Israfel
It was Solaris, bright, inquisitive, mythical Solaris, who realized they were not alone. The Phoenix’s head twisted about, beady lavender eyes peering through the daylight and spotting a shape of blood and lilac curls weaving through the encroaching shadows. A whisper on the wind, ever so faint and full of oil, graced the mythical avian’s ears. It would take one second, one moment of perceived threat, for the Phoenix to ignite and set flame to the stalking she-wolf’s oil.
’Hackles up, shield-maiden,’ came her words internal, flowing effortlessly through the mental link between equine and bonded, ’We have a visitor that thinks to skulk and hide in the shadows.’
Israfel bristled, her gilded wings slowly stretching outwards, feathers fanning, and with a deliberate slowness did she turn, full of ivory and pale gold hairs, wind tossed and wild. Petals of fire lilies drifted down from her mane and tail, carried upon the gentle breath of the ocean breeze, but her eyes… Oh, the Sun Daughter’s eyes, vermilion gems full of fire and ire, pierced through the veils to spot the newcomer. Wings poised for flight, feathers fanned, Israfel spoke with a deliberate force.
“… It is unbecoming and dishonorable to sneak about like a rat, stranger,” the shield-maiden’s voice, so typically sensual and coy, had dropped an octave to convey her deep displeasure and warning at this undesired interruption. She grinned dangerously, a slow stretch of rose-kissed lips, an expression of warning and guile spreading upon a face so feminine. “Especially me. Speak your name, and why you have stolen into Terrastella’s borders unannounced.” Ever so faintly could she catch the stranger’s scent, and it smelled nothing like the denizens of Terrastella. It was a foreign stench, the smell of darkness and cunning, and Israfel did not like it.
Above her, Solaris continued to watch, lavender eye never roaming from the wolf in hiding. Ever so slowly did the colors of the Phoenix begin to change, gradually twisting from the ivories and golds that mimicked her bonded to a burning orange and crimson. Flames licked upon the Phoenix’s frame, curving, winding like a gentle caress up body and feathers. The flames seemed to not burn her wooden perch, so carefully controlled as they were, but the threat was clear; speak, or fight.
’Hackles up, shield-maiden,’ came her words internal, flowing effortlessly through the mental link between equine and bonded, ’We have a visitor that thinks to skulk and hide in the shadows.’
Israfel bristled, her gilded wings slowly stretching outwards, feathers fanning, and with a deliberate slowness did she turn, full of ivory and pale gold hairs, wind tossed and wild. Petals of fire lilies drifted down from her mane and tail, carried upon the gentle breath of the ocean breeze, but her eyes… Oh, the Sun Daughter’s eyes, vermilion gems full of fire and ire, pierced through the veils to spot the newcomer. Wings poised for flight, feathers fanned, Israfel spoke with a deliberate force.
“… It is unbecoming and dishonorable to sneak about like a rat, stranger,” the shield-maiden’s voice, so typically sensual and coy, had dropped an octave to convey her deep displeasure and warning at this undesired interruption. She grinned dangerously, a slow stretch of rose-kissed lips, an expression of warning and guile spreading upon a face so feminine. “Especially me. Speak your name, and why you have stolen into Terrastella’s borders unannounced.” Ever so faintly could she catch the stranger’s scent, and it smelled nothing like the denizens of Terrastella. It was a foreign stench, the smell of darkness and cunning, and Israfel did not like it.
Above her, Solaris continued to watch, lavender eye never roaming from the wolf in hiding. Ever so slowly did the colors of the Phoenix begin to change, gradually twisting from the ivories and golds that mimicked her bonded to a burning orange and crimson. Flames licked upon the Phoenix’s frame, curving, winding like a gentle caress up body and feathers. The flames seemed to not burn her wooden perch, so carefully controlled as they were, but the threat was clear; speak, or fight.
@Euryale
