|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2011 8:13 pm
 A dark curtain now engulfed the once blue sky above the eerie mare as she walked on through the trees. The flames on her legs lit her way and her glowing eyes illuminated anything close and at eye level to her, making it easier for her to dodge low hanging branches. It seemed as though she had been walking for hours before she came to the shoreline of a medium sized lake hidden within the forest. Her eyes turned skyward as the moon shone brightly above then fell to the water where she hesitated a moment on the reflection. The silver orb glowed beautifully in the water, so beautifully that she had to look away. Her senses snapped when a rabbit scampered out from a bush to her left and her eyes were upon it in a matter of seconds. Her muscles tensed and ached to run after it but her mind held them fast. She had already been called a hideous monster once; she didn’t really wish to earn the title though she feared she already had. Her eyes fell to the ground as her mother’s beautiful, feminine face appeared in her mind’s eye. A coat of gray, blushing cheeks, lovely green eyes and a normal looking flower in front of her ear, her mother was gorgeous. She began walking around the shore of the lake, not daring to look at her reflection in the waters now, knowing that at night she must look even more frightening in the darkness. With a sigh she lowered herself down to her belly and allowed her legs to curl under her. For whatever reason when she laid down the flames on her legs didn’t burn the normal flesh of her belly. She always imagined it must be because her skin was accustomed to these strange flames.
From her comfortable spot she looked out into the distance, far beyond the waters of the lake and to the other side. Everything had two sides, this she knew, but how did one know which side was best? Angeni blood flowed freely through her veins but there was also something else, something that caused fear to seep from her very pores and gave her a craving for blood. Which side did she belong to? Or did she even belong to one? After a moment of pondering her head began to ache slightly and she closed her eyes, willing her mind to rest for once. She knew her mother would be worried about her if she did not return before first light but that didn’t’ seem to bother her at the moment. Anaon would watch after her in Amelia’s absence and she would surely return before they woke. She just liked the time of day that did not contain the sun the most of all.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2011 11:16 pm
 Karloff had been wandering the woods in solitude. The red orbs of his eyes assessing every step while his ears became attuned to every sound. It was quiet here, peaceful. Ailbhe was resting at home, and he was out to hunt. The thirst for blood was strong. Though, he could deny it, there was no point. He never injured anyone, he didn't need it to survive, and most importantly his Ailbhe understood. That's what mattered. She didn't think he was a monster, and she had helped him to believe it to. But the simple fact of the matter was, he was different--quite different. Maybe he had been born with some dark part in his soul, waiting for some event to transpire and release it. Maybe only the event had made him this way...But he understood the darkness, he accepted it. He dwelled in it, for Ailbhe was his light. And this was his calling, or so she helped him to believe. He had been given this darkness for a reason. To understand it. To understand others, to be tested...a thousand different things. As he walked, his somber thoughts sobering up his mind from the escape of the hunt. He saw small green flames burning through the woods. Pushing his way through, he found the source of the flames. A female lying, flames licking her skin, but she was unphased relaxed. For a moment, he stood without a word.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nyx Queen of Darkness Crew
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 10:54 am
She did not hear him or see him but there was a shift in the breeze, just a little whiff of something different wafting to her nostrils alerted her to a possible presence. She did not turn her head to face him or jump quickly up but rather angled her head so that if she spoke it would carry to where she thought the lurker may be. She wasn’t even certain if anyone was actually there but was willing to take the risk of looking insane by talking to herself. “If you think you have spotted your prey for the night you are incorrect.” Her voice was smooth and delicate despite her outward appearance. If she had been hidden in the darkness one may have thought she would appear to be a beautiful damsel. “These eerie green flames may not burn my flesh but they are certainly capable of burning yours.” With a toss of the head she sent her black and white curls dancing in the gentle breeze. Fear was something she was accustomed to and therefore she felt none. Her own body seemed to emanate the very emotion just as her father’s had. She took a small joy in frightening others, especially those who perhaps deserved it but somewhere inside she knew scaring other Soquili was monstrous.
She did not stand nor shift as her ears pricked in apprehension of a response. If something was indeed stalking her it would remain as silent and still as it possibly could but she would be prepared for an attack should it occur. The flames on her hooves began to burn more ferociously at her mental command as she attempted to prove her point to the empty space all around her. Even if no one was there and she had spoken to emptiness no one would think much of it. She was already a monster, what would be so odd about a creature speaking to invisible figures in the dark? The roses on her back and the flower by her ear glowed, tossing an eerie reflection off of the water. Only those who were insane or completely lost would approach her.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 6:32 pm
She was not weak, nor was she afraid. She gave off no scent of fear and her blood smelled....he took a deep appreciative sniff. It smelled like...undiluted blood. Rather like his blood...A strong smell of intoxicating and different smells. Maybe...did this mean....maybe her scent meant she craved it to?
