Connor:
Connor moved through the trees in the dark of the evening, heading back to Oya's cave. His wings moved silently, but anyone looking up would see the dark shadow of a winged otter, eyes glowing gold in the darkness. He was going to give the wolf an earful when he got there. The party had been fun, but in the end it had ruined what little relationship he had with Melantha to begin with. After the argument they had and his callous words, he doubted she would want to let him watch over her anymore.
He landed at the mouth of the cave and entered a growl already in his throat.
"Tiyana!" he snapped.
Oya Tiyana:
The wolf's head poked out from behind the curtain and she frowned, ears tilting backwards.
"Connah? Wha' is dis all about?" she asked, frowning when he threw the mask she had given him for the party. The leather piece slid across the cave floor to stop at her paws.
"Did de party not go well?"
Melantha:
Melanthas mod was low, actually probably at an all time low as she curled up at the mouth of a dark cave. The winter season was certainly here in full swing and she shivered as a gust of wind swept into the cave. The wind made a soft howling sound and Melantha sighed thinking of her family. She was tempted to just go home...but how much worse that might be. She glanced up and then blinked and stepped forward. Could it be? It looked like the dark male from the gypsy ball, a pair of golden eyes flashed in the dark.
She jumped to her paws and dashed after the shadow in the sky. Her heart raced as she ran after the male and then she smiled as he entered the cave. Slowly she slipped closer eager to see him again, maybe he was staying in the reserve after all.
Connor:
"I don't know what I was thinking, letting you convince me to go," Connor snapped, flopping down into a sitting position by the fire. Etienne walked up to him, carrying a cup of warm cider.
"Shove off, furball," the angry angelic growled, watching as the mini returned the aggression with bared teeth and fluffed fur. But Oya's assistant just walked away, slipping behind the curtain as Oya herself walked forward to sit a few paces away from him.
"Did yeh no' 'ave a good time?" he heard the wolf ask, glancing up to see her pick up the mask and look at it where it rested on her paw pads. He frowned and looked away.
"Of course I did, Melantha... she's wonderful. That's not the point," he growled back. He glanced up and saw the tilt in the wolf's head, knowing exactly what her next question would be. What was the problem? What was the problem?? Everything was the problem! He never should have gone.
"It wasn't me. That can never be me," he growled, running a paw over his hair. His washed-out gold hair. He shook his head. "I can't be that way, not while he still lives. She never would have relaxed around me, not me. If it wasn't for that dye, she would have... I wouldn't have been able to approach her, wouldn't be able to be that way with her."
Melantha:
She slipped up to the cave and paused on the verge of calling out. She looked down at herself and frowned. It wasn't the same, she wasn't the same, there was no mask to hide the harsh how of her evil red eyes. There was no dress to hide a body that moved with predatory mistrust. She raked her claws through her hair unhappily, how would he react to this? Would he still want to talk to her once the pretty facade was gone? She slowly put a paw forward and craned her neck. Except she heard a familiar voice...Connors voice? What was he doing there?
"Hello?" She finally called and and slipped forward a bit more. At first the shadows almost tricked her but then she saw gold, just blonde and gold. She frowned and tilted her head confused.
Connor:
Connor jumped when he heard Melantha's voice, eyes wide.
"Melantha! What are you doing here?" He sounded like a pup who'd just been caught sneaking treats or something. How much had she heard? He had been growling at the wolf rather loudly... This what why he didn't interact with others! It just got him in trouble in the end!
Oya Tiyana:
Oya looked to the female who walked into the den and a smile grew on her maw at Connor's reaction.
"Is dis yer Melanda?" she asked, waving her paw back and forth a bit, the mask she had given Connor still perched upon it. She wanted to see how this would pan out. And by a glance around, so did a few of the spirits, peeking out from behind baskets or jars.
Melantha:
Melantha was confused completely confused had Connor been talking about her? She looked at Oya uncertainly and then frowned slightly taking a small step back.
"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude I thought I saw a friend come in here...and...and I guess it was just a trick of the light." She looked at Connor again confused still, she had been so sure...but she must have been wrong. Slowly she turned back to Oya to apologize again but then she realized...Oya had said her name. She blinked and the tilted her head a bit with a mild frown, Connor HAD been talking about her.
Connor:
Connor turned to glare at the voodoo wolf's words. Melantha was not his. At least HE understood that. The old meddler just wouldn't let it go.
