9th September

Put on edge at the appearance of the draxomera pack taking up residence next to the group she was with, especially when the Nymph appeared unsettled by them. Suspicious of one individual (Zurrai) who she would have assumed was just looking for a spar until he began prowling around in a predatory way. Initially managed to shoo him off once but then came back once more and spat at her. Oh boy…

Went for the creature because she was having none of that disrespect… but mostly because she was genuinely concerned he would go after one of the smaller brings. Did actually back off at one point but then Zurrai spat at her again and at this point went after him out of sheer spite : ) Didn’t relent on using her antlers this time, hoping that would deter him in future. Boi you absolutely deserve what’s coming for you now…

Broke off because the draxomera pack was up on their feet now ahaHA. Got pestered by Garai and took his bait, aware this was a distraction to keep her off of Zurrai’s back… though had no intention of going after him again because she knew she’d bring the whole pack after her and that would not be fun. Glad for Cornelius’ aid in shooing Garai off though equally glad that this didn’t descend into full-scale madness because her initial intention was just to drive Zurrai off and not incite ALL of the draxomera clan.

Spat at Garai because at least that’s a gesture the lizards understand!! Before regrouping with the others and learning Landan had sprayed Zurrai which was utterly hilarious and deserved in her mind… Soaked at the pond with Landan, Snow, Cornelius and Matthew, refusing any aid but allowing the nymph to lick some of the smaller wounds because that’s kinda cute… Staying low until the worst heals over.

...


Previously -

“Been a while since I was last here, the faces are always changing."

Drawn back to the forest after a prolonged absence by a mixture of nostalgia and aimless yearning. Dismayed to find very few familiar faces upon her arrival, and even those that she did recognise felt far too distant to approach at any point, doubts any of them would remember her. Found herself at this point looking for anyone to reach out to, finding the superficial similarities to herself in a shapeshifting nymph enough of a justification to approach. Wary however when her visits to the female lead the Shrike into meeting the rest of what she perceived as the Nymph’s ‘group’.

Recognised Kozan, who was a frequent face in a previous rut, and as such thrown off guard when her presence alone seemed to be met with rejection. With her currently poor mental state took the gesture badly and was thrown into a bitterly sour mood. Chased the buck around - as he refused to be in her presence - with enough outward ‘friendliness’ to make her actions seem more positive than they really were. Inwardly, had a malicious sense of self-satisfaction at seeing Kozan become increasingly stressed out with the chase. You made me unhappy and therefore it is only fair that you are unhappy too. Only relented once the nymph came to intervene.

Further embittered at the arrival of a creature far more traditionally frightening-looking than her (Chrona) and specifically Kozan’s reaction in coaxing a game out of them. Convinced by this that Kozan’s reaction to herself wasn’t because he found her frightening in any way but that she was simply an outsider and as such wasn’t wanted in ‘their group’.

Retreated to an old spot in the birch she used to frequent, finding herself surprised when another came to join her (Matthew). Introduced to him and in return introduced herself, though hesitant. Put at ease by some of his words though still found reason to depart at the rest of ‘the group’s’ arrival, Kozan included.

In the following days introduced to Matt’s partner, Landan, whom had seen her mimicking Snow and then Matthew with her shapeshifting. Agreed to shapeshift into him briefly but explained the limits of her powers when doing such a thing. Wary when he asked to make a deal with her, her abilities being her side of the bargain, and his seeming hesitance to explain what exactly was wanted of her. Suspicious that she was going to be asked to frame someone for a crime or on the opposite act as an alibi for someone, a prospect she wasn’t pleased about given she hardly knows of Landan’s background. In return asked only to be shown his world, wanting a change away from the combined strife of her own and the forest.

Saddened by the truth in a way that she never quite expected. Agreed to take the form of a younger Landan and appear before the male’s parents, empathised deeply with the reasonings behind the course of action. Upon the realization that his parents didn’t even recognise her as a younger version of their son was asked to retreat but instead gave one last attempt at provoking some sort of reaction out of them – mock charging at them in the form of a great wolf before disappearing. Unsure quite what she served to gain by doing such a thing but explained it to Landan afterwards as ‘something she’d wished she’d had the courage to do to her own mother and father a long time ago’. Walked around the city with him before eating at a diner that was explained to once be a cybercafe he once frequented – not quite sure what that is or what half of the food is here or what most of the stuff in this ‘modern’ world is but : )

Following the trip to Landan's world was involved in a series of fights that she couldn't put down to mere coincidence, suspects by de facto she's made an enemy of herself due to associating with her current company. Of these conflicts in particular was directly involved when a trio decided to target them (Greitai, Umay, Ractera), while watching the creatures lurk had a thought to retreat out of it - it wasn't her business - but when Landan was barrelled into without provocation and in particular a new face (Cornelius) was being targeted solely could easily see that it didn't matter to the trio who was dragged into this mess. Mostly stayed on the defensive, acting as a distraction and baiting the attention onto herself. Came out of it relatively unscathed - not quite ready to spill her own blood on their behalf. Did however play forest-doctor multiple times, offering the herbs from her antlers as makeshift poultices.

In between this chaos found solace in reuniting with Jay. Lurked out of sight, unsure how her return would be met, before eventually approaching the Shadow. Put at ease by the acceptance she received and learned in later days that they and Elijah had had their own offspring. Momentarily disorientated with the amount of time that has passed since she last visited, finding out that the first trio of children Jay & Eli had raised had long since flown the nest and had their own children.

With the onset of the rut taking up the role of a challenger - unsure exactly what she wants out of the event or what motivates her but quietly pleased to see the forest's annual ritual unfold again.