"But the dream, the echo, slips from him as quickly as he had found it and as consciousness comes to him (a slap and not the gentle waves of oceanic tides), it dissolves entirely. His muscles relax as the cold claims him again, as the numbness sets in, and when his grey eyes open, there’s nothing but the faint after burn of a dream often trod and never remembered." --Brigade, written by Laura
The last time they had spoke, he promised her the crown if she could smooth over the relationship between Sylva and Loess. She did it not only to rightfully claim her spot beside Sinner, but for the better of Sylva. Together the two kingdoms would be feared once again, especially amongst all the chaos with all the new lands and the plague. In numbers there is strength, at least that is what father always preached.
Sinner......Oh Sinnnner! She nearly sung his name as she pranced through Sylva. She was infected by the plague, and some days were worse than normal, but she was filled with energy and adrenaline. Carrying her body was a simple task in this moment. She happily returned to Sylva to share the news, that once again, the kingdoms would be tied.
Would Sinner be pleased with her? He could have lied, he could have told her what she wanted to hear, simply so he would end up on top. He did not have to share his crown, and he did work for the devil, an act that would not be surprising. Though the hell hound was a creature from another world, she knew that he held some honor, and underneath all his calm composure she thinks that he really likes her (but who wouldn't?).
The dark hound hears his name being called. His ears flicker at the call of his name. No, it’s being snug. Of course, he thinks with a smug expression. It was no one other than Mary herself.
By the sound of her voice, Sinner assumed things have gone well with her visit to Sylva. It was expected at least. Mary had told him that she had a relationship with Wolfbane. A relationship of whatever sorts he didn’t care to get into. All she had to do was bend their broken relationship. Uniting the two kingdoms together ensured that both kingdoms would be strengthened and find success within Beqanna during the dark times.
“Yes?” Sinner calls out to the pastel mare. His tone matches her singing almost perfectly. The hellhound finds his way easily to the mare as she prances freely within Sylva.
A smile draws the corners of his canine lips up as he comes closer to the mare. Her obvious high-spirits now confirms that her visit to Wolfbane was successful. “It seems your visit went well I take it,” He says as she settles in front of her.
That damn Lepis, no, her father, almost brought a war out amongst two kingdoms that once held peace. Together the two kingdoms were unstoppable, but over emotions he was willing to throw it all away, It was almost a blessing that the plague came when it did, a resurrection of two fighting kingdoms. And now, her father has passed and she was successfully able to tie the two lands together, once again forming powerful lands.
This accomplishment was too good to not share, she was too proud of herself to contain her excitement. She eagerly looked around for Sinner but after what felt like minutes, he appeared from hiding. Yes he sings out in a response, a smile tugs at her lips and a chuckle tickles at her throat. This was the happiest she had ever seen the hound, the beginning of a beautiful relationship.
He smiles as he grows closer to her, and once he reaches her he speaks again It seems your visit went well I take it. Finding a spot before her. She nods her head in response, her pelt flicks from pastel green to yellow and blue striped, matching Wolfbanes color Indeed she prances around the stationary hound. We are at peace once again, two forces combined as one She slows as she glances a wink to the hound Bane said he would be by later to further discuss details with you Sinner. Her pelt flicks back to its natural dapple and she stops before the dark hound.
Mission success she responds, allowing a few moments to pass Are you proud of your queen? she says, finally breaking the silence. She was bold, declaring herself the queen, but they had a deal, and if she did not say anything who would? She stands a bit taller, it tasted sweeter obtaining the crown on her own terms, rather than her father passing it on to her.
Her obvious happiness should be taken as sickening, but he is thrilled by the news. Reuniting the two kingdoms was a success in the right direction. A triumph not for Sylva, but entirely for himself. And perhaps Mary too, but he does not consider her an equal. She would never be an equal to him despite the efforts she may try or their relationship that was beginning to grow. Everyone was a simple tool to be used, and even her newly found fashion for calling herself the queen would not make a difference to him.
Sinner only smiles as she unfolds the news about the trip further. His eyes follow her as she dances around him, changing to the exact colors and marks as Wolfbane. The hound’s eyes light up even more when she does that. A soft chuckle releases through his lips too. He could not hold back his enjoyment of that one.
“Good, good,” he says finally. “We are already building a solid foundation for Sylva.” The dark beast was looking forward to more of what their alliance meant. What exactly did Wolfbane need to say to them that require discussing the details? Hopefully the drake did not have it in mind to make them bend the knee. Equals perhaps would be the better end of the deal, and something he would strongly suggest the Loess leader offer.
His eyes narrow slightly at her, allowing a distasteful appearance to take over his hard-chiseled face. “Well,” he says with a tone that holds a cold air, “Are you exactly sure you can handle being a queen?” She had completed her task, but he could just as easily pull away his promises from giving her the position. Mary would become an equal to him in the eyes of those that lived within and out of Sylva. Was she exactly up to par with the skills and knowledge to do what was needed? Perhaps there was someone else. It was a thought to consider, but he waits to hear an answer from the pastel mare instead.
12-06-2018, 08:48 PM (This post was last modified: 12-06-2018, 10:03 PM by Mary.)
