i went to a sermon it made me livid... they called me a lamb to be protected by the Lord they're fools i am no lamb i am THE BEAST THAT EATS THEM and i see no Lord among you

    The wind was wicked. It bit through fur with its ferocity and formed crystals on the tender flesh of the nose with its chill. The skies were clear, allowing any residual heat to escape into the atmosphere and turn the day downright frigid. The valley below must have been a hellish place to be right now. Yet it paled in comparison to the conditions up here, at the very peak itself. Where nothing should dare to venture without a wish of death, and even the rocks began to bow against the weather. Yet... this was familiar, if distantly. This situation was similar to before. The reasoning perhaps the same. The outcome, though... The absence of the necklaced gem at the chest ensured a much more certain ending, should the events proceed as they had before.
    "Theodosia." The name came unbidden to the tongue. It thrummed the whipping air with equal measure pain and rage. Claws flexed against the stone, body shivering. Perhaps in anticipation. Perhaps in the sheer cold. "Mars." Again it was without willful desire that the name was spoken. And again the bass of voice rumbled against the world. "Aderchop." Once more, and last, pulled from the depths of the wounded bleeding heart and shoved out into this new existence. The past, strange and twisted as it was, cannot be forgotten. It was the only thing left. There was no future to look forward to, here, yet. If ever. So those who mattered then must matter now.
    The black and white form stood on the edge of the precipice. Its face, eyes closed, was turned into the wind. This could be the end. Perhaps a final end. But it wasn't wanted. It wasn't needed. There was more to do, yet. So much more to see. So much more to learn. So this would not be the end. Only a suffering reflection on what has been. Ice particles were forming in the flesh of the face and hanging the coat in clumps. Frostbite would set in soon. Just a little longer, though. Just a little more memory to relive.

350 words | @Ástríðr

It was here that she always did her training. It was here that Ástríðr would be able to see her home in the tundra. Be able to see majority of Amaryllis in some what peace. But today was not that day as she climbed the side of the peak. Following the path with grace and ease before her nose brought her the scent of another. The wind bringing it down to her giving her the advantage of coming up behind a stranger but though Ástríðr didn't like strangers - especially the newest ones - she wouldn't give the other a disadvantage like that. She wouldn't pull a cowards move and so Ástríðr would let out a series of calls to whomever was nearby as she walked up the peak.

@Devil May Cry 'She thinks.'

Art by sally | Table code by Zodiac

i went to a sermon it made me livid... they called me a lamb to be protected by the Lord they're fools i am no lamb i am THE BEAST THAT EATS THEM and i see no Lord among you

    Time too much had passed. The cold had taken its toll in crystalized blood and frozen flesh. The tender tips of the ears, the sensitive flesh of the nose, both beginning to blacken and die. Were it not for an interruption, more time would have passed, certain. Enough to kill? Not immediate, sure, but perhaps slow, painful, in the form of suffering frostbite and following infection. In a manner, the announcement of an approaching being was a saving grace. It pulled this one from her reveries and opened electric eyes to the biting wind. The past would remain important. It was not now, though.
    The body turned, back now to the wind and to the sheer drop below. Ears pressed forward, curious. Just what, or who, would venture to this place at this time and in this weather? Any who dare must hold some semblance of stupidity... or recklessness. The latter suited the black and white lioness better, at least. Stand in frigid temperatures, where the wind chill was well beyond the negatives, at the peak of a damn mountain... just what had become of her?
    With clouds heavy-laden with the promise of blizzard, shadow was beginning to creep toward the peak. Still, in the rays of light, there appeared a wheaten feline. Intrigue was immediate and intense, bodyweight leaning ever-so-slightly forward. The markings were decidedly exotic, and drew the eye to range, unabashed, over the feminine form. Admiration, enjoyment, twinkled in those expressive blue eyes, when finally they met with the others'.
    "The warning is appreciated." That voice, so deep in bass that it thrummed the whipping air and traveled in waves through the rock beneath the paws. Then came the dilemma... to have a conversation was difficult for the socially inept at the best of times. Let alone in this... interesting, situation. Would an invitation to move to a safer, and warmer, locale be warranted? Or, as before, be seen only as manipulation for ulterior motives? "You are striking."
    Ah, yes. A compliment. Were it not for the absolute confidence and rather astounding lack of self-consciousness in having given it, it might've been awkward. As it was... perhaps it was just what was needed for this encounter to become even more... spectacular.

