Opposites{Yellowperch and Yukio Takamiya}private

[Yukio Takamiya]

 

Name: Renoir

Age: 17

Gender: Male

Position: Uke

Race: Human-fae mixed blood

Ability: Plant manipulation and communication.

Description: Blonde long hair, emerald coloured eyes, pointed ears, pale skin.

Likes: Animals(except guard dogs), plants, books, adventures, making people angry.

Dislikes: Soldiers, guard dogs, running, darkness.

Personality: Renoir us out-going, stubborn, mischievous and probably too cheerful for his own good. Often, he would always get reprimanded or punished for his actions. But the thing is he still does things to anger others just because he finds their reactions amusing. He isn't easily persuaded once his mind is made up upon something and is loyal to people whom he regards as friends.

Short bio: Renoir was born in the southern lands of Grishia where the season of sweet spring never changes. His was born from the love of a fae(his father) and a human(his mother), whom he hadn't the fortune of knowing. His parents had departed from the world just a few months of his birth during the Separation. The Separation had been a violent war between the fae and demons which resulted in many losses. It was only resolved when the demons moved to the north. His father had been a great general who died in battle with a sword to the chest while his mother had been crush by fallen debris during the war. Both had died without knowing that their partners had perished. Renoir was then brought up by his uncle(father's brother), who is also a general. He enjoyed pranking his cousins but the happiness didn't last. Renoir had been framed for something he hadn't done which got the military's attention. He was captured and confined in the dungeons.

 

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Renoir knelt on the cold brick grounds of the dungeons. The dark was extremely uncomfortable to him but complaining and asking for a light would get him another beating. He had his eyes closed, breathing heavily with blood trickling from the wound on his head. He had been tortured without stop for the past hour and the soldiers had finally stopped when they got tired. Renoir had long succumbed to his fate. They didn't believe him no matter how many times he denied, so there was no point in trying to convince them any longer. Renoir would ve executed the next day.

 

One would ask what he did to deserve this. But the answer was nothing. A fae had been murdered and Renoir had been framed into becoming the culprit. It was a grave crime to kill fae since they were the sole protectors of the north from the demons in the south. But Renoir who was only half fae wasn't important, he could be killed. In normal circumstances, fae wouldn't be executed for killing another fae.

 

Renoir was stronger than ordinary fae. All mixed blooded beings were stronger than pureblooded beings. But the fae didn't know that. Humans were weak to them but needed to be protected so that the fae had servants to serve them. Renoir was already considered lucky to have been born half fae rather than a human.

 

Renoir looked up weakly when his sharp ears picked up the sound of voices. Then there was muffled struggles and then thumping then silence. A dark figure stopped outside his door and he heard the fumbling of keys. The door opened and a masked man entered. Renoir although afraid, was too weak to make any reactions. The maskec man removed his mask and Renoir sighed in relieve. It was his uncle.

 

"Uncle," he called weakly. "I swear it wasn't me-" he was cut off by his uncle's finger on his lips.

 

"Shh i know dear nephew, i know," he whispered, pain evident in his voice. His uncle had knocked out the guards and came to help him. "I'm going to free you now. Leave as fast and far as you can Renoir, i will try to hold them back. The north may be dangerous but you have better chances of surviving there. Go there nephew, and never come back again." His uncle had tears on his cheeks as he spoke while unlocking the chains.

 

"I can't do that. If they find out that you freed me, you would take my place instead," Renoir protested.

 

"You forget that i am fae nephew. And their best general now that your father is gone. At the most, i would be interrogated and beaten a few times. They won't kill me. Now go!" His uncle finished and pushed him out of the door. He flung a large black cloak over Renoir and led him out of the dungeons. On the way, Renoir passed by unconscious soldiers whom his uncle had knocked out. A large pure black stallion with ample supplies was already waiting outside. His uncle ushered his onto the horse's back and whacked the animal's flank. The stallion took off into the forest.

 

Renoir stopped the tired horse when they were far enough away from the fae. Just a little more and he would cross the borders into the endless winter. Renoir let the stallion graze as he rested. The gashes and various wounds on his weakened him further. Renoir feared that infection would soon affect them, he may not last the week. Then his uncle's efforts would have been for nothing. He had to get to the north soon, to use some of that snow to freeze his wounds. They wouldn't get infected too fast in the north where he would have time to treat the wounds.

 

Renoir climbed onto the stallion again and started riding towards the south. He let the horse move at its own pace so that it wouldn't get tired so easily. Slowly, the air started to get colder and the first specks of snow started to appear on the ground. Soon, they had entered the north. Renoir shivered many times and grew weaker by the minute.

 

After a while, he could no longer control the horse. He slipped into the darkness of his mind and fell off the stallion. Sensing that its rider was no longer riding it, the stallion happily shook off the heavy bags on its body. The bags fell beside the unconscious Renoir and the stallion galloped back towarda the south. It didn't like the snow, so it decided to go back.

 

Renoir lay on the ground while snow continued to fall. He didn't wake up even for a second and was slowly getting covered by the falling snow. And deep in the confines of his subconscious mind, Renoir worried about his family.

