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 Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2014 8:59 pm
Oh? Kari tilted her head and hide to suppress the laugh which was bubbling up in her throat, “Do you know how sheer footed I may be?” She quipped back innocently, “I could have been tripping over my own paws on the soft moss or swaying back and forth with my arms due to my inadequate balance.” He really wasn’t a friendly one was he? A smart cattaur indeed, but unfortunately a male and so she planned to just go on without much worry. After all Bael had said it was a female thief…and while this one was up to tricks he was still a male.
Still the heat of magic in the crystals that lined her side made her wary, something was off about him beyond the blind foolery. As he swung his staff towards her shin the female ever so quietly took a step forward, “Oww!” Her gaze widening in mock shock she found herself tumbling forwards towards the other cattaur, “My leg was weak already!” Arms spinning out she grabbed his shoulders, “You should be more careful with that stick of yours, sir.” She purred quietly, “You made a gal fall from her paws just now and I think…” She gingerly touched her paw to the ground and made a soft moan of pain, “That I might not be able to walk without assistance for a bit now. It just hurts so much!”
Were the crystals reacting? As she kept close to him she reached out towards them with her fingers. The trail from the amulet had led here, but she was still confused. Why would the path lead to this guy? Maybe he had been an ally of the thief? Or, just out of sheer amusement from the idea she made a slight curious noise, “You feel slender, sir. You don’t happen to occasionally cross dress do you?”
As the hare leapt from her side Arima’s gaze widened. What was happening? The mists normally kept peace in the forests and only strangers encountered the illusions which were weaved throughout the place. Not even naga dared to normally come into this area of the forest. They stayed in the even darker areas…so why? Biting her bottom lip the female sprang to her paws nervously. Her mother wasn’t here and the options that she had been given was to always disappear into the mist…no matter what hiding was best for her protection.
So why was she finding herself running towards the ruckus? As she watched the male cattaur her gaze gleamed with amazement. He was awesome! Sure she hadn’t really seen many taurs due to her restrictions in the forest, but this male really did radiate a power. She turned away, but then turned right back around with her hands touching a tree that was in front of her. He was strong…but there were so many of them. Oh mother won’t be happy at all with me…
“Stop it!” Spreading her arms out in protest Arima shot out bolts of energy which crawled along the mist into arms that wacked at the nagas scattering them backwards, “So-sorry.” She whispered wincing as she imagined what the shocking impact of the electricity must feel like. So she had done that…as they rose again, oddly looking really pissed, she shook. What was she to do now? “I’m sorry…sir, but I don’t know how to fight.” She whispered looking back over at the male who they had been attacking, “So…is it alright if we perhaps run? Unless you want to fight them then…well if you really wanted…” She bit her bottom lip and looked back over at him innocently as her barrier flickered quietly for its last few moments of life.
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Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2014 9:25 pm
Hearing a voice yell, Baelfire spun to face the new attacker, assuming his aura had protected him from feeling the shock of the sudden attack. He stared a moment at the female. "Is it alright?" he asked, quite dumbfounded that this woman was asking permission to run from a battle, and asking if he wanted to run as well! He'd never seen such a thing! ...Where had she come from, anyway?
He looked at the startled naga, and back to the woman. "If it's alright with you," he stated more than asked. The aura slid back to reveal one hand, which he used to reach out and take the stranger's. "Come on, then." He turned and led deeper into the woods, away from the naga. "Would I be right in assuming you know this area?" he asked, glancing back at her briefly, and over her shoulder for those pursuing, before looking forward again.
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Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2014 9:39 pm
Styxx rolled his eyes and curled his upper lip. If he had a spell for sealing a taur's lips permanently he might have removed her tongue and used it for the ingredient. This flighty female seemed to adore her own voice, and as far as Styxx was concerned watching the moss grow on the base of the tree nearest her hind paw was far more engaging. "Sarcasm. Learn it." Surely she would get tired of him just as quickly as the others who played these games, and he could move on with his life.
Still, the more she was around the more he felt the pulse of an artifact that was foreign to him. Though she he could care less about, it was the pulsating aura from the object that had him intrigued. Perhaps - Oh come on. Having to play the shocked face, he gave a little self assured grin, pleased to have caused her pain for standing in his way, even if she'd faked the whole damn thing. Styxx turned ramrod stiff as soon as she touched him, a disgust growing inside of his soul like a raging flame. How dare she! Reaching his hands up, he gripped her biceps with the full force of his agitation and broke her hold. Hopefully even slinging her away. As soon as he was free of her, lip still curled, he side stepped her, snatched his fallen staff from the ground and spat at her paws. "Weak kneed cats should stay at home sipping the cream of their spoils, don't you think? Get out of my sight."
