Stepping foot upon the soil of her birth triggered a welcomed sense of nostalgia that only swelled within her breast as her pupils consumed the beauty of her surroundings, and yet her reason for returning was not to reminisce, but to fulfill the self-appointed duty she had imposed upon herself by thieving an unknown child. It was a heinous crime in the eyes of the morally right and yet the paladin considered herself to be a blessing in disguise; if it were not for her intervention, the babe could have been slaughtered by savage beasts that preyed upon the weak?and weak she certainly was. Limp and lavished in her own blood, the carmine beauty was completely powerless and at the mercy of the phantom deity as she swung?pendulum-like?between ruthless jaws that could either save or end her, depending upon the cooperation (or lack-there-of) of her parents. Artemis knew not when or even if the child would have a potential savior; either way, she was quite determined to seize a prize?whether or not that meant a meager meal or something far greater. As she breached her destination at the base of a barren willow, she relinquished her hold upon the oddity, dropping her haphazardly into the snow before nudging her motionless body onto its side, intrigued just as she had been during the devil?s spastic performance. A smirk encompassed her marred countenance as she brought a singular forepaw beneath the tyke?s chin, tilting her miniscule skull backwards in one fluid motion so as to grant herself a better view of the child?s facial features. Dried crimson stains remained upon the demon?s cheeks, and although the sight was quite ghastly, the paladin found her victim to be breathtaking with her newest adornments. ?It would be a shame to have to kill you, little demon,? the former tyrant mused aloud, uncaring to the fact that the babe would not have heard her while she lingered in a realm separate from her own.

She been given very specific instructions by Viridiana. The red Queen had been in a panic, one of her daughters had gone missing, she slipped from pack lands and never returned. The russet woman had been asked to go a find her and bring her home safe, and she intended to. It had taken some time but she had caught the girls scent, and strangely it mingled with another, one that she didn't recognize. With eyes narrowed, the woman continued to follow the trail, her steps becoming lighter and softer as the scent got stronger and fresher. Trees hung wearily around her, leaves teasing her russet pelt. The woman slowed her pace to a steady walk, eyes searching frantically for the girl. Nostrils quivered, the strangers scent rapidly growing stronger until verdant gaze rested on the pale figure. She had attempted to approach the woman from behind, her steps quiet, not wanting to alert the woman of her presence. Defenses slid into place naturally, her eyes staying narrowed, ears fell back against her skull, hackles lifted, limbs squared and bent while her skull fell even with her spine. Chin would tuck, tail straightening while abdominal muscles tightened. Toes would spread, and claws tug into the ground, she didn't expect this meeting to be a pleasant one. "But I don't think it would be a shame to kill you, little girl." Words fell like silky, dripping quiet venom. Her eyes had not yet sought out the missing princess but she could smell the blood, and the sickness. Vi's daughter had caught the plague as well? The Queen was not going to be happy. Her orders had been to find the girl, and then call for Viridiana, but she would not expose her throat to this stranger just yet. Hardened eyes remained trained on the pale girl, lips threatening to curl. WORDS HERE

Although Sibelle had been the only one that was supposed to go, Hestia had followed, even if Sibelle did notice. It was too late now for the russet wolf to send her back, and finally, Hestia's nose twitched as she smelt blood, her sister, and the scent of another wolf. Fur rose up on the girl's back, and her blue eyes narrowed as a growl rang through the air, not the small, weak growl she used to have. Quickly, three black paws and a white paw let the girl lunge forward, quick as a dart, her lips beginning to curl back in a snarl, but she stayed still, her fur still bristling, until Sibelle arrived a few moments later. When Sibelle spoke, Hestia tensed up, her eyes gleaming with the fact that she would be able to fight for her sister, who was already almost a year old. Hestia opened her jaws, her entire body trembling with excitement, and she struggled to close them with a snap. Finally, the girl spoke, a word that her mother would have mauled her for saying if it embarrassed her slipping from her lips.


"Give me my sister back, or I will have no trouble killing you, stupid wolf. Stupid bitch." Without a second warning, Hestia lunged, her jaws snapping, as she tried to sink her fangs into the pale woman's throat, her ears flat back. A low growl would escape her jaws, even if she didn't manage to hurt this wolf, and she would lunge again if she missed, this time trying to sink her jaws into Artemis's eye, a low growl escaping from er jaws a second time. Her aim was to kill or maim, then get her sister and get back to her pack, even if Sibelle did tell her mother what the almost yearling had did. Maybe her mother, or even her sister, would be proud of her, if only she were the one carting her older sister back to Covari.


With a slight tilt of her head in Sibelle's direction, Hestia ran closer to where her sister was, before barking out something at Sibelle. "Sibelle, do you think you can handle this wolf on your own? If you can, I'll take Fiamette back to Covari. If you can't, I'll take Fiamette somewhere safe and come back. I promise." Looking at Sibelle for a moment longer, Hestia tried to grab Fiamette's scruff, letting out a huff in the process, and attempted to run away with her sister, slowed down by the weight.


