sins you never said to yourself

// seven, six, five, four, three, two, one //

“Perhaps both, then.” The Butcher smirks with a roguish twitch of his too sharp smile. If she wasn’t likely to notice them missing, then why not go and snag what they could and then hear about whether or not she intended to get rid of any. It sounded like a good enough plan for the taller Ancient and he gladly files it away in his mind to think about later.

Because his attention is captivated by Thalassa’s quest and what she might do for Dygra to get that volcanic lightning magic. Her confirmation and grin only boost him further as Sicarius curls back up around his neck, watchful and waiting. “Ahh, that makes sense. Have you seen the lightning in the Climb before?” He asks, guiding her through the alleyway toward the wilderness and through the reaches of snow that grow a little thicker the further from the bonfire they get. “I used to spend some of my nights camping out just to watch the storms roll through.”

Astaroth

// everybody's got a name, everybody's got a number //

Thalassa

I worry this is how I’m always gonna feel.

Thal shrugs her shoulders, happy to assist with his bone procural in whatever manner he wished, although he's collected a lot more interesting bones that coil attentively around his shoulders. She can't tell how much the dragon understands, but she doesn't stare regardless, not wanting to make the creature self-conscious. 

Her shoulders curl tighter as they work their way farther and farther from the bonfire into the chill of the outer skirts. "Only from a distance," she admits of the volcanic lightning, chuckling as she shakes her head. "I've seen plenty of lightning in Levinsward, but I don't make a habit of sleeping outside under it." The chance of being struck isn't a fear, but she's not stupid enough to think she's immune to the probability. 

Swearing she hears a bit of reminiscing, Thal tilts her head curiously up at him, a crooked smile on her lips. "Wanna do it again for old time's sake?" She could use some company, and if it's something he misses doing, she wouldn't mind asking him to tag along.

But nothing lasts. I know the deal.

// seven, six, five, four, three, two, one //

Luckily for Thalassa, Sicarius has no idea what embarrassment or self-consciousness is, more than happy to be stared at if she gets a chance to show off. Perhaps she’s more like the Butcher than he’d like to admit – just bare bones without all the embellishment. If it helps, she spends the majority of the time curled up against Asta’s neck staring without any apprehension at the shorter Ancient.

Leading them deeper into the crevices of the alleyways toward the wilderness further out, Asta nods with a crooked smile aimed her way. “Oh come on, darling. Live a little.” Bouncing his brows playfully, his tail flicks behind him as a low laugh escapes him.

To see her crooked smile aimed back at him, Asta’s grin brightens as he considers the option. “That sounds lovely. Let me know when and I will be happy to join you.” Turning again, the trees begin to pop up as the marker for the border of the woods, quiet with the snowfall and the way the trees seem to harbor the majority of the snow the denser the woods get. It leaves the interior still very cold but blessedly absent of the majority of the blanketing snow.

Astaroth

// everybody's got a name, everybody's got a number //

Thalassa

I worry this is how I’m always gonna feel.

Rolling her eyes at his bouncing brows, Thal offers a pridefully exasperated look in return. "I live just fine, thank you." The corner of her mouth tilts up when she turns away, amused by the thought that staying out in a lightning storm is needed to really live when she's had plenty of thrills on her own. 

Still, when Asta confirms his willingness to join her on an all-inclusive lightning experience, Thal doesn't hesitate to snag the offer, her grin wide and genuine. "I'll shoot you a letter." She also makes a mental note to grab some drinks for them to share, as much a thank you as something to do while they enjoy the light show. Do bone dragons drink or eat anything? Would it be rude not to bring something for her? It's something Thal will have to mull over later. 

The thick canopy is a blessing, her toes already half frozen in her boots. She can feel her shifts rising in response, wanting to manifest the heat as they run through the forest. Shifting her feet, Thal rubs her hands together in preparation, a sharp, hungry grin spreading over her face. "Are we hunting big game? I'm hoping to get enough meat to last through LongNight." She'd certainly rather go out in the cold once rather than multiple times throughout the season, especially as the darkness approaches.

But nothing lasts. I know the deal.

if you could find your way inside
you'd have to find a way to stay alive

Rolling his eyes affectionately as she claims she lives just fine, it’s with that bright grin aimed her way that he shrugs his shoulders. “Suit yourself.” He hums in a sing-song tone that Sicarius interjects into with her own little grating trill. He’s sure she does live just fine, but he can’t help himself from giving her a bit of shit here and there.

The amused smile softens a fraction to hear that she’d send him a letter, nodding his head in agreement for the future plan to take place. Already he’s planning his own items to bring as they drift further in and the boon of dryness from the canopies of trees taking the majority of the snow is a siren’s song.

“I did not really have anything in mind, but we can certainly try for big game. I can lure in the shift I have left?” He suggests, mulling it over before he looks back at Thalassa with a wink. He reaches up to snag Sicarius to let her wander through the forest, confident she can handle her own without clinging to them, and he shifts after a moment to his feirw shift. His antlers flare with flame, a heavy crown that sits on his head and reflects orange fire in the dark of his fur.

His tail flicks twice as he dips his head toward Thalassa in a small nod before he prances forward into the foliage, finding a deer path to get into, trying to ensure his scent follows on the cool breeze enough to attract something large of note.

Astaroth

welcome to the show, come show me in

Thalassa

When Asta agrees to play bait for their big game, Thal winks back, a wicked gleam in her eyes. "Sounds like fun." And once he shifts, she has to hold back the laughter that always arises when she sees his fuzzy butt. She just shoots him a sharply fanged grin as he begins wandering down the trail. 

Thal waits a minute, rolling her shoulders against the cold before releasing the heat pressing against her skin. The molten tiger emerges with a silent pulse of warmth, the soft glow of the lava nothing compared to the bright flare of Asta's antlers so that she slips unseen into the undergrowth. Her paws pad softly over the earth, ears rotating to listen for the tell-tale signs of a predator on the prowl, acting half in preparation for the hunt and half as a protector for her newly weakened friend - it would be a pity for him to be eaten so soon after getting Dygra's blessing. 

It doesn't take long for the howl of a wolf, and Thal lowers her body in quiet anticipation, relieved that they won't be forced to wander the forest for hours.

Bite my tongue, bide my time
Wearing a warning sign