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 Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 11:06 pm
"Hey now." Ross pouted at his brother, "This casanova is quite the charm ya know." He sighed though. Such an elegant lady like her though...probably didn't have a chance. It was odd though...what was wrong with her that their mother was so upset? "Mom...it's storming...shouldn't we worry about shelter first?" He asked quietly
Jade's gaze flickered down at the ground sadly. It didn't surprise her that Ashierra reacted the way she did. It must be so painful... Biting the inside of her lip the female paused before forcing a nod, "It's true. Can we at least find shelter for now? I promise I won't stay long at all, Ashierra...please." She blinked and looked up, "I'm here to help, not hurt. I promise."
Ross stared between the two females before leaning against his brother, "Something is weird." He repeated quietly. But he couldn't help but to find the female somehow familiar to him. How was that when she was supposed to be a complete stranger?
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Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 11:29 pm
Ashierra's stomach was clenched tight, slight tremors accented by the water dripping from the ends of her wet hair. No, no, no....
With Ross' soft words, she took a deep breath to steady herself. She had to look after her boys. Her boys. "Yes, Ross. You're right." Stroking his hair, she was dismayed to see her hand trembling still. Just the sound of Jade's voice took her back. A mountain village... A band of thieves... No! NONONO!!!
Slowly, very slowly, she turned to face Jade again, keeping herself between the wind bender and her sons. "I.. would.. appreciate help.. with.. shelter." She took another breath. "Just until the storm is past."
Reed sighed and shook his head. "Yeah, and that same Casanova needed to be saved from a little water." Okay, it was a lot of water. He just... still couldn't look anyone in the eye right then. When shelter was agreed on, he kept his head down, focused on his mother's paws. There was a story here. He'd never seen his mother like this. At least, he didn't think he had... He hated it. "I think that's an understatement," he whispered back to Ross.
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Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 8:33 am
Ross rolled his eyes at the comment made by his brother. "Just a little water, huh? Not like the whole ocean tried swallowing me then." He shook his head and watched as water droplets flew away from the damp strands. He really was going to have to work on his swimming skills. Never again...though he did pause at the thought. If it meant a pretty lady would save him...no! He was supposed to be the one to save the ladies. Ross grinned at the thought before sobering up at his brothers whisper.
Okay maybe it was beyond weird. It was more worrisome to see their mother reaction so to this stranger, "We'll find out..." He whispered back, "But let's get out of the wind first. I think we're all tired." Including the female who was swaying on her feet from holding back the worst of the winds.
"I understand." Jade averted her gaze from the female with a twinge of sorrow in her heart. She didn't know what had happened to cause the divide, all she knew was what she had finally encountered a moon ago after weeks of travel. Neither news was pleasant...she had to stop Ashierra from getting too close. Like a wind before a storm it was her job to serve as a warning to save those from entering the dangerous area. Especially those that were so loved by him...Jade realized she had stopped and suddenly forced a small smile, "There's a small village ahead. Once we get to the woods most of the storm should be blocked out by the trees...so if you can make it there to the tavern." Surely it was still early. She could allow them to stay there for one night rather than the woods...the fire was burning towards this direction through those very woods. But it shouldn't have been here yet...not this quickly. And with this raging storm around them the village was their best bet. Surely one night...just one day of stay would be fine. Then she could urge them away from this area and quickly.
"Sounds fine by me." Ross commented boldly nodding at the stranger, "I prefer warmth and dry to this wet any day." And maybe he could sneak a good drink while they were there to chase away the nerves of this meeting and the ocean's rage. Carefully walking forward he took his mother's hand and held it tightly after a light squeeze. "We'll just rest for the night and move on like always. If we stay too long I might have too many village girls in love with me then. Sorry Reed~" He commented trying his best to make light of the situation.
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Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 11:33 am
Ashierra gave a nod as tight as her expression. It would just be for the evening. Just until the storm had passed. No longer. Though, when she felt the touch of her son, she felt herself relax a hair, and gave Ross a little smile. Yes... She had to be strong for her boys. .....After all, truly, without Jade, none of them would be here today.
This thought made her brow knit. Jade had saved her life before... Had saved Ross just now... Lips pressing, she looked over to Reed. She was going to have to keep a closer eye on that boy now.... "Okay. Let's get going then," she said, keeping firmly to Ross' hand on one side and then grabbing Reed's hand to keep him on her other side. But... Sighing, she gave Reed a nudge toward Jade, since Ross was still to wobbly from nearly drowning to support anyone, and... she just couldn't.
