[ P ] Savage Sister

caspian The sun had yet to rise, not fully at least. Green eyes took in a sky of cobalt, the stars pale as dawn's veil began to obscure them. Dark paws pressed into the sand at the bottom of a deep tide pool, one that had been left from last night's storm. Now, all was peaceful, but the scars of its passing were all too visible. Seaweed studded the beach and some of the boulders had been overturned, their barnacles now suffocating within the sand. Crab shells lay dormant in the low light, their flesh having already been picked out by the gulls. This was his favorite weather. Taking in a deep breath, he luxuriated in the shiver that wound down his back. Standing in frigid waters was a risk even in the best of times, and this winter would no doubt be one of the most uncertain. Would there be food for the rest of them after this ball of King Adamh's transpired? If he could, he'd make a fool of them all for enjoying such luxuries while the broken families back home could barely find a rabbit to feed four. It while he was bitterly reminiscing that he noticed a familiar silvery pelt appear, perhaps prepared to scour the beach for what was left over (or to fish if the minnows and cod had returned after the last night's deluge). "Islay," he called, idly stepping out of the tide pool. "Enjoying the aftermath of carnage?" "speech"

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@Islay

feel the pulse in my veins like a fighter the hour just before the sun rose was like a balm to her troubled heart. High tide had begun to recline back towards the sea, as if the great body of water were settling itself on its haunches until later; a sleeping giant, a briefly tamed monster. Her lips quirk at the thought, and the unbidden memories of growing up with her family’s tales threatened to drown her in emotions she didn’t want. Sighing, she detaches herself from the shore and decides to trail through the tail end of the waves that stretch up onto the sand. to say she needed a distraction was an understatement. Tough times had warranted her participation in less-than-ideal-business-ventures. wanna make a name for yourself? The black market...what was she thinking getting mixed up in all of that? The sad truth was that she was good at it. The pirating history of her family line ran strong in her, and it didn’t help that she basically idolized the larger-than-life characters from her mother’s stories. Barbados, Tuga, Julian, Solomon, Maui... they were heroes and vagabonds, nearly kings of the old country, and they lived freely in her heart and mind; taking up residence like fire to the flames of her adventurous spirit. It wasn’t just them, of course. The wolves of Aberdeen were feeling the touch of Winter, and the lands beyond them were suffering, as well. It was the mainlanders, the royalists, and their king’s ball that had created a haughty kind of defiance in her. doesn’t he realize the damage he’s doing? this king was no king of hers. She’d heard of kings, other kings, and they didn’t have parties while their people struggled. Riled by the decision she’d made the previous night, and wanting to purge herself from the dozens of thoughts that now plagued her, Islay takes off in a light jog; calculating the amount of time she could spend fishing before the waters became too treacherous for her. She feels her limbs warm as she lopes, her eyes scanning the beach for any wayward crabs or gulls that got too close. It isn’t until she passes by the tide pools that she spots him almost the moment he calls out to her. Islay’s ears flick back a little, and she rounds off to her right before coming to a halt; her breath puffing out in front of her as she gives the fisherman a grin. “Caspian, right?” She feigns ignorance, having seen him out and about. What with him being some of the competition and all, she’d inquired about him. Caspian was a striking figure, almost impossible to miss. “I was about to find out.” She says with a small laugh, turning her head to look down the beach and then back at the tide pools behind him. “Any luck in the pools?” There’s a hopeful note in her voice as she cranes her head around as if to peak behind him. “”

@Caspian

caspian Islay was, in Caspian's mind, like a waterbug. She was large for her age, all nimble limbs that one might think were too much to manage for one of her tender youth. To the contrary, the silvery wolf was quite nimble. She had a way of sailing across the beach and gingerly unearthing prized shells (or hiding crabs for that matter). Her eyes had the electric light of the ocean in summer and she smelled of sea salt. All things considered, Caspian liked her. He didn't know her well, but he was happy to share Aberdeen's beaches with one who was just as eager to worship them and put 'em to good use. As recognition sparked within those eyes, she veered toward him and for a moment he wondered if he should dodge out of the way. Would she slip? Would his earlier thoughts about grace prove to be his downfall? Thankfully, Islay skidded to a stop and only dislodged a couple clumps of sodden sand. They plip-plopped into his tide pool and floated to the bottom, clouding the water. "The one and only," he answerd with a wink and a Cheshire grin. Although she was too young for him to entertain flirting with, he couldn't help but keep the general facade of a wayward pirate. It was more fun to dally as the casual bum on the beach than to address the yearling like he had any authority over her. "Small crabs so far, nothing useful," Caspian answered as she inquired about the pool he had picked over. "Looking for anything in particular?" He was aimless on this day and lazy hands were of no use to anyone. "speech"

