Sawtooth Spire do not cry, do not weep

@Gabe

The night was making her rise at the very end of a sticky eve, illuminating the sky in shades of orange and red with a twinge of lavender as highlight. Ynes watched in awe as the stars slowly began their dance and contemplated the infinite beauty of Nyx. It was something which she aspired to, though she would never dare compare herself to such a deity. 

Small steps were taken along the rough lining of the ravine until she found herself at a spot smooth enough to slide into the lush green below. The blossoms were beginning to show, promising a lush hunting season for the wolves of the area, including Ynes. Does walked in silence with their fawns at their hip, the bucks at the head of the group to guide them along. She stared intently ahead as she tried to pick out which would be her prey, though it seemed that her spproach had flaws, as the herd soon scattered left and right in her presence.

Gabe stood on the opposite side of the herd, watching them from behind a rocky outcropping. The ravine he'd found was full of life, it was lush and beautiful. This mountainous area itself was far more his style than the islands where he had previously inhabited. He thought about the Nereides, Kalika, for a sliver of a second before pushing them from his mind. He wouldn't think about things like that anymore, his life was moving on without them. Without anyone really. He'd been on his own for a while now, traveling across entire mountains and plains, without any other interaction. And the strange thing, considering his personality; he wasn't in the least bit lonely.

Sure he'd wished for the warmth of another body as night, and the help with hunting. But he was an able male, he had managed. He no longer felt able to trust others, not after so many had betrayed his innocent, naive heart. For the second time in his young life he had no friends, no family, nobody. The only difference was that this time he was ok with that.

He watched the herd intently, focusing in on a smaller buck, moving slower than the others. He had a limp, and probably wouldn't make it much farther with this herd anyway. It would be kinder to take him out now. Just as Gabe was about to leave his hiding spot and chase the buck down, the entire herd scattered. Some races along the rocky ledges, some in his direction. He briefly chased one as it passed, desperate for a meal, though he gave up seeing as it was pointless.

Wildly he looked around, wondering what had spooked them. That's when he noticed a woman, gray and earthy toned, off in the distance. The scent of the herd must've blocked her scent from him, but now he could smell her completely. He stood back, wondering if she'd notice him (who was he kidding he is a big white puff ball in the middle of spring), and if so would she try to interact.

Ynes cursed under her breath as she watched the herd scramble left and right, and for a desperate moment, she even tried to chase after a lone doe scattering past her. As she trailed her with her gaze, another came into a view; a white, winter wolf, plush in the height of spring. He was a unique creature and moreso, one who she intended on investigating. Ynes began to trot toward him, barking a greeting, though she stopped soon enough to leave a few yards between them. Hello, she called from where she stood. It perplexed her that another wolf had made it into this territory, but then she thought about how she had done it and realized that the trek hadn't been too exceptional.

Who are you? she asked out of curiousity, rather than with any threat behind the question.

Sure enough the woman began to trot in his direction, barking a greeting. He didn't reply to it, not until she was closer. She stopped a little bit always, which he was glad for. He didn't really want her any closer. He didn't want anybody closer than this at the moment, not until he felt he could trust them. He didn't know when that would be, so for now it was best that she stay back. She was pretty, she looked nice, but Gabe knew by now that nice was different from trustworthy. Some of the nicest people he'd known had gone and betrayed him.

She asked who he was and he waited timidly. His brows were furrowed, as he tried to read her, to find what angle she was getting at. What did she want from him? Perhaps it was just his name, he was just being paranoid. After the long silent pause, the thick furred boy responded in a low, bland tone, Gabe. Who are you? He was clearly tense and nervous, his muscles twitching under all his fur.

The boy was obviously on edge, so to try and get him to calm down, Ynes sat herself back on her haunches and took a few deep breaths to show him that she meant no harm. Gabe was his name; he spoke with an accent foreign to her ears, and one that made it much more difficult for her to understand him. She thought for a moment if he had the same difficulties deciphering her own words. Ynes, she said in response as she examined his frame. He seemed healthy enough which meant that he was able to hold his own. All that this told her was that she would have to watch her words more carefully than she liked.

