Kealdrana Sasaiuni
Oh, where are you my love?
A rush of wind blew past her face, tickling the whiskers on her nose, whispering secrets in her ear.
Here.
The water rushes by, sending echoes of past times rushing through the skies. The aurora. Pinks, reds, greens, yellows, all swirling together with the step of the earth.
Don't be so long absent.
The smell of fire is pungent. It crackles and laughs, swirling around the great and mighty pine, bringing it down in so short a time. What took hundreds of years to grow. And a single tear falls from the light of the moon as the screams echo. . .
I am forever gone.
There is a flash, and then darkness once again folds around the eyes of the beautiful.
- - - - -
Aphrodite woke with a start, her ears forward and a deep growl coming from the back of her throat. Her head ached. It was just a dream. Closing her eyes in relief she allowed a much needed sigh to release the pain. The speakings of the soul, as she called them, were so vivid and so dark, it changed her in every way. Normally calm, quiet, recourseful, and most importantly, seductive, they brought forth an anger, sadness, and heartbreak she could never feel in life. Her white body quivered, sending sparkles of light where the moon's gaze didn't belong.
It had been a long day, she mused. It was time to start another long night, and an equally distant morning. Using her front feet, she slid up onto her haunches, pale eyes searching the area for any disturbance. No sound echoed in the woods. Silence, which she often love, now left a wanton ache upon her heart.
Still, she couldn't ponder the past, it was time to face this side of her, and begin her journey. Often she took these walks at night, letting the trees and the wind whisper their secrets gently in her ear. She could feel alone, yet so very apart of the world. It was how she liked it, a feeling of immortality.
The shuffling sounds of feet echoed lightly on the trees as she rose from the forest loam. Her ears rotated about for anything that disturbed the peace, nose sniffing lightly. Aphrodite would never be caught unprepared. Despite the dream, a small smile furled lightly on her lips. It was a good night, indeed. With the moon full in the sky, radiating down on her, joy was sure to ensue.
A small laugh managed to escape her lips as she started forwards. Walking, always moving. There were always things to do, and besides, Dakolin and the others had their little plots to weave. She simply did her part, trapped in this world of self-remembrance. As she committed her sins, she felt no regrets, but every night she walked. Walked the road to hell. . .
A rush of wind blew past her face, tickling the whiskers on her nose, whispering secrets in her ear.
Here.
The water rushes by, sending echoes of past times rushing through the skies. The aurora. Pinks, reds, greens, yellows, all swirling together with the step of the earth.
Don't be so long absent.
The smell of fire is pungent. It crackles and laughs, swirling around the great and mighty pine, bringing it down in so short a time. What took hundreds of years to grow. And a single tear falls from the light of the moon as the screams echo. . .
I am forever gone.
There is a flash, and then darkness once again folds around the eyes of the beautiful.
- - - - -
Aphrodite woke with a start, her ears forward and a deep growl coming from the back of her throat. Her head ached. It was just a dream. Closing her eyes in relief she allowed a much needed sigh to release the pain. The speakings of the soul, as she called them, were so vivid and so dark, it changed her in every way. Normally calm, quiet, recourseful, and most importantly, seductive, they brought forth an anger, sadness, and heartbreak she could never feel in life. Her white body quivered, sending sparkles of light where the moon's gaze didn't belong.
It had been a long day, she mused. It was time to start another long night, and an equally distant morning. Using her front feet, she slid up onto her haunches, pale eyes searching the area for any disturbance. No sound echoed in the woods. Silence, which she often love, now left a wanton ache upon her heart.
Still, she couldn't ponder the past, it was time to face this side of her, and begin her journey. Often she took these walks at night, letting the trees and the wind whisper their secrets gently in her ear. She could feel alone, yet so very apart of the world. It was how she liked it, a feeling of immortality.