He stopped forward out of the shadows, and dipped his muzzle into the water. He was far enough away to show that he meant not harm and close enough, that she could see him clearly. Splashing his front hoof/claw in the water, he brought it up and over his face to clean it gently. The water felt cool and refreshing as it slid across his face, and not as refreshing as when he drank it up when his throat almost burned for blood.
He had long ago stopped questioning it. Karloff he even become flexible to the word monster. Who was to say who the monster was? Some were beautiful and all the more dangerous for that. They could sneak, they could steal in the night...But something that looked vicious was feared, despite demeanor.
All his life he had never wanted to kill, never to fight only to protect what was his and those who could not protect themselves. If his appearance helped in that, so be it. It had been so long that he had worn this mask. That only...only Ailbhe and Terra Stryker had ever seen. Only for Ailbhe had he removed his mask willingly time and again. He hated the scars beneath, they were like a map of pain etched out on his face. A history written for all to know...
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nyx Queen of Darkness Crew
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 8:25 pm
Dashes of white on a dark body caught her attention as the stranger she had spoken out to make his way to the lake’s water. She watched as he drank and took note of his strange mannerisms as he moved in the same manner as a cat when cleaning its face. All at once she knew he was no threat to her, if anything he was somehow like her. Gathering her burning hooves beneath her she brought herself to all fours and walked gracefully over to where he was. She did not move right beside him for personal space was something she quite enjoyed but she did get close enough so as to make out the pelt on his face and legs. The glint of long fangs both from his maw and from the upper jaw of the cat pelt on his forehead. After a moment of observation she looked into the water, catching the glint of the metal plate on her forehead. “Do you use those teeth for something or are they merely for show?” Her tone was not mocking or obnoxious, it was gentle and calm, allowing a little hint of interest to show from her.
Lowering her head she too took a drink from the lake water. She felt rather at ease with this stallion, she somehow felt related to him as though they could have been cut from the same cloth. He was dangerous looking and so was she. Flames and fangs, both of them had qualities that would cause others to fear them. Bringing her head back up she again looked at him, her luminescent green eyes searching for his red ones. “I am Amelia Nox.” She said quietly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 10:35 pm
Karloff took another draught, listening as she spoke. He could feel the kinship in her, she was one of his kind--an outsider. He could sense it now as sure as he craved her blood. Taking his paw back to his face again, he cleaned before speaking. "I use them to bite," His voice was deep and smooth.
He could be completely honest with her, he knew it. She would not flinch, she would understand what how he felt. There would be no judging, there would be complete understanding. "I use them to pierce the skin of willing victims, to taste their blood."
Tilting his head, he looked into her green eyes. They even glowed like his, "I could smell your blood from the woods. It's like mine. Do you...crave it to?" It was the only thing that made sense.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nyx Queen of Darkness Crew
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2011 11:03 pm
She did not have to tell half-truths here, she had nothing to hide for all at once she felt completely at ease. He would not look at her through eyes full of prejudice, nor would he worry about her lurking around in the shadows like some evil incarnate creature. A small and relaxed smile passed over her lips as he spoke of yearning for blood and actually drinking it. In past conversations she had felt the need to either speak quickly over the matter or keep it hidden all together, not here, not now. “Would you think it strange if I were to tell you I am relieved to hear that answer?” Her voice remained smooth and linear but the flames on her hooves danced happily. She had found someone who could understand her. Did he too think he was a monster? Something undeserving of looking upon true beauty? Shaking the thoughts aside she responded without hesitation.
“I do…Often times I desire to go off hunting small game in the forest but I mostly restrain myself. My fami-“ She cut herself off before delving into the family part of her conversation. It wasn’t that she worried he would judge her, she knew she could speak freely it was just a shameful topic for her. “My sister Ana enjoys meat as I do and eats it more freely though…she doesn’t…look like me.” She ended rather sadly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2011 10:45 pm
Karloff smiled, a low purr thrumming in his throat as she spoke. So he had been right....Her blood....it smelled like his. Now he knew of a way to distinguish amongst those that were like him. Now there was a way to distinguish them from others. This was good...very good.
