New Neighbors

Deep Forest - East

        Deep, green, lush vegetation encircles around and about on the rich ground below one's feet as they pass through this thick section of the dark forest. Small rocks, medium-sized shrubs and watery puddles of mud lie strewn about on the shadowed, brown earth while entangled roots strangle against massive tree trunks that reach high up into the sky above.
        The thickness of the trees within the area equal past several meters across as they tower high and reach over to create a canopy covering the forest tops. The area seems somewhat dark and foreboding whether night or day in this neck of the woods as strange sounds of the surrounding area forever play at one's senses, seeming to tease the listener into a rush of anxiousness. The woods are known to be a place of mystery as well as danger for those that don't belong here.


Navigation:
  South <S>   East <E>   North <N>   West <W>

Obvious Exits:
  Large River <LR>

         Dawn's rays stretch over much of the treetop and bath the distant city in dim light, though most of the forest was still bathed in darkness. A mix of warming air and the warmth of direct sunlight acted as a lure, drawing the mammals towards the large river, among them was somewhat out of place being, Vasily. Along his biceps and forearms, fresh shallow slash marks could be noticed, even a few close to his neck though the bleeding had stopped. Keeping his distance, the burly Russian slips an arm deep into the cold stream, dragging a waterskin pouch under the warmed surface water as he waits for it to gradually fill through the small opening.


        And not too far away, in the distance, two figures wander the woods. One naked and rune-painted. The other - well, in an old slavic dress and wolf pelt. Xiu and Evonnia.
        The little asian amazon is moving casually, hands clasped behind her back, the runes and symbols on her body today painted in a more earthen orangish tone, like brighter mud. She has her little bits of leather on - that pouch cord across her torso, the blade strapped to its leather sheath on her right leg. As usual...nothing else. And she's leading Evonnia...somewhere. That somewhere being roughly towards Vasily.


Evonnia treds alongside the naked Asian as they head through the forest. The Slavic woman certainly stands out a bit less than the painted naked woman, but she looks far from normal. Dredlocks, an archaic handmade linen dress, and a full grey wolf pelt worn as a cloak certainly might give most people pause. Especially next to her companion. Her sky blue eyes flit across the forest before them as they travel through the trees to the meeting spot. When they reach the river, and Vasily comes into sight, they look over the man judgingly as her lips curl into a small smirk.

"Is this the one?" she asks in her accented voice, directed towards Xiu.



         Staying largely still for almost a minute, Vasily draws the skin back from the river before sitting back on one heel. Running his hand along the short hairs that remained after trimming it to wisk the water away and not soak him too badly. "Eto budet khorosho..." is said in a lower toned Russian accent. Looking at the man, he carried no weapon with him though he didn't appear to be fearing attack. Moving a hand to the ground briefly, Vasily pushing himself up and to his feet before moving towards the treeline.



        "Yes." Xiu says, glancing sideways at Evonnia, accompanied with a light nod before she gestures towards him. She keeps on approaching casually, slightly changing directions to make their way around a treeline before she heads straight towards the river. On the way she lits her chin a bit, and lets out a whistle. There are some people that are best not startled, and three of them are here at once.
        Should he look, Xiu lightly smiles and lifts a hand for a wave before she lets it drop again.



Evonnia nods at Xiu as she continues to walk along with her, indirectly approaching the man shaving by the river. Standing next to the naked Asian woman, following the whistle she decided to take a single step forward and call out to the man, her lips curled upward with a hint of mischief. She does so in what's clearly a Slavic language, but is definitely a fair bit off, as if they were trying to speak medieval Russian to an almost incoherent degree. Or maybe it's just Polish or something? "Normally I'm more careful when meeting lone people by the river, but I'm told you're trustworthy. Good morning," she greets in Old East Slavic, her hands resting together in front of her.