The shuffling sounds of feet echoed lightly on the trees as she rose from the forest loam. Her ears rotated about for anything that disturbed the peace, nose sniffing lightly. Aphrodite would never be caught unprepared. Despite the dream, a small smile furled lightly on her lips. It was a good night, indeed. With the moon full in the sky, radiating down on her, joy was sure to ensue.
A small laugh managed to escape her lips as she started forwards. Walking, always moving. There were always things to do, and besides, Dakolin and the others had their little plots to weave. She simply did her part, trapped in this world of self-remembrance. As she committed her sins, she felt no regrets, but every night she walked. Walked the road to hell. . .
Ronove
Hell wasn't really any of Dak's concern. You did what you had to in life, took care of those you loved... and those you hated. The Source knew what was what, and would take care of him in the end as well.
Revenge wasn't really revenge, after all, if it was justice.
The black lone was hunting, like usual. But he kept one eye out for Wren's return. While he didn't trust her he did hope she would keep her word; everything would run much smoother. Paws sped silently along the forest loam, skimming through high grasses and soft leaf beds. He avoided the snow and mud without thought, prefering to keep his tracks to a minimum
Pale eyes flickered and watched for movement in the trees - there! A clearing, where an old doe stood, head bowed. He eyed her thoughtfully. She almost seemed to be waiting to die...
Well, he could take care of that. With careful steps he stalked forwards, joy rising with adrenaline in his system -
The doe's head shot up, eyes wide. Her nostrils flaired; with a bleat she took off.
"s**t!"
Glaring, Dak turned to search for whatever idiot had scared away his lunch. His eyes fell on the pale female and narrowed.
Kealdrana Sasaiuni
Aphrodite didn't even know hell existed, but she did believe in justice, and she had an idea of what sin was, in her own mind. She knew after she died, she would be frowned upon, which is why she intended to convince everything that there was no afterlife. If no one believed, how could it exist?
Iriana had told her once, 'The afterlife is a place for people who need s**t. I don't need a ******** thing, so I could die right now and feel complete.' Aprhodite couldn't say she enjoyed the interspersed profanity, but the words had held some wisdom, even if it was only those of a fool.
Aphrodite had been watching the deer as she walked. She had not been hungry, having eaten earlier that day, and it was nice to see something living, instead of stuck in between someone's jaws. The thought made her stomach churn, ever so slightly.
Still, in a flash, her companion had vanished. A faint smile lingered on her lips as she watched it go. She wished the doe a long and healthy life, with many children. Turning, head low and tail swaying, she came face to face with a rather angry looking individual, whom she'd already known was there. There was nothing like feining stupidy. Men liked that.
"Oh!" she exclaimed softly, falling back onto her haunches. "I didn't see you there." She gave him a beaming smile, her white teeth glowing in the moonlight. He was so dark. Hardly handsome, the scars prevented hat.
"Lose many battles?" she asked, a frown of concern crossing her face. It was completely fake, but as of yet, no one had been able to tell, even that Phib boy. He was completely caught of guard. She'd told him truths and lies, and exhaggerated things, making her seem like a lost and sweet soul. Hardly.
Iriana had told her once, 'The afterlife is a place for people who need s**t. I don't need a ******** thing, so I could die right now and feel complete.' Aprhodite couldn't say she enjoyed the interspersed profanity, but the words had held some wisdom, even if it was only those of a fool.
Aphrodite had been watching the deer as she walked. She had not been hungry, having eaten earlier that day, and it was nice to see something living, instead of stuck in between someone's jaws. The thought made her stomach churn, ever so slightly.
Still, in a flash, her companion had vanished. A faint smile lingered on her lips as she watched it go. She wished the doe a long and healthy life, with many children. Turning, head low and tail swaying, she came face to face with a rather angry looking individual, whom she'd already known was there. There was nothing like feining stupidy. Men liked that.
"Oh!" she exclaimed softly, falling back onto her haunches. "I didn't see you there." She gave him a beaming smile, her white teeth glowing in the moonlight. He was so dark. Hardly handsome, the scars prevented hat.
