Forgotten Faces

Cody · Post by **Cody** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 9:25 am

Well that was deffinetly not something Cody had ever done. The thought of trying it made his stomach twist inside of him. He shook his head stopping the imagine in his mind of trying it and falling over onto his back. A few quiet deeper exhaling breaths to calm himself a bit more when he heard his friends voice he looked up at him cautiosly.

"I can't do that..." He really hoped the guy didn't expect him to be able to do that. I mean technically...physically he imagined he should be able to...but there was no way a coward like him could possibly do something like that.

Post by **Drake** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 9:34 am

"Oh, o.k., I'll come back down there," Drake said fighting to not smile. He stood up where he was, gave one last cautious glance to their surroundings, threw his arms out to his sides, and tossed his head back, eyes closed. Slowly he pivoted out away from the building. He reveled in the sensation of falling and didn't want to end it, but he knew he had to. So, reluctantly, he focused on his goal.

He felt as if he had landed in a loosely held net as the spell took effect. He opened his eyes to find himself halfway between the ground and rooftop, falling at the rate of a feather. As he neared the ground he rolled so that his feet would touch down first, and smiled down at his new friend.

Cody · Post by **Cody** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 9:42 am

Cody watched the jump expecting some spectacular landing after watching his first maneuver, but that wouldn't be magic. So...what was the point. Cody stepped back as if somehow this would get him a better view, his left leg raising up a few inches then restriking the ground. Yes, there was the jump...

and...Drake was not exactly falling. Now that was deffinetly magic! That had to come in handy...imagine those large jumps where you couldn't see right in front of you. It would be great help in being able to cushion the blow and have a better idea of what to expect.

Cody's eyes were fully on Drake from the moment he started floating till the moment he touched the ground. He stayed silent a few seconds longer to make sure there was nothing he was going to miss. Also it was giving him more time to process what he just saw. "Well...I can't do that either." He imagined that part was obvious. Now he did want to show off! Would he? Would it completely ruin the relationship they were just starting to build? He had just recently told him about his owner's death...but the man had said he didn't blame the mount.

You didn't know the mount was me...that it didn't think like a normal horse.

"That was really great...do you do other things?" Like a little boy...there was deffinetly no shyness left towards Drake. "I can ...do something too. Not sure if you would call it magic...its just...something I can do." He gave him a moments wary gaze but then let it go. He'd trust him or he wouldn't after showing it...but at least he'd know for the future how things would work out. "But...if you have anything else you want to show...you can do it first..."

Post by **Drake** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 9:50 am

"Alright, I'll go again." He motioned for Cody to follow him quietly, then stopped. He hadn't thought of the consequences that could come to Cody from his next bit of showing off. "Wait, I've gotta ask, since you can't bound up walls or anything, are you a good runner? If this next one messes up somehow, we'll need to be able to get out of sight pretty quick."

Cody · Post by **Cody** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 9:56 am

Well now, if there was anything Cody found pride in it was his running. A different smile than the one he had seen earlier on Cody crossed his face. It was small, but with a confident strength one wouldn't expect in him. "Yah, I can run...I'd bet the last of my coins on outrunning anyone in this city." Perhaps a bit more pride than he needed to state, but already excited that question needed that type of answer.

Some back part of his mind, the part that was constantly paranoid and scared reminded him if there was a possible reason to run it meant danger. Yet if it all it would take was running to be safe, surely it would be fine. Wow he wanted to run right now...to race! Not yet...there would be time.

"It's alright...whatever it is go ahead and try it." Cody felt so good! It had been a while since he had felt such confidence in himself. So long since he'd proven he was good at anything to anyone. Just give me reason...give me a reason and I'll show you what running is!

Post by **Drake** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 10:19 am

"Alright," he responded in an excited whisper. He continued on the path he had started on before. His long slinking strides with the practiced quite of a top-story man were easily matched by Cody's graceful ones. They hadn't walked long before Drake stopped, right where he needed to be. He heard Cody come to a stop behind him. The skid of loose gravel was loud and harsh in Drake's ears, but he knew that no one else, including Cody, had heard it. His ears were far more sharp than those of most humanoid beings.

