[PRP] Echoes Sung (Maleficent x Maple Milk)

[theCorniest]

The crows led her here and there, wavering to one side and another as they winged their way to whatever goal they may have had. They were hard to follow in the deepening night, black feathers on darkening sky - or, would have been hard, if they weren't so talkative.

The crows' destination, it seemed, was a cave hidden behind a thick patch of bramble. Laying in its mouth, dappled by moonlight, was a haggard old doe with one eye. She sleepily examined the various small trinkets the birds had brought her - but snapped to a more wakeful state when she heard that something had followed them home.

Without rising, she croaked a challenge - "Who goes there?"

anemosagkelos

 

[theCorniest]

Maple glared down her nose with her one good eye. She couldn't see much of this intruder into her territory, only the pattern of light and dark that their markings made - and the faint impression of overlarge horns.

"You wish," she said, deciding that dismissive would do nicely for this encounter. "Somewhere closer to tired. If you have business, be quick about it - otherwise, leave."

anemosagkelos

Oh, goodness, I did leave you hanging for a while there, didn't I. Here's a very short tag, at least!

 

[theCorniest]

The old doe blinked slowly. "I was laying here minding my own business," she said carefully, like she was explaining it to a child. "Since you're the one who came to me, you're the one who wants something." She sighed and shook her head. "I appreciate the attempt at banter, but - free advice from one professional to another? - you've got to think these kinds of statements through before you make them. You're not going to intimidate anyone if you're talking nonsense."

anemosagkelos

real talk I've known from the start this was how Maple would respond and I have been sort of dreading writing it. I'm sorry about her and me both orz

 

[theCorniest]

The wizened old doe raised an eyebrow - the one over her good eye. The other doe had let slip the object of her visit. "So it's crows you want? You and everyone else that finds me lately, it seems," She said with a dull chuckle. She rose to her feet stiffly. "Let's get to the point, then, rather than wasting time with this pissing match. What are you willing to trade - how badly do you want one?"

anemosagkelos

how neighborly of you, maple/

 

[theCorniest]

"Oh, sure," she said drily, "let me ask the spirits what goods or services you have ready access to and would willingly exchange for a pet bird. Wait, no, I can't actually do that, that's a show I put on for gullible idiots. While you're acting an awful lot like one right now, I'm still trying to grant you the professional courtesy of assuming you aren't really. Do try and show me my goodwill isn't misplaced."

So much for being civil.

anemosagkelos

 

[theCorniest]

Maple had made herself perfectly clear, and still the stranger danced around the issue. There was no question about it now - this stupid filly was being deliberately obtuse. For drawing her ire, Maple decided to give her as punishing a task as she could conjure on the spot.

"Bring me a large turtle shell full of honeycomb," she spat, "and be sure that there are no live worker or soldier bees hiding among the combs." And be stung by every one of them, she thought bitterly. Let this young upstart try to smirk and taunt with a nose and lips full of bee stings! "Bring that to me, and you will have a crow of your own."

anemosagkelos

 

[theCorniest]

Relieved to be relieved of the disrespectful younger doe's company, Maple spent a pleasant hour here and there during the intervening days imagining her suffering. Swollen nose and swollen lips slurring her hateful tongue... perhaps a few stings in the tender flesh around her eyes swelling the lids shut... After a little while, however, she suspected that she might be waiting to heal before coming back to see her - or worse. Her suspicions were confirmed when Maleficent returned, face unmarred, with a turtle shell brimming with waxy comb. Maple tried not to show that she'd hoped her prize would be more dearly bought, but she broadcast her bitterness plainly enough to see - and hear.

"Precisely as I asked, then, yes. Fine," she bit out, with her wiry old muscles tense under her shaggy hide as she moved the shell into the mouth of her cave. "I even have some fledglings freshly trained and ready to be homed. Lucky you. Come with me," she said, and turned abruptly to lead her through the thicket to the low tree where the young crows would roost at her call. When summoned, they sat glossy and black, smaller than their parent but clearly well cared for. They peered curiously at the newcomer.

"You may choose which you like, or have one choose you, or however you want to do it," she huffed. "One crow."

anemosagkelos

Maple wanted her to suffer, but personally, I expected no less. ;y Sorry Maple! You can't always get what you want. I think one more from each of us can wrap it!