Divided We Stand (A Packs Roleplay, OPEN and ACCEPTING)

[The Royal Mirage]

((I know I generally like having pictures done before I fill out forms, just so I can work out any design tweaks before writing them down in the form, but everyone's different. Do whatever you think it best))

Having had her thoughts caught up by the idea of sweets... cinnamon buns, tiramisu... Opal was rather distracted as she took in Devin's words, believing them to be joking and giving a bright little stream of laughter. The creamy fae knew she was more... full bodied than many of the faes in the pack - not in a bad way by any means - but many of her curves were from her indulgence in sweets. At the mention of proposals, Opal's laughter subsided to a mere glimmer in her eyes. Romance was something that had always interested her, but more in an observatory way than ever really craving it. "I don't count," she answered honestly, though she truthfully couldn't recall the last time a brute had attempted to court her. It simply wasn't memorable enough for her to take the time to think over it. "Besides, I have so many more brutes in my shop asking for proposal gifts than actually showing me any interest - just yesterday one of the deltas commissioned a magnificent piece from me as a proposal gift." The curvy fae gave a dreamy sigh, imagining how pleased the lucky fae would be, a proposal at the festival was about as romantic as it could get.

(('everyday words seem to turn into love songs'.. Opal's quote is way too perfect for her <3 the only fae of mine that's in love with the idea of love, it makes me just... love her! *huggles plushy Opal*))

The tall brute's steps faltered a moment, too-large white paws stilling as Aron glanced over a snow-dappled shoulder; Olaf, one of the older members of the little town, not to mention one of a much higher rank than himself, had called out for him. His signature quiet smile spread over his charcoal maw, turning to meet the graying brute halfway and hipping his head respectfully, his polite side never waning nor seeming out of place. "How can I be of service?" he asked kindly, the formal words seeming almost casual as he gazed down at the older brute with his liquid caramel orbs.

---

Lilith returned to the medicine den just as the sun disappeared behind the distant horizon, pulling the burdock root from one of her tail rings and placing them with Tanga's herbs. There would be only three days before the journey to the south by tomorrow, and it was around now that Tanga would need to prepare her travel herbs. But the midnight fae wondered if her coppery companion would even be going to the festival, with two injured loners in camp, neither looking quite well enough or willing to walk for two full days.

Tanga gave a sweet smile as Lilith returned, giggling quietly when she received a nuzzle behind her tufted ears as she stood, swapping places with the midnight fae effectively and going to her stores. It was about time for Frey and Roan to take another dose of poppyseeds, mostly to help them sleep through the night with their pains. Pulling one jar of the tiny black seeds from her shelves, the coppery dove bounced over to Frey first, prodding him gently with her cocoa nose.

Lia huffed as she returned to camp, making a face at the combined scents as they assaulted her nose at the border. The sumptuous fur of her ruff rippled in the frigid breeze, the last rays of the sun playing off her ghostly figure lovingly as she glanced around, looking for Maia. She wanted to let her little sister know she would be leaving again tonight, but planned to be at the festival for once, but neither Lilith or Maia were in sight. In fact, only a couple brutes were visible in camp, one of which seemed to be striped in a manner similar to the tiny fish often found in ponds and rivers. He seemed a bit ruffled, but perhaps he would know where to find the other faes. With that last thought, Lia danced forward on delicate ankles, gaze one of veiled curiosity as she looked over the brute in her signature sweeping motion. (Bastian)

---

Ruby glanced up as Lilu arrived, her preening having settled into a more subdued licking of her shoulder fur in an attempt to sooth the hardened muscle. She gave the healer a half hearted 'hey' and quick smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, a bit more reserved after the day's events even after the distraction of digging, which she quickly latched onto again as Clarence's baritone rumble reached her perked ears. A team of diggers... it wasn't the solitary relaxation that she had envisioned, but perhaps it was indeed a good idea for the pack. Plus, who was she to question the beta? The fae actually let out a quiet, raspy laugh at those thoughts considering that she would normally be the first to question authority. But Clarence was making sense, so she left it alone, simply giving a nod as she finished with her shoulder. "I like digging in the rain, but it will probably be best to do so tomorrow afternoon, when the soil is still pliant and malleable, but able to set," she offered, unable to keep from washing her ears again. The thought of digging always just got her so excited, and it would perhaps give her something to focus on other than the fact that she would be alone in camp for five days.

