Bare feet crunched through the frozen landscape, the field around her flooded with a flat white her feet ruined before her weapon assisted, the tip slamming down into the snow as she tried to rest upon it. Her breath was heavy and visible as the tiger-kin fought through the shivers. Her body felt so cold…. so numb… Why was it as such? Each step through this white floor was soft, but rough at the same time. It had been a while, and now she struggled to feel her toes.

Using her massive sword as a crutch, she tried to push herself through the area, lost in whatever landscape she found herself in… However, having one metal stand to rest two numb feet was of no help to the collared woman, as her knees gave away to the cold, causing her to crash into the snow, leaving her weapon standing. Eden shivered more as she laid inside the damnful white, her breath melding with whatever she laid in… Her legs and arms were losing feeling… her body shivered more as she curled up to stay warm… and yet… she could feel…. her vision… grow… dar–

Hagar trudged through the white snow, his wolf skin cloak shielding his face from the snow falling from the sky. Although Hagar felt the cold against his mostly bare body, his practices with meditation and shamanic workings had trained him to ignore such discomforts, but he still wished he had worn more than his wolf pelt and his trousers. This chilling land was very strange compared to the lush green of the forests that he grew up in, and there were no animals to be seen. The silence bothered Hagar and he kept his hands resting on his axes as he walked. The white ground looked like an endless ocean of snow that threatened to drown Hagar in it's pure absence of color. Just as Hagar was about to stop and meditate on his situation he spotted what looked like movement up ahead.

Hagar brushed his long black hair out of his face as he pushed on towards the source of movement. As he drew closer he realized that what he had seen was a female walking alone in the snow. Her feet were bare and she was leaning on a large blade, seemingly using it as a crutch. The girl collapsed in the snow and Hagar realized he was in trouble. Although he could see the girl he was still a good distance away. Hagar channeled his power and morphed into the form of a wolf so that he could make use of his padded paws to traverse the snow quicker. He arrived at the side of the female and curled up next to her in the hopes that the heat of his fur covered body would warm her up and keep her from the deadly grasp of the cold.

The crunching of the snow growing louder and louder snapped her eyes open, watching a wolf walk up and curl next to her. However, this caused the tiger-kin's adrenaline to flow, giving her enough energy to pull herself away and stand up, facing off against the wolf that came close to her. Her eyes shined with a beastly sheen as her arms grew fur and her hands became paws, nails exposed. This was not the same wolf she would call forth when she needed help. That one was filled with pride and would never find himself becoming a cuddler, even in these harsh conditions.

"Not prey!" Eden spoke in the quiet tongue of the beast, trying to echo it into the mind of the wolf. Still, she growled to try to up-size it, showing that in the harsh environment, she should be feared. She would not be easily dominated.

Still, that did not stop her claws to move up to her collar's latch. As much as she wished it to be off, it always made her dizzy. However, the crampness made it difficult for her to cry out and roar. Still, if she loosened it enough, it would be enough for her to cry out and call for aid. If the one wolf thought that it could take her on, it would have to deal with her others.

However, high upon the trees, an onlooker stared down, occasionally pecking at its feathers before staring down, as if interested to see what was occurring.

Hagar watched as the female stood up…how had he not noticed the ears before? Much to his surprise the girl sprouted fur, and her hands became paws as she took on the likeness of a mighty tiger. The shaman quickly realized his mistake and began to morph back to his human form. Fur once again became skin and paws became hands. He adjusted his wolf skin cloak so that it would fit properly once more.

As Hagar was changing form he had heard the girl say something about prey. She must have assumed he was trying to harm her, however he was just trying to help someone who had seemed to need it. He lowered his hands so that they rested close to his twin axes. He wasn't looking for a fight but if one arose he would defend himself as needed. The shaman cleared his throat, he was going to attempt to talk his way out of the mess that he had gotten himself into.

