[PRP] Might Be Snowed In | Entheon & Deneb

[mistalina13]

Visiting a neighboring elaphotaur herd for trading had turned out to be a fruitful excursion even with the slight risk of the weather turning. Bartering with his his handmade baubles had provided him with supplies for more work, food for a time and repairs to a cloak that had badly needed mending.

The wind was picking up now but so far sky still seemed to be holding back. He was on his way back home with his goodies stored in saddle like bags over his back end, his cloak draped over both shoulders and held closed at the front. The grayer the sky became the more Entheon wondered if he would make it home in time before the heavier snow started again. Perhaps it was best to pick up the pace.

The colorful baubles on his antlers jingled as he sped up, briskly clomping down the trail toward home.

Uta

Sorry for the double quote - fixing a typo.

 

[Uta]

Deneb hurried through the woods, periodically glancing above at the thickening and darkening clouds. It seemed that only too soon, the break in the weather would be over, and snow would be back in full force. She hoped the spirits would be kind and at least allow her to make it back o her small shelter, but even as the thought escaped her, the first heavy flakes began to fall.

Oh dear.

Picking up her pace, Deneb tied her fur shawl about her shoulders all the tighter. She knew she should have turned back earlier in the day, but winter foraging was never easy -- and she feared local villages. There were too many centaurs in the area, and she refused to get near them if she could help it. While logically she understood not every centaur was out to hunt or hurt Elaphotaurs, stories, and experience, told her that it was safest to congregate with Fauns and fellow Elaphotaurs.

Of course, it wasn't easy to always do that, given how populous the centaur population had become. Perhaps it wouldn't seem so if she had some sort of herd, but the shy doe was shy and easily spooked. She'd grown up alone with only her mother in the heart of he woods. It was a quiet life, but her mother had taught her how to sing, how to weave, how to forage, and how to live a quiet life. When her mother unexpectedly passed, it left Deneb very much alone. Instead of seeking out fellows, Deneb had remained in the familiar little thicket and looked after her mother's garden, as well as her mother's loom, and all the memories they had created within their small cottage. So it was, she continued her studies, and took up her mother's work as her own... and instead of finding new friends or family, she lived, and continued to live, very much alone. It was the only sort of life she knew... But it wasn't an unhappy one.

All she needed to do was get home before the worst of the weather turned. The wind gusted, and her shawl almost unraveled away from her. Giving a small gasp in surprise, she hurriedly bounded forward, trying very hard to catch it.

By the time she did, she found herself stumbling out onto the trail -- and right in front of another centaur! Snatching her shawl from where it fell into a small heap before the buck she almost immediately jerked away -- but the horns, and the lack of a hair tail, told her that this was no centaur. No. This was a fellow Elaphotaur -- and a buck at that!

"Oh dear, oh dear," she stammered, quickly wrapping the shawl around her shoulders. She did retreat closer to the edge of he road, wanting to give the stranger room to continue on. She wasn't sure if she should look at him, or not, so instead, she focused her gaze on her shawl, and pretended to fuss over it, using it as an excuse to hide her gaze. She hadn't meant to get in his way --but hopefully he might pass soon!

mistalina13

Sorry for the delay! :3

 

[mistalina13]

Thankfully there was enough time between the shawl blowing into view and her following that he was able to slow down or they might have had a larger issue on their hands than the newly fallen snow. The baubles on his antlers jangled as came to stop just short of where she'd been.

"You are unharmed?" It seemed likely since she'd collected the lost garment and retreated from him quickly, but it never did hurt to ask to be sure. She seemed fearful, or possibly shy, so he would give her time to collect herself before coming any closer. He looked past her into the woods for signs of disturbance or predators. Finding nothing obvious his gaze settled back on her after several heartbeats. "Are you being pursued by more than the weather?" Spirits willing she was not.

It was only now that he realized that this doe was another Elaphotaur, and one he had never met at that.

"My name is Entheon."

Uta

 

[Uta]

Deneb was surprised by the stranger's query, and though she continued to shyly retreat a few steps as she fussed with her shawl, she did eventually come to a standstill. She shyly peeked up at the stranger, and was relieved that he didn't seem particularly hostile -- though one could never be too sure! This island wasn't always a safe haven, after all, and Deneb had her fair-share of close encounters.

Still, the buck was large and formidable -- but his rack of antlers donned the most peculiar trinkets and ornaments. They were colorful and not easily overlooked against his brown coat and dusty skin. Deneb wondered at such a thing, as the noise was certain to attract attention -- but perhaps it was there for a reason.

