I found a fire in your shadow.

Tags for reference, all welcome

---

From the Western shores, Tavra Mayfair made her way further inland. The russet Mayfair deliberately made her way along a route she knew she hadn't taken before, driven only by a fear of crossing paths with the foul-smelling beast who'd assaulted her just the year before. As much as she despised him, as much as she longed for revenge, Tavra was entirely alone. She was not ready to face him.

Not yet.

Nor did she feel prepared to happen across @Célnes, Queen of Elkshire, though she thought herself far more capable of dealing with that encounter. Tavra had said her piece to the deer-worshipping monarch on more than one occasion, though she'd been especially confident last time round - a boldness bolstered by the river that ran between them. She doubted Her Ladyship would forget that rogue Tavra had dubbed her "psycho".

The distinct scent of a claim stopped the dragoness in her tracks, and she lifted her muzzle to better acquaint herself with it. She did not recognise the pack that made theur home among the ruins, nor was she particularly interested in learning of them. What she was curious about, however, was how they'd managed to settle there without greedy, holier-than-thou neighbours sticking their nose in around their business.

So she lingered on the outskirts despite the threat of rainfall, and hoped that someone would soon take notice of her.


the staff team luvs u

This content is not visible to non-members.

the staff team luvs u

She did not have to wait for long.

A stranger approached, and Tavra acknowledged him silently. To anyone else, he might be considered of average stature - but compared to her he was a giant. Her copper eyes swept briefly over his frame, curiously painted in swathes of raven and alabaster. Behind her lips, her fangs were gritted; the stench of any male was enough to make her skin crawl.

She swallowed her inner frustration, and inhaled deep. “Hello,” the dragoness forced a smile, feigning sweetness. “My name is-” a pause, as she hesitated. Would it be wise to tell this guy her name? She was a loner, after all, and doubted that Célnes would've forgiven her for her dispersal to Little Haven - no matter how short that'd been. If she was on good terms with Labyrinthian, they could easily make a prisoner of her. The wolfess cleared her throat, “Kat. I'm sorry to disturb you.”

Her tail gave a soft little wag. “I was just passing through, and I hadn't realised your family had chosen to live here. Are you new to the area?”


the staff team luvs u

This content is not visible to non-members.

the staff team luvs u

“Not here, specifically, but I'm familiar with the area. I ran with Elkshire for a time,” she offered, even though it nauseated her to think of the discrimination she felt among their guard. Copper eyes lingered silently on the pied wolf's face, and she wondered how Célnes might try to keep him sweet for her advantage - regardless of the alabaster that "tainted" his coat.

He would know of the Queen, surely, even if he hadn't met her personally. Tavra considered how long it'd been since she'd left with Flynn and Meissa, how old her royal brood might be now, but she did not know how much time had passed.

Enough for her crotch fruit to run around wreaking havoc, no doubt.

The russet Mayfair twitched a whisker; “I left to join another group, after the Queen and I had... a difference of opinion, one might observe.” She rolled a slim shoulder, pretending that it didn't bother her, despite the frustration she continued to carry for it. “Have you and your kin found yourselves acquainted with Elkshire yet?”

the staff team luvs u

This content is not visible to non-members.

the staff team luvs u

She had a feeling that Célnes would've sniffed out any competition as soon as she became aware, and his mention of "a few" interactions sparked her own curiosity. The pied male made no mention of an audience with Her Ladyship herself, and she wondered which of her blind followers she might've sent to check out the neighbours.

Tavra realised, suddenly, that the stranger had not shared his name with her - and just as swiftly she reminded herself that she couldn't give a shit.

She lashed her white-dipped tail, cleared her throat. “You could say that,” her smirk was fleeting; Tavra wanted to believe she'd gotten under Célnes' skin, “she is subtle with her discrimination. Her "guard", which I was part of, was made primarily of those who are pale of fur. ” With bitterness she recalled how the Queen had taken advantage of her as a yearling, fresh into the big wide world and naive to its challenges. She'd have guarded Elkshire with her life, until learning how little her own was worth to the Queen she was expected to protect. The dragoness lifted her chin, “if she has shown you kindness or even acceptance, know that it is false. You'd be wise not to trust Elkshire.”


the staff team luvs u

This content is not visible to non-members.

the staff team luvs u

This content is not visible to non-members.

the staff team luvs u

This content is not visible to non-members.

the staff team luvs u

“Thanks. Not yet,” the rogue answered, which was only a half truth. There were several places she'd seen, but Tavra was unwilling to commit to one particular area until she'd better mapped the region. Even if she did have her heart set on territory, she would never share that with the likes of Madmortigan.

She couldn't claim land entirely on her own, either. To be a leader was something the dragoness had long craved, but she needed support and backing. Tavra had already created a vision of what soft of pack she wished to rule, and it was up to her to mould and shape it.

For now, however, “I should get going.” Tavra's metallic gaze was cast aside, and she lashed her fox tail, “good luck with your new pack.” She excused herself simply and politely despite how his sex offended her, fir she felt that he might someday come in useful for her.


the staff team luvs u