Larkspur drew their wings up to defend their face from the explosion of warm mist that burst from the ground as the water spout dancing in the air settled back down. As spring had come into full force, herbs had been far easier to come by and so had a true abundance of prey. And so Larkspur had returned to their wandering ways, sniffing along the ground until they came to the decision that they wanted to follow one of the river-ways. There were so many strange and unusual creatures in these lands they'd been washed into - various felids they had never seen before and even stranger creatures that resembled and called themselves wolves but weren't. They were all too content to continue exploring, learning more, picking up more information to better unravel the magic of this world.
Their nose twitched lightly as the scent of the nearby pack border was wafted toward them on a gentle breeze, reassuring them that they weren't yet trespassing and dutifully reminding them to be careful where they stepped. The scent was faint, making them wonder honestly if there was some form of power struggle happening within the borders that prevented them from being more heavily marked but that wasn't their concern. At least whatever was happening within the borders would lessen the chances of someone truly problematic attempting to stir up trouble with them.
Another day, another area to search through. Disapora had gotten far in this land, Akrasia, the locals called it. And still, there was no sign of her brother. At least this one had some gorgeous geysers for xer to look at. The small serval slowed, raising their head from where they'd been scenting to watch the beauty nature had made. A light sigh escaped xer muzzle. Eyes blinking slowly, she suddenly noticed another creature. A medium brown wolf, but with massive wings flaring out at the geyser in front of them. Their face seemed perhaps annoyed, but that was reasonable. Disapora took a moment to consider if this would be a good target. 'Not the easiest choice, but those flowers growing along them look like they'd sell well...And I haven't messed with someone in so long...' Xe decided to go for it, strutting forward confidently with a sway to xer steps.
"Why hello there," She smiled sweetly, "Those are quite the wings you have." Disapora batted their eyelashes lightly, putting on their trademark flattering tone. Xe watched closely to see the wolf's reaction.
Larkspur turned toward the voice approaching them from the side, tilting their head calmly as they shook out the remaining surface water from the outside of their feathers. After that near-drowning seemingly ages ago, Larkspur had taken the initiative to begin make some form of high-oil content mixture to rub into their feathers just until their body could adapt and begin 'over'-producing the waterproof coating. It was nice that they only really needed a loose shake to fluff out the rest of their fur to defend against any further billowing mist, though they refrained from doing so at the moment for Folke was still tucked deep into their pelt attempting to sleep.
"Thank you," they voiced idly, noting the compliment. It seemed the source was yet another strange felid - albeit, this was one that Larkspur could be satisfied in vaguely recognizing this time. A serval - one of the long-legged cats they'd heard inhabited steppes (or rather, savannas) not unlike the one they'd been born in. "You wouldn't have said that just a few weeks ago."
Ye, goddesses does Larkspur hate molting.
"Here for the geyser or to tell me I am trespassing?" Larkspur inquired. Just because the major pack lived only an embarrassing stumble and roll down the hill away didn't mean there was someone already trying to take roost in near the warm pools. Larkspur already had their home and established little land with no interest in antagonizing someone who was just establishing a den, especially a much smaller feline who could potentially have a pride behind them.
Disapora watched the canine shake out their wings with interest. 'Flight sounds wonderful. Although lugging those around doesn't...' Everything is a kind of give and take. It would be oh-so useful for travel, though, especially with how far she went. They didn't allow themselves to fantasize long, however, that was for alone time only. So, that thought was stored away for later pondering, unless it could be used for xer current flattery.
"Anytime," she welcomed, then laughed at the follow-up comment. It was a dainty, musical thing, a giggle of a high-class lass. Their tipped tail flicked towards the wolf's playfully. Xe smiled at them, warmth in xer eyes. A warmth as real as her magic fire, but a warmth nonetheless. She looked them over, eyes catching on the flowers growing, smile growing wider with a well-hidden intent. The rake of their eyes against the others' form, however, they didn't make an effort to hide. Another, even lighter laugh escaped xer muzzle at the idea of trespassing.
"Oh no, I'm alone. Well, other than you, of course," they simpered. Underneath xer hooded eyes, however, was a calculating gaze, watching how the new wolf would respond. Flirtation always was a bit of a gambit, one had to be sure their target would accept."Disapora, pleased to make your aquantince," her name was accompanied by a few ice blue sparks of fire. Xe never was able to resist the flamboyancy of it, after all.
