Shade grumbled as he stamped his way through snow and underbrush, sneezing as he shivered beneath his semi-thick coat. Under normal circumstances he'd be in his cell, glaring at guards in the dimness instead of freezing off his fuzzy dice out here in the woods. He growled in protest, glaring wolfishly at the guard who held the leash.
He hated this. He`d kill them the second he seized the chance. He growled lowly at them but a sharp jerk of the collar reminded him again who was boss. He growled.
He had been sent out on a mission to find and retrieve a `young girl`that happened to be wandering around. Of course, they saw fit to parade Shade again and so took him from the black dully lit Solitary Cell to bright blinding snow and cold. He let out a low huff but continued to sniff.
Damn this place and damn those guards. He'd ahve something to say about this later....
The way Shade met Ari
Re: The way Shade met Ari
Ari sat on a tree stump, toeing at the snow that covered the ground. She pulled her heavy overcoat tighter around her body, but the cold still seemed to penetrate from every angle. Even with the chill, the woods were much better than a town filled with ignorant humans. She'd spent all morning wandering the town, searching for leads, but had found nothing.
Reaching down, she picked up a handful of snow, watching it melt in her palm. I'm warm. she thought to herself. Then why do I feel so cold? Sighing, Ari closed her eyes and sent her mind out. She could sense the whole of the forest, filled with movement and life despite the winter's cold embrace: a deer digging for roots a mile away, some foxes huddling in their burrow, some rabbits... doing what rabbits do, and then... Ari opened her eyes, frowning. Something was different.
She sensed an animal close by, but she could not enter its mind. She tried again, but it was as if the beast's head was filled with fog. Everything seemed cloudy, a translucent screen covering everything in the creature's sight. She pushed hard against it, only to find herself shut out in the cold again. What are you? she called out to it, though she was not sure if the creature would be able to hear her. It must have been sick, or crazed, to have a mind so corrupted with... What was it? Humanity?
Reaching down, she picked up a handful of snow, watching it melt in her palm. I'm warm. she thought to herself. Then why do I feel so cold? Sighing, Ari closed her eyes and sent her mind out. She could sense the whole of the forest, filled with movement and life despite the winter's cold embrace: a deer digging for roots a mile away, some foxes huddling in their burrow, some rabbits... doing what rabbits do, and then... Ari opened her eyes, frowning. Something was different.
She sensed an animal close by, but she could not enter its mind. She tried again, but it was as if the beast's head was filled with fog. Everything seemed cloudy, a translucent screen covering everything in the creature's sight. She pushed hard against it, only to find herself shut out in the cold again. What are you? she called out to it, though she was not sure if the creature would be able to hear her. It must have been sick, or crazed, to have a mind so corrupted with... What was it? Humanity?
Re: The way Shade met Ari
What are you? Shade stopped dead in his tracks as his bat ears pricked and his eyes widened. Behind him the guard paused, watching as Shade glanced around in confusion. He looked up in the guard, staring at him in bewilderment despite the odd look he was getting.
Whose this? How are you in my head? Shade demanded as he let loose a low growl, his head lowering while his hackles rose. Are you an enemy?
Whose this? How are you in my head? Shade demanded as he let loose a low growl, his head lowering while his hackles rose. Are you an enemy?
Re: The way Shade met Ari
The beast's voice came back to her, booming in her head. Ari winced, putting her hands over her ears, but of course it did no good. She stood, trying to figure out where the animal was, his presence seemed to come from everywhere, as if it was the very forest itself.
I can talk to every creature. I have magic. But you are different. She tried again to find him, but only gave herself a headache. Groaning, she picked up some snow and pressed it to her forehead, trying to calm the pain.
What are you? she asked again, then sat down in the snow crossed-legged, hands on her thighs. She took a deep breath and reached out to him again, trying to grab a hold of his mind and summon him. She could easily find out what he was herself if she made him come to her. She tried to grip his mind, tried to pull him in and for a moment she had him, but then her head began to ring much worse than usually. Ari ignored it and tried harder, but she lost her grip and her head exploded in pain.
She whimpered as she slumped forward, the migraine banging at the sides of her skull, threatening to split it in two.
I can talk to every creature. I have magic. But you are different. She tried again to find him, but only gave herself a headache. Groaning, she picked up some snow and pressed it to her forehead, trying to calm the pain.
What are you? she asked again, then sat down in the snow crossed-legged, hands on her thighs. She took a deep breath and reached out to him again, trying to grab a hold of his mind and summon him. She could easily find out what he was herself if she made him come to her. She tried to grip his mind, tried to pull him in and for a moment she had him, but then her head began to ring much worse than usually. Ari ignored it and tried harder, but she lost her grip and her head exploded in pain.
She whimpered as she slumped forward, the migraine banging at the sides of her skull, threatening to split it in two.
Re: The way Shade met Ari
I'm a Shifter. Shade answered as he walked stiffly to where he assumed she was. He felt like moving, like he needed to go in that direction. So, without a thought he followed instinct with a huff, pulling on the collar as he stared ahead of him. I'm Shade.
