The water lead her to the shores of a vast lake. She could see the eerie gray-blue peering through the spindly conifers where the stream she had been following poured into the much larger body of water.
Obviously, thirst had never been an issue during her solitary travels. Hunger was another matter. Her stomach groaned intermittently, making it impossible for her to keep a logical train of thought going for more than a few moments. She could not remember hunger like this. The pitch-furred wolf had been able to consume enough rodents to maintain her strength, but she knew that this would soon begin to wane.
A faint scent of fish permeated the air as she sat back on her haunches, her paws inches from the water. It was just the way lakes smelled, but it teased her nevertheless, and she had to swallow as her mouth pooled.
Another day, another place. The specter wandered around the lake, admiring the view and the freshwater humidifying the air - it was nicer than the saltwater, where all kinds of annoyances seemed to be dredged up, mostly by salty sea women who were nothing but unpleasant. Sure there was that familiar scent of fish that stained the beautifully fresh air - but that was the same found along the salty beaches.
He trotted along the wayside, paws teasingly close to the edge as he walked with the elegance of a deer. Paws barely touching the ground as he swept across the lands. No mission, no journey with an end goal, he simply walked. He'd walk and walk until something caught his eye - and today, something did. A dark figure along the water's edge, longingly searching the water.
With a grin, the white pelted dark prince approached. Head ever so slightly tilted to the side as he gazed at the black beauty. What does the lake have that you lust for?
Her hungered musings were interrupted, bringing an unexpected swathe of relief as she turned away from the savory scented water and beheld the man who had spoken to her. Her lips parted as she peered at him with large violet eyes, for he was a picture of beauty and darkness both. She had never seen such eyes, two-toned and framed by markings which reminded her of death.
Despite her state of perpetual discomfort she found herself grinning. He spoke with elegance; rarely did she meet an individual who spoke that way. "Fish," she said simply, her tail flickering like a dark flame.
He caught her eye - of course, he did, he was beautiful. A strange but picturesque portrait of male beauty instead of those muscle-bound brutes who strutted around barely able to walk without causing a tremor. No, he was a swan among eagles. Powerful in his own right, and he looked stunning while doing so. Fish you say?
He hummed while approaching a little more, teasingly slow with every step taking his sweet, sweet time. Eyes flashing to the water next to him, completely casual with it all.
Why don't you go get it?
A soft challenge issued her way. Was she incapable of fishing? Of swimming? Did she not like getting wet? Neither did he if he was honest... especially in this weather when there was barely any sun to bask in to dry himself off. After a pause, fire and ice flickered back to her, casting their mystical dualities onto her with mild amusement.
He waited for her reaction.
i'm so sorry about the wait!
The challenge he issued unto her was unexpected. She flashed him a cold glare, not sure if she was offended, slightly amused, insecure, or all three. Lake fishing was something she had never been taught, and in fact before this moment she never would have imagined such a thing to be possible. This was why the smell of the fish was so teasing. Were she to dive into the frigid water, blind in the grey depths, she may not resurface.
I would not know how, she admitted finally, and softly. She glanced at the water, then fixed her violet eyes upon this beauty of a man again. She was unsmiling as ever.
Would you? Her tone remained without inflection that might indicate she was hurling the challenge back to him. Indeed, she was genuinely curious to learn if he had such a skill or not.
Her glare only brought a sweet smile to his face, something he learned could diffuse most situations. Kill them with kindness, he supposed is how the saying went. It would most likely confuse her with how flip floppy his attitude was, from insulting to smiling and kind.
The woman turned it onto him, asking if she would catch a fish for her. Something he wasn't too keen on doing himself if he was honest... the cold waters was nothing he wanted to deal with, to dry off in such cold weather could certainly be dangerous for one who spent most of his time alone. He wasn't stupid, nor was he desperate for a woman's appreciation. I suppose I could.
He would lead her on instead.
Suppose I did. What do I get from it hm? I'll be all wet and cold in this weather, I would rather not leave empty-pawed myself.
The creature was an entity of strangeness, to be sure. His undulating manner lined up nicely with his outlandish but beautiful exterior. These were the types to be careful with, she mused. She was untrusting with all, but this male and his seeming tendancy to switch moods so quickly, were something to be extra wary of
He had bravely stated that he might be able to catch her a fish. Blackshadow canted a brow, regarding him critically. What could she give him in return? This took a moment for her to think about, not because she had nothing to wager with, but because she wanted to answer him carefully.
"I would travel with you," she spoke at last, her quizzical expression now settling back into its usual seriousness and unreadability. "I am trained warrior." She offered this with the tone of a woman stating a mundane fact; there was no arrogance in her voice.