         The whistle earns a raised brow and a swiveled head, bringing Xiu and to an extent Evonnia into his gaze. A slight smirk appears on Vasily's lips as he turns towards them and lifts his free hand but he doesn't come closer than a half a dozen meters, outside of most lunging ranges. "I am not on a hunt, will have to wait to be content," is said with a growing grin towards Xiu.
        With Evonnia walking closer, Vasily thought he could recognize some of the words she said but the distance along with the half words made it sound nonsense to his ears. "Trusting a hunter is always fickle unless a hunter too" is said with a slight shrug of his shoulders. Moving his left hand towards, Vasily motions a toss towards Evonnia, offering her his water skin. "Vasily Ivanov, but maybe you remember from meeting?" Shifting his gaze back to Xiu, he says "Not looking bad after lessons taught, both of you enjoy it?"



        Xiu walks again, and while she does not understand Evonnia's words there, she figures - hey, she's trying to see how much Vasily understands. A bit? Maybe? "Ha, yes. It was lovingly intense." she remarks and glances at Evonnia as Vasily refers to the promise of Xiu getting into a fight with both Ciar and Evonnia after the meeting. "Licking the wounds was admittedly even more entertaining." Ahem. As they draw close into a casual meeting distance, Xiu reaches for her waist, and pulls a couple pieces from a small leather case. Copper, brass, copper. And then she settles down right there, cross-legged, as she puts together a long, chinese pipe.
        "You seem to have run into something with claws that did not agree with you." she remarks in regards to the marks on Vasily's arm. "Hunting more critter blood again?" Evonnia have might seen that pipe before at times at their place - for moments of chilled out Xiu. The green herb the witch is putting into its little head certainly tends to do that. She seems to leave Evonnia to her introduction, as she lights the thing long thing with a match.


Evonnia's language changes to English as the gap shrinks closer to a conversational range. "Then it is fortunate that I am a hunter as well, yes?" she replies to Vasily with a growing smirk. She holds her hand out towards him, seemingly to accept the gestured offer and catch the waterskin if tossed. Her eyes look him up and down once more, and she nods. "Yes, I remember," she replies, offering a brief bow of her head as she makes her own introduction. "Evonnia."

        Her smirk grows at the queston the man poses to her and Ciar. "It is always an enjoyable 'exchange'. But we don't have the time to stay bedridden for long, hmm?" She chuckles as her head turns slightly towards Xiu. "I would hope you have use for more than simply the blood."



         Lifting his right arm, Vasily starts to stroke at the cuts along his neck and smiles. "These? These from my blade, not enough time for my soul to mend, by lunch I can weave them smooth, no worry." Looking down at Xiu, he cants his head slightly, studying the new action from the tiny Asian fury but doesn't ask anything, choosing to lid his eyes and sniff the air, seeking the scent out.
        "Yes, a Hunter that speaks like great grand mother while sleeping.." Turning his gaze back toward Evonnia, "Not sure which of you intrest me more. Today is already offering fortune, hope no misfortune follow in kind," is said somewhat lightheartedly. Before he spoke again, Vasily walked the waterskin into Evonnia's grasp, "Blood, bone, pelt, teeth, ivory, sinew, claws.." As he lists the pieces like an old lesson, he unconsciously curls and unfurls his fingers.



        Xiu takes another drag and slowly exhales, before she licks her lips and lets out a chuckle and glances at Evonnia. "He makes use of everything. We had a nice meal the other day. Boar. It was a good hunt." she says, before she eyes the man with a suntle smirk. She knows he had certain teachers - and can maybe sense when he recites. Another drag, before she turns the pipe and lets the ash fall from its small head before she puts new green onto the ambers that are left. Two is good. "Perhaps, someday, we all will have a meal together."


Evonnia's lips curl further upward as the way she speaks is pointed out. She shrugs as she replies, "It seems that the tongue may have changed since I lived in my homeland. But don't worry, I can speak it as well as this one." She accepts the waterskin, offering a nod to the man as she does. "Don't worry, I won't be the one to bring you any this day." She looks up at him as she takes a slow drink from the waterskin, perhaps studying his reaction. When she finishes, she hands it back to him. "Good... Most hunters in this forest seem to be far more wasteful. Although, perhaps I shouldn't even call them hunters." She looks over to Xiu and nods with a chuckle. "I'll accept as you continue to vouch for him. Perhaps we'll share one of our hunts with him someday, if he doesn't do the same first."



