Vakning

Awakening. It is a fickle thing. But with it, comes a promise. A new beginning. A new path to forge. Untouched souls to explore.

But most important for Rúna... a way out.

The air is crisp when her eyes blink open. But slowly, in protest. It hurts, for a moment. Gears shift in her mind. Everything is foggy. One question persists...

What is this place?

It certainly isn't home. But wasn't that the point? To hell with Blóðfjall. They don't know yet what they're missing. But soon, they will.

Moments... no — minutes... many, many minutes pass before she is able to push her body upright. And again, more protests. The woman groans, the aches ungodly and unkind. Why need it be so difficult just to stand up?!

@Cassian

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After his encounter with the woman, the prince set off to check his borders once again. It seemed almost obsessive, but Cassian would not feel secure until he ensured it was thoroughly marked as his. He was a territorial man, yes. But it was something he had learned to embrace. What was his, was his. And nothing would take that away from him, not even death.

Cassian let out a long sigh upon seeing yet another crumpled form in the snow. The pale man walked up to the woman, azure eyes looking her over. “Are you okay?” Cass blinked as he looked down at the wolf. What was it with the Gods bringing these many to his home? Perhaps he was hoping it was another, the one that haunted his dreams. Her twinkling laughter still echoed in his mind when he was not paying attention. Her verdant gaze a distraction on his patrols. If only she hadn't left.

With a subtle shake of his head, Cass allowed his gaze to focus on the dark-furred woman. “Can you speak?” He inquired, icy gaze searching for injuries. While he would not admit it, he did sometimes care about those that he happened up. He didn't want the dead to attract carrion eaters to the Vale and risk injury to those who call it home.

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don't mind him, he's a grouchy old man in a young man's body

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A strange voice sounds in her ear. Without adjustment, it neared the volume of clapping thunder.

Gah!

Whipping her head toward the source, her eyes narrowed firmly. “Can I speak?” A snapping mock, a scoff to follow. “How ill ridden need one be after waking here? Gods help us all if that's the case.”

She scrambled to her feet, the movement quite ungraceful. But it's not like she was raised to be overly ladylike anyhow. “I am perfectly fine.. and perfectly capable of using my voice, thank you very much.”

Checking her balance, she turned fully to face the man, nostrils flaring in distaste at their height difference. What a pain in her neck. Literally. At least he wasn't a complete eyesore. Handsome, in a way she could appreciate. Strong, suitable. Capable. But... no. None of those thoughts. Not here, not now.

“What is this place I've landed myself in?” A demanding question. But she could care less of what he had to say, or think, of her attitude. It was just as well that someone have the mind to give her an answer. And hopefully an honest one, at that.

No worries, she's just as much a grouchy little lady :D

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Cassian could barely bite back a snarl. The attitude in this one irked him like no other, not even her. Cass could handle his cousin's snark, but this woman roused the slumbering beast within him.“Be grateful I even checked to see if you were alive. I could have left you here for the bears to eat.” He snapped, eyes narrowing as he looked down his nose at her. At her comment, he barely restrained himself from rolling his eyes. “Yes, you've made that very clear.” He grumbled, ear flicking.

A smirk danced onto his lips at her question. “You've managed to find yourself in my territory.” He grinned as he leaned down to meet her gaze. “And you are lucky I've decided to be hospitable today.” Cassian took a step back, fixating his eyes on her face. “Now, will you lose the attitude so I can help you or do you want to struggle on your own out here?”

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I already love her <3

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He would have left her? Hah. As if she would have been against the idea. This one was definitely too big for his own britches.

“I would have been just fine if you had,” she snapped back in return, tail flaring behind her. “I am the daughter of a Viking cheif. I am far from incapable of handling my well-being.” It wasn't her pride speaking, but the flat out truth, regardless of what he may believe. She was trained through blood, sweat, and tears to be among the best, even if her physicality suggested otherwise.

His territory. Oh how it must excite him to admit something trivial. Pathetic. (Or perhaps impressive...) But she refused to admit it. Doing so would only feed the festering beast that was his ego. “Wouldn't exactly consider myself lucky..” She muttered, shaking away the debris from her before strutting right past him, directing her path further into the vale.

Was she ignoring his further question? Or more-so, his demand. Blatantly so. He wanted her to grovel and plead, doing as he'd asked and showing him her belly. Insert manic giggle.

Yeah... never gonna happen buddy.

these two are going to be interesting, for sure. but sooooo entertaining! I love it :D

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 At the woman's words, Cassian simply nodded. “Sure. Do you even know where you are? Familiar with the layout of the land?” He asked as he leaned down, eyes swimming with mirth. Was he possibly walking on the line of being annoying? Yes, but it did bring something new to his day. “I think not, Miss Viking.” His smirk only grew as he baited her. It was becoming increasingly easy to figure out what triggered her outbursts, and the prince would enjoy finding out what they were.

 “Do you even know where you're going?” Cass asked as he watched her walk off as if she owned the place. It almost made him laugh. She reminded him of a woman that he knew in the old world, with the same spunk and attitude this one had. The thought brought a chuckle out of the man as he followed behind her. “What is your name, anyways?” Cassian asked as he kept his eyes on her retreating form. This one would be a problem for him, he could already tell. But with the way his world was going, she may be a welcomed nuisance.

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Oh they will be LOL I love this! skill ; recruiter

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Questions, questions — oh, the sarcastic questions. She knew what he was doing. But just to tickle his own nerve, she'd serve what he was dishing right back up to him.

With a slow turn of her head and suggestive curl of her lip, she batted her eyelashes. “Oh, are we giving out nicknames now?” She answered with a soft, sweet purr. “I think something along the lines of Mister Ego would suit you just fine.” 

Turning head and tail, she continued on her way, eyes rolling at his question of her aimless tread. Maybe she didn't know where she was going, but she could figure it out. A helpless dame was the last she'd ever admit to being.

Hips swaying in her graceful stride, she hummed quietly, gaze carefully taking in the land around her. It was a beautiful place, something she could appreciate. It reminded her a little of home. But... more peaceful. 

"What is your name, anyways?"

Solace gone, she groaned quietly. There he went again with his questions!

For a moment, she pondered not answering. Make him work for it. But the banter would just grate on him some more. The last thing she needed was an even more grouchy man at her heel. “Rúna,” she answered simply, tail flicking once to the side behind her, stride unbroken.

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