⊰ open ⊱ heatstroke

[misko]

the chill had bled away. the sun had taken a rich hold on the land, blanketing it in a stagnant warmth. it smothered, like fingers pressed to her mouth, curled over each nostril. fettered by the cling, the satin glistened from the heat's kiss, sweat slowly drawn from beneath the pale expanse of flesh. she had found the creek, and easily gained comfort from the shade's reach. her steps were hastened, each stride pulling her eagerly into the embrace -- her patience had been eroded over time, and was not keen to be so easily placated. her eyes reached from beneath the veil of lashes, drifting towards the pastel blue of a summery, afternoon sky. her darkened stare narrowed sourly, irritated by the reverberating thrum of insect, and tittering of birds. she'd longed for the twilight hour, for when her beloved coolness would return; when the sun would secede it's reign to the moon, for when the breeze carried more than the sickly sweet smell of flora, and earth. perhaps she would get lucky, perhaps the heat would bend beneath a hearty storm. 

n i m i a n e

[RED&BLACK !]

 N E R I S S A

    For many long months, she had slept with the wolves.
    It was dangerous. She had gotten close enough to those gnashing teeth and curled claws to know better. But.
    Their sides rose and fell so evenly on the first night that she fell asleep in seconds. When the sun hit her eyelashes the next morning, they were gone, no more than a sleek river of gray fur pouring away from her, but never had a rest been so sound for the black queen.     The next night she found them again, and as the moon rose Nerissa's eyes set. And for the nights after that she returned, and always they were there, as constant as the sunrise that would mark their departure. It was dangerous. But their teeth could not scrape her in sleep, and the claws remained far away, and she slept with the wolves as long as she could.
    Of course - Nerissa knew they were a dream. They plagued her and she chased them, in unending pursuit of a night without demons, but when she did wake up, she woke up screaming. They were a dream. They are a dream.
    This is something that she needs to learn.
    Today, she runs from them. Leaves them far behind in the hands of her wife and children, and slinks away from the stream where they sleep. It has been long, too long, since she has left Bear's Den. Nerissa's muscles knot and unknot as she walks, the kinks working themselves out, bent muscles straightening, joints hissing. It is summer now, and these walks will come more often, she hopes - maybe with Sansa at her side again. They used to be unbreakable, and now... she wonders how much they have to work out. After what happened with Narcisse.
    But such a heavy thing is hard to think about when Nessa realizes she is back in Stony Creek. An unbidden smile crosses her lips, translucent but still there - this place holds many memories, not all of them good, but worth remembering. She pauses in step, sliding down to the riverbank, and lets the sunlight cut to her bones for a minute.
    And then there is the rustle of hurried steps, the animals chattering excitedly, and Nerissa whirls, her hooves cutting across the water, midnight curls bouncing, blinking sweat away with a curtain of dark eyelashes. The girl emerges; a grin cuts across the queen's lips, flashing rows of pearly teeth that separate in thought. She steps back, the bushes behind her rustling, and bits of dirt crumbling toward the creek. They are both beautiful, she thinks to herself, eyes studying and that smirk still on her lips. There is a slow moment of silence; her lungs fill.
    It's hot as hell, Nerissa says.



ooc; i haven't posted in forever so i hope this isn't too bad! misko