"Lose many battles?" she asked, a frown of concern crossing her face. It was completely fake, but as of yet, no one had been able to tell, even that Phib boy. He was completely caught of guard. She'd told him truths and lies, and exhaggerated things, making her seem like a lost and sweet soul. Hardly.
Ronove
What was it with these females and scars? They happened when you lived a hard life. He eyed the newcomer with suspision uncharacteristic of him. Was she related to Wren in some way? He wouldn't play games.
"If I'd lost them I wouldn't be here." He grinned - a mere baring of fangs to match her own. She was lovely, he would admit that. But he'd met so many pretty girls, and none were a match for the one he'd lost. This one wouldn't be any different.
He wanted wits, not flair. Fiery, strong, independent.
And, strangely enough, he wanted a good one. He would leave, forget the past, settle down far away from these killing games...
Of course, this was assuming the past would forget (and forgive) him. He stood still for a moment longer, then turned and stalked away in the direction the doe had dissapeared.
"If I'd lost them I wouldn't be here." He grinned - a mere baring of fangs to match her own. She was lovely, he would admit that. But he'd met so many pretty girls, and none were a match for the one he'd lost. This one wouldn't be any different.
He wanted wits, not flair. Fiery, strong, independent.
And, strangely enough, he wanted a good one. He would leave, forget the past, settle down far away from these killing games...
Of course, this was assuming the past would forget (and forgive) him. He stood still for a moment longer, then turned and stalked away in the direction the doe had dissapeared.
Kealdrana Sasaiuni
She merely cocked a brow at him, showing she really couldn't care if he had won or lost. In her experience losing simply meant you didn't get whatever you were after. It didn't mean you died. In which case, "You pick stupid fights." It must have been true. Anyone with any experience would surely not have so many marks, and be proud enough to stay on top. She'd seen those with some scars, but not decorating their body in such a fashion. He must have angered easily, she considered.
He seemed to watch her for a time, assessing. She let her smile fade away. Let him look, want, and leave.
Which is exactly what he did, and it brought the smile back once more. He'd gone off to get that deer. Little fool. With the smile still there, she hurried off into the woods in the opposite direction.
- - - -
She was back in the spot where she had originally met the male. He was probably still out trying to find his doe. Aphrodite didn't doubt he was having a hard time. The deer, if had any brains, would have long left the neihborhood, and certainly be more alert than it had been.
These rabbits, she thought with a glance down at her feet, were not so smart. There they lay. One white and one black, blood coating their necks. They had been an easy kill, their brains stupified with the same hormones she won over many men with. All that she needed to do now was wait. He'd return, grumpy and aggravated, without a catch and here she'd have a rabbit for him. Whether she would actually share or not, she didn't yet know, but for now she was content to look at the still eyes of her two prize objects.
He seemed to watch her for a time, assessing. She let her smile fade away. Let him look, want, and leave.
Which is exactly what he did, and it brought the smile back once more. He'd gone off to get that deer. Little fool. With the smile still there, she hurried off into the woods in the opposite direction.
- - - -
She was back in the spot where she had originally met the male. He was probably still out trying to find his doe. Aphrodite didn't doubt he was having a hard time. The deer, if had any brains, would have long left the neihborhood, and certainly be more alert than it had been.
These rabbits, she thought with a glance down at her feet, were not so smart. There they lay. One white and one black, blood coating their necks. They had been an easy kill, their brains stupified with the same hormones she won over many men with. All that she needed to do now was wait. He'd return, grumpy and aggravated, without a catch and here she'd have a rabbit for him. Whether she would actually share or not, she didn't yet know, but for now she was content to look at the still eyes of her two prize objects.
Ronove
As it happened, Dak did return to the same area, but not in search of a meal. The deer might have escaped but he had figured as much; instead he'd returned to the old carcass he'd shared with Wren. When he came back, it was because he was waiting and he didn't want to stray too far. There was a nice hollow nearby too, perfect for naps and hard to spot.
