Heading toward danger had never been on Scald’s agenda. Yes, he explored and scouted and did all sorts of things mischievous, but he was more of a shadow than a thundering force. So when the dawn gave way to a red tinted sky and his… friend? Lover? Semantics he’ll figure out later suggested they go toward the wavering glow in the distance, he hesitated.

“Fic, I don’t really think it’s a good idea,” Scald warns because he’s experienced previous occurrences of similar fashion. They never ended good. But he wouldn’t allow her to go alone either. That wouldn’t settle well with him if something bad did happen.

Approaching the newly emerged stones with Fic at his side, often bumping his shoulder with hers to ensure she was still there, Scald slowly comes to a stop. His eyes go wide as he stares up at the weathered stone in a mixture of awe and concern. “These don’t look new but I’ve never seen them before..” he says quietly to her as he takes a step closer to the nearest one.

"Speech"
|| "Thoughts"

They must have fallen asleep curled close together at the new place she discovered. Ears twisting upon her cranium. She looked to him, worry laced within her emerald gaze to Scald, wondering what they were in all honesty. She was starting to feel feelings for the masculine. Only once before she had felt these strange feelings. But they would figure it out together - she was sure of that. A smile and a tender nip to his cheek was offered as she rose up. A strange red glow cast out over the lands, and it worried Identification slightly. But she had too investigate for her friends, to keep everyone safe.

Feeling his shoulder bumps often brought her back to earth, her thoughts she found often trailing to everything that could possibly happen. Fic turned to him. "They weren't here before that I know of." A shiver trailed over her as she pushed herself up against his own mass even more. Knowing that she was protected with him. Her voice laced with a hint of worry and care. "I think it has to mean something though Scald. And thank you for not allowing me to come alone." She had meant that too, thankful that he was here beside her.

mood board

There is comfort in the warmth of Fic as they stand before the ominous outcroppings. He could really call them that though... They were foreboding. No, terrifying. Every time he looks at them, a shiver runs down his spine, but he also feels more drawn to them.

"How did these appear over night?" Scald speaks softly, more to himself than Fic. It would not be the first time that something like this had happened in his lifetime and by the looks of it, it probably wouldn't be the last. "A few years ago, ancient altars, these great statues, appeared throughout Boreas and Auster. Much like... Whatever these things are, but the sky didn't turn red then," his voice shakes a bit as he steps forward.

"No way I'd let you go it alone," he tries to smile and glance over to meet her green eyes, but quickly it flicks back to the towering spires. "Nothing good can come from this," Scald's lips wrinkle slightly as he stops again, only a few feet closer, eyes drawn up toward the sky where the redness still covers everything like a veil. Or was it something else?

"Speech"
|| "Thoughts"

The spires were large, creeping from the ground up from the tremors and quakes the earth had released. Scald had seemed to be slightly confused, maybe he had seen something like this before. Maybe no in this style, but possibly something else? Identification lowered her cranium as taking in the scents, but there was none that came from the spires except for the scent of earth. She listened to him speak about a what happened a few years ago, was he talking about the stones that were in a circle down in Auster? Fic was sure to stay beside him, not letting him too far from her vision, but the way she had spooked her. Causing her to move closer against him.

"I wish I known how they appeared, possibly from the many tremors and quakes that been going all threw Boreas sweetheart." It slipped as her cheeks started to become rose like hue under her cream coat. Her coat seemed to hold with the blood colored sky, she didn't miss his smile as she offered one to try and hide the fear that raced within her. "I thank you for coming, but there is some..." Her eyes went to the spires, there seemed to be designs or possible writing upon them. "Look at this dear. It seems to be writings or some type of design marked all over them." Her tail went between her back legs as she would draw closer to one.

Never seeing anything like this, she was worried. And every right to be. Never in her life had she witnessed something like this. But there was also a sense of safety knowing that Scald was right there beside her.

mood board

Little Sagittarius was prancing in and around the Spires. Growing closer and closer to a few larger ones near the center, when a scent wafted towards her nostrils. Ears perk forwards it couldn't be him. Her older brother, well one of them at that. Her coat matching the surroundings sprinkled with stars and fairy dust began to trot in the direction. A tilt of her small skull was given as another woman was beside him, they appeared to be talking with one another, maybe she should interrupt? But no, not right yet. A small laugh emitted from the young girl. Even though father had told her to go home, she didn't listen. Honestly rarely ever listened. Although she learned often from her mistakes. This one she wouldn't listen about. She needed to help protect her family. And besides, Scald was gone, snuck away with a strange female and Sagittarius was curious. Watching them for a little bit longer. The young girl trotted up to her brother casting some what of approval glances towards the female who was very close to Scald. Her tail rose up in dominance. "Brother! Papa don't want us here." Her small tail dancing around behind her. "And who's you?" She spoke more to Identification than her brother, being nosey was a specialty of Sagittarius's.

