Quest Secrets abound in the Menagerie

[Spirit Frostfawn]

Spirit stared at the man in surprise. Why would she give away Wind? He was her… puppy, her friend, her companion! She wouldn’t just… no… ”Take… away?” she repeated, shaking her head. ”No… no! I wouldn’t give away Wind! I… I want…” She couldn’t say what she wanted, but it had something to do with Wind, and losing him. In her anxiety, she reached down to scratch said dog, who had noticed the worry. He shuffled closer to rest heavily on his leg, ever the kind, reliable friend.

Still, Wind politely sniffed the man’s hand, and greeted Nin calmly with a wag and another sniff. It was good to see another dog that wasn’t a puppy, as practically all the others in Spirit’s arvinta could shoot off at a snowflake’s noticeI couldn’t help it. It was just too great a saying to pass by…. However, the proposal to go off walking brought a shaken head. It was to discuss leaving Wind, after all, and she wasn’t willing to give up something like that.

”No…” she repeated shakily, crouching down to give her companion a full head rub, using that to distract her. ”I won’t leave him, and I don’t want to talk about it. Thank you, but goodbye.” She tried to keep her voice calm and cool but failed, so shaken up by the offer. How could he think he could take better care of Wind than her anyways? She loved dogs! She had as much time for Wind as she wanted. He was her lifelong friend, and… it would be horrible to leave him like that. Again shaking her head, she turned and walked off.

Her mind whirled as she paced, forgetting her real reasons for being around. She’d never bothered to ask what he meant by all the extra dogs getting hurt. Darn. She wasn’t going to go back and ask, though… it would be to embarrassing. Storming off like that then turning back to ask a question. No… she’d ask the other person related. Lusina. She’d know, right? With that in mind, she headed off to find the prize bull and, in turn, her boss and mentor.

She quickly found the woman chatting to a few other people. It didn’t take much to grab her attention, just a short wave and a jab from Wind. ”Lusina…” she began, a little uncertain. The memory of her last conversation kept coming back. ”A few people have mentioned a lot more injured dogs. Is this true? I haven’t noticed anything…” she drifted off, frowning. She should have noticed something, right? With her position and all.

Another, less morbid question came to mind. ”He’s a nice bull,” she added, glancing over at the penned creature. ”Where did he come from? Is he going to the stables, or a buyer?”

OOCSince the person talking to Lusina hasn’t responded in a while, and I feel like she’d be a good source, I decided to try my hand with her.

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Spirit:

The man winced at her emotionally violent reaction and grumbled as she walked away ruffling the top of his dogs head. "Petch...only kids would have such a reaction to such a great offer..." He cursed. Following her into the crowd at a distance he craned to overhear what they were discussing. Wind was a prime candidate for his shelter and he vowed to convince her it was a perfect place for him too. If not, there were other ways to deal with it outside of her permission. Running his dogs ear as he thought the man shuffled closer to overhear their conversation behind a mask of strangers.

"Hm...Oh Spirit." Lusina replied before glancing back up at the bull, "He's for sale, though I'm not sure anyone here has the need or capability to handle such a large bull. I think she's hoping the crowd will attract some of the Icewatch. They're probably the only one's with any money or use for a grand fellow like this." Lusina couldn't help but gaze at the animal in admiration. More ungainly than the horses she spent most of her time with she couldn't refute the usefulness and atypical grandness of caribou and elk.

"Hm? Oh yes, I have spent an unusual amount of time with Rei recently helping with all the dogs being left at her doorstep. Their wounds aren't life threatening usually but they seem pretty beat up. Lots of dog fight wounds." Lusina said non-chalently, "But that happens when a lot of animals come into heat at once and the animals in our care often cycle differently and more frequently than those in the wild." Turning to face her apprentice she tilted her head, "Why?"

As she turned the cat had slid under the rail followed by Spirit's dogs pup Bruce at its heels.

HINT TWO - DOG FIGHT WOUNDS


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[Snowdrop Snowsong]

Snowdrop cringed at the elder’s words. She really didn’t want to be trouble. It was already bad that her mom mad at her for not meeting any of her candidates for marriage. The teenager’s legs ran through the snow as they hurled her down the hill. Thing were starting to get of hand. She needed to catch up to the running animals up ahead. She noticed the bull getting ready to charge. With a burst of last minute energy, she busted her rump down that hill after the pair.

She almost fell after Bruce jumped into her arms. Wrapping her arms tightly around the puppy, and slid to a stop and almost fell onto her bottom. Snowdrop looked up at the bull with fear. Looking out about the crowd for help, Snowdrop found an Icewatch heading her way. Changing directions quickly, the Vantha ran in the direction of the man. I hope the bull doesn’t follow.
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Spirit & Snowdrop:

Disturbed by the cat and dog the bull pawed and snorted at the crowd. Banging its horns irritably along the edges of the pen it screamed at the crowd. It's horns were longer than many of the men standing there and extended passed the top of fence as it tossed its head agitated. The crowd moved back uneasily as it tossed its head over the fence horns sweeping the tops of Vantha heads. Turning to look at Snowdrop the crowd stared at her accusingly as several Frostfawn moved in front of the crowd keeping them away from the creature while its handler chased the cat out of the pen and calmed the bull.