Wait, she was magic. He froze again. The guard with him.... If he lead to the girl the guard would take her, question her right? Glaring at the guard suspiciously he knew full well that she would be brought in but after that he wasn't sure. He let out a low growl as he lifted his nose and began sniffing, leading the guard to believe he'd lost the trail he had. Then, he wandered off in the other direction.
Lay low child, I have a guard with me. You don't want him finding you.
Wait, she was magic. He froze again. The guard with him.... If he lead to the girl the guard would take her, question her right? Glaring at the guard suspiciously he knew full well that she would be brought in but after that he wasn't sure. He let out a low growl as he lifted his nose and began sniffing, leading the guard to believe he'd lost the trail he had. Then, he wandered off in the other direction.
Lay low child, I have a guard with me. You don't want him finding you.
Re: The way Shade met Ari
His words worsened her migraine and she let out a cry, hands continuously bringing snow to her forehead only to have it melt. He was a shifter. Magic, just like she was. She had not met anyone with magic in such a long time, and she had not met a shifter since she was little. "Shade," she whispered. A name, a race, but no face. She wanted to meet this man, wanted to finally be with someone who would understand.
Ari huffed when he called her a child. I am not a little girl! she protested. Why are you with a guard? Do you work for humans? she asked.
Ari stood, wobbling a bit, her head still throbbing. She reached out to support herself against a nearby tree, taking a deep, shaking breath. She wanted to find this shifter, to see for herself what sort of creature of magic would do the bidding of humans. She could still not pinpoint his presence, could still not see him truly. She could do little more than stumble in, more or less, one direction, and hope it was the right one.
Ari huffed when he called her a child. I am not a little girl! she protested. Why are you with a guard? Do you work for humans? she asked.
Ari stood, wobbling a bit, her head still throbbing. She reached out to support herself against a nearby tree, taking a deep, shaking breath. She wanted to find this shifter, to see for herself what sort of creature of magic would do the bidding of humans. She could still not pinpoint his presence, could still not see him truly. She could do little more than stumble in, more or less, one direction, and hope it was the right one.
Re: The way Shade met Ari
No, I am collared. I have no choice. Shade growled furiously. Do not think for a moment that this is willing!
Shade bared his teeth and recieved a sharp crack on his hip in result. He snapped his fangs but kept moving, obedient but hateful while doing it. He'd rip this man's throat out if he had the chance... He'd kill him for sure.
Heed warning's little she-pup and stay away. I do not want to have to kill you.
Shade bared his teeth and recieved a sharp crack on his hip in result. He snapped his fangs but kept moving, obedient but hateful while doing it. He'd rip this man's throat out if he had the chance... He'd kill him for sure.
Heed warning's little she-pup and stay away. I do not want to have to kill you.
Re: The way Shade met Ari
Ari frowned a bit, imagining the poor creature being collared like a dog. She knew it would be wrong to do nothing, but she was also curious as to why the beast would threaten to kill her, but not kill the human walking beside him. I am not a little girl. she said again. Now come here, or I will simply find you first.
She did not wait for him to answer. Maybe she could not find him herself, but she had an entire forest that could. Ari stretched her mind out, continuously broadcasting the image she had, a collared beast with a human keeper, to any animal she could sense. Many were frightened and ran out of her range, but a few seemed to understand and, slowly, she got an image of where Shade was. Thank you. she whispered to the forest creatures, and started walking with more conviction. Each step pounded in her head, but she ignored it, determined to find him.
It did not take her long before she heard the trudge of boots and the soft padding of the beast, which she saw was a wolf. He looked so pitiful, collared and leashed like a pet. Why do you not kill the human instead? Do not waste this chance. she whispered into Shade's mind. Coming out from behind the tree that had been concealing her, Ari scooped up some snow and threw it at the guard's back.
"Hey!"
She did not wait for him to answer. Maybe she could not find him herself, but she had an entire forest that could. Ari stretched her mind out, continuously broadcasting the image she had, a collared beast with a human keeper, to any animal she could sense. Many were frightened and ran out of her range, but a few seemed to understand and, slowly, she got an image of where Shade was. Thank you. she whispered to the forest creatures, and started walking with more conviction. Each step pounded in her head, but she ignored it, determined to find him.
It did not take her long before she heard the trudge of boots and the soft padding of the beast, which she saw was a wolf. He looked so pitiful, collared and leashed like a pet. Why do you not kill the human instead? Do not waste this chance. she whispered into Shade's mind. Coming out from behind the tree that had been concealing her, Ari scooped up some snow and threw it at the guard's back.
"Hey!"
Re: The way Shade met Ari
Shade jerked a bit when he heard her shout out loud and not in his head. Startled he turned to stare at a young woman, standing there with snow still clinging to her hands. He yelped a bit when the guard jerked on his collar, choking him as the man sneered.
"Hey! You threw that snowball didn't you? Don't you see what's on my arm here?" A sneering voice made Shade bristle, glaring but helpless if ordered. "It's a killer on a leash. Apologize or I'll let him go and he'll rip you apart. Understood?"
I cannot resist his orders! Get out of here! Shade shouted as he let loose a fierce snarl. You aren't the one we're looking for anyway, just go!
