Not Quite Wild
[12:15:33] Crow (melchior.wardell) took Hecate through her usual daily walk, allowing the great sleen to set a comfortable pace rather than pushing her. She had been fed beforehand, so there was little reason for hunger to dictate her behaviour today. That, however, did not mean he stopped watching her. Every so often he slowed, calling her closer with a quiet gesture. “Here.” He ran his eyes over her coat, inspecting rather than merely admiring it. He checked the fur along her flanks, shoulders and belly for anything caught, matted or out of place. A few fingers moved carefully through the thicker fur, searching for burrs, dried blood, scratches or the telltale stiffness of an injury hidden beneath a healthy-looking coat.
[12:17:12] Oriana Candace Mishin (heavenlyurt.mother) slowly nears looking at the beast and man” eh tal”
[12:18:07] Hecate allowed such hands too seek in her fur as she idled next to Crow, burs were indeed there but no new wounds. Her massive head turned towards Crow and looking to him with a low grumble rippling through her. A noise of contentment which was rare for the creature to show more than Crow. However as someone neared she slowly turned her massive head, revealing her fags. For now she was intently watching the woman.
[12:18:26] Crow (melchior.wardell) would wave his hand galantly “You can pass, lady. I will ensure nothing will happen.”he promised positioning himself between her and the sleen. “She is well trained. Although any owner will say – that she has never done something like that before.”
[12:20:27] Oriana Candace Mishin (heavenlyurt.mother) stepped back. she knew what the creature was and was happy to shower. the smell of the forest surely was off of her” eh ye yes sir” she stepped back” I eh will go back into the the city I think perhaps….” she looked away despite the veil covering her face. she looked uncomfortable and nervous. she kept stepping back some times stealing a glance at the two
[12:22:49] Hecate gave a low grumble before she pressed her head against Crow lightly. Her nostrils flaring as the scent of something caused her attention to be caught. Her tail twitching behind herself before she gave a singular flat warning, a deep rippling noise. Should something come at her from behind it would be met in turn with a not so gentle retaliation.
[12:26:06] Kazoo had been hiding. Ever since Brokk had decided to use him as his own personal riding beast, venturing back into the city had seemed like an exceptionally bad idea. He’d managed to survive for a few days on little urts and whatever else he could catch, even wandering down to the water to snatch a few fish. But fish and urts only went so far. He needed something more substantial. Something meaty. Preferably something with bones he could gnaw on for a few days.
Hunger eventually won out over common sense, and the sleen slunk cautiously back up the steps toward the city. He was still a little shaken from being slammed into that damned wall down here, and every few steps came with a suspicious glance around, just in case Brokk—or worse—was lurking nearby.
Still, he’d gotten rid of the thrall.
So… bonus.
[12:26:51] Crow (melchior.wardell) noticed Hecate’s change before he gave any attention to the woman’s retreat. The low grumble against his side, followed by that singular warning note, made his posture still. His hand lowered briefly, fingers brushing along Hecate’s neck. “Easy.” Not a command to relax completely. A reminder to hold. His eyes moved past Oriana toward whatever had caught the sleen’s scent. He did not turn his back on it. He shifted half a step, placing himself between Hecate and the direction behind them, while keeping the animal from advancing. “Stay.” His eyes narrowed as he studied the sleen. Perhaps somewhat smaller than Hecate, but still an animal to reckon with. “You’ve been nervous since you approached us,” he said to Oriana, his tone matter-of-fact rather than accusing. “Now be smart and do not make any sudden movements.” he cautioned.
[12:29:14] Oriana Candace Mishin (heavenlyurt.mother) frowned and stood still not moving once she looked their way again. she gulped as a look of concern now showed on her eyes. she seen the other one”I I s so ma many things I ha havent do done ye yet” she whimpered lowly. she slowly moved her hand behind her back and the other to her chest VERY slowly afraid that the sleen may see them as snacks.
[12:34:22] Hecate gave a low warning growl once more before she settled under the hand of Crow, to a point where she wouldn’t attack right off the bat. Her teeth flickered, her tail lashed slightly and then she calmed. Relaxing and giving a grumble. She kneeded the ground with frustration but accepted that she was not to attack whatever was coming behind her. Yet her eyes turned towards the woman in a warning manner as not to try any tricks!
[12:41:32] Kazoo The sleen slunk slowly up the steps, belly low, his six-legged gait carrying him forward with an unsettling, almost serpentine smoothness. Six sets of claws clicked against the stone before suddenly going quiet as he stopped. His broad snout lifted, nostrils flaring as he tasted the air. People. His lips peeled slowly back from his teeth. Oh, he’d missed people. Then came another scent. Sleen. A deep, ugly rumble rolled through his chest as he crept higher, His head appeared above the final step first, cold eyes surveying those gathered there while the rest of his long body followed. His attention settled upon the other sleen, then drifted toward the person there around it. His tail gave one slow, deliberate lash.
