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(( Elayeth and Beryl :: Wed Jan 30 2008 ))

Elayeth panted slightly as he jogged the last hundred meters up the Jivvin Center. He was deffinitely in a good mood, having deftly slipped by Alexader Edward's notice for the evening, and now he was looking for entertainment of a special nature... with luck he'd be able to find it at the center.

As he trotted trough the front door, he slowed enough to let his panting stop... and as he walked slowly down the hall he heard voices in the den, and identified the one speaking as Beryl... With a smile he nosed the door open and walked aprtly into the room. What he expected to see was Maeve and Beryl... but what he actually saw was Maeve, Beryl, Aara, and another jivvin that he didn't notice. He didn't drop his smile, but he looked around the room after nodding at the group.

"Ah, my apologies. I heard voices, and thought the jivvin I was looking for might be in here." His smile morphed from friendly to appologetic, and he bowed out of the room. Once back in the hall he sighed and turned towards the stairs to the second and third floor. Up on the second floor there was a den that was almost always empty... and that's where Elayeth had found comfort when he wanted to be alone.

And there were a few people who knew that.

Her brow lofted slightly as she eyed the quick appearance and then disappearance, glancing from the door to Beryl. "... You weren't rude to him again, were you?"

She snorted, resisting the urge to roll her eyes a she stood, taking a moment to stretch long limbs out. "No... But that was awfully rude of him to just peek in without saying so much as 'hello' to at least you, if not the others. Someone should go chastise him for it." Of course she would be the one to do it. Of course.

"I'll be back." She turned away from the Vhaid, trusting the Afya to not question where she was going either. He really didn't question much now that they were older and it had become clear that she could defend herself... Besides, they all at least knew of Elayeth; even if they knew that she didn't exactly 'get along' with him they weren't expecting a fight.

Good thing, too...

Smirking she made her way upstairs, pawing open a door before nudging it shut behind her. "Couldn't even be bothered to pretend to be sociable?"

He just smirk-grinned over at her and strode up to her. "Couldn't even wait 45 seconds after you saw me before you just had to be with me again, could you." Then without waiting for her answer, he stepped into her personal space and nuzzled his head up beside hers, leaning into her until their necks were pressed up against each other.

He sighed a happy sigh. "You know, I waited for this all day." He loved the feel of her... the way her fur felt, warm against his. If he was honest with himself, he wasn't quite sure whether he loved her, or just the fact that she was a warm body who was willing to press up against him every once in a while... but this was no time for being honest...

Beryl was here in front of him, for the third time this week, and she had his full attention. "What did you tell your sister this time?"

"Oh, yes, that's it." She smirked. "Saw you and my heart took a leap into my throat... Something about that candy cane coat of yours." It was something alright and she had yet to figure out just what it was... Then again, she had also stopped questioning it to a certain extent, that extent being when she was in the other Jivvin's presence.

She turned her head slightly, giving the white tip of one of his long ears a gentle tug. "I told her that I was going to chastise you for being rude... Bad, Elayeth. There. Consider yourself chastised..."

His heart started to pound when she tugged on his ear, and he had to take a step back, sit down with his tail wrapped around his legs and glare at her mockingly. "You know very well what that does to me, you're just teasing me. And anyway, you told her you were coming to meet with me? What happens when she comes to find you?" As much as he enjoyed spending time with her, he didn't really relish the idea of her sister busting in on them. Not that he had much experience on that subject, but somehow he had a feeling that it would ruin the fun.

He scooted forward without standing up and wrapped his long tail around hers. "I don't want to spend time with Maeve... I want to spend time with you."

"No, I told her that I was going to tsk at you. I said nothing about staying in your company." She tilted her head a bit higher, trying hard not to smirk as her tail swished teasingly behind her. She waited there for a moment before walking past him, flicking the tip of her tail just beneath his nose on her way to the couch. "If I don't come back she'll figure I huffed at you and went home... Like I used to do."

His head bobbed as her tail flicked it, and he found himself following her over to the sofa. He watched her hop up and settle herself down, and found that he enjoyed her feminine movements. "Ah... so she'll just hate me then?" He didn't care, he told himself. All he cared about right now was this beautiful peice of female jivvin in front of him.

So he hopped up on the sofa beside her and pressed his nose up against hers before giving it a quick, affectionate lick. "so you're not going to huff at me and run away then?"

"Of course not. She'll blame me for being rude to you first and forgive you for not stopping to say 'hello' as she's already done." She touched her nose to his in return before gently running her soft muzzle alongside his, pausing for a moment only to n** at his ear a second later.

"I've already huffed at you. I believe I covered that when I walked in the door... As for running away? I never run away from a battle. You're usually the one who walks off first, Elayeth." She teased, a slight smirk curving her muzzle. "Then again, I wouldn't blame you... Up against an opponent like myself."

He laughed quickly. "Yeah, well, you scare me sometimes." He leaned sideways into the back of the sofa and sighed. "I'm not used to being around other jivvins, and you can be quite a forceful personality at times."

