Never a Pet (Kyra)

[Aello]

Timestamp: Fall 11, 512 AV Location: Somewhere between Ravok and Syliras Muddied irises danced over a bed of uneven terrain, laden with elder oaks and pines. Their branches, twisted; gnarled masses, reaching for the sky. The first of their leaves had shifted from a brightened green, to deep reds and whimsical oranges. The occasional sunburst of yellow. Each grown heavy with the weight of water. Transparent beads which fell from a darkened sky. Densely packed with ominous grey clouds; fluffed, as an inn's pillow. The leave's middles fell, causing their edges to furl upwards. Forming cups, from whence the water cascaded down towards the ground. Soil, which had filled to excess, and begun to spit the moisture back out, as it churned under the step of several forest creatures seeking shelter form the rain, and from the cold, and the occasional race which wandered through from one destination to another. Aello was one of the few weary travelers. Her boiled leather soles digging into the mud with each of her steps. Leaving harried prints in the shape of an hourglass with rounded points. Each time she wrenched her boots from the ground, she could hear the sodden soil squishing, sucking on her heels as she moved along, fist tightening impatiently about the supple curve of her father's old bow. As water dripped down the length of her brow, the folds of her simple blue dress clung to her paling flesh. It trembled lightly, as her muscles bounded; rippling just beneath the surface of her skin. Beads clung to the edges of her lips, traced by nature's purple gloss. They quivered as the cold crept into the fissures cast by plump pink left to dry in sun's blistering heat. Crimson rivers coursing against the curve as the hidden petals crackled. Splitting as the fallen leave that surrounded. Grown brown as the mud upon which the huntress tread, so it near blended with the soupy mixture. The darkened adornments breaking away from supportive stalks, rivers grown dry despite what tears came from the sky. Aello could near hear them crying as her ears prickled, and she strained to listen as she moved along, looking for a shelter of her own away from the traveling companions forced on her. A temporary reprieve from the weight that had been laid upon her shoulders; the task that had been placed at her feet. A chore to be completed for the Lord Rhysol, whom she had never served before; but needed to now. For a reason lost on her. But as of yet, despite the amount of time she had spent searching, Aello had found nothing, and wasn't likely to find much of anything if she remained too picky. Unwilling to settle for less than the perfect place to ride out the storm. OOCI hope the date is alright. If it's not, feel free to pm me and we can adjust it accordingly.

[Kyra]

A storm, heavy rain pouring down on a dreary night. It was odd to the young kelvic, having spent days, even weeks in Ravok with no rain at all. Yet the moment that she left the city, a huge storm broke and raged on for chimes. It couldn't be helped now, Kyra was in the army, she was an apprentice of the Ebonstryfe. To her, this meant security inside the city walls, something that she hadn't be accustomed to since she returned those seasons ago. It also meant that she would have, at least she hoped, access to someone who could help her to locate the people that she had been searching for.

It would take time to put her plan into action, however, she had no idea just how much of time it would actually take. For now it would have to wait. Kyra journeyed along with the rest of the army as they made their way from the city and heading to Syliras. They hadn't set up camp and it seemed as if they wanted to push on for a chime more, before they stopped.

That had been the plan anyway, until a viscous down pour sent the group hurrying for shelter. Kyra hated the rain, though she did enjoy a good bath..she hated the rain with a passion. This a lone was enough to put her into a bad mood and send her searching for solitude. To put her even more on edge, the company was awkward and the one person that she knew in the group had been distant since they left the city. In a way, she was alone, traveling by herself and since she wasn't one of the important members in the group, she didn't imagine anyone would miss her if she strolled off on her own.

Soon, within moments of her decision, Kyra slipped away from where the group was looking for shelter and ventured out to find a small place for herself to relax. The task had proved harder than she had thought. Finding a place to relax normally was easy, as she could climb a tree or lean back into the shade under low hanging branches. But finding a dry place in a storm was proving to be quite the task. Kyra started to run, dashing in between trees, and jumping over bushes in the hopes that she could find somewhere to wait out the storm.

