[SE] pawsitive attitude

When it rains, look for rainbows.

With LongNight finally over, Nova was eager to get out of the house. She stepped out into the sunlight and immediately shifted into her Tide Jaguar form, basking in the way her black pelt absorbed the warmth, the way the strength filled her. After weeks of being cooped up in the house with her siblings, she needed to let out all the rampant energy, and the best way to do that was run. 

Jumping up, she sprinted through Torchline, past glittering waters and sand until they transitioned to towering trees and dirt. Her legs kept moving, eating up the earth beneath her feet with a freedom that rang through her like a bursting rainbow. She didn't know how long or far she ran, but it wasn't until the plants became more colorful, and the foliage thicker that she slowed her run to a trot, head swinging to take in the wonders around her. Wow! So pretty! Her blue eyes glittered noticeably, even as her rainbow rosettes helped her blend into the vibrant surroundings.

When it's dark, look for stars.

Nova

All this time I didn't know
You were breakin' down

Sohalia had always loved the Oerwoud. It was so bright and beautiful that it had always captured her interest, and it was where she’d found Tarak, besides. She’d found that it was especially lovely to explore while in her Tide Jaguar shift, as she was doing now. She practiced what Sah had taught her, creeping through the undergrowth in an attempt to be as stealthy as she could be. Not that she was actually hunting - she didn’t quite have the stomach for it - but it was nice to know that she could sneak up on birds and other small animals all the same.

She crept through the brush, admiring a particularly beautiful plant, when a voice interrupted her thoughts, echoing her same sentiments aloud. Hello? she called, stalking cautiously forward until she saw another Tide Jaguar ahead. Through the Attuned bond, it felt like this was who had talked, but given that it could, in fact, be a real cat, she approached with caution. She straightened then, flicking her tail as she drew closer, her body language friendly. Hi! I’m Sohalia, she offered to the stranger. What are you looking at?

I'd fall to pieces on the floor
If you weren't around

Sohalia

When it rains, look for rainbows.

The sight of another tide jaguar was surprising, but Nova was too excited to be suspicious. Her tail flicked as she bounced forward, towards the Attuned bond that brushed against hers. She tilts her head to look closer at the other cat, her nose sniffing loudly. Despite the words coming through the bond, her ears perked to hear the name. Hi Sohalia! It sounded familiar, and she recalled a particular blonde asking for a reading in her tent a few months ago. 

She giggled at the memory, but didn't mention it as she said, I'm Nova! Soh might not recognize the name, considering last time they'd spoke she was a petite blonde by the name of 'Madam Marin.' Maybe next time they met, things would click into place. 

The following question made her spin, taking in all the plants with a sweep of her sparkling blue eyes. Everything! It's just all so colorful! She couldn't seem to linger on one spot for more than a second, fascinated by the various shapes, sizes, and hues that somehow found themselves in the same place. As she continued to take it in, she asked, Don't you agree?

When it's dark, look for stars.

Nova

All this time I didn't know
You were breakin' down

As the tide jaguar confirmed that they were an Attuned by speaking through the bond, Sohalia relaxed. One ear flicked to the side to catch the call of a bird flying by high through the trees; her tail twitched lazily behind her. The Attuned before her sounded bright and friendly, a welcome change given Sohalia’s own suspicious nature these days. Perhaps she was too quick to trust, but anyone who was that excited about their surroundings was alright in her book.

It’s nice to meet you, Nova, Soh said as she followed the other jaguar’s gaze around at the plants and trees surrounding them. I do. The Oerwoud is one of my favorite places in Caido. Her mental voice held a hint of a smile. Overhead, Tarak squawked again, displeased to be left out of the excitement, and landed in a branch, bright blue feathers rustling faintly. If she’d been human, she might have smiled. That’s Tarak, by the way, she offered, nodding her head towards the tree. He wanted to say hello.

I'd fall to pieces on the floor
If you weren't around

Sohalia

When it rains, look for rainbows.

Nova perked at hearing that the Oerwoud was Soh's favorite place, shuffling her feet as she padded around the vicinity on silent paws. Really? I haven't been here much, but I can see why! Where's your favorite spot? She glanced from the treetops down, taking in each unique plant with hungry eyes full of juvenile wonder. 

Her gaze suddenly caught on the griffin, a bubbling giggle echoing through the bond as she moved just beneath where the companion perched. Hi, Tarak! I like your feathers! Part of her wondered what they might look like as a coat, and ideas raced through her mind. It would look great with some glitter and diamonds, maybe something oversized? The tilt of her head was endearing while her tail flicked curiously.

When it's dark, look for stars.

Nova

All this time I didn't know
You were breakin' down

Sohalia considered for a moment. She’d explored the entire Oerwoud, mapping it as she went, and it was all uniquely beautiful in a way that she couldn’t find in the rest of Caido. I’d have to say the Leap of Faith, she said after a moment, her mind-voice bright. Have you ever been?

Tarak preened, basking in the attention as he sat in the tree. His feathers, bright blue and shiny, rustled in the faint breeze. Sohalia mentally smiled, and her tone was affectionate as she said, Be careful. You’ll only feed his ego. The griffin narrowed his eyes at her, then turned up his beak.

I'd fall to pieces on the floor
If you weren't around

Sohalia

When it rains, look for rainbows.

I haven't! Is it close by? Could we go?! She bounced along next to Soh, looking for whatever this 'Leap of Faith' might be. Nova hadn't the faintest idea what it could be, but she was always interested in exploring, and if it came so highly recommended, how could she resist?!

