[PRP] The Feathered Deceiver {Aemiliana x Skuld}

[Lunadriel]

This is a private rp for Aemiliana Hatetalon, Skuld, and possibly Eier. Anyone with a Northspring Harpy may join also.

 

[Lunadriel]

The market had all the sounds and smells of a successful day. Not even the hot summer weather could keep locals from flocking to buy new food and wares on the weeks end. Soquili land sure has evolved over the years. From bartering and trading simple hand made wares, to the market of today, that sold anything from popcorn to exotic imports from lands across the world. The diverse tribes, herds, and people were to thank for many things one might find for sale. Which attracted other new comers, buyers, and sellers. This particular market, is frequented by sellers and buyers, of a feathered variety. Like one Aemiliana Hatetalon, proud harpy of the Northspring flock! A strategic bird with a mind that knows how to win war games. But today, she was simply Ana, the polite and quiet half-gryph shopper. A few of her sisters frequented the area selling various wares, and spreading stories about who they were. Keeping up false appearances helped the harpy flock survive in secret. If everyone knew the truth behind their practices, they could be threatened. No matter how strong ones army is, it's easy to be outnumbered by a bigger army. To prevent this from occurring, the amazonian sisters kept to themselves. In order to stay connected with locals, and trade things of use, they had false personas. They displayed themselves as friendly, but made no lasting relationships with strangers. Things could get difficult if they didn't keep to themselves, even when putting on a mask.

Today, Ana found herself in the market, making her way over to a new stand that one of her blood sisters had told her about. A local traveler had set up shop, selling steel blades from across the sea. Ana looked at necklaces and baubles, and talked about how pretty they were, or how she wished she had the talent to make such things. She stopped at the goldfish stand, and giggled watching the soquili play games that the humans would play. Just a typical mare, enjoying the summer market. She played the game of being Ana so well!

Slowly, she got closer to the blade stand. It would look suspicious for a mare to waltz up to such a place, and start talking about the quality of steel they sold. At least, suspicious for the Northspring flock, when trying to appear innocent, and never with blood on their claw.

Aemiliana couldn't help but feel that someone might be following her. Even when pretending to be something she's not, she had to be on guard. Only a fool would think they were safe when in disguise. Stopping at a stand that sold plain colored shawls, Ana dropped some coin on the makeshift wooden table, and plucked one down. With the merchants aid, and a jubilant giggle from Ana, she put the cowl on. This way, she could scan her surroundings without being obvious about it.

Someone was there? In the middle of the market. She thought she saw them, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. After a moment, she continued towards the stand with the swords.  

[Lunadriel]

To Skuld, everything in this land is fresh, and new. Long had her and her sister traveled, and soon, they were likely to move on again. The twins had their own secrets, but they were shared with anyone who might inquire. It didn't need to be public knowledge to strangers. Hi, I'm Skuld, a Valkyrie. I kill the worthy, and maim the wicked to pass judgement for those that should or shouldn't join Odin in Valhalla. No, that bit of info was too much for most people. There is no fear over others knowing, but rather the opposite. Most can't handle knowing who they are. Better to spare those that don't need to know.

The twin Valkyrie were not virgins to death, but had not found worthy suitors to send to Valhalla yet in their lives. Eier is content to keep it this way, but Skuld yearned for making her mark as a Valkyrie. Skuld sought out the worthy living, and Eier followed. Over many lands had they treaked together, before happening about the Soquili area. The number of living beings here is greater than any they have found previously. The two decided it would be worth sticking around, and learning about the locals. If after a year, they found no one to enact worthy judgement upon, they would move on. It will be the longest they've stayed in one area, but for good reason with so much potential to be found!

After less than a month, Skuld had been delighted with the range of good and evil in the land. However, no one equine had stuck out to her. Part of her had doubt she could find a pure warrior, worthy of Valhalla.

Eier loved coming to market, and seeing all the nick nacks that Soquili sold. This time, Skuld was the one doing the following. They had already been to the market, and nobody here had caught her attention. Eier ran off to play games, and eat food earlier. Skuld found herself shuffling down the middle of all the vendors, stopping at no particular stand. Her deep purple eyes did the shopping. Quickly she gazed over the items for sale, and nothing drew her in for a closer look.