EXIT HESTIA/FIAMETTE. HESTIA MAY COME BACK

""

The older woman would rest within her usual spot in pack lands. It was a hollowed out tree. The tight space gave her protection from the elements, mostly from the brisk air outside. She had been adventuring a lot but that day she decided to relax. Though, the woman would go wide eyed as a frantic rustling would be heard. The scent of Hestia would be thick within her nose as soon as it faded. The ebony girl must have been in a hurry and the tri-toned bitch decided to snoop. Light paws would allow her to get up and peek out of her tree. She saw a flash of black and Svanerna was off following her pack mate. Maybe she shouldnt be so nosy but Vi did send out a notice that Fiamette was missing. Maybe it had to do something with that? In the rough times of a plague anything could happen.

As Svanerna caught up with Hestia more scents flooded her slightly moist nose. She looked around as the images of four Wolfes filled her eyes. A pale woman that looked displeased with Sibelle in front of her. Hestia was off to the side trying to gather Fiamette but Svanerna obviously knew that was not a good idea. The Finnvi woman knew that the alabaster lady whom captured the Sovari babe would want something in return. Trying to get Fiamette by force would be an idiotic thing to do. As the ebony woman spat forth lines of nonsense, Svanerna came forth and growled. "Hestia, calm down, let us be rational here. You are only making things worse." Svan was sure Sibelle could handle the pale woman on her own, with words. But, as long as Hestia was here things would only be ten times more frantic. The woman moved closer to Hestia as the black girl tried to pull on Fia to drag her back to saftey. Sure, if things were different getting her home would be a good plan. But, no one needed a fight. The black, white, and russet woman growled softly, "Calm the fuck down, lets let Sibelle handle this. You are making things worse. There is no need for this. Let her go before someone gets hurt." The older vixen was not opposed to dragging her pack mate away if she did not calm down.


"Speech"
'thoughts'

I dunno where Hestia is in relation to Artemis, so I just decided upon her left.

Oblivious to the approach of a scarlet knight in shining armor, the covetous tyrant's attention would remain fixated upon her diseased victim--her newest and comatose toy that she had no intention of sharing. It was not until the subtle threat--disguised in honeyed tones and lavished in feigned innocence--dripped from her spectator's velvet lips that the paladin even allowed for her attention to falter from her demon's countenance, skull swiveling in the direction from whence the girl's savior came, too confident and comfortable with her own devious scheme to stir quite yet. Glancing at the intruder from her peripherals, the Elysius deity could only offer the woman a halfhearted smirk that dissipated from her marred features almost as quickly as it had manifested, extended forelimb descending from beneath the child's chin to rest firmly upon her ribcage--as if to ward off potential bandits from her prey. "I don't think you want to, though," the phantom accused, mismatched gaze returning to reside upon the carmine oddity forcibly held beneath her paw, brows knit together contemplatively. An exasperated sigh fell from slackened jaws as she moved to maneuver around her victim, intending to place the babe between she and the russet beauty, tauntingly. "You seem sensible enough to know that the second you step any closer, I kill the girl." Her words were soft--gentle despite the malicious intent lingering behind them. She was a loaded gun held at the child's temple, at risk of being triggered by the faintest disturbance in her surroundings and she knew that the opposition understood it. She was safe--so long as her precious cargo remained unscathed within her keep. Yet, the russet temptress would not retain her attention for long, the guttural snarls of a second and less imposing bystander forcing the former tyrant's gaze to shift towards its meager form. A wry grin would contort the porcelain folds of her visage as she briefly scrutinized her incoming assailant--the crow to her supposed sister's swan--and although it was evident by her belligerent poise that she intended to attack, Artemis would not offer the child the faintest flinch of chiseled muscle. Rather, she would allow the daring fool to make her advances, only shifting her stance as the babe breached striking distance, intending to align the pointed part of her left shoulder with the brat's splayed jaws so that she may shunt the tough bone between eager jaws with the hopes of negating her attacks and breaking the teeth that wished to dine upon her flesh (counter). Regardless of the russet woman's lurking presence and will to protect, Artemis would not take such impulsive actions lightly; stupidity deserved punishment, no matter the age. The child's idiocy would not end there, however, and the phantom's lips would peel back to unsheathe the weapons concealed underneath, tainted incisors the crow's potential guillotine that flashed threateningly before her eyes. Her own paw would move to wrap about her victim's side as the brat attempted to thieve back her prize, attempting to pull the child in towards her breast in a protective manner--as if to dare the fool to try and pry her sibling from her relentless grasp once more. "Impulsivity is not a trait you should harbor, crow. It just might end you." The suggestion bled from slavering jaws, venomous and harsh as it slipped from her tongue and polluted the air surrounding them. She hardly payed any mind to the newest spectator that had come to collect the little beastie before her, gaze trained upon the whelp as she impatiently awaited her next move.