[spiff]

"My granddaughter, Serhilde... have you heard of her? She's one of the deltas, spends her time roaming the territory... sometimes she doesn't return until far after the sun has gone down. I can't imagine what she could possibly find so fascinating out there, all on her own, or what she does... it's enough to keep an old wolf up at night, worrying about all the misfortunes that could befall her while I'm not around— or worse, while I am around and unable to help her." Olaf's rambling faded here, though the troubled light in his eyes suggested that he was continuing the small rant in his head. The only thing that was worse than his granddaughter being harmed on one of her excursions was her being harmed while he watched, too old and too useless to do anything but make pretty trinkets. It was a few heartbeats before the elder's gaze wandered to the youth's, and a fog seemed to be lifted from his expression as he regained his ability of speech. "That is, if you could find her before sunset and make sure she gets home safely every night, I'd be extremely grateful." As he said this, Olaf fished through the bag slung around his neck, checking to see if he had any money on him. "I'd pay whatever you name your price to be, of course."

[The Royal Mirage]

Every night? Aron had indeed heard of the delta fae and, though he was not one to judge others on rumors, it certainly didn't seem like an easy task to both locate and convince the fae to return to her home every night. But the elder was well respected and known to be kind, something that Aron himself respected above all else in others, and his dark brows lowered as he weighed the possibilities in his mind. "I do not want to make any promises I can't keep," he began slowly, rumbling tones slipping between obsidian lips in carefully chosen words. "I may have other jobs on certain days that keep me from this, I have to work almost every day just to make an honest living." Gazing down to the withered brute, Aron couldn't help but give in, knowing how it felt to care so much about someone but be unable to help them. He sighed. "I can't promise that I can do so every night, but I will return Serhilde home safely whenever I can; if I have other engagements for the day, I promise to at least keep an eye out for her." Satisfied with his compromise, the warrior awaited the older brute's reply, hoping his offer would be sufficient.

((Sak, nothing for Tanga?))

[*~WolfSoul~*]

Amara's ink-dipped ears were pricked gently forward, her eyes watching the now silent, handsome brute. The next natural question was obvious: Why did you and your siblings want to flee this pack you're speaking of? But he seemed to be suddenly absorbed in his own thoughts, which Amara did not want to disturb despite the slight angle of his body which remained open and somewhat welcoming. After a moment, she said softly, "I suppose we should be heading back to the camp now." Though, as Amara spoke, she knew she would probably be quietly returning to her haven tonight. "It will soon be night, and you still have other wolves to meet, if you'd like."

((short, but I should be able to RP most of the weekend. And i figured it's about time to free up Finn for someone else ))

[spiff]

"Of course, of course," said Olaf, always ready to compromise. He had always been of the agreeable sort, and with things becoming so difficult to keep track of, he was just grateful to have a little of the load taken off his back. Perhaps someone else might have pointed out that Serhilde was more than capable of helping him out and actually pulling her weight in the pack, but the thought didn't even cross his mind; after losing her parents and siblings — his children and grandchildren — in almost one blow, he was too wrapped up in providing for her happiness to consider making her take up his line of work. After nosing through his coin purse once more, the older wolf came up with a pawful of coins. "How much of your time will eight silvers buy?" he asked after counting them out. Olaf was a bit careless when it came to money, and this opened room for him to be swindled; but even if he had been aware of this, he was still trusting enough of most wolves of the shores to let them name their price in such a way.

((Whoops, I totally missed that part. Sorry. >.<))

Lulled into an illusion of security by the warmth of the fire and the comforting scent of Tanga's stew, Frey had dozed off where he sat. Without a scowl tugging down the corners of his mouth, he was the spitting image of his brother; one who had seen both of them might have gotten them confused if not for the younger's taller and lankier build. But when someone nosed him awake and he opened eyes that turned out to be a far cry from Finn's smiling sky-blues, the difference between the brothers became something that seemed insurmountable and was only further pronounced by the immediate wariness that fell over Frey's features. "What's that for?" he said, eyeing the jar of black seeds with automatic distrust. "I feel fine. I don't need anything else."