Are you wandering, too? Ynes chirped. It seemed that this mountain range attracted many to its secret hiding places, but she didn't mind the company. I came from the East, but I've been thinking of heading back in that direction sometime soon.

Her name was yet another foreign word to his ears. He mouthed it in a whisper, as if testing it. It didn't roll off of his lips very easily, it was staggering but it was intriguing all the same. He allowed her a moment to examine him, and he used that time to size her up as well. Her ears were oddly folded at the tips, she was smaller than him, her fur was nothing too special but still it was nice, her eyes pale. She was healthy, and seemed a capable woman. Gabe was relaxed by her calmness, though he didn't dare let his guard down.

She asked if he was a wanderer as well, in a chirpy voice. She spoke of from where she hailed, and Gabe soaked up the information she gave him, trying to come up with a profile of her in his mind. He liked to stash everything he learned about others in his memories, he never forgot things. He nodded, glancing to the side before back at her. I came from the west. There is nothing there for me, so I came back this way. He responded dryly. His normal friendly and outgoing personality had withered away, what remained was a sad shell of his old self. It would return someday, hopefully, but today wasn't that day.

Ynes bit at her cheeks as she listened to his reply, quietly contemplating what to say next. You can stay here for the night, if you would like, she said, referencing the territory, Not that I could really stop you anyway. Offensive fighting had never been her strength. The only reason why she had even the most basic knowledge of defense was so that she didn't get her ass kicked ages ago, but even that bit didn't amount the much. 

I plan to keep moving east, she told him, I figure it might be easier making it with someone else. And since it seems you're headed in that general direction as well... Gabe was under no obligation to accept her proposition, nor did Ynes expect him to, but she wanted to take a chance and just see what might happen.

Gabe didn't respond to her first proposition because he already knew he could stay here. He figured she didn't own these lands, so how could she stop him. She was just being polite. He dipped his head slightly but that was all. Besides, he wanted to keep moving anyway. He wanted to put as much distance between the Nereides and him as possible. Ynes's next question had a bit more thinking behind it. His heart was telling him no; that he needed no one, he could make it on his own, that he couldn't trust her anyway since they'd only just met.

But even though he'd made it fine on his own these past weeks, it would've been much easier to do with a companion. Hunting would be easier, protecting himself in case of an attacker, etc. he mulled it over for a moment, thinking of the pros and cons. He wouldn't stay with her of course, eventually they'd break off and he'd be on his own again, but maybe it couldn't hurt to have a companion for a couple of days. The old him would've jumped at the chance. You can travel with me if you want. I would appreciate that. He finally gave in, biting his lip as he almost regretted it immediately.

Oh joy! Ynes took an excited step forward but stopped herself after that one motion. Really? she cooed, her eyes beaming with excitement. In truth, she had been rueing the journey she was on as it always seemed like such a grueling task to pull off alone. Even if the two of them didn't become the best of friends, at least it was gauranteed that one would have the other's back. Thank you. We should probably get some rest then, yeah?

Gabe immediately stepped back when she started forwards so suddenly, his ears about to fall flat. She stopped herself though, and luckily too, then exclaimed her excitement through words. He relaxed again, though he winced internally at how jumpy he was now. The old him would've jumped around too, but now he was afraid of contact. Rightly so, the last person he'd been close with had sunk her teeth into his face, and his own brother tore up his back and banished him from the family. 

She thanked him, and he nodded, then she suggested they get some sleep. Just to make sure she didn't expect them to be sleeping together, he added, I'll sleep alone, but we can stay close. Then he turned and walked away, going to find a bush to sleep under or something. He knew he probably didn't leave the best first impression on his new companion, but  once she got to know him it might get better.

last for me! I was wondering if you want to go ahead and have the Ynes, Gabe and Aoife's group thread, or if you want to wait until we finish our other thread?