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Post by kitearadarkblade on May 16, 2007 19:06:51 GMT -5
Shetan Shetan nodded to the plainsman's reply, looking toward the young woman's mother for a moment. "All the better, teachings combined." The therian allowed his attention to return to Kid as her father moved to help prepare more food. He shifted to pull his pack before him, replacing his bolas before placing it behind him to lean against, a thoughtful sound escaping him. "Hmm... Most importantly, for now, the Nordak. I plan to cross over into the woodlands beyond." He paused, pursing his lips musingly. "Perhaps as far as Midland itself." Trailing off, the man shrugged just slightly. "Depending on what I find between here and there." Aganos A safe distance from the family's small camp, Aganos found his clothing left in the high grass and shifted to rest on his haunches. Lowering his body to the group, he allowed himself to relax in preparations for the change. Breathing deeply, the man triggered the change. Pain blossomed along his spine, feeling as though flames danced upon his nerve endings. The wolf arched, stifling a howl of pain as the pop and crack of bones filled his flattened ears. Writhing in the grass, Aganos could only wait for the change to run it's course. He didn't share the ease and familiarity with the wrenching pain of changing that natives of the western islands did. On the plains, as with most of Odamar, changing was a private and risky matter. It took time to accomplish, and then more to recover. Finally, Aganos knelt in the grass, his head cradled in his arms close to the ground, panting. For several minutes, he remained there before slowly uncurling to reach for his clothing.
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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 May 17, 2007 9:19:52 GMT -5
Kid Kid leaned back, trying to ease the pain from her mind as she carefully set and bound the fractured shin. She sighed softly once finished, the pain was dull now and the swelling had been controlled. She looked to SHetan and smiled, pained, but still smiled nonetheless, "The old man refuses to admit he taught me well and my mother spent the patience to teach me everything else about life. My father had my brother to raise as well." She reclines as she blissfully ignores the soft chiding smile from her mother, "Hmn.. is hunting and traveling within a forest different from the plains?" She eyed the forestry not but a few miles from their camp, she'd been curiouse, but had yet to venture that far.
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Post by kitearadarkblade on May 21, 2007 8:42:41 GMT -5
Shetan Shetan admired the young woman. She was pleasing to the eye, strong and disinclined to whine and whimper at her injuries. If she were therian, he may very well consider her potential mate material. He shot her mother a wry grin at her chiding, though it seemed to fall on deaf ears whereas the girl was concerned. A slow chuckle formed in his throat as he reached to rake a hand through his hair, pushing it back from his face. "It's different from this. Not as open and wide." His lips curved in a slow satisfied smirk as he thought of past hunt, stalking through brush and pounding over twisted roots and limbs. "There are obstacles to trip up the foolish, or frightened. Mazes of trails and paths to confuse and disorient prey." Allowing his attention to return to the young woman, he looked to her from the corner of his eye, his tone both curious and slightly teasing. "I imagine a fine young huntress could adapt quickly enough to such changes though."
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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 May 21, 2007 9:41:48 GMT -5
Kid Kid grinned, hearing to tones of the comment and slyly grinned, "Even inured as I am now I'm fairly sure I'd be able to adapt. If it's not as open and wide then I'd be able to get closer and move just as silently..." She grins, her mind slwoly mulling over the possabilities before she smiles rather amusedly, "Perhaps I should take this chance as it presents itself." Her father coughed, nearly dropping his meal, her mother slowly arching an eyebrow.
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Post by kitearadarkblade on May 21, 2007 10:16:12 GMT -5
Shetan The therian stifled a smirk of satisfaction, mirroring the girl's mother's perked brow. "Oh?" he asked archly. On an instinctual level, he had already determined that she was leaving with him. She would make a welcome diversion along the way. Perhaps even moreso if she believed that it was her own choice and motivations that drew her along. It would feel good to have someone around again.