Lighting suddenly stretched across the sky, lighting it as if it were day. The sound of thunder followed, a loud booming noise that rang in her ears, causing her not only to stop, but to rush under the nearest tree and peek out. Kyra really didn't like storms. Standing under the tree, her golden eyes darting back and forth as she waited for the sound again. She noticed the area just under the tree was dryer, and the rain didn't fall nearly as much as it had while she ran. It's wasn't the best place to wait, but for the moment she would.

[Aello]

Folds of crumpling blue cotton, grown weighty with the moisture that clung to tightly woven fibers, stuck to her skin. Long sweeps draping lazily over her outstretched legs. Chilling her flesh, forcing it to grow pale, as the material fought to remain clenched together. Rivulets drizzling down the length of arm's line, coupled with tightly knit stitches of finer threads. Droplets, transparent and pure save for singular spec of grime to which they clung fell from the edges of frayed tapestry and onto the tops of her brown suede hunting boots. The fabric scrunched about her ankles as she moved in and out of the line of trees. Rustling the lower lying leaves; snapping the branches that reached for her with their gnarled and twisted arms. Cupped hands extended, so as to wrap their bony fingers about her ankles, keeping her imprisoned; incapable of moving on. As her feet sank into the mud once more, speckles of brackish water leapt from the pile. Splattering the back of her dress, as though nature's painter had flicked its brush in her general direction. She sighed impatiently, ignoring it, as she moved along in silence for several more chimes. After which point, she came to a halt. The huntress standing tall and mute in the center of a grouping of trees. All great big things, and rather majestic. Their bark a diamond backed pattern, which trailed all the way up to their higher branches. Undulating things, flowing in between one another, as they reached for their brethren, for the arms of their neighbors. Her chocolate brown irises swept over the area- taking a cursory glanced, in which she absorbed most of the minor details. Stretching from the plethora of orange and brown leaves which lined the forest floor. Their jagged shavings sinking into the mud. The occasional needle from sightless pine, stirring the cauldron of muck, as roots tangled amongst one another, as they tread towards her feet. Brown snakes, skimming the surface of the dark, treacherous waters. Aello eyed them idly as her fist subconsciously tightened around the grip of her father's old bow and her weight shifted from her right foot to the left. She could feel her heel digging into the ground as water trickled down her brow, and her lips trembled. The edges a coupling of lavenders and deep blues now; a mirror of her dress. Finally, as she drew a deep breath in through her nose, and out through her mouth, the huntress was certain that she was more than ready to carry on. That this area held nothing that could serve as her shelter. But at the last moment, as she turned to leave, Aello noticed a pair of golden eyes watching her from beneath the base of a tree. Startled, she stepped closer. Slowly, methodically. Each step measured grace, and as she neared, the eyes grew larger. The shadows that kept Kyra's body enshrouded shifted, allowing her to take note of the tangled mass of hair that clung to her neck. A deep brown, although there were lighter lacings too. A pale blonde; a white it would seem. "Hello," the huntress called through the rain as she stopped a few paces away from where the Kelvic had hidden. "Who are you hiding from down there blondie?" she asked. Or what exactly? her mind added, thinking her to be one of the Konti seers from the innocence in her eyes. The color of her hair; the shade of her skin. The softness and beauty that played against her features; a quality she had noticed in most of the sisters she had met. The huntress stood, waiting. Breathing deeply, in through the nose and out through the mouth. Expecting her answer. And, preferably, in a timely manner. OOCHow awkward... Also, hope this is alright. PM me if you don't think it is, and Ii can always edit.

[Kyra]

The rain continued to pour, unhindered by any force, and even the shelter that the young kelvic hid under couldn't stop the rain from getting through. The army of droplets attacked the tree in waves, splattering across the already soaked leaves, and coursing down the damp bark until it found its mark. Her cloak, once a dark red, was now shades darker and heavy with rain. The hood draped over head hung low, leaving only the tangled hair around her face and neck in open view. The excess droplets leaked onto her leather armor, stretching across the ink-black spidersilk and trimming the textured design.

Eyes of golden embers continued to stare out into the opening, ever watchful of any moment. Another flash of lightening lit up the sky, and followed by another burst of thunder that surely had shook the ground below her feet. A low growl rose in her throat as she jumped again, before retreating further under the tree. The sound caused more ringing in her ears and the dropping of her body temperature due to the rain, left her trembling under her cloak. The storm couldn't be over with faster, and if it dragged on too much longer, she would have to give up her spot and search for a better shelter.

