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 Posted: Sat Oct 26, 2013 11:25 pm
A little smile rose, and Geraden shook his head. "I honestly don't know what to call you, Miss Catori. You seem to be many things." His ears perked at the warning that he couldn't get out of the deal, and he gave her an uncertain smile. "Should I be worried? You're not going to take me to this special place and sacrifice me to the festival moon, are you?" He was only mostly kidding....
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Posted: Sun Oct 27, 2013 10:17 pm
Tail twitching Catori just laughed softly, “Oddly enough I’ve had many titles in the past, so it’s nothing new.” Her paws danced lightly over the soft earth as they continued up past where many of the families had already left. Even with the sight blocked the female noted how the mist still clung to the hillside. So this was what it looked like to normal taur? No wonder they still held onto the lanterns and used candles to light the way during this night. Her gaze peered over everything as if seeing it for the first time, almost like a child.
“Oh I wouldn’t do that~” Tori laughed, “I would have to worry about you haunting me then.” She meant it in earnest before realizing her slight mistake. Anyone else may have found that a joke, but for her…well anything was possible. “That is considering the spirit of the season.” She smiled lightly, “Not that I would believe in someone haunting me.” The talk of sacrifice though was fitting as she led him further away from the village of lights and deeper into the woods. Without things appearing before her the cattaur found the path to be fairly easy.
So after all this time…her stomach knotted with butterflies. What would it be like to see it finally? Would it be something wonderful or a trick? Maybe this whole time they were just waiting for her and Geraden was just one of their tricks. Still…taking a deep breath Tori subconsciously tightened her hold on the male’s hand before taking the final few steps forward and out of the woods. Eyes squinting she finally forced herself to look up and out towards the view before them. They stood on a hillside now knotted with the oldest of graves, many forgotten by the centuries, and ivy with other sorts of old vines twisted through the old markers. A huge gnarled tree stood guard at the side of the hill, but it was what was beyond it that the female was determined to see.
“Whatever you do please don’t let go of me.” She whispered quietly before moving forward with his hand firmly in hers. There right past the tree she stood at the very tip of the hill. Before them was the sight she had always wondered about. Glistening in the darkness the river rushed below, but there just beyond it was the reflection of the many lights that charmed her. Floating there in the river were the lanterns freed at last from the many taur who had been holding onto them for the night. The village too was still lit up in many different hues of faint colors and each swayed in the wind like ribbons, all glimmering, shimmering, colors that blended in with the moonlight perfectly, “Wait for it.” Squeezing Geraden’s hand in excitement the cattaur watched with amazement as the rest of the lanterns were released and because of the lights another thing happened which made her heart skip a beat. There they were…hundreds of luna moths, green and silver, flying out after the lights and up towards the moon. Her gaze lit up happily. It really was beautiful, just like she had heard.
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Posted: Sun Oct 27, 2013 11:21 pm
It was quite interesting to watch Catori. She seemed to be looking around as though she were seeing the world for the first time. All at once nervous and excited. Then, the certainty in her words about haunting being the worry, only to quickly switch to a more joking tone. Considering how she'd been acting, maybe it was ghosts she'd been seeing! Made sense, but if she didn't believe in them...
As they got closer to the hill, his brow rose in surprise. They were headed for the cemetery hill? Her whispered request made him smile and nod. "I won't." He'd never come up here before. The place tended to give him the creeps. Always gave him a cold feeling...
Seeing the lights fill the view, and then the flight of the moths, chased away whatever heebie-jeebies the hillside pressed against his back. "Wow," he murmured, quite in awe of the sight. He'd never seen anything like it. "I didn't even know this was here." It was spectacular!
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Posted: Mon Nov 04, 2013 8:18 pm
Catori beamed up at her companion, “Not many do.” Her tail flicked happily behind her as she watched the last few silvery forms disappearing into the moonlight. Idly her free hand reached up and trailed after the lights before they too slowly flickered out of existence. Just like a spirit that had finally found rest. Perhaps that was what made her so excited about seeing this sight finally? It was like she was freeing hundreds of them at once, sending them on to a peaceful afterlife. One where they couldn’t bother her anymore. The last thought made the cattaur smile sheepishly.
