This place is.. moist, and uncomfortable, in your opinion. The desert's heat was always dry and stale, and the only warmth that the Basin had offered during your childhood came from the hot springs and their sleepy steam clouds. Ouija seemed to have an easier time adapting to the climates as you wandered around the center of Helovia, no longer bound to the island.
It was just another day of playing cat and mouse with Ouija: she had disappeared to chase down a fat hare and left a void between your minds while doing so. Every so often, you would call after her and start to get nervous, but she would twitch in the back of your head and chatter about how hungry she always is. Typical teenager. Unable to stomach the sight of blood caked onto the fox's dirty little lips anymore, you stood around uneasily and tried to distract yourself with rubbing your body along tall tree trunks. Sweat began to soak your neck deep below the shaggy hair, dripping and running along your shoulders.
Unable to stand still for any longer, you begged Ouija to hurry with her snack before finally leaving the useless shade of the tall trees. The earth was soft and forgiving under unhealthy hooves, moisture squeezing out of the ground and dampening slate grey feet until they dove eagerly into the foreign creek. Instantly, maroon lips parted to bare stained aging teeth as they grinned; the cool, slow moving water quivered around dark legs, stopping just below your tight belly at the deepest point. A child-like spark always burned in the back of your mind when you were able to dive into water, whether it was the ocean or a spring, you could always count on it's calming effect, and for that you are always thankful.
From your right, two women chatter, their words muffled by the surrounding trees and brush. Blood-painted nostrils flared, drawing in the musty air to judge the strangers' level of threat before they could spot you: one was dry and dusty, vaguely familiar in the back of your mind.. She must have been from the Throat. The other smelled like evergreen trees and grass, hidden below the salty hint of sweat. Maybe an outcast, like yourself? For a moment you stood frozen, ears pressed forward while you stared toward where the women's voices came. Would the woman from the desert attack as the stranger had in the white valley? Instinctively your jaw tightens against the memory. You're not a warrior, you never were. You're a healer, a nurse to the needy. That is how you will help.
The sun-browned kit emerged from the forest, and though her lips were cleaned of the blood of her last meal, you could still smell the gut-churning scent. She splashed paw deep into the brook, big black eyes pulling for your attention. 'Go talk to them.' She knew exactly what you were thinking.. all the time. Glassy eyes turned to the fox while your ears rotated to train on both Ouija and the strangers. A brief moment passed while the two of you stared at each other - Ouija's acting as a hopeful mother to her shy child.
'You go or I go.'"Agh-" you began to grumble, but before you could begin, she turned and walk around the edge of the water, her small fuzzy head lifted high with a wet black nose in the air. Mumbling under your breath, you stepped forward carefully, making sure not to drop into a drench. It would be just your luck. Finally you emerge from the creek loudly, water splashing up onto the bank and dripping off of your limbs steadily. The fox made her way toward the strangers who were now visible from a higher point of view. One woman was dark and draped in heavy hair and shiny metal, the other a dove white and dainty. The same knot that had appeared earlier turned your stomach again; pretty women were never easy to talk to.
Ouija lead you toward them quietly, keeping her composure and holding back excited yips and tail wags thanks to a full belly and sleepy eyes. Rolling back on her haunches, the browned snow fox sat like a princess, glancing over her right shoulder at you with the same motherly look she had displayed earlier. Neither of you had to exchange words after the look. You knew exactly what she was doing. Small, shy steps stopped just beside Ouija while you smiled sheepishly at the women who stood more than two body lengths away. "Ladies." A respectful nod dipped your crowned head for a moment, eyes barely glancing to possibly make eye contact with both for a millisecond.
Like a timid teenage boy, you could feel the heat flush under dark fur along your cheeks and you were more than thankful that the sweat lines now looked like you had taken a plunge in the brook.
"Voodoo." 'Ouija.' 'Voices.'
Please excuse this shit reply, I haven't written more than twice in a couple of months. Also, just chase him off if you don't want him lingering. <3
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![[Image: 5389e9aca8b63]](http://images.helovia.net/index.php/view/5389e9aca8b63)
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[O] You Swim, I'll Wade [herb gathering]
