Ruins Of a Long Gone Past

anyone welcome, anyone I haven't had a thread with double welcome

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Ever since his interaction with the little empress, something had unsettled the cat, nagging at him. For one reason or another there was a sense of imbalance on the wind. So once again the striped demon was compelled across the tundra to address the shift in the winds.

This pushed the cat to try something that he wouldn't normally do. Today he would have to pull a fish from the icy waters of a stream in the Everfrost. It took him hours and was a humbling experience for the big game hunter. He was soaked and cold to the bone, where bits of ice now clung to his striped coat. Finally, after much effort he had one.

So, he set off to the borders of @Reiko 's realm. Of course his princessa would always be free to follow him on whatever business he had, he would never deny her company despite what they said about her.

With the large fish clamped in his maw, he arrived at the borders of the Shiroshika. He only hesitated for a moment before lumbering through that invisible barrier. With a focused and slow stride he was on a direct path to the heart of their territory.
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River had dutifully stayed within Shiroshika’s borders since she’d gone to fetch Stjor from Hrafsvaktin, but she had to admit that she was getting a bit bored with just the territory to contend with. Things were blissfully quiet, thankfully, but also kind of boring without being let out to explore. She wasn’t going to sneak out on her own, of course, but sometimes she did want to.

But it seemed today was not a boring day.

The scent of a cat hit her nose and she found herself following it without really meaning to. It wasn’t like she was going to be able to fight one if she needed to, but… well, she had to at least confront it, didn’t she? She didn’t see anyone else around, after all.

The cat was much bigger than she expected it to be. Striped and massive - way bigger than herself. And it was on a mission, heading into the center of their territory.

Well… crap.

River ran forward and placed herself in the big cat’s path, eyes widening a little bit and pulse beating faster in her veins. This was really stupid.

”Wait!” she intervened, not hostile but also not about to let this big cat come any further without at least a speed bump to go over. Which was about as much resistance as she could offer. ”Uh, wh-who are you, and what’re you doing here?”
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^^Cirilla had returned some time ago, and after the semi confrontation with Gyrfalcon, Cirilla had been somewhat really and totally avoiding her girlfriend. Were.. they even girlfriends? One really lousy date didn’t mean anything, right? She didn’t really know, but used the excuse of patrolling to keep herself busy - and it actually wasn’t an excuse!

Look, see, here she was, patrolling! Actually patrolling, when she heard a voice, and Cirilla came bouncing over until she saw who it was that this other canine was trying to stop. The tiger, she’d seen him before! This time, with a fish, and seemingly alone? Well there was another here, but not the same stone woman as before.

“Oh hello! It’s so good to see you again, Mr Striped Fellow! What brings you here?” She pondered if she ought to call reinforcements.

^^
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Knowing it wouldn't be long until he was intercepted, he expected company eventually. The first to stop him was a small cream colored wolf. She didn't seem hostile, but also didn't seem to know that he was technically allowed here, even if he had been on rough terms lately. He was hesitant to break his pace, and most likely wouldn't have if it wasn't for her lack of hostility. Stopping and looking to the left and the right over the wolf, he quickly played with the idea of just walking around with the fish in his mouth. Though in the spirit of cooperation he put it down, putting his paw on top of it. "I am Kuhn, I am here to see Reiko. who are you?" , he replied, seeming rather ambivalent to the situation.

A moment later a familiar canine came walking up on his flank, he recognized her as the one from that close call before. It was reliving, because he remembered her being one of the more level headed creatures of the pack. It made Kuhn thank the stars that, it hadn't been Reiko's bitch daughter to show up instead. "Ah, a pleasure.." He replied to the dog with a nod. Before repeating "I am here to see Reiko"
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 Kuhn was near the borders.

 The distinct scent of the large striped tom she had not seen in forever ago had appeared to make his presence known -- and with perked audits and a raised tail, Izumi had caught it quite soon before she'd drop the rabbit in her maw into the cache and began heading towards Shiroshika's borders. In another situation, perhaps, her seeing who she considered a close friend again would've brought the cranebird relief in a time of persistent anxiety -- but after hearing about what had transpired in his last moments here, the thought of Kuhn here had only become an extention of that anxiety.