That was where the lone was headed when he caught the female's scent. Irritation stirred, but it was overrun by stronger curiosity. Why was she sticking around here anyway?
The scent of blood, not fresh but not too old, mingled with hers. Rabbit blood. He sneered, but sauntered up to her anyways.
"What are you still doing here, girl?" His tone was neutral, his mouth open in an easy grin. He eyed the meat but didn't say anything. Wry laughter bubbled up as he remembered his words to the lone previously - fresh meat certainly did taste better than old s**t.
But he wouldn't beg. Eyebrow raised, he waited.
That was where the lone was headed when he caught the female's scent. Irritation stirred, but it was overrun by stronger curiosity. Why was she sticking around here anyway?
The scent of blood, not fresh but not too old, mingled with hers. Rabbit blood. He sneered, but sauntered up to her anyways.
"What are you still doing here, girl?" His tone was neutral, his mouth open in an easy grin. He eyed the meat but didn't say anything. Wry laughter bubbled up as he remembered his words to the lone previously - fresh meat certainly did taste better than old s**t.
But he wouldn't beg. Eyebrow raised, he waited.
Kealdrana Sasaiuni
She didn't have to wait as long as she had figured. She could smell him moving, and at first he went far past her, but she was patient. Her eyes narrowed at the empty night. What was he doing? There was no smell of deer, he had not met his catch, as predicted, but he was muddling around.
She took a stronger wiff as he got closer. Wren. She didn't let the shock show on her face. It was a small wooded world, completely common that she might have run into him. She didn't like it, though, Wren being up to things.
"Hmm. . . " she said as he approached, flashing a grin in his direction. That's right, beg. He didn't, but he was laughing, about something.
"Something funny?" she asked him, completely ignoring the question from before. It wasn't worth answering. "Maybe that this place smells so sweetly of you?" She dropped it, sooner than she did most times, but she wanted to know just what was going on, and a slight bit of impatience itched her fur.
It was true, the wolves scent littered everything. It was a wonder any prey existed here at all. "Looking for something?" Her eyes narrowed, looking him over with scrutinity. "I only play certain kinds of games, lone." She wouldn't give him her name if she could help it. The less people knew about her and the rest of them, the better off everyone was.
She took a stronger wiff as he got closer. Wren. She didn't let the shock show on her face. It was a small wooded world, completely common that she might have run into him. She didn't like it, though, Wren being up to things.
"Hmm. . . " she said as he approached, flashing a grin in his direction. That's right, beg. He didn't, but he was laughing, about something.
"Something funny?" she asked him, completely ignoring the question from before. It wasn't worth answering. "Maybe that this place smells so sweetly of you?" She dropped it, sooner than she did most times, but she wanted to know just what was going on, and a slight bit of impatience itched her fur.
It was true, the wolves scent littered everything. It was a wonder any prey existed here at all. "Looking for something?" Her eyes narrowed, looking him over with scrutinity. "I only play certain kinds of games, lone." She wouldn't give him her name if she could help it. The less people knew about her and the rest of them, the better off everyone was.
Ronove
Her line brought another bark of laughter.
"Because I smell so sweet." Like blood and death. The laughter died and his expression darkened. "I don't know what kind of males you're used to, but I'm not a fool for a pretty woman."
He sat back on his haunches and let out a yawn, partly to show her just how bored he was with her attentions. Partly, too because he was tired. He was always tired lately. And he really wanted that nap. He flicked an ear, only half-listening to what she was saying.
"Even if I was looking for something," he replied, "I wouldn't tell you what it was."
He could smell a snake if he saw one, even if it did look like a wolf. He met her gaze and the grin returned. Games? "I'm not playing any." The grin widened.
Maybe this girl wasn't quite as foolish as he'd thought.
