Caerus (almost)

[Thalia]

Thorn Paw padded to sit beside his brother. For the first time he sensed something in Wyldfyre that brought with it a glow of pride -- for, whatever earthly links had been shared between he and the twisted one, it was the first time Thorn Paw had truly sensed an acknowledgement of evil. For this particular specimen, at least. Amusement loped the puppyish image of Wyldfyre running into the raging sea once before, but encouragement too. Ultimately the fierceness was something Thorn Paw approved of, even if at the time he had found it wearying. Dead was dead.

He accepted the sending with a sense of contentment. Thorn Paw certainly approved of trees; a more familiar environment to his native roots than all this barren cold, and much more suited to a wolf. He nudged Wyldfyre’s arm, impatient. And have you found pack, brother? Though gold eyes swivelled to the distraction before an answer was formed. Thorn Paw made a rumbling sound in his throat. The hackles spiked along his back, though it was not fear. His muscles corded like he might spring forth and chase the shadow away, but since Wyldfyre did not move, neither did Thorn Paw. Honestly, he’d rather avoid getting wet.

Others share the dream, young one, but they are not like us. We should go. Our hunt awaits.

---

A memory rushed with the flood of water, of the most beautiful siren song welcoming an embrace into the arms of the sea, and the shining warmth of her own beckoning eyes. The strings about her wrists were willingly tied, but she’d never felt bad for pushing those heads under until the kicking stopped. Nim stared up at the dim sky as the recollection lodged like a stone, uncertainty spreading something cold in her chest before the weight of the water gushed it away -- and everything else too. For a while she only floated.

Oblivion descended. Arms spread wide, water spilling up over her chest and neck and face, she forgot entirely why she had come.

Until a resonance hummed like a ravenous shadow; sun, moon, stars: swallowed and gone. For a moment a great weight descended, tight as chains snaked about her ankle, and her head fell under in surprise. Eyes wide she sucked in water by mistake, burning a band around her lungs that made her splutter. Bubbles flew up from her mouth and panic dropped like an anchor. Bemused by the strange thrill of living, Nim let herself fall.

For a moment her gaze searched the depths, hair billowing wild, like she might recognise the thing that pulled her under. Nothing stirred in the darkness, though.

She coughed wildly when her head next breached the surface, but found the cold too deep an infection to draw much breath. Was this what it felt like to drown? Control but was a thought away, but curiosity drew her to the same sensations experienced in the Grey Lady’s realm. A choice, this time.

Ah, the Grey Lady.

She finally remembered, but meanwhile sluggishness bit faster than she would have suspected possible, spreading lethargy like a sleeping poison. Was skin supposed to be blue? No, probably not. Nim let her body react like any mortal as she fought for the shoreline, just to see if she could do it.