dirty deeds done dirt cheap

The kings were fools for permitting such freedoms when tensions still held a vice grip about everyone’s throats though Noctis could hardly find complaint. Sacrifice made upon this declaration of ‘peace’ meant paws could wander without restraint. Without some imbecile daring to try halting his steps when business lay across the way. There were still wolves who craved consumption of all one such as he could supply. Shipments of fine wines both pure and laced by substance, flower and fruit crafted, blends to refresh any palate. And it was one such customer - a man of refined tastes - he hoped to meet with when steps first ventured north.

At least, until the festivities caught his eye. While this whole parade nonsense was rather senseless in the phantom’s eyes he was never one to turn down a good party. The exhilaration it stirred within, the enticement that came from the whispers of an accented tongue, why he could do this forever. And before he knew it their rather questionable choice in drinks had passed over his tongue, samples which lacked an exceptional flavor but packed enough of a punch to burn. Liquor threatening to overpower the balance of taste just as it sought to plague his mind.

A dull hum rising within his cerebrum, enough of a buzz to find himself at the end of a rope alongside a rather petite woman who smelt of the shores. Such a creature easily dwarfed by both he and their competition, surely he would need to put in the most of the work but she could surprise him. The last thing he wanted was to be swimming in the muck.

---

Voices rang out all around him as many celebrated their victory in this silly little game, while others lamented their loss within the depths of a mud pit. One he and the woman of blue smoke had evaded, offering a nod to the highlander Noctis found himself fixated. Driven toward the edge of those fallen when a particular individual captured his gaze. Enrapturing in her fury no matter how it lay beneath a veil of sludge.

Sear of seafoam never strayed from her form as a wiry smile slowly etched itself across the vintner’s dark lips, nails tempting fate as they curled against the pit’s slope to look down upon a tarnished woman. One undeniably caked with utter filth. Oh what a sight it truly was, the esteemed Madam Verlice out of her element before him at last. “Not one of your finest moments Lady Ryker, but I hear mud does wonders for the skin,” perhaps it could even bring that pelt of hers to glisten like the stars. Already he knew it to shine with finery beneath the light, however, he could not help to tease. To poke fun at this rare ‘failure’.

she has little innocent demons inside her eyes—

"Easyy, we'll have em on their ass soon enough in the mud, " she gave a snort as she eyed down their competition, more so talking to herself rather than the woman on her side of the rope. She didn't even bother to exchange names. Really, she was nearly in the drink before the contest even started, it was hardly a feat to get so riled up for, but the sweetened liquor in her veins told her otherwise. She noticed tanks scattered throughout the teams and was grateful none were on the opposite end of her rope. Surely she had enough ass to throw around to drag the opposition into the mud. However, her hazel vision of a victory turned into the crystal clear view of sloppy mud was closing in on her face faster than she initially imagined- actually, she didn't imagine she'd eat a mouthful of mud when she first started. She was expecting to see anyone but herself where she was now.

Embarassment was hardly a feat the woman wore well; mud covered face was hiding a souring look, the pearly whites of sharpened incisors flashed with the pinks of her gums more vibrant in contrast with the dark, wet substance that surrounded her muzzle. The booze helped to cover the damaged self esteem, so she wasnt looking too dissappinted in herself this time. She paid no mind to whoever her teammate was, that was irrelevant now. Instead, she forced herself through the pit; a caked paw would raise and connect with the crown of a stranger as she used them as a stepping stone upwards, a growl slipping from kissers as they attempt to detest the action. She focuses on her footing, and the lack of grace in her usually so sure steps is noticeable. As she nears the top of the muddy pit, harks prick toward a familiar voice; her cheeks warm as she finds the face that matches the voice. "I- Noctis" she gives a breathy, nervous laugh. His comment pushes a brow to raise as she hoisted herself out the rest of the way. "Well, " she says as she makes a subtle attempt to regain a more stable stance and slowly pads towards the man. "Surely you wouldn't want to miss out on such a benefit? " Her next step is bold, sure, and meant to be taunting as she closes the gap between them, leaving a few feet between themselves. She first gives a soft shake, small flecks of mud no longer clustered together and caked on her body. "I wouldnt mind sharing, though, theres clearly more.. down there." she coos lightly with a faint grin creeping across her face. she tosses her head towards the pit as amethysts follow a seaffoam gaze, curious to see if he's figured out her intent to share the mud with him.


