kiss this

The cold was a presence in the Edge. This Frostfall it had entered slowly, gradually building its habitation thorough the trees and along the cliffs. It clung beneath the mists, kindred spirits in their cold dampness. They both were white, both muted the world in color and sound.

The Elephant detested it.

It was already well established that he was no fan of the cold. But he was adjusting; his coat had grown in coarser, thicker, than the previous Frostfall. Despite his body’s acquiesce to the chill, he still did not care for the snow. There may be some trappings of beauty about it, most assuredly with the fresh powder; but it leached the warm colors from the earth, leaving only cool tones. He had grown and lived among heat; among hot days and dry grasses. There were a thousand shades of gold that spread before you on the plains, hundreds of reds, and tens of oranges. All spread across the land, waiting for the rain to burst the warm greens from the dormant flora and soil. But here, cool blues and soft violets peppered the sea of white. Even the rise and fall of the sun were softer, less fiery, with the shortening of days.

So, with a ground sweeping jog, the Elephant King sought respite from the all-encompassing cold. Steam trailed his hide in wisps, deep breaths a dull roar against the dry, cool air. His mind was agitated; unsettled. There was much to think about: his Queen (their passion), Mauja (his isolated man), Alysanne (fear grows to hatred when left to fester), Tsavo (uncontrolled, overwhelming guilt), Adaeze (the tempting, teasing cat), Orithia (a strong and savage soul, broken), Rexana (…), Nyx (abandoning the Edge or finding her sire), Kateri—

He was tired of thinking.

There is much to be said for exhausting the mind by exercising the body. It calms the wayward thoughts; brings to heel the haywire synapses. Especially for the Elephant, a man of action, of battle— his head needed a physical release. And, it seemed, his coital-approach only left it more snarled. So he resorted (as he should have) to training spars.

So that is what his incessant strides were searching for; what his sweeping navy eyes sought. And he found it, in the form of the poisonous serpent. Gaze arrested on the tall, slender man, wondering… Wondering how his body had changed in his role of poisoner. Had he gone soft beneath the Makutano council?

With a deep bellow and a pound of the earth with his hooves, shaking it with the magic that flowed through a King’s veins, he charged. A gleam hardened his eyes, a grin turned up the cornered of his muzzle as he tucked his chin and lowered his horn. This reminded him of their younger years, when he had often pounced on Aji (much to the serpent’s distaste) for surprise spars.

The earth thundered beneath his ivory hooves; the Elephant’s onslaught was a massive force.

WC: 498
A: 1/3
D: 0/1
Damage Tracker: --
Setting: Late frostfall, medium layer of snow on ground. Set somewhere in the center of World's Edge with minimal trees.
Summary: Tembovu uses War Stomp & then charges @Kiuaji .

¤ War Stomp: A single stomp of the hoof can lightly rattle the ground and throw an opponent off balance.