Swaths of eerie mist clung to the ground in pre-dawn hour, occasionally disturbed by the swooping and darting of the little finches and sparrows who'd been nesting in the enormous branches above. The forest would've been silent if not for the light-hearted chirping that seemed to echo from every log and branch, far more cheerful than the scenery itself might've suggested. A mother moose was peacefully drinking at a thin seasonal stream that burbled softly with her calf close by her side. Their breath hung in the air with every soft huff; even in summer it was still chilly in the north. At least during the morning hours anyway.     All peace is eventually trodden underfoot however, and in the span of a single breath the forest quieted and what was once lively and calming became tense as the moose cow's head raised, on alert at the sudden change of atmosphere. Ushering her calf away from the water, the pair moved off in a hurry through the brush. It was the scent of a predator that prompted them to make a quick exit. It only took a minute or so, with silence still clinging fast to the misty land before a paw painted in jostled embers was placed in the track of the mother moose, gauging the size of the prey that had just left. Single crimson eye scanning the muddy riverbank, a command was barked to the woods behind and a pair of paws could be heard diverting their path after the moose cow and calf.     Confident, Lücien let a smirk play at his lips as he settled in for a quick drink of water, alone for now. He expected that by the time he'd accomplished what he set out to do he would have a nice meal waiting for him to celebrate over. Excitement sung in his veins at the prospect of finally finishing what he started. Maybe some lesser fool would be fretting over what they'd do after, but Lücien wasn't so weak minded. He'd have his  quarry in his paws in no time, there was no doubt. And once he did, well, he was sure that he'd have Ignatius hot on his heels to show off his prize to, and then he could move on to the next step. This was gonna be delicious. I just want revenge And a little bit more

For one who preferred warmth to the cold, she found herself in the North far too often. There was something mystical and fantastic about these snowy lands that drew her back to them. She found the most interesting wolves hidden in the swaths of snow. Spice, the antlered cat lounged cross-legged over the wolf's shoulder, hitching a ride as the towering, long-legged fae made her way through the Northern wilderness.

The scent of water altered her course, and brought her deeper into the red forest. Licking her lips at the thought of something to drink, and perhaps a bite to eat, she stepped from the snowy trees, and found the flaming wolf smirking over his drink.

She stopped for a moment, to admire the long curves of him. The flames that licked at his paws, and wound about his legs. The ashy, darker tones of his nicely shaped rump. Keetie smiled, she had always had a fondness for reds. “Oh darling, is there room at your drinking hole for two?” she purred.

"Speech"

With his few remaining trustworthy companions gone in search of food, well, the only company he had left was his own and the faint trickling of the little stream as he enjoyed the cold drink. While he could have sat about mulling over how to get what he wanted and where to begin his search, there was always time and it wasn't like his pursuer was going to catch up fast. Hah. A wicked twist to that smirk couldn't help but make itself known before his own musings were interrupted by the sound of someone else arriving in the cool and quiet little haven he'd staked himself out in for the moment. Pausing his lapping to cast that single crimson eye her way he found an equally lovely vessel housed that lovely voice. Not particularly surprised by her appearance given where he hailed from, but nonetheless finding himself to be admittedly attracted to her, Lücien wouldn't be shy about looking this heavenly astral goddess up and down. "Ah, I may not know the laws of these lands, but to refuse to share a drink with a lady so heavenly would surely be a crime!" his expression so earnest, he wouldn't dream to refuse such a creature. Perhaps his own ego was a little inflated by the fact that he sensed the appreciation for the good looking company seemed to be going both ways from the get go, but who could blame them? Stepping to the side and offering a gentlemanly dip of his head Lücien was the very picture of charming fellow indeed. Surreptitiously giving her another glance as he took another quick drink before settling himself by the bank on a patch of dry ground, he couldn't help but make the vague comparison to Cassandra. An inward flinch accompanied the thought, but he pushed past it and couldn't stop himself from seeing the similarities. His long-gone beloved had also been clad in the night sky with eye-catching cyan hues to make her stand out. Unlike much of his remaining following, he harbored little if any disdain or hate for the northern wolves of Stryd. If anything he secretly liked some of them. But, whether or not he would ever supersede his father's stolen legacy of unity with both groups seemed very much a moot point now that it was all more or less in tatters and there was hardly any north left to unite with. To hell with all that though when there was a gorgeous woman right here who seemed far more interesting than a dying empire. "What brings you to the north? Does the lady plan to steal more of the auroras from the sky here perhaps?" he'd quip. I just want revenge And a little bit more

He didn’t startle easily, there was a sly tilt to his head as he glanced over his shoulder towards her. The Aracari stretched out her legs with a soft yawn, pulling her weight forward as she arched her back. Showing off her form, her shapely figure, the strength and delicacy in her movements. Keetie was a creature always on show, and she lived for a rapt audience.

Her newest victim did not disappoint. He made no secret of the way his eyes roamed her body. Exploring her, taking her in, marvelling at her. It would be a lie to say she wasn’t similarly taken with this boy. His one good eye was a burning flame, and she could easily imagine passion within its depths.

There was an age to him, but it did not take from his attractiveness. There would be something to be said from experience, if she decided to take this further, she had no doubt.

“Then you are a man of culture, I see. I’m so glad I will not have to string you up to the tallest oak and tickle your extremities in punishment” Her eyes were filled with mirth as she took his invitation, and moved boldly closer. She was fearless, his scarred body filled her only with excitement, and no fear. She liked a man that wasn’t afraid to get rough and shove a little. To show spirit. It seemed that once again the North had not disappointed her.

