Zev

The large snow leopard padded along through the ridges, observing the land forms as he passed everything. This place is definitly worth my time... he thought silently to himself, deciding to make this his new home. He was from an area up higher north, where it was acceptionally cold and chilly for one of his kind all year round. He enjoyed the cold snowy weather, where he was at his most comfortable feels. Ah, winter was a time to cherish.

Zev soon came upon a large, narrow cliffside, where at the end of it was another path that branched off next to a large mouth of a cave. Good, this area seemed secluded enough. Since this leopard didn't know anyone around here, and barely even knew any of the lands themselves, he wanted to stay hidden. And, by the looks and smells of it, the valley wasn't at peace-- at least between the carnivors and humans. Zev somehow understood this fued, but could really care less. After all, it wasn't his problem.

Taking in the new scents with harsh, quick breaths, he swiftly headed down to the cave, following along the edge of where the cliff met the ground. His large paws daintily picked away at the slightly-frozen dirt, carrying his lithe yet thickly-pelted body down to the opening in the cliff. He hopped up a few of the large rocks and boulders that led up to the mouth and scampered eagerly inside, observing the rocky walls around him, and the dark end ahead of him. Giving his pelt a shake, he walked over casually and lightly jumped up onto another boulder set to the very edge of the left wall, with his front end facing the outside so he could watch what went on, although he was pretty sure that no one would be coming by down here. He curled up, resting his feline dial on his forelegs, and drawing in a deep sigh. Now this was the life.

Nymph

An ebony tiara lifted slowly from the loam, silver-tipped harks perking at a sound: clawed feet on stone. A sinewy form followed the head upward, tail lashing the air as a pair of gold-flecked silver eyes alit upon the spotted form of another nearly akin to herself.

The sun shone down, lighting a million silver sparkles in her coat as she turned to face him more squarely. For several moments the silver eyes considered him, the light of a keen intelligence visible behind them. The sensitive nose went to work, questing about and gathering in the scents of fur, life, and musk.

Finally deciding that she would rather speak with a stranger than be alone, the ebony crown tilted, releasing a soft yowl of greeting.

Zev

Zev liked nothing more than the cold smell of fall and winter, with the colorful leaves blowing across the ground, making the light scraping noises as they went, or the whiteness of the snow. Then there were the soft yet chilly breezes and winds that blew along, which seemed to sing a song to Zev's keen ears. Yes, this snow leopard loved the peacefulness of the colder months, fall and winter, when the snow was near falling. His favorite time of the year was nearing the valley, giving him a new surge of energy. He simply loved it, no questions asked.

As he was about to doze off to sleep, since his eyes had been half closed once he laid his head down, a new scent reached his nares, which now began to flare. So, someone was nearby? Suddenly becoming alert, he lifted his head and looked straight outside the mouth of the cave, examining the outer world. So calm and peaceful, at least around these parts. No human activity had been going on, and that was a good thing for Zev, maybe even for ones of his kind.
Realizing the scent was that of another feline, but not quite of the same blood, he began to lift himself back up onto his large paws. Yet he was then about to call out, when he heard the yowl. He scrambled up even faster, now on his large paws in less than a second. His large light brown eyes fell on the large black cat as she was finally in view. "Who're you?" he asked, auds swiveling forward, quite alert. His long bushy tail flicked behind him as he lowered onto his haunches now, becoming a bit more relaxed since he found out what it was. He felt confident in his abilities enough so that if she happened to attack, he'de get away quickly without recieving a scratch. While that obviously wasn't on the other's mind, Zev had always usually been the one to predict another's actions toward him. Why? He didn't know, and never did. Probably never would, either.

ZEV

HERITAGE; Snow Leopard
BLESSED; Male
HOMELAND; Breve Ridges
MATE; no one
KIN; none

Nymph

The wind shifted as she awaited his response, blowing her short ebonite fur about in swirling patterns. Finally, a reply reached her sensitive ears, sounding at once curious and cautious. She made no move, but stood for a moment, blinking the sleep out of her brain. Finally lifted her sweet alto again, just loud enough to carry. A friend, pad-brother, should you wish it.

