do you believe in gods

A gentle hum of crickets lifted the silence. Bran was outside the den he had claimed for himself, staring across Greenwood's territory. He felt the unnatural urge to recite again. Strange. Mother had not been the type to tell many stories. She sang - badly - and told poems. The rest Bran had encountered himself on the road, a signal the gods may be looking down on him. Wanting to share his heritage.

 "Happiness and peace / takes us in a warm embrace"

Canis gave him nothing but glimpses into the past and his religion was forgotten about. The gods' tongue was the only thing that remained with him. Their poems are strange and strong at the same time. Resonating with him. He rumbled against the quiet, unaware if another approached. His eyes were glazed over as he stared up, focusing entirely on the night sky. Wondering if his mother was okay, the old dwarf...

 "The glory and fame of war / but a painful resting grief."

She had always been a strong lady. But she was old now, and her bar fights hopefully through. Maybe she had settled down for real this time, making damn sure to populate her homestead with pitter-patter paws. Hopefully, she had a mate now. Someone who wouldn't disappear as Bran's father had.

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{Hoarder}

Sunset had drawn on the monuments and a moment of serenity had come to call in that moment. Bird song became tranquil and the wind had died down to make way for a clear, clementine coloured sky. After an afternoon on the borders, Greer was carrying her latest find; a deer skull still attached to its antlers. A beautiful 7 prong rack from one the larger variety of deer. It was the biggest set she'd gotten a hold of this year! It wasn't hard to find having found it attached to one of the trees near the nestle. The poor blighter must've gotten tangled in the branches and not found a way out. Either starved or something gave him an easier way out.

Never the less, it brought her a gift that she would use to decorate the front of her den.

Although heavy, Greer still found herself enjoying the walk towards her den. The she-devil found herself watching the dancing shadows with awe as she traversed the outcrops, molten gaze enflamed by the sun's dying light. It had her pondering of her conversation with Kore, about the new folks that had moved into the kingdom under her Queen's reign. A skunk had her frowning but the rest had her intrigued. It was barely a handful of new wolves, but wolves she would love to put to work - to show the ropes. Greenwood wasn't all about loving life and partying, there was still a pack to run. Chores to do and errands to run. 

At times the laid back appeal of the pack was nice, but other times it grated on Greer's nerves as she worked her ass off.

When a scent caught her nose, Greer paused in her step. She didn't recognise it but the familiarity of the pack smell was enough for her to deduce it wasn't an intruder. There was a pensive moment of hesitation before she decided to redirect her route, feeling somewhat charitable with her time. Her approach was slow but reasonably friendly given the resting bitch face she often sported. Blank but blank enough to not be mean so to say. And this was all before she'd even found where this wolf was hiding.

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He slapped his jaws shut. A trickle of embarrassment that yet another intruded on him while he recited. He pushed it away. The sight of the brown-hued woman should be welcomed, not scorned. Bran dipped his head, though did not know what rank the other held. Best to be polite and courteous when facing new wolves. She didn't seem to acknowledge his poetry - perhaps she hadn't heard. Thank the gods.

"Greetings," he rumbled to her, letting her know where his den was and therefore where he was "I am Godbrand, new to this pack" If she turned to look at him, he'd lift his eyes to her face "what is your name?" And rank, he wanted to ask this too... But found it could be a sore subject sometimes. Especially in a pack where some felt more ambition over loyalty. He waited now, wondering what sort of welcome he'd get.

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Her ears had indeed been somewhat hard of hearing to his poetic words but not completely deaf to its melody. She just did not simply care where and who it came from. Greenwood was often lulled to sleep by folkish songs sung by the queen. It had become a practice that Greer could not sleep without, so to know another vocalist had joined their ranks was not something she begrudged.

To save face too, she would refrain from acknowledgement as she found the source of a voice similar in tone to the once spoken melody. Molten eyes were brisk in their survey, dragging across the scape until falling upon a pelt of dark timbers. His chest reminded her so much of their male Leighis, a man of a lighter cream to that of this specimen. It was the first wolf Greer had come across that had this darker appearance too but his eyes burnt like her own, a stark contrast to the muted shadows he wore. 

She met him with a bow of her muzzle.

Godbrand, he said, a strong name especially in a populace of primarily women. His other words simply stated the obvious, a piece of information she lost to the wind without regret. His speech held proper form, something that tickled her ears pleasantly however. 

