Ashtoreth knew that her sister was brave and strong, but against an adult who was more than twice their size put together... Well, lets just say that although the noodle stood tall, her feathers were bristling for a reason. As her sister's wings were iced together and she plummeted like a rock, the mute fisher hybrid's own heart sunk deep into her stomach. She scrambled over to her ebony feathered sister, touching her nose to an icy wing. How had he done that? He only stomped his hoof on the ground.
The noodle shivered as she looked up to Hasira, his words washing over her as her mane of feathers continued to expand. She was so frightened, and the cold wasn't helping-- it wasn't like she could control it anymore than one could goosebumps. His words drove into her heart and as he lowered his head, it was all Ash could do to step over her sister and spread her wings protectively over her sister, even as she squawked back violent, biting retorts.
But the hybrid did not try to silence her sister, nor did she shy from the buck's dark, simmering words. She could have easily blocked it out, like she did with her nightmares, and let the tears well up in her eyes. She watched as his gaze fell over her wings, threatening to tear her limbs off. She swallowed the image of her father tearing a skull from a carcass.
For Ashtoreth had known much about suffering and death even from a young age. She was born into darkness, and she had fled from it and found joy. She had watched horrible things, gore that made her stomach do somersaults even when it came to her in replayed dreams, and yet she still found a way to smile. Her sister kept screaming, teasing and taunting the full fledged stag with an antler made of sharp, deadly ice.
... She did not bow or cower. She was, after all, her fathers' daughter. It took a moment, but she gathered up her courage and she gave a tentative flap of her wings. The noodle's tiny muzzle opened, and out came a gentle, wheezing squeak as the gem inside her throat flickered and then her vocal cords promptly rolled over and gave up.
Ash stood over her sister, abandoned by her magic, and she tried not to shake or quiver. She held strong, even as he grew closer, towering over her, and tried to think about how any minute now, Kerberos would be here to chase away the mean man.
Listen to me + Hear my thoughts