For as long as she could remember, she had seen those islands in the distance- just off to the side of the narrow land bridge that connected Auster to Boreas. And as any little girl would, she had always dreamed what it would be like to visit them in person. The way they were encapsulated away from the rest of the world in their own governing bodies gave her the impression that they were simply begging to be explored. Of course, she had been able to see the silhouette of palm trees rising out of the ocean, but … she was certain they had to be more special than that. They had to be.

As a young girl, she had promised her father that she wouldn’t attempt to swim on her own until she had become a yearling- stronger and more capable of using the graceful limbs she had managed to come by. Since then, she had countless opportunities to practice and was quite confident in her abilities to stay afloat. And while it hadn’t been a desire that she hadn’t shared with anyone else- now that the conditions of her promise had been meant, she was all too eager to set off on her own to explore those chain of islands that lived at the edge of her world. There were several larger islands that she could see, but the first one she encountered after setting off from the coastline on the other side of Wildberry Grove was a relatively smaller one. The voice of the ocean was all-encompassing, as she pulled herself out of the water- the smaller-scale land mass seeming to have to fight to keep itself above the crest of the ever-threatening tide. As she heaved each breath, from where she stood she could see that there was some good cover between palm trees and tropical undergrowth. The wind that came rolling off the surface of the waves was more volatile than she would have anticipated. Though, with very little in its path to break its momentum, it seemed that some of the smaller trees were at its mercy. If she squinted real hard, she was sure she could see the golden tones of the beach on the other side.

After catching her breath, she stood facing the mainland- examining the beach she had come from with a close eye as she steadied herself. And just like that, she had crossed a threshold that transitioned her to an outside looking-in-perspective… and it was only then did she realize it didn’t look that different after all.

"Talyssa Carpathius"

Exhaustion. The burning musculature of her young limbs, aching and yet pressing on in their endeavor. She did not know for how long she had swam already, the time melted and swayed with every wave and beat of the sun down on her wet pelt. She let the tides take her most of the time, opting to not have her energy reserves drop past the point of being unable to prevent herself from drowning. In time she finally saw something in the distance, an island by the looks of it - but while she waited for the currents to bring her closer they began to draw her back out to sea - a terrible fate she knew would await. With all that she had left in her body she began to kick her limbs out, her eyes completely focused on the island.

Her efforts would prove fruitful however, but not in the way she had hoped. Instead of the island she had originally spotted, the currents forced her to swim to an adjacent archipelago. The challenge of making it to this new land mass left her out of breath and struggling to dredge herself up from the waters in the end. Absinth made it to the beach before her limbs gave out and she laid there, body still half in the water and the rest planted firmly into the golden sand that marked her successful feat of will power. This was a new start, one without the baggage of her old life. But at a year old, she had no idea that was a naive train of thought.

After what seemed like hours regaining some semblance of feeling back into her lanky limbs, Absinth was left with a question. What did she do now? She was alive, she had made it so - the area appeared peaceful and unassuming, but with every noise she heard without a visible origin she grew more suspicious. What the hell does a yearling who washed up on a beach in a new land do?  She collected herself, standing weakly to shake the granules of sand out from her mostly white coat. When that was done she relaxed back onto her haunches and steadied her gaze on the ocean with its ever present waves. “I survived you, too.” Her voice was a rough murmur filled with loathing, eyes a blazing green glaring daggers at her inanimate foe. What was odd though, was the crooked grin spread across her face.


wormwood

The Carpathius girl lingered in the same spot for quite a while, toes flexing into the powderd sand beneath her paws as she absently stared- searching the opposite coastline in the distance for anything of interest. What she was specifically looking for, she wasn't entirely sure- though she had half expected one of her siblings or packmates to be in pursuit. The newness of her yearling status hadn't quite worn off yet, and the newfound trust was really nice. Still, there wasn't any indication that she had someone tailing her- and she finally looked away as she heard the screaming cry of a circling gull overhead. Tilting her head back, she turned her gaze to the sky, greeting the sunshine with a pleasant grin as watched the seabird venturing to another part of the island. Deciding that she would follow suit, Talyssa pressed forward in her own exploration- moving at a casual pace to avoid kicking up too much sand ... she hated how the grit clung to her still dripping fur.  Even still, she'd stick to the beach for now, with a vague plan of walking its perimeter entirely before she'd begin to consider making her way inland.

