bitter water

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Smoke felt as though it still clung in his lungs, nose, permeating his fur despite the salt water turning him pitifully soggy, shifting in the sticky sand knotting up on him with irritation. Nikolai breathed out heavily, short ears twitching to the idle crash of the waves at his back, a shudder set cruelly in his bones. A light, needle-fine rain covered him uncomfortably, almost weighing him down more than the pain set deep in his muscles.

His mind refused to serve him in the moment, a bleed of memories, wails, and flames that were like ghosts in his peripherals, shaking his head to rid himself of it. Nikolai edged up slowly, grunting and tense, until he was lazily slouched on his hip. Nothing was familiar, he hardly felt himself... and he hadn't a clue where to go from here.

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The coast continued onwards, she would follow with a mostly straight line with minor waves, noting that nothing in particularly was truly vast to share a land beyond. Was this region so tight to the sea? By a bluff she stood, an eye toward a downhill slope the land below.. She could hear the crashing of the waves as they rocked against the cliffs, but curiosity got the best of her as the maiden slipped down with a minor hum in her voice.

Though her nose swivled, the smell of smoke came to be, so faint though by the rain. Unfamiliar yet familiar, she knew not of it's vast quanities but knew enough of tamed wildfires to know what it was, and yet.. By the seasalt it was, that she turned her white-gaze to another who was by the coast, "oh dear!" Miriam said, as she rushed to the side of what seemed to be a wolfdog, "sir', are you alright?" she couldn't see any immediate injuries but something.. The way he moved seem slow, and she wondered if there was something hidden.

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He hadn't anticipated to be seeing anyone. It felt far too small and vast and suffocating all at once for another soul to possibly share it with him, something like there just not being enough air for more than his tattered lungs but just as he sat there, doing his best to regain equilibrium, a voice punctured the thick holler of the ocean, the furious patter of the rainfall. Nikolai found the source with a huff—a wolf like moon kissed rock, his ears twitched.

She was at his side in a heartbeat, worry clear in her tone. "I've been better," he admitted, urging himself upright; a shake rattled his legs, fierce as the tide lapping at the trimming beach, and without a say in the matter... Nikolai crashed into the sand, shaking his heavy head and snorting in frustration. He blinked back up at the wolf, features knitting into something enduring; voice soft and deceptively equal, and said, "Ain't nothin' to worry 'bout... I just need a rest, I think."

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"Would you like to use my shoulder?" He seemed to have struggle getting up, a weakness within joints.. Perhaps either surprise or but just general fatigue, at least thankfully as she observed and he confirmed there was nothing externally wrong. As autumn was here, many plants where in full-bloom and she went over the easiest one's to get, such as berries to provide a bit of nourishment ; not something that was too hard, being located within the mountains.

"We should get you onto more solid ground," Miriam said with a gentle smile, for she wanted to help.

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For a heartbeat he considered her offer, grinding his teeth so hard that he tasted sharp crimson, fangs cutting into his gums. Nikolai only had to take one look at her to know he'd risk harming her, not particularly small but hardly sturdy enough to withstand his weight if he lost himself again—certain to bring her with him. "Naw, I've got it, darlin'," he said with a sigh that seemed body wide, allowing a breath before moving to rise once more. This time, he managed, steeling himself though the struggle to remain upright was clear, he didn't waver as much as one should, as if the idea of being impaired was simply against his body's nature.

.

"Anywhere but 'ere would be mighty fine," he admitted, shaking his head a little, resorting to his nature of wordless communication he shared with those in his band, Nikolai nudged her neck ever so gently with his heavy head to indicate his readiness. "I'll be right behind ya'."

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"There is a cave ahead, that leads to the mainland. We should be there and tend to whatever injuries you may have." Her tail flickered as well as her ears, as a paw lifted to direct a vague passage ahead. The only way that led to the cliffs was but that sea-cave, although at the moment it seemed safe. She had noted earlier that there was a bit of wetness inside of it, meaning that when the tides were high.. It might be dangerous. But as a moon-eye gazed back, she saw they were relatively low ; just raining. She hoped to be safe there for the meanwhile.

With so, she would tuck close to him in-case any means he would wobble over. Though denied her safe passage through on help, she was close, tending and watching his very steps on anything that seemed, off. He looked healthy, but unstable ; she would ensure his safety until he regained footing once more.

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His brows furrowed with the shake of his head, a throb hammering home an ache he wouldn't be able to escape even with newfound clarity, allowing him to take great relief in the wolf's assistance as she indicated their destination and halfway led him, halfway resided at his side. A creature from the dry south, the peculiarity of caves like this brought about some hesitation he bit past in order to climb to their temporary refuge—body revolting and yet only at his consistent will pushing him forward, wavering as it was, he moved slowly, near painstakingly before hitting the mouth of the cave, jagged and wet but its floor rife with soggy sand that appeared welcoming enough to a sore body wishing he knew how to tire.

Nikolai breathed out heavily, slowly lowering himself to the floor, fangs cutting into his gums fierce enough to draw the scent and taste of blood. The cave echoed it all but he couldn't force concern for that. "'ere," said Nikolai, positioning himself deliberately at the opening of the cave where she would be able to step over him and be more or less shielded from the touch of the light downpour, his greater size sure to do so.

Clearly he still didn't know who was helping who.

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Miriam frowned, "you are not in a state to be by the wind," her head brushed his shoulder within an urging to go in more, even though it was a kind gesture. Being thrown into the ocean and clearly not within his full health ; he wasn't explaining what hurt and couldn't see many visible wounds besides the vague scent of blood hanging in the air, but the man was very much not in a condition to be facing the wind directly. She wanted to heave him a bit more in with a pleading look.

