Closed After The Storm (Kaden)

[Spirit Frostfawn]

~: Fall 70th, 513 AV :~ Spirit rubbed the gelding before her's nose, smiling at it kindly. She was just finishing up on her work at the stables today, and needed to finish up grooming this one last horse... She rubbed a comb softly over it's muzzle, careful to avoid the more tender parts on its face. Several dead hairs flaked off, picked up by the comb, as well as small particles of dirt. Earlier, when she'd rubbed the gelding's side, her hand had come off dusty and brown. Now, when she tried the same experiment again, her fingers were just as clean as they had been before... which wasn't saying too much. Stable work was always a little messy, and today had been especially so. She'd only been working for a few bells, ever since the blizzard that had filled the city dissipated just after noon. She was making the most of the day, working first, then hoping to go out for a ride with Apple later in the day. She hadn't been able to get much together time with the dog... though they'd been together for over a season now, they had yet to go out... adventuring yet. Her grooming work done, she stowed the comb and patted the horse on the nose a few more times for good measure. He snuffled her shirt, searching for a scent of sugar cubes or apples, but was unsuccessful. The Frostfawn pushed his curious nose away with a laugh, before heading off to find Silver. the mare was waiting patiently for her at the door of her stable, watching with sad eyes. She hadn't been able to see the horse for several days because of the storm, an annoying side effect of living so far up north. Well... at least they had the Aurora, right? Slipping Silver's bridle over her head, she led the mare out of her stall, letting her stand in a more open area of the stables. Spirit found her saddle inside the stall, but it was covered in a light layer of general dust from the building... great. She grabbed a nearby cloth and messily wiped it off, before hoisting it onto the horse's back right after the saddle blanket. She leaned under the mare's belly, grabbing the other side of the girth, before doing it up tight enough for Silver to breath easily. That done, she gave the horse a hearty pat on the side and lead her out of the building. After a short walk to the Arvinta, she found Apple lying calmly outside, just as she'd left him. Honestly... it looked like the Spicecoat was sleeping in the deep snow. His fur really made him oblivious to the cold. Spotting his companion approaching, the dog lifted his head up, before squirming through the snow and bounding before the girl. He bounced around her, curled tail wagging with excitement, as she moved to attempt to mount Silver. The Frostfawn lifted one leg into the stirrup, before standing precariously on one foot. She carefully lifted the other leg up and over her mare's back, before finding a comfortable seat in the saddle. That done, she tapped her heels lightly into the horse's side, and they set off in the general direction of the gates, Apple loping calmly behind. They soon reached the Icewall Gates, Spirit sitting slightly uncomfortably on Silver's back. Despite all her time on horseback... she still was a very novice rider. Still, they made it easily to and through the well guarded gates, the Frostfawn giving a nod to both pairs of guards. Now out in the wastes, she picked a random direction that looked relatively empty (everywhere but backwards was) and once again tapped her heels in Silver's sides. This began a trot, a harder, but faster pace. The groom attempted to move up and down with her mare's movements, to be in time... but it was hard. She had to use her legs and knees for the work, and keep steady at the same time, making trotting an annoying challenge to say the least. Still, she managed, bumping painfully on the leather seat every once and a while. Apple, his red coat standing out on the white landscape, loped ahead at full speed, every once in a while stopping, looking back, before turning around and returning to his companion, tongue lolling joyfully out of his jaws. He rarely, if ever, went out this far, and was loving it like nothing else.

[Kaden Swift]

The blizzard had been anything but fun. Kaden had felt the odd sense of it grow in him and it had made him want to start jumping off the walls as it gathered around Avanthal before striking. Without a home Kaden was buffered by the wind and harsh bite of snow very quickly. He had been sleeping out in the weather now for some time and it was hardly bothersome any more. He dug a hollow into the snow, his pack was there and he shoved Ticker into it as well. The puppy scared from the howling wind and no doubt in pain from the stinging cold against ears eyes and nose.

Then all Kaden did was yank a heavy and very large pelt over them and they were protected. The pelt was large, ragged and worn but hardy enough to offer a cover as snow piled on top of them. The hide had been his mother, a dire wolf. Not a fact he knew but the large amount of fur had been a life saver through the years as it still was. So he curled around his puppy and eased them both to sleep past the storm. Being buried by snow and covered by the hide they were protected from the cold, in fact in such a condition it was even warm. The only thing there to remind them of the danger was the angry howls.

