[PRP] A Dream Worth Keeping?? (Leilani x Tsaheylu)

[tefla]

(( WARNING to RP readers:
There will be serious damage inflicted to Soquili in this RP. Please avoid if you do not do well with detailed injuries ))

There was a sour taste in his mouth. Tsaheylu spat repeatedly onto the forest floor as he tried to rid himself of the taste of "love." Perhaps one would argue that that emotion had no taste but to Tsaheylu there was definitely an unpleasant flavor associated with love. He absolutely could not stand it either. However he had to act like he cared for his target. After all he was supposed to be healing from a grievous injury. Tsaheylu rolled his eyes. Perhaps grievous was too strong of a word but the laceration that he had feigned had drawn in his newest victim to him so rather quickly. Had the mare known that he had purposely given himself the cut maybe she would not have agreed to tend to the injury. But she was a naive little thing. Dainty and completely unaware of the danger he presented. He was practicing his skills of manipulation on Leilani and it was obvious that she had not caught on to what he was doing.

Spitting upon the ground once more Tsaheylu practiced his limp again before leaving the darkened shadows. Leilani was around here somewhere and he would be foolish to shatter the illusion that he had created just for her. Perhaps something interesting would come out of this encounter.

Wasteland Wyvern

 

[Wasteland Wyvern]

Leilani paused as the early morning sun finally finished rising over the tree tops. The morning air was crisp with the cold that heralded the oncoming winter but for now the weather would hold, or so she hoped. She had intended to move closer to the desert as the winter in this land was something she was still not used to but when a patient called a healer answered.
She smiled thinking of Tsaheylu, the flutter that hid behind a panther skin. She'd asked him once why he wore it but didn't think she'd gotten an answer. It mattered little in her head, for all she knew he wore it for warmth.
Now that the sun had truly risen she finished stretching her limbs, and fanning her large vibrantly orange tipped wings. Sleeping under the upturned roots of a tree was warmer but it caused such a kink in her joints...
Looking south she decided to visit that small pond that was close by to get a drink, hoping the water wasn't too chilly. Afterwards she would check on Tsaheylu and see how his wound was fairing.

Tefla

 

[tefla]

Tsaheylu had managed to snag a small familiar for a snack earlier on in the night. It was amusing how the creature had pleaded for its life before he had snapped its neck. He'd taken to hunting familiars that were bonded after that damn crow had blown his plans. It was sort of a mild form of revenge. He had been trying to keep his feeding schedule to times where he would know that Leilani was sleeping. The meals were not substantial but it took the edge off his hunger. There was no need to hunt larger prey at the moment and blow his cover. The stallion's gaze zeroed in on a small speck of blood near the wound on his leg and Tsaheylu debated leaving it alone. If Leilani saw it there was the chance that she would think it was a sign that the cut had reopened.

Stretching Tsaheylu could feel the pelt on his back ripple and gave a contentious smile. The sunlight had begun to poke through the shadows and Tsaheylu gave a mighty yawn before limping out from the darkest parts of the forest. He knew that Leilani would come to check on him after her morning routine was completed. He would make it easier on her today.

There was a small question in his mind about how far he wanted to take this farce. It was truly amusing to see just a healer's naivete shine through. The walker was convinced that Leilani had never met one of his kind or even heard of them. If she had would she stick around? The question lingered about his plans for her in the future. What did he want to do after his current act got too old to continue? What then?

Wasteland Wyvern

 

[Wasteland Wyvern]

