Cedar Sweep Black swan

Little devil herbalist made her way beyond border lines, eager eager eager!

She would weasel her way into the hearts of those she now served, make herself irreplaceable! Beloved!

who could not love a thing such as her? Look at her sweet, pretty face. (Ignore the drop of red on her lip.)

Waifish silver traipsed through unclaimed land, nose to the dirt, finding and unearthing what little she could; the next month was bound to be harsh, one night could spell the end of every ill-timed sprout in the ground. Alas!- Winter was the season of hoarding, and Envy intended to do just that- even if it took her beyond the safety of pack boundary.

As if she was scared of anything, anyways.

Ker couldn’t decide which was worse: isolation or companionship. Both led the heart to sorrow, each in its own cruel way. No path in life seemed free of suffering.

He rolled his eyes at himself, ever the dramatic. With only his own thoughts for company, he had grown weary of his own lamenting. The woods around him offered no comfort, no inspiration. Just an endless stretch of trees, snowdrifts, and ice, the same barren scenery day after day.

Where was the adventure he had longed for? The thrill, the excitement? He exhaled sharply, watching his breath curl into the frigid air before vanishing into nothing.

Tattered ears perked as the crunch of snow grew louder- nearer; she lowered her frame and quickly moved from where she was, pale feet leaving shallow imprints in the cold ground while she drifted ever-closer to the stranger; curiosity to spur her movements.

The wretch caught glimpse of dark fur moving through the barren woods, and cast caution to the wind, deciding to approach- more than just approach, she was upon him in a minute, blocking his path forward with an impish grin stretched across pale features.

Hey! she yipped sharply, demanding attention. Want some company? she mused and leered inwards, crooked tail swishing against the backs of her legs; playful invitation in those devouring red eyes of hers.

She could use some. Perhaps she could’ve made him carry something for her…

He skidded to a halt at the sudden appearance of the she-wolf, his gaze sweeping over her. Small. Silver. High energy. Fantastic.

Annoyance flickered across his face before he masked it, settling into a more aloof, indifferent expression.

And why, exactly, should I entertain your little idea? His voice was dry, sarcasm dripping from every word. Was I not peacefully enjoying a stroll before your interruption?

Something about her presence unsettled him, something his gut didn’t trust. But he was lonely. And distraction, however fleeting, was better than the emptiness gnawing at him.

His ears twitched forward, listening. Waiting.

sorry for the wait here! had a busy few days :)

Envy crooked her head to the side, looked at 'im through a tilted lens. It's not like you're doing anything better. She remarked with a shrug and a scoff. Peaceful stroll? You looked half-dead walkin' through the woods.

The wretch paired her words with a dramatic reenactment, letting her head drop to stare at the ground, droned out and walking in a slow pace, like a zombie. She bounced out of the act in a moment, returning to her quick trot and coming closer again. A pearly white paw reached out to swipe lightly swipe at his muzzle. Coulda' fooled me. I thought there was something wrong with you.

Envy pulled back away again, moved to the front to lead, crooked tail swishing against the backs of her legs. C'mon. It's not like I'm gonna eatcha. she mused, dark-tipped ears flicked. Y'just looked like you could use somethin' to do.

and she could use a pair of ears to chatter away at.

No worries! Real life comes first <3

Heat flushed his face as he watched the little silver thing mimic his every movement. Had he really looked that dejected? Was that how the world saw him? Embarrassment prickled at him, though he'd never admit it.

Clicking his tongue, he rolled his eyes. Right. Because that must have been so distressing to witness. Poor thing. His words dripped with sarcasm, his narrowed gaze betraying his irritation.

But she wasn’t wrong. He didn’t have anything better to do.

With an exasperated sigh, he fell in step behind the chatterbox. Lead the way, I guess... His tone was that of a man reluctantly resigned to his fate.

Besides, despite his irritation, curiosity was already sinking its claws into him.

Recent toys ripped from her pretty claws, Envy was never content to stay bored for long. Boredom would chew holes into her mind. Leave her no choice but to fill them with pooling blood and the crunch of bone. Good thing she had found a stranger to play with.

Terribly distressing... She remarks, sparing no dramatics as she takes in a shallow breath, feigns a croak in her throat. I think it'll give me nightmares for weeks.

She halted her pace, sat back and craned her neck over her shoulders far as she could, looking at him through an upside down gaze. Pff. I've seen folks with their guts spillin' out. I think I'll be fine.

Envy was never still for long, she wheeled back around, gaze rightside-up this time as she leered inwards, too close, always too close, a toothy grin teasing the corners of pale features. Oh right- I'm Envy, if you were wonderin'. Introductions almost forgotten, in her own haste.

