sheep_game | WOOF TIME

[He still wants to have beef with this wolf until he apologizes for his everything, but he will, for once, also say nothing.]

[there's so much beef here we could have a cookout. BUT FOR NOW.

He continues staring at the broken shards, until his ear flicks. ]

The Forever Snake again. . .it ignored our calls, and yet answers for those not of this realm? Ridiculous.

[a deep breath]

You're giving these to me willingly? As a show of good faith then?

Or is there something else you're all after.

I can't speak for the Forever Snake. I was merely assigned to the flock whose priest stayed by his side for the five hundred years you had him imprisoned.

We have told you all we're after. I'm not adding anything to the pool, just letting you know that there's no grudge getting in the way of things.

Edited 2024-09-27 04:44 (UTC)

[ keeps his mouth shut and does his best to look pretty. ✨✨✨✨✨ ]

[ Well Cres has a grudge. He has a grudge and he will hold it because he is so good at grudges. You don't get to kidnap his... his EEL. And then act like they're the offending party here when they come knocking later. And with food for his people no less!

Bad leader, making the worst decisions, completely idiotic to the point of stupidity just like his sister, and then they get wrapped up in THEIR dramatic family affairs and they have the audacity to sit here and act like they're some enemy when all they've done is get kidnapped into their stupid world and then yanked around despite being innocent of it all, and this wolf wants to sit here and act like they're the suspicious ones. Well let him tell you, this wolf should get down on his knees and-]

[. . .

He idly starts trying to fit the broken pieces back together as Levi speaks, not looking up at them.

And then, snaps his fingers.

The handcuffs fall harmlessly to the floor.]

. . .you say you want to share resources, but surely you must realize, you're all in a far more advantageous state than me and my people.

At this point, as much as my pride hates it, anything you can provide is basically charity. So what are you seeking? What could we possibly provide?

Assistance. Information. What we know of the lay of the land here is still spotty thanks to the mist, and we could always use any and all knowledge that might help in calming your father's rage.

That would be the preferable means of healing this place, wouldn't it?

Most of us just want to get back to where we came from, and the best way to do that is to make it so we're no longer needed here.

Edited 2024-09-28 02:58 (UTC)

Can you tell us his Name? Your father's, that is.

If not... can you teach us how to speak wolf?

[ he just thinks it's cool ok ]

No longer behaving so antagonistically toward us would go a long way. I agree with what the others have already stated.

[He lifts a hand out toward Leviathan.]

And a proper apology to him. You certainly owe at least that. And even if he says he does not require one, I do.

[Finally looks up from the shards at Crescendo like ???????]

And you are. . .?

[listen he didn't deal with bb's nonsense. He pushes his glasses up the bridge of his nose.]

In any case. . .you know his name, or his title at least. The Wolf King. In this one scenario, it's not necessarily taboo to say his full name, as demons. . .already know of it, due to his marriage. But it's disrespectful for commoners to speak it.

Franklin Wolf.

[yes that is a very plain name but ALSO IT'S A FLOWER SO THERE,]

And I. . .simply do not have the time to teach you the intricacies of our language.

Crescendo is a person of some affluence in his world.

[He's touched, Cres. And he's not the sort that will say an apology isn't necessary. The other teen is free to argue about it more.]

I understand. I'm sure when dealing with the mentalscape of an individual the language barrier is a bit weaker. There are those with a far better grasp of that than me and I have no doubt they can work around it.

[ looks from Cres to Levi to Ceo. something clicks. so that's who was kidnapped from Rose. ]

Mmmmm... shame, but that's fair.

[ rip cool wolf language. ]

What about your sister? She's the one that gave us your Name, you know.

[ If charming him would not be a bad idea just to watch him hop around for a little while, this ingrate would be so charmed-]

My name is not one I shall allow you to disregard so easily as I have already stated it. It would do you well not to dismiss others merely because you wrongly consider them a herbivore. After all, it appears herbivores are thriving in contrast to this poor excuse of a show you run within this city. I would suggest that you learn some manners, lest a group much less forgiving than ours appear before you.