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“And yer’ already doin’ more than ‘nough,” he said to her, canting his head back to look at her as she nudged him, offering a huff—he sure wasn’t in any state to fuss but he was mighty stubborn as he was thankful. Nikolai, in an intentional act of obnoxiousness, licked at her cheek; perhaps she’d take her leave and slip over him and into the cave, let him reciprocate. 

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Miriam was equally stubborn, she would hate for him to grow sicker. So instead as he licked her face in a reassurance, Miriam sat within the front, being the one to block instead. Maybe an odd looking, for her body was quite smaller then his, almost like a stain within his fur. She was smiling, innocently, for he played and she played back. She may not know the man, but the teachings always taught her destiny was not a randomized event, one way or another all was bonded for some reason.. Even if it wasn't great, but not by the Goddess's will, but the darkness the manipulates. Everything ties some one way or another ;

and she felt she was tied to him. Maybe she was here to help.

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He let out a breath, a sharp tsk though woven with amusement as it was. "Now that ain't fair," Nikolai said, having to let his head fall back to a natural position. He didn't even know her name but he couldn't deny that he admired her adamance. After a moment of listening to the rain patter outside, he rolled to his back, easily shoulder-to-shoulder with her, head oddly cupped by some mossy rock, eyes ringed-white as he looked up at her with his forelegs tucked to his chest and his tail wagging between his stretched legs. Nikolai didn't feel much better, push him enough he'd surely whine, but he couldn't help but be stubborn; nothing but a bull. "Yer' not fair."

And it was with a noise in his throat that he moved enough to lick her cheek again. He could be unfair too.

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Miriam was a holy woman ; she believed in the Goddess and Horned God, and within that freedom of both. Be selfish, but not at the cost of those around ; an awareness of what was and wasn't. A kindness when needed and holding of hope when all is to be lost, to be the light that is needed, with guidance of Her. Through eternity of knowledge and gaining wisdom like any other, through multiple reincarnations until finally — embraced to the Summerlands.

But the religion wasn't stingy, they weren't on the holiness of one's body. Freedom to the very peaks, but surprisingly many within The Orchid preferred to keep that purity until a bonding — and Miriam was the same way. There was a lust toward @Sagittarius, there was one against @Tavra, and it seems something was blowing more to the man who came from the see.

She chuckled, when he licked her cheeks, "who are you, man who came from the sea?" Although injured.. He had enough spirit to play. Slugged together in the storm itself, the thunder boomed overhead.

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Folks could say he felt a warmth toward the stranger for one of two things; she was the woman who welcomed him into this new world, kind and earnest and it'd only be a fool who'd look at her and not see something angelic; she was soft on the eyes, scented of the sweet fields he thought belonged at home—Nikolai would say he wasn't blind and he'd not think twice of being sweet on her. And didn't she deserve it? All that sudden fretting a washed-up fella caused would simply have to be compensated or soothed.

"'m Nikolai... Nick," he said, tone low and drawling as he took her amusement and moonlit eyes to be signs she was receptive to his affections; continuing to carefully place licks along her cheek, ridding her fur of beads of rain, before he moved to ever gently lick over her ears. "Though for ya', I'm whoever ya'd like me to be." Another pause, another touch, his voice a whisper this time, "And who are you, moonlit woman?"

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She moved her head to tuck on his arms, a closeness between as she felt even her body within his warmth. A strange closeness and comfort, despite being the one wishing to help him ; it turned to him comforting herself. Bathed in the tongue of another stroking along the droplets within her fur, a cat would purr at such an instance, "I am Miriam, Miriam Iris Willows." She introduced herself softly and warmly through her smiles, as a moon eye looked toward the outside of the fierce storm.

"We will be here all night."

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He didn't have any expectations, really, more than content to idle with her so close and their limbs slowly growing tangled. No longer did copper or sea salt tinge his tongue, she was all he tasted; a welcome relief, a smile soft as ever claiming his lips. "It's a pleasure to meet ya', Ms. Willows," he hummed, shifting around to find his stomach pressed back to the sandy rock, moving to where his paws would be settled on either side of her. Still, yet, it was but a search for touch, delighting in the warmth and comfort of another. He didn't make any further advance, merely grooming her in an almost feline-like fashion. "M'name's Nikolai... but I'd love ya' ta' call me nick."

This time, he leaned in, bringing a nuzzle to her cheek, a soft smile tugging his lips. "I've not a problem with that, do ya'? Can't imagine better company."

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"Fate has brought us until the morning of departure — whims of the heavens are mysterious, aren't they?" There was something awfully alluring spending nights with wolves she just met ; a bonded connection that she did not realize could occur, but perhaps that was why she was whisked to this unknown land. To learn and gain, knowledge to bring to the Summerlands and here after — Miriam could only imagine what fate had in store for her, and it seemed on this stormy day it brought her to a strange.. Not-so wolf man.

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"That they are, Ms. Willows," he hummed, returning to his feline-esque behavior as he brought his tongue to her throat once more, gently coaxing though far from obnoxiously, a simple nudge of her nose would send him back and that much was clear. Honest but far from disrespectful. Ms. Willows was a presence he'd appreciate however she desired to grace him. "What 'bout yer whims... how mysterious are they?" Nikolai said, voice low-set, his tail thumping in a light wag.
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"I believe the Goddess has sent me to do the whims of my heart, and to nature guide me through it's paths." She had a paw to her heart and said within full-true in holy words. In honesty and truth she so believed in fully in one way or another the whimsicles of the summerlands were to bring her here for the sought of knowledge and more. Preparing thy' soul of the embrace of the Gods.. Nature was her guide, as she flashed a smile at him, believing this too was a fate.

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