[P] With the palms in the sky, and the sun with the breeze

[Skeleton Key]

For Adel and Carya!
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[/html]Skeleton hadn't really headed out from the parklands since joining Del Cenere Gang. While he was certainly enjoying his time as a pack member, so he hadn't felt the itch to run away yet. No matter what Carnivore said, he was enjoying it, not just pretending to. It was as if she couldn't imagine genuinely enjoying someone else's company, or worse, many other's company. He wasn't the most social pack member, but the security brought him comfort he'd never had with his sister. He had always suspected it would be like this, but he had been hesitant to dream too big. Now that he was a pack member, it felt like such a small and insignificant thing to wish. He felt a little embarrassed; did he dream too small?

One way or another, however, the blizzard and then the earthquakes had made him think he would never want to leave the safety of the pack. If anything, his perception of safety was weakened by the blizzard after he had nearly died (though that was mostly because he made some... honestly stupid decisions). Somehow, after all of that, it had reinforced his faith to his pack, but it had ended the honeymoon period. Joining a pack couldn't cure all his problems. And thus, somehow, he found himself spurned to leave, just for a little bit; just for a breather.

The unclaimed lands were heavy with snow as the rivers and waterways slumbered. He had somehow been able to walk right across the Miramichi Watershed. He had remained in his unshifted lupus form to be on the safe side, not wanting the bulk that came with his secui form, but he didn't think he even needed to worry; the river was so thick he couldn't see the bottom. It was disorienting, but also reassuring. He wasn't entirely sure what to make of it, so he continued east, drawing closer to the Miramichi Valley and the beginning of the Mt. Oromocto. He wasn't sure where he would head next, but he hoped that he'd figure out as he went.

[Carya Aston]

White legs were covered in mud, it was a warmer day today than it was usually. Carya didn't want to think of everything that had happened to her daughter, but ever since Aani had woken up, she needed her "space". Carya understood it to a point, hell after Carya was captured by Judas, she needed to have her own time as well. And then, well then she found Belial. And unfortunately for Carya the man who was also the father of her daughter Aani. Having been so intoxicated and doped up on opiates at the time, it was quite a blur to Carya.

Shaking her head and running a hand through her blonde hair, she let the thoughts dissipate. The Aston female was coming from Mt. Oromocto. Two weeks ago her entire life had turned upside down, and now, she was absently trying to figure out everything else. Where would she go? Where would Aani and her take shelter? Of course, they could stay with Nyx and their family, but Aani seemed drawn back and in her own little shell after she awoke. It was sad, and very disappointing to see of her daughter. She was normally very happy and ornery, there wasn't a day that the Aston female wasn't searching high and low for her daughter. Now, there wasn't a day that Aani wasn't cuddled up in a corner her healing face not moving. No smile, no frown. Nothing.

Sighing, she walked down the mountain, another foot in front of another. Just one more step. Stepping down even further, she was too busy staring at the ground to notice the coyote. She stopped dead in her tracks, and stared forwards, dumbfounded. Run. Said her brain, but her legs wouldn't move. It was almost as if her legs weren't cooperating with her body, and her ears twitched on her skull. A deer in headlights. He wasn't the one who caught her daughter, but he was a 'yote. Was that judgmental of Carya? Yes/ White and cream figure stood still, staring. Terror etched on her face, that then shifted to nothing.

As much as she willed herself to speak, or to move, she couldn't instead, she was staring at a coyote now, whom smelled of a pack. And whom looked a bit like Belial. At this rate, she mine as well just kill over. Now she was just staring. That was rude. But rude wasn't in her vocabulary. Not at this point.

[Skeleton Key]

Skeleton was neither spiritual nor religious, so when he spotted a ghost suspended above the icy waterways, he was shocked. Why him? Why her? She had been drawing closer to him, but once she spotted him, she stopped cold. Surely, when you were a ghost, spotting a living coyote wouldn't spook you that badly, would it? After all, the ghost was supposed to be the scary one, and even if he had a stupid name like 'Skeleton', it wasn't like he was an actual skeleton.

The illusion was broken, however, when he noticed some snowflakes drift behind her, carried by the wind and behind her very obviously opaque, living body. This was, somehow, the thing that made Skeleton realize that she probably wasn't really a ghost (rather than, say, the fact that ghosts aren't real). He felt stupid for even thinking it, but luckily, no one had to know. Yet, it didn't explain why she wasn't moving.

"Uh... hi? You okay over there?" he asked and then trotted closer. She had a scent, so she was definitely real and neither a ghost nor some kind of figment of his imagination.

