We Set Fire in the Snow

Neve Harland 22 || Beta || Sansoria || Game Hunter So, I lost my head a while ago, but you seem to have done no better

[nevexharland]

nataliefi:

You don’t know what I’ve been through and seen– Natalie rolled her eyes in spite of her better judgement to remain blasé as best she could. It frustrated her to no reasonable end that wolves always tried to best each other in any field, including anguish. Flee to Sansoria but the need to compete, to compare and prove how much better or worse off she is would always be there - that was the heart of an Aurelian. Rather than comment or choose to acknowledge what she said any further, Natalie’s eyes darted down to the other who perked up from behind this combatant stranger.

Her heart gave a pang.

No.

Why was she offering her help? Neither of them were in Alexander’s pack therefore she wasn’t obligated to care about them, but… They were still people who deserved an equal opportunity just like the rest of them. For Samson. And doing this meant involving some shred of trust, some leniency from her cold core to care remotely about helping either of them - especially the one who wanted to fight and be aggressive. As much as she loathed the formal address, Natalie - after a few moments of hesitation - extended her arm towards the girl like an offer, and said to the both of them, “Come with me.”

Gods, how she hated emotion.

The sensation of Jocelyn’s hand clutching her own like a trembling vice was the perfect application of pressure to whatever mental wound she’d reopened that made her lash out like this. The human girl’s hand was as solid and firm as her own, but instinct, both lupine and familial, made it feel delicate and fragile as glass. In need of protection. That was supposed to be her job, wasn’t it? That’s what she’d dedicated herself to, what she’d promised Jeron on his death bed. Under the stress, shame rose its head, a small crawling thing that crept under her skin and forced her to look away from the noble. How could she have let herself get carried away like this? This defensive, provocative posturing wasn’t keeping Jocelyn safe, it was putting her more in danger.

The words hit her ears with a ring like a church bell. Even with Neve’s less than cooperative behavior... Had Aurelia managed to make more progress than she’d thought? She still doubted it. More likely this woman was a rarity, an exception to the rule. But for now, she would take this rarity. She always tried to preach acceptance and openness in the rest of her life, didn’t she? Hadn’t that been what she’d been arguing for, fighting for, since she left this oppressive place? Fuck. Just because that asshole had wriggled his way into her life again, didn’t mean she should let him change her, too. Make her hard and angry and unwilling to accept help when she needed it. Fuuuck.

Jocelyn, meanwhile, had lit up with relief at the lady’s command and stepped out from behind Neve. Her other hand found the woman’s, stammering as she did, “Th-thank you, my lady! Thank you s-so much. Neve!” She looked back at Neve, who met her gaze with more than a little trepidation. Fuuuuuuuck... fine! “Fine.” She gave Jocelyn’s hand a squeeze, but didn’t release it yet. Now she focused on the noble again, carefully composing her expression into one of cool attentiveness, though suspicion still lingered in the corners of her eyes and the furrowing of her brows. “Lead on.” Unlike Jocelyn, she wouldn’t use any honorifics or titles in any serious context. Nobody was her lord or lady, and she would keep it that way whether they liked it or not.

[nevexharland]

nataliefi:

Of all the things– Natalie was actively fuming at this point the more the stranger continued to speak, going off on a rant in that kind of condescending way Natalie loathed. It’s what nobles used, it’s what she heard in her youth and it’s what she heard servants be addressed by. It made her blood boil.Sweetheart, oh, how endearing. She was meant to returning to her estate, to hideaway in its corridors and float between rooms, idling her time and treating war like a wave of ocean water that could not quite reach her from up high. Letters had to be sent out, she had personal matters to address - issues that needed her attention, none of which involved this difficult–

She approached the woman - who seemed to already have an opinion formed about the noble class - without pause. They were clearly from Sansoria, from the sounds of it. What else could she really do at this point? It wasn’t her time or effort to argue with this girl, that’s not what Samson would have wanted. He had always been a gentler soul than her though. Natalie’s facial expression darkened and she lowered her tone, “You’re absolutely ridiculous to speak this way and I won’t bother begging for your lament over my life story. Someone will quite literally hand you your ass someday for saying what you did, and I honestly would, but you’re not worth the ruin of this gown.”