Storms don’t last and this was no different. Upon waking up to hear nothing, Kaden forcefully stood up; shoving the hide up toward the sky. As it had been warmed from his and Tickers body heat the snow had been unable to pack down against them, and as the large tiger shoved the snow shook and slid away to the side until finally hide and head broke the surface. With a grunt of force he heaved himself out of the hollow which hadn’t been very deep; but now looked like a bunker gaping open. Ticker was soon out and racing across the snow barking and snapping at little clumps of it.

The tiger Kelvic watched the puppy warily. He was hungry and needed to go get something to eat, he was sure Ticker was hungry as well. With a yawn he shifted so that he had hands for the task of getting the bag and hide free of the gaping hole that had been their shelter. In the light of day he had pale skin that was wrecked with scar after scar. There was none that stood up to the nasty set around his throat wrists and ankles, ugly and angry as if metal still held him. He was alone though, not a soul came around here. One of the reasons he picked the place to bed down.

So not bothering with clothes Kaden set to throwing his bag up and out of the hole which was quickly followed by the striking red hide. Ticker was running around the hole barking down at Kaden excitedly. He noticed before Ticker did; the sound of hooves. He wasn’t too worried; people had come this way before often on one animal or another but never to. Yet as Ticker suddenly stiffened then tore off Kaden cried after him and struggle to get out and catch the puppy. “Ticker stop, wait!” The puppy didn’t listen, having smelled a familiar dog he was barking enough to wake the dead as he ran.

Kaden winced and shifted again. He was going to be very hungry if the day kept up this pace. He leapt free of the hole and took off over the snow after the wayward pup. Heavy as he was he crashed through the white powder while Ticker nearly floated over it. Despite that Kaden gained ground and was close to pouncing distance of the puppy when he spotted the horse and rider. He didn’t like horses, but that one was familiar somewhat. The flash of a red brighter then Ticker and Kaden caught sight of the other dog. Ignoring the lot of them he leapt upon the puppy and tackled him.

Kaden wasn’t harming Ticker, the puppy was more then used to being tackled in the snow. He had a great need to run and when Kaden didn’t listen he would take off and force the Kelvic to run anyway. To anyone who might just glance up; a tiger tackling a puppy was a dreadful thing and sure to lead to the innocent companion animal’s death and the tiger a meal. In reality it led Kaden to being hungry and sore and Ticker taking a nap.

[Spirit Frostfawn]

Spirit spotted some odd flashes of red from Silver's back, including... a puppy? She stared at it in shock, the mare automatically pausing without need of a command. The puppy was red, though not as bright as Apple... and it looked familiar. It looked like... one of her puppies! The coat, the shape, the way the tail curled... all like the ones she'd sold barely ten days ago! The Frostfawn watched it dash around for a few moments, wondering why in the world one of her puppies was wandering around the wastes after a storm, before some kind of an answer came to her. A massive cat, orange, with black stripes darted forward, all muscles working to chase after the little canine and move through the deep snow. It leaped, snow flying everywhere... right onto the puppy. The cat was hunting her puppy! It was going to die! She couldn't sit and watch! But... it was a freaking giant cat... in Morwen's name, she'd never heard of something like that. So, she did what any sensible girl did in the face of a tiger: She screamed. Ok, not an ear piercing girlish scream, but a quiet one, almost a squeak, but it shouted fear nonetheless. Silver, who had figured out what had been going on, panicked, stepping awkwardly backwards, and sidestepping a bit. The awkward movements made Spirit loose her balance, and despite her attempts at grabbing the saddle-horn, she slipped. She tumbled ungracefully off her mare's back and into the soft snow, causing some to poof around her like a cloud. The groom sat there, in slight horror, staring at the monstrous creature that was certainly going to eat her, just like it had eaten her puppy. The poor puppy... Apple, on the other hand, was not so frightened... at first. While the Frostfawn was falling from her saddle, his hackles rose, and the Spicecoat growled threateningly. He approached the orange cat, snapped lightly at his shoulder, before running back to Spirit, his tail between his legs. Still, he attempted to protect his friend, fur standing on end in an attempt to look larger.

[Kaden Swift]

Relief washed over the Kelvic as he caught the puppy before Ticker could cause trouble for both of them. He didn’t understand what made the puppy take off like that. Perhaps it was because they had been holed up for so long thanks to the storm. He vowed to watch the weather more carefully next time they were out hunting. It could have been very bad if he hadn’t known how to already sleep in the snow, or had the sense to carry his bag around. He hadn’t looked up once to see that the rider before him was Spirit; maybe if he had he wouldn’t be so surprised when she squeaked in fear.