He turned back to Melantha, a questioning look on his face. Maybe she hadn't heard anything after all. Or maybe, if she did, she just didn't make the connection. It was a difficult one to make, after all, with the way he had acted in his disguise.
"Melantha... What did you hear?" he asked, his tone coaxing, not demanding as it could have been.
Oya Tiyana:
Oya snorted at Connor's question and shook her head.
"Connah, dat's nae wha' yeh should be sayin' teh 'er an' yeh know it," she interjected and smiled at Melantha. She looked like a nice enough girl. Cooler spirits were edging closer to her, which meant she couldn't be a terrible young otter. She seemed like Connor, both insecure and afraid of themselves. What a pair!
Melantha:
Melantha frowned at Connor her ears falling back unhappily, why would he ask that?
"I wasn't following you Connor, I didn't come to eavesdrop." She sounded mildly hurt that he would suggest such a thing. It had been an accident, she had been so excited thinking she would get to meet the mysterious male from the party. Instead she seemed to have stumbled upon a private moment of Connors, and he thought she was somekind of snoop.
Then she looked at Oya confused, did Oya realize she hadn't meant to stumble in on them? Well at least someone realized she was innocent, still she stayed standing.
Connor:
Connor's face fell and he rubbed at his forehead. He was some kind of screwed, that was for sure.
"I know you didn't... I was just yelling and-"
"An' yeh shoul' jus' say it, Connah, instead o' beatin' roun'de bush." He was interrupted by the wolf and he turned around just as she tossed the mask at him. He caught it and held it on one paw, frowning down at it. He looked up at Oya, his back turned to Mel so that she couldn't see the look on his face, a look that pretty much said that if he told Melantha, it would ruin everything even more, that one or both of them would be heartbroken.
"I can't," he replied and received a stern glare from Oya.
"Yeh can."
Connor sighed and his ears set back a bit.
"You were following the male you met at the party, right?" he asked, his head tilted just slightly towards one shoulder so that Melantha could tell he was talking to her. But he wouldn't turn to look at her, not yet.
Melantha:
Melantha watched the exchange feeling like she was missing the piece of a puzzle. What were they talking about, what couldn't Connor do? She slowly took another step back feeling again as if she were intruding on some private conversation.
Then Connor turned to her and the question was obviously hers to answer, she gave a half nod. "Yes, I guess in the dark you looked like him...I told you I'm sorry I interrupted...I'll go." She turned to leave the cave and whatever was going on in there.
MISSING POST
Melantha:
Melantha turned when he said look and then her eyes fell on the mask. She seemed to light up for a moment the ghost of a smile crossing her features.
"He's here?" Then she reached out and took the mask from Connor looking around. Slowly she lifted it up and looked at connor the smile fading. She stepped closer and pressed the mask onto his face before stepping back shocked.
"You-you...you were there..." Her eyes slowly narrowed, yes...black wings and hair and he would be transformed. She took another step back and slowly shook her head.
"I...I don't understand, why you would..." Why had he disguised himself? Why had he...he had been so kind, and now she had the horrible feeling it was all just some trick. "You thought I would hurt someone there didn't you?" Her ears fell back and she slowly stepped back again. Of course he had to keep an eye on her, being around others like that was dangerous wasn't it? He hadn't wanted to leave her among the innocent, he hadn't trusted her. What hurt the most was that...she hadn't really trusted herself either.
Connor:
Connor's head fell a bit when she took a step back, his ears drooping slightly. He had destroyed her fantasy and for what? Because he didn't want to lie to her?
His head jerked up when she said that he had gone in order to watch her and make sure she didn't hurt anyone.
"No! I didn't even know you were going to be there. This wolf convinced me to go," he replied, waving a paw at Oya. He growled at the situation, rubbing his forehead for a moment before giving Mel a pained look.
"I saw you alone and... And then you didn't recognize me. I wanted to... be something different than what I have to be. You smiled and laughed and... I wanted to see more, to hear more..." He finally managed to say, hating that he was forced to tell her this.
Melantha:
She frowned a bit and eyed him warily, had he really been unaware that she was going? Maybe...maybe the wolf had convinced him to go. Then she blinked at his words, and shook her head softly stepping a little closer.
