ORIGIN - Easy Does It

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The Queen had been minding her own business. Her satchel was slung across one shoulder and her spear and dagger-sword were tucked into her vine belt while she scurried along on all fours. Her dexterous paws and keen nosed searched underneath rocks and in dirt. Quite by luck she managed to happen upon a broken piece of glass which she tucked into the satchel then she took an opportunity to munch on a few beetles. A smile appeared on her narrow face. Life seemed to be going quite swell... Quite swell indeed. The only thing that could make it better would be--

"RAAOOOORRR!!"

The tiny thief felt her blood run cold and on instinct to save her narrow hide the vixen began to dig a burrow and hid herself there. For hours that was how she stayed. The sounds of roaring and snarling and yelling was causing her poor heart to beat out of its chest. Sneaking and stealing were the things that she enjoyed... Not full blown battle. Not unless she had her Fire to protect her but who knew where that trino had gotten off to? Stupid, stupid battle...

It wasn't until the yelling died down that she poked her head out of the roughly dug burrow to look around. Whatever had happened it was far away from here. Hmm... If there had been a battle... Would there be dead gembounds to collect gems from? That was a positively tasty thought. What if she just took a quick peek? Just in and out before anyone knew. Yes.... Yes... That would be swell! The vixen stepped out of the burrow and after a quick groom headed off towards where the sounds had been. Hopefully everyone would be too busy fighting or already dead and wouldn't notice her. The latter sounded better, more pilfering for her.

After a bit of traveling the tiny Queen happened upon a tunnel with thousands of gems milling about. All were bigger than her, stomping around with great big paws. With a sharp his the mongoose ducked to the side so she wouldn't get stepped on by a rather big lioness. The mongoose stuck to the shadows, letting rocks and debris hide her as she slunk past injured gems and conversing gems. Her goal was the open tunnel at the end... Until she saw something that made her pause.

Near one of the walls was a brown creature with scrapes and burns. It was Fisher! Had he gotten caught up in all of this? Poor fellow noodle... If there was any creature that she cared a scrap about it was the Fisher. Partly because he'd been the first person she met and partly because they were so good at competing against each other. Well, now that she'd seen him she couldn't just leave without saying a hello.

Careful to stay hidden the mongoose tried to sneak around and get behind the fisher so she could scare the fur off of him. However, she miscalculated her pawsteps and ended up tripping over an animal's tail and falling straight onto her face. "Gods Damn it!" Cursed the mongoose quietly as she sat up and dusted the dirt off of her reddish fur. "Hey, there, Fishy! Just can't keep from gettin' hurt can ya?" Her voice, while humorous, was low even though she was sure no one was paying attention to her. After all, who would be looking at a mongoose that wasn't even a foot tall?

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"Talking looks like this!"
Thinking looks like this...

579
@Fisher
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6/10

Fisher jolted awake as a small mongoose stepped on his tail. His head jolted up, his fur prickling, as pain surged through his whole body-- which was less Fang's fault and more his injuries' fault. He groaned, stretching out a paw to scoop the furry friend into his chest.

"What d'ya want, Fang?" He grumbled, though he started to sniff her all over and even gave her a playful lick; it was clear his grumpiness was aimed more at his wounds than the furry noodle friend. "Wouldn't of got hurt if you were there to help out," he suggested, snorting through his nose. "Were you bein' a big old coward? That ain't the noodle way."

Truth be told, however, he was glad Fang looked fit and fine and not at all hurt. It was nice to see a friend not suffering. He yawned, showing off two rows of pointy teeth and a bright pink tongue. "I've had worse, anyway. The big blue thingy zapped me and all. I'm gettin' used to that." And that, right there, was the absolute truth. He didn't feel like going into more details about it right then and there, so he settled his muzzle back down on to his other paw, eyeing her curiously.

The tiny mongoose allowed the fisher to grab her and pull her in close all the while she grinned like a maniac and laughed. Ah, attention from one of her favorite gems! She loved it! The little creature practically wriggled in her fur she was so excited and reached up to quickly return the lick onto the Fisher's dark nose. His words, despite the grumpiness of them, didn't phase her and only made her laugh all the more. "Well, I was gonna see what all the hubbub was about but I was a bit late..." Though she conveniently left out why she was late. "An' cowards live longer, that's how it goes, y'know? 'Sides, I ain't the biggest thing out there an' I could hardly do a thing I bet." What were they even fighting? A dragon? The dragon that used to live in Monoceros and she'd heard rumors of going to Polaris? If so then she knew her presence wouldn't have done a single thing except add to the body count. "An' you should take up my motto... It would keep ya from gettin' your pretty face smacked around." She reached a paw up and playfully pawed at his cheek. "I gotta have somethin' to look at ya know!"