Sagittarius Fallen

table coding by bunni ♥

A brow raises at the endearment, but he doesn't point it out. Rather, he continues to focus on the spires that surround them. Fic's posit about the tremors being the reason the towering shapes were able to shift from below seemed most logical. "Wouldn' be surprised if yer were right," Scald mentions as he too goes to take a closer look at the etched carvings along the metal.

Before he can comment about the appearance or sudden shift of the wind, a familiar voice and figure approaches. The look Scald gives Sagittarius is more disinterested than anything else. "Doesn' seem yer listenin' very well," Scald chastises her even though his lips quirk into a smirk. Listening wasn't exactly a strong suit for the Raiders. "You can call her Trouble and Trouble, this is Mini Trouble," he winks at the girls before chuckling at his own cheekiness.

"If yer stickin' round, why don't ya tell me what ya can find when ya start diggin' in the dirt," he motions his muzzle toward the dirt around the spires. Perhaps if they investigated the carved markings slightly hidden at the bottom they could find a better answer to their questions.

"speech"

coded by NachoMumma

"Speech"
|| "Thoughts"

She couldn't help but wonder if she was indeed correct. Her tail still curled between her hind legs as the woman lifted a front paw to go and touch one. But that's when the sound of another approaching and calling out ripped her free from setting a paw upon one of the spires. Identification looked between the duo. They seemed related in a sense, she couldn't help but chuckle when Scald gave the young girl no interest what so ever. Siblings? Probably.

Identification listened to the youngster speak about father not wanting his family here. Yes, that said it. Siblings. A smile crossing Fic's dark lips as a chuckle was stolen from her. Trouble huh? It seemed to kind of fit in a sense. Although she really wasn't. Or was he speaking about the younger girl? She couldn't help but cast a smirk in Scalds direction before turning to Sagittarius.

"I'm Identification sweety. And you might want to listen to your father." Shivering as she sat down her tail brushing against Scalds own legs. Were the Raiders all family? Were they all so adventurous even if there was warnings of danger? She tilted her skull as after a few more minutes of sitting she scanned emerald eyes over the spires. Taking note of the sound coming from them, causing her own ears to lace back..

mood board

Sagittarius gave Scald a don't you give me that tone kind of look, even though he was only teasing her. Her tail wagging behind her smaller frame, even though she seemed to be growing by the months now. "What can I say? Everyones gathering to find out what these things are. He did say becareful if we were to stay I think though." What ever her father meant by that she had no idea or clue about what happened in the past, but however Sagittarius did want to find out. "He's also acting strange." The words blurted out. Giving an acknowleding nod of her cranium in Identifications way she listened to her brother talk out. Telling her to start digging into the dirt that the spires shot out from. Giving a tilt of her head and a low growl. "What if it pisses it off?!" She wasn't really no stranger to cursing. "I'm mini trouble as he stated." A devious smirk crawled along ink lips. "Talking."

code by Bird & art by Resin!

Scald chuckles at Fic's words toward his sister, only a brief glance as her tail swipes by his legs. While she may find it comfortable enough to sit, the whole situation still made him unsettled. Something was amiss and he did not trust those... spires. Whatever they were.

Quickly pulled from his thoughts of Fic and the danger that surrounded him, his eyes widen at Sagittarius. "What do ya mean strange?" There's an edge to his tone as he stares down at the girl. "Is mum with him?" Scald questions, the quills along his spine bristling for a moment. While he and his litter mates hadn't been born yet when they Long Night had occurred, the stories alone were enough to give a pup nightmares. From what he remembered, their father had suffered... a lot.

At least his sister's outburst is enough to bring a chuckle out of him. "What? Are ya scared?" Scald teases as he walks closer to the spire and away from Fic. Reaching out a paw, he digs at the dirt by the base slowly, taunting his sister. It was clear that the Raider wolves were not afraid to bully each other. "Fic, that is Sagittarius. Mini Trouble is more fitting if ya ask me," he rolls his eyes, the smirk still on his face as he continues to taunt his sister by digging more dirt.

