Thawing Out (Tera)

[Darius Djaq]

Darius could hardly keep his eyes open. Even though Winter didn't pass too long ago. It was pleasantly cool with a light breeze every now and then. The best part was the comfortable warmth of the sun through the canopy of leaves and branches. Listening to the white noise of bird chirps and rustling of small animals nearby.

All this combined to put Darius in one of the most relaxed and comfortable moods of his life. He was enjoying every bit of this weather. Sitting with his back against a large oak tree he hardly moved. Almost thawing out in the sun after a long and difficult winter. He had to drag his way through the heavy snow fall to hunt for what little game was left. Make sure there was enough fire wood to last two winters. Repair any damages to the cabin before it fell apart during the bad weather. All that hard work to simply keep himself alive.

The wear and tear was starting to show. His dirty blonde beard that was usually shaven to the chin and surrounding his mouth. Was now growing farther and farther away from his face. The rest of cheek and neck was covered in short coarse hair. His lighter blonde hair was a little before shoulder length. Kept long to keep in the warmth. The lines in his face surrounding those dark green (now closed) eyes were getting deeper.

His all black clothes were still a deep shade, hardly faded as they would get over summer. Surprisingly well kept even through hunting in the snow.. All in all he was pale, cracked and rougher looking than ever but it was nothing good time in the sun couldn't fix.

Winter and it's difficulties were far away from his mind. Now was the time for Darius to rest.. Rest and listen to the natural hum of the forest.

[Tierranalin]

Ra' had been walking for some time, not taking wolf form for days she slung her pack over her shoulder and scuffed her feet. She had forcefully left the farm she started working for after having disagreements with the farmer's dogs. Ra' no longer wore her leathers but kept herself in hher shirt and pantaloons with her coat draped over her shoulders. They showed little signs of dirt and wear. Winter had passed through not to long ago but Ra had forgotten how the wolf coped with winter better than the human. She couldn't help but shiver for a moment.

Ra' could feel the heat of the sun flash upon her as she passed through areas of trees without leaves. The birds were out chirping as they do when the day arrives, a good sign to any traveller.
It was true, Ra' had let down her guard slightly thinking more about her next feed than her surroundings. After all the birds would grow quiet it there was a threat.

Her eyes were wide and sharp as she scanned for food, but not as sharp as they would have been with the wolf. She has eaten little food since leaving the farm, mice and rabbits hardly filled her belly. She cursed her belly as it growled at her 'Your gonna scare the kill' she said to herself.

She ran a hand through her dark hair pushing the braids and lose strands back over her shoulder. Her hair was long and thick like that of the wolf's pelt. Her eyes were showing signs of exhaustion and hunger as she scuffed her way through the trees.

Ra' stopped in her tracts and listened. She closed her eyes and listened to the sounds around her. She put her pack down dug a little gap through sleet and dirt to press her ear to the ground where she could hear the thumping of rabbits feet. Ra' stood tall scanned the area and bounded into a chase after the rabbit through the trees.

[Darius Djaq]

The only thing that slowly brought Darius back to reality was a faint tiny sound. A sound that nearly faded into the normal rustles and chides of birds or squirrels. It was a sound that he associated with excitement, relief and the thrill of hunting. What he heard was a rabbit.

Reluctantly he opened his eyes and slowly listened for a second he thought it was just apart of his imagination. Dreamed up in those seconds of half sleep. It wasn't and when he listened closer the slight thudding sound came in quiet but definite.

Smiling he wondered if it would be worth the trouble to get his bow and set a trap. This one was going to get away before he got back from his house but there will be more. With a thought his smile lessened a bit. This rabbit wasn't just scurrying about. It was running fast and probably for it's life... With that thought Darius got up and broke into a hurried but quiet jog towards his cabin.

The cabin wasn't much to look at and the lack of natural light gave it a dark but cozy appearance. The winter with all its rain and snow kept the cabin very cold and equally damp. The spring was drying everything out nicely though.

Stepping inside he turned to his right and retrieved his long bow were it always stayed. Close enough for an emergency like this. Picking up the bow he grabbed the loose bow string that hung from the bottom half of the bow. He left it unstrung when it wasn't in use. Quickly he placed the bottom end of the bow in a small round notch carved into the floor. Pressed the top part of the bow down firm. Bringing it into a slight C shape and strung the bow.