art & table ▸ bunny

@Islay

feel the pulse in my veins like a fighter Caspian had been a fixture in this land for, what she's guessing, is longer than she'd been alive. Or at least long enough since I'd noticed him. He reminded her of the characters in her mother's stories; pirates, vagabonds, wolves with personality. He was, though she wouldn't admit it to his face, completely unforgettable. She can't help the laugh that escapes her; a slight roll of her eyes accompanying the smirk on her face when he winks. “One and only, eh?” She casts a cheeky grin at him, and her tail waves behind her; a certain excitement filling her belly as she endeavors to meet his bright eyes. There was something thrilling about interacting with someone who could give as good as he got. “S'good thing...I don't think the highlands could handle two of you.” Let alone the kingdom... She lets her eyes drift again to the pool behind him as he speaks, her lips pressed thoughtfully, brows bunched a little as she thinks it over. Nothing was really drawing her interest. “hmm, nothing specific...” Her shoulders lift in a casual shrug; gaze returning to his face with a bit of speculation. Troubled and restless as she was, she didn't necessarily want to get serious this early in the morning. And while she hadn't exactly slept last night, she felt as though lightning was surging through her veins; her desire for a swim almost unbearable. Oh, to feel the rush of the waves without the utter ache of winter temperatures in her muscles. “I'm just lookin' for a distraction, I think.” Her ears flip out a little and she gives him a guilty smile. “Can't wait for warmer weather...” It's not a complaint. things would just be easier...more bountiful. She wouldn't have to cut corners, make deals that weren't honorable. But what was honorable when some dined out of excess while others starved? There's a touch of sadness in her voice, and she looks off towards the sea in order to hide the shadows that threaten to overcome her eyes. “Let's walk and talk,” She turns, angling her head over her shoulder as she points her paws towards the other end of their beach, and tosses her muzzle in a gesture for him to follow her. As a sort of hook, she tilts her head, the comfort of even vague familiarity already helping ease her nerves. “You been getting by alright this season?” “”

@Caspian

caspian Her laughter only solidified a hunch that was quickly becoming fact: they'd get along quite well. Like most wolves with a love for the ocean, they all had a little salt mixed into their blood. They could banter, trading insults whilst treading the fine line between funny and offensive. It was made easier by having a slightly thicker skin than most. At her quip, Caspian couldn't help but laugh. "My thoughts exactly," he mused with a wolfish grin. "I try to exterminate all of the clones as quickly as I can—for king and country of course." It was his sovereign duty and he bowed for effect. The only flaw in his act was the sourness with which he said the word king. Not even their queen was a Highlander now. Daphne was a convert, the lowest kind of traitor. Considering the utter lack of excitement in the tide pool, he gave a soft huff of laughter and nodded. Distractions were a luxury that only the wealthy could afford, but if a fisherman worked hard, he could scrape up just enough to keep this early morning hours for himself. And, he mused, it wouldn't be so bad to spend them with her. What choice did he have? She had already caught him in her net and was dragging him along, her voice amicable despite the order to walk and talk. Grin widening somewhat, he fell into step alongside her. At her question, however, he couldn't help but laugh incredulously—though she would find that he laughed for many reasons, the tone and timber as varied as his voice. "I thought you wanted a distraction," Caspian challenged, green eyes dancing with warmth. "First to swim to that rock," he said, motioning with his nose to a stone that would be just beyond the depth at which he could stand. "And back gets a favor from the other." His brow lifted as he awaited her answer. "Don't worry, I'll keep ya' warm if you need it." It was dangerous to go out in the water in winter, but that was a peasants' thrill: tempting fate and surviving like the roaches they were. "speech"

art & table ▸ bunny

@Islay