Treacherous are the murky bogs of the deep swamp lying outside the security of Vater's borders, but Hubert finds that he has never been particularly bothered by the threat of mystery within the shadows. Part of him almost favors the gloomier place. The numerous whelps that populate the Mire seem less likely to cross his path out here. Woe be to any adventurous youngster that might ever dare to follow the prince for whatever reason. He wasn't likely to be fishing them out of the stagnant pools.

It gives him the peace to entertain himself with his hobbies without much distraction. Some might find it ironic, that for all the raised eyebrows he gives some of the other royals for their methods of passing time, Hubert's is arguably the most questionable one. The prince has developed an eye for the various herbs and flowers that peek out from amidst the dense undergrowth, though not the ones that most would traditionally call useful. Quite the opposite, in fact. Though how could one tell the nature of such things?

He's put together a strategy of sorts, one that benefits his knowledge at the expanse of the rats and rabbits and other small woodland creatures that come across the herbal mixtures that he's left in certain opportune spots within the undergrowth. Some of the plants in the pile are fine, he knows - sweet juniper berries and sharp mint leaves that he's noticed the little creatures find hard to resist. Others, however, are more suspicious.

Today, he's disguised several tapered leaves of one particular plant he's spotted growing here and there around the swamp, distinctive for the little clusters of round, red 'fruits' drooping from its stems. It's piqued his curiosity - and so he sets it out amidst the deceptive treats to tempt the foolish herbivores into testing it for him, hiding himself away in nearby shadows to watch and wait. And hopefully not doze off, as he settles onto his stomach, resting his chin atop his elbow. It's likely to be some time before anything gathers up the courage to take the bait.

+5 Study the plant life of a neutral territory
+5 Gather poisonous plants
+5 Test a poison

ART + CODE By Dee

+10 Explore a territory and find something useful in it - (1/2)
+10 Find a notable landmark in a territory - (1/2)
+10 Discuss the features of a territory with someone - ?

Nights and days passed, and each one the little star treasured each moment the marble heir spent with her, savoring each second he indulged their vile desires. To her dismay, though there would be times when he was busy, like this day.

Strange things had developed inside the woman's head, whispers that said sweet things to her, promised her grandeur and a beautiful future ahead. Promised she would be a great artist, her most desired dream. She listened, carefully, as the whispers spoke of improving her craft, sending her away from the prides borders and further into the swamp. You must practice. it said, and silently she would nod, crimson eyes rolling over each and every stone and root, her rose colored paws gracefully carrying her over them.

Further, further, through foliage until her attention was brought forth to an odd tree. Sharp, violent spines jutted forth from every inch of it's trunk, the towering presence covered top to bottom in the spiky armor. It's perfect. the voice said, leading the star to nod, slowly. It is. She agreed. This tree would be perfect to display her art upon... All she was missing was the art.

Blood red gaze scraped the territory around her, her body turning to continue on quietly, trying to find a subject of muse to decorate the tree with- instead coming to stand behind @Hubert, whom laid himself low on the shadows among the foliage. He smelled strongly of the mire, but even so the voice quietly persisted in her head. He would bleed beautifully. it said, and sharply she would shake her skull in denial, instead bringing herself to peer ahead at what he seemed to be observing. What are you doing? She asked the younger lion.

It's difficult to say exactly how much time has passed since Hubert first tucked himself away. For a while, the prince is left with only the sounds of buzzing insects, the scattered notes of distant birdsong, and the steady pulse of his own heartbeat. A soothing rhythm, if his drooping eyelids were any indication.

Rustle. Rustle. Snap!

Hubert's ears perked, green eyes snapping open to look towards the source of the sound, gratified to see a pair of long ears and a snuffling nose poking their way out from the tangled shrubbery. Perfect. Subconsciously leaning forward, he watched intently as the little cotton-tailed creature inched its way towards the bait.

He's so focused that he doesn't immediately notice @Lunaire's approach, and her voice at his back makes him tense up, his lips parting on a not-quite-silent gasp. Hush. He hissed out after recomposing himself, placing a paw to his lips. The rabbit had frozen in place, staring towards their hiding place for a long, long moment - and then finally continued on its path.

