Night Walker War

[psychotic__Gal]

Day 2 of story time.
Present Day
AKA avoiding the main story
Location: At a property near Barton that is not THoR

A furry head poked itself from underneath the couch. She hadn't meant to stay so long under the heavy piece of furniture but she'd fallen asleep. Now, she was curious about her slaves. What had they done in her absence?

She didn't expect much from them to be honest. Her paws darted out in a stretch, claws snagging the rug. The kitten pulled her claws free before exiting from her hiding place through the side of the couch. Her ears twitched, following the gentle sounds of her staff.

The kitten stared from the edge of the doorway, looking from person to person before spying something of interest. The one off to the side had long dark hair and he was holding a toy--moving it to and fro. It was obvious he was doing so to entertain her.

The kitten stalked her prey (and easy thing really as he hadn't moved). In the last stretch, she sprinted at the man, coming up short and standing on her hind legs. She batted the air in front of the toy (the art brush), but not quite touching it.  

[psychotic__Gal]

Eastern Europe / The Meeting Grounds
106-275 AD
Late Summer/Early Autumn
Evening -- Day 3

Caecilia was the first to notice the arrival of the nightwalkers. She felt them. All at once a feeling of otherness hit her and then unease. The wolves felt familiar--her family. She had grown up around them. Their emotions felt in some ways like extensions of her own--differing only in the important ways.

These new emotions felt different. The fur along her spine rose and her ears flattened a mere ten seconds before the wolves around her did the same. Responding not to her cues but to the smell and sound of the others. Caecilia knew beyond a shadow of a doubt the nightwalkers sensed the wolves almost as soon as the wolves sensed them. She sent this knowledge down the connection she had with her alpha--her father.

Though Aldric stood in his human form with his mate, Tatiana, he received his daughter's message. Such was the power gifted from Zamoxis to his leaders. That the alpha wolves showed themselves at all to the nightwalkers was a feat of trust.

Through an involuntary and purely instinual move, Caecilia found herself lowering to the ground, a fierce growl ready to be unleashed as the night walkers entered the clearing.

The wolves here would have appeared much larger than the average wolf the nightwalkers would see. They would appear more intelligent. Their own sense of otherness and god-kissed clinging to their fur.

Caecilia's head tilted, staring at the small body of the one they held tentative peace with. The other was a complete mystery--her skin so beautiful, so dark Caecilia had never seen its likeness. She could feel the confusion coming from her pack in waves.

"you will have to excuse us. We thought it best to be prepared." Aldric's voice thundered across the clearing, anything but apologetic despite his careful words. The tension was palpable.

The small nightwalker laughed (a small tinkling, musical thing). She looked younger than Caecilia. "I would not have expected any less from your tribe, leader."

 

[psychotic__Gal]

Eastern Europe / meeting site
106-275 AD
Late Summer/Early Autumn
Evening -- Day 3

The clearing held at least fifteen wolves, perhaps twenty. Too many for Eydís to feel quite comfortable. The one in his human form appeared to be their leader. The small vampire felt tension sitting in her shoulders. Too long they had sat opposed and she expected them now to, what, collaborate? Mmm, she reminded herself, you are only here to talk. You are hoping they collaborate but today is just for conversation."

The trip to the meeting grounds themselves had been effortlessly quick and relatively boring without any distractions. And now here they were...

The leader jerked his head as if inviting Eydís and her party forward. Eydís stepped into the clearing, taking measured slow steps toward the alpha. She was too sure the pack would react negatively should she engage with her true speed. A bit of movement caught the nightwalker's eye in the form of the wolf nearest the alpha and his mate. A wolf smaller than the others tilted her head. Her eyes were challenging as if...no...was she daring Eydìs to show her true power and speed? Eydìs looked away. No. She would not be doing that.

Though there were many wolves here, the nightwalkers were old and strong. They would be evenly matched. Unease drifted through the clearing as everyone present was aware of this fact.

The leader was standing at a table. Two chairs were set on either side. The man and his mate were already standing behind two of the chairs. Out of respect there were no wolves on the other side of the table or directly behind it. Eydìs would not need to watch her back as carefully during the meeting. It seemed there was honor among the mutts.

Eydìs' eyes glazed over for a moment, glowing dimly. The group in the clearing was not alone. "it seems your ancestors wait with bated breath for this meeting to occur as well." The spirits of the wolves long gone bared their teeth in unison with her voice.

"I don't pretend to know what you are speaking of as I would hope our ancestors would have joined Zamoxis in the afterlife." Eydìs gave a simple shrug of her shoulders, "In any case, please join us at the table."

Before moving closer, the small nightwalker turned to the foreign one, her fingers reaching for the pouch at her throat. The wolves growled around them. "My friend will need to understand and to speak." Eydìs explained quietly. She opened the pouch, standing on a rock as she drew runes across the other's throat, cheeks and ears. She whispered the activating word and the one foreign words would now be as understandable as the beauty's natural tongue.

Eydìs moved away from Nefretiri and made her way cautiously to the table. Once they arrived, they all sat in unison. "This one has quite the story to tell, dear alpha." she purred, before settling back into the chair, "perhaps it might even necessitate an alliance of sorts..."

Notes!
None!

 

[psychotic__Gal]

Eastern Europe / Dacia
106-275 AD
Late Summer/Early Autumn
Evening

His brother was careful with his words...to use Parvula though? Cassian couldn't help but think of their youngest sister lost before Marcus ascended. In the same breath his brother called Parvula ancient. Which was it? Was she a child--untested and new--or ancient? ah. Marcus had thr ability to answer Cassian's questions before he asked them if Cassian was only patient enough to wait. Part of being a hunter meant that Cassian was patient enough.

Hm. his brother did not control the wolves. Odd. Was there some reason for that? Cassian filed it away--not to use it against his brother but to use it for knowledge of where they were blind.

"I see...there is still information we need then to fully conceive of a plan. Please let me know if i could be of use to you--scouting or otherwise."

Cassian thought of his superior's question. No hint of embarrassment or defensiveness colored his view. Well, no. There was a slight bit of defensiveness; however, Cassian quickly shut it down. It had been a fair question and one that needed contemplation. What good were Cassian's leadership skills if he could not think critically of himself or if his men distrusted him? Thus, Cassian contemplated his brother's question.

"No." he finally stated, his memories coming quickly and easily, "they trust me with their lives. They did not look resigned or frightened when the idiot died. They expected it." Cassian took a measured beat before adding, "As you know, that group was formed of the best of our hunters. They expect the best in their ranks and do not tolerate it if someone acts out or form. While they may not be brothers as you and I, they are brothers in arms still. No, they trust me with even the mundane. That legionary was newer to our ranks."

Notes!