Navigation - Aspen Dam

Chasing Twisters In The Canyon

Pyralis stretched up a nearby aspen tree, her claws kneading at the tree as a soft breeze slipped through the leaves.  The most pleasant rustling sound drifted down to her.  It was a shame though that the fog seemed to be growing denser and a mist was starting to drift down from the sky, clinging to her coat in delicate droplets.  The cool mist would've been a wonderful gift on a hotter day but with the mild autumn it was hardly necessary.  Ah well… her nostrils flared as she took in the scents around her.  She caught the scent of beavers and half wondered what it would be like to hunt one.  Were they any good to eat?  She needed to pick the brain of one of the Abraxas hunters.  Coming back down to all fours she yawned and set about on her way, shifting through the mist in search of destinations unknown.

My Cathedral Is The Badlands

lol forgot that it's AUTUMN in Auster, fixed that

After zipping about through the aspen trees in hot pursuit of a rabbit she ended up not catching, Iskra was panting her way towards the water nearby. She'd never been here before so all she knew for sure right now was she needed a drink and she could hear a creek nearby. The summer was so mild, so boring, so damn uneventful it was suffocating. Thank goodness Iskra's number one skill was making her own fun wherever she went. Stepping into the cool water, she leaned down to take a drink, bright sapphire blue eyes sliding shut while she enjoyed the feeling of the cold water. Once satisfied, Iskra took a moment to look around at the area she'd found herself in. There was a beaver dam nearby, piled high with assorted twigs branches and mud. It looked quite like it needed to be climbed. Yes, yes it did. And who was she to deny such a thing? She trotted over with a bounce to her strides, and elegantly jumped from shore to dam, strutting all the way to the highest point she could manage and sitting down with a grin on her lips. Now she could see... Slightly further. The dam wasn't all that high, but she did manage to upset the beavers who smacked the water with their funny looking tails before diving beneath the surface. "Talk""You"

Navigation: Aspen dam

She was scared and alone. Ily had seemed to disappear this morning from the makeshift den so she set out to find her fraternal twin. She perked her ears at the sounds ahead. Could it be Ily? She sped up, her small body moving like a dart through the woodlands. As she emerged and came to the waterfront she came to a screeching halt. Her pelt was alight, the glow it emanated was pulsating in a slow fashion.  Her golden eyes scanned the water in an almost frantic motion. She saw almost immediately the woman on the pile of sticks. Her first reaction was to blink and then she darted to the nearest tree to hide behind. Her head popped out though to watch the woman. She was upsetting the floating things and they were smacking the water and swimming so she couldn't see them anymore. She was silent as always seeing as she couldn't make noises anyway.  Walk "Talk" Think

ooc: she is in the direction iskra is facing

Chasing Twisters In The Canyon

Slipping through the fog Pyralis let her thoughts drift and wander.  There were her pups to consider, there was also the matter of what she was going to do about Lydia.  She enjoyed having a servant around but wasn't sure that the girl was all that necessary any more.  Just another mouth to feed.  The creaking of a weight on the branches above her caused her to look up to see Alkali, her harris hawk, hanging out above her.  She dipped her head in greeting and the bird nodded back before taking off into the sky, no doubt to scout out a decent lunch for the pair.  She followed silently below, marveling at how the fog made her companion seem like a flying shadow.  Hazy at the edges, a dark shape in a pale sky.  They came to a river and as her eyes trailed up the river's course she spied a beaver dam and the source of the angry beavers was standing bright and brilliant atop the dam.  

Pyralis barked out a laugh as Alkali landed on an oak branch above her. "I send you to hunt for prey and you bring me to a fire spirit?"  She could only guess that was what the woman was.  It seemed this land was a hot spot of spirits of various kinds. "I've never seen a fire spirit so fond of water."  She moved toward the younger woman, her gait confident and smooth as she stood on the coast, eyeing the beavers.  Her head tilted to the side as she tried to decide the best way to slay these things.  They were so fat and had little neck…. not to mention they could swim.  Pyralis was a fine swimmer but she was not a semi-aquatic animal.