"Alright, stay as close to me as you can." Without checking to see if Cody had heard him he steepled his fingers in front of his face and concentrated on his goal. He felt a slight ripple in the air which was the only sign that the the spell had taken effect. Slowly he searched the ground, and bent over to retrieve what he had been looking for. Now, all that was left was the wait.

It wasn't long before a good target came into view. It was a broad man, drunk as a badger floating belly-up in a keg of ale. He had waddled out of the brothel and was now propped against the corner of the building, catching his breath. Drake smiled at Cody over his shoulder and hurled the small pebble he held at the man.

Drake knew exactly when and where it would hit, even without the audible plop it made against the man's leather vest. His eyes, too, were very sharp. He had been able to track the stone's entire arch towards the man. However, he had not expected such a comical effect.

The man, in such befuddled shock, had jumped at the impact and fell over onto the street with a great thud. After shaking his head, he stood up and brushed himself off, and looked around confused. After a moment, he seemed to remember how he had ended up on the ground and began to search the shadows of the alley where Drake and Cody hid with squinted eyes. After failing to find anything in the shadows, the man resigned himself to returning home.

When Drake was sure the man was out of hearing range he doubled over in silent laughter. Eventually he stood and turned towards Cody, wiping at the tears that his vigorous laughter had caused.

Cody · Post by **Cody** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 5:24 pm

Cody had followed along quite happy to have someone else take the lead and decide what to do. There was some form of enjoyment to freedom and he was not ready to go back to having a person fully in control his entire life. However having someone else make the decisions that he could then determine if he wanted to carry out; this was a good thing.

Stay close? Cody walked up next to Drake, his feet only a few inches away from Drakes. He watched as Drake moved his hands, wondering what this would be about...he really didn't have a clue. Some part of his mind was also distracted with his decision to show Drake he wasn't human, or not fully, or whatever.

A pebble? He looked at the pebble he held, trying to see what might be special about the tiny rock. Watching the pebble get thrown he still hadn't caught on, not until he saw the drunk fall down after a pebble hit him...a little pebble.

Some part of him hoped the man was alright, but as he saw him get up and start searching Cody decided not to worry about the man's health. Instead he shifted his weight a bit moving a couple of inches to put himself directly behind Drake. Not that he was scared mind you...no he was just...well scared.

The man was drunk but that definitely did not mean the man wouldn't be capable of hurting them. Of course as he had stated a short while ago, he could certainly out run the man without having to put any real effort into it. Still, seeing him angry had put Cody on edge. He waited until he saw the man wander off then exhaled a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.

"I imagine thats helpful to help avoid fights..." If you took someone down from far away you would of course have more time to run. Cody doubted he'd want to ever do that even if he could. It would just make the person angrier, and what if somehow they did catch up to you? In truth, Cody liked the first trick better...the idea of floating down from a jump seemed a neat idea. Though, would it lose the thrill of the jump? Cody really couldn't say for sure.

Post by **Drake** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 3:28 am

Drake smiled, an almost wolfish smile, at his friends lack of understanding. "No, no. The pebble nor the throw were the spell." He closed his eyes to dismiss the spell, imagining the odd look Cody was probably giving him. "Now, even as drunk as he was, do you really think the man would have had a hard time spotting us standing in the middle of an alley not ten yards from himself." He opened his eyes as a chill ran up his spine, the sign that the spell had dissipated.

"Here, I'll explain it simply. I actually cast two spells, made the shadows , the second forced the light to bend around us by a small fraction. In essence, I cloaked us in shadow and staved off the light." He smiled again. It had been a long time since he was happy. Then again, it had also been a while since his "friend" had taken control and behaved himself.

Realizing the implications of that last statement he took a deep breath and regained control of his body. He had not realized that he had only been watching his own doings from the side lines, so to speak.

"Now," he said after assuring that he had completely regained control of the situation, "there was something you wanted to show me?"

