Watch Me Stumble Over And Over

[Lief]

The Westmark
Midvinter

It had been quite some time since she had returned home to Midvinter, the one place in the Galaxy where she truly felt herself, at ease with the primal beast within. She had known adventures, and hardship, yet always her path led back here, to a land of ice and snow which was particularly harsh upon her body and forced her to play the role of creature far more frequently than girl.

[member="Thirdas Heavenshield"] had taught her how to combat the weather, with heavy pelts and the glowing orange tendrils of warmth which burned if she reached for one of the strands. He was a good friend, one of her only friends in the entire Galaxy, he had brought her into his home despite being but a child himself, and with his help she had learned some small measure of civility.

Yet she remained wild at heart. Quite the hunter she provided him and his with meat, and she kept dangerous creatures from treading too close to their abode. It was strange to know a Heavenshield again, especially given the one she had once known was now aged though she remembered him as young as his son now was. Was that to be her curse? To watch as each of their clan outgrew her time and time again?

The shrill cry of Ariel drew her attention skyward, where the andöryn circled - no doubt with prey in its sights. Kida halted in her movements, planting four paws on the ground and dipping her head low for the sake of stability. Then her back bent slightly, feral eyes rolling back just enough to show a touch of white. Body remaining stiff, immobile, where it stood.

And then the skies were opened up to her. She could see for miles up there, with the wind beneath her wings. Her head turned slightly, spotting the motion of an älk down amidst the undergrowth. Letting out an involuntary caw she felt her stomach drop as she began the circling descent...

The statue-esque form woke with a start, feet now firmly back on the ground, as the scent was snatched from the air and she began the chase. Powerful muscles rolled with each bound she made. She had changed much since coming to this world, and though she retained the form of a daux it had adjusted over time to suit the harsh landscape. Thicker fur which had paled to keep her hidden among the snow, a layer of well-placed fat to keep off the worst of the cold, she looked as though she was meant for these surroundings, and only a true native would recognize that there was no creature which looked like her that belonged to these lands.

She supposed the frir were most similar but they were striped.

None of this really came to her mind in that moment of course, once the hunt began there was little which could shift her focus...

 

[Ravenfire]

Location: Tháinbroek - Midvinter - Tingel Arm
Rex had come along as he need a break away from his company and the investigation. He was still trying to figure out who to deal with the Confederate presence within the ancient eye. He would think up something later. Now he was on board a combat transport. He was still receiving updates on what was happening with them. He hadn't inserted any people yet but he would soon. He needed someone close to them who would feed him info. But that would come later.

They finally landed on the ground. That was when Kaine said why they were here. "Oh of course we are here for the alcohol when are we not." Rex says laughing. Then he looked around as the doors opened. He was in his normal kit and he had his normal weapons. He had his new lightsabre with him. He just didn't want to test it out yet. Rex step out of the craft and waited to see what everyone else was doing.

[member="Kaine Australis"], [member="Kida"], [member="Nibsani"], [member="Kei Raxis"], [member="Raiz Australis"], [member="Cassiopeia Caranthyr"]

 

[Lief]

Onward she prowled, Eastward with the grace of the älk leading her on. Their scent was intoxicating, yet she was not quite so pressed for time, nor starving, as to quicken up the pace.

Unlike many, Kida actually enjoyed the thrill it brought. The anticipation was her favourite part, and any time she got to prolong it she would take the opportunity in both hands and run with it. Literally in this case. She and Ariel had been in dire need of space to spread their wings, they were used to being free to roam whenever and wherever they liked and while the Heavenshields did not keep her from exploring she often felt compelled to keep by the side of Thirdas. If only to ensure his protection.

Days like these were becoming increasingly more rare, when she could spend hours at an end at one with the feline beast within her.

Soon enough however she became all too aware of just how far she had traveled. The älk was slowing, the air smelled differently, in fact the stench of battles fought in this region lingered on the air even after all this time. Blood which had seeped into the soil which lay beneath the snow.

They were in the Crownlands.

She could sense the general din of Thainbroek in the distance, and knew that if she did not act soon her quarry would be spooked.

Wrinkling her nose she lowered her body down. She could see it now, it was grazing and building back its energy... Preoccupied. The perfect time to pounce.

[member="Rex Taff"] [member="Kaine Australis"]

 

[Ravenfire]

Rex looked around at the entire place. It was beautiful it reminded him of his old home. White everywhere it made him want a hot chocolate or some other warm drink. He was snapped out of reminiscing when Kaine tapped him on his shoulder. Up the stairs he said "Very well aliit alor. Up we go." he was happy to be here, never knew what Kaine would get up to by himself. As they continued up the stairs to the gates and the entrance.

[member="Kaine Australis"], [member="Kida"]

 

[Lief]

With a screech that quickly became airy and muted, the älk fell beneath her form.

