07-09-2018, 02:46 PM
And if the stars aligned, would it be you and I?
Ketzia
Dawn came too quickly, and sleep clung to Ketzia as Karat’s gentle arousal seeped into the restlessness of her dreams. Blinking groggily her eyes strained against the filtered sunlight of dawn. The ground beneath where she lay felt frozen despite Karat’s attempt to warm them. Frosted grass and pine needles littered the forest floor, it’s melted liquid clinging to the soft down of her baby fur. She knew the routine well, Krom rarely liked to remain in one place for too long during their trek deeper into Taiga. Stumbling upright her joints groaned in protest, feeling stiff and unfamiliar beneath the strain of her wobbling weight.
Already she could sense her older brother’s restlessness as they prepared themselves for another day of travel. There never was much conversation between them during the early hours. Satisfied that they were both alert he started off, karat following him loyally and without question. Her heart tumbled in her chest as she grieved the loss of her simple life back in Tephra. She missed her mother and sister and father. Memories of summer sun and lazy afternoons warmed her only to remind her that such things were lost forever. Dragging her feet through the slush and mud, Ketzia slowly brought up the rear her nose looming just above the ground.
Weaving deeper into the burnt bruised forest, the soft gurgle of water gently invaded her hearing. Jolting her head upright her ears pinned themselves forward, her heart slowly intensifying its pounding within the cavity of her chest. She could smell it, the briny taste of water nearly choking her with the force of her newly acquired memories. Moving more jerkily than she had been previously she pressed forward, hoping that the sound of the lapping current was nothing but her own mind playing tricks. As they broke through the thin line of evergreen trees her heart nearly stopped at the sight that flooded her vision. Feverishly she glanced to both sides of her praying that there were other options than the inevitable one presented. Kromium did not hesitate as he chose the gentlest crossing, stepping confidently forward he crossed without so much as a stumble. Nausea rose up from the depths of her empty stomach, the idea of having to follow in his steps frightening her to her core.
Karat’s encouragement set Ketzia to jumping nearly out of her skin. They wanted her to cross next, she realized with deepening hesitation. She sensed their empathy as she trembled uncontrollably, her eyes watching the white capped current. Exhaling slowly, she pushed all thoughts of drowning from her mind she stepped away from the comfort of the bank. Eyes glued to Krom she concentrated on the progression of her steps, the slippery footing rising concern from within her. If her siblings had been talking to her, she would not have known as the sound of the water sparked the memory of it’s cruel fingers as they reached down her nose and threatened to choke her. Suddenly, she froze, her legs no longer listening to her logical reasonings. Stuck within the deepest point of the river, her panic took over. Jerking backwards her steps became labored and clumsy, her hoof scraping fruitlessly upon the murky bottom. Plunging into the unforgiving grasp of the river she thrashed wildly, her body bobbing and sputtering as the current carried her downstream away from her siblings…
Already she could sense her older brother’s restlessness as they prepared themselves for another day of travel. There never was much conversation between them during the early hours. Satisfied that they were both alert he started off, karat following him loyally and without question. Her heart tumbled in her chest as she grieved the loss of her simple life back in Tephra. She missed her mother and sister and father. Memories of summer sun and lazy afternoons warmed her only to remind her that such things were lost forever. Dragging her feet through the slush and mud, Ketzia slowly brought up the rear her nose looming just above the ground.
Weaving deeper into the burnt bruised forest, the soft gurgle of water gently invaded her hearing. Jolting her head upright her ears pinned themselves forward, her heart slowly intensifying its pounding within the cavity of her chest. She could smell it, the briny taste of water nearly choking her with the force of her newly acquired memories. Moving more jerkily than she had been previously she pressed forward, hoping that the sound of the lapping current was nothing but her own mind playing tricks. As they broke through the thin line of evergreen trees her heart nearly stopped at the sight that flooded her vision. Feverishly she glanced to both sides of her praying that there were other options than the inevitable one presented. Kromium did not hesitate as he chose the gentlest crossing, stepping confidently forward he crossed without so much as a stumble. Nausea rose up from the depths of her empty stomach, the idea of having to follow in his steps frightening her to her core.
Karat’s encouragement set Ketzia to jumping nearly out of her skin. They wanted her to cross next, she realized with deepening hesitation. She sensed their empathy as she trembled uncontrollably, her eyes watching the white capped current. Exhaling slowly, she pushed all thoughts of drowning from her mind she stepped away from the comfort of the bank. Eyes glued to Krom she concentrated on the progression of her steps, the slippery footing rising concern from within her. If her siblings had been talking to her, she would not have known as the sound of the water sparked the memory of it’s cruel fingers as they reached down her nose and threatened to choke her. Suddenly, she froze, her legs no longer listening to her logical reasonings. Stuck within the deepest point of the river, her panic took over. Jerking backwards her steps became labored and clumsy, her hoof scraping fruitlessly upon the murky bottom. Plunging into the unforgiving grasp of the river she thrashed wildly, her body bobbing and sputtering as the current carried her downstream away from her siblings…
Or would you bid me a celestial goodbye?
@[Kromium~Karat] Thought this would be a good time for Krom to become her knight in shining armor as well...and start the whole crushing ark. xD