This looked promising.
[12:48:50] Crow (melchior.wardell) ‘s hand settled lightly against Hecate’s neck. He looked toward Oriana then, noticing the fear in her eyes. “Don’t run.” The words were quiet, almost conversational. “Running is likely to make this considerably more interesting than it needs to be.” He felt the tension ease beneath his hand as Hecate finally accepted the command. The flicker of teeth and lash of her tail earned only a calm stroke along the side of her neck. “Good girl.”His eyes narrowed as he studied Kazoo’s approach, taking in the six legs, the low posture, the deliberate tail movement and, most importantly, Hecate’s reaction. He shifted his stance just enough to put himself more towards Oriana rather than directly between the two animals, keeping a clear line of sight to both. “Well.” His gaze remained on Kazoo. “Apparently Avarra has acquired another hunter.” The corner of his mouth twitched faintly. “And judging by that expression, this one has considerably less interest in being polite.” His attention returned to the two sleen. “Let them decide what they think of one another.” he moved slowly towards Oriana. “I’d rather not spend the afternoon explaining to Neeve why her infirmary has acquired another patient.”
[12:52:02] Oriana Candace Mishin (heavenlyurt.mother) frowned and would calmly and slowly walk towards the man. she would hide behind him but give him enough room to draw on the beast should he need to. she was afraid more of the beast then him at this point since he is the only one who could save her. as she walked over she kept her eyes on them both watching closely. once she got behind him” sir what is this…why so many sleen things…like…eh are you a sleen over or something” she pauced to think about her words” eh sleen keeper…you know” she mumbled lowly in a fearful innocent tone
[12:56:39] Hecate turned upon the other sleen. Letting out a bassy rumble from the female as fangs revealed. A grumple and a hiss and claws digging into the ground, she skirted around and placed herself between her and crow, front feet lifting up and then slamming down in a dramatic warning. Her tail lashed once, a hiss coming from her before she calmed down. Her warning was clear ‘this human is mine’ and with that she stared at the other. There was enough room for him to get past but also she herself was showing that she wasn’t moving. But he could get past her.
[13:03:54] Kazoo watched the female sleen place herself between him and the human, his head lowering as her warning was answered with a deep, vicious rumble of his own. Oh, she wanted to play. His lips peeled back, exposing his fangs, and for several heartbeats he remained utterly still before suddenly launching himself forward. Six powerful legs tore across the ground as he charged straight at Hecate, jaws snapping viciously as though he fully intended to barrel into her. At the last possible moment, however, something caught his nose. Meat. His charge faltered, head jerking sharply toward the city square as his nostrils flared. Meat. Lots of meat. Whatever murderous thoughts had occupied his sleen brain were abruptly replaced by considerably tastier ones. With a final snapping of his jaws toward Hecate, Kazoo veered past her and tore toward the square, claws scrabbling against the stone. Someone, somewhere, had a meat market… and Kazoo had absolutely no intention of paying.
[13:07:11] Crow (melchior.wardell) ‘s eyes flicked briefly toward Oriana as she slipped behind him, then immediately returned to the two sleen. He made no move to draw a weapon. The last thing he wanted was a blade entering a confrontation that, for the moment, remained a warning exchange. He watched the charge abruptly become something considerably less murderous. He stared after the fleeing sleen for a heartbeat. Then another. He slowly exhaled.“Well. That was disappointing.” he would give signal to Hecate to follow the animal and herd it if she was able. To Oriana “I fear I need to see what this animal is up too. There is still a mystery to solve.”
[13:09:04] Oriana Candace Mishin (heavenlyurt.mother) slowly nodded to him, she didn’t do much or say much since she felt I dangered” ye yes sir, I thi think ill leave thi this city now” she said knowing the sleen was gonna rampage. she would not wish to risk her life
[13:09:24] Hecate stamped her feet. She was not in the mood, the large female chuffing and baring her teeth in blatant warning before she shook her furred body. However as the male ran towards her she papared to snap back at him. Only to see the command from crow as the other veered off. She was after him in a heart beat, the female larger than normal sleens chasing after and intent on hounding the other sleen to rope him back towards the killer. She was a hunter and so was he. It would be a battle of wits now. And with that she chased, six paws, thudding silently after the other. As silently as one could be for her size. She darted past Oriana without a second glance.
