[ P ] Save Me From Myself

Cordelia

“Oh come on guys! It was just a harmless joke of a question! You could have just said no; don't take it so seriously!” their voice rang over the snowy wasteland, speeding as swiftly as they could from those trying to catch them. Being adapted to sand made traveling along snow a little easier but it was still a different creature entirely, feeling a foot slip here and there or it sink causing a stumble. Definitely more of a workout but a workout they determined they needed, still regaining muscle from being cooped up in jail for, well, they weren’t sure how long they did time for. Their stamina was at least a lot better than when they first got out a few months ago, able to go for hours instead of collapsing from exhaustion after just a few minutes. Their body no longer malnourished, which only added to how far they could go. Though they could still benefit from gaining a few more pounds but food this time of year was a bit scarce.

Glancing back at the two military men as they rounded a bend of trees, their footing would suddenly give way as they found purchase on an ice slide. With a yelp, they tried to turn themselves the opposite way to prevent themself from going down it, clawing at the snow just out of reach. “No! No! Noooo-shit-” they said frantically but gravity wasn’t on their side as they went plummeting down the ice slope, glad they had fur or they’d have some nasty rug burn on the way down. Sticking their tongue out as they saw the soldiers staring down from the top before disappearing from a sudden further decline. Seemed they weren’t going to come after them any further, hearing one of them say it would be a miracle if they survived the fall.

It felt like it was going on forever, having given up trying to gain any traction and instead flipping themselves onto their back to at least see where they were going. Oh shit! Suddenly it ramped upward and sent them flying into the air, which made them do some animated poses trying to fix their position to land on their legs but instead they went headfirst into the snow, their whole body enveloped in white; snow absorbing most of the impact. “That smarts,” they muttered as they sat up and shook their head to try and get their world to stop spinning. Once they got a little grip, they'd glance around before ducking back into the mound as they heard someone nearby. How did they get here so fast!? If it was even a soldier at all. Maybe they should have listened to Nora and not attempted this unthought out plan, but it sounded so promising!

code & art by claerie

Commotion? Audits perked forward as she heard the scuttling of paws against the snow, crunching under weight and paws, but at the rate it was going made it seem like a stampede. She would be lying if she told herself she wasn't interested in what was going on, and so she found it not her business to make it her business. Small paws carried her forth quickly, but she was not too far from the action it seemed as she saw a darker figure taking off from what she could make out as military soldiers. She was rooting for the one running away, even though she had no idea who they were anyone running from a solider was just an ultimate badass. "GO!GO!GO!" She yelled, though she was sure her voice would not travel that far.

Obviously that meant she had to be closer.

Onyxia took off running against the snow, it was harder for her as she was not adjusted quite yet, but she was doing well off anyways. All in the while she kept her eyes on what was going on, watching as the army fumbled over their own paws which caused a cackling laugh to leave her. The reminder of it being so cold however filled her lungs quickly after. She made it close, but they heard her and ducked back into the mound. "No fun," she muttered, her focus more on whoever it was that was running from them. Quickly she scooted herself down the hill and behind the mound which the soldiers resided. "Boo!" She yelled before kicking the snow back at them and taking off towards the stranger.

"Run!" She yelled, passing them quickly and taking no measures to look over her shoulder and see what was happening. Maybe she was running blind, but whatever, it was fun!

Cordelia

The commotion of more than one voice would make their head pop up, especially one that was far more feminine recalling neither soldier that had been chasing them had such a pleasant voice. Before they could even process what was going on, someone unfamiliar went buzzing by in a haze of ash grey. It made them double take for a moment before awkwardly fumbling out of the snow, obeying the order to run without question as they scampered after her while trying more so to figure out who they were. A mound of questions tumbled in their head but none really came to the forefront enough to bellow out from their diaphragm, since most were only half thoughts that didn’t even fully get finished before the next would pop up.

The bark of a soldier would cause their head to jerk and turn to look behind them, witnessing the two goons from a few moments ago were hot on their tails. “My goodness, you might have a bigger death wish than I do rattling those grumps,” they laughed out finally, nearly tripping as if they couldn’t talk and run at the same time. This fact gave them an idea!

Abruptly they’d turn, skidding in the snow and kicking up powder that nearly pelted the mystery women. “Come on, this way!” they called, headed right for a ravine they knew wasn’t that far away, so long as it hadn’t magically been patched up since they were here last. Though the chance a fissure in the earth would just be mended didn’t sound that realistic, not their mind had the most realistic expectations around these parts.