He was certainly enjoying this. "But no matter how scary you may be, you can always count on me to come running back. But it's not becuase I'm brave, It's because you're pretty." Here he laughed again and suddenly leapt over the back of the sofa, landing on the floor with an ungainly thud. "It's because you are the siren of the jivvin world, a personality that draws jivvin men into your grasp only to use abuse and throw away."

He shrugged. "And I'll let yo do it... cause you're so pretty." And here he smirked at her with a mocking playfullness in his eyes, and sat himself down to await her reply.

She got up so that she could peer over the back of the sofa at him. "Sounds like you, Elayeth, are a glutton for punishment." She smirked teasingly, watching him for a moment with tail swishing behind her. "... And an unbearable flatterer. Do you speak to all of the females you know like that or should I count myself among the lucky ones? I bet... That if I hadn't been here and another had you would have put on your pretty little act and tried to woo her instead."

She climbed up onto the back of the couch before hopping down after him. "Males like you are not to be trusted." She grinned. "... At least, not by just anyone they aren't."

He grinned uncontrollably as he backed himself up against the window in order to keep a distance from her. "truth be told, I don't know all that many Jivvins... in fact really all I know are guys..." He grinned even harder the closer she got. "You're the only other jivvin to ever get my 'pretty little act', so there. BUT if you don't want it, I could go right on downstairs and give it to Maeve..." He suddenly raised one of his eyebrows in mock confusion... "Or Aara? I could give it to him if you think that even Maeve wouldn't want it."

"I don't think that Maeve would be interested in your advances... And if you're attracted to Aaralyn then you really shouldn't be nuzzling up to me anyways." She smirked. "Then again, since you keep walking away you're obviously not all that interested anyways... So I'll just be on my way." She tilted her head higher as she turned away from him, heading for the door.

He shot round the short end of the room and bounded between her and the door. "No..." Said with a sly smile. "No, I won't let you leave. Not without showing me why you came up here." He pressed his nose up against hers again, and delighted at the quick static shock that zipped down his spine.

"You won't let me leave, will you? I didn't think I had to ask for your permission." She snorted softly as she pressed back, eyes narrowing slightly as her gaze met his. "I haven't the foggiest idea why I bothered coming up here... Beyond calling you rude, which I've done since you are. You obviously aren't interested in any of my attention anyways..."

He stepped forward again and put on his best menacing smile in the hopes that she was attracted to power. "You don't have to ask my permission, no, but you still can't leave." Then he stepped back and paced a short circle around her, never taking his eyes off her. "Your attention is the only attention in the whole world that I want. I came here to the center looking for you today, and I found... exactly... what I was looking for."


"Mm... And what are you going to do to keep me here, Elayeth?" She smirked as she turned her head to watch him stalk around her. There was certainly something to be said for the way his muscles flexed beneath his coat with every movement. He was strong; much stronger than he'd been when they first met.

"I suppose I could give you a little bit of my attention... Since we're both up here and all..."


He grinned evily, walked around in front of her and stepped really close. He leaned in and spoke very softly "I would take my chances in a struggle between you and I." Then he leaned back and laughed. "I might even let you win a little... just because I'm nice."

He suddenly realized as he talked, that he wasn't physically close enough to her, so he stepped forward again, leaned his head in towards her neck and nuzzled right down into her fur, burrying his nose in her smell.

She rested her head against his for a moment before nuzzling him in return. "I suppose I can humor you... This time." She smirked, letting her eyes close. It really wasn't all that unpleasant, after all. At times it was down right amusing... And when Elayeth's strength was factored in? Troublesome male...

She nuzzled him back! His heart about leapt out of his chest in joy as he reveled in enjoyed company... it wasn't very often that he got attention from another jivvin, let alone pysical contact. It was almost a headrush of pleasure... she was touching him... willingly. And leaned into her, fully intending to take the entire afternoon for time to enjoy her.

(( And now we skip ahead... yes, skip ahead.... for no reason O.o ... no reason at all XD ))

It was just a little over a week later and Elayeth was standing outside the Jivvin center next to the lake. Yesterday he and Beryl had decided that they'd meet her behind this rock, once she was able to ditch Maeve and he was able to slip by Alexander Edward. Elayeth grinned with the thought of how he'd sidetracked his 'mentor' this time. It hadn't been easy though since Alexander was starting to get irritated by all the time that Elayeth had spent away from the house... In fact, as Elayeth thought about it, he really enjoyed who he was becoming. He liked the fact that Beryl wasn't too clingy, but she still enjoyed spending a LOT of time with him, and he liked the fact that he'd found his wild side in all this sneaking around.

It was fun...

She didn't really have to 'ditch' Maeve. If anything, the other Jivviness seemed more than happy to have a bit of time away from her. Maeve seemed to do a lot of contemplating in that free time and she always had a new thought of some sort by the time she found her again; some sort of new direction to lead them in. It was nice, of course, having this sort of freedom.

