A Leisurely Snow Stroll

[Erik Cecere]

Erik grasped his shoulders tightly, embracing himself in whatever body warmth he could summon forth. He shivered as his fingers grip gently loosened, allowing the light brown womens shawl to once again drape to his knees. A harsh, chill wind blew across the alpine mountain, carrying with it a collection of snow and frost. Erik re-fastened the grey wool hat a top his head, silently questioning why he had come to this mountain in the first place. Erik had chosen another eccentric outfit, this time however varying to a winter style. He had dyed his hair a deep blue and wore a bold matching blue lipstick and eye shadow. He wore his usual pair of star earrings and accessorised his outfit with his usual silver and gold bracelets and a thick, heavy gold necklace designed as a row of interlocking ellipses. Erik’s hands were covered by a pair of simple black leather gloves, and under his shawl he wore a loose dark blue cotton jumper, the neck line sliding off his shoulder, a pair of tight black leggings and black leather heeled boots.

As he walked through the snow, he grasped his grey wool hat, re-fastening it to avoid the wind carrying it away. Erik loved the snow, in manageable doses. However, in a heavy wind such as this, it served as nothing more than a frosty hassle. Not to mention his dislike of the cold. At least he had a decent excuse to wear winter fashion early; it was always refreshing to change your outfits theme from time to time. The real reason Erik had come to Mt. Hakobe however, was not for a leisurely stroll amongst the snow storm. Erik wanted to train. With all the hustle of his everyday life, between missions, shopping, social occasions and everything in between it was near impossible to get any training in. Without training, how could he possibly improve as a mage? So, today he had set himself a challenge in training. He had come all the way out to Mt. Hakobe to train in the harsh frosty conditions. He came to a stop, his heels sinking into the depths of the snow engrossed mountain path. His eyes darted about, analysing the area he had come to; it was just like the others, a barren and isolated wasteland of snow, slanting upwards and leading to nought but more snow. The heavy wind disrupted your vision, shielding the distant towns and forests from your view. Erik’s mind drifted, he remembered the time he had first passed this mountain, and it had been quite some time. He hadn’t returned here for many years, not since he left waterfall city for the first time. He sighed, a gentle soft smirk expanding across his thin lips. Things had changed so much, and he liked to think that he had matured!

He placed a hand on his hip and straightened his posture once again. It didn’t matter, it’s not like one could familiarize themselves with a field of snow. Allowing his mind to return and himself to reawaken, he pondered; how exactly should he go about training today? Perhaps he could practice moving about the snowy terrain, or casting his spells against the snow and wind? Maybe, he could practice his accuracy in this obscured view? His head turned about, if he could perhaps find a bare tree, or a rock, or something, he could use it as a target. He moved his leg, feeling a restraining pull. He wiggled his foot about before finally releasing it from the harsh grip of the snow. He probably shouldn’t stand still in snow this deep for so long... He pressed onwards.

[Grimm]

Deep within the caves of Mt. Hakobe, lurks a man with a plan that would target the whole country of Fiore. His face was barely lit up by the small embers burning at the end of his cigarette clinched down between his teeth. He pauses as his hand winces in pain from lifting rocks. Blood drips down the edges, staining the stone cave. The man exhales a puff of smoke from his lungs, before dropping the rock and heading out to the opening. It was probably best to stick snow on his hand, allow the substances to soak up his blood. His figure stands there on the edge of the opening, as he holds snow on his wounded palm. The blood quickly being absorbed, causing a blood snowball to form in his hand.

He looks up squinting at the movement just ahead. Someone else had apparently decided to join him on this journey. Devron grins a cocky smile from ear to ear and watches through the blurry haze the figure slowly approach. From a moment he thought it was a woman, but after a quick thought again he realizes it was a man... dressed like a woman. He couldn't help but snicker, before approaching the lone man. His cigarette was still clench down between his teeth, as he continues the process of inhaling and exhaling the smoke. He was wearing wool coat that formed to his body perfectly, black gloves and matching hat, and slim fitting jeans with blood stains smearing his thigh from his hand.

"Well it looks like I'm not the only on this mountain." He scoffs under his breath as he slowly approaches the friendly looking man. For some reason, Devron couldn't explain, this man was rather fascinating. The snow fall slowly begins to pick up, and a blister of wind roars through the mountain side screeching into both their ears. Devron stops moving, burrowing his ears with both hands. "Come, I have a site just up ahead inside the mouth of the mountain." If he was going to have someone snooping around on his mountain, then he would at least need to know what they were looking for. Devron turns his back on the man, slowly climbing back up the mountain side to the cave entrance that was just ahead. Once they were both inside the rocky cave, Devron walks over and sits down, making a small fire from matches and wood he found before the snow had made it almost impossible to gather supplies. The fire quickly engulfs wood, supplying enough heat to melt both their frost bitten fingers. "The names Devron. What brings you up here?" He says with a cocky smile upon his perfectly shaped red lips. His eyes full of mystery, stare deep into the outlandishly dressed mans.