"Why didn't you tell me after? I asked you about the black winged male..." He hadn't wanted to admit it was him, but why? She had...she had liked that male, he was wonderfully kind, he reminded her so much of...Connor, well now she knew why. Then she felt sick, oh...then he knew, he had known it was her and not some pretty firebird under that mask.
Connor:
"I can't be that way. You were so happy, I didn't want to break that fantasy..." Connor explained, shaking his head a couple of times. What more could he say to her? He had enjoyed himself, but he couldn't continue. He couldn't endanger her any more than she already was with Angelus. Even if he tried to hide her away, Angelus would find out someday. He had found out about Di, and worse. He hadn't known Di was expecting pups when he took Mel's half-siblings to her, had no idea that he was being followed by his b*****d father. By his stupid actions, he had Di and her entire family in danger all over again.
Connor looked down and growled at himself before turning away to look at the fire.
"I wanted you to be happy for once. In the end I couldn't even do that," he muttered, though it was audible enough as he glared into the flames.
Melantha:
"It wasn't just a fantasy though...was it?" She tilted her head slightly and frowned as she watched him. He had been so nice, but had he just been pretending? If so then why had he bothered, what did he have to gain from cheering her up? He'd already told her the only reason he helped her at all was so Angelus would be put out.
"I was really happy Connor...I just...I wanted to see him-you again, I thought..." Except now she realized it was impossible, she had wanted someone to like her. Someone who she could spend time with, someone who wouldn't be afraid or vulnerable to her hunger.
Connor:
Connor didn't know how to answer that. Yes, it was a fantasy. He couldn't be like that, he was certain of it. But at the same time, he had never lied to her. It hadn't been a ruse, he hadn't done it to hurt her or use her.
"No... and yes. I've never lied to you, except for what I said about why I help you. But it wasn't reality, Melantha. Just a nice dream," he replied and was cuffed over the head by Oya's paw. He rounded on the wolf with a growl, teeth bared, unafraid of the larger creature.
"Dat's no' de trud."
"Of course it is! It can't be like that," he snapped back.
Melantha:
"You mean about...about helping me for revenge on Angelus?" She frowned and slowly sat down still a bit shocked. It was hard to grasp exactly what he meant, no yes no why was he confusing her? It had been nice...like a dream, but she had hoped for more, she had wanted to pull that dream into reality.
"Why? I mean, why can't it be like that?" She looked at him worried, was it because of her? Was it because she was an uncontrolled predator? Did he think she would become like Angelus wicked enough to murder until her soul was gone?
Connor:
"Because he'll find you and use you to get to me!" Connor snapped and flinched at his own tone. He glared at the wolf again, a look that said this was all her fault before turning back to Melantha.
"He wanted to make you a killer to hurt your father. He won't do that with me, and it wouldn't work, you've gotten so much better to be set back that far. He would hurt you, to hurt me. I can't..." he looked away angrily, gritting his teeth at the thought. "I can't put you in that kind of position."
Everyone had been telling him to be honest to those he cared about. Di, Oya, even his mother. But how could he? He was honest because honesty was stronger than lies, the only lesson he'd ever learned from his father. His truths hurt, how could he do that to Mel?
Melantha:
She cringed back as he snapped and frowned but then his words slowly sank in. He was right, Angelus would always target people through the ones they cared for. Wasn't that why she had remained so isolated from everyone? She looked down and nodded softly in understanding.
"Of course...I-I'll go...things are bad enough without him having another target." Except...where was she going to go? Maybe there was nothing left for her on the reserve, maybe if she left...
The thought of leaving made her chest ache, her family, and...Connor.
Connor:
"I'm sorry, Melantha..." he said with a sigh. He glanced at Oya and frowned before moving to Melantha. He knew he shouldn't, he had no right to and every time he touched her she flinched away. But be couldn't stop putting his paw under her chin and lifting it up so that she wasn't looking down anymore.
"I don't want to give him a reason to try and hurt you," he said softly, giving her that small smile, but it was touched with sadness.
Melantha:
She seemed to relax as connor's paw touched her and then she nodded again. "I know...I understand..." She softly nuzzled his paw and closed her eyes for a moment. "I...I'll try and stay...somewhere away..." Her voice was almost pained, she would be going back into isolation away from everyone. Who would she talk to? Where would she go? To the far edges of the reserve? Maybe to her mothers family, she'd heard of their territory where most vamps didn't dare try to hunt. Except...then how would she hunt? No it would need to be some further place where no one would know.