"Is it?" said Finn, instinctively glancing toward the sky. But he and his siblings had come from a land with sunshine to match their fur, and he wasn't used to telling the time from the particular shade of the clouds, nor from an internal clock. "I suppose we should, then." He padded to the entrance of the haven and stood aside for Amara to go first, waiting for her to pass through before he ducked into the rain himself. His fur, which had just dried enough to be considered damp instead of soaked, reverted to its former state in a matter of moments, but as always he appeared unfazed; the ability to quickly adapt to new circumstances was a must for a loner. "I'm sure I'll enjoy meeting everybody else, though I imagine none of them will be nearly as fascinating as you are," he said, glancing to her with laughing eyes as he rephrased the same compliment for the third time in an hour, testing her for the same amusement he felt at what he considered to be an old joke by now.

[-goldleaf-]

With his venture back to camp, Bastian had had enough time to wipe the salt from his cheeks and to do away with the few more bothersome pine slivers in his paws. His dark figure was once again collected in body language by the time he could see the already too-familiar pack camp, though his fur was indeed still mused here and there, warm basil scent mixed the the tang of musky old pine sap and eyes bright as ever. As he skipped a step over a little divot in the rocky mud, his gold-adorned ears flickered in response to feeling a presence rather than seeing whomever it was just before his kaleidoscope eyes drew around in a reflexive glance. There was an unrestrained exhale of suddenly stunned silence as his glance became ensnared by the ghostly, if not other-worldly, appearance of a slender white dove that he had surely never seen before. Bastians first reaction, aside from an unhidden blink of surprise, was to slow his steps, as his practical mind caught up a bit with what the fae was doing rather then just how she looked whilst doing it. She seemed to be aimed for his direction, and he let his head tip a little in question as she neared; manners still a bit left behind him, lending no immediate smile nor greeting to his dark lips.

((Nothing for Roan yet, I want to wait for Tanga to come interrupt before I give away all his little quirks and secrets to Finn))

-

Lilu swiveled a disk ear towards Ruby as the warrior fae continued on with whatever conversation she and the beta had been having before the healers arrival, and she found her gaze drawn skyward momentarily at the mention of the soil being pliable. Her apple and sunshine eyes flickered in a look of mild interest as she took in the arriving storm clouds, breathing in the gusty scent of it now that she was made pointedly aware of its presence. Perhaps she was growing too used to the safety of a pack and a den, for had she still been a complete loner, she no doubt would have been aware of the storm long before it was overhead. She shook out a few poppy seeds onto a rose petal paw pad before setting them gingerly on the little rock-top of a stone that bordered the tree spring; counting on Clarence being familiar enough with the painkillers for him to take them if desired. Lilu's previously pristine paws took on a streaked reddish pattern as she lifted her spongy cloth to Clarence's shoulder, water from the cloth carrying bits of his dark blood down across her paw as she crushed the little aloe and eucalyptus spring water wash to his wound in fleeting dabs. One of her slender forepaws reached up to comb back his dark fur carefully, doe eyes slanting slightly as she tried to see any further bruising around his shoulder as her other paw searched through her satchel without the aid of her eyes. How had Gemini done so much damage so quickly?

-

Fen's little laugh announced his presence alongside the two faes as he caught up with them again just in time to hear the tail end of whatever Opal had been saying, unable to restrain his little flash of amusement to her girlish sigh. Emerald and hazel eyes turned to the lavender accented dove as if he had a comment to make, but he merely allowed a slight curve of a smile to lend a teasing enough look to his basket-handle interrupted lips. Devin flicked him with her powder and purple tail, her twin set of hazel and honey eyes returning back to their perhaps shared friend with their look of easy agreement and shared interest to whatever they had been discussing. "Don't listen to him, I for one think that proposal gifts are impossibly romantic." A small flicker drew a flash from the opal stud in Fen's ear at Devins words. This was the first that he had heard of Devin's interest in proposals, for usually she had merely commented that it seemed curious to her that a fae should accumulate such trinkets, and what should you do with them if you didn't want them around anymore? Though, Devin was remarkably talented at finding or at least creating common ground in conversation, she could talk to nearly anyone without ever enduring an awkward pause or hiccup in light mood. "Just think of everything their chosen gift could say about them aside from asking for your favor."