         "If I listen for a while, maybe I can understand better but.. rarely heard that within the Clan. Siberia is large, so could be from a remote place I not been before." Shrugging his shoulders slightly before relaxing then, Vasily doesn't seem to mind, the idea of another small feast. "I may twist hornets and beetles, turn the scraps into compost for the forest, chase away 'poachers' so I can have their prey." Taking back the waterskin, he slips a braided cord around his belt, fastening it to his hip.
        "I can only have two hands, not enough hands to work on both at once, you will have to choose in end." Lifting his hands and exposing his palms, a smirk spread across his lips, "Though I am weaving my pattern better," is said as he looks towards Xiu, "Warmer now, better flow of Avatar to me and return, a cycle as my soul grows. But.." Looking back and forth between them he asks, "Why here without waterskins?"


A sudden breeze sweeps through the forest, rustling trees and bushes and sending old leaves floating to the ground.


        Xiu taps out the ash a second time by then, and then blows into the pipe from the back a couple of times. With that done uses a small cloth to clean the head - not the most thorough cleaning, but good for on-the-go. She lightly smirks at Vasily's last question. "The river is long. We have water." she replies, before she puts the pieces of the pipe back in the small leather case. "And yes, I can tell." she adds, looking back at him. "I cannot see your...'pattern' right now, but it shows. Practice and devotion makes perfect."
        With that said, she rises onto her feet again, stretches and just takes a couple steps her and there. Not restless per se, but seemingly not in the mood to just sit right now. "It is nice that you two are talking." she comments, watching Evonnia and Vasily with a light grin. "Even if I am sure that sooner or later you are going to trade blows someday." A chuckle leaves her. "Not a bad thing."


Evonnia offers a shrug back to Vasily. "Worry not, I am very good with languages... It makes sense it would be much different in Siberia. My home was much further to the west, south of Halych in the north Carpathian forest. I have been told that the land is now called Russia." To one familiar with East European geography... That's not in Russia. She nods at his description of what he does in the forest, her expression showing approval his activities. "Ah, I do have a waterskin, of course," she replies to him, taking one attached to the back of her belt hidden underneath her wolf cloak and showing it to him. She smirks as she clarifies, "I wanted to know whether you'd take the opportunity to try to poison me. It's easier to trust afterwards, yes?" She chuckles as her eyes drift to Xiu.

        "Perhaps we will eventually. It might not be a bad thing, or it might be. Who can say?" she replies with a wink.



         "Would trading blows with this body be fair?" is asked towards Xiu before Vasily turned his attention more questioningly towards Evonnia, studying her posture along with her outward capabilities. "Not sure, even less sure when this pattern recovers from torment, and Cures proper." Stepping away, Vasily kneels down in the short grasses with one hand holding his waterskin still before stroking the ground.
        "Poison? Not useful, complicated to mend, annoying to nurse captive." Slowly, Vasily pinches at the grass and tugs but doesn't try and uproot any before standing up again, moving away from the pair and towards the treeline only to repeat the check. "Easier to break a bone, then nurse easily and weakening is longer, more even healing without faking being weaker than true." On his second try, a slight smile appears on his lips as he pats the ground softly. "Good.. hives are here, very useful.."



        "Probably more fair than without, I presume." Xiu points out and slightly tilts her head to the side, smiling lightly. "Evonnia herself is capable and ferocious at times. That and she is not fragile. Though admittedly, I prefer friendly fights not to be carried out with blade or claw." She eyes Evonnia there for a moment. Then Xiu actually walks forward, past either of them, before she crouches down by the river. She leans forward on all fours, and leans down - not caring about the sheer indecency of the act to the onlookers - and drinks, straight from the flowing water, some of her braids pulled straight and aside by the flowing stream.
<OOC> Xiu says, "Sorry, RL had me there for a moment!"
<OOC> Vasily helps fight the RL!
Evonnia grins knowingly as Xiu groans, her eyes briefly flickering to the woman. While she is small, what can be seen of her body beneath her attire does suggest that she's hiding a bit of tone muscle under there... as would probably be expected of someone who lives in the forest without modern ease of living. Still, she doesn't seem to be as ripped as Xiu.