The day seemed just a bit warmer than it had been the last time she'd ventured out. That was a good thing, of course. She didn't have to worry about the snow making everything wet and uncomfortable. Her fur could stay nicely fluffed...

She climbed up on top of the rock that she was supposed to be meeting Elayeth behind, tail swishing slowly as she peered down at him. She couldn't help but grin for a minute before jumping down, landing beside him. "Boo."

He jumped in fright as she landed beside him. Apparently he'd been so lost in his own thoughts that he hadn't heard her coming at all, but he gathered up his composure and raised an eyebrow at her. "You know, you'd think that I would be used to that kind of thing by now." But he obviously wasn't mad, in fact he seemed purely delighted to see her, the happiness showing in his grin. "Didja miss me at all? Huh?" He threw his best puppy-dog eyes over at her.

"You should pay more attention to your surroundings, you know." She smirked as she leaned in to n** affectionately at his ear before giving it a light, teasing tug. "Always testing your skills, Elayeth... Some are getting better, but others?" Her smirk remained in place as she took a step back to eye him. "Miss you? Of course not... But I bet you missed me." She had missed him, of course. If she hadn't at least a little she wouldn't have come to see him again at all.

"You didn't have any trouble coming out here, did you? With how late you were meeting me last time I'm surprised you made it here first this time... He hasn't been giving you any trouble, has he?"

Elayeth delighted in the ear tug and nuzzled into her muzzle as he chuckled to himself... "Naw. He's not interested in me really, besides... I think Alexander is too full of himself to take much notice in others." He touched noses with her breifly before licking her nose affectionately.

Meanwhile, Alexander Edward had stalked all the way to the Jivvin center in a mood more foul than most days... which was saying something. He was about to storm right up to the front door when he noticed two sets of footprints, both leading around the side of the house towards the lake, one large and the second almost nonexistant as if someone had tried to avoid stepping in the snow by stepping in the footprints of the larger. He growled to himself, something not suitable for the ears of children and stalked next to the footprints... all the way around to the lake, where he could hear voices behind a rock. The jivvin speaking was unmistakeably Elayeth, and Alexander heard enough to be dissatisfied with the red jivvin. He rounded the corner and was imediately even less pleased to see Elayeth muzzle to muzzle with a young jivviness... and by the looks of her a Vhaid as well. He had on his best 'I'm seriously thinking about killing you right here and right now with my bare paws' kind of face...

"Well, I should think that I'd raised you well enough over the years to know that my name is not Alexander, but rather Alexander Edward... Two parts of a whole, neither one alone enough to accurately describe me." He stared at Elayeth until the younger Jivvin seemed ready to stammer something and then he spoke again. "And yet that theory is disproved as I come around the corner to find you lip locked with this slut jivvin, a false royal to be assured considering present company." He sneered down at Beryl with even more contempt than he had given Elayeth.

Elayeth, to his shame, had stood horrified, still very close to Beryl, as Alex had arrived on the scene... but soon enough it became apparent by the red Jivvin's posture that he felt about two inches tall. Of all the jivvins in the world... Alexander Edward was the one who scared him most, and with good reason. His brain warred with multiple emotions, fear, loathing, emarassment, timidness, anger... too many to make any sense of.

She bristled at the tone of the elder male's voice, soft fur on the back of her neck standing up as she turned to face him, pale eyes narrowing. She listened to the words that he presented Elayeth with... And then she listened to what he said about her.

False. Her lips curled back into a sneer, claws digging into the snow that had been melting behind the rock. For some reason that word stung more than the word 'slut', most likely because she knew its meaning. She knew what it meant to be considered 'fake' and this was not acceptable; not by far.

She straightened out, holding her head high as she continued to glare at the other Vhaid. "Is that how you address a Lady whose company you have just interrupted with unwanted presence? Take your words and your intimidation elsewhere. You aren't wanted here." Not as much of a fighter as her sister was, but she had learned enough from Aaralyn that she could stand strong if need be and, from the looks of things, there was need.

Elayeth was cowering from the sheer mass that was Alexander Edward. Alexander was on the large end of the jivvin scale, and not being in the best of shape, there was quite a bit of girth about the Purple Vhaid. Elayeth knew from experience that Alex would have little to no trouble tossing either him or Beryl around like thin little ragdolls, but he couldn't help but admire the blue female as she stood her ground against this terror.

Alexander Edward glanced at Beryl as if she were nothing more than a flea. Something to be ignored as almost completely unworthy in the grand scheme of things. He turned his attention back to Elayeth. "I had told you many many times that you are to tell me of what you're doing and when. The very fabric of my rank and position demands it!" He wasn't yelling, but his words couldn't have carried more impact to the red jivvin's ears. "You demean your rank by consorting with trash, and you threaten both your and my existence with your careless 'cavorting'." The last word was said with such vehemence that Alex almost spat on Elayeth. He waited a moment to let the severity of his sentance sink in and then demanded the youger speak. "Well? what have you got to say now?"