She hadn't been walking for very long before something caught her attention in the distance. At the edge of the tide, she noticed a flash of seemingly disoriented movement. The feminine frame of a disheveled castaway. Ears perking up, Talyssa picked up her pace a bit- still too far away for her voice to be heard over the roar of the ocean. As the other girl struggled to her paws, it seemed that she didn't have the energy to remain standing, eventually falling back to her haunches as she too was lost in thought over the horizon. When she felt that she was close enough to be heard, Talyssa called out. "Hey! Are you okay!?" She asked with the polite concern she'd offer any stranger. They were a long way from Hearthstone, but if she needed to go get help, she certainly would.

"Talyssa Carpathius"

Absinth filtered through her options while she sat there, a slight tremble running through her body from being in the water so long. She could seek safe harbor within a pack, perhaps join one if they suited her well - but there were merits to being a loner for at least a while longer. She could expand her knowledge of the lands… she could hunt and it wouldn’t be a matter of starving… The only issue would be a run in with someone or something she was too young and inexperienced to face at this time. Her lean frame which told of a rough few months of life shuddered with a heavy sigh. “I’m fucking hungry.” Pitch black tail thudded against the ground, her ears seconds from swiveling back at the sound of an approach - only she didn't let them. She kept her gaze out to sea to listen to the steps and ultimately decided not to lunge back into the waters. The weight of the steps was rather light, though not exactly small. She wagered she could stand her ground if her ears had not deceived her.

With a quick movement she stood and whipped around on her unknown, possible assailant. It must have been unimpressive though, considering her limbs wavered for a moment despite her mental command to stand assertively. Exhaustion, she thought bitterly in the same moment she finally laid eyes on the stranger a few feet away. The other girl was the same size as her, but much more feminine and lighter of build. She was a coloration of white, ivory, and gold - That’s different. Absinth was not accustomed to colors like those, she only ever saw greyscales and monochromatic coats. Where she came from, everyone was simply black and white, or gray. “That’s one hell of a way to find out the world isn’t just black and white.” Absnith duly noted with a bitter smirk and tilt of her damp head while she considered the other girl for a few moments. Well, she better answer that concerned question. Let’s not be rude to the first soul we come across and all that. “No. I’m cold. Hungry. Swam for so long I can’t feel my legs. And I don’t know where I am.” Her voice called out with a tired tone, waiting to see how this strange girl would react to such an honest answer. It’s not like anyone had never been nice to her, only it was about odds - and the odds were usually stacked against kindness. She knew that well and was prepared to make a break for it if she saw the situation turning unfavorable for her.
wormwood

As she drew closer, the seemingly washed up girl failed to show any signs that she was in the mind to identify an approaching individual as she closed the distance. It wasn't until she entered a more conversational distance- calling out to offer assistance, did the girl suddenly turn on her. Talyssa skidded to a halt in surprise, though she pushed forward a couple more strides while trying to make herself look as least threatening as possible before coming to a stop alltogether.

While the other girl was obviously exhausted, she wondered if the poor thing was deliarous as well. The observation she made wasn't one that made sense to her without any context, though she clearly found humor in her own words as she sneered a grin. The concerned look Talyssa offered- one to match her tone- only deepened that much more as she tried to draw some sort of conclusion as to what assistance she could provide. Though, she was pleasantly relieved when things must have snapped into place for the downtrodden castaway, as she began rattling through things that made much more sense. Cold. Hungry. Exhausted. Lost. She couldn't help feel pity for her. "Well, we're on an island off the coastline of Boreas, and Auster." Talyssa explained softly, looking the other girl over very carefully in hopes to see some sort of recognition. "I can catch something for you while you rest? It's a small island, so there isn't much, but I bet I could come up with something." She finished, glancing from the rolling waves to the narrow treeline of tropical flora that divided the stretch of beach she was currently on, versus the one she had left behind.