"She does not...burn like you?" He questioned with his deep, smooth voice. "She does not feel as you do that even the taking of a small life is a pity?" He smiled, she could be more like him than he had hoped.
"Once, I had the desire for blood. I thought I would have to kill for it. I could not do that. I'd rather starve, I'd rather die than that. But...I found the one thing that helped me realize that because I crave, because I choose not to kill for it, becuase I can control myself that I am not a monster. I thought I was doomed to it, destined to be...lost forever to good. Confined to a path, I didn't quite understand. But I found a constant. One thing that put life in perspective. I may be called a monster, the monster may be my friend...but I, I am not the monster. Neither are you."
He let out another loud thrumming purr as he licked his paw again, swishing his tail in rythym like a feline despite that it was made of hair.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nyx Queen of Darkness Crew
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 12:30 am
The rumbling emitting from within him comforted her further, the rhythm calming her mind and easing her worries. She had found another such as herself, one who seemed to understand what she was going through as well. Bowing her head gracefully she watched as the water momentarily glowed green before she closed her eyes and took a drink. She brought it back up after he had asked his questions and answered them delicately but openly, she did not need to hide anything from him. “She does not; I am the only one with the flaming hooves. I have another sibling somewhere out there and perhaps he or she shares this trait but until I meet up with him or her I am alone in this.” She shook her head gently in a response to his question about her sister. “I believe in some way she believes it to be a pity but she feels more natural doing it, like she doesn’t need to hide it. I on the other hand do not want to look even more monstrous than I already do.” She ended with a small sigh.
She listened to him talk about himself and it seemed like she had chanced upon someone with all of the answers to the questions she had been asking herself. This stallion, could help her, he would be the one to finally answer her questions for good and set her straight. Even that small explanation had tears welling up in her eyes. She had been told she wasn’t a monster before but not by those who understood what it was like having to deal with these types of issues on a daily basis. She had always felt out of place, ugly, scary but here, talking with him she felt lighter. “W-what was that constant?” She asked eagerly, wanting to know the secret of keeping yourself from darkness. She squeezed her eyes shut, willing the tears to vanish before they spilled over. “I-I’m not?” She stumbled. He was the first who had definitively told her she was not a monster, in those exact words.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 8:44 pm
Karloff listened to her speak, she seemed less troubled. She had family still, family who in part did understand even if they could not articulate it. They were there for her...there for her.
A small smile, slipped across his lips. "A constant. One thing, in past and present that helps you remember who you are...what you believe him. The reason you are the way you are. The one constant thing in life." He couldn't stop the purring that spilled with his words. He could feel the warmth spreading through his chest, bringing savouring joy. "Ailbhe. She's with my always. I carry her with me wherever I am. Through her eyes, I am not a monster. I was never the monster." He looked back up at the female.
"Tell me Amelia Nox, is there none that could be constant for you? None that could understand you? That is what will save you...Keep you sane. You have your family. Ailbhe, she's the only thing I ever did."
Purring, again he licked at his paws. Noting but not commenting on her emotions. "Have you tasted the blood of another yet? Another of your kind?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nyx Queen of Darkness Crew
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 11:16 pm
His explanation of the one thing in his life that remained constant had her staring down into the water, her glowing eyes focused on the reflection. Ailbhe was obviously someone he cared very much for and hearing him speak of it made her heart ache. She had never known such warmth, even his voice changed when speaking about this mare that helped him see what he truly was. “That sounds wonderful.” She responded gently. Her eyes were drawn to the glowing flower tucked in her mask of armor just in front of her ear. It was a symbol of her family, being passed down from her grandfather to her mother and now to her. Even so, hers was much different in that it glowed a luminescent green light. His question had her silent for a moment as she contemplated the answer. She did indeed have her family and she was grateful to them but there was still something missing when she was among them.
“I do have my family, well, part of it at least.” She hesitated, bringing her head up so she may look him in the eye as she spoke. “I am truly grateful to have them and I would never change that, I am lucky to have what I have but…” her words trailed off, “they do not understand me.” Her memories went back to the look in her grandfather’s and great grandfather’s eyes when they both saw her. “I am…alone in some ways.” She finished. Her tone was not sorrowful but more or less matter-of- factly. Her family would remain by her side if she needed them but none of them understood her and none of them had told her she wasn’t a monster. They were unsure themselves as to whether or not she would go off to the side of evil, never having met her father.
