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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2015 4:06:01 GMT
Since the first morning light, the clouds have steadily rolled across the sky, carried by a stiff and cold wind from the west. By later afternoon, the sunlight was all but entirely obscured, casting the world beneath into a gray twilight. Still though, the rains had held off, though the rumbling of thunder Foretold its coming. Long had past the hour when even the most stubborn travelers had given up on making any progress that day, and sought shelter from the coming downpour. Only one seemed to remain on the roadways. A young woman, clad in a white robe, strode purposefully along the mountain road, the soft clatter of her wooden sandels echoing down into the valley below. Occationally, she would stop a moment to brace against a gust of wind, holding tight to the wide brimmed straw hat which covered her head. But other than that, she seemed to pay no mind to the weather, and continued on her journey.
Sakuya heard the pattering of rain as the clouds at last began to break way. She had hoped to cover many more miles before the day was out, but feared that would not be possible. Soon the raindrops became impossible to ignore, as the wet downpour seemed through her clothing and chilled the steely warrior from the distant east. Still, she did not change her pace, and kept walking. To run was to invoke disaster, for the roadways grew every more trecherous as the rain loosened the dirt and turned the path into mud. The trail she walked was narrow, and one slip would spell a terrible fall into the valley.
Up ahead, Sakuya spotted a rocky outcropping. There, she thought, was a place that she could rest. Following the trail, she arrived at the small bit of shelter just as the first thunderbolt stabbed across the sky, the booming roar of its force rippling the air and for a moment drowning out all other sounds. Dripping wet, Sakuya could not help but shiver slightly. Examining the outcrop, she found it was actually more of an entrance to a small cavern. It was dark, and the stone offered little comfort to rest her weary feet upon, but it was draw, and that was enough. Entering into the cave, Sakuya began clearing space, and setting up several small twigs she had gathered earlier that morning. Perhaps, if the winds died down enough, she'd be able to heat a cup of tea while the storm raged outside.
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Post by Kaldakaczil on Feb 2, 2015 4:58:47 GMT
Kaldakaczil was always a fan of rain. But then again, he was an aquatic dragon, equipped with a magical furnace of a heart which kept his body constantly at a pleasant temperature in all but the most extreme of cold environments, equipped with scales that would slope and guide the water around his frame rather than cause hairs, fur, or cloth to clump, and bequeathed with water adapted eyes and nostrils that did not have to deal with the suffocating or blinding properties of the fluid. In fact, it was often a fun experience for him, a rare chance to blend some of the enjoyment that came from flying with the pleasure of feeling water slick across scale, leaving behind a trail following the air currents of his wake with every beat of his powerful wings. But, today was not the day for flying. Whilst the rain wasn't an issue, and even the powerful gale which descended from the mountain peaks and flowed down the land was a prime opportunity to practice and improve his flying ability, it was the lightning that kept the young dragon from the skies, for however immune to fire he was, and however touch his scales and powerful his wings, he did not have protection from being smited with a bolt of lightning for his hubris - and he knew enough draconic and natural lore to know that things higher in the sky tended to get hit more than things on the ground.
Instead, the erstwhile dragon decided it would be best to stick to the ground like most of the other lesser creatures he considered underneath his guise. Which, left him with a few options. He could walk around in his true form, which he believed was just asking for potential trouble, and not to mention frighten any animals that were nearby (well, more so than they already were). Or he could take a human form, but that would hardly improve the local wildlife's opinion of him, and whilst he still would not be in danger of hypothermia from the rain and cold, a naked human lad in the wilderness wandering about in the storm would more than likely draw the curiosity of any humanoids that noticed him - besides, he still wasn't comfortable on two legs. No, instead, he decided to take to the land disguised as he typically was when he wasn't flying around, as a great black furred wolf stepping through the torrential rain, its glinting, golden eyes piercing through the darkness imposed by the clouds and sleet of rain. Although, even he had to admit this storm was getting more tiring than it was being interesting, with nary a beast or person to occupy his attention. And young dragons did not like being bored, not one bit.