        The Slavic woman crosses her arms as she watches Vasily work, tilting her head. "It depends on the poison... and how much harm you care to inflict. And in most cases it's easier to poison someone by surprise than to break a bone by surprise. As for captives? Many can overcome a broken bone to escape while you don't pay attention. Poison is more difficult for most to work around." Xiu earns a sly smirk from the woman as their fights are commented on. "That, I doubt very much Xiu... But if you mean it, next time I'll hold back the claws. I'll enjoy it either way."



         "Eh.. You likely know herbs better than me. Mentor showed me weak ones for traps that not taint meat, or ones to rot, cause festering ulsurs and pussie wounds, not much in the middle." Looking over his shoulder, Vasily goes to ask Xiu another question and just fell silent as he closed his eyes, 'Will not get used to this woman as quick as needed..' is said softly though likely Evonnia could hear him.
        "I rarely alter with claws or pelts, maybe after my home completes.. Once it rests well, I can afford to more deeply weave this body.. May be safe, maybe not.. Though hornets that sting at the soul should make things safer," is said with a chuckle. Standing up and approaching Evonnia, Vasily was trying to avoid looking at Xiu. "Tell me, what keeps you busy here other than swimming with the Dryad. Carving, weaving, brewing?"
Writing reality out to disk. Please wait...
Reality saved. Thank you for your patience.



        Another quaff later, Xiu raises her head and pulls her braids back. She actually brings her hands into the water, and splashes her face a bit before she rubs it as she rises and then turns back towards Evonnia and Vasily. She lightly smiles, but remains silent, not wanting to interfere with the conversation - though it's clear she's watching, circling the two partially before she finally crouches down, just seemingly content with observing them - and doing so openly.
"I likely do. Mother taught me much of how to harm and kill and weaken," Evonnia confirms with a nod. "You can make poisons inbetween by taking care with amounts and by mixing herbs. Animal venom is very useful as well... It's also far more dangerous to collect for most. Me?" She shakes her head, the corner of her lips curling further. "They don't bother so much." She chuckles at the name Vasily calls Xiu, glancing over at her for a moment and nodding. "All of those things, yes. I'm good with wood and bone. And with cooking, although I have restrictions with that. And, as I said, I also forage and hunt. Sometimes with a bow, sometimes without one." Her gaze turns back up to the significantly taller man. "So, what about you? What do you busy yourself with?"



        "Do not let Evonnia cook." If looked at, Xiu is just sitting there, passively, not showing any visual sign of any terrible recalling that might have caused her to say those words.



         "The city.. Or I try," is said with a bit of a sigh. "I only have them for library for now, but soon.. slowly my own." Motioning with his left arm westwards he makes his hand waver side to side, "Building a home, a quiet place but I need to learn more, need to keep Sleepers away. As for Mutts," with a grin, Vasily looks down and taps his foot gently. "Studying suicide guardians. Enchanting nectar so they are enchanted, shaped to sting the soul not the flesh. Maybe cull a mutt too stupid to live, will not try to though.. rather scare them off."
         Turning towards Xiu, "Why not? She like too much spice like the Chinese?" is asked as his head returns back to Evonnia questioningly, "Or are you like Elder who takes revenge mixing healing herbs into smoke house to punish bratty children?" Tilting his head slightly, Vasily didn't look shocked though but somewhat amused despite his tone.