[YellowPerch]

 

Name: Cedar

Age: 19

Gender: Male

Position: Seme

Race: Shapeshifter-human mix blood

Ability: Shapeshifting into white lion

Description: White hair, gold eyes, tanned skin

Likes: Silence, meat, the sun

Dislikes: Kids, vegetables, cold weather, annoyances

Personality: Due to past experiences, Cedar's personality has taken a dark turn. He doesn't readily trust others and sometimes comes off as cold. Straight-forward and doesn't lie.

Short bio: Cedar was born in the north of Grishia, a desolate land that never changes seasons. When he was just two, he witnessed his mother's(a human) death. Murdered in their own home on a day his father(a shapeshifter) had left on a two day trip. Upon his father's return, Cedar was abandoned by his father and left to strive for himself. Luckily enough he was taken in by a fellow shapeshifter who couldn't bare her own children. When the war started Cedar lost his father. But at the age of six was when he found out about it. Since then he's lost himself in the darkness of his loneliness.

 

 

Cedar had tried countless times to just walk away from this desolate, cold land. To never return even if someone begged for it. But he couldn't shake the thoughts of guilt, if he ever left his adoptive mother behind. He had found out the truth about his parents when he was six. To some, they would have considered that to be too young. But Cedar grew stronger and smarter, faster then the other children his age. He was able to understand things quicker.

 

Cedar sat up on his favorite snow covered hill. If the sun had been out, then this was the best place to receive the rays. He watched out over the flat lands of snow below him. He could see the small town he lived in. He could see children playing in the snow. They could play outside all day without worry of the cold getting to them, he'd never understand the way children thought. He watched as woman stood in circles talking, while watching the children play. Men were out doing chores before the great storm hit.

 

Cedar should have been out gathering wood. And although everyone knew he'd come back with wood eventually, no one expected him to do it. He wasn't much of the work hard type. In fact he hated working. But if his adoptive mother asked him for something he'd do it. He owed that woman everything for taking him in. A small break in the clouds allowed the sun to escape through for a brief five minutes before it disappeared again. He grumbled from the warm loss.

 

He could see in this distance the dark of the storm coming in. Huffing, Cedar decided he'd go and collect the wood before it was too late. There was a spot Cedar always looked for wood. Most of the trees were dead, so cutting them down for firewood made it better then cutting down a living tree. Cedar swung his axe around until he found a dead tree. He was just about to swing his axe against the tree when he heard a neighing.

 

He looked up, listening again. It was uncommon for a horse to be heard in this area of the north country. But it was rare for travelers to be seen. Cedar figured it was just a wild horse when he head it again, this time as if it were running from something. He dropped his axe in the holder around his belt and went to check out the area he heard the horse.

 

At first he didn't think he would find anything. The horse must have been spooked by some other wild animal and just run off. But when he was just about to leave Cedar noticed a pile of bags clumped together. Next to them was a partially covered body. Cedar walked over to the body, inspecting it. It was still warm, but it wouldn't be for long if it stayed here. Cedar brushed away the snow, finiding that the body belonged to a fae. He sighed, just his luck.

 

It took a great amount of thinking for Cedar But he finally decided to help the fae. If he didn't, he knew he'd some how regret it in the future. But he couldn't bring the fae back to the town. Not right away. He had brought the fae and his bags to a small cave he knew about. A bear had once used it as a home, but after a brutal storm, the bear had been found dead. Cedar had made a small hideout out of the cave. So there was already a makeshift bed and some supplies available. He laid the fae down.

 

By the time he got the fae settled the storm had already hit. Because of that Cedar was unable to leave the cave and head home. He grumbled again. This was definitely not going to be a good day for him. In fact, the moment he woke up it had already been bad. Cedar sat at the edge of the cave watching the storm outside. He left the fae alone by the fire he made, not wanting to get any further involved. As soon as this storm let up he was leaving. He'd grab more firewood and go home. And that was that.

[Yukio Takamiya]

Renoir awoke with a start, sitting up abruptly then wincing at the pain of his wounds. He looked at the gashes on his arms. They weren't infected yet but he couldn't waste anymore time. Renoir reached for his bags and opened them, rummaging about for anything that could be used to treat the wounds. His uncle had indeed packed bandages and salve into the bag. Renoir opened a bottle of the salve and digged his finger into it, taking out a glob of the ointment. Hesitantly, he rubbed it onto the wound.

 

The pain was very sudden and Renoir sucked in air through his teeth. This continued until all his wounds were covered in salve. The soldiers hadn't bothered ti whip his back at all, preferring to let his front take all the damage. But that was a good thing now, Renoir wouldn't have been able to treat his own back. He wrapped up the wounds gently and replaced everything back into the bag before looking up, finally taking notice of his surroundings. Renoir remembered falling off the horse in the snow. So how did he end up in a cave? A cave with a bed and fire at that. It seems that someone had brought him here, which Renoir thought was impossible. The north was filled with demons, they wouldn't help a fae.

