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Post by kitearadarkblade on Apr 13, 2007 9:58:29 GMT -5
The next few days, Shetan continued his travels uninterrupted. Waking at dawn, traveling til dusk and hunting only then had brought the therian a considerable distance, but also left him weary. Watching the sun dip below the horizon, he paused to glance around before throwing his pack to the ground, disgustedly. There would be no change tonight, and no hunting. Already, smoke and the distant glow of campfires heralded the presence of others nearby. Unless they proved to be his kind, changing would be risky. Shetan ignored the persistant voice that insisted that the conflict that could ensue would make it worth the trouble. For a moment, he debated continuing on, but shook his head. He was tired. If he didn't rest, then he would sleep through the next day and lose time. His thoughts then turned back to the yet unknown camp. Looking toward the far off glow, Shetan perked an eyebrow. It couldn't hurt to join them as a human. He had traveled alone for a long time, and it occasionally grated on his lupine instincts. With a short nod, he scooped up his pack, shouldering it again before starting towards the smoke that was rising lazily into the night air. As he drew nearer, the scent of roasting meat met his nose, making his mouth water. Three men sat around the fire, one turning a spit over the flames. Beside one of the men, a woman slept, her head resting on his knee. They all bore the same general build and look. As many people of the plains, they were dark complected and had dark hair and eyes. Shetan frowned thoughtfully, considering the four. He was considering drawing closer when he heard a rustle nearby and froze. Looking to the sound, he found himself face to face with a woman holding a spear. Straightening, he shifted to withdraw a step, the corners of his lips curving in a smile. Spreading his hands before him to show that he held no weapon, save the obvious blade at his back, he watched the young woman carefully. "A fair eve to you. I didn't intend to intrude," he began, placatingly. "I saw the light of your campfire from the distance and thought to see who shared this stretch of plains." The woman looked him over appraisingly, her spear still held ready. "I am Kid, of the Tirgon Tribe. Who are you?" the woman demanded. Her stance revealed an unease and inexperience, from the way she clenched and unclenched her hands to the way her eyes darted from him to the camp. Shetan relaxed his own stance, smiling goodnaturedly, despite her tone. "I am Shetan, of the islands. At least... formerly of the islands," he amended offhandedly. The woman's brow knit in confusion and Shetan's smile broadened with true amusement. "Far west, surrounded by waters." Her eyes grew wide with wonder, then narrowed slightly. Sensing her disbelief, the tall man chuckled. "Honest. Like the waters to the south, though." She paused, then nodded, relaxing a bit as well. After a few more tense moments, Shetan was welcomed to join the small hunting party's fire. The group had roused the sleeping woman to eat, as the man at the spit declared their meal finished. Shetan sat across the fire from the other men, amused that they had arranged themselves so. The sleeping woman remained close to the man that she had been sleeping next to, while the young woman who had greeted Shetan with her spear sat in the heart of the group, her spear still close at hand.
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Rufus
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Those who fear the darkness have yet to see what the light can do.
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Post by Rufus on Apr 19, 2007 21:14:42 GMT -5
Kid, Camp. Kid settled in at the heart of the camp, slowly eating her own meal and eyeing the man descreatly, He was rather handsom. She only wished she hadn't greeted him so roughly. once she finished her meal she quickly made herself busy by cleaning up the campsite, as it was her turn for such. Her face burned slightly from self-consciouseness, aware that the new comer'd likely be watching her. As she finished she settled down next to her spear once more, "You come from the..islands?..Peices of land surrounded by water...right?" She looked to Shetan, still only slightly disbeleiving. All she'd ever known was the plains.
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Post by kitearadarkblade on Apr 20, 2007 9:34:42 GMT -5
Shetan Shetan leaned back against his pack with a satisfied smile. It had been far too long since he had shared a camp fire with others. Even being the outsider was appreciated, in a fashion. The tall man chewed at the end of a bone left over from their meal. His dark eyes passed over the members of the small hunting party. Apparently, they were a family group. The sleeping woman was the spear bearer's mother; her companion, the father. His attention would eventually turn to the youngest of the party as she moved around the camp. A wider smile tugged at his lips as he watched her from the corner of his eye, noting her slightly flushed face. He shifted to fold his arms over his chest as she settled once more, looking to him. He allowed himself a grin, nodding. "Indeed, little one. My island was beautiful," he replied, his tone slightly wistful. "Forests of tall trees and powdery white snow in the winters. It took many days, nearly a full moon phase to reach the mainland."
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Rufus
Avid Gamer
Those who fear the darkness have yet to see what the light can do.
