We were chasing the thunder inside the storm;

As she nibbled away on the delectable little morsel within her hand, peering up over the cookie as he spoke to her. There was a child-like appeal within their fortress. Even with the reality that hovered above that fort like an ominous haze. For a moment she couldn't help but let her mind wander to a gloomier place, a place where darkness lingered within the depths of her mind. A small frown finds her feminine features. "I can't help but think the moment I get comfortable in one place, that it will all go to hell. I'm kind of sick of the fighting. To be fair, I drove pretty far." Her lips quirked into a grim smile, trying to conceal that actual worry that dwelled within her. They couldn't find her here. Not right now. She was safe for at least this moment. But for how long? What about her family? She hadn't seen them in a little under a decade. She hoped they wouldn't have to suffer her decision to break her cursed shackles. Surely the malicious alpha's reach couldn't stretch this far, could it?

Mira didn't quite understand why it caught her off guard when he agreed with her. For some reason, the panther didn't seem like the type to do that all too often, just because he didn't have to. She could tell by that prickly exterior he put on the first night they met. Yet this man, in this moment was still hardened, but his edges softened some. It was as though he gave in to the idea that she was worth telling his secrets to if only some of them. Or perhaps it was simply because he was internally overwhelmed so considerably that he no longer could hold it all inside. Regardless, it was a mantle she was willing to carry tonight.

There was something about him, that was utterly compelling to her, that made her want to know just a little more. But she truly needed to learn not to pry too much as though trying to find that fragile balance. The woman nodded her head softly as if contemplating those words once more.

It would appear the panther-man carried more burdens on his shoulder than any one man should ever have to carry. Another subject that brought, even more turmoil ebbed within him at the mention of a destructive fire wreaking havoc. He seemed willing enough to share yet just a little more insight into his life. Another piece to that complicated puzzle that was Tetradore, even then she was sure she had most of the pieces there would be some missing. Yet there were still so many questions that burned her speculative and curious mind. She has learned her lesson not to pry and push while she was ahead.

For a moment they caught each other's gaze before that story parted from his lips in which he peers out into nothing as if focusing on those words alone. She watched him keen to hear that story and yet felt guilty to be dredging up a past that seemed to carry another weight to drag him down. How could he take such abuse?

Mira doesn't understand why that impulse within her to touch him, but she cannot ignore it as he tells her his story, obviously leaving out vital bits. Like who would want to start such a fire? Who did he lose within that violent inferno? Perhaps it was a combination of the pillow fort and the vulnerability he shared that gave her the urge to comfort him. Maybe even partly the animal instinct to offer him support and strength? Or was it that human part of her that truly gave a damn?

Regardless of her reasons, she reaches out to touch him, her hand shattering that invisible threshold between the she-wolf and the panther. Perhaps it was the way he was willing to share with her what most wouldn't dare that she found endearing, something unique with all the walls people tend to forge. It was clear he had been through a lot, each one of them survivors in their own way. But when you endure something violent and terrible you can't help but wonder the what-ifs. They churn in your mind and corrode like acid within your very being. It wasn't healthy to dwell, nor was it constructive in finding another way to simply survive. She simply reaches out and places a comforting and supportive hand upon the top of his hand.

Sometimes holding on to that pain was the only thing that can carry one through the muck of life. A life which had a nasty tendency of tearing, chewing and spitting you out. Their scars may not be visible for the world to see but internally were what forged them into what they were today. That fire had proven a horrible loss to the man, she suspected it stole vital people he cared deeply for. "You can never know what would or may have happened, those 'if onlys' will only devour you. You can only look toward the future, you won't find your answers in the past. I can promise you that." She squeezed his hand, peering at his face trying to read it. She tried to metaphorically hold him up at this moment, if she could, be that reassuring presence. If only he could draw that pain in those times of need, it will give him that insurmountable strength. That's what she did in those moments where she had to fight and her life was in the balance. She doused herself in the pain that consumed her, she used it in those imperative moments and she never lost. She used her pain and sorrow as armour.

Her name suddenly fell from him and it snapped her out of her thoughts, her whole attention focused on words that seemed to hold some importance and it did. It was an offer she would have been foolish to pass up. Of course, she could have forged her own way in a much messier fashion than in the way he proposed. She still didn't quite understand why he would want to help her any more than he already has. He had already made an ally out of her, surely he must have already realised this.

He teased her and she nudged him with her foot after he threw her words back at her light-heartedly. She grinned. "Touche." Her eyes narrowed in a faux huffy face. "But clearly a girl has to see these things, or they just don't exist. Like unicorns or Santa Claus." A quirk of her lips transformed into an amused sly smile. Hey, wouldn't he want to see what he was saying yes to before just simply accepting?

Tetradore agreed and she was certain he would need a lot more arm-twisting than that. But then the true dilemma was that she hadn't the faintest idea what fun even consisted of! "I will come up with something." She spoke determined, willing to take a stab in the dark. Has it really been that long since she did anything for herself? Regardless she was determined to use that resourcefulness she possessed and put it into good use. She could hit a bullseye, she could take on a dark hunter but she couldn't come up with an idea for fun?? How pitiful. Nevertheless, with that sheer resilient determination and will alone she was determined to come up with something, this much was for certain.

She enjoyed his company within this fortress he built, it simply felt comforting. He didn't seem like in a rush either, a question entered her mind. She pauses, tilting her head slightly, resting her chin on her knees entirely content. "You know.." Those golden eyes peer at him curiously. "I saw some dusty movies by the equally dusty TV. What do you say we clean off some of that grime and watch one? Unless you have somewhere to be?" She couldn't remember the last time she had done something so uncomplicated, so at ease instead of the chaos of her world. Perhaps they both could use a break in the form of film. Would he choose to hide from the world with her for a little longer?

I'd rather be dangerous;

MIRA RAMOS