She wasn't afraid that the army would leave her as they were also huddled up somewhere near waiting out the storm. Even if they did decided to move on, it wouldn't take her long to find them. She had been around them for days now and could recall their smells, as bad as they were. There was the possibility that with the rain she could lose the trail, but she wasn't worried about it at the moment. Again lightening would flash, but the thunderous boom was delayed and somewhat softer.

Kyra glanced around again, waiting for something louder. Her gaze covered the land in front of her and to the left and right side. She paused, staring into the distance when she noticed someone coming her way. It was a woman. Was she from the army, did they send this woman to find her? She wondered, though didn't see why or how they knew where she was. She didn't move from her spot, but simply slipped in front of the trunk of the tree and stood there waiting..watching.

The woman moved towards her cautiously, as hunters moved, and as she herself did at times. She stayed silent, as the woman drew closer, her golden eyes falling upon the woman's dark brown hair at first and then to the gown that she wore. Kyra didn't answer when the woman first called out to her, as she continued to look her over.

She wondered if her earlier assumption had been wrong, the woman didn't dress like the rest did, who were all clad in armor or some form of robes. It was possible that she was just a wayward huntress, but she couldn't be sure. One thing that did catch her attention, was the bow in the woman's left hand. She was an archer it appeared. "Are you from the camp? Did Samara send you?" she finally called out.

[Aello]

The aurist's brow furrowed, her forehead's flesh wrinkling as her eyes narrowed. Taking in the sight of the Kelvic's golden eyes, and little else. Her gaze hardened as she studied the girl; waiting for her own scrutiny to waver, before she reluctantly shook her head. Her long chestnut colored mane shifting as her neck twisted. Her veins pulsing disharmoniously beneath a carpet of flesh paling with the cool air coupling with the rain. The frayed edges tickled her neck, as the soaked clumps bunched more tightly. Squeezing partial excess from their masses, lending rivulets to drizzle down lines of hollowed bone in silent streams. "There are only men, traveling with us," Aello responded. "Which would mean you're of another group, another camp." The huntress paused a moment, considering her words. What the Kelvic had said; if she should fear an attack from the woman's fellows, or feel the slightest sense of unease. After all, she was only one person. Talented in her field perhaps, but still, despite her knowledge of the land, incapable of taking down larger numbers on her own should they possess any true skill of their own. "There are not many who count Lily within the ranks of man," the aurist added, almost reluctantly. "Seeing as she is a being created by the hands of alchemists, sculpted by the world's clay. Molded into a rather curious being, whose heart never lacks the desire for adventure." Her lips curled into a curious grin as her eyes glimmered dangerously. She shrugged uneasily, after a moment, "even so, she is a woman of her kind. Young perhaps, but flowered by our standards, as far as it is known." Her smile widened then, as her eyes sailed over the supple sweep of roots and woods that hung like a canopy over Kyra's head. "I know of no woman named Samara, although, there is another who sent us all. Hardened men and a single woman from a place presumably far from here. Unless we've wandered back... with the rain, with lack of stars and map to guide us forward on our winding path." She stifled a small chuckle as her fist tightened around her bow. "So tell me stranger, why is it that you have moved so far from your camp and your protection?" Aello asked. "Considering how you don't seem the forest type, judging from the place you've chosen to hide." She paused. "They may be hard to see now that the rain has begun to wash them away, but the ground by your hands has been clawed often enough. I'd say something lives there. Or lived there if it has not yet drowned in this weather, or been devoured by something larger." Aello would fall silent a moment, as the rain pattered around her. Allowing the girl to absorb her words. "May be something as slight as a rabbit's warren, although, with the size of it, it would not be surprising if it belonged to the likes of a badger perhaps, even a fox." Her gaze faltered as she turned to face a rustling of leaves to their left. Although it soon returned when she came to realize it was only the wind. Idly, her thumb stroked the supple curve of her father's old bow as she shifted her weight from her right foot onto the left. Her leg bending at the knee, lending a slight crook and decrease in her already small stature. "I wouldn't worry, such things are easy enough to kill," Aello added with a small smile. "Just as those who allow themselves to sleep," for a moment she paused, as her eyes took on a far off look. "You should remember girl, while you are here that the forest has eyes. That in part, it always remains awake; and thus, if you wish to truly have a chance at keeping harm at bay, you must remain ever vigilant. Sleep with her hand around the hilt of a blade; around the grip of your bow..." Aello shook her head lightly. "This is no place for loners child," the huntress whispered. "Even ones that know their way, and truly have come to understand the forest's whims. What it is that they are doing." She smirked then as her heels shifted, digging into the sodden earth. Motioning to move. Another moment, and her toes had sunk into the mud, twisting her feet around. Her hair flipping about her head, sending droplets flying as the ends rammed into her cool cheeks. Slowly, she took two measured steps before thinking better of it. Turning to peer over her shoulder. "You may want to move, you'll find that if it rains much longer, the mud will begin to run into your hiding place. That it will fill with water when the earth begins to spit it back out, as it drowns beneath the weight of it all." With that, she curtly turned her head back around, and strode through the line of trees. To be lost from sight within an instant, past the adornments. The mist cast by the endless rain. If only Kyra chose not to try and follow. OOCYes, I am a lousy improviser sometimes. But... I didn't think Aello would fit down there, nor was I sure she wanted to stand stupidly in the rain. Strike that, I am pretty sure she didn't want to stand out in the rain.