Elayeth's brain almost panic'd, fearing the worst... but he got control of himself by watching Beryl stand tall. He slowly pulled his shoulders up somewhat straight (though not quite all the way there) and looked up sideways at Alexander. "I love..." ... he was about to say her, but as he was about to utter the words, he realized that there was something not quite right about them. But they had to be true right? He loved her? .... no, ... he loved spending time with her. Loved her smell, loved her company, loved her courage... but come to think of it, her personality was too strong and valliant for him sometimes... He liked her that was plain enough... but did he love her...

"ELAYETH!" The words snapped the red jivvin out of his trance and he pried his eyes from Beryl's proud stance. "Quit staring at you slut girlfriend and answer me!"

"Nothing." He finally stood up straight. "I have nothing to say, because I've done nothing wrong. I'm an adult, and I deserve to spend time with whoever I want to." He almost said more, but was suddenly finding it hard to look at Alexander again...

"Slut. That is what you keep calling me... But how can I be it when I know not its meaning? One with loose morals? A low opinion of her own worth? Is that what you are trying to say?" She growled softly, sharp teeth showing in a way that was far less than lady-like. There was absolutely no reason why she should have to stand here and be insulted by this... Creature.

"Who do you think you are to direct what Elayeth does or who he does it with? He belongs no more to you than he does to me. You do not own him." Her nose wrinkled as she stood her ground, knowing well that she could make this stand at least once; that she had to if only to prove that she was better than this beast of a male. She demanded respect, yes, but never fear. Fear was not how one should 'rule'.

"You are a fool."

In response, all Alexander did at first was laugh. when we was done with that he smiled evilly down at Beryl, then directed his speech towards the now cowering Elayeth. "Of course I own him. Without me he'd be long dead, and then you'd have noone to follow you around and help you get your rocks off." Then he turned his attention back to Beryl. "A slut, dear child, is the perfet deffinition for someone who would allow themselves to be courted by a jivvin as unworthy as Elayeth..." He raised an eyebrow at her as if in passing thought. " Except you're about as worthy as beetle dung, so he ranks above you on that scale... but not by much."

"Now wait!" It wasn't quite an interjection. In fact, if Alexander had still been speaking, Elayeth's words would have been lost in the deeper voice of the older male, but Elayeth was lucky... it seemed. "You can't talk to her that way. She's way better than I am! Look at her standing up to you like she is... and beside that." He looked over at her with sudden understanding. He did love her... as his best friend... someone he looked up to. "She's my best friend."

Alexander's face fell, and he suddenly looked as if he were about to kill Elayeth. And Elayeth saw it because he suddenly dropped to the ground, about as submissive as he could get without rolling over. Alexander swept a paw downward and raked his claws against Elayeth's flank, and the red jivvin just cowered down into the dirt, face turned up at Alex in fear and loathing, ears tucked back as far against his head as he could get them. Alexander stood as tall as he could and growled down at Elayeth. "go... home... .... now."

Elayeth glanced up at Beryl. "Please... don't fight him..." He didn't want her to get hurt. He didn't doubt that she could hold her own, but she also didn't think that she wouldn't take damage in the process. ... and then Elayeth backed out suddenly and went tearing off towards the path.

Alexander turned to Beryl with a sneer. "He might be unworthy scum, but no son and squire of mine shall ever worship a False Vhaid." ... He glared at her. "You're not even worth the title of his slut. and that's saying something." Then he turned to see Elayeth standing not fifty yards from them, watching the scene with fear... So Alex began to stride towards Elayeth, and the red jivvin turned tail an went tearing off into the woods.

"... And yet, in commanding him to submit to you, you are expecting him to do just that. How does it feel, Alexander Edward, to be a False Vhaid? Do you see what you do to one who held you in such high esteem? Is it truly worth it to have him cower in fear? Fear! He does not respect you! He is afraid of you! A big bag filled with hot air. A nothing." She sneered, holding her own head high. "How does it feel to be a Nothing? To know that when you are gone others will breathe easily... That none will miss you?"

She shook her head slowly, sneer fading into a look of pity. Sorry... Yes, deep down she felt sorry that the Vhaid had become this... And more sorry that this was what Elayeth had grown up with.

"Elayeth..." She spoke softly, brow furrowing. Wherever her friend went, she hoped that he would go somewhere other than 'home'; somewhere that this creature would not find him.

Alex turned back to Beryl with a majesty that wasn't appaernt in his earlier attitude. Ever fiber of his being was aflame with anger. It shone is his eyes, and ground in his teeth. Muscle after muscle in his legs and torso quivered with it, making him stand taller and more firm than one might have imagined possible. Once he spoke it was barely a whisper, and it was said through gridlocked teeth, but it was acompanied by every ounce of telepathy that Alexander posessed...