The mongoose relaxed against the fisher, tucked into his chest fur she was quite comfortable and relatively well hidden. "Though the scars don't look to bad either, I suppose." A wink and a smirk before she continued on, "So, lemme guess... Ya'll wanted to take on the Dragon of Polaris, eh? Did ya chase it out? Or what happened? Are there thousands of gems lyin' dead on the field out there?" Curiosity was in her voice. She honestly wanted to know the outcome of the battle and if Polaris was up for looting. It was better than sticking her face out there and getting it burned off.

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"Talking looks like this!"
Thinking looks like this...

317
@Fisher
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7/10

Fisher snorted again, nuzzling into the mongoose with a comfortable familiarity flooding into him. It was a feeling he felt around Cancer.. And Aza'zel, to an extent, but somehow he didn't have that guilty rushing pang in his chest. She was a sneaky, crafty character. She could look out for herself, filled to the brim with luck that she probably stole right out of his fur every time they met.

Though he wouldn't admit it, he wished she would run that tongue over every inch of his fur, providing him with thermomotive comfort. Wriggle a bit closer, nuzzle all in close, so that their breaths mingled and-- did he have a fever? He felt delusional in the cold cave, listening to her coy whispers in his ear. "I'm too stubborn for that and you know it," he replied back, rolling his eyes at her ridiculous words. Just what was she trying to say? His pretty face; something to look at... Bah, she was being ridiculous. He chuckled softly, his ribs aching from the bubble of laughter.

"... Black and I thought it was the King of Blood," he admitted softly, flicking his tail in the direction of Baratheon. "The group that lives in Cetus had called for us to help fight a dragon, so we went. The beast was probably thirty times that scrawny white noodle's size, full of fire. He was on top of my Spire though, you know, the one I climbed? Still gotta show you that scratch I put there-- if he didn't ruin it." Fisher curled up around Fang, his whiskers twitching against her fur.

"There were dozens of us, I think. Leon and Arkrael... A huge stag, and an even bigger bird that was so cold he could put out the dragon's fire. I managed to summon a huge storm-- Seriously!-- and I zapped the Spire, 'cause, y'know, last time I did the huge white yeti came out, and this time a huge bug-- as big as the dragon, burst from the ceiling and fought the dragon." As for whether they won or not, he wasn't sure.

"... We chased him off. I don't now where he went... Black said something about Nemean... I'll have to ask him later..." The mustelid started drifting off, it was obvious how tired he was from exerting himself in the battle.

@Diamondfang

The thief could feel a warmness in her belly and in her cheeks. Flirting and trying to test the limits of others was always a thing that she did, it came easy like breathing did but with him it was always different. Always more pleasurable than normal but she usually never thought too much about it. Now though, when she'd been away from him a while it rushed back, how much she enjoyed his company and doing things with him. Whether it was competing or just curling up into his fur as she did now. "Puh, I almost forgot... If you had your way you'd be takin' on all the big guys. Suppose I'll hafta put up with you gettin' all scarred... Not that it's a particularly bad thing." Not that she had any doubts, he was pretty tough. He curled up closer to her and on impulse she tucked her head into his neck fur.

The mongoose listened to his voice as he summarized what happened. Her silver gaze traveled to the beaten up white fluff with the lioness and horse, her eyes narrowed. That was the beast whom Louie had taken prisoner... What was he doing here? Did that mean Louie was here? No.. He was gone? Why on earth was their ace in the hole so beaten up? It sent a lance up furry up her spine... Louie would certainly hear about this. But... Later. She had to listen to the rest of this story first. This bit of business could wait till later, after she talked to the Fire. "Careful now, I've got a dangerous spear here." With a free paw she managed to tuck it up and safely out of the way she he wouldn't accidentally prick himself on the poisoned end. That would be... most... unfortunate and disappointing. It was like the thought of losing Nem... Only worse. Who would she compete with and flirt with then?

For a moment the queen was silent, contemplating all that the fisher told her. "See? Sounded like you had everything under control! Mr. Thunderstorm starter." The mongoose laughed, jokes for a moment until she sobered. Mind on everything he'd told her. "Wonder if he'll come back... Could a poison spear stop'im? I'm no thunderstorm starter but my spear can down stuff pretty easily, especially with the right touch'a poisons." Honestly though she'd never tested it on anyone and it was still a mystery on who she could really kill. Still, a dragon even large than the white beast seemed pretty disheartening... And if it had done that to their powerhouse...