[13:10:31] zCS # [Roll] IRunOnCoffee Resident rolled 68 (100).
[13:16:12] Kazoo burst into the square like a small furry catastrophe, skidding toward the meat stalls with an eager snort. His nose plunged toward the nearest slab before he immediately recoiled, lips curling in disgust. Rotten. Stale. Barely worth feeding to an urt. He let out an offended hiss, glaring at the butcher’s wares as though personally insulted. Then another scent rolled in behind him. Sleen. His head snapped around, cold eyes locking onto Hecate as she closed the distance. The meat was forgotten in an instant. With a savage roar, and a flick of his tail at the stalls beside him, at least damanging them or possibly even making the wares go flying, Kazoo wheeled and launched himself at her again, six legs driving him forward as snapping jaws aimed for her shoulder. ((2 rolls: 1 for the damage to the stalls: 0-49 just some wood or supports falling, 50- 100 for the whole thing to tumble. Then to attack Hecate. ;D))
[13:16:21] zCS # [Roll] ZandarLetts Resident rolled 61 (100).
[13:16:25] zCS # [Roll] ZandarLetts Resident rolled 21 (100).
[13:16:53] zCS # [Roll] IRunOnCoffee Resident rolled 99 (100).
[13:19:54] Hecate saw the other sleen attacking the food before she growled her deep rumbling warning as she came in full force. Her paws slamming on the ground before she launched herself up towards the side of the building, avoiding him as he locked eyes with her. Her fangs bared and her teeth gnashing in alert as she dodged to the side, avoiding the attack before she stuck out at his hid quarters, trying to snap the sleen to attention and herd him away from the food and into a more containable area. An Area she could block off so he could be caught.
[13:20:56] zCS # [Roll] IRunOnCoffee Resident rolled 32 (100).
[13:21:02] zCS # [Roll] ZandarLetts Resident rolled 63 (100).
[13:21:11] Crow (melchior.wardell) ‘s followed at a measured pace, Hecate moving before him. He had no need to hurry. As he reached the stalls, he spotted Kazoo immediately. His gaze moved over the scene, taking in the meat laid out, the two sleen, and the inevitable potential for chaos. He sighed quietly. “Of course.” His hand went to his belt and drew the whip, letting the coils hang loosely from his hand. He did not crack it. The weapon was there for one purpose: to give his commands something behind them should either animal decide that the market belonged to them.
[13:25:31] Kazoo snarled as Hecate’s teeth caught his hindquarters, the bite wrenching a furious yelp from him and sending him stumbling sideways into the nearest stall. Wood cracked beneath his weight, sending baskets, meat and half the display crashing across the stones. Pain only seemed to make Kazoo considerably less reasonable. Twisting with frightening speed, he launched himself back at Hecate, jaws snapping for the thick skin along her neck and shoulder as his weight drove forward. Whether he caught her or not, six flailing legs and one thoroughly enraged sleen were apparently enough to try to finish what he’d started. Another stall toppled as his hind legs smashed through its supports, a table overturned, and several baskets went rolling merrily across the square. Somewhere beneath the snarling, snapping chaos, Kazoo caught sight of Crow’s whip. His eyes narrowed. Oh, he remembered them. That only seemed to make him angrier.
[13:25:56] zCS # [Roll] ZandarLetts Resident rolled 60 (100).
[13:26:06] zCS # [Roll] IRunOnCoffee Resident rolled 95 (100).
[13:28:34] Hecate turned at Kazoo as he reacted to her slap against his hind quarters, her teeth bared her fur on end. She was angry. She was intense. Her eyes flared in anger as he snapped at her neck. Her paws reaching out to slam back at the sleen as she saw him eying crow. Her own fangs sought to seek his neck and if successful she’d try to drive him into the ground. Trying to hold him there as she hissed and growled. What turned out to originally being hearding, had turned into an all out brawl she was trying to keep away from the delicate humanoids. Lest she break the one that commanded her.
[13:28:38] zCS # [Roll] IRunOnCoffee Resident rolled 75 (100).
[13:28:47] zCS # [Roll] ZandarLetts Resident rolled 100 (100).
[13:31:24] Crow (melchior.wardell) ‘s expression hardened as the market erupted into splintering wood, overturned baskets and snarling fur. His attention snapped to Hecate as Kazoo twisted back toward her, jaws seeking her neck. “HECATE. BACK.” The command cracked across the square. He didn’t want to loose his own sleen over an animal that was traumatized and in hunger and perhaps pain. He stepped forward, whip already uncoiling in his hand. He did not strike yet. The first priority was to break the momentum before the fight became a killing struggle. “ENOUGH!” he called out in an attempt to not have it escalate. His keen eyes searching for a way to capture the animal without being pulled right through the city as the thrall had been.
