truth is only hearsay
barghest
12-29-2021, 10:50 PM
She'd brought back food. She'd made sure everything was well. She'd checked the area for predators, for loners. All of the process-oriented things that made Sanngriðr's mind settle and rest, the things that were meant to put her at ease, were complete. All of the menial day to day, hour to hour, minute to minute tasks were done... why didn't she feel better? Why didn't she feel settled. Maybe there was too much energy in her system. She'd convince herself of that, at least. Too much energy. For a long moment, Sanngriðr considered picking a fight with one of her siblings. Róta would never turn down a good fight. Víðarr could use the practice. Still, it wasn't violence that Sanngriðr found herself craving. Strange-- usually, violence was the best medicine. A fight that would leave her heart pounding and her blood flowing would usually help things. Not this evening, though. The valkyrie had a feeling, at least. She needed something else. As dusk fell around her shoulders, she slipped away with little more than a knowing look to her brother. A walk. She'd go for a walk. It seemed she was rarely alone these days. Maybe the constant presence of her family was wearing on her. Sanngriðr walked until she found a break in the trees, until she could be by the side of the sound itself. A late spring, nearly summer sunset was on display, setting the whole sky ablaze. At least it was pretty. The valkyrie sat on her haunches in the soft grasses near the water's edge. Peacefully, she watched. SANNGRIÐR Kom och hata mig. |
01-01-2022, 12:58 AM
With a fat seal pup between his jaws, Bodin's next order of business was seeking out shelter for the evening. It was wise to do so before night fell and it was creeping ever closer. A variation of reds, blues, purples and pinks painted both the sky and the land in vibrant, warm colors. These colors would soon give way to blues and blacks as night took hold of the land. For now though, the walking nebula had enough light and time to find a place to rest until morning. Dark paws propelled the giant forward and, as he moved, he noted a dark coated fae seated at the edge of the water, staring out over the tranquil liquid. Never one to be rude, Bodin drew near enough that the woman would hear the sound of the seal dragging over the ground. Only then did he release his meal. "Lady," he purred in low, clear tones. A dip of his crown accompanied the word. He was a gentleman, if anything. A cad sometimes, but mostly a gentleman. With a point of his dark nose, the man continued. "A lovely sunset." One ear flicked as he looked out over the water as well. "My people believed that a red sunset brings a red dawn." Obsidian lips pulled back from pristine white teeth as the massive man grinned. "In other words, good hunting on the following day." Now that he deemed the ice broken, the red and blue swirled behemoth nodded his head again. "Bodin," he gave his name, waiting for her own in return. "Speech" |
01-01-2022, 03:31 AM
(This post was last modified: 01-01-2022, 03:33 AM by Sanngriðr. Edited 1 time in total.)
The metallic scent of blood in the air, carried with that of another. Someone else was out here, someone hunting. Sanngriðr would not interrupt, wouldn't interfere-- getting between someone and their dinner was far too risky. They lacked the backing of a pack, and only had their family. Taking on anyone else would be far too dangerous at this point. No, there's no aggression in her now, and frankly the valkyrie wasn't even hungry. Still, knowing someone else was nearby was almost comforting. The only other creatures she'd made contact with since her arrival were her own flesh and blood, and it was refreshing to know there were strangers this far north too. Thank fuck, they wouldn't be on their own for much longer. Sanngriðr wondered, if fleetingly, how much longer she could handle them. As the man came closer, Sanngriðr lifted her gaze from the sea. She could hear the fleshy sounds of something dragging against the ground-- ah. He hadn't wanted to startle her, maybe. Amber gaze sweeping the creature as she took him in. The colors of his pelt and the way he held himself... curious. He was tall, even, taller than her brother. That was an uncommon sight to say the least. Lady, the word came, and she offered a small nod. Damn right she was a fucken lady, well, at least in the literal sense. He was smiling. It was enough to make her dark tail thump softly in the grass. A smile wasn't always a kindness, but she didn't feel any malice in him. Not right this moment, at least. The valkyrie allowed herself to relax, if just a fraction. She'd been wound so tightly lately, being able to breathe was actually starting to feel good. "Then I will do my hunting tomorrow morning," though her tone was relatively flat, a bit of humor