Each quiet step against the leafy floor was one step closer to her goal: retrieving that night's dinner. Pale blue eyes narrowed against the green background, while her hands tightened against the wooden crossbow that she held. Expelling a loose breath, Ceridwyn scanned the ground for any signs of life. After a whole slow turn-around, she would venture forth and merely glance around as she walked. Each footstep was adapted to hunting, transforming Ceridwyn's gait into that of a feline's. Long hair was wrapped up into a loosely tied messy bun, a few wild strands escaping their hold to frame her square-ish face.

Combined with her wildly searching gaze, it was a wonder one wouldn't consider her partially feral. She could have been, what with living by herself for so long, but Ceridwyn genuinely cherished the time she had to herself. Pursing her lips, the thirty-six year old slowly turned her head and let her glacial gaze slide over the undergrowth. Considering the 'paths' before her, Ceridwyn tilted her head to assess the ground in front of her. Maybe if she found a deer, she could skin the carcass and cut up the meat to be stored in the underground supply room she had found. The cold box down there, despite not being connected to anything, was still remarkably cold.

It would be good for winter. However, if she cut up just enough to let her survive for the next week, she could trade the meat in with the Maw for some good pelts. If she brought down a stag, there was a chance that she could cut off the antlers and hand them over to the Blacksmith so he could make some quality weapons. If the animal had quite the rack, like a four or six point, they could be made into bone swords. Or dual daggers for some-one who preferred dual-wielding. Perhaps some bone bolts for a crossbow? That sounded remarkably appealing, as despite being easy to get, more bolts would be incredibly useful.

Perhaps she could strip one of the lower trees of it's branches later and hack it apart to create what she needed. She wasn't the best at creating the crossbow ammunition, so even if she brought in an armful of wood, they could get created into the bolts she needed. But what to trade for them...? Get your head out of the gutter and pay attention, Ceridwyn Moreau! she thought stubbornly, her lips pulling down into a brief frown. She had better get back into gear and focus on getting tonight's dinner.

Cecil Sharp

This freedom trail you're walkin' is a long road to your apocalypse

    Cecil had a love hate relationship with the summer. The heat, he could get behind, the warm sun on his back, the lush green of the forest, buzzing with life. He always felt energized by it, ready to run for days- on the other hand, the humidity could truly be killer, especially so close to the sea. There were the reprieves from it, however. A dip in the many rivers that ran to the bay, cutting liquid trenches through the wilderness and sustaining the life within, was one of his favourites, the water always staying mercifully cool, even during the worst of the summer. Of course, swimming in the river without people around to keep watch could be rather dangerous, but no more dangerous than the other way to remain outside and cool- wandering into the forest, hiding in it's dark green shadows and gentle breezes.

    He had woken that morning, taken one deep breath of the thick, murky air, and decided he would do both. The guards atop the watch towers had eyed him curiously, one had opened his mouth to perhaps call a question, or a warning, but thought better of it. Cecil was known to do this occasionally, wander off with his leather rucksack packed with supplies, a book or two, a snack perhaps, and a quiver of crossbow bolts, and of course, the crossbow too, and enjoy the day. It wasn't as if The Maw needed him constantly, and sometimes he returned with valuable supplies or some bolt-skewered game, so they usually overlooked his absence anyway.

    They may be trips that he took leisurely, but he certainly wasn't unprepared or unaware. As he stalked through the forest, his steps were light, silent, and his eyes searched every corner, every last scrap of movement getting a full visual inspection before he'd continue to look ahead, crossbow in his hands and loaded, ready to fire at the first sign of danger. Regardless, he relaxed just a little when he reached one of his favourite spots, a moderately sized river with a heavily moss covered bank, smooth green coated stones of various sizes peppering the soft, green carpet. The water was rather fresh and clear, it's bottom comprised completely of the same smooth stones, these lacking the mossy covering and instead boasting bright reds and oranges. 

