Chapter Text
Daeva Belov sighed and rested his cheek upon his fist. His ruby gaze drifting out the window beside their booth. The townsfolk wandering along the street and mingling amongst one another. Venders waving around their products; they weren’t that high of quality. Well, most weren’t. The fruit in the area was among some of the best but their trinkets and accessories? Not so much. But this wasn’t the big city, and Daeva knew this. These little towns were so boring. Nothing to write about and nobody interesting to speak with. What was he expecting to see out here in the countryside? Civil unrest? Hah, that was solely for the bustling cities and soldiers roaming those streets.
“Dae, you alright?” asked the poodle across from him. Her eyes a cross between violet and ruby; her fur grey with black and white speckles. “You’ve been staring out the window for a while…”
Pushing himself upright, he gave his friend a wide smile. Was it forced? He wasn’t even sure anymore. “Oh, sorry. Were you saying something? I must have lost myself in thought, haha.”
“You and your thinking.” She sighed and took a sip of her drink. “You still trying to figure out how to get that world class interview of yours?”
“I already know exactly what I am going to do,” he said with utmost confidence despite, in fact, not having a clue. “He should be in town. Somewhere. It is simply a matter of finding him.”
“I should have known there was a bigger reason for you coming out to visit. You never did like the countryside.”
Waving a dismissive hand, Daeva shook his head at one he’d almost call family if not for their different parents. Her of obvious canine descent while he came from a lineage of wolpertingers. Although most townsfolk preferred to call him a vampiric rabbit with the antlers of a deer and the snowy wings of an owl. Every inch of fur a pristine white and his nose a wiggling pink above elongated fangs. Long, sharp ears flicking beside fluffed hair.
“That, my dear Anya, was merely a bonus. You will always be my favorite aspect of these barren landscapes full of cow manure.”
“Barren? Really? Have you not looked at the forest or the river? You must be thinking of that desert you read in the pamphlet. The one you keep tucked in your pocket and that I know is all crumpled and stained from the time you spilled wine on it.”
“Tsk, a plain is far more barren realistically speaking, silly Anya. Why would I keep such a thing?” he said and crossed his arms with a slight puff of his cheeks.
Anya grinned with fangs that glinted in the sunlight. “Because you like that portrait they included of that guy. What was his name again? Cashmir?”
He gasped and pressed a hand to his chest. The audacity of this blasphemous woman. “You know very well it is Casimir. Pronounced Kah-Cee-Mir. Probably. Not whatever you just said. Hmph.”
“Hmm, I’m sure it is.” She chuckled and leaned closer with a hand under her chin. “For a married man you sound real obsessed with a guy you know nothing about…”
“I am not obsessed. Merely curious about his occupation and the people he hunts.”
“You mean that pirate you’re also monitoring?”
“Yes, Hell Hound,” he said with a thoughtful look. “It would be a dream interview…”
Anya rolled her eyes and finished her drink. “More like a death wish. Pretty sure either of those cutthroats would kill you for the fun of it. You do realize one of them is notorious for plundering and pillaging? Kidnapping people to sell on the market?”
“Certainly he cannot be that bad. I believe most of it is mere speculation and rumors.” Or maybe the pirate was. Daeva wasn’t sure but a part of him would love to find out. The other wanted to go home and have a hot bath. “If I am ever given the chance, I will take—”
A sharp boom reverberated across the street and silenced his thoughts. The window to their side shattering and scattering across the table as the explosive erupted over the mud and stones. His eyes widened and in a swift motion Anya had flung the table upward and gripped his shirt collar before yanking him behind the barricade with her. Screams and wails rang outside. Rapid footsteps following as the civilian cries grew louder. The scent of cinders and burnt flesh enveloping him as smoke poured into the now windowless tavern.
Waving away the worst of it, Daeva found himself hauled to his feet as Anya dragged him to the entrance. The duo weaving around debris and sparking flames. His ruby eyes watering even once outside as he struggled to adjust, and his once stark white fur now stained grey with ash. Gods how he craved a bath.
