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Cold.

One step. 

Cold.

Another.

Cold.

Snow flurried, whipping and swirling from winds that howled. The frost nipped at her dark nostrils, aggravating the cloak of coal and ash. The snow numbed at dainty paws not made for such harsh conditions. And eyes of deep oceans strained, looking at the sky swollen, full of snow. Yet the horizon was peaked with pale hues of blush pink, deeper rouge as the sun began to hide behind the towering peaks. 

Where am I?

Haze, her brain clouded with blur. She could not think. A thick fog, much like the mist of morning, lay upon her mind. The last thing she could remember was....

Panic.

It squoze against her heart, her pulse galloping like a racehorse. Her throat enclosed as she tired to yell-

Then came a figure, a silhouette. Large and foreboding that made her bright eyes widen. Ash-tipped ears pinned to her dark skull. Her head turned to the right, nothing but snow- even her paw-prints had been erased. No way forward, no way back. She had no choice. Friend or foe. Fight or flight.

@Cassian

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The winds seemed to scream a larger siren song, as the figure changed forms. No longer a shadow- but a man. A beast. As he loomed closer- her mind reeled. Recalling snarls. Could she hear them in the winds? Whispers of those gone?
What is happening?
Marked in slate and frosted white. With eyes that seemed callous and as cold as the snows that nipped at her paws. Emerie felt that familiar pit in her stomach,

Breathe. 

And her throat tighten. 

Breathe.

"State your purpose."

His tone was not welcoming. One that snapped her from her spiralling thoughts, feeling like icicles had carved their way though into her chest.

"I-I'm sorry," She began. Voice soft, breaking. Quivering like a whelp. It took a lot of strength for her posture to not cower. She forced herself to show some form of confidence, so her tail did not curl, yet her head lowered, and ears swivelled. Forcing a swallow, she drew in a deep breath to steel the sudden nerves that took a hold, she noticed...

Mint. 

She had wondered into pack territory- it explained the high and mighty demeanour. And while she wanted to tuck tail and run, she had no other option. 

Nyke kostagon gaomagon bisa.- (I can do this.)

Her mother had taught her to be confident. Strong. Oh how the heart ached for her guidance here, for protection. To...
No.
She was on her own now. She had to figure out what had happened... where she was. And, while hazy and disorientated.... pieces were coming back together. With every passing moment spent, her mind began to catch up with its self. 

So Emerie, peered up at the man. Forced herself away from the nerves, and met his gaze.

"I do not mean to trespass! At all. I-I...Qrugh (Shit)"

That did not go well. Shaking her head, Emerie sighed.

"W-would you mind telling me where I am?"

Nyke daor kesīr naejot vīlībagon. (I am not here to fight.)

@Cassian

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You are not scared.

She forced herself. The shakes seemed not just to be the cold. And yet this figure, this unwavering force of a man simply...stood there, indifferent? Unphased.

How? 

These thoughts zoomed around her mind, rushing at a pace she could not control. She did not like it- being out of control.

You are on Philos land.

Philos. Ocean eyes blinked, forcing her attention once again to the hint of mint that swirled within the wind. It would tickle her nose every now and then, tingle upon her tongue. Small enough to focus herself, ground and calm. So she had stepped on pack grounds. "Oh... the mint!" Surprised at her own outburst, she found herself repeating;

Cool and calm. Collected and poised. Confident. 

Why say that?

And yet.. It made sense, the indifference, the...authority! That word had been on the tip of her tongue. Dancing in her mind, but not quite there- like a mist, a small block. Now the cogs were starting to turn. The glares made sense, the analytical scans. 

“What is your name?”

"E-emerie Velaryon."  She fought back the urge to clench her teeth at the stammer. And just as she opened her jaws to ask what his was-a head tilt. So he wasn't so bad? Surely, a foe... an Qrinuntys (Enemy.) Would poise to attack, now? A blink. 

And come on, I don't want you freezing to death.”

Accepted.

Ashen brows rose, her eyes would wander the expanse- no one else was there. No one seemed to be lurking. No other shadows lurked, despite the hairs upon her nape. No going back now. Only forward.

"T-thank you.."