Artifact or not, he could not STAND the thought of anyone touching him, let alone a cattaur. A female was bad enough, but one of her ilk may very well infect his being with her lies. Cross dress. Bah! He was smaller than most, but that was because he took after his father, one of which who retained knowledge more than brawn. Stamping his staff on the ground, he began to walk away.
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Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2014 9:58 pm
Listening to him repeat her question Arima shyly nodded though she kept her gaze on the naga. Mostly because she couldn’t stand to stare the stranger straight in the face, he was rather handsome…oh her mother would kill her right now, without feeling her cheeks flush. What had possessed her to jump in like that? Arima sighed softly before she felt something happen to her hand. So they were going to run, but what…he was holding her hand? Shocked Arima found her paws flying alongside the other cattaur as her body just followed along with him while her stunned mind slowly tried to function.
He…was holding onto her hand.
“Eh?” She blinked and shook her head rapidly, “I mean you are right…it’s just…well this way.” Swallowing she tugged on the hand that had encaged her own and she led him into the mists which covered up the cattaurs easily leaving the nagas with a changing path of illusions to confuse their way. As Arima led him into a quiet meadow where the trees seemingly pressed close together around them like a barrier, or a cage to some, she jerked her hand free. Rubbing it with her other hand she frowned at the warmth that was still radiating from where he had touched her. It was so weird. Finally she looked back towards him, “It should be safer here…the mists can confuse them for several hours, but I would suggest you keep moving. They don’t seem to be intent on letting you go that easily….I’m guessing so anyways
Oh he was getting so annoyed! The thought actually brought a grin to Kari’s lips. Too bad it was really easy to get under his skin, her fun would be ruined soon. Yet for now she was really enjoying it. Truly, “Hmm. I couldn’t tell.” She replied ever so warmly, “Maybe I should get a teacher? Too bad I only see an a**.” Her tail flicked lazily behind her as she watched his temper rising. Oooh, touching him must be a no-no then. The cattaur wasn’t intimidated at the least, but rather intrigued by how much power he leaked when he was angry. Being blind was such a bad ruse for him; she really hoped he didn’t plan on being an actor.
Jumping a step away she rubbed her biceps with a frown, “You shouldn’t be so painful with such a sexy reaction.” She commented her mouth twitching upwards into a playful smirk. His comment about home, however, made that smirk slip just a bit from her face before she forced it back. As if he knew what she had been through…there had been no home for her for quite a while. She bit back her retort, a stranger like him didn’t need to know that! She shoved the temper down, far down into the pit of her gut where it couldn’t surface again like it had in the past, “But I thought you couldn’t see?” She pouted, “Even guessing I’m a cattaur when I could be anything really. A fox or a wolf I could have been~ And now telling me to get out of your sight.” She shook her head sadly.
As he walked away she persisted in following him, “You didn’t answer my question you know. So do you prefer pink lace? I think a red satin dress may have suited you more.” She studied his figure as he moved, was this a walk of a thief? His temper definitely wasn’t suited for a well-trained con artist. But maybe he did have a connection to the actual thief? Kari tilted her head curiously. Possibly then? Still she should find a way to get him to Bael…somehow.
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Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 7:35 pm
Allowing the woman to lead, he looked back again, brow rising slightly as the mists moved in, covering their path. Were the very mists protecting them? Like the mists surrounding his island...
When they finally slowed, he stood stiffly, looking around suspiciously at the imposing trees. He didn't like this feeling... like a cage... Cages were for precious tomes, artifacts. Criminals. Not for him. "Yes. I should be going. Thank you for your help." He was ready to leave it at that, but then..
With one hand on the amulet, he turned slowly back toward the female. ...Her? This was the woman? Even if the pull wasn't terribly strong.. he could tell that it was her the amulet was pulling him toward. He had to get her to the beach to meet up with Kari. To take her back to the island. With his mind set, he turned fully toward the woman, his expression as stoic as ever. “Ma’am, you will need to come with me. I have reason to believe that you may have stolen a tome precious to my home. If you cooperate, I should be able to reduce your punishment in return for helping me with those naga. And you shouldn’t waste your breath questioning or denying anything. It’s your very blood that gives you away. I do not wish to force my hand, so please come willingly.”
