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 Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2011 7:10 pm
The forest was magical on warm summer nights. Once the sun fell, the breeze stilled, the insects would come out chirping, and the mushrooms would glow. Fireflies and lanternbugs came out and danced around in clearings and glens, creating dazzling displays of sparkling lights.
Jove should have been avoiding the deep forest at night, but he couldn't resist the sights and scents that came out after twilight. The pup chased the bugs, rolled in the loam, and sat happily amidst the glowing mushrooms. After all the stress and effort of studying and lessons, it was the best way to relax.
Well, it would be better to share this outside-time with his brother, but Ren was visiting friends, and Seiji was busy, and he wasn't sure who else he could be outside with... But it was better to be outside alone than inside alone, so he was determined to enjoy his night times before the weather got chilly again and year two classes started up.
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Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2011 9:40 pm
Jove wasn't alone. Not really.
There was a rustle in the trees. Riley had been stalking a particularly quick herd of drutten as they ambled in the forest, but she stopped moving through the trees when the little ghost foxfire ran across her vision just under the tree she was in. She watched it carefully for a few moments, briefly considering changing her hunting tactic, but foxfires were never very fulfilling due to their size, and this one was clearly a ghost, regardless. The mere idea of trying to hunt a ghost was futile, to say the least.
She would never admit, even to herself, that they had the additional defense mechanism of being too cute to eat.
And, as she looked up from her distraction, she suddenly realized she'd lost track of the drutten herd. Curses.
With a sigh that melted into the wind to remain unheard, she dropped down from her tree onto the balls of her feet and padded over slowly. Pssst. She whispered into the foxfire's thoughts. Don't be scared. She didn't expect it to understand, but since when did that ever stop anyone from talking to a pet? She simply wanted to make it aware of her presence.
A few feet away, she dropped down to sit indian style, and arched her back into a meditative position.
I guess it's you and me out here for now, little ghost.
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Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 3:34 am
Jove had been unaware of being watched. It was perhaps something of his domestic heritage that he lacked the feral instincts of wild creatures, unaware that a potential danger was very close nearby. Or at the very least, potential embarrassment for letting himself be seen being a puppy in front of another student at the academy. So when he heard the soft sound of something behind him, he turned with ears perked even before the voice whispered directly into his mind. Was it Tybalt coming to play hide and seek? Or... The pup hadn't been expecting a purple tentacle monster. And he expected it even less when she whispered right into his mind.
Jove froze, glowing eyes wide, tail slowly folding down between his legs. Why was her voice in his head? It didn't even occur to him to project any words back at the mindflayer, his thoughts were mostly a jumble of emotions and instinct. The fear that he would be caught if he ran, or that she had seen all of his puppy-like behavior... And the the distrust, and finally confusion. And like his tongue, his mind stayed silent throughout the whole episode.
Once she sat down, the ghostling calmed down enough to think things through. He had seen her around, it was hard to forget one of the more intimidating students in his year, especially one with tentacle hair who was rumoured to eat brains. Jove decided caution was necessary even if she was a student.
The wisp padded forward, narrowing the distance between them by about a foot, and then sat down to form a cute little ball of fluff. Although he still spoke no words back into her mind, the tilted head and perked ears was clearly a question of some sort.
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Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 4:04 am
Riley watched the telltale signs of distress and discomfort, which was to be expected from an animal faced with the unknown. It was why she sat there, still as stone, barely even breathing, and let it settle with the awareness of her presence. Only her eyes seemed to move, kept firmly on the little thing even as it tentatively moved towards her. What she hadn't been expecting was the sudden sit down, and how it's little body seemed to round out into a ball. It made her accidentally shudder in a chuckle, which she quickly attempted to stifle.
Sorry. She apologized quickly, without expecting any understanding. That was just very.. cute.
Her eyes finally tore away from the fluffball to veer left, then right, and behind her - no one needed to see her commune with a creature of the wilderness and declare it cute. When she returned her gaze to the foxfire, she barely registered any response it might have had to her voice, and suddenly seemed to sag inwards. Her shoulders, normally so proud and stiff, slumped just slightly.
