Jasper Rocks Sulfur on your breath, granite In my chest

Setting: Early afternoon, light snow fall.
For @Apolline

Dark lids slowly began to peel themselves open; despite how undesirable the idea was, to reveal a pair of viridian eyes barely capable of fighting the sleep that fought to close them once more, the lullaby of flowing water just a stone toss away not aiding the young Archer in stirring from his nap. A loud yawn broke the otherwise silent air as Claw gave his body a stretch against the base of the cedar tree he had decided to nap against while out and about, his paws venturing further east from the split until he came across another stretch of water that led to a shallow rock pool, the miniature waterfall allowing just enough motion to ward off the encroaching ice from freezing its surface completely.

It was here that Claw had decided to rest before deciding if he would make the trek back to the others, or if he would go back at all this time. A single ear flicked against the gentle downfall of flurries from the grey-painted sky above before hoisting himself up onto all fours and padding over to the edge of the small pool of water, his gaze dropping to watch the school of small fish swimming in circles for a moment before scattering the moment his shadow loomed over them as he lowered himself to quench his thirst with a few laps at the water's surface.

They were supposed to go back today, she refused to think of it as going home, and she was decidedly unexcited by the prospect. The time in Dead Empress Backwater had been much to brief for Apolline, and much too protected. She wanted to explore more, further, and to stay down here in the woods instead of going back up the mountain. In that spirit, Apple had snuck out while everyone else was asleep, determined to have one last adventure before she was once more confined to the Cove. Heading west into the, as of yet unexplored, Cedarwood, she was delighted to come across running water, tawny tail wagging with excitement. Somehow, this particular stream had managed to defy the frost, trickling on between banks covered in snow. She simply had to follow it. So consumed was she with this possible sign of the promised spring that she almost missed the other pup, standing by the water just up ahead. Coming to a screeching halt with only a few steps in between them, Apple’s waving tail stilled, eyes widening as she stared at the stranger. She’d not expected to run into anyone out here, least of all another pup – one who wasn’t part of the exchange – and one who looked like that. Her ears waved uncertainly, nose twitching to catch his scent as she asked bluntly: “Who are you?” ”Speech" Thoughts

dawnthieves.de, iMouritsa @DA & emeliemarieanne @DA

His salmon-tinted tongue lapped at the chilled surface a few times to bring the water down into his throat, the sharp coldness the liquid offered helping to fully awaken the young Archer, and for good measure. Not long after his thirst was quenched the sound of paws crunching heavily along the snowy banks of the water caught his attention, sluggishly shifted his stance just in time to catch a tawny blur barreling straight for him. Viridian eyes widened momentarily with the notion that this stranger surely was bound to collide head-on with himself before squeezing shut tightly in preparation for the oncoming crash.

Only...

After a few long drawn-on seconds, no collision seemed to come, and only the faintest layer of disturbed snow kicked up to land on the top of his muzzle. Tentatively Claw peeled open a single eye to find that the tawny blur that had once been barreling toward him managed to come to a halt a few steps away. Relief washed over the young boy as the breath he hadn't realized he was holding was released, opening both eyes now to look upon the figure in front of him. Upon his initial inspection, they seemed to be around his age and sported all kinds of funky scents on their coat that confused Claw.

Who are you?

"I should be asking the same thing seeing as you almost ran into me." Claw returned with a hint of attitude to his voice that swiftly wavered as quickly as it arose once he gave his coat a shake, refocusing his gaze upon the tawny girl. Claw was but a fleeting stranger passing through these cedarwoods, blissfully unaware of just whom or what dwelled beneath its expansive canopy, but all too open to whatever adventure it offered. "But I'm Claw and who are you?"

Her breathing was fast from the almost-collision, nerves already on edge from the unexpected meeting. His retort only served to fluster her further, heat rising in her cheeks as she realized just how rude she must have come off. Yet, despite being clearly in the wrong, the last thing she was gonna do was back down, her voice mirroring the boy’s sass; “Oh well excuse me!” He didn’t seem truly angry though, his posture fairly neutral as he studied her with bright green eyes. Apple did the same in return, almost unable to look away from the unusual patterns in his multi-colored coat. Only the eventual introduction made her tare her gaze away to meet his, a hint of a smile curling one corner of her mouth. “Claw?” She repeated, trying out the straight-forwards name, so different from what she was used to and an odd juxtaposition with his fancy fur. “I’m Apple.” Much like the boy’s, her voice was much milder now, showing only her curiosity; “I didn’t know anyone else lived ‘round here…” She could only assume the other pup came from a pack somewhere nearby, one that had been kept secret from her for whatever reason the adults saw fit – they seemed to do those sort of things a lot – which of course, only made Claw that much more alluring. ”Speech" Thoughts

