PM to join In the Dead of Winter

[Halona]

38th of Winter 513
Common | Canine | Thoughts


Shivering Halona walked on a familiar hunting path but she was not hunting nor was she patrolling her territory rather she was taking a stroll. It was a walk she would've been regretting as she did not like the cold but the forest's beauty had her captivated.
"A forest stilled by frost and snow." She whispered, admiring the steam her breath made in the frosty air. Though her usual attire for the winter was her fine wool dress, she decided to go out in her other outfit of dark cotton pants and green shirt, around her simple clothing was her wool cloak keeping out the cold. Stepping over a fallen tree in her path Halona continued her nature walk breathing in the crisp air, listening to the few birds left in the forest sing and gaze about the bare branches the tree's sported. Looking up her nose tingled as a snowflake landed upon it leaving a drop of water in its place. Though the clouds drizzled snow, the sun shone through its late morning rays flitting through the snowy branches overhead.

About tripping over a stump, Halona noticed she had veered off the path. She now stood at the edge of a frozen meadow, blanketed in the night's fresh snow.

[Sei Tendo]

Sei roamed the woods, sinking his boots into the thick white sheets of snow that covered the ground. His fur cloak covered his leather armor, and also kept his daggers hidden at his sides. The Kelvic was beging to like snow and the icy winds that came with it. He liked the way the small snowflakes melted on his palms, the chilly air smacking his face, and best of all: the snowballs you could make. It was a wonderful time of year. He couldn't wait to actually throw a snowball. Most people would get angry, so he hadn't had any snowball fights.

Sei moved farther ahead, wiping snow from his face as he went. It's so relaxing here. He fixed his steps so they were larger to pick up the pace, but by now he could faintly see a figure in the distance. Whatever it was, it must have a cloak for he could see something flapping beside it. He started to sprint over to the figure, but was surprised when he saw a familiar face. He poped on a big smile and greeted the woman with a cheerful tone.

"Halona? What are you doing out here?"

[Halona]

Day of Season 513
Common | Canine | Thoughts


Hearing her name, Halona turned, the surprise that lit her eyes upon spotting Sei slowly turned into suspicion. What was he doing here? She wondered. Did his nose fail him? Or did he just ignore my territory markers?
"I live here." She said curtly,"What of you? Is there no reason for your trespassing or do not know the meaning behind scent markers?"
Walking out of the edge of the forest and onto the fresh snow, she closed the few feet that lay between them, halting a reasonable distance away. Not too close, not too far. He may have been a fellow Kelvic but she still didn't trust him as she trusted no one. Not even the tiger she had played with in the snow.

[Sei Tendo]

Sei gave Halona a puzzled look. So those were hers. He smirked again and nodded. He didn't really care about scent markers, but Halona seemed a bit annoyed. He looked at her stance and noticed she looked stiff. He sighed. What had happened to the playful wolf he raced in the snow? He let it drop and turned away shrugging his shoulders. He would just have to be blunt today.

"I don't really care about markers. I do however care about why you'd choose to live in the woods and not the city." He scratched his head. "I mean, it does smell and it is noisy, but you could try to tune it out right?"

[Halona]

Day of Season 513
Common | Canine | Thoughts

Doesn't care about markers? Halona rolled her eyes at that comment the words, City Kelivc's... crossing her mind. The next question however set her on edge for a moment before he explained the reason for asking. "Ah, the city..." The Kelvic in sarcastic wistfulness, then she chuckled shaking her head. "No, I can't just tune out the reek of that city nor the bustle of hundreds stomping through the streets. Further more Sei, its crowded with...humans."
Raising her hands above her, she gestured to the wilderness around her, "I belong here." She said simply, "There is fresh air, open space. No walls, no rules. There is no restriction in the woods, I do as I like, hunt if I feel like it, kill or steal and no one will be the wiser or care for that matter."
Placing one hand on her hips she waved a hand in his direction, "So what's a cat like you doing within those walls?"
Her head had tilted to the side, eyes wide with curiosity. What made a City Kelvic?

[Sei Tendo]

"I can agree with that." He said with a light chuckle. He couldn't see why anyone wouldn't want to live in the mountains, but to find a bondmate in the woods is unlikely. He scratched the back of his head and gave Halona a puzzled look. He was confused as to why she would ask him such a question. I could've sworn it was obvious. She shrugged to himself and faced Halona.

"Well I have a better chance of finding my bondmate in the smelly, obnoxious city than in the peaceful and almost uninhabited mountains. Wouldn't you agree?" He asked. It was obvious being in the city was a Kelvic's best chance right? Of course it was. That's when he realized what his acquaintance had said.

"I'm not a cat. I'm a tiger, and you can use my name. Or can I start calling you dog?"

[Halona]

Day of Season 513
Common | Canine | Thoughts

She let a grin slip over her previous frowning lips upon hearing Sei’s agreement. If he agreed then why did he live in the city? She wondered, feeling there was more to it. Her eyes searched his feeling as if she already knew the answer. What it was she didn’t know. It was so close but so far, on the tip of her tongue but not. It was frustrating that she had to rely on his next words as confirmation to the words that would not come to mind.

