There's Beauty In The Breakdown

The woman’s philosophy was interesting to say the least. Merrin studied her thoughtfully and then whisked her gaze back out to the direction of the icy stream. Her expression became pensive as she attempted to put herself in the paws of the other, wiling herself to understand this alternate perspective. She glanced back over to meet the female’s silvery gaze as she voiced the question on her mind. “But are you not scared of…how you might die? Or even…what comes afterwards?”

Busying herself with gathering the supplies for the pyre, Merrin listened to the beguiling tone of the other. She now found herself even more curious of her stranger’s origins. “Rituals? Of what sort?” Having gathered everything, she now sat curiously watching the woman’s every move, wondering if the process was as seamless as she made it look. This would be something that might come in handy in the future and then she could even teach the rest of the Zyphears if they did not already hold the knowledge.

A gentle smile graced her lips to finally know of the shadow’s name before her attention returned to the sparks she cultivated. Merrin fidgeted with anticipation until the small hint of a flame appeared in the kindling. Another pleasant smile brightened her features as she looked in between the flame and its maker. “That’s amazing!” Her brows rose as she recalled her manners and dipped her head. “Oh! And I’m pleased to make your acquaintance, Nyx.”

@Nyx

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T

he Dionysian takes notice of the ruminative look in those lavender eyes, the cogs visibly turning in the sable woman's head. Dark lips then twitch into a smile, as Nyx had anticipated the questions that would come, and death is certainly a stimulating subject, one which she could talk about for ages. "Not at all. I will welcome it when my time comes, for the moments between life and death are when we feel the most alive," says the dark prince. "Suffering and death of the ego and self entire is what will liberate us, so that we may join the great heroi in Elysion. But those who are not ready to be free will begin life anew."

It comes as no surprise the other is curious about these rituals Nyx had mentioned. She hums in thoughtful consideration as she works. "Hm... ones not for the faint of heart or those with weak livers," she answers, moments before casting the spark that would start the small fire. It isn't nearly enough to warm even just her toes, let alone her and her companion, but even so the other woman beams at the sight of it and says it's amazing.

At the praise, Nyx lets out a soft huff and averts her gaze. "Thank you, but it is nothing compared to some other fires I've made before," she says, before grabbing a leftover stick and poking at the fire, moving the burning tinder until it is engulfed in flame. There, this should provide some warmth now.

@Merrin

heroi (err-ee) - "heroes"

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

Much of what the woman spoke were words unfamiliar and their context a mystery in the moment. This conversation was turning into a rather intriguing one that she felt she would learn quite a lot from. Being sheltered for most of her life had caused her to develop a hunger for educating herself though not for the purpose of simply having the knowledge, but for deeply understanding how other wolves navigated the world she so happened to live in as well.

“Heroi? Elysion?” Merrin repeated the words slowly out loud, likely butchering their pronunciation. “What do these terms mean? Are they from a religion in particular?” She was beginning to put it together: Nyx’s mention of ritual and of places she’d never heard of. There had to be some kind of connection there that would help her continue putting the puzzle pieces in place until she was able to relatively determine the female’s background.

When the woman adjusted the contents of the fire, Merrin jumped back with the sparks that rose as a result. She then relaxed and moved closer, peering into the dancing hues off deep oranges and bright yellows. “Thank you, Nyx, for arranging this. I’m starting to feel warmer already.” She smiled at her, before her attention was stolen by the shadows cast by the intense light .

@Nyx

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N

yx doesn't really think about how the words she'd used might have been foreign to Merrin until the earthen woman echoes them, her attempt at their pronunciation slow and deliberate. It isn't too far off, really, she just lacks the accent and doesn't roll the R. She asks what these terms mean, if they are from a particular religion.

For a moment, the Hellene muses on how to explain these things in a way that would make sense to an outsider. She stirs the fire and begins speaking, "Close, but not exactly. These are words known in my homeland, Hellas, and though we all acknowledged the same gods, we would differ in our practices." So many different schools of thought, so many different fringe cults, so many different scriptures... yet they were all Hellenes. While some of the concepts Nyx has described were specifically Orphic, these words in particular were known to a wider culture.

She tosses the stick into the fire and lets it burn. "An heros is a wolf of legends, descended from the Gods and destined for greatness. When he dies, his soul rests in Elysion, the ultimate paradise," she explains. Silver eyes are trained on the flickering of orange flames, as thoughts drift to the afterlife... she wonders who she will meet there, who she will see again...

Merrin's thanks brings her back to this world. The sable femme draws closer to the flame and, by proxy, the wolf of night. She looks significantly more relaxed than she did earlier, and for the first time, Nyx really takes notice of her sweet scent. "So am I. Come here, let us bask in this warmth together," says the fallen prince with a beckoning paw and an inviting smile.

@Merrin

Hellas (ell-as) - Greece
heros (err-os) - hero

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

Rionnach was proving to hold an eclectic mixture of cultures and it only made the world seem so much larger than she would’ve imagined. Merrin’s curious rounded orbs never left the woman’s face while she further explained the origins of the words she did not fully understand.

The flickering light of the flames danced across her features, further adding to the delivery of these tales. Needless to say, Merrin was captivated and eventually followed Nyx’s gaze, finding herself searching for answers within the crackling inferno.