The pond was not very far from where she and Tsaheylu bedded down each night. He slept in the forest mostly but she never felt truly safe in the forest. It was a lot darker this deep in and her fears of what lurked in the night kept her from going too deep. After all it was out of the darkness that the Kalona had stalked, the same beast that had killed her mother.
Shaking her head to clear the thoughts she found the pond quickly but a slight frown marred her face as she saw the thin film of ice covering it. The winter was coming early if this was any sign. She shivered thinking of the deep snows and wondered if she might hole up with her two-legged for the winter instead of traveling. 'Thoughts for another time...' She told herself. Using a hoof she broke the film of ice and drank of the icy cold water, feeling the ridge of fur running down her spine rise at the coldness that seeped through her body as the water reached her stomach.
Flicking her long unicorn tail unhappily she raised her head after only a few moments of drinking and decided to turn back. She did need to check on her patient after all.
The trip back to the camp didn't take long and a smile split her face when she saw him waiting. He looked deep in thought but his leg was raised with the pain of the wound. 'Poor dear... It must be so hard on him limping like that...' She had initially tried to heal him using her unicorn magic but the magic seemed to refuse him and though it was strange it was no concern. She was well versed in herbs and often kept a good stock of them in a small pouch she carried with her at all times.
Her voice, accented with both a tropical hint and the sunshiny way she always spoke, called out to him, "Good morning Tsaheylu! How are you feeling?" Her tail flicked back and forth much like a cats would as she approached him.  

[tefla]

And there she was. Tsaheylu's ears pricked forward as he heard Leilani's approach. He had timed his arrival perfectly. His injured leg was raised off the ground as she came around the corner. It was time to start acting once again. Inwardly he grimaced as he arranged his features into a more pleasant countenance as the mare greeted him. He gave his leg a long look before letting his gaze fall on Leilani. He could almost see himself springing a surprise attack on the naive mare.

Instead he let a heavy sigh leave his body. Visions like that would only tempt him further. With careful motions he placed his injured leg on the ground for an instant before lifting it clear again. "Good morning. I am uncertain as to how I am though Leilani. I cannot figure out why this injury is not responding to your healing magic. It is strange. Other than that I am faring well."

Wasteland Wyvern

 

[Wasteland Wyvern]

His words spoke true. It was quite weird that her magic refused him. She'd never in her life run across this problem and it worried her that her mixed blood was affecting her ability to heal. Frowning slightly she looked at him, "Well since my unicorn magic is on the fritz I will just have to rely on herbs. It's old fashioned and will take longer to heal your cut but it will work." She was always sunshiney and chipper. Rarely anything got this mare down.
"Now hold very still for me for a moment, please? It will be easier for me to apply the herbs." She took out the packet of herbs and mixed two colorful ones together in a motar using a pestle then added a bit if water from a flask. The mixture went from colorful to a sickly green with a pungently unpleasant scent. Even Leilani found it hard not to wrinkle her nose at the smell.
"Now just have to apply it..." She took a bit of the mix on her lips and using her muzzle spread it around and on the wound. Though she tried to be gentle she hoped she wasn't hurting him.  

[tefla]

As Leilani went to work grinding herbs the skinwalker had to physically restrain his impulse to bite down on any part of the mare's body. It was becoming even harder to control this facade now that he had started. Breathing in deeply the stallion sputtered at the harsh fumes coming from the mortar and pestle that Leilani was using. He coughed at the sickening aroma before attempting to hold his breath. Just barely detectable under the pungent smell was more pleasant bouquet of scents that teased his senses. Although he would love to focus on the more pleasant concoction that assailed him doing so would only mean that he would unleash the beast within.

Tsaheylu started suddenly as Leilani began dabbling the paste onto his leg. He had been so wrapped up in his thoughts that her movements had not registered. Tsaheylu wrinkled his nose in distaste from the scent. With her head down deep in concentration on her task Tsaheylu allowed himself to mentally imagine all the damage he could do to her. Those wings would look so good bent and broken. He'd make it so that she'd be stuck on the ground. A particularly lingering touch on his wounded leg caused him to snap out of his imaginings. He growled low in his throat and jerked his leg away. "That hurt."

Wasteland Wyvern

 

[Wasteland Wyvern]

Leilani couldn't help but jump backward away from him when he issued his growl and yanked his leg away. Her wings flared open at the ready should she need to fly to safety. Chest heaving she stared at him for a moment before refolding the colorful wings and attempting to calm her fluttering heartbeat. Orange eyes rested on him for a count of five before she finally spoke, "I... I'm sorry... I didn't mean to hurt you..." She'd never expected him to growl and began wondering how he'd managed such a deep noise. It was reminiscent of the panther pelt he wore. Those orange orbs rested now on the colorfully marked pelt and a fear of him started to form deep in her subconscious, still yet unnoticed by the dainty healer. 'Could he be more than just a Flutter?' She wondered.  

