She wandered in Canis, thinking of her story with the king of the night. That inspiration was drawn from this room, this macabre and dank and horrid place. She almost hated the fact that the story came from her, with the backstabbing and the heartbreak, but...that's what this room felt like, to her. Sad. Dark. Full of ill-content. But was that because of the atmosphere, or just because of all the death in the room? She remembered the fun times she'd had here, with the Aza and the Bone-Bound, so long ago. Was this place truly so bad? Accidentally, she kicked a stray bone, and a quick surge of horror and fear of ghostly retribution rolled through her. Profusely, she apologized to the bone, her quiet, harried voice echoing in the room, setting the fur on her shoulders and neck on edge. Maybe she should leave and explore another time. @Aleera "This is how I speak."

Canis, that‘s what she remembered him screaming at her that day. Honestly, she did not know what drew her back to this place. A place where bones littered the ground and awful memories remained. Dust clung to her paws as she walked, leaving behind nothing but shallow prints to say she’d been there. Head hung low, sweeping wide this way and that in search of something specific, and when those horrid orange eyes lay upon him…He’d best pray he’d learned how to fly. An exhaled breath forced a puff of dirt to blow from her, burning her eyes but ignoring it as she continued. On bone and rock she tread with no fear, no thought for the consequence it might hold.

The further she drew into Canis, the more aggravated her gait became. She wanted to find him, to break him, to torture him as he had done to her…except she wouldn’t let him get away. Her scratches had long healed from the encounter, all that remained was the soreness of her paws inflicted upon herself during that fight…A source of remembrance that only fueled her rage filled search. To her it had all been a nightmare, a nightmare where she had been the only one to hold the key to her freedom…With that encounter in the cave, with those echo’s, she knew the truth and the truth had liberated her far more than anyone’s kindness ever could. The skittering of a bone against stone force the young wolf to stop, a violent growl echoing in the depths of her throat out of sheer surprise. Ahead of her was a small form, one that clearly did not match that stupid bird and her grumble faded to silence as she boldly came forward so the deer could see her clearly. ”What are you doing out here?” She asked, her voice clear and concise, it no longer quivered with the possibility that harm might come from this interaction. No longer was she bound by such thoughts, that much was evident.

table by Sara

@Clover

She heard a growl and a voice, defiant and strong, and she turned to face it, and when she did, she let out a small gasp. She looked over the wolf with their deep dark coat, glowing orange eyes, and scaled skin, and was instantly reminded of how she described the king. It was like seeing them come to life in front of her, her character, but with more definition, more depth, and she was rendered speechless for a time. When she gathered her wits, she said, "What am I doing here? I don't really know! I just sort of, wander, I suppose," She said, staring at the wolf. Her voice trailed off, her attention slipping to her stories again."I don't really need a reason, do I...?" "But I'm getting ahead of myself, I apologize." She said, bowing her head low and pulling one leg in and one leg out in a very respectful gesture. "I am a nameless storyteller, and it is a pleasure to meet you." @Aleera "This is how I speak."

The deer was startled by her presence. The innocent creature looked upon her with the same horror as everyone else had, but this time, it didn’t bother her. In fact, she kind of enjoyed it. She made them uncomfortable and that in itself wasn’t bad, after all, an uncomfortable foe was quick to panic. Besides, no longer was she going to put her own senses and needs on a back burner for someone else’s comfort. So she remained in the light for the deer to see her fully, those coal like eyes baring into the other without reservation, she would be seen. Eventually the alabaster deer felt it was time to finally answer the question Aleera had posed to her, repeating the question at first as though she didn’t fully understand. A moment later she revealed that she wasn’t sure why she was here, that she had been wandering, not entirely unlike Aleera the first time she had ended up in this bone laced shit hole.

