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+--- Thread: Serpent Lake I don't need the world to see (/showthread.php?tid=66193)
I don't need the world to see - Kemal - July 30, 2025
The idea that the dead would always follow you felt so strange, yet the lingering presence of his wife was something Kemal was forced to acknowledge often. His mourning had been long and constant; he missed her dearly.
Sun setting over the horizon, Kemal had made the choice to opt out of his usual patrol of the pass for a walk to the nearby lake. He was so unsure of himself these days; life was passing him by in a flash and yet he felt that he was moving nowhere. It wouldn't have bothered him once, but once you have a taste of more it's impossible not to want it again.
He couldn't know if he would ever have another mate or another chance at children, but even the idea drowned him in such immense guilt that he couldn't be bothered to consider it further. Laying next to the water with an audible 'thump' Kemal questioned why he had come here. Another chance to look at the stars, another night hoping to see her? He believed that his love kept Narin present in a way, but he certainly did not believe in ghosts. If closure was what he wanted, it wouldn't come tonight.
RE: I don't need the world to see - Riddle - July 30, 2025
Marching north had proved to be the better choice. Riddle's nose caught the multifaceted scents of life abounding; it wasn't the taste of desiccation, that arid sting which lead only to a dulling of the mind. Here there was more greenery, and he felt assured that meant more water too.
There was a sound drawing gradually to his ears, too. At first Riddle didn't pay much mind to it. As he moseyed along it became more apparent but at the same time, he struggled to pinpoint where exactly it came from, or what it could be... Until he rounded along some trees and dipped in to the shade beneath them, and saw beyond them by some measure something he had longed to witness: the flowing of a river—no, a lake?!
To this he gave a small holler, unable to hold back the gaiety erupting from his spirit at the discovery; but he saw within moments, too, that he was not alone here. The sun was setting at such an angle that the stranger's shape had been lost among the shadows, but now they loomed apparent.
RE: I don't need the world to see - Kemal - July 31, 2025
A sudden holler cut through his angst, Kemal unable to stop himself from whipping his head around to look. Damn, it was dark out here.
He quickly ruled out the idea of them being Verapaz; they were too large to be most members, too stocky to be Leto. His first thought was to growl, but they were outside of the pass; why start a fight? He doubted the stranger would have given themselves up so soon if they were planning an attack.
You came for the water?He guessed, calling out to the silhouette.
RE: I don't need the world to see - Riddle - August 01, 2025
Riddle watched as the silhouette lost its head—temporarily—and then saw a flash of dubloon gold, the gleam of which made the hairs on the back of his neck stand tall. Maybe he looked like death warmed over, or something like it; maybe his eyes were the same penny-brown in this dusk. Maybe he didn't have a face at all, what with the shadow.
They held themselves a moment, each.
When the stranger spoke it was a relief. Riddle half expected to be cautioned by his own shadow. He was a bit more in need of water than he'd first thought.
Nothin' else out here, far as I see it.He didn't move any closer though. Either this was his shadow giving lip, or some stranger up past their bedtime. Couldn't count on either.
RE: I don't need the world to see - Kemal - August 01, 2025
He chose to stand, moving so the silhouette could come closer and get his drink.
There's the stars.he responded. The sun had set, and the spots of bursting light were nearly visible through the clouds. They weren't the prettiest tonight, but they were certainly something.
Kemal kept an eye fixed on the other; maybe he was feeling docile tonight, but he couldn't determine whether or not they were feeling the same. You never could, not really.
He had to wonder if any others were trailing somewhere behind him, his mind briefly flashing to a wondering of just how fast Safiya or Soto could make it if he called.
RE: I don't need the world to see - Riddle - August 01, 2025
There was a tenuous moment wherein the stranger moved, and Riddle could breathe a little easier. Shadows didn't move like that. He moseyed a little closer, letting his guard drop a bit more than what was appropriate; but that's the way he was.
He didn't move to drink, though. It was a better choice to wait and observe this man a moment. When they looked a mite too cagey Riddle tensed, eyes shifting to follow the movement of the stranger's focus to an area behind them. Like he was seeing ghosts, too. Maybe he ran from his own shadow.
Riddle dipped his chin towards the water and lapped a round or two. As he drank he let some more of his nerves ease, and settled to his haunches.
