The little lady was lost. Completely and totally lost. She held no hope for getting out of the god-forsaken crypt, and despite the fact that she had only been submerged in the earth for a little over an hour, it felt like days had passed in her very short attention span. By the time she had realized she was too far in, it had been pitch black and her scent seemed to be everywhere, even in places she hadn't yet been. And so deep inside of the maze she was lost.



Defeated, Aegira plopped down against one of the stone walls, trying to seek comfort in the chill but finding only thoughts of pain and a concept she'd never bothered to think about before--death. Nobody had needed to tell her what it was or theorize with her what it would be like. It was as if she already knew. Not what it was called, but the concept. The idea of not existing. Because at this point, she didn't wish to exist. She hopelessly thought about her mother and her dad and Ananke and her beloved Twinkletoes. And uncle Mercury. And the usually strong-spirited adventurer found herself sobbing. I shouldn't have even left Ludi, she thought, curling up into a small ball with a quiet whimper that echoed through the caverns. Shouldn't mommy be looking for me soon...?

AEGIRA

As Basilisk slipped into the depths of the earth itself, all he found was darkness. It was a strange stone structure, one that made him both inquisitive and hesitant -- he pressed his nose to the stone wall of the crypt and followed the entrance downward, perching precariously on all fours as he walked, not willing to slip and injure himself. The stone was strangely smooth, and he found it hard for his pads to keep a perfect grip as he descended further. It took some time for his sight to grow accustomed to the darkness, but even as it did, it was still so dark -- too dark to see ahead of him farther than a foot or so. He had wandered here, quite truthfully, to search for the woman that had slain his father. He did not yet know her name, but her scent remained firmly implanted in his mind, refusing to loosen its grip on him. It had led him nearby, but the darkness here had stolen his attention. Though he was now a yearling, he was still very much a child in some ways, finding it difficult to stifle his curiosity when it was roused. And so he went, slipping into the crypts and soon finding himself rather lost. He was not afraid, for the concept of death meant nothing to him. He had little to live for, anyway, except to avenge his father; his mother was all but gone, his siblings both vanished without a trace. Not that he had tried terribly hard to look for them. As he took a sharp turn left, feeling along the walls with his snout, his perked ears heard something, a soft sound bouncing off the solid stone walls. Was that the sound of a child crying? A look of distaste immediately crossed his features, his nose wrinkling as he drew himself nearer to it, his interest piqued. He was somewhat startled when he caught a flash of white and orange fur, in the distance -- he had to squint to see the form of a girl, quivering and curled against a stone wall. "Someone take you here to die? Or were you so stupid to back yourself into this corner?" It was hard for him to imagine being so helpless, so vulnerable, and he eyed her warily, no emotion gleaming in his purple gaze. He snorted softly, wondering who she was, and why her scent was vaguely familiar to him.

So awfully dark with his mostly-midnight fur and so quiet was he that Aegira didn't even realize his presence until his voice echoed around her, wallowing in her own self-pity too much to bother to scent the air around her. She jumped immediately at the unexpected noise, a little growl slipping from her chest as she lurched to her paws, springing from the ball she was curled in with what felt to her like record speed. Her heart thudded in her chest and she raised her short hackles, baring her teeth at the stranger, half-glaring at him as she squinted to try and make out his features. The runt set her jaw and cleared her features with anything but anger as she realized his size, lifting her chin a little and pushing out her chest. I may be small, but I'm not a weakling! she thought, seeming to have completely forgotten that only seconds ago she'd been in a whimpering ball, wishing silently for her mother. The male absolutely dwarfed her but it did not put too much of a damper on her attitude--she'd grown up around big wolves so far, and he was only about as big as her mother.



It took a moment for her to remember his words, but when she did she answered immediately, not wanting to be thought as a dummy for waiting to respond. "It was a dare and it was dark," she lied boldly, voice unwavering, to her surprise. Every muscle in her minute body was tensed and coiled, prepared to try and jump away should he try to do something to her. Her mother had told her to not trust everyone and she'd definitely taken it to heart. "B'sides, I can get outta here whenever, I, want." She put stubborn pause and emphasis on the last three words, frowning deeply at him. Her eyes were a little adjusted and she could sort of see the lighter parts of him. "...I just... dun wanna."

