Not so eerie whispers
#1
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Itachi's at home, working on his floor >:|


A neat, visually attractive line of splendid summer flowers had started to crawl around the area that belonged to the oddly happy couple. One should have expected the merry changes to annoy the blonde Lykoi male, but he viewed every change China brought as fresh and intoxicating. Perhaps he adored her ability to appreciate the world around her no matter how cruelly it had treated her in the past. But his beloved cousin would never again have to worry about monsters and materialized nightmares. She had acquired a most devoted guardian.

It was midday, and the blonde hybrid had just arrived at their renovated home, where they were working on the outdoor space that was to house a miniature spice garden, a workplace for pelts and other work, and of course the crow cages. Itachi’s ridiculously heavy and bulky backpack was carefully lowered down to the flat ground along with a heavy sigh.

He should be using his mare for transporting all the stone, but he didn’t enjoy the thought of using the horse when it had been picked out for breeding. Itachi wasn’t one to shy away from heavy labour, and found this to be an enjoyable way to spend days where his schedule wasn’t crowded. Pandemic wasn’t really a stone cutter, but he had assisted the red eyed Lykoi with cutting out large, flat shards of pastel blue and sea green limestone. It was his intention to lay a stone path from the cabin’s entrance to the border of the area that was marked as his. The male also entertained the thought of a stone floor for his outside workshop.


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#2
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(421) I hate that I was coerced into this thread. UGH UGH UGH. They should know each other's names? At least, Draugr should know his. WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED IF LITTLE DRA ESCAPED MEANTACHI'S NOTICE. Sad Sad Sad sadfaceforever.jpg



Draugr is by me!

Although it was not yet true summer, Draugr already found herself disliking the heat. She was a creature born in the late summer, and she did not remember such heat, naturally. Her earliest memories were those of fall and winter, and these were her preferred seasons. Still, it was not so bad now that her winter coat had fallen mostly out. Here and there a clump of shedding fur still stuck out sorely, but for the most part, she was rather well put-together -- aside from the scrape on her shoulder.

Fresh and raw and red, it was evidence of her hard time hunting today. The drab-furred wolfdog sought the marshes of Drifter Bay for quarry, allowing Dyrne to graze while Dra herself roamed and roved in her two-legged form. It was more difficult hunting that way, but Dra enjoyed the challenge well enough and sought to improve any skill she found lacking. It was not the two-legged form but the slick patch of mud, hidden by the grasses, which had caused her to slip; she slid right into a rock with a sharp edge, leaving a short, thick sort of mark on her arm.

Undeterred, the Associate had persisted once she'd licked the wound clean, and her persistence had rewarded her with a prize. Stalking closer to the beginnings of Halcyon Mountain, she'd chanced on a goat. It was old, but fiercely large and fiercely proud. Even with a broken leg, it fought and struggled to get away as she neared. Once the creature was dead, Dra was able to determine the probable cause of its mishap: both eyes were clouded over with cataracts, perhaps dimming the creature's vision to the point where it had made the ill-timed leap to break its leg.

The easy meal was now slung across Dyrne's back, Draugr walking before her horse with the reins turned so she might lead the chestnut. She was not surprised to see canines out and about in the ruins: one made her stop a moment, considering. There was a heavily packed bag, and the blonde-furred coyote seemed to be pulling stone from the bag. Pale purple eyes considered him a moment, head cocked to the side, before she took a step forward. Dyrne followed obediently.

Itachi-sir, she said, quietly. Why so much colored stone? Those are strange shapes for rock. She was intrigued by their pale colors, enough so that the goat and her hunger were both temporarily forgotten.

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#3
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But I loves yous?


The blond man’s attention turned to the approaching female when the sound of her approach reached wolfish hybrid ears. This pack had grown much since its creation. He had been there from the very start, but it didn’t mean he had a secure overview of its members. Draugr had been here for some time now, and the pack’s scent clung to her like a lover’s might, soothing his senses. As long as those he encountered smelled like home, all was as it should be.

