Fay sank to the ground, still shivering.
"Why don't you, hmm?" She managed a weak smile. "Flying is much faster than even my little fox form. I'll wait here and ready our things to follow you in half-form." Fay explained before forcing herself to stand again and kiss him.
Magic and Mayhem
Re: Magic and Mayhem
"I'll be back," he said with a wink, turning and jogging off a few paces before leaping and shifting, quickly rising above the trees. He relished the feeling of rushing through the brisk, crisp air above the treetops; he wished Fay could experience it as well.
He did not see anything that was immediately threatening, only a single bear sauntering through his territory, along with the usual forest...critters, for lack of a more pertinent term, he provided for his own defense.
He loved the air, the warm, massaging feeling of flames over his body, but he missed Fay more than he had this morning, possibly because of the massing storm clouds to the south creating turbulence, making him anxious to be on the ground once more. He did not know how long he had been in the air, but he deemed his search conclusive, and banked back for camp.
He did not see anything that was immediately threatening, only a single bear sauntering through his territory, along with the usual forest...critters, for lack of a more pertinent term, he provided for his own defense.
He loved the air, the warm, massaging feeling of flames over his body, but he missed Fay more than he had this morning, possibly because of the massing storm clouds to the south creating turbulence, making him anxious to be on the ground once more. He did not know how long he had been in the air, but he deemed his search conclusive, and banked back for camp.
Re: Magic and Mayhem
Fay watched him soar away, ignoring the clenching in her chest, before she turned and shifted half way. Quickly she roped their bags together and slung them over her back, another couple knots and ropes later and she had a make-shift saddle. She laid down and settled in to wait, ignoring the rising tension she felt from the massing storm.
Soon she heard his wings beat the air and she perked her head, quickly standing. She barked, letting him know she saw him and trotted towards him, her stride easy as she moved to meet him.
Soon she heard his wings beat the air and she perked her head, quickly standing. She barked, letting him know she saw him and trotted towards him, her stride easy as she moved to meet him.
Re: Magic and Mayhem
Jerial looked up at the sky; it was rapidly darkening. Lightning erupted in the sky haphazardly, yet with a grace all its own.
"Come, there is a cave nearby where we can stay for the duration of the storm. If you would let me, I would gather dry wood where I could find it, and build a small fire. If it makes you uncomfortable, I can always use my half-form. Whatever you would prefer."
"Come, there is a cave nearby where we can stay for the duration of the storm. If you would let me, I would gather dry wood where I could find it, and build a small fire. If it makes you uncomfortable, I can always use my half-form. Whatever you would prefer."
Re: Magic and Mayhem
Fay glanced upwards before back down at him and nodded.
"Get fire." Fay husked, fighting to get human words out from a vixen's maw. She nuzzled his hand before trotting towards the cave he indicated. Quickly she moved to the back of it and stripped herself of their packs before jogging out, fully human and looking around. Not seeing Jerial she cursed before going back inside, leaving a quick (and very rough) message about gathering wood, before she too went out to hunt for dry lumber before the rain fell.
She moved as fast as she could, snagging dead limbs as she moved. Soon she had a large bundle in her arms and she was moving back to the cave at a rapid pace. As it was it was already starting to rain as she stumbled into the cave, panting. She looked up and grinned.
"Thought I'd help."
"Get fire." Fay husked, fighting to get human words out from a vixen's maw. She nuzzled his hand before trotting towards the cave he indicated. Quickly she moved to the back of it and stripped herself of their packs before jogging out, fully human and looking around. Not seeing Jerial she cursed before going back inside, leaving a quick (and very rough) message about gathering wood, before she too went out to hunt for dry lumber before the rain fell.
She moved as fast as she could, snagging dead limbs as she moved. Soon she had a large bundle in her arms and she was moving back to the cave at a rapid pace. As it was it was already starting to rain as she stumbled into the cave, panting. She looked up and grinned.
"Thought I'd help."
Re: Magic and Mayhem
An hour later, the storm was in full force, lightning and thunder illuminating the night alternating with the darkness only pierced by the small, fledgeling fire far enough back in the cave not to get wet. Jerial did not look up to see what Fay was doing; he tended the fire until it was a respectably-sized blaze, not quite big enough to cause fear in Fay throughout the dry part of the cave.
He pulled up a log, deja vu seeping into him as he thought of moving over to allow Fayane a place by him on the fallen tree that he had dragged in just before the rain had started. He leaned forward, looking at Fay expectantly and ambiguously gesturing for her to sit.
He pulled up a log, deja vu seeping into him as he thought of moving over to allow Fayane a place by him on the fallen tree that he had dragged in just before the rain had started. He leaned forward, looking at Fay expectantly and ambiguously gesturing for her to sit.
Re: Magic and Mayhem
Fay eyed the fire warily when Jerial gestured for her to sit by him. She trusted HIM but she wasn't so sure she trusted the fire. It wasn't a part of him this time. She flicked her eyes up to Jerial's own expectant ones before she simply compromised.