Larkspur refrained from raising a brow thought they offered the slightest cock of their head at the overt commentary. Even they were getting an inking that there was... an interest of some sort being expressed here. The way the felid's eyes raked across their body made that evident but given it was spring, the message was a bit muddied. Was the interest in their wings? They were what the serval had commented on after all. Or could it be the garden now flourishing upon their back - thankfully devoid of hummingbirds for the first time in a few days and free from bees at the current moment given how unusual it was. Or was this standard attraction? Larkspur hold no judgement if it was - they were a bit sad for their part that their interest in the mountain lion that once roamed the north appeared to be going nowhere for the alleged fallen goddess was nowhere to be seen - though they wondered what could be interesting enough about them in these short moments to draw that sort of gaze.
"I am Larkspur - before you wonder, mother had an inkling that I would end up like this," said the chocolate brindled wolf, gesturing wryly with their nose to the brilliant blue blossoms sprouting all down their spine. The other was plotting something, that much Larkspur knew because something that tasted like 'mischief' drifted toward the wolf from the little body but without further investigation, they wouldn't know. Was anything serious enough to actually try that? "Though I wouldn't call myself alone, I have Folke."
They gave a little wiggle, disturbing the reticulated python wrapped loosely around their shoulders to emerge from the remaining plush of a shedding winter coat. The snake looked up, managing to look tired to Larkspur's eyes those they weren't sure how clear that came across to the other, watching the snake flit their tongue out a few times.
---
Charisma Check: Larkspur is getting a tad confused by this level of attention - so now they're double checking the situation a bit. A very minor roll really, Larkspur is just just not used to being obviously flirted with and is confused about it.
Success: Larkspur has confirmation that Diaspora isn't lying about being alone
Failure: Larkspur just has to go by Diaspora's word
Character Diceroll 1: Fail Diceroll must be above 500 to be successful.
0 was added for Charisma.
492 was added for Level 4.
0 was added for A. No Enchantment.
0 was added for A. No Buff / Penalty.
Disapora's smile softened, content. Xer confidence told xer the head cocking was a good sign. Either they were confused or amused, and either worked for the serval. Those were practically the emotions she specialized in working with after all. They noted their name, a rather pretty one, at that. It matched the beauty of the wings and flowers sprouting out of the wolf's back- the flowers which they mentioned in their next breath.
"They're quite gorgeous, I must admit." She really didn't have to admit it, it was clear she'd been admiring them. "They suit you, Larkspur." Xe tested their name on xer tongue, leaning into the wolf. Being less than half of Larkspur's size, they bumped their head lightly on the wolf's elbow, nuzzling slightly. She pulled away not long after, almost dancing away like a tease.
Then, the wolf revealed there was a snake in their fur. Disapora blinked once, then again, mask dropping in confusion. They calculated how this would fit into their plan, then failed to figure that out.
"Hello, Folke," Xe let out their surprise in the form of a laugh, smile straining somewhat as xer mask fell back on. The snake flicked its tongue out. The serval watched, head cocking lightly. "Does she- or he? They... Does Folke talk or...?" Her plan was thoroughly thrown off, having never seen a friendly snake before. Or at least, xe hoped it was friendly...
Hm, they couldn't really get a read on the serval and that only further confused them but well... there wasn't exactly a need to distrust them in the moment. They gave the mental equivalent of a shrug and elected to just be prepared for an intrusive question or unkindly behavior. They adjusted their wing, lifting it a bit higher onto their back to prevent them from unintentionally smacking xe with their wings while chuckling. Are all cats this affectionate? Larkspur wouldn't begrudge that but it was still a bit of a surprise. The focus on the flowers clarified the intent and they felt a hint of wariness entering them - they... had an inkling of what this was about now.
