Tiberius Nero Superior ability breeds superior ambition Burning salt and throbbing darkness were the first things to hit first. Air... air. Need... AIR! Hacking cough chopped through the evening air peppered with retching. Air, sweet cold air, finally was inhaled, though it burned only slightly less than the salt water that had previously occupied his lungs. Another breath, then another, and his thoughts started to return. Magni. Peridot eye shot open, vision blurry through the salt water still dripping down his features. Quickly, he glanced up and down the beach, and then further inland. There, ten feet away, was a heap of black, matted feathers. A few more coughs and he was able to pull himself up, moving to the crumpled form of a raven. Gently, he nudged the bird, attempting to right his splayed wings and smooth down his feathers as best he could. The raven was conscious, sputtering out a soft coo but otherwise refusing to move. "I know," the earthen brute murmured, his voice raspy from salt and bile, before raising his head to glance at their surroundings. They had made land, but as to which land was the question. As his senses started to return, he was becoming aware of the multiple gashes and scratches along his body on fire from the salt water. Sharp rocks hidden beneath the water were probably to blame, and Tiberius gave a harsh grunt. Behind his soaked patch, his empty socket even ached a bit. A stiff breeze ruffled his wet fur and he shuddered involuntarily. Shelter was needed, and soon. Another look around as he stood over his dazed companion, wondering where their best luck would be.

SHIBA KLEIN

Shiba had always been fond of winter. While it made most aspects of survival more difficult, she’d found there were many other benefits to the season that she liked to partake in. The cold air felt refreshing, the gloomy overcast skies invigorated and motivated her, and the longer nights made her feel at peace.

The walk to the bay had been pleasant, but as soon as she arrived her attention fixated on a site that felt somewhat familiar. A large, scarred male in need. How unique. She nearly laughed as she took note of the gashes on his side and the soggy appearance, not because she found his situation amusing, but because it seemed ironic that she’d found herself in such a situation. Again. He seemed in better shape than Mikko had been, but it was clear he was still in need of help. "You look like you're in pretty rough shape, probably not the best time of year to go for a swim." Her voice was slightly questioning in tone, wondering what had caused his current condition. She wasn’t particularly concerned, given that he was a stranger to her, but she wasn’t mocking, either.

"Speech."

Tiberius Nero Superior ability breeds superior ambition Tiberius looked back to his friend, who was slowly coming to. The bird could be so dramatic, and he hoped that was what Magni was up to this time; the surf had not be kind to either of them, but the raven was much more fragile than he. He dipped to offer another push with his snout, single eye lifting to look around again. A figure was suddenly where before there had been none, and Tiberius was quick to act. Lips curled back in a snarl as he moved to stand over the pile of feathers, making sure to show off his elongated fangs. Wet fur bristled as best it could in the cold, body moving in a defensive position. The other's body language didn't immediately make the male think he was in danger, but he would not tolerate anyone thinking he, or worse his friend, was an easy target. Her words were sharp in the evening air, and Tiberius took them perhaps more harshly than she had intended. A low growl rumbled in his chest, though he visibly winced at the pins and needles within his lungs at the effort. He took a slow, deep breath to calm the tissue, before finding his rather scathing voice. "If sarcasm's all you have to offer, you can get the fuck out of here." Tones were strained from his swim, more raspy than normal. "I've no time to bother with mockery. You can find another to antagonize." Another warning growl, and this time he didn't flinch from the pain; he wanted to show he meant business, and would gladly fight if that was what was required. Pale green eye watched her carefully, tired muscles flexing as he tested what strength he had left.

SHIBA KLEIN

Almost immediately he became defensive, snarling and growling like a rabid beast, his waterlogged hackles raised as though he didn’t look like an oversized, drowned rat. He was prickly, which was admittedly a nice change of pace, as long as he didn’t come barreling her over. He snapped his reply, and it seemed she struck a nerve. Her brows lifted and she stepped back, hopefully sending the message that she wasn’t there to ruffle any feathers. His or his companions. "I’m not here to antagonize or attack. I was only out for a walk when I saw you."

She did her best to keep her posture as non threatening as she could, but she was tensed and ready to move if she had to. Fighting wasn’t within her skill set, but she wasn’t about to roll over and take it if someone decided to attack, and given his condition it wasn’t likely that he’d be able to last long anyways in a fight. "You should try to relax, you’re in bad shape like I said and it won’t help if you over exert yourself. I’m a healer, not a fighter, and I can tell you’re in pain and your body is tired and weak. If your smart you won’t waste what energy you have trying to chase me off."

"Speech."

Tiberius Nero Superior ability breeds superior ambition He wasn't sure if his reaction surprised her enough that she backed off, or if she truly wasn't there to start anything. Either way, he was pleased and allowed himself to settle - if only slightly. She tried to convince him further, and his ears flattened to the side as he pondered her words. She was right, he could begrudgingly see that, but didn't mean he liked it. His stature relaxed and he gave himself a shake, spraying salt water and smoothing his fur down more. She's right, he repeated internally, his brows furrowing in irritation. He hesitated, gaze looking the gray woman over before he finally relented and took a step back himself. He moved to nudge his raven again, and the bird huffed and puffed, finally deciding to attempt to move his wings. They both needed to find shelter before they froze to death, and it seemed that the stranger would be his only lifeline - for now. He decided to relent his instincts and gave his own huff and puff of a sigh as he looked back to the woman. "Then what should I waste my energy on, healer? I'm obviously strange to this land. Are you offering your services?" His throat still burned a bit, but he did his best to push through the rough crackles that threatened to steal his voice altogether. "Or at least an idea of where to take shelter? This wind will kill us before my wounds." He hoped she understood he'd rather find a break from the wind than some dried leaves; he feared Magni did not have long here on the beach.

