She already knows the other is sizing her up, trying to take note of her strengths, her weakness, where she could attack if necessary. Katniss knows all of this because she is doing it herself, subtlety sizing up the other mare just in case what was supposed to be a friendly meeting turned into something far more dark and without good-intentions. But Katniss keeps her posture loose, relaxed even. She does not want to make the newcomer feel threatened. After all, Katniss means her no harm. This was strictly to welcome her to Denocte, to make sure her intentions were pure.
She introduces herself and the other responds with Castalla. It is a beautiful name and Katniss wonders what it would be like if her name had been different, to one that seemed to roll off her tongue with far more fluidity and grace than her current name. But then again, Katniss cannot think of another name that would suite her so perfectly as Katniss. It was all she had known. It defined her. It was strong, independent, indicative of a leader who had never wanted to lead. It was far too perfect to change now.
Dark red eyes are soft as she looks on the pale individual, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. She’s trying to be nice and friendly, but only just enough to make the other comfortable. “You have a beautiful name, Castalla.” It was beautiful. It made her sound as though she was someone to be revered, as if she came from a background other than the warrior she so clearly was.
Katniss knows that the mare will identify her as a warrior as well. After all, what else could she be? The way her body is built up with muscle, the way her movements are calculated, even the multitude of scars that riddle her body. Big and small, they all have a story that Katniss will share if she was ever asked.
Ears prick forward, focusing on the other as she asked what this place was. What was Denocte? It was a question she had never heard asked before…unless you count the time she too asked what this place was. It was a loaded question. What was the land, what secrets did it keep, what things were waiting behind bushes to attack in the dead of night. “Denocte is one of four courts in a land called Novus. We are also called the Night Court.” But perhaps most importantly, Denocte was her home. It was the place she was raising her small family in. It was the place where she would give her life in battle should it be asked of her. It was the place that welcomed her with open arms and the place where she was so sure she would eventually meet her demise.
Katniss looks at the mare before she beckons the other to follow her with the graceful tilt of her head towards the main city where court life was abundant. “Come, I can show you around.” She wants the stranger to follow her, to get a good feel for the place she has come to love so much. “The heart of Denocte is just over this hill.” And should she choose to follow, as she crests the hill, she will be greeted with the soft glows of fire in the city, flicking and reflecting off the cobblestone streets and stone buildings. It looks like something built by men, but inhabited by equines. It was beautiful, even though she was still getting used to the new style of architecture.
@Castalla