Samson wanted peace between everyone Aurelia but had he once stopped to consider those that fled to Sansoria? That lived with that rationality? And why, why was she pulling away from that ideology of his? For so long, she sought after it but as the days wore on, she grew in favour of her high-esteem that her wealth and status appraised her with. He would be disappointed. So very disappointed. She had to try, a lot harder than before. “Leave and the soldiers will mistake you for whores in our slums. Or stay for one night and I can offer my services to the both of you, it’s apparently needed. You’ll be safer there than out here.” It made her cringe-inwardly that she was combating a strengthening bias against stubborn and resistant commoners like this, it often made her wonder how it was even possible peace could be achieved between the people and the kingdoms.  

Gods she really should get a grip, but she couldn’t stop herself at this point. The words just poured out, hissing and bubbling with venom accumulated over years of pent up rage and frustration. Neve realized now that her body might have escaped to Sansoria years ago, but try as she might, she hadn’t been able to free her mind from Aurelia. It was always drawn back here, even more so now that Dante had forced himself back into her life. The tension of this evening had eroded the last of her fucks to give. A few months ago, she might have been more prudent before lashing out at a noble like this. She’d been doing so well. But that little dark spot in her heart had been growing and finding fuel to feed itself. Now she was in the middle of the Aurelian capital chewing out some lady while Jocelyn was trying to pull her away. What the hell was her life now?

As the woman approached, Neve tensed, an arm pressing Jocelyn further behind her while her eyes flashed dangerously, looking for any sign of an attack, any inkling of a threat. The woman’s expression was like a little jolt of adrenaline in her veins, egging her on. “Good, ‘cause I wouldn’t lament it even if you shared. You don’t know what I’ve been through and seen to make me speak this way, so don’t come on like I’m some ignorant moron complaining for no reason.” The sneer curled into a small, tight grin, almost feral. In the back of her mind, Neve wondered if this would be the day she snapped. Lost her control, gave over to the anger and pain Dante had branded her with. Reign it in, reign it in! A short steadying breath. A clipped exhale. Her gaze became colder, stony. “Someone can try handing my ass to me, and I’ll hand them their own head in exchange.”

But an attack didn’t come. What she got was a low, furious murmur and an... offer of help? Suspicion clouded her face. What was this? Some ploy to lure them off and have them arrested? “And why would you help us?” she asked, chin jutting out defiantly. This country was formed on the principle of fighting for oneself and oneself alone, not helping out those in need. Before she could issue another sharp challenge, Jocelyn poked her head around Neve’s shoulder and blurted, “Yes, please!”

“Quiet!” Neve snapped, shooting her a fierce look which went unnoticed. Jocelyn was staring wide-eyed at the noblewoman, fear and hope radiating from her. She’d always had too much faith in others. Neve felt a stab of fear herself – not for their predicament, not for the thought of what the guards might think if they met any, but for the girl and where this overly trusting streak would lead her. Jocelyn continued. “Please, my lady, we just want to get home. It’s my fault we’re here, I just don’t want any more trouble. If you can help–” She cut herself off, clearly thinking she’d said too much. Neve could feel her whole body trembling and felt around until she had Jocelyn’s hand in her own. Perhaps it was good her ward was here. Left to her own devices, Neve might have just kept challenging and fighting her way through this. She still couldn’t bring herself to echo the plea, but as she stared at the Aurelian woman, the thought crossed her mind that maybe... maybe this could be a better idea.

[nevexharland]

DANTE

“Ohhhhhh where do I begin?

He’s batshit bonkers and loonier than a dizzy dodo.

He’s got that thing for murder and blood and all that shit. I’m just gonna leave it at that.

He doeSN’T KNOW WHEN TO LEAVE ME THE FUCK ALONE FOR FUCK’S SAKE.

Among many many other things.”

