Modesty never would have believed it if she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes. Trees reaching up into the clouds, but the way their trunks and branches wove together, it was almost like a staircase… all the way to heaven. The stars amongst her coat were reflected in her eyes as she gazed upward with a slack jawed grin on her face.

Her kite chittered a warning, perched on one of the sturdy branches above, and the young Abraxas laughed. She could probably join him quite easily in this place. Maybe then she would have a better idea of how the wind felt fingering through his feathers as he flew?

She stretched up to the first branch, lacking the cat claws of some of her kin, she needed to be careful, from one branch to the next, she climbed, finally reaching where her companion was waiting. He clicked his beak in frustration. Clearly his warning had been a Don’t even think about it, but if he had remained silent, she never would have had the thought in the first place.

She reclined on the branch, one paw dangling down, feline like. It really wasn’t that high up, only as high as she would have been standing on her own back, but then again, she rarely thought to look up when she was walking along. Surely she wouldn’t be the only one? Maybe she could find herself a spot of lunch, if she was patient.

“Speech”

We are the jack-o-lanterns in July setting fire to the sky

His paws stretched across the ground in an easy lope. Passing through one forest to the next, he noticed quickly how different these trees were compared to the towering redwoods. Thick, gnarled trunks stretched upward, their boughs entangling within each other. Flicking his yellowed gaze between the makeshift steps made of bark, he was curious what else lurked in the treetops. Would his prey be easier to find up above? Or would he have the advantage if most everyone else thought the same? Occasionally, he could hear the minute chitters of rodents and quiet flapping of wings. Unlike some of the other oddly colored wolves that wandered around the land, Gilgamesh could hide easier in the shadows. Staying just off the side of the beaten path, he enjoyed his time alone. No one to talk his ear off, to distract him, or scare away any prey that could be his lunch. That was until a paw dangling from a lower hanging branch caught his attention. Pausing for a split moment, he moved his larger form away from eyesight. While his scent could most likely be easily detected, he wasn't going to let himself get caught off guard. Tilting his pinkish nose up slightly, he scented just her, alone. A nearly devilish grin licked at the corner of his lips while his two-colored ears pressed forward, listening for anything else. In his less than a minute calculation of pros and cons, he figured he wouldn't have trouble with this gal. Stepping out from his hiding spot, he approached her slowly with his tail raised high. His lips pursed together, the impish grin now gone. Watching her carefully, he could tell from her upward position that she would have maybe a moment's upper hand before he would possibly turn the tables. Without a word, he drew closer, waiting to see what she would do. ooc: hope you don't weirdo gil comin' to be weird c:

She could smell… something? No, someone! Her tail began to beat of its own accord, shaking the leaves beneath her. She leaned out over the edge of the branch, stretching and looking while her nose twitched all the while to see just who she might see. The mottled man came closer and a smile stretched across her face. Modesty’s back end began to wiggle as he got closer, and closer.

It happened in a heartbeat.

Her kite shrieked a warning as the girl overbalanced. Her dull, canine claws failing to find purchase on the smooth branch. Her smile morphed to shock as she lost all sense of weight, falling from her perch and aimed directly at the passer by below. All she could manage was a startled little squeak.

“Speech”

We are the jack-o-lanterns in July setting fire to the sky

The bird's screech didn't deter him from his approach. Its high pitch made his ears fall back, but his paws inched closer. Watching her steadily, it was less than a second before he noticed her losing her balance. Stupidly, Gilgamesh didn't move from underneath her perch. Why? Because any wolf stupid enough to climb a tree like a cat must have mutated claws. Right? Wrong. Before he knew it, she had lost her purchase on the bark and was falling on top of him. If she had been smaller than him, he could have probably kept his balance and stayed upon his paws. But she, now on top of him, he noticed, was larger than him by at least 8". Dire wolf size. His legs fell out from under him as he fell to his side, dust circulating around and the forest went quiet. Pinning his ears flat and curling back lips reveal a full set of teeth, a deep growl emanated from his throat. Normally, one would think this was a fairytale meeting. Girl falls on the boy, boy laughs, makes a corny joke about sweeping her off her feet, and she falls in love. Gil was hardly anything close to a fairytale though. Glaring at her with his piercing eyes, they threatened to snap at her. "Get off," he rumbled, noticing now that it was slightly harder to breathe in this position. Those two words had been more than he had spoken in weeks.

Her landing was a whole lot softer than she had expected. It was only when she felt movement beneath her, saw a flash of white teeth and felt the growl of the stranger vibrate through her whole body that she realised, he had tried to catch her! How kind!

Modesty was slightly stunned, her face growing warm beneath her fur at the compromising situation she found herself in. Instead of scrambling off the stranger, she smiled with stars in her eyes. She might never get this chance again! “Did it hurt, when I fell from heaven and landed on you?” She managed to hold his eyes for a moment, but then was giggling at her own joke as she moved to get her feet beneath her. She didn’t realise the implications of the line, or that it was a terrible thing for a wolf so young to be saying. She just thought it was a silly situation that deserved silly words.

