It's a fool who plays it cool

[foolsmakeitcolder]

WHO: Jude & OPEN
WHAT: Arrival & settling
WHEN: Early Justinian
WHERE: First the Vimmark Mountains, then the Gallows
NOTES: Warning for giant ass wolf, giant wolf ass, nudity, violence.



Starters to come.

Comments

[foolsmakeitcolder]

Even if it isn't physical, the hurt's there, and it takes real effort for Jude to straighten up. He accepts the pat without a single blink, like that's utterly normal for him too.

Mobius will come to find that leaning, pats, squeezes -- they're all just how he does affection, regardless of whether he's wearing skin or fur.

"Good," he echoes with a nod, but he's forcing the word out. He's never been one to retreat into fur to slough off his human emotions, but it's a coping mechanism intrinsic to his kind, and right now, he does need it. Needs a good hard run, and to lick the blood off until he feels right again.

"Actually," he says, pausing, easing back in a way that is in no way a rejection, if how he's still turned to Mobius is any indicator, "You mind if I run alongside? If it's far enough back I won't scare your animals."

They might do themselves an injury if he rides in one of the wagons. Even in human form, they know he's a wolf.

[favoriteanalyst]

There's a little bit of a shift in the way Jude talks. Like he might not be all present. And then he mentions being a wolf instead. Mindful of the beasts of burden, too.

He does not technically have the authority to be giving any orders here or to actually rightfully say what Jude can and cannot do, but. He considers for a moment, then laughs. "Hey, it'll keep me from having to throw a sack over your manhood. Don't run off on us, though. Last thing we need is to lose a Rifter in the woods and find out you got snatched up by a dragon."

He also means it.

[foolsmakeitcolder]

Jude searches his face, trying to see if he's being joked with, and is forced to conclude that dragons are a thing here.

Super.

"I'll stay close," he promises, which is probably more serious than he wants to be right now, but he's about reached the end of his rope with new things, and he needs to run and settle his mind, and get used to the thousands of new scents.

The next few days are going to be all kinds of unsettling, but he can do it. Turning just enough for a bit of modesty, he reaches up to re-tie the blanket along his shoulders, making the knot secure and at a practiced distance -- he knows how to carry things in his fur.

The shift is smoother this time, fur and claws and eyes, and within seconds, he's a wolf again, with intelligent eyes and a blanket around his shoulders. It'll mark him for anyone who hasn't gotten a glimpse of him yet.

Jude pushes his cold, wet nose into Mobius's palm, gives him a slight lick, and then with chilling silence disappears into the surrounding landscape.