Silverlight Terrace [M]aybe I'm going blind

dated for tomorrow, just lmk if that date doesn't work :> 

 

Of course Takeshi had always been a wild animal- he was a wolf, after all- but now he really felt it. Beast, he had abandoned all his civility in the past few days. Left home fearing his own thoughts- and then they had overcome him, and he had given in, and the emperor was left to wonder whether it was worth trying to maintain himself, when he had already done the things he had done. For a crime like that, there was no forgiveness. And so he decided, it was not worth trying to change. He would allow himself to descend into hell- because he was truly the devil, and there was no changing this. Not after coming this far. 

And so the pale man made his way further from home, strolling through tall grasses and trees, fearing his return to the empire. He could not see the smiling faces of his son and daughters, not right now.

Weejay had left the copse early morning, having told her father she was off to the Terrance to collect some riverstones for her garden. She liked the smooth way the silvery rocks looked -- and the river that cut through the terrace was perfect for a quick break before returning home.

She made it in time to beat the stifling heat, carrying with her a rabbit-fur sheath (this trick she had learned from Arcturus, who had the most fine hareskin she had ever seen, and would not tell her of where he had gotten it..). In the soft furs of the rabbit, Weejay dropped smooth stones that caught her fancy. Some were white, some dark grey or green -- a few with mysterious gold veins through them that had her gasping softly in interest.

By the time Takeshi was upon her, Weejay had collected a fine pile of little stones, and the skin was close to overburdened. As she waded in the water, she caught scent of the pale man on the wind and turned brightly around, offering a cheery "Hello!" to the stranger. It was scorching out, and she figured he had come here to bask in the river. "Come to cool off? The water is fine."

And it was -- it was an agreeably cool, soft current -- which pulled and played around her waterslick legs and belly, tugging gently at her wispy fur as it made its way cheerily downstream.

added a little mature to the title, simply due to the nature of the thread and some internal dialogue & gross creep man!

The little figure who stood in the waters had his pace increase, and there he set his eyes on her like a target, straight lining towards her without haste. To his surprise, she turned to greet him with friendly words. He halted in his walk beside the river, eyeing her for a moment. The girl couldn't be much older than a yearling- and certainly, naivety came with that too, did it not? Obviously no one had taught her not to talk to male strangers. Or perhaps she came from kinder lands... but today, she might witness a crueler side of the world. 

Sure. He grunted with a shrug, stepping his way into the cool stream, which admittedly felt great. He could think of something nearby that might feel better though, and shifted slightly closer to the young girl, How old are you, dear? The rat questioned casually while he allowed his muscles to relax slightly. And... what is that? He added, gesturing his muzzle to the heavy skin she carried.

Weejay caught not a single whiff of malevolence in this man. He hid it well, and Weejay was no skeptic of strangers. Her entire life had been full of good people -- why would he be different?

She grinned as he sunk into the water. Nice, right? Weejay liked how the current felt around her legs and pushed off for the deep end, glancing back as the man asked of the satchel and the rocks with it. Oh! I like to collect the pretty rocks. A slip of quiet shyness overcame her as she paddled around. I have a garden. The girl's soft gaze landed on him curiously, hoping he wouldn't tease her for it.

Weejay felt less comfortable the more time she spent — after some time the girl excused herself, and ran all the way home.