[nevexharland]

Send me:

Your Fave is Problematic + a character: my character will tell you three things they find “problematic” about that character

My Fave is Problematic: the player will tell you three things they find “problematic” about their own character

These can absolutely be sent more than once (multiple ways to be problematic, after all), and “problematic” can be sarcastic! (Example: “1) Too precious for their own good 2) Wears cute hats. 3) Is actually Satan but only ironically.”)

[nevexharland]

nataliefi:

“I doubt it.” Natalie said flatly, not liking the tone at which the other spoke to her with. “What happened?” She motioned with a point of her finger at the other who accompanied the woman, “Why are you two headed off towards Sansoria? Are you really so determined to be taken prisoner or killed by Aurelian’s for your disloyalty?”

Why was it always the difficult people who liked to get in between her and a simple life? How do they find me? “What happened is we had a little mix-up as to what ‘you’re not going to the party because it’s dangerous and you’re gonna get yourself hurt or worse’ meant. But thankfully–” she glanced at Jocelyn, who suddenly became very interested in her own shoes, a blush of shame creeping over her cheeks “–I think we’ve clarified that, and the lesson has be thoroughly learned.” She looked back at the other woman. So authoritative, this one, and she admitted privately that that dress was pretty spectacular. Another noble wandering the streets looking for hapless commoners to pick on? She wasn’t having any more of that tonight, thanks, and for the rest of her life. No more.

She felt Jocelyn’s hand tugging her sleeve, but it didn’t stop the bark of humorless laughter that burst from her. “I don’t know what rock you’ve been living under, but people have been escaping to Sansoria for years without being either captured or killed for disloyalty. What does the crown care for the lowly mud-dwellers down here who can’t savage their way up to the top of the food chain?” The spite and bitterness were palpable in her voice. “Trust me, sweetheart, people leave every day and no one bats an eye, least of all your kind up there rolling in jewels and the blood of your enemies. I left once already, and now I’d quite like to be quit of this place for good. Unless you’re personally planning of stopping me by yourself, since it seems that as usual, all the guards are too busy protecting your pals at the castle to bother protecting the rest of these sorry assholes.” At least Aurelia was terribly predictable on that front.

[nataliefi]

“Are you really insinuating that I fight you for you to change–” Natalie stopped mid-sentence and stepped towards the woman, “If you continue that way, the Sansorian guards will catch you and this girl you’re so worried about.”

[nevexharland]

“I’m saying it plainly, ma’am.” Her brush with Dante was still too fresh in her mind, as evidenced by the tension in her limbs and in her voice as she kept Jocelyn firmly positioned behind her. “Fantastic. I’ve got a pal of sorts on the guard, he’ll be able to make sure we get across safely. Appreciate the concern, though.”

[nataliefi]

“What do you think you’re doing? You can’t just go off that way!”

[nevexharland]

“And are you gonna stop me? Sorry, lady, I’ve got a very scared girl to get home and I don’t have time for your opinion on my route choice.”

[artificialpeas]

Visit Original Link

[nevexharland]

sunnhyesu:

She wondered if things would be different if she didn’t face her dilemma, the loyalty to her pack, made her  justify the tedious things he never would have gone through with before.  Sun didn’t comment on that, answering to only the rest of what she said. “I can manage that, most of my fighting days are behind me.” Once she learned control it had become apparent what she’d been doing came from a place of hurt, and anger, things were different now. She was different now.

A strange offer, it was most likely for the free food but Sun wasn’t one to decline the chance to relieve stress. “Show me the way, and I’ll be happy to feed those hungry mouths something good.” The girl was making an attempt, so for her hospitality she could be a kind intruder at least. “Who are ‘your own’ exactly?” She asked, she assumed they weren’t wolves, unless they were omegas normally there was no need to worry for others.

Wow, it was nice to have a conversation that actually went from slightly sour to pretty much okay. Seemed that all she’d had lately were ones that went the opposite direction. Neve even allowed herself to smile a bit. “Well that’s alright then, isn’t it? I’m Neve, by the way, just in case you ever stop by again and need a name to holler to get someone to answer the door.” This woman was striking her as more and more of the kind of person she wouldn’t mind having come to visit. Maybe it was that she recognized something of a kindred spirit, someone who had things they were trying to avoid and let go of. That could just be that pent-up frustration, though, to be fair. She’d have to find out.