"I... am... a true Vhaid... Just because you can not see it does not give you the right to make assumptions about the character of your future king. If... I ... were... a kinder jivvin... I ... would... kill... you ... now... and make the world..a ... better... place. But I'm not kind. I show you and the world no mercy, becuase it is not yet the time for you to die."

He relaxed a little. "Perhaps, when I am king and you are even more worthless than you are now, I will throw you at Elayeth's feet and give him the pleasure of killing... his... best... friend."

And with that Alexander turned with a sneer. He stalked off quickly and proudly... this time it was likely that no jeer or 'truths' she might throw at him would make him turn back.

"You are no True Vhaid..." She murmured softly, more to herself than anything else, as she watched him walk away. He was no future king of hers, or anyone else's for that matter... And she would see to it that she never became like him.

(( May 05 2006 ))

Satou turned and looked into the mirror on the dresser. With a heavy heartfelt sigh and sad smile to herself she turned to her journal and began to write... Sure she was happy and sure she was more than adjusted to this life, not really a new life, but this life. She really liked her family, Keppit and Ran and Gus and Jen... They were all great people. But there was something missing and she felt that she knew what it was... but how to tell them.

Alexander, on the other hand, was out walking in the woods behind the jivvin center. He had been taking brief walks out here almost everyday for the last month, but he'd never been THIS far into the woods. Truth be told, the purple jivvin was looking for something... for someone. There had been someone out here that one day. He was sure it had been a jivvin... He had just never learned it's name.

And then somewhere nearby... in a bush, or perhaps a tree, maybe even a hole in the ground.... someone watched Alexander plod noisily through the forest. Watched in thought. He wasn't very old, but E'layeth had plans for this king...

Gus walked by the blackjack counter with a bag of coins slung over his shoulder. It was grunt-work, but at least he wasn't selling cigarettes to foul breathed old ladies anymore... now when they asked if they could pet his ears or stroke his tail at least they didn't always smell of tobacco and alcohol... it was a little better. He adjusted his red vest on his thin torso and started off towards the slot machines where, surely, there would be people waiting to cash in bills for quarters.

(( Oct 28 2006 ))

Alexander Edward woke to something stabbing him in the side, and naturaly he screamed.... But once he had control of himself (and was halfway up a bookcase) he turned to see Elayeth sitting on the floor with a confused look on his face. "Did you poke me?"

"Yeah."

"How many times do I have to tell you not to touch me."

"I dunno."

Alexander hopped to the floor and growled at the little red jivin. "Don't touch me."

(( Continued. :: ))

Panic gripped Elayeth as another voice entered the scene. How had he let someone sneak up on him? this was bad bad bad... where was Alexander? The poor kid ran a small circle before he realized that there was nowhere for him to go. He he just stood there, legs at a slightly odd angle, and a look on his face that plainly said he'd been caught playing a game and games were bad.

The elder Jivvin trotted towards the two, laughing aloud as he did so. "What was one of the first rules I taught you in the Game, Maeve?"

She plopped herself down next to Elayeth, pondering for a moment before answering Aara. "Always be aware of your surroundings, no matter what... But we were having fun, Aara... And we almost found Beryl! I'm almost certain!"

He shook his head slowly, tossing golden mane about as he did so. His laughter was soft and his demeanor was friendly. "You did, did you? Well, that's good... And I see you made a new friend as well?"

The laughter calmed him a little and the smile did it's best to help him relax, but he still wasn't about to say anything... This other jivvin must be the Aara that they mentioned earlier. After all, how many Aara jivvins could there be? So far there was only one Alexander, one Elayeth, one Maeve and one Beryl... stands to reason there was only one Aara...

And Maeve seemed to be at ease around the adult jivvin. So Elayeth nodded slightly at the word 'friend'.

He turned slowly to face the younger Jivvin, bowing his head politely as he began an introduction. "Good afternoon to you. I'm Aaralyn... And who might you be?"

As Aara spoke with Elayeth she began to sneak away. She still had a Beryl to catch.

His comfort level fell as Mave crept away... but he was determined to be brave. He inhaled deeply and puffed out his chest a little, staring up at the older jivvin...

"Elayeth Kalhoun." He nodded towards the house. "I'm here with my brother, but I don't exactly know where he is right now."

"Elayeth Kalhoun. That's a fine name." He nodded, bright smile curving his muzzle once more. "Thank you for keeping an eye on Maeve and Beryl before I arrived, Elayeth. It takes a very brave young Jivvin to watch out for such spirited young ladies."

As he spoke of said ladies the sound of a startled cry came from the area of the porch... Followed by laughter. Maeve would -never- let Beryl live down the fact that she caught her offguard. Never... Or she'd forget in a week.

"I... I... I think that they were keeping eyes on me..." He nodded slowly. "They were teaching me how to play games. Tag. They were teaching me how to play tag." He smiled. "It's kind of fun, and then we played find Beryl... that was fun too... Maeve won." He realized as he said it that the last part of that sentance was not needed.