[Kyra]

Kyra stared curiously at the woman as she stood there unmoved in the rain. It was an odd sight to her, and she had never met anyone who enjoyed standing in the rain, especially when it was pouring. There had been those men seasons ago in the Wild Lands, but they were different. Hunters, mercenaries, they were, out searching for the man eater. They searched for the kelvic leopard that had eaten a human, then claimed the lives of their fellows who had first started the search.

This woman was out in the rain, alone and seeming to be only wandering around. She must have been roaming about for some time, as she was soaked from head to toe. Her long hair and clothing clung to her body, almost appearing as one clump of human flesh, instead of the layers that existed. What strange creatures humans were. Kyra watched her closely, embers of gold peering from beneath the shroud of the hood, and settling in on the bow that the woman held tightly in her fist. "Are you death? Can you not speak?" she added just before the woman finally spoke up.

Her words were surprising, and caused Kyra to arch a brow, as her eyes danced about the area around the woman. There were men traveling with her, she said, although Kyra didn't see anyone around. Were there really that many people in the Wild Lands? Another question that came to her was why was one woman traveling with men? Was she there to warm their beds, a maid or perhaps....

Her thoughts trailed off, or rather were interrupted when the woman spoke again, now speaking of "Lily." Kyra tilted her head, damp strains of blondish hair becoming unglued, dangled in front of her eyes and fell upon her cheeks. The woman seemed to be talking to someone, someone other than Kyra, though there were no others around. "Are you speaking to me?" she asked, blinking towards the woman with a very confused look on her face.

The woman was bizarre to say the least, and while normally Kyra would find such behavior to be interesting if not simply amusing, it wasn't so on this day. The storm had the young kelvic on edge and what quirks she would have thought funny, were only irritating her further. The rain wasn't letting up as of yet, but this woman seemed content with conversing right there. When the woman's gaze turned away and to the branches above her head, Kyra glanced up for a moment as she started to wonder if the woman was ill, or simply mad. She had said that she didn't know Samara, but little else made much sense.

She groaned softly, shifting her legs as she moved uneasily against the tree behind her. It was hard for her to get comfortable now, and the storm over head kept her from settling in for more than a tick. Finally the woman seemed to have come back to speaking to her, and asked her a question. "I'm searching..for shelter until the storm passes." Kyra stood up from the tree, glancing to the ground around her after the woman mentioned the marks and grooves in the mud around the tree trunk. "Something lives here....Right here you mean?"

She listened as the woman continued, trying to follow the twist and leaps in her babble as she explained more about the tree. Kyra wasn't sure if this was some kind of warning, or just more idle chat, but the mention of rabbits, badgers, and foxes caused her stomach to rumble. It had been sometime sense she had last ate, and a fresh kill would be the ideal meal for her at the moment. Kyra lightly bit at her lower lip, her gaze drifting off as she imagined whatever animal the woman spoke of, and how tasty it would be.

