these people keep to themselves,
Jumpy, yes, that was a totally good word to describe the girl - small and rabbit-like almost, flinching at d'Mani's approach before settling. She brushed it aside, trying to understand that despite her less than threatening demeanour - situations could still be intimidating. At least she agreed with d'Mani's statement of Glorall's beauty - hah! If only Latika had been able to see Litherum before it sunk into the sea! Sprawling beaches, rolling hills dotted with the most unusual plants and the sky had always been alive with the sound of cackling gulls and swallows. Not to mention the calming hymn of the ocean but hey, if you tried hard enough you could turn the rush of Glorall's river into a similar sound. That seemed to be the closest she'd get - she again offered but a kind smile and nod of acknowledgement. Try as you would, Latika, but the scratches over your body looked all too much like battle wounds.
"Alright, I'll have to get close to look at it so don't bite me or anything, okay?"
She raised a brow and awaited some kind of confirmation before she began her slow approach, again nodding a silent promise that she intended no harm. Standing alongside the girl, she ran her muzzle along the length of her back leg, feeling for any bumps or out of place spurs - she could feel the warmth of it, the residual swelling was still present but she could feel little more than that. There seemed to be no breaks and if there had been, they had at least healed somewhat better than, say, that male Ajax's. She pondered in silence for a moment before retracting and moving back some paces so that she faced Latika once more.
"Good news - I have some barberry back in my den. It'll take away any swelling and if you have any pain, let me know and I'll find you some poppy seeds. The better news is that I've prepared a den for you seeing as you'll be staying here a while, huh?"
She pivoted, facing away from Latika before swinging her head over her shoulder and motioning for the girl to follow. She'd move slow to ease the potential of inflicting more damage on the limb - she'd return to the girl's den in the evening to give her the barberry as it could make her... quite drowsy. Plus, d'Mani did not particularly like the idea of others knowing where her den was - with a permanent home, she had begun her mother's habit of stashing away unusual stones, herbs and artefacts she found. Her ears flickered back at the girl's question and she chuckled lightly, shaking her head slowly as she lead on.
"Sulan, the just-fallen Alpha wished to challenge my skills. He gave me a description and sent me off - you're the only one that fit it. Guess that makes you unique in a way, really. Hey, maybe you'll grow to like it here though. We have a little island just off the mainland - it's the safest spot. If you stick around, maybe you'll get to see it."
She flashed her a toothy grin before they began to weave through the sparse forests of Glorall; not too far ahead lay an old hollowed out den. Small but quaint, situated half-hidden beneath a fallen log and bramble. It was hidden away, secretive, further enough away from the main cluster of the pack's dens that Latika could avoid them if she wanted to. Besides, custom laws permitted the goal to leave after but a few weeks in Glorall custody but d'Mani had other intentions. It was one thing to steal away a wolf but another to take them somewhere and have them desire to stay. That was a true display of skill. She paused some distance from the den, allowing Latika to completely catch up before flicking her muzzle towards it.
"Like it? It's warm, at least, even if it is a bit.. ugly. So tell me something, there's gotta' be some kind of story to you. You're not from around here, are you? Where'd you come from?"
all living in their own hell |