You don't even know how good you have it, little fluff ghost. You have it made, out here. Life is so simple.
Her voice had the distinct tones of jealousy, but she didn't mind baring her soul to something that didn't understand her.
If only we could switch, for just a day. Just one day wouldn't be so bad, would it? She rolled her eyes, and rubbed her temples with her fingertips. Ahh, Aen. You have to stop talking to yourself like this. You're mad enough as is.
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Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 5:49 pm
Jove's little brows furrowed into a puppy frown. At least she had the good sense to apologize, in addition to checking that they weren't seen. He was sure the c-word was as unwelcome on her... mental lips as it was to his fluffy little ears. It would have been much better had she said "What lovely big eyes you have, and what big sharp teeth you have!" instead of merely calling him cute. But he was only a little dog, and could only entertain little hopes and desires...
But before he could frown and puff up, the purple tentacled ghoul seemed to slump in place. And continued to surprise him with the words being put into his mind. He had it good? Being a small, adorable little thing in a school of fright and nightmares? Hardly...
His head tilted into a perfect expression of canine confusion. She would switch places? He didn't exactly know her personally, but he had seen her on campus and in classes on occasion. She was frightening enough to fit right in, the prom queen running for student council, involved in the Fitness club... She even had her own minion! Jove didn't think he would ever manage to earn a minion, he was more likely to earn himself a comfy place on some evil mastermind's lap. Which was not a very good place, in his opinion. After all, he was even taking private lessons in an attempt to become more frightening!
The pup's head tilted the other way. Surely she was kidding.
Jove would have snorted his disbelief, except she seemed so sincere... Something must have been on her mind for her to be talking to him so casually and comfortably.
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Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 9:59 pm
Jove's reaction to her words was a perfect mirror of the kind of motions Luce would make when she snuck into Mal's room and talked to her. The tilt of the head, the innocent looks, the utter confusion as this big purple thing made noises at it and then stopped, as if waiting for something to happen. She was used to it, and it was equally as precious as Luce was. This disturbed her, because she promised herself that the only reason she spent those nights with Luce was because she, alone, was the only cute animal Riley would ever have a weakness for. A fondness, even. She was clearly superior in her skills of preciousness than other canines.
And yet here was this wild, unknown fluff making Riley feel like a stupid ghoul for thinking the same things about it. How disastrous.
Ah, my glorious, wretched future will be undone at the paws of small furred animals. She despaired, flopping down onto the ground on her side. I will become the laughing stock of the Illithid world, returning home covered in pet hair and cooing at some precious little life-ruiner such as yourself. This is my fate. I can smell it in the wind.
Her eyes suddenly focused, very sternly, on the pup, as she considered the situation. You're not even scared of me, are you? Look at you, sitting there quietly, not even poised to run at the first sign of attack. Her tentacles wrapped around her face in shame. I am undone.
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Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 7:23 am
The fluffy little ghost listened as Riley monologued into his mind, slowly getting used to her form of communication. With all the chatter and talk of the students on campus, the way they made noises at each other all day long, one could almost forget what silence was like. And this ghoul's talk was unique in that it did not even break the silence of the forest as she communicated with him, with as much expression and eloquence as spoken words.
Eloquence was one thing Jove's own preferred method of communication lacked. Abstract concepts meant nothing to most foxfire pups, and although Jove's body language was fine tuned and subtle, there were things that were impossible to express. Thankfully they were not needed for this conversation. The purple ghoul seemed content to speak into his mind at her own pace, and without any answer from him to spur her onwards.
His ears perked as she flopped over, but he felt a distinct change as she gave him a very intent look. Wait... Attack? Was she going to attack him?
Jove scampered back a couple steps and yawned nervously. He was sure he was out of arm's reach now, and maybe tentacle's reach, just to be safe. He was under the impression she wouldn't cause him harm because she was a student here as well. But when her tentacles moved it was only to cover her face, and although he lacked a heart, that canine part of him that still felt like he had one forced him forward. So even this scary, popular ghoul had things she was embarrassed about...