OOC- im not sure if hestia left or not since she tried to leave with fia in her only post

The pale would speak, barely giving her the time of day. Eyes narrowed briefly before returning to their normal state. 'I don't think you know what I want." She would softly coo to the girl, a faint smirk playing on her lips. A threat would fall from pale lips, one that was expected. "You seem sensible enough to know that if you kill her, you no longer have a pawn in a negotiation." A brow would lift in feigned interest. The sounds of snarls would confused her for the briefest of moments. Verdant gaze would dart towards a familiar dark form. A burst of anger fluttered in her chest. Hestia. Damn children don't ever listen. The girl rushed forward in an attempt to attack their adversary. Fool. However, the pale girl wouldn't attack, instead choosing to insult the pup. Another would arrive, scolding the child and demanding they returned home.

Now that Hestia was under control, her attention would return to the ghost. Fia was still unconscious, and unharmed for now. "Is there something you want in exchange for the girl?" She needed to call Vi. But when was the right time? There would never be a right time. Surely Vi would was more than capable of following her scent. The woman weighed her options, choosing the wait for a moment, and see what this woman wanted.


SPEAK

short crappy post :/

{I'm assuming Svanerna blocked her path?}

The wolf was calm now, at least she thought she was. But when the pale wolf called her a crow, she whipped around, the fur on her back raising. She was judged because of her colors, because she stood out. She was called the black sheep, the odd one out. Because she wasn't a red wolf didn't mean.......Hestia didn't let her thoughts get any further than that, When she turned back to Sverna, her eyes were blue fire, yet they seemed so cold. Listening to the multicolored girl ramble on and on was making her angry, until her temper took hold of her again. She was tired of being the black sheep, the raven, the crow. No. She would not be those anymore. She would be strong, show all of them. She would disappear and never go back to Covari. But, she glanced at her sister. No. Fiamette wouldn't care. Neither......Neither would mother. Hestia began to think about how much they had mistreated her again, until her jaws closed with a snap at Artemis.

"ENOUGH!" Her voice was a loud bark, but her narrowed eyes showed how much she hated everything. She began to speak, her voice cold, and moving closer to Artemis with every sentence. "I'm no longer just a crow. I'm not a black sheep anymore. I've had to deal with the torture of my mother and that thing you're holding by you being mean to me, just because I'm not a red wolf. I never fit in with my littermates, and I never will." By this time, she was face to face with Artemis, and she only glared up at her, making no threats. Except one. "I'm not a crow, not a black sheep. I'm the coldest winter night, and I can kill. I will kill. They don't understand that." Hestia's head tilted slightly, and she smiled. "So go ahead, keep her. I've had enough of her anyway. If they do get her back, then they won't find me in Covari." Hestia sat, keeping her voice a whisper so only Artemis could hear. "I hope we meet again, someday, and maybe we can finish this fight. With only one left alive." Hestia rose to her paws again, and stared at Artemis one final time.

"Maybe, before then, I can show you that I'm not a crow." Hestia smiled, and snapped at Artemis one last time, but not moving her face any closer, only letting her teeth crunch the air. With her black tail raised, the insane wolf began to laugh, and it only grew in volume. Hestia finally looked back and smiled, showing her fangs before turning and walking away, out of sight. She glanced in the direction Covari was in, then began to walk in the opposite direction, before breaking out into a run, still laughing at something that wasn't really funny to her.

EXIT HESTIA UNLESS BLOCKED AGAIN

""

Everyone seemed to be off in a rush and for a moment Vi would watch them from her den, eyes following Svan who followed Hestia who followed Sibelle. Where were they all going? It took her some time before everything seemed to click, realizing that Vi had sent Sibelle and Svan to try and find her first born daughter. Suddenly she was loping after them, following them until they disappeared from sight and then lowering her skull to the ground to follow their scent. It was some time before she came across the group, just in time to hear Hestia shouting things at people. Why was she always causing trouble? She attempted to leave and Vi slipped before her, blocking her path and lifting head high to stare down at her daughter. ""Sit beside Sibelle. Now. And stay there. Don't move unless she tells you to." Words held a cold menace, a harshness as she stared down at her little black sheep that she had comes to care so deeply for and yet here she was. Just a disappointment. A terrible little ankle biter causing trouble. Vi would stare her down, daring Hestia to speak. Daring her to try and leave. Gaze would flit to Sibelle and Svan, nodding in appreciation to both and hoping one would go after Hestia should she try to leave and make sure she made it home to Covari to receive her punishment.

