An eye for an eye, what is this realm you speak of?

@Kore

From the great lake, Leto, now Greer, had left the shadow of the mountains and followed the banks up stream. It would seem as if it was a reservoir from whatever came from the south, could be water from the mountains or - the red lady's breath caught - it could only be coming from a greater source. Images of the cay flickers like a reel in her mind and it could only excite her more as she further followed the flow of the water. The river seemed to widen and narrow until it forked, another route heading towards the east. Leto found herself crossing the new stretch of water at it's narrowest point. Her head submerged in the water and just briefly, there was a hope that as the water enthusiast erupted to the surface back in her once familiar land. It was simply an unattainable wish for as she looked to what she hoped would be the first island of the cay, was still in fact just the river bank.

Whatever heavy feeling of sadness was swallowed and lost as she pulled herself from the water, and the sight of the liquid had began to grind against every and all gears Leto possessed. For the past couple of hours, she'd stuck to the riverside with hopes to avoid the winds of the plains and the open hills and flats that it was comprised of but now? She wanted to be anywhere but. Greer climbed the hill and stood tall as the wind rustled her fur, her eyes followed the glisten of the river further south west and decided to instead go south.

It wasn't until the sun was beginning to set that she came across the floating rocks, slices of the mountain that stood erect upon a hill seemingly placed with even space between each neighbour. The sun illuminated each of the ridged edges, their shadows stretching like spears on the grasses surrounding them. Behind was the mirage of trees, in the evening light cast in darkness that haunted those with what ifs as they stood on the outside, never daring to cross into the abyss. This place was strange, Leto thought as she made her way across the tall rocks, making sure to never cross between and only travel around. Others may think her stupid, but truth be told, she was superstitious. Nothing was right in this land and these did not appear natural. There had two explanations, one logical, the other not but perhaps even those two reasons were born of truth. Leto was a smart woman, but this world was smarter, she didn't know it's past nor it's future.

What the she-wolf did know was that she was drawn to the meadow of spirits and in the dying light, she could only step back and watch in all their glory.

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It had not been hard to understand why she was here, why she had been pulled to the Plains and to the outcrops. Magic was here, she was sure of it, as she had laced herself through the jagged rocks that struck up from the ground, earning for the sky above. They looked like alters and festival grounds the Elders had spoken of, much bigger and grander than the ones Kore had grown up around. Here, she was certain the Gods had touched. Kore could see the lights here, she could see the fairies happy with her choice for had this not been on her path written by the Gods, she would not have found herself here. She would not have felt so at home here. It had been written in the stars and she had found part of her destiny.

She had been quite unwilling to leave it so but she had, seeking out food for the rumble in her tum had grown too strong and only when the sun had began to sat did she return to where her heart called her to. Alone she was not, as she drew towards the Outcrops as the gentle wind drew another's scent to her and she saw them, ensuring she remained outside the rocks. As the sun cast shadows as it began to set, Kore might have missed the darkened body had it not been for the sun breaking through the spaces in the rocks. The stars had told plenty and Kore knew she would not be alone forever; the Pack that had been her destiny would come to life and at her side would be the chosen ones.

What other reason would the girl have to return to the Outcrops to find another at their feet? Kore drew forward on lithe legs, mismatched eyes soft and alight with the sunset glow that illuminated the grassy field. "It is something else, is it not?" the girl called softly to the other woman, a knowing smile upon her delicate lips. Surely the other felt the magic here too, why else would she not weave through the rocks so recklessly? Or perhaps it was hope that she had found someone of similar belief, either way, Kore knew it was her destiny to find someone here. ^^

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 She was ashamed to say she hadn't sensed the woman coming her way but that was what pretending was for. She stood steady within herself and did waver at the new arrival. The heavenly voice floated to Leto, one that though did not turn her head, begged for an answer she was willing to give.

 "No natural creature placed these," the veiled lady in red hummed, continuing to watch the standing stones in all their might as the sun cast it's spell on the golden region. Leto couldn't help but find her gaze drawn to the forest behind and it drifted down to look into the darkness, the abyss that called her name. It looked deciduous, the corpses of the trees likely beginning to bud as the spring months finally came trudging along. What would the darkness look like at night, Leto pondered, wondering if the floating torches would light her way amongst the columns.

 It was only then after a few moments of absolute awe that Leto turned to the lady of fire, though she hadn't expected the small physique to be so... tiny. The lithe woman looked upon the young woman though she did not smile, just waited. What brought this wolf into her presence? The last youngster she'd met had been brash, direct in his nature. This woman though, she spoke with proper tongue, or at least grace. It opened Leto's mind to listen, and she would do so without conclusive judgement for now.