“W-what is happening?” He coughed while scanning the streets. “Who set off a bomb in this gods-forsaken village?”
“Why are you asking me?” Anya yelled back as she hacked and wheezed.
“I would not say I was asking you in particular simply—”
“HELL-HOUND! YOU BASTARD!” a voice shouted in such a way it made all eyes turn to it. “GET OUT OF THE WAY, NOW!” Words uttered with such authority it silenced most the screams except for the babes.
Daeva’s head snapped toward the source, and his eyes went wide. There stood the wolf whose portrait he certainly did not keep in his pocket. Casimir’s ashen brown fur perfectly brushed back and those golden eyes shimmering with such fury. How menacing yet beautiful. Captivating. To see such a thing in person, well, Daeva could almost die a happy man. Not that he wanted to die. He had far too many hopes and dreams left to accomplish.
“Casimir…” The word was a mere whisper from Daeva’s lips.
His eyes glued onto the scene before him as the giant dire wolf barreled through the streets. The long, black and gold trimmed military coat snapping behind him as he ran. The kink in his ear might have been new—at least it wasn’t in his portrait. Just how old was the pamphlet now? Daeva couldn’t recall.
“Aw, come on now Casi. Don’t act like you’re not havin’ fun too!” Laughed a man from the rooftops. A very large ebony beast with his face obscured by a skull plated mask. “It’s been so long since I’ve seen ya! Don’t act like a sore loser!”
The black wolf, well Daeva thought he was a wolf, waved a gloved hand. Metallic claws glinting in the distance as he grinned down at Casimir. Then, he took off across the rooftops and leapt between alleys with ease. Casimir sprinting after from the ground below while his men struggled to keep pace. Most turning their attention to the rubble and civilians after Casimir snapped at them. He’d deal with this pirate alone.
“Gods, what is happening? Is that who I think it is?” Anya whispered at his side.
But Daeva couldn’t stop the wiggle of his tail and the smile that grew over his lips. A slight bounce in his heels as he tapped his feet in place. “Y-yes, yes! This is perfect, haha!”
Before she could stop him Daeva bolted down the road while fumbling for the small camera around his neck. He knew it had been a brilliant idea to bring it along with him. Though he hadn’t thought he’d be this lucky. A miracle even. He followed the shouts and clash of metal. The scent of blood and sweat creeping into his nostrils. It was almost a pleasant smell, almost.
Rounding the corner, he skidded to a halt and watched with glee as Hell-Hound leapt off the rooftop and to the grass. He rolled before pivoting on his heel and drawing the double sided great axe off his back. How weighty was such a grand weapon? Daeva would only dream of lifting such.
Hell-Hound grinned at Casimir and lifted his hand; gesturing with two fingers for the man to come at him. Casimir clicked his tongue against his teeth and drew a pair of scimitars. Likely crafted by master smiths from the desert land he came from. Both blades coated in gold and Daeva swore he saw the flicker of flame cascade over them before fading into subtle embers. The ground around Casimir suddenly darker as if the shadows swarmed to him. Swarming around his feet and, although Daeva chalked it up to the wine, the dirt rippled and swayed wherever the shadows touched.
Soon, Casimir darted forward and their weapons clashed with a bright spark. An ear-splitting screech enveloping the air as metal struck metal in repeated session. Blow after blow as the giants danced around one another and landed strikes that might have toppled the average man. Neither going for hits that would kill or critically injure the other. Why? Were they not enemies? Why did they almost seem to enjoy this? Like this little routine was known by heart? That grin never leaving Hell-Hound's face while Casimir frowned with an ever-growing annoyance. Or was it something else?
“Have ya gotten slower, Casi? Come on! Hit me like ya really mean it. I know ya want to big boy!” Hell-Hound laughed as he parried a blow only for the handle of the other to slam into his gut.
