how do you sleep? //open

[aPPY]

ISOLDE

"Forward, good lady. We advance!" Isolde smiled and easily fell into step to the side of him, her strides longer but slower, keeping pace with his smaller steps. Water splashed at their feet as they ran along the side of the river, the sand muffling the sounds of their movement. The night air was cool and sharp against her skin, keeping her alert and awake as she moved forward. Her worries disappeared in the presence of someone else. She wasn't alone, if the creatures of the night chose to attack, she wouldn't be alone. But she wasn't worried about that. The calls of the wild weren't very loud, only heard in the far distance; the night would more likely go without fears. Hopefully. No one could be sure, but at least she wasn't thinking about it.

Soon he slowed and she did too, stopping next to him. Her breathing was a little labored from the cold air. "Now then, my lady, what shall it be?" he asked, "I myself would prefer a large tree over a cave, but I shall oblige if you have any suggestions." Isolde looked up at the nighttime sky, the stars clear and visible and the moon shining. It wasn't particularly dark yet, the light from the already set sun still hovering over the horizon before vanishing almost before your eyes. "It doesn't appear as if it is going to rain tonight, great knight," she said, turning her head to look at him, her blue eyes sparkling. "I think a large tree would be lovely."

// 266 words

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[lady shady]

"It doesn't appear as if it is going to rain tonight, great knight. I think a large tree would be lovely."

He bowed, scraping head against extended leg, before straightening and nodding solemnly. "A tree it shall be, my lady. Allow me to escort you to the nearest satisfactory oak. Or," he paused, arching a thoughful brow, "or, how careless of me, do you prefer pine?"

The moon lit the path to the woods in gentle silver, bathing everything in an ethereal light. His gaze traveled down the line of trees, searching silently as he awaited her answer. Perhaps that one? No, not sheltered enough. It's neighbor four trees to the right? No, not that one either, too tall. Maybe...? No, not that one either, for it was too shor--his heart skipped a beat when he saw the silhouette. A fox stood beneath the tree, motionless save its rhythmic breathing. Its bushy tail trailed behind it in an elegant puff of fur, and its long tapered nose was raised in seeming salute to the two horses, scenting them in the air. Without speaking, he turned to nudge Isolde to show her the animal, but as soon as he had moved, it had vanished into the trees again. Following its escape with his dilated brown eyes, his vision was drawn to a narrow path winding between two slight firs. And there, in that line of direction, sprawled a huge oak, far enough inside the forest to be massive, but not so far as to render its form blurry on the horizon. "Ah, perhaps here, Lady Isolde? T'would be a most marvelous place to rest our weary young bones, in my eyes."

uhm yeah. very late and I cannot. think. straight.

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[aPPY]

ISOLDE

"A tree it shall be, my lady. Allow me to escort you to the nearest satisfactory oak. Or, how careless of me, do you prefer pine?"
She giggled lightly, "Either is fine," she said, her eyes traveling through the trees and into the sky. She had the feeling that she was being watched, a chill running down her spine as she thought of those canines running rampant in the woods. When she felt Bonaparte brush against her, she turned back to face the direction he was. Had he seen something in the woods? She glanced at him and then at the trees in front of them again, wondering what he might have seen, though there was nothing there now. "What is it?" she whispered, even that small voice sounding loud in the eerie silence of the night. Her skin started to break out in gooseflesh, her anxeity threatening to get the best of her, even in the company of another equine. She tried to repeat to herself that she was safe with him, even if she didn't know him that well. A false calm started to mask her true feelings, the tension in her limbs loosening some, but the fear was still there. The flight instinct homing in and linking with the strange feel in the air and the things lurking in the shadows.

"Ah, perhaps here, Lady Isolde? T'would be a most marvelous place to rest our weary young bones, in my eyes," his wasy going voice easily breaking the silence around them. She followed his gaze to a large oak tree in the forest. She nodded her approval, "Lovely choice, good sir," she replied, slipping back into their charade; worries slipping from her mind. She danced forward a few strides, pausing and looking over her shoulder at him. He might be a little small, but she had the confidence in him that if the creatures of the night decided to pay a visit, things would be alright.

// 284 words
written while watching the Sing-Off

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[lady shady]

"Excellent! There it shall be then," Bonaparte replied, smiling softly before advancing up the slight incline. The path narrowed as it approached the firs and entered a denser clump of trees, and he felt Isolde tense beside him at a rustle in the bushes. He looked in the direction of the noise in time to see a light brown mouse scampering in the underbrush. In a sudden swoop, a speckled and tawny barn owl glided in and ascended with its fresh dinner clutched in its sharp talons. The owl's wingtips brushed his skin, and he halted momentarily, startled. He was reminded that he and Isolde weren't the only creatures in the woods that night. Pricking his ears, he listened for other sounds, but heard nothing. Thus, he proceeded.

The path, after passing between the firs, wound its way in and out of a clump of sycamores, then widened as it ran uphill, surrounded only by young saplings. The fresh, sappy smell was everywhere; Bon felt himself relax at the comforting aroma. Reaching the base of the spreading oak, he paused, waiting for Isolde to make her way under its shelter before he did."And here we are, my lady! I'd say we deserve a rest after that little jaunt. All in a day's work," he bantered playfully, nodding at her "One quest accomplished, and another waiting in the morning. What a satisfying life to lead." His smile disappeared momentarily as she drew abreast of him; a shadowy figure seemed to have slipped past one of the sycamores. It had happened so quickly though, had it been his imagination? Noticing Isolde there though, he quickly regained his composure and stepped aside, offering her the mossy ground underneath the oak. "Go on, sleep if you wish, I'll keep watch," he told her, carefully keeping the note of concern in his voice hidden behind chivalry.

finally, sorry about that!
my plan was to have you post and then have the wolfies start sneaking up the hill in my next one if that works

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[aPPY]

ISOLDE

"Excellent! There it shall be then," Bon said, walking forward. Isolde followed quickly, the dark shadows pressing in on her and the small sounds of the wind making her uneasy. The bushes rustled and she paushed, brushing against Bonaparte's skin as she tensed, afraid of what might appear. Though, only a harmless mouse skittered across the ground and she let out a breath, only to jump as an owl shot down from above and snatched the small creature with a sharp squeak of protest from the mouse that was cut off. Isolde gulped, watching the bird disappear as she turned to follow Bon when he continued walking. The air was sweet with the smell of sappy trees, the scent enhanced with the smell of moisture in the air.

"And here we are, my lady! I'd say we deserve a rest after that little jaut. All in a day's work. One quest accomplished, and another waiting in the morning. What a satisfying life to lead."

Isolde nodded her agreement, smiling at the stag. "Yes, quite the joy," she replied in much the same manner. His smile slipped though, she noticed, and she quickly shot a look behind her, searching the shadows. Was there something lurking out there? Her breathing paused for what seemed like an eternity before she turned back to Bonaparte, he concentration broken by his voice as he spoke again. "Go on, sleep if you wish, I'll keep watch," he said, stepping to the side to allow her to claim the spot under the tree. His voice was even and forcefully calm, she could tell, and her eyes lingered on him just a tad too long, trying to get some sort of clue as to what he was thinking. She followed his suggestion though, gratefully dropping to the ground under the tree; the moss absorbing her momentum and cushioning her fall. She lowered her head to the ground, though her eyes remained open for just a while longer. She watched the shadows, gooseflesh breaking out across her skin as she wondered if they lurked, waiting for her. She pushed the thoughts away, pulling her head up to her chest as her eyes closed. Bon was there to protect her if they did. Perhaps she could sleep for longer than an hour.

// 342 words
lalala.

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