Quickly picking up the quiver and placing the strap around his shoulder he left the wooden cabin. Running, he reached a thick tree on the right of the house. If he was correct it would be providing excellent cover from a west point of view. Which is exactly the direction he heard the rabbit heading from. Now if his assumptions were correct Darius now had a perfect shooting spot.

His years of hunting taught him that prey only runs when they smell the hunter or a predator. Now it could be a small fox perhaps, nothing too serious. although taking chances wasn't an option for Darius anymore. No, the best thing to do was wait and see what the predator really was, then kill it. Wolf maybe even a Coyote or it could be larger and twice as dangerous. Lots of things don't mind chasing down a rabbit for dinner. He wasn't about to take that chance.

Taking out an arrow from his quiver and taking the tail between his pointer and index he placed the arrow shaft on the notched carved into the side of his bow. Slowly he pulled back feeling the tension of the bow.

Barely breathing he continued to hear the scrambling rabbit but still no sight of it. Lifting his bow up he pulled the string back farther into a ready position. With the arrow and bow ready to be shot at a moments notice. Now he needed to simply wait and be ready.

[Tierranalin]

her eyes were fixated on the white tail of the brown rabbit as it twisted and turned bending through spaces with flash decisions. Ra' grabbed nearing trees and used them to propel herself forward. Step by step she started to gain ground on the rabbit.

Ra's boots guided her over branches, fallen leaves and stones. She ran fast an on her toes but not without a sound. The wind was behind her aiding her in the hunt, pushing her forward. She was lost in the hunt enjoying the chase as a human for a change, forgetting all her wolf like senses and rules when hunting.

Her breathing was steady and even as she ran, she was used to the chase, she has been chasing all winter for food. Her pale cheeks held slight colour as the cold air rushed by her. Her hair was tossed is several directions, behind her as she ran with speed, over her shoulders in front of her as the wind picked up and across her cheeks as she darted side to side avoiding obstacles and following the darting path of the rabbit.

As she ran Ra' slid a dagger from her boot leather and prepared to dig it into the rabbit's body, fast and deadly. Her eyes were wide and her teeth sharp as they pressed into her lip and she turned the dagger in her hand ready to strike.

Ra' watched the rabbit as she grew closer realizing she wouldn't be able to throw her blade in fear the rabbit darts to the left or right on a last minute impulse. She knew at this point she would have to dive onto the creature. Sliding her dagger into a braid as a temporary hold she leapt forward and dived upon the rabbit, clutching it in her hands she quickly twisted her hands in opposite directions breaking the neck and ending the terror it felt from the chase.

Once the rabbit has stopped moving and her own sounds had eased she sat and felt fear for the first time in a long time. She had been totally switched off and ignored all her common sense and everything wolf. She had not smelt the air for predators, she had not used tactical ambush to remain quiet and she had not hid herself. She sat now in the open. Vulnerable. She had not listened for any odd features till now. She could hear breathing, faint breathing and to make it worse the breathing was coming from behind her.

The only advantage she had in her position was that she was now down wind. She took a deep breath and smelt human. Was that a good thing or bad? She was unsure as of yet.

[Darius Djaq]

It was one of the strangest sights He ever saw. A young woman came charging threw the forest after this rabbit. She was an average height and build, with a long knife in one hand. He didn't now what to make of it. Quickly with grace and skill the woman pounced on the creature. Within seconds the rabbit lay limp in her hands with a broken neck.

It was almost too fast and bazaar to comprehend. Fear started to grip into his stomach. What if this woman wasn't human at all? He had heard from other hunters in the area about the Dhani. Cursed snake people that took the shape of humans. Who moved with incredible speed and strength. Could rip a man in half with their bare hands.

His breathing was calm even though his heart was pounding in his chest. He wanted to fire and end the situation at that. Logically it was the safest thing to do. Morally it was a horrible thing to assume this young woman was a monster and act upon it. Quickly he thought about the other possible options. This woman could possibly a Forest Child. Living in the forest as an orphan? A forest creature of some kind. Their were many things he would never see or understand in the world and he knew that. Especially in the Wild Lands of Sylira.

“Stop right where you are!” He shouted at the woman while he stepped out from the cover of the tree. The bright winter sunlight came into his eyes for a brief second making him wince at first.

“Don't move unless I tell you too.” His voice was stern and cold. He had no idea what this woman was, but he knew animals could smell fear. He didn't allow himself to appear weak just in case.