AEGIRA

If he had passed this child in any other setting, he would've likely passed her by; it was not generally he was the one to initiate conversation. No, he preferred to silently suffer with the fate that had been bestowed upon him. But this girl seemed so utterly helpless that he felt himself drawn to her. Ears pricked forward as she physically jumped at the sound of his voice, a soft rumble of laughter falling from his lips. Her fear amused him, albeit briefly, and yet he did not feel compelled to make her suffer any further. Eyes narrowed, concealing his purple gaze ever so slightly, as she sprung to all fours and attempted to appear threatening. Even for a yearling, he was rather large, just a few inches shorter than his mother ... already weighing over a hundred pounds, this girl seemed like nothing but skin and bones, no threat to him. Lips curled in the slightest smirk as she claimed she was not lost ... that she could leave whenever she wanted to. "I suppose that's why you have tears in your eyes," he retorted, his voice taking on the slightly taunting voice of a child -- but only for a moment. It was strangely reminiscent of teasing his brother, but he withdrew slightly, growing silent for a long moment as he eyed her. It was difficult, in the darkness, and so he crept forward a few steps closer. Normally on guard, he was slightly more relaxed now, not at all afraid of this girl. Nostrils flared again as he lowered his head, shoulders drooping as he inhaled her scent. Too familiar ... his mind wandered, gaze sweeping over her, empty save for a small spark of curiosity that lingered there.

He... he was... laughing! At her! Her face flushed and she tucked her head back a little, indignation crossing her features. She was a princess. Not a laughing stock... right? She shuffled her pause with unease, still seeking out his gaze and finally finding it as her own eyes evened out their sight in the dim. She could just barely see his eyes but she could now tell that they were colored with the same hue as her mother's. This was a little comforting for her but she tried not to let her confident demeanor fall, even when he spoke up to tease her.



Aegira blinked rapidly to clear the remaining excess moisture from her gaze, rolling her eyes and shifting with continued unease. "Just some dust and spiderwebs," she retorted. This time, since she was paying attention, she heard his paws and was overwhelmed a little more by his scent. Despite his approach, she stood tall, taking a deep breath. It was then that the woman noticed something and she felt herself relax a little as curiosity came over her. "I think I'm crazy 'cause you look kinda... purple?" It was so faint that she felt stupid saying anything about it--it was already difficult enough to see him but she could swear that it was more than black where he was. Heck, maybe she was a little batty.

AEGIRA

It was strange, how he felt drawn to this girl. She was so innocent, so naive -- so preciously corruptible. Much like Basilisk had been only two seasons before. More cocky than he ought to be, so quick to rise to the occasion. Watching his father be slain had changed him, perhaps for the worse, tearing any semblance of childlike compassion from his heart. Even his gaze was cold and empty as he sized up Aegira, ever wondering why her scent seemed familiar. 'Just some dust and spiderwebs,' she explained the tears, and again he laughed, a low rumble that was barely audible as it fell from his lips. Would she actually die here unless he helped her find her way out? Or perhaps she would get lucky, and manage to find her way out? It didn't matter to him, and yet he felt strange upon considering leaving her here. It was then she noted his purple tint -- he snorted softly. 'Skin condition,' he mumbled dryly. Like his mother, his pelt was so dark to gleam purple in the sunlight -- or in the faint light that found its way into the crypts, wriggling through cracks in the stone and making the place just barely able to be navigated. "So, you're not crazy." No, this little kid seemed rather normal. Eyes narrowed again. "What's your name, anyway?"

He laughed at her but the self-proclaimed princess deemed that he was laughing with her as she chuckled in the confines of her own mind, a smile touching her lips a little. A volley of air was drawn from his nostrils in a curt snort and it was afterwards that she received her answer. She tilted her head at him, blinking. "Well, it's kinda pretty-lookin'," she answered in a brash compliment, glancing up to try and meet his violet eyes as he spoke again.



