There are few things as sweet in the world as the tender bliss that comes upon one whilst scratching a stubborn itch. It is as though every horror in the world melts away to leave behind a certain euphoria, fresh as the morning dew. Perhaps slightly cliché, it seemed undoubtedly true in that moment to the beautiful girl as she cleared the gritty sand from her locks with nimble, canid jaws. In fact, so absorbed was she that she failed to notice the quiet arrival of a stranger until she was interrupted mid-lick by an earnest voice which shattered the silence around her. As though barely deigning to do so, Kalypso lifted her twin orbs to regard the impertinent stranger. An earnest face stared into her own, lips still parted as though they lingered upon the sweet tone of the voice that parted them. A lyrical, feminine voice. Disappointment and annoyance were quick to overcome the fatale, and she did little to shield the emotions from her eyes. That is, little until the scent of fresh prey filled her nostrils. Saliva immediately flooded her jaws and she snapped them shut, lest that betray her, before drawing herself into a sultry sitting position. She may not be as well-versed in the art of charming her own gender, but she figured it couldn't be too difficult. A couple of sweet words, a few apathetic whimpers, and her belly would be thanking her in no time. The meat itself, once a marmot, was smaller in death than it had been in life, and barely appeared fit to satiate one hungry wolf. Still, beggars (even delightful, royal ones) could never be choosers. Summing up her most honey-slicked tones, she spoke,
“Hello darling, pleasure to make your acquaintance I'm sure. Yes, you are correct, I am new in this land.”
It was a struggle to keep hints of sarcasm from her speech, for surely it was obvious that she was a stranger to the landscape about her? Even a pup could see such a thing and not have to seek approval in the askance. Still, she did a well enough job of hiding her true feelings beneath a mask of false appreciation, and it seemed to pay off, for the other girl dipped her head in greeting (at least she had manners, common cur though she was) and invited the mottled female to join in her meal. Kalypso feigned embarrassed gratitude,
“Oh dear, I am so very hungry. Thank you for the offer! Any morsel, however small, wouldn't go unnoticed,” and then, suddenly, “Oh! How very rude of me! I am Kalypso.”
She waited for the female to offer up her pathetic catch, ears twitching impatiently beneath the moonlight. While she waited, she summed up the stranger. Her raw markings, although exotic, seemed rather drab to Kalypso, who thought they showed up rather like dirt on her otherwise white coat. Only her eyes drew attention as they sparkled tenderly in the soft light of midnight, their lilac depths spinning with splashes of other colors that may have been hypnotising to another, lesser example of their species. Kalypso, however, deemed her little threat and wasted no more time in regarding her ordinary features. Once more she allowed herself to bask in the tepid waters of ire before a though occurred to her that hadn't surfaced before. She whisked her tail slowly and tried her best to appear demure,
“I can smell the scent of pack on you, darling. I myself am looking to join a pack. You see, traveling has been so very lonely for me and I am ready to settle down,” here she paused for effect, “ready to become a mother. Perhaps even as early as next breeding season.”
She left her words hanging like fireflies in the air, hoping they would bring about some form of positive response from the girl who stood before her, so absurdly friendly and open that it almost hurt to be taking advantage of her.
Almost.
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