the darkest part of the woods; advanced roleplay discussion

Off the North coast of the Winter Court, lies Goblin’s cove, a territory dedicated to keeping small, disgusting creature of the goblin-race in one place. Here lies the crumbling stone wall that once separated Fae from goblin. Ruines of an ancient tongue are carved above the only entrance in the fourty-mile-long wall. Once you step in, you’ll find a whole new way of life.

A night in the Winter court was something not many have seen before. To be running under naked trees of a frozen forest, with only the moon’s faint glow to guide you through the dark. It was certainly peaceful, but too quiet for The Hound Master’s taste. With the moon directly overhead, she was able to see that by now, it was impossible to catch a meal. By now, all available meals were either safely in the comfort of their burrows, or nestled among the trees. They had left tracks in the snow. Small, shallow little footprints decorated the dully, White landscape. Since arrive she hadn’t been able to find a place that didn’t have snow on it. No bare blades of green, not even a patch of damp dirt! A thick layer of snow covered it all, and it was only growing by the minute. Being in the middle of a blizzard wasn’t fun.

Cerica was never a fan of the snow, never a fan of the cold either. She despised it, found it was the total opposite of her home. No bright sunlight, or warm colors. It was just cold and dull. Boring, even. The silence was driving her insane, if it weren’t for the quiet padding of the canines around her she’d been laying facedown in the snow begging for her prince to call her mission off. It was torturous. She was being slowed by the shin-deep blanket of white, and water had managed to soak every inch of her in under a mere night. She wasn’t chilled, thanks to the blessing of the Sun. A simple gift given by her prince, allowing her to stay warm as long as she wore the scar he presented her. She was thankful, if it wasn’t for the scarf, she’d be blue all over and shaking like a chihuahua. At the same time though, she was internally cursing him. The mission was being dragged out longer then they’d estimated, and turning out to be a joint assignment between her and the Winter huntsman.
Cerica had met the Prince of this Court himself, getting the debriefing on how his land had been impacted, and giving her directions to the barrier. He’d offered her a bed and warm bath, but she’d politely denied, claiming it was better for her to go on ahead and get there.
She was regretting that choice. But it was too late to go back now, considering that she’s already on the opposite side of his land.
All because of some adorable creatures got murdered. Her thoughts hissed. that you’re out here waiting for this Hawk guy to show up and get this assign,ent done with.

The Fae reached out, bare skin brushed against cold stone, sending a shiver up her spine. Two nights she’s waited for this guy to come up. If he doesn’t show by morning, she’ll just head in alone. That’s what she already intended on doing, doing this alone. But the Princes had better plans, sadly.
Cerica watched the plume of white mist appear before her face, watching it face before it showed once again. Her breathing was calm and steady, slow and easy. She was bored out of her mind, already having set up a small shelter in the shadow of the wall. Her legs were laid out, booted feet laying in the entrance. She was stargazing right now, thanking the old gods that the blizzard had cleared. Around her laid canines bearing coats of pure white, crystal and golden eyes were lazily shut. The largest laid under her head, allowing her to lay in comfort with it. The Alpha male, was the wolf’s rank, it’s mate nowhere to be found.

There was nothing like going on a journey in the nighttime hours through Winter Court, when the temperatures had dropped to their lowest and any breeze felt like daggers piercing one’s exposed skin. The soft, powdery snow crunched beneath Rome’s heaving padded boots, his hiking the only sounds. Thankfully, the night was clear of snowfall, the pale light of his guiding light ever present and casting dark shadows from everything that grew from or littered the ground. Romaris couldn’t say he loved the vulnerability of being out alone at night, not when he knew what could roam this forest, but the quicker he met the Summer Hound Master at their rendezvous point, the better and that required extra traveling time with little rest. That spurred him on a little quicker, his breath still forming a cloud despite a warm mask covering the lower half of his face.

Romaris didn’t particularly care for this mission, to go investigate and perhaps avenge the death of a few of the favored creatures of the princes. It seemed pointless and futile, even if it had caused changes to the environment. If there was a rising predator in the forest, that would just mean the food chain would have to correct itself. But of course he would never dare voice his thoughts or opinions to his Prince. His job was to follow his orders without question or doubt. What the royal wanted, he got. That was the way of life for all fae but for those group of men, even history showed that their deepest desires couldn't be withheld. For that reason, the Queen had fallen long, long ago.

Up ahead through the barren cluster of trees in slumber, Rome could make out figurines silhouetted against the endless white spread, highlighted blue in the shadows. So she was here already. He didn’t feel bad for keeping her waiting though, his delay hadn’t been his fault nor had he lingered longer than had been necessary. Trudging forward, the occasional soft rustling of the fae’s canines found his sensitive hearing, setting him on edge despite the knowledge of who they were with. Or, was that an element to fear herself.

Romaris had always appreciated the beauty of wolves, how they lived and worked together, their hardworking drive to live and their loyalty, but these feelings for him had been best at a distance. However, close up, the animals were deadly and fearsome predators. Not to mention they weren’t the greatest buddies to winged creatures when the snapping teeth were in reach of a wing. Just like the Wolf Master, he had brought his own allies. Flying high and out of sight were Malcolm, Aella, and Drayvell, three of his best eagles or rather, the most practical for the job. Rome didn’t like how he had to keep them flying in the cold when they didn’t have to but at least it wasn’t snowing right now, or raining for that matter. That he was thankful for.

