Snow fell from above in large flakes, blanketing her back as she strolled through the field. It was almost a regular occurrence now that she wore her black panther pelt to help fend against the cold. It did a decent enough job to take the edge off. And at the very least, it kept her from getting too soaked by the falling snow. She was much more acclimated to stormy coasts, snowy winters were a different story.

Rivia truthfully didn't have a plan when she came out to these fields. Getting herself to leave the rainforest for just a little bit would be the likely reason. But seeing the landscape completely changed by the season was always something to admire for a moment. She strolled across the white plains with large casual strides, starkly contrasting against her surroundings. The dark cat found herself wondering about Sabine and if she had been able to find shelter for the winter.

@Calypso

table by ferus, art by novi

Winter brought less challenges this year than in prior years, if only because they had a home to shelter in. For the medic, though, there was some level of frustration that went hand in hand with being unable to find herbs as readily. Some of the hardier plants grew through the cold season, but it meant she was taking more trips to the tundra and along the shore to find those not buried in snow.

There lingered a slight limp to her step, a constant reminder of the bite that had nearly stolen her life. Calypso was beginning to worry it might never leave her, and while she was thankful that it was barely discernible she disliked how it ached after any long journey. Her evenings often consisted of half-chewed poultices seeking to draw out the pain that plagued her.

These thoughts (among others) accompanied her steps to the field, intending to see if anything still lived in what was normally lush and green. She had not expected to find company, and at first she did not recognize her crew-mate (what with the pelt she wore) and hesitated to approach a stranger. As some distance closed between them, though, familiarity dawned and the peach pirate offered a chuff of greeting. Calypso moved to close the distance between them, curious what had drawn @Rivia to the fields during this miserable season.

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Rivia's gaze was mostly set earthward, watching where she stepped in case she were to trip over a well-cloaked stone or log. The curtain of white that fell over the world stifled surrounding noises, though those were few and far between. An occasional bird call or branch cracking under the weight of snow in the distance. In the silence of the season, a call found her attention. Raising her head to find the form of @Calypso coming towards her. Rivia paused her route as she filled in the gap between them.

"I hope your fairing better in this cold than I am." she called over until she was closer to her. Her tail was low and relaxed, gently kissing her heels as the tuft twitched idly. Once the distance was closed, the black cat leaned back onto her haunches. The touch of the snow sending a chill up her spine. It was always in the misery of the colder months that the misery of the sweltering season was yearned for. She thought that to be quite ironic.

table by ferus, art by novi

As much as she loathed the cold - giver her sunny beaches any day -- Calypso could not ignore the beauty of the falling snow. The hush that fell over the world as creatures slumbered and everything was muffled was also pleasant; almost as much as the hush of waves on sand.

Still, the winter brought more hassle than anything, and as she shook off the snow while she approached she recognized that she was not alone in that feeling.

"It's a pain in my arse," she muttered, but accompanied the words with a grin that was almost playful. She jerked her head towards the pelt that @Rivia wore - "I need to get myself one of dose."

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It was nice to see that her feelings about the season were reflected in the peach seafarer. At the mention of her pelt, Rivia nodded with appreciation for her apparel. "I'm quite thankful for it." She remarked, letting out a heavy exhale accompanied by a thick billow of her breath. Rising back to her feet, Rivia faced the direction she was heading and began to amble that way. "At this point, I'm just wandering to get out of the rainforest for a little while, if you want to come."

She had no plans and no goal for the day really. Given the small to-do list she had she should probably find some time to get some training in soon. But today seemed to present itself with a good opportunity to catch up with her crew. A brisk run would definitely keep her warm. "Do any of your medicines take a hit during this season?" She asked @Calypso curiously.

table by ferus, art by novi

Ah and another feeling they shared - "it be rather stiffling, aye?" The rainforest had it's own beauty (and she did appreciate that the snow had a hard time reaching the ground) but it was not for her. Calypso preferred stone caves along sandy beaches, and she yearned for the day that Calhoun brought them back to such a life.

Taking up step beside @Rivia she had the same train of thought and sought to increase their pace a little. Speed helped warm the body, and it would do her good to keep fresh through the winter months. "Too many," she mused, with a slight frown, "dought dat be one benefit of de rainforest. My garden is sheltered, and some of de plants still grow even in de cold." Not enough, though, and she already found herself counting down the days to spring.

"Did ye find yerself a den?"

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She knew next to nothing when it came to medicinal properties. Only that of the healer back in the early days of the crew and when Aries helped tend to her wounds after her scrap with the lynx woman. To think of being effected by the season like that where some things just.. don't grow. That would frustrate her to no end, that was for sure. "That must be difficult,"

The snow under foot crunched softly with their pace, aiming her direction in no where particular at this point. "Aye, I'm glad the rainforest floor hasn't been covered much like out here." she observed, "I did find a den, though, yeah." Rivia answered her, thinking back to how warm and cozy it could be lounged up in her pelt pile now. Though, it was nice to get moving in this cold with @Calypso.

"Found a nice spot underneath a great fallen tree near the base of the mountains northward." It wasn't by the coast where it seemed everyone else had gone. She found it and it spoke to her. Somewhere secluded, pretty to look at and the den didn't require too much digging out. There was plenty of tree cover, fresh water nearby and a quick exit close to the edge of Firnen just in case she would ever need such.

table by ferus, art by novi

Though @Rivia chose their path Calypso sought to increase the speed of their steps, if only a little. The cold was not conducive to a meandering stroll, and a more brisk pace helped move the blood through her veins and warm her; she could not help but eye the pelt her companion wore and make a mental note to find one for herself.

"It sounds ideal," she commented, noting the location and finding it amusing that all of the pirates had seemingly settled so close to the outskirts of the rainforest. A sign that it wasn't where they belonged, and she could not help but wish that Calhoun would hurry and find them somewhere permanent. The rainforest was good, for now, but it was not yet home.

"If ye ever need me, for aid or... well, anyt'ing, my den is furt'est nort' east. In de rocks by de sea." Her gaze turned to Rivia as she spoke, emphasizing the anything in her statement.

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Rivia adjusted her speed as the shaman-woman increased hers. Though, the destination still remained as none. The word ideal to describe her place of residence was exactly that. Ideal. She hadn't yet felt quite at home within the canopy of the rainforest. But she also wanted to give it an honest effort before she cut her losses.

Violet eyes met @Calypso's as she offered her hearth open to the dark cat should she ever need it. She half-grinned and nodded her head, thankful for the offer. "Anything, huh? I'll keep that in mind when I struggle to find something to pass the time," she noted, shifting her gaze to watch their path. She pursed her lips and hummed, adding on to her last statement. "That sounded more bitchy than it did in my head." Sorry. She wasn't always the most socially apt lioness in the room.

"The same goes for you, though," Rivia added, hoping to make up for her asshole-ish comment.

table by ferus, art by novi

“…when I struggle to find something to pass the time.”

Granted, it took her aback, a slight hitch in her stride indicating her surprise. Calypso pushed past the momentary lapse quickly, and was in the middle of telling herself NOT to take it personally when @Rivia spoke again. A wry smile curled her lips, and she tipped her head in a silent dismissal of the apology.

“Well, hopefully I’m not only yer last option,” she couldn’t help but tease, seeking to lighten the mood and forge a more comfortable bond between them.

She was heartened by the returned offer — “next time I have a body to send to de locker I’ll be sure to call on ye.” evidently she was in full on smart ass mode.

Art by Yumpy