"Talyssa Carpathius"

Boreas. Auster. Apparently those were the names of the lands she now found herself a part of. She was caught in between 2 landmasses with no knowledge of anything except how cold the water was - and how irritating the sand felt. Absinth regarded the other girl with careful thought. She came from a place where the weak overtook the strong, and she shared those sentiments - but. But. This was a new world to her, one she could not be certain about. She needed more information to make the proper deductions. Perhaps this girl could be of use in that endeavor? Oh and she was so kind. Offering to hunt for Absinth like it was a… responsibility. What sort of benevolence did this place teach? Striking green eyes held fast to the golden girl's frame and face - wondering what kind of upbringing would create such a being. Absinth did not know what to think. She neither looked down on the girl at this moment, nor saw her as a great and selfless being. Maybe she had something to gain from this act of kindness. The possibilities were endless and she knew that well, so of course she must further collect knowledge.

“If you’d like, Goldie. I’d thank you, but why help a stranger so easily?” Absinth couldn’t help her curiosity, it was compelling to dive deeper into anyone strange. She had to know. “What kind of life makes a girl like you?” She gritted her teeth, relaxing her body down to a lying position, not that her limbs gave her much choice. Her striking eyes followed the girl closely, observing her and this new world. She concluded that violence was not needed... at least so long as she did not feel threatened.
wormwood

It seemed that it took a moment for the other girl to process the information as to where they were, or to even consider accepting aid. The recognition she had hoped for was either absent, or well hidden, and she wasn’t entirely sure as to which one it was just yet. However, when the castaway finally did speak, Lys quickly perked up. As she received the nickname Goldie, she offered an amused half-smirk. Though, the context that followed contained notes of suspicion- something she couldn’t blame her for. Just as she cleared her throat to offer an expiation, the other girl offered more depth to her initial inquiry- which she would do her best to provide some cognizance with her answer.  “My name is Talyssa,” The tawny and white fae offered cheerily.  “And it just seems like the right thing to do I guess. It requires little effort from me to find something, and if it helps you out, then why not?” She answered, asking her own bit of rhetorical question to boot. As to what kind of life she had, she would happily offer some insight. “One of the primary intentions of the Hallows is to help aid those who need it. As long as peace is maintained, everyone is welcome. So, I guess I’m just upholding the Carpathius way.“ Talyssa concluded with a pleasant chuckle.

However, with the mention of her home … she couldn’t help the lingering thought as it crossed her mind that maybe she could offer more than just a fresh meal. “It's not far from here if you needed a place to collect yourself. We'd just have to introduce you to my parents first.” She mused aloud, already trying to figure out the best way to get the stranger across the channel and into Auster. But then, it suddenly occurred that maybe this girl would want to keep to herself. And as a sheepish grin spread across her features, she did her best to provide an out just in case. “But of course ... don't feel obligated to accept. Just know the invitation is there if you want it.” Talyssa finished, taking a moment to glance out over the tide as she reeled for something else to say.

Then the idea of an introduction crossed her mind. “What's your name?” She asked softly, returning her attention once more.

"Talyssa Carpathius"

Talyssa. That was the name of this girl, her first encounter with another soul after the brutal swim that still burned her muscles deep. Again Absinth considered her with a steady gaze as the brightly colored girl, Talyssa - she had to remind herself -  spoke an answer to her queries. Emerald eyes narrowed as she listened, trying to fathom the reasoning behind it all.  So it was all for the sake of upholding some social construct? That seemed to be so. What? Because she felt like it? The laws and order of falling into the allegiance of something called Hallows. There were packs where Absinth was from but they had none such with ideals that showed compassion to others. She would have laughed at the morality had it not been for the simple wording Talyssa added; As long as peace is maintained, everyone is welcome. That held within another meaning, but she couldn’t be sure. Perhaps it was not just a bunch of fools trying to match all the bad and vile in this world with random acts of kindness and positivity. If they watched their asses, more power to them.