[Erik Cecere]

Erik continued his walk, his face squinting in disgust as his left foot unexpectedly sunk into the deep snow. His whole body tilted with it and he dropped. A squelch of water came from the snow as he struggled his foot loose. Ice cold droplets of water flicked off the tips of his black leather boots as he broke free from the restraints of the deep snow.

Perhaps this wasn’t such a great idea?

Erik wondered. If he had such trouble in these conditions then he needed to work on his footing, even if it was a rather... un-enjoyable experience. He inhaled the cold air and sighed deeply. As he exhaled he raised his hands in front of him, almost as if to catch the escaping warmth of his breath. He stared somewhat blankly at his breath, before shifting his gaze once again across the snow mountain. Erik squinted. He struggled to see through the heavy snow carrying winds. He delicately raised his slender right hand and held it limply above his eyes in a failed attempt to drown out the snow and see what, or whom it hides. He comes to a steady stance, dusting the cold snow off of his boot and leg. At least snow didn’t stain like dirt. The figure becomes clear, a tall, lean and attractive man presents himself. Erik smiles somewhat playfully and analyzes the stranger. Those as his eyes wander across the man he notices the blood stains smearing his thigh, and while maintaining a relaxed composure his suspicion and weariness grows. What was a man like this doing out in a mountain like this during such a storm? More importantly, why was his thigh smeared with blood. Erik’s eyes gazed into Devrons, while he tried his best to identify the stain in the blurred corner of his eye. It didn’t seem too bad, a little blood, perhaps just an injury he wiped off on his pants. However, it could be anything, who would possibly wipe blood off so easily on such nice fitting jeans. Erik had to cautious, or he might contract similar stains.

Still, Erik was somewhat pleased at the arrival of another person, especially an attractive one. Under different circumstances Erik would present himself more playfully, but instead he cuffs his ears with both hands, trying to endure the blistering wind and snow. He speaks and Erik offers the man a sly smile and a somewhat lustful stare rather than a reply. Erik maintains his erect posture as he scoffs and slowly approaches him. It was strange, Erik stared at the man approaching, but he didn’t feel scared or intimidated, or that he was in any real danger. Erik was surprised to hear the offer of this stranger.

A site?

What was this man doing camping on such a dangerous mountain? More importantly, why did he come out here if he had a camp, and why was he so willing to welcome Erik to his camp? Was he just a friendly stranger, or was it something else? As Erik stood still, watching the man turn and walk away, a feeling of guilt seemed to lure over him. Was his suspicion unjust? He remained still as the man continued walking. Erik had come here to train, not get distracted by strange attractive men who lure him back to a cave. Though, as another boisterous wind blows, Erik begins to consider shelter a good thing. The strong wind almost unravels his shawl and Erik clutches to the fabric for dear life. A sheepish smile broadens across his face as a delicate sigh escaped his lips. He knew there was no avoiding it, nor had he any desire to. He pulls his legs from the snow once more and catches up to the stranger, following him back up the mountain side. The journey was silent, Erik slowly trying to form an impression on this man beyond appearance. He seemed kind and, offering to share his shelter was very polite. Though, the idea of finding a stranger in these mountains, who has a shelter and offers to share, baffles Erik.

The two men enter the rocky cave, Erik gripping his shawl uncomfortably. He shivered, relieved to escape the snow; but inside was just as chilly. The rocks and stalactites were cold to touch, and the blistering wind still echoed within the cave. Erik stood, shaking the snow off of his leather boots and looking away in disapproval. Erik watches this man as he moves about the cave, taking a seat and preparing the fire. He mimics this, finding the least un-comfortable spot on one of the rocks by the fire, and slowly coming to a sitting position; he crossed his legs and loosened his grip on the shawl, allowing his hands to rest by his side. Devron speaks, Erik’s ears perking in inquisition. He had a smooth voice, it was hard to notice before in the strong winds but... Erik smiled confidently, his eyes riddled with inquisition and curiosity stare piercingly back into the Devron’s eyes. He is silent at first, gazing into his eyes before breaking the stare instantaneously and turning to the side with a playful smile plastered across his soft lips.

“Oh you know, I just thought I’d take a leisurely stroll amongst the snow drops~”

Erik allows a single chuckle to escape his lips before gazing back at Devron.

“You may call me Erik. I came here on some personal business.”

Erik stands from the rock and fixes the grey wool hat on his head.

“It’s a... hmmm... a very “cosy” place you’ve got here. What is it, one bedroom one bath?”

Erik spoke softly, his tone rising to curiosity nearing the end of his sentence as his gaze darted about the room, obviously joking with Devron.

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