Shifting quickly she jumped up onto his shoulder as a full vixen, and curled around the back of his neck. She closed her eyes and tilted her head as a way of apologizing before tucking her head under his chin and purring. She trusted him, but she couldn't trust the fire just yet.
Shifting quickly she jumped up onto his shoulder as a full vixen, and curled around the back of his neck. She closed her eyes and tilted her head as a way of apologizing before tucking her head under his chin and purring. She trusted him, but she couldn't trust the fire just yet.
Re: Magic and Mayhem
It appeared that he was no longer alone.
Vanyusha remained motionless as the two entered his lair. He stood against the back wall of the cave like a frightening statue, concealed in the darkness that lay out of the fire's reach. It had been decades since someone had willingly wandered into one of his caves. If he remembered correctly, the last one had been an adventurous child. Foolish thing had split his head open on a rock by the time he found him. The dead flesh had been suitably nourishing, but there hadn't been enough to constitute a full meal. And these two were very much alive, so it seemed he wouldn't be feeding this evening.
But why had they come? He tilted his head to the side, in the direction of the cave's entrance. As far off as he was, he could still see the rain coming down in torrents. Travelers seeking refuge from the storm, it seemed. He hadn't been in this area for very long, nor had he employed any mercenaries in the area, so he doubted that locals were all ready investigating rumors of a masked wraith. By the time that became a problem, he would be long gone.
For now, however, it seemed appropriate to give these travelers a proper welcome. A curious being by nature, he was interested in learning more about these people. Perhaps having a conversation with them would help satisfy his desire to understand the nature of mortals. Struggling to bend down, he grabbed his walking stick, then slowly made his way over to the fire. He stopped when he reached them and once again went still, examining them thoughtfully. An elvish man and his animal companion, it seemed.
Instead of addressing the two, the masked wraith continued to observe them, lost in his thoughts.
Vanyusha remained motionless as the two entered his lair. He stood against the back wall of the cave like a frightening statue, concealed in the darkness that lay out of the fire's reach. It had been decades since someone had willingly wandered into one of his caves. If he remembered correctly, the last one had been an adventurous child. Foolish thing had split his head open on a rock by the time he found him. The dead flesh had been suitably nourishing, but there hadn't been enough to constitute a full meal. And these two were very much alive, so it seemed he wouldn't be feeding this evening.
But why had they come? He tilted his head to the side, in the direction of the cave's entrance. As far off as he was, he could still see the rain coming down in torrents. Travelers seeking refuge from the storm, it seemed. He hadn't been in this area for very long, nor had he employed any mercenaries in the area, so he doubted that locals were all ready investigating rumors of a masked wraith. By the time that became a problem, he would be long gone.
For now, however, it seemed appropriate to give these travelers a proper welcome. A curious being by nature, he was interested in learning more about these people. Perhaps having a conversation with them would help satisfy his desire to understand the nature of mortals. Struggling to bend down, he grabbed his walking stick, then slowly made his way over to the fire. He stopped when he reached them and once again went still, examining them thoughtfully. An elvish man and his animal companion, it seemed.
Instead of addressing the two, the masked wraith continued to observe them, lost in his thoughts.
Re: Magic and Mayhem
A small smile was on Fay's face, the vixen wrapped around his neck warmly. He noticed, however, a change in the air, a smell of sulfur, a feeling of something cold...evil. Jerial stood, a hand on Fay trying to coax her off of him. "Something's not right," he whispered to her; his started eyes darted around the cave. He could sense something just beyond the edge of the fire's flickering light.
He again tested the air, but the air was tainted with the scent of the rain outside the cave. He took a step, bracing himself. Jerial, once again feeling the unholy feeling tear through his body, half-shifted, feeling his connection with the Astral Plane increase, a welcome release.
He silently prayed to Elohim for protection.
He again tested the air, but the air was tainted with the scent of the rain outside the cave. He took a step, bracing himself. Jerial, once again feeling the unholy feeling tear through his body, half-shifted, feeling his connection with the Astral Plane increase, a welcome release.
He silently prayed to Elohim for protection.
Re: Magic and Mayhem
Fay felt the presence almost as soon as Jerial did and flashed down after initial shock had passed. She too only shifted half-way, a fur covered human, standing in front of Jerial. Very hesitantly she called out, her ears having caught the sound of movement.
"Be you the being who resides within this cave, we come in peace and mean no harm. We are but weary travelers searching for shelter from the storm." Fay rose from her crouch and stood, holding her hands in front of her in a gesture of good will. She sensed this creature wasn't of this plane, not likely one she would consider to be good.
"Please show yourself, it would set my partner and I's mind at ease."
"Be you the being who resides within this cave, we come in peace and mean no harm. We are but weary travelers searching for shelter from the storm." Fay rose from her crouch and stood, holding her hands in front of her in a gesture of good will. She sensed this creature wasn't of this plane, not likely one she would consider to be good.
"Please show yourself, it would set my partner and I's mind at ease."
