WYNDHAM RITTAN CROSS Cool air enveloped the dunes as the sun took its decent below the horizon. The moon crawled its way into a laden sky, bit by bit until it hung full and bright. Stars winked into existence and slowly spread a nebulous scattering across the inky blackness. Beneath the wide, arching dome sat Wyndham, insignificant, a minor player in this massive expanse of world. His head was arched back, eyes surveying the stars stretched above him. He'd never really been taught the constellations, but somehow these seemed alien even to his untrained eye. His innate sense of direction was good enough, but in a foreign land -- and in some of the harsh, featureless environments he'd already encountered -- knowing as much as possible could prove life-saving in the future. Still, it was hardly helpful for him to stare absently at the sky, and yet he couldn't seem to stop. Memories of home shoved at the edges of his consciousness, pressing away the concentration he was trying to keep. Viet, even at her age, had known far more about the night sky than he. She'd been fascinated by it, able to rattle off every constellation and major star he could point to. He found himself wishing he'd payed more attention to her.

She'd been wandering for quite some time, that pack with the cute guy was definitely getting more interesting. But it seemed she had annoyed him with her accidental flirting, sure she thought he was cute but...perhaps she had come off a little too strongly. She had sauntered off to go find something else to do while she thought about going back, and now that winter was over, she really wanted to get out somewhere that was warm. really warm. Escaping her hibernation hole in the south, she headed west towards the desert dunes. She adored the scenery there, especially the serene and desolate beauty of the desert landscapes. Wandering towards the unknown, the red woman walked in silence well into the night. She liked the silence here, the whisper of the sand and wind brushing against each other, and the scurry of road runners as they chased down their prey. It was then that she got the urge to run too, to be one with the wind and the racing sands. Kicking it into high gear, she raced along the dunes for a good while until something ahead caught her eye. She would slow her speed for a minute, thinking that perhaps she should just keep going and ignore the creature, but she hadn't really talked to anyone since leaving that cute guy...hmm...decision decisions. Well, it wouldn't hurt right? Altering her course, she approached with speed and slowed when she was a few yards from him, where she then came to a stop a yard away. Almost breathless, her heart pounded with the effort of the run, but she wasn't tired just yet. "Enjoying the view?" "Speech"

WYNDHAM RITTAN CROSS At the muffled sound of footfalls, his ear flicked thoughtlessly sideways. The sand had covered the sound of her approach until the stranger was nearly abreast of him, but Wyndham didn't allow himself to appear startled. At her greeting he leisurely craned his head her way and flashed a half grin before returning his gaze to the sky. "It's so empty out here, the stars feel closer." A little romanticized, sure, but it was partly true. The dark blanket of sky stretched out unbroken above them with no trees or mountains to give a sense of perspective. "I've never seen a desert before. Hear about 'em, but never actually been to one." A small laugh escaped him; he was musing too much. Slowly he stood and stretched (long and languid) before turning to the stranger. "Ha, look at my manners. Wyndham Rittan Cross, well met." He hadn't missed her shortness of breath, but she didn't seem anxious and he wasn't inclined to believe anything suspicious. Out for a night run, maybe?