"the venom"

—and they recklessly play with matches

code // art

There was nothing that could pull his focus from here now. Fixated he was on the movements of a shadowed woman and the delightful grimace which painted itself against her lips. Enlightened the entire pit to the hazardous flash of fangs in an all too silent threat toward any who lurked below. A promise to mark all who dared to prevent her escape from the loser’s coil. Such an embrace none had truly wished to find this evening but Lady Ryker was glorious in her anger. In the ways paws pushed those who still struggled to better her own footing against the slick edge. Until finally that streaked muzzle met him face to face.

Dark lips peeling back into a mocking smile as lyrics oft so sure of themselves instead fell in breathy laughter. An unusual twist of nerves upon her tongue those barely masked beneath the burning flush of embarrassment. Nobody liked to lose. Not he, not Ryker; especially not so publicly where all could be beholden with nothing more than a mere glance. Humiliation mixed with the revelry, parades all but forgotten beneath it all as so many focused upon silly games at the King’s Carnival. At least there was good entertainment to be found here.

More than enough blazing within the eyes of the sullied wolf creeping toward him. Drooped ears swiveling to eagerly embrace a siren’s tease as it laced that gentle coo. If he were not a soul who employed the same tricks, a man unused to such games… there was no doubt one would fall easily into her trap. Become ensnared in her grasps, wrapped around her talons before being met with the harshened snap of fangs. Just thinking of it may have brought him to shiver if he were a lesser man. Instead these were notions kept within, the thought invigorating.

This was hardly the place for such an event to occur and yet that did not mean he would resist her entirely. Noctis would play into her paws just enough in hopes of twisting it his own way, “As much as it pains me Madam, I must decline. I have my own treatments. Those I might be willing to share with you.” Paws hazard a step closer, allowing a figure to lean and brush lightly against her as lyrics hiss lowly to her ear, “Besides, even if I accepted, who needs the pit? There is plenty I could just scrape right off of you. All it would take is a little... contact.”

she has little innocent demons inside her eyes—

With a soft click of her tongue, she dismisses the soft rejection Noctis offers her. What a shame, really. She would pay to see the man's beautiful coat that's always polished get even just a speck of mud on it. She is still watching him, however. Amethysts follow his lips first, as her ears chase the chords he hums towards her. Then, she follows his steps, watching him close the distance. Her own muzzle pivots slightly to follow the man of smoke as his effortlessly charming tongue hisses in her ear. A warmth seeps in to the flesh beneath her cheeks as sensitive ears begin to ring faintly. His words are but a distant hum for a brief moment as a heavy, sweet musk reaches its grip around her snout; it's nearly as intoxicating of whatever it was she's poured into her veins over the last hour or so alone. His closeness snaps her attention back, her own chords however seem to barely trickle out as she let's his scent bleed out from her snout. "Surely, your treatments are far better than rolling in the mud, " her tone is far from sharp and cutting, they've fluttered off her tongue without a dose of lethal injection as they drip between the two of them.

She's too caught up in his approach, his presence, as if generous enough to test where she'd cut him off at, that she doesn't really think to do so anyways. Not once has she concerned herself with the thought of Noctis approaching her with ill intent, usually situations are reversed and she's dangerously close for only one reason. The Ever so slick vintner had only approached her this close once before; mystifying lagoon water lapped at their shoulders as they waded in warm water, something Ryker still believed to this day was from a different batch of berries she may have accidentally consumed. Nonetheless, she's caught slightly off guard and let's the man stay, curious in the moment itself. Maybe this too could be blamed on the intoxication.

Her mind shifts once more however, with his tongue giving way to a subtle hiss in her ears and once more heat flushes to flesh of her cheeks beneath slate fibers. Her own body is no longer itself, rather than recoiling at the touch of his of body against hers, she catches herself leaning too as she allows his weight to fall into her own, but only briefly. Clearing her throat, she presses back into him as paws move her past him. There's a smirk hiding from his eyes, fading as she turns to face him, her face beholding a feined innocence as she glances at his side, searching for any remnants or trace of the mud she hoped to transfer to him."A little dirt never hurt, anyhow, and—" she trails off, her amethysts wondering to a couple of wolves hauling a cart over, beverages premade and offering to any around. Ryker takes no time in accepting the offer, gone to swipe drinks and back to offer one to Noctis. "The standards are lacking in taste here, but it does make it less harder to attempt to savor—easier to entertain a buzz, and tolerate all of... this i suppose. ". She first glances toward the drink she's given Noctis, then she gestures to their surroundings as she soaks the back of her throat with the bittersweet glass of whatever it is this boozy concoction was supposed to be. "Certainly no product of yours" she chimes in after her drink is nearly gone, her purple hues float from her glass to Noctis, eager to see him indulge in something that's likely far from his own taste.


"the venom"

—and they recklessly play with matches

code // art