“Only once a year does it ever happen though.” She commented softly before looking back up at Geraden, “Thank you again.” Her hand tucked back a stray curl of hair and bells on her ribbons chimed softly as she moved her arm. It was over so quickly already. Her gaze softened before she forced a small smile towards the male, “So I guess you kept your promise. I can probably walk myself back home now…” Her eyes scanned the area slowly, “That is after we get away from this place.”
A soft laugh left her, “After all I’ve heard it’s quite creepy to come here alone!” If only those who thought the tree limbs were threatening truly knew. Not just normal spirits wandered here…some had been lost for so long that they had lost themselves. A shiver went through her body. If only they knew what happened to lost spirits that gave into the dark. What twisted figures they became…scared of the thought Tori tightened her hold on Geraden’s hand before tugging him gently after her, “We should go before it gets too dark and we get lost out here.” Now that…that would be bad.
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Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2013 12:24 pm
Once a year... Such rare beauty. Ears twitching, he looked over to Catori and nodded. "Thank you, as well." He would never have seen such a sight if it hadn't been for this strange female. Interesting.. but strange. His brow knit slightly as she went back and forth again on keeping his company for the trip home.
The comment on the place being creepy when alone made him chuckle lightly. "I think that's why I never knew about the moths. I tend to avoid coming here alone, myself." He tried to give Catori an encouraging smile when he felt her squeeze his hand, and turned to guide her back away from the hillside. Now that the spectacle of the lights and moths was done, he was feeling the press of the creeps again. It did help having someone with him though~ "..and don't worry. A promise is a promise. I won't let go until you ask me to. I'm more than willing to walk you all the way to your home, if it would help." He felt bad with how nervous Catori looked and felt. What could be the matter...? A fear of the dark? The things she could see, but he couldn't?
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Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2013 9:09 pm
Tori flushed lightly at his thanks. What had she done that was special? No, she had just latched onto him like some creep all night. It was all because of them too that she did it. The thought that he blocked them out really did baffle the cattaur. She wondered if Naomi would have an answer for it? Then again…if she told Naomi there was no telling what the mystic cattaur would do. Tori studied her companion quietly as she balanced the ideas in her mind. Chances were her sister would either push him away since he stifled her ‘abilities’ that were so different or try to push Tori on him as a safety net. She would probably do the former though since she had helped before with her ‘sight’. A soft sigh left the females lips as she looked away.
The night air was crisp though and refreshing. Catori noted as she tried her best to burn this memory into her mind. His chuckle distracted her and the female looked up with her ears perked, “You wouldn’t be the only one to think that.” She laughed softly, “I hear teens come up here all the time for good scares during the autumn nights. Many sad stories too about things that have happened here before as well..” Her voice trailed off before she shook her head. Few remembered stories that old.
“But it wouldn’t be fair to make you walk back alone in the dark then.” Tori shook her head sadly, “And I can’t hold onto your hand forever. That would be odd too.” She smiled softly, “This really must have been a weird night for you.”
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Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2013 4:25 pm
He looked up at the dimming sky and smiled to himself. What would his mother say about this strange woman? Maybe if she were here, she would have a bit more insight as to why Catori was constantly changing her mind?
He looked back to his companion as she started speaking about the teens looking for a scare. He frowned and shook his head. "Not this guy. I get enough scares without going to look for them. There are other ways to get a rush than going around getting scared." His amused smile fell slightly. "Besides... if there are spirits here, it seems cruel to tease them like that. You wouldn't want someone coming to visit you just so they could have fun getting frightened at your expense, right? Especially if the spirit is here due to a sad reason..."
His ears perked, and he laughed softly, amused once again. "I won't be walking over this hill. There's a perfectly nice path around it that I'll take." He tipped his head to the side, and smirked. "An unusual night, yes. I can't complain though. I've had worse nights. It's good to try new things, like discovering the paths to the south to get you home, or the moths. Spending an evening with you has been pleasant, all in all."
