Firestone Hot Springs Below

wc:315 @Orlaith

The stony-faced mountains watched with solemn silence her as she travelled, coercing her travels to venture West toward the ocean, as though nature had reached out with an open palm to guide her. She was no more than an insect to such perilous heights- and she knew she could not cross over them, not without risking her life. Her task was risky enough in its assignment that she elected to remain in the lowlands, and to venture toward the ocean. She would need those salty waters soon enough; her heart fluttered in anticipation.

It was early morning when she saw the warm mist rising from the hot springs, and could smell the sulfur in the air but she was not deterred. The fire that brewed within the earth showed her favour, and she would accept its offering. It was cool enough now through the night that she suspected the snow would come soon- but no snowflake would have been able to rest upon the broad, flat stones between each spring. The entire earth was warmed, and she revelled in the feeling of being cloaked in the warmth of a sauna.

Here she could retire for some time, and rest up. She knew she was getting closer to the ocean, and that the deadline her task was approaching rapidly. She would have little more than a week, and would then need to travel back, accounting for the extra time the burden might tax her. Butterflies jumbled through her organs with anticipation; she was ready for this.

She did not wade into one of the springs, but chose to lay down quite near to one, allowing the steam and the heat of the stone upon which she sprawled to relax her muscles. Travel had made her body weary, but her spirit was very much as bubbling with heat and excitement as was the spring next to her.

aaah sorry for the wait!!

Orlaith shouldn't be going out- but she never listened, now did she? Bruised and battered, and to rest inside the Kaistleoki with Speedy's herbs.. Well, she was getting a bit better, for at least nothing was broken or infected. Finally after patrolling and getting caught as well, she started to get rather cocky on the situation at hand- who could tell her otherwise when now Ira was making movement toward other packs, and with Hiero also doing his own duties...

She whistled happily while stepping out to the hotsprings, her fur feeling warm to the hot air as thick as it was, she immediately wanted to step out. Except, there seemed to be another.

"Heyo!"

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Through the swirling mists of the hot springs, the shadows wheeled and danced, until amongst them drew a figure prowling closer and closer that caught Echidna's eye. Tall, fit and muscular, she was a warrior without a doubt, though Echidna's gaze was drawn to the sprawling proudflesh that carved ravines through the thick fur of her shoulder and down her right forelimb in the pattern of what Echidna thought resembled tree branches. Blood veins. The scattering of lightning as it forked across the sky. Something supernatural had caused that mark but- still, the warrior moved with confidence evident in every movement; from the flick of her ankles to the twitch of her ears.

Echidna felt intimidated- but she felt invigorated by the beauty of the female. Such a face- with dashes of ginger, and a thick, lovely ruff of charcoal. The prize, if it was to be had, would be perfect; but she had to be careful...While this woman was wounded, she was a warrior still- and confident. She approached and called out, and Echidna saw it best to defer to the taller woman, tucking her ears back and thumping her tail against the hot, flat surface of the stone.

“Hello,” She called out, her gaze brightening eagerly as the other drew nearer. She flicked her tongue over her lips in a show of deference, and modestly invited Orlaith closer by sliding sideways slightly, as though to indicate how willing she was to share the bed of stone that warmed her. “Please, come and join me. It's...So lovely and warm here,” She said meekly.

She never visited the hotsprings, and feeling the warmth upon her feet was a gentle and soothing motion. Especially to the side that ached occasionally from the lightning strike, and when the offered so, she smiled in acceptance to align herself onto their side. As a large woman perhaps now there wasn't that much space, but Orlaith made sure to lean on her right side more to press her old wound against the hot rock.

"You're just kinda chilling here?" She asked the stranger nonchalantly.

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A soft laugh, meek but friendly. “Not so much chilling as warming up,” She admitted, and was pleased to see the warrior approach, relax and recline upon the warm stone. She was even more stunning up close, with beautiful fur and such striking markings. A good, strong jaw and her neck was well muscled. Perhaps a bit of an obstacle, but the best trophies were hard-earned, anyway. She could feel her nerved rattle with anticipation, and she felt fear swell into a lump in her throat. The female was injured, which might give her an advantage...But she was still much larger than she, and perhaps too impressive a creature for her to have chosen...But Echidna was ambitious- and she was willing to work for her prize, she just needed to make sure she had the right timing.

“You...You must be a warrior, yes?” She asked timidly. She could use her slight nervousness to her advantage. She wanted to seem harmless- and perhaps a little bit intimidated by Orlaith so that she might in turn feel no fear around Echidna. Her gaze was furtive as she looked upon the impressive creature, feeling both exhiliration and terror rippled through her in waves. She just had to wait it out- win her way in.

She wasn't a fool to not notice the other gauging them so, but moreso thought the other was impressed by her muscles, "I am, i'm the Knight Commander of Kaistleoki." Proudly so stated, even though as much as it sounded, she was not the true leader of the guards. Something that Orlaith wouldn't truly admit to the other, since her title itself sounded impressive despite the fact she was only a Noble. Maybe one day she would be granted more, but otherwise seemed to be lacking something at the moment to gain the role.

The other seemed meek, which eased any tension that there ever was. Seemed like a friendly loner, [b]"Interested in joining?" Might as well throw out an invite while she was at it.

A knight and a commander. Both fit titles for such a beast; Echidna felt her heart flutter in her chest. Those titles could suit her occasion perfectly well- but perhaps she shouldn't have been so keen on finding someone so....overqualified. She allowed her gaze to trail over the fine muscliature of Orlaith's frame once more, finding herself satisfied, fearful and thrilled. This was a high stake endeavour; but Echidna had never been one to back down from the opportunity to go above and beyond what was asked of her. This was her final test, her chance to prove herself. And she could prove herself to be so much more than simply being worthy if Orlaith could be her prize. 

"I..." She began, and she trailed off. She allowed her nerves to show, and she turned her ears back sheepishly. "I actually, I might need your help." She said, finally lifting her doleful gaze to beseech Orlaith. "I need a warrior...Someone strong, to help me," She admitted quietly. "I hate to ask for help, but...it's really important," She said said, a soft, pleading note in her voice.