Wrong in all the Right Ways

It had been a few months since the former soldier had stepped paw in the heart of the Mainlands, having avoided the castle ground like the plague despite infiltrating the dungeons with their brother to release their sister, Nora. Agitation was a rare emotion that they felt and it weaved along their sinew like death’s grip as their fur ruffled to make them a little puffier than normal, though probably not nearly as fluffy as other wolves from their fairly short coat. Their nose twitched, seeking a certain scent that they had last encountered when they were here, though they didn’t move into the castle grounds like they had last time. He wasn’t likely there, not now that the protest had long since dissolved but that didn’t mean he couldn’t be nearby, unsure where he lived at all. This was one of the most populated cities, there was a good chance he could even be on parole to scout for those much like themselves. Joffrey wasn’t the direct reason they were here, he just happened to be at the heart of the problem, holding the ones they really wanted. They didn’t know what exactly they were looking for beyond two female puppies, about a season old. Did they look a lot like Nora? Did they look like that bastard? The details had been of little attention where the desire to leap to action was far stronger. A tail flicked, a for once somber expression shrouding a normally happy face. They wanted their nieces more than anything right now at even a cost of their own life, just to see Nora happy again and to be the Auncle they always wanted to be. Tears wanted to touch their eyes, feeling the one to blame for every inconvenience the Seafarers faced. Their disloyalty to the king might have been what gotten Papa killed. Being caught and thrown in jail had gotten Mother to succumb to her illness. Not being stronger had resulted in… They let out a loud frustrated noise into the air, startling some of the civilians that would stop what they were doing to look at them, making them stand there for a moment with dramatic blinks before showing a dopey smile. “Sorry, sorry!” they yipped apologetically for disturbing the peace.It took little time for everyone to go back to normal of their own routines. Releasing a breath, they continued on their way, searching the crowd for any sign of possible blue fur or ocean eyes that matched Nora. After a few blocks into the market they would see some young pups being shooed away by a meat salesman, causing anger to boil down within. In a matter of seconds Cory did what they did best, snagging some food out from under the salesmen’s nose before following after the little one that had gone down an alley, tail swaying with a hearty pride as they put the bit of deer down for the cute little red coated kid that they were near certain wasn’t the kid they were looking for. “Cory saw you wanted this, skinny mini baby. Eat up!” they giggled, insisting as they pushed the food toward them with their nose and a big warm smile of assurance. Even sitting down to be smaller and less intimidating. The idea of consequences was hardly on their mind, just happy to see what looked to maybe be one of a few orphans from the current war getting a filled belly.

art & table ▸ bunny

W

andering the streets of town, Obsidian was viewing the local hustle and bustle of daily life. There were many wolves selling their wares to make a living. This was part of the reason he had sworn himself to the crown, to protect the needs of these kind folk, just trying to make a living. Not every citizen could join the army, there needed to be those who did important jobs to help the city life flow peacefully. Carrying himself like the proper Lieutenant he was, Obsidian's dual-colored eyes swept over the area, searching for any dangers that might be present here. He knew criminals were like vermin, hiding from the law and doing whatever acts they could to make their lives more enjoyable and the lives of their victims much less than that.

As he was doing his rounds, his eyes caught the form of a meat salesman forcing some younger pups from his stand. Obsidian almost looked away, wanting his eyes to follow the youngsters, but something told him to keep his eyes on the meat stand. Luckily, he listened to his instincts and he was able to witness a crime in action. A growl almost escaped his clenched teeth, but he was able to stifle it down and slowly keep close watch on the adult wolf who had just stolen food from the vendor. Not wanting to stir any chaos into the situation, Obsidian decided to follow the criminal and not alert the salesman to the theft. If he was not able to return the product, he would pay the coin of whatever the cost - after the thief was stopped. The wolf that was very similar in color to himself slunk into the alleyways, seemingly following the children. Obsidian had to wonder if this was an elaborate plan to try and distract the shopkeeper, while the adult stole for them all.

He kept his distance from the wolf he was now able to determine was female. Deciding that he should stop making assumptions, he would wait to see what she was up to. The scene he stumbled upon was interesting to him. The crook had stolen meat for the purpose of giving it to these young wolves. He watched as they ate the food, happily accepting it, as though they had not eaten in days. But a crime was still committed and for that, she should have to pay for what she took. If she wanted this act to be known as a good act, she would need to make good on what she stole. "Excuse me," he said - his tone firm. "That is stolen property, and you will be required to pay for that."

@Cordelia

code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

Cory silently continued to watch them with a happiness in their gaze, tail swaying at a job well done and if they could they would pat themselves on the back but instead would do so to one of the little tikes. The sound of pawsteps would make their ears twitch yet they thought nothing of it at first, knowing how busy this particular town was from back when they helped with guarding the castle from time to time during the last war. Their ears splayed on the top of their head for only a second as they thought about their past job, not liking to think about how much of a lie it had been that soldiers were heroes. All their aspirations from childhood had been slapped away in one single movement when gore had become the reality for no reason in their more naive lens. Taking in a small breath, they shook all those thoughts far away from their mind as they noticed a few of the kids start to retreat away from them with a fear in their eyes they didn’t understand. Had the butcher caught wind and chased them down the alley? They would quickly whirl on their heels to face where the orphans had been looking, oceanic gaze widening to see it wasn’t the seller at all and it had them all the more confused by the other’s reactions. Was this man a monster? He did smell of the barracks from what they could tell, quickly starting to piece together the puzzle of why this was a bad omen to their little bit of happiness. A big dopey grin would take over their expression, absorbing the unusual faced man into their memory. No, he didn’t particularly look memorable, no file in their mind to lead them to anyone they had met before. A soft hum would buzz in their throat as their head tilted ninety degrees to the left, as if that would help them remember something they weren’t in that moment. That smile would only widen more childishly when the man finally stated why he was here and was apparently claiming Cory had stolen. How cruel! “You misunderstand, dandy man! I was only helping him donate to the needy, too prideful to do it himself,” they replied dramatically with a paw to their chest then a pep in their step as they moved closer to the stranger, circling him for a moment but with no hostility in their gestures. “Can you really say no to such cute faces? Just babus! They need it more than a well-fed merchant capable of hunting for themselves,” they said dramatically, leaning their shoulder into the brute. They would put an arm over their shoulder like they were pals but alas, it seemed he was bigger than them!

art & table ▸ bunny