glimmered in her fiery amber eyes. With how much they ate (especially her damn brother, and Róta too for that matter), she had to hunt every day. "Sanngriðr." The introduction was brief, curt but not without the proper graces. The common tongue still tasted strange in her mouth, but the valkyrie was at least competent. "Your people, are you from here?" Competent in language, but still a bit stilted. Sometimes her phrasing came with some difficulty, and today was one of those days. No matter, it was good enough. Her gaze lingered on the man, taking in the painted colors and brilliant pattern. Sure it was strange, but lovely too. Sanngriðr was a bit too interested in the look of this man to politely obscure her study. SANNGRIÐR Kom och hata mig. |
01-02-2022, 01:02 PM
As Barg waited for the woman to give her name in return, he took in the sight of her. She was a pretty thing, all midnight and russet. Her eyes were golden embers. He thoroughly appreciated her. It wasn't just her looks either. Something about her mannerisms seemed older, wiser. That was also something that he could appreciate, having been called an old soul himself. The woman assured him that she would do her hunting tomorrow with the red dawn and Barg grinned, obsidian lips peeling back to flash those pearly whites once more. Then she gave her name and, not ashamed in the slightest, Barghest tried it aloud on his tongue, rolling the syllables just as she had. Satisfied that he'd spoken it correctly, the man gave a nod. "Good to meet you," he spoke in crisp, clear tones. Just like the woman, he wasn't from this place. Had she met any of the natives, she'd have realized that instantly. Sanngridr asked if he was from here and the space coated brute shook his head. "From far away and over the sea. A land that no longer exists. A people that no longer exist." He was the last of his pack as far as he knew. The island had been eaten up by the sea. Everyone had been crushed or drowned. At least, he'd hadn't met another of his pack since. It was sad, but he'd had time to come to terms with it. While the wound sometimes still throbbed, it wasn't nearly as painful. "And you," he began again with a point of his nose, "You aren't from this place." He didn't have to ask. He'd spoken to the natives. Her accent was thick and foreign. Even her smell as the wind blew towards him was wild and cold. "Do you have people with you or are you alone?" Dark ears perked and his head gave a slight tilt. "I'm more than willing to share dinner with you either way." "Speech" |
01-02-2022, 01:46 PM
As the man says her name, the valkyrie grins to herself. Her eyes shined softly, humming gently to herself-- he didn't do too badly. The language was from far away, something strange to their ears. As of yet, the only locals Sanngriðr had encountered were at a distance. They were a strange folk, and none too friendly. That was fine. Her people weren't really the warmest either. Good to meet you, the words came, and she allowed a small smile to play at her features in response. It seemed to her that it was good to meet him as well. A people that no longer exist, and she nodded once. Her gaze returned to the sea, and she could relate to that. There was a darker part of Sanngriðr's mind that hoped she and her siblings, her cousins, were the only ones of their people left. Her parents, their parents... well, it was the reason they'd left. "I'm glad you are here, then." The words were cryptic, and she didn't look at Barghest. Her words were soft, a strange weight to them where they rested in her mouth. Yes, there was certainly a weight here. Though the words tasted strangely, they're genuine. "No," she confirmed. Sanngriðr speaks quietly, sharing space with ease. She doesn't feel the need to keep her usually-careful guard up beside this man. Maybe it was a folly of her own, but that was fine. The valkyrie could hold her own if need be. "A few of my younger siblings and cousins," it would be dangerous for her to admit she was alone, as he had. It's a bit more dangerous for a woman to be alone out here, as competent as Sanngriðr was. He offered her food... offered to share his seal. The valkyrie canted her head softly, almost coyly-- sharing a meal. Sharing a meal with a stranger, which was more excitement than she'd faced in far too long. "You are kind," the words were soft, playing in the evening breeze. "Thank you." She would remain beside him, at least for now. Though she'd brought dinner to camp for her family, she hadn't been hungry at the time. Now? Well, she could eat. "Tell me, Barghest. What are your plans here?" It was soft, curious... did he have plans? What drew him to this place? Her gaze returned to the man of galaxies, soft and ever so gently curious. SANNGRIÐR Kom och hata mig. |
01-02-2022, 02:17 PM
