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the vampire

Mathias sucked in a breath, and it tasted of damp earth. It was morning -- early morning. The sun had not yet risen above the trees, and there was an ethereal calm about the forest. And it certainly was a forest to behold. Tall trees shrouded narrow, winding pathways, and as Mathias and Adrian had quickly discovered, there was no rhyme or reason to the landscape. One pathway blended into the next, some cut short, and others simply disappeared into the mist, lost. And that was what they were.

Mathias gingerly pulled himself up from the ground, making a small noise of distaste as he realized his side and shoulder were soaked with dew. Every muscle in his slim body was stiff, and his very bones seemed to ache. His lungs had the rawness that came with an intense amount of effort in a creature who was not used to expending it. They had only been supposed to rest for a few hours at most. Then they would have continued into the forest under the cover of night. But they had overslept, that much was clear.

His vibrant lavender eyes moved about the earth until they found the lump that was his brother. With a grunt, he ascended fully to his paws, and then used a front one to lightly shake Adrian's shoulder. "Good morning," he said, his voice quiet. His brother would likely not miss the irony. It was certainly not a good morning. "We overslept."



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@Adrian

adrian dumont

Adrian was shaken - literally - from his slumber by a rough paw to the shoulder. The male grunted in response to his brother’s voice, with half a mind to curl up closer on himself until Mathias continued. "We overslept."

“Merde.” He hissed, voice still thick with sleep. He raised his head and looked about them, blinking sleep from his eyes. Sure enough, sunlight was starting to creep its way into the sky, dappling the forest in a soft, warm light. Not the sight they had been wanting to wake up to. Their plan when they had settled in the clearing had been to sleep for a couple of hours and continue under the cover of night, but now they would have to think on their paws.

Adrian struggled to his paws. His entire body ached - Mathias he was sure was in a similar situation. The brothers were used to leisurely strolls around busy markets and lounging in fine wineries. Even when engaging in the… shadier aspects of their work, it was always at a relaxed pace. Their bodies had not been trained for such exertion. But there was no time to complain about their aches and pains. “We better get moving.”

@Mathias

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the vampire

“Merde.” Mathias cracked a small, ironic smile as he took a step away from Adrian to allow him room to get to his feet. His brother moved with a similar weariness, but soon enough sleep had abandoned both of them, just as the cover of night had. “We better get moving.” It was the truth, but as Mathias cast his amethyst and silver eyes about the forest, he found a small growl working its way up his throat. Their directive was simple: get moving. But...to where?

"Onward and upward, then," he muttered darkly, before turning resolutely in a direction and beginning to march off. He knew Adrian would follow because neither of them had any better idea about where to go. Their plan had been frenzied and vague since they had fled the Mainlands: get out of dodge. The Highlands were the last place the Imperial Army might look for them for a reason -- the boys likely would stick out like sore thumbs and be discovered in an instant. That's why they'd chosen this massive forest. There was a much better chance of secrecy when you were surrounded by an eternal swath of trees. They could blend in better than they possibly could if they went to where the clansmen beat their chests and did their rituals, or whatever it was that the Highlanders got up to without the watchful eye of civility upon them. Mathias and Adrian certainly could not hope to blend in to that.

This was not a pleasant journey. But it must be better than what the straggling members of Le Milieu were subjected to at the hands of the crown. He and Adrian had not discussed this in any length since they'd fled. It had been strictly business. But now, Mathias cast a glance over at his brother, an indiscernible expression upon his face. "Do you think anyone survived?" he asked. It was impossible to tell how he felt about the question -- or the possible answer.



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