Open The Beasts in the Snow

[Ettan]

The wolf moved through the snowy land scape at an even pass with his thick fur coat the journey was much more comfortable than it would have been in his bare human form. He could feel the girls eyes glaring at him and he glanced back at her every once in a while.

In middle of this fairly bare land scape Ettan had found a fair thick area of small trees and bushes that hide his camp just enough that someone would have to look for it to find it. Reaching the camp he shifted again. falling forward a bit, going light headed for the quick shifting he had been doing. He moved to his badly folded cloths and quickly slipped his pants on and than his leather boots before simply wrapping his wool cloak around his bare torso.

"I've been through Avanthal several times before I'm surprised I haven't passed you. I'm Ettan by the way."

[Brighid Killian]

When they came upon his camp she slowed the mare, she slipped off of the saddle and stood gripping the reins. She looked away as he changed giving him some modesty.

"If you have never seen me then I am not surprised. I never in one spot for more then a few days......." She spoke softly her voice again was icy as her gaze. She didn't offer her name, nor any indication that she was going to. Instead she leaned against her mare and stroked her neck lovingly. As she did this she showed a softer side, it was barely there but her eyes sparkled and her mouth softened into an almost smile.

The mare turned to nuzzle her, pressing her massive head against her chest, she stroked her head and scratched behind her ears. The female started to purr, the sound deep and soothing in her chest.

[Ettan]

Ettan noticed her avoiding giving her name but only shrugged. He didn't quite understand the girl. She was extremely stand offish even more so than himself but yet she willingly followed him back to camp. Watching him carefully but still willingly.

He wondered what kind of life would lead her to these kind of contradicting reactions. She seemed to dislike everyone and trusted no one but she seemed fairly educated. Ettan though he preferred the open wild over the walled cities still entered them, but yet he couldn't even read even the simple signs place outside of shops he only know by traveling through the area frequently.

He left his questions to himself, knowing she wouldn't answer. He watched her stroke the mare in silence a moment.

"So you wanted to talk to me?" He finally spoke up, laying down on the blanket he laid out over a bed of small twigs.

[Brighid Killian]

She nodded, and let go allowed her mare to wander slightly. She started to paw at the ground until she found a small patch of winter grass. She lowered her head and began to munch on it happily. The female turned to the male watching his movements carefully, her eyes were cold again.

"Yes I did. Why are you out here? You are not prepared to travel far and you have no horse. Either you are a slaver, an outlaw or a fool......" Her voice was calm and collected. Her hand slipping into her cloak and gripping her dagger. She released it from the sheath and held it at her side. She then slid easily further from the male, movements cautious and slow.

[Ettan]

Ettan jumped up when she suggested the possibility of him being a slaver. "Oi! Don't you dare compare me to those scum?!" His nose flinched up as he glared at her letting out not a growl but a heavy aggressive breathe. He bit his lower lip and clinched his fists, before backing off noticing the knife. She had been clutching it the whole time but she was obviously prepared to use it simply because she could. Now it was he who didn't want to talk.

"I don't think it's any of your business." His tone, though not quite angry was now less welcoming as he gathered his things.

"Suddenly the city seems a lot more welcoming." He said out loud but more to himself than to her.

[Brighid Killian]

She sighed and put her face in her hands. She tried to calm her breathing fighting with her own instincts.

"I am sorry......I did not mean to come off as rude, it is just that I am not used to being around others. In fact I rarely spend time in this form, this is the longest I have been in this form in the past thee weeks." She slipped the dagger back into her cloak and tried to smile but failed.

Her mind fighting with her, the instincts telling her to flee. And never come near this place again, but she stayed and tried to talk with the Kelvic male. He was the first Kelvic she had seen since she buried her father a year ago. He made her curious, and it clearly showed on her face as well as her struggle with herself.

[Ettan]

Ettan sighed and stopped again trying to reason with her now. He started to speak again but he kept his back to her.

"I'm not really a fan of the cities either. I spent most of my life in the wilds of Kelea. I head into the cities for supplies and for work. I was out here because I found myself staying in the city longer than I planned, I needed to get out of the walls. I was only planning on getting out for a quick hunt in hopes of clearing my mind. . . not that it did any good."

He turned his head back at her. "Now it's your turn. Start with your name. and tell me. . . you seem extremely educated for someone who's spent their whole life out in the wild. I've ran into several Kelvics in my travels who have been in the wilds their whole life and most of them can barely speak the common tongue, let alone have the modesty to wear cloths and have the ability to ride a mare."

[Brighid Killian]

She sighed and gave a soft nod. Her face filled with slight pain as she started to speak.

"Since I was born I had my father to guide me, my mother died a week after my birth. Leaving my father to care for me. He trained me as well as educated me in simple science, math, and arts. He died about a year ago when his bondmate did as well.I can read some, but not much......and my name is Brighid. But now that I have told you I am deciding to not trust you but hope that I can. Which is the rarest thing you will get from me and the most valued. I don't trust anyone ever......." She finished speaking and then turned away from him wiping the tears that had fallen onto her cheeks. She tried to calm herself but to no avail. Her nerves were strung and her mind muddled. She was barely able to manage a harsh laugh.

[Ettan]

Ettan sighed. He felt no sympathy for the girl and the lose of her family, having never had anyone he belonged to he never understood the bond between relatives nor had he had any erg to find out.

"I didn't expect you to trust me, I give none myself after all we are just strangers who happened to cross paths. But for future sacks don't ask questions if you aren't willing to answer some yourself." His words were harsh and cold but true.