 

Renoir stared at the fire unblinking. But demon or not, he would have to thank his benefactor gratefully. Renoir had never seen a demon before so he had nothing against them. A demon had killed his father and of course that made him angry. But he was sure that his benefactor wasn't the one. Another demon shouldn't be blamed for the mistakes of one demon. Grunting, Renoir got out of the bed and walked towards the entrance. He could hear the turbulent winds of the storm outside and feel the cokd air, in which he wrapped his cloak tightly around himself. As he neared the entrance, Renoir saw a lone figure sitting on the ground, right by the storm.

 

"Don't you feel cold sitting there?" Renoir called from his position.

[YellowPerch]

Cedar hadn't taken notice at all when the Fae had woken up. He didn't even hear when the fae started digging through one of his packs and started applying ointment to himself. He didn't pay attention to the other at all. Of course, if he had felt a threat from the fae, Cedar would have never turned his back against him now. In fact, he wouldn't have even helped him into his hide out. Cedar yawned as he watched the snow swarm around the cave, the wind howling loudly. Being in the town, you don't hear much of the wind. But up here on the mountain, it was surely louder.

 

Cedar didn't notice the fae was up and walking around until he heard the voice from behind him. Cedar perked himself up, and turned himself partially around, still sitting on his rear. He looked at the fae, noticing instantly the bandages around his limbs. He turned around fully, but remained sitting at the entrance of the cave. He shook his at the Fae, looking behind him for a moment. "It's not all that cold. I'm used to the cold anyway." He looked back at the fae.

 

"So, was there a reason I found you laying on the ground of the north country?" He watched the fae. Cedar normally wouldn't care about anything, but somehow he couldn't stop himself from asking. He had never seen a fae before, and most of the stories he'd heard were about how bloodthirsty they were. He huffed at the thought. 'That's one heck of a child's story.' He waited for the fae to answer. He wasn't going to force him to answer, but it would make for good conversation while they waited out the storm.

[Yukio Takamiya]

Renoir nodded in acceptance of the other's reply. He moved cautiously to the wall of the cave and sat down slowly, wincing at his wounds while using the wall for support. He pulled the cloak tighter around his body as a gust of cold wind blew past him.

 

"Nothing that you should be concerned about," Renoir replied. He wasn't about to tell the opposing race about what was going on in the south. Not to mention, the guy was someone whom he had just met, benefactor or not. "Thank you for not leaving me to freeze though. It's surprising, what you have done. Most would have panicked and arrange for me to be gotten rid of." Renoir stared at the rushing snow of the blizzard. Something so beautiful, it was a pity that it was difficult for him to enjoy it without feeling cold. Renoir rubbed at his the tips of his ear which had gotten numb.

 

He kept silent and started to tap the ground with his finger. Green shoots erupted from the spots where his fingers touched and Renoir drew a face with the plants. Creating a circle for the head, two shoots for eyes and a curved line of them for a frown. This made him wonder how long he would last in the north before meeting his end.

[YellowPerch]

Cedar shrugged at the off handed reply that he wouldnt know why the fae was there. He didn't care all that much to push. He stared off into the snow when he heard the thank you from the other. He was actually thinking about ignoring it until the other mentioned how others would react. He clicked his tongue at this. "I'm not like them. That's why. " He stared up at the fae and spoke again. "Im different." He wasn't entirely like the other shifters here. Sire he was still as cold as them, had no care in the world for others like them, but he still felt he had the heart of his mother somewhere deep inside. As caring a person as she was, Cedar wanted to be like her. In ways he tried, especially when he thought about the shifter who took him in as her own. He truly was grateful to her.

 

He watched as the fae took a seat against the wall, wrapping the cloak around him more as he felt the wind blow against the entrance of the cave. He was about to speak up, to tell him to go back to the fire he built. But then the fae was starting to produce life, by just touching the ground. Plants and flowers growing from just his hand. Cedar stared at the other as he drew a...smiling face. There was no way this fae was going to survive in this country if he did that. Cedar turned back to the snow and commented. "Strangers advice. Dont do that outside of this cave."

 

He continued to look out the cave. Not even caring if the other acknowledged the advice or not. Cedar needed to part with the fae as soon as this storm was over. There was no need for him to dwell further in conversation with him. But with the storm raging outside, there just happened to be nothing better to do.

[Yukio Takamiya]

Still emersed in his little art piece, Renoir looked up abruptly at the sound of the other's voice. He stared at the shape shifter, then at his plants and back at the shape shifter again. "Why? Is there no magic in the north?" This came as a surprise to Renoir. He was entirely sure that magic existed everywhere in every race. "But i shall take that advice in mind. Thank you," he said. To be honest, Renoir had no desire to even leave the cave let alone use magic outside of it. But he would probably be overstaying his welcome by refusing to leave. The shape shifter didn't owe him anything that he should be obligated to let Renoir use the cave.

