[PRP] Damp Paws and Dying Plants { Feiurce x Asli }

[techabyte]

Winter to spring to summer. It all happened way too quickly; especially for one mare in particular. Winter had been far too rough on her; the small Cerynei that wandered the forests. She had scavenged for food for both herself and the plant ( she really should give it a name ). That meant finding bark that she could manage to choke down mixed with some form of flesh for the plant to eat. And Feiurce was tired. Spring came, and it wasn't much better. She was able to find plenty of food for herself, but any time she got distracted with one thing or another, the plant reminded her it was there. Poison dripping into her blood stream like the water she drank from. And she knew if she wasn't careful, it would get worse. She'd been worse. Her father had saved her from death several times as a young foal until they learned just how to appeal to the plant, and even then it was rough. For a moment she pondered if she should just align with some Kalona or something, and then thought better of it. Feiurce didn't settle if she didn't have to. And if there was anything she learned from this whole mess it was to ensure she stayed strong and kept her head held high. She wouldn't falter even if she was weaker than everyone around her.

And now it was summer, and the rains kept coming. They always said that it made for great food later on in the hotter, dryer season. But right now she was tired of the damp air and the soaked fur. Feiurce had eventually found herself a cave that she could dry off in, but now she was bored. And both herself and the plant were getting hungry. The light mare paced in front of the entrance of the cave, her head tilting one way and hten another as she analyzed how bad the storm was. It wasn't thundering or clashing lightning out. So that was a plus. After a few more moments contemplation, she moved out and into the rainfall. Her tail gave a small flick of irritation at the water collecting on her fur, but she continued onward, hoping to find something for the plant to eat. If she didn't move quickly, she would grow weaker, and possibly even falter or fall when she was close to getting it what it wanted. She could already feel her muscles growing weak, and it scared her. She breathed out a sigh, large ears laying flat against her skull for a second as she contemplated just where she could go. Her hooves pushed past leaves and shoved them one way and then another as she moved, Hopefully something good would happen today...

Hopefully.  

[Fatal Irony]

He couldn't claim to appreciate the rain as it fell, the water weighing down his thick mane and tail, the water dampening smells and the sound obscuring his ability to hear his prey. Water forced smaller animals into their homes to stay dry, as well. The thought caused him to flick his tail irritably, which caused several drops of water to shoot off the end and into the surrounding plant life. He shook his mane for about the thousandth time, shaking off as much water as he could and attempting to get his mane out of his eyes. This, of course, proved a futile endeavor. He sighed heavily and trudged on, soggy and disappointed. His stomach rumbled angrily, to which he could only frown in response. He needed to find some food.

It had been raining for days, which had made the picking slim. The trails were washed out, which caused the small animals to take different routes to their drinking spots. Asli often was too large to follow these trails, if he found them at all. The mud made it easier to spot tracks, unless it had rained enough to wash them out again. It was a frustrating task. He'd managed to snag a hare a few days ago, but that meal was but a distant memory now, and he was beginning to get desperate.

No for the first time he was questioning this adventure of his. He'd imagined it as some romantic, heroic quest that would bring him fame and recognition. So far it'd brought him filth and hunger and no small amount of loneliness. Sure, he'd met a few friends along the way, but no one that had wanted to take on this "fool's errand" of finding adventure. Maybe they were right. He sighed again and for about the third time that day debated turning around for home.

Yet still his paws carried him forward, further from his family. There was something he needed from this trip. He couldn't put his finger on it, but he needed something and he couldn't turn around until he'd found it. So he kept his trudging pace, not really paying attention to what was around him. His ears were filled with the steady sounds of pouring rain, his eyes blurred by water and the bits of his mane that kept getting in their way. His paws sunk into the mud with each step, making a slight sucking sound as each foot was lifted free. And beneath it all, the gurgling of his stomach was constant. "I really need to focus and find some food," he muttered softly.