"Because I smell so sweet." Like blood and death. The laughter died and his expression darkened. "I don't know what kind of males you're used to, but I'm not a fool for a pretty woman."
He sat back on his haunches and let out a yawn, partly to show her just how bored he was with her attentions. Partly, too because he was tired. He was always tired lately. And he really wanted that nap. He flicked an ear, only half-listening to what she was saying.
"Even if I was looking for something," he replied, "I wouldn't tell you what it was."
He could smell a snake if he saw one, even if it did look like a wolf. He met her gaze and the grin returned. Games? "I'm not playing any." The grin widened.
Maybe this girl wasn't quite as foolish as he'd thought.
Kealdrana Sasaiuni
"Oh?" she answered, that dark laughter of hers ringing through the forest. "But you are!" The laughing continued, as she pushed the white hare towards his feet.
"Here," she whispered. "I got it for you, anyway." She turned her head to look into the dark woods, the moon seeping through the trees in various places. His next statement brought the onset of a sneer, but it was one tinged with allure. Chuckling she leaned closer to whisper in his ear, "Oh, I think you would." She drew her head back and winked at him. Interested or not, the proud loved to spill.
"Don't taunt me, little boy." Her gaze had slipped to his back, and down to his legs, following the contours of his body, her neck arched in a subervial fashion.
"Not bad," she noted. "A bit raggedy, but not distasteful." She turned her head and tilted it, surveying him with one eye. "Tsk," she said, giving no reason for her discontenting voice.
"Here," she whispered. "I got it for you, anyway." She turned her head to look into the dark woods, the moon seeping through the trees in various places. His next statement brought the onset of a sneer, but it was one tinged with allure. Chuckling she leaned closer to whisper in his ear, "Oh, I think you would." She drew her head back and winked at him. Interested or not, the proud loved to spill.
"Don't taunt me, little boy." Her gaze had slipped to his back, and down to his legs, following the contours of his body, her neck arched in a subervial fashion.
"Not bad," she noted. "A bit raggedy, but not distasteful." She turned her head and tilted it, surveying him with one eye. "Tsk," she said, giving no reason for her discontenting voice.
Ronove
Dak didn't reply. He could have liked this female, if she didn't make her attempts at seduction so obvious. But it was more interesting than hunting, that was for sure. And he got a free snack to boot.
He accepted the hare but didn't eat at first. He had a feeling this girl was from around here. While he thought Wren's caution last night was a little outrageous, she must have learned a lesson somewhere. From someone. With a delicate touch he turned the rabbit over and sniffed at the meat. Nothing. He tore off a chunk - much better than that rotting deer.
"I'm not interested in the games you're playing." He commented bluntly around the rabbit. His expression was blank. He didn't give a rat's a** what she thought of him. In fact...
"If you don't tell me what you want, I'll leave and you'll never know."
There. Now maybe he could eat in peace, and then get that nap he'd been craving. If she wanted information she'd have to ask for it. He would appreciate a night with a pretty woman, but he certainly didn't need it like she seemed to think.
He accepted the hare but didn't eat at first. He had a feeling this girl was from around here. While he thought Wren's caution last night was a little outrageous, she must have learned a lesson somewhere. From someone. With a delicate touch he turned the rabbit over and sniffed at the meat. Nothing. He tore off a chunk - much better than that rotting deer.
"I'm not interested in the games you're playing." He commented bluntly around the rabbit. His expression was blank. He didn't give a rat's a** what she thought of him. In fact...
"If you don't tell me what you want, I'll leave and you'll never know."
There. Now maybe he could eat in peace, and then get that nap he'd been craving. If she wanted information she'd have to ask for it. He would appreciate a night with a pretty woman, but he certainly didn't need it like she seemed to think.
Kealdrana Sasaiuni
She didn't seem to care if he was interested or not. It was what she was good at, and she'd flaunt it to the end of her career.