Her smile widened when the woman accepted, and made a motion for her to follow. “Great, they’ll be more than happy to hear that. All I ever hear is that I only know meat dishes and not enough recipes for sweets.” She started making her way back, her pace slow and leisurely as she pondered this odd turn of events (still fairly normal for her life, all things considered) and answered the next question. “Oh, I’ve got two... well, they’re not really my kids, bit old for that. I just sort of took over looking out for them. Their dad took me in and helped me get back on my feet, and I just stuck around after that. When he passed, they were still a bit young to be on their own, so I’ve stayed and now they’re kind of mine. Two girls, seventeen and sixteen. They’re pretty good, I promise, and they’re much nicer to strangers than I am.”

[dantexvicario-blog]

luck of the draw // neve & dante

Dante found himself enthralled by the festival thrown by the common folk of Aurelia. It was…well, it was far more entertaining than a coronation that wasn’t his own. He’d have to show himself, of course, but he’d rather trickle through the cobble stone streets and hunt himself down a worthy person to accompany him to the pathetic little celebration. A Queen…it was ridiculous. Not that she was a woman, but the fact that Aurelia was following the exact they’d striven to denounce. Survival of the fittest, power to the strongest; that was their way, and the only way. 

By passing the throne to Catarina, they were no better than the Sansorians who so obviously lurked at their boarders. It was a shame, really. Suitors were fighting tooth and nail for the hand of their young new queen, when they should have been doing so for the right to the throne. Marry into power…Dante snorted out loud. What a loophole, He thought. Che scherzo. Power was created to be taken and earned, not handed to you on a silly silver platter, was it not?  Ridiculous and stupid. 

His calloused hands gripped the black steel blade at his side, thrumming fingers across the hilt absentmindedly. The demon that purred in his ear was hungry for blood, curiously edging him on. He craved the sight of red, but, alas, there was yet another no violence rule. How well that had worked out for King Santiago. Dante let out a bark of laughter at his own thoughts, which caused several people to turn their attention to the Earl who had rumors of murder floating around his name…

…including one that smelled like Neve. The Earl bit back a snarl, anger flaming in his chest at the thought of the beta. Oh, this would be fun, wouldn’t it? Dante approached the two girls lazily, flashing them a sickly sweet smile as he saw them tense in alarm. “You two ragazze are far too young to be wandering here alone…tell me, where is Miss Harland, hm?”

[nevexharland]

Aurelia’s capital. The fact that she was setting foot here at all had Neve’s skin crawling. One accidental foray back over the border had been enough to ruin her years-long streak of relative happiness. Now she was coming here on purpose, and the thought made her stomach curl on itself a few times. So long as she could keep her wits about her and stay on target, she could have this settled quickly. She just needed to find Jocelyn. But this was a task easier said than done.

The streets were packed with people. Vendors selling food and party favors and anything they thought would go well during such a festival had to vie with musicians and street performers for attention. Neve refused to make eye contact with anyone, just darted between bodies and groups as she scanned for any sign of her ward. But in these crowds it was impossible. There were too many people. Keep it together, girl.

Finally, she had to step down a less-crowded side street and try to regroup. She didn’t have the benefit of the tall Sansorian lord she’d encountered again; she figured he was off trying to find whoever he’d lost as well. She was on her own here, firmly in enemy territory where she very much didn’t want to be. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply, relaxing as much as possible and pulling at her wolf instincts to give her some kind of guidance. Maybe if she just looped around a few times, tried to catch Jocelyn’s scent. That would help. Almost as soon as the thought occurred to her, she caught it. It was faint, but present and very familiar. Jocelyn had been past here recently, very recently if her scent was still this distinct in these crowds.