He slowly walked forward, and put a paw on one of the tentacles across her face. Almost like an "it's okay" gesture. Everyone had their weaknesses, even after half a year at the academy he was still a scaredy cat, running away if someone merely reached for him. But he was a work in progress, and he was sure she was as well. That was why they were at the academy, after all.
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Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2011 7:14 am
Riley's tentacles slowly parted when the paw grazed against them, and she gazed out at the little fluffball, her eyes wide with surprise. It reminded her so much of Luce, the way he reached out and attempted to soothe her sadness, despite not being cognitively aware of why she was sad. It was so sweet. So innocent. So unlike what she had been used to, before Amityville. It made her pause with conflict.
Then she did something absolutely, and horrifically terrifying.
Her tentacles fell back to the wayside, and she reached out her arms, slowly, to try and pull the pup into a hug. If he left her, her arms would just stay where they were - if he didn't move, she would curl her embrace around him and keep the small puff close by her heart, where she always held Luce at her most troubling times.
Only in the safe and quiet solitude of this forest, would she dare expose her weakness to precious things such as this. And, as usual, only in the presence of animals.
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Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2011 2:11 pm
When she moved, Jove had to resist the urge to pull back. Not just because she had mentioned attacking earlier, but because of that hand. Thankfully she wasn't moving fast enough to trigger more than a tightness in his throat, and it was certainly not the action of one who had the upper hand and was about to attack. It was... Oh.
There it was. The hug. Why were all ghouls so prepossessed with hugging little, fluffy things such as himself? That was why he wanted to grow up, and get bigger, so he wouldn't continually attract such touchy-feely attentions. Maybe when he grew up he'd have evil, sharp teeth and a scary face...
Jove gave a little sigh, and although his ears flopped sideways in an expression of tolerating acceptance, he did have to suppress a small murmur of displeasure. His caretaker told him to be a gentleman at school, and showing such uncomfortable emotions while a ghoul was in need of his help was undignified and dishonourable. Maybe one day his actions would be called gallant or charming, but for the time being, it appeared his role was the comfort fluff.
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Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2011 6:26 am
There was something noticeable about how this particular animal did not react in either fashion that Riley expected. It did not run at the sight of her hands reaching out, nor did it seem particularly happy to cuddle next to a warm body. It simply seemed to be.. tolerating her affections.
The reaction was odd enough to give her pause, and she bent her head down to look at the fluff that now resided in her arms. She let it go, setting aside any of her insecurities and problems as this mysterious creature took presidence in her thoughts. She remained laying on her side, but her eyes were sharp, wide, and piercing. They were trying to decipher what exactly was going on behind those little, twinkling eyes.
You're different. Did you know that, pup? She paused here, as if somehow, deep down, she was almost waiting for a response. As irrational as the thought was, she continued. Smart. Not smart enough to run away from me, but intelligent, nonetheless.
Her finger reached out, very slowly, and rested it's point against it's nose. Boop.
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Posted: Sat Jul 30, 2011 8:25 pm
Jove sensed the ghoul's change in mood, and matched her stare. She was scrutinizing him. The little pup was used to those sorts of stares, everyone seemed to take his looks and his silence and make a mental judgement, and usually it resulted in being treated like a puny little scareling.
He thought this one might have come to another conclusion, with the way she spoke right into his mind. But was he really all that different? And did she mean he was different from other students, or just different from other foxfires? The latter was certainly true. His fluffy brethren had no interest in learning to read, or speak, or even change forms. He would know, he had often tried to teach his own to do more than sit on command...
The pup's ears perked. She thought he was smart? It stirred up a very pleasant feeling until she continued. And then his little puppy lips tightened into a frown, and he growled at the finger touching his nose. He was plenty smart, he just wasn't afraid! He wasn't afraid in the slightest, so of course he wouldn't run away! Jove puffed up, his fluff standing even more on end, he was tough and he didn't have to worry about little things like running away!