A flash of pink glinted in the suns rays, and Skuld felt a sensation of being drawn in. It happened in slow motion, as she gazed over, and saw the feathered mare. Feathers were nothing new to her, and quite common in her herd. Yet, something about the stranger gave her a thirst. Like a parched animal, drawn to water. The market grew quiet, and all the locals faded into the background. All Skuld saw, was her. Skuld stood still, entranced from a distance. She near forgot to breath! Sighing heavily, she took in a breath, and ducked over to a shop.

What was going on? Skuld collected the moment, her thoughts, and the way she felt. She must get closer! Dipping in from one stand to the next, she made her way closer to the pink feathered mare. She could hear her giggling over jewelry, and doting over the maker. After she left, Skuld went to the jewelry stand too. This jewelry is incredibly lack luster, and the gems are nothing special. she thought to herself, wondering why the mare that caught her attention, had lied about it's quality. Or she was naive. But even Skuld could see how common it was, and she is no expert. After the jewelry stand, she watched the mare, as the mare watched other play games. That's a game Eier would surely enjoy. Skuld nodded, with a small snort of approval. Again though, the mare gushed with happiness over the common game. Yes, man might have this type of reaction to something they enjoy, but Skuld had different ideas of the type of mare that would attract a Valkyrie... This plain mare couldn't possibly be a warrior worthy for Valhalla.

Something changed in the mares body language, like a bird about to give flight. Skuld shifted her eyes about, looking for a good place to hide. The last thing she wanted to do, was startle her and send her running! Ducking behind a a pile of leather, she tossed a piece over herself quickly. The shop keeper looked down at her with a raised eyebrow.

"The quality of this leather is quite nice." she inhaled and smelled the dry skin of whatever creature this was. Skuld found herself acting like the mare she had observed in a way. She had zero interest in the leathers. They made for poor armor. Her first armor set had been boiled leather. A sharp weapon could punch through hide with enough force. The shop keeper still eyed her warily, but his interest for making some coin over powered that feeling. He nodded at Skuld and began to tell her things about the leather. She nodded and feigned interest.

After a moment, she cut the shop keeper off. "Thank you, but.." she leaned out, and saw nothing of the mare. "I'll not be buying today!" she said quickly, and she rushed out of the stall.

Drats! Had she lost the mare? Skuld stretched out a wing, and shielding her eyes from the sun. No pink headed mare to be seen. Not that much time had passed. She couldn't of gone far, unless she ran. Skuld continued down the row of vendors.

Wandering till the end of the rows, it seamed as if she had lost her for good. Until Skuld felt that nagging feeling tugging at her, to not give up. Look harder it's as if her senses were telling her. Skuld stood in the middle of the row, staring at the back of a hooded mare, with pink tail feathers. How interesting. The stranger who seamed to have nothing to hide with her friendly words and kind smiles, had now hid herself. OH yes. There is in fact something wrong with this picture. Why would a mare hide herself all of a sudden? It could be that she just found the cloth appealing, and bought it for pleasure. The color she picked out didn't even favor her own pink colors though. It seemed like it was a quick purchase to Skuld. Skuld's white eyebrow raised upon note of what the mare was looking at. Swords, daggers, and knives. Skuld breathed anxiously.

Yes. Closer. I must get closer to her.

The mind of Skuld went numb again to her surroundings as she drew herself closer to the mare she had been following. She tilted her head, as she listened to the conversation between the swordsman, and the mare.  