She was mindful to not stab her rescuer with her quills, how bad would that be? Thanks for saving me, just let me stab you in thanks…

Her tail waved lowly at her back, her head dipping in apology, a sheepish grin on her face. “I’m-uh, really sorry for squishing you. Thanks for trying to catch me.”

“Speech”

We are the jack-o-lanterns in July setting fire to the sky

If they hadn't been covered in fur, Gilgamesh would've noticed the heat spread across her cheeks. And instead of her getting off of him the instant his growl ripped through his body, she chirped out a cheesy line. Catching her stare, his yellow eyes meeting her blue and gold-rimmed eyes, his heart faltered for a moment. That was a new feeling. At a loss for words, his mouth hung open slightly. Pulling his ears back as his stare turned back into a glare, he frowned as she stood. Noticing the quills that lined her shoulders, he was glad that none of them had managed to stick into him. Sheer luck really. Once she was standing and her weight gone from him, he stood himself. While she was younger and not fully grown, Gil could tell she was already going to stand taller than him. Part of him enjoyed that? Did he? Confused, he shook the dirt from his mottled coat. Her next works perturbed him more. Trying to catch her? Gil would never do such a nice act. He had just been stupid and didn't move out from under her. Who was dumb enough to go climbing trees anyway? Looking up to the treetops for a second as his expression steeled, the male shrugged. "Hardly squished," he rumbled, looking back down to the young vixen. Her eyes really were captivating. "What're you doing up there anyway?" Gil mused, purely curious, nothing more. His throat felt rusty from the number of words. Maybe she had an insight into better hunting from up there. Or it was safer since she was young. The list of ideas rolled through his head as he waited for her response.

She didn’t register the other wolf’s stares or glares. The girl was absolutely oblivious to subtle social cues a more socialised individual would have picked up on. Besides, everyone had been so nice to her since she left Ashen, why would she expect any different?

When he asked why she had been up there, she turned her gaze skyward once more. “Looking up at the way the branches twist together like that? Like a staircase to the clouds, I could feel my godhood calling ya know? Like my ancestors were calling me home.” She sighed somewhat wistfully, a far away look on her face. There was meant to be a long life ahead of her before she ascended. “Technically, we’ve completed the ascension ceremony so we’re already gods, just trapped in these mortal flesh prisons, but mother says there is still a lot of work to be done. It can be taken away just as easily as it is given, and all that…”. She couldn’t help but feel like she might have been rambling, so in an effort to quickly change the topic she turned her eyes back on her companion. “I really like your coat, it must be great for camouflage!”

“Speech”

We are the jack-o-lanterns in July setting fire to the sky

The words tumbled out of the girl's mouth like a waterfall flowing over a cliff edge. Godhood? Ancestors? What even was she going on about? It wasn't lost to Gil when her expression turned wistful. There definitely was something else going on in her mind; her shimmery eyes being a dead giveaway. As she continued on about them already being gods in flesh prisons, he became more curious about her ideology. What did she mean by all that? His lips parted for a moment before clamping shut again. Interested in asking, but thrown back by her compliment, he was at a loss for words. Folding his ears back for a moment, Gil glanced back at his mottled coat. Camouflage? Yes, of course, it was. He was glad that he didn't stand out like so many other odd wolves in this land. Hunting and ambushing were a lot easier if the target couldn't see you from miles away. Not sure whether he should frown or smile, Gil kept an even expression. Nodding slowly for a moment, he wanted to really ask more about what she meant earlier. His tail flicked behind him in an almost irritated fashion. "What did you mean by gods in flesh prisons?" He asked, completely skipping over any of her other commentaries. Contrary to others' beliefs, Gil agreed with her. There indeed was something more, something beyond their understanding, that he was sure he was worthy of. But how could this young girl know of this? Who did she learn from? Moving his paws so that he was sitting, Gil wrapped his tail around his hips and looked at her with as gentle and curious of a look he could give. Content and almost insistent that she answer him, he didn't plan on moving until she answered.

Modesty’s eyes squinted happily at his nod, but they grew wider when he asked her about her prior ramblings, her mouth opening in surprise. He had actually been listening to her! Like, really listening! Her waving tail picked up pace and her feet shifted in excitement. “Oh we’re descended from Abraxas, so I was born to it, but Mother says mortals can ascend with us if the ceremonies are done. Not that I’ve seen it with my own eyes, yet, but Mother could explain far better than I ever could. I think usually it’s like, mates, and people that have done a great service to Abraxas, but I’m sure there are other ways.” She wrinkled her nose in thought. Hattori hadn’t done an ascension ceremony, but he was mated to her aunt, so what did that mean? His kids had the right blood, but they hadn’t completed the ceremony either. She hadn’t really thought of the implications before now.