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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 May 22, 2007 1:09:55 GMT -5
Kid Kid arched an eyebrow with a smile, "Why not? Is as good as any to leave now and travel a bit. Theres nothing for me with the tribe. Theres plenty of other owmen who can fill my role just as easily." She meets her fathers stern, slightly disapproving gaze. While she even knew she was moretrouble than she was worth to the tribe she was still part of the tribe. Her mother smiled, She knew her daughter too well, since she'd been 'claimed' by the tribe and eventually found she liked it. She had been from a slightly different tribe and had found herself wandering, "Then thats your choice. You still have home with us. You just have to find a way to keep your uncle from dragging you back and sternly citing traditions and such." Kid frowned, that'd be the hard part. She loved the man, he'd raised her along with the rest of the tribe. If she didn't know any better she'd have sworn the man loved her in his own way.
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Post by kitearadarkblade on May 23, 2007 17:54:47 GMT -5
Shetan Shetan refrained from perking an eyebrow, but just slightly. The youth would fall in with him of her own accord. It was encouraging. He tilted his head slightly, adopting a look of curious concern as he looked to the older woman inquiringly. "Are there customs against traveling beyond the confines of a tribe's territory?" Aganos Now dressed once more and recovered, Aganos began to make his way back to camp. His steps slowed slightly as he caught sight of those within the camp. Kid's father was looking at the girl, disapproval clear on his weathered features, her mother slightly amused. Kid met her father's gaze, frowning in her endearing thoughtful way. Aganos paused a moment before hastening his steps, his brow furrowing with some worry. The mixed expressions, and the politely concerned looking wolf in human's skin resting in the midst of it all, set off alarms in him. "What's going on?" he asked gruffly, stepping into the camp.
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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 May 23, 2007 21:54:58 GMT -5
Kid Kid swallowed hard, looking to Aganos, "I'm parting ways here. I have my gear and enough to sustain me. IT's time I left the tribe and found my own path." She looked to the man she loved with all her heart. Kids mother shook her head, "No, as long as one causes no trouble they'll find welcome and a place to rest within other tribes lands. Why?"
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Post by kitearadarkblade on May 25, 2007 10:25:16 GMT -5
Shetan and Aganos Aganos looked at the girl for a moment, taken aback, then blinked. A frown tugged at his lips as he stifled the urge to shake his head... shake her. His watchful eye had meant nothing. She was still charmed by the wolf and now wanting to leave with him. How was he going to stop this folly? His frown deepened for a moment, before he looked to the young woman sternly. "You will at least allow your tribe a proper farewell, won't you? If you're planning to abandon us," he said, forcing his tone to adopt an almost teasing sterness rather than his usual serious tones. Perhaps the wolf will lose patience for her.Shetan nodded as Kid's mother replied, shrugging his broad shoulders slightly, in dismissal. "I wouldn't want to entice the lass to break the traditions of her people. Such is hardly a smooth beginning for traveling companions." He glanced to the other adults from the corner of his eye, apprasingly. The other therian hardly looked enthused at the idea of the youth leaving his company for the larger man's. Shetan stifled a slight smirk.
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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 May 26, 2007 7:11:19 GMT -5
Kid Kid smiled slightly, "Why do you think I keep my own tent, and make sure everything always packed as if I were leaving? I've done my rites and such every first day of the month with the Elders, with their blessings." Kids mom blinked, as did her father. Evidently Kid had been planningto leave for quite a long time. Noone'd spoken of such to thm of their daughters behaviour. Smiling slightly Kids mother nodded in ascent, "if the elders beleive that your of age and blessed it then by no means are we going to stop you then." Kids father eyed the lass with a stern frown, the scolding on his lips but not to be voiced at his Daughers sudden independance, "Very well then." Kid smiled, She was damned tired of her fathers attempts to repeatedly marry her off. She crossed her arms and returned her fathers glare, before finaly breaking off as Aganos cleared hsi throat and glared at her. She frowns, "I am of age. And I'm tired of attempted forced marriages." Her tone iced over, solidifying that she'd be leaving on good or bad terms but she'd be leaving regardless.