That was close.

Hubert released the breath he'd been holding, reproachful features evening out as he beckoned the rosy woman to sit alongside him (quietly), nose wrinkling subtly when he registered the notes of a certain someone's scent mixed into her perfume. Tsk. Luther probably wouldn't be all that fond of Hubert being near his toys. Naturally, that's precisely reason he decides to invite her to watch his little game.

Oh, I'm not doing much, I'm afraid. I just had a thought that it might be nice to try feeding the wildlife. He whispers with an innocent shrug, gesturing with his nose to where the rabbit was now happily munching away. They're such darling creatures, aren't they? Weren't girls supposed to like looking at cute things or something? Eh. If Hubert's hopes came to fruition, they'd be granted with a far more interesting show soon enough.

ART + CODE By Dee

+10 Explore a territory and find something useful in it - (2/2)
+10 Find a notable landmark in a territory - (2/2)
+10 Discuss the features of a territory with someone - (1/2)

The younger Ecrosian lion would find her words with reproach, his quiet hiss for her silence bringing a small smile to her maw in amusement as he turned to look at something. Crimson eyes focused on the creature that had frozen in place, staring, staring into the shadows beneath the foliage where they hid. Eventually, it began to move back along its way, towards where it seemed food waited for it. She turned her gaze back to the young prince, silently moving to crouch at his side.

Lunaire felt her heart race quickly, heat rushing to her face as she watched the hare begin to munch upon the berries and herbs, and hard swallow finding it's way down her throat as she imagined taking it's neck in her jaws and ripping it from the fluffy little animal's spine, watching hot red iron seep it's way into the ground behind them, and using it's beautiful corpse to decorate the thorned tree. If only....

She glanced at @Hubert as he mentioned how wonderful cute little wildlife was, and with a crooked smile, she nodded. Yes.... darling indeed. She purred in a whisper, an eye twitching subtly.

The woman purrs her agreement, an airy sound that draws a sly curve to his lips as he relaxes into his spot once more, content to watch and wait.

It's a fairytale-esque scene, the benevolent swamp prince and a rose-tinted beauty admiring the unwitting company of the sweet little woodland creatures. At least until the bunny's meal was suddenly disrupted with a full-body shudder. And another. And then another and another, until the unlucky creature was rendered immobile on the damp ground, white foam frothing at its mouth.

Hubert clicked his tongue, smothering his pleased smirk beneath a sorrowful expression, the tone of his voice shifting to match. Oh dear. I suppose I must have made a mistake. He murmured with a slow shake of his head, verdant eyes subtly sliding to regard @Lunaire's face as he did so. How terribly unfortunate. How would she react to this turn of events, he wondered? With horror? Fear? Sadness?

Or perhaps she would feel the same intrigue he did? The same curiosity?Amusement?

He would stand then, the false grief slipping from his face with suspicious speed as he stepped out into the open, his eyes narrowing in contemplation as he examined his poor, helpless prey. What do you think? It reacts to his presence not at all, its dark eyes wide and glassy even when he places a paw against its heaving rib cage to feel the unceasing tremors coursing through its muscles. Shall we put it out of its misery?

+5 Test a poison

ART + CODE By Dee

Moments passed, they watched, morbid thoughts swirled within the little beasts mind until a moment of clarity snapped for her- the creature halted, shaking in it's tracks, convulsions wracking it's body in moments and taking it to the ground. She would exhale a breath she did not even know she was holding, the situation coming into focus around her as the creature crumpled upon itself, unseeing. She would stare, silently, even as the young prince claimed the situation a mistake. It was there, immobilized. Somehow, he had fed this creature something that has rendered it's body useless. It was there, for the taking beneath her claws.

Crimson eyes watched as he approached it, speaking of mercy. Yes, mercy. You could give it a new purpose, a purpose beyond life. the voice within her skull whispered, leading her to nod her head, in response to @Hubert or her insanity truly unknown. Luna slid her gaze from the boy, to the hare, her face of confused wonder growing into a feverish smile, broken and manic. H-heh.... Can I? May I.... Have it.... She asked sweetly, an eye twitching subtly.