Her silver gaze locked back on the fisher, seemed as if he was all tuckered out with the day's events. Well, she couldn't really blame him. Apparently he'd fought a dragon and done some fantastic magick. That was A-OK in her book! She loved a guy that could pull his weight and not only brag but back it up. "I'd like t'hear about this 'Nemean' myself but I'll tell ya what, Fishy. I'll take a peek into Polaris and look at what's happened myself... I'm curious, y'know." She lifted a paw and touched his muzzle, eyes teasing as normal but with a glint of softness. "You jus' sleep a lil' bit alright?" No matter how warm Fisher was her paws still itched to nab what she could from the battlefield and nothing would stop that.

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"Talking looks like this!"
Thinking looks like this...

568
@Fisher
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7/10

Fisher grinned toothily at his friend as she made another jab at his scarring, pausing only when she warned him of her spear... He had never seen anything like it-- well, not carried by a gembound. Cancer had armor, and a few others held bags and other things, but something sharp... And Poison, huh? His ears twitched, curiousity flicking through his expression. His mind knew what poison was, but it was the first time he had heard of it. Suddenly, he felt a bit uneasy.

"I dunno, he was real big. Not even all of us attacking him at once really slowed him down... If it wasn't for the huge moth and the ice bird and maybe my noodle power, he would'a toasted all of us." He squirmed, waking up a bit more as she touched his muzzle with her paw, waking up abruptly.

She was going to leave, so soon? That was hardly fair to him-- he was so happy to see her and she was just gonna wiggle off? Okay, maybe he did want to know what was up in Polaris but still.. "You don't have to go yet, do you? I haven't seen you in so long," came his answer, a plea in his voice and his eyes, stretching out his paws to wrap around her thin, fluffy body.

@Diamondfang

That was, unsettling... If that thing wasn't gone for good then what could they even hope to do with it? A giant ice bird, a giant moth, the ancient stag. If all of them combined could do nothing... Then how would they have any chance if it came back? Perhaps it would be gone for good. Or maybe it would listen to some sort of barter from her slick tongue... Who knew? "Well, hopefully 'e's gone for good. Don't need no dragon toastin' everybody... Wouldn't be nothin' left to steal!" The mongoose laughed and was, of course, teasing but there was a bit of truth in her words. As much as she loved to save her own skin there would hardly be any point if everyone in the cave was destroyed. Where would be the fun in that lonely existence?

The mongoose stared into Fisher's eyes, looking at the silent plea in the gaze and the not-so-silent plea in his voice. Underneath her fur she squirmed, thinking about everything that could be snagged in the battleground. However, a part of her didn't want to disappoint the fisher. It also left her with an aching confusion to upset him in such a way. "Alright, alright. I won't leave ya! I just thought ya wanted to sleep... Didn't know you missed the Queen quite so much." She would stave off the urge to snag info and gems for a little longer for the sake of Fisher. "I'd hate ta disappoint ya anyway." Though she didn't say it out loud it would disappoint her too.

The vixen's gaze traveled to the injured creates of the room. Some were quite bad off and others seemed to barely have any injuries at all. She wondered what it would have been like if she'd traveled here and seen Fisher laid out like the white dragon. Would she have been angry? Carefree? It made her thoughts travel to Magdalena and Nemesis with how they were so close and how the Fire always wanted to protect the white dog. Fang had never had that with anyone... Not that she wanted it. Romance and love were just a way to get yourself killed in her business. Like with Booker and Baratheon, how easily it could get you trapped and pinned down.

And yet...

She lowered her head to the fisher's flank, eyes half-closing with the warmth of his paws. "All jokes aside... I'm glad ya didn't get yourself roasted, Fishy." Hmm... Why did that bother her so much? If Fire was injured it was a detriment to her own safety but this fellow... He had no benefit whatsoever to her and she still would hate it if he was gone.

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"Talking looks like this!"
Thinking looks like this...

451
@Fisher
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7/10

Oh, thank goodness... She wasn't leaving, not yet. He settled back down, a contented chuff escaping his jaws. As the mongoose told him, sincerely, that she was glad he didn't get toasted, he felt his heart skip a beat. Just a cycle ago, he was convinced that no one cared about him... But finally, finally, things were getting better. Sincerely, wonderfully, better.