Reed bit his lip and gave a small nod to Ross. They would find out. They definitely would. If not from their mother, then from this Jade woman. He watched Ross help their mother, and a tiny smile rose. That was right... If they stuck together, they could do anything. That's what family meant.
He held tight to Ashierra's hand before he felt the nudge. Looking over at her expression, he glanced over to Jade in understanding. Kissing his mother's cheek, he walked over to Jade and offered her his arm for support. She did look tired... Holding back the strange storm must surely be taking its toll.
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Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 3:37 pm
Blinking in surprise Jade looked at the teen. Would it really be alright? Just for once...she smiled softly before taking his arm shyly. Leaning against Reed she let out a sigh of relief. Having someone solid to lean against helped her to remember to stay together. Traveling as the wind really toiled at her when she forced herself back into this more physical shape. "Thank you."She breathed lightly though she had a bit of sorrow twinged into her voice. He was warm against her cool skin just as his father...his father would have been once. Once they entered the forest her magic dwindled sharply and stinging pellets of rain fought through the trees to land around them. But it was okay because they were close to shelter.
Ross glanced jealously at his brother. But it was more of a playful jealously mixed with a bit of embarrassment. Why was it he was the one who had to be saved and could barely walk on his own at the moment? That water really took a toil on him....but, his mother had more of hit than either him or his brother it appeared. The mood was so heavy here though he could burn it with his own fire, "I think I'm ready for a nice long nap." He glared up at the dark sky, "Seriously weather. I cannot believe how rude you're being right now." He glanced away darkly and shook his head, "Seriously treat visitors better."
Sudden thunder crackled around them and he nearly jumped. Alright, alright I take it back. Sheeesh.
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Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 5:29 pm
Ashierra remained focused on moving forward, and making sure Jade didn't fall too far behind with her child. She was quite ashamed of her inability to keep it together back there, and was determined to not let it happen again.
As Ross conversed with the storm, she felt a small smile rise. She truly couldn't blame Jade. She hadn't made- No! Sighing, she leaned and pressed a kiss to Ross' temple. "Trying to get yourself in even more trouble with this storm?" she asked in as light a tone as she could manage.
Reed perked his ears at Jade's thanks, hearing the tilt of her tone. So sad... What had happened between the two women? "You're welcome," he replied softly, turning his gaze forward again to keep his eyes on his family.
Breaking into the trees, the sound and feel of the storm returned. Thankfully sheltered by the trees, he still held Jade's arm more firmly as the sharp rain stung through the protection of the branches above. With the noise of the storm and the rustle of the foliage, he suddenly saw an opportunity. Not a huge one, but a little interaction couldn't hurt, right. Just to get a feel for this strange woman. After all, he couldn't be sure the accident wasn't actually her fault... "Jade, right? ..My name's Reed. My brother is Ross. ..Did you follow the storm, or did the storm follow you?"
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Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 8:08 pm
Ross purred lightly, "Oh you know me." He laughed quietly, "Wooing everything around me with my charming wit. Including the weather." As lightning flashed above them he winked, "Think it's working?"
Surprised Jade looked at the teen who she was depending on, "Reed and Ross." She smiled lightly at the names. It was fitting. Odd though how she had always wondered at their names from afar, but had never been able to really match the names with which of his sons. At his question she laughed softly, "Maybe the storm does chase me. I tried keeping it back as long as possible." For the first time a bit of the familiar gleam lit up her gaze, "I guess I just attracted it too much this time."
"Hey." Ross blinked in surprise as the path began to widen up. Where was the town? "Oh." As his eyes adjusted to the shimmering rain falling down all around him he finally noticed the silhouettes of buildings in the distance. There!
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Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 9:06 pm
Ashierra sighed softly. "Sorry, Ross. Doesn't look like it." A gust of wind blew leaves into her face, making her squint against the pressure. It was a moment before she could see what Ross had. The sight of the distant buildings did little to warm the multiple chills in her bones.
Reed pressed his lips slightly as he considered the thought. The storm was chasing her? What did that mean? "I bet you attract a lot of things," he said without thinking. His own eyes had landed on the buildings ahead though, keeping him from thinking too much on what he'd just said. "Is that it? The town?"
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Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 9:34 pm
Frowning slightly at his mother's sigh the cattaur felt a bit defeated. Here he was trying...but something must have really been bothering their mother for her to be like this. "Looks like it is the town, right?" He asked looking back towards Jade.
A bit of a flush overcame the cattaur before she nodded quickly, "There it is." Always one to change the topic rather than taking compliments. Especially in this situation. "Let's go inside for the night I already have a room there." Suddenly feeling the last bit before rest the cattaur pushed herself to move forward and lead the way down the cobbled path and towards the small inn ahead of them.