Luminous citrine eyes narrowed a fraction, tilting her head just slightly so that she could look upon the other with her good eye. It was really no consequence to Aleera what the deer was doing here, but the possibly of her being a threat, or allied to those Aleera knew were still lingered. Though in this case she was also fairly certain she was over thinking it. The deer was soft spoken and radiated an aura that spoke of a gentle nature, though this did little to ease the wolf pup. Then the unnamed creature looked upon Aleera and asked if she required a reason to be here, which only made the grotesque child flick her tail in a dismissive manner. ”Perhaps not.” She remarked coldly, but her eyes never left the tender thing. Then the snow white deer apologized, announcing she was getting ahead of herself before she displayed a deep, respectful bow to the young gembound. She introduced herself as a nameless storyteller, and Aleera right away took issue with it. ”Why are you nameless?” She spat, curiosity overriding the notion that anything this deer was doing had nothing to do with her.

table by Sara

@Clover

"Hm?" Why?" She felt irrationally flattered by the question, and grinned. "Some gems that I've met take a while to find their name. Like how some words were difficult to think of when we were young. Mine just...hasn't come up! So I go around trying to find it." She gave an entirely dreamy smile. "It will be special when I find it, I know it. Worth the wait." "I've been called Pearl, Legs, Stunning...but they don't really fit me, wouldn't you agree? One day I will find it." She laughed, and came a little closer to the wolf to see them better with her good eye. "Stunning would fit you better, I think," She said, looking over the wolf with unadulterated admiration. "You are amazing, you know." With a little laughter, she said, "Stop me if I'm being too forward! But you just look like you can take on the world. Strong." She tilted her head to the side. "By what name may I call you?" @Aleera "This is how I speak."

Somehow the deer found amusement in lack of a name and Aleera‘s questioning of it. She repeated the question ‘why’ as if she was not entirely certain herself, and grinned by the very notion of it. Amber eyes narrowed a fraction, her patience for this entire conversation fraying at the edges. It was not as though Aleera truly cared why the woman had no name, it was simply a passing point of interest the deer seemed all to happy to spend time on. She began by explaining that some gems knew their names right away while others did not, her apparently being of the latter. It was clear the alabaster deer was older than Aleera and yet had no name to speak of? That was either a romanticized ideal she wanted to hang on to or she liked it as a way to break the ice with strangers. Perhaps there was more to it than just that, but Aleera’s lack of interest kept her from delving further into such trivial nonsense. The deer gushed about how much of a special day it would be when she found her name, since all the others given to her had not suited her fancy. ”And if you do not?” Aleera asked, an exasperated tone clinging to her voice as she addressed one of the main issues with the deer’s day dreaming. If she was as old as she was and still didn’t know what her name was meant to be, how did she know she would ever find it? Yet in this short sighted nature, Aleera forgot completely how easy it was for her to know her name when she was born. It was possible there was more to it but the willingness to understand that wasn’t there.

This was in part due to it’s boring nature and the fact that it got her no closer to the thing she’d come looking for. Regardless, the moment she thought to ask the deer the unnamed woman dared a step closer to the young pup which produced a volatile reaction of coiling muscle and sharpened teeth bore in a not so friendly snarl. Aleera did not back away, for that would be a sign of weakness, and thus stood her ground, warning the other to keep their distance lest they desire the tooth marks to remember her bye. Then, almost out of no where the deer saw fit to placate Aleera, as though flattery would keep her alive if the wolf chose now and then to run upon her. The other looked over her and all to well she knew exactly what the deer was speaking of. She thought her ‘stunning’ in the way a foul smell was stunning to the nose. She was not beautiful and she knew that, and no amount of pretty words and well intentioned gestures would change that. She didn’t want to be lied to, she didn’t want their pity, she didn’t want anything they had to offer but their acceptance that she was just as mortal as they…that everyone was capable of great wickedness and great deeds. ”Amazingly ugly. I’m aware.” Aleera snapped, unwilling to partake in this foolishness.

