the past few weeks were a welcome blurr of activity. she had gotten her order from that empress lady and set to work on collecting leather for the battle armor. luckily for her, a jaguar had been killed by Dagfinn and herself. it wasn't bovine leather, but it'd do. but Dutch wasn't out here to visit Ashen or anything. she had the measurements and the leather was back at camp, soaking in water after she scraped off all the excess fat. the salt would be added next after it was done soaking. it usually took up to two full days, so the dwarf felt she could wander a bit in the meantime. Dutch carried on her back some hare pelts from recent kills in the west. the convenient place of water at the Deluge attracted thirsty critters. she wasn't a hunter, but she knew easy prey. skinning the fur off of the kills, she'd devour the food before going on her way. by the time she got back, the meat would spoil; she didn't plan on going back to the Hjarrandi until two days were up. she'd just pace in camp, waiting for the leather to be ready. with the three hare pelts slung across her back, she just wandered the area with ideas forming in her head. she could sell the pelts easily to a pack in the area. there was a shitton of packs in this area. she only paused, a voiceless murmur crossing her lips at the interruption when she smelt the pack wolves. Dutch knew they were Ashen wolves; they had the scent of Deathbelle on them. tilting her head up, she wondered if they had come to collect the armor. it was too early for that though. she'd have to send them away if so. patiently, the dwarf just waited for them to come into view. she wondered what they wanted, or if they were just passing by. either way, she had no reason to fear them.

Zee was so glad Sirius had decided to come with her on her trip. The small wolf would have never guessed that he'd ever willingly leave his mistresses side. Perhaps it had something to do with Deathbelle, as she did suggest that Zee bring Sirius along for protection. It was hard to keep up her prideful posturing while walking beside the titan, so Zee settled for holding her head high. It made it almost to his shoulder. "We're looking for roses and lavender, as well."  She told him firmly, more for her own benefit. She could not forget that her mistress requested the herbs and it cemented it in her mind easier when said aloud. They were looking for the wolf who'd stumbled upon Deathbelle earlier and offered to make her an accessory. Hopefully they could catch up with her before she got too far. "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

It wasn’t often that a slave was allowed to leave the pack lands, and he knew that his duties as guarding her where doubled as a warning. Treating Zee with a subtly greater respect - he was assigned temporarily as her guard - the Titan settled himself on her left shoulder, standing a pace away and a step back. He let her lead as they moved from pack lands into desert. The familiar heat blistered his paws, and warmed his dark coat, but he made not a word of complaint. In truth, he said little, attention on their surroundings as he acted his part loyally. It seemed to him that Deathbelle had taken well to her slave, and enjoyed her pampering and attention. For whatever reason, Zee seemed to be her favoured of the Ashen slaves. For this reason, he would ensure that she returned to their mistress whole, and unharmed, and he was willing to put his life on the life to achieve it. “Understood” he said softly to her as she mentioned Lavender and roses on top of the pillows. They were common enough herbs that even he knew of them, through his experience with herbs was minimal. He knew enough to keep himself alive, and nothing more. When they entered the sight of the wolf they sought for, Sirius raised his head in surprise, pinning his sights to her. “Dutch?” he called out in surprise, as he recognised his sparring partner. "Speech"

her name uttered by a slightly familiar wolf caused her to turn back to the approaching beings. an ear flickered behind her head as an unknown woman came into sight first, followed by the massive form of one she had seen recently. "oh hey; it's Handsome!" she barked in greeting, laughing. shifting her body to turn toward them both, she'd eye the female before her attention went to Sirius. the hare pelts moved in fluidiness on her short back. it would be stupid to ask them what they were doing out here. it was near their pack's land, after all, so she felt it was less important to inquire about. Dutch had clearly been hunting, but she also was gathering more pelts for what Valkyrie called Market Day. she needed lots of things to work with and also give the band so they could work with it. but the unknown woman with Sirius seemed hellbent; the determination was clear. "lookin' for something?" she asked, wondering if she could assist the pack wolves in some way.