Her dropped to more of a murmur, whether he heard her against the howling winds would be one thing. As she forced her slender paws to move, she noticed how stiff and numb her legs had become. With each step, muscle strained, chipping away. With every step taken, she was leading herself into the unknown. A new life. A fresh start. Awkwardness would dance around her as the silence befell them. 

"Y-Your name?"

She would eventually ask after falling in step behind him.
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“A pleasure, Miss Velaryon.”

Ashen laced ears swivelled forward at the polite tone. Noting the dip of his head, it was as if an invisible sigh of relief rippled along her spine. Muscles that were tense, with a wrench of her gut and tightness of chest, now faded. Despite the cold that now became more of a prevalent problem. A smile spread upon her dark lips, warming cheeks that felt flushed against the cold. Why did fear cling to her so? When he turned out to be kind. And yet still, there was a glint in her mind, a warning sign that said- no. Do not trust. 

Afterall, he could be leading her into a false sense of security.

“Don't mention it.”

And yet there was just an... indifference. An air of authority. Ocean eyes peered down to the crisp snow that satisfyingly crushed under her slender paws. Doru-borto másino- stupid question. 

“Cassian Vasiliev.”

As they continued, the winds seemed to die down as they neared closer to the mountain peeks. A brief moment of respite from the onslaught, at least. Yet, as they continued on in silence for a moment, her mind began to churn like cogs in a machine. Was there... bitterness there? A hint, of pain? She recognised it all too well, thoughts spun back to her Mother, dare her heart ache to hear her voice once more. Emerie forced herself to push forwards, doing her best to be more friendly. Her smile softened. "Pleasure to meet you, too, Cassian." Perhaps, she was foolish to do such a thing? Perhaps it would have been better to simply stay behind him and remain silent. 

“You can... stay here if you'd like.

Dark brows rose, as a small oh befell her lips. "I-if that is ok? I would like to!" What did she have to loose? She had no other option, there was nothing left for her in the past.

@Cassian
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As they walked, Emerie focused upon the scent that dawned closer with every stride forwards. Soothing, calming. Giving her mind something to focus on, rather than the tightness in her chest, or panic in her thoughts. 

And yet, just as the relaxing wave started, no longer an ebb and flow of panic, he paused. And abruptly, she stopped too.

 “It's not a problem at all. 

And as he furrowed his brow, she blinked in response.
“But let me be clear—Philos is not for the weak. It is a place where the brave are tested, and the unworthy fall to the relentless grip of the ice. Your survival is yours to command. Prove you belong here.”

Much like the crisp, virgin snows that nipped at her two-toned paws, those words dug into her chest. Shards of ice carving its way through to her heart. And yet.. instead of a rush of panic, came a sense of something else. Determination. This was her opportunity, that golden card she was looking for. Safe. And as she met his gaze this time... she did not feel the need to panic.

 Though her gut wrenched and twisted, there was something that ignited. Something that screamed, Stay. 

Stand.


A new home.

Is this really what she wanted?

Yes. To find something new. A fresh start, one that did not have the echoes of her past. No haunting shadows. No fleeting memories. No reminders. 

Yes.

So, her ash-kissed shoulders rolled back, uplifting her dark maw.

"Noted." Her brows furrowed, despite the shudder that began to trickle along her spine. Sucking in a breath. "[font]My kindness will not be m-mistaken for weakness[/font]."
And that was a promise. A smile now formed, pearly whites daring to peak from dark lips.

"And I will prove that."

Her deep gaze cast forwards.

"Lead the way... am I to address you as my lord?"
Whether it was sheer tiredness or adrenaline, she could not quite tell of her tone. Dare part of her think it was sarcasm. 

She surely hoped that Cassian did not take it that way.

@Cassian
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The detachment in those words, a small sting that seemed to pull the breath away. Brows furrowed over azure eyes. A swift nod was given. Despite the sting that rolled within her chest. She forced herself to look at him, briefly. Resisting the urge to glare at her dainty dark paws the entire way. 

As the winds howled and flurried, Emerie took in the beauty of the towering mountains. Despite the strain of cold, the endless onslaught of howling winds and slanted snows... there was beauty in the darkness, brightness. Could this be her path to safety?


“Cassian will do.” 

A name, not title. Emerie was not accustomed to such... informality. "As you wish, Cassian."

A wince. Oh how the awkwardness clung to her! Yet, she stared ahead. Navigating down the path towards her new home.

- End thread-
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