In the Sound, all was quiet. The seemingly perpetual snow was marred by new growth that persisted given the season change, but in small patches of defrosted greenery. Wel, it would have been all quiet- except there was the whole angry roaring and snarling coming from the treeline.

All at once Absinth burst out from the trees, her breathing coming in harsh puffs as she sprinted to open ground, a polar bear in hot pursuit of the monochromatic fae. It was just her luck, running into a fucking bear so soon after her brush with that bastard Rhazien. She could still feel the tight stretch of her scarring as she ran. It was probably going to open back up at this rate!

As she reached a point that was suitable for combat, Absinth spun around to face the bear head on. With a piercing snarl she dared it to come at her, ready to side step it as the beast tore forward at her. In passing her jaws snapped at the bears hind leg, targeting the softer flesh of the tendon at the back of the leg.

wormwood

Lavender paws carefully pick their way around growing plants, alighting softly on the crunchy snow that surrounds the defrosted green spots. The day is beautiful and the new growth promises life in the weeks to come. Andy slowly moves through the valley as she scans for any signs of Aresenn since she her hawk had found that he likes to linger in this area. Yet, as the miles passed with no sign of him, the purple wolf slowly began to lose hope and she cast a glance back to where her two snow leopards padded silently along behind her. With a sigh, she pulls to a stop and turns to them, saying, “Well, I don’t see anything. Hopefully, Aquilla has had more luck…”

A sharp screech from her hawk companion has the rest of the words dying on her lips and the trio take off without another word. While her companions could not speak in words that she understands, the lavender woman has grown to recognize certain sounds from each one of them and this call signals a wolf in distress. Galloping across the distance, Andy readies for a fight as three sharp screeches signal that it is a bear attack. Mind whirls as she sets a plan of attack, bursting onto the scene without a pause. Giving a sharp whistle, her hawk descends from its lofty heights, diving in toward the polar bear’s face to harass and claw at the creature’s eyes.

Another, shorter blast of two whistles has the leopards charging forward. Leo deftly leaping onto the bear’s broad back where he sinks his claws in deep and bites the beast’s scruff. Meanwhile, Gemini races to where the stranger fights, growling menacingly at the attacking beast as she strikes out at the creature’s other leg, attempting to draw the bear’s attention away from the unknown wolf. It roars in pain as all three of her companions open deep wounds on it and Andy swiftly moves in toward its head. The beast tosses its head back in an attempt to throw Aquilla off its face and the hawk flaps hard to gain altitude and avoid the bites aimed her way.

With carefully calculated movements, Andy tucks her chin, throwing her horns forward as she pins her ears to her skull. Invading the personal bubble of the beast, she suddenly lifts her front end up, sending her spiral horns into the sensitive area underneath the jaw line. The bear grunts in pain as the horns pierce flesh, blood slowly beginning to trail down and down toward Andromeda’s head as she rips the weapons free from the wounded beast. Without a word she dances backward, avoiding the swiping paws that attempt to follow after her with practiced easy. With a smirk, she stands tall, eyes dancing with delight as she spares the other wolf a glance and offers them a wink before she dives back into the fray.


"Andromeda Fatalis"

As Absinth focused her attack at the bear's leg, she came away with a chunk of flesh - rearing backwards as she noticed the…  hawk clawing at the bear's eyes. What the fuck? Just as her confusion mounted did she hear a series of whistles and snarls near her. The woman stood her ground, intensely focused on what was unfolding before her. Ready for anything. Except what happened next. Two cats, unlike the cougars and tigers she’s seen before, were seemingly helping her. One had mounted the bears back, the other attacking the untouched hind leg. All of it was bizarre as fuck.

The pieces of the puzzle fell into place as another girl entered the fray. A beauty of lavender, a pair of spiraling horns adorning her crown… which proved to be vicious as weapons. The girl used them to impale the beast's jaw from below and tear free all in the same fluid movement. Practiced ease. Absinth had almost worried unnecessarily that her heroic stranger would find herself stuck within the flesh of the polar bear. It was a brutal attack, and one oozing of self assurance in a fight. Absinth could have swooned. As the beastmaster danced away from the swiping of the bear's claws, Absinth was graced with a confident smirk; one that set her blood rushing through her veins like fire. Ugh, the women of this land are not good for my heart.