It was a simple statement, for she too was a little wary of strangers. Peaks swiveled attentively, awaiting his answer, but the rest of her body remained mostly relaxed, though she was ready to fight or run should he prove unpleasant.

Zev

The feline tilted his head, auds now beginning to listen to the soft sound of the wind blowing through the cave. Oh, there he went again; listening to nature instead of what really mattered at the moment. That was listening to this stranger, completely unaware now that he had been staring. Maybe not directly at her, but his eyes had been fixed on the outside, thinking of running loose.

He soon shook his head from side to side a bit, sending the thoughts off and shoving them aside. His eyes, which were just a level deeper from being a hazel color, now had taken on their regular everyday look again. He tilted his head a bit at the other feline, wondering who in the world she was. "What brings you along here, pad-sister?" he asked her, somewhat in a calling manner. After all, over the wind which was now picking up with new speed and strength, she may or may not hear him clearly. And while he wished to not sound rude, of all the times, he added a bit of emphasis to the word "sister." He had never used that word much before, since he had never even grown to knew any sisters he had ever had. But it didn't matter to him now; it was all in the past and they were gone, off tending to their own lives. And that was what this leopard should have been doing, but he was traveling now, finally settling down here at the ridges. What a place, perfect for him. And what do you know? There's someone else here, too.

Nymph

A long moment passed in silence as the wind began to howl, making her press back her sensitive ears in protection. A bit of grit worked its way in anyway, and she pawed at the ear, snarling softly to herself. Stupid wind.

When the grain finally surrendered its grip, the dark head rose again, frantically listening for his response. When it came, the scream of the wind tore the sounds away as it gusting higher and harder, now blowing small twigs up into her face. She let out a pained yowl as one poked its sharp end into her left eye. Closing her eyes, she took a few steps forward, speaking as loud as she could manage in hopes that the male would hear her. Might I share your shelter, sir? I find the wind abrasive and I fear a storm is on its way. Keeping the dark lids pinched shut over the scratched orb, she waited tensely for his voice to ring out again

Zev

Zev's auds were pressed forward, straining to hear in the howling wind. It was a good thing he had come across this cave, after all. While he had wanted a nice place to take a nap in the first place, he would have never expected there to be a storm right afterwards.

He watched with mild interest as she was poked and prodded by the swirled sticks that blew into her face, and he had to release a mini chuckle. Probably one of the funniest things he had seen in a while, even though a storm such as this wasn't going to be one to mess with.

Zev had been holding a deep breath in for a few seconds before blowing out lightly, still watching the other feline. He took notice to her poked eye, and was about to ask her if she wanted to come in, but she had asked him before he even got the chance to speak. Oh well; it would have led to the same thing. He gave a small nod, but didn't expect her to notice it anyway. "Sure. Storms like this are to be taken shelter from." he stated, tilting his head. She was an unusual fae, seemingly mysterious in Zev's eyes.

Nymph

Waiting tensely for his answer, she planted her feet more firmly, leaning into the wind and keeping her eyes tightly closed to avoid further injury.

At long last, she heard his voice over the wind again. "Sure......." and the rest was torn away, but those words were unimportant. Breathing slowly and steadily for several moments, she conciously went to that part of her brain that gave her an innate sense of direction. Feeding into it the data that her ears provided, she soon had an answer and began to move forward, eyes still squeezed shut. The sky opened, and engorged drops began to fall, soaking her in an instant as she tried to move faster. Still, her gliding step prevented her from tripping, and after a few long moments of battling wind and rain she managed to make her way to his shelter.

Once inside, the gold-flecked silver eyes opened again, the left still bloodshot from its unexpected assailant. Fighting the urge both to paw at the injury and to shake out her coat, she turned about on herself and began to groom herself, pressing the water from her coat rather than shaking it out all over her generous host.

That task completed, she turned to him with a sweet smile, alto flowing forth softly in a thank you. That done, she gave a deep nod, speaking softly. I am Nymph, pad-brother. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generous offer. And the smile was back, the voice just a tad amused. And truly you are not from here, friend. Where camest thou from?