Evonnia quickly squints at Xiu as her cooking is commented upon, but she doesn't immediately comment upon it. She nods to Vasily as she says, "I travel to the city on occasion for one thing or another. I've made a few friends there, and occasionally there is business. Such as that meeting. It's a curious thing, but I don't like it very much." Her head tilts at mention of his project. "Hmm... An interesting idea for protection. A very interesting idea. But, which do you mean by mutts?" she questions him.
        A mischievous look spreads across her face as she's interrogated about Xiu's warning. "My cooking is very good. She's simply upset about... something like what you describe with bratty children. Only it was cooked for our other sister, and Xiu knew what was in it when she ate it herself." She chuckles remorselessly as she recalls the incident in question.



         "The huntress cannot handle spices? Seen her eating raw choice cuts, so only spice left not under cooked." Turning his hand from the west, Vasily chuckles and motions further south west. "I can smell their stench, it lingers in air. Likely several in war form, just making lands." Lowering his hand, Vasily turns to look at Evonnia to shortly ask, "Those kind of mutts. Understand or muddy?"


        When Evonnia squints her eyes at her, xiu just looks back. There light be the subtlest of grins on her face, thoguh when the mentioning of *spices* comes up - she arches both eyebrows. "Spices? I can handle spices. You mentioned spicey stuff like the Chinese eat it." She spreads her arms a bit. "I am chinese! Well. Born here. My parents are from the land." she clarifies and lets out a soft chuckle. "Evonnia is actually good with spices. And ingredients. And recipes. She just..." Xiu trails off and inhales softly as Evonnia kiiind of explains what happened but not really. "I cannot deny that I liked Evonnia's cooking even in that case, but...well." She smirks. "Let somebody try it first." She winks at Vasily, before she tilts her head to the side.


"It was a very, very strong spice," Evonnia comments, greatly amused. "It was to toughen up our sister in preparation for a fight. Do not worry." She giggles once more as her eyes move between the two briefly. "I... believe I have an idea of what you speak of. Not normal animals, yes?" She glances in the direction the man motions towards. "You've had such trouble in these woods?"


         "Not beasts, werewolves. Not beast.." is said in a softer tone, though a slight smirk was on his lips at the time. "Only trouble was Xiu leaving me for four boars, tsk tsk.." is said as Vasily turns to look at Xiu, his expression holding a faux annoyance at the memory.
         "Chinese? Maybe it was Thai that shared meals with the stinky Indians? I stayed north away from southern reach, less annoyances that way. But I wonder what made the Huntress regret eating it."


        Xiu lets out a snort as the four boars are mentioned. "I said not to go for them." she remarks and lightly smirks at him, her own smirk showing that...yes, there's sharing a little memory there. She tilts her head to the side. A soft laugh leaves her. "I don't regard eating anything of Evonnia's so far." she says and lightly waves a hand. "Much to Evonnia's amazement." Lowering the hand she smirks at her witchy sister, eyes slightly narrowed. "I gave her a good taste of it too..."


"Ah, I see..." Evonnia replies with greater understanding, nodding at Vasily. "So there are wolfmen nearby, then? I've heard of such things, but most I know of turning into a wolf I can do myself." She gestures at the wolf pelt she's wearing. Her gaze turns towards Xiu as she giggles. "Xiu has quite the unusual appetites, yes? And not simply with what she eats."


         Vasily gives Evonnia's pelt a glance and lids his eyes before sniffing at the air, two short sniffs before giving it a slower, sniff checking for a scent but also trying to scent the pelts pattern but could pick up nothing and so stepped back. "My Clan knows of them, they were.. hurt by them in the past. I still dislike them.. but told never hunt them. The Lady would feel betrayed, as they still have use.. So we tolerate." Stepping away from Evonnia, Vasily makes his way over towards one of the smaller bushes and kneels before it. "She can, but all things have limits." With a continued touch, Vasily moves his hand back and cuts his thumb against his animalistic teeth. "Maybe a treat for both of you?"



        Xiu *grins* at Evonnia at her comment about unusual appetites. She does not comment, but oh does she grin at her sister in a rare display of giddy satisfaction. It goes away after a couple seconds, though the amusement is still visible in subtle smiles. Her eyes follow Vasily as he heads for the bushes, and when the man cuts his thumb, she tilts her head to the side. "A treat?" she wonders. "I never say no to a nice treat. What do you have in mind?"


