Wolf RPG

Moonlight bounced between blades of grass, dancing across the landscape. Birdsong had long since died; these were the hours of rest for the sky-dwellers, those too fearful of the night. Ying respected the fearlessness of owls and thought that maybe, she might one day claim one for herself. 

She snapped the hare's neck between tight jaws and settled into a seat. A short call was sounded for @Hydra — Can you meet me here? — immediately followed by several warning barks for anyone else who might be near.

She had spoken with her brother and his agreeing with her had set her mind into motion. Still, though, the matriarch was in her own contemplation mode. Would Revui be strong enough to withstand the scent of a woman in heat if he came across one in the Wilderness? It would not be one of her own women, but an errant woman of some pack elsewhere—wayward and foolish. If he broke her trust a second time over, she would know that he was likely not strong enough for the task she wished of him. Nor worthy of Ying, she imagined. 

So for now, the idea would not be proposed. Not until she knew for certain the measure of his will to be loyal. Did instinct overwhelm that? Time would tell, she imagined. Hydra watched from the world above, curious as to what he might reveal to her in the coming days. What she may come to find. 

The howl of Ying came as a surprise. Hydra remembered her sister, and how she had come to her—and then... she thought of Revui. She wondered if their paths might have crossed. She wondered, too, if her warning to the she-wolf would have been respected. Hydra did not howl in turn, having been ranging to explore for any more signs of the cougar she had thought she had seen weeks ago. That day had been something like a fever dream, though she was near certain she had inadvertently killed someone. 

Someone who deserved it, surely. 

Hydra answered the barks with a clear one of her own, approaching from behind with a lash of her plume. Ying, she greeted, your sister has come for diplomacy talks—while in her season, she started with, to determine if Ying would understand the meaning... and if so, the insult. This time, she was less incensed to be able to articulate it in a way that she might be able to translate, but the matriarch could not be certain.

Hydra's presence was welcomed with a respectful nod. Her immediate announcement came as a surprise; Ying had noticed that the Queen rarely spoke first, unless there was something important. Somewhat on edge, she stood and turned to face her companion, confusion clear in her expression.

Hua or Mei? She suspected that it was the former. Hua had already voiced plans to visit Neverwinter; it made sense that she would travel further south to Moonspear, too. Ying cursed both herself and her sister for having not been able to act as escort. Who was to say what had happened in her absence? Furthermore, what had her sister been able to learn? 

Ying was careful to keep concern from her expression. I do not send her, and I do not know she is burning — having experienced her heat once, she knew well the feeling — If I know this, she stays at home. She was too careful to have purposefully allowed any of their women to leave the island during such a sensitive time. 

Hua, being a relatively sensible woman, should have known better. Ying wondered what her sister had been thinking, to leave home in a time such as this. How long? She wanted to know how close to home her sister might be. If close enough, the Jiang might have been able to catch her beforehand. Do you know if she is alone when she sees you?

Hua, Hydra answered, letting Ying fill the quiet with words. An explanation, or lack of one. She leads you? Hydra could not help but wonder, ill at ease with the idea given the fact that Ying's own empress was unaware of what heat meant. She, too, did not even know—so she had shared with me. I explained it all to her, what it meant. What being with a man might mean, the matriarch revealed. Or had she been lying? In any case, Ying spoke on about keeping her home had she known; Hydra's eyes surveyed Ying. Could she? Who ruled who, truly? 

Hydra answered Ying with how long it had been, and then drawled: she came alone. But she had not been alone; she had been with a man. Still, though, she presumed Ying might have estimated as much. I dismissed her so that she might return home; it was not a time for us to speak on diplomacy, Hydra, as Queen and alpha alike, had exercised every ounce of control that she had to not curb the womans season—or else throw her from the cliffside. Hydra had next to no tolerance for women in heat, especially upon her mountain. It was her respect for Ying that held Hydra at bay, and the idea of friendship—though her brand was different than most.

An able-bodied wolf could travel between the island and plains within four days. Based on the timeframe given, Ying assumed that any effort to locate her sister would be in vain. Hua would have presumably been close enough to Yuèlóng for someone to have found her already.

She turned to Hydra and sighed. My sisters are not always thinking, Ying explained, I protect them, so they can do silly things but not be hurt. Hua and Mei should have already been aware of Ying's intermittent temptations to take the island. It was one of the first things she said after the trio reunited, and that threat still held. She'd been content to mind her business in private, but the factors affecting her decisions were slowly beginning to shift.

