Kingsfall hide the rum

RE:You've discovered an orchard of apples! The ones on the ground have fermented and you start to feel a little tipsy!

The more distance she made from home, the easier it was to breathe. The easier it was to press onward without looking over her shoulder. She wished she had done this sooner....

A smug smile hung on her cheek. When Varren gave her mother the news she would be neither impressed nor happy. But, she would get over it. It wouldn't be a newsflash her only daughter left to seek a life from the creek. It wasn't like Rem was a well functioning cog to be missed in the machine like her brothers. Her nose crinkled at the thought of them. Even if her mother sent out a search party, she doubted they would actually find her. She couldn't think of anyone that would miss her. She had always been a pain in the side. Besides by the time word got to her widowed mother Rem would be long gone.

A faint smile, yellow eyes ate up the landscape. There were great trees every where, and ridges in all direction to climb. Similar to the creek, but this forest had promise of something more. Things she didn't know. She understood better why some wolves never quite settled in one place. With so much to see, how could one place be enough? This was probably why her father had enjoyed being a scout, and diplomat of sorts before settling down with her mother. She recalled his directions, the mountain she should look for. Right now she had a long way to go.

Sides rose and fell in rapid movement, as white plumes of heat rolled from her tongue. The temperature had began to drop with evening approaching. She was starting to wish for a drink. Nostrils twitched, it wasn't water. The air was tinted with something else. Some form of fruit. Huh. She followed it, coming to find trees of a different kind grouped together. They was nothing in their branches, but lots of round red things around their trunks, much larger than plums. Would they taste as good? Choosing carefully, she grabbed one of the better ones, digging her teeth in. Why the juice had a bit of a tangy taste, she chomped, and swallowed, searching for another, and finding four. It wasn't water, but better than nothing.

(This post was last modified: Oct 27, 2016, 04:58 PM by Remington.)

Here's Atty! I wanted to finally try getting her out in the world. Hope you don't mind, @Remington ♥.

Atropos was trying to grow braver. So much braver, in fact, that she was finally willing herself to go beyond the marked borders of Hearthwood River and explore Kingsfall fully.

It was odd, to not hear the reassuring rumble of the river in the background, and she noticed things were suddenly different beyond the scents of her family. The land smelt stronger; the damp rot of leaves beneath the snow, the sharp tang of prey animals, the wisps of strangers passing through the woods. It all looked familiar, but it was different. This was wild, untamed land ... it was thrilling, in a way. Atty was starting to understand why @Kyrios left home so regularly! But she wondered, for a brief and uncertain moment, if he relished the going home part, too.

She stopped in her tracks at an audible crunch, ears tipping back against her temples. The realisation of what it meant arose before she caught the telltale scent on the breeze: someone she had never met before was near -- someone who was not a Hearthwood wolf.

Poking her head from the nearby bushes, Atropos spied her target; a dark wolf, covered in patchy smudges of lighter colours. She seemed to be snacking on something, but the Hearthwood pup definitely couldn't smell any blood or meat nearby. What exactly was this strange, crunching woman hoovering up? Now was as good a time as any to test that newly acquired bravery. Deep breath. In. Out. Step one: say hello.

Atty emerged from the undergrowth with a "peep". "Hu-hello?" Step one accomplished! She crept forward, clearing her throat. Step two: initiate small talk. "What are you doing?" The young wolf glanced down at the ground, noticing the round things littering the nearby ground and she put one and two together -- daddy had told her that these were apples, and they grew on certain trees. "You're, uhm ... you're eating ah-ah-- ... apples?"

:D Not at all! <3 @Atropos

It was all of a sudden she felt like her head was floating, and the scenery seemed to be shifting. She had only had like seven of those dang things. She had heard no tales of poisonous fruit. What the...

If she had had her senses she would have caught the scent of the pup. As it was, she was trying to focus her stare upon another apple, willing it to be still. When a soft voice, not overly confident reached her. With a jerk, the silver wolf tucked her chin, frantically looking about. At first she did not see the girl. She felt her heart speed up, her course hair along her spine prickle. Shouldn't her mother had warned her about this stuff? These things were poison, and she would plummet into madness. Low and behold, the blond toddled forward from the brush, questioning her. Two ears twitched, a brief suspicious glare forming at the girl as she inspected the odd fruit. Did she know something she didn't?

With a simple blink, Rem cleared her expression. This was just a child who was curious, and seemed rather polite. "I guess..." She muttered, putting the word to the fruit with a note never to touch it in any form again. More steadily eyes made their way to her company's pale face, it seemed like she had four eyes, and two noses. That wasn't good. Part of her wanted to giggle. She somehow knew if she did she wouldn't stop. Another part of her was saying this wasn't funny. A partial grin cracked, she cleared her throat to stifle the laugh. "I think there's somethin' wrong. You...you look like you got an extra face to me.." Once more she wanted to laugh, looking at those four green eyes. She cast her snout down, placing her paw to strike the nearest apple aside, and missing so terribly she almost tipped over. Then she let out a little chuckle, trying to steady herself. But, she was sat with a tilt. "I bet you aren't even real." She chimed, another laugh erupting.