"Everyone should know how to play tag." He nodded slowly. "Especially the young ones." He laughed as he heard Beryl, tilting his head towards the house. "Yes, in does seem as if Maeve has won. Shall we go join the girls? I promised to tell them a story once I found them... Maybe you'd like to hear a story as well?"

"You... " He paused and looked around them... "You mean it?" He had often heard Gus reading stories to Booker through the window, but Alexander had never put up with such things.... "That would mean a lot to me."

"Of course I mean it... I always keep my word." He winked at Elayeth as he trotted towards the house, arriving just in time to dip his head down and carefully pluck Beryl off of Maeve. He set her aside, laughing as she huffed once before taking on a more 'dignified', 'lady-like' pose beside him.

Maeve, on the other hand, was nowhere near as lady-like. She butted her head against one of Aaralyn's forelegs before taking a seat between his paws. "I won!"

Elayeth trotted along silently behind Aara, and stopped when they stopped.

"Congradulations Maeve." He smiled as he said it. Winners deserved praise... Alexander had taught him at least that much... the only problem was that not everyone was a winner.

"So... What would the winner like to hear a story about?" His brow lofted as he lowered his head to peer down at the little Jivvin that was nestled between his forelegs.

"Mmm..." She cocked her head to the side as she pondered. "I don't know... A story about the forest? Tell us about the people that live in the forest! The good ones... Not the bad ones." Her nose scrunched as she said that. She didn't -ever- want to run into the scary forest creatures again.

Elayeth nodded his head entusiastically... this was going to be his first story. "That sounds good." He knew about the forest, simly becuase that was where he lived... but...

"I wouldn't mind hearing about the bad ones as well though..."

"There has to be a little bit of bad in all things good, Maeve... If there wasn't the world wouldn't be nearly as interesting." He nodded slowly as he nudged her away from his legs towards Beryl who'd taken a seat of observance facing Aaralyn. "What do the three of you already know about the forest and the things that live there?"

Maeve blinked as she sat down beside Maeve, staring up at Aara. "Well... We live in the forest. Kinda. The clearing in the forest with the big house and the pretty water."

Beryl listened to Maeve only partially, trying to remember everything that Aaralyn had told them before. He was slowly 'teaching' them... One little lesson at a time. "Other things live in the forest though. Not just people... Aara, didn't you say that there are others like us? Other Jivvin?"

Elayeth took a seat next to the two girls and piped up. "There's wild jivvins, and other people, lots of houses and snake people. They call themselves Baara somethings..." He paused while remembering. "I wouldn't go near them though." ...

"Alexander Edward lives in Keppit's cabin in the forest... and I live outside next to the cabin."

"Very true, Elayeth. I'm glad that someone knows what lies in the forest beyond the Center." He nodded, flashing the younger Jivvin a soft smile. "Maybe I should let you tell them a story..." He chuckled, tail flickering slowly back and forth behind him.

"But Aaraaaa... You promised." Maeve pouted as she took a step forward, threatening to butt her head against the elder Jivvin's leg again. She'd do it... She'd nuzzle and pout until he gave in if she had to.

"So I did... So I did..." He laughed as he batted her away playfully.

"I want... I want to hear a story, not tell one..." And that was the truth. He did want to hear a story. He wanted to sit in front of someone as they related something specifically for his ears (and in this case Maeve and Beryl's too). He was so excited that his tail was flitting back and forth behind him so fast it was distracting him... so he put his paw down on it as it flitted forwards....

He watched as Maeve threated to headbutt Aara's leg, and wondered what Alexander would do if Elayeth tried that... and the answer to that was simply... Alexander would knock him across head, sending the child jivvin flying.

(( Elayeth, Beryl and Maeve :: May 01 2007 ))

Much as Beryl had told her they would, things were changing. There was something different in the air and every now and then she caught herself turning her head, trying to catch scent of whatever it may be. She was on her guard more often now; learning to be cautious rather than skittishly paranoid.

She trusted the other female entirely as she had since they were both newly hatched. There was something about the blue Jivviness that she knew was right... Something that felt important. It was silly, of course, but she found herself thinking about it anyways as she moved through the forest towards the Center to see whether or not anyone would be there. Beryl had said it was her turn to 'recruit' afterally... Whatever that was supposed to mean.

Elayeth was laying upsidown in the grass outside. He loved the colour of the grass and the way it made him feel... and despite how his king was treating him, he was STILL having a good day.

He just hoped that Alexander didn't come out here and see him not doing his job.

She smiled as she caught sight of something red in the grass. It looked like a Jivvin and, if she recalled correctly, she'd met something red before. Her tail swished behind her as she trotted up to the other Jivvin, peering down at him with her nose inches from his. "Hello."

Elayeth Jumped to his feet, quite ungracefully at that and spun around to face the voice. "I was just, um... I..." But it was Maeve, and he sighed relief. "Maeve, He grinned at her. I thought you were Alexander Edward."

