Silver Creek the world-eater wakes

wc:435

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Oryx wasn’t sure what she was supposed to do in this situation. Had Faeryn not showed up, she supposed she would simply, naturally converse with Iliksis, who offered his name to them. Faeryn had offered hers too, as well as a greeting, which perhaps might have been a bit much, in Oryx’s opinion...But then again, she tended to be far too backward to be appropriate, so her opinion was likely skewed. When Faeryn spoke, hoping that they hadn’t disturbed him, she wondered if Faeryn was indirectly scolding Oryx for approaching him...But then again, her tone was friendly, and she seemed to be there, more willing to offer strength and companionship to Oryx than to scold her and drive her away from an available bachelor in the pack. It was appreciated, as Oryx would likely have been even more lost had she not shown up.

The only hitch was the fact that Faeryn, the bolder one of the two by far, struck up a conversation with Iliksis- who then spoke back to her, mentioning a beach he’d seen her at before. Oryx felt unwanted suddenly, and wondered if she should let the two be and remove herself from the situation entirely. She hadn’t even been given the chance to introduce herself to Iliksis, who possibly did not even know her name yet. Standing beside Faeryn, whom he had chosen to speak to, she suddenly felt dull, like a cloth doll sitting on a shelf next to a porcelaine one. The last thing that Oryx would ever think of doing would be to interject or to interrupt; so she stayed meekly by Faeryn’s side, lifting her muzzle to see what she might think of Iliksis’ comment. Had they known each other before they had come here? Fortunately, her curiosity helped to soothe her anxiety as the focus was drawn off her and over to the prettier, friendlier Faeryn.

It might have been easier to participate in the conversation- simply listening, rather than speaking- if perhaps she hadn’t noticed the way the male’s dull, sunken, off-yellow eyes trailed over her frame. She wanted to tuck herself against Faeryn, or perhaps to hide behind her a bit, just to keep his gaze off her hindquarters...But as far as she knew, she was meant to be looked at. And if a male wanted to look at her, she should not deny him. She took no pride in knowing his gaze stroked her frame like a hungry, clawed hand, but couldn’t help but feel the slightest bit flattered- that he’d chosen to look at her, rather than Faeryn.

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