But she couldn’t think of that right now! The Gods had put this particular mortal in her path for a reason, maybe he was like they were! “If you want to know more, I could take you to Mother?” She offered with her sweetest smile. Then after a shocked look and a small giggle she continued, “Oh! Right! You shouldn’t go home with strangers! I’m Modesty.” She introduced herself as an afterthought. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to have some company for the trek back to their little campsite.

“Speech”

We are the jack-o-lanterns in July setting fire to the sky

Her emotions changed rapidly and Gilgamesh was thrown for a moment. The way she moved through feelings was difficult for him to register. Excitement reared its head in her expression as her tailed wagged more furiously. If he had had eyebrows, one would definitely be raised in question now. Though, as she spoke, he listened with both ears poised in her direction. Mates? Great services? Neither were really his idea of moving up the ladder toward ascension, but whatever had to be done, had to be done right? Tilting his head slightly the other way, he peered at her. Her nose wrinkled at a thought and he wondered why. Without skipping a beat, she continued, offering him to go see Mother. Who was this Mother? Her dam? Or someone that led a religious following? He wasn't sure, but her sickly sweet smile was inviting and friendly. Should he go with her? That thought threw him for a moment. He wasn't one for groups, but he was interested to know more. A rumble drew up from his chest in thought. Where was she going with all of this? Her last sentence was an afterthought and it almost made Gil chuckle. A smile tight-lipped smile slipped through his composure. She sure was a funny one. Stranger. That's exactly what he was and he almost wanted to warn her that he wasn't a stranger to trust. Flicking his ears back for a moment, Gil decided it was better to feign niceties if he wanted to know more about her ascending god complex. "Gilgamesh," he replied with a nod. It was a curt response with required respect and necessary if he one day wanted to be known in these lands. Before accepting her invitation, he needed to know just a bit more. "Who is this Mother?" The older wolf asked, his yellow eyes looking at her curiously. While she was eager and ready to head off, he was hesitant. After all, it could be a trap. What if she was just a young pup roped into a cult that sacrificed anyone that believe in their ways? It was funny to think about but surely wasn't out of the question.

Modesty liked his name, Gilgamesh. She wondered what it meant for a moment, before she was distracted by his question about her mother. Her head tilted for a moment, considering what he might mean by his question, then she decided to take it at face value. “Well, my mother? Umm, birth-giver?” Her head tilted the other way as she tried to think of another way to put it. Her ears turned back, embarrassment clear on her face as she remembered the VERY clinical way her mother had explained how children came about. Regardless of wether or not it was possible to see the redness of her cheeks she was sure if she even tried to relay what her mother had explained she would straight up combust here in front of her brand new friend.

“But-uh…” For the first time she found herself lost for words. “Y’know, just a normal mum. I mean, she’s a priestess too, but mostly just mother.” Her smile had gone lopsided with her embarrassment. If he wasn’t going to come with her, she would need to set out soon so she didn’t leave the rest of them worrying.

“Speech”

We are the jack-o-lanterns in July setting fire to the sky

It was his turn to be at a loss of words. She meant like her actual mother, not some radical cult leader that insisted everyone call her Mother. His own embarrassment spread across his cheeks as his ears fell back for a moment. Clearing his throat, he wasn't sure how to make the situation go back to the way he wanted it. Looking away from the starry-eyed girl, he shooked his head gently. "Apologies," Gil rumbled, drawing his paw in the dirt as he waited for the nervousness to leave his belly. What in the world was making him act a fool like this? "I thought you meant Mother as in your religious leader, not... yeah," he trailed off, looking away again before shaking his head. Had he always been this stupid around girls? Was it just girls or everyone? Had he no social skills? Frustrated with himself, he put on a placid smile and glanced back at Modesty. She was pretty to him but young and still had a lot to learn. Sighing, he was tired of speaking so much already but could tell she was getting antsy about leaving. Since he was interested in her thought process of gods and mortal beings, why not take the chance? He could use some company anyway. "I will meet your mother if you'd like," his voice was a deep baritone, a low rumble that hid his uncertainty. Gil wasn't one to just wander off after pretty girls. He enjoyed being alone. It was typically better if he was. Yet, he also wasn't thinking of the assumptions that would be thought of when Modesty did end up bringing an older male home. Standing up and with a swish of his tail, he nodded as if to say lead the way.

When he explained that he thought she meant religious leader, her head cocked to to side with a bright smile, “I guess she is that too…” After all, everything she had learned about her religion came straight from her mother’s own lips, “But it’s not like she’s scary or anything… Much… Really.” When he had agreed though, Modesty began to dance from foot to foot, “Ooo we better get going then! They’re back this way!” she motioned with a tip of her head, bumping her shoulder against Gilgamesh’s as she went.

“Speech”

We are the jack-o-lanterns in July setting fire to the sky

Modesty exit?