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Post by kitearadarkblade on May 26, 2007 19:02:31 GMT -5
Shetan and Aganos Shetan looked on as the young woman tried to defend her decision, no longer able to resist the slightest quirk of his lips. Apparently the girl had been plotting such a departure for some time. That would make things even better for him. Her mother was even speaking in her defense, which boded well for him too. He had to admire her determination. Aganos stifled a wince at Kid's icy tones. He wanted her to be happy. He wanted her to take a man and offer more children to the tribe. He wanted her here. She was adamant about leaving though. Aganos cast Shetan a discreet look, wishing that the girl had put her spear to good use when she had come upon the man. His eyes returned to Kid and her parents, sullen anger simmering there. "Of course. You're of age. Do as you will." Her father frowned to match the young woman and Aganos shook his head slightly. "Let her. When she sees her folly, perhaps she will remember that her tribe will be waiting." Shetan rose to his feet, calling for their attention with a soft sound. Looking them over, the tall therian stretched slightly and perked an eyebrow. "Perhaps this will smooth ruffled fur; I'll make my own camp tonight. If you join me in the morning, Kid, we will travel west." Scooping up his pack, Shetan offered the older woman a true grin, inclining his head to her. "I thank you for sharing your fire, meat and company." He shouldered his pack, noting the look of disapproval her uncle wore as he shifted closer to where Kid sat. Favoring her with a cocky grin, he reached to scruff a hand in her hair briefly. "I will be due west." With that, Shetan strode from the camp, leaving the youth to say her goodbyes, if she persisted in joining 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 May 27, 2007 5:44:14 GMT -5
Kid Kid blinked as Shetan spoke up, her Father's and Uncles words biting deeply. But they were both right though. Even if she was being childish. She looked to Shetan as he grinned at her and then left. Her mother nodded her approval, Shetan would tke care of her, or atleast be a good companion for a time. He'd been more than respectful towards everyone. Just because he was an outsider evidently Kids father and uncle had taken a very dim view of the man. She stood and glared at the two men, "You both forget that I myself once did the same, and it is tradition AMONGST MY Tribe that children be allowed once of age to roam. IF not for my traditions then Perhaps this wouldn't have come to pass, as well as having met you, dear love." She let her tone arch softly to prove her point. Both men blinked slowly, Why were the women of this tribe so damned adamant about having things their way? Kid smiled, gathering her things, and packing in silence. A feather and bead from each tied into her hair to mark her offical leaving, She'd join Shetan in the morning, tonight she'd feast and enjoy some festivities with her family. It wasn't too much later that the moon was high in the sky, Kid her mother and father cured up and asleep, the nights watch left to Aganos.
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Post by kitearadarkblade on May 28, 2007 15:05:31 GMT -5
Shetan Shetan, true to his words, left the small camp to make his own. He traveled due west of the larger camp, until he was out of sight and hearing range. Only then would he pause to drop his pack and sink down next to it. Stretching slowly, he shifted to lay sprawled in the grasses, arching his back off the ground before relaxing back onto it. There was still daylight left and he didn't care to spend it hunting. Instead, the tall therian curled up with his pack to doze through the day. As the sun set, Shetan woke and stirred. With a wide yawn, he sat up and began to assess his surroundings. Aside from a few birds that had returned to their ground nests, nothing had come within any real distance of him. Even they were well out of range and safely burrowed into their nests. Smiling, Shetan shrugged out of his vest and pulled off the leather boots he wore. Tilting his head back, he looked to the moon overhead and grimaced slightly. The next night would mark the new moon, for sure. The Mother's herbivorous children must have been feeling the tug at their bones now, reminding them, urging them to change. Just as he felt the hesitation. Licking his lips thoughtfully, the therian considered his options breifly, before shaking his head vigorously. Tonight would be his last chance for a day, perhaps two. Shedding his breeches, Shetan allowed the initial twinges of pain that marked the change to begin through his body. Instead of the hasty change that he had performed the previous night, this time, Shetan took his time. He felt the slow ache as his jaws lengthened and grew, his ears shifting higher on his head and teeth elongating. Thick black fur sprouted over his body, covering him in a surprisingly soft coat of sable fur as his fingers lengthened, developing rough pads over his palms. His spine shifted, elongating to form his tail as his legs twisted to a lupine structure. He paused, somewhere