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[Skidril]

Seeing as his duty to look away as often as was humanly possible, he didn't let Reikanni's antics affect him much – not consciously anyway. Still, even without the woman to go against his better judgement, he still had many mostly four legged mementos running amok 'round his feet. The information he had managed to scoop from her words about each of the dogs left him wondering who could do such a thing to anyone. Even if the animals were outright attacking someone, killing them still seemed like a better thing to do. Leaving them a lesser husks of their former selves seemed... wrong, inhuman even. Whoever had committed such monstrosities was far from deserving to still draw breath, even by Skidril's usually calm judgement. Hurting animals obviously weaker than you for anything other than food seemed almost like picking on little children to him. And as many teeth as they possibly bore, it seemed undeserving of such cruel punishment. Perhaps a bit too accusingly, he inquired about it further „What about the Frostfawn branch, how active on this issue are they?“ even as words left his lips, it was weird that he didn't know already seeing as he was married to the daughter of someone who already served that exact branch of the Icewatch. He got a hold of himself before she could react, to mend the insult he might've invoked between them „I apologize, but docked tails, and pulled teeth... puncture wounds even – those weren't some feral actions of Caiyha. It was one of us who did it! Maybe it's one of us who's still doing...“ then he'd add, calmer even „I don't even dare think of what happened to Panzz...“ and then he'd point to Zin and Zan, maybe indeed affected by her charm „I think I'll take those two, one for each of us“ adding in much warmer tone „Neira will be so happy to see them. It gets too quiet with just the two of us these days, but that's winter for you..“ „You know, something just occurred to me! Is there a particular location where these hurt animals keep appearing?“ then his head jerked in realization of the most obvious question. „Oh! And what do I owe you?“ hand reached for the pouch, wondering about coins on his person.

[Spirit Frostfawn]

”Why would the Icewatch need him, though?” she asked curiously, lips pursed. Pulling things? Whatever a big caribou like this could do, one of the Icewatch bears could easily beat. They were huge after all, given by Morwen’s grace. She tried to think of Avanthalians that were rich enough to buy such a creature and landed on two options. Any of the hold heads, or… Morwen herself. It was a funny enough thought to voice it. ”What if Morwen buys him? When she returns, of course.” As it was Winter, the goddess was off giving snow and ice to other places along Mizahar, but when Spring came… their Queen would come back.

The dog injuries sounded… odd. She would have asked why, but an explanation was given… even though she didn’t quite like it. ”But if it’s to do with being in heat and all, wouldn’t this happen yearly? And why do our dogs come in heat at a different time? And… are they just fights between wild and stray dogs, are those the only ones hurt? Or are they fighting ours as well, for some reason?” It was a lot of questions, but… she wanted to know.

However, their conversation was interrupted by the large bull, suddenly rearing and screaming. The massive antlers scraped the paddock fence, causing Spirit to jump back a few feet in caution. It was a giant rack, one that any hunter would give anything for. Giant, beautiful… and dangerous. It was safer to stay out of the way.

She ran into one of the commotion causers, spotting a cat darting by her feet. Instinctively she leaned down and snatched it up, though was later not quite sure why. She wasn’t a cat person after all, and her only experience had been with Kaden… was that enough? The scrawny creature wriggled for a moment, then noticed the gentle hold and relaxed, fur flattening. Just like a dog’s actually. The Frostfawn stared at it for a moment then stammered ”Uh… Is this anyone’s?” She glanced around just in case, a little worried.

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[Snowdrop Snowsong]

Snowdrop backed up into some woman and looked at the bull with fear. Her heart was racing in her chest. This wasn’t how her day was supposed to end up like. Bruce shook in her arms as he heard the bangs from the pen of the bull. The poor puppy snuggled his snout into her shoulder as a way to keep the sounds out form his ears. The young Vantha looked over in the crowd and watched as people looked at her. Judging her for what she did.

Her gut started to twist with guilt. It was her fault that everything was thrown into chaos. If only she left the pup at home. Then he wouldn’t have run after the cat. The cat wouldn’t have run into the pen. Lastly, the bull wouldn’t be startle by all this. A heavy sigh escaped her lips as Snowdrop looked at her feet, putting Bruce down. Looking up into the crowd, Snowdrop wandered towards the Icewatch and muttered a sorry before jumping out of her sadness. “So are you going fix all of this. You know the mess with the scared crowd and the upset bull. I didn't do anything wrong,” she said shamelessly. There was no point crying over spilt milk. She wasn't going to get in trouble. Bruce just pranced up alongside of her, as if not ashamed himself, even though half of the commotion was because of his antics.