A small show of thoughtlessness, but what were the implications? Ying couldn't think about them now. This is not just silly. This is... She shook her head and sucked her teeth, assuming Hydra understood her disappointment. The women were on the same page, as far as breeding and choosing partners. Hua, however, had not shared in that discussion.

Who had known her sister? Moreover, how had her sister allowed herself to be known? Of the sisters, Hua's sociability typically fell somewhere between Ying and Mei. However, she'd changed drastically since deciding to lead a pack. Adopting wayfarers and bedding with foreign men — one could only assume that the latter had occurred. Hua continuously proved herself to be less self-aware than once thought, and therefore, less worthy of her title.

Having thought on these things for a moment's time, Ying decided to state her decision. I see the bay. There is a man I know there to keep guard. She looked to Hydra, for surely she would understand. Do you still want this?

Truthfully, Hydra did. And she had never known of a leader who did not understand that much but for those unexperienced. They were doomed to fail, Hydra imagined. Hydra could only hope her own education had caused the girl to wisen up and return home, swiftly—seek to repair any damage she had done to herself in reuniting with that one wolf, or else having Ying terminate what was begotten. Maybe do it herself, like Zafina had—or ask Hydra for aid. 

Ying was an interesting, surprising woman though. Here and now, she put Hydra before Hua—though perhaps she misunderstood that much. The army? Yes, Hydra drawled, lifting her head a measure. I presume your sister has agreed to it, then? Or did Ying not answer to her any longer? Really, Hydra wondered what this meant for the she-wolf she would have enjoyed calling a sister of her own.

Her justification was this: the family would fall under a leader who did not know how to lead. They had become something bigger than the sisters had imagined. More than three, there was an entire group of Mandarin wolves, and likely more to soon arrive. She was no longer her sisters' keeper; Ying was responsible for the safety of tens, including the bastards whom her sister might bare.

Hydra was important, but never more important than her blood. Ying would not make such a proposal, were she not certain of its necessity. She was not interested in leading the wolves of Yuèlóng, but if she could lead by proxy — Ying shook her head.

I will not ask.

Hua's (still unknown) knowledge of the military would not matter, even after any possible confrontations. Whether the plan continued in secret or in blatant disobedience, Ying was indifferent. She had decided on a course of action, and a guardian's mind was not easily changed. 

She turned back to the hare and lifted it once more, placing it at Hydra's feet. When I come find you, it is for an alliance with Jūnshì. Ying lowered herself respectfully, but not low enough to offer insubordination. I do this again now. The relationship between Moonspear and Yuèlóng was presently of little concern. The small fire had grown, and she was unsure of how to stop its spread.

Hydra listened to Ying, eyes bright with interest. So, she would simply do. Time would tell, but Hydra had no reason to doubt the other. Taking note of the rabbit, Hydra looked again to Ying and considered. She would tell Ying what she had told Vengeance, once, and Praimfaya before she had assimilated into their ranks. I call myself Queen of this Wilderness. In times of famine, in times of war—I act as the ultimate authority here. I have seen Moonspear through both, and my allies, too, she drawled. And they were all still around for a reason. Moonspear had more than just simply survived; it thrived. Would you respect such authority? Hydra drawled to the woman then-bowed. Hydra did not see why not; how could her experience not be of benefit in those instances? 

And for all of her achievements... well, the same could not be said of her enemies. Not around, nor well fed either from the season. I do not expect nor desire you to answer to me on all other occasions, as I think you are capable—but throughout any of them—I will see you and yours protected as I can. As an ally could.

The Wilderness, she repeated, How big is this? Did it include the coast? Ying did not mind respecting Hydra's authority with matters concering her domain, but she had formed a certain fondness over the beaches. She wondered if the coastal stretch was included in this claim. I respect you. It wasn't a decision, either; Hydra's overbearing presence demanded respect.

Ying was somewhat relieved to know that not all decisions would rest on her shoulders. She was inexperienced as a commander, and knew that Hydra's guidance could lead to smoother victories. With the promise of relative autonomy, the guardian was pleased.

Her thoughts drifted. Their agreement had been solidified from her perspective, so she trusted that her feelings would be heard. Hua is leading our family, Ying explained, I do not like this. She has a soft-mind and it is too soft for an Empress. Who would she see in the woman's place? Well, Ying hadn't thought that far ahead. It is good for everyone if I move her. She was simplly trying to inform her partner beforehand, rather than having the news come later.