She sated her thirst with the freezing water, and then stepped closer to the fire-marked wolf. Collapsing lightly, dramatically, beside him, and stretching out her long body. Her toes touched him, and her faux antlers tickled his scruff. “Are you implying my coat is lacking in some way? That there is anything more to be gained by taking from this sky?” she curled her paw, extending her cat like claws and clenching them together as she gestured upwards. “Perhaps if there was, I would take, but I would not be so foolhardy as to change something already perfect.” she folded her paw down again, dropping it not-so-subtly across his fore ankle.

"Speech"

One would have to be a fool not to see that the starry azure woman was basking in the attention. Lücien wasn't put off though, after all, what would be the point in such a gorgeous creature not knowing how to use every bit of her own charm? What a waste that would be. His gaze roamed her form briefly once more as he too found himself soaking up the mutual appreciation. There was a slight height difference but his own sense of pride and self-adoration was a little too inflated for something so petty and incidental to disturb him.     "It could be said that I have been around I suppose. I do hope though that I'm not the only one around here that is educated in how to treat a lady. Or... maybe I do, in fact," he mused with what was probably the most playful and non-serious smirk he'd worn in ages. That was probably one of those side effects of how things had been going back home; beautiful women who were interested in him were in dreadfully short supply. That only made this encounter a more welcome one. While he was mainly interested in the long-term satisfaction that claiming his vengeance would bring, there were always welcomed places for short term enjoyment along the way. Who knew what a little run in with a stranger could bring?     Quick on his paws, his ears would fold back slightly, "Surely not, indeed, I would have told you there would be no sense in it," he amended, "I think I would not be mistaken in saying that the sky surely envies you, and I'm certain it isn't alone in that." who wouldn't? Well, Lücien himself maybe. His own ego and self-satisfaction with his appearance even after that bastard maimed him was still too inflated to admit someone might be as or - forbid it to even be said - more attractive than himself. She didn't need to be clued into that though, he wasn't an idiot. She was - at least a bit - like him. And that he could work with. Oh, but do forgive me for not asking before; what is your name? Or should I just call you 'the envy of the sky'? It has a nice sound to it." I just want revenge And a little bit more

She laughed softly, he was quick with a quib, and didn’t back down from her verbal sparring. There was vanity in him too, sureness and self-pride. He knew his worth, and wasn’t afraid to flaunt it. She liked his spark, and she looked up at him from the place she had made at his side. Stealing some of his warmth as she looked from flaming orb to glassy. She wondered what had happened to take the sight from this eye. The scars lingered in his fur, teasing of an unspoken story. She would wait for the right moment to ask that tale of him. You had to warm your way up to such things, do it right. Capture him, and make him wish to tell you anything, if only to keep you a moment longer.

“Do you envy me, my smouldering flame?” She whispered, voice soft and husky as she tilted her head, looking across at him. Would he try and steal a kiss? She herself was considering doing just that.

She considered his last question for a moment. “I could, but what about when you need to save your breath for more important matters? Something short and sweet I should think. You can call me Keetie. And yourself? My burning dear.”

"Speech"

She was good fun, that much was true he could tell immediately. That was good, he'd had more than enough of uninteresting fools such as those he'd arrived in these lands with. They were of course useful idiots, but idiots nonetheless and not much for conversation. Oh well, that was the price you had to pay for someone that would do what they were told. Somehow he figured this fine woman wouldn't be the same in that respect. Though, her manner made it clear she'd be of plenty use in other respects so long as things continued to go smoothly here.   Canting his head at the question he didn't hesitate to shoot her a charming smile, seeking to lean in closer towards her, maybe let their noses touch ever so slightly. "Carissima, who wouldn't? Why, one should envy the air itself for being nearer to you, if one has any sense at all." Stepping back for a moment he absorbed her words. Keetie, a moniker that sounded somehow sweeter than he expected, but hey, for an attractive lady such as herself he could forgive a name that didn't quite fit her energy to the fullest. He wasn't foolish enough to express the words aloud though and would instead opt to continue the flattery and see where it led.    "Hm, when indeed. Though I suspect my breath would best be spent on yourself. And me? Lücien Agnivo." Pulling his gaze away for a moment from the woman who'd consumed it for the most part up to this point he searched their surroundings briefly, mind returning to the reason he was here at all. He did have some very important business to attend to. There was another woman out there who he owed a visit to, and a worthless scrap of a wolf on his tail too no doubt. It would be a shame to end this encounter too soon though without at least seeing where it might take them... So he'd swing his attention back to the breathtaking miss Keetie.   "Do I dare ask if you might be persuaded to join me awhile while I explore this place?" I just want revenge And a little bit more

She could feel the heat radiating off him. Taste his breath as he leaned close enough for their noses to - just barely - touch. She let her eyes slowly close, and click open again. Her deep night and day gaze settled on him, and only him. She wanted his heat, his passion. She thought to seduce him, but his slow play of the game only enticed her.

“And you would well know the power of air, I can see it rising off the flames of you” she whispered back, stretching out a paw to gently draw a circle across one of his striped patterns, just below his shoulder.

“Lücien” she purred softly. “I like it. It's vibrant, like the rest of you.” she complimented him.

His question brought a raising in her brows as she considered him for a long moment. “You know, I think I might like to see your persuasion first.” She teased him, but it was clear in her eyes that she was interested.

"Speech"