Then again he didn’t see why she was scared. He heard her small noise in time to look up and watch her fall. Surprised he made to step forward only to snarl as Spirits dog nipped at his shoulder. It was one thing to have a puppy playing with his tail, but to have an adult animal aggressively biting at him. Kaden’s hackles lifted and he barred his teeth in warning. Ticker who had up till then been quiet, barked and jerked, wanting Kaden to get off him. The tiger peered down at the puppy before stepping back and letting the energetic creature free. The puppy wasted no time in plowing right towards his father; barking and wagging his tail wildly.

Kaden had sat down and abruptly he shifted so that he sat there in the snow naked and fully human. “That hurt, why?” He glared at Spirit and rubbed at his shoulder. It took a single glance to see his pale skin had reddened; but what’s more it was on his mark. This alone caused the Kelvic to be unhappy. He didn’t want a scar where Morwen’s mark lay warm against him. Ticker was prancing about and hardly able to stay still. The puppy had gone from Apple to Spirit; his small cold nose pushing against the human he had first known. Kaden didn’t pay it any mind; instead he was silently upset and confused at getting bullied by a dog. He could easily have killed it, reached out with a paw and smacked the dog hard enough to break bones.

Now he sat there waiting for why Spirit to tell him why she had acted like she did and why she let her dog bite at him. Without clothes Kaden’s scars were visible, the Kelvic finally remembered this and grimaced with distaste at having caught a glimpse of the ones at his wrists.

[Spirit Frostfawn]

Spirit watched the puppy squirm out from under the cat with surprise. It was alive? Had Apple managed to distract the feline enough to let it escape? She absently patted the Spicecoat's back as he and his small version nuzzled eachother, before picking up the puppy when it approached her. It wriggled in her grasp, but she continued to start blankly at the orange cat, knowing death was certainly going to come. Rescuing the puppy had only been a minor success. And that was when the cat- now a man- shifted. He sat comfortably on the snow... human. The Frostfawn squeaked in surprise again, belatedly realizing that the cat had been a Kelvic... along with a large number of other things. He'd been the nice red head who'd bought one of her puppies... this puppy. That explained it's presence. He also wasn't trying to kill her, instead complaining about Apple's bite. Belatedly, she realized... the man was completely naked. Yelping, as she'd been staring blankly at the man, who she now remembered as Kaden, the groom thrust her free hand over her eyes. "Wh...wh..." She had no idea what to say. Instead, she sat awkwardly cross-legged as Ticker... that was the puppy's new name... shuffled out of her tight grip and dashed to the Kelvic, tail wagging wildly. He seemed to be enjoying the reunion, despite the awkwardness between the others. Apple had growled again, but, now realizing Kaden was no threat, lay down in the snow next to Spirit, watching the man intently. The girl herself was stammering. "Um... um... could you put some clothes on please??" She opened her fingers just a crack to get a better look at the man... but just his face. By pure luck, most of his lower half was covered by snow. She was startled to see he had a snowflake on his shoulder... exactly like the one on the back of her hand. He was marked by Morwen then... and that was where Apple had bitten. Whoops. However, he also had... markings... scars... along his neck and wrists. She had no idea where they came from, but... they looked bad. But healed. Finally regaining majority of her senses, she remembered to bother to answer the Kelvic's question. It was a silly one, to be honest, but she might as well supply a response. "It hurt because he bit you... he was scared. He thought you were trying to eat us..." She paused for a tick, before muttering quietly "...Uh... you're not, right? Um. What are you doing here anyways? In the Wastes, I mean..." She trailed off, not really knowing what to say. She dropped her gaze, despite most of her vision being covered anyways, and waited for a reply... and for Kaden to get dressed. Despite Morwen's gift, he must have been getting cold by then.

[Kaden Swift]

Kaden’s eyes widened a small fraction at the very odd sound Spirit made, then again she yelp much like Ticker when the puppy would fall or run into things. Unlike Ticker, Spirit was covering her eyes. Really was she so hurt from falling? He had gotten snow in his eyes enough to know it did sting but Kaden didn’t recall making the odd noises she seemed to produce. Briefly he wondered what would happen if he squeezed her very hard. As his puppy returned he contented himself with scooping up the wiggling animal and stroking his head.

Amber eyes were drawn to the red dog and Kaden flashed it his teeth, still not amused the animal had bitten him. Mentally he was telling the dog to back off, unknowingly using his magic that he had steadily used for years. Hypnotism, but he didn’t use it in the way most would; Kaden used it to hold prey still or to scare something off; even to threaten them. The Kelvic thought it was just his eyes. His gaze was interrupted as he was forced to look from the dog to Spirit; then just stared. “My clothing is in my bag.” He pointed back the way he came. “I left it to catch Ticker.” Finally said puppy that cause all his current woes had calmed down, lying in his lap calmly.

