Skill:—[0/5]

Cyrus

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It feels like it'd been dark for days on end. Citlali's eyes were held high towards the endless expanse that was the sky, blinking off the groggy haze of sleep. Was it morning yet? Alas; she could not tell. Not even the glare of the sun was present to tell her so.

The small woman carefully untangled her limbs from her posture against the ground, ears twisting to and fro to listen for something; anything. Alas, there was naught but the quiet murmur elicited by the caress of wind against grass.

Citlali lowered her head from its position held towards the sky, instead nestling her nose carefully against the grass beneath her feet. She could still smell the faint scent of berries she had eaten the evening prior—or, had that been morning? Pale brows knitted as she sighed; there was no way to know. Not a day would pass in which she didn't wish she could see the world around her.

There was no use dwelling on that, now. Perhaps today she would be lucky enough to find a carcass. Diligent paws paced over the ground, each incline now finally familiar after the long weeks she'd been stuck in these meadows. Citlali set off eastward, where she was acutely aware of the pond which was carved into the ground.

More and more he found himself staying away from the lands that were Fate Respite. The past interactions with one of its residents had sent him spiraling, a lost soul that was adrift in a world that no longer held any meaning for him. Large paws guided the golden wolf, whose heart had been torn to shreds, and spirit put nearly in the ground. And he couldn't shake the words out of his head. The words that told him it was all his fault. The way she spat out the truth to his ears, left him feeling hollow and without purpose. Nothing made sense any more. Nothing mattered any more. But still, somehow, he had to carry on.

Cyrus had been wandering the grassy fields that day. The morning light casting its glow upon his brightly colored hide. Blue eyes that were now empty of gaze, kept to the grass, too afraid that someone would come up to him and spread more venom directly in his crosshairs. Though there was something different this day. A scent that caught his nose, something faint in the wind that smelled of bergamot and vanilla. Was there someone else out here?

Cyrus felt the subtle temptation to call out, though fear gripped him to the bone. The thought of trying only brought back nothing but fresh memories of damage done. So silent he remained, all the while continuing to walk in their direction. Hoping that they would decide to simply not attack him even though he might be trespassing. Gods, please show forgiveness and grace to a broken and empty soul. For he is without feeling, and without sense.

Skill: Hunter [1/5]

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The wind, weak as it was, carried nothing that day. Nothing save for the heavy, moist feeling of potential impending rain, along with the faint musk of petrichor; Citlali was alone. It was a blessing as much as it was a curse to be so alone—devoid of camaraderie, yet kept tranquil with her solitude.

Her pale nose continued to gingerly nudge up against the turf, her stance diligent, lowered close to the ground. The young girl could swear that she felt a drop of rain. The rain was tolerable—no, enjoyable, even—when she was in a shelter. Yet... out here, she would simply get soaked to the bone. There was no quiet pitter-patter to lull her to sleep, nor the soothing mist which wafted into her den back before she'd awakened here.

Softly, Citlali sighed. Why... How could this happen to her? Another droplet fell upon her frail body, seeping through the silken strands of silvery fur and soaking onto her skin. There was nothing she could do. Citi lowered her head and sped up her gait, continuing her search.

Cyrus continued on his path of misery, following the scent of someone quite peculiar. He caught sight of them finally, rain hitting them with soft patters as it slowly starting to kick up. There was a faint far away look to their eyes, as if they were lost. A woof escaped his lips before he could stop it. It was now or never, he had to help them. It was his nature. The golden wolf kept on going, opening his mouth to call out again. Hey, are you alright? Do you need a place to stay? He waited to hear a response, but kept on going. Maybe they wouldn't bite him if he tried to show some hospitality. But he would remain on guard while approaching none the less.

Skill: Hunter[2/5]

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After several moments of a fruitless search, Citlali could swear she could finally smell something sweet in the air; the she-wolf continued to wander forwards with her nose twitching against the greenery, seeking out the source of the scent.

All seemed swell and normal—that was, until a soft bark resounded to her rear. Citlali nearly leapt out of her skin, jolting at the sound and jerking her head around to try and pinpoint where the voice had come from. Years of sightlessness had gifted the wolfdog with the privilege of shrewd hearing; at least, she thought it had. This time, however, there was no scent. No sound, save for the soft woof, and no rumble along the ground that spoke of another's approach.