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Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 8:12 pm
Lovely. The child thought she was being witty. Maybe he should give her a treat, and let her sleep by the fire tonight. Styxx continued to walk, his paw steps ever more powerful as his ire rose, and yet, just as quiet as they had been at first. He maneuvered around a break in the thin saplings around him, and bounded over a fallen log, every step as purposefully silent as the last. "Sight isn't necessary to "see" you." He called back, not bothering to turn his head to waste another precious moment of vision on her.
"If you insist on following me, you can at least explain why you've got a tracking rune set on me. Or are you always so rude?" Impertinent, and brash, with little regard for the privacy of others. If she had a made, spirits bless the poor soul, he wouldn't have been surprised if she had talked them into an early grave.
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Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 9:02 pm
Slowly Arima nodded, “Yes – you probably should.” After all why would she want him to stay? Especially if her mother came back then he would be the one in trouble. The female winced at the image the thought placed in her mind. Yes, he definitely would not want to meet her mother. Bending down she realized that her rabbit friend had found its way back towards them, “Oh hello.” Smiling ever so gently the innocent girl rubbed the hare’s head before blinking up at the stranger, “You are welcome though. Please be careful though, the forest doesn’t like strangers. As long as you don’t harm one of its own you should be fine so I’m not too worried for you. It’s the nagas…”
Trailing off she noticed that he had turned back towards her. His expression…it sent shivers down her spine. Why was he looking at her like that? Pulling back she held the rabbit tightly in her arms and just stared at him with wavering eyes. Hadn’t she just helped him? What did he mean theft and punishment? Confusion clearly flickered across her face, “But – I’m not a thief. I would never!” Her cheeks flushed in indignation, “You really think I would steal something precious to someone else? That would be a horrible thing to do! Especially since it must mean so much to you…that you would come here that is.” Her expression softened just for a second before she shook her head at him, “But really you must believe me! I only came to help you, I never leave these woods. I can’t.”
Her gaze watered, “I don’t even know what the sunlight looks like beyond the trees. My life has been contained to her ever since I was really small, so how would I know about any islands? I only know stories…” Looking down she rubbed the bunny’s head once more before pushing herself off from the ground, “I’m sorry sir, but I really am innocent of this.” Tears shimmering in her eyes slowly started to roll down her cheeks, “If I was such a bad person would I have even helped you?” She stretched her arms out and gestured towards the meadow, “This is my home if I had a tome would you not find it here? I sleep beneath the tree branches with the stream’s melody as my lullaby. Do you think I would have any desire to steal such a thing for myself when I’m content here?” Tears were really rolling down her cheeks as she attempted to glare at him bravely.
“Am I just that radiant to you then?” Kari waved a hand playfully to cool off her cheeks. Oddly enough even while she was finding herself getting tired of this game she was still interested in the cattaur. Even without the pull of the tracking magic she felt like he had something unique about him. Still that appeal kept getting mixed up in his attitude. You would think the guy could take a moment to breath e and enjoy the air about him. Being such a grumpy butt really didn’t appeal to someone with such good looks. She wanted to tease him like that but his next question instantly sobered the cattaur up.
Blinking Kari grinned at him, “Oh? So you could tell! I wasn’t for certain myself, but it does look like they are tied to you for some reason.” She kept following him lightly, “I really am curious as well since they’re supposed to be finding a female, yet you’re obviously a handsome guy. So do you know anything about a theft? Or may I just charm you to a lovely dinner between the two of us?” She smiled at him, “I do apologize if I seem rude to you, but you really are an interesting one. I like you.”
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Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 9:30 pm
Bael listened quietly. He'd told her not to argue... It was useless. Yet... In his time, he'd seen many guilty criminal proclaim their innocence. This woman... did not seem the same. But, perhaps his senses were dulled by the strange land. He had to trust what the amulet told him. It told him that her blood was the blood he sought.
"Sweet words don't change the facts, miss. It's your blood which drew me to you, and your blood is that which stole the tome." Well.... most likely, anyway. Perhaps the trail that Kari was following was the real perpetrator..? It couldn't be helped. He let the aura fall back to expose his head and arms, leaving the rest of his body covered. Those accused of a crime, guilty or innocent, could react defensively... Perhaps this would make the woman more agreeable? "If you didn't steal the tome, we will find out. If you did, we will find out." He held his hand out to her. "Please. Cooperation will make this go much faster."