"speech"

coded by NachoMumma

"Speech"
|| "Thoughts"

Fic listened and watched that of Sagittarius and her brother Scald. The sound of his chuckle lasting was felt like a few seconds, then drilling his sibling with questions. Spotting how his coat and quills bristle for a moment. Wondering what was going on, the woman tilted her skull for a moment. She had heard storys on the winds, but never believed them to be true. Silence fell around Identification for a bit as she moved towards one of the spires, her ears twist forwards hearing the chuckle at his sisters banter, a smile crossing her lips. "Well, hello Sagittarius. And I must agree that Mini Trouble does sound more fitting." However she didn't want the younger girl to get hurt, but it wasn't her place to tell the little one to leave or not. "Just yes, listen to you father, becare.."

The woman was cut short, as she brushed too close against a spire. "Ouch." Withough realizing she was close to one like she was, her shoulder seemed to burn, trickling blood caught her attention as it began to drop in small droplets upon her sandy coat. Giving herself a growl, as turning to clean the small scratch. Fic would have to keep a eye out for infection, if one would be formed. Making sure it was clean she followed in Scald's steps, watching everything around them for a few minutes.

mood board

Brothers teasing didn't last, as he asked about father and their mother. A shake of her head as Sagittarius looked between Identification and then yellow eyes fell upon her brother once more. "He isn't his normal self. Like he's on guard brother." Dipping her head down. "And same with Siduri, she's not trusting herself." She heard the yells from her father to her sister before she was out of ear shot completely. But wouldn't relay those words of warning. A shiver ran over her smaller frame as she wandered up to her brother. "I am not scared..." Identifications speech didn't go unnoticed or unheard as a smile crossed that of Sagittarius's lip. She was becoming more and more lost within her mind as eyes widened to the sound of the other womans voice. But it seemed distant, far away. Finding a spire with tough dirt she began to dig, causing a slight tilt of her cranium. What was going on? Why was these spires humming mourning songs, horrifing songs. They flooded within the girls mind. And it seemed to grow worse and worse, ears twist tight against her skull. Causing her to be confused in a sense. She stopped digging, looking to her brother than Identification. To her, they seemed like they weren't paying attention. Attention to the dangerous songs of the spires. Feeling as though the light wasn't helping either. She needed to get away, to go. To find safety. "Daddy?" She whimpered out, "Mommy?" her voice echoing out. Sagittarius began to grow confused, looking in the direction of her brother and the strange woman, her tail tucked between her legs and she ran. Her paws carrying her further and further away from them both. Not knowing if something was chasing her. Her little heart racing threatening to beat out from her small frame. -exit Sagittarius- "Talking."

code by Bird & art by Resin!

Uncertainty settled in Scald as things began to unravel. The longer they stayed in this area, the more concerned he became. Was the wailing noise growing louder or was it his imagination? He almost didn't notice his sister running off with her whimper trailing behind her. Part of the reason being the noise of pain coming from Fic. His heterochromatic eyes turn quickly to her to see the blood staining her fur.

"Are ya okay?" He questions gently, reaching out to bump his nose against her cheek. Continuing to walk hesitantly between the spires, he takes careful and calculated steps. His eyes continue to scan and search their surroundings for anything else that was out of the ordinary. Truthfully, nothing about this was ordinary, but these didn't quite compare to the attention those statues had commanded.

"speech"

coded by NachoMumma

"Speech"
|| "Thoughts"

Identification was strong willed and wouldn't let the little bit of blood turn her attention away just yet. No, there was too much at stake. The lady believing she was the only one to hear the noises that came from the stones causing her ears to flick back then forward. Her eyes falling to Scald, then frantically looking for the little girl known as Sagittarius. Panic almost flooding over her.

"I am, I promise." She felt the cool of his nose graze against her cheek. Jaded pools scan the area. Surely they would run into Scald's little sister again, they just had too right? "The noises, it seems to make me want to loose balance. And sense of direction if that makes sense." Fic made sure to stick by Scald, not to allow herself to wander off too far ahead or stop behind for too long.

"I will say that I am slightly worried, its... I don't know how to explain it." Lowering her head towards the ground she'd push some dirt aside, digging again. Harks pin tightly against her cranium. "The sounds seem to be coming down under the earth, I don't get it. Are they communicating?"

mood board

When Fic begins to speak after confirming that she would be okay, Scald tries to point his ears forward more. The sound of the wailing is beginning to take on a piercing tone that makes his ears want to fold backward. His eyes narrow, an expression of displeasure overcoming his normally nonchalant appearance. "Definitely an unsettling experience," he grumbles quietly as he moves a step closer to Fic and away from the haunting spires. As much as his brain wanted him to leave, something else was making him stay.

"Down below? Ya don' think that its just the wind?" Scald questions, his head canting as he watches Fic dig at some of the dirt. He wasn't so sure the wailings could communicate with each other, but he had seen crazier things.