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OOCHaha, I just noticed you all have S names :3

Spirit & Snowdrop:

The kitten gazed up at Spirit with wide terrified wide eyes. Snuggling into her chest it mewed pitifully, shaking from the cold. "Thank you, Thank you very much my dear!" The old woman gushed, hobbling over. She moved awkwardly over the ice, back and hip obviously aching from the fall. Reaching out she pulled the orange kitten to her chest. Thrumming instantly the kitten ducked its head into the womans greying hair.

The woman grinned through her pained wrinkles at the aging teenager. "You simply mu-" cut off by the arrogant demand of the girl who had caused the chaos the woman shot the girl a deep frown. “So are you going fix all of this. You know the mess with the scared crowd and the upset bull. I didn't do anything wrong,” Eyes widening in surprise, before the Iceguard could reply to the girls demand the old woman reached out snatching Snowdrops ear.

Yanking on her ear the woman began dragging her out of the crowd, "I would love to have you for tea." The woman offered over her shoulder. Being such a close community it was not odd for elders all over the city to scold others children, nor for them to praise and treat those that aided them. Her other arm encircling the kitten whose purr could still be heard when they had exited the crowd she dragged the girl by her ear, carelessly tugging harder with each jolted step.

Mouth a stern line as unchanging as the tundra horizon the elderly woman brought Snowdrop to one of the many benches decorating the market place. Easily bending her over her knee she placed three hard slaps upon the childs bottom. "Tell your mother she should join us for tea." She demanded fiercely. Elders in Avanthal were treated with the utmost respect and she didn't appreciate the childs arrogance and took free control in disciplining her.

Leaving her on the bench the hunched figure turned to look for Spirit. If she had followed the woman would rub her aching back and welcome the young teen to her Arvinta for some warm tea and a soft cushion. If not, she would frown feeling slighted and make a mental note to talk to Spirits parents as well.

There wasn't a child or parent an elder didn't know in Avanthal. They certainly wouldn't be respectable gossips if they didn't know.

Skidril:

Rei nodded in sympathy watching the dogs finishing their lunch. "What about the Frostfawn branch, how active on this issue are they?" The man accused making Rei frown, brow creasing in annoyance. "More active than any other hold. The other holds are more interested in their art and carving than wounded animals. And the Icewatch is too busy chasing those vandals around."

"I apologize, but docked tails, and pulled teeth... puncture wounds even – those weren't some feral actions of Caiyha. It was one of us who did it! Maybe it's one of us who's still doing...I don't even dare think of what happened to Panzz..." His apology did little to appease Rei. He was judging and accusing others when he himself had not even known about the issue. "And what have you done about it, other than accuse and judge others?" She asked vehemently.

"I think I'll take those two, one for each of us" He replied warmly making Rei frown deeper. As if taking the two healthiest dogs were a great sacrifice.

"Get out!" Rei demanded, walking to the door she opened it frowning grimly. "You are not welcome in my shop with that behaviour." She didn't bother to elaborate or explain. Her shop, her rules.




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[Spirit Frostfawn]

The kitten was kind of adorable, sitting in her arms and huddling away from the rest of the world. In a way, it was cuter than a puppy… but puppies were cuter in a different way. Cats and dogs were so similar, yet so far apart. She didn’t quite know what to do with this little one. Wind pointed his nose up and tried to sniff the new arrival, but it was much too high for his reach. Before he could really do all he wanted, however, an elderly woman arrived and plucked the kitten out of the Frostfawn’s arms. ”Oh… it’s no problem,” she said, a little surprised, but still smiling.

The Elder’s attention was quickly dragged away by a new Vantha arrival, someone who looked around her own age, and a bit familiar. In fact, that puppy with her was… very familiar. Quite similar to those she’d sold the season before. Spirit’s lips curled into a thoughtful frown, but before she could ask anything, the older woman began berating the girl for her actions, scaring the bull and all that… then inviting her to tea. That was probably the most intimidating part… an elder asking you for tea –bringing your mother- would always be serious. She’d thought at her own age, she would have outgrown it… or maybe she was just not a troublesome youth. She tried not to be, at least.

She became instantly worried when she was then invited to tea, after tagging along absent mindedly. Was she in trouble? What had she done? She thought the woman was happy with her? Well… the tone of the request was much more pleasant, so it didn’t seem to be anything bad. The Vet might even be able to speak to the girl with the puppy, and try and recall the face.

”Of course,” she finally said, smiling. There was no way she was going to say no to that. It would have been the stupidest decision in her life.

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[Ablation]

I haven't seen much activity on this and this was just the pre-quest so if you guys are still active and participating please send me a PM. If you PM me within one week and can be active enough for a quest then we will finish this one while we start the quest (for anyone who PMs me and is active, a.k.a. Snowdrop and/or Spirit). The Quest will take place this season so that we aren't still holding onto Winter.