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Cypress had always preferred the open air to the closed quarters of the manor. It was his home and his sanctuary in the hours of darkness, but so long as it was light out that was all he needed to he out in the open wilderness despite how cold or wet the weather might be.The sentiment had only strengthened in the passing weeks as the atmosphere within it's walls had turned more dreary and depressing than the gray winter sky. No one was immune to the worries surrounding the ever sleeping Artemis and now his mother was sick as well. So he had happily joined Mati and Parker for the hunt. Eager to make use of himself and leave the troubles of the manor behind him for a few hours at least.
He lagged slight behind the two females as the travelled through the snow covered landscape in search of prey. Despite his eagerness to leave the manor and his worries behind he found they were not so easily left behind. Unable to focus his mind solely on the task at hand he followed behind while his eyes seemed to focus on either the snow below or that which still fell silently from the sky, wondering why Alder had left, gone to live with their older brother in Cour des Miracles. Was it because of him, because of what he said and how he had been acting towards his brother in recent moons? As badly as he wanted to push such thoughts from his mind and be happy his brother had at last found some self dependance he couldn't help but see how heavily his departure weighed on their mother. It was only for her that he felt any guilt for his actions and words towards Alder. Her decline in health enough to keep his resentment and jealousy of Alder smoldering still, even as he trudged through the snow as more fell from the sky and coated the dark fur of his back.
Head hanging as he looked down at the snow and followed the fresh tracks of Parker and Mati, who were only a few paces ahead, he didn't notice they had stopped and nearly plowed right into Parker. Though ne still brushed against her as he came to a stop. He tossed her a look of both surprise and wordlessly apology before he quickly looked away, embarrassed that he had been paying so little attention to actually bump into her when he was suppose to be alert on such a hunt. Something caused him to turn and look behind them, even though all he heard was the deafing silence of the falling snow accented by the howling of the wind. But there was something out there. He saw it only for a moment. A spot of dark amongst all the white. "Mati." His voice was hushed, not knowing how close their prey might be. "Something is following us."
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