feet traveled with purpose. Her nose remained pointed, scenting any wind that passed by her. It was not until a few hours later of walking did she detect a mixed scent of wolves and coast, and approached towards it more slowly. She stuck to the trees, weaving her way through rather tight places that others might have found it hard to navigate through; she was careful, ever so aware how easily she could be outran, and wanted to make it hard for any hostile enemies to follow her as she fled.
It was another thirty minutes until she reached the borders of the pack she had smelled, though she kept a good distance from where the scents were the most strongest, the marked part of their land that separated it from the wild woods. Sparrow found her slowly walking around the claimed territory, a mere ghost floating on the outside, and stopped when she thought she scented something off, and became as still as a shadow itself.
Humming Dalgina happily swung her legs from the tree. Tehu fluttered through the air, practicing flights across the landscape. The young wolf was covered in paint. She had discovered it quite by accident, going through an old room and tipping a can over. Fingers dipped in multiple colors the sketches that she'd done, always in simple charcoal, gained a new life with the splashes of colors. It wasn't a proper paint set, by any means. She had red, and blue, and green, but that was the limit, and without knowing how to mix she could go no farther.
A bright red and blue flower came to life, almost launching off the page as she drew her finger across, arching the colors. It was amazing fun. She looked down from the tree, looking around for more to paint, though her paintings rarely reflected exactly what she saw, always coming out altered in some way. Spotting something different in the landscape Dalgina slowed. What was that? Something brown. Leaning forwards the paints tipped. Yelping Dalgina scrambled for the branches, sending chirps off as the paint hit the ground, splashing out. Disappointment filled her features, staring down at what could have been another picture.
she hid around corners and she hid under bedshe killed it with kisses and from it she fled
Word Count → 224 :: ooc here
The woman thought she heard more shuffling, and perked her ears forward to try to hear where it was coming off, stepping forward with small increments. Suddenly clatters sent her heart on a high speed chase and she jumped, whining loudly at the suddenly noise that she nearly drowned out the one that came from above. Sparrow quickly ducked under bushes that barely concealed her, her form too big to hide under the foliage from whatever the thing was. But, she heard no footsteps, no words spoken to find out where she was hiding at. Still frozen with fear, she sniffed the air around her, and found herself a little confusing.
The smell she had scented before, the one that made her stop, was paint—she remember that they used the stuff for the archery stands in Inferni, and though this stuff smelled a bit different, it was what it was. She then remembered the voice that too spoke when the paint fell, and wondered if it was hostile or not. Maybe the latter was the truth, still not hearing anything searching for her or something equally as bad. “H-hello?” she called out, still squishing herself under the bush just in case. If she was wrong, the plant could offer some sort of protection while she borrowed her way for safety through the underbrush.
Sliding down from the tree Dalgina stepped around, examining the splashed paints. It made a nice color on the ground. Stepping in it the pup immediately backed up, shaking her foot. That felt nasty! Her attention turned from that though as she looked down, noting the colored paw print that followed. Grinning she stepped back in, this time sliding over the ground. Tripping she fell down, tail wagging happily.
A voice called out, the once black pup looking around. She didn't see anyone there. Sniffing she moved around, finding a bush that smelled of canine. Hello? Is someone in the bush? She peered down, tail wagging. If there was someone there they could come out and join her. This paint thing was a lot of fun. She would do it all the time if she could, just slip sliding around. Stepping closer she spotted a brown shape. Hello! I'm Dalgina. Who are you?
she hid around corners and she hid under bedshe killed it with kisses and from it she fled
Word Count → 321 :: for some reason, these two are so adorable together. <3
What seemed to last for an eternity, she finally heard movement as something came from above, investigating the paint that had fallen. For a scary moment, Sparrow thought the figure would find her right away, but it seemed more interested in the liquid that cloaked the ground. The mottled woman had to admit, the vivid colors were attractive, unlike the dull brown they had used about a moon ago. She wondered if it really had been only that short time ago had she, her sister, and Ithiel had made the camouflage; it seemed like a whole lifetime ago, with the stress that had been dragging her days on and on.