Absinth licked her lips which promptly curled into an amused smirk, rather mirthful an expression she then showed to her company. “Carpathius. That would be your family name, am I wrong? You seem proud of what you’ve been taught, more than a mere follower would be at your age.” Oh but they were the same age of course, but Absinth did not have any sort of pride to be had over familial relations, nor what her elders had taught her. Their worlds were different, very much so it seemed. But that only left room to learn if the knowledge came without acceptable risks. A raised eyebrow and she continued processing Talyssa’s words. “You offer a meeting with your parents first, your leaders then? Oh my. Does that make you a princess?” She grinned big now, her eyes gleaming with some unknown emotion. If she was right then it made much more sense that she was all alone helping strangers, spreading her cheerful demeanor where her whims took her. Well, fine. It didn’t matter to Absinth, she needed the help and she certainly wasn’t going to be a match for their good ways.

She let the silence consume the air for a minute. All expression had dropped from her face by now though her eye contact did not falter once Talyssa had returned her attention to her. “My name is Absinth, and I’m not a good fit for your honorable pack.” There were no threats in her tone, no lies, just blunt truth and disinterest.
wormwood

It seemed the more they talked, the easier their exchange became. "Yes, it is my family name." She answered softly, offering up a warm grin in response. As the other girl drew the conclusion that a lot more pride resonated within herself than perhaps a common pack member, Taly gave a slow nod in acknowledgement. "How insightful of you- yes you're right, I'm not just a mere follower. It's who I am." She declared. Even if something were to happen where she was separated from her family ... she couldn't imagine herself adopting any other ideals. She was a Carpathius, inherently benevolent with a desire to make a difference.

When she offered taking the castaway back to have her needs better met, it seemed the most interesting thing to her was the status of her parents. Then, in sequence, her own status. Taly couldn't help the airy chuckle that escaped through her nose. "Maybe in a literal sense, my father being the Aegis, and my mother the Queen- but I'm not called as such. Nor do I lounge around being waited on hand and foot- or whatever princesses do. I like to pursue knowledge and politics myself, one day I plan on being an Envoy- a diplomat of sorts. So it's a good habit to get to know strangers. Never can be too sure of when a name drop might come in handy." While the girl might be down on her luck at the moment, life had a very unique way of carving paths. There is no telling where her journey would take her.

Just as she had second-guessed, Absinth made it clear that she didn't feel like she would be a good candidate for recovering in the Hallows. "If you say so, Absinth, but again, consider it an open invitation. That being said, at least allow me to find you something to eat." Talyssa finished, straightening her posture as she took a panning glance around the island. The gulls she had spotted earlier seemed to be active in another part of the small island, so without hesitance, Talyssa trotted off towards the undergrowth to cross to the otherside. She had managed to find a gull that had been tending a nest. Occupied with tending eggs, the hen hadn't noticed a predator lurking nearby. It had been a swift death, one that Talyssa felt good about. Putting the bird back in its tightly woven ground nest, she gently folded the twigs in half to make carrying everything back- eggs and all.

She returned to Absinth with her bundle clutched tightly in her grasp, gently setting it down near the monochromatic fae once in reach. "It won't be the finest meal you've ever had, but it might get you some of your energy back." She finished lightly, hoping that her offering would be received with at least luke warm acceptance.


"Talyssa Carpathius"

Ah yes, her assumption was proven correct. Talyssa was indeed the offspring of a lead couple, but how big was this mighty pack that offered aid to outsiders they know nothing of? Absinth made a mental note of the surname, Carpathius. Perhaps having the knowledge could be of use in the future. “I’d wager not, seeing you here in the trenches with the rest of us.” The girl cackled at the princess comment Goldie made, thinking with mirth of how improbable it was that she would ever see a true princess being pampered like her imagination taunted her with. Stopping her laughter abruptly once she processed the rest of Talyssa’s words. “A diplomat? What a brave non-princessy thing to do. I hope all the strangers you meet are as good-natured as I am, if not more so.” She neither truly praised the dream of Talyssa nor cared enough to think anything negative of it. There was no telling if she would ever meet this girl again. What did it matter what she wanted from life? With luck it would not be ripped away from her, along with other things. The only absolutes were luck and misfortune, life and death, pain and peace.

