Above, the skies were the same hazy gray as the mists that permeated the forest. Clouds as far as the eye could see, rich with moisture to the point that the air was thick with the dripping of a rain that hovered somewhere between a heavy misting and a light drizzle. Definitions aside, it still was quite efficient at making everything quite damp, including the almost lonely soul that stood out in the wet. Almost lonely, because the grulla who stood nigh on near the edge of a south-facing cliff could never be really alone again.

While she had chosen this out of the way location in order to be away from the hustle and bustle that had erupted in the wake of the wall's construction, seeking peace and quiet even in the face of being out in the elements, a true reaching of that goal was beyond her. For, huddled between her hind legs where the accumulated moisture on her coat wouldn't drip on him, crouched a kitsune who could almost pass for a swell of mist or a particularly lumpy mass of the stone the pair rested on. Almost, for the foggy gray was broken by lavender bands on the five tails that were coiled around paws and body for warmth, broken again on his face by a white mask and a pair of slitted eyes that were also lavender. His black nose was currently buried in the depth of one furry tail.

Wet, he muttered in the back of her mind, young voice grumpy at the indignity of it all. Shouldn't they be back in the trees, where he could snuggle into a cozy tree hollow to wait out the damp? Or at least contriving to get some other horse wet with a clever if childish prank? Or even...

The muttered complaint and the series of suggested scenarios that played out for her mind's eye were ignored by his bonded, who knew he was perfectly capable of going back to find more comfortable shelter whenever he cared to. But he wouldn't, and was just complaining to complain at her, doing his best to try to guilt her into doing what he thought was best for her. And for him.

But what the kitsune thought was best was not what the young mare wanted. In fact, she wasn't entirely sure what that desire was. There was a restlessness in her, leading to these walks to the cliff's edge where she could cast her gaze out over the waters, trace the line of the shore into the distance. Watch the waves toss, storms rage, sea creatures play and hunt, birds coast and dive and travel. Some part of her wanted to do all the things she saw the world doing, but couldn't decide on what. There was a pressure building up, a drive to do. A held back wave fed, trickle by trickle, by the knowledge that she still needed to finish the Earth God's quest. By the desire to learn how to better defend herself and her loved ones, a desire currently being unfed by her superiors within the herd. Sure, she hadn't actively sought someone out, but she hadn't really seen anyone to dog their tail until they agreed to teach her.

What was a girl to do?

((For Aaron, possibly Azale, and whoever else decides to crash the thread later on))

Aaron</style> World's Edge Glazier </style> The mists had another bonded complaining too. The garnet and ivory hellhound shook indignatly, trying to shake the dampness off of her coat. Ick Alanna complained in her bond's mind. Aaron sighed. He had been on his own since they returned. Azale had taken off to finish her quest, Takara and Sakura were off adventuring. At least they were trying to be kids still. He had been training by thier age to fight.... To make thier mother proud... Well none of that mattered now. With a snort, Aaron stood up only to find Alanna was all to eager to move. He was restless, just wanting to do.... Something, anything really. He felt really useless since they had returned from Isilme. Kahlua had managed to build the wall with the herd rallying behind her... He and LAce had not been able to do that. Yet somehow Lace was now a WeyrLeader. The young paint just did not understand. He had been there since the beginning, and now because of his mother's death and his need to know about his own father... It was as if he did not matter to anyone... Well almost anyone... Alanna yipped softly, catching the scent first. Friends close They had wandered closer to the cliffside, and there he saw her. The one being that would care about his precence, and the one who he had not seen since coming back. Kimber and Kaiden were there, as if he had called them from his memory. It was Alanna who reacted first. Forgetting her dignity she raced forward to pounce on Kaiden, after all he was her friend. She did not even concider if he would use his magic on her. Aaron was next, striding forward steadily getting faster. It wasn't until he was almost in front her her that he skidded to a halt and smiled. "Hey there." I missed you But he only added that in his mind.... "Sed interdum rutrum urna, sed pellentesque sapien tempor in."

background pattern by Patrick Hoesly @ flickr.com
cliff image by John and Tina Reid at gettyimages.com

Not even the dull, distant rumble of the waves crashing against the cliffs below could quite drum out the sound of approach from behind. An ear tilted at the faint sound of scrabbling paws, a head tilted just far enough to glimpse the distinctive racing form. With a small smile, the young mare shifted in the first time in a span of time she didn't care to measure. A deliberate sideways step as she acted on the knowledge of the hellhound's approach too late and too swiftly for Kaiden to make any preparatory actions.

Still caught up in his grumbling and contemplations of things he'd rather be doing, the kitsune was completely unprepared when his bonded shifted away from him. His ears pricked, and his head lifted... and then he was getting pounced by a larger and heavier creature. Yelping in surprise, he twisted beneath his presumed attacker, tails lashing. But recognition kicked in before defensive reflexes could be entirely carried out. Alanna! He yipped excitedly, the sound transforming into a delighted little yodel as he squirmed out from under the hellhound in order to attempt to pin her down and lick her ears. Unlikely friends, the pair of them, unless one knew kitsune and hellhound had been friends since their very early months.

Pleased by the reunion unfolding beside her, Kimber turned to watch as the hellhound's companion approached at a pace that could almost be described as hurried. He was a sight for sore eyes, was this stallion. As colorful as his companion, and gone for just as long. Off seeking the whereabouts of family he couldn't account for. And now? Back again, and here in front of her, wearing that oh-so-welcome smile that spoke volumes all on its own, even if his voice didn't echo it.

Her own smile spread to match it. "Hi, Aaron. Its been a while." And I wish I'd gone with you, instead of waiting here wondering if you'd come back.

Aaron</style> World's Edge Glazier </style> Alanna was caught off guard by Kaiden's reaction, flipping to her side as the kitsune twisted and squirmed out from where she had pounced. He pinned her, well more like she let him pin her. What she wasn't expecting was to have her ears licked. She twisted slightly, not really fighting but acting like she was. After all, that's what good friends do right? As a smile lit up Kimber's face, which made Aaron smile even more. "To long..." Which is my fault... Should of told you where I was going Alanna whimpered softly, Stop that, glad to see She scolded in his head. She was right, as always. They had been best friends as long as Aaron could remember. Why was it so hard talking to her now? Yes sure, he liked her.... Well, loved her really... But he was not going to risk losing her friendship over admitting that. What else could he say? Why was this suddenly so awkward feeling?. Kaiden and Alanna seemed to be just fine... Without warning Aaron stepped forward and tried to place his head on Kimber's withers. He missed her, he had wanted to ask her to go with him and his sisters.... But hadn't because he did not want to take her from her own family.. Even if he wanted to be a part of that family too. All he could think about at that moment however, was he was there, with her.... Nothing else was going to matter either, unless she pulled away. "Sed interdum rutrum urna, sed pellentesque sapien tempor in."

background pattern by Patrick Hoesly @ flickr.com
cliff image by John and Tina Reid at gettyimages.com