Cody · Post by **Cody** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 3:44 am

"Oh..." He shifted a bit from one leg to another feeling slightly silly then about going to hide behind Drake. Of course he hadn't known so maybe it wasn't so bad, then again what right did he have to expect Drake to protect him?
"I guess that comes in handy if you can't out run a person then. I think I'd end up using that more than I should..." Cody paused then decided he might as well admit a sad truth to him. "So you know...I'm a coward. So...if anything were to happen, I'm sorry I might end up just running away without looking back."

That may not make him very happy...but it was something he should know up front. Though why would anything happen? Oh well...another pathetic secret his friend should know. A good way to see what type of friendship it would be. "What I have to show..." Cody inhaled deeply, then held his breath for a moment. He was sure piling on the reasons for Drake to decide to leave him.

Cody took a few steps away from Drake, keeping his eyes on him warily, he wanted to know the second Drake decided he didn't want to be with him. Then with no special effects there was a horse where a person had stood.

The black and white tobiano was a quite a sight, especially to a person who knew horses. While not as fragile as a thoroubred it was obvious he was meant for speed and endurance. Mostly black with a white snip, the front shoulders and legs, and the rump of his tail were all a clean white. Head hung low he wondered if Drake would understand the connection now. He had killed his owner, and then cowardly run away from the scene.

Post by **Drake** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 4:44 am

"Well now, that's...something." He didn't know what else to say. He had never actually met a shifter, let alone one that turned into a horse. Although, this did explain a lot about Cody. The unnatural grace, all the caution, it was because he was prone to the instincts of a horse.

Drake started walking around his friend and inspecting the sleek, well muscled body. Except for the stark white of a small spot on his face, his front legs and shoulders, and his rump, he was a dark sheen of black. He was a magnificent creature. Drake stood beside his friends elongated head and looked into the large eyes. Oddly, the outer edges of the deep brown irises still held on to some of the blue shading that filled them in his human form.

Until this point Drake had almost completely forgotten about the fact that he had felt some strange recognition of Cody, but now it was back. He knew almost certainly that he had known Cody at one point in time or another. He didn't want to seem foolish and ask the question again.

"A magnificent specimen, if I do say so myself. For that matter, remind me never to bet against you in a foot race and to keep plenty of carrots on hand," he said the last with a small laugh, subconsciously trying to let Cody know he wasn't making fun. "Now, unless you can hold a conversation or sit in a chair like that, perhaps you could re-shif so that we can go inside where we'll look a little less conspicuous."

Cody · Post by **Cody** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 4:55 am

Cody's head followed Drake's movements, watching him walk around inspecting him. Well since he didn't seem upset or disappointed or anything Cody decided he could show off some. His neck stretched up high and his head dipped down low. He squared off his legs into a more proper showing position. Of course the pose was wrecked at the praising comments of his speed, bobbing his head up and down in agreement.

The laughter was good to hear honestly, no hard feelings, no distrust over the fact he had killed his owner. If he had figured that out...

Back inside? Now he'd rather run, but he imagined that wouldn't work to well for staying with his friend. Who knows, what if Drake would get tired of waiting and left? Cody might not be able to find him then. Cody shifted back to his human form, feeling the heightened senes leaving him back to the duller ones of a human. "Back in the tavern, or somewhere else?"

Cody would of course go with him, and whatever place he chose. It was so nice letting someone else chose the activities for the day. He wanted to ask if he'd really meant what he'd said about keeping carrots on him, but imagined it was a silly question to ask.

Post by **Drake** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 5:11 am

Drake thought about the simple question, his cautious mind going over all the possibilities. As he was hoping to talk about things that it would be best not to let anyone overhear, he didn't want to go back to the tavern. The problem was, the only other place that they could go was his room at the inn, and he was unsure of whether Cody would want to be in such a small space. Especially since he himself didn't like it that much. Slowly he resigned himself to simply asking.

"Well, as I presume neither of us wants others to overhear talk of what we've been doing out here, I thought we might go back to my room at the inn. If that would be alright with you that is. It is a tad small, but the cook in the kitchen is up at all hours, and I am a bit hungry again. If you prefer we could just go back to the tavern though."

He stood, waiting diligently for Cody's reply.