You here for a drink too? Rather drink with the living, if you'll oblige. Spent too long with ghosts of late.
He motions with a nod of his chin, in that overtly masculine way, to the water as if to say, fancy a pint?
RE: I don't need the world to see - Kemal - August 01, 2025
More to make the stranger feel better than for himself, Kemal lapped at the water for a moment or so.
Are you travelling alone, then?He guessed. Given he hadn't seen this one before, he had to guess that he wasn't from a neighbouring pack either - though as of now any neighbours they had were quite far.
You'll have more luck with water coming this way, prey too.More lively grass, more streams and lakes, for a pack who had the goal of growing he wasn't so sure why a desert is where Verapaz chose to settle instead of up here.
RE: I don't need the world to see - Riddle - August 01, 2025
He didn't speak for a bit. It was difficult to speak when your tongue was preoccupied like this. After a few more long draughts and when he felt properly refreshed, Riddle lifted his head and gave his shoulders a shake to rid the last dredge of tension from them.
For now, aye.He gave the man a look-over, quickly. There was an obvious malaise about the stranger. Riddle focused again on the water but did not drink this time. He watched the ripples in the dark.
Was tryin' a little homesteadin' not far from here. Spent weeks—nah, bloody months working on a place. Supposed to be paradise for the wife. Wasn't quite done in time for spring, go figure.
He shrugs.
A deal-breaker, that. Been alone since.
RE: I don't need the world to see - Kemal - August 01, 2025
So his wife had recently left him, ouch. That had to sting.
That's alright, maybe she wasn't the right one.He responded in hopes of reassuring him.
You'll find them sooner or later.Would it be silly to start talking about soulmates? Probably.
Sitting himself back down, he found that he was beginning to settle.
Can I ask your name?He chose to ask; better than conrinuing to think of the other as a complete stranger.
Mine is Kemal.
RE: I don't need the world to see - Riddle - August 01, 2025
The other man offered solace, platitudes, the usual. Riddle gave a tight-lipped smile and accepted as best he could, given the abandonment.
Aye—maybe. Had a sister, she did. Sometimes I wonder if I caught the eye of the wrong one.
If that was a joke, he might've let the ensuing pause linger for effect; but the quiet was broken. It wasn't the camaraderie of a fellow man, but it was the offering of a name. It was only polite to answer the man.
That's a mite better than what me Ma settled on... Rudolph, can you imagine? Going through life the apple of me Ma's eye, and she thinks it fitting to call her first-born Rudolph! Family name, actually. Pa said so. Guess that means I'm Rudolph-number-two?He huffed, shaking his head as if that'd etcha-a-sketch the memory from his brain.
Could be she left due to that. The wife, I mean. Can't blame her there! Hah.
RE: I don't need the world to see - Kemal - August 02, 2025
Kemal couldn't help but crack a smile at the name.
Rudolph?He repeated. Poor guy, hopefully it had a strong meaning to it at the very least.
You don't seem to like it. You go by something else, then?He had to hope so - poor guy.
I'd leave too if my son might inherit the name.Rudolph! It sounded more like a name you would give to a caribou to him - but he did hope the man wasn't hurt by his teasing.
His brain ticking, Kemal had to wonder; if he were to have children what would he name them? Something strong, of course; maybe Kadir for a boy, Beren for a girl.
RE: I don't need the world to see - Riddle - August 05, 2025
Truth be told, I haven't seen enough people around these parts. You're the first in a long while! Don't care much what you call me—just don't call me late fer dinner.The man loosed a laugh like a shotgun blast, erupting.
Kemal was a friendly sort, although not so friendly as to drink with him. Riddle didn't know what to make of it.
So, Kemal—this your haunt? Or is home farther afield? Just curious; wanna know if I might be crossin' too close.
RE: I don't need the world to see - Kemal - August 05, 2025
Kemal, quite lacking in his sense of humour, found that the joke went right over his head.
No, if this were mine I would have you gone already.The unfortunate truth, really - a border could completely change his attitude towards a stranger.
I live with Verapaz, we are in the pass south of here.
Where are you going then, karibu?He chose to ask in return. If this man had any idea where he was headed, it was hard for Kemal not to be curious. He had barely left the lowlands himself.