Blacktail Deer Plateau Tiptoe tulips

Dainty Paws dug out caches, and narrowed in walls. Fixing the dust and the cobwebs that flew. Though she kept most of the cobwebs. At her paws, was freshly drying rabbit furs. She would dry them and utilize them for a bed. She had been saving them since her first visit here. Thus she had collected quite a few.

Some were a bit scraggly, but she was doing her best to clean them up, snap of the extra threads. She actually had more than enough if someone else would want some too. She stopped her ministrations of both her den and the furs. To lift her head as the morning dawn splashed along her fur of many colors and curled down around her face and ears. Blue eyes alight with the fire of the waking sun. She smiled. It truly was beautiful here.

He'd circled around their territory almost twice since the early morn'. But eventually, it had been deemed enough when dawn finally met the skies. Sanguinex was satisfied, and that was plenty.

Though, returning to the inner portions of the territory, he happened upon an intriguing sight. Ash Paw, one of the few he knew of that made up Basilicia was gazing outward toward the rising sun. With a sway of his plume, the deathbringer approached slowly. Find it an interesting sight? He questioned with a low, genuine tone.

Blue eyes turned towards the beast in question, and a small smile graced her face. Hello deathbringer. That I do. Despite anything, one should enjoy the small things.

She tilted her head and turned it back towards the sun and motioned further afield. Do you find it interesting?

She met his gaze again. They were all on equal footing so far. Granted truth be told, seh had been the first in the fold after Ingram. But she was no higher than the next man or woman.

The small things. 

Among other truths, Sanguinex could not help but admit he took much in this life for granted. Especially when it came to the little things. He found that the held little purpose, thus he often disregarded and belittled them. But, perhaps not all were completely useless.

Did he find it interesting? Well, that was one way of putting it... Something like that... Though, I'm not particularly fond of when it blinds me through the early morning. A humorous comment, but he seemed to forget a laugh — or even a small chuckle. Perhaps it was out of habit of often lacking to recognize humor from others, and even himself.

Ash Paw had used to take the little things for granted. The way the sun dappled the leaves and the grasses. How it felt on a warm day in spring or summer. The fresh deluge of rainfall upon small petite body, heavy and sagging usually but the end, but clean.

Ash Paw gave a small laugh, a gentle chuckle from deep in her throat and shifted a dainty shoulder.

 That is a downfall of it yes. Would you be amenable to telling me something you enjoy? I know very little about you.

She tilted her head towards him, blue eyes gazing up at his own dark eyes, wondering. What was it in his mind and heart of hearts. Was it just death that he liked alone.

He had nearly found himself chuckling a second time at her query. But then, would it have been too rude?

What else did he enjoy? Was the answer not obvious? The battlefield. The deathbringer answered without hesitation. His whole life had revolved around the field of battle. Nothing else could sway him.

She would not have minded the chuckle. Though perhaps she would have. One could never tell with Ash Paw. She was one of the few who could be fine and then snarky and not even know why.

Ash Paw tilted her head. I have never been on a battlefield. What about it is enjoyable? There is blood and death and sadness?

She did not want him to find her rude. She really did not understand. She looked up at him with her naive blue eyes, curious and wondering.

Slumping down over his haunches, he sifted his posture for a moment before contemplating a decent answer. 

While she did have part of it right, that was not entirely how he saw things.

There is blood, and death, and sadness... but that is not the whole of it. When I am one on the battlefield, I see it as an opportunity to prove my strength and talent. Others will see me for my life's work and appreciate what I was made for. 

He was growing easier to be around. And he often sat with her instead of being head and shoulders above her. She tilted her head as he spoke, the avid listener. As he had done for her in the quiet of the forest as she had spoken of gods.

Talent for fighting? or is warriorship like an art form? I have only ever fought once before, and I am not sure how I managed to not die.

She supposed she could see that. The way that it could be considered beautiful and talented. There was a sort of grace to it she supposed o fknowing your place and how to fix things. Of thinking ahead to your opponent.

She was close to understanding things, just as he had with her.

Somewhat, yes. As you explained of your gods- battle is about showing off strength, strategy, and proving your worth. Opponents will know to fear you, as witnesses will know who not to challenge. It can be the opposite as well, should you not be triumphant.

Perhaps he was nearer to the gods than he thought. All this talk of them, and he was starting to relate.

She listened calmly, and he painted a rather brutal though graceful picture all the same. If he were to be as good as he said. She was certain he had the grace and blessing of gods. 

I believe you probably have gods blessings.

Can you teach me to at least protect myself? I mean i'm quite smaller than you, will it be hard to teach me?

She placed a paw beside his to gauge their size differences. He was gigantic compared to her.

Gods blessings. Maybe he did have need to learn more of these religious ways. 

You wish to defend yourself? Not half a bad idea. All should know how, in his opinion. It is never difficult to teach any, regardless of size... just means you will have to pick up on different strategies to fend off your opponent, assuming that they would be larger than you.

Then he considered her request. But if to accept, why not make one of his own? I will teach you-.. but only if you will teach me more of these gods. It sounded more like a command than a request, but hopefully she knew he meant no harm by it.

Ash Paw shivered slightly as the cooler air, blew across them. The morning sun doing little to shove it downward. It would ease in time. But not yet.

I do wish this. She listened with rapt attention. He said it was not difficult to teach. Even given their size difference. She was almost excited in a way. I'm a quick learner. She added. 

Ash Paw smiled. All the gods or do certain gods strike your fancy?

She motioned to his paw, so he knew she was going to touch him, which he seemed to not like, and placed her own on top, patted it once twice. Then removed hers again. it's a deal.

She was a quick learner; or so she proclaimed. But Sanguinex would not know the truth of this until his teachings began.

We will see, He countered, a sour expression befalling his features. There was present doubt, but not yet judgement.

And what of the gods?

Whichever you are willing to teach. All, if possible. If he was going to commit to learning of these gods, why not learn them all? There was no point in learning only a few. A waste of time, simply.

Blue eyes peered up at him, petite nose wrinkled as she thought through his words. 

thank you for being willing to teach me.

Her tail swished behind her and she curled it tight around her paws again. I will teach what I know, but there are many more than what I know. But what I can I will teach.

Exiting here, unless he is stopped! I'll have a new thread up soon.

Gratitude. Something he rarely acknowledged, let alone expressed himself.

Mm, He offered simply in return; a brief, hoarse rumble.

Your first lesson will commence tomorrow, shortly after dawn, as is when I normally patrol. Sanguinex did not allow her a choice in when she would be taught. She had asked for a teacher, thus she would get one — but only on his terms.

Unless she were to object, the deathbringer would lift to his feet and prepare to leave.

He's so hot and cold. Ash paw will melt him you wait LMAO :D

Ash Paw gave a brisk nod and watched him walk away. She didn't stop him. She couldn't quite understand this male walking away from her, but she shrugged it was what it was.

She turned back to the morning sunrise and watched it with glowing eyes, enjoying the view.