fiammetta
by fire be purged
Fiammetta had not known what to expect when she came up beside the male, but his easy mannerism let her know that her presence was welcome. The stranger turned to her and smiled, his pelt shining in the morning rays, his tones respectful as he replied to her. She smiled at this, but did not turn to reveal her damaged side until he kindly commented on her beauty, his politeness revealing only good intentions on his part. At this, Fiammetta was given to chuckle, and her voice was teasing when she replied, “Oh, does it indeed?” With that, she moved to face him, and her ravaged skin became visible, naked and vulnerable. Her body was littered with old scars, and her eye socket filled in with skin. One ear was twisted and wilted against her head, its blackened tip telling a tale of her run-in with fire.
Her secret revealed, she twisted her head once more to take in the dawn, admiring the glittering layout of the fields as they spanned below her. When next the stranger spoke though, it was to enquire as to her stay in Asteraia, and her relaxed disposition left her. Immediately her muscles bunched beneath her coat and her single, red orb turned suspicious as she pinned the male beneath her gaze. Doing an inspection of her own, she found him to be unrecognisable in both aroma and frame. She was not afraid of the black lady or whatever spies she might have, but the last thing she felt like was a battle, and so she did not snarl or flash or teeth in warning as she otherwise might have been inclined to do.
“I suppose you are forgiven. I myself have never had the privilege of seeing you around before. I have no ties to the grassland scum, other than vows I have made to destroy them. If you are affiliated with them, I'm afraid that vow extends to you as well, although your manner of speaking tends to sway me into believing you have been well raised” A mirthless smile on her part, followed by yet more words, “As for who I met there, I might be sanctioned to tell you when I know who you are and what you want. My story isn't exactly one to share with every passer-by.”
Perhaps Tithe would sense she had been wounded, pillaged and damaged beyond recognition by the wolves of that land, perhaps not. However, he would definitely not be under any illusions with regards to her outlook on Asteraia and its inhabitants. All she had to do now was wait and see what the unfamiliar warrior had to say.
No Home - No Family - 6YO - 22 in, 32 lbs