”Sivchild,” the man greeted, though noted that calling her such could suggest to her that he didn’t respect her as an individual. It wasn’t his intention to be rude.

Fingers brushed across the smooth surface of the carefully unpacked layer of limestone as it was addressed with curiosity from the darkly coloured female. ”They are to be used for flooring outside the den,” the male willingly revealed, vaguely wondering if the woman would find this an odd thing to do. ”Pandemic is the one responsible for the shape,” he drily added, crediting the black man. The Lykoi had watched when the D’Angelo male had cut the large stone flakes and shards, and it didn’t seem to be a difficult task as long as one could predict the best area of impact to smoothly separate the stone.

”I find these shades of limestone are visually attractive to the eyes,” the male continued, willing to share that there was a reason for the particularly clear colour he had managed to get hold of.

Out of the two canines that lived here, China would have to be considered to be the social butterfly despite her issues. But Itachi was improving as well. ”You seem to be an accomplished hunter,” the man complimented, giving a simple nod to the well-sized goat she carried.


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Table by Siekone
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#4
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(296) And now you want to reply all fast and shit. WTF.



Draugr is by me!

Her mouth twitched in a tiny smile at the name; while it was a strange one and might be misconstrued as an insult to some, there was nothing offensive in the least about being her mother's child. Draugr took a certain amount of pride in being the daughter of Siv and Reykr Helsi. Still, she did not grin like a fool; instead, the dark-furred hybrid tempered herself and remained primarily neutral as the flaxen-hued coyote explained the stones and their purpose. She nodded when he explained Pandemic's involvement, her wonder growing as she considered the tools and strength it must have taken to cut and shape stone itself.

The earth is a good floor, but humans used stone to make walkways, too. Your color is much better than the grays they used, though, Dra politely allowed. This was certainly true: humans had used stone, and their gray pavement was drab and bleak when compared to these pretty shades. She did not think there was practicality behind this venture, but aesthetics were a sensible pursuit, too. She gave a wider smile at his compliment, though her coal muzzle dipped earthward. Luck, she confessed, bringing her head back up after the obligatory moment of humility was past.

His leg was broken when I found him, she said. I would not eat today if he hadn't fallen. One wood-colored hand gestured to the injured shoulder. It was well-scabbed now, but still painful. She pressed on regardless: a little pain was nothing in the face of proving her worth in the eyes of the higher ranks, after all. Let me call for a slave to cook it for us, and I will help you make your stone floor? We can eat after work.

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#5
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Yesss, and you'll soon learn why.


It was rare for him to return the smiles of others, and today was no exception. However, he noted with some satisfaction that she did not seem offended the least. Technically she was at a lower rank, so it would have made little difference if she had. But the Lykoi did not care too much for the ranks in the packs as long as it was not he that was expected to be extraordinarily courteous.

A nod was given at her next words, but there were practical reasons besides the visual to why he had settled on this idea. ”Come rain, and well used paths quickly become muddy. This will help, I think.” Nothing was to be judged certain before it had been proven, and for now he could only hope that it would make a difference. If not, it would always be pretty, he thought.

Pale gold ears leaned only slightly back towards the back of his skull as she belittled herself. Or perhaps it was simple honesty. He didn’t know the Helsi female nearly well enough to make an assumption. Sunset eyes only visited the injury on her shoulder once she gesticulated to it to reveal why she might not be in the best of shapes. ”An accomplishment, no less,” he calmly insisted, knowing well that medium sized game could sometimes become dangerous when threatened and injured.

He was genuinely, though invisibly, surprised when she came with her suggestion, as out of the blue. It seemed odd for an almost stranger to offer assistance and a meal in the same breath. Nevertheless, he could appreciate this. And this could prove to be an effective way to bond with another. He needed more friends, as China so delicately put it.

