Ravensblood Forest rineless

attn @Murk

the forest was alive with sound, a symphony of rustling leaves and distant bird calls that filled the air. shafts of sunlight broke through the thick canopy above, painting the forest floor with dappled patches of light. meredith wove through the underbrush, her golden coat gleaming like a flame in the shadows. her movements were quick, deliberate, each step carrying the same crackling energy that burned within her.

she paused near a fallen log, her nose twitching as she caught the faint scent of something unfamiliar. her tail flicked sharply, and her ears tilted forward with curiosity. the forest was thick and sprawling, a maze of endless green, but that only made her more eager to explore. there was something thrilling about the unknown, something that called to the wildfire in her soul.

where are you hiding? she murmured under her breath, her voice low and teasing, as if the forest itself was playing a game with her. a soft breeze stirred the ferns around her, brushing against her like an invitation. her bright green eyes narrowed, a spark of mischief lighting them as she darted forward, her paws light against the soft earth.

meredith loved the way the forest felt alive, the way it seemed to pulse and breathe with her. every shadow, every sound was a challenge, a promise of adventure. she grinned to herself, teeth flashing as she picked up her pace. there was no path to follow, but that was how she liked it. the forest belonged to her now, and she would carve her own way through it.

A cacophony of bird noise roused the phantom from his nap in the shade of a mossy stump. While he was not omniscient, he liked to think the creatures that called this forest home were his eyes and ears. Something had spooked them, and Nox was intent to find out what.

It didn't take him long to locate the perpetrator. The sound of her crashing through the undergrowth was a beacon, drawing him in like a moth to a flame. He caught glimmers of her between the trees; a brilliant flame that he watched from the darkest shadows. 

Her blatant ignorance of his markings irked him, but Nox decided to let it slide. Murkwood.was still but a sapling and besides, he wasn't one to spoil someone else's fun. Something of a smirk crept onto the boy's face as she took off again, weaving easily through the bushes as he gave chase.

her paws hit the ground hard and fast, each step feeling lighter as the thrill surged through her veins. she hadn’t meant to cause such a ruckus, but maybe that was the fun of it. the chaos. the uncertainty.

and now the sound of pawsteps—someone closing in.

fuck, she hissed under her breath, her teeth flashing in a grin that betrayed her frustration. whoever was behind her didn’t seem like the type to back off. she didn’t glance back. not yet. it wasn’t fear keeping her forward but something else entirely.

the spark of the chase.

her chest burned with exhilaration as she veered sharply to the left, her golden coat blending momentarily with the sunlight that broke through the canopy. catch me if you can! she barked over her shoulder, her voice brash and teasing, carried on the wind as she bolted through the trees.

meredith didn’t need to know who or why. she just needed to run. and maybe, just maybe, see who dared to follow.

Dragonsbreath plumed heavily from his nostrils, crystalising in the cold air as he followed the jagged path her body cut through the trees. Although he had suspected such, her careless navigation made it obvious she was a newcomer to the forest. His paws drummed a steady rhythm into the frozen ground as he pondered this; who was she? 

Of all places, why was she here?

Her change of pace signified his presence had been noticed and Nox slowed to a jog as her trail took an abrupt deviation, ears pricking as her challenge rang out loud and clear. The air left his lungs in a breathy snort, but already he could feel his legs itching to follow.

It was difficult to describe the melting pot of feelings that stirred within as his hunt resumed. The primal instinct to chase dulled down by a youthful, almost puppyish need to play. A wolf and a deer; Nox settled into a steady lope in hopes that the girl's flame would burn itself out soon enough.

meredith had been running like the wind, her fiery spirit blazing with every leap and bound through the dense forest.

until—oops.

her paw snagged a root hidden beneath the leaf-littered ground, and before she could even yelp, she was rolling. tumbling down a small incline, she spun head over paws, a mess of golden fur and indignation. sticks snagged at her coat, snow dusted her muzzle, and when she finally hit the bottom, she landed flat on her back with a breathy oof.

her chest rose and fell as she stared up at the canopy, the world still spinning slightly. and then she saw them—her chaser, standing at the top of the hill, triumphant and far too smug for her liking.

guess you caught me, she muttered, blowing a strand of fur out of her face. but even in her defeat, a mischievous spark glimmered in her green eyes.

Like most hunters, Nox was built for endurance. If given the opportunity, he could run and run for hours on end until his quarry tired and left opportunity to strike. This time was different, though, and the phantom was beginning to wonder if the interloper would ever slow at all - until she disappeared unexpectedly from view.

