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Afryse shuddered in the coolness of the mountain air and tugged the scarf tighter around his neck. Finding the town of Busthind wasn't nearly as hard as it sounded. It wasn't on any map, but since Chittentown was its closest neighbor, many trolls knew where it lied and like wise the bet path to reach it. After parting with a few beetles (very relluctantly and with excessive growling from Witikodad), Afryse knew where to go and how to get there. Everyone said that the climate was cold, but not unbearable, this time of year. If this was tolerable, Afryse shuddered to think of what the cold season must be like in Busthind. Was that why Witikodad had told him to live in Chittentown when his habitation options were given? Or was it more to do with his lusus distate of the bitter cold?

Then again, what wasn't Witikodad against? This trip was a major runner up for things he disliked. Sulking in the rear, Afryse could not bring himself to address the lusus in this condition. He was convinced that Hemera was a witch - that was what he had been calling her in the library. Someone who wanted to swindle Afryse from all his stuff. And no, it was his as in Afryse's things, his as in Witikodad's. Afryse was starting to understand that the relationship he had with his father was... tennuous at best and dangerous at worst.

Plumes of smoke rose in the air, from fireplaces no doubt. Heartened by the sight, he picked up by the pace. Climbing across slick rocks nd snow covered ditches, he finaly found what must have been the spread out, and dangerous, town of Busthind. Grinning brightly, he began to look at the doors, examining them closely for Hemera's distinct circle-dot symbol.

This was purely for business... At least that's how he convinced Witikodad to let him go. The Alternian army needed them, and he wasn't sure if Hemera had heard the call where she lived high in the mountains. Perhaps the teal-blue would be grateful for the informaion? It had nothing to do with seeing the girl again, of course not! But he couldn't keep from smiling when he remembered she too could control ice. They weren't so different, after all...

Finding her hive was... Difficult. Afryse rested by a large block of houses, rubbing his arms brisky through the snowsuit. He didn't have any other information about where she lived... Only "in Busthind". That wasn't exactly the clearest directions. Witikodad growled angrily from the side, a pile of fur and odd shaped bones that rumbled. Afryse pressed the worry from his heart and kept searching, this time with his eyes as he tried to get warm.

Gl!tch~

Boiling below the surface of the forced calm was a pit of anxiety and impatience. Where the hell was Hemera? Did she live her or had the offer been a complete lie? Witikodad wasn't acting much better, shifting more and more as the time drug onward. Afryse sighed and pushed from the wall, his skin already aching from the coldness of the air. Witkodad started to speak, but the yellowblood tuned him out. He needed to find Mera.

Meandering around proved good for something. He heard her voice long before he saw her. It had a distinct tone to it, and it carried on he wind. Grinning, he picked up the pace. After a few more pieces of exchange, Afryse made it to large structure with a ladder pressed to the side of the building.

Grabbing a rung, he was preparing to ascend when Witikodad growled. Swallowing, he stepped back from the later and called up in the air through cupped hands, "Hemera! Mera are you there?"

Gl!tch~

He had planned a tirade about being lost and getting cold, but when Hemera looked at him like that, with such glowing joy and that smile... It vanished. All of it vanished so quickly he was left stunned. A faint tint of embarrassment or something (Afrsye didn't know rightly what it was he was feeling) colored his cheeks. He abruptly looked at the ground, clearing his throat and shuffling backwards and away from the ladder so she had room to climb down.

"I oh... Ah..." Right. A letter was a good idea, why the hell hadn't he thought of that? Snapping his head up, he nodded firmly, his mask back in place of placidity, "Yes I was on... er... business..." So much for cutting her down with my angry words. Afryse inwardly flinched at his own stupid sounding reasons. Why was he so flustered? Why not tell her the truth, that it had sounded like an open invitation without directions?

Wait, this was no time for internal angst. Flushing more, he nodded vigorously at the need to be more comfortable, "If it's not too much of a problem, I would like to go into your hive and get warm. The cold is awful." Afryse sneered at the ground, as if his distaste would change the temperature.