374 words | @Ástríðr

She was used to the frozen ground. To the cold wind that ran through her rather thick fur. Sea foam jewels locking onto the black and white woman. She didn't look like she was built for this weather, though her legs had the extra fur like Ástríðr did but not as much as she did. Granted, Ástríðr had been born during a blizzard if not the worst one she knew of. Ears twisting at the voice that escaped the woman before her and the compliment that followed. She was not used to it and felt her fur grow warm and she was glad that she wasn't white. And you seem like you're not enjoying the cold. Perhaps a warmer area will suit you better. She would state, being blunt and straight forward. Ástríðr would help another from freezing if that was what it took. 'She thinks.'

Art by sally | Table code by Zodiac

i went to a sermon it made me livid... they called me a lamb to be protected by the Lord they're fools i am no lamb i am THE BEAST THAT EATS THEM and i see no Lord among you

    The switch from canine to feline had been sharp. Such difference. Such disadvantage. The natural growth of coat for the cold season was missed, and sorely. This new form had thick enough fur for most times, but not the reckless wandering into frigid temperatures that this one was prone to. In one way, the shorter fur showed the ripple of thick muscle more plain. Helped to portray the powerhouse that was this beast. It might have been solace, if this one cared for personal appearance or how it was perceived by others as more than a passing thought.
    "Warmth." She paused, electric gaze tracing the contours of the female before her. "A place or a body." It wasn't intended to be suggestive, but it could be taken as such given the natural depth of her voice. One paw rose to swipe, gentle, at her nose. The wince that followed made clear the sharp pain that jolted through her face. "Warmth is needed." With a grunt, she dropped her paw back to the cold rock and steadied herself against the fury of the wind.
    "You know the way." The words were, without a doubt, a statement. Yet there was something about the way her body hesitated a moment that hinted at a question. "You will lead me." Again, a statement. Again, dip of head that belied an invitation. Was she so bad at social interaction that she couldn't ask a question? Yes. Yes, she was. Weight leaned forward, heavy paws sliding over the rock to follow where the female would lead.

260 words | @Ástríðr

Sea foam jewels would watch the other curiously as they seemed to agree that warmth was needed. Ears twisting on top of her head as Ástríðr would nod her head slightly before turning around though she wouldn't turn her back completely on the other as she would wait until the other was much closer before beginning to walk. Large paws carried her back down the path that would eventually lead to a cave entrance. Warmth. She would explain, standing at the edge of the entrance and facing DMC and motioning to her to go into the cave with a flick of her paw. She wasn't stupid enough to inside before another. 'She thinks.'

Art by sally | Table code by Zodiac

i went to a sermon it made me livid... they called me a lamb to be protected by the Lord they're fools i am no lamb i am THE BEAST THAT EATS THEM and i see no Lord among you

    The lack of finesse in this one's words didn't appear to faze the other. That was good. Too many took offense when and where none was intended. Too many felt hatred, disgust, or superiority. Using violence to prove that she was worthy of none was... difficult. Often, it would only affirm the others' beliefs. Still, ire roiled beneath the pelt like a grain of sand between the teeth. It set her hackles up at the memories. She was glad that she was allowed to follow, so that time would soothe her emotion before she was beheld again.
    The path wound among the rocks as they did. It curved and snaked, at some points precarious. Then it gave way to the mouth of a hollow. She took note of this path, and this cave, for it may be useful in the future should she find herself once more at the peak of this place with biting wind and an impending blizzard. Now, however, the mistrust was beginning. As always; The other stood at the entrance with an air of expectancy, seeming unwilling to show their back to a stranger.
    No matter how it irked her--that she had shown no aggression, no hint of anything untoward, and yet she was treated still as a potential enemy--she would accept the unspoken label and moved certainly into the cave. Wolves, she supposed, were much more inclined to trust the body language of others over their words. The body doesn't lie. So she exited the screaming wind and gave a deep rumbling purr of relief as her skin began to warm.
    Taking a spot near the entrance, so as to allow the other their choice of location--even at this one's own back--she fairly collapsed into a heap on the rock. How weary her limbs had been, and she hadn't even noticed. Forelimbs were stretched before her, weight resting on her elbows, with her paws turned so that the pads faced each other. She stared down at them with intensity, struggling with herself and her memories. Ears angled backward, drawing an unhappily pensive expression upon the face.
    "More than once, I have been treated as an enemy without valid reason." The deep voice echoed in the cave. She was unable to gentle the sharpness to her words. "I have been seen as a thing. A beast and little more." she paused a moment, taking a rough lick at the snow on her legs. She grimaced at the chill on her tongue. "I fought to prove otherwise and, in doing so, only proved their point." The body had begun to tense as the recollection, tendons tightening in preparation for... a memory.
    Electric gaze drifted upward, seeking that of the others'. If they would give it, she would hold it, square and unwavering. "Devil May Cry." A... statement? A name? Who knows. There was little indication that she was introducing herself instead of further lamentation of the past. There was, however, and intentional shifting of weight so that she laid upon one hip. That was the closest thing to expressing her lack of violent intent as she could muster at this moment; Hard to spring to attack from such a vulnerable position.