He exhaled his relief in one great big huff and flopped down onto his stomach. "I thought I was in so much trouble."

Her head tilted to the side as she leaned back into a comfortably seated position. "Do I look like an Alexander Edward to you?" She managed to keep a straight face for a moment before smiling brightly. "I'm suprised that you remember me, Elayeth. You've gotten... Alot bigger."

Her brow furrowed slightly. "Why would you be in trouble for lying in the grass?"

"I'm supposed to be guarding the entrance while Alexander Edward is inside." He looked her up and down....

"I'm afraid I haven't met that many jivvins.... it's easy to remember one out of five names." He did know of more Jivvins and had seen more, he just hadn't talked to them. "You've gotten bigger too."

She smiled brightly as she stood, slowly walking in a circle around him as if to get a better view as well as show off. "Yup. Beryl too. She's about the same size as me... Maybe just a little bit smaller, but that's alright. She says I'm supposed to be her guard anyways."

She turned her head towards him, smile turning into a grin. "Kinda like you and Alexander Edward, I guess. 'Course, does that mean I'm not allowed in the Center? Who're you supposed to be guarding it from? Everyone?"

Elayeth just shrugged. "I never know what I'm guarding him against. I think he thinks that other Jivvins and people might want to kill him.... but the only reason they might want to kill him is because he can be such a butthead." He shook his head and rolled back over into the grass. "I've learned not to ask questions at this point really."

She peered down at him as she sat back, wrapping her tail around her paws. "He puts you in danger without telling you what you might be up against?" Her brows furrowed. "That doesn't seem right at all, Elayeth. What if something big and scary had come upon you... Instead of just me?"

He shot her a disaproving glance. "So far nothing big and dangerous has come at me... and I suppose if it did then I'd die and I wouldn't have to worry about it anymore."

He shrugged. "I've never actually seen anything big and dangerous... to be honest."

"You haven't? But I've heard that the woods are filled with big, dangerous things that might come creeping out at any point in time." She smiled, tail unwinding so that it could move to swish behind her. "Those words don't sound much like something that a warrior would say, Elayeth. Are you sure you're supposed to be a guard?"

"Enh..." he stuck his tongue out at the sky. "just because I am a guard doesn't mean that I want to be a guard, or that I'd make a good guard. I only do it because I like Alexander. He's my brother. I think I'd do anything for him."

Truth be told, Elyayeth wished he'd seen more adventure in his life. He felt that his life was quite boring on the whole. "I hear that there's dangerous things in the forest too... I wish I could see one."

"You think you'd do anything for him? There's a big difference between actually doing anything and thinking that you'd do anything, you know." She nodded slowly, trying not to smile. "You'll never see anything in the forest if all you do is sit around here."

He frowned at her. "Don't mock me. It's not nice. I WOULD do anything for him. Wouldn't you do anything for your sister? Or for Aara?" He snorted. "Besides. Alexander told me to wait here."

"Yes, I would do anything for Beryl. I've already done things that I haven't liked for her and I would like to think that it's made me better for doing so. I'm not nearly as afraid of things now as I used to be." Her nose scrunched slightly. "Do you always do what you're told, Elayeth?"

She emerged from the woods, stalking slowly towards the pair. "Now, now, Maeve. I didn't ask you to come here to start arguments." She swatted at the other female's tail. "Good day to you, Elayeth."

"So far." He smiled sadly over at her, and found himself shocked when Beryl emerged unexpectedly from the brush.

"Good evening." He wringkeld his nose slightly and turned his head away to cover his mild shock. "You ladies always snaek up on jivvins like this?"

"Maybe you should do something that you haven't been told to do for once." She smiled almost teasingly for a moment, that look fading the moment Beryl swatted at her tail again. Her nose scrunched as she looked questioningly back to the other female.

She lofted her brows at Maeve for a moment before turning a smile on the crimson male. "Ladies do not sneak, Elayeth. Maeve may have, but I never would. I thought I announced myself clearly enough... Besides, Maeve should have been paying better attention than she was if she actually missed me."

He didn't care for games, really, though he did like the company. He decided to hold his tongue in exchange for conversation... But that particular conundrum made him laugh to himself...

Hold his opinion. He would hold his opinion. "Enh. Nobody's told me to do something other than what I want... not yet anyway."

"Maeve does have a bit of a point though, Elayeth. You are an adult now, aren't you? At least, I would assume that you were based on your new size... Congradulations on your growth... Isn't there a point in time in which we must make decisions for ourselves?" Her brows lofted as she tilted her head to the side. "Or is it that you are doing what you feel best benefits you for the time being?"

She sat still, listening to Beryl. Where was she going with this? It seemed like she was trying to play some sort of game... But it wasn't a game that she herself knew how to play.

He simply stared at her. "I do what he says because I choose to do what he says. I live to serve the best intrests of myself and those around me."

He was growing tired of being poked, prodded and questioned.