It does not reach the coast, but it comes close. Where one ends and the other begins I presume you will keep well protected with me, she drawled. Hydra would see Ying as an additional second, even outside of the Wilderness. But on the Coast, Hydra would let her be the authority; she was no less a leader for it herself. Being an accomplished commander herself, Hydra did not doubt their ability to unite and overwhelm any force that came across them together with her direction. 

Hydra listened to Ying, intrigued with the way she thought. Hydra could, and did, agree with her—but this was Ying's familial affairs, and Hydra would not get involved in what she imagined Ying could handle herself. So the next time I see you, I suppose you will be empress? she inquired, and though she remained expressionless otherwise the corners of her eyes seemed to indicate that, despite the circumstances, she was pleased to hear of Ying's place-to-be. Hydra felt she was suited for it. It was then Hydra accepted the rabbit, as the more minor of the details had been ironed out.

She nodded. Those living along the coast would default to her protection; beyond the shore, Hydra would decide. Ying didn't need anything more than what she had been given, and so was satisfied with their agreement. A small smile began to swell as she watched her partner accept the gift. 

Maybe not next time, Ying clarified. She needed to examine Hua closer. There was a chance that her missteps were caused by inexperience, something that would resolve itself. If this were the case, Ying had no reason to step forward. However, if this was an innate inability to lead responsibly, then she would not hesitate to solve the problem.

It was as Erzulie said: those who could not embody the traits of a good leader should not be in leadership positions. 

I will watch her. She looked to Hydra, seeing if she understood. Ying would not rush something that might not even be necessary. She needed to speak with her cousins, too, and see how they felt. If most of them were confident under her sister's rule, she would allow things to continue as they had been. If it happens, I send someone to tell you.

Ah, so she had misunderstood. Was she disappointed by this? Only some, though she trusted Yings ability to know whether or not her sister could be at the helm of their pack. It was not Hydra's role to keep them from falling apart. But already, Ying's sister had shown great weakness and set a precedent that went against Hydra's own beliefs. Hua would bear bastards if she became with child, and so, the rest of her pack could do so if they desired. The now-Empress had set a terribly poor example. The tactician within her already believed that Ying was the best choice, but Ying would need to learn this for herself. Hydra would not tell her what to do; and, anyway, she felt Ying already knew. Her heart held her back—she would come to realize hearts had no place in maintaining, and strengthening, ones empire. 

Alright, Hydra drawled. If that is your choice, I am with you. I wish your sister and I had met under better circumstances, Hydra hummed—but the other she-wolf only had herself to blame for that. Oh, and... your sister fits well the description of the wolf, Caiaphas—who they call Blackhead. She should be careful; those less observant than me will surely seek to harm her, she forewarned. Many wanted her dead. Hydra among that number.

She wished that they hadn't met at all. Ying would have (at the very least) waited until their project was running smoothly. Things were still in the early stages, and one bad meeting could have thrown it all off. She sighed and looked off toward the coast, wondering what was to come.

Knowing that Hua resembled Caiaphas gave Ying a point of reference. It was unfortunate that half of her family held that same resemblance; she took this as another reason to bolster their guard, if many were truly looking for the hood. 

The guardian nodded her head and stood, deciding that there wasn't much else to discuss. She looked to Hydra — Is there more? — but without a response, would turn and head back home.

Hydra had nothing more to say, and evidently neither did Ying. With that noted, Hydra picked up the gift she had been brought and nodded in appreciative thanks. As Ying turned to leave, Hydra too did the same... with much on her mind. It was terrible, to hope that the meeting between the sisters did not go well. Terrible to wish there might be a wedge driven between the two so that she and Ying could become closer. Hydra shook the thoughts from her mind, and changed her way of thinking. Was it so bad? If Hua could not appreciate what she had, who she had, then was that not what was deserved? There was more for Ying in her lifetime than being subservient to a wolf who did not acknowledge their worth and all that they could do. All that they had done. 

Still, ultimately, Hydra desired Yings happiness when it came to the outcome. If that meant all was well between she and her sister, so be it. Family was important, Hydra understood that much—in fact, she lived and breathed by it. So her disappointment in that outcome would only be temporary, and she prepared for it as she picked up her pace to return home.