the north provides

all are are welcome to reply <3

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The cold air whipped the man's fur around, nipped at the exposed skin of his nose and ears. Icy fingers threaded themselves in his fur, scraping their nails against his skin. It was a comfort. The Sinclairs had lived in the snow for as long as Cassian could remember, perhaps even as far back as his grandfather's grandfather. The ice was in their veins, their hearts, in their very being. They were the keepers of the ice. And forever would be, so long as he lived.

Cassian trailed his gaze over the icy peaks of The Vale, his land. In the distance, he could just make out the waves lapping at the shores. Cass did not quite recall seeing them in the past, but only the Gods knew what happened during his slumber. One thing he did notice was the absence of his cousin and, her. He wondered if she thought of him as much as he did her, or if she missed him. However, Cass knew better than to dream about things that were long gone.

The prince made his way down the eastern border, determined to find traces of the past. Would the skeletal remains of Dunja greet him? Or would even they be erased from this world? Cassian paused as a thought suddenly appeared. Was he alone once more? Once again, forced to experience the new world without a companion? Not even his beloved Sylvan awoke, her pale body frozen mid-flight in the wall of ice. The only sign of the past that he could find on his walk.

With a flick of his ears, Cass came to the edge of The Vale, azure eyes peering out into the unknown. Within his soul, he knew this would be the start of something new, but how, he did not know.

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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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he's mean and this was short im so sorry ;-;

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Cassian's nose twitched as a new scent suddenly filled the area. Great, a stranger. He knew he needed to recruit members, but at the same time, Cass hated strangers. Hated the forced greeting, the cogs working to figure out if they meant to fight or wanted shelter. Cass wished it was a simple interaction, like the other was, but he knew better than to dream. Without another thought, he carried himself towards the shape some feet away. Their fresh scent made his nose wrinkle. It felt almost, offensive. The Vale had a scent to it that Cassian had grown to love; snow and mint. Fresh, home.

"State your purpose." His tone left no room for questions or lies. Cassian was forward, straight to the point. His cold gaze trailed over the stranger, their small frame making him sigh. The prince came closer, clearly enjoying the advantage his size gave him. The sense of power it gave him made his posture straighten more, his chest to puff out. To a fellow Philoi, a quick glance at the prince would have them imagining they were looking upon the old King of Philos. Cassian had even perfected the ever cold expression that fell upon his face, creating a shield between him and the stranger.

Cassian silently angled himself to block the path behind him, a wall should they decide to force their way through.

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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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