”Much obliged.” The corners of his lips only barely softened, but once Draugr learned to know him, she would be able to view it as his version of a friendly smile. Red eyes glanced over the uneven stone plates he had retrieved. He was uncertain if it was enough to finish anything, but it was definitely enough to start. At this time it was unfortunate that he didn’t have a personal slave, but it had never really interested him. ”Khirot or Gjalda,” he suggested, knowing well that his better half would feel more comfortable finding one of them nearby and not the poor maimed Darijus.


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#6
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(353) bri bri bri bri bri bri bri bri bri bri bri bri bri bri. Fixed a weird typo in the last post & streamlined Dra's speech a bit. Didn't change anything srs, just wording. Sorry!



Draugr is by Wander!

Her ears pricked forward as his words came to them, and she cocked her head to the side, nodding slowly as if this had already occurred to her. She was surprised, though not at the practicality of the walkways: she hadn't expected to learn their purpose, yet the blonde coyote had provided it for her all the same. The wolfdog tried to remember just what it was she'd said or done to suggest desire of this knowledge; by remembering and using the same technique, she might later learn more of value from others without appearing to ask at all.

Thank you. Though he complimented her, the wolfdog allowed herself a small smile, dipping her head low again in that motion of humility. He accepted her offer with the faintest hint of a smile -- Dra did not know this stone-faced coyote, but this small motion was the most he'd shown her thus far. The wolfdog bayed for one of the slaves, deciding on Khirot. Though she preferred Gjalda, for it was her mother who had captured him -- a fact she took care to mention where it was possible to do so naturally -- the wolfdog found the smaller canine's cooking more enjoyable. The tawny-shaded slave was quick in appearing, rounding the corner of a collapsing stone building and hurrying toward Draugr with his body bent and eyes on her toes.

See to Dyrne and then return to cook this goat, she ordered. Her voice was confident in speaking to slaves now, especially Gjalda. Handing the reins off to the slave, she turned to Itachi, stepping toward him. Her eyes were on the pale stone; she wondered how heavy it was and if she'd be able to lift all he'd carried by herself. She thought it unlikely. What kind of path will we make? she inquired, looking about the yard and awaiting instruction. The noises of motion behind her told her Khirot was removing the goat from Dyrne's back; a few moments later, the tawny slave led the chestnut mare past them and toward Draugr's home.

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#7
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--


The slave he had learned to recognized to be Gjalda appeared shortly after being summoned, and disappeared almost as quickly with Draugr’s mount. Scarlet gaze remained on the dead goat for another moment before returning to the dark woman before him. So willing to assist a fellow member. It was very possible that it was a move made based on the simple fact that he was only barely higher ranked than her, but he was far from drawing such conclusions. He accepted that she wanted to help, and would have to make a mental note to ensure that he would repay her in some way in the future.

It seemed most of Salsola preferred a well cooked meal. Itachi didn’t oppose it, but he knew well what he preferred. As with most things, he didn’t care enough to make any special demands of how he wanted his meal to be prepared. It wasn’t unusual for him to hunt alone and immediately feast on the prey once it had been brought down anyway.

Blonde arm gesticulated towards the doorless entrance of the cabin as he attempted to explain how he imagined the path. ”I picture a somewhat curved path from the doorsteps to where we stand.” He hadn’t gathered enough to start working on the outdoor work space yet anyway, so there was no reason why it should be mentioned. What he was slightly uncertain of was if it would be best to simply put them on the ground or if it actually would be better to shove away some of the soil so that stones would be more on the same level with the ground itself. He thought he preferred the latter.

”I should perhaps have consulted an expert,” the male drily added, eyes focused on the stocked limestone. ”I plan to dig away some of the soil where the stone is to be placed. Do you think it will do?” Another canine’s perspective was welcome.


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#8
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(--)



Draugr is by Requiem!

Her lack of physical strength was not disconcerting. Draugr was not as big, tall, or strong as her mother, and yet she had her strengths, too. Perhaps someday, with work and dedication, she might achieve more strength, too. Training was made for such things, and Draugr had no aversion whatsoever to training. She rather liked the idea of self-improvement -- in fact, she relished the idea. It was, as Dra saw it, one's primary reason for life. If not to always better oneself and one's situation, what else was there?

