[Esk] Waterways: Warming Stone

”I guess we should return now...” The pastel Esk glanced back at the steamy hot springs they were leaving in the distance. Strange shapes were still visible in the mist covering the wet area, staring after her and her creator with unseeing eyes... Their forms shuddered when the steam came in contact with the frosty air, but whatever they were, their postures didn't waver. They were looming above the hot springs, almost in a protective manner.

But it made sense didn't it? She and Neskre had travelled here to return the stolen cold stone after all. These sharp spirits in the mist, they were probably the guardians of this place, and it was possible the rock was tied to their power...

”Claire, stop gawking at the spirits.”

She was drawn out of her thoughts when her gruff creator's voice reached her. She turned her gaze back ahead and gave the other a silent nod. It wasn't a good idea to upset the spirits further, he was right about that. However, Neskre appeared quite confident in his posture, despite having outright attacked the misty beings earlier. While his clawing had been for naught considering the intangible shape the guardians had, his ferocity had been quite admirable. Claire knew her creator was stubborn and he could be a real pain in the neck to deal with, but he was strong and she appreciated that about the old coot.

”What was that, Neskre? Spirits of the earth?” Claire asked, tempted to glance back anew. She was starting to shiver again, not from the cold per see, but more from the fact that she was very far away from her boundary and the feeling it gave her was akin to a critter freezing in the snow. It was very uncomfortable to feel so... solid.

”Perhaps.” The bare back of Neskre felt somewhat cold in the biting wind, but he was quite used to this sensation by now. Centuries of growing in this form had paid off. ”The earth is unforgiving here.”

”Strange you say that, I think the spirits forgave you for attacking them pretty easily.” Claire's aura chirped in laughter at the broody expression Neskre gave her. ”Just stating facts here.”

”Watch it, young lady.”

”Or what?” Goading him was fun!

”I'll push you down the mountain. At least I'll know where you are then.”

Claire huffed at his slightly mocking tone. ”You make it sound like I'm never where I should be.” She raised a paw momentarily to pat over her fluffy fur. All this walking was tiring...

The older Esk didn't reply, instead focusing on crossing the deep annoying snow. Neskre was a bit larger than Claire so she could easily reuse his paw prints when she navigated the thick winterland behind him.

”Aren't you exhausted, Neskre? This place is sucking energy out of me.”

He stopped to allow her to catch up to him, giving her a neutral look from his pale mask. ”You think about it too much.”

Her aura flared in a frustrated manner. ”Well, of course I do. It makes me feel weak!” Claire narrowed her sharp eyes and glared away. ”I hate it. I want to be able to roam without feeling like I'm about to collapse the moment I step away from the garden.”

”Give it time.”

Of course, because that was Neskre's solution to everything! Ughhh... ”Someday I'm gonna become an abnormal Esk. And then I can wander about as much as I want.”

The darker Esk scoffed at her words, turning back to continue their trekk down the mountain. ”Good luck with that happening.”

”Thank you, it will.” Claire bit back, staring at the snow that was gradually thinning out. Abnormals weren't exactly common, they were elusive and tricky to find in many situations. Neskre had told her about one he had encountered long ago though, and it was really inspiring to think of! Perhaps it was a farfetched dream, but if abnormals could travel wherever they wanted and retain all their vigor and power no matter how far away they were from their boundary, then that was her ultimate goal. Someday she would be able to walk away from the garden that held her prisoner, right? Yes! Even if she had to do bad things to get there, it would be worth it in the end.

But for now, she should think about getting down this stupid mountain before she collapsed. Suddenly feeling a burst of energy surge through her, Claire bounded quickly over the snow, picking up her speed to slide down the pathway using slight levitation skill. Ignoring Neskre who simply stared after her as he walked, the female Esk took her shortcut and reached the base of the mountain first.

However that bounce of energy had nearly depeted her weak resources, so as Neskre already assumed, he found her lying flat on her belly, legs sprawled out, once he descended the cliffs. Picking her up with telekinesis, he placed her limp form on his back carefully before simply starting to wander back towards the forest where their boundary rested.