Ghastly Woods Finding Solid Ground

"Th' rush 's a game tha' loses its shine wi' age," the older man grumbled, one ear out to the side. He'd felt similarly, in his youth, mind sent abuzz by danger and near-misses. The dragon could not slake his bloodlust in those days – now, he was more keen on secrecy and a wicked design. While his ultimate goals had not changed, his means most certainly had. No longer did the taste of blood on his tongue intoxicate him – it was simply a fact of life that he had to deal with, and one he refused to shy away from. These days, his drug of choice took a much fairer form – it wore crystalline eyes and a monochrome pelt, it curled around him in a slender shape, and it was the gentle tickle of lavender against his leathery nose that wrapped around his mind and pulled the dragon down from its highest rage, or sent it spiraling into a protective fit of passion. His drug of choice was named @Karina – the fairest princess he ever did meet. It was an addiction, the ruffian was willing to admit to himself, and it was fix he was not willing to surrender. But that was not a conversation he could have with Urien, certainly not yet, perhaps not ever. Humming to himself, he inclined his head. "Suppose th' gold's a fairer metal, yeah? A rock might provide a shield, bu' a dragon protects his treasure fiercely – wi' great violence, should it prove t' be valuable an' worth his time. Keeps it nearby, an' under eye, an' anyone who lays a paw on it forfeits tha' limb, aye?" Kjors implied, tipping his head as he studied the other wolf. "Ah think we may be able t' benefit one another."

Burtn @DA & Dawnthieves.de - Table by PuppyThief

ooc: Sorry about my slowness, Ace love.

The notion did not steal him away, his attention was not about to be erased on the concentration that was ringing in his ears. In ways that could not be exploited, Urien found himself attentive for those few moments with the wisdom that Kjors attempted to bestow on him. It was why his ears swung on his head, and not a moment could be dismissed with the pleasures and treasures that would be hidden beneath the honest place. It was why there was no easy solution, and temper was not about to be triggered by something so well said.

Age was just a number, and his eyes sparkled. Time and a place for all tastes - especially when the foolish fall with a misstep and the cloaked can step away. Observation was light on the tongue, and the concern was rabid against his features; and he managed to keep himself in the position that there was a reason to be benefiting from the conversation at hand. It was why there was an easy smile, a knowing one that proved he would be of appropriate value if only there was someone with a brain enough to take a reach out and poise it in the grasps of those most deserving.

With such words so openly pouting on the air, he found his gaze not to run away from the notion that the wolf who had just called himself a dragon would be willing to offer something. If he was less intelligent, Urien would have scoffed and would have thrown away any sort of offer. He would have snapped his jaws and laughed with merriment, knowing that someone so small would not be the best option to be possessed. That was, thankfully, not who Urien was and not who he intended to become. At any rate, this was an option of those who were desperate - Urien was not at that point, yet.

Even the most lonesome dream of a sweetened touch of those who would call may call them valuable. The knowing words chirped out of his mouth, and he stepped forward, raising his tail and managing to look curiously at the one eye. Scanning for signs of deceit, knowing the likelihood of finding it would have been out of pure luck. Careful now, this one could bite.

It was then his head dropped though, responding flawlessly, tail lashing. Ah - but there's the kick of the ram; how must the wolf before you show proof of his equitable weight in gold? Voice eager, curious. If he could do nothing but stomp his feet and declare himself the best, why, that would be a warning sign in itself. There was always a reason to build trust, there was always a reason why things had to be on somewhat equal footing.

What was the consequence - good or bad - and Urien intended to know.

No need to apologize, mate. <3

Urien was not his – yet. But it was only a matter of time, he suspected, if this wolf was worth any time and effort at all. Only further investigation would tell, and given his good fortune of late, the River wolf decided he had the abundance of resources to pursue this opportunity. "Value's a relative term. Fluxuatin', always. Y'can never res' on yer laurels, 'er tha's when th' floor comes ou' from under ya," he rumbled, making it clear that this would not be a one time effort. Karina, obviously, was different – it was her beauty and uniqueness that drew the dragon in. The male before him had neither of those traits, nor did he seek to covet his new acquaintance for simple companionship. His value would be appraised when he displayed what he could do. Clearing his throat, he tipped his head before he spoke of what he sought – just as a precaution, he lowered his voice another few decibels, assuring his words were for himself and the newcomer only. "Well, y'see, Ah'm bu' one wolf, an' tha' makes it a might difficult t' investigate more than one territory at once. Ah trade in information, y'see? An' a courier would be mos' invaluable t' a wolf like me, yes?" he rumbled, having a few targets in mind already. "There's two ways it can work. Y'remain a loner, an' we designate a place t' meet, 'er y' join a pack – th' one Ah reside in, 'er another. Bu' Ah think a simple task would be a good place t' start, huh? Y'think y'can gather information as well as y'can steal?"