[tefla]

There was a new scent on the air. It was the scent of fear. Tsaheylu relished the aroma before realizing that it'd not do well for Leilani to be afraid of him. At least not yet for it would be too soon to blow his cover. Grimacing as if his leg was still smarting from the sudden increase in pressure the walker gave a soft sigh before his tail twitched a little as his wings opened and closed. He put a little pressure on his injured limb in order to near Leilani. He brushed against her side before he spoke. "I am sorry Leilani. You caught me off guard. I did not mean to startle you. Can you forgive me?"

In his mind Tsaheylu was cringing with each word. He needed to keep Leilani close to him for she was rather something beauteous to covet. She was just an object but slowly if he could worm his way more into her mind there could be more fun to be had. Tsaheylu gave Leilani a half smile ... he was hoping that he had not permanently damaged this strange relationship.

Wasteland Wyvern

 

[Wasteland Wyvern]

The fear in her was washed away immediately by the heat that suffused her cheeks when he brushed against her and spoke his apology, the words to her silky sweet. Gullible and easily wooed was the perspective her brother Nahele had for her.
Shaking away thoughts of her asinine big brother she looked at him. "No need for apologies Tsaheylu. You were just reacting to the pain I caused. My fault for being careless in my administration of the herbs." It was how she always was, despite being a healer herbs were difficult for her due to her lack of hands. How she wished Ehren was here. That silly snake could use his tail to mix the mortar and pestle much better than she. They had a falling out over her 'stupidity and gullibility' and she had left him with her herd. She didn't need to be called names!
Deciding it would be good for her to get her mind off her falling out with her familiar she spoke, "I am going to go look around in the forest for a numbing plant that could prove useful for the next round of herbs. You should get off your feet for a bit and relax. It will do wonders for your wound." She smiled brightly at him then turned to go hoping to find the plant before nightfall. Being in the forest after dark... No. That would not do and finding plants tended to take time..  

[tefla]

Tsaheylu watched the mare with a cautious gaze. He believed that she spoke from the heart when she had apologized for hurting him. The idea that she wanted to go look for more plants in which to treat his wound meant that he would be free to laze the afternoon away. The stallion winced as the wound on his leg flared briefly. Although he had suffered probably worse in his life it paled in comparison to the pain he had brought random victims. Thinking of those memories brought a rare smile to his face. He stretched out carefully and started the process of lying down carefully. He still had to put on a show of "being" hurt for Leilani.

Settling down on the ground the walker turned his gaze to the mare. He gave a convincing yawn and sighed. "I will do as you ask Leilani. Please do take care in your trip today. Every time you leave I worry for your safety."

The lies came off his tongue so easily. He was waiting to see when he'd be able to properly school the mare in what it meant to be afraid. He longed for that moment ever since he started this game of cat and mouse.

Wasteland Wyvern

 

[Wasteland Wyvern]

"Do not worry so Tsaheylu, I will be fine. There are few things in this forest that could prevent me from returning here... To you." She smiled shyly as spoke the last part, hoping her budding feelings for him wouldn't push him away. This was after all the first time the naive young mare found herself feeling all giddy over a stallion.
Stepping away from the now grounded stallion she opened her wings and flapped them hard to get off the ground before the wind caught under them and lifted her high. The plant she needed was only found in higher meadows so she would have to fly to get to the needed areas.
The slightly warmer updraft was a pleasant feeling as it ruffled through feathers, fur, and hair. Oh it felt so nice to be aloft again! If there was anything she adored more than flying she'd be surprised. Her thoughts returned to Tsaheylu and she wondered if he might be the thing that would trump her love of flight with her love of him.
She shook her head, clearing the thoughts. Did she love him or was it just a crush? She still wasn't sure. A sigh escaped her lips. It was thoughts for another time.

Spotting a meadow among the higher hills she dove towards it and landed gently before immediately snuffling around in the late flowers and tall grasses to find the spiky leafed plant that when crushed would produce a juice that numbed all wounds.  