[The Royal Mirage]

Aron's eyes widened at the pawful of coins before him, unable to keep the surprise from flashing over his features. He'd never seen so many held my a single wolf, and he wondered if it was indeed prudent for Olaf to even be wandering around with so much money on him. He would surely make an easy target after all. The charcoal brute shook his head gently. "That's more than enough for a week, sir," he explained gently, wondering if perhaps Olaf had simply taken more coins from his pouch than he had originally intended. That must be it, surely.

Opal merely gave a carefree shrug at Fen's implied comment and Devin's urge for her to ignore it, a strong sea breeze rustling her wild rose perfume around her in little swirls; everyone was entitled to their opinion, and to Opal there was simply nothing more beautiful than when two wolves were truly in love. Astronomy came quite close in her mind, but love won out every time. As if the thought had reminded her, magenta orbs flickered up to the darkening sky, picking out the first few stars of the night with her infectious grin. "It's why I love making them so much - each piece not only holds all of the baron's love, but all of mine too... I can't think of anything quite like it." The daydreaming fae's plush tail curled over her back with a relaxed sigh, though she couldn't help wondering when it would be her own time to find a partner. She'd never thought it over much, very much expecting her parents to arrange a marriage, and as long as she could make her mate happy, Opal would be happy. But seldom if ever did Opal wonder what that baron might be like.

---

Tanga sat back, momentarily fazed by Frey's cold glance before relaxing back into her cheery bedside manner. "They'll help you sleep through the night," she explained, opening the jar with a bit of difficulty; wolves' paws were never meant for such things after all. "Your earlier dose is going to wear off soon, and it's hard to shake the pain once it returns." Despite being so young, the fae knew from experience how difficult it could be to banish pain if it were permitted to return in full to a patient. She felt bad for making Frey so wary of her, but she would rather he be comfortable and heal properly than like her.

Lia couldn't help the tiny smile that creased the edges of her emerald eyes at the brute's response, always one to take pleasure in surprising others, even if only momentarily. Stopping just short of him with paws pressed delicately together in front of her, Lia seemed to contemplate something as she searched those turquoise orbs. Coming to her decision a few moments after, the relaxed arch of her tail curled lovingly against her hip, a true smile curving her lips. "Sorry to bother you," she began, though not truly sorry in the least; Lia had only learned that when you wanted something from someone, it was best to be polite about it. "But do you happen to know where I might find Maia or Lilith?"

[*~WolfSoul~*]

With a quirk of her ears and a flick of her tail, Amara lifted her speckled eyes to meet the gaze of the golden brute who was, like herself, yet again dripping with rain. Her dark paws moved over the slippery wet rocks and gravelly soil as the rain-soaked dove headed back toward camp. Upon his compliment, a gentle flash of amusement in Amara's grey orbs warmed her shy expression at the same time that a subtle, modest blush gave a hint of english rose to the grey dove's cheeks. This sudden, feminine addition to her chiseled features gave away the fact that she was indeed flattered, despite her notice of his light hearted tone and joking air. She, too, was able to find amusement in the compliment's repetition and gave Finn a gentle smile. While her maw was slightly open with the expression, her voice took the opportunity to express itself, managing to be musical and sugary without holding the whiny high pitch typical of faes who were Amara's size; instead her voice had a pleasant, perhaps even alluring, natural huskiness to it as she countered, "Your imagination must not stretch very far in that case, Finn." The dust and shadow dove, tiny and thin, gave the tall, aureate brute a shyly teasing smile.