Absinth grinned with bloodied lips, spitting the bears Achilles tendon she still had in her maw to the ground as she returned to her own attack. She could focus fully on the other woman afterwards. Skirting the bear’s side with the help of all the new distractions, she lunged at the softer rib meat; just like her own scarring. She knew it fucking hurt, and the bear vocalized as much. Good. All she had to do was continue making lunges for flesh to rip away, avoid the bears opposing swings and whirls on her, and the blood loss would do the rest- especially with all the help inflicting more damage.


wormwood

Andy is confident in her movements, each step carefully calculated so that no energy is wasted with every attack. In the Armada, she was taught how to fight and work with her companions from a young age and the quartet now work together like a well-oiled machine. Excitement races along her nerves, causing her skin to tingle and fur to lift as she dances away from the angry polar bear. Heart thunders in her chest, pounding loudly in her ears as the adrenaline courses hotly through her veins. Nostrils flare as she tosses the monochrome wolf a wink, her lips pulling up into grin.

The heat of battle is something that Andy enjoys; from fighting predators to being on the front line of a raid, the lavender wolf has found that she utterly enjoys the thrill that it brings. The stranger grins with bloodied lips and she tosses her head back to bark a laugh as the unknown female dives back in to attack. Roars of pain fill the air as Andy is close behind, getting in close to hurting bear as a paw lashes out toward the wolf attacking its ribs. It is intercepted by Gemini, and the snow leopard growls as it releases the appendage, tail snapping the air behind her in a show of anger.

With a short, shrill whistle from Andromeda, Leo clambers higher up onto the creature’s back until he is in position to shred a tender ear. The bear tosses its head back, roaring in anger just as Aquilla drops from the sky, sharp talons seeking to puncture one of the beast’s eyes. Meanwhile, Gemini shadows the stranger, offering help wherever it is needed. Andy darts in, teeth seeking the puncture wounds on the polar bear’s neck that she had opened moments before. With a throaty growl, she latches on, tearing away the fat and muscle that surround the vital organs before she is forced to let go.

Sensing its demise growing closer, the polar bear doubles down, shaking off Leo and planting its hind legs as it moves to try and stand.


"Andromeda Fatalis"

Absinth had little time to clock the rearing of the bear, so focused on rending its sides to bits – much like her own thanks to Sephiran’s vile uncle. She found it satisfying, a perpetual grin adorning her features as blood splattered into her charcoal face with every snap of her jaws. She was far too invested in inflicting damage to worry about her beautiful stranger, nor the actions of her little pets.

Absinth spun, dancing backwards in one fluid motion as she put distance between herself and the beast. She found herself having to bite back a laugh as its rearing failed, the tendon she had ripped out of its hind leg leaving it lurching forward in pain. She spotted the gaping wound her horned stranger had caused and dove to offer her own contribution to the carnage. Latching onto its neck, she jostles and shakes her head, intent on furthering the damage before she, too, is forced to dislodge herself before a massive paw is able to hit her.

Upon her dodge, Absinth regains her balance and shoots the other girl a devious look. Her emeralds alight with exhilaration. The killing blow, if you will. She awaits the act, intensely raptured by the precision of the quartet. What a sight it was.

wormwood

Crimson flows, coating the lavender wolf’s face, dripping down her black, spiral horns, and splashing her chest. They are all vicious; a force of nature given separate bodies and unleashed on this one, poor ursine. The polar bear attempts to rear up, shaking off Leo and forcing her other companions to fall back so that all is left on the battlefield, are two blood-soaked women and the dying bear. Bloodlust surges within Andy’s breast and a vicious snarl rips from her throat as the slighter fae dances nimbly away from danger.