[He draws himself up.]

I am Crescendo of Bluebell and the Leader of Knights back home. I have been in charge of the Food Bank within the pasture, collecting donations and food for some time now in the event that there might be a need.

I am not so petty that I would deny anyone food simply due to the fact that their leader lacks tact. However-! I shall repeat myself once more, since it appears your ears are only for show. You will apologize to Leviathan for the previous treatment you wrought upon him. All of us have died, bled, and suffered as a result of your family despite having nothing to do with them. And you, in all your ridiculousness, kidnapped this man along with my friends, and brought them harm.

I am not nearly so willing to forgive your transgressions as the others, and have no respect for the rule of a failing leader who attacks children. If you cannot do something as simple as to apologize for your wrongs, then we've no reason to believe that you are capable of upholding any end of a bargain.

So I will ask you again. Apologize. Or are you, a grown man, a wolf, and a supposed leader so arrogantly foolish that you cannot give what is owed?

Edited 2024-09-28 04:39 (UTC)

[ wow, he can't believe Scarlet Cherry was this cool all along?! ]

Bluebell. Ah yes, part of the group Bea was responsible for.

[Ceo adjust his shades once more.]

She's dead now. That girl that you charmed, leading you to my office--Bea was her mentor for the last decade. Despite being afflicted with the King's curse, she did her best to help keep this city running, keep the masses calm, and loyally followed my every order with utter faith that things would get better, despite her fear of being overtaken at any moment. My secretary now. . .she simply thinks Bea is on leave due to her condition, and constantly asks when she's coming back.

I don't have the heart to tell her she's dead.

[he leans back in his chair, threading his fingers together.]

Imagine if you will, your father becoming a literal monster. Demons holding your lives over your heads like toys for petty bargains. Your gods seemingly turning their backs on you as your people fall to madness and starve. And then you realize the supposed murderer of your last living loved one is being sheltered among neighbors who live on, deaf to your pleas of justice.

And then. . .more strangers appear. Strangers with odd powers, strangers giving this fugitive's land even more power and blessing as yours falls and crumbles. Strangers who wander into your land out of curiosity, and some have even siphoned your own power.

You'll excuse me for not bringing out the ceremonial tea set.

[his lips twitch, suppressing a snarl, though there's a hint of fang.]

So no, I will not apologize for doing what I felt needed to be done. It'd be hollow and frankly, untrue. Up til now, I regret none of my actions. Harsh they may have been, they've saved the remains of my land, and I will stand by my decisions. I must say you, Bluebell, certainly are living up to the arrogance I once believed all you sheep possessed.

[but, he pauses, eyes flickering to Levi.]

But, I will apologize for misjudging your character, Rose. You are a shepherd, yes?

I can see why you were given the role.

I admit, I generally prefer to have more of a supporting role than a leadership one, but this staff had other ideas.

You and yours have had to deal with quite a lot, and you've been dealing with it for far longer than I and others like me have been here. I do offer you my sympathies.

When we were brought here we were told the bare minimum of what we needed to do - next to nothing, in fact. Everything we learned we had to learn through trial and error, and meanwhile the demons here have subjected us to ritual upon ritual that seem to be meant to break us mentally. Yet our deaths aren't permanent, so we get to put up with all methods of torture and body horror, just to be brought back right after knowing it's only a matter of time before it happens again. Sometimes members of our flocks are returned home without warning, without us having a chance to say our farewells, just for more confused people to be brought in after.

Had we been in better communication from the start then things could have worked out differently, and that's truly unfortunate.

Edited 2024-09-28 18:19 (UTC)

[ again, he helpfully says nothing. don't look at him, his world doesn't even have sheep. ]

If holding someone accountable for their crimes makes one arrogant, then hand me the crown.

