Though winter was officially here it had yet to dominate the South and the land was still littered with warm weather hold outs. The occasional odd tree still clung to its cheery autumnal dress and in the Orchard where such things were accented with fruits, one tree in particular stood out. It was the last apple tree; the jaded granddaddy of apples who'd seen too many seasons to let a little cold keep it from what it wanted to do. And dammit, it wanted its winter apples. It stood tall and proud, its limbs still laden with fruit despite the chill. Tyrian was hard at work at its base. The ground around him was littered with little cleft hoof prints; proof that the pigs Tyrian had been eying for awhile were in the area. This last apple tree with its plentiful fruit was where he was going to make his first attempt at catching them. He wanted to try his hand at raising them. Winter was probably not the best time to get started, but he was seizing this opportunity. Until now the beasts had proven elusive and crafty, and it was nigh impossible to get a bunch of them to gather in one place for long. But here with food growing scarce and this apple tree shining like a beacon, Tyrian was hopeful. Tashi had plucked a few choice apples from the tallest branches and scattered them around the trap Tyrian had lain. The pair had come up with a sting operation that was equal parts trap and performance art. There was a snare among the apples that would yank its victim into the air by a limb. This, hopefully, would scatter the remaining pigs and in their panic they would hopefully run into straight into the concealed pens Tashi and Tyrian had spent the better part of a week making and hiding. What could go wrong, right? No one else would be out looking for apples this time of year. In fact, if there were any unintended victims Tyrian was willing to bet they were the sort of critters he'd make a meal out of anyway. This would be a win/win situation no matter what. So, trap laid and bait set, Tyrian and Tashi crept off to a nearby creek bed to wait for a squeal and a crash. ""

A lot had changed since Hanako had last ventured into the Orchard. Given how prickly things seemed to be getting between Fireside and the Armada this might not have been the brightest of ideas, but Hanako was quick to shoo away such concerns. The men could bark and raise their hackles at one another as much as they pleased, their quarrels were not her own. And being the talented diplomat she was, Hanako was confident in her ability to smooth over creases well before things got too tense. Besides, she got along well with the few Fireside wolves she'd met; Tyrian in particular was a breath of fresh air from all the stuffy and overly serious wolves who called Boreas their home. If she happened to run into him again she wouldn't turn down the chance to go stone-skipping again, if he had the time of course. Being a busy King and all. Her problem-though she hesitated in calling it that- was the lingering soreness between herself and a certain Pirate King. What was done, was done and there was no going back now. But she knew of the affiliation between the band and Fireside, the thought of running into Sparrow so soon made her paws ache like she yearned to run and never look back. It was a risk coming here, she'd barely been able to explain herself last time and she doubted she'd do any better now. But all those worries were pretty easy to ignore as her belly rumbled. She was a fisher at heart but the apples which grew in these parts were the best she'd ever eaten, more than enough to draw her in as she wandered through the columns of yellowy-orange trees. She'd just have her fill and be on her merry way, no harm no foul.  Soon enough she came across one tree in particular that was laden with fruit, the spoils of its efforts scattered about the floor and all easily within reach.   She stepped forward with a bounce in her step, eager to monch and cronch- only to feel a sudden tightness around her left back paw as she was hoisted up into the air. She let out a startled eep as the whiplash of the motions squeezed at her joints and winced as she hung there, upside down and a touch dizzy. Wolves weren't made to dangle like a fish on the end of the line, who would have known? "speech"

After some time there was a noise that was not quite what he had envisioned. Like a mouse getting stepped on. Pigs were usually louder, screechier. If they were going to make noise they were going to commit and give it 110%. What he heard was like the wet fart of squeals. Come to think of it, shouldn't he have heard the other pigs clamoring down into the traps by now? Something was up. Tyrian slithered out of the creek bed, doing his best to be stealthy just in case. Tashi followed close behind with a coil of rope. Together they crept onto the scene and... "Hmmm." Well, he hadn't been wrong. He'd been convinced that whatever he caught would be something he'd eat and, lo and behold, Hana. "Not quite the pig I had in mind when I was making supper plans this morning," he said as he kicked aside an apple. ""