That was when he'd heard it and froze. It was the unmistakable sound of movement, and it was close. At once every fiber of his being shifted to predator mode, the rain and even his hunger forgotten. He stalked closer, crouched and (hopefully) unnoticed, moving aside each branch and leaf carefully as to not make noise. Then he saw it - and stopped dead. This was not prey. His heart fell and he stood up straight and debated what to do now. He decided to see if the mare happened to know of any good hunting. She didn't appear to be a huntress herself, but perhaps she'd seen an animal's den or something in her travels.

"Hey! My name is Asli. You wouldn't happen to have seen any rabbits or anything scurrying about here, have you?" He gave her a friendly smile so she wouldn't feel threatened by his sudden appearance.

techabyte

 

[techabyte]

Feiurce had no idea what she was going to do; with herself or with this blasted plant. And for the second time she thought about giving it a name. The thought made her roll her eyes, but it'd be easier to talk about it rather than just saying "The plant this" or "The plant that". Giving it a name would, in fact, help her out just a slight bit. Plus it would give her something to focus on rather than being utterly distracted with hunger. She pushed the pains in her stomach away in order to contemplate on a name, her eyes flickering this way and that for something that wasn't completely drenched in water. Near her hear, she heard a small whine of a noise, and sighed. The plant was hungry too... It was starting to make almost pleading noises as though begging for food. And as much as she wished to give the blasted thing what it wanted, she also didn't know how she was going to go about it. In this weather, not much was out hunting, let alone leaving dead carcasses around for her to pillage and lay near so that someone could eat.

She decided to name the foliage Zeera.

Zeera was whining and shifting every so often. Her vines shifted slightly along Feiurces throat and near her jaw, as though threatening to pierce thorns in at any second. The Cerynei shuddered at the thought, before breathing out yet another sigh. Her tail flicked behind her as she pondered what she was going to do. At least she had given it a name. And Zeera would live up to it she was certain. She paused near a tree, eyeballing it lightly to see if it was something she could eat easily. She lifted her head to sniff at the water soaked leaves. She flinched back at the thought, before hearing something. Her ears shot up and swiveled back behind her. She could hear something moving in the forest. It wasn't the water hitting the leaves. This was a much different noise. She tilted her head slowly to the side, her ice blue eyes flickering back through the trees to try and find whatever it was that was moving. When it wasn't clear just what was near her, she panicked. She felt her heart jump into her throat and swallowed thickly, preparing herself to run.

The first thing she saw was paws. And the panic shot up into high mode. She sucked in a breath quickly as though she was about to scream. She'd heard of Skinwalkers. And heard of the more worse of two evils; the Purewalkers. Those with paws. Those straight from the gates of hell. She'd heard of them, and knew just what it would mean to be attacked by one. It would mean her life. She'd be dead, very quickly. She squeezed her eyes closed, preparing for the pain of claws through her delicate fur. But it never came. Instead, she heard something else. Not a growl or a snarl. A voice, a rather chipper voice, saying hello to her. Her eyes opened quickly, and she glanced up toward the stallion that seemed to be all too happy to have run into another. Feiurce stared for several seconds, before breathing out a sigh of relief. She swallowed the fear quickly, before smiling hesitantly toward him, obviously on edge. After a second she shook some water from her fur and glanced up at him with a little bit more focus. "O-Oh... Hello." She managed. When he questioned about rabbits or other small creatures, she sent an apologetic smile and shook her head slightly, causing water to fall from her bangs. "I'm sorry, but no. I haven't. The water seems to be keeping everything out of sight, huh?" She said, glancing around. Zeera let out another noise, almost a hiss, before going quiet by Feiurce's ear. The Cerynei shifted, before tilting her head. "I'm Feiruce. It's a pleasure to meet you though, Asli."

