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 Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2011 2:36 pm
 With the approach of winter, the walking greenhouse was on her rounds to make sure the trees and plants were going into hibernation properly. If they'd had enough nutrients, if delicate roots weren't exposed, checking for open wounds. There was much in the forest to keep Constance busy. Her natural heat kept her warm enough from the chilly winds, so she was as dressed as she always was; which drove her companion nuts.  "Every winter!" The little pygmy scolded. "One of these days you'll wear yourself down keeping warm with your magic, and then where will you be?! You need a coat or something." Euthalia herself was bundled in rabbit furs, flowers still growing in her hair from her magic. She didn't like the cold weather one bit.
Constance looked up from the tree she had been inspecting, a small smile on her features. "And every winter you tell me the same thing, and it hasn't happened yet." She said calmly, standing and moving on. "The only thing being worn down is that speech." She said with a warm chuckle, leaving the pygmy snorting.
Her smile fell slightly as they traveled on. The chill of the wind was reminding her of someone she had once met.. A little tug every so often in the back of her mind as a breeze slipped through her barrier. Somone with a touch like ice... Sighing, she enclosed the warmth around herself again and refocused on trying to shush her over-concerned friend. They had work to do.
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Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2011 5:02 pm
Autumn. The season change was subtle at first, but for the male it was a monumental change because after this season came the one where he thrived. Already he could feel the comforting touch of winter’s chill in the wind, but yet the warmth of summer still hid in autumn. Triston closed his eyes. It was odd how that hint of warmth in the air barely brushed his skin. Most would probably not notice the faint attachment of summer, but it still was not truly winter’s time yet.
As sad as he was to leave the northern mountains where he lived during the summer months the cattaur was also eager to watch winter take hold of his childhood home. Not like he had much of a home to return to. Amusement flickered briefly in his gaze. No, he wouldn’t visit that place just yet. For now he was wandering spreading frost in his wake and reminding any life that soon ice and snow would be back to claim this land.
The phantom like cattaur brushed past yet another tree before pausing. His hand reached out to gently touch the worn bark which should have appeared more worn than it did. It was a rather old tree after all. As the frost from his fingertips spread around the bark Triston looked around. This clearing…that stream which ran through it was so close to this one lone tree. Could it be? A vague memory of a meeting flashed through his mind and the cattaur almost smiled. How ironic. Was it really the same spot where he had meet her that time? The male shook his head. Not that it mattered. He would probably never run into her again.
Though he couldn’t help but to wonder if she was beginning to be chilled by the arrival of autumn?
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Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2011 7:09 pm
The vines curled comfortingly along her skin, reminding her that her magic was as strong as ever. Constance sighed, listening to yet more fantastic reasons why she should invest in a coat. This time of year was always most troublesome with her pygmy companion. Euthalia didn't have the same body warmth that she did, and made it clear every time the seasons changed. "Euthalia, if you don't stop this nonsense, I'll send you to work elsewhere." She insisted, her voice and tone remaining calm but warm as always when addressing her friend.
The spirit in the child's body looked up at the young adult before shaking her head in dismay. "I don't know how you stand it." She grumped, even though she knew perfectly well how the other cattaur handled the chill so easily. "Fine. If you're going to be that way about it.. then I'm going over here. Just looking at you is making me cold!" Though she huffed irritably, she was smirking with affection as she moved off to cover more ground. Though smaller thatn Constance, the pygmy's spirit was much older, and had taken it upon herself to watch out for the spring kitty.
Watching to see where the pygmy was wandering off to, she felt herself relax a little more and returned to her business. She focused on a patch of smaller trees that hadn't gotten as much sun as they had needed, blocked out by the larger trees surrounding them. Come spring, they would have another chance at the sun and growth before the larger ones took over again. She spoke encouragingly to them before moving along, moving further from her friend to another patch of young trees. These ones had grown late in the season, so she helped them grow a little in order to survive the winter. Winter.. Instead of a coat.. maybe a cloak? Hmm..