“What was that again, Valko? I can’t hear you over the wheezing…” Casimir said with the tiniest of grins. An air of satisfaction as he watched the shorter double over.
Was Valko his nickname for the Hound? It had to be. Unless Casimir knew his true identity but a man of such high standing and moral integrity would have taken the pirate in already if he did. Right?
“What a low blow, Casi, real fuckin’ low…” this creature apparently named Valko groaned as he barely avoided another blow.
“I could have gone lower, Hound, but I believe you would enjoy that…”
“I like ya blowjobs not ya dick punches…” Valko huffed as he spun around the slashing scimitar. Such a strange comment to say to the enemy.
Peering at them from behind a stack of crates, Daeva watched with wiggling ears. Both cut and bruised but never slowing. Neither having noticed Daeva just yet. Ignoring the bead of sweat and swallowing his nerves, Daeva leaned out just enough to aim the camera at them. Observing as Casimir landed a blow to the others face. The skull mask crack before half of it crumpled to the ground. Valko shot him a look but Casimir only shrugged. How odd. But now he knew for certain Valko was a wolf. Another dire wolf? He seemed just over nine foot but Casimir was a head taller than him. A deep scar ran over Valko’s snout and down his face. A few small hoops in both ears.
He was going to have a true photo of this man. What a scoop! Tail wiggling, Daeva held his breath with his wings folded tight behind his body. Waiting patiently until the second their blades locked together. A fight for dominance as metal scraped metal. Silver against gold. Laughter and snarls emitting from their throats while Daeva steadied the camera and clicked the trigger. The device snapping with a flash of light. Oh dear…
Two sets of predatory eyes moved toward him. The gold narrowed and angry while the emeralds watched with a curious raised brow. Daeva struggled for words. His tongue non functional inside his maw as his fur rose. Casimir far more annoyed than his opponent to be interrupted.
“Um, h-hello…” Daeva squeaked and cleared his throat. “J-just ignore me and return to your dispute. I-I uh, good l-luck?”
With a snort, Valko grinned and rolled his shoulders. “Aww, thanks. Wishing me good luck you pretty little thing, so sweet,” he said with a wink in Daeva’s direction.
“U-uh,” Daeva choked as he felt some heat rise to his cheeks. Taking a second to look around as if the wolf had spoken to someone else.
“Really, Valko?” Casimir said with a disappointed frown. “For one, you have more important tasks at hand than flirting with some civilian.” He shoved the other away and struck his side to prove his point. “And two, in no world was he speaking to you. You think too highly of yourself.”
Daeva struggled for words, and all he could do was stare as the two argued. Was it an argument? Why? Who? What?
“Me? I think too highly? Alright Mr. Narcissist.” Valko shook his head and resumed his onslaught.
“What…” Daeva muttered and shook his head.
But, much to his surprise but not quite his dismay, they continued their fight. Neither stopping nor telling him to leave. So of course he’d take the opportunity for more pictures. Some of which Valko grinned at the camera in or flaunted off his chest. Although Casimir seemed less than thrilled. Constantly glaring with glowing golden eyes that burned Daeva’s very soul.
Eventually his film ran empty, and he had no spares to use. How long did they fight? How many photos had he taken? Fingers tight around his camera as Valko’s crew darted around the corner and waved at Valko from a short distance.
“Come on Captain, we got to go!” Shouted the silver leopard. Well, Daeva thought she was a leopard.
Valko shot her a backhanded wave. “Got it. Sorry to cut this short Casi but I have to be off. We’ll have to continue another time.” He lept backward and gave the General a two-fingered salute.
“Valko, don’t you dare—” a bright flash of white and smoke interrupted Casimir.
Daeva hadn’t seen Valko throw the smoke bomb, but even at this distance his eyes burned. He almost pitied Casimir but something told him the wolf would slit his throat if he dared to say something like that aloud.
