Connor:
Connor lay on his back on a stout branch, eyes closed, his paw thrown across them. The bath he had taken had removed the dyes just as that wolf said it would. He was back to being his "pure, angelic" self, though he had bartered a wool longcoat from Oya to keep warm when he left his nest. As winter was coming quickly, he had found an old bird or squirrel's nest in a cavity high in one of the trees. He'd been lining it with soft grass and molted feathers and shed fur for weeks now, so that he would have somewhere warm to sleep.
But after that party, he doubted it would ever be as warm as he wished it to be. As warm as a soft body dressed in a flowing gown pressed up against him as he moved in a slow dance in the darkened forest. He groaned softly, the image plaguing him and soothing him at the same time. It was a memory he would treasure and loathe for the rest of his life, however short that may be. To have had that one night of no worries or cares and nothing but himself and Melantha, he would hold that memory close to his heart. But to have had that night, and to know that he would never experience something like that ever again... His teeth grit at the pain that raked within his chest.
He had kept the mask, and a feather she had dropped, left both within his new nest. He knew why he had done so, but not whether it was a good idea or not. He shouldn't be sentimental, sentimentality would get him killed. There was just little he could do about it.
Melantha:
Melantha and returned the dress to William at daybreak knowing he would be in is den and not wanting to admit what a wonderful time she'd had. She would tell him eventually but now, now there was someone else she would rather share it with. She was back in her black skirt-pants with her red top the slashes once again stealing some of her softness and making her seem dangerous, a demonic that had no qualms about rips or fights. She brushed her claws through her hair, it was in wild disarray again. Well it probably had been at the party as well but Melantha liked to think she had looked a little better put together there. She touched her necklace for a moment and stared into her reflection at the edge of Williams lake before washing her face quickly and giving a shake. She thought she caught a glance of Ariel but decided to just leave her be instead heading back into the forest.
Slowly she moved through the shadows, her posture was tense again as she slunk about. Her eyes flickered into corners warily and then she would slowly lift her head scanning the trees for a sign of Connor. She sighed as she peered up at yet another tree, oh this was silly she might never find him this way. "Connor..." She murmured softly and then her ears fell back knowing it wasn't likely she'd be able to call him out so softly. She didn't dare call any louder though lest she brought forth Angelus instead.
Connor:
Connor was good at what he did. And what that was, was knowing whenever someone was nearing him. He had to, otherwise Angelus would find some way to sneak up on him. He let his arm fall from over his eyes and he opened them, staring up at the foliage still around him. He wasn't stupid. He would stick out like a sore thumb in one of the trees that had lost its leaves, so he had moved to the evergreens. He still likely stuck out, but at least he had more cover.
He rolled over slowly and carefully, doing his best not to shake the branch as he did so, so that he could look down and see who it was that was nearing him.
It wasn't difficult to tell. She smelled differently from other otters, had a distinct walk. Maybe it had been the length of time he had to watch her from above, to track her in the air for fear of coming to the ground. His body relaxed, but other parts of him did not.Part he had trouble acknowledging he had. He stood and launched himself from his tree, circling some distance over her head before landing on a branch much closer to the ground.
"Melantha," he greeted neutrally, keeping things the way they had been. That's how it had to be.
Melantha:
She looked up surprised and almost smiled before remembering how serious Connor was. Really who could blame him for being somber with a father like Angelus. She walked over and slowly sat beneath the tree.
"I..." Except now due wasn't sure what to say, it seemed cruel to tell him what fun she'd had.
"I went to the gypsies ball last night, I didn't get any of the urges...it was nice I almost felt normal."
The she peered up at him at a loss again, why was she telling him? What was she even trying to say? She licked her lips lightly and then tilted her head a bit. "I think maybe I'm getting a little better...learning control, thanks to you."
Connor:
Connor couldn't stop himself, he moved downwards, jumping from branch to branch until he landed on the ground beside Melantha. He adjusted his wings behind him and sat down, facing her.
"Did you have a good time?" He couldn't resist asking. Was it an attempt to boost his ego? Perhaps. But a part of him really did want to know if he had made her happy. And he hated that part of himself.
He allowed his mouth to quirk just a bit up at one side.
"I'm glad I've been able to help you." He hadn't meant to say that. His mind told him to make some crack about him being more helpful than his father, but apparently his heart was controlling his mouth at the moment.
Melantha:
"I had a wonderful time!" She burst out then stepped back looking nervous at her own outburst. "Sorry...I guess I'm still a little...happy. I had such a wonderful time, I wish you had come, you would have had fun." She looked down and her claws raked at the ground for a moment before she slowly looked up trying to keep her tone neutral.
