Kingsfall there's a hummin' in the restless summer air

RE: Snowmaggedon! A foot of snow has fallen overnight! || Anyone is welcomeeee

Let the record state, Kisina had not known she had wandered back in the lore.

She had not stepped into this place once. Not to mention with the rather alarming sudden foot of snow that was piled onto the already existing snow, she wouldn't have been able to tell you where she was had come upon even if she had been there. Everything looked the same. An uneven white layer dusted over the ground (and branches, bushes, etc.) with trees that had broken up the monochrome land.

It all horribly sucked. She should have stuck it out a bit longer with her rag-tag group. Just until things thawed further and there wasn't a foot of snow that arrived overnight.

But nooOoOoOOo. She had gone off to wander the great big wilds alone. Some of the other women had teased her about it being some sort of spring time vacation, a real amorous affair. Which she had promptly shut down because that had not been her ordeal so far. At all.

Except. If she wondered too long in all this snowy silence, she tried to guess just how far off from the truth that might have been.

With a disgruntled huff, she swiped out at a pile of fresh snow.

(This post was last modified: Mar 02, 2021, 10:38 PM by Kisina.)

He was wandering aimlessly, deep in his despair at this point. If anything, his meeting with the pale shewolf had only increased his worry – he was certain now that this was not his homeland, though he had no idea how far away he was or how he’d gotten here; and he knew that other wolves lived here. This was bad news to any loner, deliberate or otherwise, making their way across strange land. If he wasn’t careful, he might wander too close to the borders of an unfriendly pack, and any trail or trace of wolf could as easily be from those strangers as from his family; More likely really… Yet he couldn’t stop moving, couldn’t avoid any trail if there might be any chance it was the right one.   So Vasco searched. He searched the eerie, open space where he had awoken and eventually, when he was just starting to believe this whole land was barren, he spotted trees on the horizon. Though vaguely, the woods felt at least somewhat familiar, and he headed for them instantly, aching legs almost forgotten. But even the forest here was strange and horrifying, the trees larger than any the young man had ever seen, reaching so far into the sky that their tops disappeared in the clouds. Standing at their base, the width of the trunk filled his entire field of vision, and as he walked on, he would spot another and then another. Finally, half convinced that he was still stuck in some wicked dream, he had crept into the hollow of a protruding tree root, closing his eyes to try and block it all out.   That morning he had awoken to what he first thought was indeed a different world all together, though as he emerged from his cover, he spotted the giant trees, still towering above. Only now, their roots were blanketed in fresh snow, piled high enough to almost block the little hollow altogether. Vasco had to struggle and squeeze through the white mass, covering himself in the wet stuff from head to toe. Finally free, he shook himself but to little avail, letting out a loud sneeze. It seemed to echo oddly off the trees, a low huff reaching his ears. His head whipped around at the noise and he jolted at the sudden burst of snow so close by, scattering in all directions, obviously struck by something. Startled, he called out without thinking: “Who goes there?” Remembering only too late that he was in enemy land; Shit! Word Count: 421 Thoughts ”Speech”

Lakela @DA

There was another sound underneath her own and for a moment she felt just as startled as he did for a moment. Although the stranger called out first. Kisina rippled into raised fur and a lashed tail. Lip peeled back for a moment. She felt like she had been stalked, crept up upon and entirely vulnerable.

”You first.” It was a demand thrown by her voice into the snowy woods with little room for argument. Well, they could argue back all they wanted, but Kisina would not tolerate it.

Her form remained in a more...hostile defensive position as she waited to see just who had called out to her first. Assuming she had not startled them off entirely with her attitude.

He was already shrinking back as a form started to appear behind the dispersing snow, and at the sound of the sharp voice he cowered further. Black-tipped tail curling between his legs, head and shoulders kept low, he peeked up at the stranger, careful not to make direct eye contact. She was a female, around his age, he thought, but bigger, her posture dominant and strong.   Vasco licked his lips, staring down at her paws where he might spot her movements without appearing to challenge her position. Her scent had been masked by the snow, but was now starting to drift to him and he searched it for signs of other wolves, to see if she might have pack mates ready to come to her aid. He found none, though he did note the sharp musk, so clearly making her as a woman. But at the moment he was much to scared to consider it further.   “M’sorry,” he breathed, glancing up briefly; “You startled me, that’s all.” Again his tongue slipped out to moisten dry lips, ears flicking forwards and back again nervously. “I’m Vasco Halex, ma’am, just passing through.” He dipped his head further, deferring to her authority. Loner or not, he had no desire to get into a fight. Word Count: 211 Thoughts ”Speech”

Lakela @DA

(This post was last modified: Mar 03, 2021, 11:02 PM by Vasco.)

She watched as he suddenly shrunk and apologize. It appeased whatever dominant little beast had raised from within her belly and snaked out her throat in her demand. Which he also followed on. All of it served to soothe. Her fur laid flat slowly, even if she remained in her rigid position. Tail up in a dangerous sort of way. This...really was not the time to do such a thing but it did not stop her. Especially as he seemed content to cower instead of bully his way through like other men she knew.