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Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2014 5:54 pm
"I'm not the fool you seem to think I am. Of course I can tell." The more time that passed the more his general apathy of others began to sink in. His fire that had burned so bright and angry had died out with a tired sigh. What was the point in arguing with her? This female obviously had her own agenda of what was going to happen in the conversation, of how she was going to run circles around him, so why not let her believe she succeeded and move on?
"May I see it?" The way he poised the question was wary, on edge, as if he expected a sharp retort, a slight evasion or a hand smack. "How are you tracking the female?" He knew nothing of a theft, not one by a female anyway, but whatever she was using had his interest. Way more than her sudden change of heart. "Your charms have yet to work, so dinner is out of the question. Your apology, however, is accepted." She liked him? Bah. Obviously now she thought to use her sexual abilities would get from him whatever her tricks had not. He pitied her; to be born with such a tenacious mind, and to be a cat...
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Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2014 6:48 pm
Her blood? Arima made a soft sound to protest before pausing. Two figures that she did share blood with…could they have been involved? Her mother was no thief, but the male that her mother held an undying hatred for…she didn’t know much about him. On instinct her hand nearly reached out to touch his. Still she refused to be dragged into anything because of something like that! Her mother would be furious and it wouldn’t be just her in trouble. Jerking her hand back, her gaze looked up towards Bael and she shook her head slowly, “I know that you don’t mean me harm, but if you take me from the forest then it won’t be any good for you.”
“I can escort you to the forest’s edge so that you make it out of here safely, but beyond that I’m sorry.” The female stood and started for the trees, “You can argue all you like about it, but I’m just trying to keep you from getting hurt.” The mist which had fallen down low around the trees slowly rose up menacingly and Arima had to glare at the tendrils which were reaching out for the male, “Just leave through this way.” Sighing she started walking. How was she going to get out of this mess? This was why her mother told her to never help anyone, no matter what.
Kari raised an eyebrow, “Not a fool, eh?” She just sighed and walked around him as if watching the area. Honestly now that her trail had ended her mind was with Bael, worrying about his own safety. How was he faring in the isles? Had he meet someone as complicated as the guy she had found? If her trail had gotten to this point, then did that mean he had found the thief? Glancing back at him in surprise at his question the female shook her head.
“I can show you, but I need you to follow me somewhere first.” She replied honestly, “If that’s alright? Since you’re innocent then a quick trip to the beach shouldn’t hurt. There’s someone else that needs to see you just so he knows. It’s his item’s blood magic that I’m using as well. So meeting him would be even more interesting for you, yes?” Kari had the feeling that this cattaur was truly intrigued by magical objects. His wariness though had caught her attention fully. What was up with him? She obviously wasn’t intent on hurting him…
“Not yet?” Kari let out a soft laugh, “I’ll keep that in mind, but at least you accepted my apology.” Tail twitching in amusement the cattaur held out her hand towards him, “So are you willing to come with me so that we can resolve this mess?”
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Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2014 7:06 pm
Oh? Was she about to see sense now? Baelfire started to reach forward to take her hand, his expression flat as the female yanked her hand back. Damn... Of course it wouldn't be so easy.
Eyes narrowing slightly, he only followed after the female silently. If nothing else... he could knock her out and go once they got to the forest edge. Maybe he could convince her by the time they got there first? His eyes were locked on her to make sure she didn't try to run, keeping right close to her back. His ears remained alert, listening for any return of naga. "How would you willingly leaving the forest for a short time in order to keep others from coming to hunt you down cause me harm?" he asked, actually curious.
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Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2014 8:44 pm
Follow her? Into a den of danger, more like. Though he hadn't been able to place it before, she DID remind him of his father in a way, with her smooth words and style. She really could have been a slaver if she felt so inclined. Still, even being enslaved had it's benefits if it meant learning the origin to the device which had been able to track him; and at the end of the day, there would be one taur to bail him out, so it wouldn't be a permanent affair. Maybe he would even go blind for real, and not be faced with this tepid world.
"If you are true to your word I expect answers and to be left alone afterwards, understand? In exchange you'll have my cooperation, to a certain degree." Blood magic was something he had studied a great deal on, but had yet to practice himself. To see it in action was well worth the risk, even if he was wary to leave the woods behind him. There was safety and ambiguity here, but in the open sands...