Thoughts were disturbed as she heard a thud, and shrank back further into the bush, only realizing that the wolf had slipped from the paint. She frowned a bit in concern, but it did not seem that it was hurt, for it did not make any noise to indicate as such. Sparrow frowned even further as the voice replied back to her, a young girl’s. “…Y-yes,” the woman in the bush replied, wriggling a little so that it caused her leafy shell to rattle with her. It was not like she could have denied it anyway; there was no such thing as a talkative plant, and the dark girl would had certainly found her out if she claimed she was the bush herself.
For a moment, she considered retreating through the thick vegetation, but the wolf approached her closer, and did not seem as mean as she would have imagined. “I-I’m Sparrow, miss Dalgina,” she replied, staying in the shelter of the bush as she continue to speak, “I smell a pack nearby… Are you from there, Dalgina?” Her name sounded pretty, in the woman’s opinion, and enjoyed the way it rolled off her tongue, but she was still too scared to leave bush, though her nerves were quickly calming down.
The entire bush shook with the simple yes, causing Dalgina to jump back. She stared curiously at the bush, waiting for it to move again. Logic stated that it wasn't the bush that had done so, but the canine inside it. Her imagination was quite insistent on otherwise though, coupled with her fantasies of being the flower goddess, a game played with another black wolf when she had still been quite young. Dalgina knew it wasn't real, but she couldn't help half believing it.
Sparrow! That was a bird, right? Her tail wagged happily, excited by the answer. You have a pretty name. She nodded her head in reply, backing up to indicate to the pack. Her hair fell down, partly hiding her face. It was nice just talking to Sparrow. Without the coyote right before her it was extremely easy to picture it was the bush talking, easing the shy nature that usually overwhelmed her before strangers. It's called Cercatori d'Arte. The pack has a lot of really nice stuff in it. Beautiful carvings, and paintings, and flowers, and they have jewelry too if you like it. Some members go out and give it to other canines.
she hid around corners and she hid under bedshe killed it with kisses and from it she fled
Word Count → 311 :: ooc here
The mottled coyote blushed under her dusty fur as Dalgina commented on her name. “Thank you,” she replied humbly, the bush again shaking as she turned to face the girl instead of the way of escape. “I like your name, too.” It was unusual; Sparrow was used to hearing natural words for titles, Vesper’s being the only one she found odd before she had met Nova Scotia canines. It seemed ever since she stepped upon these foreign soils, her ears were graced with strange noises, sweet in tone, that were people’s name. How simple was a Sparrow, compared to a Dalgina.
As she tried to get a good look at the dark girl, it seemed that her mane hid her face, just like her hood did for her. “That sounds nice,” the voice from the bush commented, honestly finding what they created to be of interested. “Was that what you were doing? Were you painting? I saw you drop it some of it.” Sparrow wondered if she meant a different kind of painting than just simply camouflaging to mix with the environment, since the bright colors she used were of no use for one whom was trying to hide. She went on further to ask, “What were you painting, Dalgina?”
The woman was even more curious about this d’Arte, and felt that her mouth was full of questions about it. But, she wanted to take it slow, and did not want to rush things too fast to make the other confused. “Does Cercatori d’Arte trade their items? Who do they trade with?” She doubted that they came up north very often; she had never met a wolf that was an Artisan, nor heard much about them, and wondered with whom they traded with, in attempt to gather more information about the packs of the south as well as being kindly curious.
The bush trembled, seemingly pleased with Dalgina's words. She giggled, watching it move around so. The pup wondered if the one inside the bush would ever come out, or just stay hidden the entire time. Dalgina didn't mind either way, enjoying the conversation. Thanks! It's the name of the goddess of the moon and winter. She held herself with pride, knowing the dignity that came with the powerful name. She nodded her head at the question. I was trying. It's hard to do in a tree. Tehu wanted to come up though, and I needed to keep an eye on him.