'Hey, are you alright? Do you need a place to stay?' Footfalls finally reached her senses in tandem with the sire's words. H-hello? she returned, skepticism strewn across her face.

I... oh, she winced, ears pulled back, tail protectively coiled over her now-damp body. Oh, no please, don't worry yourself with me... Her lips thinned into a fretful frown, brows knitting with concern. But... yes, I do need a place to stay... She murmured apologetically. She held her head lower between her forelimbs, pink nose twitching towards the newcomer.

Ah. It was he that she had been smelling. For some odd, inexplicable reason, the realization made her ease, if only slightly.

Her startled form made him almost jump, a sight that most would have laughed at for sure. My apologies, miss. I didn't mean to scare you. Follow me this way. I have a spare den just outside of my pack's territory. Cyrus almost turned back around, expecting her to follow him. But then turned back to look at her over his shoulder, her eyes catching his attention.

Can you not see? Her gaze was foggy and milky looking, giving her a far away sort of stillness to her eyes. There was also a look of worry, something that made him cringe internally. I can help you reach it if that is the case. Not a problem at all. A part of him that was the protective guard, revealing itself despite what had happened to him. Maybe it was a sign that his old self was trying to make a comeback.

Skill—[2/5]

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Citlali continued to ease at his soft words. 'My apologies, miss. I didn't mean to scare you. Follow me this way. I have a spare den just outside of my pack's territory.' She shook her head. There's no need to apologize, sir. It's not very difficult to startle me. She nodded along with her words, head bending down once again to follow behind his sweet scent, paws moving cautiously over the grass to avoid tripping.

'Can you not see? I can help you reach it if that is the case. Not a problem at all.' The abrupt question quickly moved her head up. No, I can't. She answered, just as simply as he'd asked. I never could, not even when I was a child. A soft smile spread over her lips. But there's no reason to worry, she reassured. I can hear quite well, and smell. I won't have any trouble following you. Citlali dipped her head in a languid nod, encouraging him to continue on leading the way.

Her voice was kind and soft, reaching a broken heart that was seemingly never going to heal. It brought a small smile to his face, a wave of his tail as he continued onward. Alright then, stick close. It isn't too far. Cyrus called out to her again, taking his time to make sure that she was still close. The pair continued towards his other den, a hidden spot beneath a rolling hill. It was covered in moss and thick grass around the entrance, making sure to keep out the light in case he wanted to sleep. I

t didn't take long for them to reach it either, luckily having not been too far off from it in the first place. There it is, follow me. Watch your step. The caregiver carefully guided her towards the entrance, making sure that she didn't lose her footing. A look of relief spreading on his face at the thought of no longer being alone, stuck within the dark thoughts of his own mind.

Skill: —[2/5]

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'Alright then, stick close. It isn't too far.' With a nod, she set off. Citlali followed close behind, wincing occasionally against a drop of rain. She kept close, perhaps slightly too close. Her nose never stopped twitching towards the smell of sand and fruit.

When he halted, so did she, turning towards his voice. 'There it is, follow me. Watch your step.' The smaller wolf let him guide her forwards, pawing at the ground carefully lest she trip over some sort of obstacle. When she felt there was none, she swiftly made herself at home, curling her body in against the wall and tucking her paws against her chest like a small cat.

Her head lowered, eyes lifting to look towards the sky. ...is it dawn? Or dusk? She inquired quietly. Her tail stirred behind her as she slowly inched forward, back towards the outside. A droplet of rain collided with her nose, sending her quickly flinching back into the safety of the burrow.

The little silver wolf listened to his guidance well, climbing down into the hollow that was to be their home for the morning. At least until the rain decided to stop. Just as she settled in, her voice breached the den entrance. Despite the rain, it is a bright morning. Perhaps we have been blessed with a sun shower. A chuckle almost escaped him as the woman got a rain drop on her nose. It sent her back inside, where he too came in to rest for a while. I wasn't expecting company, but you are more then welcome. My name is Cyrus, what is yours? His voice was warm despite the pain he was still in. But he had to try and move on, for his own sake.