Mary
She prances around him, sporting the colors of Wolfbane, she was younger that Sinner and at times acted more childish than she wished. But then again, perhaps it was an attempt to sway him towards her, a chuckle escapes his maw and one of her own matches his. She comes to a halt before him, Good Good he finally says, his reaction was not fully what she expected, but then again she has to remember he is not like most equines. The hell hound was emotionless, she had to work hard just to get a smile out of him, and he could care less about forming relationships.
A small sigh escapes her maw, but she perks up when he speaks once again. He talks about how they are building a solid foundation for Sylva. A small grin tugs at her lips once again, it did not sound good because she had feelings for him, but merely because he was acknowledging her and him, both of them bettering Sylva. She nods her head in response Yes, a step closer to being the strongest kingdom in Beqanna.
She mentions his queen, a bold move, he did not have to honor his word, but she wasn't here to waste her time. She needed to bring it up, to feel out the situation, to see if he would still have her as his queen beside him. He drew serious after her comment, well he says, his tone is cold. Are you exactly sure you can handle being a queen? He questions her, and her ears pin to the dome of her head. What an insult! What reason did he have to not trust her as the queen, she just secured an alliance with Loess and that wasn't good enough!
She really wanted to burst out yelling at him, but instead her gaze matches him with a familiar cold gaze that he has given her before. Do you not? she asks, circling around him, allowing her body to brush against his soft hell hound fur. She comes to a stop before him once again finding his gaze I think I can handle the crown just as well as you Sinner, after all, I was bred for the position. Perhaps if she didn't have such differences with her father the tables would be swapped, but alas that was not her fate, instead she found herself practically begging for her crown.
12-07-2018, 11:27 PM (This post was last modified: 12-07-2018, 11:27 PM by Sinner.)
there is but one rule hunt or be hunted
The beast’s wolfish gaze never leaves the lively color-changing mare. She eventually settles down in front of him. He continues to rest his eyes onto her by meeting her own gaze.
Mary makes a comment about being a step closer to being the strongest kingdom in Beqanna. It was a bold remark to make, especially considering they have allied themselves with a kingdom that wished to fight for the same claim too. “Careful where you step,” he says with a grin that darkens his face with shadows and mischief. His red-yellow glowing eyes glimmer with a mischievous expression.
Her reaction to his last question obviously shows that Mary is not pleased by his words. There was no reason she should not be. Sinner had promised her a position of the highest order. A role that shared equal power and position next to him. It was not simply to be handed out, but he knew from the beginning he found out Arthas’ children were claiming Sylva has his home he needed to secure his own position.
The dark beast would not have liked to shower the power and glory that came with the crown he has not taken long ago, but the price must be paid. Truthfully, it was not a bad deal for the hellhound. Mary shared similar thoughts with Sinner, and perhaps their desires—needs—could easily come true if they worked together. Numbers were not always better to him, but it seemed this time it would be.
Sinner remains silent, keeping stoic expression now, as she challenges him with her own cold gaze. His glowing gaze follows the pastel mare around as he circles around him. She brushes up against him, but he remains where he stands, waiting for her words.
She is so sure of herself. It’s something he has come to admire. Her determination to get what she wants will come in handy within time. Mary had already made an excellent pawn within his game of thrones, but she would make an even more powerful game piece as a queen.
His expression shifts into a grin slowly, hard-chiseled features softening into an amused shape. “I could not agree more,” he says with satisfaction. The dark hound does not hide his emotions this time in front of her. There were moments that sometimes needed rejoicing, and this was one of those moments. “Your efforts have greatly paid off,” he continues, “The other half of the crown is yours, officially.” He pauses for a moment, his grin growing wider. “Queen Mary,” he adds with another obvious tone of approval.
Careful were you step his words echo in her ears and her gaze hardens on the hound. They had to go and lurk around the other kingdoms, see how they fair with the plague, for all they know they are already the strongest kingdom. Regardless, they would get there, and once they hold the title no other kingdoms will pester them, equines will beg for the protection of Sylva. A small sneer tugs at her lips as she thinks of the power, it was something she never desired as a child, but something she could not stop chasing as an adult.
She was playing with fire, or in this case, the devil. She had to be careful with what she demanded, but those who sit in the back and wait never get rewarded. If she did not push for the crown who knows who he would have crowned eventually, she would be damned to be run out of her own birthed kingdom.
She gives her final words, a last attempt at selling her right to the throne. He remained silent, his face had no emotion and she could not detect a single emotion. She matched his body with a cold gaze of her own, though her heart was pounding and she anxiously awaited his decision.
Finally, a grin tugs at his maw but she does not get excited, this does not mean it was in her favor. I could not agree more he says, a grin of her own appears on her maw in response. Finally, she had to work harder than planned to get him to admit it, but he acknowledge her strengths. Your efforts have greatly paid off he notes her discussion with Bane, then finally the words she had been waiting to hear since her father died. The other half of the crown is officially yours, Queen Mary her grin was from ear to ear.