Hanako shimmied as she tried to tug her paw loose, swinging gently in the breeze like wind chimes. The blood was quick to rush to her head, pressing against her temples as the (upside down) form of Tyrian sauntered into view. With not a care in the world and his voice a teasing drawl. So he'd set this trap then? It'd certainly explain his smugness, but Hanako couldn't say she appreciated being mistaken as a pig. Pressing her lips into a pout, her ears flicked to the side like aeroplane wings. She could already anticipate how Tyrian was going to play this, holding yet another proverbial apple over her head just because he could. "Oh hey Tyrian." She greeted, clinging onto whatever shreds of dignity she had left. Not much these days. "Fancy lending me a paw?" She felt like it was wasted breath to ask, he wasn't going to help her out from the kindness of his heart. He'd never been outright mean, knew how to toe the line between light-hearted teasing and cruelty, but she knew he'd take this chance to gloat a bit. Maybe even revel in her discomfort, which was mounting with each passing moment.

She greeted him as though everything was fine and she wasn't hanging upside down, so naturally Tyrian went with it. "Hey, Hana," he said casually, his eyes on the tree limb above her. It was looking sturdy. Just a little skinned up from where the rope dug into it. Yeah, he decided, that sucker would hold a good little pig. "Fancy lending me a paw?" Tyrian stepped forward immediately. "Oh, yeah, sure thing." Once at Hana's side Tyrian gave her shoulder a little push to send her swaying and then stepped back out of the way. If she wasn't careful she'd probably start to spin. "Higher?" ""

It was a good thing Hanako had come here with an empty stomach, as surely she would have started to feel sick by now. He gave her shoulder a nudge, tilting her back and forth as the momentum grew with each swing. Her vision blurred with the stubborn colours of late autumn- or rather early winter- and her brows furrowed. She knew if she made a fuss and protested he'd just hoist her higher, but just about seeing that smug look on his face made her wonder if he'd just go ahead and do that anyway. It was a tightrope to walk, one that was wobbling equally as much as the line that had her suspended. The prospect of scoffing apples didn't seem quite so tempting any more, funny that. "I'd really appreciate it if you didn't. It's kinda starting to hurt." Ligaments and tendons were being pulled in ways they weren't supposed to hold for long, being as prissy as she was she didn't tolerate discomfort much. "How've you been?" On face value it seemed like an empty attempt at small talk, but in reality they really hadn't seen each other in ages. A lot had shifted since then.

The sight of her swaying, silently hating him, was terribly amusing. Tyrian had no doubt that if she wasn't so thoroughly at his mercy she would have had a great deal more to say. Really, it was a shame she had the smarts to not sass him, as he would have liked to swing her harder while she cursed him. But alas, instead she just fixed him with the bland look of a disappointed schoolteacher who had seen too much and had too few cares left, and told him he was hurting her. Which sucked all of his joy out immediately because that's not what he wanted. He wanted fun, dammit. Banter and a battle of wits. Some pithy retorts, maybe some cursing, and yeah a little pleading, maybe, if that wasn't asking too much. Where was her sense of humor? Tyrian stared at her as though she'd just smashed his favorite toy and then walked over to the where the rope was tied. He tsked as he walked away. "All I'm sayin' is my little nieces and nephews would love this shit." He lowered her down slowly. It would have been more fun to let her free fall, but he was sure she'd find no humor in that and he'd end up laughing by himself. Which wasn't necessarily a bad thing, but he just wasn't feeling it. The scolding of a dour woman wasn't much fun and, while she was easy on the eyes, Tyrian did wonder just how much they had in common. He'd rein it in for now lest he scare her away with his particular brand of playfulness. "Ehh," he muttered around the rope, "can't complain. How 'bout you?" Okay, okay, he couldn't resist being a little bit more of an ass. "How's life been treating ya since ya left my niece high and dry?" His expression as he sat down was a little bit playful and a whole lot smug, but he was genuinely curious. ""

