02-22-2022, 02:19 PM
He is restless, but that is nothing new. Ever since the strange dream that he wasn’t sure had been a dream at all, he hasn’t been able to stay in one place long. The odd, pale tines that creep along his shoulders and face ensure it. Demand it.
It wanted him to find company, so he avoided it instead. That was the easier part. But he could not keep himself from water. Or from sun. He was beginning to believe the deep shadows of the forest might make it retreat, but it would not let him stay there for long. He has tried so many times. That is why he had left Taiga this morning. So little sun filtered through those trees that it forced him constantly from his home.
He would not be able to stay in the forest long either, but still he tries. He tries until, even without conscious thought, his feet begin moving once more. When he realizes it, a soft sight escapes his lips. The breath burns his throat, but he has grown used to it by now.
Saffron is nearly at the edge of the forest when he hears the growl. His reluctant footsteps slow to a halt, the forced desire to keep moving forward overridden by something much stronger. Curiosity.
He peers around until something tells him to look up. To look into the trees. When his gaze locks with pale silver eyes, he frowns. He should be afraid. Only a fool wouldn’t be afraid when staring into the eyes of a large predator. But clearly he is a fool, because it is not fear he feels.
No, what he feels is… familiarity. But why? He knows that stare. Somewhere deep down, he recognizes it viscerally. His frown only deepens as he remains unmoving and unafraid, trying to figure out how he knows those eyes.
And then it clicks and his own gaze widens. It had been far too long since he had looked into those eyes, but he should have known them immediately. He hates speaking. It hurts. But his surprise makes him forget the discomfort, though his voice comes out hoarse and raspy. “Bolder?”
It wanted him to find company, so he avoided it instead. That was the easier part. But he could not keep himself from water. Or from sun. He was beginning to believe the deep shadows of the forest might make it retreat, but it would not let him stay there for long. He has tried so many times. That is why he had left Taiga this morning. So little sun filtered through those trees that it forced him constantly from his home.
He would not be able to stay in the forest long either, but still he tries. He tries until, even without conscious thought, his feet begin moving once more. When he realizes it, a soft sight escapes his lips. The breath burns his throat, but he has grown used to it by now.
Saffron is nearly at the edge of the forest when he hears the growl. His reluctant footsteps slow to a halt, the forced desire to keep moving forward overridden by something much stronger. Curiosity.
He peers around until something tells him to look up. To look into the trees. When his gaze locks with pale silver eyes, he frowns. He should be afraid. Only a fool wouldn’t be afraid when staring into the eyes of a large predator. But clearly he is a fool, because it is not fear he feels.
No, what he feels is… familiarity. But why? He knows that stare. Somewhere deep down, he recognizes it viscerally. His frown only deepens as he remains unmoving and unafraid, trying to figure out how he knows those eyes.
And then it clicks and his own gaze widens. It had been far too long since he had looked into those eyes, but he should have known them immediately. He hates speaking. It hurts. But his surprise makes him forget the discomfort, though his voice comes out hoarse and raspy. “Bolder?”
Saffron
@bolder