(This post was last modified: Nov 17, 2016, 11:21 PM by Remington.)

The stranger seemed startled, and Atropos felt self conscious guilt creep up her neck. Oh no, oh she hadn't meant to startle the woman! She had just wanted to know what was going on. Perhaps peeking out of the bushes suddenly wasn't the best idea. Then again, what if this wolf turned out to be aggressive? Atropos had a better chance of fleeing if she used the underbrush to her advantage. Bother! This whole dealing with strangers thing was difficult to get the hang of.

She was ready to leap into apologies for causing any undesired surprise when the loner settled the moment she got a look at the pup. She faltered. What, was she not scary enough? Atropos could so be scary! She grew up playing with an older brother (one who she knew would beat up anyone who dared to threaten her), and with dragons who would – who would –

Dragons who had left.

Stop it. Stop thinking about them. There were more pressing matters to attend.

Like the wolf staring at her with a grin on their face.

“Uhm,” was all Atropos could say in response to the comment about an 'extra face'. A paw came up to touch her own snout, checking that there was, in fact, only one. Just in case. “I only hu-have one face, muh-miss.”

With that typical childish curiosity clear on her face, Atropos watched the odd wolf go to swat an apple aside, only to barely keep herself upright and not face down in the dirt. This was definitely, definitely … strange. But, at the same time, the girl couldn't help but giggle with the older wolf. It was a little bit silly, and funny in an odd kind of way. In a game of better-than-you, Atropos batted at one of the apples, watching it clumsily wobble along. She repeated the motion with her other paw. 

I bet you aren't even real.

Well! How rude! “Am too,” Atty snipped, forgetting all about the fruit on the floor. She stood up straight and peered down at the juicy fruit. “I'll prove it!” Without another word, without even listening, the girl reared up onto her hind legs and, with all the power she could muster, sent her front paws crashing down to the apple beneath her. 

She promptly slipped on said apple, toppling forward with a shriek. Her chest squashed the apple into a fermented mush and her chin bonked the ground, causing her teeth to click together. Oops.

The girl tested Rem's words, by checking her face herself. The silver wolf grinned further at the action. Another chuckle with her stuttered words. Where had her courage gone? "Sure, sure." She nodded, wanting to put the pup at ease. Why, she wasn't sure. Because with a face like that how did she have friends? Who knew.

Remi was not the only laughing. The girl found it amusing she should miss such an easy shot. Just like that out maneuvered her, batting an apple away without much effort, then another. A slight scowl obscured her silver face. "Hey that's no fair. You haven't eaten any of tem." Remington could have done so as easily if not for that. How she wanted to prove it in her drunken moment. Then, she felt like she should warn the child that she better not eat the apples.

The thought the was quickly put out of her mind. With sudden determination her company reared up, smashing the rotten fruit with her toes. If to show her she was not the creation of her mind. The now applesauce got the best of her, and she fell into the mess face first. A roar of laughter tugged from Rem's gut without thought. She completely fell over, laughing rather mindlessly. "You." Breath, snort, chuckle. "Should." Laugh, snort. "See"Another breath. "Your face!" The wolf couldn't stop laughing even should she wish. It kept going, her sides beginning to ache. Why she would have been concerned for the girl in another state, such things were thrown out the window.

(This post was last modified: Nov 30, 2016, 09:16 PM by Remington.)

Laid on the floor for a few moments, Atropos' mouth just opened and snapped shut. Her eyes were wide with shock, and it was only then that she began to tremble from the immense shame that washed over her. Beneath her coat, her face flushed bright red with embarrassment. It had been stupid of her to act to recklessly, and now look at her—smudged with dirt and apple mush.

She struggled to her paws, trembling as she stood with her face scrunched up like she'd sucked a lemon. She felt pretty silly, and wanted nothing more than to run into the underbrush of the forest and disappear from the stranger's view. It was all made worse by the stranger's laughter, which caused the heat in her cheeks to spread and grow hotter. This was unfair! Atropos was a kid! Why was a grown up laughing at her misfortune when she should be checking on the younger wolf? Her lip trembled and her brows furrowed.

Atropos chewed her lip. How could this lone wolf just … roll around laughing! Unable to hold it back any longer, the little Stark yowled out.

“Daa-ha-haaaaad!”

She wailed, backing up so that she could get some space to just breathe and calm down. “Dddaaaaaad,” Atropos squealed again, shrinking back into the bushes so that she could hide from the very unkind, mean, strange wolf and her mocking laughter. And, even though it was unlikely he'd hear and come, the pup cried out for another; “Kuh-Kyyyy!”

i suck sorry for the wait guys <3 @Remington @Atropos completely missed the tag ;_;
enter: overprotective father yay

The ghost never hindered his childrens’ adventures; instead, he encouraged them. There were limits, of course. They could explore as much of Kingsfall as they pleased as long as they returned to the dens by sundown. Just because there were borders in place did not mean the forest was safe after nightfall. There were still things that went bump in the night, and until they were a little older, they were not to be out after dark. Unless they were in his company. Lachesis was fond of collecting herbs beneath moonlight, and Atropos was always welcome to join him.