[tefla]

Tsaheylu had been idle for a little while after Leilani had left on her errand but he could not be still any longer. Restlessness had settled on his shoulders and he scowled at the direction in which the mare had last flown off in. He was sure that she would return before nightfall or shortly thereafter and it would be the perfect time in which he would spring his trap. A lot of thought had gone into the initial planning phase in which he constantly thought up ideas and then rejected them for being too fanciful or too plain. It was strange that he felt no desire to end Leilani's life but instead keep the mare grounded and stuck with him. The stallion stretched out his limbs, reveling in the luxury of returning to his true self. He shed the "act" as easily as one would shed water off their back.

The wound on his leg was essentially a non-issue. He kept up the appearance of being wounded far longer than he had believed it was possible but the time had come. Tsaheylu scented the air before assuming his panther form. It would be in this guise that he would launch the first attack. The shock value alone of such an attack might turn the tables in his favor. The ideal option would be to go for Leilani's wings. Once he broke those she'd be helpless.

Prowling the clearing Tsaheylu dug at the earth with his claws in strategic places to make it look like an attack had occurred already. It'd be too easy to get Leilani too worried for her to think straight. He disappeared into the surrounding foliage to wait for Leilani's return. Soon she'd be putty in his paws. His claws dug furrows into the earth as he imagined himself digging similar wounds into Leilani's flesh. The tact he had tried with Aolani had failed because he had blown his cover too early and not spent enough "time" learning about her. He might have realized that there was another that looked out for her. So far he had seen nothing of the sort with Leilani. He would not kill this mare though, he was looking for a malleable "pet" to keep at his side. Soon Leilani would wish that she had not caught his eye.

Wasteland Wyvern

 

[Wasteland Wyvern]

"Where are you?" She called out playfully to the elusive plant. Sometimes she made a game of looking for her plants but this time she mentally shook herself. She was here for an injured stallion! She had to be quick.
Looking towards the tree line she finally spotted the plant and plucked as much as she could before her lips started to go numb from the juices the plants seeped. Looking up her lips a little puffy she saw it was beginning to get dusky. "Goodness! How long was I looking for the plants?" Scolding herself she took wing and flew back towards the clearing where she had left Tsaheylu.
Initially she didn't see him but it was becoming darker so his pelted back might be blending in with the night. Finally she decided to land and when she was firmly on the ground she saw the devastation. The dirt of the clearing was torn up and trampled by hooves and... Claws? Were those claws?! Her heart started frantically beating, the tempo wild and fear filled. "Tsaheylu!?" Her voice raised in both fear and worry. "Oh please let him be okay..." That part was spoken in a whisper.
Lowering her nose to the ground she snuffled around trying to catch a scent of what happened here. All she smelled was panther...  

[tefla]

He had prowled the perimeter of the area closest to the camp in order to burn off the energy that was coursing through his body. The restlessness that Tsaheylu had felt had been to dissipate with the plan that he was concentrating on. All that was needed now was his guest of honor. He gave a quiet chuckle as he pictured Leilani's puzzlement over the signs he had left in the clearing. It was meant to distract her from the true danger. No longer would she see him as just an injured stallion but as a dangerous predator that had been toying with her this entire time.

His tail flicked back at forth rapidly in the dirt as he scented the air once more. At first there was only stale traces of Leilani's presence. His ears caught sounds of movement beyond and Tsaheylu rose off his haunches. He silently prowled around the clearing in the dark underbrush. He needed the perfect place to launch his first stealth attack. Finally he sighted Leilani. The mare was snuffling around in the dirt with her back turned to him. Tsaheylu growled low in his throat as he stalked forward. He wanted to remain hidden for as long as possible. For just a moment there was something akin to remorse in his mind before he shredded the feeling to ribbons. His plan had fallen into place and now it was time to bring it to completion.

From the shadows he sprung towards the mare. His claws were outstretched and he was hoping the first attack would catch her on the side. He'd mark her, spring away and then go for the wings.

Wasteland Wyvern

And so it begins