[13:38:45] Kazoo twisted viciously beneath Hecate’s attack, using the chaos to wrench himself free as Crow’s command thundered across the square. Then his eyes locked upon the man. Kazoo charged. Six legs hammered across the stones, claws scraping for purchase as he barreled straight toward Crow, only to suddenly skid to a halt directly at his feet. For one strange moment, the sleen simply stared up at him. Silent. Still. Almost as though somewhere inside that malicious little skull, a moment of clarity had finally arrived. Perhaps he remembered he or the whip. Perhaps he understood the command. Perhaps there was hope after all. His head even tilted slightly. Then his lips peeled back. Nope. With a vicious snarl, Kazoo lunged upward, jaws snapping for Crow’s arm as his forelegs came up with him, claws seeking anything they could catch.
[13:38:54] zCS # [Roll] ZandarLetts Resident rolled 50 (100).
[13:39:03] zCS # [Roll] Melchior Wardell rolled 14 (100).
[13:39:48] Hecate heard the roar of enough from Crow, the tone, and the whip causing her to lunge backwards away from the other creature. Spinning about and facing her hind quarters to him for a split second before she herself tugged off towards her handler, stalking at the rim of the outside. The fight had gotten messy, though she had avoided injury she did not wish to get killed either. Instinct of survival kicking in as she growled at a distance. Her posture defensive instead of aggressive this time! Yet the second that Kazoo lunged for Crow she snapped at him. Trying to grab a leg and topple the other sleen before Crow could be bitten. Without getting in another straight out attack.
[13:39:52] zCS # [Roll] IRunOnCoffee Resident rolled 2 (100).
[13:40:27] zCS # [Roll] ZandarLetts Resident rolled 52 (100).
[13:45:48] Crow (melchior.wardell) saw the lunge coming. His arm pulled back instinctively as Kazoo’s jaws snapped upward, while Hecate’s sudden counter from the side disrupted the charge. Crow stepped sharply back, putting distance between himself and the snapping jaws, the whip already moving through his hand. He could not completely avoid the sharpness of the fangs and felt it rip through skin of his hand. “NO.” he called out. He was a man that had lived his life always dangerously and he knew that in these moments it would matter to remain focused. The word was directed at both sleen. He gave Hecate a sharp gesture toward him. “Back. Stay.” He ignored the sharpness of the pain and considered the moment he would tell Neeve about the loss of limbs. “You are hungry … and yet you want to bite the hand that can feed you?” his words were calm once more as if to sooth the animal that was not designed to simply attack without reason. He head seen it previous. It only played or felt cornered. It wasn’t a merciless murderer unlike himself. “I am beginning to think manners are beyond you.” He kept the whip ready, watching Kazoo’s shoulders, jaws and feet rather than the threat of the teeth alone. He would use it but only in a last resort. He was a reasonable trainer and kept his animals well.
[13:55:47] Kazoo felt his fangs catch flesh before Crow pulled away, the taste of blood bringing a low, satisfied rumble from deep in Kazoo’s chest. Hecate’s attempt to catch his leg barely registered, but that single, sharp “NO” did. His head snapped toward Crow, body tensing as though another attack might follow. Yet it didn’t. The man stood his ground, whip ready but unused, his voice calm despite the blood on his hand. Kazoo stared at him, nostrils flaring as he scented the blood and studied his posture. Something in that tone was familiar—not the man himself, but the authority behind it. The authority of one accustomed to commanding sleen. Slowly, reluctantly, Kazoo’s belly lowered to the stones, six legs folding beneath him as his ears flattened back. His lips still twitched around exposed fangs, and a disgruntled growl rumbled in his throat. Submission, perhaps… but manners were definitely still beyond him. If Crow were to try and collar the beast, however, that would be another matter entirely. Buried deep beneath the thick fur around Kazoo’s neck was already an old, badly worn collar, fitted tightly enough that it might easily have gone unnoticed. Age had dulled its surface, though there were faint signs that it had once belonged to someone—or somewhere. More curious still was a tiny compartment worked into the collar itself, its purpose impossible to tell without examining it more closely. Perhaps the beast had not always been quite as wild as he appeared.
[13:56:43] Hecate hissed as she was called back once more. She could smell the blood and revealed her fangs. Her attempt to get involved failing and now she backed up. Her legs shifting to put her in a couch as she didn’t get involved again, her fangs bared but she stayed back no matter what until the next command. Normally well behaved ‘to a point’ this was a testing trial for her. Those golden eyes locked upon the other sleen. However for now she waited, biding her time. And clearly disgruntled with the whole situation as messy fur stood upon end. However as Kazoo calmed so too did she. Starting to settle as the feral hisses quieted down.