I'm lookin' for winter honeysuckle, they're these lil' white flowers with funky petals, they got a sweet smell to em', so if you see any, tell me, but don't touch cause you'll ruin them. Her eyes narrowed, no trust, none at all, not when the risk was over delicate, valuable things.

A smirk tugged at his lips as the she-wolf indulged in her theatrics. Clever, he could appreciate that. But when she spoke, a shiver of discomfort crawled down Ker’s spine. Something about her admission felt… wrong. He shoved the thought aside for now, keeping his focus on the game at hand. If she was dangerous, he needed to stay sharp.

Ker. Charmed, I'm sure, he tossed her way, his tone as careless as the flick of his tail.

Oh? Is that all you're doing? He let out a dramatic sigh, his tone dripping with mock boredom. How drab. With a lazy flick of his tail, he continued, I saw some not too far back, you know, while I was zombified. Another roll of his eyes. I don’t believe I tainted the poor little things either. Should still be scavengable, no? He cocked his head, one brow arching in amusement.

His shiver did not go unnoticed, perhaps the source of it did, though. She thought it was rather chilly out today, a shiver wracked her spine to match. Times like these she wished she'd been blessed with size or thicker fur, either or, the girl wouldn't be too picky. Alas! She was born to suffer!

S'all I'm doing for now. She corrects, crooked tail flicking, though it's clear he's gotten her attention as he recalls seeing them on his way. Quickly, she detours them, cutting back past him. Well then we gotta go get em'! You better not have stepped on any, or else you'll owe me. She snickers, quickening her pace.

With distance to cover, she seeks to fill the empty air with the sound of her own voice. What were you doing out here? Can't imagine you were waitin' for me to come find ya. Going somewhere?

A low chuckle rumbled from his throat as she spoke, effortlessly steering their course.

Owe you? And what exactly would I owe you, dear? His amusement was plain on his face, a smirk lingering as he followed at a more languid pace.

My business is my own. It doesn't require your prying, thank you. Ker's tone was light, but the words held a quiet finality.

In truth, there was no business to speak of. Since leaving his birth pack, he had simply… wandered. The thought left a bitter taste in his mouth, and for a brief moment, a grimace flickered across his face. Not much to pry into, really.

I was thinkin' an eye, or maybe an ear. She mused, remiss to slow down so that their paces might've matched. I'd patch you back up though, promise.

His business his own- hard to argue with! Not that it'd stop her from trying, accentuating her words with the roll of her eyes and a coy pout. That bad huh? It's not like I would judge.

They came up on the flowers he'd spotted before, and she got to work immediately, clearing away the snow and surveying the quality of each one; some bitten by frost, taken before their time, what a tragedy. Others were just fine, and it was these she got to work collecting; a gentle touch, uncharacteristic for her, reserved only for precious things, even when they sat between her teeth, pushed to the back so that she might still speak, they remained unpunctured, their stems cradled in wretched jaws.

His tail flicked at the joke, but unease churned in his gut. Why does that actually sound like a threat?

Hm. Well, I quite enjoy my eyes and ears. It would be such a shame to remove them. He kept his tone light, playful even, though the gnawing feeling remained.

Are they satisfactory, dear? Have I gone and tainted them? His voice dripped with mockery. Considering you've started collecting, I suppose I shall keep all of my parts intact. For now.

He cast her an annoyed side glance, unimpressed by her persistence.

Or perhaps I'm simply a man of privacy. Maybe I don’t wish to hand out information to some strange she-wolf named Envy.

Perhaps it was unfair of her, comparing him to another stranger she'd met much like this, one far more willing to feel the mark of her teeth on his flesh. He was not golden, nor were his eyes beaming with the same reverence. This one was all wit and wall.

She thought of that man sometimes. How he was out there somewhere in the world, the tear of his ears matching those of her own, the taste of his blood still warm on her tongue... She could start a cult if she just maimed a few more... For reasons certainly unrelated, she looked to Ker now...

They're of decent quality. I'd have preferred less frost, but I guess I can't reeeeally blame you for that. You get to hear and see another day. She raises her chin, amusement a melody on her tongue.

and then he said that.

Privacy. Secrets. secrets secrets secrets. The last man who kept his history in shadows had betrayed her, abandoned her, even when she had given her darkest ones to him. To say the wound was still sore would've been an understatement. Outwardly her demeanor shifted to one far more prickly, little cobra itching to spit her venom. A switch, flipped.