 

Renoir sighed and looked out at the blizzard outside. It was still going strong although not as bad as the initial start. However, the sound of the turbulent winds was somehow starting to seem comforting. As did the extreme cold somehow seemed to warm Renoir up. Winter. Strangely enough, Renoir was starting to like it very much. But he knew that it was also a very dangerous season. "I hope the snow doesn't pile up the entrance," he said all of a sudden. He wouldn't like the snow if it got him killed. Especially since he went through so much just to keep alive back in the south.

 

"Say...i haven't asked your name," Renoir had suddenly remembered that they hadn't introduced themselves. "I'm Renoir," he said. It wouldn't do for them to sit in the cave for hours on end without knowing who the other was. Besides, the silence was uncomfortable to the fae, introduction was also a good start to a conversation.

[YellowPerch]

Cedar remained looking out at the snow as the other answered him. "No, no there isn't." Cedar took a glimpse at the other through the corner of his eye noticing that the other was now looking out at the blizzard. He looked back at the snow. Though it seemed to have calmed then itself from when it first started Cedar wasn't sure how much longer it was going to last. He hated the snow, the cold. He had no idea why he lived here. Oh, wait, because he was forced to, that was why. He narrowed his eyes at the blizzard. When hr heard the voice of the other his own voice answered rather coldly, it wasn't that he meant for it to come out that way. But he had been thinking about his hate for the snow, therefore causing his hate to come out through his voice. "It could. It's happened before."

 

Cedar just wanted the snow to be gone. He wanted the sun to come out again. The sun never caused you to get trapped somewhere. It didn't cause people to stay in doors for days on end. Sure it caused droughts, but they were able to get by.He heard the other speak up once more. Asking what his name was. Cedar looked at the other, his gold eyes staring at him when he mentioned his own name. Did he really trust the other enough to tell him his name? Did the other really trust him to say his name? Cedar looked back out at the snow. He supposed it didn't matter, he probably wouldn't see the other once this snow stopped. "Cedar. My name is Cedar."

[Yukio Takamiya]

Ever since he started conversing with the northling, Renoir had found the guy to be too serious. Short and curt replies and not a single hint of a smile. Which was why he couldn't help but want to joke a little. "Cheddar? Isn't that a type of cheese?" He asked with a furrowed brow. Renoir smile at Cedar," ignore that. It was a really lame pun. A pleasure to meet you Cedar and thank you for saving me."

 

Renoir looked out at the blizzard again. It was starting to let up, he could tell. Something which made him slightly disappointed. The blizzard was beautiful and Renoir had wanted to watch it for a while more. "Do you know when the next storm would arrive?" He asked Cedar. When the next blizzard came, he wanted to be able to see it.

[YellowPerch]

Cedar flinched at the joke the other cracked. He looked over at the other, a grim expression set on his features. Had he really tried to start up a joke like that? Worse off, Cedar really had no clue as to what the pun even meant. But when Renoir thanked him for saving his life, Cedar nodded. "Well, the fact is you shouldn't be in this country. However, i couldn't just leave you lying there." He looked over at the other and noticed him looking out at the blizzard once more.

 

Cedar looked back out at the blizzard himself when Renoir asked how much longer they had until the next storm. Cedar blinked at the snow. It was letting up, that was for sure. Cedar rose onto his feet and then crawled over to the entrance of the cave. He manged to catch a glimpse of the sky and a small break between the clouds.

 

When he sat back on his rear he looked at Renoir and twitched his head at the blizzard outside. "It looks like we have a day or two before the next storm." He looked back into the cave. The supplies he stashed here were starting to get low. If Renoir was going to be camping out here, he would have to stock up more. "As soon as this blizzard is done, ill be heading out for more supplies." He looked back at the other. As if stating he was welcomed to stay in his own hidden cave, so long as he stayed out of sight of the other Northling's.

[Yukio Takamiya]

Renoir stared down at the cave ground sadly. "I knew that I'm not supposed to be here," he muttered. But what to do? He couldn't return back to the south either. Cedar didn't seem like a bad person at all, very unlike the rumours of the North. The rumours in the South were that Northlings were cold blooded and uncivilised savages. But that didn't seem to be the case in Renoir's point of view. Still, it wasn't his place to judge especially since Cedar was the only Northling he had met his entire life.

 

Renoir blinked when his question was answered. It was a question that he hadn't expected to be answered. He never thought that Cedar would be able to read the skies and answer him. "How do you tell?" He asked, moving forward to look at the sky as well. He didn't see how Cedar could make out a difference.

 

"Okay," he replied cheerily. "I shall be awaiting your return," Renoir returned to tapping his finger on the ground while waiting for the blizzard to stop. But half way through that, his stomach rumbled. Renoir hadn't eaten since the previous night, and the food he was given in prison was simply a piece of bread the size of his fist and water. Renoir was starving.

 

He tapped the ground again and another shoot sprouted out. But this time, it continued to grow, creeping vines grew longer rapidly until grapes started to grow. When the plant was 'old' enough, Renoir stopped his magic and separated a bunch of grapes, offering it to Cedar. "Try it. I bet these don't grow around here," he said. Plants could grow rapidly with the help of his magic. Sick ones recovered with a touch of his fingertips. Renoir's only regret was that he couldn't bring dead plants back to life. He popped a grape into his mouth and smiled. The grape was sweet, which was good because Renoir had never gotten the timing right before. Sometimes it was unripe and sometimes his fruits were too ripe. Grapes especially was extremely hard to cultivate, let alone grow in so healthily in such climate.