"Maeve," She turned towards her guard for a moment, "Would you excuse Elayeth and I for a moment?" That said she began moving towards the Center, fully expecting the male to follow her... Even if he wasn't interested in her conversation, if she'd understood things right, he would have to stop her from entering anyways.

She didn't like it. She didn't like it one bit... But she nodded anyways, giving Beryl that sign that she would listen. She wouldn't follow after her. She would, on the other hand, keep her eyes on the two of them.

Elayeth's mood feel and he stood somberly, to follow her up the steps. He spoke as she neared the door. "If you're just going to poke fun at me I'm sure Maeve needn't be excluded. Two on one is so much more... Effective." He said the last word like it was poison.

"If I were going to poke fun at you I would've remained right where I was." She tilted her head high as she took a seat on the porch, posture proud and as ladylike as a creature moving about on four legs could be. "Something that you said caught my intrest, Elayeth. I am not Maeve. I do not think as she does nor do I speak as she does. I speak for myself. Do you choose to listen?"

He sat down with a plod. "I'm not going to stop you from talking, if that's what you're asking. So you might as well come right out with it."

"You said that you lived to serve the best intrests of yourself and those around you, correct?" Her brows lofted as she looked to him. "What if I had something in mind that might better suit your intrests, Elayeth?"

Elayeth's hackles bristled with anticipation. He wasn't sure what his interests were... how could another jivvin possibly know? And he wondered if whatever she had in mind would fit in with his life...

"What are my interests, exactly?"

"I think... That you are interested in adventure. You grow weary of the same old thing over and over again. You're interested in change... A chance to be who you are and not who others want you to be." She nodded slowly, giving a little stretch before settling down comfortably once more. "If I am right in thinking that, what would you say if I could somehow offer you those chances?"

"you mean..." He looked at her with scepticisim... "All of them? You think you can give me a chance to be myself without having to choose between real adventure and fake adventure, and that I could be happydoing it..."

he glanced over to Maeve. "I think I might be interested in something like that."

(( Elayeth and Seif :: Mar 04, 09 ))

Elayeth stepped out onto the shore of the lake, and stared out over the water. He imagined that it was probably wicked cold under ice, and he didn't really care to find out... He was simplly enjoying the veiw from here.

There was something about an evening sky on a clear winters day... and it helped, of course, that Alexander wasn't here telling him what to do or where to be or anything of the sort... not that Elayeth didn't like Alexander, just that every once in a while... it was good to get away from the larger Jivvin.

Seif's wanderings had taken him farther than usual today, and as a result he'd found himself at the edge of what was quite possibly the largest body of water he'd ever seen. Awestruck, he'd stood and stared for what seemed an eternity. Finally his paws protested standing for so long, and he glanced about in search of a good place to sit and observe this new discovery. A red form amongst the more earthy colors of his surroundings caught the Vhaid's attention, however, and with his curiosity piqued he padded towards the other Jivvin. Once he was a few yards away, he paused, unwilling to startle the stranger. "Hello?"

Elayeth startled as the other jivvin spoke. He'd been so lost in his own thoughts that he had neither seen the other jivvin arrive nor known he was there at all. He quickly regained control of his expression though, and relaxed visibly as he saw that it was just another jivvin adult.

"lo" He smiled at the other. "I'm sorry, I didn't see you there. I can leave if I'm intruding at all?"

Seif shook his head quickly, smiling to show he meant no harm. "It's quite alright," he replied. "I was just looking at the lake...I've never seen anything quite like it." Wrapping his tail about his feet as he sat, he inclined his head at the other Jivvin in a respectful nod. "The name's Seif." He hoped he was managing as far as manners went--while his bond had tried her best to teach him what she could, she had also impressed upon him many times that she was awkward in most social situations.

Elayeth just smiled at Seif and offered his own name in return. "Elayeth." Then he turned his gaze out over the lake again. "Just wait till it's warm again." As he nodded at the water, his long red ears flopped up and down. "Wait til it's warm enough to go swiming in the lake, that's the best part. You can sit here on the shore and bask in the sunlight and then when it gets almost unbearable, you can just leap in." He smiled as he imagined the water in the summer, and then laughed suddenly as a thought occured to him. "Actually it's a great subsitute for baths... I don't like them really."

An expression that was something akin to wonder crossed Seif's face as Elayeth described swimming. He enjoyed his frequent baths, but the way the white-laced Jivvin described the experience of a swim on a summer's day sounded like something entirely different...something even better. "Fascinating..." he murmured, giving the lake a second glance. Now, the ice that skimmed the surface seemed to taunt him, whispering promises as to the fun times that could be had beneath it in the warmer seasons. "So you've been here before?"

"Yeah." The word was spoked truthfully, if curtly. "I come here a lot actually. I have an older brother who..." The words faded away he shrugged, as if a shrug was a perfectly suitable replacement for the end of the sentance. "I like to get away, and there's something about the water that keeps me fascinated."

He turned to Seif with a curious look on his red muzzle. "I take it that you don't come here often then?"