Evonnia nods at Vasily's words about the wolfmen, watching as he moves away from her and towards a bush. "I don't believe I've ever had any contact with those you speak of..." she beings. "Although I have met a few others capable of taking on the aspect of the wolf. I see no point in hunting any of them without reason, like with any animal... Everything that comes of the worlds or the Gods holds some purpose. But, some things do give reasons quite often, yes?" Like Xiu, her head also tilts to the side curiously at the offer. "Perhaps. What is it you offer?"


     Gently stroking the bushes, Vasily begins to speak softly to to them though it was in Russian once again, but the tone was almost like trying to sooth a child. As he did so, a bush that was out of season though within his hands were now several wild blackberries, plump and ripe for harvest. "A treat, though needed a talking to remind them how to make them," is said with a chuckle before he stood back up. "As for the hunt.. I know legends Mentor said, namely the 'Scholars of Betrayal' would skin them, cut off their hands and feet, carve out the heart.." Approaching Evonnia, a slight smile appears on his lips but it wasn't happy, though his hands offered her some of the berries he collected. "Though.. I may crave one of their hearts, but will not hunt for it.."


     Xiu's eyes flick towards Evonnia, and she lightly nods in agreement. "While I heard some bad stories about the wolves, ultimately they are not the ones ruining this planet." Xiu keeps it simple. "If they are sticking to their territories, all is good." She smacks her lips together, and then her eyes find Vasily again, while she herself takes a few steps, just to get a better glance at that bush he's working with - and the berries he brings.


"Hmm... I would not place any blame on you for seeking revenge, although you should keep to the instructions given to you," Evonnia replies as Vasily approaches her once more. Her sky blue eyes glance at the blackberries offered to her, but she raises her own hand in decline with a small shake of her head. "I'm afraid I have my own to keep to, so I must decline. Your offer is appreciated all the same," she says, returning a mild smile to him.


     Looking at the bush, Xiu would notice there was nothing, not even a nub of a shriveled berry, it was picked clean long ago, and even then gnawed on by hungry and rooting creatures as time passed along. At the rejection of Evonnia, Vasily nods slightly, "I will, but would be wrong to abandon good carcass that I find." Stepping away, he makes his way over towards Xiu and makes the same offering, though it was unlikely he's chide her from taking all of them. "While you have not met them, only they and one other of their kind has a useful heart.. but you need a strong mind. The other is more violent and older than many leeches, they do not die, only age forever.. how sane they are, even Elders do not know, only they were blessed by the Lady."


     Xiu does pick a couple of the berries as they get offered, and she pops one of them into her mouth before she slowly chews. "Mmmh....your mentor seems to have had many animosities with their kind." she points out, and slips another berry into her mouth, before she slowly chews. "How come, if I may ask?" she, well, does ask in the same turn, before she lifts one of the berries and holds it up against the light of day.


Evonnia smirks at Vasily's words and nods in agreement. "Of course... Scavenging is not hunting. Nor is making use after protecting yourself, hmm?" She chuckles as she watches him move to Xiu. She nods at his words, a curiousity held within her eyes. "Oh? There are those among the wolfmen who live as long as Strigoi?" she questions. "You're certain they are not the risen dead themselves?"


      "A few generations ago, their kind slaughtered many of our Elders and Guardians because of jealousy.. It took the Clan a long time to recover, but the Lady blessed us again a generation ago." Unlike before, as Vasily answered Xiu his eyes were never on her's, in fact much of the time his eyes were closed, partially thinking over the details. "And no.." Turning his head towards Evonnia, Vasily opens his eyes and slightly smirks, "There are more than wolfmen. My Mentor has never seen them, but Elder spoke of fishmen, that age and age, but don't die, only grow larger like a snake would. And.. If any turned dead, the others would feast. They make legends of wolfmen act like puppies." Once Xiu slowed on her few berries, Vasily shifts them over towards one palm before trying one himself.