As if in agreement the young kestrel dropped down, landing on Dalgina's shoulder. The sharp talons pricked at her skin as she stroked his chest. The male chattered briefly about paint not being good for flying before taking off again, landing on the bush. He peered through briefly to the coyote inside before flying off to another bush, continuing his short hopping flights as he prepared to be able to truly soar when he was older. I was trying to paint a flower. The large colorful petals drooping practically off the page were hard to miss, creating a mixed landscape.
Asked about the trade Dalgina cocked her head. I don't know who they trade with. I haven't been involved very much. Embarrassed she looked over to Tehu, chirruping about how it didn't matter. Dalgina hadn't been very involved in the pack, too shy to reach out to the members. It left her by herself most of the time, with Tehu and Taru as her closest friends.
she hid around corners and she hid under bedshe killed it with kisses and from it she fled
Word Count → 314 :: ooc here
“Goddess of the moon and Winter?” she asked in awe, thinking she was referring to her mother, forgetting for a moment that she was too young to have ever come across the deceased parent. “Tell me more about her, Dalgina. Is she real?” Sparrow was hardly spiritual—but, if this goddess supposedly governed her mother, she at least wanted to her more about this divine being. Yet, she held her doubts, and wondered what the girl had to say about the goddess.
She was pondering whom this Tehu was, not seeing another wolf around to give name, but her curiosity came to a stop when she heard the flutter of wings and the cackling of a bird. She thought the bird would start speaking like her sister’s raven friend, but he remained silent besides for the chattering that came from his beak. She was beginning to think that perhaps Stark was the only bird in the area capable of speech, but, she would remain curious of such until something proved those thoughts wrong. “What kind of flower?” Sparrow inquired, though she herself did not know many types herself. But, maybe Dalgina could tell her, coming from a pack that had flowers in it; Inferni had flowers, too, but the Garden was a thorough jumble and mix of them, it was hard to tell what was what.
Sparrow frowned a little, finding that her lack of information was a bit disappointing. But, she regained her friendly smile, despite how most of her appearance was guarded by the bush. “I see; it’s okay! I’m not involved much with my clan, either. I’m new there, but my sister is there, and everyone is nice to me, it makes it easier.” Not wishing to speak much about herself, she continued, “What has Cercatori d’Arte been up to lately? Have anyone else made any beautiful carvings or paintings recently?”
Sparrow seemed highly impressed by the goddess she mentioned. Her tail wagged softly, pleased that she appreciated the goddess Dalgina followed. Asked if she was real Dalgina immediately nodded. Dalgina lights the sky every night. There wasn't a moon, no light until she came. Her brother, Honrin, lights the sky in the day, giving a sun. They care and protect for the world, giving life and warmth. Dalgina is strength, when the world turns against us, letting us improve. She welcomes pups into the world, but takes them into her embrace as well when winter is too strong. She decorates the world and blankets it.
Dalgina's tail wagged before stepping over to the fallen painting. Picking it up she held out the streaked paper. There wasn't much one could make out as to species, mainly just general petals making the form. There hadn't been an actual flower that she'd based it off, just enjoying the coloring. Taru carved some pendants. She made arrows too. She left with others to travel around and trade. They made us friends with other packs.
she hid around corners and she hid under bedshe killed it with kisses and from it she fled
Word Count → 332 :: ooc here
The woman listened as the dark girl explained the celestial beings. It was hard to imagine a pair of siblings controlling the sky, but, it could be plausible; if the wolves that attacked Inferni had a god, then there must have been other higher beings that balanced the world. After soaking in the information, she tentatively asked, “So, the Dalgina, she gives life… and takes it away?” Sparrow’s tone was not one of spite, not thinking that the goddess brought back the ones that were too weak into whatever world the deceased lived in was wrong, but of confusion. Death was a subject that she would never understand, nor want to believe that it was a natural process of things, and it was obvious as she continued to speak childishly, “Why would she do that? Could she help them even more?”