Hanako hadn't meant to spoil his mood too much, but she supposed it was a natural reaction of not playing along. Now that she was horizontal and on all four paws again she loosened up a little, sticking out her offended hind leg before tucking it back in as she settled all dainty on her haunches. She wasn't a total stick in the mud, and offered him a pleasant little tail swish as she shooed off any lingering sense of offence. It wasn't like he'd set out to capture her, she just hadn't had the mind to look where she was going. She wasn't really sure what to make of his first comment and simply tilted her head to the side, the tips of her ears flopping a little with the motion. It was only when he continued did she stop mulling it over. Ah. Dropping all attempts at dignity, Hanako made what only be described as a horse-huff as she blew out her lips. She'd been concerned word might travel, that people would speak ill of her and it seemed as though her self-centric concerns were right. No doubt all manners of gossip had been exchanged at the party, even those who'd never even met her now likely thought all sorts of sordid things. And naturally the thought made her want to cry, to curl in on herself till she was just a vague shape of a wolf, edges blurred till the colours bled together, But given she had company she couldn't quite do that, could she? "Ahh, suppose it makes sense you'd hear about it. What about the part where I'm a two timing whore?" Her tone was dry, blasé, working miracles to hide the hurt buried deep beneath. Appetite lost, she gave the surrounding apples a passing glance. "Been better. It's a work in progress, you know how it is."

Tyrian could tell he'd hit a sore spot, which wasn't what he'd intended. He'd wanted to make her a little uncomfortable, have a small chuckle at her expense as she wrestled with talking to someone who was connected with her jilted lover. Tyrian hadn't expected her to be hurt about it. Why would he? He chalked it up to them just working differently. If he'd gone off with someone else and the jilted one responded by throwing a big fit, he'd think he'd dodged a crazy bullet and probably been alright with it. Or, maybe there was more to the story and he needed to stop making assumptions. Still wanting to salvage the conversation, Tyrian responded on the only way he knew how: with humor. He drew back his head as though surprised, a gentle smirk playing across his lips. All sarcasm, he replied, "two timing whore? You're in luck, that's not the impression I got at all." Okay, if her squeal in the beginning had been the wet fart of reactions, his attempt at levity had to be the wet fart of humor. He knew that immediately. Fuck. Gear change. "For real though, don't worry about Sparrow. She's a big girl, she'll get over it and quiet down. Enjoy that new man. Or...old man..." Had it ever been established if the guy was a new one or a old flame? He couldn't remember. The details hadn't stuck with him. "...Whatever he is to you. As long as you're happy that's what matters, right?" He drew back and fixed her with a speculative look meant to drag her over to the bright side and start thinking about whatever cutesy, happy romance land she was in sans pirates. "You are happy, aren't you?" ""

Hanako quirked a smile. Despite what it might seem like she wasn't -intentionally- sniffing around for his pity. It was just habit, her me me me-isms bleeding through. Pulling an apple close, she rolled it beneath her paw and supposed if Sirius knew about this he'd consider it mingling with the enemy. Hell, hanging out with Sparrow in the first place was probably an offence in and of itself. They'd been mourning the loss of two family members and what had she gone and done? Been all too eager to turn her back, as though to say: if I don't see it, it doesn't exist. Bad things and feelings did not belong in her rose-tinted world, it was no wonder she hadn't known how to react.

With a flick of her paw she bowled the apple over so it knocked against Tyrian's side. She saw his efforts for what they were and made an even stronger effort to shove all that icky stuff aside.

"Good, it's not really the vibe I'm trying to give off. Since yanno, I'm a lady." She reached for another apple but thought better of it, it was all bruised and sore. Damaged goods."Yeah, he's good to me."

Objectively speaking that's all it took really, to have her needs met no matter what shape or form they came in. To never be told no. And she was happy with him, when things were good. But when they weren't...