"Uh...Connor, you wouldn't happen to know of any males with black wings would you? Black Wings, pale fur, gold eyes...a really nice smile..." She shook her head and tried not to blush. "I hadn't seen him around here...he was at the party...he was really...nice." Well that sounded lame, but really what was she going to tell Connor? She couldn't explain how special the male had made her feel, that she wanted to see him again someday, that he sort of reminded her of...him.
Connor:
Connor's ego swelled a bit and then a good bit more. He had made her happy, and it had remained even until now.
I had the most fun in my entire life, he thought, but refused to tell her. He wouldn't ruin her fantasy.
"I saw him, I think. Looked like he was passing through," he replied, not wanting to let her pine over the side of him he had allowed her to see that evening. He had been just passing through, he couldn't allow himself to be that way. That side was weak, would never hold against Angelus. He needed to stay strong and being Melantha's dark knight just wouldn't allow that.
But still, his eyes dipped away from her face. She thought he had a nice smile.
Melantha:
"You saw him? Oh...passing through..." She frowned slightly and then slowly fell silent. Of course, of course he wasn't from the reserve...that would have been too...perfect. She held back a soft sigh and swallowed instead.
"I wonder what it's like...away from the reserve...do you ever think about leaving? I would like to...just to see what things are like...but...I think I'd miss my family too much." She looked at him suddenly and frowned. Oh how stupid of her, Connor didn't exactly pine for his family. His mother was dead, his father was a monster, and she knew that as much as he loved his sisters there was little they could do together as siblings with Angelus and Dru around.
"I'm sorry...I know you...you'd probably love to get away from here wouldn't you?"
Connor:
"Not really." It was probably a surprising answer, but it was true. The thought of leaving never crossed his mind and now that he had, he didn't think he would want to pursue the idea.
"I've no where else to go and... things that need taking care of here," like you his mutinous thoughts added and he did his best to bash them down. After seeing her smile, seeing Melantha so happy all because of something he did, he hated to make her frown. She was so much better than she thought she was. As disconnected from her family as she insisted she was, she still cared so much for them. He briefly wondered what it would be like to have someone care that much for you. He knew Di cared, but also that part of it was fueled by her guilt. What would it be like to have someone care for you in such an unconditional manner?
Melantha:
She nodded softly wondering what he planned to take care of, well Angelus probably. She felt a moment of panic at the thought, she didn't know if Connor could take Angelus in a one on one fight. If anything happened to Connor...she didn't even want to think about it. She had come to really care about Connor, she was so grateful for his help, but she had a feeling he wouldn't have turned away anyone who needed him.
"Your...you really good Connor, you must be just like your mother." She murmured softly and then looked at him for a moment concerned she had said the wrong thing again. Well, it was true wasn't it? Connor certainly hadn't inherited Angelus temper, so he must have had some softness some kindness from his mother. Melantha wished she had known the female, if only Connors life had gone differently. Except if it had then maybe he wouldn't be speaking with her right now.
Connor:
Connor flinched and turned away at her words.
"I'm nothing like her. Sure, I look like her, but I'm a vindictive, heartless b*****d," he replied, his tone harsher than he had meant it to be. He had a feeling it would hurt her feelings and he ached to take it back, to deny his quick words. But he couldn't deny the truth. That's what he was and that's what he would likely remain as.
He knew his mother, to a degree. He wasn't sure if he was just insane or if he really heard her in his dreams, but he did. She spoke to him, tried to push him in the right direction. When he was alone in his nest or deep in the leaves of a tree, it was her voice in his mind that chased the shadows away. No, he was nothing like her. Maybe he could have been, could have been a fighter for good and not revenge, like his sister. Or caring like Di and Mel. But the fact was that he wasn't. And he never would be like that.
Melantha:
"Don't say that Connor...your not heartless, your good...if you weren't you wouldn't have helped me." She slunk a little closer to give him a faint nudge before quickly sitting back. She didn't want him to think she was poised to attack or anything. If anyone had a right to be defensive it was Connor, especially because he knew the truth. She might be able to act normal, but inside she was just a vicious animal, and anyone could be her victim if they stumbled into her path at the wrong moment. Her ears fell back a bit, if anyone was heartless it was her, she was ruled more by her primal inner hunger then the love she had for anyone. Except she was getting better, she just had to get better, had to learn some self control.
