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 Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 6:29 pm
 Under the shade of the trees lay Ikuinen, back turned to nature. It was very unusual, but he found himself doing so at times. And each time, after mere moments so close to the looming woods, he would begin to debate moving up to the side of the HQ where he normally laid. The wind blew past him, rustling the leaves and his fur and cooling him more than he would've prefered. But still he did not move anything more than a cynical paw, which crushed a fallen leaf that blew unknowingly into his space.
Lifting that same paw, he stared at the leaf. Half green and half brown. The green side, undamaged and silken, completely overshadowed the now crinkled pieces of the brown side. Pale eyes narrowed angrily at the sight as it sparked some familiar feeling within him. Scoffing, he brushed the offending thing away, shutting his eyes to the world.
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Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 6:41 pm
Not too far across on the same land, the daughter of Lupin lay curled up near a patch of growing brush. But with this time of season, the bushes had paused their development, and their green leaves were swift to change tan and brown. A nice cover for the kitsu to rest and hide. Despite the cooler air, there was a stronger pull to napping. Was this what they called hybernation? The lull of winter? Nahanni had never experienced this season, and the crease in her brow was enough to show her displeasure for it. To be home, near the fireplace and warmth of her siblings would be...so sweet now. But, she couldn't bring herself to go home. Not when so many of her own siblings were off doing their own things. Living their own lives. And so, Nahanni slept on, curling tighter to ignore her surroundings.
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Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 6:53 pm
Time passed and eventally a head was let slip to paws. But despite the seemingly comfortable position, sleep was constantly forced away. It was bad enough that his eyes were still closed, but falling prey to the heavy push of sleep was far from an option. Ears slid back as the wind blew again, changing directions in an annoying manner. Behind him, he could hear leaves caught up in a whirlwind, tossed on the whims of the breeze. However, closed eyes scrunched as the leaves finally blew off with a strong gust. A gust that brought something more than rest to the weary dead. Lifting his head and nose in turn, he sniffed. A familiar scent. White eyes opened, shining momentarily before dulling as they adjusted. As usual. Pushing himself to his feet, he stalked forward, then to the side. Tracking the scent was difficult, considering how wild the changes in the wind had been.
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Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 7:02 pm
The shudder forced a whine out of Nahanni's lips. Was winter so violent too? Leaves whipped past her like shattered glass to the wind, and the kitsu was forced awake. Murky eyes squinted open to blink over her tightly curled tails. Thank goodness for her yellow ribbon, as it kept a good portion of her warm. But there was no going back to sleep once awakened so rudely. She lifted her head carefully, ears moving forward and back slowly. It was hard to hear beyond the wind, but also too cool to ignore being alert. Nahanni remained in her little huddle though, refusing to be stirred up just yet. Tanned paws moved in and under her ruff to stay at a comfortable temperature. What time of day was it?
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Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 7:15 pm
While autumn was not his least favorite of seasons, it competed quite well with winter. The cold sting of the wind foretold a colder winter. Just thinking of the bitter frost gathering about his paws made him upset already. It merely enforced the fact that the world was a horrible place in his mind. It gave beautiful scenery during the spring and summer months to fool untrained eyes, then gave one final bright display, only to sweep it all away with a cloud of white. Muscles tightened under rusty fur, working to keep him warm as he moved through the shadows of the trees, looking here and there. Nothing, nothing, nothi- He stopped, sniffing and moving closer. The color was so similar to the changing of the leaves, but also different. Different enough to stand out to searching eyes. Slinking past one or two more trees, he came up behind a huddled form. "Nahanni?" What was she doing here? He figured most would stay inside on such an obviously uncomfortable day.
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Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 7:35 pm
A slight headtilt was given to try and better her senses. But they were too numb and sluggish to really aid her. All she heard was rustling of leaves, as if no one else was awake in this bronzed season. Red tipped ears fell back quickly to the sound of crunching, not something the wind had been doing earlier. With her nerves already shaken by the cool air, the girl was startled out of her wits when a voice called so near out of nowhere. Nahanni jolted with a blind squeak, dashing forward only to bump into the thorny and leave shedding bush before her. She fell back on her haunches with a whine, clinging her paw to her ruff. Who was after her?!? Murky eyes closed tightly and she waited for...whatever may happen.
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Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 7:49 pm
Hm? Brows furrowed. The scene before him unfolded so fast that he barely had a chance to compute exactly what had happened. Stepping away from the tree trunk that hid him, he canted his head, frowning at the obviously nervous female at his front. He knew her to be skittish, but this seemed a bit more than usual. Stepping closer still, eyes flicked to the bush that'd recoiled her, noting with further disdain that it has sharp looking thorns. Gaze returning to Nahanni, he stopped a foot or so away. That was a comfortable distance for her, he remembered, despite what had happened between them last time. Last time... Muscles clenched again, but not to keep him warm. Paws moved him closer against better judgement. "Nahanni. Are you alright?" he called over another wind that whipped up.
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Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 8:03 pm
Nahanni steadied herself best as she could, rubbing smoothly to her left paw. At least none of the offending thorns had stuck to her. Ears pinned against her shoulder, both to keep warm and hear the other. "I'm fine. Just a...scratch." She responded to the voice without having to unscrunch her eyes and see who it was. Beyond the shock of her recent dash, her thoughts were all in a jumble as of late. So much so that she hadn't read Iku's emotions when he drew near. Was this an effect of the weather too? The wind sure helped to make it seem so. Nahanni shook her head and peeked to the rusty colored kitsu. "What are you doing here, Iku?" It was odd for her to ask something so forward, but she was too groggy and jumpy to notice right away and apologize.