"Enough about me though." A rare thing indeed, coming from her. "I feel like it's safe to assume you weren't lurking here waiting for me." Though despite all she'd done and said she found the notion oddly flattering, even if only hypothetically and in jest.

Tyrian placed a claw on the apple that bumped against his side and set about rocking it back and forth gently. He wasn't sure if it was intended to be, but he saw it as a bit of a peace offering. "...Since, yanno, I'm a lady."  All wide-eyed innocence Tyrian was quick to reply, "Of course, of course." He was a bit curious about why she chose to answer his happiness question with a statement about being treated well, but he wasn't her mother and it wasn't his responsibility to make sure she made good choices. Besides, if the day came when being treated well wasn't good enough, he'd be delighted to introduce her to happiness. Oh yeah, pigs. Remembering the stage that was set, Tyrian glanced around. "You're right I was expecting a brunette." Saucy as it was meant to be, Tyrian wasn't lying. Most of the sows were brown. He fixed Hana with a side eye. "You girls sure do love your apples." ""

Hanako supposed it didn't really matter if Tyrian indulged in all the hearsay. Other than a few jabs here and there he'd made no real move to judge her for all the things she may or may not have done. More than ever she was grateful he didn't make it tedious and bring up pack stuff, and instead steered the focus back to banter and repartee, as though it was all they were good for. A safe line drawn in the sand, one neither were interested in crossing.

Hanako arched her brow."A brunette?"

She knew little of his personal affairs, but surely this wasn't how a man went about-Oh. He'd mentioned pigs earlier and had naturally compared her to one, just because he could. Making a pouty face, Hanako shot a sour look his way, though there was no real heat behind it. She was simply going through the motions of offence, puckering her lips and flattening her ears as she was so inclined to do. Any other reaction would have been out of sorts, dissimilar like a bad impression.

"I am no pig." She felt it an important distinction to make and even rose to her paws to give his chest a poke with a dainty front paw. "And what's wrong with liking sweet things? Hmm? Everyone is always so grumpy growly, sometimes I just want something nice."

Even if only to break the monotony of meat and fish.

He nodded solemnly as she parroted the word 'brunette'. "Got the finest tushes I've ever seen too." Pigs, for the unaware, had tushes. At one point he'd thought they were tusks but apparently calling them that in the presence of someone "in the know" got you ridiculed. But as far as he and probably most wolves were concerned, a tush was the thing you sat on - which was the definition he was banking on Hana knowing. "I am no pig." At this Tyrian made a face as though he needed to think about it. His expression waffled for just a second, his head tipping to the side, but he said nothing and opted to let his expression do the teasing. The poke at his chest, her sudden proximity and the words she'd chosen painted an opportunity he simply couldn't pass up. He stood up slowly, hoping she wouldn't back up too quickly so he had a chance to loom over her. Tyrian then licked his lips and said softly, "Nothing wrong with liking sweet things. I'm guilty of that too." He then moved to walk down her left side. On the ground behind Hanako was an apple which he picked up with his claws. Tyrian then laid down and rolled over onto his side, and took a bite out of the skewered apple. He waved it at her playfully, a smirk on his lips. "You're right, they're pretty good for pig food." ""

Tushes? As in- Hanako blinked owlishly. He was stone serious, any traces of humour hidden deep within the blue of his eyes and yet Hanako was at least somewhat certain he was making a joke. Either at her expense or more loosely and in general. Surely he was not some degenerate who liked to look at swines rears but...well, who knows what the wolves of Fireside got up to when they weren't raiding. It truly was hard to say.

Unable to hold it back longer, a smile pulled at the corners of her pale lips till it was undeniable.

"Tushes huh. Yeah, I can see you being a tush man." An amused rush of air huffed from her nose.

Naturally, he made a face to question her statement and she puffed up as though to further defend her honour. She'd been called a lot of things, but never a pig, thank you very much! Except she never got the chance to finish that line of thought, as he was quick to loom over her. Blue dwarfed white and orange, and Hanako found herself being overshadowed in the size department once more. It didn't bother her at all really,  nor did she move or flinch away. If he wanted to maul her he would've by now, thus instead she watched him with a curious eye. Knowing full well his choice of words were not incidental.