Realizing that the children were going into the hive, Witikodad grumbled something in his windy, bone chilling voice. Right, he wasn't alone... Looking at the lussi, he frowned and shook his head, "You can't climb the ladder so you'll have to stay here, Dad. I'm sorry." It wasn't that the lusi could argue with the truth, but that didn't stop his sullen grumblings.

Gl!tch~

HEMERA YOU SO CUTE.
Afryse is flustered for reasons he does not understand
aka hemera is so cute she short circuited his anger

It was a little weird that a troll who manipulated ice was so prone to the cold or feeling cold. You would think manipulation of the element would have granted some sort of immunity. When using his powers, he didn't hurt or feel uncomfortable. It was just the temperature outside that seemed to bother him the most.

Afryse followed her closely, wearily climbing the three story ladder. Once on top, he righted himself and nodded curtly to Pagoni. Once the hatch was open, he began to slip inside welcoming the relief from the outside air. Finally, after having been silent, the troll spoke, "Well... Mostly to see what Busthind was like. Witikodad didn't think a place so cold would be a good idea. He hates the cold as much as myself."

It was cozy and warm as he climbed downward, "You're right; It's odd that the cold bothers me. I've never understood it..." He stepped from the later onto the floor and stretched himself, unwrapping the scarf around his neck as he was starting to feel a little claustrophobic, "Your Hive is nice. Thank you for uh... For letting me inside."

Gl!tch~

Her hive was very different than his own. It was neat and well decorated. Afryse's eyes followed the flow of things, how everything was set up and made to feel welcoming. He hadn't been in another troll's hive for so long, he had forgotten just how stupid it was to do this. Instantly the things that Hemera had, that she kept nicely, made him burn with jealous envy.

He wanted everything here, all the knickknacks. The television. The nice wood of the floors and the tile of the kitchen. All the lighting that made him wonder how she could get it to look natural without windows and the scorching sun.

He remained silent, observing the place as she spoke. His eyes continued to rove, but he kept up the mask of placidity. There was no reason to show this side of himself. He was still in control and could fight the impulses... Especially for someone who was like him. They shared the fate of ice. It was so easy to forget that she was a highblood, though.

Afryse took in a breath and offered a small smile to Hemera, "Thank you." He carefully removed his boots, thinking that the other troll would not appreciate muddy snow tracked around. "Could I have some grub-co? I really like it." He took to sitting on the couch then, still stiff and observant, but winding down slowly.

"I thought it'd be natural for a troll who manipulated ice to feel the cold easier... But meeting you, I see how odd it is." It was somewhat more difficult to discuss this, but it was easier than floundering over niceties. Afryse wasn't quite with it when it came to manners, "You're so social too. I thought my... taciturn nature was due to the element." A wry smile twisted his lips. Poor humor attempt, "But I think that's something I learned from my father."

Gl!tch~

HE'S AN AWKWARD DOODLE

Afryse watched the cocoa and the soft mallows inside. They did look like iceflows. Quite adorable. Reaching down he took the mug, still hot, into his hands. The warmth seeped into him and made him sigh in relief. "This is good."

He took a sip, using the time to think of what next to say. It had been many many moons since had a friend to talk with, and the business he had brought with him was pressing against his tongue. Was it right to blurt it out? Clearing his throat, he figured it was better than small talk, "There has been posters and also.. A sign up of sorts... Scheduled to help the crown. I'm considering signing up." he let that settle before pressing forward, "Have you ever thought of... Doing something like that? They need help and volunteers."

Afryse hung on every word. For some time he had the crazy notion that he needed Hemera to sign up too. If she didn't, he felt it would be too much to approach. The security of someone who shared his power was too alluring to pass up. They didn't know one another well, but at least they knew one another.

"That's a good question. It's worded vaguely." Afryse frowned at the flier. Perhaps a good stern expression would get some more words to appear. Nope. Sighing, he set it down, "I'm sure if we show up and it seems unsavory we can back out. They might have too many soldiers, even." He added with a nod.