neither wolf nor man, and stretched. Bones popped and creaked, settling into place. Shetan resisted the urge to throw his head back, baying his exultation to the Mother's slitted eye. Instead, a low rumbling groan formed in his chest and rose, escaping his throat slowly. This was the pinnacle. No weak human or clumsy-pawed wolf. This was perfection. Shetan drew a deep breath and his jaws gaped with a lupine grin. He could still smell the fallen gazelle, now scorched and cooked, and Kid's blood, now clotting sluggishly against her bandages to seal the wound. Further, and fainter, the small stream near the other camp and the smoke that carried through it all, like a musk. The other wolf was there too, yet his scent was only the lingering echo of lupine aroma. Still a human. Shetan shifted to stuff his clothing into his pack with clawed hands before dropping to all fours to lope through the grass. Aganos Aganos scowled at the sleeping form on the other side of the banked fire. Only a soft orange glow remained, casting deep shadows over the sleeping girl. She was going to do whatever she pleased, no mater what they said to her. Worse, her mother was encouraging it! The Outlander had her charmed as well? Aganos shook his head. There was usually a reason that lone wolves were loners. They were driven from packs, either diseased, inept or just unreliable. Aganos had not smelled sickness on the other therian, so what was he? He looked westward, frowning. There was no glow of campfire there to reveal the wolf's camp. Perhaps he had indeed grown impatient. Aganos couldn't help but hope so. He feared for Kid. The man wouldn't know of her fears. What if he terrified her? Would he bother to be careful, if he did? Perhaps instead of hinder the girl, he should explain... Aganos paused at such thoughts, hearing a soft sound in the grasses just beyond the camp's edge. He shifted to peer into the darkness, frowning slightly as he reached for his spear. The noise continued, a merely rustle in the grass, circling about the camp. Aganos rose to his feet and gripped his spear tighter, catching a glimpse of a thick black tail before it disappeared back into the grass. The Outlander was sable-maned... Venturing further from the fire, he looked closer, curiosity battling caution. "Come, wolf. Leave your sheep for a moment," a gruff voice whispered from the grass, followed by a low chuckle. Aganos scowled, recognizing the voice, despite the gruffer, more gutteral tones. "Hurry up, old man. Unless you would have me join you there." A note of alarm entered the older man's eyes and scent. Quietly, he moved to follow the other therian a comfortable distance from the camp. He cast a look over his shoulder and heard Shetan chuckle, as the larger man shifted to sit on the ground and gesture for him to do the same. "I will smell anything that nears them." Aganos hesitated a moment, then shifted to crouch before the hybrid therian. "Be quiet," he hissed. "You'll wake them. What are you doing prowling my camp?" Shetan grinned, his ears perked. "Merely sating a curiosity." He stretched slightly to look past the older therian to his camp, licking his lips. "Tell me, how did you come to be the uncle of a human girl? More of us in your tribe?" Aganos scowled at Shetan, beginning to refuse to answer, before thinking better of it. "Only my family. I've known hers since I was a cub," he paused, then looked to Shetan, his brow furrowing. "You should know she's terrified of us. I'm not sure where or how someone slipped up and scared her, but it's left its marks on her. You should discourage her. She'd never be comfortable with you," he urged, leaning forward slightly in his earnestness. Shetan smirked. "I think that can be solved. I won't forbid her my company." His smirk grew as he shifted to rise, turning away from the older therian and looking over his shoulder at him. "Perhaps you should warn the girl that I'm what she fears. Then explain how you know it to be true." Even as Aganos rose to reply, the black hybrid melted into the grass, leaving him behind.
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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 May 29, 2007 8:49:34 GMT -5
Kid Kid shifted slightly, yawning softly and stretching to wakefulness. Something had woke her but she didn't sense any danger to it so she lazily roused herself from the half realm between wakefulness and sleep. Sitting up she looked about, noting that it was still dark, picking up her pack she smiled, shouldering it and her spear, now would be the perfect time to leave since Aganos seemed to be off for the moment and everyone else was likely asleep. Quietly slipping from the camp she paused, hearing the hushed tone of conversation. The oddly gutteral voice sounded oddly familiar while her uncles rang stark and clear. She frowned, listening in for a fewseconds before moveing silently towards Shetans camp, The conversation playing over in her mind, "what I fear the most?...how he knows?..." She found the large mans camp easily enough, dropping her equipment silently and unrolling her own gear she lounged quietly, not nearly shivering but cool in the night time air.
