Come down, come down sweet reverence

Jynn explained that she'd already been to the Red Forest, but that there was another forested area to the southwest where they could continue to do more exploring. The sky was gray and full of darker gray clouds though the sun was still fighting to shine through. It cast a golden glow in the sky, a few beams making it through holes in the clouds. When they came through a dense pine forest it was to a crevice opening up into a gorge. Rocky gray walls stretched up on either side. It was covered in pine trees and evergreen shrubs. There was still grass at the base of the gorge which was a surprise.

"Oooo, Kiela, look at this!"

Jynn bounded for the patch of grass, landing on it with her feet and promptly falling over as a large gust of wind hit here. What in the world? Why was it so windy here? Was the storm finally closing in on them?

Storms didn't deter Kiela too much, but she knew finding shelter before the weather got too unpredictable was a good idea. The dark skies threatened snow but not immediately, though she felt the humidity in the air shift she knew they had time to find suitable shelter for the evening before the storm got unbearable. Once snow began to fall they'd have to pick up their pace, but until then Kiela found no reason to be too frantic. She and Jynn traveled past the forest, to another cluster of pine trees. Upon further exploration though it seemed this wasn't just another forest. Jynn called out for her and she loped toward her, jaw unhinging once she saw the sight - a huge gorge opened up ahead of them, with sides of the cliff impossibly steep. Some trees and vegetation clung to the rocky slopes of the gorge but they seemed to be hanging on for dear life. It was a lovely sight, and she was happy to pause their trek for now to get a good look into the gorge. Carefully she began her descent down, bracing herself as a strong gust of wind threatened to pull her over and tumbling down. "Maybe this wasn't the best route. Unless we might find shelter down here?" Kiela called out, raising her voice over the wind so Jynn could hear her.

Come down, come down sweet reverence

Jynn crouched down on top of her long legs, her ears flattening against her skull to keep them out of the cold wind. She glanced at Kiela. "Yea, that's what I'm starting to wonder. Sorry, I had no idea the wind was going to be so bad in here. Let's see if we can find something. Might as well explore while we're here." She hated to just turn around and go all the way back. Jynn stuck to the edge of the gorge, working her way around the rocky walls. As she continued along she spied a crevice in the side of the wall. Jynn immediately went toward it and squeezed herself in before looking to Kiela. "Hmmm… what do you think. Should we try to shelter here or keep going south and see if we can find a cave or something in those mountains?"

The wind only seemed to pick up as they made their way into the gorge, whipping at her coat without showing signs of mercy. The cold was something Kiela was accustomed to, though still she braced herself against its barrage. "Not your fault," she assured her quickly. "I didn't expect it either." Usually valleys and landscapes like this were a bit more protected from the elements, but not always; sometimes these sorts of places had a way of making whether more unpredictable and dangerous. As long as they found shelter before the storm set in fully she was sure they'd be fine, but she didn't want to be caught down here int he worst of it. Gauging her options was something she was used to, and sometimes it was best to take the safest route rather than one that looked possible but not likely.

Fortunately Jynn spotted something up ahead. It was a crack in the stone, big enough for them both to fit, although not comfortably. Living as a loner though wasn't always a comfortable life and Kiela nodded, understanding their predicament. "Might be safest if we hang around here until the storm comes. Being caught in it, trying to climb back up... I'm not so sure," she trailed off, deciding it wasn't a great idea. It was always easier to descend something than it was to make their way back up, and the darkening skies seemed to be creeping their way, the threat of snow imminent now. She gave her legs a stretch as she paced near the edge of the rock facing, getting a better look at the terrain here and occasionally letting her gaze drift up to the sides of the gorge, searching for an emergency escape route back up if somehow it proved necessary.

Come down, come down sweet reverence

Jynn pressed up tight against the wall of the crevice to make room for Kiela and to sink herself farther back and away from the wind. She listened quietly to Kiela, curious as to the northern woman's take on their situation. Jynn had a habit of making movement the solution. Whenever anything uncomfortable or frightening happened she just felt like she had to move and wander but she could see the wisdom in what Kiela was saying. Jynn nodded. "Ok, yea, I agree. Hopefully it will move through fast." Jynn gazed out at the sky as the dark clouds eventually swallowed the sunlight. A moment later it began to snow. The harsh winds of the gorge took the snow and sent it spiraling through the air.

Kiela spent a short while pacing near the edge of the crevice before she decided to slink inside. Their close proximity wasn't comfortable for her, not really, but they'd spent enough time together so far that she was able to let down her guard enough to choose relative safety over a foolish mission out of the gorge. Climbing the sides when a storm hit could easily prove life-threatening and Kiela valued her life far above her comfort. Jynn agreed with her and she nodded in understanding as she settled in nearby. It wasn't long before the snow began to fall, slow and peaceful at first though the strange whirling winds of the gorge seemed to pick it up and fling it every which way. Before long it seemed the weather had accelerated to near-white out conditions. Kiela pressed up against the opposite side of the wall and slowly lowered herself down after awhile, peering out into the stretch of swirling snow and wind, as least as far as she could see.