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The constraint is always raw material. She has no shortage of ideas or time in which to put them into practice. Hence, she is most avaricious in acquiring hearts whenever an opportunity presents itself. Having a stockpile means she need waste as little time as possible.
ellie in heartless
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hand-of-fear
"Then once the other hunters have acquired their prey or given up, we will convene, and I will introduce you."
this-awful-energy
"I would rather you stop attempting to engage me in conversation at the present moment."
hand-of-fear
And soon enough they reach a large clearing, where a number of people are already gathering - fairies, humans, and Heartful in a shifted form alike. Many of them stop talking when the Yew Queen enters, turning to watch her. A few flick their gazes to Shade.
The Yew Queen and her wolf go to sprawl at one edge, both stretching out languidly, apparently unbothered by the attention.
hand-of-fear
And, when some critical number of hunters has been reached, people start stepping forward to tell tales of their hunts, presenting prizes if they caught them. The Yew Queen speaks up rarely, though she does seem to enforce a ban on people recruited unwillingly or taken prisoner, challenging a few hunters to duels when she perceives they pressured someone into pretending to be willing. No one takes her up on the challenge, instead relinquishing whoever they'd stolen.
And then, apparently, it's the Yew Queen's turn to present. She tells her tale lowly, so that people have to hush to hear her, of pursuing this or that minor challenge, never knowing herself tested - until she came upon one who stood. The tale of her and Shade's fight glows with praise for the latter's abilities and instincts.
"When the fight ended, we came to an agreement, she and I," the Yew Queen says at the end. "That I would join her hunt, for the man who inflicted Heartfulness upon her. The wind has barely carried whispers of such a man to me, all from centuries ago; our prey is clever, and old, and powerful. Our banners will fly on the morn. Those who wish to have the hunt of a century may join us; those who wish for simpler prey may direct their banners elsewhere."
The gathered hunters break out into murmurs, many of them assessing Shade with keen gazes.
this-awful-energy
Yeah, fuck you all too. Stay or go, she doesn't care.
She really, really, really doesn't get the Yew Queen and whatever game she's playing. She didn't have to tell the story like that. Shade wouldn't tell the story like that.
hand-of-fear
The Yew Queen, sadly, can't hear Shade's internal narration. Things would perhaps be simpler if she could.
Once people have started to disperse, the Yew Queen returns to sprawling, and turns to Shade. "You're a very astute student," she says, plainly, "But there are many magics relevant to a Hunt that you might not yet have, beyond flight. Would you like lessons?"
hand-of-fear
She hums. "Usually I'd start with divination, but given the strength of our prey I suspect that might be of little use... Still, healing, speed, endurance, sleeplessness - all these are minor tools, but they are quite exceptionally useful."
hand-of-fear
"What level would you say you're at? I've been Heartful for centuries, now - I expect I'd have some tips."
hand-of-fear
"You know," she says, sounding intensely amused, "It'll be hard for me to help you if I don't know where you're at - though if you don't want to share I can just explain the entire thing from the start."