"Hey! You threw that snowball didn't you? Don't you see what's on my arm here?" A sneering voice made Shade bristle, glaring but helpless if ordered. "It's a killer on a leash. Apologize or I'll let him go and he'll rip you apart. Understood?"
I cannot resist his orders! Get out of here! Shade shouted as he let loose a fierce snarl. You aren't the one we're looking for anyway, just go!
Re: The way Shade met Ari
Ari glared at the dark colored wolf before her. What, are you his pet or something? she asked. Turning her attention to the guard, she smiled sweetly. "Come on, just a little fun, right? If I apologize, it will seem like I meant to harm you." She began to walk toward him, hands on her hips.
"What exactly are you doing here, anyways?" she asked, tilting her head to one side, her dark red lips pursing a bit. She stood only a few feet from the pair, one hip cocked slightly, her shoulders back to push her chest outward. Human males were so easy to mess with, but either way she was glad the coat she wore was not fully buttoned. Can you not get away from him? she asked, speaking to Shade now.
"What exactly are you doing here, anyways?" she asked, tilting her head to one side, her dark red lips pursing a bit. She stood only a few feet from the pair, one hip cocked slightly, her shoulders back to push her chest outward. Human males were so easy to mess with, but either way she was glad the coat she wore was not fully buttoned. Can you not get away from him? she asked, speaking to Shade now.
Re: The way Shade met Ari
If I run, this collar kills me and no I am not his damned pet. Shade growled lowly as if he was ready to bite at her. This collar bounds me to the words of a guard. I can't kill him without it piercing my throat.
"Peh, fun? As if." The guard snorted though he loosened his grip on the leash. "You're lucky I'm a nice guy or this big bad wolf wouldda eaten your pretty hide and we wouldn't want that would we?"
Idiot.
"Peh, fun? As if." The guard snorted though he loosened his grip on the leash. "You're lucky I'm a nice guy or this big bad wolf wouldda eaten your pretty hide and we wouldn't want that would we?"
Idiot.
Re: The way Shade met Ari
She did her best to ignore Shade's remarks, still smiling at the guard. "And I thank you for not sucking your pet on me. she answered, giving a little curtsy. Now, how could she get the collar off? She had no weapons, only some combat skills that would not do much damage against such a large foe. If I get the collar off, you can run, yes? she asked.
Ari stepped closer to the guard. "If you are not busy, could you show me the way out? I seem to have lost my way... I am sure you and your dog know your way around, yes? She knelt down in front of Shade.He is so cute. May I pet him?
Ari stepped closer to the guard. "If you are not busy, could you show me the way out? I seem to have lost my way... I am sure you and your dog know your way around, yes? She knelt down in front of Shade.He is so cute. May I pet him?
Re: The way Shade met Ari
"Yeah, just don't blame me if he bites ya a bit. Ain't da friendliest to most." The guard grunted.
This idiot is actually buying this... Shade rolled his eyes before turning his attention back to her. Anyway, only a guard can get this damn thing off. Nice try though.
"So, where's ya headed anyway? Anywhere special befur ya got lost?" the guard asked keeping a sharp eye on Shade (not that it was needed). "A girl like you shouldn't wander around lost..."
This idiot is actually buying this... Shade rolled his eyes before turning his attention back to her. Anyway, only a guard can get this damn thing off. Nice try though.
"So, where's ya headed anyway? Anywhere special befur ya got lost?" the guard asked keeping a sharp eye on Shade (not that it was needed). "A girl like you shouldn't wander around lost..."
Re: The way Shade met Ari
She frowned a bit, but still knelt down and scratched Shade behind his ear gently. How can I get him to take it off? she asked. She was running out of ideas and did not want the guard getting too comfortable with her. She sunk her fingers into the hair around Shade's neck, hiding them as she felt the collar a bit. It felt normal enough.
Looking back up at the guard, she put on a smile again. "I was trying to get to the inn in town. I thought there was a shortcut through the woods from where I was, but it seems to have become a long cut." She laughed a bit and shrugged her shoulders. "What were you looking for out here?"
Looking back up at the guard, she put on a smile again. "I was trying to get to the inn in town. I thought there was a shortcut through the woods from where I was, but it seems to have become a long cut." She laughed a bit and shrugged her shoulders. "What were you looking for out here?"
Re: The way Shade met Ari
I don't know.... Shade sighed as he leaned in the scratching. Use his pride or somethin'. That's how you women get what you want most of the time anyway, no?
"Headin' out on a very important case I am mrs." came the smug response. "Lookin' for a little girl that gone missin'. Terrible thing to have a girl wanderin' lost. Come on, I'll walk ya where ya need ta go. Wouldn't want two missing girls to find eh?"
Shade rolled his eyes as he let out a sharp huff.
He thinks he's a master tracker. Maybe use that....?
"Headin' out on a very important case I am mrs." came the smug response. "Lookin' for a little girl that gone missin'. Terrible thing to have a girl wanderin' lost. Come on, I'll walk ya where ya need ta go. Wouldn't want two missing girls to find eh?"
Shade rolled his eyes as he let out a sharp huff.
He thinks he's a master tracker. Maybe use that....?