It would be the one thing about searching for shelter under the tree that had been a good idea. Sadly there was nothing there, and she sighed before lifting her eyes to look upon the woman again. Whatever had been nesting there was long gone and likely not to return anytime soon. "I think that I can handle myself just fine...The forest is not unknown to me." Kyra said confidently, after the woman spoke, apparently thinking her a lost child a chime away from being eaten by some large predator.

Then, just as the woman had come, she was heading off again. After uttering something about Kyra leaving her hiding place. The young kelvic had no intention of waiting there for long, but a better shelter wasn't within eye sight at the moment. She watched as the woman left and wondered where she was going. It wasn't that Kyra wanted to speak with the woman more, or a time when her curiosity led her on. She simply wanted to find a better place to hide out. So she set out, but not in the same direction that the woman went. It had seemed that this strange human enjoyed being in the rain and wasn't likely the best person to follow to find a dry spot.

OOCThat's fine, heh why do I get the feeling that this will be a strange thread??

[Aello]

A curious grin crossed the huntress' lips as a chuckle escaped the back of her throat. "No, not her," she had whispered, before offering a slight nod, so as to help the girl understand her speech. Both to indicate that she was still addressing her and not her pycon companion, and to tell her that something lived where the Kelvic chose to hide. Her lips grew taut after a time, as the sparkle in her eye faded with the coming of renewed rain. Pounding harder on the earth. On her head; exposed skin. "If you say so young one," her words came. Quiet, drowned out by the sound of falling water. "It is a difficult claim. Knowing this place. It is like a sailor claiming that he truly understands the sea. As tumultuous and unpredictable as it may be..." "So may this place be..." _________________________________ The huntress had moved through the forest in silence, and with relative ease. The mud beneath her boots squishing beneath her step, as the sodden earth tried to suck it in. Forcing her to wrench them out after each subtle movement. Still, the rain harried her. Buffeted her form. Ran off her in droves, in meandering streams. When will this end? she wondered, as she cast a wary glance at the sky. Dark and grey as the occasional pebble she would see dotting her path. Slowly, she lowered her gaze and continued along for several more chimes, until she came to the mouth of a cave. Although she knew it was deep enough to shelter her from the storm, the sight made her uneasy, and she could begin to feel her stomach churning as her heart proceeded to beat a little faster. She could feel it thumping against her ribs as her eyes began to ache. Her irises growing dull as her pupils stirred. You have to, or you will risk a freeze, Aello told herself, as she gathered her resolve, and tightened her grip around her father's old bow, before she moved forward once more. Without thinking, past the cave's lips. Into walls that were dark, and seemed to close around her. Walls of stone, with jagged beaks that poked at the underside of her boots with each of her step. Walls that dripped with excess moisture, forming small puddles here and there, which she splashed through as she glided along slowly, for she knew such things made the ground slick, and somewhat treacherous. When she had reached a place in the cave about seven feet in from its mouth, Aello dropped her things and stretched her body out before glancing back at the opening. The link to the outer world, a window, which showed only rain falling against its invisible, glassy pane. Sighing, she walked further into the cave as colored vapors rose from the cracks in the rocks. Thin tendrils, no fatter than her pinky finger, which swirled about, close to the ground. She passed through them, refusing to heed what they showed as she looked for branches. Anything that may have been tossed into the cave in storms past, and dry enough to start a fire. Her search was not entirely futile, although it was not particularly fruitful either. For the huntress came out with only two small twigs, and three larger, twisted branches. Their ends snapped, jagged pieces of whitened tree flesh sticking out as shards dripped from the wound. Sighing, as she held each set in her hand, the girl moved back to her things, and set her tired body down beside them. This is pathetic, she thought to herself, as she broke each of the larger sticks in half, and did the same with the twigs. When she was done, she placed two of the sticks against each other on the ground, in an "X" formation, before making another two X's over it with the remaining sticks. When she was done, she littered the twigs between them, for kindling and reached for her pack. She lifted the flap lazily, before reaching inside, and digging around for her flint and steel. Upon finding them, she tore them out, and shoved the flint in her left hand, while the right held the steel. Another minute, and she had shifted, holding each closer to the fire site. The flint tilted towards the sticks, and the steel held above. Soon, she was grinding them against each other. Click, click click. Over and over again until they began to spark, a few times, and then one caught. Sending a small ember smoldering against the branches. Aello could hear the fire crackling to life as the tiny flame danced. Casting shadows across her face as she put her tools back in her bag, stripped clean, and exchanged her clothes for some of the drier things she had in her bag- a white dress with her winterbane's coat. By the time she had gotten them on, the colors had been snuffed out, and her fire was sending up a slender furl of soft grey smoke. At least it gives the illusion that it is chasing the chill from this awful place, the huntress thought to herself, as she settled down beside it once more, and her pycon companion wiggled out of her pack. "That is all we have got tonight?" Lily asked as she blinked a few times to get used to the light, or perhaps, the lack thereof. Aello nodded solemnly. Even she thinks it is pathetic, she thought to herself, as the pycon climbed onto her knee, and held out her hands for warmth. The fire burning just brightly enough now where a hint of orange may be seen from the mouth, reflected off the cavernous walls. OOCBecause anything with me in it typically is?

