Lights in the Wastes (Hellhound bonding)

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So, Jess? What was that beasty that scared you so bad at the beach awhile ago?

Interrupted halfway through the process of mending a worn sock, Jess shot Niles a Look beneath furrowed brows.

“A Hellhound. Why do you ask? ...and why were you listening in on that, anyway?”

Niles ignored the second question in favor of answering the first. Because there’s a pack of them out in the Wastes, and it sounds like they’re looking for bonds. That’s what the Harpers are saying, anyway.

Jess set her mending down and folded both arms across her chest. She hadn’t forgotten Sealgair’s ill-timed prank, nor had she forgotten her many hours spent poring over the library’s copy of Encyclopaedia Teragaia. Sealgair’s behavior was sadly far more representative of hellhounds’ at large than Niles’ had ever been. Then again, Niles was only half hellhound, and his other half had tempered some of his more destructive urges.

Or Niles himself had, but that was a debate for another time.

“You aren’t seriously suggesting I go out there and risk my hide for a demon-dog, are you?” This time Jess’ gaze was sardonic. That didn’t stop Niles from meeting it square on.

Of course I am. Because I know you. You want to go see what’s out there, and whether you could bring it home.

Cursing, Jess glanced sharply away. Of course Niles had read her mind. Of course he’d blown off all her excuses. What else was a hybrid like him for?

“If I’m going, I’m taking you with me.”

Tail wagging, Niles pranced over to join her, Aivas clinging stubbornly to the fur along his spine. Was that a threat or a promise?

In the end it turned out to be both. Hybrid, athid and candidate alike made their way out to the wastes, pausing occasionally to comment on some unfamiliar shrub or half-buried ruin. Distracted as they were, they quite nearly tripped over the very Hellhound they’d been sent out to find.

The first words out of Jess’ mouth? A bemused, “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

Of course it was Sealgair lording over them. Why wouldn’t it be? Clearly her humiliation was not yet complete!

The drums hadn't lied. With the darkness and thick cloud cover, those having showed up would indeed see light in the pitch black of the nighttime wastes; the burning red light of Hellhound eyes before very a new moon cast what little light it could down on the assembled.

Sealgair had completely ignored the people showing up until she decided they'd been given enough time. Her eyes scanned over the candidates, coming to rest on Jessera for a moment, sulphurous mindvoice greeted her in private; Good evening, Dinner, before looking over the hopefuls again, addressing them, or rather, her pups. A meager selection. When the time comes, choose wisely, little ones.

Of the pups, the two largest had been fighting the entire time, ignoring the humanoids, one only now showing signs of winning. As the soon-to-be winner were distracted by their mother's words, the smaller one who'd been resting between its mother's red-stained paws, used to its full potential. The pup pounced on its larger siblings, landing on one who gave a sharp yelp and bit the other over the neck while using the momentum to barrel it down, effectively winning the little match out of the blue. It growled and shook the scruff of the larger one, snarling fiercely before letting go and trotting away like a king or queen. Only the growl of its mother stopped it from going right up to Dominic. Not yet.

Sealgair stood, her sudden presens felt that much more acutely.

Looking between them, the mother walked slowly, first to Dominic, giving him a sniff and looking him up and down despite already knowing who and what he was. She didn't say a word, but noted his current lack of other Bondeds.

Next came Cobalt. The Hellhound took a circuit around her, sniffing and recognizing her from her Bonded's story with the burning trolls.

Finally came Jessera, but it was Niles who got Sealgair's most intense attention. She looked down at him and anyone would swear her eyes burned brighter and that there was a distinct smell of death in the air. You are larger than a fox, and you dare come here? Even her mind voice carried the sense of a deep, threatening growl before she stared at Jessera. I will not guarantee his safety. With that she turned her back on them and went back to the den before turning to sit and look over them, regal and deadly and a definite haughty smirk.

Tell me, what makes you think you are worthy of my pups?

Cobalt felt distinctly out of place in the gathering, though without facial expressions or even body scent like a flesh-and-blood person or was highly likely even Sealgair would pick up on it.(Reason number one why playing poker with a Warforged was a risky proposition.) She wasn't afraid for her safety or anything of that sort. Though just looking at the Hellhounds, especially the sole adult of course, told her that they were powerful creatures she herself had little that she felt they could harm greatly. Yes, her leather pieces might be vulnerable but she was far more adamantine and steel than leather, laced with magic on top of that. Thus when Sealgair circled she didn't flinch or even turn to follow her.

"Worthy of your pups?" she echoed, mostly to make sure she hasn't misunderstood. For a moment she just watched the three pups as they romped - she knew a few generals and soldiers who would have enjoyed their company she felt - then spoke.

