The Floodlands safe behind your veneer

@Minori (@Takara @Higoro @Issun y'all are welcome too or if you wanna wait til she's officially pledged that's cool too) :)

What'd once been bayous of prarieland, drowned by rainfall and kingdom to dragonflies, were now marshlands of bog moss and ankle-high waters. The dragons were less prevalent with the imminent arrival of autumn; already leaves were merging to their vivid hues (as if burning from the inside out with the small death of the shifting seasons), herds changing routine as they prepared to migrate, rodents stocking for the coming cold. 

Had the warrioress been home, she'd have been aiding her Zyanes in such rituals: the Clan would have wintered together in the caverns of Iio which meant washing the bed pelts and tanning replacements, stocking the wares, minding the little ones as their mothers went about their own wifely duties. 

But she was not home. 

The approach of fall's juncture meant nothing, save that a more urgent desire to settle plagued her restless thoughts. Though the terrain was milder than the lands of Tifǝigyǝnts they were still foreign - the climate of its winters, the availability of resources were unknown. 

Another need complemented this one, perhaps not as necessary but a need all the same: social interaction. The Tipani were a closely-knit tribe; Iär'e had been surrounded by an energetic, familial community since her adoption. To have been cut off from such contact so abruptly left an aching absence in her life. 

And whose fault would that be? 

The thought made her jaws scrape against each other, a needling that had pricked her since departing from her Blood. 

You didn't feel safe, the kinder side of her argued. 

You weren't strong enough to fight, the harsher, truer aspect whispered. 

Cerulean winked from existence as the witchling stopped, eyes shutting as her head hung for a moment - allowing herself but a second's reprieve to wallow in her own shame, her own weaknesses, before forcing them to open. 

As if emboldened by some invisible spirit of courage, the echoes of torment sank beneath the smooth planes of a calm mask and the Irathi's spine straigthened like warped steel beaten into strength. 

Shouldering her own baggage, the calico continued north.

Her troubled mind never ceased to continue making it impossible for her to rest, so she snuck outward once more and roamed. She was growing uncomfortable staying around these parts, so close to Shadewood and to Cry, who she feared would do harm to her or anyone else she roamed with if he stumbled upon them. It was true she hadn't tried to talk to Issun about leading the group far away but she didn't trust him, not yet. She considered herself the leader and for now it felt wrong to ask the group to travel to somewhere unknown quite yet. 


The air had a sharp underlying coolness to it that spoke of autumn and as her paws began to squish through the marshy grounds she lifted her nose and breathed it in deeply, fur ruffling as the breeze chose that moment to pick up. She smiled and sighed stepping forward and pushing through brambles and thicket to almost collide with a stranger. She jumped back skin catching and tearing on a sharp bramble and though she flinched she didn't pay it much mind even as the air became tinged with blood. "Excuse me" she said politely dipping her head to show it was an accident seafoam eyes lifting to study the woman. It was impossible not to see the beauty instantly for she was probably one of the most beautiful women Minori had ever seen but her mind fell to Takara with her soft blue eyes and fur of deep chocolate, how she used to sing to the boys when they slept and smile in her direction when catching her staring. She glanced away and lifted her chin, turning to begin to walk on her way again.

The alkonost's paw had not quite kissed the earth, her step not yet taken, when a shadow materialized before her. 

Stifling a flinch, Iär'e's head tipped back to meet pastel green - and then forward as Zuzuhakte recalled again the laws of beasts. Though untethered as she, this woman was perfumed in the prominent scents of other, wolf, young. 

The Tipani, a peaceful creature in her heart, was not foolish: she'd offer no threat, no reason for offense. 

Tishinka's head lowered, nodding respectfully as the woman moved to pass - requited admiration in the crashing waves of the oceans of her gaze. 

The woman was an artistically crafted obsidian blade: sleek and black as oil, a honed edge to her sharp angles. A pang of jealousy thrummed within her veins, watching her go - how she wished to be half as fierce, as powerful, even in simple moments as these. 

"Ezinisiri," the greeting spilled from her lips of its own accord, perhaps spurred by the realisation that the woman planned to continue on her path, a grinding husk of misuse. 

The stranger would not know its meaning but still, the shaman allowed her features to tilt up - gaze rising to the black pearl's as if allowing her to read her intentions. 

"You are 'urt," she rasped in the common tongue, scenting the blood upon the air. A wrinkle furrowed between her eyes as they dropped to the minor cut. 

"Please, allow me," the Tipani stepped forward with cautiously guarded features - gesturing to the thorns still caught in the Leä's skin.

A foreign word caused her to pause and give a curious glance backwards, uncertain if she had just been cursed at or something until the she wolf noticed the thorns and offered her assistance. She wanted to say no, to politely state that she would be alright but she considered the slight chance that the small wound would grow infected and she ran the risk of being unable to care for it. The hesitation was displayed clearly on her face, ears shifting back for a moment before sliding back to their normal position as she nodded "Alright. Thank you" she said and turned to face the she wolf though she made no move to come closer. For a moment there was silence and then she sat down, making it easier to reach the thorns and shredded skin "My name is Minori. I lead a small growing group nearby" she introduced herself and tossed out the fact that she was forming a pack, leaving Issun out intentionally for the moment since she had wanted to form the pack before he even showed.

Late join, sorry! Lemme know if I get something wrong!

His mind felt like a colony of ants. There was order, but nothing the naked eye could see. Not even he could but there was two dominant feelings reigning supreme. Anger and dominance. Issun was the fuel to his fiery fury, that male snaked and pitied his way back into Minoris' life. Higoro proved he was the dominant one, why Minori chose Issun over him would never be understood in Higoros anger hazed mind. With Issun back in the picture, Higoro reverted back to a one track mind. He wanted Minori for himself, by any means necessary. He felt dominant, possessive and needed to assert both. Although deep down, he knew, that would fail but he was going to try anyways. Bless his heart.

Higoro made it a misson to find her and win her over, even if he'd been told countless times it wasn't happening. Unfortunately, he wasn't in the mood for no and certainly not up for seeing the sheep what was Issun. The big male followed Minoris scent, never removing his nose from the ground until his ears pricked up at the sound of voices. He paused for a moment, inspecting the other female near "his" own female. 

His tail raised, with his fur puffing out and his hackles raising higher. He walked towards Minori, keeping an eye on the female. "Minori," He called, his voice deep and demanding, pining for attention he oh so craved. "Who is this woman you are conversing with?" Was it more competition? Perhaps just a friend? Higoro eyed the female with judgments laid thick within his eyes. He made no attempts to hide it. If she had a problem she would speak up or forever hold her tongue.

going to post again @Higoro you can continue or I'll archive just lemme know

The woman had not been given a chance to step in to help her before Higoro strode onto seen in open view. Minori startled and her eyes scanned over his physique and posture, strong and...possesive. Her eyes narrowed for a moment but a flash of heat ran through her and only the thought of Issun kept her from smirking to egg him on. From beside her she heard a low sound, too quick to be able to be discerned from a growl or a whine. Minori turned her head sharply to see the female stand and excuse herself, rushing off before she could get a sound out. She had no idea what happened but she groaned and stood up, turning on Higoro "I could have had her join us! She was a healer, she was trying to help me!" She wasnt really mad and that was clear as she snorted and shook her head, shooting him a playful glare as she began to stalk back toward their temporary camp.