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Apr 25, 2024 21:43:06 GMT
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Post by Razza on Feb 5, 2023 1:14:40 GMT
Soralai There was something so wonderful about boredom. A small, quiet beauty, delicate like the wings of a resting butterfly. You had to sit still to properly observe it, lest you risk it fluttering off at the first distraction. The first wayward thought that jolted you back to the present; one that reminded you there were things to do and worries to be had. Soralai thought it took almost a certain strength to resist these concerns, and allow oneself to be calm. She then was strong, in this way. Strong enough to recline on this rocky perch, looking down over what was likely once the basin of a waterfall, and not concern herself with the "why" or "how" it had gotten itself into this state. Strong enough to ignore the decimated Mercurior store at her back, the red-painted rock overturned and the hole underneath it gaping empty. Her new position with the Guild meant she ought to see to that. There was blood there, too. Wolf of some sort, but old, so she hadn't checked out the details. This view was just so distracting. Up above the sprawl of the southern forest, the sun beat down relentlessly, a little past it's highest point in the sky. Soralai rested her head on her paws and sighed, watching how the dying foliage around the once-pool below cast sharp shadows across the ground. It was like they were scrambling to get away from the heat. She pushed another rock off the small cliff, and watched it tumble through both the darkness and blinding light in a trail of dust, a tiny smile crossing her face. alexandre |
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Post by alexandre on Feb 5, 2023 20:22:48 GMT
It began with an offer of meat from his morning kill and a bit of conversation, though the raven could not speak back. It was a juvenile bird, blue-eyed and curious and quite playful. He followed it as it led him through the forest; sometimes, it would turn the tables and chase him instead. It made its perch upon a large rock, stained with earth on one side and painted with curious red markings. It sat on top and immediately began preening its wings. Nycteus approached, his pace slowed to something more languid. Head tilted, he regarded the bird's discovery, circling around to find a vacant hole in the ground. Nose lowered to the earth and a paw lifted up, he scented dry blood and wolf. Glancing upwards, he was brought to a pause. A woman lay at the rocky cliffside, looking out into the beyond. He straightened his posture, silently admired for a moment the way the midday sun highlighted the reds of her fur, then tried to strike up a conversation. "I have a few ideas of what might have happened here," Nycteus decided to lead with before asking, "What do you think?"Razza |
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Post by Razza on Feb 5, 2023 23:45:12 GMT
Soralai At first Soralai thought nothing of the noise. The sounds of flapping wings told her it was a bird, and if she had to guess by the snapping of twigs and crunching of leaves, it might've been hunting. Only when the smell of wolf hit her did she properly realize her mistake. Lurching her head around she took in the pair, trying not to look as flustered as she felt. One of her new visitors was very large, good-looking man, the other... well, at least she had been half right. The crow (or maybe raven, Soralai never could tell them apart) seemed perfectly untroubled, balanced atop the Guild's ignored mess. For a split second, Soralai worried that the scene looked a bit incriminating. But the stranger— the wolf— addressed her calmly, unperturbed. "Ah... a hunting accident? Though that sounds so plain, now that I say it out loud." She smiled up at the stranger then, stretching away some of her initial tension. He stood tall, but wasn't posturing, and hardly looked ready to charge. What was the harm in humoring him just for a moment? Keeping an eye on such a handsome face would hardly be a chore. "I'm hoping your theories are more creative. Tell me, do you smell berries, or maybe herbs? We sometimes keeps poisons, if that lends you any inspiration."alexandre |
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Post by alexandre on Feb 6, 2023 2:39:44 GMT
She turned to face him the moment the silence was broken, seeming fairly nonchalant yet he couldn't help but think she seemed a bit ruffled by his sudden appearance. Her eyes were what first caught his attention -- they were a bright, striking citrine. The way they caught the sunlight was simply magnificent. It might be a hunting accident, she suggested with a smile before going on to ask what he thought. "I was thinking that perhaps you had something to do with it," said Nycteus lightheartedly. He inhaled deeply at her prompting. An herbaceous scent lingered where he was standing, as did the smell of aged meat among an array of other assorted aromas. "I cannot help but find it mildly concerning that you would keep such things on hand, but you do have me intrigued. Who is 'we'?"Razza |
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Post by Razza on Feb 6, 2023 3:27:31 GMT
Soralai Even as Soralai's gaze strayed back over to the bird, she could feel herself being closely watched. It was still too soon for her to fully enjoy it, but it did make it easy to catch the man's eyes directly. For reasons she could not understand, so many avoided looking at each other plainly like this, but she was happy he did not. Not yet. His features were very acute, and she wondered what he was thinking. Then. "I was thinking that perhaps you had something to do with it." Accusation did not color the words, but Soralai couldn't stop her jaw from dropping open a small amount all the same. "No-" she started, but trailed off. He'd leaned down to inspect the scene of the crime, midnight black nose twitching. "I cannot help but find it mildly concerning that you would keep such things on hand, but you do have me intrigued. Who is 'we'?"Soralai tittered, equal parts relieved and amused. Admittedly she felt better, knowing something he did not. "I keep no such things. It is my colleagues who insist on the whole ordeal." In the spirit of clarity, she waved a paw at the stranger's feet, her eyes cast on the mess. After a moment, she looked back up at him with a small smile. "'We' are an... organization, of sorts. A Guild." With a dramatic sigh Soralai sat up, just enough so he could see the red paint on her shoulder when she flashed it to him. "This is really your first time coming across our mark?" She watched him for a reaction, getting comfortable again on the too-warm rock. Soralai knew she wasn't the Guild's most passionate sell, but still, it was a bit fun to be a part of something she got to tell others about. Head titled, her smirk not unkind, she waited. alexandre |