Regardless, the deer continued to try and….Well Aleera didn’t know what the woman’s intentions really were but she wasn’t falling for it. She looked as though she could take on the world? Perhaps that was because was taking on the world. There was no place for her in this world, so she must make her own place or die trying. Those were options and it far from an easy life to live. ”Do you think flattery will keep you alive?” Aleera asked, finally allowing physical warnings to transcend to verbal. She did not wish to harm the deer, but hostility was a now a way to alienate those around her before they could do the same to her. Then, the nameless asked for a name and Aleera wasn’t so sure she even wanted to give it to her. Moments passed until the consensus was made. ”Aleera.”

table by Sara

@Clover

( She's trying so hard to make friends with Aleera, aahh, poor Clover, Aleera wants none of that )

"If I do not, I will simply make one up. I hesitate because I know it won't be as good as what my name should be." She mused. The wolf was apparently tiring of her, and she pursed her lips. What should she...?

She did her best not to flinch when the wolf snarled and made it incredibly clear to her that any close proximity was completely unwanted, keeping herself stock still and stiff, and then the wolf went on to insult themselves, and she frowned.

"Beauty has nothing to do with it," She said with utter conviction. "You don't have to be appealing to the eye to make a powerful presence to others. I should know. For all I do to try to be polite, I do not have...how to put it, a strong force of will. I am silly and I care too much, and it shows, I suppose. But you're different from me, and I respect you."

She listened, and her frown turned to worry. Did they think she was lying? They seemed to get angry at her, and she backed up a step, hoping that might help. Clearly they liked their personal space. "It may be flattery, but to my eye, it is nothing but the truth. I think you are strong. As for keeping myself alive, well, it has kept me safe thus far. I try my best to be polite, and nobody has harmed me."

What could she do to convince them that she wasn't trying to trick them? They seemed to think the worst of her, and she had no idea why. But...they didn't move to leave, so that was something. If they found her exasperating or simple, they would leave, but they didn't, and instead gave her a wonderfully lovely name.

"Aleera." She smiled, and gathered herself to sit down. "I won't hurt you, Aleera." On a quieter note, she said softly, "As you might see, I cannot, and would never think of doing so. I would simply like to pass the time pleasantly with you, that is all."

Even if Aleera left in a huff because of her...at least she tried to be friendly. In all situations she'd ever been in, that was always the best path for her to choose, and she walked it gladly, with no remorse.

"This is how I speak."

And what pray tell, had stopped her from already making one up? How long would she search for this name, only to discover it wasn’t some end all, be all instance that would either make or break her life? A name was a name, and that was the end of it. Where this fantasy began meant little to Aleera, in fact, none of it mattered to the wolf at all and paid no more attention to the subject and rather what was truly important in the moment. She was all to aware of the deer’s positioning, how close she was in proximity to everything, especially Aleera. Hyper awareness that stemmed from several different instances but perhaps most notably from the very bird whom in this area she had fought and lost with. In truth, Aleera didn’t remember much of the fight, only that Ambrus was a bastard and she’d like nothing more than crush his head between her jaws if given the chance. The nameless one did her best not to flinch but Aleera saw the sudden curling of muscles, fine, almost invisible under that pure coat of sleek fur. Had she not been as she was she would have missed it, but everything was a trap. Even the most innocent of gestures a threat. The frown that appeared on the others face told her only that something upset the deer, but not particularly what.