She carried on forward, looking for the next patch. Whatcha think I'm gonna do with it? I'd probably forget by the time I walked home. I'm sure it's ah... un-re-markable. She looked over her shoulder, annunciating her jab, letting it roll off her tongue with a shrug of bony shoulderblades.

Ker snorted, rolling his eyes as she prattled on. Oh, how gracious of you, he drawled, his voice dripping with mockery. Poor little things, tainted by frost... Seems you aren't the only thing tainted in these woods.

The jab was unnecessary, but it put a grin on his face. He was beginning to enjoy this back-and-forth. Conversations were rarely fulfilling, yet she was an oddity, a welcome change from the usual monotony.

The shift in her demeanor didn’t go unnoticed, only widening his grin. Keeping his pace slow and deliberate, he trailed behind the silver dame, intent on needling her further. Prickly little thing, aren't you, dear? That's so unbecoming. Shame on you.

Amusement flickered in his eyes as he watched her flit after her fragile flowers. He wasn’t usually one to toy with fire, but curiosity gnawed at him. He wanted to see more of her oddities, to witness her strangeness firsthand. A dangerous endeavor? Perhaps. But it was a risk he was willing to take.

Tainted he said! Shame! on her? She could've wheeled around right there and snagged him on needle-sharp teeth, but she didn't, lucky bastard, she was not a beast known for her restraint, and such a thing seemed to be discouraged by her life in the morass. To maim was a sport, something shameless.

Unbecoming? I could show you unbecoming- She stops where she is before making a sharp rebound, quick-footed, she lets her jaws snap air between them, her breath a brief wind against his ear. But I won't, cause I've got things to carry. She huffed, turning back now and spotting another plot prime for looting. Speakin' of, you carry these when I get em' out. scrawny forelimbs dug at the roots of a dead plant, scraping against the hard, frozen earth.

Another low chuckle slipped from him at her outburst.

Oh, my… Was that a sore spot? My apologies, dear. I’ll steer clear. His tone dripped with mock innocence, though the thrill of riling her up sent a spark of amusement through him. It was a fine line to walk, one he was well aware of, yet he couldn’t bring himself to stop.

I don’t think so. This is your little gathering adventure, after all. I’m just here for the entertainment.

Ker smirked, his tail flicking lazily behind him as he continued his ornery streak.

Oh right- I shoulda known you were too much of a priss for hard work. She rolls her eyes, carefully extracting what she could from soil that stubbornly fought back against her clawed feet. Fine fine, I won't burden your delicate jaws. her tail flicked dismissively, her jaws plucking the dirt-covered roots out one by one, until she'd extracted all she could. What a shame. She'd hoped she could've made him carry a mouthful of dirt, maybe she'd have to charm him with some feminine wile or whatnot. Either way, her next priority? A river. She'd wash the dirt off if she was the one carrying them.

She leered forwards, mimicking his mocking tone, a playful twinge to her taunt Well, y'better start entertaining me then.

More like I refuse to do others' work for them. But to each their own, I suppose.

He couldn't help the smug satisfaction that curled in his chest as he watched Envy stuff her mouth with dirt-covered roots. The taste? He couldn't imagine it was pleasant, who would enjoy such a thing? Flicking his tail, he grinned, his amusement clear.

Cocking his head, he continued, I hope that tastes alright, dear. You look absolutely ridiculous. Do you typically lower yourself to carrying such filthy things in your mouth? It’s truly unbecoming.

The sheer joy he took in poking and prodding her was almost shameful. Almost. He wondered how long it would take before she snapped at him again, tired of his relentless teasing. Just in case, he put some distance between them, better to be safe than within striking range.

Am I not entertaining enough as is? I'm wounded by your words, he added, pressing a paw to his chest in mock hurt.

She could've fashioned a little satchel, but that was time-consuming, requiring of.. patience. She had none to spare when she set out today. Jaws worked fine, and she wasn't after anything dangerous. Not today, at least.

S'just dirt, and there's worse tastes to deal with. silver shoulders rolled in a shrug, a soft sigh echoing from her mouth. Experienced in her field, she could've recited 100 herbs with fouler tangs, each a memory on the buds of her tongue. It wasn't those she thought of first, however.

Unbecoming. Unbecoming. Her mind sticks to the word, ponders it a moment. A low snicker rolled on her breath I do, typically, it's the nature of the job. You learn to suck it up.

She sets the roots down, spitting and puffing the dirt from her mouth, bringing a paw up to her lip to wipe away more. When she is finished, she organizes what she's collected in a pile on the ground.