Brushing past her, the King settled upon the floor and helped himself to one of the many apples that lay strewn about. She didn't join him since she hadn't yet regained her appetite but sat down once more, at a safe and conversational distance. Not so close that it'd make tongues wag more than they already were. Beneath the shade of the trees, she watched the movement of his paw as he waved the apple on display. A big chunk missing from where he'd taken a bite, with beads of juice rolling over the red waxy surface. He had a way of making everything he did look tempting and worthwhile, no doubt his natural talents as a leader shining through.

King was an awfully lofty title but it suited him well. Not in an arrogant, know it all way. Rather a sense of prowess that came with his confidence, no mess, no fuss and no posturing. He just was.

"I do like apples, but I honestly prefer fish." She admitted, acting coy as though it was a grave secret she ought to take to her deathbed. "You though...you smell kinda...smelly." Was the nicest way she could put it, so just in case she offered him a beaming smile to soften the blow.

Whatever they had going on in Fireside offended her delicate sense of smell. Like he bedded with livestock, yuck.

Not a peep, not a squeak, not even a flick of her ears. Nothing. No reaction. Woman either had steely nerves or was clueless as fuck. Or she was gaining immunity. Nah, he refused to accept that. It was one of the first two and he'd put money on the second. Maybe, solely, because it made him feel better. Fish? Tyrian paused chewing to consider her words. Was that a smack at his niece, Sparrow? He couldn't decide if she was trying to be extra clever and reference pussies here or if he was reading too deeply and/or missing key information. At any rate he decided to let that comment slide as he had bigger fish to fry. Pun intended. Tyrian snorted, rolled onto his back, and took another bite of his apple. "Do I? Snoot deep in girls as you've been lately - and I can only speculate about your current beau - how do you know this isn't what a real man smells like?" He dropped the paw with the apple to his chest and turned his head to look at Hana. "Hm?" ""

Hanako sputtered on air as warmth flushed to her cheeks. It wasn't-she hadn't- Obviously she wasn't a blushing virgin any more, but his crass language was more than enough to throw her back in time to her yearling days. When the simple act of leaning against someone's shoulder was seen as awfully bold, as though boundaries were being overstepped. She wasn't sure if he was simply using his imagination or details had been exchanged but- Hanako couldn't stop the flustered sigh that passed her lips.

She shifted a little, allowing her haunch to slide as her legs fell into a more information position.

"You don't hold back do you, Tyrian?" She uttered, now unsure why she'd ever assumed that he would. He seemed to be a guy of wholes and never halves, with all his cards all-in. If nothing he was honest, she could respect that. "And though it's no real concern of yours, I'm experienced enough. Not too much, just enough, to know how men ought to be. " And in turn how she liked it and what suited her best.

Banter aside, was this really a conversation she wanted to be having with her ex's-ish-uncle? The fact Sparrow even knew about her-misunderstood- closeness with Tyrian suggested they spoke about her. So what was stopping him from doing the same again?

She wrinkled her nose." I'm sure you understand though, I'm not doubting your manliness. I would never. I just know shit when I smell it."

Being as starved for validation as he was, Tyrian ate up Hanako's reaction. He chuckled to himself as she sputtered and took another bite of his apple, his expression nothing but satisfaction. Well that all but confirmed some things he hadn't known the answer to. Involving his niece and all he wasn't going to dwell on the depth of their relationship, but Hanako's reaction was funny all the same. "You don't hold back do you, Tyrian?" He shrugged and smirked at her. "Life's more interesting if you don't." He chucked the core of the apple away and then rolled onto his side facing Hanako. "I don't remember saying anything about your experience, but thanks for filling me in," he said real casual-like. A pause as he licked the apple off his lips. "I was knocking the quality of your man." "It's not shit," he said as he dug around for another apple. "It's sheep's fleece to confuse the pigs. You know-" Ah, there was a good one. Tyrian picked up another apple and bit into it. May as well fill up since he probably wasn't going to be eating anything else today. "The sort of thing your lovely lad probably knits his scarves out of." ""