Day shifted and night was slowly taking hold. The woman seemed illuminated in the dying light and, for just a moment, Barghest believed in omens. There was something there. Ask him what that something was and he'd be hard pressed to explain, but something. It was tangible. He could almost reach out and touch it, but there was no way that he could explain what it was. It was as though he'd been wrapped up in some sort of web. Some sort of spell. Barg had to shake his head to rid himself of the thought. San confirmed that she was not alone and that relieved the cosmic man. This world was a dangerous place. No matter how capable one might be, it was difficult to go it alone. He'd struggled here and there with both the natives and the predators of the world. Then there was that long spell of darkness... No, he didn't want to go through that again, nor did he want this woman to go through it either. She kept her words soft, but Barg had a feeling that she was far from a delicate flower. There was simply an air about her that made him believe she was capable. Either way, he would share his meal. Latching his teeth into the young seal once more, the dire brute rose and deposited his kill between them, drawing close enough to get a more detailed look at the woman. She was quite a looker, and up close he could see the variation of russet in her coat. Her eyes shone like firelight ensconced in glass. Sanngridr was lovely. Being asked after his plans, the brutes brow furrowed slightly. He had no plans. Survive had been his plan since he'd washed up on this continent. The blue and red giant gave a noncommittal shrug. "I have nothing set in stone. I've washed up here only recently." Holding the seal with his paws, Barghest used his teeth to tear through skin and blubber, pushing everything aside once he reached the layer of meat hidden beneath. Only then did he pull back and lick his chops, allowing the dark fae to eat first. An honor among his people to give your kill to another for the first taste, but she wouldn't know that. "I assume you and your family have plans of some kind?" As he waited for Sanngridr to eat her fill, Barghest licked the blood from his paws. He liked to keep as clean as he could manage. "Speech" |
01-02-2022, 03:54 PM
Sanngriðr had long believed that the gods had abandoned her, leaving her cynical and disconnected. Since they'd ripped her mother away. She'd turned her back on them, though keeping that specific information concealed from her siblings... especially her brother. His reverence for their pantheon was something that Sanngriðr didn't want to take away. Hell, she'd cared for him more than she'd cared for anything. It was one of the reasons she'd taken them away from home as she did. Still, habit had the valkyrie wondering if the gods had sent her this man, had put him in her path for a reason. That seemed... reasonable. Maybe. He's close. Sanngriðr doesn't trouble herself, doesn't worry herself with his proximity. If this was a trap, then she'd be able to fight her way free. Still... something told her it wasn't. She could be wrong, but it didn't matter. From his new proximity, the valkyrie could tell that he was far more detailed, far more wonderful, than she could have imagined at the previous distance. What was this gravity? What was hanging in the air between them? No. She must have been tired, feeling something that couldn't possibly be here. Barghest had only just arrived. His arrival was near to theirs, another... no. Sanngriðr found herself not wanting to believe in signs from gods that she didn't believe in anymore. Still, her brother trusted them. Maybe this once she could too. "Us too," the words were soft, filling the intimate distance between them. Barghest offered her the first pick of meat from the seal. He'd peeled it expertly... was he familiar with the blubbery prey? They weren't the easiest to prepare, and it didn't escape the valkyrie's notice. He'd offered her space to eat first, and she wouldn't look the kind gesture in the mouth. Still, after the first bite, she lifted her muzzle. "Join me," her tone didn't invite argument, soft as her words were. There was a soft smile playing in her eyes, returning to the meal only once Sanngriðr was sure that he'd join her. Plans of some kind, true. "Vague plans," her words were quiet between bites. "My brother and I spoke the other evening, we like it here." Right, that was good enough. It had been a year since they'd rested, a year since they'd found somewhere to set their roots down. Sanngriðr wouldn't be the one to sit as head of house, and she'd happily hand that responsibility off to Víðarr. He was far better suited for it. After taking a delicate portion of the seal between them, the valkyrie sat back to clean her paws and her face. She wouldn't stand for mess, when it came for things she could control. SANNGRIÐR Kom och hata mig. |