[Color=gray][center][h1][Color=silver]M[/color][Color=lightblue]i[/color][Color=cornflowerblue]r[/color][color=green]i[/color][color=mediumpurple]s[/color][/h1] [Img]https://i.imgur.com/BMVZGcF.jpeg[/Img][/center] [Color=darkturquoise]Race:[/color] Changeling [Color=cornflowerblue]Location:[/color] An unremarkable jungle [H2][center][COLOR=RED]FLASHBACK[/COLOR][/center][/h2][hr] The jungle’s atmosphere felt heavier by the time late afternoon rolled in. The humidity had settled fully into the earth now, making the air thick enough to make every breath feel like effort. Sweat clung to the back of Miris’ neck beneath her pale braids, making her reconsider sporting such lengthy hair. In time, the mud covering her boots became an indication of how deep she had traversed this vast jungle. All the while, Minerva appeared to be perfectly in her element. What had started as the shifter stalking from behind now became Minerva being the trusted guide leading the way. Minerva remained several steps ahead of Miris, weaving effortlessly through roots, hanging vines, and uneven ground with the same irritating ease Miris envied. The deeper the two traveled into the jungle, the more natural Minerva seemed within it. Every step, sway, and pivot was observed by Miris, despite Minerva occasionally making fun of her ‘assessing.’ It took little time for Miris to begin mimicking Minerva’s footfalls and gait, while knowing that the effort it would take to reach Minerva’s gracefulness was a steep climb. Shifters had heightened senses, better balance, and their physical capabilities were widely praised. Regardless of how annoyed she was by Minerva, the shifter was capable and an example for improvement; however, there was something more that Miris was missing. There was something she admired about Minerva, but she couldn’t place her finger on what it was. It was as though her mind sheltered her from truly taking in Minerva for who she was. Was it self-protection or simply apprehension? As the two continued on, they spoke less and less. It was not out of awkwardness… it was just quieter. Minerva's teasing had turned into lazy remarks or absentminded humming beneath her breath. Her focus remained ahead and around them, with fewer looks back toward the teen girl. [color=white][i]Did she notice something? She’s… tense. No, she just seems more tense than she is normally.[/i][/color] Even now, Minerva still looked like the type of woman someone could catch off guard. She was just so relaxed and unconcerned, but right now she was less so. Noticing this, Miris opted to look around more frequently and lower her profile as she followed. Then she noticed the insects that had buzzed so proudly overhead now whispered amongst themselves through the leaves. The distant animal calls no longer echoed as frequently as they had. Everything felt wrong. Minerva slowed to a halt, which caused Miris to freeze just behind her. In fact, Miris nearly ran into Minerva with how sharply she stopped her advance. [color=white]“What?”[/color] Miris whispered, but Minerva did not answer, which only served in making the girl far more tense. The shifter crouched low beside the narrow slope they had been following, with her eyes narrowed toward the dense vegetation ahead of them. Miris couldn’t believe how focused the woman looked right now. Some part of her was afraid of it, while another was impressed. For the first time since meeting her, Minerva looked completely serious. Miris slowly crouched at her side, attempting to listen or see what her genetics blinded her to. At first there was nothing, just as the Traveler intended, but then… voices! They were faint, belonging to men. [color=white]“...”[/color] Miris’ stomach tightened as she remembered the tracks from hours earlier. The voices grew louder—clearer. Miris’ heart began to race, and with it, her mind followed. [color=white][i]If this patrol continues west along the incline, then retreating uphill might provide the safest route, but what if they split into smaller scouting groups? If they do that, then—[/i][/color] Minerva’s hand suddenly locked around her wrist, her grip reminding the girl just how strong she was. Miris suppressed a yelp before Minerva pulled her down and behind the exposed roots of a massive fallen tree. Boots marched through wet soil only seconds later. Several armed figures emerged through the foliage above them. [color=white][i]Seven… at least seven.[/i][/color] Miris, in her fearfulness, altered her skin tone from stark white to honey brown. It was all she could manage while frozen in place. The soldiers moved carefully through the jungle while exchanging quiet conversation among themselves. They were lightly equipped, leaning toward being scouts. One of them scanned the area with unsettling attention, and then his gaze settled on their position. While Miris’ breath went shallow, Minerva didn’t budge an inch. She didn’t even appear afraid, just still while maintaining a tight hold of Miris’ wrist. In a way, Minerva was grounding her with her stillness. When one of the men moved toward them, Miris instinctively reached for the hilt of her short sword. Pain! Minerva’s sharp nails pressed hard against her wrist, demanding her to remain unmoving. When another’s voice called from further ahead, the approaching soldier hesitated before turning to his comrade. Within a few beats, the patrol was moving again, disappearing deeper into the jungle until their voices eventually vanished beyond the treeline. The pair allowed silence to linger for a minute or more before Minerva exhaled and loosened her grip. Miris did the same, albeit sloppily, as she realized that she hadn’t taken a proper breath during the tail end of the ordeal. While she caught her breath, her skin returned to its proper shade. [color=white][i]How does she do that?