But. That wasn't the worst part of the day. Lantern gaze slithered over, skipping over the white bitch everyone seemed to be facing and focusing on the red mound beneath her paws. Fai? Lips curled back harshly. Promised of pain and punishment written on her gave as she flipped gaze back to the wicked white witch. But recognition flittered across her features. She knew this bitch. Though the name fled her memory. Had she ever learned her name? "Release my child. Hows your dear mother? Do I need to call her?" Venom dripped from her words, tone harsh and bland all at the same time as if this woman was not worth her words. She would have no issue destroying this female here and now if required, and Vi was never above fighting dirty. Three against one sounded just fine to her. Though things might have been resolved peaceful had any of her other children been taken, if she found out Fai had one hair out of place she would make this woman's life a living hell.

"Speech"
"Thoughts"

Diligent predator, relentless towards her purpose of safeguarding her prey beneath a threatening promise of a most cruel demise; and yet, the babe?s potential saviors are none the wiser to her vile capabilities. They persist upon presenting her with spite--this russet temptress and her haughty crow--patent threats slipping free of innocent jaws, unleashed with the intent to intimidate. And yet, the phantom deity knows not of fear; the image of her own death a source of intrigue rather than discomfort. She is unbreakable beneath the weight of their malevolent words, incapable of faltering from a resolute stance and thus a beacon of stark indifference set so fervently before they who wish to see her crumble, but will not. With her cryptic and vacant gaze fixated upon the miniscule figure of the crow ( her impulsive assailant ), the Elysius tyrant relaxed if only just slightly, shoulders rolling back in their sockets once the lingering threat of attack was no longer present. She?d pride herself in unknowingly striking a nerve somewhere beneath the wayward sister?s hardened exterior, triangular ears falling flat against the downward slope of her skull out of unadulterated aggravation as the child relayed her troubles at home upon she who lacked an empathetic bone in her entire skeletal structure. There would be no trace of encouragement ridden upon her porcelain features, no sympathetic smile etched upon frayed lips--only the upward curl of her muzzle that screamed of the irritation that wracked her. The child was only a nuisance, and the vehement snap of her jaws an aggressive action that required no response from the dauntless paladin. And so she?d sit in total silence and motionlessness beside the carmine and comatose beauty forcibly held beneath the weight of her forelimb while the crow wallowed in self-pity, disinterest evident upon her marred countenance throughout the prolonged duration of a most annoying performance. With one final sentiment lavished in murderous intent, the crow maneuvered away from her proximities only to flee like the angsty adolescent she was--and yet, she would be allowed no leeway for complete escape. A fourth bystander would manifest before the child to blockade its path, ensnaring< the wraith?s attention immediately with the authoritative tone her vocals harbored; yes, this was the woman whose presence she initially sought. A smirk would slowly encumber her pallid features and she?d deposit more of her weight upon her demon?s ribcage as the red queen?s golden gaze interlocked with her own violet and silver, attempting to portray her unwillingness to release her cargo with a subtle threat ---shall I crush her? Yet, the red queen was too daft and too arrogant to understand the severity of the situation, and would proceed to make demands of the tyrant as if she were in any position to do so. ?I will personally deliver the child to your feet, unscathed--but only for the right price, that is,? the paladin reasoned, unfazed by the potential wrath of a mother whose child was endangered. Temporary confusion, however, would force the phantom?s wry grin to dissipate from her features as the unrecognizable woman spoke of her mother, unknowingly pouring salt into wounds that hadn?t quite healed over time. ?Do as you like,? the wraith spoke coolly, mismatched gaze narrowing with contempt. ?But, to my knowledge, it is quite difficult to contact those who have met with an early grave.? Her words were ice--chilling to the core and entirely biting. She didn?t know how the woman knew of her mother, but she quite clearly didn?t know her well enough to know that the ice queen had been slaughtered by her son?s own hand.

Svanerna had mothered plenty of children and grandchildren yet she had no patience for ignorance. The simplicity of listening and doing as you are told is so easy she would wonder how someone could do it so wrong. The Finnvi bitch watched to her left as the lady who held Fia hostage spat forth her wordy bile towards Hestia, which she did not bother to think to much of it. Hest had already put Svanerna into a horrible mood, yet the little ebony pest would continue on with her constant jabber about being a Crow. Svanerna just watched her with a blank stare. She was no where near ammused. Blah blah blah blah blah was all the older woman heard. Who the fuck let this girl leave the cave? The nearing Elderly woman rolled her eyes, but was saved by the Queen herself. As Hestia shot off running while laughing at something Vi stopped her and put her in her place next to SIbelle. Svanerna sighed softly and turned around, completely ignoring all the others due to her annoyed state, she had no place within the conversation therefor she would roll her shoulders, dip her head to them all and make her exit back to home. If they needed help she would respond but for now the woman needed a nap, perhaps she would consume some poppy seeds.


-exit svan-
"Speech"
'thoughts'