*ooc: backdated by like a season i think*

Absinth prowled through the labyrinthine alleys of the Armadan marketplace, her monochromatic fur melding less-than-seamlessly with the evening shadows. At least in winter, just about everything matched her; she was looking forward to the coming winter months on the horizon. Green eyes, like orbs of emerald fire, scanned the bustling crowd, searching for a trace of the lavender woman amidst the chaos of merchants and travelers. She had been careful not to alert Aresenn to where she was headed to today, though she had told him of her meeting with the woman and the subsequent save Andy had pulled off. Among the other things.

The delicate scent of lavender teased her senses, a whisper on the breeze that hinted at her presence somewhere nearby. Absinth followed the fragrant trail with a sense of anticipation that quickened her pulse, her steps measured and purposeful as she weaved through the maze of stalls and lantern-lit pathways.

With each passing moment, the scent grew stronger, drawing her deeper into the heart of the marketplace. Absinth's senses were on high alert, every fiber of her being attuned to the slightest sign of her quarry. Or, her friend?

And then, she caught a glimpse – a flash of lavender amid the sea of faces, a fleeting moment that left her heart racing. Like the thrill of the hunt. But as quickly as it appeared, the vision vanished into the crowd, leaving Absinth to continue her search.

wormwood

The Marketplace’s secrets have long since been unraveled by Andy, since many of her early days as a pup had often been spent here in hidden places that only she knew, simply watching. So, when the familiar scent of wormwood and the newest pack greets her nose, the lavender woman is able to pinpoint Absinth’s whereabouts almost immediately but she does not let on to the fact that she knows the monochrome woman is here. Of course, half of the fun is in the chase and she gracefully strides down rows, using the crowd to disappear and reappear among the bustling throng of wolves.

Absinth had intrigued her, made Andy question her own sexuality and loyalty to Aresenn until there was only one question left on her mind; ‘could the three of them all be happy… together?’. The monochrome woman’s scent grows stronger and she allows herself to be seen amidst the bustling bodies, a momentary flash of purple before she once again melts away, scent there but coat mostly hidden. It is a game of cat of mouse, of hunter and hunted but the roles have not been defined, the players yet uncast as the women continue to move.

It is easy to lead Absinth through the crowd, a flash of color here, a joyful laugh there as she watches children play among the adults all aimed to pull the black and white woman further in. Where the labyrinth might confuse another, Andy is comfortable, guiding the other woman on as she winds them through dizzying rows, brushing past bodies as gently as possible while trying to keep the true direction she going, muddled.

Finally, the crowd begins to thin and the lavender woman slips free from the stalls, trotting toward the nearby caves that dot the area around the marketplace and offer those who know of them, a little more privacy. Stepping inside of one, Andy rounds on the doorway, watching, waiting for the monochrome woman to appear so that they can talk and catch up… and maybe even do more.


"Andromeda Fatalis"

Absinth paused, inhaling deeply as she caught another tantalizingly sweet whiff of the lavender fae she sought amidst the medley of scents. She knew Andy was aware of her presence now, she had to be if the breeze continued to be fickle. The chase had begun. Absinth couldn't help but smirk; the lavender woman was one step ahead in her own home turf, but she was no quitter. Perhaps a game of cat and mouse to play up their inevitable meeting.

Weaving through the marketplace with renewed determination, Absinth let the playful nature of the pursuit invigorate her senses. The flashes of lavender among the crowd were like breadcrumbs leading her onward. Andy’s playful strategy didn’t surprise her; she had always assumed the woman was capable of mischief. Of beckoning allure in her wake.

A fleeting glimpse of pale purple, a joyful laugh that echoed above the din, these signs urged Absinth deeper into the maze. She maneuvered through the crowd with feline grace, each step calculated to reduce the distance between her and her quarry. Her prey. The labyrinth of stalls began to thin, and the scent grew stronger. Absinth’s heart pounded with a mixture of anticipation and curiosity. She noticed the path leading toward the caves – a place where privacy could be found, away from the prying eyes of the marketplace. A grin curved the edges of her lips, her charcoal tail flicking out behind her like a banner.