Realizing she was staring, she quickly averted her gaze and a gave a shake of her head. "Oh, Oh I'm ... I'm f-fine, really," she stammered. He might not be a frightening centaur, but he was still larger than she -- and she had no herd to protect her. Perhaps it would be better if she hurried away. Still, he did seem awfully keen on making sure she was all right. And she was all right.... wasn't she?

A small smile crossed her features, one she hoped might be a little reassuring. "Please, sir, I'm-- I'm all right. At least, I am at the moment. One never knows who or what one might encounter on the island of course-- and I wouldn't wish to stall you. The weather is turning, quickly." ... as if he wasn't aware. Still, no matter how stupid she was certain she sounded, it was the truth. The weather would wait for no one--not even to exchange pleasantries.

mistalina13

 

[mistalina13]

"That's why I asked, it's hard to tell sometimes when other creatures are about." Even moreso with the weather. "I'm no hunter, but for most things I'm usually big enough to scare them away." Something he used to his advantage when it was necessary. "Not much for spirits, but other things tend to think twice at least."

Her smile made him smile in turn. "Indeed it is. Would you like an escort back to your shelter? I should be able to keep off the worst of the wind off you."

Uta

 

[Uta]

Deneb gave the stallion a small, shy smile as he spoke and explained himself. She did peek around, as if expecting some sort of beast or spirit to be lingering about. For all she knew, the snow and ice spirits were upset and causing this flurry! "I can well imagine that very few wish to take on a buck such as yourself," she stated with a small shake of her tail.

He was, after all, significantly larger than herself -- but many elaphotaur bucks were! Still, the snow was piling upon their backs quickly, and getting heavier with every passing moment.

That the stranger asked to escort her home surprised her greatly. Part of her was certain she shouldn't agree, for that would be putting him off and into possible harm's way! She didn't know where he was going, but the snowstorm was not to be taken lightly. On the other hoof, she wasn't that far from her thicket, and if it was too dangerous for him to leave, her mother's home was large enough to shelter him as well. "Are you sure? My thicket isn't far, and I'd hate to take you from your travels. However, you're welcome to stay through the storm if we make it,' she quickly assured.

Part of her wondered if that was too forward -- she didn't know him, didn't know his temperament -- but she wasn't about to leave someone to freeze in the storm, either.

mistalina13

 

[mistalina13]

"My shelter is a ways in that direction." He tilted his head to indicate to the path ahead. "So yours is not out of the way for me." He could see her to safety and still make good time - ah!

"Far be it for me to refuse such a kind offer." If it was forward he didn't seemed bothered by it in the least. Maybe she was feeling a bit less intimidated by him now? "Lets be on our way then."

He'd keep pace with her easily enough. His cloak and bulk breaking up the worst of the wind before it could reach her.

Uta

 

[Uta]

The snow continued to fall, causing Deneb to periodically give a small shake to remove the piling cold. She was grateful that the stranger didn't seem too put-off by her offer -- but even if his own sanctuary was in the same direction as her own, the snowstorm seemed to be arriving much quicker than expected. At least her thicket would provide some shelter and warmth, if he wished to remain.

As they walked, the mare realized that she knew his name, but had never offered her own. "Oh! Oh I'm Deneb, by the way!" She hadn't meant to keep her name secret, she simply had been so flustered by the approaching storm, and then the stranger, that she'd completely forgotten her manners.

It wasn't easy being an elaphotaur with no herd. Deneb was a skittish thing, and her anxiousness often meant she was forgetful and flighty. There were reasons she remained quiet in her thicket, letting the world pass her by.

"I hadn't expected the weather to get so bad so quickly," she explained, trying to hurry through, leading him towards her little, wooded shelder.

mistalina13

 

[mistalina13]

"A beautiful name." He wasn't familiar with it's origin but he liked the sound of it. Bright and vibrant like birdsong. He definitely would not forget it any time soon.

"Nor I." He had considered staying in the village overnight and decided against it. In the end it had turned out to be a not so bad choice. Had he waited he might have passed Deneb's home by none the wiser to its existence and never made her acquaintance. "I am fortunate that it has, else I might not have met someone new."

He took in their surroundings as they went. Even blanketed in snow it seemed cozy, peaceful and quiet. "We are close by, I would guess?" The only hoofprints in the snow here seemed to be hers, given how much smaller they were in comparison to his own.

Uta