[muffled spooky scary skeletons playing in the distance]

[geonomy]

Who: You! Me! Everybody!
Broadcast: idk but we've sure got a pretty broad cast of folks eh, eh
Action: HECK YEAH PLANET MINGLE
When: 10/7 until plot update or recaptcha

It's a deep, deep forest filled to the brim with fungi, mysterious life forms, and pitch black darkness. Explore if you dare and discover all these things and more! Just don't get lost...

Comments

[poisoninmypocket]

[Well, you've been keeping her company enough for her to mention you right before he's about to have her.]

How... charming. [That's gruesome, actually.] Might I inquire as to what you're looking for down here apart from fellow travelers to stalk? [That's, perhaps, a bit snippy when he's faced with a giant wolf who could swallow him whole, by the looks of it.]

I-I only mean to ask if there's something I can assist you with.

[bb_wolf]

[That's the reality of wild animals.

Bigby raises an eyebrow at the sudden show of spine. It looks slightly odd on a giant wolf. But he keeps circling.]

I followed the scent of Renart. She told me about you.

[If he sounds unimpressed, it's because he is.]

[poisoninmypocket]

She is a terrible gossip. Women, you know? [And Monty plants his feet and just holds his ground. He swallows as he follows Bigby more with his eyes than anything and tenses when the giant wolf passes out of sight behind him.]

I hope what she told you were pleasant things. She was most gracious in her description of you. [More or less... Monty recalls she told him not to cross the Big Bad Wolf.]

[bb_wolf]

No.

I don't 'know'.

[He's a Sheriff, listening to people gossip is a vital part of his information network. And they ALL gossip.]

... what are you doing if not gossiping, now?

[poisoninmypocket]

[Bigby, are you actively making it difficult to find something to relate on? Monty holds his frustration and fear down.]

Attempting to make conversation. If you've another topic, I am, of course, all ears for the Big Bad Wolf.

[Renart is going to yell at him for not just cowering, probably. If Bigby actually snaps at him, Monty may adjust his attitude.]

[bb_wolf]

I have plenty of topics, but I doubt most interest a human.

Though, perhaps you can explain something to me. About why human males feel they owe no loyalty to their mates. It is something which makes no sense to me.

[Is he trying to make things difficult? Almost certainly.]

[poisoninmypocket]

[Monty visibly bristles before taking a deep breath and trying to unruffle. He lifts his chin, not that it helps much in appearing imperious as he has to still look up at the wolf, anyway, when he comes into view.]

Humans do not typically have mates, Mr. Wolf. We have husbands and wives.

[bb_wolf]

Yes, I know. But there's no real difference, just words. Mate, spouse, partner... but I often find that human males feel no need to give loyalty to theirs, even as they expect loyalty in return.

[poisoninmypocket]

[There's a difference and Monty is going to cling to it to avoid dealing with the issue of bigamy. He's married. He can't marry Renart, as well.]

I would not ask anything of Renart that I would not give myself. She's free to have others and enjoy their passions. I do not wish to tame her, and she does not tame me. We've an understanding and respect one another for it. Unless you're enjoying time with her yourself, Mr. Wolf, I daresay it's hardly any of your business.

[A beat, and he finally asks.]

Have you been?

[bb_wolf]

If by 'enjoying' you're giving a thinly veiled euphemism, no, I'm not. I have no interest in anyone in that regard.

[And being what he is, any physical relationship would prove... difficult.]

But she's a Fable. And I look out for Fables.

[poisoninmypocket]

[Some of the hostility actually fades with that simple assurance. Bigby isn't a rival for Renart's affections. That's fine, then. That's good. The giant wolf is still intimidating and makes him want to bolt like a rabbit, but that's settled.]

Then know that she means more to me than anyone in this universe, Mr. Wolf, and I would lay down my life for her as many times as I might be able to. I would give up my mind to her care as she has entrusted me to protect her Story on more than one occasion. We are partners. Huff and puff at me as you like, but we were that before this place and so we shall remain.

[bb_wolf]

[Bigby takes a small breath and gives Monty just a tiny sample of what his huff and puff actually is. A strong wind, enough to stagger a man on his feet, surprisingly chilly and lightly scent with pine and mint (he likes clean teeth, okay?).]

You'd know if I were huffing and puffing. Renart likes you, so I'm keeping an open mind. Just remember. I have big eyes for watching and very. Big. Teeth.

[poisoninmypocket]

[And stagger Monty does under the force of it. He's suddenly regretting his particular choice of phrasing. The reference to big teeth does enough to cow him, as well. Monty swallows as he finds his footing properly again and just stares at Bigby while he circles for a second or two.]

Humans... [He swallows again.] Humans are the storytellers, we write Fables and Fairy Tales. I-I'm not afraid of you. [Monty is terrified. So... maybe he's technically telling the truth there.]

[bb_wolf]

[Bigby laughs.

It's a genuine burst of laughter, but he's not laughing at the audacity.]

Oh, little man, I'm not a Fairytale like Renart. I'm a Fable. I'm an Archetype. I'm the Big, Bad Wolf of every and any story ever told in any world. I am born of magic and wind and ice and I fear nothing in any world because I. Am. Fear.

[He stalks closer on those last words, ducking his head down low to look Monty in the eye.]

Run.

[poisoninmypocket]

[Monty tries to hold strong. He's a grown man. Fairytale or Fable, it all amounts to the same. Just stories. Stories he knew as a boy, that captivated his imagination and gave him a place to escape to away from the hunger and poverty he grew up with.

But when Bigby stalks close, looks him in the eye, and tells him to run, Monty's transported back to being a child, one who feared so very many things.

Especially the wolf at the door.

To his everlasting relief, Monty doesn't actually give voice to the scream building in his chest, but he does turn tail and rabbit, long legs and lithe form carrying him through the forest. There's a logical and sensible part of his mind that says if Bigby wants to catch him, Bigby will catch him. But logic has taken a holiday in favor of terror.

He'll do as the Big Bad Wolf says and simply run deeper into the forest.]

[bb_wolf]

[Bigby has made his point.

He is the Big Bad Wolf, the monster the monsters fear. He is not to be trifled with, especially not by blustering mortals.

His point is made. He slides back into the shadows and leaves the human be.]