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Kore let her gaze slide to the rocky standings in front of the red-touched woman as she spoke, appreciation lining her veins for the thoughts she had. "No," she agreed, "it thrums with life," Kore mused, "with magics. Old magics." It was clear by the words of the other that she had an open mind, Kore simply just wasn't aware of how open she may be. She was sure to find out with the response from the red-touched woman, the idea that magic and Gods existing was not often touched upon those who could not see beyond. Kore was one of the lucky few who could feel her connection to the older way of life that had since gone to the shadows, invisible to most that could not bring it in them to believe. The Elders had once called it a third eye, the one that encouraged their culture and lore to become their reality. 

The woman turned then, casting her molten gaze upon her and Kore smiled; soft and serene as she wagged her tail behind her. It mattered not that the other's feminine expression was void of much, because it was the eyes that Kore would focus on as she approached. Her steps were gentle as she hummed, "my name is Kore," Persephone had died on her lips a long time ago. "And what do they call you, Vixen?" the markings draped upon her muzzle reminded Kore of the foxes black against their white and russet yet she was not fox-like at all aside from those. Vixen felt fitting, somehow, and Kore's smile was warm as she waited.

She had meant to be here, she was sure, and Kore was interested to see how far this would go. ^^

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 The woman's behaviour was open, her bearings kind as the pendulum behind her swung to the beat of Leto's heart. Steady. Tick. Tick. Tick. Like a metronome it beat, slow and welcoming. Her name was Kore, she introduced, to which the veiled lady inclined her chin with grace; an acknowledgement. Vixen, was she, a fox that allowed a smile to pluck at the corners of her reddened maw.

 "Greer," They both had secrets each would let die it seemed, neither breathing their given title not that either knew. 

 The talk of magic, old magic as Kore had put, reminded Leto of her time between the centre of the world and it's crust, a world that breathed fire and grew hungry with each day that went by. Was this the magic she was on about? The type the gods would use to enforce their wraith upon the world when their table was not laid with the mortal realms sacrifices? It did occur to Leto that it could, would, be the same - though different perhaps. 

 Mayhap this lady of the fires and seas had found a kindred soul wondering this life in limbo. 

 Her hot gaze lifted back to the stones that ebbed with power, and her smile only lifted higher, a deep feeling of peace encasing her lithe form. It was warm, like the hot springs where she once bathed. "I find serenity in their hearts," she hummed lowly, closing the distance between herself and the rock face closest to her. The power, she could feel, and it was a power she craved to harness. She leant in and pressed her forehead to the statue of tranquility, molten eyes closing with a flutter of her long lashes. Such vulnerability would not be shown so often in the future by the woman in red, but in that moment she felt whole. Like the piece she'd been missing when awaking had been found once more. A home? She may not go so far. But a place where she could recharge. 

 These stoned had become a place of interest to the warrior, the princess - this Greer.

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The Vixen had a quiet personality about her but it was not one that lacked anything else. Those eyes of molten were calculative and Kore could appreciate that. Sometimes one learned more when the other did not voice everything on their mind and the girl had an idea that this one had plenty of layers beneath her fitting red fur. Though she was soft as she divulged her name, Greer, and the girl smiled. Unknowingly did they both tell the other a name that had not been their given name, something that they shared in secret. Perhaps one day the girl might feel it fit to bear the name she had been given, proudly and truly but not yet was that day here. For now, she was Kore, the stars said and she would accept it with ease. Not yet she was quite Persephone.

Greer did not seem to shy away from Kore's mention of magic and her mismatched eyes gleamed with interest, the tall woman smiled as she cast her molten gaze to the stones, hummed words low on her lips. In her display, Greer pressed her forehead to the surface of the stone. Had she been of different personality, Kore might have felt a touch of possession as the other wolf seemed to so easily touch against the stones she had now considered hers and would be part of her land once her plans were complete but instead she felt a shiver roll up her spine -- a shiver of approval, of acceptance.

It was something so vulnerable and open of the wolf to do and Kore felt borderline honoured to be in the presence of it, a feeling telling her that it was not often displayed -- if only for the magical atmosphere these outcrops provided. It was but a sliver of a look into who the wolf before her really was and Kore felt compelled to see how entranced Greer truly was by this place. "Serenity, hope, excitement -- power," she breathed, inhaling deeply to tilt her chin upwards as she relished in the warmth of the setting sun. "History and warmth are homed here, within their magical bonds." It was of no surprise but certainly it was welcomed to know how Greer felt so of these outcrops.

