Storm Watch Butte Give me liberty

@Leto

His steps were slow, measured. Each one cautious and careful to not disturb the brush he moved through. His frame was lithe as he went, weaving through the craggy spaces of rock and canyon.

He kept to the lower inclines, not keen on climbing higher. He knew where he was going. 

Slowly, but surely, he moved forwards, eyes pinned to the landscape ahead of him. Until...

Something moved. A flash of white. His eyes of amber followed the movement, and soon after his paws followed.

Leto supposed that she had always been a wanderer. It was in her nature, part of her heritage. The wolves of Verapaz were yet to complain for she always came bounding back within the day.

Water was sparse in the Lowlands; quite the inconvenience for someone with such a high-matienance coat, so it only made the discovery of such a thing all the more exciting.

Small or not, she was quick to settle herself into the river she had come across with little thought. A lovely find! Now she would be able to return not only in a far better mood, though she was rarely not optimistic, but far cleaner as well.

Castel’s steps slowed as he neared her, his amber eyes narrowing slightly. He did not rush, his body moving with languid steps, taking his time.

He stopped a few paces away.

“Tu sabes, the desert’s a tough place to be wandering around in, hermosa,” His voice was warm, as if lit by a brazier. A hot and sharp whip.

“Shouldn't a pretty girl like you be somewhere... safer?”

An unfamiliar voice made her ears twitch, her head turning soon thereafter. The man stood in front of her suited the environment far better, his sandy hues and lean figure appearing as though carved by the desert itself.

Her head tilted, a smile crossing her muzzle. What makes it any safer for a pretty boy then? It was a good question, she thought. Maybe she had not been inclined to put it to use as of late, but she certainly had a bite to her.

She was sure he meant no harm, though Leto thought the best of everyone. He was not wrong to ask - he could have been truly concerned. It would be cruel to make an assumption.

He tilted his head slightly, a grin tugging at his lips, but there was no warmth in it. Only calculation.

“Ay! You got me there.” His voice was smooth, like sandpaper against velvet, twisting into a toothy grin that hardly met his eyes. “What if this chico bonito is dangerous?" He questioned.

He stepped around a large mass of rocks that prevented him from closing the distance to her. Then, slowly, he tip-toed towards the bank of the little river, lowering himself to the rocky shore. His belly grazed the ground faintly as he crouched beside the lady.

Una serpiente en las aguas. He mimicked the hiss of a cobra, his tongue sliding between his unclenching grin. "What then, hermosa?

Her expression did not change as he approached. She remained friendly, welcoming. You're not much scarier than a coyote to me. She responded, her gaze shifting to return to the careful washing of her coat.

The mimicked hiss made her giggle, girlish and sweet. A snake, hm? She whacked his flank with her tail, teasing. I have enough of those. An anaconda and a prairie snake were already one too many for her to handle.

Are you going to tell me your name?

Castel's smile didn’t falter as she teased him, but there was something dangerous behind those amber eyes. Her light-hearted manner didn’t escape his notice, but neither did her assumption that she had him figured out.

“A snake in the waters, bonita,” he repeated, savoring the words. “I slither when I need to. And when I strike, it’s quick and without warning.”

His last words were emphasized by the snap of his teeth, reaching out for the tail she had tapped upon his flank. He caught the very tip of it between his teeth, though his bite was not harsh, more of a playful nibble.

He had had more devious intentions... but they quickly faltered, died out with the joyful demeanor of the lady. It would darken even his cruel heart to be so mean to her.

Mischeviously, the coywolf rolled onto his side, letting himself plop down upon the ground. Though warm enough, winter would be upon them soon -- and even the desert was subject to her biting cold. He reached a paw towards her plush fur to bat at her side softly, letting his eyes roam across her pretty face. "Castel Escuella, or La Serpiente!" His tone was dramatic, overexaggerated.

He grinned. "But you, hermosa, may call me just Cas." With that, he rolled back to his stomach, head falling into a mischevious tilt. "And your name?"