 Frankly, Izu was quite upset. Both with him and everything that had transpired during the time. Above all however, she was upset with herself for not being there to do anything about it...

 Dainty steps found themselves to a stop alongside two others -- Cirilla, the tall striped woman who she sought to greet with a gentle nip to the shoulder, and another who she had sensed in their domain, but had not exactly met yet. Nevertheless, the viridecent-eyed augoti was greeted with a short chuff.

 Lastly, her frosted lilac gaze traveled and fell upon a pair of slate grey eyes -- nonchalantly, and staring upon them in silent observation. She did not allow the searing vexation and thousands of questions to slip through her stony expression, but would instead let the silence speak for her.

 A lavender gaze would switch from his eyes and to the fish he carried in his mouth just then.

 "Kuhn," the Dutchess greeted smoothly, yet skipped the greeting he had taught her before. This was a greeting she assumed was only used with close friends -- and if she was being honest, Izumi didn't even know if he'd thought of her as a freind anymore.

 "You have brought Valmua with you?"

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 When Valmúa returned from her brothers' mountain, she had left behind the role of leadership. In essence, she had traded it willingly to pursue a much greater opportunity — the power that Kuhn had offered to her was not something she could deny. It was in her nature to pursue him if it killed her.
 The fish he brought for Reiko was something she did not fully understand, but she knew that he was determined to fix the broken diplomacy between himself and the Shiroshikans. That little empress and her dumb oaf of a bodyguard seemed to have struck a chord with him earlier than she had. While she disagreed with his respect for them, she came along anyway to tightrope the line once again between the ethical and her ill-intentioned mockery.
 Up until they reached the borders, the fire woman danced at his side. Their stride had become comfortable and she had yet to grow tired of his intensity.
 Yet when they reached the borders, and he stepped over, the once-leader of Morðfjall hesitated. They were not entering to raid caches or otherwise disturb these weak wolves. It was Kuhn who would call the shots, and so Valmúa slid in behind him. She hung back a fair distance, knowing well that her partnership with the cat would not immunize her completely against what they would see as trespassing. She kept her head low and her gaze intense, always watching for an exit in case her presence sullied diplomacy.
 As he interacted with the ink-blotted one, the dog, and a new face, Valmúa listened and stayed back until her name was mentioned. Having little desire to hide herself, she stepped out from the tree line and moved, slowly, toward the group. “He has,” she answered, sidling up so close to Kuhn that she could feel the movement of his sides as he breathed.

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Oh man, there was a lot happening right now. Two Shiroshika wolves that she’d never met before, a big striped cat, and now a stranger. She recognized the names - they’d trespassed before, and that was why she’d gone to get Stjornuati from the other pack. So why were they back?

”Uh, well, you coulda called at the borders and someone could’ve come to escort you,” she reasoned, uncomfortable with the idea of wolves and cats alike just waltzing on in like this. Especially with everything that had been going on recently.

Quietly, she glanced over to her two packmates, then back to the cat and wolf. Surely this wasn’t okay.
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^^River and Cirilla were on the same wavelength, as the Akita was also pondering why the cat and his toy had returned to Shiroshika - though, it seemed, with more respectful manners. Kuhn was not nearly as aggressive as he had been, and Valmua didn’t quite seem as cunning - but that only made Cirilla raise her guard. They were very clearly up to no good!

Her eyes narrowed, and Cirilla kept her composure, nearly tempted to tell them that Reiko wasn’t seeing visitors at this time, and to never come back but the Izzy’s greeting calmed her, and the dog glanced up to the siamese woman with a soft smile and wag of her tail. “Izumi. It’s always a pleasure,” Cirilla greeted with the nod of her head though she feared things would become aggressive, as they had previously, with their current company.

She took a respectful step back to linger behind Izzy; despite really loathing Valuma, Cirilla knew she was outranked with Izzy here, and desperately did not want to get involved with them again.