((Is there any wolf open in the Western Forest for Saber? He's not really doing anything))

[-goldleaf-]

((Opal just made me so irritated, I've always detested the idea of arranged marriages and the idea that women should do their best to make their husbands/whomever happy before themselves in order to themselves be happy. I know that's not necessarily your own viewpoint at all Mirage, but reading Opals thoughts made me instantly heatedXD))

"I've always thought that barons should make their proposal gift themselves," Devin mused lightly, eyes tracing the line of her and Fen's shared home along the sand path ahead of them. The house part of it had it's own reddish wood door, while the adjoining storefront had a light mustard and red designed door in contrast to the trailing ivy. "Though I suppose if they all did that then you would find yourself with quite a few missing customers." she added, breathing in the scent of thyme from one of their window boxes of herbs as Fen stepped ahead of the pair to tug open the barricaded yellow door. Devin kneaded the soft yet chilled earth bellow her lightly as Fen ducked inside and candle lights began to warm the woodworking shop. Her hazel eyes danced over to Opal as she flashed a trademark little smile filled to the brim with her general directionless zeal towards everything, it's pretty porcelain flash turning to true amusement as she caught the cream fae looking skyward. "Forgive me, but I should go tend to the garden before the winds turn too chilly, I promise to stop by soon for breakfast; just let Fen know if you have a free day coming up before the festival and he'll let me know." A little puff of salted air twined around through her blue hued ruff, kicking up her trailing peacock feather from it's usual tucked away spot just behind her jaw line as she leaned forward slightly as she quickly brought up a gentle paw to Opals own jaw while she finished speaking, ever a motherly fae at heart, it was rare that Devin ever parted from a friend or relation of any kind without first giving them a kiss on the cheek or a simple little touch of stilled endearment. The ink and powder peppered fae waited only a moment or two for her friends response before turning and flitting away alone the curve of the house, intent on harvesting the last of the carrots for their soup before they would dig up the rest of the garden to bring along to the festival.

Inside the woodworking-turned-instrument shop Fen had already set the basket of shells atop the warmth wood countertop, puttering around smoothly to light a few scentless candles and lamps to give life to the permanently quiet and warm shop so riddled with wood scraps and leather pieces. His deft paws were skimming along the small fireplace, not intent on lighting it, but being selective over the chords that he had spun and then strung over the mouth of the little red-blushing bricks for them to harden up with the heat for proper playing. He would have to find out what size she needed, but already he was making note of the more nicely made ones to assure that she would receive one worth her coin and attention whilst playing.

[The Royal Mirage]

((Well I'm sorry to hear that goldie, she has never been a character meant to make anyone angry. For me, making the people I love happy is one of my main goals in life, and that's where Opal got the characteristic. It's not about the traditional views of women in any way, it's purely Opal's desire to make others happy. I know I personally would be miserable if I couldn't make my partner happy, even if it were a forced union, simply because when others are in a bad mood it brings me down as well, and I wouldn't want to be stuck in life like that any more than Opal. As for the arranged marriage thing, she doesn't exactly hate the idea, but she doesn't overly like it either. It's just something that's been imposed upon her from a very young age, so it's not something she questions often if at all. That part does bother me - I'd fight tooth and nail over an arranged marriage - but the need to make your partner happy doesn't. Sure, it shouldn't be expected for only the woman to strive to make the man happier, but I feel like it should be something mutual in a relationship. Sorry for the long description, I've just had a lot of people question me when I explain my views *boyfriend included* XD))

Opal pressed her nose to Devin's wrist in her own farewell, nodding gently when the motion would no longer disrupt the contact. "I surely will, Devin," she promised simply, inky lashes brushing her cheeks as her eyes closed in a sweet grin. She hadn't realized how much she'd missed the midnight fae's company until tonight, and it would be good for them to have breakfast together sometime. With that thought, the creamy dove turned to follow Fenrick, the saiga satchel she carried housing her delicate rosewood lyre that had indeed been made by the siblings' father, celtic knots lining its edges with a tiny rose symbol in the center. Taking the piece out with all the care in her loving paws, Opal set the instrument down on the counter top for examination. "Two of the strings have snapped," she explained, motioning to the center string and the farthest. "I'm also concerned about this one - it's been wearing at the edge," motioning to the last string as the fae spoke, Opal couldn't help taking a moment to pluck at one of them, the pure sound ringing around the pair peacefully.

((Also, no Bastian? *EDIT*))