She was glad to have her playful nature met with open arms - it was not something she was treated to often anymore.

Leto. She responded, a gentle wave in her tail now. I come from Verapaz, a pack in the basin not too far from here.

It was odd to give such an introduction, even after all this time. She was no longer just Leto, now she was 'Leto of Verapaz'.

What brings you to the lowlands, Cas? She asked with the tilt of her own head, as if to mimic the serpent.

Leto.

Castel smiled, a glasgow grin that reached from his lips to his eyes. They gleamed upon her, washing over her, taking in every little detail she offered him.

His tail swished, before thumping upon the rocky ground beneath him. "Verapaz?" The name of the pack lilted upon his tongue. It was fitting.

Felt natural. Castel was intrigued.

“Me? Castel is just passing through.” His eyes flicked up to meet hers, an unreadable glint in them.

“If you’re wondering whether I’m staying, querida...” He paused, grin widening, “It depends.”

He was intriguing. It had been some time since Leto felt this familiar rush of excitement. Not since Juarez.

She had tried to find it again through Soto, through Beau, but it simply was not the same.

It depends? She repeated, Depends on what?

Admittedly, she hoped he would stay in the area. Even if the chance of meeting again was slim, it would be pleasant to converse like this again.

Castel’s grin widened at her curiosity. “Depends on what this place can give me,” he said, letting his eyes roam across Leto quietly. “I don’t stick around for nothing, chica. Got better things to do than waste time in a desert.”

To emphasize his point, the coywolf stuck his nose up at their surroundings, offering a dismissive flick of his paw. He was ready to leave, and Leto offered an out.

He shifted slightly, his tail brushing the sand behind him, as if the movement itself was an afterthought. “Ay, Verapaz... it’s got a nice sound to it." His grin faltered for a second as he let his eyes shift back to the girl, forcing a more pleading look into his big eyes.

Ah, right! Her task from Soto. Maybe now she would be successful.

It's a good place. Small, but if pup season goes how our leaders wish that won't last. She smiled, turning her head to face the direction of the basin. Though they can be quite vicious if you come without an escort...

Lavender iris' flicked to Castel, her smile returning. Oh, even if she was trying how could she resist those pleading eyes? I can take you, if you wish. She offered. I'll even make room in my den until they give you one of your own.

Her tail waved gently, both from the excitement of approaching the end of her task and the prospect of seeing Castel more often than not.

Castel’s eyes stayed on her, amber and steady as she offered her help. Her words were tempting, even if she didn’t realize just how much.

“Generous of you, hermosa,” he said, his tone even, smooth but without losing its edge.

His gaze flicked toward the basin, the direction she motioned to, before settling back on her. “Verapaz sounds... promising. Could be worth my time. And with you as my escort?” His grin tugged wider, sharp and teasing, but his voice carried that same calculated control.

“I’d be a fool to say no.”

She was clearly pleased with his words, her nose jabbing his side as she stood. Well come on then! No sense in wasting time. It was like a breath of fresh air. She was finally done!

Now she could return to the basin with far less weight on her shoulders, not to mention a pretty boy by her side.

Shaking the water out of her fur, the plans for her bath were pushed aside in her excitement. Her paws were already moving before Castel would have the chance to blink.

fade?

Castel chuckled softly, the sound low and brief as her nose jabbed his side. “Eager, aren’t you?” he said, watching her with a sharp glint of amusement in his amber eyes. She was already moving, her energy contagious, though he didn’t rush to follow just yet.

He shook his head, letting her excitement play out as he stayed rooted for a moment longer, taking in the sight of her bounding ahead. “Guess I don’t have much of a choice, chica,” he muttered, more to himself than her. With a smooth, deliberate motion, he started after her, his lanky frame cutting through the sand with ease.

Her enthusiasm was almost charming—almost. He couldn’t help but smirk as he trailed behind, letting her lead the way.