Connor:
"You say that, but do you really know? What if I told you I only helped you because I knew how much it would piss Angelus off to lose you? Would you still think I was so good, then?" Connor replied, his voice low as he remained looking away. He had flinched when she nudged him, the contact felt like an electric spark jumping between them. One that flickered through his body and settled in his center. And oh how it hurt to lie to her. He didn't help her just to spite Angelus, he helped her because he had seen her pain, had seen what Angelus' influence had done to Di. He didn't want to see another fall like that.
Say you're sorry, dammit came the inner voice again. He sighed and shook his head. He didn't know how to say that he was sorry.
Melantha:
"Oh..." She looked at him for a moment surprised at his words, and his tone. Had that been it then, was she just a means of revenge? Angelus wanted to use her to hurt her father, Connor wanted to use her to hurt Angelus. Her ears fell back and she felt her eyes sting but quickly blinked the sensation away.
Who could blame him, wouldn't she find anyway possible to hurt Angelus if she were him? Except it hurt, it hurt to know that he had never really wanted to help her. "Well...he must be upset, I haven't seen him in ages, and...and now that I seem to be getting better you won't have to deal with me either." Her eyes gleamed crimson and she slowly turned away. Suddenly she felt the pit of her stomach twist unhappily. How stupid to come here looking for Connor like somekind of friend. They weren't friends, they were each others means to and end, she had needed him to keep from hurting anyone, and he had needed her to hurt Angelus.
Connor:
No...
"Melantha, I..." Connor saw the tears in her eyes and it hurt him more than he thought they could. And it was ten times worse than if she was just crying over anything, these were tears he had caused. She was strong, he never saw them fall even as she turned away from him. He hated himself then, for hurting her. It was his own damn fault, he was angry at himself and he was foolishly taking it out on her.
He reached out, then pulled back, second-guessing himself. But then he reached out again, this time resting his paw against the fur on her shoulder.
"Please don't cry. I... didn't mean it." His words were soft and low, much as they had been at the party, more so than he intended. She had so much hurt in her life, he didn't want to add to that.
Melantha:
She frowned and looked down as his paw touched her shoulder, for a moment she felt warm and then she quickly shrugged him off. What was she doing? She didn't want to make him feel bad, especially not for just telling the truth. She forced out a half growl and then huffed and tossed her head back.
"Of course I won't CRY, really Connor, I'm not some simpering damsel. If anything I'm the one causing the distress remember? You just said the truth anyway and it hardly matters to me why you would want to help, so long as I get help from anyone but Angelus." She forced a shrug and then quickly stood barely glancing over her shoulder at him.
"I should go, I didn't mean to waste your time, I just wanted to explain that I really am getting better, you've helped. If you don't want to continue it's fine I'll...just fine someone else." Maybe she'd try slipping off the reserve to find that dark winged male. Except...except then she would have to show him how much of a monster she could be. She shivered a bit and decided against that, she wanted him to remember the pretty Firebird instead.
Connor:
Connor drew his paw back when Melantha shrugged it away and he knew he'd broken something between them. He knew he had lied, but there was no way he could convince her of that. She was dismissing him, he knew he deserved everything she gave and yet it still hurt. It was just one more reminder that the small bit of happiness he had ben able to experience at the party was all that was alloted to him. He had to wonder, was this how his mother had felt? To go through her life, a champion of good on her lonesome, allowed to experience the short period of happiness when Angelus loved her with his tattered soul, only to be killed at his paw once that broken soul had fled him. Oh, yes, Connor knew that story. He hated the soulless creature, not the male that could have been his father.
But that male wasn't coming back.
Just like Melantha's dark knight... wouldn't be coming back.
"I'm sorry if I hurt you... Firebird." The last word was whispered so softly he barely even hear it in his own ears. He took off once that was said, springing into the air and flapping hard to get higher into the air. He knew what he should do and what he wanted to do, but it was doubtful that he would do either.
you have connected
Melantha:
Her ears flickered barely catching 'I'm sorry' and completely missing the rest. She turned just in time to see him vanish upwards and watched for a moment before slink back into the shadows of the forest. For a moment she could have sworn she had heard that gentle voice calling her Firebird. She looked around for a moment hopefully, but there was no one. The male who had been so comforting was probably long since gone. She shivered and quickly headed deeper into the forest to find a suitable shelter. She was on the move no one den to call home, if she made a home Angelus might find it, find her. All it took was the delicious warm temptation of blood and she would be as evil as she feared.
For a moment she was tempted to go to her brother, with the sun falling he would be out and about. Except...Will had Ariel now, and Melantha knew better then to endanger her brothers mate. It was why she stayed away from her sister, she had pups of her own to care for. William had always been such a loner, until now, now it seemed like everyone was off limits...alone again.
:: The Otter Oasis Guild ::