^^
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Staying a calm as possible, his hackles had not even began to rise, though with more wolves showing up, he could actually be in serious danger.  The prowess of a tiger was often seriously overestimated, against a pack of wolves.  If they so chose, they could attack him from all angles, and with their superior endurance, he would have no chance of escape.  Holding the fish under his paw, and scanning the crowd he calmly looked for a target for his usual strategy.  If things would go sour he would single out someone important.

As he was doing this, Izumi entered the scene.  Kuhn's calm and focused demeanor broke when he saw his first friend.  "Izumi!  Its been awhile"  He chuffed, genuinely happy to see her, shaking his mane a bit.  Though his cheerful expression broke when her tone soaked in with him.  Unfortunately, his first friend was also the most advantageous target.  His gaze a bit saddened drifted away from her.  Kuhn seemed to lament for a moment, wondering why he hadn't seen more of her, especially when her packmates where so quick to fear his presence.  He didn't bother to answer her question about Valmua, as she had announced herself.  

The tiger could feel his princessa and warrior at his side, and he pressed in a bit. He trusted her to guard his flanks and didn't bother to look behind him, with her at his side a large weakness of his had been closed, and they would be a fortress together.  With a the confidence her presence gave him, his posture straightened, looking back at River.  "Called at the border?" He said confused, "I have been invited here.  So, you can take me to Reiko. Or wait for Tiberius... Please."  

Side eyeing Valmua he continued, "We... Have a gift for her."  Returning his gaze to the pack, looking them all over one by one, stopping to note the oddity of Cirilla,  swishing his tail behind him.
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 "Izumi! It's been awhile"

 and her stomach twisted with bile at his sickeningly sweet tone, so casual as if the emotion in her eyes flew over his head and gone with the wind. It's been a while, indeed -- 'far too much of a while to pretend like you still give a damn about me now.' the crane thought to herself. He had hunting access to this pack, did he not? Did it never occur to the tom that she'd want a visit every now and then, or was she simply that forgettable in his eyes? Just another dumb wolf he'd seen in passing -- perhaps he did not care for anyone outside of his species as he fooled her into thinking.

 Though her face remained still as an untouched lake's surface, the tightening in her chest threatened a show of teeth and angry tears. Yet just as she was about to tell the striped male everything that had been on her mind, the red-headed cunt herself appeared into view and Izumi's frosted lavenders then fell from Kuhn and onto her. Suprisingly, she was able to resist the urge to twist her blank expression into that of unbridled aggravation just yet. Just by laying eyes on her.

 It was a stare that lasted a few seconds, as if trying to see through similarly metallic eyes, before her head would cant to the side with a nod. "We are flattered by your frequent visits, Valmua. Has your mountain not been very busy?" She asked softly. A backhanded way of questioning the state of her brother's pack -- which, by Izumi's assumption, seemed so sparse that Val felt the need to constantly linger near theirs like a leech.

 Which was exactly what she looked like pressed against the tom beside her -- a giant, red leech who sought the protection of Kuhn in order to get away with her little games. A cowardly bitch, this one was...

 Lilac gaze was then casted back to Kuhn when he'd answer her augoti packmate's inquiries and tell them that they'd been invited here -- by Reiko? Perhaps to confront the two about the mess they had been made back then. Which would've been fine and dandy if the dove wasn't currently bedridden at the moment...the last thing she wished was for more stress to be added onto Reiko than she was currently experiencing. It was only with the proposition that they'd wait for Tiberius to show up that Izu would calm down a little.

 "She merely wishes to give a word of caution when crossing among the borders. Though if you wish to have an audience with Reiko, then very well." she accepts with a soft nod of approval "Tiberius can escort you two to Reiko when he arrives..." and watch over them both, in which she trusted the dark brute to do -- as upset as Fujiwara currently was with the tom right now, the hope put into Tib to guard near Reiko's den was put more towards Valmua than to Kuhn. Izumi trusted one more than the other, clearly.

 and speaking of Tiberius, would have smelled their scents here by now?

