canon is A Companion To Wolves by Elizabeth Bear and Sara Monette

[the_wolf_queen]

Your choice is wise. I won't go anywhere without Viradechtis. [The huge wolf next to him wags her tail and he gets loveloveloveloyaltyloyaltylove from her in the packsense.] This 'alternate universe' is the best of several bad options.

But what do you find so funny about my handle?

[OOC: Potentially triggering subjects discussed in comments]

Comments

SCREAMS i can't believe someone else knows this series ;w;

[traitors]

Well, well, aren't you a rare bird.

I just read the first one, be gentle with me

[the_wolf_queen]

[He recognizes that look, has gotten it from some of the skeevier men in the wolfheall when Viradechtis' quickening comes.] I am no kind of bird at all. [And Viradechtis, a creature of Odin, curls her lips over her teeth.]

what is gentle...

[traitors]

[ don't worry, isolfr, loki's probably like half your size and 'sly' is his default expression. it's nothing personal. ]

Oh, no, indeed, one of the Allfather's, aren't you? Even so.. [ a tap of his index finger against his mouth. ] Rare enough.

it is what happens when you use a salve

[the_wolf_queen]

I suppose you could say that. At least my sister is. [He regards Loki warily. What/who is he?]

8|a

[traitors]

Please. Don't be so modest. You are quite the only one of your people I've seen here.

[ his mouth curves, the expression almost coy on clever, pointed features, as if he's all too aware of isolfr's curiousity and not inclined to indulge it. ]

I would kill a man for one of the other wolfcarls btw

[the_wolf_queen]

Nords? Wolfcarls?

[septim]

Your handle... [ No, it can't be Potema, she wasn't a Nord. ]

[the_wolf_queen]

I believe he is making some kind of crude joke.

[septim]

If it is, I'm not aware of it. [ He's wincing instead. ]

[the_wolf_queen]

It is a play on 'queen' being slang for 'a man who lies with other men' in his time, I believe.

[septim]

Oh. [ Was that necessary? That's just called a 'homosexual' in his realm. ] I see.

[the_wolf_queen]

And do you have judgement about that too? [Someone's a little defensive. It comes from having a homophobe for a dad.]

[septim]

I'd be hypocrite if I did. [ Thank you, Sanguine's Cult. ]

[the_wolf_queen]

I see. [Isolfr smiles...well, wolfishly, and looks him over. Martin's rather comely, after all.]

[birdhousesoul]

Now, wait just a moment, here. He hasn't got a wolf for your wolf to get frisky with. He's got a cat. Our cat is not going to engage in same-sex cross-species shenanigans with your wolf.

[the_wolf_queen]

We need not always have a perfect pairing of wolf with wolf and man with man. I have mated before without Viradechtis around. She goes off somewhere and is irritated for a few hours but otherwise fine.

[birdhousesoul]

And I thought I got around.

[the_wolf_queen]

I can't match the depth of your experience, seith-worker. I doubt all my years will be like the last two.

[birdhousesoul]

[snorts] Haven't heard that particular slur since I left the Anderfels. I knew you reminded me of a place I didn't like.

I do sincerely wish your future years will be kinder than your last. Or at least easier on your tender bits.

[the_wolf_queen]

[He clenches his fist but takes a deep breath and relaxes.] I did not mean it as a slur. Many of the men of the wolfheall were once seith-workers.

[septim]

Anders, why.

[birdhousesoul]

What? Don't look at me like that.

[septim]

I only have myself to blame for this.

[birdhousesoul]

I'm just trying to protect Princess Akatosh.

[the_wolf_queen]

[Oh big facepalm.] Wolves have no desire to mate with cats and I won't let Viradechtis eat her.

[birdhousesoul]

[WELL THEN STOP HITTING ON MY MAN um. Ahem. Anders is being cool okay]

Just thought you should know. Since, as you say, wolves aren't interested in cats that way. And Martin has not got a wolf.

[birdhousesoul]

My mun continues to wince.

[the_wolf_queen]

Mine is a crude jackass, yours could use a salve for her hurts. But then she doesn't have to go through what I do...and apparently neither do I in this new place. Or at least far less of it.

[birdhousesoul]

Mine is wincing even more at the thought of ... salve. Application of salve. Mind you, I could whip some up for you, if you needed it! Also, I've got healing powers! And ...

[He is pulled aside for a brief conference]

... now everyone in the headspace is wincing. Apparently I'm to be cautioned not to treat you as I treated Jinto? Whatever that means. You clearly don't need kissing lessons. And ...