“Maybe one day you will be the envoy between your pack and whatever dishonorable group I end up in, Princess.” Absinth mused aloud as the other girl had begun to step away in search of something to hunt. What would become of her now? What was she to do in such a new land with colorful strangers with odd mentalities.. Of course she had already given herself the correct answer. Find others with like-minds. Absinth was not an evil creature, though she wondered what she looked like in the eyes of Goldie. She knew she had what it took to do some immoral things, but a villain in any right? She wasn’t entirely sure what that meant.  However, joining a group that was her polar opposite would do her no good either.  

She was mulling over her next move when Talyssa returned with a bundle in her mouth, a gull and its nest placed before her. Absinth felt her stomach twist in pain from being empty for far too long, and with a great deal of endurance she shakily rose to her feet. “A beggar has no right to choose.” Her inky maw dropped down to the meal and with savagery she tore into the gull. When she was done with it she took each egg in her mouth and ate them too with crackling, oozing satisfaction.
wormwood

As the other girl busted out in laughter following her own comment about being in the trenches, Talyssa couldn’t help her own light chuckle. With a panning glance through her surroundings, if the trenches’ they were working through happened to be an island beach in the middle of the tropics on a bright, sunny day … she imagined that they would be able to handle themselves just fine. Though, as she explained some of her motivation being sourced from a diplomatic approach, the validation she received was seemingly sincere … she just wasn’t sure to what degree. Still, Talyssa dipped her head slightly in acceptance, offering a gentle acknowledgment in return. “One could only hope, that’s for certain.” The monochromatic fae continued to prove herself as a peculiar individual. For someone who kept implying that they operated themselves as morally grey- Lys didn’t interpret any ill intention. And while she felt the desire to offer reassurance, or continue to try and convince the stranger to return to the Hallows … she thought better of trying to sway her newfound acquaintance.

With the idea that she may become the Envoy between her pack, and whatever lot Absinth happened to settle with, Talyssa couldn’t help but brighten. It was if she had her own thoughts cited back to her. “Perhaps. And if that day were to come, I’d trust you remember me as that princess Goldie who prolonged your life a bit by feeding you. Whatever nefarious individuals you take up with … I might need you to vouch for me.” She answered in an amused tone. The conversation was a light one, and she doubted that it entertained any real meaning. In reality, she wasn’t sure how willing her father would be to align their pack with anyone of questionable morale- choosing to uphold neutrality above else. But again, the oceanside ramblings of two adolescent girls could only be taken so far.

Much to her own relief, it seemed that Absinth had no problem taking on the gull and its eggs. Talyssa watched silently for a few moments before casually allowing her gaze to drift out over the ocean as she lingered nearby. When the other girl finally finished, Lys cleared her throat to speak once more. “Do you want me to get you anything else? Or do you think you can manage from here?” She inquired lightly. She didn’t mind making another sweep through the island for something else to eat but also didn’t want to make an annoyance of herself by overstaying her welcome.

"Talyssa Carpathius"

‘-Whatever nefarious individuals you take up with … I might need you to vouch for me.’ This sparked a mirthful fire within the girl's emerald eyes, her lips quivering with a short barking laughter. “I believe you have indeed earned a vouch.” Absinth licked her lips of egg and blood and regarded Talyssa with a smile both grim and oddly appreciative. She was weak in body and her mind had no room for her usual bantering insults. But at least she learned some information from this golden girl. That would never be a loss, and especially since the girl had gotten her food and also held a decent conversation - even if they were polar opposites. That may have been the only reason Absinth was so amicable instead of vulgar. Do onto others.
“No. You have done plenty for a vulnerable stranger than most would ever have.” Much more than any in the land she had been raised in. They might have skinned her and ate her flesh out of hunger or even enjoyment, but others may have simply let her fester into immobility and death. My own personal butterfly effect. She thought morbidly, taking a step back before grumbling in her throat to catch Talyssa’s eyes. Then, she spoke her words of parting.
“Until next time, Talyssa Carpathius, Princess of The Hallows.” Absinth recited the information Goldie had shared with her, wondering what would become of the girl until the next time they met, if they ever did again that is. She took a final look at Talyssa, closing her eyes and memorizing her scent with a deep intake of breath, then she turned away and set off to find a place to rest and recuperate fully.

[EXIT ABSINTH]

wormwood