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Posted: Sun Nov 10, 2013 9:29 pm
“”Oh?” Catori’s ears flicked upwards at his frown. So he wasn’t fond of the scares of the season? She grinned lightly, “I wonder what you do then to pass time.” Her tail curled up behind her with interest at his serious concern. Did he really believe in spirits then? Her gaze moved away from him as she tried to hide her face from him. It was indeed a sad thing to do to torment spirits who were trapped, and it was worse to test those who had darker purpose here on this plane. “I can agree with that.” She stated softly before looking back over at him with a small smile, “Though that’s only if spirits exist, not all believe in them you know.”
If only they really didn’t exist.
Catori just shook her head, “It’s still dark outside. Don’t the empty trees spook you? Especially since it is the night of the soul festival…most find it creepy to wander around after the lights are out in the village streets.” Her face fell at the idea of Geraden having worse nights. Was that supposed to be a compliment or was he saying that it could have been actually worse than it already was? Feeling conscious she nearly pulled her hand free from his before hesitating and instead choosing to keep it there as he continued. “Pleasant then?” She frowned and shook her head at him, “You know you made it seem….well never mind.” She flushed lightly as she realized he was just being polite. She was fortunate then to have run into such a nice cattaur, “As it is I’ve had a nice night…so thank you again.”
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Posted: Sun Nov 10, 2013 10:54 pm
Geraden shook his head with a smile. "Trust me, there is much more out in the world than searching for scares." His brow cocked slightly, though his smile remained. "Not all believe in unitaur, but that doesn't mean they don't exist. I've never seen one myself, but I still believe in them. Or, at the least, I believe they used to exist."
His ears fell slightly as Catori began her commentary on what others found to be creepy. That wasn't helping... Naturally, his mind went to how the bare branches seemed to reach for him when he walked along at night, the whistling wind seeming to be an ominous whisper.... "Yeah, most do.." he agreed with a shaky little chuckle. He was one of them!
He made that seem..? He looked to Catori curiously, but left it alone. She seemed to have changed her mind. At any rate, his mind was off the reaching branches again, and his smile brightened back up. "You're very welcome." He still wasn't sure what he'd done to help so much, but he wasn't about to question the growing comfort between them. So much better than the awkwardness of earlier.
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Posted: Fri Nov 29, 2013 8:27 pm
Oh if he only knew about unitaurs. Still Tori smiled lightly, “I would hope so!” She had enough scares on a daily basis as it was. Just the faded memories of some of them made the female grip her anchor’s hand more tightly. How was she going to be able to let go of it after tonight? Her cheeks blushed quietly in the moonlight. It wasn’t him though right? It was just his ability to hide her from that other world…she didn’t really even know him. Not at all! Swallowing the cattaur bounced lightly on her paws from the flittering butterflies that suddenly had stirred in her stomach.
Hearing the shake in his laughter Catori’s gaze looked up towards Geraden innocently. Did he have butterflies as well? Was that why he had that shake to his chuckle? Maybe the butterflies were because they were both cold! As the idea went through her Tori gladly clung to it, “Are you cold? It is cold out here…” She started quietly before pausing to reach out and letting go of his hand wrapped her arms around his side, “I heard hugging against the wind is good too.” A little bit of fire magic went a long way too. At least she blamed the tingly feeling from where she touched him to be from the magic moving out around them. It was nice being able to use magic without fear of being spotted by one of those things…
“Tori.” The mists around the two cattaurs deepened and the next thing Catori knew she was staring into a pair of familiar eyes that gleamed from the fog. Anyone else would have been startled by the haunting image of a stalker in the fog, but rather Tori was frozen in surprise. A hand reached for her and she found herself being pulled away from Geraden and to her sister’s side. Blinking she bit her lip sheepishly and looked down from the questioning glare that was sent her way. Still though…she peered up towards Geraden before listening to her sister’s melodic voice, “Thank you for escorting my sister out this far, but this is good enough.”
All Tori could manage was a small squeak of, “Bye Gera-“, before the mist closed around them and she disappeared with her sister.
