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Melinoe had heard of a crafter within the pride, one who would do work simply because she enjoyed it. Melinoe had no intent on requesting anything for her ridiculous husband; no, she had a mind to have something crafted that she herself could wear. Something that spoke of great courage and power. Something that would suit her.

She had nothing in mind.

In the hopes that this Dalla might be of use to her, Melinoe went in search of the other lioness. After stopping a few times on her little quest in order to ask for directions, the dark lioness finally found herself at Dalla's den.

"Crafter?"

At the low voice calling out for her, Dalla approached the mouth of her den. She wasn't entirely sure who stood at her threshold. An outlander, most likely; she was not wholly fond of those not born within the pride, but a Stormborn was a Stormborn, and if the lioness before her had actually earned her position in the pride, well. So be it.

"I am Dalla," she replied quietly with a smile, head tilting to the side. "How can I help you?"

This lioness was rather huge, and Dalla couldn't help but be impressed by her size. Quite impressive, really.

Small and petite. Everything that Melinoe was not. Even the tone of Dalla's voice was sweet and measured. Mel grunted.

"I have need of a piece of jewelry crafted for me. I've been directed here." Melinoe gave Dalla a dull look.

"They say you are the best. I have something in particular in mind, though I have no idea on how to execute it. I had hoped that you might have insight."

Gods, but she felt huge and bulky next to the other female. It had never really been an insecurity until now; there was something innately feminine about Dalla.

Dalla's muzzle lifted in a smile.

"Of course, come in." Dalla gave the dark lioness a curious look. She'd not mentioned her name as of yet. Dalla couldn't tell if she was being purposefully rude, or perhaps the complexities of social interaction did not come easily.

"Please sit. Let us discuss your idea, and I shall provide you with a few options, and we can work from there."

It was how she usually worked; it was a tried and true method, and Dalla saw no reason to change it just yet.

"If we cannot come up with something together, perhaps I can guide you...?"

Dalla's tone inferred that now would be the perfect time for the other lioness to introduce herself.

"Melinoe."

She lumbered in to Dalla's den after the lioness, ears flicking with interest as she digested what Dalla had suggested. Fine ideas, all of them, and as Mel took a seat she started speaking of her ideas.

"I have a need for a pendant. A black stone. If you can, I would like a ... I have heard it called Uruz. It looks like," Melinoe took a moment to draw a diagram in the dirt that created the floor of Dalla's den.

Two vertical lines, one tall, one short. A diagonal line connected the two highest points.

"I am told it means strength untold."

Dalla hummed softly as her muzzle broke in a smile.

"Ah, yes, I know this rune. It is.. a masculine mark. There is another, Hagalaz - it is.. to be wild, strong, untamed. The root of it lies in weather. Uncontrolled forces, destruction."

Much like Melinoe had, Dalla drew a quick sketch of the rune she spoke of. It looked much like an 'H' - though the central line was slightly askew.

"Whichever you prefer, Melinoe. If the first option has a personal meaning, I understand - but perhaps the second option would be more to your liking? It is your decision."

Melinoe smiled, a rare action. She honestly could not remember the last time such a thing had occurred. Usually her expressions were ... nonexistent, to say the least. Mel hated being read, so being unreadable had become a precious thing.

"I had hoped you would have another option. I prefer the second. What material would you suggest? Stone? Bone?"

She took a moment to leisurely peer around the den, a bright gleam of interest in her eyes.

"I can collect whatever you might like. I was thinking black stone, as I said, with bone accents along the side. However, you are far more gifted than I, and so your suggestions on the matter are valued."

Dalla gave a small laugh, peering at Melinoe.

"Stone is plain. It cannot be colored. Bone is a very porous medium, and can be painted. I have a myriad of dyes at my disposal. My friend Valena is a dye-crafter, and she is always discovering new colors. She has recently mastered a lovely shimmery blue - or a green, perhaps - although blood can create a lovely rusted brown."

She shrugged, smiling in Melinoe's direction.

"Stone is a bit hardier, heavier, and more difficult to carve. Such a pendant would take some time to finish, and I do not know how urgent this piece is for you. So, in truth - the decision is yours to make, Melinoe."

Honestly, Melinoe had not taken into consideration the coloring and dyeing of the medium of choice. When faced with so many options, it was obvious that bone was the correct choice to make.

"Bone, then. I will trust the hue to your discretion. We will talk payment now - I know you do not charge for your services, Dalla," Melinoe spoke with a tone that would brook no disagreement, "but I insist. You need not decide now, but by the time the pendant is finished, I will need an answer. Supplies, labor; it is your decision, and anything you ask of me will be trusted to myself only."

Melinoe dipped her head in brief farewell before she turned to leave.

"Agreed, then," Dalla called after the bulky, retreating form of Melinoe. She did not have many friends in the pride, and part of her knew deep down that Melinoe was a lioness that should could trust with absolute certainty. It was strange, really, how the lioness carried herself.

Exhaling, Dalla turned to her supplies. There, a nice piece of bone, smooth of surface and large enough that she could hone it into a loose circle before she began carving the rune.

Her work kept her mind off of her current troubles, and for that Dalla was thankful. She hummed softly to herself as she ground the edges of the bone against a large rough rock.

Even if all else crumbled around her, at least Dalla had her craft.