Once the smoke had cleared, Valko and crew were gone. And he was certain they were practically aboard his ship already and readying the sail. Casimir seemed to know that too as he didn’t bother chasing this time. A growl emitting from his throat and his fingers tight around his weapons.
“Wow…” Daeva breathed out before his eyes drifted down to his little camera. “Quite an eventful day.”
The words caught the wolf's attention, and those golden eyes flitted back to the wolpertinger. Casimir slid his scimitars away and approached Daeva with thudding steps. He stood about two feet above Daeva; a shadow cast over the smaller male. How could one be so large they blocked the sun? Those eyes stoic and without emotion as he cocked his head. But there was a slight weariness to them. Deep bags under his eyes and his ear occasionally flicking. Stress? Had he been sleeping? It wasn’t much of Daeva’s business.
“What’s your name?” Pitch asked with a low, gruff tone.
Sweat pricked Daeva’s brow, and he shifted on his heels. There was something about his words that made it impossible to lie to this giant of a man. “B-Belov, Daeva Belov, Sir…”
“Well B-Belov,” he sneered and stooped lower. “Hand over the camera, now.”
Daeva blinked and pulled the device closer. “W-what? Why? Besides the fact this was a very expensive device and—”
“I didn’t ask for a story, rabbit,” Pitch said with a growl. Was he always so grouchy? “You can either give it willingly, or I’ll take it. And if I have to do that, I won't be returning it, not in one piece that is.” He outstretched a hand.
He wanted to argue. Wanted to tell him no; to run off. But he’d already given him his damn name and it wouldn’t be difficult for a man of his prowess to find him. Honestly, he likely could even without it. That and he doubted he could outrun or escape someone with such a trained physique.
So, with gritted teeth he slipped the cord off his neck and placed the camera in the other’s hand. Daeva’s claws digging into his palm as the larger inspected it and popped open the casing. With the tips of golden flecked claws, Casimir plucked the film roll from the device and clicked it shut before handing it back.
“I have no intention of allowing any of this to be publicized. I hope you understand, B-Belov…” he said and tucked the roll into his pocket.
“It is not exactly a secret that you both feud…” Daeva grumbled and looked to the side.
Casimir hummed and tapped his nails together. “No, but I do not need to explain myself to the likes of you.”
He tucked one arm behind his back, and with the other he forced Daeva’s face upward with a finger under his chin. The thumb pressed beneath his lip as he slowly shifted Daeva’s head back and forth. Daeva tensed and his fur fluffed. Blinking rapidly as he sputtered.
“W-What—”
Casimir forced his maw closed with an easy shift of his hand. “I didn’t ask you to speak. But, hmm,” he said as he examined him. Why was he inspecting him? “Perhaps one day. You just might do…” he said more to himself than Daeva before abruptly releasing him. “Well, carry on with your day citizen.”
Daeva didn’t know what to think let alone say as Casimir walked off. He shifted on his heels and his jaw remained slack. He hadn’t noticed Anya run up to him until she had smacked her palm against his shoulder.
“Daeva! Where have you been! I’ve been looking everywhere for you, you idiot!”
He took a sharp breath and turned his gaze to her. “I-I was uh, I was watching the two wolves fight. A duel…”
“Really?” She placed a hand on her hip and glanced at his camera. “You at least get some evidence of that?”
“Yes,” he said and rubbed the base of his neck. “But well, General Casimir confiscated them…”
“Hah, you poor old man. You didn’t even get the chance to ask for an interview, did you?” She smacked his back before guiding him away from the fight zone. “Why don’t we get you home and cleaned up.”
“No, sadly. But, it a bath does sound rather nice…”
“A good old cold water river bath,” she said much to his annoyance. “I’m kidding. But you’ll have to heat it yourself. We don’t have those fancy heaters out here.”
And Daeva couldn’t help but groan. His dreams only partly fulfilled, and now more confused than ever. And still craving his plush feather down bed…