"Not trying to fight you," Hagar stated in his gravelly voice "was just trying to keep you warm so that you didn't freeze to death." He narrowed his eyes at the girl, looking to see what her reaction would be. He had never met a beastkin but he had heard plenty of stories about them. Warriors who could shift their form, much like he did with his wolf form, but without needing to channel their spiritual energies into the effort. He was amazed at how effortless the change had seemed when she changed her form. This girl could be a useful ally if he could get on her good side.

Hagar raised his hands away from his blades as a sign of peace. He sincerely hoped he would not live to regret the decision. He let a small smile spread across his face as he stated "I believe I made a bad first impression. My name is Hagar Wildson, and I have no desire to fight you my dear creature."

Eden's eyes kept lock onto his, staring him down as he reverted back to man. However, her guard did not drop once with her tail raised and ears folded back. After all, he kept his hands near his axes, meaning he was still considered a threat. However, he was not going for them directly… just being kept close… He was being as cautious as her it seemed.

A thought that was confirmed by his words, stating he was trying to help more than harm. His voice rang true, but how could she know it was a way to make her lower her guard? After all, it was not the first time she had been hunted by humans before…

However, it was when the man lowered his arms and introduced himself did Eden lower the paw near her collar, her arms quickly reverting back to human form before comforting herself once more by rubbing her arms to try and warm herself back up as she headed for the thick club-like sword that Hagar stood next to. While the cold make her arms feel numb, thus making it harder to pull up the weapon, she was able to rest it upon her shoulder before turning it around, angling the weapon so the shaman could see the bottom, where underneath the thick blade was a carving of a word, reading "EDEN" in the Common Trade Language.

Hagar watched as the girl changed back to her natural form. When the change was over the girl walked over and hoisted her large blade on to her shoulder. She turned around and Hagar noticed something carved under the blade. Etched into the sword was the word "Eden." He smiled as he realized that this must be the girls name.

"So Eden is your name?" Hagar asked the beastkin girl. "I like it. It's a very graceful name." He watched the girl and noticed that she was rubbing her arms in an attempt to warm herself up from the cold. He took off his wolf pelt and held it out to the girl. "Would you like to wear this? It's not much but it will keep you warm." He hoped Eden would take the pelt and wear it till they made their way somewhere warmer. If this girl was going to be his ally, he was going to have to do his best to win her trust

Hagar's mind wondered while he waited for Eden to accept his offer. Visions of his mentor, the old shaman who raised him, raced through his head. He thought back to his teachings and what the old man had once said to him. He could still hear his mentors voice loud and clear, as if the conversation happened yesterday, though they took place many years ago.

"Hagar," the old man said as he beckoned the youngster to his side "though you are strong, the aid of allies can make you even stronger. Find some people you can trust, cherish that bond, and hold those people close. One day you may find yourself down on your knees and in need of a helping hand. If you make good allies and friends in your life, they'll be there to hold out that hand when you need it." The old man's voice died off as the images faded away in Hagar's mind. He had been travelling this path all alone, and it was about time he took his mentor's advice and made a few friends. Perhaps he would even learn a thing or two along the way. His mind returned to the present moment as he waited for Eden to take the pelt from his hands. 

Cautious eyes looked at him when he offered her his coat, trying to figure out what his purpose was… Still, she had been offered many helping hands, and this was simply yet another one. Carefully, she took it, feeling it around just in case there was something hidden inside before draping it over like she saw him do. Instantly, she was filled with the pelt's warmth  where it covered her, keeping her core and arms warm while her legs still suffered by the frozen air. Giving him a nod, she moved her weapon back to the frozen ground and used it as an extra leg as she moved forward, most likely the man close by.

It was still a bit of a hike until smoke could be seen coming from the hills. A bit further, the sight of cabins and a massive shrine were in their vicinity. A place Eden could rest up in and warm up, if it was anything like Rizka's little home. Marching forward through the snow, she hoped they would be willing to allow the strangers in.