[YellowPerch]

Cedar noticed as the other peered out of the cave along side him, asking how he could tell of the storms break. Cedar looked at Renoir once before looking at the ground and following it to the mouth of the cave. He looked up at the sky and closed his eyes before answering his question. Cedar pointed at the sky. "There's a break in the clouds just east of here. But in the strength of the wind it is slowing and dying down. Cedar was one of very few Northling's who could tell when exactly they had until the next storm. Sure, anyone could see the break in clouds, feel that the wind was dying down. But no one was able to so perfectly pin point the next blizzard.

 

Cedar and Renoir both sat back against the caves walls and the silence. Well, it was silent, besides the sound of the wind and crackle of fire, until Renoir's stomach growled out. To normal beings, they probably would have missed the very silent rumble. But with Cedar being half shifter, his hearing was just as keen. He looked over at the other and at the supplies. He hadn't had enough food in here to last him through the night. He would have to get out there soon to hunt. He would have mentioned this to the other, but he stopped himself as he watched Renoir tap the ground and a small bud of life began growing.

 

With eyes wide, Cedar watched as small vine of a plant grew longer and bigger within the musty air of the cave. In this part of the North, no plant grew like this. In fact, very little plants grew in the North. When it finally stopped growing and produced small round balls he watched as Renoir plucked them off. The smell that came with the plant was amazing and it caused even his own stomach to rumble in hunger. Then Renoir passed him some of the small nice smelling balls and he sniffed at them. The smell was definitely coming from these things. He had never seen such a food before. The only reason he knew it was food, was because Renoir had ate a few.

 

Cedar took another sniff at the balls in his hands and ate them. Instantly his body shivered from all over and he tensed in the tastes of these strange foods. He took another bite, and again he shivered. Then another bite and another, until finally he had finished off the food in his hand and was licking the juices from his fingers. Although he was half human, his animal instincts did sometimes sneak out. In the fit of hunger, the animal inside him devoured the food instantly. As if he hadn't eaten for days he rubbed his stomach as the food settled within him. He looked back at Renoir, eyeing the food within his own hands. This was the first time he had such a food to eat. He wanted more.

[Yukio Takamiya]

Renoir watched wide eyed as Cedar gobbled up the grapes like a starved animal who hadn't eaten for days. It seems like he really hadn't seen, not to mention taste grapes before. Most plants couldn't grow in winter after all. Even the few trees that Renoir ever saw in this desolated landscape were all dead. Renoir continued to eat his own fruit, closing his eyes and relishing the sweet juices that burst forth in his mouth once chewed. When he opened them again, he noticed Cedar staring at the remaining grapes in his hand. Renoir laughed and offered them to him. "Just take them if you want more," he said, gesturing to the grapes that hadn't yet been plucked. Renoir would have wanted to let Cedar try more different fruits like apples, but he couldn't possibly grow a tree in the cave.

 

After an hour, the blizzard had slowed to a stop. Renoir who had been snoozing, awoke without the comforting sound of the rushing wind. He crawled out of the cave and flopped down on top of the soft, cold snow which had piled up during the blizzard. Renoir embraced this new found feeling of bliss, an undescribable happiness upon contact with the snow. Although it was cold an numbed his skin, he couldn't bring himself part with it. Winter had, in a way, saved him. Renoir flipped his body and stared up at the blue sky, the sun was no where to be seen. He turned his head to look at Cedar. "I like the North. It's so quiet and peaceful, especially since this area isn't anywhere near the soldiers," he said out of the blue. In the South where he lived, Renoir saw soldiers everywhere since he lived in the capital. Here, Renoir assumed it was the country side where soldiers rarely roamed.

[YellowPerch]

Had Cedar been in his beastly form, Renoir would have seen the swish of his tail and the flicking of his ears. In fact, he would have also seen the long flat down tongue of his beast form grazing across his jowls. He wasn't in their stae, and therefore only stared in hopes that he would end up with more food. He watched Renoir had closed his eyes to enjoy his bunch of the food. When he looked up again, the man had looked over, noticing his gaze on him. He heard the other laugh, and somehow, it brought Cedar ease. He had never met a Southling before, he wondered if all had such gentle laughs. Cedar looked at the vine plant as Renoir mentioned he could just grab more from there.

 

Cedar came closer to the plant, sniffed at it once before raising onto his knees and plucking more food from it. Cedar reveled in the sweet, sour taste of the ball. He picked one and rolled it in his fingers before one of his longer then normal nails, had pierced the skin. Juice dripped out over his finger before he ate it and asked Renoir, "what are the called? These balls of sweet and sour tastes?" Here in the North, it wasn't odd to see fruits. But only certain kinds were brought to the far country. He had seen plenty of vegetables, for cabbage and lettuce was strong growing against colder weather.