Blood loss is taking a toll on the dying beast and, as it lurches instead of standing, a grunt of fear passes its lips. The monochrome stranger dives in, grabbing ahold of the wound she had opened on the neck and widening it even more. Darting a glance behind her, she gives a short shake of her head and Leo and Gemini meld once more into the shadows. A paw forces the unknown female to dodge away and Andy settles her gravity low, readying for the final attack. The devious look that is shot her way is met with a rolling, joyful smirk as she draws in a deep breath and holds it.

One heartbeat and the polar bear sags sideways, the beast too far gone already to survive this encounter. Two beats and slowly pushes the breath out, releasing all the coiled energy in her muscles in one, smooth motion. It really is a mercy, what she has to do and Andy will never leave a dying creature to suffer. She steps into its space as it grunts, grabs ahold of area where the carotid and jugular pulse weakly, and deftly severs all the vital structures. Gracefully, the lavender woman moves away, allowing the dying creature space to convulse without causing injury to herself.

Short puffs of air leave her maw as pale blue eyes watch the beast collapse, bloody bubbles greeting the air where its trachea had been. Its eyes glaze over and the guttering flame of life finally extinguishes, leaving only an empty husk in its wake. A sigh of relief falls from her maw as the adrenaline begins to fade away and she looks to the stranger, quickly attempting to spy if she sports any new injuries. Serious and concerned, Andy asks, “Are you okay?” Ultimately, she had stepped in to help a wolf being chased a bear and it is her responsibly to make sure they are unharmed. Worry flickers in her gaze as she looks the female over.


"Andromeda Fatalis"

It was a delight. Watching the other woman make quick work of the beast that was far too injured to carry on. They never learned, did they? What was it… the instinct to defend territory? An urge to secure the food in the area? A brutish inability to adapt? She couldn’t understand it, especially if they had to know that so many of their brethren had fallen to the wolves of the Syndicate. It was impossible to ignore the numerous carcasses that had lain strewn across the Sound this season. Absinth herself had numerous trophies along the walls of her den.

Absinth stared at her stranger, her grace in dispatching the beast, and then the concern washing over her features as she turned her attention to her. Why? Who was she to be so worried about a complete stranger? Why had she helped at all? Not that it wasn’t appreciated. But.. Absinth was a distrustful creature, and everyone had their motives.

Only one way to find out. Her voice is a purr of admiration, monochrome body stepping forth carefully to align herself with the lavender woman’s. Face to face, she smiled. It was a bloody smile, and blood was splattered across her chest but all the same it was reality. Absinth’s brutal reality. “I’ve never been better. Thank you. You fight beautifully. I’ve never seen anything like it before.” Absinth tilted her head to the side, emeralds roving the girl’s face and up her horns in wonder.

wormwood

Pale blue eyes scan the monochrome wolf before her, searching for any injuries that might have occurred during the fight. Thankfully, they seem unharmed and, while their side seems to sport some thick, healing scars, they do not have anything that is actively bleeding. As their gaze meets and the stranger’s voice breaks the silence, purring their admiration and stepping forward toward her, Andy’s eyes widen slightly and she blinks in surprise.

Heat floods the lavender fae’s cheeks as she awkwardly shuffles her paws and says, “I am glad you are okay. Uh, thanks... you are a very capable fighter yourself!” Their gaze roves her face and traces her spiral horns and Andy takes the chance to duck her head slightly in embarrassment. Her? A beautiful fighter? While the soft-purple wolf never has been one to shrink away from danger, flirting is an altogether different matter that she finds herself woefully unprepared for.

Aresenn is the only one wolf she has ever really known intimately and they, thankfully, skipped the awkward flirting stage in their relationship. But, the more she looks at this stranger, the more beautiful she realizes they are. Shit, was she staring? Diverting her eyes to thick scars on their side, Andy attempts to steer the conversation back to ground she is more comfortable on and says, “You know, the Armada has many great healers. Would you be willing to let my brother take a look at those scars? He might be able to offer something that would help lessen them and take away any pain.”

