[ P ] Tread Carefully

Further from the fortress, he lurked in the tall grasses that covered the coast's Cliffside. Only the far off crys of the ocean's tides crashing into the sand down below could be heard. There was a calmness that lingered in the grasses surrounding him, picked up and carried about by the breeze. Heavy in the air was the smell of salt, and if carefully picked up- rain. Just off in the distance he could see the storm rolling in that would bring the rain, taking no time to pass over the ocean and into the coast.

As he watched the storm roll in, he changed his own course. The fortress was too far to make it in time, and also a poor spot to admire the incoming weather. And so, his steps would follow a steep path along the side of a cliff. One that, with time and practice, he could almost maneuver with only a few slip ups. As he descended the side of the cliff, he could hear the rumbles of thunder and the cracks of lightning that would soon storm the beaches of where he was. Below him, jagged rocks were crashed over by the waves of water, above him were darkened skies and the few rain drops that fell on him. There was a small clearing that would allow him to make his steps more freely now. Sliding down the slope he was on now, smaller rocks and pebbles cascaded downward past him, collecting at the bottom where he intended to land.

By the time he was where he wanted to be, the rain was much heavier, rumbles of thunder rippled through the sky. He could almost feel it through his paws as he stood perfectly still, waiting to see the next strike. The next thing to catch his eyes, however, was no streak of lightning, but rather another creature. Coming from the opposite side of where he came down, another body was making their way down the Cliffside as if they too had been practicing their foot work here. What were the chances they were headed to the same spot, at the same time. And what were the chances that this creature was a highlander just like himself, tried and true: who else could scale the Cliffside of aberdeen so well? His guard was almost always up, but his mood was lightened if only by a small fraction By the weather he was caught in.

He would pivot, the cliffside's face was staring right back at him. And a cave, dark and hopefully empty was his target. He had hoped the other hadn't seen him, rushing to the opening of the cave. It wasn't vast and immense by any means, but it was suitable for shelter at the time. He came to a dead hault when he finally made it to the cave through the rain, the other body clearly knew this cave existed, and had the same thought as himself. As he came to hault, his mass would just barely stop, toppling over the stranger
Dark ears would pull back, obsidian tail flicked as he Recollected himself, and then he back pedaled far enough to give them some room to atleast get up.

He would wait for her to speak, her tongue would decide if she could stay or go-if he would kick her out or let her stay. Though, with war looming and tension at its highest, he adopted a "trust noone" mantra. Anyone could be working for anyone, and that was something he simply couldn't risk changing.

code & art by claerie

She had set out from the college late the night before. Today was her one day without classes and for that she was relieved. The walls of the college often grew suffocating after too much time spent within them. But it was duty that kept her bound to them, her nose always in a book. So she endured, waiting for days such as this one.

This one day, it was the day she lived for. She would bound from the college, her long legs eating up the ground as she ran until her lungs burned and her narrow jaws parted in a pant. Only then did she stop and collect herself. She wandered the fields on the outskirt of Melrose, walking amongst the flowers that could withstand summers scorching heat.

It was the distant roar of the ocean that beckoned her out of the lowlands and into the highlands. In the distance, she could see the storm rolling in. The clouds ominous and dark, as if signaling the beginnings of the war.

Some might have considered it unwise, not just because she was a Mainlander currently walking the Highlands. She was a female, alone when political tensions were at their highest. Still, she walked the cliffs edge, drawn to the dark rocks and darker water below. Eventually she would find a path that led downwards and though it took a significant amount of effort on her part, she traversed the rocky path downward. She would slip a time or two, scraping her ankles as she struggled to find her footing. Slender muscle strained with effort and soon her breath became labored, but she didn't stop.

Not even as the sky above grew darker and rain began to fall did she stop, though worry did start to gnaw at her. The rocks grew slick as the rain grew heavy making it harder to keep her footing. Thunder clapped loudly above, the sound echoing down the cliffside, making it seem even louder. Scanning the dark cliffs, she looked for a place that would offer a reprieve from the storm. And thankfully she was rewarded with one.
,P>
She tried not to hurry, to keep her pace measured so that she didn't slip. But her dedication would prevent her from noticing the shadow that moved amongst the rocks opposite her. Nothing else matter except getting to that cave, to get out of the elements. So when paws touched mostly dry rock, she sighed with relief.

The air barely left her lungs before she was sucking it back in with a shocked gasp. A mass was suddenly toppling over her, his weight and warmth unexpected. Her eyes widened as she stumbled to her knees before righting herself. Pale ears plastered against her wet crown as she would turn to look at the wolf. He had thankfully immediately backed away, giving her space to collect herself. Though he was utterly silent. Not even an apology for nearly bulldozing her to the ground.

A frown pressed her lips into a thin line as she stared at him expectantly. In the silence that stretched on, she took the time to take him in. Where she was wrapped in light, he was shrouded in darkness. He was carefully painted in shades of grey and black, but also a crisp white. He was larger than her, though many were. She would meet him ocean green stare evenly. Waiting in silence.

talk like this

table ; bunny

Lilac was heavy between the two even though ra8n and must from the caves surrounded them. This stranger was unlike most he had become acquainted with as of late. Artic hues danced along side the coastal vibrance of her coat, almost too even, but she was like a perfect combination of two creatures merged to one. Her frame was small, much smaller compared to his. Her Blue eyes would fall upon him and his being. His sturdy stance was unwavering, water still dripping from every fiber of his obsidian and steel cloak. He didn't like her staring at him-and it never crossed his mind that she may not like him staring at her. She would remain quiet, however, and any tell tales to help him determine who exactly he was dealing with would be close to none. So, he made the first and only move for the two of them. Na tig faisg orm, Strange Girl. (do not come near me, strange girl) the foreign words on his tongue were coarse and rough, even though he only uses two words. It was a not a suggestion, however. It a rule. Hopefully she would understand that. To help, he turned away from her and made a place at the side of the entrance of the cave. He had his spot, and she could find hers.

When the rain would dissipate, he would leave the second he could, making sure he was not followed by the stranger as he he made his way back to the fortress.

exit aurelius

code & art by claerie