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Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2011 7:38 pm
The cattaur took a break from the sun and hide his head against the tree’s trunk. His eyes fluttered closed for a few moments and Triston took in the silence of the forest. That is what should have been quiet. Ears twitching the cattaur listened to some noises in the distance. No animals could make those type of noise patterns…were there others out here? Who would be this far into the woods? Travelers perhaps?
He should avoid them most likely. The thought in his mind the male turned away before realizing something. He had to go the opposite direction. It was the only path he could remember that would take him out of the woods. Sighing Triston realized he didn’t have much choice. The thought of traveling through the forest for days or even months made him shudder. Maybe it was exaggeration with anyone else, but the cattaur had that skill of finding ways to get lost in the simplest of locations.
Giving one last pat against the tree Triston turned to walk towards the stream. If he crossed here…just like last time then he should be on track. Ice immediately covered the stream as the cattaur crossed over. Making his way on what he hoped was a path the male noticed how the trees seemed to be smaller in this part of the forest. Was it like that the last time he had been through here? Triston frowned. Had it been? Pausing the cattaur looked up from the trees and looked further in. Was there a form there between the trees? Stopping Triston peered out from beneath the lower limbs of an older tree and stared out at a rather familiar figure.
Could it be?
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Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2011 8:00 pm
The trees were always grateful for her help. They thanked her with a light brush from a dropped leaf here or a light creak of a branch there. With that added with the final silence of her companion, she felt her mood bouyed happily. The peace of the cooling forest was calming. One of the few good things about the fall, the trees usually looking forward to their season of rest.
When the wind brought a warning to her ears, her nose lifted curiously. Someone else was there? Turning slowly, her copper eyes scanned for what the wind was telling her. Could Euthalia hear the notice? She almost sent a plant after her friend before she spotted him. Just a glimpse, peeking around a tree. Was that..?
Her body stilled as she focused further on what the life around her was conveying. She was being watched by the figure under the tree. He was cold... But that was absurd! the chances of seeing him here... After he'd left without saying good bye to her... She felt the tiniest pang of emotion, surprise and wariness, remaining still as she waited to see what he would do, thinking that he would just turn and walk away like before...
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Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 10:49 am
Triston didn’t even flinch as he caught her looking his way. Just like prey she froze. The thought made him tilt his head in faint curiosity. What was she thinking? What was he even thinking standing here like a fool just watching her? But the cattaur had to admit it was fascinating. She was taking care of the forest even now as fall moved in to warn the land of the coming winter. Did she even take care of the trees as they slept in winter or did she move as he did to avoid the weather so opposite to their natures? It had been such a rare thing for him to be down here that summer…and for him to see her now again. The cattaur only shook his head before looking back at her.
Still he found himself wanting to see how she was doing. Had she changed at all during the time since he had first encountered her? Triston took a step forward just as another breeze brushed past, this one as cold as a winter’s night after touching him. Freezing with it the cattaur just watched as a flurry of leaves took the female from his sight. For a second it even appeared as if he might have been reaching out to her, but the leaves blocked him from sight.
But with that was a touch of reality. What was he doing just staring at this woman? As the leaves settled Triston turned away as if to leave.
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Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 11:42 am
Her eyes remained locked on the figure in the distance. It had to be him... Even though the chances of seeing him again were so slim, the feel of him was like no other. Her nostrils flared slightly as the wind brought his chilled scent to her, and her eyes closed briefly for memories to flit through her head. Pale skin, dark hair, soft voice, freezing touch...
When her eyes reopened, the leaves had settled and the male was walking away. Even from where she stood, she recognized his striped pelt. He was walking away again... Chewing lightly at her lip, she glanced over to where her pygmy friend was blocked by the woods, then back at the male. Euthalia wouldn't approve at all... Pressing her lips together, she focused on the male again, and went on impulse. It wasn't often she got to see someone a second time. Especially someone as curious as this man.
Next to the icy male, a vine rose from the ground and wrapped once around his leg. Though it instantly began to freeze, it gave its captive a small tug, asking him not to go..