That was, fortunately, when his senses picked up movement coming from off to the side. His blindsense functioning despite the cracking thunder and curtain of rain which even helped to blanket his darkvision and keen eyes. One figure, about humanoid in shape. Resting against the side of what seemed to be a... cave? A traveler perhaps, seeking shelter from the rain? More than likely a human, or one of their close relatives, considering the area he was in though. And that did bring the dragon pause, thinking as the imposing wolfish figure stood less than thirty or so feet past the blanket of water flowing over the lip of the cave, its golden eyes turning towards the cave in thought. He didn't have much experience, or fondness, for humans just yet, but... Well, it would certainly prove to be more interesting than being stuck in place and enjoying the shower from on high. Sadly, Kaldakaczil had less than what one would consider tact, as rather than approaching cautiously so as not to startle the samurai lurking within the cave's entrance, he decided to proudly stroll forwards and eventually just walk into the cave - perhaps even surprising the woman if she did not have keen enough senses to see past her shelter into the outside. At the very least, the great, lupine figure decided to pause just a few feet within the cavern, letting his black and golden undercoat drip with the storm's water onto the stone. Kaldakaczil's head tilted slightly to the side in a look of curiosity, as free from the rain blinding his eyes, his dark adapted vision could see and study her strange garments regardless of how dark the cavern was. Although he did not speak yet, seemingly willing to let the human creature react, or at least, speak, first.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2015 5:17:27 GMT
Sakuya set her satchel down and began carefully placing the twigs into a rough pyramid, being sure to keep the smallest and driest wood towards the center. She had no tindertwigs, and so would have to improvise on a means to start the flame. If the wind struck at the wrong moment, it was unlikely she'd get a second chance to ignite the small bit of kindling she had available.
Her work was interrupted when the staccato drumbeats of falling rain was momentarily broken. She herd the air shift with breathing, and could see the shadows shift behind her. A hand shifted towards her blade for a moment, ready to unsheth her instrument. Turning, she saw a massive black wolf, eyes like amber. Sakuya had seen several breeds of wolf in her travels, and found the western varietes to be on the whole larger than the ones in her homeland. This one was larger still. Yet, the beast had made no motion to attack, likely it was just another traveler who had come to find a dry patch of earth to lay down on.
Sakuya shifted positions, saying nothing, as she moved to a spot where she would be able to keep one eye on the wolf, as well as granting it space to fully enter the cavern if it chose. She returned to work on her modest fire, holding a bit of pine wood in between her palms and spinning it quickly to try and ignite a few small shavings of wood, that she might then encourage into a flame. It was tiresome work, but she'd already used up the last of her other supplies, and was left with little other recourse until she could resupply.
After several long moments, a thin whisp of smoke began to rise from the pile. Excitedly, Sakuya nelt down and carefully breathed on the infant flame, sheltering it with a free hand even as she nurtured it to life. A dim glow rose up through the cave, as the fire soon took form, granting a small bit of warmth and comfort to those it illuminated. Satisfied, Sakuya sat back, unstrapping her Katana and Wakizashi from her side, and placing the sheathed weapons on the ground. She thought about removing her armor as well, but decided it better to wait until she knew if the wolf would take action. Glancing again at the creature, she made a very small gesture towards the fire, in offering to share what little heat their was with this hunter from the mountain.
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Post by Kaldakaczil on Feb 2, 2015 5:41:59 GMT
The dragon in wolf form thought it was rather odd that this strange human wasn't speaking, or didn't say much of anything against or for his approach. But then again, he hardly had any knowledge of humanoids to begin with, and although he thought her style of dress and armor was radically different from those around his Chessenta home land, or even most other humans he spotted from secret or afar, he couldn't say for sure that he had just spied a more obvious minority – perhaps most humans dressed themselves like this one had? Still, he made no obvious threatening motions, no snarls or growls from his muzzle, no aggressive stance. In fact, as his golden eyes settled upon the fire that the human was nursing, he decided to lay along the edge of the cavern's opening, just a few feet from the howling gale going on outside – close enough that he could shelter the budding flame from the outside gale, whilst not being close enough that his wet fur might have muddied the work – although a few droplets of water may have been blown in from his features whenever a particularly powerful gust hit straight on.
Eventually, after a few moments of time passed, the lupine finally gave what seemed like an almost disinterested yawn before it rested its great head onto its front paws for comfort, letting its eyes lazily keep their gaze affixed on the samurai over the light of the fire. The wrymling's mind, however, was contemplating if he should continue to remain silent for the moment, toying with trying to play the animal card and seeing how the human would react, or if he should speak thanks to the jewel hidden within his jaws. Of course, there was always turning scaled, winged, and warm to really screw with her if he grew too bored. But, if after five minutes the samurai woman wouldn't speak, the beast would finally speak up himself, his lips forming quite adeptly around the words he spoke in the trade tongue, and with quite a deal of fluency, surprising considering it came from the literal mouth of a wolf. “You may want to get out of the armor before you catch a chill. Its quite a bit of travel from the nearest settlement that I know of, not a place you want to get ill.”