Re: Magic and Mayhem
Vanyusha complied, moving closer so that they could see him. Now he stood only a few feet away from them, illuminated by the light of the fire. He tilted his head to the side slightly as he examined the young woman. She had been the fox? A shifter, it seemed, as was her companion. Although he had come across such beings in his travels, it had been nearly a lifetime since he had the chance to meld with one. Unfortunately, it seemed that tonight would not afford him the opportunity.
The masked man finally spoke, his voice that of an older man, yet deep and authoritative: "I had suspected as much, child. You and your companion may take shelter in this cave for the evening. I have neither the intent nor the ability to bring you harm, so do not worry yourselves."
The masked man finally spoke, his voice that of an older man, yet deep and authoritative: "I had suspected as much, child. You and your companion may take shelter in this cave for the evening. I have neither the intent nor the ability to bring you harm, so do not worry yourselves."
Re: Magic and Mayhem
Jerial bit back a snarl. The abomination was clearly showing false hospitality, but he knew that a fight would be inconclusive, even though he and Fay were at a great advantage. They would still be stuck in the cave in the storm, unless the creature himself (itself, he corrected) was controlling the storm, in which case they would not be able to overcome him (it) even if they tried.
Jerial kept his emotions in check, but instinctively, protectively, slipped an arm around the small of Fay's back. Almost biting his tongue, he said, "Very well. We shall stay until this inclement weather subsides, or if we choose to leave sooner, we may."
His heart and his body told him to draw his weapon and behead the heathen beast now, but his mind told him to bide his time. He would keep his mouth shut around this foul demon, but it would have to die eventually.
Jerial kept his emotions in check, but instinctively, protectively, slipped an arm around the small of Fay's back. Almost biting his tongue, he said, "Very well. We shall stay until this inclement weather subsides, or if we choose to leave sooner, we may."
His heart and his body told him to draw his weapon and behead the heathen beast now, but his mind told him to bide his time. He would keep his mouth shut around this foul demon, but it would have to die eventually.
Re: Magic and Mayhem
Fay could sense the truth behind the being's words... although... Fay frowned and flicked her ears forward to catch any sound at all. Nothing. She began to shake, her tail puffing out.
"One more question, if I may, sir?" Fay squeaked. "Why have you not a heartbeat nor breath?" She was grateful as hell for Jerial's arm around her waist; because if not for that she would have surely shifted and hid. If there was one thing the assassin knew best - it was that if the creature survived without a heart beat to power it, or lungs to satisfy its body, there were no vital points within its body.
Subconsciously she moved closer to Jerial, blocking any gaze that the creature may have possed that was directed at Jerial. She was the target now, if such a target existed, and she would have it no other way.
"One more question, if I may, sir?" Fay squeaked. "Why have you not a heartbeat nor breath?" She was grateful as hell for Jerial's arm around her waist; because if not for that she would have surely shifted and hid. If there was one thing the assassin knew best - it was that if the creature survived without a heart beat to power it, or lungs to satisfy its body, there were no vital points within its body.
Subconsciously she moved closer to Jerial, blocking any gaze that the creature may have possed that was directed at Jerial. She was the target now, if such a target existed, and she would have it no other way.
Re: Magic and Mayhem
Vanyusha turned his attention to Jerial. Although the young man did his best to control his revulsion, he could sense the hatred burning within him. He had seen that revulsion many times before, on the faces of fathers whose families he butchered, in the eyes of brothers whose siblings he devoured. But what had he done to this man? This anger seemed unwarranted, but surely he had his reasons. Interesting. Definitely something that warranted further exploration.
He turned to Fay. "You are quite a perceptive child. I am not weighed down by the limitations of a mortal body. If my nature frightens you, you should bear in mind that life in this world of ours comes in all forms, and these differences should be celebrated, not feared."
Slowly, the cloaked wraith made his way toward a nearby wall, his walking stick clicking against the stone floor beneath him. He went still once again, clasping his hands on the gnarled head of his wooden stick. "I believe it is only fair that I be allowed a question, having answered yours. Almost every night I enjoy a pleasant stroll through this forest, enjoying the comforting silence of the darkness. Last night, however, my meditation was disrupted by rather carnal noises. Were you the ones responsible?"
He turned to Fay. "You are quite a perceptive child. I am not weighed down by the limitations of a mortal body. If my nature frightens you, you should bear in mind that life in this world of ours comes in all forms, and these differences should be celebrated, not feared."
Slowly, the cloaked wraith made his way toward a nearby wall, his walking stick clicking against the stone floor beneath him. He went still once again, clasping his hands on the gnarled head of his wooden stick. "I believe it is only fair that I be allowed a question, having answered yours. Almost every night I enjoy a pleasant stroll through this forest, enjoying the comforting silence of the darkness. Last night, however, my meditation was disrupted by rather carnal noises. Were you the ones responsible?"
Re: Magic and Mayhem
"By Elohim, I will rip that infernal skull from your body, demon." Jerial moved forward, scooping up his staff, now a sword. He put forth his hand and started to pray to his deity.