“Slowly get up and toss that knife far to your right side. Away from both of us.” When the woman did what he asked Darius left the tree and began slowly towards the cabin. His boots made a dull crunching sound in the thick snow. All the while he kept his bow trained on her and watched for any foul movement.

“Now start talking. Who you are, what you are, and why the hell are you on my land? I don't want to hurt you but I will put this arrow threw your chest if I have to.” The last part of his sentence was very much a threat.

[Tierranalin]

Ra' had done everything the average human would do in a hunt. See prey, chase prey, catch prey, kill prey. However she had abandoned everything the wolf would do. See prey, plan how to take down prey, get in position, listen, smell, chase, kill, leave.

Ra' had frozen standing in the open. She knew there was eyes upon her and she knew they were human. Without a sound Ra slowly raised her hands to hold them in the air above her head, in one hand she held her blade with a loose grasp. She did not turned to face the human and she did not open her mouth to speak. She just sat and listened and smelt the air. His heart was pounding fast, she could hear the light thudding of his chest.

Ra' could smell sweat, and a mature musk like that of a male. The smell was definitely human, male and possibly in his thirties.

She could hear the tension in the bow string as he held it. Ra' thought quickly as that of the wolf, she tried to separate the thoughts of the two minds. Both bodies were in fight or flight mode but because of the creature within her she could think using both. Part of her said take off now, run, get away and leave the rabbit. The other told her to turn and fight, claim the rabbit as her own. In amongst all the panic and thoughts was a voice in her head saying don't do anything, let the human make the first move, she was after all on his lands.

His voice broke her thoughts then and there. He had made the first move making her mind spin onto a string of new actions. He had shouted the command from what she knew of male humans and wolves alike was they liked to establish a dominance. He had shown control already and with her position she had no choice but to listen and act upon what he says.

She could hear sticks and leaves crunch and she knew he had stepped out of the woods. This was a good sign and a bad one, he was now behind her and armed. There was a large window for him to attack. The suns glare was down upon them as they stood in the open.

His voice continued to fire commands at her. She slowly let her head nod in agreement to his command. She could read several emotions in his voice and she knew not being able to pin him to one emotion that she would have to think her every action, any sudden actions could result in injury and possible loss of life.

Ra' slowly did as she was told and arose from her position, she stood stretching her back and legs slightly after tensing them for the hunt. She turned the blade in her hand and through it towards a tree on her right, upon impact the blade dug into the tree and sat watching the scene.

She could hear his feet moving once again this time slightly away from her. Her ears twitched but she kept her hands up and her body still.

She opened her mouth and let her warm breath break into the air. "I mean you no harm" she started. She started to turn slowly to face him keeping her hands above her head. "I was hungry and for reasons unknown I stumbled upon your lands. It was not intentional" she said her wine red orbs gazing right at him, looking him right in the eyes.
"Who I am is not important. I hold not a name you would know" She said still holding his gaze.
"It wouldn't be the first time someone tried to put an arrow in my chest" she spat slightly.
"Forgive me. I mean not to be hostile as you can see by my dagger that is no longer in my grasp but I would much prefer you lowered your weapon sir" she said as more of a stern command.

[Darius Djaq]

What really got to Darius was the dark red eyes. Staring without emotion straight into his eyes while she spoke. Staring back he kept his face cold and impassive. Scared or not he wouldn't show it. He couldn't help wondering what sort of Demon he was dealing with.

She said she had no name? Nothing that he would understand which meant she was foreign to Sylira. She spoke good common that's all that really mattered right now. The young lady didn't mean harm which was good if he could trust it. The part about her being hungry bugged him though. Who was he to keep a young woman from eating?

When she spat a reaction to his threat he tightened the bow string out of reflex. He might feel bad for her but he wasn't going to be a victim here. Not on his own land. When she finally got done speaking and explaining how she wanted his weapon down as well. He stood their silent. For a good minute and contemplated the situation. She looked like some sort of Forest Demon, but she was hungry and it sounded like people have shot at her before. It wouldn't be that hard to believe that farmers would try and kill a red eyed woman hunting animals on their land.

Even though logic and natural instinct told him she was a threat. If not then to simply let her go, drive her out. Even with those thoughts he still couldn't ignore his conscious. She was going hungry probably. He knew it was hard enough to hunt and survive on his own. To think she was doing with without anyone else or a home? With a sigh he furrowed his eyebrows and looked in her eyes. Studied her face for some sort for clue that he could trust her.

In the end, she was hungry and probably cold. She wasn't wearing winter clothes that's for sure. Grudgingly he lower his bow and relaxed the bow string.