... ugh, someone gave you lessons in ...

... [Anders shakes his head.] And that was supposed to be kindness? And now I'm supposed to reflect on my own actions? I was just helping Jinto to learn proper kissing technique. No salve was necessary!

[the_wolf_queen]

It was what it was. I came into the wolfheall knowing it was a possibility. I could have left and been safe behind my father's walls.

But apparently this won't happen to me in quite the same way in this new place.

[birdhousesoul]

Not in quite the same way? How's it going to be different? Less horrifying, one hopes. With less possibility of becoming a human goatse? Yes, I know what goatse is. Tinky Winky told everyone in the headspace all about it.

[the_wolf_queen]

I am not a goat or a goat herder. It is a matter of the wolfheall and I will not speak of it in public. Suffice to say it will be less..."squicky"?

[birdhousesoul]

[With profound and sincere relief:] Thank the Maker for that.

So now the only squicky part is how you get to experience wolf-mating in your mind!

[the_wolf_queen]

I will come from right after Viradechtis' first heat so that will be a while in coming. [No pun intended. 'Male-wolfness!' Viradechtis slyly thinks, provoking Isolfr to roll his eyes but smile.]

[of_the_wicked_eye]

My, such a high rank already? You must be quite talented.

[This lady sure does have wolf ears. And a tail. And a sense of regal wolfness about her--far more beast than human, whatever her appearance might say.]

[the_wolf_queen]

Oh, it's not my rank. It's my sister's. I just get it by association. [Viradechtis approaches, sniffing, something a little insolent in her manner.]

[of_the_wicked_eye]

[She smells a bit like sand; sand and hot, dry winds blown about over dunes.

Nailah also doesn't budge, though her tail starts to bristle in dominance.]

And what is your beast-brother's name, beorc?

[the_wolf_queen]

In the tongue of men, we call her Viradechtis. However her real name is...[And she will receive her scent-name if she can speak the scent-language of wolves: sunlight-in-pine-boughs. Her tail bristles too. Isolfr stands back, knowing that wolves...and wolf-women, apparently...need to work these things out for themselves.]

[of_the_wicked_eye]

[Nailah's ear turns to the side a bit, inquisitive. What odd names the outside world possessed.]

Interesting. [But not in a bad way.] My name is Nailah, Wolf Queen of Hatari. I do not have a...scent-name, as you would understand it.

[Her form glows white and her human shape burns away, leaving a great white wolf the size of a pony in her place. She has the same markings on her forelegs where her tattoos had been, the golden collar remains affixed around her throat and the elaborate covering remains over her left eye.

Nailah's tail is still up, like a flag, but her posture is otherwise relaxed--and she hasn't given an inch of ground all this time.]

[the_wolf_queen]

I am Isolfr. [And then she Changes. That's...new.] Odin's blood...[Viradechtis continues to sniff...Yet, while almost as tall as her brother, she's still dwarfed by Nailah. She bows in submission.]

Edit button I miss you so

[of_the_wicked_eye]

[The order of authority properly established, Nailah touches her muzzle to Viradechtis' forehead like one might a pup.

The beorc's surprise she acknowledges with a slight, yet cheeky, wiggle of the ears.]

What nation do you come from, Isolfr Brother-of-Viradechtis?

[Nailah's voice remains mostly the same...but does not seem to involve the jaws anymore. More echoey, as much feeling as it was sound.]

[the_wolf_queen]

[Viradechtis whimpers at having to knucke under, but she's going to have to get used to the idea. At least she's talking to one of her own kind.]

I...I am from the Norse lands. Lady, are you sure you are just a queen and not a goddess or spirit of some kind? If you are, please forgive me. I have not made proper bleot in some time, but if there is a sacrifice you wish made...

[of_the_wicked_eye]

[Nailah...chuckles, a sort of rumbling sound only vaguely analogous to laughter.

She draws her head away to allow Viradechtis to stand again, and sits back on her haunches.]

Silly beorc. I am as flesh as you are; you need not trouble yourself.

[the_wolf_queen]

If...if you say so. [And beautiful as both woman and wolf, a thought he quickly suppresses. Wouldn't want to make Viradechtis jealous.] What are you coming to the empire to do then?

[of_the_wicked_eye]

I am uncertain; at the end of the war with Begnion and the Tower of Guidance, I wished to bring my people across the desert. I imagine I would undertake a similar quest within this empire.

The person behind me seems rather indecisive, however.