The wolfdog's ear twitched at the proposition of an expert -- did she dare propose Gjalda? Perhaps it was shameful to ask advice of a slave. They were valued for their labor, not their minds. Still, Draugr had found the slaves far more eloquent and intelligent than she had expected. In the end, the hybrid decided it was best to simply nod at his description, eyes tracing the probable path. She thought it excessive to verbally praise his choice of path, and kept still and silent other than her nod.

When he asked a more direct question of her, Dra considered a moment, raising one hand to toy with her chin. Yes, she concluded. It might be good to seed the tilled earth around the stones afterward -- you'll need to walk carefully for a time, but the grass should help keep them in place, and keep the earth from swallowing the stones again. This proposal about the grass was as she'd learned as a child: it was easier to dig in ground that was free of grass and plants. The long, tall grass that grew around Salsola, especially, required a lot of digging, for its roots were wide, long, and went very deep.

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#9
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iluwife


She nodded; he understood it as if she found his idea acceptable, at least. He had no experience in this kind of thing, but he was learning through experience. The woman’s feminine tones even carried forth useful information. A barely noticeable nod was given in her direction. It was a good idea; seed the tilled earth around the stones to help keep them in place. He approved of her idea, not to forget her general yet strange willingness to assist him with this task he had put onto himself. It wasn’t something he had expected a mere shallow acquaintance to do.

”Yours is a splendid idea,” he complimented; the slight softness about the corners of his mouth remaining as his first impression of the dark female remained positive. ”I will make certain to do this when we’ve finished,” the blonde male said, brushing a slightly stained palm against his golden knee. Was it simply her intellect that provided her with sensible ideas, or did she actually sit on knowledge about this? Either way, he was glad she had come by and decided to be a friend to him.

The man rose and paced the few steps to the shovel he had taken the liberty to borrow from the stables; he now regretted that he hadn’t searched for a second one, but he knew he couldn’t have foreseen Draugr’s appearance. ”I did not anticipate an assistant, so I have only one shovel available.” It was always possible to fetch another, but he did not see it as necessary. They could function with one. ”Do you wish to dig up the earth or place the stones?” She was a volunteer and had the liberty to pick.


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#10
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(--) 8D


Draugr is by me!

The compliment was accepted with an adult signal: she gave a gracious bow of her head. There was also a more puppyish sweep of her tail, however, for the drab-furred wolfdog could not keep secret her joy at praise from a more highly ranked canine. Thank you, she murmured. Draugr herself was surprised by the powerful sway of those words: a splendid idea. Perhaps if she received similar praise from those such as Sirius and Salvia, she, too, might consider herself part of the higher echelons of the pack.

With his presentation of a choice, the wolfdog hesitated a moment, considering the shovel and then the stones. Surely, she could lift a single stone on her lonesome -- but what if she dropped it and it broke? Itachi would have to fetch more stone, and surely it had been a tedious process. There were less chances for mistakes and accidents if she chose the shovel. I'd like to dig, she said. The wolfdog reached for the shovel. It's one part of puppyhood I miss, she confessed. While Draugr might dig as many holes as she wanted around her home, Dyrne might catch her leg in one and come up lame.

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#11
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(--) Double post because of data loss. Sad


Draugr is by Requiem!

Draugr was glad for the heaviness of the shovel in her hand. It felt almost like a weapon -- though it would make a far poorer one than her axe or sword. Though, perhaps she might do better with a simpler weapon. Surely it took skill and power to wield either of the blades she possessed -- skill and power Draugr did not yet have. In truth, the woody-hued wolfdog was not certain where to even begin receiving training. She might trek all the way south to Freetown, but it was such a long way. Dra loathed to leave the pack for so long a time -- especially when it seemed she was so close to promotion and betterment.