534 words | @Ástríðr

Trade: Outlaw
explore a new territory and find something useful
1/2 action posts

Trade: Barbarian
tell a battle story
1/2 action posts

Though Ástríðr had taken note of the lack of hostility coming off of the other, the shield-maiden was instinctively untrusting towards strangers that she did not know. Once inside the cave, it seemed the other had picked up on how Ástríðr was standing and made a verbal statement about it. Sea foam jewels locking onto her black and white frame as she would listen to her speak. You are not my enemy, I am just untrusting of strangers who were not born here. She would voice then, wanting to let the other know that she was only being this way because it was in her nature to do so. The name she was given - if it was her name - was strange and unfamiliar to Ástríðr but nonetheless stored for later. Ástríðr. She would give back her name as being respectful.

@Devil May Cry 'She thinks.'

Art by sally | Table code by Zodiac

i went to a sermon it made me livid... they called me a lamb to be protected by the Lord they're fools i am no lamb i am THE BEAST THAT EATS THEM and i see no Lord among you

    It soothed something within her that this... Ástríðr, gave explanation of her actions. What's more, it intrigued this one greatly that the lioness had understood what this one had been talking about in the first place. Not many were versed enough in the "anti-social" to do so. Even fewer seemed to care to any true extent. She liked that Ástríðr appeared to do both, even if it may have been to create ease between them in this situation and little more. It still meant something. Still holding sea foam within the electric, the once-beast nodded in a solemn gesture she hoped would portray a modicum of the appreciation she felt. "I have no desire for enemies, but I am not afraid to fight again." Then she gave a slow blink--something she had quickly learned was a feline way of showing trust, or at least some vulnerability--and turned her gaze outside.
    The wind picked up, howling, wretched, as it passed by the cave entrance. Storm clouds began to swathe the land in their darkness, promising a thick and furious snow. As the first flakes began to fall, this one knew she would not be going anywhere until the blizzard had passed. To try to navigate the rock and cliff with a thin coat, damaged ears and nose, and no familiarity with terrain or location, was a death sentence. One of her forepaws swept inward, a sudden movement that placed the pad against her chest. The lack of gem and chain bit deeper than the wind; She would never wield that power again... Nor see her friends.
    The marble and obsidian feline grimaced, turning her head from the snow outside to peer further into the cave. How convenient that this place existed. Not far from the peak. Not difficult to find from the top. It was useful in a way she sorely needed, and she would remember it. After a moment of scanning the shadows at the back of the cavern, a thought occurred. There was a blink, a subtle frown, and gaze drifted back to Ástríðr. Not born here? That would make sense, if this were a new place with only a single population of natives. Yet... the before had been such, and this wariness had not been so prevalent; That is to say, it didn't matter where one was born, only what they were willing to do.
    "You were born here." The words were slow, measured, as though she was feeling her way, and yet still a statement. "This place is not the before. This place is new to me." The paw at her chest flexed, claws pressing into fur to grasp at the missing token. "I was not... this, before." Brows furrowed, mind rolling to figure out how to explain what was wanted. "I was wolf. Now I am... different." A look down at her forelegs and paws was accompanied by a soft rumble of irritation. "I am not good with words." As close to an apology as could be.

499 words | @Ástríðr

Trade: Outlaw
explore a new territory and find something useful
2/2 action posts

Trade: Barbarian
tell a battle story
2/2 action posts

So it seemed that they were both on the same page and Ástríðr could respect that. Especially the next words that spilled in the air between them. And that is something I can respect. She would state bluntly. An eyebrow going up at the awkward blinking the other did as Ástríðr would move into the cavern to get out of the wind. Moving so that she could sit against one of the walls before laying down in comfort as the blizzard began to roll in and Ástríðr knew it would be a matter of time before she got snowed in as well. Yes I was born here. Well, in the tundra. She would explain before glancing over towards @Devil May Cry and then back towards the entrance. Ears twisting as she heard the other explain that she was not a feline once, that she was a wolf and Ástríðr looked over towards her in confusion. How could one be a different species entirely? 'She thinks.'

Art by sally | Table code by Zodiac