[/i][/color] It wasn’t the fact that Minerva could snap into action—or in this case, stillness—it was the fact that Miris didn’t expect someone like [i]her[/i] to hone in that way. She shot a look at Minerva, who was already leaning back against the roots, shoulders loosening until she was back to her relaxed state again. Then she grinned. [color=peru]“That was [i]so[/i] good! Good girl, changeling. And see? Pretty little heads still attached.”[/color] Minerva clasped her hands against her own cheeks. [color=peru]“And guess what? I was right. There were a few more than seven, but there definitely weren't four. I’m just that good.”[/color] Minerva was shameless and was beginning to wear all that smugness she had on her face earlier. Miris was just silently staring at her. [color=white]“You knew they doubled back.”[/color] [color=peru]“That’s right.”[/color] [color=white]“And you didn’t think to tell me.”[/color] [color=peru]“Oh don’t you use that tone with me. You figured it out without me having to tell you. Sure, you were still thinking loud, but you caught on.”[/color] [color=white]“Thinking loud… yeah, sure. More of that nonsense.”[/color] Miris grimaced now. [color=peru]“IT MEANS, your brain runs faster than your feet. How don’t you get that?”[/color] Miris’ grimace deepened. She wouldn’t admit it out loud, but she understood what Minerva meant now. She just didn’t know if that irritated her more or not. Naturally, Minerva rose first, casually brushing dirt from her clothing before continuing downhill as though nearly being discovered by armed scouts was simply an inconvenience. Miris followed, but not without a sigh as she mentally battled her previous conceptions of Minerva. Before, she saw the woman as both careless and reckless. Crazy, even… Maybe she was still crazy. However, now Miris realized that there was a method behind the madness. Structure? Minerva wasn’t ignoring danger. She was just able to react to it faster than Miris could think through it. She wasn't sure she could do the same, not after everything Wendel had taught her about seeing the bigger picture. How? How could she do both? Rain began sometime later. It started as a soft drizzle, slipping through gaps in the canopy overhead while the jungle floor turned slick beneath their feet. The cooler air felt almost relieving after the oppressive heat of the afternoon. Minerva tilted her face upward immediately, clearly enjoying the weather now. [color=peru]“Mm. Nice.”[/color] Minerva breathed. Miris raised an eyebrow at her. [color=white]“You enjoy this?”[/color] She asked while flipping her damp hair from her face. [color=peru]“Why wouldn’t I?”[/color] Minerva peered at her from the corner of her eye. [color=white]“We’re soaked.”[/color] [color=peru]“Mhm. We are.”[/color] She said in a relaxed tone, taking in the rain with closed eyes. [color=white]“And hiding from soldiers.”[/color] Miris tilted her head to the side with a slight sneer. Minerva, however, grinned without looking Miris’ way again. [color=peru]“Still alive though, right?”[/color] Miris opened her mouth to argue, but stopped. [color=white][i]Alive.[/i][/color] The truth of the matter sank in. Minerva’s wisdom was not appetizing in the slightest, but it was keeping her fed in this tropical wilderness. It was keeping her alive in this place. Miris wondered if the lesson might stick with her beyond just this jungle, or if this would be a nearly forgotten tale she shared with others in the future. And if she didn't quite know now, Miris would find out in due time. Each step she took with Minerva as they continued felt more and more natural. Miris was avoiding the same roots and adjusting her footing to the mud that threatened to swallow up her boots. Instead of being several steps behind the shifter, Miris was practically right on top of her. [color=peru]“Look at you keeping up!”[/color] [color=white]“Don't you start.”[/color] Her reply was sonically abrasive, but there was a hint of a smile on her face. [color=peru]“The jungle likes you better already.”[/color] [color=white]“The jungle doesn’t have opinions.”[/color] [color=peru]“It has its charm. Deserts are dry, the coast is too wishy-washy, and plains are—”[/color] [color=white]“Plain.”[/color] Miris finished Minerva’s sentence, instigating the first shared smile between the two. They continued on, eventually reaching a shallow stream cutting through the jungle floor. Minerva crouched down to it, dipping her hands into the water before washing her face and using the water to remove mud from her legs. [color=peru]“You got a name, changeling, or do I have to make one up for you?”[/color] Minerva asked this casually. How else would she have asked such a thing? [color=white]”M-”[/color] Miris froze for a moment, remembering that most people asked names because they wanted something afterward. It could be within minutes or years, but they’d have a name to pin to a favor for as long as they could recall it. Work, trust, or expectations… It didn’t matter, but Minerva was not like the people she had met in her life. Minerva tilted her head, watching Miris stare off for a moment. She was already past wanting the answer to her question, but Miris resolved herself before she could change the subject. [color=white]“...Miris.”[/color] [color=peru]“Miris! Miris… Mirisss…”[/color] She tasted the name on her tongue a few times before giving the girl a nod. [color=peru]“I like it! It fits you.”[/color] Minerva grinned widely. [color=peru]“Miris and Minerva. Doers of Things!”[/color] [color=white]“Yes. Miris and Minerva. The Doers.”[/color] Miris put on a smile, but Minerva’s faded into a frown. [color=peru]“No. No. Absolutely not. You messed it up! Doers of [i]Things[/i]!”[/color] [color=white]“Ugh…”[/color][hr] [Center][I][sub][color=peru]“It has its charm. Deserts are dry, the coast is too wishy-washy, and plains are—”[/color] [color=white]“Plain.”[/color][/sub][/i] [img]https://i.imgur.com/oSnXZ9H.png[/img][/center] [/color]