Inside they would find water and food waiting for them. And it was there that she would have to try changing Ashierra's path away from this direction. Because further up the way, in the darker parts of the forest beyond this ocean side village was darkness. And it was her job to make certain that this family didn't fall prey to anymore.
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Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 10:14 pm
Ashierra squinted into the rain, and nodded. "Looks like it?" She felt more than saw Jade pass by, and she nodded. "This is it. ..Ross, when we reach the inn, make sure that you and Reed have a bite to eat, and then go to sleep. It's been a long day."
Reed allowed Jade to scoot up ahead, but remained close behind like a gentleman would. After all, she still didn't look completely secure with herself. She needed the rest. He tried looking around at the town, but the storm made their surroundings hard to see.
When they reached the inn, he jumped ahead and pulled the door open, making sure everyone got inside safely. "Will we all be in one room, or will we get our own?"
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Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 11:07 pm
"Sure." Ross nodded at his mother's words, "I'm exhausted anyways, but food probably is good too." His stomach rumbled lightly. Swimming really had opened a rift in his stomach. Any food right now sounded good to him. That way he could also maybe talk to Reed for a bit before passing out...this situation. It was really bothering him.
Walking inside Jade shook the remnants of water from her fur. "You boys may share a room. Go on upstairs and I'll take care of it. Ashierra..." She paused before looking at the other cattaur, "The room across from the one at the end of the hallway. Take it across from the boys." She would have to come up soon, but may be it would be best to wait until the morning? Either way her gaze was serious as she looked at the other female cattaur. They would have to talk. Not about the situation, but rather just so she could give the warning.
She couldn't let Ashierra know right?
If only she realized how quickly rumors of the demon in the woods was spreading towards this village as well.
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Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 11:33 pm
Reed nodded to Jade, and then looked over to his mother. Why did she look so...? He didn't even know a word for what was on his mother's face. He walked over to her and pulled her into a hug, nuzzling her cheek. "We'll see you in the morning," he said, ears falling back at how tightly and desperately the embrace was returned. Biting his lip, he led the way up the stairs, making sure Ross was climbing the stairs well enough.
Ashierra glanced over at her name, confused by the severity she saw in the other's expression. Her own expression was carefully flat. "Thank you, Jade. I truly appreciate your help." She walked over to the front desk and asked if food could be sent to their rooms. She ordered a few light items, and headed after her sons. With one paw on the first step, she stopped and looked back over her shoulder, expression softening just the tiniest bit. "..Will you be joining me there to sleep?"
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Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2013 6:51 pm
As soon as he got to the room Ross collapsed on the bed with a groan. He didn't even want the food now that he had finally made it up here. Still he managed to take a bite of some of the offerings in their room before rolling on his side again to look around thoughtfully. Perhaps if he woke up before the others he could go on a walk around the town. It was the best way to fight with the mental stress of seeing his mother and this Jade's interactions.
Jade sighed quietly to herself before blinking in surprise towards Ashierra, "I fear my presence isn't the best for you..." She started with a small smile, "Don't worry about me if you wish. I can find a place to sleep for the night." Giving Ashierra her actual room was the least she could do. The wind cattaur shook her head, "Truth to be told I was going to let you know that if you travel still that the best path is not this one." She walked forward and leaned on the railing of the stairs, "Ashierra, you should take your boys in the morning and go back to the way you came from."
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Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2013 7:59 pm
Reed could only eat a little, chewing slowly as he watched his brother fall asleep. What was going on...? Once he was sure Ross was asleep, he carefully crept over and curled up next to him. ..He wanted to stick close as he slept.
Ashierra's mouth pressed slightly. That was probably true. She didn't want to be kept awake by the other's presence all night. She gave a small nod, though stiffened as Jade neared. Those words made her take a step back. "What business is it of yours where I take my family?" she asked stiffly. "...There's nothing the way we came, anyway."
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Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2013 8:11 pm
Perhaps it was how tired she was from the storm or the growing frustration that she was literally tied in this situation. "Trust me." The cattaur looked at Ashierra firmly, "As much as I know you wish to have nothing to do with me...his blood is in those two boys." The female paused and looked away, "My family has always had a tie to that bloodline." It was her whole childhood of being tied to Alek, of her family serving his as the wind keepers to the flame. "I mean no harm to you save to help protect those two boys and you as well." After all this female was the one who had touched the heart of her closest friend...he would be so devastated to see the pain that she had seen in the other female's eyes.
Suddenly Jade looked back at Ashierra, this time a silent plea in her gaze. "Do this favor for me as I just wish to see your family safe. Don't go any further than this town and leave here tomorrow."
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