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High-functioning Hellraiser
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 Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2025 9:16 am
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Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2025 9:18 am
The forest seemingly stood lifeless as the sounds of cicadas traveled through the sea of pine and birch that stood of symbols of protection for those that took refuge under their shade. The air itself felt stale and stagnant thanks to the unrelenting heat of the noon sun that hung high in the cloudless sky. If the heat itself was not enough to make the soul cry, then the unending humidity did not help matters, but summer rains would always be a double-edged sword depending on the area. What brings relief one day can easily bring pain the next. So much so that even in the shade of the trees it felt as if the weather had something against those who dared to even twitch a muscle or blink an eye. Proof of life, existence itself, it was clear that either was a crime that would not be tolerated by whatever God or Gods laughed from above, or below, depending on one's belief. And unless one was willing to dig into the ground like a mole there would be no true escape from the heat.
An almost thunderous beat could be heard high above the forest canopy as a large figure circled above. Blazing yellow eyes scanned the treetops below looking not for their owner's usual prey, but for a distant memory. If memory served Petrichor right there should be a waterfall hidden somewhere deep within the seemingly endless sea of pine and birch. The only problem was that the shifter did not remember the exact location as he had only passed the waterfall during one of his chases, and that particular chase had happened several years ago. Sill, Petrichor would not be dissuaded by a touch of uncertainty.
It would be a few hours yet until the sun would align with the horizon and bring some semblance of relief for those who usually traveled during the day. The shifter would need to find an optimal place to relax if he wanted a chance to continue his journey under the cover of night.
The slightest scent of wet soil and algae were picked up as the shifter continued to circle overhead. With a low trill, the hawk swiftly beat his wings and turned himself north to chase the scent while it still lingered.
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High-functioning Hellraiser
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High-functioning Hellraiser
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Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2025 12:12 pm
Under normal circumstances Hviske would prefer to travel under the calm and safety of the stars and moon, where the songs of the crickets and leaves rustling in the night breeze offer him a sense of belonging and tranquility. It is during these times that the fox untangles his thoughts and decompresses, and if he is luckily, he will find a new target to inspect. Sure, most shifters choose their prey based on more base needed, such as hunger or the thrill of the kill, or because they enjoy the feeling of adrenaline that comes with the chase, but Hviske rarely, if at all, felt any of that. No. Hviske chose his targets based on intrigue and a need to understand. Maybe it was because of his lack of a "familial unit", or maybe it aligned more towards what he was, but the fox had a need to understand what made others tick.
His research would not expand anytime soon though, not with the heatwave hitting the lands like a flood crashing its way over the lands. Many had found that unless they moved towards the mountains, or were a water based being, there was no true solution to the heat. One could only find small reprieves among the shade of shrubbery or the occasional body of water. Even then, if one could be found, there was a 50/50 chance that the water was cool enough to relax in.
That is how Hviske found himself quickly weaving his way through the underbrush of the forest floor, his entire being focused on one goal; to make it towards the waterfall. Sure, it would have been easier to stay within this temporary den until night fall, but there was no comfort or escape there when it felt like he was being baked alive while he made attempt after attempt to nap his way through the peak of the heat. If anything, he was just growing more agitated with each minute that ticked by, so he chose to move his hideout.
A grin slowly crept over his maw when the sound and smell of water hit his senses. His pace slowed as he pushed himself past the shrubs that surrounded the lake, paws trying their best not to slip on the moss that covered the rocky border. It wouldn't be too hard to find a place to hideout amongst the bushes and rocky outcrops, especially if he chose to climb higher up the falls for a vantage point.
Silver eyes scanning his surroundings, Hviske slowly allowed his head to lower to drink only to pause right before his nose touched the cool water. Across the lake sat a familiar sight; a brown and teal hawk. To the uneducated a bird was a bird, but Hviske knew better. He could smell one of his own...
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Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2025 12:45 pm
Petrichor swallowed a rumble that slowly crept its way up his chest as he stared down the fox on the other bank. When he decided to come to the waterfall he was expected a couple of hours of relaxation or an opportunity to hunt a visitor of two for a meal before a nice nap. But it seemed as if fate had other ideas today.
Smiling, the Thunderhawk spread his wings and started to shake himself loose as he transformed into his true form. His wings remained spread as they stretched, muscles sore from their long flight. His large claws dug into the wet soil and moss, the feeling of coolness sending shivers through his body after having the sun beating down his back while he tracked this location down. A content sigh escaped is amused expression, yellow eyes locking onto silver ones. It seemed that the owner of the other pair also took the opportunity to transform, no doubt a sign of lack of trust in the hawk.
"Oh come down, foxy boy, don't look at me like that," Petrichor said as he carefully walked into the lake, being sure not to go beyond chest height. "I swear every time I see you your expression is always the same. Are you sure your face isn't stuck like that?"
The sound of the crashing water filled the silence, neither shifter willing to make a move or take their eyes off the other. It took a moment, but Hviske eventually scoffed, his glare setting harder.
"Why are you here, pest?"
"Pest? Now now, fox, there's no need to be so hostile? Sure, our first meeting wasn't the best, but there's no reason to join the ranks of my sister with your opinion of me."
The stallion feigned a sigh, his gaze moving towards the fish that swam around his legs. Maybe it would be better to go with an easy hunt today. Good for conserving energy. Good for making more time to play with the fox.
"Look now, we're both caught in this heat and looking for a nice spot to rest, no? How about we turn down the hostility for now and learn to play nice, huh? You think you can do that for a day or two? Who knows, maybe we can even walk away with a better understanding of each other."
Petrichor wanted to laugh when Hviske shook his head in annoyance. Or maybe it was in disgust. Maybe it was a little bit of both. It really didn't matter at the end of the day since he was better the other shifter was much too tired from the heat to fight him verbally or physically. And his bet paid off since the fox shook his head and proceeded to make his way towards the outcrops, no doubt to find a nice place to rest up high. He would take that as a silent agreement that he could stay, for now.
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High-functioning Hellraiser
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x 
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