Greatwater Lake If you let them make you, they'll make you papier-mâché

for @Aldric <3

The freezing water almost made him forget about yet another frustrating attempt to find prey. He had searched for hours, his efforts producing only one small vole. He had tried to hunt it anyway, if only to return to the group with something, but the earth had quaked and protested in the middle of his attempt, sufficiently scaring away the first prey he had found in days. He was a patient man, but that had tested even him. So he had sought out the water, not wanting to bother @Eleni, especially with nothing to offer for dinner. 

The night air was brisk, and his breath came out in white puffs as he made his way from the water and shook out his coat. He wanted to dry off some before heading back, so he took a seat at the water's edge and watched it ripple around his front paws.

Winter is harsh, cold seeping into his bones before long, as if autumn never existed. Alas, the Wilds are not Minrathous. North of here, the island winters were a survival challenge itself, and many surprised the young prince ever survived his first days. Now he is here, and although not fond of snow, he travels through it on a night he cannot find sleep.

The reason? Simple, he slept too much earlier in the day, enjoying what sun pierced through the overcast sky.

Aldric trails closer towards the water’s edge, alert as ever and surprised to see that he is not the only in their small group that is awake. Eastwood is the newest addition to the ragtag team, and the admirer of Eleni—which is why Aldric is cautious around the golden male, wanting to learn more, as if he is a brother questioning his motives around her.

He approaches quiet and stiff. You are fond of water, he states, for he’s witnessed the golden male around water on numerous occasions so far. The common language rough on his tongue, and the phrase sounds odd even to his ears.

The sound of an approach pulled his gaze from his feet, and he watched as Aldric moved along the water's edge and towards him. He had been curious about the man since his arrival but as they both seemed equally preoccupied, he hadn't had a chance to speak to him much. East nodded his head at the question, remembering back to the day Eleni and Nirali been reunited with him and their other sister. I am, he answered with a shrug. What brings you out here this late? he asked. Maybe he was concerned about the quakes and lack of prey as well.

The two of them are quite the pair, equally quiet in nature—Aldric perhaps edging a bit ahead in the "socially awkward" category, but nonetheless, it amusing to think about. Dark tipped ears twitch at the golden wolf's voice.

Couldn't sleep, he says, and assumes Eastwood is the same. Despite how worn down Aldric looks and how often he sleeps, it tends to escape him at night, although Nirali's company has helped as of late. Why do you like water so much? Geninue curiosity.

East nodded in understanding. Worried about the sky and quakes, too? he asked, assuming his lack of sleep was due to anxiety. That was what usually kept East up at night. With everything going on, he wondered how anyone got any sleep. Even the lake seemed to be suffering; the water was murky and he hadn't seen a single fish yet. It was all very concerning. He shrugged again at the other man's question. I used to live near the ocean, East said first, his gaze moving back to the water. I guess it comforts me. He much preferred the sea over any fresh water he found inland, but it was better than nothing.

The assumption is fair; Eastwood is not familiar that this is a usual for the ex-prince. The sisters are not, either, although his movements have always been lax, lazy in motion despite his menacing stance. Aldric tilts his head to the right, his chin dips in an uncommitted nod.

Us, too, he says, golden gaze shifting away from the man to the sad lake stretched before them. How the silver warrior wishes he could see it in it's full glory, without the destruction of Razikale at their feet. We lived on an island, the ocean strong, and the waves would tower over our heads when they hit the rocky cliffs just right.

A strength the Toth follower always respected.

He hadn't known they lived near the ocean. He couldn't recall either sister telling him that, but that didn't mean they hadn't, although he was pretty sure he would have remembered if Eleni had said it. The mention of rocky cliffs brought back unwanted memories of Drageda, which was probably the absolute last thing he wanted to talk about, especially with Aldric; it would bring up a lot of emotions he didn't want to experience in the presence of someone he barely knew. Well, then I'm sure you can agree that this lake pales in comparison, especially now, he replied. He wasn't sure what else to say to the other man; he didn't want to ask about his past because he felt it wasn't his place, and he felt like it would open himself up for similar questions. So he remained awkwardly quiet, his gaze locked on the water as he tried and failed to think of something else to say.