#earthrunes

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It took awhile, but Daria found the perfect place for her wild heart, a river, it was hidden, but she found it

She approaches the water, hooves about to hit short

when a figure rises out of the water, "No."

"No what?" Daria humphs

"No the river is not for you," the beautiful woman drips with water, "In fact, it is not even for me. Not without permission."

"Who the hell are you?" Daria doesn't think this woman is sidhe, she doesn't look it, but being told no makes her touchy

"I'm Veronika, and I am Rusalka..." The woman slides through the river as easy as if she were sliding along land

"I am Daria, a centaur, and if this isn't your river, then this isn't your business" A hoof stomp

Two sets of eyes narrow as they lock gazes

A slim figure approaches her River, carrying a basket at her elbow.

Zara comes upon the scene of two figures tussling! Most unseemly in HER River! The Waters seems to strengthen the Rusalka, but Centaurs are naturally strong! they grapple and wrestle splashing the waters about

She hisses. "Enough!" They might not hear the whisper.

At first, they do not, she almost expects it from the centaur, but she hoped for sharper senses from the Rusalka. No, the splashing and feminine grunts and snarls continue. Truly, this may offend Zara's victorian sensiblities. Hair pulling? Really?

She gestures, elegant fingers working a pattern of grabbing and pulling... and in response, shadows gather on the sunny day, drawing in from the trees like the edge night. The branching shadows loom over the dueling pair, dimming the sun, bringing a touch of chill that is not the water alone.

THAT gets their attention, Veronika looks up, as the sun seems to grow sickly, Daria , not really given to Marquis of Queensbury rules, takes advantage of this by FLIPPING her over into the water then, she too looks about "What the hell?"

It is the centaur who shivers first

The shadows wind around the stranger - insidious, fire-less smoke.

And in the shadows, the glint of eyes which glow purple-black. They are partially veiled by strands of bone-white hair, and the skeletal figure is garbed in grey - a ghost? "Who hath trespassed?" A whisper yet.

"She did" both Daria and Veronika say at the same time and point at each other, then glare at each other again as they chorus

"Begone. I care not for your petty squabbles. This river is mine. Your disturbances are unwelcome."

"But miss Zara, I am a dream of the river... please recosider..." Veronika starts to say

"Who are you?" Daria says, though she has hit shore

"I am the Witch of the River. I am she who commands shadows. I am not to be trifled with, Fledge," Veronika might take comfort in that the sluagh seems more focused on the centaur.

Daria 's body language betrays fear, even if she tries to mask it in her face, "fine" And she trots away, not a full speed retreat, but a retreat none the less

Zara watches her go, as still as a viper.

Veronika lowers her eyes, "My apologies. I meant to reason with her to stay out of your domain, and it got out of hand. I will go" She moves out of the water to do so

Zara holds up a hand in a staying gesture.

"You may remain, if you wish. But I shall not have such,,, scuffling... in the future."

She approaches the riverbank. The shadows retreat to normal, a pleasant dappling.

"Thank you," Veronika says, sitting primly on the shore, her feet submerged

Zara slips off her shoes and sets the basket on the ground. "I have brought a friend. Be not afraid."

The sluagh opens the basket, and a pale snake slithers free. She has a delicate frill of... gills?.. that flare at the sight of the water.

"Oh how lovely!" The Rusalka beams

"Aye. Enku, this is Veronika. She, too, has sharp teeth."

"Pleasure" Veronika shows her own sharp teeth as if to demonstrate

"Oh yes, a fine predator of the waters"

"Predator and protector. She has two siblings, Allan and Arye - of green grass, of fire."

"But Anku, like me, prefers the coolness of the water." Zara sits on the bank, toes dipping into the water.

"Which one has wings? I think I saw it"

"Arye. Bold as any Fiona."

"I believe I saw Bronte playing tag with Ayre" Veronika lounges

"I am sorry I did not handle the newcomer better"

"It happens. I am glad you defended this space."

"She is strong" A fussy admission

"I have heard this is true of the kith."

"I had hoped she'd be one of those Chiron like scholars" A mmm as she scritches the snake as it passes by.

Anku presses against the touch along her length, before swimming into the currents.

"Rather, she seems most wild. This may do well with the more rambunctious Fiona. Hm. Perhaps Leonora?"

"Yes, Dame Leonora might have a better handle on her. " Veronika admits, "She knows how to hunt, and, while thistlesnort is ridiculous, he's also cute and a good ice breaker"