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Ylva:
Ylva had been having a good and so had treated herself to a trip into the less troden part of the Hedge. Now they were hunting and eating. They were sitting at the base of a large tree knawing on the remnants of something with a few piles of meat sitting at their paws. They were wearing a black leather jacket that was tight on the top with a flared out back that almost looked like tails in its own right. Their ears were on high alert as they ate and their tails were waving as if in the breeze.
Laura:
A hyena's stomach is never full. That might not be a factual statement, but it's in mythos enough to have informed Laura's Fey nature. Thus, she also is out hunting. She currently pads on four feet rather then two, taking the form of the Crocotta. A large head sniffs and fixates on the scent of something lurking nearby. Licking her lips she continues forward, carrying the feeling of a building storm with her before breaking into a run.
Ylva might get the glimpse of a prey creature running before a four legged hyena beast catches it, jaws snatching it up and swallowing in one gulp. There's a pleased rumble as the new arrival enjoys her meal.
Ylva:
Ylva tilts their head finishing off in one bite what is the size of most people. Before a deep and constant growl passes from their lips, clawed hands pull the piles of meat closer picking one up and starting to chew at it. Tails pointing in three different directions as they wait to see if this new arrival is predator or prey. If it will try to take their food or make a good next snack.
Laura:
The large head swings towards Yvla as nostrils flare, tasting the air, Laura making her own assessment. She takes a step forward before her form flows into that of another, a two legged hyena in a dark sports bra and shorts. "So you're the one Sparks mentioned." She rumbles thoughtfully, keeping a distance between them.
Ylva:
Their nostrils flare and they bounces forward onto two legs, putting themselves between their meal and this Hyena. A bark of a growl escapes their lips and they pad at the ground slowly moving closer to Laura. Mouth wider than it should be able to be and fangs slowly growing past their already unnatural length.
Laura:
Laura sets her feet, baring her own impressive set of fangs and letting out a warning cackle towards the Kitsune as she moves to match the other predator's movements.
Ylva:
Ylva almost stops, confused at the cackle before continuing to advance. Tails bared forward and the hair on the back of their neck on edge. A constant growl passing their lips though in there is a question. "Foooood?"
Laura:
"I know this hunger.." Laura muses, almost to herself. Then she refocuses her entire attention on Ylva. "It's screaming at you right now, riding you. Everything is telling you to feed it or die. I can help you hunt. But try to hunt me, and you're prey."
Ylva:
Their head tilts a hand reaching up to their face. "Prey?"
They take one more step a roar passing their lips for a few moments before it ends in a all too human scream and she slumps to the ground.
"Fuck."
Laura:
Laura regards her a moment before dropping to her haunches, though still keeping enough of a distance that she has time to react. "Ylva, right?"
Ylva:
Ylva nods her head. "Yeah."
She looks around looking at the piles of meat and her hands before looking up at Laura. "I didnt... ya know?"
Laura:
"I don't know." Laura answers honestly, gesturing at the bloody remains. "Was before I got here. Don't think so, no clothing. Not that all of us wear it out here."
Ylva:
"I meant you? I didnt attack you."
A long tongue licks at her face. "No, thats not lost. Not sure what it is but its not lost, id know that taste."
Laura:
A slow, slightly cocky grin creases Laura's face. "You'd know if you'd attacked me, don't worry. Though I'm glad it didn't come to that." She raps her chest. "Laura."
Ylva:
A smile crosses Ylvas face at that an eyebrow raising. "I will leave that to be found out another day I think."
She sits up squatting on her haunches. "Nice to meet you Laura, one day ill meet someone when im not half out of it."
Laura:
"You are as you are. So am I." She hummed. "Took me a long time to get it knocked into my skull I wasn't something wrong. Not that I'm going to assume you're just as I was. But rare for me to come across someone with that same hunger."
Ylva:
"Its a bottemless pit that I cannot fill no matter how hard I try." she hesitates for a moment. "That he built me to want to fill with the Lost. Ill admit its nice to come across someone who is hungry like me, or at least somewhere near."
Laura:
"Conditioning." Laura states quietly. "Takes time, effort, but if it works, you train yourself to desire other prey. Is that why you're out here?" She shuffles closer to Ylva, canting her head.
Ylva:
She shakes her head. "No I was out for a walk seeing if I ran into anyone interesting. It had been a good day and I was feeling cooped up in my Hollow. Eating the Thorns can be tiring."
Blooded hands rub across her face, pushing her hair out of her face and flattening her ears for a moment.
