little princess

Vanity was not a word in her vocabulary, but the concept was certainly not lost upon the little girl.. nor did she consider it a bad thing. Having grown quite a bit, even at only the tender age of sixteen weeks, Cinder Attaya sat before the banks of the calmer water before the rapids, her amber eyes gazing down intently to the waters and the reflection that was given.

Grey clouds rolled overhead, and while the air was still warm, it also felt moist, as if a thunderstorm was on its way. She could see the sky in the water, noting the way it appeared as a backdrop to her own features as she reviewed them intently. Ava, of course, was the most beautiful wolf Cinder had ever laid eyes on, and so intent to aspire and be like her mother in appearance, she noted with a soft hum of disappointment at the way her ears bulged from her head – so large for her china-like face, while her muzzle was not yet long and slender like her mother’s. She had been reassured before that this would change – that she too, was beautiful and would be even more so when she was older, but quite frankly, Cinder did not have time to wait! She was a princess and of course, needed a prince to be by her side so they could rule their kingdom together when they were grown up!

Canting her muzzle to the left, the girl shifted her weight, her chest rising and falling with a gentle sigh. “Mirror mirror on the wall,” she began, a small giggle working its way up to her throat before jutting her muzzle up proudly, as if she were royalty. “Who is the fairest of them all?”

like a black widow, baby

Rowan had decided about a week or two earlier there was an innate quality to each of the Attaya children, something special and unique to just the one, and each provided a different reaction to his own chemistry. Something about Mace's inherent success made him want to drive his own. Something about Quil's esoteric wisdom made him want to find peace with whatever part Rowan was going to play. Yet something about the youngest Darkwater princess, Cinder, was so absolutely volatile - it made him want to conquer. Of all four she seemed the most sure, the most independent. Maybe they were fairy tale ideals now, but Rowan believed something was going to explode at some point beneath that pretty black-furred surface. His sister really was just too cool for him to keep analyzing her in the background.

As she posed some question - kind of a weird one, actually - to what appeared to be her own reflection the young prince made his approach. "You, probably," the boy quipped as he appeared from the canopy's shadows, loping casually to his sister's side before taking a lazy seat at the river's edge as well. Her royal stance had gone unnoticed upon him - Rowan's silver was still a might bit dull to be quite honest - and he cast a questioning glance on his own shimmering reflection. "Why're ya asking a dumb ol' river? It don't got eyes." He stole a glance toward his sister for her rebuttal. As much as he admired his siblings, and tried to think his was into their heads, he wondered if he really understood 'em at all.

adopt thea?

Ever since his acceptance into Darkwater Rapids, Ash had yet to encounter another pack mate. This might have bothered him at one time or another if he had not purposefully ran into them. He had wanted to be part of a commitment and he was going through with it. Though not as heavily as they had been on Poison Path soil, his scent now marked the borders along with the strong scent of Ava, Kade, and whatever other Guardians they had within this place. Otherwise, he was seeking the shadows, preferring to stay away from life for a little while to collect his own thoughts. He had never quite understood and been able to hold onto the horrible thoughts that occurred to him. They just didn’t make sense, everything had been perfectly fine and then disappeared in the blink of an eye. Wallowing in his own self pity would not do for today. For he soon came along two small bundles of fur that stood by the water, who he could only assume were Kade and Ava’s pups.

Sticking to the shadows so he could hear what was being discussed, he couldn’t help the small smile that tugged over his lips at the playful words they shared with one another. It made him long for his own sibling, but she was far over the mountain and he could not afford to make such a trip. At the boy’s poor use of grammar, Ash finally decided to let his presence be known to the two young members of royalty. Clearing his throat, he spoke clearly and articulated the words that the prince had mispronounced, "It doesn’t have eyes." Now that his presence was known by the two dark siblings, he bowed before them, his muzzle tipped towards the ground as he greeted them in respect, "Princess…Prince…" He did not known of the pups names nor how many were in Ava’s litter but he knew he could respect any and all of them. Back in the mountains he had gotten along with the children quite well, hopefully in the forest that wouldn’t change a thing. Taking the time to introduce himself, he spoke calmly, refraining from using a title, as he did not have one in this new place, "I am Ash Hervok."

I think I've finally seen the light..in you.

The question hung in a small stretch of silence, her bright eyes inquisitive as they roved the surface of the water, noting the slight twist of her features with every ripple that broke the smooth depths. Such silence from the water was a rarity, especially the closer to the rapids one got – and yet the small pool of expanded river seemed gentle in its nature further downstream, hence why the swarthy girl had sought it out.

Of course, Cinder did not expect an answer from the water – yet when a voice rumbled a reply, she felt herself straighten slightly, pleased with this admittance and completely oblivious to any underlying sarcasm. Of course, Rowan sauntered up to her side, and as she cast him a baleful glance, she realized it had been him – beauty was something she aspired for, but she was not lacking intelligence either. Her lips pursed together, releasing a small pfft noise before lifting her muzzle up regally – not a show of dominance, but one of pride. “Of course,” she hummed back in response, not missing a beat. Her eyes sought his own, as if to question if there was any doubt of this.

Rowan’s next words caused a small grin to begin forming upon her features, her eyes giving a slight roll. “Because it has a refle --!” her voice cut off the moment another began to approach, and shifting, Cinder felt her shoulder brush against the downy softness of her brother’s own pelt, hiding the lean developing muscles beneath.

She hadn’t met this wolf yet – her honeyed eyes took in the tawny of his pelt, the length of his limbs. He was large, but Cinder was not accustom to fear yet – she had no reason to fear. Big brother Rowan was by her side, and her parents were never far. It was the sardonic words that came from his mouth that caused her eyes to narrow – it was one thing for her to nitpick her brother, but that didn’t mean this stranger could do it. “Don’t you talk to him that way!” Her response was haughty, her eyes lighting with blazing defiance as she glared at this newcomer.

like a black widow, baby