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Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2013 8:59 pm
Geraden looked up at the sky, smiling as the stars shone bright. Made the night seem a little bit safer. He squeezed Catori's hand back without thinking about it. "I suppose there is a chill in the air," he commented, before his voice was stolen away as he felt a pair of arms wrap around him, and the smaller body press against him. She was cold enough to give him a hug? She did feel comfortably warm though... Slowly, he let one arm settle around her shoulders. "Seems to be working," he murmured as extra heat warmed his face. This was... nice.
A new voice practically had him jump out of his skin, if it hadn't been for Catori clinging to him. He blinked curiously at the image in the fog, his hand unconsciously gripping Catori's shoulder before letting her go as she was pulled away. Sister... As suddenly as it had happened, it was over, and he was alone to stare at the spot Catori had just been standing. "Bye, Catori," he replied to the empty air out of habit. She'd started to say goodbye to him...
....The path sure was quiet and dark with her gone....
~~~~~~~~~~~~Time Skip!
The snows had arrived. The house was busy keeping up with the winter's arrival, but Geraden still found time to think about the mysterious woman from the fall. Catori... He'd seen neither hide nor hair of her since that first meeting, except in his dreams. ...It was funny. He didn't usually dream about anything. He was a heavy sleeper. Since then though, every so often, he would see her surrounded by the ghosts that she said she didn't believe in. Some were just wanting to move on, while others wanted to try staying, and others still had suffered and turned malignant against the world. Always, he would reach out to her, and she would reach back, but then a cloud of mist would come and sweep her away. Then, he would wake and stare into the dark for some time before going back to sleep.
He didn't know how to interpret any of it. He had asked his mother once, but she had only smiled and told him to be patient. ...whatever that meant. His older sister swooned and told him it was love at first sight, and that he should go seek her out! ...Yeah, right.
Instead, today was firewood day. He was in the market, loading firewood onto a cart to lug back to the house. Winter was pretty, but he much preferred spring.... He tugged on his knit cap, and tightened the scarf around his neck. Yeesh!
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Posted: Sat Dec 21, 2013 6:30 pm
Leaning up against the window frame the cattaur sighed softly. Her eyes were only half open as sleep still had its lull over her. Still she lifelessly trailed a finger against the foggy glass. Idly her mind still dreamily went back to that autumn night when the lights of the town had lit up the sky. Someone else had been there though and his light was far brighter than even the glow of a thousand lanterns. Her tail curled up around her paws as she sat there wistfully. Naomi had already warned her that it was probably for the best to avoid someone that affected her ‘senses’ in such a way. Her father would probably maul him…just for the way her heart would dance at the thought of seeing him again. She was even afraid since she was one of the few that remembered her aunt’s own story of painful love. The last thing she wanted was to lose herself in that depression…it had taken such a while just to see her aunt smile again. Tori wrinkled her nose at the thought of the word, love. She just enjoyed how he could chase away the specters that always haunted her, that was all. And Naomi was right. She had been born with the ability so she should use it rather than let someone block it from her. That had to not be a good sign…right?
As she was lost in her thoughts snowflake after snowflake tapped against the window pane and when a pale hand smacked against the cold glass Tori had to keep from screaming in surprise. “Oh!” Frowning angrily the cattaur wrapped a shawl around her shoulders and came outside so that she could glare at the familiar spirit, “You really want something when it’s snowing like this? Just because you died in the ice doesn’t mean I should!” Sighing though she shook her head, “No, I shouldn’t take my anger out on you. Though I wish you would tell me exactly why you won’t leave this place…” She was out of the tea that the fading foxtaur adored so much, however, so a few minutes later Tori started down the path which connected so many of her family’s homes to the town.
To the very town which she hadn’t visited since that night, but she had no better option since her father and sister were out once more. Even Lily was out helping Willow with medicines and visiting the old healer’s patients.. It was funny how most of her closest relatives were healers of living taurs while she was cursed to help soothe the dead. Tightening her hold on her wool shawl Catori just shook her head at the spirit who bounced alongside of her. He was always so excited to get a cup of tea. So excited that she could nearly believe he really did feel warmth in his cold soul with it.