SHIBA KLEIN

Hesitant as he was, her words seemed to break through and he relatened, stepping back and dropping his aggressive posturing. It was enough for her to loosen the tension in her shoulders and lower her guard, if only slightly. He was less of a threat now that he likely was in full health, and there was enough distance between them in the moment that she would have time to react if his attitude changed again.

He began to pelt her with questions, and while there was a time where she would have immediately offered to tend to his wounds, there were a lot of factors for her to consider. It was winter and resources were scarce, and Recluses pack was young and full of pups. She couldn’t afford to waste valuable supplies on a stranger that had washed up on the beach. Besides that, she didn’t even have any of her supplies on her, and she’d had her fair share of treating ungrateful, broody men for the time being. "Unfortunately I can’t offer you much in the way of my services, I have other’s that rely on me and I can’t waste those supplies on loners. My best advice would be to move inland, find fresh water to clean those wounds out and then get dry quickly. I’m sure you can find some shelter somewhere close by." She paused then, looking him over. It was almost comical how many overlaps there were between him and Mikko, both large in size, full of scars, and missing an eye. "If you travel north west, you’ll find the a pack, Habari. It is ruled by my niece Recluse. If you were to join it would be far easy to find supplies, and my services would be free of charge. I can’t say if she’ll take you or not, but your chances of survival will obviously be better than if you try to figure it out for yourself out here."

"Speech."

Tiberius Nero Superior ability breeds superior ambition She seemed to relaxed after he did so, though his attention was more on his friend than the stranger. His gaze switched between the raven and the gray woman as she spoke, and he could not stop himself from rolling his eye. “How helpful,” He grumbled, not caring if his voice carried far enough for her to hear. ”Who would have guessed that moving away from the water was a good idea.” That time he spoke louder, hoping that she heard what he had to say. She offered no hints as to where that supposed fresh water and shelter would be, instead alluding that he would need to do that part on his own - even though she had just previously pointed out his weaknesses. Before he could get another snarky comment out, though, she spoke again, this time about a pack that might be able to help them. He grumbled a low hum, his brain working quickly to weight the pros and cons of joining a group of strangers based on the recommendation of yet another stranger. After another glance down to Magni, Tiberius came to a quick conclusion. ”And what does Habari stand for? Shelter and protection are obviously a boon in this season, but not if values do not align.” He assumed the healer before him wasn’t exactly a recruiter for her pack, but if she was willing to offer it as a solution to him, she had best be prepared to discuss it. While he waited for an answer, he pushed at Magni to force him to begin to right himself, planning to carry the raven upon his back to the unknown fresh water inland first.

SHIBA KLEIN

His response dripped with sarcasm, and while she knew her advice hadn’t been terribly helpful, what exactly did he expect from her? She wasn’t about to hold this grown man’s paw and escort him to a warm den and gently trickle fresh water down his throat. "If you want a tour guide, you should try being a bit more polite. It goes a long way, believe it or not." Her tone was dry, not angered by his attitude, but not exactly amused either.

His next question at least was at least sensible. She wouldn’t pretend she had any authority to recruit him herself, nor would she boast him as a good fit for the pack, but if she sent him in that direction Recluse would have an opportunity to feel him out and decide for herself if he was someone she wanted in Habari. It seemed a good sign though that he thought to ask those questions rather than blindly stepping into a situation he knew nothing about. "I’d say it’s not for the soft of heart, all are expected to carry their weight without being coddled." It was a brief explanation and if he had more specific questions she would answer what she could, but she didn’t want to reveal more than she should either.

"Speech."

His one eye narrowed as his nostrils flared in a huff, wondering if she knew just how hypocritical her words were. Pink tongue snuck out to dab his black lips as he considered a response, not wanting to chase off this easy chance at finding a place to stay. However, he also would not be one to take an insult, even if it was not exactly intended. "Apologies, queen, for not having the patience after nearly drowning and painting the snow with my blood." He made sure to stare, openly, warning her that he was not one to trifle with at the moment. His attention then briefly turned to the raven, and he nosed the bird, muttering to the creature to stand. Magni obliged, noisy all the while, and Tiberius crouched down to allow the raven to scuttle atop his back near the wolf's shoulders.

Tiberius stood and turned his attention back to the woman, digesting her words about her pack. He liked what he heard; from where he had come, there was too much coddling. He cleared his throat. "I can appreciate that. Have you been there long?" He wondered how long she had resided at this Habari, and thus how true her words would hold. He glanced skyward and his tail flickered in irritation. Night was quickly coming, and he and Magni were still drenched without a place to huddle down.

SHIBA KLEIN

She was unphased by his sharp response, though she knew that not everyone would take his attitude so readily. "If I might offer another bit of unhelpful advice, I would watch the attitude if you do decide to seek out my niece. Or any alpha, for that matter. Most real queens wouldn’t take well to such an attitude, and in your condition I’m pretty sure that even I could take you if I wanted to." Luckily for him, she had no interest in picking a fight, despite her growing doubts about his suitability for any kind of pack. She had thick skin and could take the snappy comments without offense.

His next question was reasonable, and while she wasn’t sure how her answer would affect his choice, she would be honest. "Habari is one of the newer packs in the region, I joined not too terribly long after it was claimed, though I don’t have an exact timeline. I had just returned from an extended trip when I ran into Recluse and learned of her ascension to leadership." It may not have been all the information he wanted, but it was what she was able to share.

"Speech."