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 For a while, she stayed quiet, letting them toss at them whatever advice and annoyances they might have. Valmúa had little interest in repeating their previous excursion — she never did the same things twice.
 Valmúa was not stupid. She knew quite well that by bringing her along with him, Kuhn may have been unwittingly re-announcing his complete ignorance of their hatred toward her. They hated her for, mostly, good reason. She would continue to cause mischief in whatever minor ways she could, if for no other reason than to annoy the inkblot.
 The fire woman, knowing this truth, conjured what looked like a genuine smile toward Izumi and Cirilla. Her tail even waved slowly behind her, and her ears bowed slightly in feigned respect. The key to her apparent comfort and pleasure to see them both was in her inner thought process. Imagination was an interesting weapon.
 Izumi, for her gracious part in this odd little play, asked after her pack. Finding this legitimately entertaining, since she had abandoned them quite recently, Valmúa smiled and shook her head slowly. “It is quiet at Morðfjall,” she admitted. Stjornuati and Solpallur were probably sitting on that murder heap staring at stars and taking turns with whatever woman they had decided on that month.
 The pressure that Kuhn leaned against her lit a blaze in her heart, her confidence might have doubled should it have been measurable. Her ears perked as she stepped forward toward Izumi. “Tiberius,” she mused. “It would be nice to have either of our friends escort us,” she drifted, nodding her head. “...Should you call him?”
 These losers were always quick to flock to the borders on even a whiff of any smell. She wondered how they even managed it.

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^^

Admittedly, he had gotten distracted. It was something that occurred so rarely that Tiberius wasn't entirely sure how he had felt about it -- yet he did not... he did not regret it. He had felt as if his friendship with Kuhn had only grown and he had a new addition to his Den -- though he visited it so rarely -- that he was mighty proud of, thank you very much. Still, his approach of Kuhn had not intended to be one that ended in a social setting, it had meant to be for business but he had found himself instead, once it had gotten too late in the day, agreeing with Kuhn to meet the day later to be brought to Reiko, as the Empress had requested.

The titan had to ensure that today didn't go as unplanned, 'cause it wasn't in his nature to stray that off course. Then again, he should have known that when it came to the Tundra, there were a lot of things that actively worked against him. He had scented Kuhn but it had not been him alone. Three ladies of Shiroshika seemed to be with the feline but there was an addition of one other, another that he loathed to even call a lady. 'Cause she wasn't. She was a creamy-necked gremlin and that was that. Had Kuhn already forgotten what they had discussed? That it had been the feline and the feline solely who had been extended the invitation to come and go? Valmua did not settle within the invitation. No matter her tie to the feline.

He stalked forward with annoyance settling in his blood but he didn't allow his disfigured features to betray his feelings. He didn't like the thought of River being met with such a pest like Valmua, though, even if he did think that the girl meeting Kuhn was a good thing. It didn't take the behemoth long to find the little group and it had taken everything in the beast to not snarl at Valmua then and there for her audacity. The pest knew what she was doing, knew that she did not have the same immunity as Kuhn yet she settled at his side like it gave her all the rights in the world.

If only he may decorate his den with her pelt, keep the boar skull some company. A pity, truly.

"Kuhn," the titan rumbled as he approached, molten gaze not peering to Valmua as he offered her no greeting. Instead, the wolf came to the side the pest did not leech on and head-butt his crown the way Kuhn had taught him to the feline's neck in similar greeting to yesterday. "Ain't fergotten wha' we spoke about, yeah?" he rumbled lowly, for the felines ears only but he knew that the feline would know who he meant. He wouldn't jump to conclusion but he was not happy, not happy that he felt once more disrespected by the gremlin waltzing in as if she had been invited by name. Never mind, he thought, Reiko would settle what the conditions were. There was only so much that they could allow and Valmua being given free reign when she sought nothing but chaos was not one of them.

He tilted his molten gaze first to River and he nodded, "River, I can see yah met Kuhn." He mused as he stepped away from the cat, feline permitting and let his molten gaze rove over the girl as if checking for injuries -- though his nose did not betray him. No blood, no open wounds. She was well. "Cirilla, Izumi," Tiberius drawled after as he eyed them, noting similarly no injuries upon either of them. "Is alrigh', Kuhn 'ere was invited by me." Tiberius made no effort to excuse Valmua's presence. He had not invited her, neither had Reiko. Tiberius had noted the fish beneath Kuhn's paw though he made no effort to question it, assuming the feline had brought it for the healing Empress in a show of good will.