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Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2011 12:28 pm
Triston froze at the feeling of something touching his leg. Already he could feel the icy touch of his magic coiling around him ready to strike out at any attacker. But as he looked down the male realized that it was just a vine which was tugging at his leg and so the tendrils of icy magic calmed. But why would a vine? Bending down the cattaur reached down to gently tear the vine away from his leg before it was completely destroyed. Ice glittered as it slithered down the vine, but as he pulled his hand back the ice shattered into glimmering shards which served to only water the ground. Still why would a vine be - unless...
His eyes widened at the suggestion and Triston turned to look back. There she was staring back towards him. So he had been spotted. A faint suggestion of a smile lit the male’s face as he took two steps towards her before crossing his arms and pausing. Tilting his head he made as if to ask her, ‘yes?’
But maybe, just maybe the cattaur was glad for that tug. If not for that then he might have just went on. Maybe not too far away, but with Triston who knew?
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Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2011 1:19 pm
Able to sense the chill of ice through the extended vine, it vanished back into the ground once it was apparent the male had stopped. Nibbling her lip again, Constance giggled at the male's curious posture. She couldn't see him very well from so far though. She gave one more glance toward where her friend was supposed to be. Well, she didn't need permission just to say hello!
Taking a deep breath, she started on through the trees, eyes intent of the figure she was aiming for. His features slowly clarified, and she remembered more about what a curiosity he was to her. Everything about him was like the coming winter, except for his voice... Her steps slowed when she got close enough, wondering if he was still as solitary as before.
"You seem determined on making this area of woods a permanent winter." She commented teasingly. She didn't dare attempt to confront about his previous disappearance. That implied that she'd been affected by him, and Constance Diantha did not concern herself with taur in such a way. They were free to come and go as they pleased. Sure, she liked meeting others, but her travels made connections nearly impossible. No way their short and strange meeting would have done anything.
...She couldn't deny that it was a little nice to see him again though, knowing he was alive and well after his disappearance.
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Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 4:15 pm
Triston couldn’t seem to look away from her as she approached him. The winter cattaur was amazed at how easily this female always seemed to approach him. Where others seemed to avoid his icy nature or just stared from a distance it seemed that she had no boundaries with him. A complete stranger who would talk, even tease, with him. The idea was baffling…but at the same time interesting. The thought added to the little teasing comment from her actually brought a smile to his face.
Leaning back against a large rock covered back moss Triston just shrugged at the female cattaur, “You found me out.” His reply was actually light and for a flicker of a second it seemed that the light reached his normally icy gaze. Closing his eyes the cattaur leaned back some more in a stretch before lazily opening his eyes to look at the female. Behind him sparkles of frost spread out on the moss making the rock gleam in the sunlight.
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Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 5:56 pm
Head tipping slightly at his light reply, she noticed the differences in him since she had last seen him. He seemed more internally vibrant with the season. Without the heat of summer wilting him as though he really were made of ice, he was much more solid and alert in the autumn breeze. He even seemed more relaxed with her presence. Perhaps his previous disadvantage had made him more wary of others at the time?
A cold breeze ruffled her hair, but the chill didn't reach her skin. "Well, I suppose it is getting to be more your time of year." She admitted, kicking a few fallen leaves in the male's direction, feigning a pout. She quickly smiled again though, leaning down to pick up one of the dried out leaves. "So you needn't worry. I shan't chase you off again." Now her eyes lowered, though her little smile remained to mask her unintentional implication of how she viewed his previous departure.
She quickly pressed on. "Don't plan on your winter lasting though." She lifted her head again and nodded firmly. "Summer always returns here, as you should have learned with your previous attempt." Why had he been down here during the summer season anyway? So little could be learned about anyone in a single visit, and this male was as hard to read as they came.
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Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 6:32 pm
Triston nodded. It was true the season was changing. The chill of the autumn weather was comfortable to him as his own skin. Reaching out he grasped at the breeze and watched as the cold tendrils of wind curled around his fingers before flying off again towards the sky. He never felt bad about the season change before, but even with her teasing pout he felt a bit of something. Was it the slight realization of how much changed for winter? Why was it that everyone believed everything to die during that season? He frowned slightly. An even better question was why did he want to show her that there was more to winter?
