[ AW ] Into the Woods

Rarely now did Adrian find himself without his brother’s company. As fugitives on the run from the army, they relied solely on one another for protection. While they were safer here, in the wilds of the Highlands, Adrian knew that the only wolf he could really trust here was Mathias.

But they had made something of a temporary home in this forest. Its dense wood was like a maze, and they had not caught so much as a sniff of any soldiers, not that Adrian was about to tempt fate and seek any out. No, they kept their heads down and stuck to the shadows, a skill they were all too good at, and thus far it had worked in their favour.

Perhaps it was this growing sense of ease with their situation that had sent Adrian out on his own this morning, wanting to get himself more accustomed to their new home. He picked his way through the winding forest, not wanting to drift too far from where Mathias slept but curious as to what secrets were held within the bramble wood.

"speak."

A blue phantom watched the stranger prowling through the forest he called his home. He noted with peaked curiosity that the wanderer had purple eyes and dark fur much like his mother and he wondered if there was some connection between them. Was it a sign? Had the fae called them together like this for some divine purpose? Zoltan was not foolish enough to question their intentions as his mother always had the answers he needed anyway. He would ask her later if it was something remarkable or mundane that brought him here. He shadowed the man for a little longer before appearing out of a thick covering of forest and undergrowth, blue eyes holding an excitable glint. “Hello,” he greeted the stranger enthusiastically, perfectly affable and friendly despite this being their first time meeting each other. He was practically jubilant to have discovered someone else in their home. There had been limited opportunities for Zoltan to socialise during his formative months and he didn’t have any wolf friends outside of his mother. The trees were his companions and best friends, but sometimes he longed for something new. He knew his mother didn’t like it when there were intruders in the forest. She was very protective of their home, but Zoltan not as much. He was easily distracted from such concerns by the prospect of someone new to talk to. “Are you a new neighbour?” he asked, head tilting ever so slightly and fur ruffling slightly in the wind revealing puncture scars at the side of his neck.

art & table ☓ bunny

The shadows of the forest shifted, bringing Adrian to a halt as he focused on the movement, and not a moment later emerged another wolf, vibrant blue eyes locked on Adrian’s own. He felt a brief moment of unease at how easily the stranger had snuck up on him, but the glimmer in the stranger's eyes showed no sign of malice. “Hello,” The boy greeted him with a smile as he approached. “Are you a new neighbour?”

Adrian straightened as he turned to face the newcomer. “I suppose so, yes.” Not that he wanted to be - his home was Castle Stuart, even if the army would disagree. This was just a temporary situation, nothing more. Still, Adrian knew it would fair both himself and his brother well to make good with the locals, and the stranger hadn’t chased him off yet, so he dipped his head and offered a polite smile to the Highlander. “My name is Adrian, pleasure to meet you.”


"speak."

There were two sides to Zoltan. The curious child who had gotten lost in the Fae Forest and the monster who was raised there. It was with an innocent curiosity that he approached the strange man, not a hint of the violent cultist that hid within his skin. His lips curled into a pleased smile when the stranger confirmed that he was a neighbor. He was excited that there was someone new to converse with. It would be up to the fae if they would let the man stay in their sacred forest or if he would end up like the others. Bones buried underground, food for the trees that surrounded them. He stared at Adrian like he was the most fascinating creature Zoltan had ever beheld. Eyes big and bright as he closed the distance between them. "People don't usually stay here long," he said, hoping it would be different this time. It would be nice to have a wolf friend."Do you think you'll stick around?" he asked, preparing himself for disappointment. It was lonely sometimes. "I'm Zoltan," he introduced himself, smile growing wider as his white tipped tail wagged wildly behind him.

art & table ☓ bunny

Blue eyes stared out from a dark grey-blue face, owlish in their appearance as he closed the gap between them, getting a little too close for Adrian’s comfort, but he held his ground. “People don't usually stay here long," His head tilted as he thought over his statement, given so readily. It was true that the forest was quiet, eerily so. What kept wolves from staying?

"Do you think you'll stick around?" He continued, interrupting Adrian’s thoughts. The shadowy male gave a shrug. “For the time being, yes.” They didn’t have anywhere else to go, so this was their home whether they liked it or not.

"I'm Zoltan," He introduced with a wide smile, and Adrian dipped his head in return, studying the boy curiously. “Have you lived here long, Zoltan?” He questioned, wondering just how much information the young male was willing to give him, and how much of it would be of use to himself and Mathias.



"speak."

Although the blue witch was a grown male he was more of a boy than a man in his character. His eyes were bright with childish delight at the mere presence of this stranger, fascinated that someone else had moved into his home. It made him curious to know more about Adrian. What brought an outsider to the fae forest? Had the fae called to him? So many questions that he wanted to ask, but not enough time. Those big blue eyes of his never left Adrian’s dark features, and neither did the white tipped tail slow in its wagging. His answer didn’t satisfy Zoltan as much as he’d hoped. Maybe Adrian hadn’t seen how amazing the forest was yet, but Zoltan was certain he could convince him. “I know! I’ll show you my favourite places. Then you’ll want to stay forever,” he suggested, obviously enthusiastic to give his new neighbour a tour of his new home. He trotted off further into the forest and beckoned Adrian with his white tipped tail. ”Have you lived here long, Zoltan,” Adrian asked and Zoltan’s dotted brow arched. He hadn’t been asked that before, but the answer came easily enough.“I’ve always been here.”

art & table ☓ bunny