Tiberius didn't want Valmua coming with them. Not only because he didn't want to be in her company but because he didn't want her to sway or manipulate whatever she wanted through the feline. "C'mon mate, bettah git goin'," the titan encouraged as he looked to the ladies of Shiroshika and dipped his head, "thanks fer keepin' Kuhn company in m'absence." Once more he did not reference Valmua, unwilling to start something infront of Shiroshika though he made it perfectly clear that in this Pack business, Valmua was not part of said business. That is, unless the pest had a change in heart and wanted to end her reign of terror upon the wolves of Shiroshika.

He couldn't give a fuck if she went and terrorised others, so long as they were not tentative allies of Shiroshika -- but even then, he'd rather direct her towards them than have her sights set on Shiroshika. Made his life that much easier, y'know? ^^

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Oh, man, she hated this. All this tension and these new faces and knowing that these two had caused trouble in the past. Also, the fact that she couldn't fight even if she had to was a little bit stressful - having the bigger two Shiroshika females with her was not particularly soothing either, because she also didn't know them. Discomfort crawled beneath her fur and across her skin, but she tried not to tense up too very much. 

It wasn't too long before Tiberius showed up, and River let out a quiet sigh of relief. His presence wasn't enough to soothe her discomfort entirely, but having a familiar face there certainly made her feel better. 

"Ah, yeah. Wish it coulda been under better circumstances," she responded sheepishly, dipping her head in a greeting to the big cat. Her face warmed up in embarrassment as Tiberius scanned her over, feeling more than a little self-conscious. 

Tiberius could handle this, she figured. It'd be okay. She stepped off to the side to give them room to pass, clearing her throat and trying to mentally brush off the awkwardness and discomfort of the entire situation. This sucked.
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^^River wasn’t the only one who had hated this; Cirilla had as well. Her eyes turned towards Izumi, wondering if they were all on the same comfort level as she was. That wolf and that large cat, while he was impressive to look at, and Cirilla wanted to know more about him and of him - with that wolf at his side, was quite triggering for her - which is why she had wanted nothing to do with the situation from the start.

So she would say nothing, but merely dip her head towards Tiberius. “Well, I best be going back to my duties, then.. ” Cirilla muttered, have heartedly, not even caring about Valuma; she didn’t need three Shiroshikans up her ass when she was being tolerable, and Cirilla wanted to leave before things got worse, as she knew they would.

So with a faux smile and a wag of her tail, Cirilla turned and went back to patrolling.

Exit Cirilla.

^^
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Admittedly, the cat's focus hung on his first friend, though he didn't make much more than glancing eye contact, he knew something was wrong with Izumi, but under the current circumstances, it may not be best to bring it up now. She didn't even respond to him this time, only returning a Stony demeanor. Kuhn simply looked at the floor, swishing his tail a bit saddened. He would have to make a point to talk to her later.

His princessa was always quick to take the stage it seemed. Kuhn stood silent, twitching an ear as he watched Valmua speak to Izumi. Still guarding her back, the cat had no idea the game that his princessa was playing at. In fact he looked pleased to see that she was finnaly taking the first steps to converse with her rivals. Maybe this was all just a misunderstanding?

Chuffing as Tiberius arrived and called his name, Kuhn's expression seemed to warm up, as he noticed the titian approach from his flanks. Leaning into the greeting, Kuhn returned the gesture, rubbing the maned portion of his jaw back into the man's gesture. He paused when Tiberius spoke into his ear, anxiously licking a cannine. He knew Valmua coming along wasn't what they wanted. But, maybe it's what they needed. Besides, most of the problems they have had with him could just be solved by talking to her. However, Kuhn just silently nodded in agreement.

