[PRP] Pride Has No Place Here [Amaruq x Simikiel]

[Ririka]

If the universal rule of time and seasons was as written in stone as many believed, then Fall was soon to approach and the leaves upon the trees would be painted in an array of new colors and fashion any day now. However, the problem with time is that no two creatures seemed to experience it the same, and sometimes the universe liked to bend and change its own rules. For now, Summer kept an iron grip upon the world and the sun never seemed hang higher and grow as bright as it did this season. Relief could only be found on the occasional breezy night, or the random downpours of rain that didn't decide to bring high humidity with it.

Leaves softly rustled as a cool breeze danced through the forest, welcoming all to hang out under the midnight sky for even the faintest chance to catch a break from the heat. While a night like this would bring ample opportunity for even the most novice hunter for a chance at a meal, a shadow quickly and carefully made her way through the city of trees with an all too different purpose in mind.

Since winter's start the fox had been all to cautious when entering and exiting her temporary home. While she had been lucky enough to avoid her mother, siblings and stalkers alike, her half-brother had still managed to track her down all the same and make himself known. No matter what questions she asked, or how observant she was with his actions, she still couldn't figure out what the hawk's game was. Was was he so interested in her life and the choices she made? What could Petrichor possibly get out of invading her life? It was infuriating and fear inducing all the same, yet, she was grateful that he seemed to have no intention of disclosing any information to the rest of their family.

With Winter long gone and Summer holding strong though, every fiber of Simi's being told her it was time to find a new temporary home away from the bustling forest, and away from the eyes of her brother.

Body as close to the ground as possible, and ears on alert to the noises and movement around her, the Shifter continued to move with purpose. She didn't have a destination in mind, but as long as she could make her way out with little issue then all would be right again. Her brother would scoff with disgust if he could see her now; moving around like a rodent in the darkness. He would insist she move with pride, as if she owned the forest itself. Who exactly did she have to fear as a top predator? Why does she think so-

Simi stopped in her tracks, eyes wide and teeth bared as she picked up the sound of breaking twigs. It could easily be a raccoon or bird moving about, but she didn't want to take a chance. Cursing to herself, the Shift crawled into a nearby bush to wait.  

[Tsunake]

Amaruq was certainly enjoying the change of seasons, padding along in his coyote form with his tongue lolling out of his mouth. The cooler temperatures were appreciated, though they made his joints ache abysmally. No rest for the wicked, he supposed, and the ironic thought had the canine grinning. He slipped past looming trees, unconsciously keeping himself small, unobtrusive, and harmless. It was how he got by, these days. He lacked the physical prowess to thrive in head-to-head combat as he once did. Amaruq was old, but certainly not down for the count. As he trotted over the landscape, the wind shifted... and the smell of a stranger filled his nostrils.

The coyote immediately flattened himself to the ground, holding himself motionless as he relied on his eyes, ears, and nose to give him more information. He was no match for even a regular Soquili, and with the uptick in shifters in the world, many herds would no longer even tolerate any predatory species, familiars be damned. After a few tense moments, he observed nothing. Cautiously, he began to crawl forward, slinking on his belly without any shame whatsoever. Caution and cowardice, as some would call it, had kept him alive when bravado would have gotten him killed.

He carefully sniffed out his quarry of sorts, keeping a respectful distance from where the scent seemed to radiate most strongly. Either this was a poorly planned ambush... or someone was attempting to hide, just as he was. Amaruq mulled over his options, but a perverse need to find out more drove him to finally speak. Perhaps it was a poor idea, but his instinct to spread, chaos whenever he could was overpowering.

Rising up from his hiding place as though convinced the danger was gone, the old coyote limped a little more into the opening. "Is anyone there?" He wheezed. "I promise, I don't bite..."

Ririka