Her pale eyes followed the path the tawny hybrid traced in the dirt and she nodded, smiling faintly. Without much further delay, the hybrid went to the spot where he indicated the path ought to start, and immediately set the shovel to work. Her ears twitched at his words, but she did not immediately answer. The digging was not so deep, and so she was quickly done with the first patch. She stepped back and awaited the coyote's placing of the stone, leaning on the shovel.

Everything to do with mother, Draugr said. And winter. I was a child in winter, and I remember snow and ice and a lovely world of ghosts. What of your childhood? Draugr was curious, and emboldened by his own question. That he'd asked about her childhood perhaps gave her leave to inquire on his -- though she could not imagine the red-eyed Confidant as a child at all, much less a bouncing and happy puppy.

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#12
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-hump-


He turned still and passive as the woman started to dig the first shallow hole of many. The moment she put the shovel aside and indicated that she had finished with the first patch, he picked a decent shaped shard of pastel limestone and moved to place it. Her words seemed poetic to him, as if polished. A winter child amongst snow and ice and the lovely world of ghosts. Ghosts were unnatural and wrong; they didn’t belong in this realm. But perhaps it was just a manner or speaking. He hoped so, for her sake. He couldn’t wish for anyone else to be in his position, even if the torment wasn’t constant.

Itachi couldn’t recall the seasons of his puppyhood. If others thought him cold and numb now, it was nothing compared to what he had been like as a child. The hybrid knew he had turned into something better than he had been. He had yet to experience a desire to shove any Salsolan off a cliff as of yet, at least. Calm sunset hues lifted to her unique lilac, and he wished he could give her a satisfactory answer. ”I was the lone child in Inferni. I don’t have any particular memories from that time.” None that mattered, anyway. He had been the unwanted result of rape, and his mother had given him away to someone that had genuine loved him, only to have him attempt to take their life. Poor Kaena.

It wouldn’t do to openly admit that he was terribly flawed without direct confrontation, so naturally he would do no such thing. Pale palms patted the loose soil around the placed limestone, and his eyes fell from hers to look to his work. ”I don’t think I was like other children,” he honestly admitted, having little to no trouble sharing this with a woman that he hardly knew. Salsola was supposed to be family, so it should be natural to open up to selected members. Anyway, there hadn't been other puppies present that he could compare himself to, so he didn't know for certain.


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#13
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(--)


Draugr is by Requiem!

With the stone in place, the wolfdog moved to the next spot, pausing before she dug as Itachi spoke. She peered toward him curiously, nodding. She knew what it was to be alone as a child -- but she'd had mama Siv with her, always, and when god is always there, hovering above or carrying Draugr on her back, what reason did she have to desire a like-aged playmate? It was strange to Draugr to lack memories of childhood, though. The earliest things were fuzzy blurs, snapshots without any context. But after that, things came into focus rather suddenly and sharply -- and from there, Draugr remembered many things. Holes in the memory was a troubling thing, Dra thought, though she dared not speak such to Itachi.

His next words, as she drew back from the second finished hole, elicited another pause from Draugr, and she tilted her head. I always thought other children were fools. It was fun to play games with Molcaxitl, but it was never as fun as learning the garden plants or watching mama Siv at her work. Draugr had played because it was expected of her and she would have risked offending the daughters of the Auxiliary -- this was no more, of course, but perhaps it had been best for her to seed friendships between herself and well-blooded individuals. It had not been unbearable, after all. Were you different like that? she inquired, keeping her voice cordially polite. The next hole was dug, though Draugr would soon circle back and pat the dirt down around the stones to help keep them in place.

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#14
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--


Though there wasn’t much of any sensation within the male’s hollowed frame, he could tell with ease that, in due time, he could learn to genuinely appreciate this woman’s company. Commonly numb and indifferent to the vast majority of his fellow canines, he was making good progress with socializing. Others would not agree, but steady improvement could never become a negative thing, albeit his progress moved very slowly. She willingly shared when he asked, and he was given time to listen and consider the things she allowed him to learn about her.