Fatal Irony

 

[Fatal Irony]

techabyte

He could see the tell-tale signs of fear racing through her mind; her eyes were perfect windows into her thoughts. He had the sudden impression that this mare couldn't possibly hide her thoughts from others if she'd tried and he felt a sudden affection for her innocence. He waited patiently as she processed what he was standing before her. Wherever he went the reaction was always the same - when they see his paws they shiver with fear and look at him as though he were Death come to claim them. He knew the reason he struck fear, of course. He'd heard the same stories as everyone else about skinwalkers. He'd yet to meet one - and hoped he never would! Still, he believed the fearful reaction to be rational, so he takes it in stride.

His heart sank as she mentioned the distinct lack of food. As if in answer his stomach gave another rumble and he sighed in response. "It's nice to meet you Feiruce, really. I need to find some food." He frowned and shifted, glancing around for any signs of game. He kept flicking his eyes surreptitiously towards the mare, feeling a shyness he'd never had before. The rain poured off of his thick hair and into his eyes. He shook his head violently, sending water flying. It was belatedly that he remembered he was in the presence of a lady - and one he most likely just sprayed with water. She was of course already soaked from the weather, but it seemed a little rude and he smiled at her sheepishly. "I'm sorry... I get a little stupid when I'm hungry." He laughed lightly as he ground his claws into the dirt beneath him nervously. "Do you want to help me scare up some game?"



 

[techabyte]

Feiurce watched the stallion with a curious stare. Despite the rain, she could tell different aspects of him. Her head tilted to the side as she analyzed his appearance and how he held himself. He had confidence, despite the clear hunger written on his face. Surely he was ready to hunt and get some meat in him, before passing out from hunger. Which oddly enough reminded her of Zeera needing food. The mare glanced toward her bangs before looking back at the stallion. His hair was thick, and long; the brightest of blues. It reminded her of the sky on a sunny day; clearly not today though. His coat was pale, with slightly darker markings littering his form, and she couldn't help but smile when she happened to catch sight of a heart on his side. It was cute. She tilted her head to the side, focusing once more on him.

Asli was disappointed? She frowned slightly at the thought, uncertain why it upset her any more than anyone else being upset. But for some reason she wanted to figure out why. Her short tail flicked behind her, causing water to splatter away from her, before laying her tail flat against her flank to help keep water from her form. Her head tilted lightly as she watched him, curious as to if she could help any. Zeera made a protested noise from behind her ear, clearly not liking the rain falling from the sky. Feiurce ignored it in favor of ducking her head and turning it away slightly when he shook out his long mane. Water, more than had been on her, seemed to catch her coat easily and drench her even farther. The mare shook her head gently to get a few drops from her face, careful not to send water splattering. When he apologized, she sent a small smile toward him, eyes kind and gentle. She shook her head gently to tell him it was all right; after all, she was already wet, and there was no reason to fret about her becoming even more wet.

"No worries, Asli. I don't mind; not like you could make it any worse, right?" She said with a bird like laugh. Her head tilted to the side, ears snapping up at his last question. Help him get some game? The Cerynei pondered the idea for a moment, before nodding her head. She could help. It would be easy. The mare moved forward toward the denser parts of the trees, sure that something was hiding in there. It was too thick not to have a single creature residing in the foliage. "Sure. There should be something this way, right? It's home to several critters during the sunlight; so surely they're hiding there during the rain. What do you think?" She asked, voice sweet. She smiled toward him, despite the drenched fur and hair sticking to her in every which way.

Fatal Irony

 

[Fatal Irony]

techabyte

It was at this point he noticed how much she glanced at or tilted her head in consideration of the plant at her temple He rose an eyebrow at it, but didn't want to seem rude by asking about it. He was distracted almost at once from the mystery of the plant back to Feiurce herself as she brushed off his most ungentlemanly spraying of water. He noticed how her hair cascaded down her neck and covered half her face is a most demure and mysterious way. He was struck by the color of her visible eye - a piercing blue that took him aback for a moment. He wondered vaguely if he'd ever seen anyone so delicate-looking or so elegant. His eyes followed her hair down her neck and there he noticed the skull and crossed bones at the base of her throat and couldn't help a smile. Was there any symbol less suited to the fine lady before him? Even drenched in rainwater - both direct and second-hand - she was probably the most beautiful mare he'd ever laid eyes on.