      Xiu's eyes narrow slightly at something Vasily says. "Fishmen..." she murmurs and slightly tilts her head to the side. "Sharkmen." she adds, her eyes watching Vasily to see if there is any kind of reaction to that. "Very large sharkmen." She flicks her tongue over her teeth, before another berry or two get munched. Seems like they're tasty!
        "I guess some rivalries or animosities die hard." she remarks and eyes Evonnia there with a light smirk.


Evonnia raises an eyebrow at the clarification Vasily gives her, her head tilting at the thought. "Fishmen?" she echoes, pondering it. "Hm. I've never taken to spending much time by the sea, but I have heard tales of what lives within it. But never unaging giants that turn into fish." She looks back over at Xiu and returns the smirk. "Some emnity has good reason to stay alive. It takes more than time to mend such wounds."


      The only reaction Vasily would manage was a curling of his lips, either amusement or unspoken words trying to escape. "I never seen one, but Elders should be respected and listened to." Shifting his attention now between the pair, Vasily lightly claps his hands together before spreading them far apart. "Now now, your turn now. Lingered long enough, but you have not gathered what you two need. Would another pair of hand help?"


     "I have seen one." Xiu says and pops another berry into her mouth. "It was fighting a strange, twisted and....wrong looking wolf.". The way she delivers that is downright casual - her focus are on the rest of the berries as she pours them from her hand into her mouth and then rubs her hands together. "Mh...it was..." she murmurs, slower now. "...a veryi mpressive sight."



Evonnia offers a nod of agreement ot Vasily's words. "Of course. I was not questioning the truth behind their words. It's simply a fascinating thing to consider, yes?" She looks over to Xiu and tilts her head. "Hmm... Perhaps it also had reason to consider the wolves as enemies?" She looks back to Vasily and offers a smirk. "The winter bounty of the forest is limited, but not so difficult to find if you know where to look. In particular I have been searching for rose hips, for another sort of brewing this season."



        The smirking and relaxed tone in Vasily melted under Xiu's words, causing his eyes to close for a moment. "Hopefully that wretch was culled, there's enough taint hurting the Mother, their kind does not need to wound her more. Lifting one of his hands, Vasily taps at the side of his head gently trying to explain terms but Evonnia offered a great escape. "Searching, not blooming them yourself?"


        Xiu shakes her head at Evonnia's words. "It was not a normal wolf. It was....wrong." seems to be the only way that the witch can really explain it - gesturing with her hands now that they are empty. "It...just felt wrong. Like it shouldn't exist in this world. Twisted. Sicklish corrupted." Another shake of her head. "I removed it from the face of the earth." There is a long pause. "...and then the sharkman drew a happy face into the sand and walked away. So that was that day."




Evonnia looks to Xiu as she ponders her words, blinking once. "Hmm... What a strange encounter. Yes, it sounds like destroying it was for the best, for the health of the rest of the forest. Perhaps I should be more surprised at the sharkman's gesture of good will." She shrugs, before looking to Vasily and biting her lip for a few moments as she thinks of how to explain. There's a nod offered. "Yes... I don't mean the petals themselves. The part the flowers leave behind in the winter... It can be brewed into a tea. Or... into wine." She smirks slightly as she shrugs her shoulders. "It's not the best of wines, but winter isn't meant to be the season of great joy."



      Turning his gaze back towards Xiu, Vasily closes his eyes briefly and bows his head towards her and lipped 'Thank you', but no sound flowed. Standing back up fully he looks towards Evonnia and cants his head slightly. "Why only the remains of the old? Are fresh petals touched with frost different?" Turning his head towards the forest, Vasily steps away from the pair but is careful to not step on anything of value. "I am soon to learn to culture honey into wine. Warm, sweet, something to nurse when not enough fire."


        "Mead!" Xiu immediately calls out as Vasily mentions 'honey into wine' and she grins at that. "You should take lessions from Dawson. He mades mead a lot, and he is quite good at it." she suggests. "Which reminds me.." She glances over at Evonnia. "He said that he still has a case of his winter mead that we haven't tried yet. I told him I'd visit the Styx and talk compensation, because it's not like we have cash." She pauses. "I guess *most* of us don't.." she adds after a moment of realization and she lets out a soft grunt.