Cody · Post by **Cody** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 5:20 am

Cody didn't like small spaces, but they weren't so bad if they could leave when they wanted. Also, even though the tavern was larger it was crowded enough it still seemed small in his mind. He remembered his old room, missing it somewhat. To have a bedroom that had large doors to open to a paddock to run around in...he'd never find anything like that in Marn, if anywhere.

"I don't mind the Inn, as long as I'm able to get out when I want its not too bad. Especially if theres not a large crowd of people." It was a neutral statement. His preferred place to do most things was outside, well unless it was storming badly, and sleeping on beds was rather nice. Cody liked his two forms for different reasons but often thought they were a bad match, which was probably why it didn't occur naturally.

"Food would be nice." He offered a soft smile. "My owner...he said if he fed me every time I said I was hungry he'd lose all his money, and he had a lot of money."

Cody didn't need to eat that often, but he did enjoy eating and it never seemed to put weight on him. Whether that was his metabolism, the magic having an odd effect or just that he ran so much he didn't know, nor did it really matter to him.

Post by **Drake** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 5:43 am

"No problem, we can leave anytime you decide you want." He turned and left the alley, fairly sure that Cody was right behind him. He walked down the side of the street humming a song he had no memory of having ever heard. As he moved further the words came to his mind, and he began to whisper the words, being too self conscious to belt out a tune in the middle of the night.

"Two souls struggle hard, but two souls are wrangled. One wild as the wind, one stout as the earth. They put up the brave fight, but the hunter did snare them. One fast as the breeze, one strong as the stone. It took much power, but the woodsman did have it. One wild as the wind, one stout as the stone."

He went back to humming as he entered the inn. He quickly poked his head through the door and asked the cook to bring up some food then continued up the stairs to his room. The second floor room was small, but in the hopes that it would make Cody feel more at ease, he flung open the glass paned doors hat led to the small balcony that gave them a view of the backside of the Justice Hall.

"We could sit out here in the open air if you like," he said to his friend as he stood in the open pathway.

Cody · Post by **Cody** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 6:06 am

Cody stayed close by his side, again using Drake as a shield should he pass by any women. These sightings, if any, included his eyes suddenly on the ground as if they wouldn't see him as long as he didn't look at them either.

Cody may not have the hearing as keen as the horse in his human form, yet he could still hear Drake mumbling a tune under his breath. Of course it wasn't that it could be to hard to hear since he was also being sure to stay right on his heels.

Cody snorted softly at the sight of the stairs but followed up with no sign of hesitation. Why did stairs have to be invented anyway? Who came up with such a plan in building design.

The room indeed was small, which Cody felt a mild sense of sudden fear shoot through him. It was fine, it would be safe, it was certainly nothing he hadn't dealt with before. Still he gave his head a small shake as if it would throw away the fear. The relief he suddenly felt when Drake opened the balcony made Cody feel a bit of irritability with himself. It isn't that bad...no one was going to hurt him here and they could leave whenever he liked. Still, Cody bobbed his head in response to the balcony and wasted little time in exiting the room to the balcony.

It was still small and obviously not an exit to take, but he was outside and could feel the air against his skin. "I guess its seems silly to not like small areas, lots of horses live in small stalls. People live in small rooms...and seem to think its a good place to spend most their life." Cody looked out at the view, it didn't particularly matter what he saw, as much that it was the outside world instead of 4 walls. Of course he preferred nature, but there was something nice of the ability to go indoors in case of bad weather. "Of course...its nice to escape the weather when its bad also."

Cody sat down on one of the wooden chairs, looking back at the inside of the inn. It really did look safe, he still felt rather foolish about that, but imagined he shouldn't worry about it too much. Still, at some point Drake might want to go in. He was sitting next to a table, also made of some type of wood, he wasn't sure really what type...just something that had once been a tree. Still, that was where he was sure the food would be put, so it seemed the best place to sit. "So what else did you want to talk about?" He wondered if he wanted to tell Drake that even though he was a nice guy, he really did have kind of a creepy appearance as far as Cody was concerned. At least it no longer bothered him. However as being rude last time had gotten them both depressed he decided for now at least he could leave it alone.