"Passing through to where?" She questioned sharply, although not nearly as venomous as her previous words. She felt particularly nosy right now. Especially seeing as there seemed to be absolutely nothing around for miles and miles.

What did this Vasco Halex guy know that she didn't?

Well shit, she caught him out. His response had otherwise seemed to appease her a little, but she was apparently the inquisitive sort. Vasco squirmed in place, debating how to answer her question, eyes constantly darting from her paws to her face and back again, his own posture still submissive and nonconfrontational. Finally, he gave a little sigh, conceding; “Nowhere in particular, really. Just, keeping on my toes.” He didn’t even consider telling her the truth, to scared of admitting his vulnerable position. Instead he did his best to seem casual, wanting most of all to get away from the whole situation as soon as possible.   The longer he stayed, the more he felt the aura emanating off her. It was a scent no male could ignore, certainly not a young and spritely one like Vasco. But, although it affected him physically, most of all it reminded him of @Sita. Painfully so. Was she out there somewhere? In this same state? He had to suppress a whine at the very thought. This was a supposed to be the year! With Platon still gone, there was no way he could get in the way, no chance of Sita handing him the credit for Vasco’s work; She’d be mine, fully!   Except now he was gone too, stuck in this strange land with a stranger who, though certainly enticing in her way, was nothing like his Sita; Not even close! Word Count: 237 Thoughts ”Speech”

Lakela @DA

She would not find it an ideal answer, so suddenly backtracked on his previous words. Passing through but to...nowhere. It didn't add up.

However, if she had been placed in his position she would have been guilty of the same thing. She passed through with no destination in mind. Just...the need to be free for a bit. Perhaps that made her soften some. Or maybe it was a decision entirely of her own, a defensive thought. She liked to think she couldn't be swayed. Especially by a stranger.

Her tail dropped down and she lightened up her narrowed look a smidgen. "Okay," She started with, unsure and slow. "Why are you keeping on your toes then?" Another question spurred by nosiness, even if it was not as pointed. Paws flexed against the snow with uncertainty as she waited, that odd sensation ripe within her. An unwelcome restlessness that seeped into her bones.

She sure was persistent! But at least it seemed his humble display had calmed her some, and Vasco dared to raise his head a little, looking more directly at the young woman, though still without meeting her eyes. The uncertainty suddenly sneaking into her voice pushed him to be a bit more brazen, one shoulder giving a light shrug as he answered: “Why does anyone? It’s no good sitting around all day, especially in this cold.” He quickly glanced up at her face to gauge her reaction, still ready to bolt at the first hint of trouble.   But he was feeling more and more relaxed. It seemed clear that this girl was another stray, wandering alone just as he was, and possibly just as aimless. Tilting his head ever so slightly, Vasco studied the lass through the corner of his eye, wondering just how far she would allow him to go before lashing out. Still, he wasn’t about to test his luck by turning the interrogation fully back around; not just yet… Word Count: 172 Thoughts ”Speech”

Lakela @DA

He...had a point. Even if she had not wanted to admit such, and she wouldn't, not openly. She could however provide dismissive acceptance in a rather begrudging way. It was the best she could offer in terms of kindness right now.

"Fine." She answered with a huff. "Then make yourself useful, at least." An invitation as much as it was another demand. She sought to bully her way beyond him and keep heading through the forest. She figured if he knew something, saw something, or smelled something then he would say something. If he tagged along.

Regardless she would be a stark guiding figure through the snowy woodlands. A beacon in color and, unfortunately, scent.

She didn’t like his answer, that was obvious, even if she found no way to challenge it. Instead, her acceptance came with clear annoyance, and she swiftly moved on to her next demand; One that truly made Vasco’s ears perk up. Dark-tipped tail gave a swish as he cocked his head slightly, silver eyes twinkling.   But then she bulled ahead, forcing him to snake out of the way, guard hairs brushing guard hairs as she pushed past. Nimbly spinning in spot, Vasco gazed after the tawny female with one eyebrow cocked; Ah, not useful in that way then… The woman clearly had places to be, perhaps another suiter to soothe her needs, or maybe she simply hoped for such. Regardless, the pale man couldn’t risk this lead slipping away, and so he quickly bounded after her.   It was easy enough to follow her trail, clearly trudged through the snow and further marked by that most alluring of scents. Staying in her tracks also made it much easier far the lither male to get through the snow drifts, but he supposed it was rather impolite to stay behind her; Considering the circumstances, especially…! So he made his way to her right shoulder, staying half a step behind as any good subordinate. Once there, fallen mostly in step with her, he asked his first question: “May I get your name in return, miss?” A simple start, but it never hurt to be cautious. Word Count: 241 Thoughts ”Speech”

Lakela @DA