Breaking past a cluster of closely grown ash trees, Romaris’ dark eyes sought out his quarry among the scattered pack of wolves. Like his usual feathery companions, his sight was as perfect as it could ever get but he hadn’t even needed to use his gift to pick Cerica out among her pets, the fae lounging against a large wolf as if this was just a pleasant evening at home. He smirked at the thought, his mind more preoccupied on that instead of noticing if he was cold or not. “Gee, for huntsman in a dangerous part of the woods, I’d say you aren’t faring half bad,” Romaris commented, lingering on the edge of the area. He knew better than to go uninvited among wolves, even if they were to be working together in the next few days or weeks, depending on the mission. Cerica was a capable huntsman though, with a sassy attitude that demanded admiration from even a fae like Rome. Personally, it was easier to work with her because of the proximity of their courts. Not that they did this all that often. Romaris just hoped that this would go quickly and be done with.

Lost in the realm of her distant thoughts, a Cerica had closed her haunting eyes to catch some sort of rest for the time being. Truthfully, the warmth of those who surrounded her was such a comfort to her, that she even began to think of how unlucky she was to experience something other then her beloved heat. She didn’t want to be here of all places, where she wore the hood made of a wolf’s head, and a coat of its fur. It offended her that they dared to put such items on the market. But the huntress wasn’t here to complain, rather help them in a time of need.

The rustling of feathers caught her attention almost immediately. The strong scent of bird caught her nose, causing it to wrinkle in disgust. Whoever this Fae was, they certainly took the role of “bird-keeper’ to a new level. Ugh. Though, Cerica couldn’t help but wonder if this was truly needed, having a partner ? Ugh. The female shuddered at the thought. She often was delighted to take on the role of “lone wolf”, finding comfort under the sun, running beside her canine friends. If it were anything else, we’ll she’d kill them and bury their bones in a small grave as a sign of peace.

From the cluster of massive fur and claws, Cerica rested with anxious thoughts. She suddenly began to wonder if this Fae was up the task. I mean, they might die if they aren’t so experienced with a duel against an orc or goblin. Those things were small, but in a large group they could take over a court if they wanted too. Frankly, the only reason why she was so worried, was because this kid was going to be her responsibility . Ugh.

Cracking a golden eye open, Cerica peered at the lanky fae, her gaze impatient and bored. Her lips though, turned upwards into a smirk before her eye closed, hiding those threatening orbs from his sight.
“It’s only because they’ve found me a decent Alpha that I’m now freezing in some pit.” The fae explains dully, though a hint of amusement was behind her words. After a long pause, she sat up and stretched her arms. Not saying a word as she stood, the wolves around her rose too. With that, a quiet rustling came from behind Romaris, and out trudged a pair of lanky, blue-eyed canines. They weren’t wolves, but Aussies. Their beautiful coats stood out against the snow, now could he have missed them?

Cerica hums at the two dogs and places her hands on her hips. “You two aren’t very good guard dogs.” She says lowly, a teasing smile on her lips. I’m response, they both get onto their backs and stretch out their legs, revealing their bellies for her to rub. And so she did just that.

So he was going to be going on this mission with a belly-rubbing, dog whisperer who didn't like the cold. Interesting associate for a winter faring fae bred and born in the snowy mountains of this harsh homeland. Romaris couldn't believe he was going to do this with her, despite having enough respect for the female, even if the orders had come directly from the Prince. Not that he could ever disobey though, no, treason on that level, no matter the circumstances and companions, was bad enough for him to be willing to take his own life instead of facing the rebuke of his liege.

A low, roughly amused chuckle rose from his throat as he settled his weight onto the balls of his feet, crossing his arms as he watched the transaction between huntress to dog in an appearing bored manner. Not that Romaris could ever say something about it but he did admire the might of the beasts that Cerica called friends and the bond they shared. It was impressive. But she wouldn't, couldn't tell the compliments that lurked in the depths of his mind.
"Ferocious protectors indeed," he drawled, the sound cutting through the icy atmosphere. His eyes tracked the various wolves as well as each of the dogs, their movements registering in his gaze. "They aren't always like that, are they?"

All while he waited and listened. Rome's eyes didn't stay in one place too long, constantly seeking subtle movements, even mere rustles of the undergrowth and the branches above not escaping his notice now. Being among so many living things, or, in the presence of another fae for that matter, tended to tear away his comfort level considerably. Being hundreds of years old couldn't banish fundamental lessons to save lives and assist in his craft.

"Hope you can put up with our freezing pit long enough to complete this... Hunt. When are you ready to begin?" Rome was sort of curious to see what the Huntress would prefer, seeing as she was much more uncomfortable than he was in the frigid, biting land that he called home. Time could only tell how they may work with one another.

Above his head, Romaris' attention was drawn to the circling descent of the smallest eagle he had brought along: Aella. While the four legged predators around him were more suited for lounging in the terrain, his beloved birds had had a long flight, and as Aella latched her talons onto his shoulder to rest her wings, he could feel the gust of cold wind she brought along. How much worse it was above, he could only imagine. While pity wasn't a term in his vocabulary, he was constantly concerned about the animals and well, they had time to kill, yes?