"Thank you," Larkspur said again, the buds on their back suddenly feeling extremely vulnerable in the face of someone who may want them and was very close to them. They relaxed a little when the serval danced out of nipping reach once more, teasing and playful as a pup while Folke curiously inspected their new acquaintance,
"To my knowledge no, Folke doesn't speak but we've developed a strange sort of bond - I do know at least it feels," Larkspur explained. Truly they had to get around to asking if this sort of bond was... normal for this strange world. The stronger their bond to Folke became, the more clearly they're able to identify what they were thinking and any emotions associated. It was almost like their senses with plants but slightly more clear if only because snakes at least are capable of telling the difference between a fish and a bear. "They're rather neutral don't worry - as far as I'm aware, they don't bite anything but the mice I bring them."
After a brief pause, they gesture to the pretty flowers dappling across their pelt that appear to had enraptured the serval, "...would you like one?"
---
The smaller feline smiled at the chuckle their actions got them. "You're simply gorgeous, it's my pleasure to compliment you~" the serval replied to the thanks. Compliments, xe was back to xer forte. Although...- No, they were probably just being illogical, Larkspur had no reason to distrust her. They mentally shook the idea away.
Disapora's head tilted lightly at the idea of sharing a thought bond with another creature like that. 'The company would be nice,' Xe thought, 'very nice.' She'd have to inquire about how one went about beginning something like that with Larkspur later, once they'd established a bond. They added that to their ever-growing list of mental notes. Her shoulders relaxed at the snake's peacefulness being confirmed. It was always good to have fewer threats to look out for.
But the next thing the wolf said had Disapora balking. They were just...offering up something that was growing out of them? No catch? Offering literally a part of them to a near-stranger? Willingly? Without coercion? Again, the serval had been thrust far out of xer comfort zone, mask thrown off in the process. But she quickly recovered herself, at least partially. Behind her smile, there were still hints of confusion and distrust.
"Darling, are you sure? You'd just offer that..for me?" Their eyelashes batted at the end of the statement, voice lilting. "Either you're very generous or you really like me," Xe teased, bumping xer shoulder into the wolf's elbow.
"My apologies if I'm acting a bit odd - I'm not used to that," Larkspur admitted. This entire conversation had them a bit on the backpaw - admiration for their wins? Yes. Admiration for their pelt's color and pattern? Yes. Remarks on their eyes and the similarly colored marking around them and placed on their brow? Undoubtedly. But general appreciation for their appearance was... pretty foreign. And they concluded that Disapora probably meant them no harm (and that they would likely be sticking around for a bit) and thus, quietly retracted their wings; allowing them to slink into sinking her skin and fur vanishing easily from sight as if Larkspur had always been naught but an ordinary wolf albeit with an interesting pattern. "You're rather beautiful as well - I've rarely seen markings so striking."
Though it would be a nice change of pace if they suddenly became more common.
They offered a light laugh when the serval batted their eyelashes at them, adopting a bemused look of their own.
"Oh you are rather striking but this is for my peace of mind too," Larkspur said, never all too secretive about their motives. They twisted to gesture with their nose to some of the smaller, still unfurling blossoms along their back and the few tiny green buds that the wolf knew would only blossom toward the middle of summer, blooming and dying in rapid succession and a few that wouldn't blossom at all, more leaves to gather sunlight than additional buds. "I don't mind sharing - they'll grow back eventually, in fact come summer I'll probably be bluer than I am brown."
They shook their head a bit ruefully, "But I've had... incidents where others have tried sneaking one off. I don't think it occurs to most that they are growing from me and thus, to have them plucked incorrectly hurts."
To more clearly visualize the point, Larkspur allowed their teeth to sink into a longer stem and easily snapped it. They tossed that one lightly toward the serval then readied themself, grasping another and instead yanking. They couldn't entirely bite back the pained wince that crossed their face the new flower joined the old one. The nipped flower had been removed through snapping the stem seemed more like an ordinary flower - the roots were a little browner but otherwise, it was a normal larkspur. The second flower however had the slightly traces of blood stained into the thin, winding roots that had been yanked out.
"Much easier to just offer than risk someone taking," Larkspur explained, giving a second little shake to lessen the mild prickle they felt where the secondary plant had been taken out. "Truly, you're doing me a favor however. The less blossoms the better."
As they spoke a bee came bumbling out of the nearby forest and landed on their ear earning an annoyed look from the wolf though they didn't bother trying to dislodge it. They just ignored the insect as it crawled its way around before concluding that it had aimed incorrectly and instead, went for one of the flowers on the back of their neck.
---
