Whisper Marsh Men are kind, until they aren’t

It had been about a week since their tryst by the cliffs edge, and Apolline still thought very fondly of her paramour. Whether or not they had succeeded in creating new life, she couldn’t yet be sure, but she felt positive about the encounter none the less, like it had been the right step to take. And of course, it had been great fun as well.

Still, her paws carried her ever further into the familiar lands of Relic Lore, and she was continuously surprised how unmarred they were by the fires. It was almost painful, knowing how long she had been running from the flames, to now realize that she could have simply come back home, and been safe; But there must be a bigger plan… She would continue to believe so, certain that fate was guiding her every move.

This was why she meandered, more than steering towards a specific goal, always looking out for signs from the higher power. Trailing from woods into wetlands, she felt an immediate relief, surrounded by marsh that hadn’t and couldn’t burn. The sun was starting to set, reflecting in small pools of water all around her and she was starting to consider settling down for the night, wondering if she might be able to catch some fish.

That was when it happened, as she gazed into the water, seeing her reflection stare back. She felt that presence again, as she had a few times before, like fate itself was reaching its hand out to her, pressing against her from all sides. This place was important! She was meant to be here. Single good eye raised toward the sky, a prayer on her lips, but before she could speak it, she blacked out, body collapsing to the ground in a fit of shivers.

Thoughts ”Speech”

dawnthieves, nalina24 & TinusDream

Claw Archer

To have a warm body to curl up alongside was a blissful experience the marbled man convinced himself he never wanted to go without again since their adventurous tryst along the cliff side a mere week ago already. While their tango had opened Claw's mind to a new sense of fun never before experienced and one he would absolutely indulge in again if the opportunity presented itself, there was no sure sign yet that their deed had produced the beginnings of what they both had sought in one another during that fateful meeting.

For now his paws simply yet contently carried his larger frame along the path of choice his paramour chose to set for them, venturing back into the depths of the lore where solid ground eventually began to give way to bouts of marshland and small pools of water. It was here that Claw began to connect the familiarity of the landscape that surrounded them, only a short trek from the various nooks and crannies that had served as his birthplace. It was also here that she began to exhibit behaviors never before witnessed by the marbled man.

Having opted to roam a bit from his counterpart to search some of the many pools of water that potentially held a fish or two that could serve as a snack for them, it was the thud of her body collapsing onto the ground behind him that had Claw's entire body turning toward the sound. Beryl eyes widened in both panic and horror, paws frozen where they were planted despite a part of him urging them to move to her side.

What was the man to do? She had been fine just moments ago, yet what had brought on the sudden series of convulsions? Had he done this to her?!

Word Count: 300

It was over as quickly as it had begun, the tremors subsiding to a few final jerks of her legs and a flick of her tail. Her eyelids fluttered, struggling for a moment before they could open properly and then continuing to blink to clear the blur from her one good eye. Its golden center rolled slowly from side to side, trying to reorient herself while her mind struggled to connect to the rest of her body, thoughts moving slowly as if her head was filled with mud.

She was surprised to find her muzzle resting on the ground, nose at the very edge of the pool she had just been staring into, the upturned edge of a lily pad tickling the tip. Groggily, she lifted her head a little, squinting at a dark shape on the other side of the water, feeling a touch of comfort as she recognized her travel companion. “Mon beau,” She called, her voice hoarse like she had just woken up; “What… Did you see?” It felt like she’d missed something, something important; A message! But all she could remember was her own face, staring back at her from the mirror pool; What does it mean?

Thoughts ”Speech”

dawnthieves, nalina24 & TinusDream