Each thump of her body against the cool, hard ground was met with a wince of his own and he picked up speed until he skidded to a halt at the precipice of the rise. Just in time to watch her make landfall in a clumsy pile of twigs and snow. 

"Ye set yourself up for failure, I'm afraid," his tail waved a victory flag as he began to pick his way very slowly and very carefully down the slope. Couldn't be making a fool of himself in front of a girl - and one his own age at that! "Y'know, for someone who's tresspassing, yer not very subtle." While he had not initially minded the intrusion, the fact of the matter remained. Murkwood's borders were not yet being respected, and that was a problem.

She was even prettier up close, despite her dishevelled nature, and Nox felt his ego tangle with a sense of pity. His smirk softened, an outstretched paw offering the girl an olive branch. "Need a hand?"

meredith sneezed off the clumps of snow that clung to her face, her pride burning hotter than the ache in her ribs. she batted away the offered paw, her nose wrinkling as she hoisted herself up with a huff. i don’t need no hand from ye, mate, she shot back, voice sharp with indignation. i ain’t some damsel in distress.

her green eyes sparkled with defiance as she brushed the frost from her ruddy coat, shaking herself off like a wet dog. despite her tumble, she stood tall, squaring her shoulders as if to challenge the world—or at least him.

yer lands, then? she asked, her accent thick, words laced with a biting edge. the question hung in the air, curiosity barely masked by her brash tone. they don’t look much for invitin’. what’s so special 'bout 'em, anyway?

Her dismissal was met with a defeated shrug. "Only wanted to make sure ye were still in one piece." It would be a nuisance if she had sustained any significant injuries from the fall - Murkwood hadn't yet acquired someone experienced in the art of healing. Ducking his head to avoid the spray from her damp pelt, he leaned against a nearby tree with a scowl.

It was easy to say her brash and offending nature annoyed him. What also bothered Nox was the likeness the stranger bore to many kids he grew up with. Typical girls; why had he thought she'd be any different?

"Aye, my crew's settled here," he relented eventually, blowing a harsh breath from his nose. The cheek she had to diss his lands when it was she who strolled in as if she owned the place. "Ye certainly thought they were inviting when ye came frolicking in like a spring chick. Did yer ma not teach ye manners?"

meredith raised a brow at him, her lips quirking with something caught between a smirk and a sneer. oh, aye, she drawled, her voice lilting with the sing-song cadence of a mummer’s accent. mama taught me the best manners fer trespassin’. start with yer left paw, she’d say, always make yer first step a good one.

her gaze swept the woods around them, and she sniffed the air dramatically, narrowing her eyes at him. but by the smell o’ things, ye lot haven’t much of a claim here. barely any musk at all. her words carried a teasing bite, but there was no real venom behind them—just the playful jab of a girl who liked stirring trouble.

she lingered on his mention of a crew, her curiosity getting the better of her for a fleeting moment. yer crew, though, she mused, her tone softer now, a flicker of genuine interest slipping through her otherwise brash demeanor. what kind o’ lot are they? loud an’ rowdy, or more the skulkin’ sort?

but before he could answer, her smirk returned, sharp as ever. not that it matters. looks like they’ve got a fine, strappin’ guard dog in you. her laughter followed, light and airy, like the last gust of wind before a storm.

While trouble might have been stirred had Nox been a less patient wolf, instead he found humour in the girl's words. Still, his frown remained, her comments echoed by a dry laugh. "And make a fool of yerself with yer last?" he teased dryly. While only her pride was bruised this time, he wasn't sure she'd be so lucky had someone else found her.

Whether it was boldness or borderline stupidity that motivated her, Nox didn't particularly care to find out. Too much of one or the other spelled trouble, and allowing her to remain here was a liability. But maybe that was what he wanted - to stir the pot a little. There was something to be said for this girl's outlook on life; it was certainly a fun one.

"Ye could say we're the skulkin' kind," he mimicked, the hint of a smirk returning to his face. "Only recently settled. And yer talkin' to their captain, missy." Guard dog? He supposed it was a valid conclusion given their chase, but the term felt a little unintelligent.

meredith raised a brow, a sly grin creeping across her face. the captain, eh? well, ain't i lucky to stumble across such a fine leader, she teased, her voice lilting with a hint of mischief. she shook off the snow clinging to her fur, straightening up as if to present herself properly—though her cheeky demeanor ruined any chance of actual sincerity.

so, captain, she continued, circling him with an exaggerated air of mock respect, d'ya reckon i've got what it takes to join yer crew? i can be quite the asset, y'know. quick wit, quicker paws, and a knack for stirring up just enough trouble to keep things lively.

she stopped in front of him, tilting her head as her green eyes sparkled with daring. but, of course, i'll need the captain's official approval. what say ye, boss?