The creature's ears pointed forward, as his eyes focused on her, seeing how she would react.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2015 6:03:16 GMT
Sakuya rested her back against the stony wall of the cave, her posture remaining proper as she sat upon her feet, her gaze turned onto the fire, as she let her thoughts drift freely, like a leaf down a stream. The wolf's presence did not bother her, nor did the rain and thunder. Both were pushed aside, as she turned her focus inward, that she might center herself again. The Way called for a dedication to inner peace, and though it was seldom easy, Sakuya strives to follow those teachings.
Her rest was interrupted in the most unexpected of ways, as the wolf spoke to her. Lifting her gaze up, she raised the brim of her headware up enough that she could meet the eyes of the wolf. Her expression was not one of fear, or even shock, but certainly of curiosity and suprise. Still, she reserved comment for several moments, before nodding, slightly. "Your concern for this one's well being is appreciated, mighty wolf." The words were direct, and softly spoken. It was the words one would use when addressing a guest in ones home, not when speaking to a wolf in a cave.
Sakuya removed a small tea kettle from her bag, as well as a metal tripod, which she carefully placed over the flame. Filling the kettle from her waterskin, she then placed that onto the tripod, so that the fires could begin to heat the water. With that done, she stood and undid her robe, removing it with great care so that it did not trail onto the wet ground and become dirtied, until she had folded it into a nearly perfect square of clothing, which she reverantly placed onto one of the larger stones on the cave. With that done, she began unfastening the straps on her armor.
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Post by Kaldakaczil on Feb 2, 2015 6:17:32 GMT
“I'm concerned for every creature's safety,” the wolf replied, with a level of assured to his voice. “It is my duty to ensure the safety of creatures in my power to protect or help.” He kept the fact that at most he had helped protect animals from poachers, and surprised and scattered a few bandits waiting in ambush at best. There was no need for her to know that, after all. And besides, just because he hadn't done anything noteworthy or fame earning yet, didn't negate his duty and cause, right?
Meanwhile, the 'wolf' kept watching her for the moment, not straying from the position that he was in so as to keep the fire and kettle protected against the rain and winds which occasionally pelted his back with their gusts – and if it wasn't for the insulating fur and inner fire that burned within the dragon's heart, it might have broken most uncomfortable by this point in time. Of course, there was no real need to have his eyes peel away, he knew enough about armor to know that one tended to wear clothing underneath it, if only to keep the metal from chaffing against the skin, and also to provide a bit of extra protection from anything that might puncture the plate. Actually, he remembered watching a squire dress a knight once, a several minute journey that involved the donning of padded cloth and leather, then chain mail, then finally the plate. It reminded him of the turtles he occasionally saw in the sea, although he doubted the human knight would have been just as tasty (the shell had a way of flash cooking the flesh and keeping juices in, and while the armor might have done the same, that padded cloth seemed like it would be melted into the muscle. Of course, the human IS also sentient, so he shouldn't eat it... No matter how curious he got).
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2015 16:42:31 GMT
Sakuya listened to the wolf, even as she removed the last buckles connecting the metal plating to her body. Though she found no discomfort in her armor, it was nice to be rid of its weight for a time, that she could better move her limbs again without the burden of the heavy plating. Her undergarments were fairly plain, simple cloth and silk which protected her modesty, but served little other purpose. She again placed a hand upon her Hakama robes, and returned their cover to her body. Though the cave provided shelter, and the fire gave warmth, it was still far to cold to simply travel about in one's undergarments.
Properly dressed, Sakuya sat close to the fire, and warmed her hands even as she watched the kettle, waiting for the gouts of steam to tell her when it was warm enough to make tea with. She was thankful for the wolfs patients as she tended to her own affairs. "The creatures are fortunate then, to have such a noble protector" She complimented, her tone respectful and ernest. She was still puzzled by what manner of creature she shared the company off. Stories from her youth often told of spirits who took the form of great beasts when the wished to. Perhaps that was the nature of this being? If so, she would be wise to not offend such a spirit. "This one has shamed herself, by not offering proper greetings. This traveler is known as Yamatai Sakuya, and is most pleased to share this cavern with you, great wolf."
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