    It was always a welcome sight, and he growled with pleasure at the very sight- but he wouldn't leap in right away. He perched on the bank, shrugging off his pack and quiver, but kept his crossbow gripped tight. Slowing his breathing and scanning the surrounding area with painstaking caution, he watched and listened for any movement, anything out of place that could speak of terrible dangers. It wasn't bears he feared, or any sort of wild cat- animals were predictable in his eyes, a danger for sure, but not the real threat that threatened his life. Lamia. They were the true apex predators now, though their tendency to kill each other as well as other things usually meant that, so long as you could take out one, you could survive. The forest, however, wasn't silent, and that he knew to take as a good thing. The wildlife was far more sensitive to disturbances than any human could be, and the fact that the birds continued to sing their pleasant melodies, and a few hundred yards down the river, a stag dipped it's head to the crisp water, sparing him only a brief wary, accusing glance, he safely assumed that any real threats were absent. He still remained motionless for several more heartbeats before stripping down to the softer, cotton clothes underneath his dark, polished leather armor- and then, without any sort of worry or shyness, stripped out of those as well. Gently, he placed the still loaded crossbow on a steady, flat rock within reaching distance, and slowly slipped into the water's sweet embrace, sinking down to his collarbone. He leaned back into the water, resting his head against the very same cool, damp boulder that he had placed his weapon upon. 

    He found himself tempted to close his eyes, drift away to the pleasant sensation of the softly flowing river against his heated skin, but he knew better- even time for relaxation, when outside the compound, required he be on alert. It was truly beautiful. The sunlight dappled through the thick canopy, causing shadows and shimmers to dance in the clear river, occasionally revealing flashes of little silver fish darting to and fro. Above him, a weeping willow His eyes drooped, lids lowering, but remaining open enough to casually watch the bank on all sides for any movement, listening over the gurgle of water pouring over rocks for any new presence or addition to his surroundings, ready to spring at a threat, like a jungle cat coiled to pounce. 

808 words || Welcome to my apocalypse || Jinn

Note: N/A

Made by Riley at THQ!

If Ceridwyn wanted to be honest with herself, she was hanging around the closest river near her house because she knew that animals liked to flock near there. Inhaling the humid, slightly damp air, the blonde tilted her head and clutched her crossbow tightly against her chest. The good sized river near her home flowed fresh from a deposit that was just outside of the remains of the city. It was a temptation that she couldn't resist. The bright red and orange stones at the bottom were barely seen, with a few patches of water glinting as the sun hit its surface. The bank across from her position was covered in a heavy expanse of moss, once more tempting the young woman to strip off her clothes and take a dip.

Gripping her crossbow tighter, she scanned the landscape with a piercing gaze and a careful inhalation. Animals could be predictable, but she didn't want to risk an attack. Nor did she want to be run over by Lamia. The crazy creatures would be all over the area, trying to hunt down what remained of the population. Who knew where they were? They could just pop up anywhere and decide to attack them all. Ceridwyn forced herself to relax, only to immediately tense as she spotted the dense brush trembling across the river. A Lamia? Perhaps a bear? Only the bigger animals, humans, and the Lamia could produce a visual effect such as making bushes shake.

Frowning, she ducked underneath the closest bush and peered through with squinting eyes. The 'creature' that had emerged from the bush was an incredibly handsome man, although she couldn't tell if it was a Lamia or not. A pack and quiver lay at the man's feet relatively quickly, while the man carefully assessed his immediate surroundings. For a moment their eyes met and Ceridwyn was afraid he had seen her. However, upon spotting a large stack down the river, she took her crossbow and raised it in an attempt to shoot the deer down. Ceridwyn choked when the man began stripping down, revealing his naked splendor to all of the forest.

Oh Gods. While Ceridwyn herself was no blushing virgin, the wickedness of his beauty was enthralling. In her admittedly embarrassed thoughts, she had completely missed him getting into the water and enjoying the environment around him. The forest environment was beautiful, with it's arching trees that practically touched the clouds. In accordance with the birds that continued to sing, Ceridwyn relaxed momentarily. What could she do, when he was probably intensely alert? What could she do, while he swam around in the water? Her eyes were subconsciously drawn to his sleek form, a few water droplets snaking down his angular face and hitting his collar bone.

In that moment, Ceridwyn realized that she was eyeing him up like some kind of potential 'friend with benefits.' Clenching her eyes shut, she inhaled raggedly and pointedly glanced down the river with a wary eye. As far as she knew, with his lidded eyes and image of leisure, the man was a python in wait. Slowly, Ceridwyn placed her crossbow on the ground, her eyes flicking back and forth with a curious light. Tilting her head mildly, the thirty-six year old considered her options. Merely shrugging, Ceridwyn eyed the hanging bank beneath her and considered the best way to sit down.

