The evening air is cooler than the sweltering heat of midday, the smoke in the air seeming to dissipate with the receding light. Fires have eaten away at the forest all season, leaving behind patches of burnt earth and charred trunks. The smell of ash permeates through the woods, an ever-present companion to the inhabitants. It makes hunting difficult. Even if she hadn't nearly burned down the forest with her molten tiger shift, the acute sense of smell is useless amidst the overwhelming smell of ashen remains, and the wildlife has become skittish.
Her boots pad silently down the bank, disguised by the low hum of water over rocks. Silver daggers in hand, she searches intently for the telltale chatter or splash of glotters, her bloodlust a dull ache in the back of her mind. It's just enough to perk her senses - to put her body on alert for signs of prey - but not enough to make her brazen or impulsive, an encouraging reminder of her needs and the urge to taste blood, one she's never stupid enough to ignore.
Thal pauses for a moment, her head tilting so that the leaf speckled sunlight catches the blonde of her hair. Intense blue eyes search the river ahead while her tail stills behind her, waiting to pick out an incriminating sound between the melodic hum of water and the lilting dialogue of the forest around her.
Her boots pad silently down the bank, disguised by the low hum of water over rocks. Silver daggers in hand, she searches intently for the telltale chatter or splash of glotters, her bloodlust a dull ache in the back of her mind. It's just enough to perk her senses - to put her body on alert for signs of prey - but not enough to make her brazen or impulsive, an encouraging reminder of her needs and the urge to taste blood, one she's never stupid enough to ignore.
Thal pauses for a moment, her head tilting so that the leaf speckled sunlight catches the blonde of her hair. Intense blue eyes search the river ahead while her tail stills behind her, waiting to pick out an incriminating sound between the melodic hum of water and the lilting dialogue of the forest around her.
we care so much until we don't
Thalassa