The question of blood had her ears pricked and a little flash of something unfamiliar sliced through her system. Excitement? Anxiety?.....Fear? Looking back to the water she shook her head and responded in a rather shaky voice. “I have not…I always worried it would make me look like a killer.” The words of Fyglia the Wind Serpent entered her mind and suddenly she was a foal, staring up into those red eyes once more, trying to figure out what her heart was telling her.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2011 6:17 pm
Karloff listened to her as she spoke of her family, he watched the emotions cross her face. He could feel the pain that came from her emanating off in waves. He remembered the anguish of not being accepted. "They understand as best they can. But they are not...like us."
Gently, he tried to get her to look at him. "Look at me. Do not be ashamed. Blood is a craving, how you take it...that's what determines your humanity." He could tell she was thrilled by the idea, and repulsed by her cravings.
Stepping closer, he bore his neck. "Taste it. My body is engorged with it. Drink it, fill yourself with it." He let his neck lay vulnerable to her, waiting for her to pierce it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nyx Queen of Darkness Crew
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2011 7:04 pm
Amelia’s expression dropped when he mentioned how her family was not like her. She had often thought of it as her being not like the rest of them. Was being different a good thing or was it a bad thing? She sighed ever so slightly, the tears beginning to well up and blur her glowing vision. “I just can’t help but to think they are wary of me or think I am something dark and twisted.” She allowed for a humorless laugh to escape her maw. “I certainly look it.” When he told her to look at him she did, taking in the fangs and his glowing red eyes. He had seen what she had and had survived what she was going through. He had found the one he loved and she helped him through it all, Amelia didn’t have that at the moment. She was only with her broken mother and her wild sister.
“Isn’t drinking blood just bad all together?” She asked sincerely. Her mother had never minded when Anaon would go off for a hunt and Amelia assumed that trait came from her father. Her mother was accepting of it but at the moment she was an empty shell. She knew he would not look at her in terror and she felt a connection with this stallion. As though he were an older brother or a mentor that she could lean on and trust.
She looked at his neck weighing the possibilities of ramifications if she did drink from him. Would this tip her over the edge? Is this what Fyglia had meant about her heart deciding? As he had said though it wasn’t like she was killing him to get it and she was offering it. Stretching her nose toward him she got inches from his neck before recoiling with a gasp. Squeezing her eyes shut she leaned her forehead on his shoulder. “Will this make me evil?” She asked desperately. She was so conflicted…
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2011 8:18 pm
Karloff did not feel her pierce his skin, but he heard the gasp. He could almost feel her shuddering with confliction. He had experienced that. He had been there. "Cravings...are no different between craving blood or craving a certain kind of grass. It is the length's to which you would go to to fulfill those cravings. Some days my throat, and every part of me burns with the want of it. And sometime's it's only just there. But I have learned to control myself. To make myself start and stop of my own volition. Despite how much more I want. I only take from the leftover kills of others or from willing victims. With consent, it is not evil."
He watched her intently, seeing her vein pulse. "I am your family. We are family by our blood desires. Family of a different kind than others. Let me show you how to act on your impulses, to understand...You are not a monster."
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nyx Queen of Darkness Crew
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2011 6:55 pm
It isn’t bad with consent he had said; inside she knew this to be true. As long as she didn’t run around biting the throats of all those around her she wouldn’t be considered a menace. If she asked and only took what she felt she needed or less even she couldn’t be evil. His words made sense to her and yet she was still struggling with the notion of her family. They would try to understand but she wondered if they would be angry with her. She considered how her mother would react and knew her mother would understand, having fallen in love with a carnivorous Soquili. It was in her blood to enjoy the scent and taste of blood but as long as she didn’t get too carried away it should be fine. Lifting her eyes to his she studied them a moment, noting the fact that they held no deception or harmful intent. Releasing the breath she had been holding she smiled gently. “I believe you.” She stated simply, feeling that those words were enough at the moment.
When he said he was her family she felt another brick being lifted from her shoulders. She had found someone like her who would help her. “Family.” She murmured quietly. “I will gladly accept your teaching.” With that she lifted her nose to his neck and very carefully so she wouldn’t cause much pain nipped at the flesh, causing it to open just a little. The blood began trickling down her throat in small increments but it still felt and tasted wonderful. Grass hadn’t ever truly pleased her and now, as she was suckling from her mentor, she knew she was not a monster. Just different.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