They didn’t check to make sure the girl was following them before speeding up to jump over a few fallen logs to land on top of an entirely collapsed fir, maneuvering around the broken branches and spiky needles that covered the trunk. About halfway, it would be apparent most of the mass wasn’t on any form of solid ground, hanging over the valley. “Hope you’re equally as much a daredevil too!” they mused before taking a leap of faith to make it on the other side of the ravine. It was exhilarating, the wind in their fur as they free fell, the world silent to them for a few long moments. They weren’t graceful in this endeavor upon meeting the other side, crash landing and rolling a few times. Laying there panting with excitement before looking up to see if their new friend had followed them while they regained themselves from the burst of adrenaline.

code & art by claerie

"You better keep up then!" Onyxia laughed as they ran, but the snow proved more difficult to run through rather than if she decided to ruffle the fur of their pursuer on solid land. There was little room to talk or to try to get to know the company which she decided to keep at this moment, so she would have to wait for the pleasantries later. Her paws sank into the snow, kicking back the white mess behind her as she ran as fast she as could. What made it worse was there were very few places to hide. The trees had to shelter and her color as well as that of her companions were very hard to hide against the ivory backdrop. "It's going to prove difficult to lose them," she admitted in a huff.

Her company, however, had other plans and was way more daring then Onyxia would have imagined. She had been following them closely before words were exchanged, at first they were a blur, but it would become apparent rather quickly what was actually happening. Onyxia watched as her company leapt, kicking up snow in the wake before taking a leap of faith towards the other side of a cliff. "Ah, shit, shit, shit, shit," she huffed with each press of her paws against the snow, she was going to have to jump, if not she was bait for the dogs. It was fight or flight, and well, she would learn how to fly today.

She jumped with all the might left in her body, eyes closed as she could feel her heart drop into the pit of her stomach. Was she going to die?

Thud!

Paws hit the ground and snow rose around her, she skid to a stop and opened her eyes to see her companion not too far off. "Fuck," she huffed a heavy breath of air, "oh fuck..." she began to burst out laughing as she watched the guards skid to a halt on the other side.

Cordelia

Amusement was clear on their face, this wasn’t something scary but normal for them as they zoomed as best they could on this slip and sliding terrain. Getting away was all a matter of problem solving and though they might not be the smartest cookie, they certainly knew how to escape horrible predicaments to save their monotone hide. From dodging a parent’s watchful eye to escaping from being arrested, it was just another day for the usual Highlander. They just hoped their new companion was just as ready to go to the full length to get away, otherwise well, they feared what those soldiers would do if they got a hold of her after just bullying them.

Nothing good. That’s for sure, it was apparent they were angry beyond belief right now and the vigilante knew that could only spell disaster in the form of uncalled for punishment.

Panting and looking up on the other side of the cliff, they waited, gulping down some wayward spit as they anticipated the leap down. Maybe if she were lucky the woman would fall on them, surely the better thing to land on than the snow around them. Something warm and fluffy versus cold and wet, there couldn’t be a more easier choice! That wouldn’t be the case, however, as the woman plummeted into the snow sending plenty of it onto Cory. They almost jumped up to check on them til a whirlwind of laughing flooded their ears. In no time at all, they would start laughing with her, rolling onto their back and looking up at the soldiers.

“You’re really fun, pretty lady! We should do it again! Though maybe I shouldn't ask if they can capture the King next time, I'm sure I'll be on their list for a while,” they giggled, tail swaying and making a tail angel. It wasn’t everyday someone would do this with them, it was a blast! The most fun they had had in a long time. Beat being sad about dead parents or impending war or the civil war their siblings had over the first thing. “I’m Cory! Whatcha name new friend?” they offered and asked enthusiastically, hoping for something awesome like Evangeline or Viper. Okay so Viper probably wouldn’t be a good name for a wolf but it was still cool if it somehow was, she seemed like one of those snakes to them.

code & art by claerie

The thrill of the run still pumped in her veins, until she knew she was safe from the guards she didn't bother looking back. Now a huge gap separated them from imprisonment and she was able to let out a sigh of relief. Orange hues rested on her accomplice who seemed as equally thrilled. "So are you!" She responded back with a panted breath and gentle laugh, "I'm Onyxia, it's nice to meet you," in truth she hadn't met someone she could consider comfortable company for quite some time. It seemed those who lived here were often very uptight, but this, this moment was a thrill—one she wouldn't forget.

"I wonder how long it will be until you can go back, I won't lie, you have distinct features I'm sure they won't forget." It was actually kind of scary to think that way. As of late it seemed no one could have a voice, afraid that if they spoke up they could get a slap on the wrist for even the most minor things. "Do you do that often?" She laughed once more, finally able to catch her breath while the adrenaline began to settle.