You and Me After, You and Me Before

@Hieronymous 

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It had been over a week since the roan woman awoke in the mountains. Her time spent there turned into an extended stay as she crossed paths with @Orlaith then @Quicksilver, one a face from her past while the other simply had nowhere else to go. However, many questions went unanswered, how she got here and what happened to the others she and Orlaith traveled with being the ones at the forefront of her mind.

Their exploration through the mountains left no trace of an answer, so with little other choices, she left. Ira was sure to pass the message to Orlaith on her way out and asked for her to pass the message to Quicksilver as well. They should stay in the mountains, see who else turned up incase an old friend appeared while she set off to hopefully answer all of their questions. As she escaped the reaches of the mountains, the land swept into a world of green and white despite the winter snow. A forest bordered the flatlands, though as she traveled she would find the empty rolling hills of rock and shrubbery.

Compared to the views she had only recently become acquainted with, it was no spectacle, though the openness meant there might be a meal for her to find along the way. There was no telling just how far she had to go until she crossed the path of a pack and if food was available it was best that she caught it now while she was not in need of more strength. Dipping her head to the frozen earth, she'd inhale, taking in the fresh scents to see what she might cross.

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A few scents reached her, though it was the sound of another that caught her attention...some sort of hushed voice carried through the empty air. A wolf? Mayhaps an actual resident of these lands that could finally answer her questions. She followed the source, ears twitching as the voice became more distinguished and...somewhat familiar.

A male with tossed browns laid about the snow, inherently babbling to himself until...until she caught sight of the rabbit to his side, seemingly unphased by his presence as it minded its own business grazing. Ira couldn't help but raise a brow, curious as she stepped closer. If he had no plans on catching a free meal, then she certainly wouldn't waste her time tracking something else. Though as she took another step, a dead thorny branch crackled beneath her, quickly gaining the prey's attention as it quickly sped off.

For a moment, she considered giving chase, though her free meal had already gained quite a head start and this was the first she had run into another since the mountains, so for now she would settle with approaching her new company. “You know, last I checked rabbits are food, not company.” She paused, just to the side of him as she let her eyes roam the various swaths and splashes of color. It was weird, almost like nothing she had ever seen before, yet...“You're...” Her eyes found his, a spark of recognition pressing her mind as she saw a river while she splashed about in an uncharacteristic manner... with him. “I know you—”

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For the moment, her usual stony expression had been replaced by a look of shock. The man before her wiggled and flopped about in the snow before he too seemed to recognize her, an all-encompassing grin filling his face as her name was bellowed. “Hiero—?” His name barely left her lips, a question to her own knowledge as the pieces fell together. 

He was one of the ones who traveled with her and Orlaith before... His overly excited display would perhaps grate her ears and leave her scowling had it been anyone else...yet...yet there was something else when it came from him. She could only blink like an owl as the painted man jumped to his feet and brushed against her, “What are you prattling on about? How did...”

She shook her head gently, almost as if she was trying to shake the fog around her mind as she took a step away from his insistent touching. “I can hardly recall events before I awoke here. What do you know, are there others? You traveled with me before, yes?”

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He seemed amused by her response, chuckling to himself as he swayed in place. What an odd response, then again, there did not appear to be anything quote-on-quote normal about this man and somehow, she knew this to be the truth. Still, the strange display did not sway her, in fact, it was almost welcomed...almost. For with everything still up in the air, she needed answers and unfortunately, he too seemed to be unable to provide them.

It was growing frustrating at this point. How could no one belong to these lands or remember how they arrived? More importantly, had they all lost their memories? In some way, it seemed like a bad dream. Some kind of joke on reality... though pondering further right now would get her nowhere. “Yes, my apologies. Hieronymous, correct?”

“I know not if you have encountered others, but from my experience, we are not the only ones. I have banded together with two others for now in the mountains, one of which you might remember. She too traveled with us and had it not been for her I fear I would not even remember that much.” How many more were there? Was it just the three of them to arrive in these lands or were other allies missing?

“I have been seeking any nearby packs to make heads or tales of our situation...what of you? I do not hold you accountable for any past agreements, but it only seems fair to ask.”

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“At your service.”

The smirk and wink were enough to give half an eye roll over, though admittedly the male had some handsome features, something he likely knew by the way he handed out that smile. A flirt no doubt, which only brought about trouble. Luckily, he did not push his advances, instead switching gracefully to her previous inquiries.

And thank the heavens for that.

Ira always did hate repeating herself. Memory eluding her to any potential conflict that might arise from the painted man and firey knight meeting, she gladly gave a name, “Orlaith. A warrior loyal to mine own creed. Tall and muscular, green eyes with orange accenting her coat.” and supposedly one of her closest companions, though she lacked the memories to back such facts. It was she who shared that there had been others, companions Ira kept close. The declaration of its own was a feat, one she wished she could recall herself just what had occurred to lend her faith.

“If you wish to see for yourself, simply follow the treeline to the mountain peaks. We have made a home, be it temporary or not, in a cavern of the mountain. Few have gathered, though I have yet to place an official name.” It had not gone without thought of course. The few companions she held in her company now deserved as much if they were to make a new home here, though she had not confided in any other, “Admittedly, I grow fond of Vanderfell. It seems fitting given current situations...” Ira allowed her eyes to trail, crawling along the scraggly bushes that peaked the snow-laden wasteland.

“I think I shall see this claim for myself. Should you stand by your word for service, then we shall reconvene at the summit. Inform Orlaith that you have my blessings to be there for the time being. Farewell, Hieronymous.”

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