[Carya Aston]

She stared. Surely he wasn't staring back right? She flickered her gaze and looked from his feet to his eyes, and sure enough. He was staring at her too.

Blinking at his words, she scrambled to make words. That's right, she was supposed to speak back to him and form sentences and speak. Blinking once, she opened her mouth, but found no words came out. Instead she cleared her throat, the acidic feeling going away. Finally. Uh. Hi. She moved forwards a bit, then backwards, as if not knowing which was she was supposed to step towards, or from the strangers. Taill swaying behind her and the snow fell onto her head, coating her blonde hair with white flecks of snow that soon melted to water. Oh, yeah. Me? I'm fine. Cue nervous laughter as she picked at invisible flecks of something on her left arm. Because what better way to make yourself look like you were defenseless than to pick at something utterly non-existent?

Returning her gaze to the coyote male, she cleared her throat, lifting bright blue eyes to meet his. I just could have sworn you were someone else, and apparently you are not. I'm Carya. And there it was, her manners were back and the Aston female was acting completely normal, as if the entire event of staring at the male never happened. Her feet propelled her forwards, cautiously, and her white hand extended it's reach. From above him she was way taller but she wasn't really that tall. She probably looked ridiculous in all honesty.

[Skeleton Key]

She seemed uncertain or maybe just confused. He was confused, too--mostly by her odd behaviour. Though, he supposed he oughtn't judge; he had thought she was a ghost (though only for a second). Her reply was languid and her answer unsatisfactory. She made the move to pick something off her fur and then laughed in a way that made Skeleton feel deeply uncomfortable.

She met has gaze, which didn't help his discomfort, and then decided to introduce herself and hint toward knowing someone -- a coyote? A male? -- that looked like him; weird. Then, as if nothing she'd done so far had been unusual, she introduced herself and extended her hand out. It was such a sudden shift that Skeleton stared at her hand for a second before working himself up to respond.

"Oh, uh, weird. I'm Skeleton Key," he replied, as he shuffled forward to shake her hand. "Who did you think I looked like by the way? There are a bunch of my family running around," he explained with a single laugh.

[Carya Aston]

Pausing, a elderly clawed paw rested on her hip, as she watched this other animal, interested in what his families were doing and who they were. She flickered an ear upon her white head, and caught his scent in her nostrils. He didn't smell of Belial, or of Aani who was undoubtedly Belial's love child. That didn't mean he wasn't related.

Blinking a few times, the Aston female fluffed her hair up, and smoothed the fur on her arms, and then on her hip. It is of no bother who they are, nice to meet ya Skeleton Key. She spoke, her ears flickering on her skull and she lulled that name around on her tongue a few times internally. That's certainly an interesting name, for sure. She stated, blue eyes finding his and her head cocking to one side.

I'm looking to go fishing. Want to join? Because why not ask a complete stranger who she actually thought was Belial, to come fishing with her. She had no fishing tack, it was just a ruse to get him to move off the top of the mountain he was trailing up, as she was trailing down, because even though it wasn't snowing right now, didn't mean that the breeze wasn't chilling to the Aston female. They could easily make their own fishing tackle if they so chose to take that route.

[Skeleton Key]

Skeleton couldn't quite identify what was wrong with the woman; only that there was something very obviously bothering her. Either she had some kind of tic she couldn't control or she as picking at her fur, moving her hands around, tossing her hair, and smoothing down the fur on her arms out of... anxiety? Fear? He wasn't sure; he didn't think he was all that scary, mostly because Evelyn, Twelve, and half the members of his own pack kind of freaked him out, so he didn't think he really compared to any of their... intensity.

"Oh, yeah, I get that a lot. If it helps, I think it's because my family name is kinda stupid, so I guess I just got... this," he explained. He supposed that 'Massacre' wasn't any less stupid than his full name, Skeleton Key, but at least his name wasn't as cringey. How aggro could his family be to be named stuff like Massacre and Holocaust? Wasn't it a bit much? But then, he hadn't met that many who actually carried the name -- he'd met more Lykois who were Massacres by birth and others, like him, who carried totally different names entirely. Pride Tormenta came to mind.

"Uh--yeah, sure, I could fish. I mean, I can learn--I've never done it before, especially not when everything's still frozen over," he replied. He was open and willing. He supposed he wasn't too scary then if she was inviting him to go fishing. Though, again, that was never really a concern for him.