Realizing that her questions had no point, she tried to take them back and interject different ones. “N-nevermind… You mean she decorates the world in snow? Does she make every flake?” Hoping she did not catch her moment of doubt, the mottled coywolf wanted to change the subject away from the moon goddess, and was glad when Dalgina showed her painting. “That’s beautiful… I wish I knew how to make things like that.” The most artistic thing she could do was make oddly-shaped knots, and even then it was not as fancy as the picture that was shown to her.
Sparrow blinked as she mentioned a group traveling around, and grabbed at the information. “Do you know where they went? Maybe they’ll travel near my home and I’ll be able to look at the pendants and other things…” She glanced at the painting again, and asked after a moment of silence, “Do you want to trade with me? I really like the flower you made, I would not mind to have it for my own… I got pelts and a small bit of incense—really smelly stuff, but it smells good.”
Her tail wagged softly as the questions were asked. Questions Dalgina had asked as well. Tugging on her hair she looked to Tehu. Silly tasina. Dalgina stroked his chest softly. He spoke an interesting mix, her native tongue bleeding into his. He means she is helping them by doing that. If they stay, they'll never be happy. They'll never be able to experience the full world. By taking them, they can come again, but healthy. Did that make sense? She sure hoped it would, as it was something explained to a pup, not something for her to explain to others.
Her tail swished as Sparrow asked about the snow, something she loved so much. Yes! Every flake hers. Her speech almost slipped, a small accent from her other tongue touching in, tempted to speak it. Asked if they went near the pack the coyote came from Dalgina shrugged. I don't know. Her heart picked up at the offer of trade. Her first painting, and someone wanted it! Yes! I smell the incense? The black female held it out for the other to take, eager for her half.
she hid around corners and she hid under bedshe killed it with kisses and from it she fled
Word Count → 358 :: ooc here
Sparrow was shocked when she heard the bird speak, at first thinking it was the girl who had suddenly spoken in a different voice. She thought that perhaps Dalgina’s spirits were speaking through her, but she relaxed her tensed position when she realized it was only Tehu and not some otherworldly being. “What does tasina mean?” she asked, wondering what he called her—silly something, but what? The woman thought over the dark girl’s words, and guessed that they made sense. Being on the line of death but not being able to cross it was unnatural, nearly evil, she thought, and that the goddess Dalgina was preventing such pain for the young. Though the mottled coyote still held distaste for death, she respected the goddess’ powers.
She noted when Dalgina fumbled with her speech, as if she was switching tongues; it reminded her of when Zeitgeist spoke, how easily he switched between the “normal” words and the foreign ones. “Every single one?” Sparrow pressed, thinking about the small flakes. When new snow fell, she had watched a boulder as a young pup and saw a few of the designs that imprinted on the stone before it melted or piled up with the others. Each one was different, she was sure, since she could remember what each of them looked like and nothing was similar.
Sparrow smiled when Dalgina seemed eager to trade, and rummaged through her bag to grab a few of the sticks, and stuck a tan hand out of the bush for the girl to take them. “Each one burns for quite a while, and smells very strong, so only one is really needed per use,” she explained as she handed off the incense and took in the painting. She had learned what incense was after someone had explained the material to her when she found them while going through the items left behind by the Boreas. She had burned one to see what it smelled like, and while she found them relaxing, she decided that she didn’t absolutely needed it, and would be better given away than to be kept collecting dust in her den.
Dalgina's ears swiveled, realizing not everyone would understand what Tehu spoke. It was perfectly natural for her, as she spoke that tongue with her siblings when she wanted a private conversation, and with Tehu when visiting. Coyote. It means coyote. Pausing she breathed in the scent, remembering someone that had fed her eggs when she was little carrying a similar scent. He thought it was silly.
A wide grin filled her face, nodding with excitement at Sparrow's words. Yes! Dalgina amazing! Her ears listened to the rummaging with some curiosity before sticks were given to her. The tan hand was the first part of the coyote she'd befriended that Dalgina had seen, looking at it curiously. She accepted the sticks, nodding her head to the instructions. Thank you. She sniffed at them curiously. They did have a nice gentle scent.