[14:05:37] Crow (melchior.wardell) did not move immediately. The blood on his arm was noted, but it was the sudden change in Kazoo that held his attention. The beast had lowered itself, the rage still present but contained. Crow kept the whip ready, though he made no attempt to use it. “Better.” His eyes remained fixed on Kazoo. “Stay there.” Then he glanced toward Hecate. Her fur was standing along her back, but she had obeyed and withdrawn. “Good girl. Stay.” Only then did he look down at his arm, briefly inspecting the bite. It was superficial enough to wait. His attention returned to Kazoo almost immediately. Something about the collar caught his eye. Crow narrowed his gaze. “Well.” He did not approach yet. Instead, he studied the worn band around the sleen’s neck, noticing the age of it and the small compartment worked into the material. “You’ve been wearing that for some time.” His voice remained calm. “So you’re not quite the wild creature you were pretending to be.” A slight tilt of his head. He lowered the whip slightly, but did not put it away. “Who owned you clearly lost you. So with that … we need you fed and cared for.” he sighed.”and with that .. how much do I owe the butcher?” he stated – a sign of his dark sense of humor. “Hecate, let us bring this one out of the city so we can see how to have it eased and cared for.” he would allow Hecate to correct the animal, but only when Kazoo gave indication not to comply.
[14:11:56] Kazoo remained low, watching Crow with cold, calculating eyes as the man’s attention lingered upon the old collar buried beneath his fur. At the word “owned,” Kazoo’s lips twitched back from his fangs and a low growl vibrated through him. Apparently that particular subject was unpopular. Still, when Crow indicated they were leaving, the sleen understood well enough. He unfolded his six legs and rose, giving himself a violent shake that sent dust, bits of market debris and possibly someone’s dinner flying from his fur. His nose lifted toward Crow’s bleeding hand for one long, interested sniff before his tongue slid across his jaws. Tempting. Very tempting. But the promise of food won—for now. Kazoo began moving in the indicated direction, though as he passed Hecate he deliberately bumped his shoulder hard against hers, tail lashing as he continued onward. Obedient, perhaps. Sorry? Absolutely not. As Kazoo moved, the old collar shifted beneath his fur, briefly exposing the tiny compartment Crow had noticed earlier. Its fastening was worn and slightly loose, enough that the edge of something pale could just be seen trapped beneath it before the fur fell back into place.
[14:14:30] Hecate rumbled, seeing the other sleen submitting for now she chuffed. She heard the words from crow and gave him a sleen style hiss as though accepting his words as she fleebit her leg for a moment. Eyes locked upon the two before she raised her large head. Shaking her fluffed body. Only to feel the hard run in against her shoulder. Snarling once but not attacking as she went to follow after, guiding the other sleen in her own manner. Trailing after and cutting off escape routes as she let him think he had the upper hand. However with a curious glance back to crow she continued on, herding the other sleen but also being careful. Lest another scrap broke out.
[14:19:10] Crow (melchior.wardell) knew he captain well and was grateful it didn’t ask to many questions as he boarded the ship not with one but two sleens. He kept a close look upon Kazoo as he was unsure of it’s behavior. But his voice was calm and soothing. Not only the promise of a meal but also care. Not that he treated them as pets, they were still wild and dangerous. But they received respect as long as that was mutual. He tossed a coin to the captain and paid little to no mind to the women.
[14:28:50] Kazoo had found himself a snack somewhere between the market and the ship, carrying the questionable lump of meat proudly between his jaws as though he’d personally hunted it rather than stolen it. The journey itself earned several unhappy growls, but the moment his six paws touched unfamiliar ground, Kazoo stopped. The meat dropped forgotten between his feet as his head lifted high, nostrils working furiously. New land. New scents. New people. His eyes narrowed as he tasted the air, taking a few slow steps before glancing back toward Crow and Hecate. Whatever authority Crow had managed to establish was apparently holding—for now. Kazoo lowered his head, retrieved his stolen prize and followed, though his eyes continually swept their surroundings for anything interesting enough to bite. Beneath his thick fur, the worn collar shifted again, the loose edge of its tiny compartment briefly catching against the fur before disappearing beneath it once more.
[14:32:06] Crow (melchior.wardell) presented the three sleens with three cages. In them there were Tabuk. Alive and very willing to leave the cages if he would allow them too. He would position himself so he wouldn’t step inbetween. “Feed.” he would tell them while he would spring the opening so the tabuk could escape. Allowing them their hunt and prey.
Crows Murder 
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