"M'name's Aegira, but don't tell no one you know that, 'cause I'm not s'pposed to even talk to strangers." She plopped her rump onto the ground, face contorting with a thoughtful frown. "Then again, I wasn't s'pposed to be down here, either but, oh well, I am."

AEGIRA

ugh lost this post

he asks who her parents are and shit, and starts eyin her all creepy

Something within her was deeply unnerved by his presence--something that she couldn't quite bring herself to acknowledge. Even if she had opted out of being near him it would still leave her with the troublesome issue of being lost in the depths of the crypt. Ears tipped back as he asked the identity of her parents, and the question only made her more nervous, though she feebly tried to hide that nervousness. "Well, my daddy's name is Marvel..." she replied quietly, averting her gaze and flicking her tail. Not many outside of Ludicael even knew who her father way.



He delivered his calling onto her ears and she offered a little smile. "Well, it's really nice to meet ya', Mr. Saxe, but I'd really like to get outta this place because I really wanna see the sun right now..."

AEGIRA

Stoic and silent the man was making his way to the first home he had known. It had been a long time since he had last seen Jupiter and in the wake of her death match and his move to Amenti he had not yet had the pleasure to meet her children. And he thought that being among the young wolves would ease his anxiety regarding the litter that would be his only a season from now.


There were many miles between Amenti and Ludicael. Deteste had chosen the route that sheltered him most from the summer sun as the season was not his favorite and the weather was especially warm to a wolf his color. At the moment the man found himself among a great cavern. He had not expected such a dramatic landscape but his sense of direction was strong and his route remained true as he pressed through the dark. For the length of his walk within the cavern only the consistent pattering of his heart had accompanied him but now the walls of the cave shivered with the voice of company. The voices were indistinguishable and Deteste could not understand what words were exchanged yet he was wary of those he may come upon for the darkness could attract unsavory strangers.


The man took up a silent gate. The fall of his feet mostly inaudible and eerily akin to the thud of water that dripped upon the cavern floor. It would take a while for his scent to reach him, judging from the heavy, dampened air but he found that he was upon one of the stranger's old trails and though he did not know who the stranger was he recognized the scent immediately. It was Jupiter. Yet it was not. It would be one of her children and the realization caused the man's hear to fluctuate. He was unsure just how old the whelps would be now yet this was not a welcome place even for a grown wolf and the fact that the pup had company alarmed Deteste further.


His gait gained speed though he stumbled upon them abruptly. The thump of his forelimbs echoing as he heeled before them. The glint of his cerulean eyes shifted as he studied the young wolves before him. He did not know the young man before him but his scent was familiar enough for Deteste to understand the peculiarity between the interaction before him. He did not act nor think maliciously of the young man for Deteste was not one to judge another for the sake of their family. Nor did he see any threat between he and young Aegira. He knew the names of Jupiter's pups and only assumed whom the girl was by her size. She did not appear to be the litter's runt. Hello. he spoke, his timbre gentle but distanced, addressing each of them with a simple nod.

"speech"

Oh, how his wicked mind wandered. For much of his life, Basilisk had known mostly solitude, mostly visited by his siblings or parents. The company of others left him mostly unaffected, his heart hardened from the loss of his father, finding it difficult to get much pleasure out of anything. Even the presence of a beautiful woman did nothing to stir him; and yet the innocence of this girl seemed to awaken something inside the yearling, something he had not yet had the privilege of feeling before. Eyes roved over her, taking in every inch of her strange cream and orange pelt. Her colorization was about as familiar as her melt. And yet she withheld her mother's name, and his mind wandered, striving to make the connection that seemed so impossible. But the meeting was interrupted. Almost immediately as soon as he heard the sound of paws tapping against the ground, his hackles raised instinctively. It was a dark-furred male, and he didn't appreciated the arrival of another. Fangs were revealed as his lips curled back in a threatening snarl, but he relaxed slightly as he noted the male seemed harmless. "And who are you?" Instinct kicked in, and he wanted badly to protect Aegira -- even though in the back of his mind, he knew it was very well he that she ought to be protected from.