 

After an hour, Cedar had noticed the snow begin to dwindle and soon the blizzard had come to an end. Before he could step out of he cave himself, Renoir was already crawling out and flopping into the cold of the snow. He watched the male before he too stepped out of the cave, his boots crunching the snow beneath him. He looked around for signs of life, in case they had ventured out of the village without his knowledge. No one had. Good. Renoir was just flipping on to his back when Cedar had looked back at the other and caught his gaze. Cedar was slightly confused at his comment and merely answered with a mutter. "This is only a village on the south side of the mountain. If you venture further north you'll find a great city." He pointed out over the horizon, past his own village at the bottom of the hill. "You can see soldiers walking around in the city. Never in villages."

[Yukio Takamiya]

Upon hearing Cedar's words, Renoir frowned. "Then you didn't have to tell me so soon and let me enjoy this place a little more," he said with a sigh. But of course, he didn't mean it. Renoir appreciated Cedar's help when he needed it. Still, it was unsettling to know that soldiers were close by and could appear at any moment. "You don't ever smile do you?" Renoir asked Cedar. He had been trying to lighten the atmosphere between them every now and then only to let the conversation become another awkward silence. "You should smile more, it lifts your spirits even if there is nothing to feel happy about."

 

Renoir returned his gaze to the sky, in deep thought of how his life would go in the North. "Say. If I ever get caught by the soldiers, would they let me go if I offer them grapes?" He asked out of the blue, not expecting any answer since the question was obviously a dumb one. Renoir just wanted to start a conversation with Cedar who was ever so quiet. He turned on his side and dug his fingers into the snow, relishing the numbness, just thankful that he could still feel.

[YellowPerch]

Cedar did nothing as he saw the other frown. He asked about the soldiers, didn't he? So why was he so upset about Cedar's own statement. "They rarely come to the villages behind the mountain. My village rarely catches sight of them. And if we did, they wouldn't venture out this far. It's territory off limits to the soldiers." He shrugged as he crouched at the top of the hill which allowed him to see down towards the village. He could see children bursting out their doors running and kicking up snow. He shivered at the thought. He never got the chance to play like they did after his mother died. Rather, he forced himself to not play anymore. Suddenly Renoir was asking him about smiling. Cedar thought about it the question and merely looked behind him at the other. "I...don't think I know how anymore." He looked back out at the village as he added. "I stopped smiling when I was a child. I haven't smiled since."

 

The silence fell between them like it had plenty of times already. But as he heard Renoir shift onto his side, he turned to look back. He watched the other for a moment. How he wondered, could the Southling like the cold so much? He hated it, mostly because of the pain it brought him. He snapped from his thoughts as the other asked once more about the soldiers. Cedar shook his head in a negative way before answering him. "No, they probably wouldn't." Grapes...that's what the ball food had been called. "Unlike us villagers, who barely leave the comfort of their homes, soldiers venture around. They see things more then we do. I'm sure, they have also seen and eaten these grapes."

[Yukio Takamiya]

Renoir stared at Cedar sadly. He wondered if Cedar lost his smile because of the separation. It wasn't his business at all to pry but he for some reason wanted to make his benefactor smile. "Y'know...even if you've lost the reason to smile, you should still try to smile," he said. "How should i put this?" Renoir scratched his head, trying to think of a way to convey his point. "I don't understand this either but if you smile, your mood will get better even if there is no reason for it. That's why it's good to smile." Renoir looked down at the snow, wondering if he should share his own experience.

 

"I lost my parents during the separation. But as long as i don't think about them, i can smile," he continued. "I'm not sure about you, but aside from my parents, i have people whom i love. I think about the happy times i have with them instead of the tragedy during the separation." Renoir looked up at Cedar. "And that's what you should do too. Think about the people you love Cedar, not the bad past. If you do that, you'll find that it's not that difficult to smile." Renoir suddenly looked away again, feeling awkward about the words he had just uttered. He had just met Cedar and here he was acting like as if he had known the guy his whole life. "Sorry if i've spoken too much," he muttered sheepishly.

 

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[YellowPerch]

Cedar blinked in surprise at Renoir's answer. After his own response to Renoir's question, he wasn't sure how to keep the conversation going. He knew he would ruin it and it would fall into silence. However this silence would fall into obvious awkwardness. But that never happened, instead, Renoir had accepted his answer and had hoped to turn it around. He listened carefully as he other had told him his story. When he had fallen into a darkness of non-smiling. Cedar didn't think he was the only one with problems, but he didn't think he would find someone quite as similar as he was. Losing his parents practically the same way he had. Cedar sat up straighter with this new information.

 

When Renoir finally fell silent, adding a quite mutter of an apology something amazing happened. Deep down cedar could sense something within changing. He hadn't know what of it, but it was there. However, what he hadn't noticed was the small twitch of his lips curling. For a mere second, his face has softened into a...smile? You really couldn't consider it a smile. But for cedar, it had to have been one. Renoir would have been the only one to see it if he even had. But as soon as it had happened, Renoir's expression dropped into another frown. Had he been in his other form, Renoir would have seen the twitch of his ears as he listened for outside sounds.

