[html] 
Weeks and weeks had passed since Cercelee had stepped foot in any area aside from Twilight Vale or Dahlia de Mai for more than a mere moment. While in Twilight Vale she had explored Shiloh Hill, and briefly Halifax, but those had been short excursions. Her aimless wanderings of before seemed a distant memory. Cercelee couldn’t even recall the last time she had slept outdoors. In Twilight Vale she had slept in the manor, and upon returning to Dahlia de Mai she had slept within any one of the numerous vacant houses of Berwick. Now that unscratchable itch had returned. Her feet wanted to move, her eyes wanted to see new things, new people, and the little ivory colored leader could think of no reason to deny them.
Aside from a few awkward patches of fur that were shorter than the rest, no evidence of the attack on her being was present. Yet as Cercelee neared the Dampwoods the female could recall every injury laid on her body. The aches and stings that seemed to linger so long after her skin had reclosed and her muscles and flesh healed were finally gone, but as she neared the exact area Hybrid had ambushed her she imagined she could feel them all over again. Cercelee shook her head to clear the thoughts. Instead she imagined Slay scolding her for wandering off alone, to the place of her attack no less. She couldn’t explain it to herself but she was looking for something. Or someone. Resolution perhaps.
|
|
 [/html]
[html]
indent It had been two days since the encounter with the scarred woman. Gabriel was bruised, and had a few fresh cuts, but none so deep as to seriously concern him. Still, it was enough to remind him to be on guard. Even though the war was over, there were still people out there who would seek to do harm. He was moving through the forest, outside of their border, moving along at an easy pace. Since then, he had taken to wearing the cross and the saint’s image again. They dangled from his neck easily, like dog tags, and made a quiet noise in the afternoon sun.
indent Soon though, a flash of white surprised him, and Gabriel spotted a female nearing him. She was not remarkable, but he noticed the signs of some previous attack on her. That and she bore a remarkably familiar scent that made his eyes darken viciously. The hybrid stopped in his tracks and remained still, watching, waiting.
[/html]
[html]
Cercelee had heard the soft jingling before she ever spotted the male. Or rather smelled him. It wasn’t the sight of the coyote that intrigued her, but rather the scent he carried on his pelt. Inferni. It was the scent that made Cercelee decided that yes, she had returned to this woods for just such an encounter. Perhaps it was foolish to come unguarded, there were those who would like to see her dead, coyotes for whom the war was over but the bloodshed not, notably Hybrid who had a job to finish with her. Still, she hadn’t wanted an escort, Cercelee was prepared to take what the fates threw at her. Cercelee stopped short of the male a mere two yards away, close enough for them to speak but not so close as to force any confrontation. For a long moment she stood there, navy eyes sizing him up as he was sure to be doing her, not that there was much to size up as she was smaller than most coyotes, a runt of wolves.
Finally her soft, musical voice found itself, smooth and calm. Inferni I take it? Of course he was from Inferni, but the unspoken question lingered in the air. Was this male of any importance in Inferni or did Cer have to search further?
|
|
[/html]
[html]
indent Though Gabriel was a hybrid, and large by coyote standards, he was only the average height of a male wolf. This meant, however, that in contrast, this woman was much smaller. She was around Faolin’s size, which meant she was really no threat to him. Not that he would attack her regardless, but she didn’t know that. In fact, he doubted most of them did—if they had, Haku might have exploited that route a long time ago. “And you’re from Dahlia,” he responded, moving forward, though only to lessen the distance between them. It was not an aggressive act, and his body language promoted this. “What are you doing so close to The Waste?”
[/html]
[html]
Cercelee nodded at the male’s response. Cercelee, leader of Dahlia. Although, one could not tell by her recent actions. Many argued, with her, that if she were a worthy leader that she would have headed the war, alongside of Haku, instead of handing him the pack during that time. Yet even still, her response was not one of shame, as some thought it should be, but rather proud. The choice she had made, she made believing it to be for the good of the pack, and no one would persuade her differently. Cercelee shrugged, as if to say that she wasn’t sure what she was doing so near to the Waste. Surely it wasn’t the wisest of choices. When she had started out, she really hadn’t known what she was doing, but now she had an idea. Looking for someone. Gabriel? You know him? Of course he did, anyone in Inferni would.
|
|
[/html]
[html]
indent The woman gave her name, and her rank—this surprised Gabriel, who had not expected such a title. Haku had been the dominant force and scent in those lands. Cocking his head slightly, though keeping his face still, he listened to her explanation and question. Looking for him. Well, that wasn’t new. “I would hope so,” he said coolly. “Considering he and I are the same person. What can I help you with?”