She could not hide her joy, and she did not care to either. She earned his trust, something even her father couldn't do, and now she finds herself queen, beside him. She could not have hand picked a better king to rule beside, they had similar motives and desires, though who really knew his agenda. He was a hell hound after all, but none of that mattered in this moment. She dips her head to the hound my King she says, her grin still visible, Is there anything else you wish of me? Her gaze finds his, an attempt to see exactly what he had planned for her.
12-11-2018, 01:27 PM (This post was last modified: 12-11-2018, 01:28 PM by Sinner.)
there is but one rule hunt or be hunted
A grin appears wide, growing from ear to ear, on the color-changing mare. Mary is obviously pleased by the sound of his approval of crowing her queen. Sinner might not have been raised to be a kingdom-dweller, but he had learned that hard-work should truly be honored and rewarded. It was only fitting for Mary to work towards something, especially something her father had broken before his death. Now that it was sealed, it no longer mattered.
He was pleased though with the turn of events. Mary may truly become something he might admire more. She already had the elements of a strong leader and the ethnics of getting the job done. Only in time would she truly prove to be a strong, reliable piece on his gameboard. She might be his equal now, but truly he would always be above her in his own game of ruling. There could always be something that changed his plans. Opportunities had a funny way of presenting themselves, and he was never one to let a good one pass.
The hound does not dip his head in return. He is too prideful to offer his allegiance to another one so easily, especially someone who was his equal now within Sylva. Sinner would show his respect for others in different ways than bending the knee to someone else. He would never bend the knee again, not when he had been forced to during those years of chasing down and instinctively forced to serve masters of darkness.
“Now that we have settled into Sylva, it’s time we look at what is happening outside of our little forest.” The plague has settled into Beqanna for some time, but it did not mean they would be locked away and held at bay. “It is likely others have finally settled in their own lands, and there are supposedly new ones that need to be scouted and see who has taken over or attempting to.”
Sinner did not want to be held into the dark with the turn of events. He would need to know everything that is happening. “We should split up visiting some of the lands in the East, West, and North. Where would you like to go?” He asks, allowing her to make the choice. It meant little to him to make the choice where to go exactly.
@[Mary] I'm thinking they can each take their own area in either East, West, or North and then go together for the other one. Basically visit whatever land you want to in those areas. One or all, doesn't matter Also see if any of the residents that are on the castes (both army and diplomats) want to tag along for some possible activity to get promoted!
The smile that tugged at her lips never fell from her maw, a twinkle visible in her eye. She was officially crowned the queen, the position she had been after, and planning for, since her father was in the throne. It was more satisfying to have earned the position, and to have pleased Sinner.
She thought for sure the hell hound was unpleaseable, but here she was, good enough for him. They might not have shared a romantic relationship like most pairs ruling a kingdom, but none of that mattered to her anyway. Besides her father had devoted himself to Lepis and she ran off with Bane, for whatever reason.
She expected that he would perhaps want to consummate there new found relationship, but instead he gets straight to business. Her smile grew wider, and she held in a chuckle that so desperately tried to break out. It's time to look at what is happening outside of our little forest. She nods her head in agreeance, ever since the plague it was necessary to remain within Sylva, ensuring no one tried to take over, and quickly welcoming those looking for a kingdom.
If they were to remain strong they could not sit around and wait for others to come poking there noses into Sylva, they should venture out to the other kingdoms, show everyone that Sylva is doing well, just as he had suggested. Suggesting they break up and visit kingdoms from the East, West and North of them, allowing her to pick the kingdom of her choice.
She had already visited Loess, so it seems silly for her to go there, although perhaps it would be beneficial for Sinner to meet with Bane as planned. She had little desire to visit Tephra and her interest really peaked at Nerine, the rumors of drama was lingering up there, something she did not mind visiting for herself. She took a moment to think to herself before responding to the hound, I will go to Nerine, I will take someone else with me lazy bastards better get ready for the mission. Do you want to meet in Hyaline? She tilts her head, meeting together as King and Queen for the first time. The pride she felt did not falter once during the conversation they shared, she patiently stood glancing at Sinner, awaiting his approval of there plans before departing for Nerine.
Everything was moving at pace he found to be of his liking. He crossed each entity off as he went, only finding it became easier and easier. Each step became closer for him to achieve the things he wanted. The opportunities came without a high price. But he was not naïve of the price he may have to pay within the future. There was always a price for something, and when the time came he would be ready to tackle the issue head on.
Mary has proven herself to be a queen, but she would need to be more than a queen. Their ruling might not be the idle inclination that often occurs when two lead a kingdom, but that meant nothing to him. Teaming up would make them a force that should not be reckoned with, and he was willing to share half of the power that came with wearing a crown. It only meant for him to get more within time. More doors would open too.
“Tephra it is for me then,” he says with a nod of his head and agreeing to her choice to visit Nerine. There had been little care for his choice in the matter, but it only seemed fitting to allow Mary to make some decisions. Perhaps a trick to make her think she had some sort of power over him, but Sinner is not quick to rely on that. Mary is more intelligent than she might let on, he thinks. “I will see you in Hyaline soon.” He moves past the mare, heading towards the volcanic kingdom in the north. “Don’t die on me while you are out there,” he adds with humor before disappearing past the boulder and autumn trees that lingered near them.