[He sniffs, unimpressed and unmoved. His sympathies lie with his people. Not their king. Neither will he feel guilty over a death he had nothing to do with. He arrived just in time to be blown up.]

I suggest you stop deceiving your secretary. The longer your facade continues, the worse it will be.

[He sighs.]

We have all of us dealt with demons. And you appeared as terrorists while we were still scrambling to even grasp hold of our situation. Once more, Levaithan is being much more forgiving than I. But I do agree with his sentiments. Communication, from the very beginning, might have led everyone down a very different path. The past cannot be changed, but the future is yet to be determined. If we can avoid even one more drop of spilled blood, then it is a path worth investing in.

Our resources are not limitless, but we can make steady shipments. But in order to maximize that effort, working together to properly clear the mist is most important for a permanent solution. It seems only then will the world have a chance at healing itself. Which is why I find an exchange of information paramount to our mutual success.

[narrah plz

he raises an eyebrow at Cres.]

Feel free to tell her yourself. You seem to have no problem forcing your will on others.

[u can't out-bitch a literal son of a bitch, cres!!

But he sighs.]

You're ill informed. The mist was here long before my father's fall. It just wasn't nearly as dangerous, nor did it suck the life from everything. Its effects have just gotten stronger--whether that be due to demon activity, the King's influence, or something else, I would not know.

But if information is what you're after. . .

[he stands, hands behind his back as he walks to. . .well, a broken window, cuz sheep, but still he walks to it. In the distance, far beyond the walls of the city, further than any of them have ever traveled, sits what looks like a black mountain.]

That mountain in the distance?

That's my father. His core--the nightmare factory where he lost his senses.

I heard from another group you're all investigating how to deal with him. I hadn't believed it in its entirety , and thought it suicide, but.

[a defeated shrug]

If you truly wish to start somewhere to 'heal' this rotting world, I'd suggest there.

[Of course they're ill informed. That was the whole point! But Levi just smiles.]

Excellent.

If there's anything you can tell us about the factory itself that might help those going we would appreciate that as well. If anyone here is capable of stepping into a deadly situation and coming out successful it's those from our pasture. You might as well make use of us.

...

Guess I'll ask again. Would you be willin' to share your sister's Name? Not to hurt her. Even if you don't trust our goodwill, please trust that hurting her just screws us over. Her magic is protectin' the pasture, so why would we?

It's just... there's a pattern, right? With every Name she's sealed away, she's sealed somethin' this world used to have. The shepherd's wish. Our own Truths. Who knows what else.

What I do know is this: if we're gonna face your father head-on, we're gonna want to be as whole as we can. All or nothin', yeah?

[You wanna bet-

He remains quiet for this, curious on the answers himself.]

Fair enough.

It was the original factory--the first one built, and most grand, where we discovered how to harness both the powers of dreams and nightmares. We shared that research with sheep-kind, and it's partially why we're somewhat more developed than they are.

Father visited after the news of his daughter's passing, and, well. He never left.

It's a bit of a trek by foot, less by car, but I can guarantee a safer, more straight forward path for all those who wish to enter. It's since been blocked off, treated as forbidden and cursed by most residents.

. . .

As for her name, I. . .can't remember. The Clover may not remember, but even when they, stole her body--[grimaces, with an ear flick. STILL CAN'T BELIEVE THEY DID THAT]--you'd notice her name wasn't even engraved, even in a memorial. All the subjects remember her as the Lost Princess, thinking her name is taboo, when it's simply been forgotten.

I assume it's to protect herself, but. Who knows what she's thinking.

Who indeed. Thank you for the information.

... One other question for you.

Blossom seemed to believe that getting rid of all of the demons would be the right path to follow, but with all due respect I don't trust her perspective on most things. It's possible that they're a necessary evil.

If destroying them all was even an option, do you think it should be done?

Hey, they didn't know she meant so much to—

Well. You already know how that goes.

... if the name's forgotten, it's forgotten. Can't be helped. Thanks anyway.

Edited 2024-09-29 07:44 (UTC)

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