She finished the second hole, and he placed another lovely shaded stone shard onto the ground. ”I do not know of this Molcaxitl,” he noted, wondering if it was another child or perhaps a pet -- so many luperci decided to tame lesser creatures, himself included, so companions were not uncommon. The Lykoi thought of his own childhood, and he supposed he could find similarities. Many hours had been spent watching his biological mother’s sessions with her twin katanas. Always the observer, he realized.

”Different, yes,” he admitted, the pale whiskers along his narrow snout brushing back as he wet his lips. Hands shuffled the loose earth around the placed stone, and he watched the helpful woman creating another shallow hole in the earth. He had never spent much time judging others, but even if he had, he couldn’t know if he would have shied away from other children, had they been present when he himself was young. ”I’ve always preferred to observe the world rather than partakingn it i,” Truthfully, if there had been a way he could detach from the world, he would never have looked back if it wasn’t for a certain silvery thing.

However, it was important that Draugr did not misunderstand his words. ”I had a decent childhood. I was mostly raised by my grandmother, and she would give me anything I wanted without hesitation.” Until I attempted to murder her. ”I suppose the problem was that I’ve never really wanted anything.” It was a strange thought, to be aware of the nothingness within. His innards were a black hole greedily consumed every emotion that he should have felt. China alone seemed invincible and resistant, and it made it possible for him to love her unconditionally.


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Table by Siekone
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#15
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(659)


Draugr is by me!

She belonged to Eris, Draugr said. But she is Salvia's now. A slave, the woman said, dismissively. It would not do to allow any of Salsola to understand her feelings toward slaves. She accepted their social position, naturally -- for if they truly valued freedom, they would run, or walk to the edge of the cliffs and cast themselves into the sea -- but she also thought perhaps it was a taboo to think as she did about their minds. There was usefulness in a slave's ideas and intelligence, at times -- Draugr herself imagined someday owning a slave with sharp perceptiveness and a wonderful education. But such a slave, she also thought, would be smart enough to reason out her thinking: leave or die. She supposed it depended on what value they placed on freedom. Draugr, for her part, would never have accepted the yolk of slavery: she was a daughter of the Hearg and a völva. Greatness lingered in her bloodline. Ataxia and I used to make trouble for her.

Even as she dug, the wolfdog listened in earnest to the tawny coyote. He was her senior by a year or more, and he had held his Confidant rank the entirety of the time she'd known of him (she was unaware of any previous rankings). More than that, though, it interested her to know there was similarity to herself in the world. Observing was a large part of what Draugr did. She had done so as a Bambino and still as an Associate, observing the Salsolian world and culture. It was jarringly different from what mother had presented her as a child, and so she felt she must understand it wholly and completely before interacting with it. The next part of his words, however, struck her as strange, enough so that she paused in her digging, several holes before him and his loading of the stones into the shallow hole.

All I want in the world is improvement, she said, holding the shovel so its point hovered above the ground. She looked down at its handle and ran her fingers over it. A splinter disengaged and embedded itself shallowly in the pad of her paw, so slightly she did not even feel its point jabbing her flesh. I wanted to be better, as a child. I knew I was not as good as the adults, and so I did not play -- I tried to be an adult. She had pored over whatever things she could find to observe, be it the earth beneath her feet, the falling rain and clouds, or the skittering and crawling creatures of the forest. There is no such want in you? she asked, hesitantly. Perhaps I am the strange one, she added, returning quickly to her digging. She spared a fleeting glance at him and seemed to concentrate on her digging.

She did not know if her desires were normal: many seemed to want love, many more seemed to want rank. Draugr did not care for love -- she had her mother's love, and loved Siv in return. She needed no other. Rank was good only in that it was a very literal and very strong reminder of one's improvement: with greater rank, usually, meant greater achievement. While the woody-hued canid hard her vague doubts about this pack's system of rank and fairness, there was still faith in it. Her indoctrination, too, had worked well. She trusted no outsiders, and no other pack seemed worthy of even a moment of her hime. Salsola was the center of her world, and while that center had its flaws and required improvement as anything else, it was her world.