As she inched closer to the heat, the fae born of Hellas beckoned her further in. Her eyes traveled up from the paw that gestured to the smile that smoothly upturned the other’s lips. Merrin averted her gaze to the side, taking a moment to consider, but there were no bells or whistles giving her any sort of warning. It felt safe enough.

Merrin lifted herself and took tentative pawsteps towards Nyx until she was settled comfortably in the warmth of the larger woman’s frame. “Thank you.” She returned the smile, albeit bashfully as she expressed her gratitude once more and continued to glance between the fire ahead of her and the moonlit orbs of the other woman.

@Nyx

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T

he earthen dame has nothing to say as the dark prince indulges her curiosity, sharing small tidbits of the culture she misses so dearly. Her disappointment is well-concealed, but she supposes most wolves aren't very interested in these things: the metaphysical and spiritual and all that makes her who she is today. Her counterpart listens keenly indeed, but does not dig any further. It is only a shallow interest, there will be no erudite discussion to be had tonight.

But some things are hard to think about, let alone talk about with one who is little more than a stranger. Nyx falls back on old habits when she invites the other woman to come hither, knowing her touch would help to distract her from these thoughts. She had thought she caught a few admiring looks, but if she is mistaken, it would be easy to save herself and her pride.

But Merrin does come into her space, her fur damp but her body warm. Nyx hums in response to her thanks, simply savoring the contact while it lasts. Night is falling ever further while the flames blaze brighter. To stoke them or let them eventually burn themselves out... She watches them dance for a few minutes before she parts from her companion.

A shake of her midnight coat before she glances towards Merrin. "It is getting late, is it not? Do you have anywhere to be?" she inquires with a slight tilt of her head.

@Merrin

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

In their shared warmth, any light trembling from the lingering chill subsided. The night only darkened further, especially in comparison to the flickering center of heat and light at their feet. Merrin was unsure of how long they remained nestled against each other, merely comforted by the dark wolfess’ presence. It was moments like these that spoke far louder than any that were filled with the resonance of conversation.

A time had passed when the warmth peeled away from her and Merrin turned to watch Nyx move away to shake her onyx coat. She could hardly hide the disappointment in her face, for although she was still far warmer than before, winter’s touch began to slowly seep back in. It was then that she was reminded of how late it was and she blinked, turning lavender orbs up to the moon, attempting to judge exact hour.

As she stared up into the sky, starlight glinted in her eye along with her realization that she had left her own traveling companion. “Ah! Yes! Oh, heavens…I hope I’ve not caused any worry in my absence...” Merrin gathered herself up, giving her own earthen pelt a stumbling shake before looking to the handsome conjurer of flame. “Did you have a place to sleep for the evening? If not, I’m certain my traveling companion would be more than pleased to host a guest.”

@Nyx

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O

h, she looks so disappointed when Nyx steps away... a barely-suppressed smirk tugs at dark lips. Perhaps it would have been nice to hold onto the moment a little longer, then...

After the question is asked, the obsidian prince's attention turns back to the flickering fire. On some strange impulse, she holds a paw over them, so close to the flames — any closer and they'd lick at her flesh, leaving burns in their wake. It's tempting almost, just to feel a little something. She draws her paw back as Merrin seems stricken with realization and hopes she's 'not caused any worry in her absence'. Oh? Nyx looks over with perked ears and a curious glint in those sharp silver eyes. So Merrin does indeed have somewhere to be, someone who must be waiting for her.

“Did you have a place to sleep for the evening? If not, I’m certain my traveling companion would be more than pleased to host a guest,” she says.

Nyx smiles at that suggestion, imagining for a moment that Merrin's companion could be a beautiful woman. Wouldn't that be nice? To spend the evening with two lovely ladies? Ah, but it could be a man. Now that would be disappointing. Either way, Nyx is in no need of a place to stay the night.

"Oh no, these are my waking hours," says the wolf of night, before approaching Merrin once more. Leaning in, she continues, "But you're sweet to offer. Now, I wouldn't want to leave your companion worrying. Will you need an escort? Or..." the back of her paw gently caresses the other woman's foreleg, "perhaps your companion can wait a little longer..."

@Merrin

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

"Waking hours?" Merrin could not hide her surprise to find out that the other woman was of a nocturnal nature. "Is this a quality belonging to the wolves of Hellas? Or is it just a preference?"

Everything about this new acquaintance of hers became more compelling the longer she remained in her presence. From watching her nearly dip her paw into hungry flames to hearing about the culture of her homeland, it was all so very intriguing.

Nyx glided across the earth like a shadow in her direction and she watched the fae intently. She leaned in closer and from this distance, Merrin could see now that her features were bathed not only in darkness, but youth as well.

She opened her mouth to speak when she was asked if she might need an escort, but her train of thought completely left her with the gentle caress of Nyx's paw against her forearm.

Her lips remained slightly parted, as she sought out the keen silver orbs of the midnight prince in order to search them for the meaning behind the gesture. Merrin had not yet experienced a social interaction that consisted of such a gentle touch.

The only thing she had to go on was the stirring of her insides and the pounding of her heart that she could feel in the very tips of her ears. "Perhaps..." Was all she could manage at the volume of a soft murmur.

@Nyx

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