Starling

[Starling]

..."You've changed much, since our last meeting..." The cowled woman stated simply, her elegantly clawed fingers dancing around scattered bones on the low table. "Where light has waned, shadows have grown. Like a night sky, slowly devouring the stars."

Starling offered a small frown as angelic features and demeanor were betrayed by a repressed conflict within her eyes. She observed the woman opposite her a long moment, before finally speaking. "In more ways than you could have ever imagined."

"This was foretold to you long ago, as you may remember," said the cowled woman, her face veiled as she maintained her scrutiny of the fallen bones. "The dawn of innocence, the queen of hearts, and the light of night. You know it well, you know its truth."

"What was told as my future has become my present, yes, " said the girl, moving to gracefully sit on the ground before the woman. A somber tone overtook her. "You should move your eyes beyond these woods more often. The seer did not live to guide beyond that."

Dancing fingers ceased their movement at this news, curved nails digging frighteningly deep into the table's finish. A shadowed face lifted to look at the girl, lingering for several moments. "The pack."

"Within a month of your last meeting, yes. " Starling replied. "The pack is now dead, as of quite recently. Their heads line some road in Thesk. I saw to that, myself."

"Vengeance served, albeit later than desired..." The woman's claws released their grip on the table, moving to lower her cowl as she now focused her full attention on Starling. An apparently youthful and beautiful face was covered by an intricate bone half-mask, framed by waves of auburn hair held partially up by a small antler. From beneath this mask, Starling could make out the woman's eyes; the left golden green, and the right crystal blue. There was something mesmerizing about her gaze - a faint fear reminiscent of a cat's stare to its prey.

"I'd last seen my sister over a year ago," continued the woman, with a hint of curiosity. "Why is it you return now? Surely not a late deliverance of news alone."

The little bird smiled, holding up a dark crystal amulet, bound on a blackened chain. "You can use this."

Odd eyes widened at the heartstone, surprise being something this woman was clearly not accustomed to feeling. "Where in the world did you happen across that?"

"I stole it from your mother." Stated the girl casually, admiring the glistening object. "It can be yours, as well as her location, and my assistance in slaying her. All you need to do is help me along the way, once her heart is in your hands."

A razored finger scratched harsh lines in the table once more, masked features clearly contemplative. In time, the expression shifted to a cold smile. "Your offer is accepted. Tell me more."...