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Post by Rufus on Apr 20, 2007 11:13:25 GMT -5
Kid, Campsite Kid smiled easily, nodding as he started to talk. Tree's she'd seen very few of, from a distance, and of course the ocassional tree that managed to flouish amongst the plains. They were a thing of beauty, to her atleast, though a mountain, she'd seen a share of them, "I've never seen snow... Whats it like? does it have a color?" She tilted her head slightly, even so far as to relaxe visably, opening up to the lad, dispite the slight glance from her mother. She knew the glance, He wasn't a plainsmen, even though he looked to put even a hail and stout plainsmen through his paces, possably further. She quickly adopted an attentive posture to listen to the lad, regardless of if he was an outsider or not.
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Post by kitearadarkblade on Apr 20, 2007 19:51:09 GMT -5
Shetan Shetan suppressed a broader smile as the girl relaxed, tilting her head slightly. Her mother's glance wasn't lost on him. She looked very much like she'd like to rein in the younger woman, but didn't quite feel it her right. Shetan had seen more than a few disapproving mothers in his lifetime. He felt a curl of resentment lick through him at the memory. Usually followed by a quick admonition that I was too unpredictable to be a suitable mate for their little whelps. He carefully kept such disdain to his thoughts. And now the girl was straightening, attentive. If she were a pup, her ears would be perked. Allowing himself a low chuckle, Shetan unfolded his arms and shifted his position. Drawing his knees up, he let his forearms rest on them loosely, leaning forward toward the young woman. "Snow... snow is cold. But it is also crisp and sharp to the nose." Casting a look around the camp, their surroundings lit up by the fire's flickering light and the softer, gentler light of the moon, he waved a hand at the grasslands in general. "Imagine all that in shades of gray and soft white. Shimmering where the moon's light touches it. Crunching under your weight and drifting down from the skies, so gently." He tilted his head back slightly, watching the girl through slitted eyes, though he appeared to be lost in memory, a slow sigh escaping him.
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Rufus
Avid Gamer
Those who fear the darkness have yet to see what the light can do.
Posts: 183
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Post by Rufus on Apr 20, 2007 20:45:18 GMT -5
Kid, Campsite Kis smiled slightly, it sounded rather beautiful, this snow was something she'd have loved to see. As she looked around at his comment she closed her eyes and tried to imagin what it would look like, and knew she'd likely be his source of amusemnt in doing so. Opening her eyes she returned her eyes to Shetan with a smile, "Sounds beautiful. It snows often where you come from?" She relxaed her posture slightly, enough to allow her freedom to stretch out on her bedroll, flopping onto her stomach she returned her attentions to shetan, waiting patiently for him to continue.
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Post by kitearadarkblade on Apr 23, 2007 11:02:21 GMT -5
Shetan Shetan remained poised so, watching as the girl closed her eyes and then opened them to look toward him. He slowly lowered his head, opening his own eyes with an answering smile as she moved to stretch out on her bedroll. Once she returned her attention to him, he nodded, still leaning slightly forward with his arms resting on his upraised knees. "Every winter. In the mountains, there were even places that it snowed year round. It is very beautiful to see." The sun had now long since settled beneath the horizon, replaced by the twinkling lights of the stars above. Shetan paused to glance skyward. The Mother's gaze was nearly closed, only a sliver of moonlight shining overhead. A few more days, perhaps only one, and Her eye would be closed, declaring it time for Her more skittish children to change and take joy in their animal forms. Her predators, such as Shetan himself, would experience the disinclination to change, granting the others relative safety from one another. The other plainsmen spoke together as their youngest spoke with the Outlander. Now that darkness had truly fallen, it was time to set up watch and guard. The girl had already taken her turn, and done well. The man who had cooked the evening meal teasingly pointed out that he too had done his duty, as had his father, catching game. The last man had agreed, with a chuckle, that the first half of the night watch would be his, and the others set to arranging their own bedrolls. All the while, the men kept a watchful eye on their guest and Kid. Shetan shifted to stretch slightly, straightening his legs out before him before leaning back against his pack once more. "What of you, little one? Have your experiences limited you to the plains alone?" He paused with a thoughtful sound, raising a hand slightly to forestall any possible objection, hastily. "Understand, I do not think less of this. I am not well acquainted with the plains. I'm sure it possesses wonders yet unrevealed to me that I have missed through my own inexperience with it."
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Rufus
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Those who fear the darkness have yet to see what the light can do.
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Post by Rufus on Apr 24, 2007 11:19:49 GMT -5
Kid Kid paid little attention to the drawing for those to take watch and cast a glance as she was pointed out to take the latter half of the watch, thus effectivly ending her conversation with the newcomer for the time being, "I've...never been this far out in the plains to be honest - if you want to be alone and have some peice of mind theres no better place than here, the sunrise is especially beautiful, but if youre this far into the plains then you already know this." She followed his glance upto the moon and smiled, "The full moons are never more brighter than on the plains though, this much I'm sure." She caught her mothers glance and sighed slightly. She then looked back towards Shetan with a smile, "Well Shetan of the Islands, I'll see you in the morning, we can continue our conversation then I suppose." She smiled mischeiviously and winked at him before yawning and saying her goodnights and then curling into the soft fur lined bedroll.