He tilted his head at her comment. Chase him off? When did she? Triston opened his mouth to reply, but then snapped it shut. Rather it had been him who had done some chasing off. Remembering the bitter smell of blood on his blade the cattaur reached back to touch the handle. He had made certain not to kill this time at least. Fingers lightly traced the frozen handle before he returned his hand to his side.
“Ah.” He nodded. But winter lasted long enough for him to get down what he needed to do down here. “I remember.” But he looked back behind him towards the path where he had come from. It took weeks to travel back there, but past the mountains to the north was a land where winter rarely left. Was it not for his ties to this land down here then Triston would probably never leave. Suddenly he looked back to her. Not that he would ask out loud, but there was a new question. Did this woman leave with the season change as he did? Or was this forest her home?
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Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 7:05 pm
Watching him play with the breeze, Constance was again struck by how similar their differences were. One cold, one warm, but both in touch at one level or another with the enviroment. Definitely a higher level than the average taur would be. It was nice to see, for a change.
Having missed his near question, she cocked her head again to see where his hand was going. What was that he was holding? A sword? Had he been carrying that last time? She couldn't remember. ..Did he use it often? She was distracted by his words though, watching the male with interest. Her eyes brightened when he looked back at her so quickly. Had she seen a question in those eyes? Of course, she might never know, for all that he expressed.
She did have her own question though. "Not to pry more than I should, but do you come this way every winter?" She didn't think he lived around here, that was the impression he had given her, and to see him twice? She was too curious to not dare at least asking. What were the chances of running into him again later...?
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Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2011 7:14 pm
Triston blinked in surprise at her question. Was she really asking him that? Raising an eyebrow the cattaur wanted to ask why she wanted to know, but pushed back the light tease. Where had that come from? Such things were rare for him and only popped up around his family…and even then lately. Shaking his head Triston focused back on the female, “Yes.” He motioned back towards the path he had wandered from, “Adopted family down that way.” Not that it was much of a home anymore with his father’s lover and their children living there. That was why he worked and lived in the tavern more now. Mostly he saw old friends more than his own father it seemed.
Still he couldn't help but to finally let the question escape him. “Why?” Tilting his head Triston watched her. He was curious for her reaction for some reason. Should he show her the tavern? Maybe she even knew of it? Flora was gaining quite a business now it seemed. But many were traders, not those who lived around here. And since he had run into the female cattaur before he was beginning to wonder that she might actually live in this forest. Or had it just been coincidence to meet her here again?
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Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2011 8:55 pm
Constance felt her paws knead at the cool earth bashfully, rather amused by herself. Had she really asked that? The surprise on the male's face said that she had. Well, she was curious! Why not? Truthfully, she was even more surprised that he actually responded. And more than a one word answer! Adopted family? Her eyes couldn't help but follow to see where he was pointing.
Her ears perked when he actually asked her a question, and she smiled brightly. "Just curious! Naturally." She replied, suddenly wondering how much talk she could get out of him. "I don't often stay for winters, since my friend doesn't like the cold. But I've stayed before, and I'm usually around here until the first snow at the least and I'd never seen you before-"
Suddenly there was a sharp little hiss and the child-like form of Euthalia popped out from the bushes. "What are you doing?!" She demanded of her friend, sparing a short glare for the stranger before focusing on the other female again. "You know better than to talk to strangers! And he's so- so- cold! He shouldn't be near you at all! You come with me right now!"
Constance looked down at Euthalia in surprise. She must have been very distracted to not have noticed the little spirit's approach.. But such words! Eyes widening, her hands rose to cover red flushed cheeks while a vine with one wide leaf rose to cover the pygmy's mouth. "Euthalia! Don't spout such nonsense!" She scolded, having never seen the pygmy react so harshly against anyone so quickly. It must have been his wintery aura..
Her shocked eyes looked back up to the male, cheeks blushing further. "I-I'm sorry. Please don't let her bother you..." She begged, her voice a little smaller with embarrassment. Then she turned a sad expression to Euthalia. "Euthalia, you should be ashamed of yourself.. Please apologize to my friend once." Well.. she didn't know his name. Would he think it too forward to call him friend? Though, Euthalia had probably offended him too much to matter now anyway.. And the pygmy was now looking suspiciously at the male after having been addressed as a friend. Goodness...
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