[CC] Viscera Prestige

It didn't take long for rumors to spread, of a merchant who would give you a good deal.... and who'd likely tear out your throat if you tried to double cross her; her bargains were harsh... but always honored... and if you didn't like her or her deals, well it was no fur of her back; her wares were often unusual, and exotic, the quality not seen in the area. Few would ever see the doe's struggles with her separation from her twin, and at times she needed to just vanish.... a skill that few could follow..... to wander the dark streets, hunting for pretty trinkets and baubles that no one else wanted, that she'd collect for herself and her twin when he returned.

One day though something happened, something that would alter her, in some ways akin to the egg that Cadaver had hatched from, a moment of choice that would affect her far more than even she could foresee. The deal at first was simple, a trade, one thing for another; a crate of weapons for the Shear Rebellion, in exchange for it's weight in silvence..... simple... except that the rebellion's point of contact had been attacked by bandits, losing much of the money; the t'tere pleading, they needed the weapons... but they only had half the crates weight......

Normally such pleas would not affect Viscera, and they didn't emotionally; intellectually though, she knew the Skulkeen wanted her in the rebellion... and what better way to start earning their trust by completing the bargain..... in one form or another. She let him lead her to the damaged wagon, her gaze landing on the 2 large objects, their shells dark with multi hued speckles covering them and nestled with more care than the half empty silvence chest. Eggs... dragon eggs; Cadaver aside.... she'd not had much contact with dragons, they were simply not common here... but .... they were of an equal weight to the lost silvence; and ... there was a tug to one of them. That was her offer, the weapons they so desperately needed and a hired guard to protect them on the way back .... in return for the remaining silvence and the two eggs. The T'tere attempted to argue, but Vis refused to budge... finally they agreed...the weapons needed more than the hope that the two eggs would hatch for riders in the rebellions camp.

The deal sealed, Viscera returned to the shop, the wagon behind her, and made the arrangements, the eggs and silvence placed in the shop, the crate lifted onto the wagon... and the mercenaries hired; all the while one of the eggs tugged at her; she ignored it... at least until they wagon trundled off, only then did she give in to it; to peer at the two eggs, the shells, so plain at first, but with hidden color, her acquisitiveness making her touch one, it rocked and she hesitated... it was akin to Cadaver's egg, the hearthstone from their castle ... but it felt.. closer... almost as close as Bris was to her, snarling she backed off, covering both up and making quick calculations, before sending a report to her 'handler'.

She was on edge, the tug was still there, but her worry was with Bris, he was late, the stormy seas violent, night by night she wandered the port; her temper fraying more and more as she waited for a sign that he was safe; during the day she continued to trade, even as her wares dried up...and sometimes a brawl... something to mute the terror inside of Debris been lost. It was one such night when the mighty storm surged through the area, the people buckling down as the cruel winds battered the city; the water ice cold as it lashed against the buildings; Viscera though fought them, her wordless snarls lost as she struck at the elements, her swords striking the empty air; even as the waters retaliated, knocking the doe's feet from under her, spitting she struggled back to her feet as another surged, slamming her against a wall; metal filled her mouth, memories surging of the last time she'd tasted it... but this blood was not her mothers.. it was her own...

The meep was so quiet that she didn't hear it as the winds churned, nor did she see the tiny creature struggling up to her; its form lost amidst the storm; another wave hit her and she went under, claws digging in as she fought the pull, exhaustion falling, the darkness soothing almost, all she needed to do was give in ... Something bit her, the pain sharp and tinged with venom, but it woke her up, drawing a sword she thrust it into the stonework and dragged herself up... the creatures closed its mouth again, this time on her scarf its tiny frame attempting to drag her back to safety, the wet hide glistening as the storm relented.

Somehow she struggled back to the shop, her body shivering from the cold and and the wounds the storm had inflicted, every time she closed her eyes, the small creature would nip, the jolt enough to keep her awake; once inside, she limped to the back, getting out of her wet clothes, noting the tears and dents, Bris would be angry at her..... Slumping down the wall, the blanket clutched tight, she focused on the small black creature that had saved her, its eyes huge as it shook itself, the remnants of its shell lay scattered near the immobile form of the other egg; slowly she held a hand out, her heart; closed to anyone but Debris, and to a point Cadaver, seemed to ease, the bond slamming into her as the young dragon pressed close, humming happily, even as the last few droplets dripped of his skin. Pressing against her as she tried to warm up, the hatchling curled up, content to be with his rider.... Only then did it sink in... the dragon was hers... and she was his...... a bond settling inside her... akin to that which she shared with her twin... but different...

Her sleep was fitful, her mind threatening to spiral out of control, worry for her twin, the exhaustion of the previous night, the treasure lying next her, as precious as the baubles and trinkets Bris had brought her; but she held on as best she could between the non-existent line of sanity and madness, the dragons slumbering mind an anchor, one that just about kept her... sane.. or as sane as she ever was now.... Finally though, her mind shut down, and darkness engulfed her.

It was the slight creels of hunger that woke her, her eyes gritty and her naked from shivering beneath the blanket, the sensation... not one she liked to recall; those creels though.... she rubbed one eye, blinking at the dragon as he creeled again, the feeling of hunger pressing against her; it took her time to get her bearings, but the dragon waited patiently, even leaping on a mouse that appeared. Her movements were sluggish, as she fed the dragon and bolted something down for herself, folding her torn clothes for Bris to repair when he came back, for he would... he always came back.. likely with a tale or two of his ventures. Only then did she walk out into the shop front, making sure the closed sign was up..... the dragon guiltily glanced at the shattered shell scattered around the shop, and slipped next to the still unhatched egg, huge black eyes staring up at her in a picture of innocence as he resettled his wings, the flimsy appendages appearing from below his elytra for a moment, before the false eyes covered them again. Carnage, it was carnage, what few wares she'd had left to sell were damaged.... or broken completely, she narrowed her eyes at him, yes.... Carnage was an apt name for him.... and... he'd somehow have to earn his keep.

The day passed slowly, Carnage slumbering next to the egg, as Viscera picked up the remnants of the egg shell, the faint light catching the colors hidden within them, but... she was loathe to get rid of them; maybe Bris could use them for something; the thought cheering her up slightly. Occasionally a knock would sound, stirring the hatchling from his sleep, and he remained alert until whomever went; before returning to his sleep.

As the sun set over the port, a gentle knock sounded, the pattern distinctive, and Carnage stirred, pacing behind Vis as she opened the door, her 'handler' on the other side; the dragon hissed in warning, his colors a warning; but he quieted when Viscera showed no signs of hostility, but never did he let down his guard. In fact, the handler paid him no attention, something the doe noted, he was small, and 'cute'... and would easily be overlooked... but she was well aware of the venom in his bite. Carnage was deceptive, and as if sensing her thoughts he glanced up, baring his teeth in a grin..... She didn't know it yet... but he was exactly what she needed.....

It wasn't long before the man left the Shattered Fang, his message delivered, and while her mind still worried over her brothers disappearance, she knew she had to keep the shop afloat, for him... and for her..... and Carnage would be a willing partner, one, completely loyal to her...