[open] Shadows for Skin [ANY]

[Aela]

Aela knew that the three of them coming together like this was absurd.

She knew it in every fiber of her divine, and yet here she was, casting a skeptical glance towards the daughter of Yanhua and Amarine and the former Prince of the Pampas. She hadn’t known what to expect of what Cheri made of her proposal. The former Seneschal had even wondered if that might be the thing to make Obscene’s familiar scowl return.

But no.

The three of them stood there, contemplating Aela’s offer, and for a moment, the palomino wondered what her half-brother Reave might have thought of this whole situation. He would have found the irony in it, surely. He’d warned her over and over again that the future was an existence that expanded across numerous paths and there was never one straight path ahead. It would always twist and turn and twine in ways that would remain beyond mortal comprehension; there had to be so many improbabilities that led to a reality where Aela would willingly align herself with Obscene and Cheri, and yet here she was, contemplating if Reave would laugh at this circumstance.

Her words - the mention of Wherewolf and Fyr - seem to elicit some response in the onyx-and-gold stallion that stands beside Cheri. There is a flicker of emotion behind his burning gaze, and though Aela doesn’t withdraw her calculating stare, she recognizes the promise that lights there. Good, she thinks. Something was stirring within the large brute, and that was something she could use. Something they could all use.

”I don’t know how many survived,” she tells him, truthful and blunt. At least in this search they were about to undertake, Aela would not (for once) lead Obscene astray. ”If any at all,” the striped mare warns them. ”But Wherewolf went missing before the South sank, and perhaps he meant only to save himself, but I don’t think he would have willingly left his son and mother in my care without intending to come back for them.”

Atleast not Neverwhere.

Wherewolf had enjoyed his retribution - murdering his Immortal mother over and over again - to so easily give that up.

”He disappeared shortly after you did,” she continued to explain, moving from them both. Her steps were slow, though, waiting for Cheri and Obscene to follow. Her pale lips pursed into a thin line. ”I think he has something to do with the calamity,” and then a gold ear flicked back towards them. ”And I will learn what he knows,” she added determinedly, wondering (again) if the pair behind her had any part to play in all this.

"Baltians are what ... whatever came out of the sea calls themselves," Aela went on, concealing a shudder. She had a strong dislike of water - especially the ocean, thanks to her father. "And I don't know what this place is called besides Creepy." The Empath grew quiet again, and then checked to see if Cheri was actually able to keep pace. "Its what came after the South was swallowed. It stinks all the way to the Moutain and I'd rather be gone before low tide."

@Cheri