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Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2011 4:19 pm
Oh dear Jack, what was even happening. The little puff was growling at her and fluffing up, and it was the most endearing thing she had ever witnessed. It was not cute, or precious, it was a legitimate growl - but it was in this small moment of indignation that Riley thought the pup more endearing than it had been when it was sitting calmly in front of her.
And, because no one could hear her but the pup, she giggled.
So you do have a bit of spitfire in you. She coo'd, smitten at the anger. That is more like it.
And if the little foxfire could show it's teeth, so could she. Metaphorically speaking only, of course - and not to the foxfire itself, at least.
She pushed herself back up to a sitting position, and stretched her arms and tentacles. Her head rolled, and her neck popped, before she drooped back down to return her attention to the pup. Her eyes twinkled with a fierce mischief.
Perhaps you are a wild animal. But I can give you a chance at an easier life. Her claws extended, palm outward, to scratch under the pups chin. What say you, little one? Would you like to come home with the big bad mindflayer?
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Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2011 8:32 pm
Jove ceased his growling and just watched the ghoul with a disapproving expression as she continued to mentally chatter at him. How was it possible to praise his spirited nature, all the while speaking to him like he was just a little pup? Actually being a puppy didn't make much difference in how he viewed the interaction, if there was one thing he asked for while attending school it was that he was treated like an adult too!
He stood when she shifted, tail curled up over his back. The pup had been prepared himself to run from that attack she mentioned earlier, but it never came, only another outstretched hand and attempt to bridge the physical distance between them. It seemed she wasn't going to do anything threatening after all. Which was good, because Jove would have had to bite her. And she seemed nice enough.
That didn't mean he wanted to be babied though. The little ghost lifted his head away from the chin scratches, listening with quiet attention as she put forth her proposal. An easier life? Wasn't an easier life what he already had? He didn't get chased as much at school, and he had people to talk to him and teach him all sorts of things he never would have learned on his own. He even had a big brother now, and friends he had to protect! Sure some things were still hard when he was so small, but he was pretty sure she couldn't magically make him big and strong like the other boils at the school...
But that didn't mean he wouldn't walk her home if she was leaving the forest! After all, he was a gentleman. He planted his little feet and puffed out his chest in what he imagined to be a quite gentlemanly way, and waited for her to rise.
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Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2011 10:27 pm
Such a good, strong, stubborn little pup. Riley commended even as it pulled away from her touch, chuckling gently under her breath and rising in an elegant sweep to stand once more. Perhaps you can be a good influence on my newest acquisition. If Ombra could behave such as you, he would be a respectable companion. Not the bumbling, fumbling, yapping little demon he seems to be now.
She turned, paying no further attention to the foxfire, as she let it make it's own decision. If it followed her, she was of the mind to adopt it, and care for it as she did her other pets. If it remained sitting in the forest, then the encounter would remain a singularity, and she would part ways with it without a thought.
The only problem remained in the one issue she'd forgotten to address - she was still hungry. Her stomach growled in reminder. It looks like dinner will be frozen leftovers tonight.. She muttered unhappily.
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Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 9:34 am
Bumbling... fumbling... yapping? Oh, she must have had a foxfire as a pet. That description did seem to match the great majority of his less intelligent brethren. They weren't little demons though, just... special and in need of some guidance from those with a better developed intellect. At least, that was how Jove viewed it. He was quite fond of the little creatures, after all.
The pup trotted alongside Riley as she began to head back to the school, picking up his feet in a very princely manner that was his regular gait. He would see her to her dorm, and then be on his way.
Little ears perked as he heard the muffled noise from her stomach, and he turned his little fox-like face towards her. What a novelty stomach noises were to one who ate only for pleasure. Sometimes Ren's stomach made noises like that, and it never failed to catch the pup's attention. What was it, a little demon in there that made it's discomfort known when it was lacking sustenance?
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