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Post by kitearadarkblade on Apr 26, 2007 10:13:45 GMT -5
Shetan Shetan chuckled as the girl's family cut short her conversation with him. Nodding to her suggestion, the tall man stretched, looking to the others. "I wouldn't shirk taking a watch as well, if you wish." The four accepted his offer with a nod, though noted that they had chosen the night's watch. Even if he was invited into their camp, didn't mean they had to trust him with their protection just yet. Yawning, tired already, Shetan stretched out near the fire, resting his head on his pack. Later in the night, the tall therian rolled to his side, his head still resting on his pack as he woke slowly. He had nothing to cover himself with, but that suited him well enough. Nights had been much colder in the mountains. You were a wolf then too, he reminded himself. He grimaced restlessly, then shifted to sit up, rubbing his face slightly. Near the fire, yet not close enough to be blinded to the surrounding night by its glow, one of the men stood watch. He shifted to look at Shetan as the larger man stirred, rising to his feet. "Is all well?" the man asked. Shetan stretched slowly before nodding. Glancing to the man, he smirked with a small shrug. "Nature calls, eh?" he explained, beginning to move downwind of the camp. Continuing away from the camp until he was well in the distance, Shetan crouched in the tall grass. Shifting slightly, he eased out of his trews and set them beside him in the grass. No sense in ruining them. Low in the grass, Shetan allowed the wrenching pains of a hasty change to rip through his body. He clenched his teeth to stifle a groan of pain, his jaw straining. As the transformation drew to a halt, he fell forward, panting harshly. During a normal change, and after a hasty one, was usually a vulnerable time for any therian. Shetan thanked the Mother that many a human was so startled by the change that they froze, unable to take advantage. Scents previously lost to him now flooded his sensitive nose. The dry earth just beneath his nose tickled the back of his throat, drawing a snorting sneeze from him. He shook his head and slowly drew a deep breath. Smoke, earth and the surrounding grasses flooded his senses like a thick fog. Faintly, he could smell the humans and various creatures of the plains around it. Even fainter, a familar scent laced through the others to entice him. Shetan inhaled sharply, his lips curling over his teeth in a feral grin. He stifled the urge to rise, baying a challenge, though his hackles rose. There was another therian nearby. A wolf therian. And so close. He fought to suppress the low, rumbling growl that strained to form in his throat, even as a tremor of anticipation danced along his spine. Shifting, he sought the scent's source, every hair on his body standing on end. A new breath of wind heightened the scent, exciting the therian further. The wolf was in the camp. Another lone wolf. Shetan flattened into the grass with a disappointed sound. Too bad the women aren't wolves. There was only one, and if the scent was definately male. He smirked slightly. Then again, it wouldn't be the first time I've claimed a human. Shaking himself, Shetan initiated the change again, somewhat slower. For some time he remained sprawled in the tall grass, recovering. Carefully, he moved to don his breeches and rise, raking his hair back. His muscles were sore and tired from the quick changes. Mindful to hide such weakness, the therian returned to camp, offering the man still on guard a short nod. Returning to his pack, he curled up, wrinkling his nose slightly. For now, he would rest. Perhaps tomorrow, he would learn more of this wolf among the human party. Shetan smirked as sleep washed over him.
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Rufus
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Those who fear the darkness have yet to see what the light can do.
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Post by Rufus on Apr 26, 2007 11:13:33 GMT -5
Kid Kid shifted a few moments after Shetan had left the camp and groggily rose to sit up. She watched Shetan return and quickly fall asleep once more before graspng her spear and releiving the previouse guard. As she settled back to look about the camp she yawned, Shetan was interesting enough, and she'd like to learn more from him, it'd be interesting. As the night began to slowly change to the grey of false dawn Kid slipped from the camp quietly and began to circle around it, making sure it was safe for her mother to begin the mornings cooking. Returning to the camp she found her mother arching an eyebrow at her, "I know what your thinking." Kid merely smiled, "No, you don't. Besides, I plan on wandering eventualy anways." Her mother snorted and began building up the fire and preparing the mornings meal.