[Kyra]

The rain continued to pour as Kyra searched for shelter. She raced through the forest, the hood of her cloak waving in ripples in front of her eyes, the soaked cloth draped over her shoulders clung to her and the helm danced about her calves. The moist earth, turned into puddles of muck, were thicker in some areas where the ground had sunken it and more water had collected there in.

The kelvic continued on, tall boots slamming into uneven turf, causing her to turn her feet ever so slightly to keep herself from tumbling over. The forest was a maze even on the most pleasant of days, but now in the pouring rain, it became a labyrinth of turns and twists through unfamiliar trees, with no better shelter anywhere in sight. It seemed as if she had been wandering for bells with nothing in sight.

She wondered to herself, about the strange woman that she had met and where she had disappeared too. Perhaps she had went back to her camp of men, or maybe the forest claimed her. Kyra wasn't sure but the woman did remind of her something. A story that her mother had told her, about women who lived in the forest and talked to trees and animals. Witches is what she had called them. It was only a passing thought, and one she didn't hold onto for long as she was more interested in finding shelter.

Finally she thought that she had found something worth a look. Not too far off in the distance was a tree. One somewhat smaller than most around it, but it was rich with thick branches, and although the leaves were dieing, falling away to the ground below, there were still many covering the upper part of the tree. Kyra raced through the grass as she headed for the tree and quickly pushed herself under and against the body. The ground beneath her feet was mostly dry and the trunk of the tree, felt cool to her touch but was only a tad damp.

Glancing up high, she looked to the branches hanging above her head, twisted bark turned and stretched, almost seemingly reaching out for her. Kyra pushed her body against the tree, using the toe of her boot to pushed off as she jumped upward and caught hold of the lowest branch. A soft grunt slipped from her lips as she wrapped her arms awkwardly around the branch and pulled herself up. Danging legs kicked and pushed towards and against the trunk of the tree until most of her body was atop the branch, and she slipped a leg over to hold her seat.

She stood up slowly, arms held out to balance herself, as she moved against the tree again and reached for the next branch closest to her. Again she lifted up, wrapping her arms around the branch, taking her time so that she didn't slip off as she pulled herself up onto the branch and straddled it. Finally in a dry spot, Kyra leaned against the tree, her chest still rising and falling in a quicken pace from the energy that she had just spent racing through the forest. The storm seemed to had past along, the lightening and booming thunder disappearing into the clouds above, yet the rain still poured.

Kyra had no idea of how long the rain would last, but with the worst of it gone, she felt better about venturing back out into it once she had rested up. Closing her eyes, the girl relaxed her body and rested against the tree. She stayed there, hidden amongst the forking branches and leaves of different shades for a few chimes until something caught her attention. Looking down, she noticed a full buck standing at the trunk of the tree. The deer most likely had gone astray from the others and was searching for food.

The opportunity was far to great and without a second thought, Kyra reached down and pulled the dagger from her hip. Her golden eyes widen as she turned, allowing her body to slip off the branch as she dived down onto the back of the animal. A loud noise escaped the bulks gaping mouth as it slammed into the ground with a thud. Kyra wrestled her arms and legs about as she held on and tried to hold the animal down. The bulk wasn't finished however, and continued to thrash around, growling as it tried to free itself.

