I Am Aware

Ever since the nomadic band had left the sanctuary of the Hallowed castle, Emersyn felt like she had to have her guard up at all times. The weeks within those strong, sturdy walls had made her feel safe knowing that her demons couldn't chase her there. But now, back out in the open road, that threat had never felt more dangerous. Despite Indigo's reassuring whispers during their pillow talk and Segin's emphatic confidence in her ability to protect them, Em couldn't help but fear for the worst with her new family. What if the bounty hunters tracked them down and attacked them in their sleep? What if one of them was hurt or killed?

It was that concern and sense of duty to protect her new family that had made her so readily agree to accompany Duchess when the smaller woman wanted to go explore a nearby beach the band was traveling past. Duchess was such a small, dainty thing, she would make for an excellent target for someone with ill intentions. Emersyn followed beside Duchess, neither wolf speaking much as they walked. That was fine for her; Em wasn't much of a talker anyway. Duo-toned eyes kept a wary gaze on their surroundings to make sure no one was creeping up on them while also taking in their surroundings. Boreas was very different to Auster. It was notably cooler, and the weather felt muggier and wetter.

The two followed the smell of salt and the sound of gulls until they found the shore, its sands a shocking black as dark as pitch. Em gazed curiously as the beach, coming closer to take a tentative sniff at the ground. It didn't smell any different from the sand she'd known in the arenas, though its color was a stark constant to the pale yellow she knew. Duchess was far more hesitant to approach, nervously placing a paw onto the sand before declaring it to be safe. Emersyn resisted the urge to roll her eyes; of course it was safe, it was still just sand. Em took the first full stride onto the obsidian shore, her paws crunching the sand quietly underneath her as she surveyed the area. There were no traces of any other scent nearby and they were the only ones around that she could see.

"Neither have I," she replied to Duchess, digging up a pawful of the sand and letting it slip between her digits back to the ground. "Were you after something specific out here?" If she was, maybe Em could help her locate it quickly and get them back to the others. It wasn't that she didn't like spending time with Duchess—okay, maybe it was a little bit—but it was also the thought of having someone find them and decide to try their luck harassing the two women. A horny loner she could turn away no problem. A band of slavers or bandits would be pushing her luck. A couple of bounty hunters? They were as good as dead.

"Emersyn"