if the sky can crack [OTA mingle]

[sixthiteration]

Hail had been falling for two days now, peppering the ground and shredding the grass but rather than melt away like a late spring storm it had only intensified, growing in diameter and moving from a mild annoyance to damned near deadly. As the storm raged, ice flew up through updrafts and was forced back to earth in the downdraft, accumulating layer after layer of murky debris until it went hurtling toward the earth with wicked accuracy.

Shingles were ripped from roofs, the wind howled and lightning cracked. The hail had driven both humans and animals into the safety of the indoors, to the dark corners of buildings that might withstand the assault. With only candlelight and the hushed voices of villagers to stave off fear and boredom, the storm raged like a sentient being heedless of those who might be caught in the path.

After the storm, a calm came over the land and weak sunlight glinted off smoke-tinged ice. Steam rose from the melt and humidity was thick in the air; petrichor hung heavy, a soothing scent after a savage display of natural fury.

[OOC: Your hail mingle post. Feel free to have characters on the run, gathering animals or inside the Town Hall waiting out the storm.]

Comments

[hawkeyesniper]

Arado manages not to barrel the two women over--but it's a close call. He's still shaken and Riza can tell he might have his own scrapes to deal with. They can't deal with them out here though and Riza reaches into one of the coat's pockets and pulls out a piece of rope she'd been using as a lead. It wasn't exactly the best, but it was all she had to work with. She whispers comforting words to him, barely audible over the storm around them. She slips the lead around him and he presses himself against her body. She runs her hand through his fur, reassuring him that they'll be back inside soon.

"Let's get inside before he decides to bolt again," she says as she straightens up.

[womanofvalue]

Peggy steps out of the way, because she's not the type of woman to truly find herself bowled over at the affection of things like young animals, children, or others. She's not heartless, by any means, but she also isn't so cold as to not feel a flicker of genuine warmth to see Riza reunited with her dog. "I'm glad to see he's okay," she says, trying to guide the both of them towards some shelter.

"Come on, I can help to give some shelter," she says, trying to work to stand behind Arado so the hail won't strike him. "Hurry! Before it gets worse!"

[hawkeyesniper]

Riza nods and starts moving. Arado is eager to get out of the storm just as much as the two women are eager to get him out of the storm. A few minutes later and they are back in the inn...and a second after that Arado is shaking off and spraying water and ice everywhere.

"Arado," Riza scolds, but it's only half hearted after all this trouble. She turns to Peggy, a sincere smile on her face, "Thank you."

[womanofvalue]

Peggy tips her head to one side to look at woman and dog, giving her a warm smile in return. "It really was nothing at all," she guarantees, shivering a touch herself. "Take care of him and don't let him get away again. It might not be so easy a find, next time." She glances back out to the hail, steadying herself mentally for what comes next.

"I should get back out there, make sure everyone is inside safely. You'll both be fine, won't you?" she asks, wanting to make sure before she simply takes off.