Deepwood Weald the choking smoke of jerusalem burning

aw + @Rosalyn if ya wanna <3

they had given their beloved bay and wide and bitter berth, and now found themselves in a thick woodland bordering the coastline. her paws had healed, and her lover seemed well, if the both of them were not more hard-muscled and thin these days. a savage pair, she hoped, and not one easily approached. she had grown used to the constant feminine company of rosalyn, and was not eager to have the presence of men sully that for her.
today the chai-tea woman stalked carefully after a pair of grouse, her breathing modulated. it had been some time since she had hunted in the cover of forest, and there was a chance she would muss up the entire affair.

always <3 I'm gonna be vague bc I'm not sure if @Brilliance is tailing. I've been so slow on everything here lately

Despite their troubles, and the constant approach of colder weather, Rosalyn was fairly content for now with the company she kept.  She was healed, Erzulie was healed, and while she still didn't feel herself, she had been able to at least enjoy these past few days, even as they skirted wide around the bay.  Life had tought her in a good many ways not to dwell in failure for too long, and it was a lesson she was learning to excel in.

She went her own way to hunt, but her path brought her back around to where Erzulie hunted.  She hung back, not wanting to scare away the target of her lover's attention, but watching.  It was good to see her moving more easily, and they'd fallen into a comfortable pattern, traveling together.  She remembered a time when she'd enjoyed solitary travel, and the freedom it had offered - now she couldn't imagine it.

<3 no worries! @Brilliance, hop in anytime <3

a breath, another, and then erzulie was darting through the thick undergrowth. it was rough going, as she was far more used to hunting on vast swathes of beachland, but her swiftness was true. a leap; a grouse flapping wildly in her jaws. the harlot's grip tightened, eyes closed to slits against the onslaught of beating wings.
in time, the struggles ended; erzulie looked up to spot rosalyn's dark form nearby. lifting her catch, the seawolf paced toward her lover, mismatched eyes glinting with pleasure. "hunting in de forest is not bad, but i prefer de shore," the chai-tea jezebel mused when she had come near, letting the grouse slip to the ground as she reached to kiss rosalyn with a purling low in her throat.

i think they are goin a diff route which is prob good! Imma be slow for a while <3

Rosalyn felt a thrill of pride as she watched Erzulie take the bird, and she didn't bother to hide her admiration (and a spark of something else that lit her gaze) as her lover approached with it.  She returned the affectionate greeting, smiling as she swept a stray feather from her silken pelt.

"But deadly in both I see."  Rosalyn complimented, but then she glanced off, not wanting to turn the tone serious but seeing the natural segue.  "We may find shelter on the coast, but we may not."  There hadn't been many packs she'd seen - just Drageda, a thought she couldn't even begin to entertain.  She stopped there, though, and let a small silence grow.  She was wondering if maybe they should look inland, but the thought of joining a pack merely for the security of numbers was never one she liked.  Survival, first and foremost.

no worries <3

erzulie did not mind the shift in the tone of their conversation. the upcoming winter and the threat of the bear upon the sand weighed heavily upon her, and drageda had found them wanting. rumours of a pack upon an island, but the harlot was unsure she wished to be bounded on all sides by water. when storms arrived to pelt the coast, those unprotected would be first lost.
"we will find our own shelter, den," she declared, a determined expression blooming upon her face. "only dose worthy of us will have our loyalty."

She rather liked that, once it settled.  Her confidence was shaken, a bit, and so her nerves were high at the thought of attempting the winter alone.  But her pride was always there, and it grasped the idea that she presented and clung to it, for better or for worse.

Aye, only those worthy, she responded, appreciatively moving closer.  Showing up on doorsteps out of desperation was no way to carry it, and had never ended well for her.  She only thrived in the crews she chose.

Perhaps we should find a place to winter, just in case none are?  It was likely, and if they didn't, it would be good to have a place with shelter and perhaps winter creatures to hold them over until spring.  Wandering was fine, but to be caught in bad weather in the open could spell an end.

a grimness overtook the harlot's features. "down de coast, i t'ink." the pair of them might stand against the winter together, but not upon the coast. inland it would have to be, far beyond the reach of the bear. she knew there was land beyond where they were now, and perhaps those who might join them. but erzulie did not wish to join a pack — their brief stint at drageda's borders had soured the jezebel on the potential of groveling yet again.

Rosalyn nodded in agreement, but in response to the grimness that seemed to overtake her lover, reached over to place a kiss on her muzzle, near the cheek.  It didn't much matter to the former captain so long as they were safe; the ocean had at one time been the only love she needed, but now she had another, and it was far more important to her.

If she had known Erzulie's thoughts, she'd have echoed them.  Despite everything that had occurred, bending to the will of another didn't sit easily with her, and the thought of giving their freedom to some other to dictate lent a sour taste to her mouth.  If they were to join a band, it would be a band that would know they did as they pleased, and a band that would respect this.  It was doubtful such a thing would come so late in the season, but it was a hope at least.

wrap this and have another? I may start a couple more if things quiet down this week <3