Post by Matthias on Jan 19, 2015 6:20:31 GMT -5
The Tangle must have been colder than the Cliffs had been, Matthias knew this because the snow was nearly up to his thighs in depth and all the trees had several inches of ice plastered across the bark. And because Pontius had suddenly shifted into his shorter half form and had coiled his tail across his torso so he could bury his hands in the thick fur, although that meant he had to tuck his axe at a dangerous angle under one arm. Matthias hadn’t really noticed for himself, the snow he walked through melted and the soft snow that flurried from the air turned to steam on his skin. He felt bad about Pontius’s obvious discomfort and his two firelizards had come to cling to Pontius, warming him with the internal fire in their bellies.
”We’re almost there,” Matthias said softly. With the weather as cold as it was Matthias suspected that even if Rosalind wasn’t home they could still slip in and find Pontius some warm, dry clothes. He looked ahead, through the dull gray sky to the flicker of jade scales far ahead as Anoki circled through the clouds above the house. Matthias had sent the serpent ahead to find Rosalind’s house just to be sure that he had been right about where she lived and because he wouldn’t stop eyeing Pontius like he was something to eat.
”Look,” Pontius hissed between his chattering teeth, ”I-I know yous gots your heart s-set on th-is lady but couldn’t y-yous find s-someone closer?”
”It’s worth it, Russ, when we get there you can warm up properly,” Matthias said. He quickened his pace somewhat, and instead of walking on his two claws he took to walking on all fours, and folding his wings over his head to plow a path for Pontius to walk across. The coati shifter paused and stared at this strange display for a moment before Pattie crooned encouragingly and he started walking again.
”W-why don’t yous j-ust shift into your t-true form then?”
”I told you, I’m not a shifter,” Matthias said between mouthfuls of snow until, quite suddenly, he burst out of the giant snowbank and onto a well-worn path that had already been stamped out. Pontius snickered at the heap Matthias had landed in but he did stoop over and grab one of Matthias’s elbows and help him onto his feet. ”Shut up.”
”Didn’t say a thing, Ezer,” Pontius chuckled, somehow managing not to stutter while he was laughing. Matthias shook the melted snow out of his hair and looked up. The house loomed over them now, and Anoki had settled himself down on the roof. He was too big to fit into a door now, so Matthias would have to ask Rosalind if it would be alright to let the snake in through a window.
Matthias lead the charge up the porch and to the door. His claws clicked rhythmically in an off-set tune to the heavy thuds of Pontius’s feet. Pontius was ready to get out of the cold but Matthias pushed off Pontius’s hands off the door handle, and Pattie scolded him loudly in her shrill chirps and squawks. They had to knock, it looked like someone was home and Matthias didn’t want to just barge in. Without hesitation Matthias raised his hand and tapped his talon against her door, the knocks ringing loudly in his ears and he didn’t think there was a corner of the house that wouldn’t hear it.
”We’re almost there,” Matthias said softly. With the weather as cold as it was Matthias suspected that even if Rosalind wasn’t home they could still slip in and find Pontius some warm, dry clothes. He looked ahead, through the dull gray sky to the flicker of jade scales far ahead as Anoki circled through the clouds above the house. Matthias had sent the serpent ahead to find Rosalind’s house just to be sure that he had been right about where she lived and because he wouldn’t stop eyeing Pontius like he was something to eat.
”Look,” Pontius hissed between his chattering teeth, ”I-I know yous gots your heart s-set on th-is lady but couldn’t y-yous find s-someone closer?”
”It’s worth it, Russ, when we get there you can warm up properly,” Matthias said. He quickened his pace somewhat, and instead of walking on his two claws he took to walking on all fours, and folding his wings over his head to plow a path for Pontius to walk across. The coati shifter paused and stared at this strange display for a moment before Pattie crooned encouragingly and he started walking again.
”W-why don’t yous j-ust shift into your t-true form then?”
”I told you, I’m not a shifter,” Matthias said between mouthfuls of snow until, quite suddenly, he burst out of the giant snowbank and onto a well-worn path that had already been stamped out. Pontius snickered at the heap Matthias had landed in but he did stoop over and grab one of Matthias’s elbows and help him onto his feet. ”Shut up.”
”Didn’t say a thing, Ezer,” Pontius chuckled, somehow managing not to stutter while he was laughing. Matthias shook the melted snow out of his hair and looked up. The house loomed over them now, and Anoki had settled himself down on the roof. He was too big to fit into a door now, so Matthias would have to ask Rosalind if it would be alright to let the snake in through a window.
Matthias lead the charge up the porch and to the door. His claws clicked rhythmically in an off-set tune to the heavy thuds of Pontius’s feet. Pontius was ready to get out of the cold but Matthias pushed off Pontius’s hands off the door handle, and Pattie scolded him loudly in her shrill chirps and squawks. They had to knock, it looked like someone was home and Matthias didn’t want to just barge in. Without hesitation Matthias raised his hand and tapped his talon against her door, the knocks ringing loudly in his ears and he didn’t think there was a corner of the house that wouldn’t hear it.