As distracted as she was watching the spirit who accompanied her the cattaur didn’t realize that they had arrived in the market until the sound of a rolling cart caught her attention. Normally Tori would just keep going on her way but a sudden feeling made the cattaur glance to the side. Immediately she raised her hands over her mouth in surprise before darting off of the path and hopefully into the shadows before she was spotted by the familiar cattaur. Oh she didn’t know how to handle this! Face flushed Tori just froze and hoped that maybe if she didn’t move then he would go on his way without noticing her. A plan which would have worked well save for the child’s spirit which stole her loose shawl and carried it away from her and across the path. Shivering as the cold wind wrapped around her petite frame Tori just stood to the side in shock. What to do, what to do?
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Posted: Sun Dec 22, 2013 4:07 pm
With his cart full, Geraden could help one more look around. No... Not here today. Was she locked away in some fairy tale tower?? Chuckling to himself, he hooked on the cart and headed toward home. He could see it. A tall tower surrounded by heavy mists. Those mysterious eyes gazing out from a high window, looking morosely down at the shadowy figures skulking through the fog below, which kept her trapped.
However, something fluttering on the wind in front of him caught his attention. He pulled himself from his daydreaming to look at the scarf as it danced on the breeze. Well, what he thought was the breeze. Cocking his head, he reached out and plucked the scarf from the air, looking it over. It looked like it was cared for, so it wasn't something simply thrown away. He looked up and down the path, but anyone on the path was either far ahead, or the large figure that was wrapped in a dozen layers and already at the market gates.
Then, he looked over where the scarf had seemed to come from. Ah! He could just barely make out a figure in the shadows, which were made extra dark by the sun in his eyes. "Hey. Is this yours?" he called out, shading his eyes with one hand to better see the small form; without much success.
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Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2013 11:19 am
Oh, no no no. Tori felt a squeak leave her throat as he finally turned around to stare into the shadows she was hiding in, “Can’t you do something?” She hissed quietly to the pale figure which was floating next to her. Instead the foxtaur smiled mischievously before disappearing into spirals of mist, “Oh you’re just awful!” She smacked at the air before it cleared and then with a gasp realized she had spoken those words rather loudly. Hands flying up to tug at the back of her head the cattaur nearly turned around in a hopeless circle before finally just reaching a hand out towards the light, “I mean yes – yes that’s mine. Thank you.”
Where was Naomi when she needed her? Tori hated trying to weave illusions like her older sister and instead just swatted at the mists of magic her panic had created. This wasn’t going to help. And she had to reason with herself. There was no need for her heart to be going so crazy for this guy that she had only encountered once before…it had been dark that night anyway and it was such a while back that he probably wouldn’t even recognize her. She just had to play it cool. Still she realized it was rude to just yank her scarf back with magic and still not trusting the dark to have hidden her features before she decided to risk illusion. So with a twist of the air about her Tori managed to use just enough illusion to color her silky black hair blonde and her skin pale. While Naomi would have been able to completely changed forms Tori could at least color herself differently, looking down she nodded as her blouse turned into a pale pink top and her fur gained dark stripes. There.
Emerging from the shadows she kept her gaze low towards the ground and only paused to reach a hand out towards the scarf he was holding, “If you wouldn’t mind returning it that would be great. That way we can both go on ahead with our business.” She made the mistake of peering up at him and felt her face immediately flush from the closeness of them. Quickly she cast her gaze towards the side so that he couldn’t notice her gaze and swallowing she just waited with her hand there.
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Posted: Sun Jan 05, 2014 12:00 pm
Geraden frowned slightly as the figure hesitated in the shadows. What was going on in there...? Who was she talking to? Him? His brow knit slightly, and he took a cautious step back. What did he do that was so awful? ...Did he know that voice?
But finally a woman emerged, and he was surprised by the disappointment he felt. Who had he thought it was? "Are.. you okay, miss?" he asked, laying the scarf over her outstretched hand. She seemed quite upset about something...
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