She bounced about on it's back, swaying and being jerked left then right as the beast tried to get back on it's feet. Holding on with her legs and arm, Kyra slammed the dagger into the deer's side and held tightly as it continued to thrash. Another loud growl was ripped from the animal as she stabbed the blade into it again. The buck tossed it's head about, causing her to curl herself closer to it's body to avoid the antlers as she stabbed it again and again.

The beast bled openly, and after having drained itself of it's strength, it finally stopped it's movements. With the animal subdued, Kyra squeezed her arm around it's neck as she brought the dagger down into it, creating a deep slice from left to right to finish it off. Panting loudly, the young kelvic glanced around into the opening, and that's when she saw it. Off in the distance, a rocky formation was barely visible from the surrounding trees. If only she had searched a bit longer, she would have spotted it earlier. She shrugged, glancing back down to the fresh kill at her feet and smiled. "A meal, and a dry spot to eat it."

Standing up, kyra wrapped her fingers tightly around the antlers of the bulk and started to drag it along. It was heavy, and she had to stop a few times, to regain her strength before continuing on. Finally after several chimes, she found herself at the mouth of the cave. It looked warm enough and had to be able to shield her for a time. But there was something else, a warmth, a light shining from within the darkened walls. "Someone must be inside...someone."

Kyra ventured on, dragging the bulk along with her into the cave. Inside there was a fire burning, it's warmth reaching out and gently caressing her cool flesh. There was also a woman, the same woman that she had just met in the forest. There was something different however, the hair upon her head was now drying and her clothing were different and dry as well...But the scent, it was the same as it had been before. Releasing her grip on the bulk, Kyra stood up, golden embers glowing, reflecting the light from the fire as she slowly walked a bit closer. "It is you...Where is your camp of men?" She asked glancing around the cave, before continuing. "I do hope that you don't mind company." she finished having no intention of leaving either way.

OOClol, well yes

[Aello]

The huntress had not caught the rich, metallic scent of blood over the lingering smell of fresh rain and dampened earth. The occasional undertone of pine. Nor, although her ears had prickled, could she have heard the soft clatter of the Kelvic's steps over the music the rain cast as it fell towards the earth, cascaded down the length of drooping leaves, seeped into the soil. Nor could she had heard it past the fire's endless dance, accompanied by the occasional roar, and perhaps more commonly, a deep throated crackle. Thus, it came only as mild surprise when Kyra came into the cave she had shared with her companion, seeking shelter of her own. Delicately, she raised her eyes, shadowed beneath hooded brow. Set deeply against her features, or so it would seem, with how the fire light played against them. Casting the majority of her face in shadow, so that it seemed sunken, as though beneath the great weight of numerous years, and failing secrets. And yet, also, as her muddied irises fell upon the woman's fair skin, shifting the light ever so slightly, her jaw seemed to set; as her cheek bones heightened. Sliding up the length of her skull by a mere fraction of an inch, enough to give her a hardened, weather beaten appearance. Adding a mere few years to her frame compared to the plethora the light had given before. The pycon seemed no different. Her flesh darker, as though she had been baked by the light of the sun. Although Aello was not looking at her, she knew, somewhere in her heart of hearts, that her unblinking gaze had settled upon the trail of deer's blood that led from the mouth of the cave to where the Kelvic now stood, dripping wet. Staring at them with her golden gaze, awaiting an answer Aello seemed only too reluctant to give. "So it is," the huntress finally commented, as a smirk crossed her lips. The line of pink edging farther up the length of her right cheek as her eyes glimmered mischievously, hinting at her rising level of amusement. Perhaps in how the Kelvic had misspoke, offering some insight into how a part of her may have been unsettled, or perhaps, confused as to how a mere human could have found such a place before her keen eyes and animal instinct. Perhaps for either reason; with how her features had been portrayed, it was difficult to tell as her lips fell back into their proper place. A rose's petal drawn thin, so that velvet lined, waxen skin could scarce be noticed from afar. "The men are out there somewhere," the huntress continued after some time as her right hand found her hair. Her fingers lacing between the sodden strands, tousling them lightly as her flesh shook with the cold's kiss. She let it linger for but a few moments before returning it to her side. "In that wretched mess. Likely huddled together next to a fire long snuffed out by the god's tears." Aello stifled a chuckle, wondering if the Kelvic would dare take a step closer to her and her companion, before she was issued the proper invitation. "Freezing their arses off. Screaming at the sky to make it stop." The fire flickered as her pupils caught the flame. Turning to two dark, smoldering coals, which made her seem all the more laden with cruel intent. But the light was swept away the wind's hand as it swept through the cave, gone as quickly as it had come. The fire swayed, fireflies darting to the rear as its rival element howled angrily. Tossing its ethereal form about before it was cast away. Uneasily, the huntress watched as her warmth was threatened, seemingly about to go out, in least in part, before it snapped back, growing larger than before. Growling angrily, in its defiance. Again, the girl chuckled inwardly as she considered all things. Her tongue gliding idly along the length of her torn lips. Small indentures gleaming with blood running down the supple lower. She could not easily refuse the stranger, despite how much she and Lily may have enjoyed the night alone. So, reluctantly it would seem, she beckoned the girl hither with a small sweep of her hand. Her eyes never rising to meet her once more, for they were transfixed upon the fire. Thoughts that if she so much as tried to do them wrong, she would slit her throat, and spill her blood much as she had the stag. Stealing two prizes in one night, of a sort. "Come," Aello called, her voice soft and far off. "Share the fire, warm your bones. Roast strips of meat from a stick, if it should please you. Surely, your stomach has hollowed, and begun to churn. Its claws raking at your innards for want of meat." Proper nourishment. Something long forgotten to my kind. For a long time, the huntress remained silent before addressing her companion. "Would you like some clay Lily?" she asked. The pycon shook her head. "Not hungry," she responded, causing the huntress to nod solemnly as though lost in her own thoughts. For she had said nothing. OOCSorry this post is rubbish, it is all over the place...

