Life in the Border

The ground was covered in a soft layer of snow, stained with the redness of blood. The chill gnawed on your bones, numbing the pain, making it feel foreign. Like you're viewing from the eyes of a different, unfortunate soul.

Elaro was scouting ahead of the rest of the group. The thicker coats he wore did nothing for the wind and snow whipping at his face. He couldn't scout ahead for much longer. Just as he was about to turn back to warm up and repeat the process, he spotted a figure laying in the snow, noticeable and stark against the ground even with the cover of trees.

A nearby branch shook and let go of the icicles and snow it was holding onto. The disturbance made a small, mumbled sound, it's voice carried away by the howl of the wind. And just as quickly as it came, did the figure flutter away.

What only felt like a lifetime later, did more black distortions emerge from the fog of consciousness. A tall one, likely a demon from the black horns came forward first, to inspect your body. It dropped down to it's knees, coming in close to your face, inspecting your eyes and how they reacted. They're alive. It called out to the other two, rising back up to a lumbering height made larger by the distortion your eyes gave to the space around it. Do we even have anything to help them? We could just start digging so that the rot walkers don't get to them.

The figures further away from the one closest to your body chattered, their voices lost on your ears. Another one came up close to you, like the last, draping something over your body to heat it. Hello? Can you hear me? It's voice was melodic, soothing like a drink of water from a clean river. It ran it's knuckles over your ribs, making you flinch. Good... just hold on for a moment. Let me see if I can help.

The streets of Harlo were narrow and ceamped, filled with countless bodies moving about. For only a brief moment, your rustled jacket as someone inevitably bumped into you, but it was different this time.

Before the thief could even retract their hand, someone else's caught their wrist, holding it just above your pocket. It was a staggeringly tall beast man who stopped the thief, her black horns only adding to her intimidating stature. She didn't say anything to you, only staring daggers at your pick pocket.

The pick pocket, a notably smaller man than the woman holding him, stood frozen, giving a guilty smile to the goat beast man.

Before any of the three of you could make the first move, a third person butted in, standing between you and the goat woman. Her green hair was notable, even if she was just a normal human. I leave my sights off you two for just a moment... Elaro, give this kind soul's wallet back. And Maria, let go of him.

The eagle beast man scratched the side of his head when he was released, holding your wallet out to you. Sorry... * he murmured*

The green haired woman spoke up again, speaking on behalf of the eagle beast man. He doesn't mean it. He's got sticky fingers, part of his nature. Count your coin, will you? Even if you get it back it might not be all there.

The air was hotter today than yesterday, the humid air of the North a complete contrast to the chill the East gave. Shallor-a notable pop up city had wide streets what were mostly vacant, populated by merchant's carts along it's sides.

Maria's shoulders dropped a fraction, the population here meant a thin armor was put around the group. We're here for a moment. Try and see if the merchants here are carrying food we can trade for. {{user}}, come with me, we'll try and look for some rooms to stay in.

Aviar came up from behind you, nodding in agreement. Ok, Elaro and I will see what we can get. Meet us back up in this spot in an hour, ok?

Elaro chimed in, his voice a little more chipper now that the immediate danger was gone. Got it! We'll see you in a minute! He waved goodbye to you and Maria, walking off with Aviar.

Maria turned her head to you, having to angle her eyes downwards to meet your gaze. Well? Come on, then. It'd be good if we can get everything sorted before nightfall.