 

Cedar sat on his knees and listened carefully. His head stuck out of the cave for a brief moment. He tucked back in. "Stay here and don't make a sound." he looked back into the dark of the cave. As soon as he could, he would have to find some more supplies. "The must be looking for me, I'll go and meet them before they get here." He started to leave the cave before looking back. "I'll get more supplies too." And with that he left, hurrying to stop the small party on the mountain before it found the cave.

[Yukio Takamiya]

When Renoir turned back to look at Cedar, the tiny smile had already been replaced by a frown. He gulped and looked back down, totally missing the smile that had been there. Did he not convey his meaning properly? Was Cedar offended? Renoir decided to keep his mouth shut for now. He shouldn't have acted smart and assume that Cedar's circumstances were similar to his own. He felt that it was a pity. It had taken a lot for Renoir to share his past with the Northling but he had only made things worst. And speaking about his past made him remember it, thus plummeting his mood. Renoir let out a sigh and looked back up when Cedar suddenly stood up.

 

"What's wrong?" He asked anxiously, feeling that something wasn't quite right. Renoir too looked out of the cave to see the small group of Northlings headed their way. A wave of fear passed through him and Renoir shrank back into the cave. If they came any closer and found him, he would undoubtedly be killed. "Yeah. You go do that," he muttered softly, trying to hide the fear in his tone and retreated into the cave once Cedar had gone.

 

The fire had long died out from the cold gusts of winds that had blown into the cave previously. Renoir rubbed his palms and started another. He may have found new love for the cold however he also knew that too much wasn't good. Besides, the cave was dark since dusk was approaching, Renoir didn't like it one bit. He sat back down on the bed, trying to keep his body from figgeting too much. The fear of Cedar being unable to stop them from coming closer was getting to him. He got off the bed and sat on the cave floors, scooting closer to the fire and staring into its midst. Was it really alright for him to be depending so much on Cedar? Renoir leant back against the bed and stared at the ceiling, littered by stalactites and icicles.

 

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[YellowPerch]

Cedar left the cave and Renoir alone inside. He needed to get the looking party away from the cave. He was surprised to see them so far up this way, that he didn't even think about it being possible at all. He was normally the only who would come so far out of the small town they lived in. Even hunting parties stayed as close to the town as much as they could. Mostly heading more west then anything, find more prey to hunt out that way. Cedar made his way to the party as they stopped upon seeing him. "Cedar there you are!" A large gruff man waved his hand as the other stepped towards them. "Come Layla has been worried about you. Where have you been?" The gruff man started looking around, and looked longer in the direction Cedar had come from before another spoke out.

 

"Enough slacking off you two! We're going back to the town now! I have things to do that are more important then looking from some lost teenager!" The other man, lean, but very muscular, snorted out in annoyance. He clearly disliked Cedar for all he was worth, and the fact that he was made to come look for him only made his foul mood worse. "I'm not a teenager." Cedar mumbled to him, but made no action to move. "Whatever! Now let's go!" The third man in their group had remained quiet, only his sharp green, feral eyes boring into Cedar's own. But it was Borelum, the gruff man who spoke again at Cedar's non-moving. "Come, kid. Layla should see your alright."

 

Cedar shook his head. "I've got to return to pick up the firewood I forgot." Borelum stepped towards him. "Leave it for now, you can get some closer to the town after she's seen you." Cedar shook his head but didn't speak. The lean man, Retig, snapped back at the two. "Let's go!" But he did nothing more and only continued walking on. Borelum sighed at Cedar's determination to get the firewood. He knew Cedar was a smart young man, and that he would return before the next snowstorm. "Alright, go, get your firewood. But come back soon after." Cedar nodded and before Borelum turned and walked away, Cedar left in a different direction from where he came to walk into the snow covered forest.

 

Cedar hid himself in the tree line and watched the three walk away back to town. It wasn't until they were plenty away from the area did he leave to search for supplies. He found bundles of sticks that would last through the next snowstorm before he would need to get more and returned to the cave. When he returned, he found Renoir lying back against the small bed Cedar had brought in and made. He dropped the sticks in the back of the cave away from the already burning fire and away from the touches of flying embers. "They are gone for now. But I will need to return back soon, before the next storm." He looked back at Renior before reaching down and grabbing the satchel he kept in the back of the cave. "Come, we will look for some supplies together. It does good to get air." He didn't exactly wait for the other, instead he just left the cave and waited outside the mouth of it.

[Yukio Takamiya]

Renoir opened his eyes when his sharp ears picked up the sound of footsteps entering the cave. For a moment, he sat there petrified until Cedar came into view, dropping a pile of firewood onto the cave ground. Renoir didn't know why he felt so relieved, after all Cedar was still a Northling, he couldn't trust him fully yet.

