Masked Daze

[Kiya]

Kiya sat in the barn slowly eating an apple. At least here it was quiet and away from the rush of the world.
Raising the fruit to her lips once more, she stopped, distracted by a rustling at the door. Moving her spare hand protectively to the dagger at her leg she masked her face into a daze, and pretended to have no other cares but the apple in her hand.

[Trix]

A slow burning lamp lit the path in front of Trix as she approached what seemed to be a wooden plank barn. The door was slightly ajar. Unsure whether to enter directly or to sneak her way in she peered around the door to see if there was anyone, or anything inside. Squinting in the darkness Trix could see the silhouette of a person sitting on a log, munching at something in their hand. Unable to make out anymore features of the figure she bravely pushed the door, risking her safety as it squeaked open in protest from lack of use.

[Kiya]

Sighting an unfamiliar face from the corner of her eye, Kiyas hand tensed ever so slightly on the dagger at her leg. "Can I help you?" she asked, turning her head towards the stranger with another bite of her apple.

[Trix]

"I doubt it" Trix replied coldly, she had no time for strangers. She turned to leave the barn which offered no answers to her when something about the girl with the apple caught her eye.

[stormaf]

With one enormous bound, the tiger cleared the stream, his tail twisting on the landing as he quickly turned. The barn wasn't far away and tonight he felt like playing.

In a way, he really missed his old home and friends. Playing with other tigers was just about the most fun a tiger could have, and since he was the only one about Night World, he missed a romping partner.

Without any predators around big enough to give him care, Sharir galloped full out across the fields, ears flicking back and forth, powerful legs working to bring on just that much more speed.

When he neared the barn, his destination for sharpening his claws, he slammed on the brakes, skidding to a stop. His paws plowed furrows in the soft ground and he slid side-first into a fence post. Sharir let out a tremendous roar and hopped away. Whirling, he lay into the unfortunate post with both front legs, claws extended.

[Kiya]

Kiyas eyes snapped onto the stranger at the sound of the roar outside, "did you bring someone with you?" she asked warily, now making no effort to hide her reach for the dagger.

[Trix]

In one sudden movement Trix turned her back to the stranger. Her eyes showed little fear as she guarded herself from whatever appeared to have followed her path. She squinted in the darkness but she could see nothing in the shadow of the barn.
Her attention was drawn back to the stranger who was now a few paces behind her yielding a dagger with a melicious stare.
"I travel alone" Trix scowled at the woman, "Whoever or whatever has followed me, I make no claim to."

[Kiya]

Kiyas eyes darted beyond the woman into the dark, "and why should I believe you?"

[Trix]

Trix approached the woman til they were almost face to face "I don't expect you to. If you choose to trust me then we work together, but if you don't, whatever is outside that wants to come in, you can fight alone."

[Kiya]

Kiya smirked at the womans arrogance, stepping even closer to the stranger, "I`ll fight it alone then"

[Trix]

"So be it" Trix replied unamused by the woman's bravado. "But I must apologise in haste for I have no time to hang around and watch you be defeated by some terrible monster" Trix moved to walk around the woman hoping for a back-door escape.

[stormaf]

When he'd reduced the post to so much kindling, Sharir flicked his tail over his back and padded away. Pretending that another tiger had leapt at him from the side, he crow-hopped sideways and then bolted forward ten feet to whirl and plant all fours. It was then that he caught voices coming from the barn behind him.

All thoughts of play forgotten, Sharir's tail dropped and he turned to face the barn's open doors, one of which was askew and off its hinges, the other rusted in place. Head down and ears thrown forward, the tiger paced towards the barn slowly. Was this a threat or a friend? He had no way of knowing until he got close enough to catch a scent in the darkness.

[Kiya]

Kiya held up her hand, stopping the womans movement so that she was between her and whatever was outside. Glancing into the dark she made out a quick movement in the bushes, "I fight it alone, but I need a shield" Kiya smiled slyly at the stranger

[stormaf]

The tiger pulled up short when he thought he heard a familiar voice from inside the barn. Warily, he prowled forward and a little to the side of the big doors. As he neared the barn's dilapidated wooden side, he 'chuffed' loudly several times.

[Kiya]

Sharir? Kiya sent lightly, hearing the familiar chuf. Lessoning her hold on the woman she stepped out tentaviley into the light. Is that you?