My Cathedral Is The Badlands

Standing proudly atop her stick and mud mountain the woman gazed out at the agitated beavers with a wicked smirk, amused by their agitation. Some might say she ought to find better ways to occupy her time than disturbing every type of wildlife she encountered. Iskra would scoff at such a thing. It seemed as though everywhere she went she was incapable of leaving others be. Oh well, at least she'd staved off boredom a while longer. Intent on observing the beavers, Iskra failed to pay attention to the woman who approached, barely catching what she said but eventually acknowledging she was there with a gleeful smile, calling out to the woman, "Beautiful day to disturb the local wildlife, hm?" Her chipper tone served to further betray her mischievous nature, along with that up-to-no-good grin she always wore. Thank goodness she didn't choose the path of some villainous evil doer, cause Iskra already got into a whole lotta trouble as it was. One could only imagine what she might do if she lacked a moral compass. Making no move to leave her place atop the dam, her gaze flicked back to the water then danced all around her surroundings. Something tugged her attention to one side for a bit, but she spotted nothing aside from grass and reeds so eventually she dismissed it as nothing and looked back at the large woman sitting nearby. "Thinking of eating one?" she inquired, alluding to the way the woman eyed the furry beasts, "They're a little musky for my taste, buuut if you really want one just make sure to look out for those big ol' chompers!" Giggling at the thought of watching someone dodge those big buck teeth, she very nearly regretted not letting those woman figure that part out on her own. Would have been quite the show, now wouldn't it? "Talk""You"

It wasn't long before the fire woman was joined by another they seemingly didn't notice her which was fine by her. She peered out at them with a curious gaze. She knew the fire woman ssomewhat but the newcomer stopped her from approaching. She did take a step from the tree leaving her still behind it but now her shoulder and front half was somewhat exposed. It was a battle with herself. She wanted to approach, but yet didn't want to.  Though when she spotted the large bird she shrank back. It looked big enough to eat her if it wanted. She turned her gaze to the reeds ahead of her and she debated whether she wanted to go and hide within them or not. Her ears pressed back as she tried to work up the courage to either go to the fire woman or the reeds. She gave a breath of a sigh at herself. She made up her mind and moved quickly. Her legs worked to bring her around the waterfront until she was around on the same side as the two women. Though when she reached the gap of the water between her and the fire woman she stopped. She didn't think she could jump that. Her eyes went up to the bird to make sure it hadn't moved closer. She was then quick with backing into the nearest reeds, careful of any serpents inside. They wouldn't hideher completely but she would be harder to get tho for any that really wanted to. She sat then to wait for the woman to come off the dam.  Walk, "Talk" Think

Chasing Twisters In The Canyon

Alkali shifted on the branches above her and Pyralis knew that the hawk was pondering the strange mammals as well. Pyralis could feel her stomach rumble at the thought of food. She'd been traveling for awhile without a break. Food was beckoning her attention but still it was curious that she should meet another fire spirit. These lands seemed to be crawling with spirits! She had no idea if this was any sort of sign but she made note to bring it up to Amon the next time she had a moment with him.

"Beautiful day to disturb the local wildlife, hm?

Pyralis chuckled and nodded. "Oh, yes! I'd like to begin sampling the menu with those large, round mammals there." She leapt up onto the dam and peered down at the creatures, slowly calculating a plan of attack. The spirit asked if she was thinking of eating one to which she nodded. "My mother always said to try everything once and besides, I've a few brats who would love to chew on one of the tails." She raised a brow and grinned at the spirit. "I don't suppose you'd impart some wisdom on one who is about to take a plunge into mysterious, musky waters?" She was half-serious, half-joking.

Suddenly Alkali let out a call and gestured to the reeds. "Pyralis, we have more company". Pyralis narrowed her eyes as she gazed into the patch of reeds where her hawk was looking. Pyralis leapt off the dam, ears alert as she stalked forward only to burst out laughing. "Well, well, what have we here? A little star spirit? Ack! I think it's glowing, is it radioactive?" She glanced to the fire spirit. As the other spirit in residence surely the fiery woman would have the answers.

My Cathedral Is The Badlands

The woman hopped up on the dam with Iskra and the red woman just grinned. This one seemed like the adventurous type. Those were always the most fun - WAY better than hanging around someone who was all uptight and didn't wanna do anything. Although Iskra probably wasn't going to join her in sampling the flavor of beaver, she already wasn't partial to it in the slightest. More for this woman, she supposed. Irritating the creatures by standing on their home was more than enough interaction with them for her. Glancing over at the mottled woman who Iskra decided looked like a mischievous plume of smoke over a bed of faintly glowing embers, she canted her head slightly and paused before answering. "Ah, just don't get bit," shrugging, she left it at that. Considering she tried to avoid these particular creatures, she didn't have a ton to offer when it came to hunting them. She kind of figured they'd be too fast and slippery to grab in the water though...