[/html]
[html]
Cercelee nodded surprised not that this coyote was indeed Gabriel, as she had no expectations of what he would look or act like, but rather that it had been so simple to find him. It seemed now that the war was over the barrier she had constructed between herself and the Inferni clan’s leader was diminished, so swiftly and cleanly. Cercelee had not expected herself to find the words so easily, or be so confident in speaking them, but both proved true. I needed to speak with you for myself, Haku is not the most reliable source of information and even if he were, I have not seen him since the war’s end. Admitting her co leader’s faults was not as embarrassing as one might think, she knew why he was he co leader and she didn’t have to justify that decision anymore, he did the job she wanted him to do well enough. I want to make sure, have your word, that there is peace between us, Inferni and Dahlia de Mai. This whole war was an unpleasant mistake I feel, and one I’d care not to repeat. Cercelee looked at Gabriel tentatively, she had more to add, but it was best to test the waters before she continued.
|
|
[/html]
[html]
indent She hadn’t seen Haku since the war. Gabriel found that disconcerting, and partially wondered if the blue-eyed wolf was dead. He hoped so, and at the same time, wanted nothing more then to find him alive and rip his throat out. “I told him that we’re finished. Inferni will not go near your pack and I expect the same from your wolves,” he said, studying her reaction and waiting for what else she had to say.
[/html]
[html]
Cercelee nodded, she had not expected much else but it was best to confirm the terms, no matter how meager they were. Perhaps though, dealing with her instead of her Lilium, Gabriel would be more open, to just a little bit more. A little more security for her pack, that was all Cercelee wanted at this point. I’d like us to agree, that if such an... incident... is to arise again, you and I must formally speak before war is declared. War could arise again, Cercelee wouldn’t deny that, but if Gabriel and her had to speak first, than at least they would both know what they were fighting for.I don’t like how easily Haku escalated the war, and I want you to know, Dahlia de Mai did not send him to your pack lands the first time... when he left you our flowers. What’s happened is done though, but if he is to pull such a stunt again, I would rather he be declared the enemy, not the whole pack It was not quite an apology, there were no real apologies for war, but an explanation. Although Gabriel probably counted Haku among the top offenders, he should know that there were those in Dahlia de Mai completely innocent of any wrong doing, just as Cercelee believed there were those in Inferni whose souls deserved to be completely guilt free. Cercelee believed there were still innocent souls in the mess of a world they lived in, she wondered if Gabriel would agree or not, but she decided not to ask, it was too philosophical and not political.
|
|
[/html]
[html]
indentThe shadow in his eyes seemed to grow, to want to swallow his pupils whole and devour the world they reflected. He stared at her because the idea was ridiculous, because it made them less wild and more political, and that would make a curious incident indeed. Still, though, he managed to force a smile, despite it not meeting his eyes. “I’ll try and make sure we speak, but if I remember correctly you were somewhat absent last time.” Shrugging, he continued. “As far as what occurred, neither my cousin nor I knew it was a solitary act at the time. The fact of the matter is that he killed a mother and her child and we could not simply allow that to pass. No one came to us diplomatically—they slaughtered those too weak to defend themselves. Haku was the ringleader, and soon was bearing Dahlia’s scent and title. I would have settled for him dead and ended the matter myself,” he added, voice turning cold.
[/html]
[html]
Cercelee shrugged, it seemed they were slipping into the blame game, something Cer wished to avoid. She would admit there were mistakes on her side, but she wouldn’t let the other sponged away their’s. Yes, I was absent. After the war had long since started and I was attacked by one of your members, healing in Twilight Vale. There had been time to speak before hand with her, but neither side had chosen that option, it probably hadn’t even seemed an option to Gabriel at the time. Cercelee was not just making sure it was on the table. No one approached us either, and Haku was not a member of our pack when two of our members are slain as well, but I digress. I will be around for you to speak with, should you feel a situation warrants it. It was not so crazy, what with other actions they carried out. More and more the canines in the area were becoming like their European cousins, removed from their wild ancestors and taking on very human like qualities. Cercelee could tell that Gabriel’s words did not match his thoughts, but that couldn’t be helped. She had walked into this situation not expecting anything, so Gabriel did not disappoint. Well, that is my proposal at least, other than that I have not much to add. We needn’t speak about what’s happened anymore, I more interested in the future, from keeping history from repeating itself.
|
|
[/html]
[html]
indent He cocked an eye at her, smiling in a way that his teeth showed. “Would you have come to Inferni to discuss anything in such a situation?” When the threat of murder in the air? He doubted it. He doubted anyone would have acted any differently. Letting the smile fade slightly, though remain placid on his face, the golden eyed hybrid thought briefly of how easy it would be to break her neck. It was an uncharacteristic thought, one that belonged to his brother-in-law or half-brothers, and so he pushed it aside. “I agree, what’s done is done. We’ll have to do our best to prevent such incidents from occurring.” With a shrug, he passed her, pausing only to call over his shoulder: “You would do well to keep Haku as far away from me as you can. The next time I see him, I will kill him.” That was a promise, no idle threat.
[/html]
|