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Post by kitearadarkblade on May 30, 2007 11:13:25 GMT -5
Shetan and Aganos Aganos shook his head slightly. He couldn't tell Kid himself and risk her finding out about him. What if her fear was more powerful than her knowledge that he would never harm her? The Plainsman waited a few moments before rising and moving to return to his camp. Reaching the edges of the camp's light, he paused and felt his heart sink. Kid was gone. Shetan moved through the grass slowly, allowing himself to enjoy the simple pleasure of his stronger body. He slowed, feeling hunger gnaw at his gut, reminding him that he hadn't eaten earlier. Licking his lips, the dark wolf lifted his head to test the air, seeking the crisp scent of the stream where Kid had taken down the gazelle. He could always eat what they had buried, so long as nothing else had already done so. Aganos paced back and forth in the tall grass, his ears folding back tightly. The stress had triggered his transformation to hybrid form, even this close to the new moon. He lifted his muzzle, testing the air again to catch the Outlander's scent, and Kid's further away. His hackles rose as his fur bristled over his body with agitation. He paused, his ears perking before quickly flattening back to his skull. If he never shows up for her... The red wolf rumbled a growl, moving away from the camp again. Shetan rested on his launches, licking his claws clean as he finished what was left of the buried bits of gazelle. His attention was so taken with the slight meal that he didn't notice the other therian before Aganos crashed into him, snapping and snarling. Shetan's ears folded back as he tumbled back with the red wolf's momentum, a short snarl escaping him. The smaller therian's clawed hands groped at his throat eagerly, even as Shetan shoved him away, bringing a leg up to shove against his gut, adding that much more leverage. Aganos scrambled to his feet as he was thrust back, his lips curling over his teeth in a challenge to the larger therian. Shetan rose, watching him a moment before chuckling. "Do you think this will solve things?" In answer, the plains wolf lunged again, this time aiming low to knock the larger man off of his feet. Smirking, Shetan grunted as he dropped his weight on the therian, his clawed hands seeking to catch him as he collided with his legs. One of Shetan’s knees drove into the older male’s back, forcing him down and driving the breath from his body. Twisting beneath him, Aganos rolled to his back and felt Shetan’s’ hand close around his throat. The other pressed flat against the older therian’s chest, pinning him with his greater weight. Aganos snarled, his hands trying to pry Shetan’s away from his throat. “Stop it,” Shetan rumbled irritably. Aganos struggled beneath him and Shetan leaned more weight upon his chest. Pinned, the older therian tried to draw a deeper breath and froze as he found his intake of breath hindered by the larger man’s pressure. “Now then, I’m sure this was just some misguided attempt to ‘save’ your tribe member from the big bad wolf,” Shetan drawled, smirking slightly. “But I would suggest that you go back to your camp now.” Slowly, Shetan eased his weight off of the man to let him up. Aganos lay still a moment, glaring up at Shetan before sitting up slowly. The larger male snorted derisively, turning to return to his own camp, leaving the older therian behind. As he neared his own camp, the large therian paused, catching Kid’s scent. He licked his lips, debating just how he would proceed. For a moment, he regretted tucking his trews back into his pack. Grinning slightly, he allowed his form to twist and change, leaving him kneeling in the grass, panting for breath. Before continuing to the camp, he looked himself over. Aganos had managed to leave a fair gouge along his lower thigh and his claws had raked at Shetan’s wrist. Frowning, he shook his head slightly and wiped away the blood that ran to his knee, flinging it from his hand with an impatient sound. Satisfied, Shetan moved to the edge of the camp, pausing as Kid came into view with a stifled sound of surprise, crouching in the tall grass. "Kid?"
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