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Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 8:20 pm
Hearing her answer, he nodded, but mostly to himself. Had she been hurt more than 'just a scratch' it probably would've only worsened his view on the world, if even possible. Taking a small step back, he sat, tail flinging around to warm his paws. Ears flicked, taking in the question. Were this anyone but Nahanni, he would've mirrored the innocent question back as a sarcastic one of his own. However, with her, he didn't mind being honest. At least that way she'd never had to see his tears of blood again. "I followed a familiar scent on the wind," he said simply.
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Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 7:55 am
Blink. Nahanni peered down at her pelt, and somewhat smugged sash. "Sorry. I must be really stinky then..." When living in a house full of kitsus, sound became a bit more dominant when locating others. Plus she never had to truly rely on scent thus far in life. Another wind drove by, and she placed her paws back on the ground to keep from toppling forward. Murky eyes stayed looking down at them. She couldn't understand why Iku had approached though, was that a first? She hoped it didn't have to do with the last time they met. She shivered with her question. "Is...this winter yet, Iku?"
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Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2007 8:13 pm
Stinky? A brow raised over a curious eye. If he'd been asked to label her scent, he certainly wouldn't have chosen 'stinky' in the unflattering manner she had. However, he was far from stating such. And just as quickly as it had come, the glitch in his expression faded, leaving the normal, placid one in its place. The thoughts faded just as quickly at the next wind; a gust that forced irritated eyes shut until it passed. Just why was it so windy today? He couldn't help but think in his bitter way that the world was somehow mocking him, flaunting its power, since he had yet to make any real strides against it. Ears slid back and he tried--rather unsuccessfully--to banish the annoying thoughts as he heard out her question.
"No," came the responce with a shake of his head. "This season is autumn, though nearly as bad." A slight grumble left his maw, giving him the momentary appearance of a complaining kit, not a cold-hearted adult. "Have you not seen a winter yet? It's much colder than this."
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Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 7:24 am
Nahanni didn't get to see the small glitch, she didn't dare stare too long at another's face. She kept her eyes trained to the ground, shifting occasionally to watch some leaves be forced on a rolling adventure. With the next wind she folded her front paws together to hold it out. At least she could be thankful that her fan was tucked safely in her sash, lest it be torn and lost.
Ears tried lifting as she gave Iku a somewhat shocked expression. Not nearly as bad? "Autumn?" So winter wasn't the season of oranges and browns? But if summer is green and spring all the more colorful, what was left for winter? The girl kitsu blinked hesitantly before giving her reply in a shake of her head. "Much colder....then what does everyone do?" They weren't expected to stay locked indoors the whole time. Were they? If that was the case, she'd be cooped up in the library for the most part.
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Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 8:11 am
A smirk and a shurg. "It depends on what they think of winter," he responded. At his paws, the tip of his tail twiched. Such little signs of his feelings usually went unnoticed, as he prefered. Still, he couldn't keep his ears from sliding back at the thought. Winter was such an undesirable season. Even he, who spent most of his time outside watching the woods for signs of hostility, would often search out shelter. This would be his first winter at the HQ with its heated rooms and couches. Caves and other such things used to provide his haven from the wind and snow.
"Some enjoy the snow, so they come out to play around in it." He scoffed. It was so bitterly cold against the paws, fur or no. How could any enjoy it? "What do you think you will do?" he asked, genuine curiousity almost sounding through as he canted his head strangely.
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Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 4:38 pm
Hmm. Nahanni supposed she'd just have to see what she'd think of winter. But compared to this season, she doubted she'd be enjoying it much. The tail flinch, she thought, was an effect of the persistent wind. "Snow?" She blinked at the word, knowing she heard it before and had just never experienced it. What a sheltered kitsu, even if this was her first winter coming.
Her ears flicked to the scoff, thinking Iku was growing impatient. Of the topic or the idle sitting, she couldn't tell. She was going to offer to perhaps walk, and even stood up in a huddled fashion. That is till Iku presented her with a question of his own. "Me?" What would she do in winter? "If it's as cold as you say, probably stay at home." It almost sounded like time-out, with her tone of voice. She was tired and confused of being at home since recent days. "What might you be doing then?" A question for a question, if just to keep things from becoming dull.
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Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 6:35 pm
Noting the question in her voice, he nodded rigidly. "Snow. It's like a white powder, but it's cold and wet." And clung to fur in an overly obnoxious manner. "It can sometimes snow enough to completely cover the ground." Which made travel rather difficult. "So, it is quite intelligent to remain inside," he responded, looking past her for a moment to watch a falling leaf. "I'll probably do the same. In the HQ, anyway." He had no home and the HQ certainly didn't count. Home was where you felt comfortable. That was a rare feeling for Ikuinen.
Finally realizing the implication behind her curious crouching stand, he stood as well. Not understanding that his scoff had misled her, he was also misled into believing she was becoming uncomfortable with sitting still. That had happened before, hadn't it? Or maybe she was becoming uncomfortable with their conversation? It was rather unusual for him to have such a friendly and simple conversation with anyone.
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