Cedarwood Forest you found me

Backdated to February 18, nighttime. For @Eskil only <3

Travel with her new acquaintance had not been awkward, or stressful, or stifling in the slightest over the past day. She was quite certain that it would have been with most wolves, because Asha herself was quite awkward and had a tendency to make situations awkward. But her companion was nothing but a chivalrous gentleman, in spite of the fact that he'd clearly led a tough life - if the scars on his face were anything to go by, of course. Ash was covered in scars, and she had personally lived a tough life. It was natural to assume the same for him.

Regardless, he was kind, and gave her space. If she were a lesser wolf, she'd have said that she was enjoying helping him look for his sister, and that she was looking forward to spending more time with him. It was an odd sensation, as the silver woman had never longed for companionship before. This was the closest she'd come.

The sun had set, and the temperature had dropped. The frigid air cut through Asha's thinner, southern coat, and she found herself shivering, in spite of the fact she desperately did not want to. Even though she liked Eskil enough, showing weakness was not okay - ever. Yet here she was, shaking as she trudged through the snow. She was slightly behind her companion, mainly so that she could make sure his injured foot wasn't hurting him too badly, but also because she was really freaking cold and really freaking tired.

Grudgingly, the colorless wolf cleared her throat and called ahead to him, "We should stop for the night soon, don't you think?" Anything to get out of the cold and into somewhere possibly a bit warmer.

(This post was last modified: Mar 14, 2017, 04:14 AM by Asha.)

@Asha

The companionship between them was an easy, comfortable thing. It made the miles they traveled without a single sign of his sister more bearable, and it kept his spirits up just to have some company. Asha was quiet for the most part, and if not for the sounds of her breathing or her paws crunching over the snow behind him he might have forgotten she was there. He also tended to forget that he was a much larger wolf than his female companion, and that he was of a breed that took as naturally to sub-zero temperatures as a fish did to water. He'd failed to notice that with her fine frame and thinner coat, the chill of the night would seep into her bones much quicker.

And so Eskil thought all was well until he heard her clear her throat, flicking an hear back to hear her small voiced request. Eskil stopped and craned his neck to peer back over his shoulder, wondering if something had happened. Catching sight of Asha trembling from the corner of his eye, he fully turned around to face her. He was surprised by what he saw, Asha was shaking like a leaf. He took her request seriously, shivering was the first stage of hypothermia after all. 

"Asha, you're turning into an icecube!" He said with shock, quickly moving without thinking. He pressed his flank against her, trying to lend some of his warmth to the frozen female in the meanwhile. "Here, I think I see something up ahead we can take shelter under." He said, motioning to a toppled husk of a great cedar that formed a sort of lean-to.

There is a rabbit's nest nearby. +1 Health

Physical touch was absolutely not Asha's cup of tea. Of course, having grown up where she did, almost all physical touch was to be taken as a sign of aggression, or hostility, and meant that pain was soon to follow. So, when the larger wolf suddenly pressed up against her, the colorless creature bristled and leaped backward, her pale eyes round and panicked. Her lip curled without her permission, and her ears flattened flush to her skull. Her tail, rather than raising up in aggression, curled around one hock, and her body took on a low posture. Her body language, though she wouldn't ever admit to it, was ostensible of a frightened, defensive wolf. Not one who wanted to fight.

The whole ordeal lasted for half a moment, at best, before common sense overruled her need for self-preservation, and she became aware that Eskil had not meant any harm with his touch. She instantly felt regret and a strong sense of shame course through her as she cast her eyes to the ground beneath her paws. "Sorry," she began, her voice wobbling ever-so-slightly at the end. "I am... um... not good with..." She cut herself off and instead swept her tail a little, gesturing that she just wasn't good with being around any wolves at all. She didn't know if he'd understand, but it was the best she had to offer at the moment.

She shivered again as the wind ran icy fingers through her pelt, and she hesitantly moved toward him again, but stopped before she made contact. Just so that he could decide if he still wanted to help her get warm or not.

If Eskil could have anticipated Asha's reaction to his attempt at helping her, he wouldn't have imposed himself on her like he had. He only wanted to help her out, and clearly by her shivering she was in desperate need of warmth. Her startled, fearful reaction came and passed in mere seconds, but Eskil froze immediately, not moving a single muscle further. He'd noticed that there was something cagey about her, her movements, her expressions, and not to speak of the various scars littered about her pelt. He was slowly putting together his own theories about her, and while nothing could be confirmed, it was clear the woman was scarred in more ways than one. 

The large Whitebark folded his ears back in an appeasing gesture, standing in a relaxed posture as only his evergreen eyes moved to watch what Asha would do. Her stilted apology came, and he shook his head gently. "It's alright, don't worry about it." He said, his tail flicking the slightest amount to show he meant no harm. "Shoulda asked you first." He said softly. "Let's go," Eskil said, turning away and walking slowly to the fallen cedar. He dug out the snow beneath it, forming a sort of sheltered bed. He stood back, gesturing his nose for Asha to go on and get comfortable. Once she had settled down, he laid down just outside of the little shelter. Whether or not she wanted his warmth, he would leave that for her to decide.