He had a thought that made his fur bristle and his nose itch as he tilted his head towards the smaller gembound, the thermomotive warmth from their bodies making him feel all too comfortable. "Hey, Fang, you know..." He spoke up softly, almost whispering to her, as though he was truthfully afraid of someone overhearing the conversation.

"I.. I've got a family now, with Black and Fallah. We look after one another, like the best of pals. You... You know, you could come, and live with us?" He offered, speaking slowly and almost stumbling over his words. "... If ya want, no pressure or nothin'... Just, it would be nice to see more of you." He felt absolutely ridiculous offering, and even as he suggested it he knew what the answer would be.

After all, only Black and Fallah wanted to risk their necks to hang out with the dangerous zappy noodle. She cared about him, sure, and they both liked each other, but surely it would never work out. He'd just get her hurt or killed... She was a lot safer with whoever-- Fire, was her name? Yeah, probably.

Abruptly, before she could start to answer, he stammered over her, "ah, jeez, never mind Fang. I mean, you got your own stuff to do and all, don't you?" She was all grown up now, after all, with her silky, soft cream-and-strawberry fur. She couldn't entertain his little hopes and dreams that much, no matter how much he wanted her to.

@Diamondfang

The mongoose's half-lidded eyes opened a bit more while her head tilted to better see the fisher when he called her name. He spoke of his friends, his family, and how they could all get along. Fang thought of it for a moment, imagined what life she could have had with a real family where everyone was all sappy and loved each other. The idea was silly... and yet... Because of Fisher she imagined it. Not thieving, or thieving less, and lounging around with loved-ones... with Fisher while they all had playful banter and she snuggled into his fur like she was doing now. She had to admit that it was tempting but she couldn't. She had the Merrymen to lead and heists to conduct. Before she could even answer the silly noodle was already covering up, closing the offer and sealing it. Not that she could accept anyway but it was nice to toy with the idea...

Or distracting... How was this guy getting into her head anyway? She was a Queen and had subjects to lead! But Gods was Fisher getting into her head and though she wouldn't admit it... her heart.

The mongoose smiled wistfully into his fur before answering, "As much as I would love t'be with ya and see more of ya... I can't. Remember, I'm a Queen an' a queen can't just leave her subjects. Don't ya know, silly big noodle?" A half-hearted laugh came next before she continued. "But... I'd like t'see you more too an' I'd really like it if ya came to Monoceros to visit. You'd be treated like a King there. Ya wouldn't have to stay... Jus' a lil' visit, Fishy." That would work right? He just had a little family and the Merrymen were always looking for more members and to have Fisher in such a close proximity would be lovely. Perhaps she could even train him to be a thief as well.

"An'... it's not just Fang... My real name is Diamondfang. Don't tell nobody though. It's a secret." Her own special name that she only let her closest allies and confidants know. The Fire didn't even know of her full title.

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"Talking looks like this!"
Thinking looks like this...

364
@Fisher
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7/10

A Queen, right, right. He almost snorted, imagining her with pretty little wings-- how ridiculous? A noodle with wings-- his eyes flashed over to the King of Blood, and he snorted again, shaking his head as he started to chuckle under his breath, amused by his silly, wandering thoughts. "Yeah, yeah, how could I forget? Silly me," he echoed her softly, his coppery gaze falling on her golden eyes, wondering how he ever managed to fall into the paws of royalty so often.

"You know, I really did mean to visit, I nearly did once but that stupid King of Bones got at me and I nearly killed us both, I did. He got the worst of it but it.. delayed my plans and stuff," he explained offhandedly. "I already told you about all that though... Time flies, huh? As soon as Black is recovered I'll come wander down. He and Fallah can handle themselves, heh." The idea of spending a few days with Fang seemed wonderful. He always wanted to meet Fire and whoever else. A bit later, he would probably remember that he wanted to stay as close to Black and Fallah as possible, and be incredibly reluctant to leave their sides-- but with Fang in his paws right then, with her soft vixen tones, how could he resist?

The noodle blinked as she gave up her full name. Diamondfang, huh? He remembered thinking she was silly for being named Fang after her shiny tooth as a young gembound, but he was literally a Fisher named Fisher. Her tried to come up with a real name in that moment, to try and share a bit of a secret identity with her, but he couldn't think of a truer name than Fisher. It was simply who he was.

"Diamondfang, huh? You really are a treasure, you know that?" He cooed in her ear, nuzzling her cheek gently.

@Diamondfang

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