Before she could think of any more to say the hawk Iskra hadn't previously noticed announced the presence of another. Before she moved to follow the woman out of curiosity Iskra would reflect on how it had been some time since she'd met someone with a non-wolf companion. She was well aware it was a thing but she so rarely saw them in person. Shrugging, Isk padded after the smoke woman - who was apparently named Pyralis - and her eyes grew a bit wider when she saw the little blue child she'd met recently. The word spirit made an appearance again to her amusement. Everyone had their own explanations for coats like these she supposed, though this was by far one of the most amusing she'd come across as of late. Slipping down from the dam Iskra moved to place herself somewhat between this Pyralis and the little blue child, moving so easily and smoothly it might have been simply an accident that she'd managed to place herself there though there truly was intent in her movements. What was the kids name? A... Ar... Arwen! Yeah. Figuring that little Arwen had been hiding for a reason, she hoped that by placing herself as the more familiar adult between Arwen and the stranger that it would help keep the little one from becoming scared. Tail waving gently to and fro, she smiled, "Her? Oh she's fine, probably won't even melt your insides," Iskra giggled with a wink, then, turning to the glowing child, "Where's your sister?"

The call of the bird had her jumping. She was flattening her ears and she backed up causing a small splash. Then the second woman was close to her. Eyeing her like she was some sort of bizarre exhibition. Her eyes met the water beside her. Then the woman with the cloud on her face spoke. She called her a spirit, her face met hers and her mouth opened in an o shape. Her head shook back and forth. She was no spirit. But the woman's eyes were already back on the fire woman.  Then she was between them. Was that on purpose? Did her friend not trust the cloud faced woman? It was likely. She tensed before moving towards the fire woman. Her pace slow at first then a quick trot. The question of heeis sister was met with a lifting of her shoulders and a shake of her head. She had no idea where Ily had run off too. It  was hard to keep track of her. Her eyes moved to where the hawk rested and she moved to seat herself between Iskra's forelegs. Her ears pressed back as she eyed the bird. It was clear in her body language that she knew it was there and was more than a little bit wary of it. There was still a nagging question though, was the fire woman sewn from fire and the sky? Only time would tell. She let her head lean over aiming to place it on iskras leg. Her eyes moved to the cloud woman eyeing her with curiosity.  Walk "Talk" Think

Chasing Twisters In The Canyon

Pyralis stared down at the strange creature for a moment before turning to the fire spirit who stated that the girl was fine and she asked the girl where her sister was. "Ah, so you know this creature?  Is she a relative of yours?"  She supposed spirits could have kin of varying natures and the movement to place herself between the girl and Pyralis did not go unnoticed.  Not that it mattered much to her.  She'd found the spirit she wanted to breed with and that was that, they were now nothing more than a passing amusement and a curiosity.  Where exactly did all these spirits rank in terms of divinity? Below her obviously, but she was still curious.

Pyralis moved to get around Iska, circling to her own left as she reached over to sniff at the girl. "Quiet little thing isn't she?  What's the matter girl?  Did a cat steal your tongue?"  The girl moved to push herself near the fire spirit and Pyralis let her go… for now.

My Cathedral Is The Badlands

"I do indeed." Iskra confirmed, smiling gently and looking back at the smoky woman as she responded to her. Noting the shake of Arwen's head, Iskra's brow furrowed slightly as she made a note to follow this line of discussion later. No matter though, either Illy would turn up again on her own or Iskra could help Arwen track her down. When did she get so invested in this situation anyways? ""Nah, we met recently though. My relatives do come in practically every color of the rainbow. Or at least I'd assume by now..." Her mind was wandering. How was her family? Art was, well, Art. But the rest of them, where were they? Had Leto established some kind of life? Probably not. What about her parents? Ooh best leave this topic alone for now, it was starting to make her uncomfortable. Briefly stiffening at the woman's words, Iskra looked down at Arwen, offering her a gentle lick behind those large puppy ears then focused back to the stranger. Raising a brow, Iskra chimed, "It's never a bad thing to be a little quiet, ya know." One almost wouldn't notice the carefully concealed edge to her tone. Maybe she was more invested in this kid than she'd first thought. Heck, Iskra was a softie deep down but it wasn't like she was gunna ever admit it aloud. Nope. Iskra, Captain of Chaos and inexplicably foolish life choices would never admit to being a soft-centered goodie goodie. "What's your name, by the by? I'm Iskra Aeris." "Talk""You"

She watched, ears perking at their conversation. She didn't know what was up with the cloud lady but iskra was nice enough. She kind of reminded her a little of her mom in ways. The lick to the back of her ears as the stranger made fun of her it seemed. that earned her a shake of the head and a little glare. It wasn't nice nor was it funny to make fun of her just because she made no noise. As if to emphasize that she did indeed have a tongue she opened wide and stuck it out as far as she could, pulling back her lips to make sure the cloud woman could see it. Just as quick as she revealed her tongue she pulled it back in and straightened her face again.  Iskra seemed to back her up and she felt all the better for it. Being mute did have its upsides as much as its downsides. One up was that she didn't seem to annoy anyone, plus when she got older prey would never hear her so the adults might take her hunting before they ever did Ily. a down was that she couldn't speak her own mind, and it seemed some would try to make fun of her for it. It didn't matter though. She honestly figured she would just follow Iskra around until she got annoyed, if that was a thing that would happen. After all she was alot like them and that had to count for something.  Then her ears perked again and she came back from thought at the voice of Iskra. Seemed they were introducing themselves. She of course figured it would only be polite to give her own name if she could but then again the cloud woman had rubbed her wrong already. She didn't want to as childish as that sounded.  Walk "Talk" Think