"Was. A good day."
Laura:
A twitch of an amused smile. "Am I anyone interesting? And tell me about the day?"
Ylva:
"You are. Though I would have preferred a more. Conscious meeting. Not as bad as it could've been though."
She smiles.
"I was expanding the evening wing. Not quite enough space for the courtyard I want there. Need to make sure it connects to the kitchen properly."
Laura:
A quiet nod and smile. "Would like to see that place of yours. Didn't get too much from Glitch. But, you're there by your lonesome? You sound pretty darn industrious."
Ylva:
"Just me and a hedge pet." She chuckles "industrious or hungry?
Laura:
"Both." The hyena winks. "It's a good use for a bottomless stomach, wish I'd thought of it."
Ylva:
She tilts her head. "Im. I'm not sure how many stomachs can keep the Thorns down."
Laura:
Hyena is silent a moment. "We're rare, yes. And you'd have your own slew of unique traits. I like the tails by the way. Nor do I imagine Thorns taste especially good."
Ylva:
"Thanks. They feel natural now. Makes my mask feel wrong."
She pauses for a moment. "Do you want to see my Hollow?"
Laura:
"I had the opposite problem, I tried to bury my Mein." A nod after a moment and she stands, stretching. "Yes, I think so." A toothy smile.
Ylva:
"Oh? Do you still?" She smiles bouncing off leaving the meet behind. "Lets then"
Laura:
"No." A rueful chuckle. "I accepted who and what I am long ago. My skull's thick but my motley got through it eventually." She pads after Ylva, studying the Kitsune curiously.
Ylva:
"Im finding the Ironside harder to come to terms with. How little time passed for everyone."
She passes through a few clearings before opening a door beside a Goblin Fruit Orchard.
Inside is almost a giant bird cage covered in vines. No furniture though Ylva just leans against the edge to sit down and a chair forms.
A playful little growl. "Im home Oct."
Laura:
"Do you have a Fetch?" Laura asks. "Just how long was it from their perspective, and yours?" She circles the cage, studying it before finding a spot on the floor to sprawl, not far from Ylva. "So the world hasn't changed, but you have? That's a.. mm, difficult thing, yes. Takes time to adapt."
Ylva:
"No." She shakes her head. "That might have been easier. It was like 12 or so hours for my. For Ironside. For me, decades, I dont know, longer."
She pulls out a kitchen bench from the wall opening another section for Mugs and setting a kettle on to boil.
"Tea? Ive been learning to Hedgespin its been, helping."
Laura:
"12 hours." Laura eyes Ylva, then stands, moving a little closer. "Tea, yes please. What would you say about an offer to spend some time out of the Hedge? Nothing overly personal in terms of people you knew, but, seeing the city, doing some walking, visiting places. Adjustment."
Ylva:
"Yeah, I woke up to missed phone calls to why I wasnt at work."
The pot comes to a boil and she adds some herbs with a little dash of Glamour.
"What flavor? I can do most things." She almost jumps at the idea of leaving the hedge her head all but bouncing on her neck. "I would love that."
Pausing for a moment she looks at Laura with almost pleading eyes. "Can you take me to Starbucks some time?"
Laura:
"Cherry?" Laura asks after some consideration. She then gives Ylva a huge grin. "I can take you pretty much anywhere you'd want. Whether or not we're meant to be there, long as there's a full length mirror somewhere. So Starbucks would be easy." She looks them up and down wryly. "You might need to adjust your wardrobe slightly, mind."
Ylva:
She tilts her head in thought before pouring a cup of what almost looks like liquid cherry with little gold flakes on top. Her own cup is a red and black mixture with the same golden flakes.
Passing the tea over to Laura she picks up her own before responding a little anxiously.
"Did you mean now?"
She stumbles over her words.
"Um, I havent. I havent left the Hedge in days. That makes. Um."
The tea is raised to her lips though there is a slight cracking sound from the cup as the hands holding it are very tense.
Laura:
Laura takes a sip of her tea, closing her eyes as she savours it. She takes a moment to respond, studying Ylva quietly. "Do you need to sit?" Another pause as she mulls things over. "It's in your hands, paws, when and if we do. I know it's something you're excited for, but, also frightening, yes? You can't be sure how you'd fit in the world now, and what could happen. Would you trust me to ensure things are safe, for you and for those around you?"