Hanako supposed it was true enough. Perhaps it was an Imperialis thing, saying whatever they wanted as they threw caution to the wind. Her ears pivoted to the side a touch, still feeling lukewarm about the fact he was able to prod her into giving away information she usually wouldn't. It was strange how so many of her relationships devolved into a tipping scale, with one side far outweighing the other. She didn't see it as a problem per se, more of an observation that said a lot more about her than she cared to read into. She offered him a side glance and made a point of smushing her lips closed. It was a good thing they weren't talking about anything of wordly importance, or knowledge which wasn't hers to share.

In his case it felt safe to assume he was just being a pest, getting a feel for tender spots he could give more attention to, but Hanako couldn't say he appreciated how judgy people were when it came to Azure. He wasn't perfect but she'd never asked that of him. He'd chosen her, why did it have to be more complicated than that?

"As you lot tend to do, yes." She raised a paw and gave it a dainty flick, motioning to Tyrian and his lot. "You do seem awfully interested in my personal affairs, is there something you need to tell me?" She said in jest, alluding to whatever interests he may be harbouring.

Beyond the thrill of flattery, she was comfortable as things were. She wouldn't jump ship just cause some hunky cowboy was rolling around in the grass, offering her clever smiles and witty quips. He was hot but not that hot enough to tempt her to do anything about it, just because she saw it didn't mean she had to outwardly react. Add any more fuel to the gossip fires.

"Ahh you raise livestock." She confirmed, though she doubted it was a big secret. Anything Tyrian wanted to keep hush-hush. "Isn't that beneath you, as a king?"

As for the scarf making Hanako simply huffed in amusement again, now wasn't that a funny thought.

At the mention of 'his lot' Tyrian drew a paw to his chest on bent wrist in a who, me? gesture. That didn't sound like him at all. Nope, not even a little. Except for when it was relevant to the conversation . Or it worked in his favor. Or it served a purpose of some other kind. Okay, yeah, it sounded like him. But what could he say, he was the best, it would be impossible not to knock his peers in conversation. "...is there something you need to tell me?" At this he he shrugged and held out a paw to examine his claws as though inspecting a new manicure. "I don't know, how likely are you to get mad at your boyfriend and go revenge fuck a rival?" He was going to fluster her again one way or another. She mentioned him raising livestock as if that was a new discovery, and since he would never dispute that or try to hide it like it was shameful Tyrian just tapped the side of his nose. Bingo, he raised livestock. Sheepskin wasn't silk but his people worked hard and ate well, and he was damn proud of that. Beneath him as a king? "What, raising prey instead of chasing them when I'm hungry? Yeah that's dumb, who would do that? Relying on chance is a much better strategy. I mean, who needs to be well fed all the time. Certainly not kings." ""

Hanako made a face, safe and unseen as Tyrian went to examine his claws. So that's all he thought he was good for? Charming. No doubt Tyrian liked her enough and his attention was flattery in and of itself, but not the same sort she'd grown accustomed to receiving from Azure. If she wanted to sleep around till her lady parts were a revolving door she would have done so by now. It was a little insulting actually that she was now seen this way, no doubt a result of Sparrow and her spite filled words. Earlier he'd claimed it wasn't the impression he got off her, but his current words weren't supporting that line of thought at all. Former hurt she'd managed to shoo aside was threatening to return with a vengeance, tugging at her tail with wanton disregard.

"Not very."  She told him, shooting a side glance his way. "I'm sure you'll find a way to live with the disappointment." If nothing she'd give him a poke back, cause come on he wasn't being very nice. "You could probably find a lady, or a man, if you tried."

She supposed all his farming stuff made sense but it all just seemed so...low brow, you know?

"Tyrian, you're already quite heavy. Then aren't you worried about getting fat?"