[Carya Aston]

Flickering her ears on her head, she glanced at this male again, and then cocked a brow. Does your family hail from these parts, Skeleton? Although she was bitter about her once, love, she wasn't ever bitter about finding peoples roots. Especially whenever they were named something so odd as Skeleton. She wondered absentmindedly if he knew Belial, but she wouldn't press into that, because that was a can of worms, she wasn't ready to let slither around, and let out, just yet.

Right, the lakes were still frozen over, but that didn't mean the two of them couldn't go ice fishing. Carya was rather fond of it, because it wasn't like she had, had anything better to do on her trips all over the countries, with Aani. It'll be fun. And easy. Well, for the Aston it would be easy, at least. She grew up fishing, grew up by the lake of Vinatta. She let the entirety of her being be concerned around fishing and trading. Knowing all ins and outs of the lakes around these areas, that she actually grew up in, she couldn't help giving a small grin at the younger male. Come, come.

Trekking down the mountain, they would wander in silence, unless he spoke. Carya was too preoccupied with her thoughts to let any words form and make sense right now. Upon their appearance towards the front of the lake, Carya began with her instruction to the male. I suppose we can find some strings and metals, to make a string and hook. And then we will need some sturdy branches that wont break if we bend them. Looking towards the male who was in lupus, she gave a small smile. Do you happen to want to shift? We may need our hands. A small grin.

Perhaps they could find some metal's from old human things lying around.

[Skeleton Key]

lol Skeleton being a wet blanket, he just needs to be convinced a lil
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[/html]Her question was quick and to the point; he liked it. He nodded quickly and then replied: "yeah, not these parts exactly. Most of my family originated somewhere around here, but spent a lot of their lives in Inferni. Once the clan fell apart, we all kinda scattered," he explained. He figured it was pretty obvious he was a coyote and she didn't seem as though she was prejudiced against his kind, so he didn't think this revealed too much; not that he had anything to reveal, even.

She seemed insistent on bringing him along to fish and Skeleton decided it would just be easiest to accede and follow along. He didn't have much better to do, so why the hell not? He shrugged and trotted after her as she led him down the mountainside.

Skeleton tilted his head in confusion at her next comment, though. "You mean you don't have any of that stuff already? Won't it be, like, hard to make all of that stuff?" he asked. He was more of a scavenger by nature and often a thief by necessity, so the only thing he'd ever made was his own fortune -- or misfortune.

[Carya Aston]

When Skeleton answered her, she gave a gentle smile and a nod of her head back at him. She knew of Inferni, not very many great things to be said about that pack, but otherwise, the Aston female didn’t judge him for that. Instead, blue eyes flickered to his face and she smiled again, like a mother would. That’s great, I didn’t hear many good things about Inferni. She paused pursing her lips, and shook her head. But. She stated at once, her head tilting to one side. That doesn’t mean you’re like them. I like you Skeleton. You seem sweet. Talking to him like she would a child, perhaps that was because he was a child in perspective.

When he questioned her, she gave him a gentle look at first. Internally, Carya almost resorted to back-handing him for asking such a stupid question. Instead, Skeleton wasn’t one of her own children, and she laughed a little bit.

Oh, why no. I do not have those things. We have to find ‘em. It’s part of the fun and adventure! She exclaimed, her hands flying upwards and her ears pricking up on her head. For once, since Aani left her, she felt like she was happy now. Maybe Aani needing her own space, wasn’t the worst thing that happened to her after-all. As it would seem, Aani was maybe the problem.

Working quick to lead the way, Carya directed Skeleton. Now, lets go scavenge what we can, shall we? Off she worked and looked, searching high and low within the brushes, bushes, and little things that she found. Then, she spotted an older building that was broken down and crumbling the frame looked unsteady, but Carya figured searching around there, would be safest to look. There! Let’s look over there at that old building.

WC: 303

[Skeleton Key]

Skeleton shrugged in response to her comment about Inferni; he wouldn't expect a wolf to hear any good news, so it wasn't too surprising. It was sort of like he only heard shit about Anathema. From what he understood, the pack had stolen his grandmother from Inferni and therefore her only family, as his grandfather had been ill-suited to tend to children. So, a shrug seemed the most reasonable response.

That, though, was the only reasonable response he'd be able to manage. He sputtered at her claim that he was 'sweet.' Never had been described as 'sweet'; plenty worse for sure, but sweet? He did not consider himself to be terribly masculine, but even that was a bit much for him. Though, too cowardly and embarrassed to say much else, he just coughed and looked away.