Was that why he was acting so stupid? He silently berated himself, trying to regain some form of composure. Outwardly he was collected, beside the subtle digging of his claws into the ground. Inside he was all nerves suddenly as he looked at her. His heart skipped a beat as she agreed to help him hunt and as she turned to motion into the woods he found his feet already in motion to follow her. He had the distinct impression he would follow her anywhere if she asked. He shook his head violently as she was looking away, trying to clear it. "Keep hold of yourself, Asli," he said under his breath as he steeled himself and moved forward.

"I imagine all the critters are deep in their holes. Perhaps we can find a den and you can flush them out while I lie in wait and catch them as they pass?" He hoped there was something to catch. He hated being hungry. Particularly around pretty mares. The more hungry he got, the more stupid he became and he didn't want to go shooting his mouth off and telling her any of the thoughts she brought to mind, such as how her eyes made him feel like she could see straight into his soul or the scent of her which was intoxicating at such a close distance.

No, he needed food fast. He didn't know why she was affecting him the way she was. He'd never felt this way before and wasn't entirely sure what to do about it. Instead, he decided to focus on the task at hand. He lowered his voice to barely a whisper. "We need to be quiet. Step lightly and try to avoid the twigs below."



 

[techabyte]

The mare shifted easily through the brush. She was used to this; used to having to move along the forest during the rain and to try and find something. She needed to be able to find food for Zeera, or she could start to dye herself. Her tail flicked some, getting a bit of the water from her flank before she paused and looked around. She needed to be able to figure out just where they were going to hunt. If she was able to find food for him, perhaps Asli would help her. She tilted her head to the side, frowning slightly as she peered through the rainfall. Stupid rain… it made life harder. She breathed out a sigh and paused, dancing somewhat on her hooves, before moving forward once more.

She thought she heard something, and for that, Feiurce tilted her head to look back toward the stallion. He seemed to be having a battle in his own mind, and the image of that made her giggle. She shook her head, before moving forward and under a low hanging branch, her hooves getting sticky with mud. She’d have to clean up, which sucked, but it was doable. Her head tilted some, and she dipped her head down to try and sniff the ground, only to pick nothing up due to the rain. It covered the scent of so many of the creatures that lived here, and made it harder for her to even try and figure out where they were going to come from.

Feiurce paused when he told her to step lightly, and she tilted her head toward him. She grinned lightly, before shaking her head and let her eyes glance over her hooves, and in that, his paws. With his paws, he’d be able to easily maneuver and hunt. Hooves weren’t meant for that. She wiggled her nose slightly, and breathed out a sigh, before moving forward and carefully stepping over branches and blades of wet grass. She pondered stopping to look over her shoulder again, before deciding it was for the best for her to continue onward and try and get something out. Her ears swiveled and she glanced down toward the ground. After a moment, she seemed to follow something. She lifted a hoof and seemed to be pointing under her toward what appeared to be a den. Small, so whatever was in it was going to be something small in turn. She smiled toward him, tossing her hair from her face for a moment, before rearing up on her hind legs and then came slamming down toward the ground.

The motion caused the ground to shake under her, and then the world around them seemed to explode. Rabbits came bursting out from the ground, three of them quickly moving from the force of the ground shaking. They were startled, and now it was time for them to flee in case something happened to their home. But when they spotted Asli, they scattered, knowing a predator when they saw one.

Fatal Irony

 

[Fatal Irony]

techabyte

omg so sorry for the delay!