Her tail flicked eagerly; ears perked to listen for any hints of interesting things within range. Tarak's preening flutter loosened a feather, causing it to drift down in front of her face. Nova giggled, leaping forward to pounce on the plumage. It peeked from between her two large black paws. When she glanced back up at Soh, she thought she heard a sound from a nearby bush, making her pause, head tilted in curiosity. Did you hear that?

When it's dark, look for stars.

Nova

All this time I didn't know
You were breakin' down

Sure, said Soh, charmed by her fellow Attuned’s bright personality. She reminded her a little of herself, when she’d been younger and more naive, back before she’d been through life’s trials and tribulations to come out on the other side, more harrowed and haunted than before.

Still, the jaguar’s mood was infectious, and Soh was about to begin to lead the way to the ascent that would take them to the Leap of Faith when the other Attuned paused. Soh, too, took a beat to listen. The birds and other animals in the area had fallen suspiciously quiet - except for the one rustling bush. Get behind me, Soh said, turning towards the bush with her hackles raised and her teeth bared. She might look like an idiot if all that emerged was a treeflit, but there were enough dangerous creatures in the Oerwoud to merit caution - especially with the Void-touched flora and fauna to contend with.

I'd fall to pieces on the floor
If you weren't around

Sohalia

When it rains, look for rainbows.

Whereas Nova was initially interested in investigating the sound, Soh was obviously not. Her guarded, defensive reaction made the young hybrid wonder if she was missing something. Should she be worried? 

Deciding to emulate the other tie jaguar, she abandoned the feather to crouch at the Attuned's side. She let out a low growl. Don't worry! I can protect myself! Others might disagree, but her sharp fangs and claws begged to differ. One day people would have to acknowledge her incredible power!

Today might not be that day. 

A purplish scaled creature slithered over a twig and into the clearing where they stood. Its tongue came out, testing the air in a non-threatening assessment of them. Nova stepped back slowly, eyes narrowing as she saw the sickly oily-like reflection of its body. It looked wrong but she couldn't quite say why. Instead, she asked, What is that?

When it's dark, look for stars.

Nova

All this time I didn't know
You were breakin' down

Nova bounded to her side, insisting that she could protect herself, and with no information available to tell Soh otherwise, she took the girl at her word. The bush rustled once more, and Soh let out a low growl, determined to protect Nova if it came to it. She wouldn't leave the other Attuned to fend for herself. She wouldn't be able to live with herself if she ran from a fight again.

When the creature emerged, Soh huffed a noise that might have been a tide jaguar laugh. Though she wasn't keen to get closer to the snake, she was also familiar enough with the Oerwoud to know that it wouldn't bother them if they didn't bother it. It looks like a Void Viper, she explained. Look, we better keep away from it. It should leave us alone, but if you get too close, it can imbue the Void into you. It's... not fun. Not that she was speaking from experience or anything.

I'd fall to pieces on the floor
If you weren't around

Sohalia

When it rains, look for rainbows.

Fur bristling, she let out a low hiss as it got closer. Nova backed up, glancing at Soh with surprise. Ewwwah. I've heard about the 'Void stuff.' It sounds nasty. Maea had mentioned it along with Vox. She liked purple, but this was like a creepy abomination version. 

The Void Viper stilled to raise its tail in what might have been considered a 'wave' from other beings. A shiver went down her spine, hackles raising in response. Her tail flicked as she waited for it to lunge, or do something, lips pulled back in a feline sneer. Wouldn't it be better to just kill it then? She'd be more than happy to do the honors, pouncing on it like she had the feather. Maybe she could shake it till the scales fell off.

When it's dark, look for stars.

Nova

All this time I didn't know
You were breakin' down

If this was a normal snake, Soh might have laughed at Nova’s reaction, offering a lecture on why all animals were important to the ecosystem in which they lived. But this was a Void creature - a pest and a plague, and certainly not to be admired or kept to do its part in the circle of life.

Which was why, at first glance, killing it seemed like an excellent idea, one that Soh was sorely tempted to give in to. She flicked her tail, thoughtfully regarding the serpent before turning her gaze to Nova. Perhaps, she agreed. But I don’t know enough about how the Void works. If you bite it, can it poison you? What if, in the bite, you are bitten? Would it drain the life from you like so many of the other Void flora and fauna will? Soh twitched an ear. I’d rather not risk it.

I'd fall to pieces on the floor
If you weren't around

Sohalia

When it rains, look for rainbows.

Tail flicking with unease, she listened to Soh. Her ears drew back against her head when its tongue made a subtle ssss. I guess that makes sense. I still don't like it though. Iridescent scales on anything else would be pretty, but this just felt wrong, like oil polluting the water. 

It crept forward a little more in a strange sort of greeting. She didn't know what it was trying to do, but it sent another shiver down her spine, setting her fur on end. Nova crouched a little lower, debating whether to ignore everything they'd just talked about and kill the thing. Can we go somewhere else? It's giving me the creeps.

When it's dark, look for stars.

Nova

All this time I didn't know
You were breakin' down

Soh backed away further, hoping that Nova would follow. No, I don't either - but trust me. I was in the Greatwood when it was infected, and the Void almost killed me. It wasn't something to play around with, not when they didn't have the tools to dispose of it properly. Soh thought about the flowers they were supposed to be hunting in the Greatwood or in Frey's Breath and grimaced inwardly.

The snake crept forward, flicking its tongue with a hiss that sounded a lot like a greeting. Tarak screeched angrily from above, and the snake recoiled. Come on, Soh said. Let's go to the Leap of Faith. It's well worth the climb, I promise. Her voice, still uneasy, held a hint of a smile, hoping to draw the other girl away from the snake and off to another part of the Oerwoud.

fin

I'd fall to pieces on the floor
If you weren't around

Sohalia