As Andy looks at the other female’s side, she realizes just how wonderful the curve is from her trunk to her hips and the heat once again floods her face. Returning her eyes to the green gaze, she attempts to ignore the strange, confusing feelings that swirl in her chest. Sure, the stranger is attractive but she surely doesn’t think the same about her… right?


"Andromeda Fatalis"

Absinth smoothly switches from vicious fighter to a playful and bantering demeanor as she observes the lavender wolf before her with interest. With a sly smile playing on her lips, Absinth tilts her head, allowing her sharp emerald eyes to linger on the other girl’s face for much longer than needed. Especially as the other tries to avoid her gaze. Absinth lets out a melodious laugh as her savior stumbles over her words, clearly caught off guard by the unexpected attention.  "Oh, no need to be so formal. I'm just happy to see you in one piece~" The woman purrs, taking a step closer, enjoying the subtle awkwardness in the lavender fae's movements. They seemed to be about the same age, so why was she so shy? Ah, perhaps.. Female attention was a thing she had little experience in? It did often have a much more heady effect than the clumsy flirtings of men. Though, maybe she was just barking up the wrong tree… "But, aren't you sweet?" Absinth replies, her voice dripping with playful charm as she considers the compliment given to her. "Capable, huh? Coming from a skilled fighter like you, that's quite flattering." She smirks, her gaze dancing over the woman's features, lingering on the spiral horns that caught her attention initially. She made wonderful use of those, that’s for sure.

At the woman suggests her brother's healing skills, Absinth raises an eyebrow, the flirtatious twinkle in her eyes undiminished. "Oh, a tempting offer, lovely. But I’ll be alright. Don’t worry about me, not the first scratch I’ve endured." A jab at the bastard that made such a mark on her. Absinth's green gaze locks onto the stranger's, and she can't help but notice the subtle reactions to her own overtly sapphic nature. It’s… intriguing and alluring all on its own. This warrior goddess, she muses, although she doesn’t believe in deities. "You know.. not everyone appreciates curves and scars quite like you seem to." She remarks, toying with the prolonged stare she had clocked from the other woman. Her voice is a seductive whisper, low and rugged as she speaks. With a wink, Absinth steps back, smiling openly at her still unnamed companion. “Name for a name? I am Absinth. Delighted to meet you.” The monochromatic fae introduced herself, waiting for a name to apply to this beauty in return.

wormwood

A great many emotions flutter in Andy’s chest as the stranger stares at her face and the lavender wolf suddenly feels very self-conscious and uncertain of all this attention. She would take a bloody battle any day over trying to navigate this mine-field that is flirting. Heat floods her face as she tries to avoid locking eyes with the other woman while she desperately attempts to regain control of herself. The stranger purrs, taking a step closer and she falters, taking a half step back as the words the unknown woman has spoken tumbles around her mind.

Each word they speak is disarming and the flutter of her heart combined with the fact that the monochrome woman is attractive serve to put Andy on uneven footing. The weak attempt to compliment the others fighting skill is met with honeyed words and playful charm and she weakly offers a nervous chuckle. A front paw absent kicks at the ground as she tries to remove the foot she so firmly planted in her mouth by saying, “Heck, you are much more than capable! I just…”

Blowing out a sigh, her slender shoulders lift slightly in a half-hearted shrug as she admits, “I guess I am not very good at giving compliments.” A breezy chuckle is pushed past her lips as Andy’s ears fall against her head, wishing that someone would come and save from this… strange encounter. It isn’t that she doesn’t appreciate the woman or anything it is just that she doesn’t understand all these feelings that being around the monochrome fae brings up. Plus, the outright flirtatiousness that they bring to the table unsettles and excites her.

They continue to speak and Andy softly chuckles, nodding absently to their reply to her offer about seeing a healer, the lavender wolf chancing a glance toward the stranger. A warm smile fills her lips as her pale blue eyes catch their piercing green gaze and she holds it for a long moment before they suddenly muse about her appreciation of curves and scars. Eye contact is immediately broken as he sputters, gaze falling down to her toes as her ears slick back and her whole countenance becomes that of embarrassment.