Neve followed it through the throngs, heart racing every time she thought she’d lost it, breathing evening out when she picked it up again. There, ahead of her, was that...? The scent was stronger as she approached another high street and spotted a familiar blonde braided head bobbing through the crowd, accompanied by a shorter darker-haired one. Finally! Neve started forward, but froze as she heard a distinctive laugh. Oh you are FUCKING kidding me... Sure enough, though, there he was, unmistakably Dante, stalking towards Jocelyn and the other girl. Neve sped up, knocking a few people aside in her haste to get to the girls first. She was just close enough to hear his question, and Jocelyn’s confused stammer of “I... I’m sorry? You... you know Neve?”

“Right here, thanks for asking,” she chimed in, inserting herself firmly in front of Jocelyn and her date. After their moonlit encounter, which had been bad enough, it was bizarre seeing his face again. He only barely looked older, still handsome, but the way that smile twisted his mouth was nothing like the smiles she’d grown up with. And it sure as hell wasn’t enough to elicit anything but a glare from her. “And now we’re leaving. Cheerio.”

[nevexharland]

erickverdon:

Even though their paths kept crossing Erick still did not know the woman’s name and normally wouldn’t care, but he felt as if there was a familiarity to her that he wasn’t seeing yet. A noble? Maybe. Most weren’t as tough as she was and definitely not one that sold animals Erick recalled from their first encounter. “It doesn’t really. I’m afraid to report that there has not been anyone in these parts of the woods.” That was hard to determine for he too was looking for someone and there was no telling which way they went.

As the woman lowered her weapon after Erick did he could feel that she was tense and wondered if that had anything to do with what she was doing out here. “Yes. Well, Sansoria sure knows how to throw parties. I’m sure that Aurelia’s is mediocre in comparison,” he drawled, rolling his eyes as he reminded himself that his member had gone to the said party. “All teenagers are dumb. I hope you grab the right one.” Erick looked past the woman, knowing that his path would lead to the kingdom itself. “I don’t suppose you have seen someone pass through here either?”

Well, dammit. She had been half-hoping he might’ve seen Jocelyn come by, but the practical part of her knew that it would have been a stretch. By Careena’s babbled, nearly incoherent account, Jocelyn had left hours ago, more than enough time to get a good head start even if she didn’t really know where she was going. Neve knew these woods like the back of her hand, but she still couldn’t pinpoint any traces of anyone else’s presence through here, either adult or youth. “Ah. Well, it seems we’re both quite out of luck, aren’t we?”

She cocked her head to one side, lifting an eyebrow. “Really? I wouldn’t have thought you the type for partying, if you don’t mind my saying.” For all that he seemed reasonably good-natured and tolerable (and she only had rather limited knowledge of him to go off of), the lord had also struck her as more a man of action than one to spend his time rubbing elbows and gossiping. “I wouldn’t know. Never been on anyone’s good side long enough to get an invite to such an event. But at least Sansorians are more inclusive about their national festivities. I hear Aurelian commoners are being segregated this week, which is pretty typically awful of them.” She glanced around again, shaking her head as she did. “’Fraid not, sorry. But I’d say it’s a safe bet you’re right and your quarry headed to the capital, just like mine. If you’re heading that way, we might as well go together. Long as you’ve got your quick boots on, though, I plan on going making this as fast as possible. ...Sorry, I don’t think I ever got your name.”

[nevexharland]

alexanderxbarrett:

“Go whine about it to someone who gives a shit,” Alexander spat, rolling his eyes. Just what he needed after a long day of mentally exhausting himself in Sansorian court; dealing with this pain in the ass. “I have wonderful manners, but I don’t say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ to intrusive bitches who get their panties in a twist when I won’t feed them confidential information. And I’ll be sure to get right to doing that, princess, as soon as you pull the iron rod out of yours.””

Nope, she was not having this. Not when she had a rogue human on the loose that needed to be dragged home and another huddled inside the house and probably wondering what all the yelling was about. She gave him a short round of applause. "That’s fabulous, I’m just so pleased to hear it. Good on you, sticking up for king and country and keeping your fat mouth shut. You deserve a medal. You know, though, I quite like my iron rod right where it is, thanks. Reminds me not to take shit from entitled fuckholes like you. Now, I actually have a mission of my own to be getting on with, so for the last fucking time–” she squared up, arms crossed and fists balled up “–if you would kindly remove yourself from my property and make your way off to your pals over on the border, I would be ever so grateful, your lordship.”

