Iktome Plains ken without a barbie

Behati had disappeared again.

Cas frowned as he left behind the borders of Donnelaith for a private afternoon. it was to be spent in search of foreign wolf-scent -- he fancied that he could track the two brutes who had tried to reach his sisters' den -- but really he was going to mope. maybe it was best that the gossamer girl had gone -- maybe she truly wasn't happy and there were better things for her elsewhere. but the thought hurt, and as the yearling trotted up the narrow path that led to the plains, he put it from his mind.

it was not long before the notions returned, as the cold salt breeze wended its fingers into his pelt and tugged at it. Cas' eyes settled on the great dark expanse of sea before him, and it occurred to the boy that maybe there were better things for him out there, too.

There was no reason for this vendetta. None at all. She only sought to strike fear into the hearts of others and to gain her own famous reputation as a wolf best avoided. And to teach wolves to keep to their packs. There was only strength in numbers for them against her.

Wednesday had scavenged a decent meal from 'yotes who had scavenged from a pack that had hunted in the Wilds, and left their meal alone afterward. Sated, only her bloodlust was left to be slaked. For one of Donnelaith that had seen her that day, or had been told of, she would not be difficult to recognize. She'd never forget their scent, not when they had daughters she desired. Lashers handsome snarling visage had left a lasting impression; his daughters ought to be the most beautiful beings! And they were for Erz.

She prowled among the snowy plains, her eye upon the sulking Casmir. Lengthening her stride, she tilted her head and noted his glum visage. Why so serious, hmm? Her head squared itself between her shoulders, defensive but not aggressive as she wondered at his reaction toward her. Was she a known woman yet? A wanted one?

Well, if not, she would make herself one this day.

Cas didn't know who the attackers had been, only that they reeked of the sea. so deep into his brooding the boy had fallen that he jumped when he was addressed in menacing rasp, and whirled. his hackles immediately rose; his eyes widened in horror. "the fuck!?" what even was this monster, with her joker mouth and her torn-off ear. a little of his father's innate empathy roused in his breast.

"what happened to you?" the boy asked, a bit more calmly, though he put some distance between them all the same, keeping his gaze firmly fixed on her.

The question was met with a deep frown. Where is your heart! She pretended to be offended, and looked away. If he recognized her, he did not act like it. Perhaps she could take from this one what his leader took from her. A lovely thought to entertain. His question was met with a grimace. I fell down the ugly tree and hit every branch along the way, she snorted. But she played sensitive even still, looking away from him. She heard him move away rather than toward, and she only sighed at that.

I'm only ugly, boy. Don't act like its contagious, she looked toward him again at last, turning to face him so that he might see her entirely. Yes, indeed a hideous beast to behold. I lost my ear because I was offensive to look at, I was told. Did it do me any favors? It seemed humor was the only way she dealt with it in the face of Casmir; really, she thought nothing of it at all. Does my appearance make you uncomfortable? Are you used to looking upon lovely women? At this she sneered, her tail lashing behind her. And then she laughed, a cackle, really. I'm used to it, I was just teasing. Please, pay me no mind. And then Wednesday behaved like she'd be getting a move on, though a frown again touched her features, as though she truly were saddened by his reaction.

he had the good sense to look abashed when she exclaimed at him, but his ears folded back for only a moment before cupping her odd words. she said she had been punished with her ugliness, but he didn't really understand that. always the socially savvy creature, the boy had no idea what to make of her words, and was so silent. 

"so where are you from?" he blurted belatedly. she smelled of the sea -- reeked of it, actually. so it was a fair bet she had come from the coast. great job, sherlock. glancing toward the coast, he decided not to pull away again, lest he offend her, but he didn't offer his name or where he was from. some ignored sixth sense told the child not to share anything with the odd woman.

I hang out here by the ocean. She shrugged and looked flippantly to the water. From some place far away if you're talking origins. Her monotone dragged and she looked back to him. Self-deprecation is my defense mechanism. You can honestly go, if you want. You wouldn't be the first to leave me on account of my looks. How deadly serious she sounded! But then, when spoken so blandly, one would never know if it was a joke or if this was truly the life she led. Wednesday was just a miserable wretch, all in all. It was the truth. Hardly any stuck around her because she was just so damn hideous. That was her belief—really, it was the fact that she was all but diagnosed insane, and the switch flipped at any time. It seemed steady in place, for now.

he didn't know what to make of her, what to do. he actually was fairly certain he wanted to leave right about now, but was too polite just to say 'bye' and run off. yet she made his feet sweat and his skin itch with flailing nerves. "'m not leaving," he mumbled, annoyed she would lump him in with some wolves he didn't even know. pride would certainly be his downfall. 

"i was just about to ask if you wanted to hunt with me," the boy lied glibly. ugly though she was, the woman was still certainly deserving of friendship and kindness. plot twist: Casmir was actually a brony.

Wednesday watched him, and truly was surprised that he remained. Well, it would not be said she did not give him a fair chance, would it? 'How could he have known' some might wonder, and others, upon merely looking at her, would ask, 'how could he not'? It was clear Wednesday was at a loss for words, and he might be able to deduce that she was flustered for a moment. It was legitimate. She didn't know how to react to the chivalry; she had thought she would need to attack him when his back was turned. But he had stayed.

It certainly made things easier. And it got better; a hunt! Wednesday shifted her weight eagerly, and nodded. Yes, certainly. Hunting's about all I am good for, Wednesday spoke to him in earnest, and then thoughtfully added on, Though I guess I make for a good guardian, too... Yes, make yourself seem like someone to relate to, make him warm to you if you can. In a hunt, trust was required between partners... What will we hunt?

she agreed, and Casmir heaved a sigh of relief. truthfully, he was a little flattered that she had done so with such readiness. it was probably his silver tongue, as well as his dashing good looks. "well," he began, his gaze casting about for any potential prey, "how about birds? they are starting to build nests on the cliffs."

murre eggs were a delicacy, gamy but with the taste of brine and seaweed interwoven into the yolks. Casmir's mouth was watering for them; without waiting for an answer, he set off along the edge of the plains, expecting that the pale female would follow.

Wednesday nodded and followed him, knowing he knew the way. She kept close, the guise that she did not know the way an honest one and not really a guise at all. You birdhunt often? she asked then, as if interested. On the cliffs? Sounds a bit... precarious. Don't the birds try and protect their young? Her head tilted as she strolled on with the raven-furred male, tail lashing behind her.

"yeah, all the time," he lied. he'd only ever hunted birds once, when he and Behati had roved to the coast, and he'd been shit at it. but there was no reason for the snowy hunk to know that. "they fight pretty hard, so you gotta be fast. pew pew! get in there, grab an egg, and run back out. watch your eyes so they won't be pecked." that sort of thing. was she up for it?

Got it. Wednesday nodded. All the odds were in her favor, here. She might not even appear to be the bad guy. It was an added benefit. Ferahgo would only want so much trouble. But then, she didn't care too much, did she? She moved along with him, vaguely alert and looking out for those birds he mentioned. It was obvious he was leading the way, and so she followed his movements peaceably for now.

she followed, he led, and in time they came to a cluster of nests. Casmir dashed at the nearest bird, chin tucked and ears pinned against his head, hoping to demonstrate. the bird squawked and fought back however; the boy began to struggle, his protege going rather unnoticed in the melee.