After a few moments of trying and failing to find words, her mouth opening closing like a dying fish brought into the air, the topic thankfully shifts to something that is much more comfortable with; names. Head lifts as she returns it to her shoulders, ears swiveling forward as her gaze once more connects with Absinth’s. For a long moment, she considers what to give her in return, her full name or her nickname while a smile slowly blooms into view. With a dip of her horned head in a polite, yet warm, greeting, she offers, “My name is Andromeda but please, call me Andy.”

The nickname has followed her since birth and it is something that Andy has grown accustomed to and her full first name has only really used in moments of passion or anger. Eyes trace the black mask that covers Absinth’s face as she slowly rolls the woman’s name across her tongue, “Absinth.” Like tasting a fine wine, she turns each syllable around in her mouth, the smile that has been pulling at her lips growing with passing second. Head cants slightly to the side, as she adds, “It is a pleasure to meet you Absinth. Do you… live around here?”

Paws shuffle as she attempts to strike up a conversation, her nervous demeanor slowly bleeding way to her normal gentle nature. Because in spite of all the flirting that seems to make her uneasy, Andy finds that is quite enjoying being stared at. Shy and uncertain, she gentle probes this growing… thing to find out why Absinth keeps staring at her. Obviously, the lavender woman does not believe she is beautiful and therefore, does not understand why she keeps looking at her. Very strange indeed.


"Andromeda Fatalis"

It is a mixture of fascination and intrigue that clouds her mind in the presence of this woman. The lavender wolf's nervous energy is palpable, her uncertainty like a delicate veil – one Absinth is eager to …explore. And she, accustomed to the dance of flirtation, finds herself drawn to Andy's naivety, to the raw emotions that flicker in her eyes. It’s endearing, in a way. Enticing in many more. As Andy stumbles over compliments and fumbles for words, embarrassed and flustered… Absinth can't help but feel a surge of affection for this gentle soul. Such power in battle, and here she was dissolving into a bashful mess. There's a… certain beauty to be found in that, isn’t there? Absinth certainly thinks so. She watches with amusement, briefly reminded of this same odd interest she held for Karaka. Beautiful. Innocent. Pure. A bit like a plaything, but Absinth was not in the market for toys like some of the Saxe’s so enjoyed. Fucking hell, did she have a type? An inclination for a… chase? What did it mean?

Absinth's own confidence is unwavering as she closes the gap between them, her words laced with playful charm and genuine interest. Absinth edges closer, so boldly testing her limits, her gaze amorously roves over the lavender woman's body. My, she’s beginning to feel like something of a villain, twisting up this woman’s guts in… excitement? Or so she hopes. But pushing too far would do no good, and she could very well trigger some kind of fight or flight response. An internal sigh, as she reigned in her hungry eyes. “Oh, but your compliments are sweet nonetheless. Sincerity is quite attractive.” The monochromatic fae chuckles, her shoulders rolling forward as she sits before her lovely warrior. Her skull cranes, a brow quirks as she listens to the other woman’s words.

When Andy offers her name, Absinth feels a flutter of satisfaction in her chest. “Andromeda,” She repeats, savoring the sound of it on her tongue. Andromeda.  It's a name that suits her, Absinth thinks. A name that speaks to her strength and resilience… Absinth’s father had once told her of something called a galaxy, one of them had been named Andromeda as well. Though it was from a long time ago, from word of mouth passed through literature and song. But if she were to affix this woman’s name to her permanent memory, it would pair nicely with the night’s sky, wouldn’t it? She could almost imagine stars glittering across the pale coat of her’s, and maybe a few would divert away into her eyes and glimmer back at Absinth. Hah. Why did she feel more and more like she was becoming her father, chaotic poetry and all? “How beautiful.” So transfixed by the woman and her own musings, it took Absinth many moments to even consider the name again. Andromeda? Aresenn’s Andromeda? Daughter of the Warlord? The Warlord Absinth had made that deal for armor some time ago. Absinth did not allow her face to warp, but her lips did quiver in it’s usual fashion - her smile widening brightly. But was she mistaken? She couldn’t afford to be. There was confirmation to be gained. But. She had a face to the name now… and if she was right – she would do well not to let the knowledge of the surname slip free from her maw as it had with the girl’s father. Besides… if she was Aresenn’s Andy, wasn’t this a perfect opportunity to see just what he saw in her? Certainly she was already getting an inkling. Hadn't he described her just as she was? Sweet. Naive. Selfless.

