Wild Berry Meadow fast enough to get in trouble but not fast enough to get away

The evening air was sweet, fragrant, and filled with birdsong.  The territory was painted with the pastel hues of sunset, grasses rippling beneath a gentle breeze.  Where the firebrand's paws fell, the grasses parted and cast their shadows on her.  She forged towards the lake and the mountains behind them, blazingly illuminated by sunset.  In the distance, she could hear duck-call, and that meant food.

She crept towards the water's edge just as the ducks began to come ashore, and her rear wiggled behind her as she positioned herself to launch.

 

@Siarut

ohhhh i love the intro!

Siarut had ventured further from his siblings, at the back of his mind he knew he had perhaps ventured to far and yet his paw propelled him forward. He had avoid the pack to his left, not wanting to disturbe the peace as he travelled from the comfortin creek into unknown territory. 

He was glad that his brother and sisters had yet to follow. Glad to have a few days to himself. 

The sun was setting, and all he could do was admire the sight the was brought before him. The sun glistened off the lake, reflecting back at him. He had seen his reflection, rippled by the duck exiting the water. He wasn't hungry and so left the poor birds alone. He gave them a quick glance before returning his gaze toward the setting sun.

Recalling the ducks he realized he had also caught sight of a canid hunting the creatures. Temporarily distracted from the gorgeous sight of the sun, he turned his olive green gaze on the woman as she hunted. He wouldn't disupt her hunt, and so wouldn't voice his position until she was done. He would never be so rude as to interupt anothers hunt.

The phoenix did not notice her company, and if she did, she made no move to address him.  Her tail sickled over her hindquarters before she launched rather abruptly towards the unsuspecting mallard.  Her jaws clenched around the yielding flesh of its throat, and with one shake it had been spent.  With a little bit of luck, there was another just within range and after a small chase she ended it just the same — the glistening feathers cracked beneath her rounded fangs, and its blood spilled down her chin.

It was when she raised her head to survey her kills that she caught the scent of her audience and her silverblue eyes cut through the grass to catch a glimpse.  Who's there?

Sairut was impressed by the red and black female. Hunting fowl was no easy feat. He watched her intently, taking in her stance and her presences. She was smaller than her was, and yet it didn't detract from her ability. He walked toward her as she made her final kill, her jaws snapping tightly around the birds neck.

Her words flowed seamlessly toward him. He was so impressed that he offered his name to her without complaint. "I am known as Siarut." The large white brute had yet to decide if his moniker would be available to all, only Nanook had called him Ice Bear, and he wasn't sure he wanted to share it with anyone else. 

"Your skills are impressive." She probably wouldn't realize how big a compliment this statement was coming from Sia, but she had earned a fragment of his respect. "What can I call you?" 

The male watched her intently, curious as to what her name might be. He was brefily distracted by the other birds taking flight. He watched them take off and fly far from reach before returning his gaze to the woman.

He emerged without complaint, though it was likely she would've found him before long anyway.  His stature was commanding, his peridot green orbs glinting fire in the fading sunlight.  She trailed over the puckered flesh on his shoulder as her jaw set.  Siarut.  It was familiar to the gaelic of her own name.  A single flew perked in the ghost of a smile.  Ceara.  

If Siarut was slow to warm, the phoenix was perhaps slower.  Still, he had complimented her, and the closest way to getting anywhere with the firebrand was by inflating her ego.  Sometimes, Little Dragon.  She grabbed the second of the mallards and tossed it in his direction before swiftly moving a forepaw over her own kill.  What brings you out here?

He caught the mallard in his jaws swiftly, his reflexes reacting before he could properly comprehend what was happening. Siarut wasn't going to say no the free food, rather he waited for the woman to dig in. As she started, so did he. The pale man started with the feather, plucking the bird before digging into the offered meal.

"My distracting thoughts." His lips pulled upward as he smiled, it was slight and easily forgetable, but it was there. "What bring you here?" Sia didn't bother offering his name, seeing as the woman hadn't offered hers. The feathers of the bird stuck to his tongue, making his accent almost thicker than usual. Being from the north he couldn't help the north accent roll of his tongue as he spoke the unfamiliar common tongue.

Ceara began to de-feather her kill alongside the foriegner, content to let the silence lapse between them for the duration of their meal.  Once she had finished what she wanted she removed the duck's trachea, gnawing on it to keep her young teeth polished.  Something like that, she said with a shrug, you from 'round here?

She suspected he wasn't, but neither was she.  It was all small talk anyway, something she was icredibad at.

fixing my mistake lol

Siarut was quick to remember why he wasn't a fan of fowl. He nawed the air and flailed his tongue to ride himself of the feathers leaving a terrible feeling in his maw. The fowl was ruining his serious and intimidating demeanor. 

With all the feathers cleared from both the bird and his mouth, the large brute went straight for the middle of the bird. Where the most meat and fat was held. His pearly teeth easily breaking the skin. 

"No." Sia stated between chunks of bird. "I am not from around here. You?" He gave her a quick glance, her orange tones were interesting but not unusal. Her form gave no indication of where she might be from, while his spoke of the constant white winters. 

The other birds had long since fled, and the pair was left with only the light ripples on the pond and the rustling of grass in the meadow. Darkness would be falling around them soon, a fact that didn't bother Siarut in the least.

Her tongue smoothed over her lips to expose her alabaster cutlery as she cleaned the blood from her maw.  Her gunmetal gaze remained fixed upon the stranger as he worked.  He was large and if he so chose he could easily overpower her; in these situations the firebird found it easier to be wary without warrant than to be caught off guard.

No.  For a moment it seemed as if it was all she'd offer, and then, I was born somewhere similar, though.  Blackthorn Clan.  She moved closer sure of step but without haste and scented him over.  Got company?