[Lunadriel]

Ana finally found the stand she came here for! Like a bubbly yearling, she trotted over. That part, was not all pretend. Aemiliana did like a good blade. This particular seller appeared to be selling imported blades, that were not made by hoof. The humans did have a way at molding steel and fire. These blades not only weren't local, but they were well cared for. Aemiliana realized she couldn't be that excited, and blinked her eyes a bit. She blushed and batted those pretty lashes at the stalsman. "My, such shiny swords. My boyfriend would surely hurt himself with one of these." The seller grinned at the mare, and began flirting back. Telling her what kind of small knife her boyfriend might be able to handle. Aemiliana didn't want a pouch sized knife though. Her interest was in the swords, though she wished his had spears and axes too. "My boyfriend is a big fella, I think he could handle one of your swords. Are these all your swords?" she couldn't help wonder if he might be keeping better supplies under the table, to keep others from stealing them when he wasn't looking.

The seller went on with his flirting, and began to pull a blade out from under the counter. He was talking big about how only a true stallion could handle such steel. Obviously, he was talking about himself. Aemiliana fought not to roll her eyes at him. As she studied the blade, she saw a reflection of her surroundings. Leaning in closer, she realized someone was standing behind her, staring. So she is being followed. Scrunching her eyes to look closer, she pretended to be looking at the patterns in the metal. She frowned. What is this pint sized mare up to?

Ana thanked the merchant, and made promises to return later. He tried to keep her attention, but she broke away abruptly while he was speaking. Better to not confront a stranger in public. Aemiliana would draw her out of the market, and into the woods.  

[Lunadriel]

Skuld became absolutely joyous on the inside as she listened to the mare talk to the merchant. No longer could she fool her. It is obvious she's pretending to be something she's not. Skuld pegged her real interest in the swords the whole time. It made some sense now. Her feelings made sense at least, momentairly. The mares charade however, puzzled her.

Skuld is no fool. It was apparent that the mare now knew of her presence, the way she broke out of character and left the shop near suddenly. What game is she playing at now? Trying to draw me out of town? Hmm. Okay. But we will do things my way. The pink mare expected Skuld to follow behind her, so that is exactly what she shouldn't do.

Back tracking a bit, and heading between some stalls, she took to the air. She could get ahead of the feathered one this way. Skuld had been down this trail enough with Eier the past few weeks, to know the landscape well. Everything has it's purpose. In this moment, she had respect for all the times her twin had dragged her here.

Skuld flew to a rocky terrain that lay in the middle of the open forest, right outside the market area. The trail out of town would lead the mare here, before she went elsewhere. The trees didn't hide much, since this area was kept open to keep predators from hiding. Skuld found what shadow she could by the rock, and clung to the wall. The element of surprise would be hers, and hopefully being close enough to the market still, would keep her safe. The other mare is bigger than her, and she was not unaccustomed to fights. Better to keep her back to wall, since she had no armor on. And catching the other mare off guard, may give her the moments she needs. She needed to see her and speak to her.  

[Lunadriel]

Aemiliana didn't look behind her, but rather listened instead. There were no sounds in the brush, or above her. "Hmpf." she made a noise, half impressed at the stupidity one had to contain to try and out smart her. Aemiliana continued on though, breathing quietly, to continue to hear her surroundings. A gentle breeze carried a scent from up ahead. Someone is ahead on the path.. Ana played the part of naivety, and continued forward. Aemiliana scanned her surroundings ahead. The rock. She knew the game they were playing so easily, that it made this no challenge. They would jump out of from behind the rock, and try to catch her off guard.

As she drew close though, the petite mare did not budge from her spot. Aemiliana lifted her head up, tossing her hood back. And stood there. She didn't even have to look into the shadow to see the mare hiding there. It is the only shaded spot in which she could try to blend in. This time of day and hour, she would stick out more than she wanted. It didn't matter. Intentionally, she stood with her side exposed, curious to see if she would attack. it wouldn't surprise her if she had an enemy. Even the careful make mistakes. Someone could of known her from before she came to Northspring.

The mini did not attack though. "Do you plan to sit there and stare all day?..." Aemiliana sounded calm, but cold. The dwarf mare had kept her from obtaining a new sword, and now cowered in the shadows. Yes. She is pissed off. But a temper could conflict with quick judgement. It took years for Aemiliana to control her temple in the heat of the moment. Now was not a time to get too hot headed. She continued "...Or do you have a reason for disrupting my day?" Turning her head directly to where the mare is standing, Aemiliana was surprised. Staring back at her, was eyes consumed in blue flames, that did not burn the mare from which they blazed.  