Itwas utterly delicious to hear her own name fall from Andy’s lips, so finely spoken,  "Yes, I do," Absinth replies when Andy asks if she lives nearby, her voice soft and warm. "For now." She adds, and there's a hint of mystery in her words, something meant to beckon Andy’s intrigue further.

And as they continue to talk, Absinth can't help but marvel at the strange alchemy of emotions that swirls between them. It’s tense, and curious. “So, what brings you to the Sound, Andy? Anything I can help you with~? I do owe a favor to my knight in shining armor.” Absinth grins at Andromeda, winking at her with a roguish giggle following suit.

wormwood

Where Andy had been so sure of herself in the battle but a new, shy, meekness appears in the face of traversing this strange dance that is flirting. Yet, where she is lacking, the monochrome fae picks up and they waltz together in the time-honored beat mutual of sexual attraction. While the woman has only recently lost her virginity to Aresenn, there is a new, exotic appeal to being found attractive by one of her own sex. Words are fumbled, awkward compliments given and attempted to be smoothed over by her as the stranger calmly fields everything with a such calm, authority that is reminds her of how she had handled the battle with the polar bear.

In that moment, she finds a strange, unique understanding with the woman who identifies herself as Absinth because, where Andy might lack, the monochrome fae is there to pick up the slack. Giving up her own name in return, the lavender woman feels a strange, exciting flutter in her heart as her name passes through Absinth’s lips and she knows her eyelids flutter in time with what her heart is doing. A shy smile tugs at her lips as she quietly watches the monochrome woman, observing each subtle movement that black masked face makes as the tentative woman soaks it all in.

In an attempt to strike up a conversation, she questions if Absinth lives around her and the reply that is offered has her slender eyebrows slowly lifting with an unvoiced question. But she does not press and simply offers a genuine, sweet smile as Absinth questions why she is there herself while adding on a little extra flirting just to fluster her a little more. The smile turns bashful as heat once again floods her face but she does her best to down play the anxiousness that bubbles up as she says, “I am actually looking for a friend of mine. He said that he was hanging out around here with some of his friends… his name is Aresenn.”

Pale blue eyes flit over Absinth’s features, searching for any sign of recognition as she offers up her friend’s name and she finds herself holding her breath and biting her lip. Heart flutters as she realizes that, while she does wish to the man who has stolen her heart, she also does not wish for this meeting to end so quickly either. Suddenly, and rather embarrassedly, Andy asks a question that seems to have been plucked from the thin air without any context at all, as she softly questions, “Absinth, do you like to watch the stars?”

The words are airy, almost breathed with a sense of how stupid the question really is. But stargazing is Andy’s passion; the cold celestial bodies are more familiar to her than her own family and, if Absi shares a connection to them as well… maybe she could spend a night underneath the stars with her. Just to learn more about Absinth, of course.


"Andromeda Fatalis"

Absinth's keen eyes traced the subtle shifts in Andy's demeanor, from the confident warrior of battle to the tentative dance of flirting. She relished in the transformation of the girl. She loved the desperation she elicited from the woman. The mention of Aresenn's name sent a ripple of recognition down Absinth's spine, though she maintained her composure, masking any hint of surprise before she spoke in her velvety tones. "Aresenn, you say?" She echoed, her voice carefully neutral. "Oh. He is a good friend of mine." The monochromatic fae said, refusing to give the truth before Aresenn did.

"Do I like to watch the stars?" Absinth echoed, a playful twinkle in her eyes as she embraced the new topic. "Oh, Andy, I do. My father loved to teach me about them." She confessed, her voice tinted with a hint of nostalgia and something painful. “Would you like to hear those stories?”


wormwood