It's as if the spasms rippling beneath the rabbit's skin are capable of casting a spell, if Hubert was one to believe in such childish things. @Lunaire appears hypnotized, seemingly enraptured by the tragic sight of the little creature drawing nearer and nearer to its end. Hubert can feel it's quick pulse beneath the weight of his paw, and yet his gaze is fixated on her, as if he might able be able to decipher the strange look in those crimson eyes.

Hubert understands the depths of his own fascination. This, however, seems like something uniquely her.

It's expected and yet at the same time not, that the rose woman would ask to have the poor thing. Hubert raises an eyebrow even as he makes no effort to immediately deny her request. Why? Did she not fear that she might suffer the same fate if she consumed it? Or did another intention lurk behind that saccharine smile?

It doesn't matter much to him if one of Luther's toy's fell ill. He slides the helpless prey closer towards her, struck by how similar this was to the day he'd met the elven Bluff's woman in a different. Who here was the predator now? Of course. Yet in contradiction to his words, his toes suddenly splay out across the rabbit's soft fur, claws gleaming threateningly over its neck as if they might still taste its blood first. ...If, perhaps, I might then ask a favor in return?

His brother's 'friends' came and went, but on the off chance that this one might hang around...might he be able to persuade her to offer up a secret or two?

ART + CODE By Dee

He began to snake the creature forward, bringing the woman to slowly reach a paw- ceasing as his claws spread across it and he pulled an uncanny amount of audacity out of his ass. Ask her, a favor? Did he know who she was? (Of course he did she reeked of Luther)

She would frown, slowly, and retract her paw, settling it softly on the ground again. Carefully, the pink woman would raise a brow, Oh? She would say, beginning to stride towards @Hubert, I guess that depends on what it is you need, boy. Her candy sweet words held an edge, a soft smile once again tinging her lips.

Oh, she truly does want the wretched creature, Hubert can see it in her eyes as she reaches for it, rosy paw so delicately outstretched. At least until he withholds it in his grasp, the life of the weakening rabbit reduced to little more than a toy in his paws.

Yet @Lunaire is not so easily taken in by the bait, and the prince wonders if there wasn't cold bite veiled within her silky voice, a knife edge dripping with honey. It would not surprise him, if the 'pristine' Heir was in the habit of drawing snakes to his side. Like was drawn to like, didn't they? Regardless, she is not the one that he is most concerned with. Not really.

Have you been enjoying your stay in the swamp? I trust that my brother's been treating you well. He drops any semblance of ignorance then, revealing his own identity in a roundabout way. Hubert can play the game too, when he so desires. (And his desires, his ambitions, have only been growing, edging towards all-consuming.) He can grit out false praises through a boyish smile, if he assures himself of the temporariness of it all.

Though in all honesty, I rarely know what Luther's up to these days. He's so very...busy. He lets out a sigh, as if he truly were a boy lamenting over a drifting connection with an adored older sibling. I wonder if you might be willing to help me change that? There's an innocent tilt to his head, but he watches her carefully, trying to glean her thoughts. Would he find the sympathy he was fishing for?

ART + CODE By Dee

Lunaire listened to the boy, her red hot gaze narrowing just a little, her sweet smile still remaining in place. So, he was one of Luther's brothers, it seemed. A prince. But Luther was heir, and she was the heir's wife. She had potential to become a queen one day. She would not bow so easily to his sugar coated poison like the hare had. I have indeed, my stay in the mire has been very..... Enjoyable so far. She giggled, Luther is working hard to be the king that the mire will need when the current grows too frail. He has big plans for us all someday. She stated, wondering what it was he was getting at. She didn't trust him, didn't trust his desire to change how "busy" the prince would be. Was @Hubert trying to replace her muse on the throne? I suppose that will also depend on exactly how you plan to fix that..... She said, tilting her head at him slightly.