Stepping inside one of the caves, the shift in atmosphere was immediate. The noise of the marketplace faded, replaced by the quiet echoes of their own breathing. As her eyes adjusted to the dim light, Absinth saw Andy, her lavender coat a striking contrast against the cave’s earthy tones. Their eyes met, and for a moment, the world outside ceased to exist. “Found you,” Absinth said, her voice a low purr. She took a step closer, hips swaying in a sultry fashion as her emerald gaze never left Andy’s own pale blues. “Now, shall we talk... or is there something else you had in mind?” She is predatory, drawing closer, lips slightly parted as her head tilts in amused questioning.


wormwood

The women play a game of cat and mouse, weaving their way through bustling crowds with the easy of water flowing down river. With one final twist, her purple form turns into a cave, where she quickly spins around to find the monochrome woman not far behind. Their eyes meet and the world melts away as Andromeda’s heart thunders in her breast, a coy smile curling her lips at the purr of the offered words. Absinth’s hips sway in a sultry saunter and the lavender woman feels herself slowly losing control.

Absinth’s lips peel back as she questions her and slender purple brows raise as Andy steps in toward the monochrome form, maw moving toward those dark lips but stopping a mere hair’s breath from connecting. Their breath mixes, twining together with the perfume of past meals and the promise of things to come. Dusty lavender lips wiggle upward as Andy softly teases, “Why not both?” Voice is light, dancing long the words as it goes. While men have the tendency to fuck and forget the tender moments that can be found in between the sex, it is commonly found that women can have more… intellectually stimulating experiences together.

Or so Andromeda has heard.

Tongue snakes out of her mouth, tenderly licking at Absinth’s nose in a soft yet playful way. The invitation is put forth and she waits to see if the monochrome woman will steal the kiss that waits right in front of her. Once that is done (kiss taken or not), Andy will retreat back from the opening, toward the back of the cave where a large, plush pile of furs await them. She drapes her body across them in an alluring way while cocking a cheeky grin toward the monochrome as she questions, “Where have you been Absinth?”

The question is genuine as Andy wonders what has kept the pair separate for so long.


"Andromeda Fatalis"

Absinth’s eyes gleamed with a mix of amusement and desire, her gaze fixed on Andy’s face. She could feel Andy’s breath, warm and tantalizingly close, their lips hovering just a whisper apart. As the lavender woman playfully licked her lips, a shiver ran down Absinth’s spine. Her smirk deepened, and she leaned in, closing the gap with a kiss that was soft yet electric, a promise of more to come.

When Andy retreated toward the plush pile of furs, Absinth’s movements followed with a fluid grace, laced with predatory intent. This woman... always running, always just out of reach, and all Absinth wanted was to pin her down, to make her forget everything else.

As Andy draped herself across the furs, Absinth paused, taking in the sight before her. Sleek lavender skin, supple flesh, curves that drew her eyes hungrily. “Are beds normally kept here, or did you prepare this one for a specific reason?” It’s a tease, an impish curl of her lips as she delights in either answer. Did Armada wolves just fuck in the tunnels? Or was Andy a sneaky little minx? She let her gaze linger, savoring the moment. A new question hung in the air, posed by the lovely lavender fae, and she sensed the genuine curiosity in her voice.

“Do you want an apology, beautiful? It's really unfortunate. The band kept moving, I gained myself some new responsibilities, and some souls have just simply been troublesome to get along with.” Absinth began, her voice carrying a sigh as she moved closer. She lowered herself gracefully beside Andy, their bodies just inches apart, the heat of her presence mingling with Andromeda's. “We’ve become more of a true pack now, and not the kind with a good reputation, unfortunately.”

She let the words linger, her eyes locking onto Andy’s, searching for understanding as her lips curled deviously. “The chaos has kept me on my toes, and for that I'll let you take your pound of flesh, hmm? I’m sure Aresenn feels the same.” Her comment was careful, a deliberate probe to gauge Andy’s reaction, her body language subtly inviting closeness, a temptation to take her word for it. There was no need to lie, she'd answer Andromeda's questions. Part of her actually hoped the woman would take a pound of flesh from her. It sounded sexy.


wormwood