This was soon rectified by the nameless one, explaining quickly that beauty had nothing to do with her words prior to Aleera’s self inflicted insult. ”Perhaps not. But what would you know of it?” Aleera growled, thrusting the tip of her maw toward the deer with a disgusted look crossing her features. ”You who walk in the light, elegant and enchanting. I’ve seen your ilk before, and I have learned to much for your words to mean anything now.” The tone of her voice broke, signifying the change of topic touched upon a sensitive nerve for the pup. She was not totally in control of herself, as was the usual case with adolescence. The more you push, the more they hide. Force them into the open and the conflict could end in a deadly disaster, yet the deer did not seem to realize this. ”…but you’re different from me, and I respect you.” There was momentary lapse in the wolves hostile appearance. Her growling ceased, and her eyes widened just a fraction before she flinched, taking a step back as though something had caused her physical pain. ”She’s lying.” Aleera shook her head as if being rid of an unwanted sting. ”They always lie.” It took several moments but Aleera was able to at least raise her head so she may look upon the deer again, her snarl returning. ”Liar.” The deer pressed. It wasn’t flattery, it was the truth. ”She’s lying!” ”I might harm you if you don’t shut up!” The wolf screamed, the nerve pain in her face and around her head intensifying with the drastic changes in her emotional state.

The nameless one insisted even further, stating that she would not harm Aleera. More than that, she couldn’t harm Aleera even if she wanted to. ”No one wants to hurt you. They all want to kill you.” Svelte skull hung from thickening shoulders, eyes wide as she peered upon the ground where bone fragments littered the floor. ”I won’t….” The wolf began, her from trembling as she rose her face back up to peer upon the white deer. ”I won’t let you kill me.”

table by Sara

@Clover

From her position on the floor, she watched this magnificent show Aleera gave her, enraptured. This was the king of the night, and she had to tread carefully. The king was troubled, hurt, and quick to take what was theirs, misguided in their ambitions and haunted by their past; at least, that was what her story was like. She sat patiently, keeping that in mind. She wasn't dealing with a normal gem she could easily make friends with.

"You who walk in the light, elegant and enchanting." This time she didn't take this as a compliment, but as a mockery, to show how different they were. They distrusted her.

She saw that momentary moment of weakness in them, that faltering when she said she respected them. She could get through this, she thought, keeping her body peaceful and still, her expression calm. Friendship was making yourself vulnerable to the other party. Trust was weakness, and the king couldn't allow that. She could understand that. So the hostility returned and she was called a liar.

The king would say that, she thought, taking no offense. But the most troubling thing the king said of all, was that they wouldn't let her kill them. That, that right there was a cause for concern. She was sitting on the ground, saying she wouldn't hurt them, and still Aleera was defensive. Their trust issues ran so deep that they thought everyone was out to get them.

So she did the only thing she could and murmurerd softly, "Alright." And laid her head down on the ground, staying quiet. Surely Aleera wouldn't take further offense.

"This is how I speak."

Silence over took them. The spasms in Aleera’s features were perhaps a enough, or maybe the sudden outburst of not allowing someone to kill her who clearly didn’t have that intention. So used to hostility, to being backed into a corner she didn’t have to tools anymore to clearly deal with someone who genuinely wanted to help her. Every ill conceived word or act of compassion was one in the same. Loving and hating were the same. There was no longer a line to draw the distinction and all that was left for her anymore was what she thought she knew. Some part of her must have realized that this was wrong though, otherwise the paranoia wouldn’t have made such an acute appearance by the deer’s mere actions. The part of her that was left to understand the world around her was being completely and utterly eclipsed by a growing need to defend herself, violently if she had to. Self preservation by any means, even if she knew it was wrong.

The nameless one laid upon the ground, keeping her distance and Aleera remained poised for an attack. Open, peaceful behavior wasn’t enough to calm Aleera down, not anymore. On some level she prayed the deer realized that and left, quickly, but who was to say what sort of reaction that would incite in this delicate situation. Turn and run she may allow it, leave the deer be…or she might give chase and do the unspeakable. Aleera rolled her shoulders, the popping of joins easing the pain that had suddenly shot through her face, shaking her head when all the deer had to say was ‘alright’. ”She’ll hurt you the second you give her the chance.” Ebony maw marred by disfigurement twisted more in an obscene way, revealing further the teeth meant for shredding flesh. ”What do you want?” Aleera finally got out, turning her half blinded eyes upon the deer once more, regaining herself if only momentarily.

table by Sara

@Clover