 

Renoir sat up but didn't stand up, he was a little hesitant about leaving the cave so suddenly when people could be out there. Cedar was already waiting for him outside but he was honestly reluctant to leave the safe confines of the cave. Renoir took a deep breath and stood up, heading outside. He had to leave one day as well, it wouldn't do good for him to stay scared and never wander out at all, making Cedar gather supplies for him. The Northling didn't owe him a thing, in fact it was the other way round. He had no obligation to even help Renoir around this area. Yet he did, Renoir was entirely grateful for that.

 

"So where do we go?" He asked once he reached Cedar's side.

 

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[YellowPerch]

Cedar had been standing outside the cave, watching the town in the distance. He couldn't make out if anybody were outside walking around or even the three who came looking for him. He took a sniff into the air, their scents were feint. They must have been back at the town, or in another forest. He looked back as Renoir exited the cave and came to stand beside him. Cedar turned around completely, not first taking one last look at the town. He nodded at the other, glad he agreed to come. They'd both be in trouble if the hunting party returned and found them both together. "Further up the mountain. Plenty of herbs growing wild up there. Tree bark that can be cooked into jerky too." He began walking further up the mountain.

 

Cedar went on, at times stopping to sniff the air. He wanted to make sure the hunting party was in fact not following them. They weren't, lucky for them. Half way up the mountain Cedar noticed some herbs growing, covered by snow from the storm. He crouched down beside it and started wiping away the snow. "Thyme. Good with breads." Speaking of breads, Cedar would have to get some other source of food for the other. Herbs and tree bark alone wouldn't do the trick alone. He'd return to the town and after the next storm, return with more food. Then he'd have to go out and hunt for some meat. That was, if the other ate meat. He had heard that Southlings didn't. He turned back to the other. "Do you...eat meat?"

[Yukio Takamiya]

((My god, I am super sorry. Totally thought that I replied to this already >.

 

Renoir kept his eyes on his surroundings while listening to Cedar introducing the various herbs. To be honest, he was very surprised that herbs could grow in this climate and totally didn't expect Cedar to be so knowledgeable about them. If he hadn't met Cedar, he probably wouldn't have been able to survive out here alone. The herbs out here were completely new to him despite being a manipulator of plant life, and he took serious pride in his knowledge about them. He paused in his steps upon hearing the other's question and stared at him as if that was the stupidest question one could ask.

 

"Meat? Course we do. Meat has protein and the necessary nutrients for Fae to survive," he explained. "Some of my kind even go as far as to eat human flesh to grow stronger at a faster rate. But most of those are the corrupted officials and their cronies." Renoir looked up at the trees of the forest. He had thought that most trees in the South were dead, but the trees in this forest had green, healthy leaves, totally out of the norm as if enchanted. Just for good measure, he stopped and placed a palm on one of them to get a feel of its essence. Moments later, he retracted his hand. It was sorcery alright, that much was pretty obvious. But why on trees? Renoir didn't understand, what made this forest so special that it was given eternal life?

 

Curious, he opened his mouth to ask his question, assuming Cedar may know. "Do you know why sorcery was cast on this forest?"

 

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[YellowPerch]

Cedar had stopped when the other answered his question. At the other's look of surprise, he abashedly scratched the back of his head. "It just seemed....no, nevermind." Cedar decided to clear himself of his thoughts before he got himself into trouble and offended the southerling. He continued on in finding food's to last well over the next coming storm. He had plenty of herbs, tree bark for the jerky and after looking through the trees had even managed to find a snake to add meat and taste to the jerky. All was good until they stopped once more, only this time for Renior's own curiosity. Cedar stopped looking through the brush for berries when Renior asked him a question. Cedar made his way towards the tree Renior stood next to and looked up at it. It was lush with leaves, dark green like those of the south. He never really took notice of it until now. Now that Renior had placed such an odd feeling of the forest they were in. Cedar looked back at the other and shook his head. "The trees here had always been green, the bushes always berried, and the grasses always grew. Since I was a boy it has always been like that." He looked back up at the tree, tilting his head as if he could see something, anything, in a better view. "I think it's because of the rich forests that we've managed to survive well in this part of the mountain."

 

Cedar never really put into perceptive, why the forest gave life here. This forest was where he hid as a kid, to forget about his awful memories. It's how he found the cave that Renoir was now taking refuge in. This forest taught him how to survive and fend off its lands. "Would there be a reason for casting sorcery on the forest?" Cedar turned back to Renoir. Now that their curiosity got the better of them, he could see just how many questions were running through both their minds. Cedar went back to plucking more berries before he found tracks on the other side of the bush. Boar tracks. A good source of meat to last a while, if preserved the right way. "Come, the tracks lead this way." Whether or not Renoir was following, he wasn't too sure. But Cedar was already off following the tracks. There was a limp in the boar's gate, the dragging snow tracks told him so. But besides a limp, the boar could be otherwise healthy, and might be more difficult to hunt. And right now, all Cedar had on him was his knife. Cedar turned back then to check to see if Renoir had been following him.

 

 

((Don't worry about it I wasn't in any rush at all. I'm sorry our posts are starting to get smaller and smaller. I'm trying to lengthen them again.))