Northstar Vale Vast possibilities, limited time
Montagne de Ciguë
NPC
46 Posts
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#1
All Welcome 
A stag beetle scurried in frantic circles around the woman’s paw. She blocked it off each time it went a bit too far, staring blankly at the poor thing as it helplessly ran itself out of energy. The mortality of the insect before her didn’t matter much. It couldn’t scream for help, much less put up a fight.

The way she snapped leaves off their branches to create new poultices was quite similar to having the beetle run in circles until she ultimately killed it. Dissecting it and crushing the horns into fine powder. Perhaps then it’d be useful. They were similar in that sense. Both tried needlessly to survive, though their death was ultimately inevitable. The leaves would wither away had she not picked and preserved them, and the beetle would be crushed by another soon enough — not even a thought spared on its pitiful death.

Where was the line drawn when it came to the importance of others lives? If a tree died, would anyone but the ground it shaded be aware of its death? Would this beetle be appreciated in any other way other than to be used as a healing factor for a larger life form? None of that actually mattered. It was a completely useless series of thoughts.

— Crunch. It twitched beneath her paw for a moment longer before its movement stopped completely. She pryed its horns off and set them aside. A part of her wondered if the beetle was grateful it could be used for good. Would it have chosen to die if given a voice?

Kaaya furrowed a brow. Her thoughts continued on as she broke it into pieces slowly. She muttered to herself as she picked and pulled, seemingly in her own world.

It was nothing new. She hadn’t spent any time making friends with her pack-mates at all, only occasionally talking with Viskani when need be. She was alone, sure — but not lonely. Loneliness was a feeling she’d never truly been dealt. 

She doubted that she ever would, to be honest.

@Mnemosynes, was sent by Xe to start a thread for both of our activity! Excited to have our characters interact :)
                     
 "The knowledge of this world is endless, and so is the ego of the creatures that inhabit it.
 You must first look away from your reflection in order to be able to flip your point of view."
Montagne de Ciguë
Brin
18 Posts
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#2
Today Mnemosyne decided to venture deeper into the forest today. His fur was ruffled with brown, red, and yellow leaves, due to his recent tasks as Brin. Demanding job it is, but rewarding in some ways. As per usual Mnemosyne spends his free time returning to his old habits and surround himself with the company of the land. Him and the rustling of leaves in the wind. Life was short, but there was forever things that needed to be done.

The afternoon sun holds high and Mnemosyne basks in it like a sunflower. He maneuvers a few difficult terrain when crossing a steep edge. Making sure to sidestep a flourishing ant hill while he's at it, it's a miracle Mnemosyne didn't loose his balance. Once he made it to the other side, right in-between the trunks of tree is when he spots her.

A grey she-wolf. He recognized her from the recent pack meeting, Kaaya. It's prominent in her lean form and curious gaze which is currently focused at the ground in front of her. Right between her arms is a beetle. He didn't know the exact name for it, but it was beautiful. Glossy dark shell, six legged, and marvellous dark horns atop its little head. The male wondered what she plans to do--

Crunch.

Mnemosyne flinched as Kaaya crushed the small insect with the soles of her paw. Against the weight it's finished off in one blow.

It wasn't the killing part that disturbed Mnemosyne, no, death was inevitable. It's the way the grey wolf's paws continued to take apart the beetle in easy fashion like brushing off a stray strand on one's fur. The woman clearly had clearly decided its fate. An execution.

First she pried off it's horns, then it's wings, then.. Mnemosyne's sensitive psyche wouldn't allow him to observe the beetle anymore.

He should probably go. Staring at someone afar unexpectantly is surely considered stalking. And Mnemosyne avoids to take part in any of the like. He takes small steps back. Retreating to his normal path. 

Due to his marvellous luck, Mnemosyne steps on a dry branch the echoes a loud  crack,  echoing around the quiet autumn forest. 
Montagne de Ciguë
NPC
46 Posts
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#3
The woman glanced upwards, a sudden sound interrupting her train of thought. Her paws — now stained dark — lifted up from what used to be a thriving insect. Who was there? She lifted her gaze up from the flooring, glancing over her shoulder to make eye contact with the new coming spectator. It was a wolf. A large one, at that. Much larger than her. His coat was a mix of red and brow hues, An off-white tipped his muzzle and chest fur.

What does he want? She wondered. It was hardly any fun watching her sit about, Kaaya was sure. She searched her mind for answers on who exactly he was. A member of Montagè, perhaps? She had a hard time remembering faces. Always had. Emerald eyes stared back at the awkward figure for a while before she finally opened her mouth to speak.

Oh. She thought. Maybe he’s injured.The thought suddenly occurred to her. Why else would somebody be interested in anything she was doing? She nodded to herself, seemingly now sure of it. 

"Are you hurt?" She questioned, turning around to see him properly and tilting her head. "You’d do better coming down and letting me see what’s wrong. Stalling only ever leads to more pain." The grey wolf beckoned him over. It was a bit ironic, to be honest. She’d just completely dissected something that was perfectly healthy, but now her she was, offering her help to someone else as if she was ever so kind.
                     
 "The knowledge of this world is endless, and so is the ego of the creatures that inhabit it.
 You must first look away from your reflection in order to be able to flip your point of view."
Montagne de Ciguë
Brin
18 Posts
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#4
At the noise, the woman immediately perks up to survey her surroundings. It only took a few seconds for green eyes to spot him from where the stands. Surely hidden amongst the trees and bushes.

'She can smell fear.'  Mnemosyne thinks to himself.

He shakes off piece of stick on his hind paw. A small red line has appeared where he had stepped. It was only a scratch, nothing a little running water would fix.

"No thank you," He says, emerging shyly from his bad hiding spot, hopefully sounding sincere. "I'm just passing by."
Montagne de Ciguë
NPC
46 Posts
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#5
She blinked a few times, staring at him for a moment longer in thought. He sure lingered an awfully long time for someone who was simply ‘ passing by'. Her gaze shifted back down towards her stained paws. Oh. Perhaps he’d seen what she had done. That made sense. A dry smirk crossed her face, a chuckle following after. A weird sight to see — in relation to Kaaya, at least. 

"Then I suppose you were wondering what I was doing?" She questioned. She supposed it could be considered an unusual sight. 

Her paw flipped up in a presenting manner, the crushed bits clinging to her paw. If this unsettled him, he would hate to see the dissected mice and such that lingered on the corner on her den room floor. "Here. It’s dead, see?" Her eyes were clear and focused.

"Don’t you think it was much too insignificant to live anyhow? It would do more good dead than alive. A funny thought, hm?" 
                     
 "The knowledge of this world is endless, and so is the ego of the creatures that inhabit it.
 You must first look away from your reflection in order to be able to flip your point of view."
Montagne de Ciguë
Brin
18 Posts
Ooc — yam
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#6
If one would describe Mnemosyne's reaction to the carcass it would be apprehensive, others might say overeactive. But to the male's own surprise he did not immediately run away from Kaaya’s piercing gaze nor the broken beetle inlaid in her palm. As if his feet were cemented to the ground. Because, Mnemosyne later finds out, he wanted to know why the woman thought the way she does. 


“All life has meaning” He ends up saying. Disagreeing with her statement. Although the words coming out of his mouth sounds more like a suggestion. “The beetle, it may still meet its end but it is still important. It fights and fends for the survival of its own pack. Like us. And as it does so, it pollinates. The forest we walk upon. The herbs we depend on."


“A hopeful caretaker.” He continues, smiling more easily now. “Don't you think what makes life all the more meaningful are the things we can look forward to?"