“Alright, name or not you must be cold. I've got a fire going on in the cabin. If you want, we can cook that thing properly.” He paused for a minute wondering how he was going to speak with this woman.

“I didn't mean to threaten you too much. But you running up on my property with a long knife is asking for trouble. My name is Darius by the way. As long as your civilized your welcome with me.” He held the arrow and bow in one hand and walked over to the woman. He was a good distance away when he held his hand out and waited for her to come the rest of the way to him. He wasn't going to take too much chance with this Forest Girl. As he looked into her eyes, he hoped he wasn't making a terrible mistake.

[Tierranalin]

Ra' could feel the cold seeping into her muscles now she had stopped moving and after being without food for some time the effects were starting to hit her. She knew not to remove her eyes from him incase of an attack but he would have done it by now right? Ra's eyes flicked down to the limp rabbit body at her feet, the blood was probably starting to go cold now, as gross as it was warm blood could keep a human and wolf working right through the winter. She now flicked her eyes back to him.

She knew she was intimidating, she had never learnt to be social with humans. The farmer she last worked for said little to her and hardly looked at her. In fact he acted like she was never there until his dogs spoke otherwise. Ra' tried to read his muscles, his arms were locked in grasp on the bow as a protective instinct. His legs slightly apart and loose at the knees meaning he was ready to run if he had to but also held good ground for attack.

Her tummy let off a loud rumble similar to the wolf when she clears her throat. She slowly moved a hand to her belly to silence it, keeping her eyes upon him in case he thought she was making a move of some sort. His facial expression changed, he held a slight frown and he returned her glance. He was studying her just as she had done to him, silently trying to find answers.

He lowered his bow at last and relaxed the string, he had trusted her and so in return she showed the only sign she knew off trust. Ra' swept all her hair to one side of her neck and got on one knee with her neck tilted to the flesh was exposed. It was a sign of trust where she came from, showing the venerable flesh and veins of the neck even if there was a chance of attack showed you were to be trusted.

"Thanks you" she spoke without moving from her position. "Call me Ra'" she said looking up at him slightly "Fire.." she hesitated. "The cabin sounds nice" she smiled slightly before standing and scooping up the rabbit in one hand.

"I understand. I was not myself, normally I check my surroundings and make sure this sort of thing doesn't happen. I was just foolish and hungry" she said shaking her head slightly. "I had no intent on harming a human or running upon one" she said "My apologies Darius" she said with a smile and a small bow of the head.

he walked closer and she didn't move in case of startling him. He held his hand extended towards her and with a moments pause she took a step forward and took his hand in hers. She smiled slightly but tried not to smile to big. A flash of her white teeth normally started people, so she just smiled with her lips closed almost a slight smirk if you will. "Let's go eat" she said.

[Darius Djaq]

Darius was curious if not a little skeptical when the woman got on one knee. It would be foolish for her to attack him but if it wasn't an attack, what was it? When she finally exposed her neck, he started to get it. She was obviously not from Sylira or any part of the world he knew. Which was fine he could deal with new customs. It made him feel a little awkward because he didn't know exactly what to do back though. He didn't want to offend her at all.

Her name was very interesting. Ra, it formed on the tongue nicely. He was certainly glad it wasn't long and confusing. Her looks were defiantly the most interesting part about her still. Being so close he could get a good look at the woman. She had several breads in her hair. Beads and rings were tied here and there. She had strange metal threw her ears though? All in all her appearance was extremely, different from what he was used to seeing.

He never liked to judge a person from looks, other cultures had their ideas of beauty. Which raised the questions about where she came from. Ra didn't look all that younger than himself. She was well into the age that a person lived on their own. If she was this hungry though? She must be homeless or living in the forest as he expected.

With such a slender frame she defiantly needed food. He couldn't shake the idea that he might not be safe with her. Although the idea of helping someone of the forest had it's benefits. This might be a creature he has never encountered before. Helping her out might save him one day.

“I hope you haven't been hungry for long. Its been hard enough keeping fed and warm myself. I can't imagine living in the forest by yourself?” He walked along side the woman to the cabin. He aimed the question to pry into her life but gently.

“I have a little meat and potatoes from the city market. We can turn that rabbit into a fine stew if you want.” They both stepped into the cabin one after another. Darius quickly put his quiver and bow off to the right side of the door were it always sat.

