Awakening

[elric_ward]

Ward’s eyebrows furrowed in a frown as he clenched his eyes shut even tighter, rolling up into a ball. He could smell the musty forest floor, strong after the morning rain. Nose twitching, he tried to ignore his stomach as it growled. He hated mornings, loathed them. With their horrid brightness, birds chirping and who knew what horrors the day

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[chibi_sin]

Sloth narrowed her eyes in hatred. Oh, lucky her. She just found the creature she absolutely hated the most. An Elric. And an Edward at that, too

[elric_ward]

Ward wiped his mouth as he leaned back on his heels. The hackles on his neck were rising, but he wasn’t quite sure why. Feeling his mouth twitching in a reflex snarl, he transformed it into a frown and glare as he looked around for the source of his unease.
Something wasn’t right, and he didn’t’t like it when something wasn’t right.

Growling a warning to any un-seen presence, bird or otherwise he edged backwards slowly.
<‘Go away, go away…leave me alone.’> he growled in a mantra under his breath, <‘Go away, this is my home… SHUT UP’> The last being directed at the bird who dared annoy him earlier.

Straightening up he stalked warily over to the berry bush for some breakfast, casting suspicious glances around as he ate some. He kept his permanent rumbling growl going.

[chibi_sin]

Sloth smirked, glad for some good luck. He was so overwhelmed by his own smell that he didn't notice her own scent. Yes, his instincts seemed to have kicked in, and he is extremely paranoid about everything around him, but he still doesn't know where she was hiding, which is a major advantage.

However, he was in front of the bushes she was currently hiding behind, (and she was happily munching on the berries too until he came along) and being behind them while he was right there, wasn't exactly the smartest of ideas. Sloth had to catch him at his weakest moment, and it is always fun to stalk things. It was like the games Sloth played when she was a kit.

She slowly backed up, quickly hiding in the shadows of the trees behind her. Sloth was thankful that her pelt was a nice dark color, one that mixed in well with the shadows of the trees. She was careful to watch for any leaves or twigs. Sloth just wanted to play her games a little while longer.

[elric_ward]

Ward finished eating some berries quickly, scowling when one pricked his finger. Sucking on the wound he began edging back out to the river. He didn’t like feeling like this, this feeling of unease. He pulled his pelt closer around him as he walked briskly along the riverbank.

Looking this way and that, he looked around defensively. There must be something, anything that was making him so edge. No deer could make him this wary. He hated not knowing and he could feel his familiar rage building up inside him and he struggled to keep it down. Now was not the time to throw a tantrum, he needed to be calm.

Gritting his teeth, he kept his hands ready to clap for an alchemic defence or attack and continued stalking around the forest. It was never safe to stay in one spot and he wanted to find the source of his current apprehension., before he dissolved into unthinking anger.

[chibi_sin]

Sloth gave the Edward a mocking, motherly sweet smile, intended infuriate the Edward even more. Even more of her liquefied, only the upper part of her torso and her head, remained solid.

<'Well, that river you were just at over there wasn't exactly, your territory, Edward. It was the Mustang's, wasn't it?'> Sloth continued to smile, her arms smashing one of the spikes. She took a step forward, her other arm smashing yet another spike.

<' Shouldn't you have a mate helping you protect this territory, Elric? Or do you not have one?'>

[elric_ward]

Ward snarled back at the smug grin. How dare she look down upon him as if she were better! She was nothing but a cowardly Sloth! He struggled against seeing red and got ready to clap his hands.

<‘It’s none of your business! It’s my territory! Mine!’> he growled, clapping his hands and sending a couple of more spikes in her direction. She was water, liquid his mind thought frantically. How do you get rid of water?

<‘I don’t need a mate, don’t want one!’> he flung himself up into the branches, sending spikes around crazily to make the path towards him as difficult as possible while he tried to formulate a plan.

[chibi_sin]

Sloth laughed at his last comment, going behind a tree to have slight protection against the large array of spikes. <'Everyone wants a mate. You Edwards want mates even more so than most of us. You shouldn't lie to yourself. It will only cause sorrow in the end.'>

Sloth then fully turned into water, and she quickly weaved in and out of the army of spikes. She became almost fully solid behind him, her arms still liquefied. Sloth hit him in his side, and she smiled, <'By the way, you really should bathe immediately after you get really dirty. You concentrated on your own smell so much, that you didn't notice my own.'>

[elric_ward]

Ward stiffened and attempted to dodge before being knocked down. Great. Now he was wet. Not only was he wet, but the Sloth was mocking him!

<‘At least I don’t feel compelled to sneak around spying on people!’> he shot back at her, clapping his hands and using alchemy to remove the water from his pelt. <‘and I don’t smell.’> he muttered, almost sulking. The weather and now this Sloth was making him sullen.

<‘What do you want, why are you here,’> he growled at her, <‘Leave me alone…’>

[chibi_sin]

<'You don't like spying on people? It is very fun you know. Like the games I use to play when I was kit.'> Sloth replied childishly. For some reason, mocking this poor Edward made her particularly happy. Maybe Sloth wouldn't kill him after all.

<'Oh, and to why I am here and what I want? Well, I'm not after your territory that you're so obsessed about. I prefer wander. It is too boring to stay in one spot.'> Sloth replied dryly.

She took another step forward.

<'Why bother taking the water out of your pelt? You're just going to get wet again.'> Sloth smiled mischievously.

[elric_ward]

<‘I’m not going to get wet again!’> he yelled back as he crouched down, ready to fight.

Clapping his hands together, Ward growled The all-knowing arrogance was really beginning to get on his nerves. He had a throbbing headache and just wanted to be clean and sleep. Why did everything always set out to annoy him!

Pushing his hands down he sent out a stone arm, intent on trying to capture the Sloth.

<‘Hold still and take that! You slimy coward!’>

[chibi_sin]

Okay, that last comment stung. Sloth went back into her halfway watery form, trying to dodge the arm. She was barely able to dodge it, but she hit the ground with a really nice 'thud'.

<'Hey! Being tactical isn't cowardice! It is called thinking! Maybe you should try it sometime!'> Sloth yelled, a bit pissed. Sloth was no coward! Sloth feared no pain! Planning something before you do it was smart, not something to be mocked.

She quickly stood up, her body becoming solid again. Sloth exclaimed, <'If you actually started thinking, you would've caught me by now. Heck, boy! Now I'm giving you hints! Strength isn't everything!'>

[elric_ward]

Ward bared his teeth in her direction. This was frustrating and a waste of time! Stupid jibes and insults, of course he was thinking! Hitting a tree next to him in frustration he growled uselessly. He lacked the experience in fighting Sloths, he knew that, but she didn’t need to rub his face in it. Hints indeed, she was trying to confuse him so he’d lose!

<‘I am thinking! I don’t need your stupid hints! I can beat you anytime!’> he snarled, <’Only cowards like you think it tactics! Now shut up and stay still!’>

Going on the offensive he flung himself at her. Damn watery, slipperiness that always made them so hard to grab!