"Lead the way." Styxx made a point not to touch her hand. He took a step away from it as if it were made of poison itself.
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Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2014 6:22 pm
As they walked along in the forest Arima would reach out and randomly run a hand along a tree’s ancient bark. How the male cattaur had managed to wander this far amazed her, but then again the power of blood magic was strong. No simple tracking spell would have even noted that the forest even existed after all…it made her curious. Where did he come from that he knew how to do such things? Tapping her fingers lightly against a wall of vines the cattaur continued walking along the forgotten path until the faintest rays of sunlight could finally be seen through the trees. They were getting close to the edge now.
“Trust me you don’t want to know.” Arima stopped and pointed ahead of them, “It’s just up ahead, if you stay on this path the mists will leave you alone. One step off and you’ll be wandering around here a while…” She trailed off, “Usually that is. But I guess if you did something wrong then you could just find me again with that amulet of yours.” She smiled faintly and nodded, “As it is I would suggest not coming back here and to be safe in your travels.”
Turning to leave she hesitated one last time to get a peek at the male so that she could watch him leave.
“Left alone?” Kari clicked her tongue in her mouth sadly, “I was hopin’ we could get to know each other for a while after this, but if that’s your wish I can accept it. Once everything gets sorted out then the innocent may go on their way~” It all depended on his cooperation truthfully. Kari was still trying to puzzle out why her runes had led her this way when Bael had spoken of a female thief…something was very strange about this situation. An idea flickered about in her mind, but she shook it aside. She still needed more answers from her cousin as well.
Frowning as he stepped away from her Kari sighed, “Oh no don’t be such a sour puss.” In one step she had enclosed her fingers around his wrist sharply and then just as suddenly stepped away, “Now we can be off!” A faint trail of magic, almost like a dancing string, connected their wrists. Pausing she flicked her wrist towards him and smiled at the tugging she felt, “It’s nothing permanent, just a make sure to keep us together and the magic’s trail will fade after a while though the attachment will still be there….” Her gaze did darken a bit as her voice for once held a slightly serious tone, “I don’t think you would run, but I don’t trust the things around us. This will let us know if either one of us need each other.” At the core of her very being she could feel darkness moving in the forests around them. More so towards her cousin and the thought made her worry. They needed to catch up to Bael…and quickly.
Turning back away she took a few more steps and laughed, “Oh I am excited though! I’ve never been attached to someone who could be so popular today!”
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Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2014 9:29 pm
Slowly, his senses began to adjust to the strange magic surrounding him. He believed her when she said straying from the path would be dangerous... but how was she able to move freely? What was she doing in such a place?
He looked flatly at the path ahead. Whether or not she came, danger was ahead... What kind of luck was Kari having? Noting the female's hesitation, he turned and grabbed her arm, aiming his sharp gaze right into hers. "Please, miss... I realize the danger of going through the forest alone, but if I return home without you, my life may be forfeit anyway." His elders wouldn't kill him for failing his task... but there were fates worse than death. "You must come with me. I will bring you back here myself if your presence proves unnecessary, and while outside of these woods, you can be certain that I will protect you with my life until judgement comes. ...but I cannot go back to where I belong without you. I may as well stray from this path if you refuse."
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Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2014 9:46 pm
She was a fine actress, this one. At least, he was sure she thought she was. Styxx allowed her to ramble on, barely listening to her words as he tried to piece the ties together in his mind. What was it about a magical artifact that could find him, if not involving blood magic? And if it was blood magic, he couldn't think of an instance where he'd been tainted, unless...His eyes narrowed. If his father had anything to do with this mess he would castrate the male himself.
He tried desperately not to rip out her jugular when she touched his wrist, but upon feeling the magic touch his skin, the taint of the line....it was too much for Styxx. He felt revulsion make his blood light as air, snapping neurons too slow for his panic to keep up with. If she were to look at his face she would notice the subtle changes. This was not a rational cat at this point. Had it been a manacle or a rope he would have been fine, but magically binding him...
The darkness wasn't in the forest so much as it was walking behind her.
Without responding, Styxx brought his wrist up to his face and sunk his fangs into it, tearing out a chunk of flesh with a great rend. He spat it out onto the ground, and went in for another bite, sure that if he removed the area, he could remove the contact.
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