Bondmate.

It was a term she often heard her former master, Andrew used when he threw his tantrums. How she would not bond to him or some such thing. Something tugged within her, pulled at her. It was the odd internal feeling that burned within her as if seeking something, like a never ending thirst. She fought the sensation as she always did, her mouth a thin line in concentration, expression blank like she had spaced out in a daydream. After a moment the feeling settled within her, returning to a faint tug at the back of her mind.

“Better chance? Yes, indeed you do…” She answered, pondering his words. Was that the reason most Kelvic were drawn to the city? It must have been for why else would any of her kind take to that place? It had never occurred to her that she would have a better chance of finding her bondmate if she braved the smell of Syliras. The thought made Syliras appear more habitable in her eyes and less foul. “I’ve never thought of it that way.” She admitted. “But I have been in Syliras more times than I can count. I don’t think I’d find my bondmate within those walls. Or at least I hope not.”

Glowering at his last comment she nodded, “point taken.”
Tossing her blonde mess of hair over her shoulder she looked at Sei squarely, a sly smile in place. "Since you think it's so great in the city, care to teach a fellow Kelvic something you’ve actually enjoyed within those walls?”

[Sei Tendo]

Sei grinned broadly, proud of himself for having made Halona think for a moment. Plus she'd agreed not to call him a cat again. Only because of a threat. It was hard to think about how Halona could have possibly forgotten something as important as a bondmate. In fact, to him it was highly impossible. He watched her toss her hair, and tried to look neutral when Halona told him to show her something good about being in the city. He could hardly contain his excitement. He had a matter-of-fact look in when he replied to her.

"With pleasure. Since you live in the woods you probably have no clue how to defend yourself as a human am I right? I'm gonna teach you to fight!"

He stepped closer, and gave the other Kelvic a gesture to come closer as well. He lifted his fists, and decided to show her the more basic things. He knew Halona wouldn't come right away, mainly because he knew she wasn't very trusting. He would probably tease her a lot within this little training session to help her get comfortable. The Kelvic hopped back and forth on each foot, stopping so he could begin his first lecture.

"C'mon over here, don't be shy little girl." He teased with a light laugh. "Okay first off, let's start with offense. You will leave here stronger than ever. I'll throw a series of attacks, and it's your job to dodge or block. Got it? Good. Here goes!"

Sei took a few steps until he was before Halona and drove his fist for her stomach. Even Halona would be able to tell it was shakey and unsuitable for a real fight, but it would have to do for now. He withdrew and switched hands. His left was easily slower and weaker than his right, but hopefully his acquaintance wouldn't notice. He glanced up to see how Halona was doing, but quickly refocused.

[Halona]

Day of Season 513
Common | Canine | Thoughts

Though she would never admit it, she was interested in Sei’s answer. Self defense however, had never once crossed her mind. Her body tensed at his words standing as ridged as a statue. Was he testing her? Was this a joke? Why would she want to learn from him? She knew how to fight as a human; all you do is bite right? Just go at them with your teeth and nails arms swiping at whatever you could slash. What else was this form good for anyway?
But before she could voice her opinion on two legged fighting techniques, Sei had stepped back and started dancing, hoping from foot to foot. She let out a short laugh, pointing at his posture. That was self defense dancing around like a nervous rabbit?
Then he threw his fist toward her. Startled she clumsy moved her body out of the way just in time to feel the fast whoosh of air as his limb cut through it. Regaining her balance before she fell, she turned a growl crawling out of her throat. “How does one learn by being rushed at? I wasn’t ready!” She said in protest, taking a more hunched over position, mimicking her wolf form as much as possible. The position immediately felt uncomfortable and she reluctantly looked up considering Sei’s uplifted stance, hands protectively guarding his face. She straightened and raised her own hands, determined not to lose whatever lesson she was to learn. He had promised she would leave stronger, and she trusted him to keep his word. “Do your worst.” She taunted, not exactly sure if it was wise to taunt the beast.

[Sei Tendo]

Now it was Sei's turn to laugh.

"Not ready? Well, I guess I should move slower for you in a real fight huh? He mocked. "But then again, without the basics, how would you know what to do.." He muttered to himself. He relaxed his stance and walked behind Halona. She had mimicked his stance, but her shoulders were slouching. He sighed, and told Halona to relax before straightening her posture. What else..? He stood in front of her now and adjusted her fists so they were in line with her nose.

"Basic stance, nothing to worry about." He said. Sei then took a step back and stood beside Halona. He did a punch in slow motion. He put his arm forward and kept his elbow slightly bent. "I guess you keep your fist slightly below your neckline at all times. I learned to twist my torso with my punches so that there is more power behind them. The same applies for kicks though."

Sei demonstrated, then looked to Halona signaling her to try it herself.