Brrrr it was cold, enough to make Hanako pout as she stood out on the beach and watched the rolling waves. Since she'd re-earned her freedom she'd gone a wandering, only to return home just as she'd promised. After all, exploring didn't hold much of an allure when the weather was like this, bitter and freezing with the horizon smeared by endless grey clouds. She missed the sun and its warmth, long days that never seemed to end. The only saving grace was that she could leach off of Azure's warmth at night, but he kept a busy schedule and wasn't always in the den when she was. The woes of responsibility.

Eying the long stretch of beach, Hanako took it upon herself to warm herself up the only way she knew how. Even when the sea wasn't choppy swimming was a no-go this time of year, and so she ran. Her long, lithesome limbs swallowing up the ground as she fell into a relaxed lope. If nothing else all this running would keep her in shape since...well, she loved Ophie as much as everyone else but the thought of getting that fat was enough to keep Hanako up at night.

"Speech"

Mortis yawned as he stepped away from the training dummies. His daily activities kept him fit, and his heart thundering. Having worked up a bit of an appetite, he moved away from the barracks and looked out at the beach. Perhaps he could take a dip and go fishing… through fishing always reminded him of things better left alone.

As he walked to the water's edge, he heard the sound of running-thump of paws, and moved his eyes along the beach until he found the koi-form of Hanako. The other woman racing along the sand, kicking up a dust cloud behind her.

"Mortis Fatalis"

The cold wind tussled her coat, ruffling the floof around her neck as she warmed up, chasing the cold away with each step. You know that feeling you get when someone is watching? The tingle down the length of your spine like an unwanted touch. That was enough to make Hanako slow to a trot as she glanced to the side and noticed Mortis standing there. Lurking, like a creeper.

Hanako shot Mortis a sharp side glance. She couldn't really think of a word to describe their relationship any more, the lines had been blurred in all the wrong ways, like someone trying to wipe away a permanent marker. But really did everything have to be so complicated? He'd been the one who'd blown everything wildly out of proportion. Azure might have not blamed Mortis for this but still... they were stuck in limbo, tentatively treading over no man's land.

And it was much too cold to stand around.

"Race me you coward." Hanako requested none too politely.

His brow twitched at her ‘request’ and, if he was honest with himself, a large part of him wanted to turn and walk away. He had hated himself for a long time for how things had turned out between them. Now, with her back in the pack, and falling happily into Azure’s arms. Exactly as he knew would happen when she had kissed him in the first place. He was starting to place a lot of the blame in her arms, instead of his own. She had kissed him, and she had decided to end their friendship over it.

But, they were pack mates, and she was some sort of mate to his brother. One day, he would be Alpha. Chances are, he would never be able to escape her. He had to be at least a little cordial with her. Face blank, he folded in his wings, and he began to run.

"Mortis Fatalis"

Had Hanako known the sour thoughts that raced through his mind she might not have even bothered. Would have just let him to his own, mopey devices, no doubt soon to return to the comfort of Hikaru's unwaveringly bland company. If Mortis wanted to take the path of least resistance then power to him, some might say Hanako had done the same. Regardless, his expression spoke volumes though, overcast with very little warmth in the blue of his eyes.

He didn't turn her down though and was quick to fall into a swift gallop as Hanako pulled up beside him. History had a habit of repeating itself, but not this time. Too much had changed and lines had been drawn and crossed in the sand, rough and jagged as though carved by a shaky paw. The Diplomat wasn't even sure if it mattered who seized victory, as both of them had already lost in one way or another.

Gritting her teeth, Hanako pushed hard as they ran neck and neck. Their races had always been close, the winner stealing victory by a hair's breadth and she imagined the same to ring true now. Just as before the finishing line was that one gnarled tree, easy to spot even when the scenery blurred all around her. Colours meshing together like a vivid dream.

Hanako vs Mortis for Race
Round 1/2
Age: over 1
Size: Large
Build: Light
Skills: Advanced Hunter & Master Navigator
Specialty: Speedy
"Speech"

He didn’t want to think how alike the past this was. Of times when they had been laughing, thrilled, inching to try and get ahead of each other. Racing along the beach. How often had Hana and Mortis raced? Before things had soured between them. He closed his heart and mind to future and past, and just let himself feel the sand beneath his paws. The beat of his heart, picking up speed inside his chest, the wind rushing through his coat and tickling his wind. He raised his head, spotting the finish line, and let himself feel nothing but the race, and a grin slowly began to form across his muzzle. Mortis vs Hana for Race Round 1/2 Age: over 1 Size: Dire wolf Build: Medium Skills: Master Fighter & Master Hunter Specialty: Bloodletter "Mortis"

Things somehow still found a way to fall into place. As the race stretched on and their efforts grew more strained it was harder to think, to focus on the bad when the present was so...present. It was funny that all the exertions Hanako enjoyed-well aside from ahem, you know what- gifted her a sense of freedom and weightlessness. Like nothing was tethering her down, expectations lost. Perhaps that's what she'd liked about Mortis the most back then, that he never expected anything of her. Just let her be and enjoyed whatever she felt like offering.