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Post by kitearadarkblade on Apr 26, 2007 21:50:08 GMT -5
Shetan As dawn lit up the sky, it would find both Shetan and the man who had taken first watch still sleeping soundly. The scent of Kid's mother's cooking would, however, coax them from sleep. Shetan stirred, experiencing a moment of confusion at the scents. He lay still until he remembered the prior evening. As thoughts of the women, and the lone therian, reached his sleep fogged mind, Shetan opened his eyes. Turned on his side and facing away from the fire, he couldn't see the older woman, but he heard her moving on the other side of it. Turning to face the fire, he levered himself to one elbow and yawned widely, looking to the cooking woman. "Mornin'," he greeted her, letting sleep slur his words. The previous night's watcher was only just beginning to stir. Allowing the corner of his lips to curve in a small smirk, he shifted again to sit up, stretching as he did so. Muscles twinged still from the night's activities, his back popping and drawing a soft groan from him. Pausing to look to the woman's preparations, he licked his lips slightly. His eyes brightened a bit as he made a soft noise and began to dig in his pack. "Mmm," he called for her attention with the sound, the top flap of his pack held in his teeth as he pawed through the contents. Finding a small pouch within, he spat the flap out to speak clearly. "I have something you may like. In payment for the meal and your company last night. Spices. From home. I'm told they rarely grow on the mainland," he explained, extending the pouch to the woman. "Only a pinch or so. They're potent."
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Rufus
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Those who fear the darkness have yet to see what the light can do.
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Post by Rufus on Apr 26, 2007 22:07:58 GMT -5
Kid Kid grinned slightly, seeing Shetan slowly rouse himself She wandered back to her roll and lazily relaxed. The rest of the camp was waking whch ment she'd get her few moments of rest before the days activites once again called for her. Kids mother smiled graciously and accepted the small pouch and as directed used only a small pinch before offering the pouch back, "Such value, we can't possably keep this - You'll likely have use of them later." She returned to the cooking, the scents of the food drawing growls from the mens stomachs, Kid smiled mirthfully, gnawing on a peice of sweet spiced meat of her own from the previouse days cooking. "Good morning Shetan, If you were cold last night ou could have shared my bedroll." Her mother shook her head in amusement as her father sighed, giving up on the lass. She'd share her dying breath with someone if it would help them be comfortable.
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Post by kitearadarkblade on Apr 26, 2007 22:40:16 GMT -5
Shetan Shetan nodded to the woman as she returned his pouch, tucking it back into his pack. "At least now I feel I've made some contribution," he replied with a shrug, as the rumbling of stomachs could be heard. The therian tilted his head slightly at Kid's greeting, turning to look to her with open satisfaction at seeing her. He chuckled, though not unkindly. A fair number of comments danced on his tongue, though he was forced to swallow them back. Perhaps propositioning the lass in front of her family was not the wisest route. Even when I was the apparent heir to the Moonstone Pack, claiming that I might be willing to share more than a bedroll with a lass having only just met would have earned harsh words."My thanks, Kid, and a fair morning to you. The night was not colder than those in the mountains, or out in the snow. You are kind to offer though," Shetan replied, casting a discreet, but appraising, look over the lass. She was of age. He could smell that the previous night, even if he couldn't see it here before his face. No therian, but an entertaining partner? For a time, at least? Shetan smiled slowly, as though struck with inspiration. "Perhaps, instead, a hunt? To warm the blood and bring more fortune to your party?" Glancing back to his pack, he gave a short laugh. "Could use some supplements to my rations, it seems. I had hoped to pass a trading camp before my own ran out."
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Rufus
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Those who fear the darkness have yet to see what the light can do.
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Post by Rufus on Apr 26, 2007 23:02:04 GMT -5
Kid Kid smirked, She was a fairly skilled hunter herself, amongst her family they usualy viewed her talent in such as an oddity. Chewing her peice of meat thoughtfully she grinned, nodding in acceptance of the offer, So much for some rest, though I do wonder how good he is at hunting, he looks skilled enough.Standing and stretching she began to quickly strip off her warmer cloathing to replace it with a simple set of leathers that wouldn't snag or catch on anything. She hefted her spear and smiled, letting her haird from it's loose braids, "Whenever your ready." She glanced to her family as they nodded in appreciation, none of them had been particularly keen to go hunting, putting it off as they usualy did. She smirked and patiently leaned on her spear, regarding Shetan in much the same manner as he'd done so to her.
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Post by kitearadarkblade on May 1, 2007 20:39:37 GMT -5
Shetan Shetan laughed, amused at the girl's enthusiasm. His laughter continued until the young woman reminded him that she was no mere girl, stripping out of her clothes to change. The therian shifted subtly to seize his pack, flipping the top flap over to dig in it again. He pretended to peer within it, watching her from the corner of his eye, appreciatively. His foraging produced a length of leather weighted at each end with stones. Shetan wasn't as proficient with a bola as his other weapons, but he doubted the plainswoman would believe that he hunted with a bastard sword. He certainly didn't want to have to try to prove it. There was no way that he could show her his true hunting methods. Yet...Looking to the young woman, he gathered the bola in his hand and set his pack aside once more. Rising to his feet, he considered his vest a moment before shrugging and glancing to Kid's family. "I suppose there will be more food when we return, hmm?" Returning his attention to Kid, he smirked good naturedly. "Lead the way, little one?"
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