Sirius was gruff and cool as always, and Zee rolled her eyes as he kept pace a step behind her. It felt weird, but she maintained her forward steps. If they weren't on a mission the spirited woman would be no doubt walking at a snails pace, simply to see if Sirius was as devoted to making her feel respected as he seemed to be and stayed at her shoulder. As she prepared to open her mouth and ask him to cut it out and come up beside her, the titan spoke the name of the craftswoman. Her ears perked forward and she turned to follow his gaze. "Oh hey; it's Handsome!" The greeting was returned, and Zee raised one eyebrow at the woman before them. Of course, the small slave could not be offended or jealous at the lighthearted way the stranger threw her welcome towards him. So far Sirius had snapped at her for misspeaking on their mistress and pinned her to the ground for insubordination to the other Klein. Sure he'd given her some sort of half-apology, and a request for friendship... but that didn't make them close by any means. "Yes, hello." She interjected briskly, stepping in front of the man. (Though she was so much shorter that it wasn't as if she could block the strangers view of him.) "We come on behalf of Empress Deathbelle, to commission some extra work." Zee forced a smile onto her lips. "Would you be able to pull together some pillows, by chance?" "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

The sabered titan grinned at the familiar sight of Dutch, she was another spunky short wolf, and her fearlessness had earned her a touch of respect from the warrior. He ignored her inflection, uncertain how to respond and glanced to the wolf who walked beside him. She stepped quickly in front of him, blocking absolutely nothing from his elevated view, and he raised an eyebrow, amused at her actions. He saw no reason for it, they had been walking side by side, or did she take offense to him greeting the wolf by name?

Hiding a smile, he took a seat and let Zee take over the conversation as she requested extra work - pillows, to be exact. He licked a fang and looked into the distance, thinking of Deathbelle and the comforts they desired to bring her with this journey. He was here as a guard, and potentially to fetch and carry if it came to that, but so far he saw nothing he needed to guard the small slave from. He did not believe she would wish to escape, but letting slaves leave without escort set an unprecedented example for others.

as soon as Sirius acknowledged her and she him, that woman stood in front of him. blocking Dutch's view. what an utter bitch. she was just saying hello. gods. wasn't like she was riding him in plan view of the other woman. good thing the guy was tall else she'd be completely shut off from looking at her previous sparring partner. the dwarf's eyes squinted at the blue furred woman, her dislike making itself clearer and clearer. what crawled up her ass? she thought. was Sirius her man or something? "I don't know how you do things in Ashen" Dutch bristled her neck fur a bit "but I'm a free woman. if you don't act with respect toward me, I have no obligation to even speak to you." her head turned away deliberately, focusing on the water's surface. she was more than a traveling crafter; she was a wolf with thoughts and feelings. at least Sirius had behaved nicely. he was a quiet fellow but she could tell he was at least glad to see her. "there are plenty of other crafters, if you think that's beyond your capabilities" she added in with a lofty expression.

"Excuse me?" Zee's lips lifted infinitesimally as if to begin a snarl before settling back into a tight line of composure. "I was perfectly polite, thank you very much." The small woman faced off squarely against the craftswoman, the man behind her forgotten. She wanted disrespectful? Zee could be disrespectful. "Do you have an issue having extra work requested of your clan? The Empress speaks highly of you, but perhaps she was wrong in her analysis." Her fur bristled, tail flagging partially upright. She didn't look fearsome - it was hard to look intimidating when one was so small - but she definitely did not look the part of a lowly slave. "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