He frowned at the woman's insistence that they could just make the tools necessary. He was skeptical, but perhaps if she'd already scavenged or traded for the materials, it would be possible. He had never fished before, but he assumed that if she was proposing it that she knew enough to get them from the start 'till finish.

He began to follow her, but then paused. He was about to hop on board when she suggested that they scavenge the materials.

"You don't have the materials yet?" he started, but she was off far too quickly for him to protest. Well, he knew this wouldn't likely work, but at least he could come along for the ride.

When she pointed out an old building, Skeleton nearly laughed. Pretty much all of these lands had housed canine packs of some kind for so long that there wasn't much lying around, ripe for the plucking. He'd spent the first three years of his life scavenging and stripping whatever he could of value. There wasn't much left anywhere anymore; trading seemed to be the name of the game.

Either way though, he'd decided to tag along, so even if they didn't find anything, at least he'd have some new company.

"Alright, we'll take a look," he finally said.

[Carya Aston]

let me know if you want me to change anything. slight PP.
WC: 383

She watched the younger male with a delicate maternal instinct, she wouldn't let it show but as she watched him, she felt like she was watching a child of her own. Smiling and off to the expanse of exploring the old broken down buildings, she was sure there wouldn't be much, but that didn't mean that an old tin can wouldn't remain, or some sort of string attached to a blanket or curtain that was old and rotten.

It was still string, after all. Pausing in her trekk forwards, she looked back towarsd Skeleton giving him a brief over-view. Perhaps something like an old tin-can or a piece of metal that can easily be manipulated. I know there isn't much left over after our kind picked these places clean. She paused giving him a thoughtful smile, and then returning her azure eyes to the older building. But, with any luck maybe we will have fun! A gentleness over-came her face as she felt like he was a child of her own. Perhaps the timid nature of him, reminded her of her own children she'd lost.

Clearing her throat, she slowly made her way towards the building careful to smell, and make sure there weren't any current occupants within the home. When she didn't smell any trails newer than a week, she gave a gentle nod of her head. He could join her or he could do things his own way, which ever he chose, Carya entered through the broken down walll that once held a window in it. Now it was a hole big enough for a Lupreci, to squeeze through. Squeezing through the hole, she coughed a bit and listened to the groaning of wood underneath her feet. As brave as she looked on the outside, she was a lot more timid than she led on.

Hmm. She mused, carefully treading on the ground, her eyes peeled for anything she might find useful. There were several large heaps of clothes that smelled of urine and mold, and several broken down materials from the house itself. Perhaps something would be useful in them? She wasn't quite sure, but approached it slowly, a small woof echoing out of her mouth, and she coughed at the dust the first pile of laundry seemed to accumulate.

[Skeleton Key]

All good!
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[/html]Despite his cynicism, he had committed to just going along with things, so he traipsed after Carya to explore the ramshackle house. When Carya outlined her reasoning, Skeleton understood why she expected to find something; everything she was interested in was, more or less, junk. When Skeleton and Carnivore scavenged, they were looking for valuable items; basically, anything they could eventually trade away for something better. But his companion seemed to be willing to consider anything left behind, which, he supposed they would find. He wasn't so sure about her assertion that they 'have fun' -- and in fact, he wanted to grump about just to prove to her he couldn't have fun -- but he knew his antisocial and contrarian protest wouldn't really do much. Plus, he was committed to following along today and there was no place for protest in that.

"Yeah, I guess that does seem likely. It's all the stuff I woulda left behind anyhow," he replied, shrugging. He watched as she bypassed a rotting doorway and instead found a crumbling wall to use as an entry point. He followed, taking care to watch for broken glass. With these houses, he always managed to find at least one piece between his paw pads at some point. Fucking nuisance they were.

Carya led the way, cautious as she should be. Aside from the afore-mentioned glass, even Skeleton's home in Del Cenere Gang was succumbing to the elements. The floor had rotted out and he'd seen plenty of houses disintegrate underneath his careful touch. After a few moments, Skeleton noticed the scent of urine -- old enough that it wasn't marked by someone, but still potent enough that he could just barely catch it. Carya seemed to be affected by the house because she kept coughing, and Skeleton did his best to hold in his own coughs.

Deciding to explore another part of the house, he carefully tapped on the floor with his feet, testing the structural integrity, before continuing onward. He squinted in the dim light, trying to make out what looked like a chair and a three-legged table. He squatted down to peer underneath the collapsing table only to find the missing leg and some mouse droppings, but little else. How bothersome.