Moonrise {open}

[shade]

The bustling hub that was New York City was never really a place Sierra Shade had ever thought she'd visit much less live. Well, if you wanted to be technical she didn't live in the city but instead a few miles out rooming at the small stable she worked at. It was a Saturday night and her night off. Usually her nights off were no different than her work nights, sit in the loft or out in a moonlit horse pasture and sketch or photograph something but tonight some unknown force had compelled her to take a trip into the busy city her friend and sire Alice had always wanted to live in. At least here at Central Park it wasn't so busy, that was about all this place had going for it, other than a decent view of the nearly full moon.

As Sierra walked along the dim paths, she felt her skin prickle and not just because her inner leopard wanted to pounce out for a midnight run. Nope this prickly feeling was the feeling you got when you were being watched. On instinct, Sierra froze, clutching her old denim jacket around her hiding the black, green and white tank top she was wearing under it. Faded jeans and old tennis shoes were the only other things she wore except a simple black choker around a pale neck. Her corn-silk hair was braided simply, reaching down between her shoulders to near the middle of her back and her blue-grey eyes were weary.

Turning very slowly, Sierra searched the gloom for the source of her unease. The moonlit night she had thought so peaceful not a minute ago suddenly felt dangerous though she wasn't a people person so it might just be a normal human wondering why she was freaking out or walking alone at night in New York City. She looked seventeen, not her actual age so humans would worry. Keeping that in mind, Sierra began to walk again, passing a line of shadowy trees at a bit of a brisker pace. Being only 5'4", Sierra knew full well she wasn't very intimidating as a human and would prefer not having to use her rather uncomfortable transformation to scare off some creepy wanna-be rapist or something but she would if she had to.

As she neared the end of the line of trees, something made her stop and stand perfectly still, waiting, listening for something to happen. It felt like someone was walking in her shadow but she couldn't be sure. Alice had always chided her for not paying attention and mastering her physical skills. Turned out her old friend was right and she should have listened but too late to worry now.