As Spirit explained her dog’s actions, Kaden looked back to the bright animal and would have been more than happy to growl at it if he was not pressed to answer about his willingness to eat them or not. “Ticker can’t eat his own kind, and he shouldn’t eat humans.” It was not really in answer. In honesty if he had to Kaden would eat them, but he would try the horse before Spirit or her dog. “I was out hunting and the storm hit, so we got stuck out here.” It didn’t please him that they had been either. Moving his toes the Kelvic noticed stiffness was setting in them.

“I need to get my bag.” He moved Ticker from his lap with a last pat before he stood and stretched. Gazing back the way he came he noticed it was quiet a walk to take. Shifting would be easier but then it was hunt or he really would be trying to eat Spirit. “Are you hunting now?” He had turned back to face her as he asked this. Maybe he could find larger game if there was more than himself and a puppy. One who hadn’t yet learned that barking wouldn’t get him food any faster. “I need food before going back to the city.” He was standing still, his body language showing loose laziness as not a muscle of him was tense. It was a surprise Kaden had his head up and was standing.

[Spirit Frostfawn]

Spirit watched Kaden through one eye with an odd expression, considering his answers. So he did hunt… and was hunting food for Ticker… he’d mentioned that during their last meeting, hadn’t he? She was slightly confused when Apple whined, since the only odd thing that was happening was the Kelvic staring at the canine… funny. Still, he returned his attention to the Frostfawn, answering one of her questions. He was an odd guy, to be sure, but… Kelvics were like that, weren’t they? From what she knew of the race, and of Dire Polar Bears and such, they were very similar to their animal form. She shrugged mentally, passing the thoughts out of her mind and focusing more on the now than anything else. He mentioned food, and a bag, and stood up, causing the girl to quickly re-cover her eyes. This time, there was no snow. She frowned, her eyes still invisible, when he asked about her hunting. Honestly, she didn’t think about that. She didn’t hunt, but she didn’t know about Apple. He was a hunting dog after all… maybe this would be good practice. For Apple, that is. And for her to train dogs to hunt… she was going to have to figure it out with her current puppies anyways. ”Um..” she stuttered again, trying to decide how to answer his question. She did have food in her pack, but trying hunting was a good idea… especially with a giant cat on her side. Cat… human… whatever. ”You… get your clothes… get dressed… come back… I have some food in Silver’s saddle packs which I’ll give to you… but we can still try hunting, okay?” She shrugged, and listened carefully for the sound of footsteps, that would tell her it was safe to look. As a side note, before that happened, she added ”And I’m NOT giving you anything until you’re dressed.” Once Kaden had left, Spirit peeked carefully between some fingers, before dropping her hand with relief. She stubbornly ignored the leaving figure, instead focusing her attention on Silver. The mare was frightened out of her wits, stomping around in the snow several meters away from her companion. ”Hushhh” she whispered, trying to calm the horse down enough to actually deal with. ”Don’t worry… the big cat’s gone… he won’t hurt you anyways…” She didn’t really blame the horse for dropping her… the orange feline had been a pretty scary sight anyways. Horses also weren’t well known for their fearlessness against giant predators… and Silver was no exception. Sure there were breeds made for that purpose, but Windrunners weren’t one of those. The Frostfawn managed to catch the hanging reins in one hand, and used them to pull her hands around the frightened mare’s muzzle. There, she stared into her eyes, making both of them pause for several moments, before she rubbed her forehead against the horse’s nose. ”Good girl… good girl…” she whispered to Silver, not expecting the mare to understand her, but knowing calming words always helped a frightened animal. She slowly petted the horses’ neck for a moment, before releasing her, keeping a hold of the reins. Silver was now mostly relaxed, though not entirely so… there was still the cat around, and he was returning. Spirit fitted a foot into the nearest stirrup, awkward in the deep snow, before heaving herself up and onto the saddle. She called Apple nearer to her, and patiently awaited Kaden’s return. OOCSorry I’m assuming Kaden left… if need be, I can edit my post 

[Kaden Swift]

Kaden stared at Spirit; again she had covered her eyes. Looking down at himself he saw only white shiny scars. Maybe she didn’t like those. As she finally spoke, amusement crossed the man’s face making his amber eyes sparkle. So, it was his lack of clothes that made her splutter and hide her gaze. Still she promised him food when he returned to her; with that he could shift as she asked but he would be hungry unless she was going to let him eat her horse. He doubted it. “I will be back, Ticker.” He waved the puppy toward him and started walking.