"There were ones of similar of my home, much smaller and not as grand but the Elders would tell us of it's history, of it's uses. An alter of sorts and used for our festivals of the Gods and seasons," she cooed as she stepped forward, her lithe legs carrying her softly towards one of the standing rocks. Like her fire-touched companion at these rocks, Kore would press her own fire-licked forehead to the rock and breathed, "healing aspects are much thought of, as well. I confess I intend to keep their magical touch and bring home to them once again." How could she pass up such an opportunity when home was so near, cast here by magic and gods themselves for Kore to find?

Delicately she would pull her head back and press her nose to the stone and she smiled, serene and relaxed. ^^

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Power.

The word ordered Leto's heart to thump loudly in her ears. Power was what she craved though not nearly as much as her brother. She was a queen in her own right and would prove it to the world but she was no tyrant like the rest of her family. There was a way to this new world and an iron fist wasn't the only way to make others drop their shoulders to the floor and grovel. Words had power. This world had power. And even though it was not her own, Leto knew that she would learn how to conquer it. Perhaps this fiery woman would lead her there, or mayhap Leto would veer from this gentler path. 

Instead of letting her thoughts show and with her head laying against the stone - she simply let herself smile gently, closed eyes lifting at the corners.

It was a moment before she withdrew, taking a step back and finally looking at the world she found herself. It was buzzing with life, with this power that the woman and she spoke of so fondly. The lady's words drew on her for a moment and with a cocked head, she pondered their meaning. She intended to bring home back to these stones, festivals of the gods and each of the world's seasons. Did she plan to build up a home around here?

In these barren plains?

She snuffed a laughed before it blossomed in her chest and said smoothly, "You intend to claim these stones as your own.". Perhaps it was direct of her, but it was her conclusion. It was a way for her to ask the woman to expand on her plans. Whether Leto could find herself woven into them. This woman spoke of the gods and their celebrations, of the magic that thrummed beneath their feet. She obviously knew of the balance a world required but as a beast of blood, Leto wanted to know how the lady of the flames intended to keep it. It took a lot of work to make the gods happy, and everyone around you had to pull their weight if they didn't want to risk the wrath. 

Wrath was a scary thing after all, and when it was your fault it rained siege, it was even scarier.

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"Yes," she stated simply, "I would be quite the fool to not desire the conduits as part of my home." The girl mused softly as she watched the other, her multiple layers ones that she would like to reveal. "They hold my heart," there was no other option but to have her home here. The stars had written it and she had walked it, finding them, desiring them and she would have them.

No other deserved them, apart from her and those of her.

"You would not do the same, Vixen?" The girl inquired with a soft smile, wondering if she disagreed.^^

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Greer listened quietly, intaking the words, processing them and then formulating her response. Not to calculate mischief but to represent herself in the way she wanted to come across. Interested still, though from a different world of magic. The rocks were beaming with their connection to limbo, but they were not what Leto knew as a child. Not how she was raised.

"My gods are from the depths of the ocean and deep within the fiery mountains that bubble with magma. These pillars are of unknown origin to me, but I can feel them ebb and flow with energy. It draws me to them." Leto bowed her head for a brief second as she paid her respects before looking back to the jagged stones.

It wasn't a feeling she often felt but dwelling on her isle had Leto wishing for a place to call home. One in touch with the earth and a place she could come to seek clearance in herself. Leto looked to the lady and tilted her head with a coy smile.

"Perhaps you wish to share this home?"

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The interested glint of curiosity would flicker through her mismatched gaze as the Vixen spoke of her own gods. She had God's of similar nature in her own culture but something told her Greer's own were of different origin. Still she smiled, happy to know that even if their Gods were different, they shared it all the same. "Touched by Magicks, old and new," she cooed softly, wondering if it too bled through her veins. Something homely and otherworldly flowed around them, around the Vixen and Kore could not help but feel excited for the meaning.

At the coy Smile, the girl could not help but giggle, the question garnering a welcoming nodd from her. "How could I say no to you?" Kore cooed joyfully, thinking that Greer would likely find something interesting in @Leo too.

^^

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And just like that, Greer knew she had found a home. For now. And perhaps even a friend in this stranger of the rocks. A giggle escape her maw and she extended a paw, content with the deal they were making.

"Now tell me, what do they call you?"


I'm happy to fade out here!!
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