"Suit yourself," she grinned, avidly dropping the subject and turning her attention to her rabbit. She was eating now, and bedamned if he said anything to upset the balance. He said something, and she merely flicked an ear, chewing at her kill in a dainty manner. She took her sweet time in consuming the object, savoring the meat and humming lightly to herself. If he wanted answers, he'd just have to wait until she was done. Nearing the finish of her meal, she went slower, perhaps he'd leave and she wouldn't have to worry about him, but if she'd stay close enough downwind to smell him, and see if he stayed here. From her experience lones never stayed in one spot, and all she wanted to know was whether or not he was doing something out of the ordinary. She didn't care what it was, Retsu was good for that.
"Well then, I guess you better start walking then," she told him as she finished, curling up onto the ground, clearly intent on staying just where she was.
Of course, she would be leaving quite soon. She had no actual plans of sleeping here on the dingy earth. Rock suited her much better, but the male certainly didn't know that, as clever as he may be.
"Suit yourself," she grinned, avidly dropping the subject and turning her attention to her rabbit. She was eating now, and bedamned if he said anything to upset the balance. He said something, and she merely flicked an ear, chewing at her kill in a dainty manner. She took her sweet time in consuming the object, savoring the meat and humming lightly to herself. If he wanted answers, he'd just have to wait until she was done. Nearing the finish of her meal, she went slower, perhaps he'd leave and she wouldn't have to worry about him, but if she'd stay close enough downwind to smell him, and see if he stayed here. From her experience lones never stayed in one spot, and all she wanted to know was whether or not he was doing something out of the ordinary. She didn't care what it was, Retsu was good for that.
"Well then, I guess you better start walking then," she told him as she finished, curling up onto the ground, clearly intent on staying just where she was.
Of course, she would be leaving quite soon. She had no actual plans of sleeping here on the dingy earth. Rock suited her much better, but the male certainly didn't know that, as clever as he may be.
Ronove
This had turned into something of a contest of wills, and it only served to harden Dak's determination. He tore off another bite and chewed thoughfully, not especially hungry. For a moment he wished this girl was more open.
They might have worked well together. Mentally shaking the thought away, he swallowed and got to his feet. A grin ghosted across his face and he bowed politely. "Thanks for the meal, lass." He spoke with suprising sincerety, but the mocking smile still played about his mouth.
If that was how she wanted it... Dak shrugged, left the half-finished rabbit carcass, and walked away.
Not towards the sleeping hollow, of course. Not yet. Instead he stalked futher into the dark woods. He was determined not to give her any information, and she certainly wouldn't learn where he slept.
Or that he was hanging around here, waiting for something.
They might have worked well together. Mentally shaking the thought away, he swallowed and got to his feet. A grin ghosted across his face and he bowed politely. "Thanks for the meal, lass." He spoke with suprising sincerety, but the mocking smile still played about his mouth.
If that was how she wanted it... Dak shrugged, left the half-finished rabbit carcass, and walked away.
Not towards the sleeping hollow, of course. Not yet. Instead he stalked futher into the dark woods. He was determined not to give her any information, and she certainly wouldn't learn where he slept.
Or that he was hanging around here, waiting for something.
Kealdrana Sasaiuni
Aphrodite watched him go, noting how he left, not as stupid as she thought he was. It didn't matter to her, as soon as he was out of smelling range she was going to find Wren. Even if he wouldn't tell her anything, she could say whatever she wanted to the female, and she had definately caught Wren's scent fresh on his fur.
Finally, she felt it safe enough and she rose to her feet, her eyes scanning the area for anything that might have been off.
Nothing.
Nodding to herself she shook herself and hopped over the two corpses. She'd just leave them there. He'd probably come back for them, besides. It was time to continue her walk.
Finally, she felt it safe enough and she rose to her feet, her eyes scanning the area for anything that might have been off.
Nothing.
Nodding to herself she shook herself and hopped over the two corpses. She'd just leave them there. He'd probably come back for them, besides. It was time to continue her walk.
