+5 Scout a neutral territory (Smoke Stacks) [ 1 // 2 ]
+10 Discuss the features of a territory with someone [ 0 // 2 ]

Isolda had been wandering the badlands when she noticed a strange smoke in the air nearby. It was in a place she had never been before, stepping through the smokey area she cast a glance around. Eyes narrowing she sought to go to where the smoke was thinner, so she could better observe her surroundings. Carefully she moved unsure of what lurked behind this viel of smoke, it could be prey or a angsty lion with nothing to lose. If age had taught her anything, it was that do not be surprised if you become the target of someones bad mood. The Hodari woman soon found a boulder to clamber onto to get a better vantage point over some of the smoke, trying to see if there was anything here useful besides a good cover.

"Speaking."

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+5 Exercise to gain strength 1/2
+10 Test a theory that turns out to be right 1/2
+10 Discuss pride, group, or family relations with another character

He needs to grow stronger, to regain the missing fat and muscle on his frame. Returning to the land had given him some of that back - hunting is easier here than out there, and he had little more motivation to do it. Now, things have not much improved, but he is unwilling to waste away and die. It’s a change from the apathetic, cold numbness he’d worn like a cloak for months. He thinks it’s an improvement, but he isn’t sure.

He needs a distraction, and so he wanders until something catches his attention. The smoke stacks have always been interesting, but he has never bothered to truly explore them. Today, he does, coming to a steady stop from his light jog near a stack that puffs and smokes every so often. It has a narrower opening, and Roarke finds a thick branch and manoeuvres it into the crack, leaving one end sticking up. And then he sits back and waits.

His wait is silent, and because of that the giant hears an approach; his head turns, allowing him to look out the corner of his eye and spy a shape moving in the smoke.

"Who’s there?" He demands, shifting to stand and face whoever it is he can’t see.

@Isolda

table by ferus, art by mistrel fox

+5 Scout a neutral territory (Smoke Stacks) [ 1 // 2 ]
+10 Discuss the features of territory with someone [ 0 // 2 ]

Isolda had gotten used to having no one else to rely on in recent years. It was probably her fatal flaw in social dynamics, she found them awkward now and tedious. Quietly she sauntered through the smoke, hoping to find some form of higher ground soon. Claws suddenly clenched the earth below from being startled by the booming voice. What the --!?

Alarmed she paused in her stride, letting seconds tick by while she decided her next move. Carefully the dual teal eyed lioness moved towards the huge shape. "A friend of wayward spirits, and lost souls," she answered rather cryptically. Then with a sharp inhale she strode through the smoke to reveal herself. Shit he was huge, her ears flicked back in uncertainty, was he a friend or foe?

"Speaking."

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+5 Exercise to gain strength 1/2
+10 Test a theory that turns out to be right 2/2
+10 Discuss pride, group, or family relations with another character

Roarke’s underfed frame ripples with tension while he waits, watching the figure in the smoke move toward him. The creature that emerges from the smoke is a similar colour as it; she stands, small and diminutive, striped and dotted.

"I see." Roarke blinks down at her, seating himself once it is clear the woman isn’t a threat. Her answer, however, makes him snort. "I’m neither of those things." His voice is dry, and he turns his attention back to his experiment, fully expecting the lioness to carry on now that he has all but dismissed her.

His theory is that the smoke is both smoke and steam, and therefore there must be heat in the cracks below. He grips the stick in his jaws and pulls it out, and the end he had stuck in burns as if it had been in a slow-burning fire hours ago. He’d been right, then. The giant throws the stick into the crack, unwilling to risk creating a fire.

table by ferus, art by mistrel fox

+5 Scout a neutral territory (Smoke Stacks) [ 2 // 2 ]
+10 Discuss the features of territory with someone [ 1 // 2 ]

Maybe he wanted to be left alone, judging by his brash tone, but as Isolda started to turn she stopped to watch him. What was he doing?? Approaching him cautiously she watched him take the stick out and then down it down the crack. Looking back at him bewildered, "...and that achieved?" she asked leaving it open-ended so he could answer her. She then moved to a nearby stack and with a grunt pushed her paws into the center until it gave way. Jumping back quickly as steam and smoke billowed and hissed out. " Might be useful if you can trick prey into running through, " she mused out loud, hoping to get his input. Why not make a friend before she marched onwards on her lonely crone path to old age?

"Speaking."

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