Deepwood Weald i thought nothing could go wrong.

nat @Renwick

Huā was in the forest, yes, but deeper than that. A small cave carved out of a hill by mother nature, or perhaps once upon a time, a bear who needed a place to hibernate. Now in that dim place she took cover from the rains outside, which steadily pounded down against the earth, creating white noise which might've been nice to sleep to. She curled up and eyed the icicle-like rocks that hung from the cave roof, reminding her of the labyrinth back home, and wished the rain would be gone soon.

He thankfully left the coast behind, but the smell of salt wouldn't be so easy. It clung to his fur and he snarled wordlessly, as if expecting it to gain substance so he can claw at it. He wasn't yet a man, but also not a boy any longer. It was one of those awkward phases. His body felt too big for his skinny legs. He wasn't sure how he walked so straight.

Nor was he quite aware that he was roaming near another wolf. The coast's smell stuck in his nose like a bad stench. Renwick didn't even see the woman curled up; he was too focused on finding shelter. Excuse his misery and pathetic wanderings. Entering the cave, he huffed loudly and sat near the entrance. His blue eyes glanced over behind him, taking in everything. He looked directly at the woman but... he thought she was just a boulder.

He looked away.

Her back facing to him, she only knew his approach by sound- notably, a loud huff. The mermaid was halfway to sleep, but lifted her head and glanced to the stranger with wide seaglass eyes. He was dark and younger than herself. Oh, She breathed aloud, without meaning to. Should she bother him with words? It seemed he was only here to hide from the downpour too, but would he appreciate company while they waited? Hello? She called out hesitantly towards the entrance, and flattened her ears with embarrassment as her voice echoed lowly a few times upon the stone walls before fading into silence.

"Fuck!"

It was probably the most honest reply he could rightly give her. Her gentle squeak was met with deaf ears until she called out a soft greeting. Ren felt himself jump on the spot, fur spiked with unease. He thought he was alone. Whipping around now, he blinked with wild eyes until he focused on her form.

There she was, like some magical creature straight outta a story. Silver fur with a dark head. He thought she was a boulder. How was he to know she was some pretty dame? "I... I mean, hi?" he felt fat of tongue now, flustered and a fool. He waited to see what she wanted. Surely she wanted something?

If there was any chance of her ears perking up again with her usual enthusiasm, that chance dissapaited at the loud swear that was thrown out. They remained pinned to her skull, and she watched nervously as sapphire gaze turned to greet her- if you could call it a greeting.

But his earlier hostility seemed gone, and he managed to pull a few words from his throat. The empress was too inexperienced to think she might be the one who flustered him; she assumed he was ashamed of his outburst. S-sorry- I did not want to scare you, She mumbled, and cleared her throat. I just- I did not know, if you want to chat, as we hide from the rain together. If it bothers you, I can just go back to nap, She offered shyly, brown tail beating gently against the ground. She looked away- back to the dripping cave-icicles. Eye contact could be uncomfortable.

"Well, you did" he says in his fluster. It lacks hostility - perhaps cause she seemed so nervous? He didn't get a kick out of yelling at her like he had with Aimi. That girl gave him a screaming match. This woman didn't. But speaking of Aimi... this one had the same accent as her. It piqued his curiosity.

"Uh, sure" he utters at her question, looking back to the cave entrance. He doesn't pat the ground to invite her, but the invite is sure clear. She could come closer. He won't bite. "say" Ren muses, scrunching his face "you... you ain't from You-long, are ya?"

Well, you did.

Sorry, She muttered awkwardly again, but smiled when he accepted her offer. She glanced back toward the darkness of the cave- and then moved for the light, but still kept some cautious distance from the splash zone of the rain. At the question, her eyes widened blankly, and then she smirked at his pronunciation. Yuè-lóng, She corrected slowly, How do you know? I am the huángdì- er, empress, there...

"It... it's fine" he shakes his head, dismissiving her apology. After his screaming match, he's calmed down. He's trying to find his head in this fucked up world. Ren still doesn't know where he is. He left behind the coast. This land's name was unknown. He wasn't looking to fuck up with an empress either.

So that's why she was so fucking majestic. Damn. "Uh, I washed ashore" he tells the woman blankly "and ran into one of your folks. Aimi" Aimi-noying "tried to, uh, help" He snapped at her. She snapped at him. It was almost as majestic as the woman before him now. "that's about all I know about your pack."