He admired the way she moved through the forest, as one not only born to it, but part of it. She was in tune with the movement of the forest and practically glided her way along. She stopped and seemed to waiver and he coked his head at her, momentarily jogged from his own thoughts. She seemed unsure, and who could blame her? She was no huntress. But she knew the woods and if she kept confidence in that she would find them something. He would do the rest. He would provide for her - a thought that made him feel warm inside. He imagined going out hunting and returning to her with a large deer, showing her just how good a hunter he w - she was looking at him and giggling. Oh no. What had he been doing? He smiled sheepishly at her and tried to focus.

She continued moving and he followed, lamenting how wet everything was and the way mud squished up between the toes of his paws. He would bet soquili with hooves didn't feel so uncomfortable in the mud. He pulled up short when she stopped and gestured at the small den. He was amazed, because even at this close range he couldn't catch enough of a scent that he would have found it on his own, He grinned wide at the mare and crouched into a ready position. He nodded, and she made her move.

It all happened in moments. There was the scattering of the rabbits, fleeing for their lives and panicking when they saw him. Asli, quickly deciding which to focus on, springing to action in a flash of activity. Rabbits were fast, and small, and there was a lot of cover int he woods. Asli was fast too, and smarter than the average rabbit. He hoped so, at least. It wasn't the time for self-deprecation however. He twisted and turned and ran down the small creature until he felt the satisfying sensation of his claws digging into flesh. He had it. He brought it to bear and quickly snapped its neck, not wanting to let it suffer. He wasn't a monster, after all.

He was a good distance from Feiurce and wondered if she'd followed him at all. He glanced about, panting, waiting for his heartbeat to slow before he would bring his prize to the mare. His stomach growled, demanding he take his cut now, but he ignored it. He could wait a few moments while he tended to the lady's needs. To that end he began preparing the meat and dividing it into pieces he thought the plant could handle, as he was sure it couldn't take anything bigger than itself.



 

[techabyte]

Everything happened so fast. And Feiurce had never hunted before. But she was excited to help the stallion out. He was so cute. So willing to learn and ask for help. Polite even! She waited. One heartbeat, two. And then the creatures were running from her. The rabbits were sprinting from their den, panicking when they thought a predator was there, was there to kill them. And instead they ran straight for Asli, and then panicked even more. The mare paused, her head cocking, making her hair stick to her throat and face from the rain. And as the rabbits ran off to try and escape the mare, they didn’t realize they were running for the predator. And it made her heart pound hard as she watched them flee.

But he was quick on his paws. Despite the mud and water, despite being soaked and weighted down from the rain, he was swift. Feiurce watched him, keeping her eyes locked on the soft colored stallion as he ran for his food. And she felt her heart pound hard in her chest, her tail flicking behind her, sending water away. He was… cute. Very cute. More so than she thought was going to be possible. And for some reason, she couldn’t stop the blush, couldn’t stop herself from laughing and shaking her head at his almost childish antics as he ran for his food. Feiurce waited a few beats, before she took off after him, her hooves pounding into the ground and splashing water and mud about as she followed suit.

She didn’t know when he’d caught the rabbit. But by the time she caught sight of him, and moved through the trees to catch up, he was already dividing the meat. The cursed mare tilted her head to watch, her nose flaring slightly as she tried to sniff out what was going on. She made an uncertain noise at the sight of the dead animal, and her skin quivered. She didn’t know what was wrong with her; she needed to adjust to the fact that she’d have to be around dead animals much more than she’d like. It was the only way to keep the plant satisfied, after all. She shivered again, cold from the rain and queasy from the rabbit, before moving forward slowly.

”… Did… it suffer?” She asked uncertainly. Her head dipped down, eyes flickering over the carcass. She was certain he wasn’t the kind to let the small creature suffer. Asli seemed so nice… So sweet. She flicked bright blue eyes up at the stallion, watching him with gentle eyes, before she lifted her head. The plant let out a squeal, snapping it’s maw toward the air from the smell of death in the air. Feiurce glanced up, huffing softly and shook her head. ”Hush you.” She scolded softly toward Zeera.

Fatal Irony

[ I suck. xD FINALLY A TAG~ <3 ]