Hagar couldn't help but smile when Eden finally allowed him to help her by accepting the pelt he had offered. She didn't say anything about it but he could tell that the girl was grateful. The pelt may not have offered total warmth but it was better than nothing. The beastkin girl started walking, using her sword as a crutch of sorts, and Hagar followed behind her. After walking for a bit he could see smoke, and as they drew closer he could also make out cabins and a shrine. He didn't know anything about the people who resided in these cabins. His muscles tensed up, revealing his caution of the location.

Hagar walked alongside the girl, though it was slow going due to her cold feet and legs. "How do we know the people who reside here are friendly?" he asked the girl. He hoped Eden would know more about the place than he did. If the need arose, he would fight to protect the girl, although she was obviously capable of defending herself. He looked around at the various cabins nervously. He wondered what Eden was thinking about as they walked, she was a mystery to him, and he was determined to get to know her.

Eden's ear twitched back, as if stating she caught his comment before shaking her head. After all, if she had any idea where she was, she was sure to wear something more than what she had on now. Still, her feet marched on, breaking through the white substance as she pushed herself towards the region. After all, it was a better setting to be in than where they were now. The sooner she could feel her toes, the better.

The closer the two hikers moved through the snow, the more details could be caught from what was nearby. Buildings were contructed from black granite, each one decorated with stained glass windows that filed the flat white land with color. Route paths were easily notable as they lead from building to building, from greenhouses that gave the community their crops to heated farmhouses filled with cows and chickens, semi-adapted to their environments. Townsfolks were seen moving about, minding their own business until one of them caught the sight of the wandering pair, feeling himself to run up and welcome them.

"Ah, hello," the woman stated, face white as ice and dressed in a thin dress as she neared them. "Welcome to–" though cut off to see Eden trying to take a defensive stance against her, though struggling to keep stood with weak, frozen legs. "Oh, dear. NO, no. Do not worry. Come, the two of you, to our inn. You must be absolutely frozen as you are." Even with as cold as she seemed, she was sure to give them a warm smile before guiding them down to their local tavern.

"Carres. Two warm drinks and a hot water basin for the poor girl's feet," she stated as she opened the door, a wave of hot air welcoming them as the firepit crackled inside, letting the two head inside before heading back out.

Hagar walked alongside Eden as they navigated their way through the town. He examined the black granite building with their beautiful stained glass windows. The sounds of various animals and the typical village smells filled the air as the odd couple continued on their way through the town. Most of the town people ignored the two wanderers but one woman finally approached them. She wore a thin dress and her face was very pale. Hagar tensed up as the woman began speaking to them and he saw Eden take on a defensive posture out of the corner of his eye. The two only relaxed a little when the woman stated that she meant them no harm. She invited them to their local tavern and the two cautiously followed.

When the doors of the tavern swung open Hagar was immediately hit by a gust of warm air that was radiating from the lit fire inside the fireplace. He smiled a little and rubbed his hands together as he welcomed the warmth into his body. He hoped that the warm flow of air was helping Eden's cold body. She may be fierce but she didn't have training to acclimate her body to the weather like Hagar did. As the local woman shouted to someone across the bar Hagar made his way to a couple of open chairs in a more secluded corner of the room. He only stopped momentarily to gesture to Eden to follow him before taking his spot in one of the wooden chairs. As he waited he began to examine the bar as well as the patrons that were in it. The townsfolk seemed kind enough but he still wasn't ready to fully relax, at least not until his focus switched back to Eden.

Hagar closely studied Eden and her behaviors. The two had gotten off to a bad start but it seemed as if Eden was beginning to trust him a little more. Hagar had been wondering on his own for a while and he secretly hoped that Eden would become a close friend that he could travel with on some of his many journeys. As Hagar daydreamed about the possible future he began to relax, and shortly after, drifted off into a light sleep. He only rested for a few minutes though cause he heard the voice of the local woman addressing Eden as she brought out two tankards full of some kind of warm beverage. Another woman followed closely behind and set a basin of warm water down at Eden's feet. Hagar just remained in his seat as he waited patiently for his drink.