"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Godbrand," her voice licked his name with silk, "I am Greer, Caomhnóir and Guardian of Greenwood." She held her rank with pride, holding her already proud posture despite the heavy crown of antlers carried over her shoulders. It was high time they met she suppose, she could no longer rely on her duty to ignore people. The she-devil internally cried but to be social was to gain trust and with trust came power (the power of friendship). To attain a place of power through the peoples vote was to naively think it was so easy. Not that Greer was power hungry, it was just how she'd been raised. The higher the status, the easier life was; or so she thought.

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Bran had always kept a serious air to himself. He believed the arts were less than physical unless one counted dancing - which he did but would not do. He thought that he was both above them and also inexperienced in them. It would take some practice before he willingly performed in front of others — and some confidence too. He faced the woman now, and he noted she did not flinch at saying his name.

Some wolves preferred 'Bran'.

Be it the god attached or whatever else, sometimes they were uncomfortable. "A pleasure, Caomhnóir Greer" he rumbled neutrally, though he did not give his own rank to her. Perhaps he was too new? Lady Kore spoke of ranks in passing when they talked before, but nothing formal was given... It was silly to think he had forgotten it, for he did not forget easily "would it insult you to ask if I could assist?"

He gave a nod to the antlers but would not press the issue further if she reacted badly. He waited for her reply, but the offer was genuine enough. Bran was willing to pull his weight with even miscellaneous tasks.

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His offer fell on surprised ears though she did not know why. It widened her eyes but a little though she did not gasp. Perhaps it was the men she was used to in her previous life that left her wondering when they’d pick up a finger. This was something unexpected of the opposite sex, though not of Greenwood.

The she-devil offered a faint smile to display her appreciation though her words were hesitant, “I live a ways past the stepping stones to the east, Sir. I could never pull you from your evening of serenity,” she was trying to dissuade him but wasn’t completely silly to deny him if he so wished to offer to lighten her load. It would make a change she supposed, if he did. And it would offer her company as she walked into the darkening night alone.

She eyed him for a moment through hooded eyes. What would he be gaining from this encounter after all? He seemed like the proper type though she did wonder what his reasoning for joining the tranquil pack. Everyone had their own reason. It was unique to each and every wolf. This world was a strange place and it seemed that even the gods struggled to find the lock and key.

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"Serenity does not suit me." Bran attempted to joke, even if his tone was still 'normal' and not very light of jest. He huffed, closing his eyes briefly as if struggling with the concept. Eventually, he opened them with a brief shake of his head. Greer seemed concerned somewhat, though he couldn't tell for true. Perhaps it was less concern and more shock.

"I am doing nothing" he ventured "but being a lazy sort. My time would be better spent assisting others" Though there was a difference between being lazy and just enjoying the silence; it was something Bran never seemed to grasp "I also do not know the terrain very well. The walk would help with that." But he fell silent, giving his reasons and not expecting her to accept.

If she was hellbent on doing this alone, he would let her. It wasn't like he could force her.

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The woman could feel her smile quirk a little at his jesting attempt. She watched him then as he went through what seemed like a mental battle of sorts before escaping his mind was the shake of his head. 

"No such thing as lazy to Miss Kore, we live a life of tranquility here after all," she offered with a tilt of her head, almost expecting him to not accept her retort. Though you were expected to pull your weight, the time you had spare was often used however you wished. Greer more often than not found herself amongst the fairy circles, studying the mushrooms that grew there. Instead of declining this man's offer though, she decided it best to humour his attempts at duty. 

Shrugging off the rack of antlers, she let them drop to the ground with a soft thud. 

"Come, I can always give you a tour as we go. It'd be the least I could do." Truth be told, Greer was intrigued by the man. It really wasn't often they found such a specimen amongst the gaggle of women in greenwood and she definitely wouldn't count the wetness that was Oisin as a man. It was other's tastes but not her own. She scrunched up her nose subconsciously, before casting her eyes towards the stepping stones. They weren't in sight so to say, but she knew their direction well. It wouldn't be a long trek, if much of a trek at all.

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ooc; a natural faded exit... due to him having left GW x'D trying to make old threads wrap up! we can totally thread again in a current setting if you like
 

Tranquility...

It did not really suit the man. He had been a vagabond most of his life and faced hardships with or without others. It would definitely be an adjustment. He grunts softly as he follows after Greer, and like he requested he would assist in dragging the antlers back. Maybe not right now, due to the tour she insisted upon, but after it. Yes, after.

"Lead the way, Greer." He offered in terms of conversation. Bran would fall silent after that, listening to her speak if she wanted. Otherwise, he enjoyed the easy silence that could fall between them. A tour would no doubt be a grand thing, so he readied himself for the full mapping of the territory. All in all, not a bad way to spend the rest of the day.

/end

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