dawnthieves.de, iMouritsa @DA & emeliemarieanne @DA

Apparently, his sass of a response at first only served to fluster the poor girl further as his gaze examined her, yet there were no qualms about returning it with her own. At this Claw couldn't help but chuff quietly in amusement, his tail waving in good nature at his rump while a fraction of a smirk adorned his inky lips. So the girl had some spunk of her own which he took as a good sign. Pushovers were no fun.

In turn, though, the girl took a moment for herself to study his likeness and much like everyone else that crossed paths with him adopted a peculiar expression momentarily when they noticed his unique combination of colors. He knew not why it was so fascinating to others, but on the other paw, he also couldn't recall any other individual that remotely came close to resembling his markings. He internally shrugged it off for the time being as his ears caught his name being repeated before a moniker of her own was offered in its place. Apple, huh? Granted her reddish-hued fur the name seemed rather fitting.

Now it was Claw's turn to adorn a perplexed expression listening to Apple's words, his head tilting to the side while lowering his rump to take a seat before her. With a soft scoff, he gave a playful roll of his eyes, tossing his head vaguely toward the direction he had been traveling from. "Yer got it all wrong. I don't really live anywhere." How was he to describe his unique living situation? Of course, he was currently hunkered down with the other tag-along folks back at the Split, but Claw wasn't entirely sure he could say that he lived there just yet. Boy would this be interesting to explain to Apple.

Claw took her back-talk without offense, her own smile growing stronger at his amusement. It was her luck that he’d decided to humor her because, had it come to a fight, she would have almost certainly lost. But now instead, she got a chance to get to know this strange and intriguing boy – so much more fascinating than the children of the Cove. Her tail swished behind her as she studied him, oblivious to the confusing she’d caused until she saw his head tilt, her own mirroring him unconsciously. Caramel eyes narrowed a little at his apparent scorn, her tongue readying to lash back once again, but then he answered her question, and all animosity quickly evaporated. Tawny brows shot high up her forehead, a deep furrow forming between them; What…? To the isolated Macieo, the idea that someone could live ‘not really anywhere’ was baffling. She knew vaguely about loners, though in her mind they were adults – old and sad and lonely – that another pup could be one was a completely new concept. “B… Why?” she couldn’t help but ask, fascinated and shocked all at once, leaning forwards slightly and speaking faster in her excitement; “You don’t have a pack? What about your mom? Or your dad?” A whole knew world was opening up to the privileged young girl, and she found herself both mildly scandalized and completely enthralled. ”Speech" Thoughts

dawnthieves.de, iMouritsa @DA & emeliemarieanne @DA

The young boy's answer apparently had caused the girl's brain to short-circuit for a moment as his emerald gaze watched her brows raise and then furrow just as swiftly before her expression changed completely to one of pure fascination. Honestly, the swiftness with which her expressions changed almost gave the poor kid whiplash. Was the lifestyle thrust upon the young lad since birth truly that much of a culture shock? It sure seemed so.

Why?

The question in itself was simple enough, but Claw couldn't provide Apple with a simple enough answer in response. The truth of the matter lay in the fact that Claw himself didn't even know why his cards were dealt the way they were. His mother had brought him into this harsh world alongside his now-deceased sibling alone and alone the small family had remained until the day Walrus deemed Claw capable enough to survive on his own. That was and continued to be the only lifestyle the yearling knew. Survival of the fittest.

But with a shrug of a dark-clad shoulder, he lowered his haunches to take a seat. Did the small band of misfits back at the Split exactly fit the bill enough to be considered a pack? To his knowledge since joining up with Loach and the others, there was no real claim to their campsite nor were there any rules. All of them were still pretty much free to do as they pleased, come and go as they wished.

And then a certain ache began to settle in Claw's chest that manifested itself into a burning anger he swiftly doused at the mention of his mother. As far as his father, he knew nothing of the man and chalked his existence up to being nothing more than that of a donor so he could exist. Indifference filtered itself into his voice as he spoke. "Never knew my father. Was just my mother, my sis, and myself. Then sis died and eventually mother abandoned me when I got older."

How was that to counter her assumed pampered lifestyle.