Oh no he could see where this was going when Dutch took offense to Zee’s stance. He could barely understand why Zee had stepped in front of him in the first place, but perhaps Dutch could see it more clearly then he. Dutch’s broken pride showed through as she abolished the wolf for her actions, and he knew the fiery Zee was going to respond. He stood slowly, quietly behind her, his towering form rising as he reached his full height. The blue slave girl began to speak, her tone condescending as she insulted the one they wished to commission. She was going to sabotage this, and Deathbelle had ordered them to get pillows. “Zee. enough.” he growled, as he reached his head forward and grabbed her by the back, he hauled the much smaller wolf backwards, and hopefully off her feet as he settled her back down again beside him. His sharp saber-teeth nicking her skin softly as a warning. “You do dishonour to the Empress of the Ashen Empire, and I will not stand for it.” his voice was even and cold, without infliction. “Our humblest apologies, Lady Dutch” he rumbled gently, turning his attention back to her after glaring at Zee. “We know of no other crafter as skilled as yourself, and will pay dearly for your work if you are able to craft us pillows.” "Speech"

oh really? she wanted to exchange words? how cute. the dwarf growled openly as the woman sized her up. this was gonna be fun. "the fact that you childishly blocked Sirius from my view and the tone you addressed me in" Dutch began scathingly "combined with the "my shit don't stink" attitude... yeah, you were real polite, lady. so fuck off." saying her piece, she waited for the bitch to retort only for Sirius to intercept her. pulling the other wolf backward, he'd restrain her and berate her. suffice to say, the dwarf felt both happy the woman was reigned in but also sad she wouldn't have a go at her. she eyed the woman, the ghost of a snarl still upon her lips as Sirius addressed her. her head slowly looked to him as he begged her forgiveness. "how do you even know if I'm as skilled as I claim?" she said, still upset from the confrontation "I haven't finished your empress's order. maybe it'll look like crap?" she wanted to know why they felt the need to seek her out above the other tinkerers in Boreas. Sirius claimed they 'knew no other'. well, didn't that make her feel special? "what did you want again? pillows?" she relented, relaxing her shoulders as she sat down on the earth. the hare pelts fell off her onto the modest foliage around them.

"You stupid bitch, I- " Zee's seethed words were cut short by her companion. One minute she was stepping forward to tear this stupid woman's throat out, and the next she was being hauled backwards and onto her rump on the ground beside Sirius. She flailed in his grip until she felt the unmistakable shallow puncture of his over-sized fangs against her skin. This woman was not their master. He had no right. He was always getting in the way! Zee snarled at him quietly, eyes narrowed. She hated him in that moment - for the hundredth time, it felt. "Yes, pillows." Zee said lowly. She had a feeling that she was no longer whom the woman was addressing, but like hell was she going to be made to sit at Sirius's side quietly and be ignored like a pup at a business meeting. "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

He growled at Zee, through Dutch really wasn’t helping, how had he gotten into the middle of these two hormonal, crazy woman again? Ah, right, Deathbelle he clutched that thought as he turned back to Zee. “No insulting the contractor” Sirius said, his anger beginning to rise as Zee resulted to calling the other woman a bitch, and Dutch insinuate what she was making for the Empress might end up like rubbish. He reached over, and placed his entire muzzle over hers, the sheer size difference displayed as he gently pressed down on her closed mouth,and then released her. It was a very obvious, unsubtle threat for silence before his temper skyrocketed and he lost it in front of them both. His light blue eyes glared into hers, before he turned back to Dutch, and looked to the other woman. He let out a sigh as he address Dutch again, “Because I know that you push to excel in the things you do, without fear or hesitation, so I trust that you will put this ability to your work.” he explained, his habit of complimenting the Kliens at every turn coming in handy. He didn’t have pride as his weakness, he had anger, but so long as he kept that under control he would be okay. Why did Zee rile him up like nobody else could? “That was correct, pillows” he said, ignoring Zee’s interjected comment. "Speech"