Burtn @DA & Dawnthieves.de - Table by PuppyThief

This was a trickier situation than one would have predicted, and it was why his gaze was not about to move off the wolf who had come to his calling. Now that there was reassurance that he could be in a situation of benefit, he found himself staring a little more intently at the one eyed self-claimed dragon, knowing that there was always a risk that the one who had the weaker end would be quicker to be sliced off at the neck. The pressure was not about to be lifted just on the account of being pressed, and his nose raised a half inch as he pulled his eyes up to look at the other.

Ah, the conditions were laid out so pretty. His voice dropped, and he looked like a wolf who wanted to play the game. For as much as Kjors claimed to deal in shadows, the spark was enough to have him on alert. It was why his head tipped, half sloping downwards; A coward has a unique claim of hearing without being noticed. Idle words commented, and his head dipped, offering a flick of a muzzle gesture towards the small wolf that was before. Whereas a One Eyed Dragon... well, the attention grows faster than bloodsuckling mosquitoes. Kjors presence was strong, it was commanding. It meant that he would be an easy target to garner suspicions.

Information, words a plenty. His eyes twinkled and he found himself laughing at the ease of which it came to him; A coward's belly rests in your den, Dragon. A summoning spot for all the fools to congregate if any. It was a fair assessment; he could have the permission to join a pack, but that was a dangerous thing. Being recruited, being healed - now that was another thing. Perhaps if information did not come freely, then drastic measures would have to be taken. After all, while they were wolves, there were those more pure of heart than the two that stood conversing.

A talent for words, yes. A talent that I have to measure up to, skills to be refined... Pondering, his head bowed. The contentment was singing in his ears, and there was no missing the content smile that circled his features. I believe we have an accord, Kjors.

"Good." And so it was set. Urien would work for him – or, at least, try his paw at becoming one of the dragon's informants. If he proved himself to be a capable wolf, the older male had no doubt in his ability to provide what the other sought; he would allow him his old residence, and offer protection. Should the vagrant eventually seek a pack, he would put in a good word with Kisla in terms of Hearthwood River – or at least advise him to what he knew of other friendly packs in the area. (But then, what he if planted him among the enemy? What a perfect scheme that would be! Certainly, that would satisfy any thrill the wanderer sought…but he was getting ahead of himself.) Shifting his weight, he offered the other wolf a brief nod. "Ah know a fair bit 'bout packs in th' area, bu' there are many more still Ah haven' run into. So much travelin' t' do, an' only four paws an' a strong heart leant t' me, huh? Bu' clearly th' Mother does not discourage me, meetin' y' as such. So, lad, find ou' 'bout one of th' packs down south, 'er on th' mountain. Ah know Fallen Tree Cove – bu' there's another somewhere roun' there. Shouldn' be tha' hard. Jes' lookin' 'fer numbers, allies, strength of their alphas – 'nythin' y'think is useful, hm? Th' deceiver always needs t' know wha' he's up against." Humming softly, he nodded towards his former den but once. "Ah'll meet y' here in a moon 'er so. Savvy?"

Burtn @DA & Dawnthieves.de - Table by PuppyThief

The wolf was not about to deny that there was a pleasure in the fact that it had been a reach to be brought; an accord, a deal that was made with the devil. While Kjors did not look frightening, there was a deception. A strong one that would match the fact that he was on a passionate stance of his own - and such was why there was a tightness in the chest. It was why there was no notion, and it was why there was no skittering consequence, that he was going to get caught. He was just as deceptive, but there was a heightened array of challenges before the coward's nose; he lacked the confidence to overcome it just as easily.

Ears flung on his head and he attempted to concentrate on the matter, stolen by the fact that it meant he would have to get a move on. Ears perked to the notion of what there was to know. Kjors had better familiarity with the North, thus that meant it was better that he go Southbound. Such seemed like such a tiresome journey - why couldn't he just stay here and wait for something to fall on his head, like a poisoned apple or some sort?

Alas, it was not to be. It was why his head tipped to the side as he went over the information presented, and such was why there was no missing the strain. It was why there was no meaning to the chirp that huffed out of him, but he whistled with a consideration for the masses. Quite an easy task, but difficult at the same time. Fair enough, Dry words agreed, a crisp response that was going to roll out of his mouth, to the point this time around without a riddle. We'll dance with the flames and see if a dragon and his gold can get burned by other types of fire.

Eyes rolled up toward the sky, a moon. And I'll miss you dearly during that time, my little song sparrow. This time he was rewarding the male with a smile, warm and delighted with himself. Such was the way of things, then the coward moved by, slipping into the den that was now his to own as he pleased. Alas, the world was so precious! He had won himself a treasure of his own, a fierce one. What a treat.