Runaway

Like a prolonged chapter, or perhaps a never ending fever dream, Asny awakes from her slumber one snowy morning and sets out in a field of frost and evergreens alone.

It's been far too long since the disappearance of Duskguard. She'd already lost count of how many moons it's been -- where the warmth of other bodies and promising words of home and family gave the woman a sense that maybe, just maybe, this was an end to her days of solitude and the start of a new world -- but yet again, she is abandoned. Yet again, trust is ripped away from the frigid pockets of her heart and Asny is thrust into the unforgiving plains she once tread upon alone. History repeats itself, and Asny begins to accept that her own curse will continue.

The dragoness does not dwell on it for long, and through age her tears freeze over like the lakes in place of acceptance. Quietly, while her amber eyes roam the forests she's called home for a while now, she wonders if this was her mother's plan for her. To find her place in solitude before finding meaning -- yet even as her youth leaves her, Asny is still confused. Still lost.

Still lonely.

That morning she trudges through a worn path to visit the fallen reindeer from days prior. Still frozen in place like a time capsule, yet with ravens that perch on its rips trying to pick out whatever visage hangs from its bones. The flock set flight at the sight of the woman's arrival, and without hesitation she sniffs around to lick at the freezer burned flesh.

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 The maidan had been sleeping peacefully in her warm nest at home, not a care in the world as her belly rose and fell in a slow, smooth rhythm. She rarely ever dreamed, but as a cool and blistering breeze ruffled her fur she wondered if she found herself in one tonight. As she blinked open her eyes, the scene before her was not something she recognized at all. Snow covered the ground all around her, hanging from the many trees above her, even falling softly from the sky. Her brows furrowed in confusion; she certainly wasn't at home. This kind of weather was completely foreign to Alicent.

 Could this be a dream? But then why did it feel so real to her? As she rose to her paws, there was a clear indent of her sleeping form. She reached down and sure enough, her scent was all over the spot. How long had she been lying there? This was nothing like what her dreams were normally like. Panic began to swell inside her chest as realization began to set in. She had somehow been whisked away from home, the place she had grown up in since she was just a small pup. Not only that, but it was freezing here — wherever here even was. Taking a few tentative steps forward, she tested out walking through snow for the first time in her life. It was strange and cold, but it wasn't impossible. She had no doubt other wolves did it as well, so why couldn't she?

 Taking a few more steps forward, she decided she would simply make the most of the situation. After all, she was finally free of the restraints her father always made sure to instill in her. This could be a welcome change, once she learned a little bit more about where she found herself. The sudden fluttering of wings spooked the young maiden, a little hop to the side being a bigger reaction than was necessary. A small sigh escaped her as she realized how unsettled she was. Inhaling sharply, she decided to move towards the sound. Something must've caused them to scatter, which could mean another soul to talk to. Hesitantly, she crept forward through the snow until a figure came into view. And below them was a frozen carcass, making her mouth water slightly.

 She paused, worried about spooking the other female. Keeping her distance, she only took a few steps forward before lifting her head slightly. "Hello there," she called out carefully, offering a soft smile as her tail remained close to her legs. Unsure of what to say next, she simply waited for the inevitable questions that would come from the other.

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The figure in the corner of her eye; Though Asny would've mistaken it as a wandering reindeer passing by -- it wouldn't be the first -- this figure was far too small and nimble to pass as a hooved animal. This one, well...this was a wolf.

Call her a hermit, but the dragoness had made quite the effort to isolate herself from other wolves due to these growing trust issues of hers -- no matter what friends she'd end up making, they always end up leaving in the end, anyhow. Yet the northerner was far from aggressive towards the ones who did manage to come into her life, as Asny was against the use of wasteful violence. She was a healer at heart like mother was -- hurting others....it never made her feel good in any scenario.

“Hail, stranger.” she greeted, her molten gaze slowly traveling over her shoulder to seek out who'd approached. A smaller fae -- with a coat like young oak bark peeking through burnt ashes. A smile that fit easily onto an already pretty face, and Asny returned a weary smile back -- even if the lack of use made it feel foreign.

Asny had already made a guess on what might've led them here. They were in a realm of snow, after all, and food was scarce. “Asny will not hog the carcass, if you seek fuel for your travels.” offering to share with the stranger what was left of the decaying meal.

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