Suddenly, her head twists, she locks eyes with him, intense as a kindling flame, a predators gaze. Now is the time for a game. I can wound ya with more than just my words- She suddenly kicks off, barreling towards him, intent seeping from the saliva on her teeth.

He hummed in agreement, there were certainly far worse tastes to endure. He didn’t envy medics. Their work was relentless, always scouring the land for herbs, identifying, collecting, applying. The thought alone exhausted him. No, he was perfectly content with his role as a hunter. The thrill of the chase, the final blow, the rush of adrenaline was something he sought in earnest.

Smirking to himself, he watched her fuss over her collection. Suck it up, eh? What a thought. Aren’t you just so clever. His voice oozed sarcasm, each word dripping like honey from his tongue.

Still, he watched her closely. He didn’t trust her, nor did he have any reason to. That wariness was quickly justified when she lunged at him.

His smirk only deepened. With a subtle shift, his stance turned defensive, muscles coiling beneath his pelt. He wasn’t concerned. She was small, after all, far too small to pose a real threat, or so he believed. Confidence surged through him, solid as stone, certain that no amount of force she threw his way could shake him.

Aw, did somebody get their feelings hurt? he sneered, copper eyes gleaming with amusement.

She wondered what he would've done, spooked, squared to match her; the latter, it seemed, she'd have to weasel her way around this one.

Much as she might've simply delighted in taking a piece out of him, her lunge was a simple bluff, her commitment a playful dance, she did not make it seem like one, though...

Sharp movements, she was a nimble thing, quick to dart to the side and back, making a real attempt for the skin of his neck, trying to topple him, though she'd keep her teeth in check beyond the threat of pressure, or the clicking of them connecting when she missed, her body would not, at least, colliding with his own from the side.

Pff. Hardly. You'll have to worse than that to hurt my feelings.

Far worse. far far worse worse.

He had to admit, she was quick. Far quicker than he’d originally given her credit for. Her sudden sidestep left him with little choice but to brace himself as she slammed into him. The solid thud of their bodies colliding sent a ripple through his frame, forcing him to teeter slightly. That speed of hers certainly packed a punch.

A low snarl rumbled in his throat as he snapped his jaws near her face, not to strike, but as a warning. A silent message that he wasn’t particularly pleased with her behavior.

What a beastly little thing you are, he drawled, mockery thick in his tone. Are you always this poorly behaved?

Muscles tensing, he pushed off his hind legs, attempting to shove her back with his shoulder, just enough to put some distance between them.

Ferality unchained, she gave him the briefest taste of it, big red eyes swallowing him when she'd locked on. When he snarled and snapped near her face, she giggled like a maniac; failing to take any of it seriously.

A beastly thing, better than unbecoming, at least. She drew some satisfaction from that. Waifish silver moves back as she is nudged away, and skips a circle around him, her tail raised. Yes. Envy grinned, raised her chin as if to say is it not obvious?

Her head crooned to the side as she observed the look on his face, her voice dropping low and museful.N'aaawh. Did I push your buttons..? She circled to the front him, bowing down teasingly.

He tried to keep his eyes on her, unwilling to trust her to remain civil. Then, a giggle. That was what he had managed to pull from her.

Annoyance thrummed through him, and he let out a sharp huff. Are you always this obnoxious? he hissed, his tail lashing behind him. I see why you were off wandering alone. I can't imagine anyone actually enjoys your company.

He punctuated the bite of his words with a snap of his jaws, his copper eyes burning into her nightmarish red ones. The longer this went on, the more he started to think that entertaining her request had been a mistake.

Straightening her posture, she slicked back her fur, clearly rather pleased with herself; not a shred of regret in the smug red of her gaze. she would trot back over to her little pile of herbs on light feet, almost graceful.. if you squinted.

A scoff rolled from her mouth as he hissed his little grievances, her jaws parting into a wide, taunting yawn Obnoxious? Or maybe I'm jus' settin' you straight. She huffs, posing all prim and proper for a moment You know it's rude to tease a lady.

How could you pick on someone so defenseless, darling and sweet? Victim victim victim!

It was a joke all the same. She found his anger gave her some entertainment, so he wasn't failing entirely at his job.

I can't imagine anyone enjoys your company. Her brow twitched imperceptibly, in her mind, a man clad in shadow, another in bronze. Neither present.

Yeah well. Whatd'you know. She rolled her eyes, coating the roots in snow and clearing off more of the dirt, idly, she worked as she spoke, now not even dignifying him with her gaze. I could say the same about you, skulkin' these woods with nobody to follow you except me. I'm alone cause I chose to be, can you say the same?