Though she may not have intended it to, her praise stoked an ego that Nox kept well hidden. Yes, he was a fine leader. It was a challenge to make something out of nothing, an even more impossible task to bring together the odds and ends of this land into a cohesive group. Dare say, the captain was proud of his work.

But the praise felt empty coming from her.

Inky ears followed her voice as she circled around him, brows furrowing though his lips remained curved. "That depends," he drawled, "on what other talent's ye'v got." Murkwood was in desperate need of more crew, but that didn't mean he had to scrape the barrel for them. Now it was his turn to orbit her. "Can ye hunt? Fight? Heal?" Pausing a whisker away from her nose. "What do ye know of raiding? Trading?"

His eyes glittered daringly. As loath as he was to admit it, her skills would already make her a perfect fit here.

meredith tilted her head, the edges of her mouth curling in a sly smirk as she stared him down, unbothered by his boldness. she let the silence stretch just long enough to tease, her amber eyes gleaming with mischief.

plenty, she replied, her tone light but confident. raiding ain’t just about teeth and claws, captain. it’s about knowing when to hit and when to wait. and trading? well, let’s just say i’ve bartered my way out of tighter spots than this. she gave a pointed look around the forest, unimpressed by his theatrics.

she stepped closer, her own nose daring to brush the air between them as she added, but i’m thinkin’ you already guessed that. so? you takin’ me aboard, or are we gonna keep dancin’ circles?

His tail flicked thoughtfully as she spoke, carefully considering each claim she made. Though she spoke nothing of the more basic trades, he found it difficult to fault her skills in more seafaring tasks. Her knowledge of raiding and trading would prove invaluable if, of course, she was telling the truth.

All would be revealed in time.

"Yer in, on one condition," he spoke finally, appearing still largely unimpressed. From this close he could feel the warmth of her breath tickle his whiskers, the flush of his skin a warm fire in the frosted air. "I'm not a tyrant, but I run a tight ship which means we all gotta pull our weight - including rapscallions like yerself."

"Use that sweet tongue of yers to scout our neighbours. If ye can find a place to pillage before the solstice, ye get first pick of the booty." A sly grin split his jaw just wide enough to reveal a set of sharp, yellowed teeth. Would she agree to his terms?

meredith’s ears twitched at his words, the slightest smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth. she tilted her head, letting her amber eyes lock with his for a brief moment before stepping back just enough to size him up properly.

aye, she replied, her voice laced with that rough, sing-song cadence, as natural as the tides. name’s meredith. figured a proper introduction’s in order now, seein’ as i’m not one to shy from pullin’ me weight.

her tail flicked, her curiosity evident.

her smirk widened just a touch, the spark of mischief dancing in her gaze as she leaned forward ever so slightly. and about that booty... aye, you’ll see me find us a spot worth pillagin’. don’t you worry none.

Meredith. A name that suited her whimsy, though Nox found it tugged memories of merfolk to the surface of his mind. How fitting for a siren such as herself.

"Nox," he offered in return, pleased that she seemed to have no qualms with his deal. The task served twofold; to test Meredith's sealegs, and to cement Murkwood as a crew worth fearing. The phantom stood steadfast as she leaned in for a moment, feelings of annoyance mellowed to satisfaction, though there remained a seed of doubt that he hoped the girl would diminish soon enough.

"An' if I ever catch wind of ye disappearin' before time's up, well," some things did not have to be said. With a cant of his head, he began to melt into the shadows. "Welcome t' Murkwood. Would ye like a tour?"

so happy to have her! we can fade on your next post if you like

meredith's tail gave a jaunty flick as she snorted, a happy sound mingled with her usual spark of mischief. she tipped her head, considering the captain with a crooked grin that showed just enough teeth to be playful.

aye, captain, she drawled, her mummer's accent thick with the sing-song lilt of someone born to twist words like rope. i'd want nothin' more than t' see what murkwood’s got in store for me.

her gaze followed him as he melted into the shadows, her steps light as she moved to follow. lead on, then, she added, her tone laced with a mix of intrigue and challenge. show me what yer crew’s built their bones on.