She could feel its life begin to leave it through the gash in its neck where she had focused her efforts, puncturing its windpipe in order to bring it a swift demise. As much as she enjoyed the hunt, she was not cruel. She did not play with her food when the time came to pounce. No, now her hunger took over and all she wanted was to have her fill and leave the rest for the carrion.

Ariel swooped down, happy to feast upon the flesh of the fallen after all his hard work tracking it down. The andoryn used its curved beak and talons to dig beneath the creature's heavy hide.

For a time they simply remained there, until a distinct sound caught her attention. One she had not heard since returning to this place from beyond the stars.

A great metal beast.

It descended from the skies with thunderous roar, nearing the City which lingered off into the distance. Tilting her head to one side, Kida regarded it with curiosity. Had her silver friend returned?

No longer thinking in terms of sustenance, the young girl began to bound over toward the City, leaving the carcass for Ariel to gorge upon if he so wished, her back legs making quick work of the journey as she came upon the starship and the individuals who had just disembarked.

[member="Rex Taff"] [member="Kaine Australis"]

 

[Ravenfire]

Rex was following Kaine up the stairs. He loved the cold but he couldn't wait to find a nice warm drink. It was open skies and open fields of snow. He was enjoying the idea of being here, it reminded him of home. He enjoyed it a lot. He saw his family, his old lover the one he ..... No now was a time to be at peace he was going to enjoy himself not remind himself of past doings.

Then Kaine tapped his shoulder snapping him out of his day dream. He looked at the Cat. It appeared to have a look of intelligence in it's eyes. He put one hand on his staff as he looked at it. He remember the last time he came across intelligent cats. However something niggled at the back of his mind. So he opened up the force. He could feel Kaine. The man was force sensitive but hardly ever used it and Rex never asked about it. However the creature before him was force sensitive as well.

But there was something else about it. He could feel the magic flowing thru it. He hadn't been trained well enough to recognise how it worked but he was going to guess some form of beast control or a shape-shift maybe either way. "Greetings magic one. Either you are a force user in beast form or you are controlling this animal." Rex bows "Either way it is a pleasure to meet you."

[member="Kaine Australis"], [member="Kida"]

 

[Lief]

The stench of uprights struck her the moment she got close to the great metal beast.

Not the natives, no the Valkyri had a certain smell about them, one untainted by the dust of stars, but outlanders. Uprights who had not been here before, and most definitely not [member="HK-36"] whom she had been truly hoping to see. The funny silver friend wasn't a face she had seen since she'd asked to be brought back to Midvinter.... Asked... Truly he had worked wonders on her, he who had followed her across the stars, from Endor, to the Jedi, to Midvinter, always finding her, saving her...

For a moment an odd expression ran over the beast which stopped a few feet from the men. Indeed, there was a certain understanding within its eyes as it gazed upon them both curious and forlorn. There were reasons why Kida did not get her hopes up.

They began to make upright noises, some of them she recognized from Thirdas and his family yet in this form it was always just that little bit more difficult to actually comprehend. Her head turned back toward where Ariel ought to have been, only the bird was nowhere to be seen. She pressed her thoughts further, melding with his until she could feel him soaring - slightly weighed down by something within his talons. In that moment she understood.

By now it was obvious that they knew she was more than mere beast. It had been quite some time since someone had figured it out. Thirdas knew there was something about her, but had been surprised when she transformed... How would these uprights react? They were not children filled with innocence and hope, after all.

She sniffed the air, taking one step closer as she waited for Ariel to arrive, and caught wind of the both their scents. Something she would not forget from this day forth. Finally the caw of her companion rang through the air, moments before something soft yet heavy slumped over her feline form. Furs, of all things, a thick cloak which barely covered her.

And yet, as a pain washed over her, as her bones seemed to snap and break and twist, and her body shifted inwards, shrinking, transforming, the cloak came to cover what remained lay there in the snow perfectly. A little bundle of messy hair and fur, mossy green eyes piercing through it all.

Exhaustion had reached her by now; it was always harder to revert back than it was to transform, and as she crouched there recuperating all she could focus on was her breathing. Ariel landed upon her shoulder, affectionately nuzzling against her cheek while also fluffing his wings in warning against the two who stood before them.

This was his girl, and he'd fight beak and talon if he had to.

[member="Rex Taff"] [member="Kaine Australis"]

 

[Ravenfire]

Rex was not surprised when she shape shifted. He had come across people who had shape shifted before. He noticed the cloak dropping and then the bird that landed on her shoulder. He could see the bond between the two. Kaine really understated the fact that shape shifting was useful. "Kaine that is an understatement, if she does it the way I think she does, she could teach me and even other force using mandos how to shape shift themselves."

He then looked at her and said "Greets my lady, I am Rex Taff who might you be?" He stood carefully watching her and the bird as well as the surroundings just in case something decided to sneak up on them. They usually did especially when he was meeting new people. He just had an affinity for it, or at least that is the way it looked like to him.

[member="Kaine Australis"], [member="Kida"]