the fact that Dutch was so easily winding up the other meant the woman had no sense of self-control. this was nothing. this wasn't even an insult to her. a cruel smirk drew itself from her muzzle as Sirius silenced the woman, as if mocking her. from the way he acted toward the woman, the dwarf could tell she was not high ranked like him. it was almost as if she was a slave, allowing some reign due to her master. Sirius wasn't her master though, even if he was reigning her in effectively. as much fun as it'd be to poke and poke and see what happened, she focused on the man as he spoke. an amused brow rose. "and you got that from just two meetings? either you have blind faith in me or you're smarter than you look" she chuckled, completely ignoring the bluish woman as she faced him and him alone. so they wanted pillows, eh? probably to line Deathbelle's den if she had to guess. "I need bird feathers. I have rabbit pelt I can stuff them into" she gestured to the ones on the ground she'd need to clean properly. "and I need strong but nice smellin' herbs to line them with." there was no point in a pillow that smelt like blood and guts. unless their empress was into that sorta shit. "I'm terrible at hunting birds, so you guys can collect them how you want. I can help with herb gatherin'. I know lavender at least" she paused for breath "bring the feathers to the Deluge in two days, and I'll gather more pelts. I'll make them then" Dutch twisted her body to grab one of the pelts and threw it at the bluish woman. "stuff that pelt full with as many as you can, unless you have a better idea how to carry lots of feathers at once."

His muzzle came over-top her own and Zee's snarl deepened in tone. It was obvious what he was trying to get across to her, but Zee was having none of it. "Freedom of speech, Vessel." She spat grumpily, head turning away from him and the stranger. The craftswoman continued to talk, thankfully she was still willing to help them with the project. Zee still refused to turn to meet her eyes as she spoke, and it wasn't until the soft thump of a pelt hitting the side of head did she whirl back around. Her gaze shot back to the woman and narrowed into an icy glare. Gingerly, she picked the pelt up between her teeth and thought for a moment. Firmly decided, she leaned towards the massive male's front paws to drop the bundle of fur atop them. She looked up at him with her narrowed eyes and muttered low enough for only him to hear. "You owe me this much." Nodding towards the makeshift sack to clarify what she wanted from him. Her pride had been harmed enough in this interaction, she sure as hell was going to make Sirius suffer a little bit too. "Thank you." She said to the woman, voice coming across without any thanks at all. "If you find some extra lavender, I will pay you for it by itself as well. My Empress has needs of the herb." With that, she turned to leave - making sure her tail thwacked grumpily against Sirius's side as she did so. "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

He offered a slight smile at the craft woman's words, through no comment. He hoped that it was true, and she would make something splendid, but in truth it was Deathbelle’s judgment he was trusting, not his own. This was the woman she had chosen to make the pelt she longingly sought, and he would trust that she knew what she was doing. “Understood” he said as she requested feathers from them. This meeting had been stressful and tense, but it seemed they would actually reached the end of it without further incident. He almost laughed in despair when Ditch threw the rabbit pelt at Zee, hitting her square in the face. He said nothing when Zee glared at him, and demanded that he do the work, that he owned her this much. He wasn’t going to argue with her, his heart was already heavy at having to tell her off time and time again. She acted like a free woman, but she was a slave, a slave and he wished she understood that. She might not make this hard on him time after time, if she understood that. “Farewell, until then, Dutch” he said politely, before picking up the sack, saying nothing to Zee as he turned from the meeting, recieving a good flick across his face instead of his side as he did so. He ‘harrumphed’ but said nothing as he began to walk. "Speech"

-exit post?-

she had a feeling that if she kept prodding at the bluish woman that it'd ruin whatever deal they were getting into. a shame, because Dutch truly loved the reactions of other people when she pushed their buttons back. she'd settle for a small victory - she had hit the woman on the side of the head without meaning to. it was hard to judge distance and height from a casual throw. but she'd let the other wolves feel she did that on purpose. they weren't her pack mates. she'd never seen them again outside of casual encounters. "yeah, see ya" she'd grunt as Sirius left, having completely ignored the woman's forced attempts at being 'thankful' and 'grateful'. whatever. she started it. if she couldn't handle the fire, then stay out of the forge. Dutch had no misgivings about it. she wasn't suddenly going to grow a conscience about it later. it was done. rising to all fours, she'd collect the other rabbit pelts before walking off. she waited until both Ashen wolves were out of sight before hobbling further into the Deluge. she'd have to go back to the Hjarrandi soon, but not right now. / EXIT & END