It was slow going on two legs, but Kaden got to his pack and was relieved to see nothing had gotten to it. He took the flashy red hide and rolled it up. With clumsy fingers he soon had it tied to the bag even as he shifted through it looking for his clothes. Finding pants shirt and boots, the Kelvic tugged them free and hastily pulled them on. Morwen’s mark or not it was cold. The boots were put on last, Ticker sat watching Kaden curiously. It wasn’t often the puppy saw Kaden dress. It was a silly sight to be seen. Often the clothes were pulled and twisted till the Kelvic fell, then simply yanked in place.

Still he managed to get them on and felt warmer for it. Checking everything was on right, He gathered up his bag and started walking back. The length was made worse to travel by boots and clothes dragging him down. Ticker plodded and leapt in each of his steps, snow covering the puppy’s muzzle. He wasn’t scared of Kaden in the slightest; the large cat had never hurt him and was a good warm pillow to sleep beside. Coming to the waiting team Kaden paused and surveyed them. The red dog looked ready to bolt and the horse looked calm enough but Kaden wandered for how long.

“I won’t be able to keep up with a horse on two legs. That means I have to shift and I lose my clothes.” He walked closer to Spirit and her animals as if he were half awake. Hunger did that to him before it went the other way and he started biting at anything near to try and eat it. He looked up at Spirit and waited for what she wanted to happen. “I need my teeth and claws to hunt.” Ticker was slinking around the horse just out of the animals reach; his black nose twitching and moving as he took the scent of the new animal in. He was not scared by the horse’s size, not when Kaden was just as big as the horse was when he was a tiger.

oocSorry, I had a meeting yesterday and was too tired to reply. Also I dunno how tall Silver is but I took her at fifteen hands; and Kaden as a tiger is head level with a six foot human when his heads lifted up. Hope this is okay?

[Spirit Frostfawn]

Spirit sighed at their complication, but rummaged through her pack for some kind of food. She extracted a long strip of dried meat, before throwing it down to Kaden. She fished out a few more, and gave them to the Kelvic, before slipping one to Ticker. The puppy needed food, and though this wasn't the... ideal... meal, it was better than nothing. She thought on their minor dilema for a few moments, also contemplating how much better she felt on Silver's back. She was sort of higher than Kaden, physically at least, and that gave her a bit more... courage... to face him. The whole scene before had been frightening in the least, but at least she needed to pull herself together. "Um... Finish eating that, I guess, then undress, shift, and pass your clothes up to me. I'll store them in my saddle packs." She shrugged, and waited for Kaden to follow her plan, unless he came up with one of his own. OOCNo problem! I never mind waiting a day or two Also, sorry for the short post, there wasn't much for me to add... but feel free to start the hunt in your post

[Kaden Swift]

Kaden visibly perked up as the meat was tossed his way. Snatching it out of the air he surveyed it for a moment. It was well dried, much better than anything he could do. His own tended to have a slight smell as if the meat had started to go bad by the time it dried. He gladly took the others handed him and started eating; watching as Ticker snapped up the bit the human gave him to. “So you are not worried I will eat your horse?” He was however, not paying a single moment of his attention to the animal. Instead he was gnawing on the meat he had been given.

He really needed to see about learning to dry his meat like this. It was good; not as nice as when it was fresh and dripping blood, but it was good. Soon Kaden had finished and started on his clothes. His shirt went firs, then his pants and boots. Everything was given a few shakes before being tossed into his bag and handed up to Spirit. “Here,” he pushed it to her hand, not bothering to wait and see if she became brave enough to look at him. Either it was his scars or skin that bothered her, it must not have been fun for her to bathe if her body bothered her so.

The Kelvic sneezed once then again. Disgruntled Kaden shifted to his tiger side and stood beside Spirits horse looking at them both. They were inches from his mouth; the tiger flicked his tongue out and licked his nose. Ticker barked and bounded around Kaden excitedly, the puppy’s red fur matching the tigers own quiet well. Kaden peered down at Ticker and chuffed, a sound that sent the puppy into more mad barking. Ignoring it Kaden started walking. He might be bigger then Spirits horse, but the horse had more legs. Kaden had to make due with pushing snow with his chest and stomach, making a nice and clear trail that Ticker followed as soon as the tiger had started to move.

Kaden looked like any other large cat as he plowed forward, all but the snowflake cleverly hidden amongst his stripes. Every time Kaden hunted he had to thank Morwen. Without her he would not do as well as he did. He wasn’t the best hunter but that cold didn’t bother him he could still catch his and Tickers meal. Pausing Kaden glanced back, checking to see how Spirit was doing. He wondered if her horse might dump her and run for home, it was a possibility. The horse was only an animal.

oocSorry, that was my fault. My brain takes days at times to heal from the boredom inflicted upon it at those meetings.