From The Thread
Dark clouds scattered over the cobalt blue sky making it look as if a storm was to hit any second. Two figures however braved that chance of storm and were walking along the shore of the huge lake where they had just finished catching some fish for an early supper. The small breeze that had just started to blow paused at a groove of trees which were tightly growing together to make a natural shelter against the possible rain. It was here that the older foxtaur went.
"Let's stop 'ere, Yuna." Throwing his pack onto the ground Xennek started to stack the sticks, that he'd been carrying, in order to make a fire. The other foxtaur, a black and silver girl, took the slippery fish and using her knife gutted them and prepared to cook them as the fire started blazing.
Finished gutting the fish, Yuna's colorless eyes now surveyed the area, "Do you think it'll storm yet?" She finally asked looking to Xennek her face shadowed with worry. The other foxtaur just shrugged before going back to turning his fish which was on a stick next to the blazing fire. Not even bothering to glare at him she focused again on the clouds. If only they'd found better shelter than this...it was his fault for wanting to leave their home early like this. 'And the weather was looking so bad when we left...' She frowned and went back to watching the fish cook.
Rain. It's going to rain. It's going to rain and my other top hasn't finished drying yet! Cursing the weather for turning nasty on laundry day, Keela left her small stone cottagelet to go collect her meager collection of clothing and blankets. Although she lived by water, she hated when it started falling from the sky. Water belongs in the lake, not on my roof! Her things were scattered in the low branches of a tree, easily reached and gathered. A bundle of fabric in her arms, Keela turned around to lope back to her home. Smoke in the distance made her pause, though. The forest wouldn't be on fire on a day like this; no, that was a campfire if she wasn't mistaken. Curiosity got the better of the foxtaur, and she decided to follow the smoke to meet the firestarters. Perhaps if it did storm she could invite them in, provided they were friendly enough; if not, well... she was a fast runner.
Xennek was still finishing off his meal when Yuna, who was finished eating by now, suddenly stood up and walked out of the trees. The red fox just shook his head and silently kept a trained eye on her as she walked near the shore. 'An impatient lass...always has been.' He observed with a small grin. Xennek figured she'd be mad at him for taking her out on a day like this...but he just had the urge to get out and do something. "She donna have to come along every time..." He muttered, but his eyes sparkled showing his secret contentment that she cared enough to follow.
Yuna kicked several tiny pebbles and watched as they hit the shallow waters. Her face was neutral as she fought to figure out her feelings of worry and impatience. Truthfully, she wanted to get out and do things like her father did...and this chance of storm stopping them for the day had really gotten to her. More than she'd like to admit...even to herself. But it seemed that somehow traveling was in her blood as well. "I just can't escape it." Sighing she turned back and making sure to take her time, started walking back to the trees where both the fire and Xennek were.
Ripples on the lake distracted Keela from following the smoke, and as she looked around, she noticed the dark figure of a female of her own race plodding towards the trees. Speeding up her walk a bit, the laundry still in her arms, she began to follow the girl. "Hello there!" she called when she was about fifty feet away and gaining on her, who she could see was a good bit younger than herself. Too young to be out alone... "Couldn't help but notice the smoke. Is it yours?"
Surprised to hear an unfamiliar voice, Yuna immediately twirled around with her knife clutched tightly in her fist. "Who?" But then she relaxed as she noted that it was an older foxtaur female who seemed friendly enough. She sighed and nodded, "Yeah, that fire is mine." Should she mention her father or not? For now she decided to just act like it was her. Suddenly a thought dawned on her and she blinked her eyes, "Is it okay? Or...am I breaking any rules?" This area was new to her and she didn't know whether it was travel friendly or not.
Xennek finally stood and looked out of the trees, and seeing that a stranger had approached Yuna made the foxtaur curious. If the new foxtaur wasn't dangerous then he'd be fine with her talking to Yuna...yet....he knew better than to be careless. So while still in the shelter of trees, Xennek made sure that his sword was hanging over his shoulder as it should before returning to observing the two.
Keela blinked in surprise at the knife. She'd never had one drawn at her before. This young and armed... the little female must be traveling on her own. Why else would she need a weapon? Poor thing must be terrified out here on her own with a storm on the way... Smiling at the girl, Keela shifted the laundry to one arm and spread the other one in a peaceful gesture. "No real rules here to break, young one. I was only curious; it's been a while since anybody's been through these parts, so I thought I'd stop by and introduce myself. I'm Keela; I live on these shores. You can't really see my home from here, though. Might I ask who you are and where you hail from?" And why you're out here all alone, she thought, but did not ask.
Figuring that Xennek was watching her, Yuna put the knife back in her belt and gave the new foxtaur, Keela, a small smile. "Really? These parts seem so pretty too...I'm surprised not many come here to rest during their journeys." She commented her gaze automatically going back to the lake.
Finally after a small pause,Yuna continued talking with her clear gaze back on Keela, "I'm Yuna, and I'm more of a traveler...so I don't know if I can really say I hail from anywhere." She stated giving a small grin. "But I do tend to stay at this meadow which is back across the mountains and near the sea...so I guess I kinda hail from there."
Xennek now had tried to get within hearing range, but knew that it was impossible without giving himself up. So he relied on Yuna's judgment and just watched as his daughter talked to the stranger.
"Mmhm, it is pretty. I think it looks best at sunset. But it's pretty remote, too, and not really on the way to anyplace. Probably why the fishing in the lake is still so good." Keela nodded at the water, shimmering the same blue as the sky and rippled with insects' landing spots. She stared at it for a little while before looking back to the girl. "It's nice to meet you, Yuna. I've lived around here all my life, but a traveler's life must be interesting." She took a small breath, thinking about her next question. She didn't want to invade the girl's privacy too much, but there were dangers beyond this lake. "Do you travel alone?"
Yuna just blinked at Keela for she was completely stunned. Sure she understood that taurs lived in some places for a long time...but all their life? 'I really am an oddball at times.' She thought before giving a small smile. "Sometimes, I travel alone." Yuna nodded and stretched her arms, her eyes traveling to the trees.
"But usually I've got a big lug who comes with me..." She gave a small chuckle, "Actually I follow him around since he's always traveling." Talking of Xennek, wasn't he going to come out of hiding yet? Maybe he wasn't even watching her and was still just lazing around the fire keeping warm. Really who knew?
Ah, so she's not alone. Good, Keela thought. "Must be nice, having somebody to travel with. A boyfriend?" she asked with a wink. Although she'd never had a significant other, her parents had always loved each other, and several of her books dealt with such matters. Romance stories were probably her favorite thing to read.
It took her a minute, but soon enough Yuna was bursting out with loud laughter. "Boy...boyfriend?!" She managed in between the dying bursts that were now becoming giggles. Her hands went to her stomach as she bent over and tried to regain her calm. Wiping her eyes the black and silver foxtaur teen straightened back up and shook her head at Keela, "I'm traveling with my father, Xennek."
She looked around and motioned to the trees, "I'm pretty sure he's still laying about the fire or watching us. Taking his sweet time to make an appearance too...usually he just comes flying out of hiding at this time." She shook her head her mouth still curved in an amused smile, "He's almost acting like Uncle Emris would."
Keela's face fell as she realized how what she'd said must've sounded, but Yuna's laughter was contagious. After she was done laughing at herself, she looked at Yuna before falling into giggles again. Smirking and composing herself, she readjusted the laundry under her arm. "Well, then, I hope he's got the same sense of humor you do!" As she envisioned her own father's face at such an idea, her smirk turned into a great wide smile. "Y'know, I wouldn't mind meeting him, if he's the sort to take to strangers. He's hiding in the woods?"