"Once they're grown, they will not need protecting. That is clear. But even though I cannot say I have ever taken care of a young one before I can say this - " Cobalt held out a hand before her, opening and closing a fist with a small bang of metal; her hand was easily close to the pups' own bodies in size. " - they won't need to worry about the time before they're grown, and I am not much vulnerable to their teeth should they want to play rough."

Okay, perhaps not the most 'mothering' of statements, but it was whole-schema-ly true.

The mother Hellhound looked at them all in turn, and some might feel like her eyes were boring into their very soul (or schema, as was one case), taking a look around, judging. It might seem the air got warmer, and was that the scream of something dying in the distance?

Perhaps.

But the candidates should rather pay attention to the nearest danger, because during the prolonged silence, Sealgair seemed to have come to a decision. Or part of one.

She turned her attention to Cobalt first.

As if weighing the Warforged's words as she stood and approached again, Sealgair took one loop around her, almost like a cat but without coming near. I know, her tone like Cobalt's words had settled something, sounding almost lighthearted, perhaps a hint of approval? But still the kind of lighthearted one might hear before getting your heart ripped out. (Sealgair was a Hellhound after all.)

Next came Dominic, but the Hellhound looked at Jessera first, eyes burning at what might sound like an insult A half truth. She eyed the zombie once more, measuring him, ears pricked like she was expecting something more, or maybe making up her mind, but suddenly turning away, towards Jessera.

This time Sealgair completely ignored Niles, her full attention on Jessera. She took another loop around, coming very close to her back before sitting down a few meters in front, looking away out into the Wastes. Yes. And no. I may not have the opportunity to approve or not for who they choose, but I do rule over which candidates are available. She didn't make any sign of chasing anyone off, however, instead she stood to go back to her pups.

The small one who had won the battle by surprise, was already edging towards Cobalt while the other two was staring at Dominic. The small one was apparently a female, coming up to the warforged to sniff around her feet while what was revealed to be her brothers suddenly ran for Dominic! Teeth bared the both jumped him in an attempt to push him over. More than likely playful, but puppy teeth were sharp too!

Sealgair herself sat down to watch, mostly focused on the candidates, but if you paid close attention she'd be having half an ear trained out towards the Wastes. Was there something out there or was it just motherly protective instinct making her keep all of their surroundings under control?

The two males would, if allowed, keep 'attacking' Dominic, nipping at clothes, fingers, bandages, anything their sharp little teeth could get a hold of really, but if he pushed them away they would comply (after a bit), easing up on their nipping or possibly leave him alone altogether.

The female, after finishing her thorough investigation with Cobalt (if the warforged sat down she might be allowed to pet the pup), Niles as much as Jessera caught her interest, the strange scent of the hybrid enticing her over.

At which point a deep, threatening growl came from the darkness...

Well, it wasn’t quite approval, but Jess suspected that ‘not being actively thrown out of the bonding’ was as close as she’d get to earning Sealgair’s approval. The hellhound was, after all, a hellhound. More to the point, she’d already made it abundantly clear she didn’t think much of Jessera or the company she kept. Either way, she wasn’t about to question her luck, not when she still had a chance to take one of the (ridiculously cute, absurdly ferocious) puppies home!

“If you want me gone, I’ll go. Same goes with Niles. But I appreciate you giving us a chance all the same.” Sealgair was likely looking away, but Jess nodded thanks anyway, trying to communicate wary gratitude and acknowledgment-of-superiority at the same time.

Then a pair of pups tumbled towards Dominic, and it took an act of willpower to keep from diving to the rescue. The poor zombie didn’t seem to be in any danger, at least, but every time those puppy teeth made contact Jess winced in sympathy. Baby teeth were sharp no matter what species they belonged to, and hellhounds? Took ‘sharp’ to a whole new level. Hopefully he’d escape in one piece, even if his clothes weren’t so lucky!

Jess was so busy watching the two male pups play and bite she barely noticed the female change direction. A sharp huff from Niles brought her around, and the sight of that earnest little pup sniffing around melted her heart all over again. Kneeling, Jess offered a hand for the female pup to sniff. The other dove into one of the pouches at her hip, rooting around before finally producing a well-worn ball riddled with tooth marks.

“Hey, kiddo. Would you like to play?” She bounced the ball in one hand, enticing pup and hybrid alike to come play. Niles broke first, whining and making a half-hearted grab for the ball. “Don’t worry, the furball will play nice.”

...even if Niles was behaving himself, whoever was growling from the darkness wasn't. Jess moved before she was aware of it, placing herself between the pup, Niles and the growling threat in the night. If that thing wanted to play too, it was gonna have to go through her. 

Not that it'd take much to get through an unarmed noncombatant, mind, but it's the thought that counts.