[Lunadriel]

((Fire eyes))  

[Lunadriel]

Eier noticed her sister acting strange. She observed her as the twin observed another, unbeknownst to Eier. The blue Valkyrie couldn't help but swallow a laugh, as she watched Skuld dive into a pile of leather skins. What in the world had gotten into her? Never had she seen this behavior from her kin.

Casually she strolled along, watching her, shrugging when she connected that Skuld followed another. Whatever her sister is up to, she would not interfere.

When her sister left though, Eier had to consider the risk of the situation. Skuld didn't even find her, or tell her what was going on. This made her take it all a little more seriously. If Skuld wanted her help though, she would of asked. Eier followed along, but kept a distance further still. Watching as both her twin and the mare she trailed after, left. Eier followed along behind the pink mare soon after she was gone. The thing about being Eier, is nobody ever found her threatening. That worked to her advantage. She didn't have to do much to blend in, becoming invisible all too easy for her.

She watched as the pink mare stopped near a rock. Eier took a guess that her sister was buy the rock. How ironic that the mare knew her sister lay hidden, obvious by her actions. Yet, she was completely obvious to Eier, even though she stand out in the open for all to see.

Skuld watched as the mare stopped, trying to taunt her to attack, by showing her side. Skuld tsk'd in her head. Like she would fall for such an obvious tactic. This told her more of the mare before her, furthering her interest. Surely Edda had guided her to this pink maiden for a reason. She is intent on finding out. Stepping out, she answered the mares call. They weren't going to fool one another. Skuld stared at her, with eyes of fire. Eyes that burned with the anticipation and excitement. Whenever her blood ran hot, her eyes would blaze.

She smelled her sister on the wind, but did not acknowledge her, or bid her join the meet.

"What are you?" Skuld called to the mare. "Why pretend to be some shallow minded lass, instead of the..." she looked at the ripped muscles on the mare. ..."the fighter you are? Or, perhaps I am wrong." Skuld did not feel she was wrong at all though! She was so sure, her eyes blazed even brighter.  

[Lunadriel]

Aemiliana still stood with her side to the stranger, a show of strength, and that she held no fear. A tactic she used against Sister of the Northspring Flock, before she turned and brought claw on them for taking the bait. Looking with her eyes, and a slight turn of her head, she peered down a the other. Puffing up and flexing, as she watched her eyes scan her body. That's right, look at her physique. Though she be short for a harpy, she made up for that with brute strength. Digging a claw in the sand, she held it, ready to through it at the one near her. If need be, she would blind her, then attack.

A devilish grin greeted the mini's questions. She did not ask who, but what? Aemiliana liked her choice of questions. "I am that with what you should not question. A fighter, yes. Your observation, and laying in wait tells me you are either a thief, or a fighter as well. Being that you did not try to rob me, I would lean towards the second option. You are a fighter as well." she ended her statement, as she looked the Usdia dead in the eyes.

"I don't think you are looking for a fight..." she thought. "No...curiosity? That could be the death of you." she said with a foreboding darkness in her voice. "I am not looking for a fight, but only in this moment. Should we meet again, I might answer your questions. Of course then I would have to kill you. You should tend to the one that follows you, before I change my mind, and kill you sooner." she grinned again.

Skuld felt her heart race. The fierceness of the mares responses, her true colors. It excited her. She wanted to observe her, know her better, and see if she might be worthy of killing. She isn't foolish enough to think this is the right time. Nor did the fighters threats intimidate her. They only made her look forward to the future. Should they meet again, perhaps they would battle. Maybe it would be her time to go home to the Halls of Valhalla. And just maybe, it would be this mares chance to join the Almighties ranks. Death could come for her at anytime. She feared it not.

She watched as the mare confidently left, not afraid to turn her back to Skuld. When she was far enough away, she walked over to where Eier stood.

Eier smiled. "What was that all about?"

Skuld walked back towards the market. "Let's go get you a candy apple and head home. I'll tell you all about it."

~Fin.