Word count: 265

The water was cold, tumultuous as it smashed against the Atlantis shoreline, each impact like a clap of thunder to Levi's ears. He squinted at the sky about, how it darkened, and the clouds loomed, the wind picking up so fierce even he could sense what was coming. Felt it in his gut, a twisting and instinctual thing, telling him to seek shelter. That even he couldn't outrun, or swim in this case, nature's wrath. The weather had turned so quickly, he was well travelled and knew how to watch the skies, it all had taken him by surprise and now there was nothing left for him to do but react. To find somewhere safe and dry and wait it out.

And yet this island was a stranger to him. He'd spied it in the distance, its pointed shape stood out proud and clear on calm days, but as to where he'd best seek shelter was a mystery. Should he venture further in land or try to wait it out on the shore? Well...with the risk of coastal flooding there was no way he was going to stand around on the beach. Even on high ground. And aside from slanted rocks there was little of note, nothing or nowhere to get him out of the downpour. To shield him from the howling winds that grew louder and louder with each passing moment.

So inland he pressed, ears pinned against his skulls as he moved towards the trees that tremored and shook. Preferably he'd find somewhere away from them, lest they were uprooted by the winds.

He had been caught out unawares. Torben's pale fur ruffled uncomfortably, whipping around his features in a frenzied display. A hurricane, what luck and hell... On his way back to Valhalla after a hunting trip, he had no choice but to leave the prey behind. The carcass had easily become swept up by the strong winds. It was only Torben's body weight that caused him not to be carried off too. Thank the gods, but Thor was angry. About what, he could not say. He roamed, searching for a cave of some sort to huddle down in, and wait out the storm. He spied the lad he had encountered in Boreas weeks prior, in winter. "Lo there!" he called over the winds, making his voice shake with controlled thunder "I think I spied a cave away back!" He angled his head behind them further inland "join me! No use stayin' out here alone!" If the boy wanted to take his chances with the weather, Torben would wish him well... even if he'd clearly be worried. Without another thought, he turned and began to lead the way further into the island. He had to make sure he survived, not just for his sake but for Valhalla. If they spent precious moments trying to find Torben, he'd consider that he wasted their time. If his body would be found, he hoped it was sooner and not later. Valhalla did not need to waste on him. He was a nobody to them. A drifter that was too antsy to really sit still. This served him right, being caught outside in this storm. That's at least what he thought, anyway. SPEECH HERE 541/1500 words

word count: 338
total: 879

Were Levi the paranoid type he might think Torben was following him, trailing after his smaller paw prints as he moved from the south to the north. It was likely just a coincidence but Levi couldn't help but frown all the same, his ears pinned against his skull to drown out the sound of the wind. It was hard to catch the wisps of the white wolf's words, but from the shape of his lips Levi was able to work out his intention clear enough. After all what sort of mad man would want to remain out in this? Stepping forward it felt as though the wind was trying to rip out his spines, rattling them against one another as he pushed forward, head down as they moved inland. Each step felt as though it took far more effort than the last as they strained against the weather, getting closer to supposed shelter with each movement. One paw after the other, drown it all out and focus on what needed to be done.

Turning back a moment he eyed the churning waters off the shore, how the waves tossed and turned, a mix of black and white as foam gathered on the surface. He was a strong enough swimmer, came naturally to him but even he knew he would likely drown in such conditions. Anything but a true aquatic animal had no cause to be out in such conditions and he imagined they were all deeper down, further out, where the current was calmer and more manageable.

Pushing on, he soon reached the mouth of the cave and eyed up the shelter it offered. It wasn't much, to be honest, more of a dip in the mountain than a true cave that dug in deeper but neither of them had much of a choice. It was either this or heading back out, taking a risk when there was no reason to. Huffing, Levi tossed a look over his shoulder to the Valhalla wolf.

"I can manage. Can you?"

"Aye." Torben had followed through the storm, trying to find the best shelter he could. It didn't need to be done, for Levi had spied the cave before him. He let the other wolf go in first, knowing it'd be a tight fit if he took the biggest spot for himself. He was just thankful they both found the cave in their own time. "Sorry" he murmured, knowing his rear was probably the last thing the boy wanted to see as he settled down near the front entrance "bit of a squeeze..." He shoved himself against the wall inside, trying to make his massive body less and less. It was uncomfortable, but Levi didn't have a lot of room otherwise. Torben sat down, his back to the wall and his front viewing the storm outside. He tried to adjust himself mentally. It felt odd to share a space with another wolf. Especially when it still felt so soon after the demise of his clansmen. "Random bad weather, this..." he murmured to himself. Torben already knew the boy wasn't a talker. "At least we got a bit of shelter from the' storm" he remarked vocally "it wouldn't do to perish under nature's wraith." He sighed. SPEECH HERE 204 words / 1083 out of 1500

word count: 418
total: 1501

It was unpleasant. Levi didn't like being closer to his family than he had to be, so a stranger was leagues worse. But he supposed he didn't really have much of a choice in this situation, unless he wished to head back outside and brave the elements for no good reason at all. It was better in here than out there, that was undeniable and with luck the freak weather would pass in time. The man was right in saying it had seemingly come from nowhere, tore out of the sky like Levi himself had said something insulting. Shifting further against the wall, so his spines clicked and scrapped against one another, he shrugged.

He doubted he was as well travelled as the stranger here, but even he seemed taken back by the turn of the weather. How rough and unforgiving the north was, compared to the south. Levi missed the warm waves, if he was being perfectly honest, mountain life wasn't to his tastes but he liked the forests well enough. Liked to climb and be tall, to look down and just observe the world below. There wasn't much to observe in here though, not with his fat white ass in the way.

"I think weather like this remains at the cost, it shouldn't stay in this spot for too long." Wind always seemed to be moving, going somewhere after all.  "Why are you here?"

In such close proximity he couldn't help but pick up the scent that lingered on the pale of his coat, not one he recognised but it was strong and present. More or less proving he wasn't a loner, that he belonged with other people elsewhere. Likely far from here. But where? Levi couldn't put a name to the scents, the flora and fauna unlike that of which called northern Boreas its home. Somewhere warmer then, probably.

So then he added. "Where are you from?"

Outside the wind continued to howl, shaking the trees and smashing the waves against the rocky shore. He wondered how bad it was at Soul Sand Cove, whether it was flooding, with the waves rolling up the territory, like the sea was claiming back what was owed. There would likely be some cleaning up to do, something for the slaves to amuses themselves with. Though why the Armada had them to begin with was a question in and of itself, wasn't everyone supposed to be strong? A warrior amongst warriors? Aside from his Mother, he guessed, she just...was.