He received but never took, it was one of the many things that set him apart from his brother.

The tree was in sight, looming closer and closer with each pounding step. Any moment now one of them would soar over the line, leave the other in the dust to think about where they'd gone wrong.


Hanako vs Mortis for Race
Round 2/2
Age: over 1
Size: Large
Build: Light
Skills: Advanced Hunter & Master Navigator
Specialty: Speedy
"Speech"

His tongue lolled from his mouth in concentration. He pushed his legs harder, determined to get an inch of space over the lithe, light on her feet Diplomat. Despite himself, despite everything, the exertion and ocean air blowing into his face lifted his spirits. He was still mad at her, dammit. But when was Mortis ever a wolf that could hold a grudge? He found himself laughing, and he stretched out a wing, brushing it lightly against her as though to push her off her feet - but not exerting any real pressure. He was a bad sportsman, just offering her a silent joke. Mortis vs Hana for Race Round 2/2 Age: over 1 Size: Dire wolf Build: Medium Skills: Master Fighter & Master Hunter Specialty: Bloodletter "Mortis"

And the winner is...

HANAKO

MORTIS was left in the dust! Totals: Mortis: Speed Roll: 17 Stamina Roll: 24 Balance Roll: 9 Total: 50 Speed[17] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 17.00 Stamina[24] + 10% Bonus[2.40]: 26.40 Balance[9] + 5% Bonus[0.45]: 9.45 Total[52.85] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 52.85 Hanako: Speed Roll: 38 Stamina Roll: 73 Balance Roll: 94 Total: 205 Speed[38] + 5% Bonus[1.90]: 39.90 Stamina[73] + 5% Bonus[3.65]: 76.65 Balance[94] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 94.00 Total[210.55] + 40% Bonus[84.22]: 294.77

Rushing over the finishing line, Hanako didn't realise how far Mortis had fallen behind till she glanced over her shoulder. The last time they'd raced-from what she could remember- it had been a neck and neck affair, where the winner had only just managed to push ahead at the last moment. But not here and now. She slowed to a trot then slower still till she was standing, breathing hard and brows furrowed.

Was his heart simply not in it? Had he only been humouring her, trying to get it out of the way so she'd leave him alone? Both options didn't sit well with Hanako, making her turn sharply as she side eyed him once more. Naturally, she was happy she'd won, and her point had been proven but now they'd gotten the race out of the way she couldn't help but feel as though there was space still yet to be filled.

For the life of her she didn't know what to do about Mortis. She knew it wouldn't do well for the Armada to let their frosty relations continue and if Sirius knew he'd no doubt bonk their heads together till something was worked out.

"I win again." Was all she said, still breathless.

Mortis wheezed as he came to a stop in front of her, sagging for a moment then collapsing on his butt. Breathing heavily. He had seen himself start to fall behind. He had pushed himself hard that last stretch, and it had done nothing to close the gap that had opened between them. "Shit" he wheezed, still trying to catch his breath. He wasn't much of a wolf to swear, but good grief.

"Either I'm more out of shape for running then I thought, or you've gotten speedier." He said, eyeing her accusingly. He was still in great shape when it came to fighting, but he was developing more of a wrestling style like his father. Brute strength and size, running and speed not required. He flicked fur out of his eyes, and let his wings sag to the ground beside him. "I'm going for a swim to cool off" he gently kicked sand at her toes, and pulling himself to his paws with a groan.

Hanako's brows shot up, threatening to rise over the ridge of her head. She'd never heard Mortis say anything close to a curse word, let alone swear so casually as though it was something he did on a daily basis. Well maybe he did these days, it wasn't as if Hanako would know any better. It went without saying he was no longer the wolf she used to know, she'd changed too but whether it was for the better was up for debate. It really depended on who you asked, she supposed.

"Might be a bit of both. Contrary to what a lot of people think I don't just sit in my den all day." She said, knowing full well that out of all the rumours floating around her, that was one of the nicer ones. Mortis was probably right though, she'd seen first hand how the Fatalis fighting style favoured brute force over everything else.

"Rather you than me." Hanako wrinkled her nose. She'd tried to go for a paddle earlier and very quickly decided against it. With slightly aching limbs, she then padded down the beach, standing just out of reach of the tumbling waves. A safe distance between them. "The water's awful this time of year."