Speaking of Atropos…

“Daa-ha-haaaaad!”

The little Stark’s cry tore the ghost away from his thoughts, his legs moving before he could process what was happening. Fortunately he was not too far away—he had been lurking around the edge of Hearthwood in search of herbs before the snow made them disappear until spring. His long, deer-like legs helped propel him through the trees, closing the distance between himself and his daughter.

As he approached he did not see the Stark’s creamy fur but the air was pungent with her scent. His chartreuse gaze narrowed darkly as it landed on the dark stranger, his lips curling away from his canines. Something was off about the female. She had a sickly sweet scent to her—or was that the abundance of apples that littered the ground? And Atropos—where was she? His hackles rose, teeth still bared as he studied the stranger’s curious demeanour, laughter still rolling off her tongue. How odd.

stick with those who stick with you

Oh no. Poor thing. She didn't mean to keep laughing. To be so...out of her mind. She wished she could just get up, and tell her she was sorry. She wasn't well. Worst of all the child called for her father, not once but twice. It wouldn't be good rather he would come or not. But, she couldn't cut off the laughter, even when she shoved her head down against the ground, trying to keep her mouth shut.

Head began to pound. Then...a white wolf arrived, no doubt the young girl's sire. He pinned her with a look, a warning she deserved as air depriving laughter still left her lips. But, she could tell he couldn't see his daughter. With any sense she had she sucked in her breath and held it tight. Slowly chocking off the laughter, and then daring to draw in a long breath she had been fighting for. She lifted her head, pointing nose to the brush. The girl was in there, but she didn't dare speak.

Just the slight movement made her stomach roll, suddenly queasy she coughed, and hacked then upchucked some digested apple sauce. Vomit on her tongue she tried to stand, but ended up crawling away from the smell. "Stay way from those." She murmured, eyes upon the apples to indicate what she meant. There was more she wanted to say, she closed her eyes with a groan wondering now if she would die.

She didn't want to move, not until the laughter stopped. Atropos had never been laughed at so much for doing something so stupid. Sure, Kyrios teased her now and then but he always knew when to stop and he never went too far with it. They were in sync, considering they were twins, but she didn't recognise that as a thing only family shared. To her, this woman was just being downright rude and mean.

Oh, if only she could sink into the ground and reappear whenever it suited her. If only she could be like the flowers, disappear and wait until better times where she would be safe and happy! Things would be so much easier, so much simpler. She wouldn't have to worry about anything ever. She could slip away and everyone would know when she would come back.

When her father arrived on the scene, Atropos felt her heart leap with relief and a hint of smugness washed over her. Now you're gonna get it! Slowly emerging from the underbrush, the young Stark drew up beside her father, still covered in sticky, sickly sweet apple mush. “Shh-shhhh-she wuh-wouldn't ssss-ssssss-stop luh-luh-laughing.” Her stutter grew stronger with the hot shame she still felt despite. Head hanging as she eyed the dark coated woman, Atropos licked her lips. Best get it over and done with, to explain her sorry state and her cry-baby actions. “I suh-suh-slipped on an ah-apple. I was ch-ch-tryin' to p-prrr-prove I was real. She suh-ssss-said I wuh-wuh-wasn't.”

Just as the dark wolf pointed to the bush that hid his daughter the green-eyed Stark emerged, sauntering up to her father. His hackles fell, slightly, but his gaze was still focused on the stranger before them. Without warning her stomach contents were expelled, a grimace unfolding across his pale features. From the smell—and look—of it the ebony wolf had munched on a few of the too ripe apples that littered the ground. Which meant her head was probably feeling all sorts of fuzzy right now. She mumbled at the pale duo, advising they stay clear of the fermented fruit.

Just as his mouth popped open to respond to the stranger Atropos spoke, his ears twitching as words fumbled off her tongue. “It’s okay, Atty,” he responded softly, his nose pressed to the top of her forehead in an attempt to sooth the distraught girl. “She knows you’re real. She just ate something weird, so it made her head funny,” he explained quietly, his voice barely above a whisper as his nose was still pressed to her forehead.

It remained there, for a moment, before he turned his attention back to the ebony female. “Do you feel better now that you got that”—he pointed to the mound of apple sauce she had vomited—“out of your system?” He paused, his head tilting to the side. His words were still a little hostile but his posture was beginning to relax, his chartreuse gaze holding nothing but curiosity as he studied the stranger. “I am a healer—if you want something to settle your stomach I’m sure we can find something for you.” He nudged his daughter gently with his nose once more as he spoke, his features smoothing out as he waited for the wolf to respond. 

stick with those who stick with you