The depth of this conversation intimidated her, though she did not quite know why. She worked diligently to conceal that feeling, immersing herself in the digging and then, pacing behind the tawny coyote to smooth and perfect the dirt around the stones.

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#16
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A soft exhale was given when the name was explained, and he was briefly disappointed in himself for failing to remember the name of the slave. "Ah, yes." At times, names and words shuffled together as flocks of multi-coloured birds. He encountered here more often than anywhere else, but it had arrived with the heavy influence of more than one religion. Salsola was rich with culture, and he did not fit in anywhere. Yet, this was where he belonged, somehow.

He didn’t understand the toying around of a creature that had forcibly been set to serve. If anything, slaves should be treated with genuine respect. Itachi didn’t feel with the canines that had lost their freedom. He wasn’t invested enough to care, though he knew that he didn’t wish for a slave of his own. China would probably not adore the idea either, thankfully.

The entirety of his visual attention seemed to be on the stones, but the blond hybrid knew to listen. The dark woman reminded him of the gilded pale Tlantli for a moment, as she chose to speak of the desire for improvement. He knew with absolute certainty, then, that it was definitely he that was wrong. Nothing new though. He shook his head at that, calm hues returning to her as stained fingers patted at the earth around the placed limestone. ”It is natural to will more,” though he was mostly gratified. There would always be things he’d desire, but he never forgot what he already possessed, and appreciated his fortune each day.

”Just be careful not to forget what you already have.”


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#17
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(388) LOOK AT MAH LIBRI ART. Also ugh she is like Tlantli, at least Tlantli before I got a chance to put paws on her. @_@ O WELL. She will change, sooner or later. 8B


Draugr is by Libri!

Draugr was strangely apprehensive regarding the tawny coyote's response. He merely affirmed his knowledge of Molcaxitl, and an absurd guilt weighed heavily on the woody brown ears atop Draugr's head. They dipped downward, though she did not offer an explanation for her behavior. Such was out of place, a dark secret offered to one she did not know so well as to have ever quite so deep a conversation before. Such had no place within Salsola, and though some distant and dim part of the wolfdog yearned for close companionship, she dared not edge outside of orthodoxy.

Her ears lowered still more with his admonishment, mild as it was, and Draugr was preparing to offer further explanation -- desiring more was natural, but allowing it to consume her, perhaps not so much. Yet -- she was cognizant of her own obsession, well-aware of it and its implications. The youth wondered, and almost wanted to ask, whether her awareness of her fixiation therefore freed her from its disadvantages. But Itachi spoke again, and this was enough to freeze her where she stood.

Staring at him with open horror, the wolfdog did not dig for a long moment. The fur on her shoulders and arms seemed to rise, and even her hair appeared more voluminous with her shock. I did not know you could forget things learned. Draugr had assumed skills were all as hunting and the natural things she did: unforgettable, ingrained, as much a part of herself as her paws and legs and muzzle. With painful slowness and deliberation, the woman returned to her digging, stealing glances toward Itachi now and again. They were looks of gratefulness, though perhaps with the faintest hint of distaste for having realized this new thing.

Draugr's memories, at the point where they began, were sharp and clear. She did not think she had ever forgotten anything -- but surely, there were things she could not remember? Meals, the minutiae of the day -- these things were beyond her, for her memory, while sharp, did not retain every irrelevant detail. On the contrary, Draugr's brain had been gifted with a talent for separating useless trivia from things worth remembering. Yet, that did not prevent her from forgetting some of the important things along with the bits and pieces that did not matter.

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She did not hide her response to his words, and for a long moment, the man was invisibly puzzled at the horror she displayed. It was explained when she replied, and it seemed he must have expressed himself poorly. It was possible for memories to fall into oblivion, he supposed, so although she had misunderstood his words’ intent, truth had been served just the same, albeit slightly direct. He supposed some things would never be lost, but there were certain knowledge and skills that would dwindle and fade away, unless preventative measures were taken every once in a while.