Coming out of the brush was audible, her pale blue eyes searching the environment warily. Now that she was here, she might as well just dip her toes into the water. Slipping her leather shoes off, she tossed them into the bush and listened for the collision with the ground before she even put her feet in. Regardless of what the man's reaction was, it was ignored in favor of Ceridwyn flicking the water briefly and appearing mildly bored. With each slow inhalation, the older woman's eyes roved over the environment to make sure it was safe. Her shoulders tense, legs ready to spring up and run if needed. Ready to strike at a moment's notice like a coiled viper in wait.

Words: 687

This freedom trail you're walkin' is a long road to your apocalypse

    The stag raising it's head and stamping it's hoof was his first warning, the sound of footsteps were his second. He froze, sitting perfectly still as he listened to the approach, silent, cat-like. He eyed his crossbow for only a moment when someone came along and plopped down on the overhanging bank, just above and next to him. That immediately told him it was certainly not a Lamia, and therefore significantly less of a threat- and obviously, it wasn't a prowling animal either. Not letting his unease show, he glanced up, and spied his new companion. Female, perhaps in her thirties, blonde hair and pretty blue eyes- in fact, he decided, she was very pretty overall. Petite. Stealthy. A purr almost rose up in his throat at the prospects she could bring to his bed, though, this was also not The Maw and therefore neither the time nor place. It did not mean, however, that he couldn't admire her and perhaps convince her to come with later. Or, you know, she could be far more dangerous than she led on, and he could be a fool letting his lesser head do the thinking. Again.

    He turned to face her, floating backwards a bit so it was easier to look at her. His deep blue eyes gave her another appraisal from his new angle, gaze heated as it slid with excruciating slowness along her body, until finally locking on to her face again with a disarmingly crooked smile, and a cock of his head that allowed a few damp strands of black hair to fall into his eyes.
    "Afternoon."

 His greeting was short, simple, pleasant, warm, his voice deep yet smooth and silky- the kind of temperament that usually won everyone over, as was his usual intent. He took a moment to scan around them again, just constantly reassuring that indeed, there were no Lamia to be seen. Of course, this little slip of a woman had managed to sneak up on him, maybe he was getting rusty, or more likely, she was just far more skilled than any Lamia could ever dream of- if those monstrosities even dreamed. He doubted it.

    He fixated back on her, examining her closer. Had he seen her before? Certainly not a member of his compound, though, perhaps one of the hunters or scavengers that lived on the outskirts, but traded with them. He was uncertain, as usually he was not the one to deal with the traders who occasionally approached there gates with sack fulls of meat, pelts, and other useful items that they would then trade for a wider variety of food, tools, and the such. Didn't matter. She was lovely, just like the scenery, the mood was lovely, the water was cool in the heat, and he didn't want to muck that up just at the moment with thoughts of his duties waiting for him at home. Christine? No. Cathryn? No. Ceridwyn? Yes! Well, he hoped yes, as he wasn't entirely certain. The general had spoken of her on several occasions, those usually just in passing after he had ever so briefly spotted her from across the compound as she delivered a load of wolf pelts in exchange for a few dozen crossbow bolts, or something of the like. He never forgot a pretty face, but names, it seemed, could slip through the cracks and bleed together if he wasn't in constant contact with them. He decided to give it a shot.
    "Ceridwyn, was it?" His head cocked to the other side, like an inquisitive puppy, thought he was more like a prowling wolf. "Pretty name for an exquisitely pretty woman. You trade with The Maw, yeah?"

     Cecil chuckled softly, dragging his fingers through his hair and out of his face as he tilted his head back into the water, gently resting just below the surface, deceptively relaxed despite his alertness.
    "I don't believe we've actually met, formally. Lieutenant Cecil Sharp, at your service."

    He wondered, briefly, how she survived on her own. He could admit he could handle himself, and potentially do great in a solitary lifestyle, but he particularly enjoyed the company of others, especially the opposite sex, and other's seemed to all too greatly enjoy his company as well. It made life in The Maw easy, and he wasn't certain he would willingly give that up. He also couldn't deny, however, that the moments of peace and quiet were so better enjoyed when they were stolen away from the loud hustle and bustle of compound life. His grin returned, a sultry smile that made his eyes glitter, and his head tilted back forward to focus on her. Her toes dangled in the water, enjoying the chill as much as he was, though, clearly not to the same extent.
    "Care to join me? The water is perfect."

794 words || Welcome to my apocalypse || Jinn
Note: Just realized Cecil really gives off Incubus vibes with this power lmao. Sterile incubus.

Made by Riley at THQ!