"Because of Morena's commands," Evonnia answers Vasily indifferently. "The same reason I did not accept your offer. This is not the season for such things, and while I have the power I do not forget the proper order of them." She looks over to Xiu and her lips curl further into a grin. "Oh? Has he made yet another batch of winter mead?" she questions. "I haven't visited him in too long... I'll go with you, when you travel to his tavern."



       "Cash.. American Rubles? That stuff is easy to collect, if you want some I can offer you it. I have little uses here, even less than I was told about in Australia." Moving his hand to his right hip, Vasily pats at where he usually kept his wallet, though it was missing for the time being. Turning his attention towards Evonnia, he nods a few times shortly, "I see now, a different style of lesson. You lend ear to the season, while Mentor cares little for it, but teaches everything is clay, to mold, to grow into something else.. even my vessel." Bringing his hand up to the side of his head, Vasily taps at his temple gentle twice, "I will try to remember how you respect the Mother's body and nature. It is.. nice? Maybe better word, but Nice will do."


       "Oh, I know.." Xiu says, lightly smiling at Vasily. "I do not have use for it, normally. When I am in town, I sometimes collect a few coins, swipe them, whatever. But even that is normally not necessary unless I want to sit in an establishment." She lightly rolls her shoulders. "And Evonnia here also usually does not need money, so we don't tend to have much."
        Her eyes flick to Evonnia, and she lightly smirks. "Ah That's not quite accurate there, Vasily..."


Evonnia nods in agreement with Xiu's assessment as she looks to Vasily. "We manage to get most of our needs from the land itself. The things we need that can be brought with cash are few, and are usually easy enough to obtain through trade or trickery," she replies to the offer. There is also a nod given to his understanding, along with an amused grin. "Yes, you understand now. But 'nice' is certainly not the best word for it. Winter especially lacks kindness. We've had little trouble in this one... It's very mild here. But in the past, it's taken much from me." Her smile fades slightly, although not entirely. "But there is much wisdom to be learned from hardship, yes?"



     "What do I not understand?" is asked as he glances towards Xiu for a moment, not sure what she meant before turning back towards Evonnia. "Weather and nature are not what I called 'Nice', your respect. That is what I called 'nice'. I understand winters well, even more when herds change patterns or the Clan swells too much with cubs.." Closing his eyes briefly, a faint smirk returns to his lips though there was no happiness in his tone. "Remember the suffering, it reminds you aren't ready to meet the Ancestors. Never forget pain, it teaches you to savor small pleasures.." Opening his eyes, Vasily partially rolls his eyes as the smirk widens on his lips again, "And so on.. and so on.. But yes, very mild compared to Siberia, almost late Fall."



"Ah, I understand," Evonnia responds to Vasily with a nod. "Although perhaps that's still not quite the right word. But it works well enough, I suppose." Her head tilts slightly as she peers up at the man, crossing her arms. "Such things can never be forgotten. It's not good to cling to them, however. Still, I always remember my losses. And my grudges when they're brought by others."



        "Not good to cling, but not easy to always let go.. as you said." Motioning towards the foliage nearby, "I distracted long enough, while you two seek supplies. I let you choose, would you like extra hands or matter done between Sisters? I will see if the Glade is ready to swell larger, though I still need someone to sketch the design." Turning towards Xiu, Vasily speaks up, "Come by the quiet place, I will have enough pearls for you to have drinks for many weeks, or only take one of the simple ones and have enough for day easily."



"Don't worry, the lessons I've been taught have made it much easier to let go of all except hatred. And that can be a powerful tool, yes?" Her lips curl up into a small smirk once more as her eyes flit back to Xiu. "We can handle our own foraging, do not worry... It sounds as if you have far more to busy yourself with today than we do." She offers a small bow of her head to Vasily. "Fare well, and do let us know if you find need of our aid."