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 Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2022 11:09 am
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Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2022 12:18 pm
She loved this time of year. Spring was a season full of new life which meant that prey was plentiful and Desna's belly remained full. She stretched out lazily in the sun, spreading her wings wide and shaking off sleepiness. She didn't need to find any food for a while, yet the huntress couldn't help but feel restless. She needed something new to happen. She started walking towards the river, its rhythmic gurgling a beacon to its refreshing waters. She took a drink before wading in and letting the current break itself against her legs. The river was wide and deep in the middle, so she waded out further so she could dunk under the surface. The day was hot and sunny and the water was cold and exhilarating. She continued kicking around in the river, letting the gentle current take her a bit further down the stream as she relaxed.
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Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2022 12:26 pm
It was hot. Koda wasn't overly fond of the heat, partially because his fur was black and absorbed the heat and partially because he enjoyed playing in the snow more than anything. Still, he didn't regret this little excursion. Ever since the herd opened its borders Koda had taken any opportunity to explore the wide world. He had a hard time shaking the impulse to stay hidden from strangers, but he was starting to become more social. He found himself alone at the moment but he would fix that. Surely there were others somewhere nearby. After all, there was a very pleasant river here which would certainly attract attention. He trotted towards it, letting go of the shadows he normally stuck to. As he approached the river he found it occupied by another soquili. Success! She didn't notice him at first,, so he watched for a moment as she splashed around. It appeared she was a fellow shifter, and a powerful one at that! She had the multiple ears and tails of his herd's protector, a sure sign of connection to the gods. Clearly this was a fated meeting.
"How's the water?" He called out, announcing his presence.
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Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2022 12:32 pm
She was startled from her daydreaming by a male voice ringing out over the water. She turned and saw another shifter on the banks of the river looking at her. She cocked her head at him, taking him in. He was a handsome specimen, she wouldn't deny him that, yet it wasn't just his looks that intrigued her. There was an air of mystery about him that she couldn't resist. This was the excitement she had been hoping for. She swam over to the side of the river he stood on, boring into him with her blank eyes. She emerged from the water entirely, shaking off the water all over her new companion.
"Who are you?" she purred, circling the shifter curiously. From the smell of him he was a fox, which was interesting. She would have to keep her wits about her.
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Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2022 12:39 pm
As she approached Koda was able to see her face more clearly. Her eyes were black orbs, unreadable and unfathomably deep. She had a presence that he could not deny and as she shook the water off onto him he merely shook in turn and stood still as she circled him. He thought back to the protector of his herd, also touched by the gods. He was an imposing and terrifying creature and Koda wondered if approaching a similar creature was a wise decision after all. He kept his face carefully neutral as he replied to her, "I am Koda Kitsune, of the Vulpine Herd. And who do I have the pleasure of addressing?" A little flattery was always a wise idea when speaking to otherworldly creatures. Now that she was close he could smell her and realized she was not a fox like himself, but a wolf. From what he knew of wolves, that made her ever more dangerous. He would have to be very careful.
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Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2022 12:44 pm
Desna ceased her circling of him and folded her wings to her body casually. He was from a herd? That was even more fascinating. What herd would accept a shifter? Some deep, secret part of her stirred at the idea. Wolves were pack creatures, but Desna was not quite a wolf, and she had never met a soquili that welcomed her into their herd instead of running in fear. "You may call me Desna," she said carefully. Foxes were tricky, and she didn't wish to cause a rift or be tricked into servitude or whatever else this fox may have in mind. "I haven't heard of your herd before," she said casually, flicking her ears and tails and glancing about as if she were uninterested in hearing more.
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Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2022 12:52 pm
Desna, he thought. It was a lovely name. She seemed to be docile enough. Perhaps she was not as dangerous as he thought. He could see through her fake casualness easily and realized that she was perhaps looking for a place to belong. A place she would be revered as the goddess-touched being she certainly was. Koda knew what he needed to do. Today's meeting was fated by the gods and he would not fail them. He mirrored her casualness in body language and in voice as he spoke. "Few have heard of us because for generations we remained hidden. We've watched from the shadows and remained secluded for so many years. Recently we've opened our borders so we can expand our trading and perhaps gain new members." He glanced at her as he said the last part, looking for any minute reaction to the idea.
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Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2022 12:56 pm
She couldn't keep her face governed as he mentioned the herd looking for members. Her eyebrows rose and she met his gaze briefly before looking away again. A herd that would accept a shifter like her? It seemed too good to be true and yet her very soul yearned for it. She wanted a pack. A family. Perhaps today was more important than she could ever have anticipated. She took a few steps away from the stallion, her back to him and she processed what he had implied. Finally, she spoke without turning. "What sort of...new members are you looking for?" She tried not to sound too hopeful.
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Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2022 1:05 pm
He allowed her the space to think about what he was offering - and he WAS offering it to her. There was something about her. He was struck by her, despite having only just met. It felt like the gods were bringing them together and he simply could not ignore the feeling. So he embraced it instead. He had always assumed he would end up with a fox, but somehow he knew his heart belonged to Desna. It was too soon to tell her, of course, but in time she would know. First, he wanted to welcome her home and make her feel safe and wanted.
"You are a perfect new member for our herd Desna," he said simply. He waited for that to sink in for her. He knew she'd have questions and he was happy to answer them all. But first she needed to know that she was welcome.
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Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2022 1:11 pm
It was like a jolt to her heart hearing those words. Perfect. She had never been perfect before. Her own mother took one look at her and her extra ears and tails, horns and wings, and tossed her out like garbage. A mutant. And yet this stranger just told her she was perfect and that she could have a place in his herd. It was overwhelming. "But I'm... not a fox.." she stammered, losing her composure and turning back to him, eyes almost pleading. "How could I fit in there?" This was insane. How could she be considering this? She barely knew this stallion! And yet she felt safe with him. She trusted him but couldn't place why. There was simply something about him that brought her soul peace. She wanted to go with him to his herd more than anything in the world. She barely breathed as she waited to hear if the Vulpine herd would accept a wolf.
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Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2022 1:18 pm
He closed the distance between them and touched her lightly with his muzzle in a reassuring gesture. "It's true we don't have any wolves in our herd yet but with one touched by the gods such as you it won't be contested at all. You see, multiple tails are a sure sign of someone being touched by the gods. Our Protector has multiple tails and ears just like you. In our herd you will be respected and revered, touched as you are by the gods. You are a wonder, Desna. Our herd will be thrilled to have you counted amongst our members, you'll see." He dropped his own façade and gave her a reassuring smile. "You need not decide now of course. Come with me to the herd lands and learn about us. Meet our members and be welcomed."
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Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2022 1:21 pm
His touch was electric and she sighed happily as he explained how welcome she would be. This was really happening! She really could have a herd, a pack, of her own. She didn't care if she would be the only wolf. She would be respected for how she looked, instead of feared. She could be loved as she is, not treated as a monster. She met Koda's happy grin with one of her own. "Yes, take me to the herd lands. I would very much like to go...home." She returned his nuzzle and allowed him to lead her away from the river and onwards to her new life.
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