Ylva:
"Id rather be sitting than trying to stand right now." She pauses taking a few more sips. "I dont know. I, I try to go to the park when its quiet, get some fresh air." She finishes the cup pouring herself another. "When I first got back, I had to be pulled away from my home, away from, my, um. Wife."
She finishes drinking the second cup quickly, eating the cup with a crunch.
"I dont know." There is a shudder to her voice and the hint of moisture in her eyes.
Laura:
"I'm sorry." Laura tells them simply, finishing her own drink off and setting the cup, tiny in her hands, on a safe looking surface. "Hey, you don't need to decide now, alright? The offer is there if you want to take it." She reaches out to pat Ylva's shoulder, a little awkwardly.
Ylva:
Ylva leans into the contact, a single tear dropping to the floor.
"Maybe not today, but, I would like to take you up on that offer some time. Maybe when I have had a day of not losing control."
Leaning back she rubs her eyes with the back of her hands.
"What is your favorite time of day?"
Laura:
A wiry arm carefully rests around the smaller fox, Laura nodding. "I can spend more time helping you practice, if you want. I understand at least a little of what you're facing." She smiles lightly. "And night. The air is cooler and it's less bright. Softer."
Ylva:
"Id like that, its hard to explain. Most of the Lost cant understand that bottomless hunger."
She smiles at the contact looking up at the roof. "Same as Glitch. Octavia will be delighted."
Staying in Laura's arm she rests her eyes trying to relax. "Do you want to see the nighttime wing or stay here?"
Laura:
"Also, I'm a witch. Night is a good time for that." A chuckle before she nods at Ylva. "The hunger doesn't see things in degrees, doesn't get difference between a friend and not a friend, it's just.. there." She pats at Ylva's head. "Glitch is wonderful, and wise. And yes I do, please."
Ylva:
"It just sees meat." She sighs leaning into the head pats a little purr escaping her lips before she stands and walks over to a patch of the wall and speaking.
"The Autumn Frost Bites
Hardest on a Midwest Breeze
Their love burns my Heart"
As she finishes four doors appear around the room, the one she is standing at with a full moon on it. The other 3 having a Sunset, Sunrise and Midday sun.
She pushes the door open walking in.
Beyond is a large courtyard, almost looking like it is in the centre of a park. It is ringed by a rock wall. Tonight it is a cloudy night though the full moon still shines through. A powdering of snow touching their heads though it shouldnt be cold enough for it. Around the courtyard is a myriad of trees though mostly pines with a few maples. Their leaves and needles covered in snow and rustling in the breeze.
She bounces into the clearing spinning, happy, taking it in, arms wide her tails flared out behind her. She offers a hand back to Laura to join her.
Laura:
"It does, but it has no mind of its own. You do. Takes time, practice, but you can learn to both live with it and put restrictions on it." She smiles softly at the response to the pat before following Ylva though the door, ears pricking as she listens to the chant that opens it.
Barefoot, she pads through the light dusting of snow, looking up and chuckling. "My furry self is drawn towards warm plains, but I've learned to enjoy snow." Grinning at the suddenly perked up Kitsune she takes the offered hand, following after.
Ylva:
"I hope so, it doesnt feel like it right now, but I hope so."
She smiles as Laura takes her hand. "Ive always loved the snow, more so now. Its as far as I can get from my time in Arcadia."
Her paws swish through the snow and there is another set of paws padding over as Octavia joins them. A black 9 tailed fox with purple and silver markings along its fur.
"This is Octavia, she lived her before I started expanding it all and decided to stay with me."
Laura:
"Hm." Laura reaches out with her free hand, running it down Octavia's back if the fox lets her that close. "Curious that there's the resemblance. Did she choose to look like you?"
Ylva:
Octavia moves closer sniffing at Laura.
"I think so, she was more Wolf like when I met her and changed over the weeks since. Now she looks like what I used to."
Octavia tilts her head speaking "Hello. Same?"
Laura:
Laura sniffs back, nose wrinkling. She blinks once as Octavia speaks before answering. "Hello. Almost same." She crouches down, looking over to Ylva. "Hedge teaches me something new every day. Happy, Octavia?"
Ylva:
Ylva chuckles. "Im slowly trying to teach her."
Octavia tilts her head at the word happy not understanding.
"Apparently thats beyond her today."
Laura:
"If she mirrors those around her, hm.. survival instincts maybe?" She smiles before standing again and nodding at Ylva. "You've a good place here. But I think having people visit might be good, I'll bring some things for house warming next time if you want. Being too isolated isn't good for us. Wouldn't be surprised if Glitch dropped by now and again too."