With his bird finished Sia allowed the woman to approach, taking her scent as she neared. Committing the scent to memory, attaching it to the woman's face. She offered her clan name without trouble and he was all to glad to store the information away. Not knowing if it would come in handy. But information was a luxury that Siarut loved to indulge in. 

He did have company, but he wasn't ready to divulge that quite yet. "Yes." His pale tail swayed in the wind, and a hint of mischief could be found in his gaze. His lips tugged ever so slightly. "You." Should she ask again he would not reveal his siblings. "Do you have a traveling companion?" He tried to distract her with thought of her own recent journey, leaving his own details alone.

The birdsong faded and the cicadas began their uproar as the sun descended the horizon behind the pair.  The last of the colour bled from the sky as the phoenix weighed her options.  No, she finally admitted from betwixt tight lips, stretching her toes in the dirt beneath her.

The conversation wasn't going anywhere, really; both parties seemed protective of their objectives and the firebranded woman's discomfort was mounting.  I can fix that up if you want, she conceded, gesturing to his shoulder with her nose.

Sia gave her an amused look. It wasn't every day that he found someone who was just as secretive as himself. He found it amusing to say the least. It did not make him uncomfortable, he was used to the awkward conversations. He wasn't usually the one who initiated converstations, he usually let his sisters do the talking. Shivali and Tahani were much better at this thing than he was. Hell even Tomkin was better.

He was distracted by his thoughts when she pointed to his shoulder. His jaw fell slightly, and the amused look was quick to vanish. He hardened his gaze, not in anger, but in protection. The topic was still so fresh, and so painful. He looked away from her before nodding his head. His sister had looked at it, but they had both been uncomfortable with how he had come to be injured. "I would appreciate that." He knew it was probably going to scar, but perhaps she could help lessen the severity. He didn't want to any reminder of this side of his father. 

Siarut relaxed his posture, to let the woman, Ceara, in.

He seemed to let his guard down for only a moment before he closed off just as tight as before, although he did concede to let her work on his wound.

She grabbed what was available from the lakeside.  Her medicinal knowledge was scarce and more for in the heat of battle than long term treatment, but any medicine was better than none.

She approached slowly and dropped the planta beside him before gesturing for him to get comfortable and lay down.

He followed her indication, lowering to a prone position with a slight lean toward his uninjured side to offer the woman better access. His tail twitched softly on the ground, wondering if he had laid his trust in the appropriate paws. Siarut was in a vulnerable position, and allowing the stranger close contact. 

Deep down he was very grateful to the woman, and had he been raised differenly perhaps this would have been an easier conversation. However once more his upbringing was inhibiting his social interactions. Taking a leap of faith Sia nodded and smiled at Fire, letting her know he was ready.

She worked in silence.  She approached slowly, lowered onto her haunches with caution.  She wasn't frightened, but she had trusted too much one too many times to give in so easily.  

She began to work at the scabs with her teeth, though the Northerner's fur did not part easily.  She worked through nearby mats when the area grew too sensitive, combing through his dense pelt instead.

The longer the night drew on, the colder it got; before long the firebrand shivered as the breeze came in from the water.  When she left for the night, she would have to find somewhere further from the great lake.

Where will you go tonight?

Siarut did his best to remain impassive to the wound as she dug at it. It wasn't new, and it had started to heal but with constant contact it could hurt. She took her time, moving methodically and with a purpose. He watched her work, transfixed by the skill that he would never posses. 

He was glad as her minstration came to an end and he coud relax once more. The breeze reminding him of home, as he enjoyed the cooling weather. Sia noticed her shiver and lifted a brow. There didn't seem to be many outside of Blackfeather who were used to the cold. "Thank you for your help Ceara. You are as skilled at healing as you are at hunting." He smirked at her, trying to distract her from the chill on the air.

"I have yet to decide if I shall return home or not." Truth be told if he weren't home soon he might be missed. Tahani might start to worry, Sia doubted that Shiv would even notice, but Tahani would probably take note. But that was something to think of later. "And of you Little Dragon? Where will you go tonight? The lakeside might be to cold."

She averted her gaze as he noticed her shiver, one side of her nose wrinkling.  If shivering could have been a voluntary action...  At least he didn't mention anything about it.  The Wilds were much colder than her previous abode and her pelt was not nearly as dense as even some of the more average wolves in the area — she was lucky she was not smooth-coated, or else she would have had a much harder time.

Thanks.  One of her flews quirked up in a halfhearted smirk, ego properly inflated.  She shifted, crossing one forepaw over the other, her posture a little more proud.  I haven't picked up much, but I figured it would help.

Her gunmetal eyes twinkled for just as he referred to her as the Little Dragon.  Don't know yet.  I will, ah, make do.  She always had.  

wrap this one up?

Siarut nodded, there were many lone wolves who knew what to do with themselves went night fell. Lifting his head to look around he rose from his prone position. He cleared his throat at their close proximity, she had yet to move off after helping to sooth his wound. 

"I think I'll head home, it warmer there." He joked, it wasn't like this weather would really bother him. It was more of a good excuse to leave, he didn't like to see the woman shiver. Perhaps she stayed cemented in place because of his presence. If he left, maybe she would be able to find warmth for herself. He would wait for the woman, Ceara, to either leave or answer.

Yep!  Feel free to post one more time or archive.  Thanks for the thread!

Oh, now she felt like a moron.  Oh, um, yeah.  If she could have, she would have given him some finger guns or something, but instead she moved off of him hastily, embarrassed that she'd been sucking up his extra body heat and that she hadn't caught his drift that he was about to get up the fuck out of here.

Maybe we'll see each other again.  She shrugged, giving him a lopsided smile.  As soon as he would start to head home, she'd begin to look for somewhere a little warmer to call it a night.