When tib called for him to follow he did so, watching as River stepped out of the way. The big cat looked her up and down as she spoke, not breaking his stride. As he passed her he offered a slight grin and a friendly chuff, dipping his head in return. The tigers expression gave away that he had, no plans to hold anything against her.

His gaze looked upwards as he noted the strange cannine was taking her leave. He remembered her being oddly social last time, so it was strange to see her leave so quickly. Taking another step to follow Tiberius, Kuhn ran his body across Valmua, perhaps as an offer of reassurance. Though after Tiberius' greeting he now carried a bit of the titians scent with him and not just his own.
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Aye guys sorry for holding this up

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❁

  As Valmua stepped forward, Izumi did, too, and met at the closed distance in a single stride with a tail raised over her hocks. Her lavender eyes did not leave the northerner woman or her arrogant display -- as if having kahoots with the striped tom beside her gave this redhead some right to come and go as she pleased. Clearly this one had a head too big for her own body, and Izumi quietly wondered how much longer she could go on like this until this wish to snap her cream laced neck became reality --

  -- yet, she would do nothing but stare upon them.

  Kuhn did not instill fear into the crane, nor did she care what he'd think about violence occurring towards the redhead -- because friend of his or not, Val deserved it. Yet she was not stupid to act rashly and entangle Shiroshika's wolves into a deeper mess of tribulations by acting upon her own seething emotion. Clearly the two were connected in some way, and starting a fight on their side might trigger Kuhn to act out on the same action, if Shiroshikan wolves became injured, it would be because of Izumi's impulsiveness.

  Tiberius would arrive, and only then would her cranium turn to allow his presence to distract her teetering patience for a moment. He'd address Kuhn, first, then the rest of them, and her head tilted to the side while she observed the dark guardian. Her gaze towards him was more of a silent question as to what was going on since it was clear Kuhn was intent on having an audience with him, and her suspicions were confirmed when he spoke of an invitation.

  – one with no mention of Valmua's name on it,

  Which confused the duchess as to why she'd even been brought in the first place if she wasn’t even told to come, but nonetheless, she would not miss the opportunity to send this red bitch packing just as quickly as she'd arrive – it had only been a few seconds and the crane was already tired of her face. Izumi turned those frozen lilacs to peer upon Valmua once more -- "My apologies, but It would seem your friends haven't invited you today. Tell your family in the mountains we bid them greetings though." -- and request for her to go away. Izu wouldn’t leave until she watched the woman go, too. Cirilla had left, and Kuhn and Tiberius were preparing to be on their merry way -- yet the young agouti woman still remained. If Val wished to try anything, the crane didn't wish to leave the two alone together….

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You solid Cheetokins

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 As Tiberius spoke, Valmúa made an active effort to describe her nonchalance at their general hatred toward her by reaching out with her front paws and stretching herself. She could feel her suncat against her as she did this, and yawned to display her teeth in good working order. The dark oaf made a cruel point of ignoring her presence almost entirely, which did little but solidify what they all knew: she could get away with whatever the hell she wanted.
 As Cirilla left and River allowed Kuhn and Tiberius to run off on their own, Valmúa thought about what would happen if she insisted on seeking presence with the dumb little empress. She ran through a scenario quickly in her head, but it ended in serious injury for either her or Kuhn. Despite her stubborn nature, she was not willing to put him in harm's way if there was a possibility of winning in a less egregious manner later on.
 Kuhn slid against her as he followed Tiberius — she leaned into the touch and mouthed at him lightly. He smelled like the oaf. She sneered momentarily.
 Izumi tried her best to send her off, but with Tiberius leaving and Cirilla already gone, Valmúa knew that she could leave, or not leave, as slowly as she wanted to. It seemed doubtful that the slender women would be able to do much of anything to force her to go, lest they risk her battle prowess and the wrath of a lord.
 She sniffed, clearing her nose of something dry. After a pause, she looked at the inkblot and took a step sideways so that she could lean quite close to her. “You look like shit when you are angry,” she snaked in a whisper. “You should smile more.”
 It didn't matter if any of them had heard her. She turned toward the border anyway, fully intent on waiting for Kuhn directly beside it.

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