[laanarshadowblade]

“I can overcome the negative emotions that fester in the depths of my heart. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but one day, I will master my emotions.” -Laan'ar Shadowblade

[inevitableshit]

[nevexharland]

sunnhyesu:

Sun was about to retort how she would be be more than happy to leave the girl to herself but ended up staying. Really in no hurry to get back to her pack. Giving the girl the benefit of the doubt she might have been on edge with everyone running around frantically. Determined to take some of Aurelia’s happiness, join in the festivities. “It doesn’t matter, if you’re out to ‘show your strength’. It’s supposed to be intimidating, but staying cooped up is driving my stir crazy. I normally, um, bake. But since I’m stuck out here for however long I don’t have that to relieve my stress.”

Old Sun would have punched, bitten, and wrestled her community. Control over the boiling anger had her step away before she said or did something she would regret. At the end of the day she cared for them, they had a bond and wouldn’t want to test it over temporary annoyance.

“Hmph.” Fine, she supposed she could tone it down a bit. After all, this girl didn’t seem like she was going to be a threat at the moment, and Neve was particularly attuned to potential threats right now. When was life going to just go back to normal? “Showing strength doesn’t matter to me, just protecting my own. I get it, though. All these bleeding soldiers marching around like they own the place, and people doing stupid shit to let off steam. Maybe just come by and knock on the front door next time, yeah? For my peace of mind, at least, avoiding dumb fights and such.”

She could feel the pent-up energy coming from the woman, similar to her own, and her sympathy began to show through her tension. With a private prick of annoyance that she couldn’t shake her bleeding heart, she jerked her head towards the cabin a little ways behind her. “Well, if you like, we’ve got baking stuff and mouths that would probably be more than happy to eat whatever you can whip up. Or tea and something to eat. I dunno. I have targets for shooting or throwing stuff at?” She was really sucking at the whole ‘actually showing that she cared and wanted to help’ thing lately.

[nevexharland]

alexanderxbarrett

“What’s that saying commoners like to preach to each other? What’s mine is yours and all that? I suppose that rule applies here, hmm? Ah, so now I’m an idiot for not wanting to spill private, confidential information to a woman who looks like she’s living on the cusp of homelessness?”

“Knew you were a noble. Though that does answer your question, doesn’t it? Commoners only, nobles are exempt, so no, what’s mine is mine and I’m not feeling generous anymore. And no, but frankly I don’t think much of stuck-up nancyboys who think they’re so above it all they can’t even be bothered with basic manners. Also who turns down free food? Only idiots in my book. I might look like I’m next to homeless, but thanks to some good people and constantly working for it, I’m not. So you can shove your hoity-toity attitude right up your ass.”

[nevexharland]

sunnhyesu:

“I think I’m walking. I would think you would be familiar with that action.” Sun’s voice was clipped, naturally she fell on the more aggressive side of responding. It was a reflex to respond that way. Even with practice, her instincts warned her to stand her ground, no matter what she was doing.

Upon careful afterthought she exhaled and attempted a more civil approach. “It’s going to be a long wait, I needed to stretch. This is my kingdom  I’m not an outsider.”

The aggression in the woman’s tone raised Neve’s hackles further, and she planted her feet firmly and gave her a long, hard look. With all the soldiers traipsing around these parts and her earlier fight with Jocelyn, she was on edge and in no mood to be particularly civil to unexpected guests. “Lovely, I’m pleased you can use your legs. I’d be more pleased if you’d used them to go elsewhere.”

As the woman changed her tone, Neve raised her chin and her gaze became a little less antagonizing. She didn’t seem to be a soldier, at least not on the surface. “Glad to hear it, I’ve had enough of Aurelians for a lifetime. A long wait for what exactly? The soldiers aren’t going to be moving on anytime soon, and it sounds like them across the border are too busy getting shitfaced to bother us.”