Chasing Twisters In The Canyon

Pyralis grinned wickedly at the girl. So she wasn't a relative of this fire spirit it seemed or if she was the two were not close and as Pyralis sorted out their scents, carefully untangling them she concluded that they were cut from different cloth. She'd never heard of a mute spirit really, that was something that happened only to the cursed. Was this some little wretch who'd gotten on a spirit's bad side? "I'm Pyralis, Pyralis Abraxas." She turned her attention away from the girl, padding back toward the den as her tongue ran across her fangs. "You interested in joining me in this endeavor?" She eyed a beaver that was sitting at the end of the den, it was chattering at her in irritation. "Would little miss silence like to participate? Or should we use her as bait?"

My Cathedral Is The Badlands

Filing the name away for later use, Iskra watched Pyralis return her attention to the musky rodents with only a slight wrinkle of her muzzle in response. Ick, beavers were so gross. "You interested in joining me in this endeavor?" No, most decidedly not. Didn't she already say that beavers smelled and tasted nasty? Maybe this woman only learned from experience. Probably, so there was no point in reasoning with her if that was the case. Iskra would just have to let her see for herself. "How about I participate only if you desperately wish for me to. Still not partial to beaver, or their teeth." The next bit had Iskra quirking a brow in an expression that conveyed a mixture on amusement and the faintest hint of irritation though she wasn't likely to express it. Clucking her tongue, Iskra said "Oh, you know, I think the bait thing only works with carnivores unfortunately." Her expression turned into an over dramatic and clearly feigned attempt at an 'oh, darn' face as though she really was hoping the idea would work. Honestly though, who even was this woman? The vague, almost threat towards Arwen wasn't appreciated, and Iskra almost found herself hoping the beaver would bite this woman. "We'll be rooting for you though." "Talk""You"

So Pyralis was this one's name. Though if you asked Arwen, Pyralis was just a big meanie with no clue on disabilities. Then she was on to the catching beaver thing again. Yuck. They looked like huge waterlogged rats. That had to be bad for them anyway. Now Arwen could get behind some nice moose or deer but a rat was out of the question.  She glared when she was called little miss silence. And as if she was emphasiing her point that she would not be joining she layed down right there and looked in disgust at the water rat. She was not going to get bit by the thing. It probably was carrying some kind of disease anyway. She would watch this and just laugh at this woman when she found out how much it probably hurt to get bit. Plus she'd probably have to go in the water to get it and that certainly was not going to go over very well.  Walk "Talk" Think

Chasing Twisters In The Canyon

Pyralis chuckled as Iskra replied. "Suit yourself!  Though I don't intend to eat it.  I just want to have a little fun.  As for the girl… I just wanted to see if she could swim." A dark expression flitted across her face as her lips pulled from her fangs and then she turned and stalked toward one of the beavers that was up on the dam and chattering at her.. It started to back up as her hackles rose and she snarled before in a moment she dove forward and seized the side of the creatures head before it could slip back into the water.  A mad struggle ensued as Pyralis pressed her weight into the wriggling creature.  It was surprisingly strong!  Eventually she managed to work her jaws over the throat and strangle the creature, just avoiding the teeth.  Thrashing her head back and forth she ripped through the hide until her muzzle was was good and stained.

Panting she stood up and turned to the spirits with a grin on her face. "Ah… that was exhilarating.  Excuse me, I'm going to take its head back to my kids."  Pyralis set to work severing the creatures head from its body, fangs snipping through flesh until she got to the spine and the harder work began. When she was finished she stepped back with a grin on her face and blood dripping from her fangs. "Well it was a pleasure meeting you both but I simply must be off." She let out a laugh, picked up the head and stalked toward home.

-exit-

My Cathedral Is The Badlands

Shaking her head briefly as Pyralis set to work catching the beaver and then carving it up like it was the most natural thing to do with your catch, Iskra looked at Arwen and stuck her tongue out. Gross! Looking back at the woman who now carried a delightful severed head - oh my! - Iskra giggled and waved a paw, "Oh, the pleasure was ours, I assure you." Then, turning back to the adorable little tag-along of hers, Iskra chirped, "Well, what do you say we go explore some more and look for animals less stinky than beavers, hm?" Slipping into a bow, she growled playfully at the child, suddenly leaping to the side and loping off through the grass in search of adventures that didn't involve any decapitation. That seemed like a little much. -exit- "Talk""You"