”I expressed myself poorly,” he eventually resumed, moving to the next hole to carefully lower a flat shard of faded green. ”It is natural to seek ways to improve oneself and set goals one wants to achieve. However, one should not forget to appreciate the goals and dreams one already has obtained at any time. I suppose an example could be your position here in Salsola.” The man was not at all certain of how to explain himself, for he didn’t know how other canines but himself functioned, to be honest. ”Perhaps you’d like to be something more than a Confidant within this pack one day. But under different circumstances, perhaps you could have found yourself stuck at Associate or Goon rank. If so, the Confidant rank would have been something of a dream come true, no?”

Not at all certain if he had managed to explain at all, brilliantly shaded hues released limestone in favour of pursuing gentle lilac. Tlantli had expressed a fierce desire to climb the hierarchy, and had seemed to lack appreciation for her current rank as it had been. He didn't know Draugr at all. It was very possible that Itachi was the one at fault here, merely settling with mediocrity. He was capable of much and more, but he didn’t desire power. Life was good, and he spent his time appreciating the things he had rather than wishing for the things he did not have.


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#19
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Draugr is by Alaine!

Draugr's doggish ears twitched at his words, though she'd gone back to sorting out the dirt. The work made her body ache, her shoulder most of all, but she showed no signs of slowing. It was easy for Draugr to ignore physical pain -- dull aches such as these were easily put aside. Even the noise of her thought could drown them out, and just now her conscious mind was engaged in a conversation she found riveting. She glanced toward Itachi with her pale eyes, pausing to listen carefully to the tawny coyote's voice.

Draugr did not, at first, understand. The example was what cinched the matter for her; it was only when presented something real Draugr could fully comprehend. I understand, she said, smiling. I will always appreciate where I've come from. How could she not? Her mother was her goddess, simply put. If all I was capable of achieving was Associate or even Goon -- I should be very happy to have that much. But I think I am worth more, and will not be satisfied until I am where I should be, the wolfdog said, unabashedly and without the slightest hint of humility. She did not know precisely where she belonged, and she had rather well confused happiness and satisfaction, having experienced neither in her lifetime.

The wolfdog moved aside the earth on the final spot, and stepped back, glancing toward Itachi as if to ask whether he wanted further holes. The shovel felt good in her hands, and it felt good to work -- even in her present state. Work was betterment, and Draugr would be satisfied with nothing less than perfect improvement on her part.

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The young female did her task well – she was far ahead of him, about finished while he was about to reach half-way. Itachi wasn’t concerned at all about his own speed; he couldn’t be pressured. He took his time placing the limestone in the shallow holes dug by Draugr, and shuffled and patted the loose soil around the edges. There were no specific tasks set for today except for this pathway, and he intended to ensure it would have a touch of visual quality to it. China would surely appreciate it, be it a surprise or not. It was difficult for the man to estimate when the lovely bird would return to her nest, so he found it easiest not to attempt to make this a surprise.

A slight nod of acknowledgement was given to the woman as she spoke, apparently understanding what he meant, this time around. It was good that she would turn back and remember the path she had walked. Then again, her words held wisdom as well, and the Confidant was pleased to hear such from a young thing like her. Youth did not always have the grace to think clever thoughts—Itachi knew this better than most, even if he had been poor at being a young puppy. ”You have the right mindset,” he complimented as he and a flat stone block moved to the next shallow hole in the ground. He didn’t doubt that the young woman was able.

As for Itachi, he thought he probably belonged right where he was. He didn’t have any burning, unfinished tasks before him. Not hierarchy wise, at least. One needed to know devotion to become something great within Salsola, and Itachi wasn’t capable of great care. He would protect his pack and the woman he loved, but he didn’t desire responsibility for individuals he did not care about.


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