The cabin, more like a large room. Wasn't much to look at but it kept surprisingly warm. It was dark, dimly lit by the orange fire light. A bed roll, thick blankets and pillows lay off to the far right. The fire place was directly in front of them against the far wall. A table large enough for a few guests sat close by with two chairs. It had the usual utensils to cook and eat with. Sacks of flour, potatoes and other random necessities laid under and around the table. Things were a tad bit messy but nothing more than you would expect from any placed that was lived in. Darius was simple and he liked it that way.

“Sorry, it isn't much but your welcome here as long as you want... Here let me get that for you.” Darius took the limp rabbit out of Ra's hand and walked over to the table and set it down. He wasn't going to let a guest cook. He turned around and looker at her.

“Since your going to be a guest in my home. Then we will get to know each other over a meal, I must warn you.” He gave a brief smile. It was strange, he talked to people all the time inside Syliras markets. Made friends even with traders so he could get a better deal. Strangely he felt nervous with her. It had been years since he had a proper meal with anyone. Actually got to know someone, he always tried to stop that from happening.

“Sit down and start explaining why you been wandering around in the forest. With all the monsters wandering around and it being winter. You'd have to be crazy to travel alone.” He pushed out a chair and sat down himself. “And if you don't want to start out with your life that's fine. Just tell me how you like your meat? You can always tell things about a person from their preference in meat.” He smiled and tried not to think about how horribly lame his jokes have gotten with time. It was sad but it was possible the main reason he trusted her so quick was to get a little break from being alone? It was unlike him but change was always welcomed.

[Tierranalin]

"Hunger is a common thing through winter" she said with a soft smile. "This winter above all was hard indeed. All big elk and wild goats are gone" she said with a sigh. The thoughts of elk made her stomach grown the last time she had taken down a big kill was many moons ago with Cathan who travelled with her for three or four days. She nodded slightly and looked across to him, he had worded his statement like a question, she could tell he was curios about her and who wouldn't be curios of a stranger stumbling upon your lands. "I can't imagine living in a house by myself ether" she said in a very slight mocking tone.

"I like stew" she said with a slight laugh "Dunno how to make it thought" she said with a slight blush. Most women her age knew how to cook and clean and had husbands and bore them children, Ra' was the polar opposite. "Oh hold on" she said stopping for a moment. "My pack is not far from where I got the rabbit" she said "excuse me" she said darting off to grab it. She ran fast on her toes but light, she slid to a stop and scooped her bag up slung it over her shoulder before turning and heading back to Darius.

They both stepped into the cabin one after another where Darius put his quiver and bow to the right side of the door. Ra' slid her pack off her shoulder and left it to the left of the door. The cabin was warm, she could feel her flesh become slightly warmer in colour but she still kept her rather pale complexion.
She knew he lived by himself in the cottage, it was small there was room for two people and guests but clearly only one person slept here. It was plenty big enough for one.

"It's a very nice place" she said with a smile. "I don't want to be a burden" she said "I will sleep outside" she said looking at the fire. Upon turning her face to it she felt the warmth caress her and tease her pale cheeks. She turned back to him and handed him the rabbit before looking back to the fire.
Fire and Ice. Both feared as much as each other, the fire that takes and eats all including her family. She never feared fire when outside but this fire made her slightly uneasy.

Ra' nodded. "Thank you again for taking me in for this meal." she said with a brief smile also. Ra' did as she was instructed. She sat down at the table with her wine eyes looking upon her host.
"The forest has been my home for as long as I can remember. I was hunting, hence me popping up on your land after that very rabbit" she said gesturing towards the lifeless body. "Monsters?" she questioned. Maybe she was what he called a monster, people that didn't know her or glanced upon her in the woods often used that word or could he be talking about other creatures? "I stick to the forest in winter but due to the livestock moving and harsh weather I haven't made a camp this year" she said "Crazy? haha I guess I am. But when your alone you only have yourself to look after" she said "No fear except your own" she looked down at her hands for a moment thinking of her family and herself. "Sometimes people are monsters" she said in a whisper.

"I will eat meat in any state from bloody and raw, medium, well done. Just not burnt" she said with a slight chuckle, her teeth flashing for a moment. White and sharp, much like human teeth but slightly longer and sharper nothing too noticeable.
"What can you tell about me from my preference?" she asked tilting her head slightly to one side.
Ra' felt her muscles relax underneath her. She was comfortable in his company and she smiled at the thought. She had been careful with her words though and said little of her past.