"He's a dark male with scars--lots of them, especially on his legs--and bright blue eyes. If you ever see him, he'll help you."



The words of her mother rang in her ears as she set eyes upon the new arrival, the ashen-rose lines of maimed flesh etched into the planes of his front limbs the brightest portion of his body, bright azure optics excepted. It took her a moment to remember the words of wisdom, but once she did, she would make an attempt to sidle past the bristling brute that was Basilisk Saxe to go to him, automatically putting every last bit of her trust into the only thing comfortable about this now-unnerving situation.



"Detty?" she said quietly, voice hopeful. She couldn't remember his whole name so she called him by all she remembered with a few extra consonants tacked onto the end. Her muscles were tense and her ears were tipped back and tail tucked a bit. Aegira was uneasy about the combined presence of both one she trusted and one that she had just met that had started to freak her out a little with the questions. "Umm, Detty, this is Basil... Basilisk, I think." Her nervousness made her a little forgetful as she tried to recall the name.

AEGIRA

Detty?. The inquiry caused Deteste's heart to flutter. He gazed curiously at the girl, disregarding Basilisk's temporary state of alarm. A wiry but muscled limb was extended, his digits resting gently upon Aegira's shoulder as the man pulled her an inch closer. Hello Aegira. he spoke, his timbre was gentle and even in the dark she would be able to see the soft smile that had tightened his scarred lips. She reminded him very much of Jupiter. Both in appearance and character but most importantly in the way that her presence lightened the man's heart. Regardless of the distress he may otherwise be experiencing.


His eyes would rise to meet Basilisk's inquiry but only for a moment as his attention was returned to Aegira as she introduced him. He nodded in acknowledgement of the statement and again looked up at the young man who, in his own way, represented his parents with striking similarity. I am Deteste. A caretaker of Aegira. he finally spoke. He had decided that it was unnecessary to state his pack or rank. Deteste was unsure of the likeliness that the pup would recognize his name but regardless it was not his fashion to flaunt his rank for even inside of the red forest he judged others for their character and not for the title that they carried.

It took all the energy he could muster to contain himself. As a yearling, it was not at all surprising that he had begun to notice just how tantalizing the female scent was, but a girl so young ... his tail curled itself carefully between his legs, tucked against his belly. The sneer lingered for perhaps a moment too long as he stared down the male that had approached them. He watched as Aegira questioned the male, calling him Detty -- he felt something akin to envy bubble up in his chest as the brute pulled Aegira forward. Her caretaker, eh? His scent was familiar too, and he watched him unblinkingly for a long moment, wondering... "Yes, Basilisk," he mumbled softly, his voice trailing off. Then the realization hit him. These two smelled of the bitch who had killed his father -- and Aegira even bore her strange orange coloration. His instinct was to snarl and thrash about like a child, so full of hate and rage was he; but he was instead able to remain calm. His expression was serious, but not particularly threatening. He kept his distance from the duo, a plan formulating in his head. Basilisk hadn't the slightest clue that Deteste knew a thing about him. "Well then -- you better be leading her out of here. No place for children." He shook his head slowly. He was still very much a child himself, a mere yearling, and yet he looked as large as Deteste himself -- though his body was not riddled with a single scar or blemish. "And maybe you can show me out, too? I'm not totally sure how to find my way out..." Gaze lingered on Aegira, wondering why she seemed so unimpressed with his presence -- she was not exactly fearful, yet she looked so wary of him, and he couldn't pinpoint why... although it was rather obvious to an outsider looking in.

Her tail wagged slightly as Detty spoke her name, her trust falling completely into his grasp with his identity was confirmed. The girl glanced back at Basilisk with relative glee, a bit of her wariness falling away with the safety she felt while near Deteste. Bouncing the rest of the way to her newfound guardian, she made a move to press the side of her brow against the man's leg, wishing to curl around it and face Basilisk once more as he spoke from under the shelter of the dark brute's chest. "Yeah, let's go. This place is stupidly dark," she agreed, absolutely and blissfully unaware of the looming threat before her.



ooc: omfg so sorry i took forever. DX

AEGIRA