[Kyra]

Kyra slipped a bit closer, though being sure not to stray too far for her meal. It was possible, that while the woman sat there, relaxing as if she didn't have a care in the world. That she too was hungry and looked to perhaps steal her kill away. It was also possible that there were other predators close to the cave, ones that might try to slip in for a free dinner. Although she was curious, Kyra didn't trust the woman, and while she didn't appear dangerous, there was nothing about her that seemed friendly either.

She kept her distance and her food well within reach as she stared. The fire that burned brightly crackled and hissed, caused the shadows against the earth-carved, rocky surface to dance about. A celebration of sorts, as if happy to be alive. She watched the woman as she spoke, noticing the shadows of the flames against her skin, turning portions bright and others fading into black. Though whatever tricks the shadows might play, they could not fool Kyra's eyes. She could seem into the darkness, almost as if it were transparent.

She had often spent her time hidden away in the day, and only coming out at night. She lived amongst the shadows as it were, watching the outside world from a silent and unmoving distance..waiting. She could see the woman clearly enough, and her gaze didn't turn away from her and only moved as she did, watching as she touched her hair. She traveled with men, the woman had said not long ago. But none were with her in the cave and as she said were out shivering in the rain. But she traveled with them? Kyra arched a brow as she pondered the woman's worlds, assuming that she and these men were not close.

She watched the woman more, her gaze pouring into her and observing her every action, and the most subtle of movements. Kyra found the woman's smirk curious and almost infectious, drawing her full lips to curve up as well. "You don't care?" she finally asked, after wondering silently if this woman truly was a witch. She seemed detached from the world of humans, though she appeared to be one herself. The sudden howl from the wind pulled her from her inner thoughts, as it forced its way into the cave, rustling the matted locks of hair about her head and causing her cloak to bellow at the helm.

Her gaze quickly returned to the woman as she called out to her, inviting her to come closer. Kyra moved closer then, her boots pressing down against the floor of the cave, the mud packed into the treading in her boots, braking off in pieces that laid out in a speckle pattern lining her foot steps as she progressed. Kyra was closer, though still not far from her kill. For the moment she watched the woman, her gaze lowering just a bit as she glanced down further and noticed something resting on her knee. "clay?" The figure was much smaller than the woman, and was animated in movement. It's flesh, much like the woman's seemed to absorb the light from the flames, though only more so."By Rhysol, what is that?"

OOClol, same here