Connor:
Something in Connor snapped when she nuzzled his paw. It was his paw, not one of a male unknown to her. She was being affectionate... with him.
"I don't want you to go," he said, one of the smaller pads on his paw rubbing her cheek a bit. He didn't know what to do anymore, not really. He knew what he should do, which would be to let her go, where she would be safer than with him. But he wanted her to stay, he didn't want her to leave him.
"She does no' 'ave teh." Connor turned at the statement, blinking at Oya.
Oya Tiyana:
"She can stay 'ere. De spirits keep eyes ou' for de soulless one, an' 'e canno' cross de treshold o' dis den," Oya replied, still sitting off to one side, her tail curled around her paws. Things were heating up in Connor's family, over the whole Oasis, even. She had a feeling things might get easier for this fallen angel and his firebird, which meant they both needed to stick around for their happy ending.
Melantha:
She looked up at him mildly surprised, he didn't want her to go? Half of her wanted to leap for joy, but then her heart constricted. Did it really matter what they wanted? Connor wouldn't have her stay around where Angelus could get to her. Except...now that she had the hope in her it wouldn't stop fluttering around and driving her mad. Leaving would be so hard knowing that somewhere she was really wanted. Then she blinked and looked at Oya surprised.
She was about to agree but then stopped and frowned. "Oh...thank you, but...but I couldn't stay. It's not just Angelus...it's me too...I..." She slowly took a breath and tried not to look down. "I'm...dangerous too." It was hard to admit, hard to know that when something as simple as hunger hit her the predatory instinct took over.
Connor:
"You're not dangerous," Connor said with a glance back at Melantha. "At the party, did you have any urge? Have I ever had to actually pull you off anyone?"
He didn't think she was dangerous, not really. The only time he'd ever fought her was when he had thought her brother might have gone after an innocent. But that had been a misunderstanding and she was just getting him away from her brother.
Melantha:
"No...but at the party I was kind of distracted..." She half smiled and then thought back to when Connor had watched her hunt. No he hadn't had to pry her off of any of her victims. She tried, she tried so hard to fight an ancient instinct. It was hard though, her body felt like a weapon, like she was made to cause destruction. Razor sharp claws, glowing eyes that enhanced her night vision, vicious fangs.
Except Connor saw her differently, and she wanted to see herself differently too. She wanted to believe that she could rise about natures wild call and be safe. "I have been trying..." She finally murmured but looked at Oya uncertainly. Let the wolf decide if she wanted to trust her in her home.
Connor:
Connor gave her another small smile in return. He believed her, that she had been trying. He'd even seen her do her best. He never thought he would care that much about a vampire, not after how his father was, but Di and Mel had shown him that they could consume blood and still have a soul. His father was the only creature he knew who killed other otters for blood.
He looked to Oya, expectantly.
Oya Tiyana:
"Ah knew when Ah asked. Ah wouldn' asked if Ah didn' know," Oya replied with a small chuckle. She stood and walked over to them. She sat back down and put paws on each of their shoulders.
"De spirits said yeh two needed a little 'elp. An' Ah see it was jus' a very little bit. Yeh'll be safe 'ere. No angry ottah'll gi' de best o' Oya," she added with another short laugh.
Melantha:
Melantha looked at Connor uncertainly for a moment it felt strange to see things actually...working. She slowly smiled at Oya's words and felt herself slowly relax under the wolfs paw. She looked over at her gratefully.
"Thank you...so much, I promise I'll be...I try and help you out with whatever you need." And not try and attack you for blood if I get too hungry. Except she wasn't going to say that, and now she had a feeling she didn't have to. She didn't have to force herself into deeper darker hungers, she could control herself. She gave Connor a quick hug before letting go not wanting to upset him. "And thank you Connor...you've helped me so much."
Connor:
Connor twitched when Mel hugged him, but he allowed his face to soften a bit. It was over quickly though and he gave her a nod. He looked to Oya and gave her a nod as well, short in thanks. He still thought this would be difficult, there was still the chance that in taking his father down he would fall as well. And he didn't know if he would want to leave Mel on her own.
He would just have to make sure that when he faced Angelus for the last time, he would make his way home.
Oya Tiyana:
Oya smiled at them and gave Connor a small nod.
"Dat will be very nice, Melanda. Yer a good soul," she replied, nodding to both of them. This would work, she'd make sure of that.
:: The Otter Oasis Guild ::
