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Description

I drew this last year for Halloween and then proceeded to never upload it. So here it is, along with the little except that goes with it.
Link to Formatted Excerpt

Below is the excerpt as well but not formatted as well as per site limitations.

---------

"Well? Surely you've brought something. One does not seek the audience of a Carden without a gift."

The red furred Qwuekajevv looks the stranger over with a brisk glance.

"Nothing? Nothing at all? You really are dense. Everyone has [i]something[/i] to offer; if they're truly serious."

The tip of his tail flicks.

In turn, the stranger recoils. His eyes dart left and right. Escape would be at unfavorable odds this far into the heart of Vrykolakas.

The red furred 'kajevv makes no effort to end the unease. He watches, fervid eyes indiscernible. Their gaze draws to a common meeting point. A large serving bowl filled with a deep-red liquid.

There are several of them, interrupted only by the occasional set of black, red-flame candles. The entire room has an abundance of red. Red draperies and tapestries, red tablecloths, and of course, the red beverages--if one can even define the repulsive liquid as such.

Its scent, pungent, brings with it an instinctual alarm that none present seem to share. They are at ease. They keep their distance but otherwise commune with each other as normal.

Both stranger and red furred 'kajevv lock eyes once more.

"Don't look so grim--this isn't Sepulchre. I don't imply anything of the sort. We aren't so uncultivated nor desperate. It's simply tradition. The gifting, mind you, not the blood sacrifice."

He tips his glass to his mouth and takes a measured sip.

"Now then, what is the nature of your business? For what purpose do you seek our favor?"

"You're still going to listen?" The stranger asks. Hope and fear rattle his meek voice. "You'll hear me out?"

"Hear you out? Of course. There's no point nullifying the purpose of an entire trip on account of one doltish move. If you've traveled all this way to see us, surely something significant must be troubling you.

The balance of one is the balance of all. Besides, the Cardens have a history of extending greater-than-obligatory benevolence towards their peaceful neighbors. You're no enemy of ours."

He motions to another wolf of similar color to lower the volume of the background music ever so slightly, then pricks his ears forward as their visitor starts again.

"I've heard stories--about the Cardens. Never met one myself. U-u-until now that is. Wait. You [i]are[/i] a Carden, right? Or have I made another mistake? I'm afraid I've never actually seen one before...I-I just assumed..."

"I'm Viorel Carden. Scion of the Dominus Demonlord-absolute. Pleasure to meet you. Would you like something to drink? We have plenty."

A sliver of a smile curls the corner of his mouth.

"It isn't all curated to our particular palate; we do plan for the odd guest."

The stranger hesitates.

"What's wrong? It doesn't do to build an alliance on distrust."

"Oh. I agree."

"Do you believe me to be deceiving you?"

"It's not that. It's just…"

"Surely having a superb sense of smell, you can tell the difference? Fruit based beverages are sickeningly sweet." Viorel crinkles his muzzle. "Hardly any bite at all."

"...yeah. It's just...people have some thoughts on Vrykolakas…that they have a reputation…of sorts."

"Is that so?"

The stranger nods.

"Vrykolakas has a...controversial…sense of humor--that's the reputation."

"Ah, distrust in the form of a prank. Tell me, does this reputation Vrykolakas holds extend even to the Cardens?"

The stranger fidgets.

"Well, no, not specifically, I don't think."

"Well then, good to know." Viorel offers a terse smile. "It was an invitation, not a command."

Posted using PostyBirb

Description

I drew this last year for Halloween and then proceeded to never upload it. So here it is, along with the little except that goes with it.
Link to Formatted Excerpt

Below is the excerpt as well but not formatted as well as per site limitations.

---------

"Well? Surely you've brought something. One does not seek the audience of a Carden without a gift."

The red furred Qwuekajevv looks the stranger over with a brisk glance.

"Nothing? Nothing at all? You really are dense. Everyone has [i]something[/i] to offer; if they're truly serious."

The tip of his tail flicks.

In turn, the stranger recoils. His eyes dart left and right. Escape would be at unfavorable odds this far into the heart of Vrykolakas.

The red furred 'kajevv makes no effort to end the unease. He watches, fervid eyes indiscernible. Their gaze draws to a common meeting point. A large serving bowl filled with a deep-red liquid.

There are several of them, interrupted only by the occasional set of black, red-flame candles. The entire room has an abundance of red. Red draperies and tapestries, red tablecloths, and of course, the red beverages--if one can even define the repulsive liquid as such.

Its scent, pungent, brings with it an instinctual alarm that none present seem to share. They are at ease. They keep their distance but otherwise commune with each other as normal.

Both stranger and red furred 'kajevv lock eyes once more.

"Don't look so grim--this isn't Sepulchre. I don't imply anything of the sort. We aren't so uncultivated nor desperate. It's simply tradition. The gifting, mind you, not the blood sacrifice."

He tips his glass to his mouth and takes a measured sip.

"Now then, what is the nature of your business? For what purpose do you seek our favor?"

"You're still going to listen?" The stranger asks. Hope and fear rattle his meek voice. "You'll hear me out?"

"Hear you out? Of course. There's no point nullifying the purpose of an entire trip on account of one doltish move. If you've traveled all this way to see us, surely something significant must be troubling you.

The balance of one is the balance of all. Besides, the Cardens have a history of extending greater-than-obligatory benevolence towards their peaceful neighbors. You're no enemy of ours."

He motions to another wolf of similar color to lower the volume of the background music ever so slightly, then pricks his ears forward as their visitor starts again.

"I've heard stories--about the Cardens. Never met one myself. U-u-until now that is. Wait. You [i]are[/i] a Carden, right? Or have I made another mistake? I'm afraid I've never actually seen one before...I-I just assumed..."

"I'm Viorel Carden. Scion of the Dominus Demonlord-absolute. Pleasure to meet you. Would you like something to drink? We have plenty."

A sliver of a smile curls the corner of his mouth.

"It isn't all curated to our particular palate; we do plan for the odd guest."

The stranger hesitates.

"What's wrong? It doesn't do to build an alliance on distrust."

"Oh. I agree."

"Do you believe me to be deceiving you?"

"It's not that. It's just…"

"Surely having a superb sense of smell, you can tell the difference? Fruit based beverages are sickeningly sweet." Viorel crinkles his muzzle. "Hardly any bite at all."

"...yeah. It's just...people have some thoughts on Vrykolakas…that they have a reputation…of sorts."

"Is that so?"

The stranger nods.

"Vrykolakas has a...controversial…sense of humor--that's the reputation."

"Ah, distrust in the form of a prank. Tell me, does this reputation Vrykolakas holds extend even to the Cardens?"

The stranger fidgets.

"Well, no, not specifically, I don't think."

"Well then, good to know." Viorel offers a terse smile. "It was an invitation, not a command."

Posted using PostyBirb