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Post by alexandre on Feb 8, 2023 1:54:46 GMT
She said she did not keep the aforementioned poisons, rather that her associates insisted on it. Why they would do so was not beyond him though it made him curious about this valley's political landscape if poisons are being kept in stock by this Guild the woman said she belonged to. She sat up and showed him her shoulder. He took a step forward and inclined his head to better inspect the mark painted over her rather soft-looking fur. The hue was a perfect match to the markings on the overturned rock. She asked a question, bringing his attention from her shoulder back to her eyes. "It is. I've only just arrived to the valley; I'm afraid I know next to nothing about the local politics," Nycteus admitted. Mirroring the tilt of her head with a smooth smile of his own, he said, "Perhaps you can help me become acquainted. Tell me more about your Guild. What is their purpose? From what you've told me, I assume they carry out assassinations, but I'm sure that is not all they do."Razza |
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Post by Razza on Feb 12, 2023 5:47:58 GMT
Soralai The stranger was observant. He zeroed in on her shoulder mark with intent, a delicate and pointed action, as if it was important to him that he really got a good look at the smearing of red dye. By the time his gaze had slid back up to her face, Soralai felt her grin coming more naturally. Interested individuals were interesting. She watched him mirror her, his admission that he was an outsider not at all surprising. "You are one of many, then," she said. "Myself and the Guild included, though we've settled in quickly, as you can see. I have no doubt you will do the same, if you intend to stay?" Her eyes had dragged back to the bird at some point, watching it watching them. The man hadn't seemed interested in it any more, which Soralai found a bit strange. She glanced back his way, looking amused. "Unless, of course, you're lying to me. I know how the Au'Dar are fond of their little pets." She nodded to the bird and watched for the man's reaction. Although mostly teasing, she thought that any absence of confusion would be worth taking note. Soralai had needed quite a few days before managing to wrap her head around the Au'Dar's curious practices, and even then she struggled to fully believe, having never seen it with her own eyes. Perhaps this man was one of their spies (If they even had such a thing— she really didn't know enough about those forest-dwellers). The thought made her smile a little softer. If so, he really ought to turn down the forthright curiosity. "Well, I would be happy to tell you everything you want to know, but first why don't we start out with names?" She would even go first, throw him a little bone to see how long his interest kept. "I'm Soralai, of the Mercurior Guild. But just Sora is fine, too."alexandre |
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Post by alexandre on Feb 25, 2023 3:57:22 GMT
She had a lovely smile, Nycteus thought when looking upon her face again. It was warm, lively, and remarkably charming. Like him, she was an outlander but was better rooted in these lands thanks to her ties to her Guild. He listened with intrigue. Hearing about them at first, he imagined an old and well-established Guild but this one was much younger than he initially expected. They may have even formed within his lifetime. She had asked him if he intended to stay and he answered, "That is for fate to decide." This valley was temporary for him, as far as he knew. A place to pass through on his journey to restore his honor, but he wouldn't dismiss it entirely yet. It could be the place where he'd meet the people that would change his life. Perhaps he'll discover a new purpose, a new path to walk, or perhaps he'll grow more convicted in his desire to retake what was rightfully his. "Unless, of course, you're lying to me. I know how the Au'Dar are fond of their little pets," said the woman with an amused glint in her eye and a nod towards the bird to his left. His brows raised at this teasing accusation, then he looked at the young raven, who calmly sat while observing the two wolves. Smiling a bit, he said, "Oh no, this isn't my raven; I only just befriended it this morning." He admired the corvid for a few moments with a fond expression, watching as it adjusted its footing. "I didn't realize there were packs here that practiced birdkeeping."Nycteus was looking at the woman again, noticing the softening of her smile before she suggested they start with introductions. She went first, calling herself Soralai of the Mercurior Guild. He wondered the meaning of the Guild's name, but he would not ask. "It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Nycteus," said Nycteus. He took a couple steps forward with a gentle swish of his tail. The young raven took off at that moment, the sound of its fluttering wings coming from just behind him. He did not react to the sudden sound, not a glance or even a twitch of his ear. His attention was solely on the wolf before him. "I would love to hear what you're willing to tell."Razza |
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