"speech"

coded by NachoMumma

To be honest Identification had began to question herself quiet a bit as of time passed by the pair. The fair woman never allowing her attention to drift away from Scald for too long. Something was beginning to grow between them both, but that was for another time and another place. They would be able to open up and speak with one another some point in time.

"It truly is very unsettling. I'm not sure I like it much." But it was calling and begging everyone to come and inspect what was going on around them. "I don't honestly know if it is only the wind sweetheart. A part of me believes that maybe a slight mixture of both?" Fic moved to be closer to him, not wanting to be apart in such an uncertain time.

However, it didn't last long when she advanced closer ahead of him but not too far. Frantically beginning to dig at the earth, ears against her skull. Pausing after moments as pressing her head to the earth then pulling away.

"Here, come here. Listen and tell me if it's the same sounds it's making over there... if it has different tones." It wouldn't be the easiest thing to do. But would probably give them a little bit of a better understanding about what is going on. Right?

Identification

table coding by bunni ♥

Scald hesitates, watching Fic as she wanders farther from him. Whatever they were, it didn't really matter in the end, all he knew was that keeping her relatively safe was important. He felt the same pull toward his family, his siblings, his friends, what little he had. Where was his family anyway? Taking a quick look around, he could see some familiar shapes not far off, but the thoughts still troubled him. Were they okay? Had his sister found the others okay?

It's not until Fic is calling for him does he blink quickly, giving his head a shake. Oh, right, the wailing. Moving forward to where she was kneeling next to the hole she dug, he looks down at it and then up at the spires. His mind reels, thinking more about what she's proposing. Even dipping his own head down toward the ground, twisting slightly so that his ear can get closer. "Not sure. Think the wailin' really is comin' from jus' the spires," Scald comments, his expression settling into something between uncertain and worried.

Standing back up to his full height, he casts another glance around. "Maybe the tremors jus' helped these things come up. Could be somethin' else causing more things I guess," the words didn't really make sense when he said them, but his brain said it was good enough. What he really wanted was to leave, but Fic seemed intent on exploring for the answers.

"speech"

coded by NachoMumma

The more Identification explored, the more she wanted to rewind to the night before. Their time spent together. She was lost within her thoughts as she continued, stopping every now and again, that's when Scald pulled her attention towards him. Moving towards him once again. And placing her head up under his own head up against his neck oonce he stood up fully.

"It's strange, I don't know how much more I trust this whole area Scald. I've heard others speak of a place with large indents within the sand. I know I want answers, but it's hard to stay strong when I'm honestly terrified Scald."

She had finally admited to him how she felt. She shivered as she stood next to him, nuzzling into his chest and neck. "I mean if you want too also. Because I wont leave you here for something bad to happen, who knows what could honestly happen."

"Identification"

His gaze was on the rising spires when Fic came to place her head beneath his chin. Letting out a wistful sigh, he tilts his head slightly to get a better look at her as she admits her real emotions. Scald could understand where she was coming from, but this new area sounded interesting as well. Was here and there connected? His brow furrows, thinking about what they should do.

"I won't leave ya alone," Scald says after a moment of quiet to solidify his decision. "There don't seem to be much goin' on 'ere right now so we coul' go check out those channels you mentioned." He tilts his chin down to press his muzzle to the top of her head, hoping to comfort her and ease her worries.

"speech"

coded by NachoMumma

"Speech"
|| "Thoughts"

To say the least it was soothing to know that Scald was right there beside her. Allowing her to feel the emotions of uncertainty but also her worries. Feeling his head press ever so softly upon hers a slow sigh escaped between her lips. Maybe it was all connected, maybe it would end up tragic or something.. Identification how ever didn't want to think of it that way, but she honestly couldn't help it. Listening to the words falling from Scald allowed her time to think. Would it be wise to journey that way? Or would it be safer to stay here? A slow sigh once more as she spoke out. Allowing him to hear the words. "We just have to be safe and aware of our surroundings."

Fic stated as she turned to look to Scald placing a kiss to his cheek, to try and help calm her own nerves. To help ground herself. She started towards the beach known as Shimmering Shore.

-exit to continue at shimmering shore-

mood board

He kind of liked being able to help Fic stay calm. That hidden protector part of his personality attempting to shine through. His cheek warmed as she kissed it, and his throat bobbing in a quiet grumble of agreement. Yes, as long as they were safe and aware, danger would keep its distance.

Yet, as they began to wander south to Auster, Scald wondered if it was all connected. Had their world finally come to a screeching halt? Had Hell finally warmed over? Were they simply headed to the belly of the beast? With one last look over his shoulder, Scald sighs and contemplates if it would be safer staying here…