Washed ashore? She thought briefly of Nuka, and then Jaime. He mentioned Aimi, and she nodded slowly, Oh, Aimi- she is one of my sisters. Younger than myself. If he hadn't noticed. How do you like her at that time? Huā was oblivious how hot-headed her sister could be, having met only briefly, and thus the question was asked without any humor. I can tell more about the pack, if you are interest- but will not bother you with words if you do not want to hear, She laughed musically, almost apologetically, and smiled.

Fuuuuuuuck.

Aimi was her sister? Shit. Hell. All the fucking hell. Renwick tried not to wrinkle his nose, glancing away in an obvious scene of well, shit I don't know what to say. "Er" he proclaims uselessly "we yelled at... each other?" Cue awkward laughter if he had any to share. He remained silent in laughter.

The woman did offer to tell him about the pack. Seeing no other options for himself, he glances back. "Tell me" he says, one blue eye focused on the empress. Shit, he forgets himself. His head hangs. "p-please." Maybe it'd piss Aimi off if he joined. The thought was exhausting and delicious all at once.

Yelled at eachother? 

Oh. 

That probably didn't make for a good first impression of Yuèlóng. Huā looked away for a moment to hide her wince, and then back to him. Ah, sorry to hear this, She laughed awkwardly. And yet, he still asked to hear about the pack. Pleasant surprise. 

She blinked at him. Um, well... we live on the big island, She introduced, because that was usually exciting to some people. Originally I started Yuèlóng with my two sisters from same litter, but over time they both leave. Now it is just me, and bits and pieces of my family. But I lead with a man call Aiolos, our admiral. Over-all, though... it is a place for those who need peace. I am always hoping the island can be a good paradise, She laughed lightly, and fell quiet.

She kept being pleasant. It was hard to hate someone so naive. He merely stared at the woman, lifting a brow in silent awe. He wished he was cut from the same cloth as her. All he was... he was angry. Pissed off at the world. Mad at every little thing. Looking for a fight and looking for the negative.

He didn't need peace. He didn't need an island. The further away he was from the coast, the better. But still... it was probably cause Hua was so nice to him that he felt himself drawn in. Paradise, huh? Sounded better than roaming around, full of hunger and bile. Shit, she was quiet now. What should he say?

"Can I join?" he blurts out, hating the silence.

Oh. He was interested; had she done that great of a job selling it? Huā smiled and her tail waved a few times, We would be happy to have you, She murmured, Um, what's your name? I am Huā Jiāng, She introduced. I am still visiting someone near here, but, you would be welcome to head to the island, and I will be there soon after? The empress suggested with a tilt of her head, Or, do you need direction? You could also... stay near here, and I can travel home with you, if you do not mind to wait a few days...

Shit, he didn't even tell the lady his name. He had told Aimi in his fit of anger, but not this lady? Hua. Yeah, that was her name. He'd remember that. "Renwick" he lowered his gaze, wondering what to do now. She probably didn't need to be escorted to her friend if she knew the way. So that went out the window.

"I'll go to the island" he says after his silence. Maybe someone else can greet him; he didn't want to rely on Hua. She was empress. She didn't need to hold his paw. She had other people to do that for her. "so, directions...?" he cracks a grin, feeling relieved he was finally getting a plan together.

Renwick, as it were, agreed to go to the island, requesting directions. She nodded, It should be north of here. If you get lost, follow the brightest star in the sky, 'North Star'. The island is big, and should be easy to see- with a hill at the middle, and forest around that. She furrowed her brow slightly, If you get lost... howl for me. Maybe I will be close. She set her head back onto her paws, lazily watching the rainfall outside. A droplet flung by the wind landed on her nose, and she licked over it once. Quietly waiting to see if he would have any more questions.

"Ah" follow a star, find an island with a hill... Got it. He nods, beginning to drift to the entrance. Hua knew where she was going, but he didn't. Ren had to get going if he was going to make it to Yuelong. "t-thanks" the yearling says over his shoulder.

His blue eyes cast around, taking in the sights. The cave, the shelter, before regretting leaving it. He regretted leaving Hua all alone but knew he'd be terrible at company right now. She accepted him into the pack - that was good enough for him. "See ya at Yuelong."

exit

She would've liked his company there, in that quiet darkness. Instead he exited, and she called after him gently, Oh, um, goodbye, before she fell silent. The empress retreated to the deeper portion of the cave that she had been lying in before, appreciating the absence of the splash zone, and hopeful that the stars would guide him as she fell into a catnap.