Ylva:
"Maybe yeah, she keeps me company allot."
She offers her hand again to Laura apparently enjoying the contact of another person.
"Thanks, its keeping me distracted and focused. I would like some more visitors though, that sounds lovely."
Laura:
The hyena nods again, taking the offered hand and offering a light hug. "What sort of things would you like around here? I can.. well, could pick up a thing or two right now, if you're happy for me to show off a trick or two." A huge grin.
Ylva:
"I am happy for you to show off any tricks." She thinks for a minute leaning into the hug. "Honestly, weird answer but I miss my tattoo machine, I havent tattood in either several decades or a few Weeks depending on perspective."
Laura:
She pulls an apologetic face. "A tattoo machine might be a bit much. Is there anything smaller, a little more mobile? Unless there's a large mirror in the tattoo parlour, it's shut for the night and you're up for a little B&E?" A thoughtful, slightly rueful grin.
Ylva:
"There are many Mirrors in my parlor and I can probably just pick up my spare machine. I dont think its breaking and entering if I own it is it ?" She chuckles at the grin.
Laura:
"Indeed not. I.." She pauses in thought. "Balls. I'm rusty. Can do what I said, but I'd need to visit the place beforehand. If you give me the address I can sort it for next time."
Ylva:
"Sure" She pulls a card out of her coat passing it to Laura. "Some light B&E and Starbucks next time?"
Laura:
"Yes." A slow grin as she pockets the card and pulls a folded sheet of reflective material. "Hm. I leave this up to you." She unfolds it, setting it out on the ground. "If you want me to have a quick way in, leave this here. It's, sort of, a back door I can use to get here. And can take you through it too when you want."
Ylva:
Ylva smiles at that picking it up and pulling it and them towards the main room.
"Does it need to be on the floor or does the wall work. A mirror in the main chamber seems nice?""
Laura:
"The floor would work, but the wall might be better." She chuckles. "It never stops feeling weird to go from a vertical point to a horizontal one, and vice versa."
Ylva:
"That is probably wise." She holds it up to the wall and some of the vines work their way around the edges crafting an amazing little frame for it.
"There. Does that work?"
Laura:
With one of her hands still taken by Ylva, Laura claps carefully, eyes lit up. "Perfect, yes!" She looks down at the smaller Kitsune. "You're alright with me always having a way in like this?"
Ylva:
"I think so. I. If im having a bad day ill just get the vines to bury it in a cupboard or something. How does that sound?"
She smiles enjoying the contact and the interaction.
Laura:
"That works." The hyena rumbles, sounding pleased. "So. Tattoo machine planned. What else might be good?"
Ylva:
"I dont know, I hadnt really thought of what I could bring here. I thought bringing stuff to the Hedge sorta broke it? Like my phone doesnt work here. I have to go Ironside to check in with Astrid."
She almost grimaces as she mentions going Ironside.
Laura:
"Astrid? And devices and machines, yes. The more complicated the worse it is for them. But what about simpler things, touches to make this feel a little more homely?"
Ylva:
"My, um, Wife." She sits on the ground looking around. "Maybe some rugs and" She stumbles chuckling "No, no nice crockery I have a habit of eating that."
Laura:
"Rugs, mmm." A quiet nod as she sits too, stretching long legs out. "I'm sorry about your wife, and, well, how difficult that must be."
Ylva:
"Im managing, im not sure how she is going to deal with the fact ive aged like a decade in the last month but that is future me that can see people without wanting to eat thems problem."
She chuckles. "Honestly my house is just full of my art, but that feels so disconnected from me now."
Laura:
She leans forward, propping her chin on her hand. "Would it help with the second part to do some practicing? It might just be that your preferred styles would have changed. A creative outlet is very handy for any of us."
Ylva:
"Maybe. When we go to the shop maybe I can pick up some paper and some pens and stuff too. It feels so wrong to be thinking about art when all my memories are just Arcadia."
She shudders her eyes glazing over a little her voice muttering for a moment.
"Arcadia, Arcadia, Arcadia."
Laura:
Laura frowns at this, reaching out to shake Ylva by the shoulder, relatively gently.
Ylva:
Ylva starts "Arcad. Hmm. Oh sorry. I. Fuck." She leans her head back. "I feel so broken Laura."
Laura:
Silence at first, the hyena shifting to provide a soft surface to lean against. "You're wounded, not broken. We're all wounded, and we help one another. You never need to apologize for that."
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