cigarette ash & wildfire

There is a shift in the air. Where once there was bitter cold there was no a pleasant warmness. Her coat had long grown thick for the winter, and the sudden change in temperature brought with it an uncomfortable heat, a mild annoyance—Eurynomé had long adopted a scowl, obsidian lips turned downwards, teeth glinting in the harsh sunlight. But his scent was riddled all over the place, over every rock, every lumbering tree. Even the palm fronds swung in his name, the salt wind howling his name; it lead her, pleasant claws against her cheeks, guiding her in his direction. Amon. For too long had she not seen her cousin; it came first as an ache, some hidden ferocity kindled deep inside of her; as each of their remaining ilk departed for these lands the ache grew into a festering wound. Eventually, Eurynomé departed herself, and took with her nothing but her unfaltering purpose, what all she had worked for, all the things she’d grown to protect and perfect. No longer would she sit idle.

Massive paws pressed against the soft firmament, gentle tickling grasses crushed underneath, unfurling claws digging into the dirt for traction with each purposeful step. Here, the vines were gnarled and tangled, curled around the remains of the trees they’d long beaten and overcome. How fitting, she thinks, that their home should be here. Her deep icy gaze trails each curve of the vines, grapes long fruitful given the warm and wet season. The sky had long already become choked with gray clouds, a distant rumbling resonating from further south a promise of rain to come. Once Eurynomé had found the entrance, she ambled inside—careless of the borders, respectful only because it is in her nature to be lawful of her family, but knowing all too well her presence would be welcomed before it was driven out. Eventually, a low and beckoning call echoed from her lips, hoping to catch the attention of any near; above her the vines were tangled in their thick canopy, allowing nothing more than flittering and dappling light through.