122PW, Spring
The fist came out of nowhere; Kitan was simply strolling through the streets with a letterbag thrown over his shoulder when he went hurtling down to the cobblestone. His face lit up with pain as he twitched around, throwing his arms out in a gesture of retreat.
“Damn shifter!” The boot went sailing into his gut. Kitan rolled, which softened the impact, but he couldn’t escape the blow.
Kitan lifted himself up off the ground with one hand and bolted, the bag forgotten in his haste. He heard muffled cursing behind him, and someone grasp for his tunic. He twisted around out of reach, catching a glimpse of a scarred up visage. The shout “catch him, you idiot!” sounded down the alley.
Kitan realized with sudden terror that he had bolted down the alley, rather than back out into the street. He halted to a stop so he could turn back to the street before the logical centers of his brain reactivated and he continued his dead sprint, but his second of delay gave the men enough time to gain dangerous ground.
Kitan rounded a corner before the kick he had sustained earlier suddenly made his ribs ache with pain. He tumbled forwards and fell onto his knees, gasping for breath in the crisp night air, when a desperate idea came to him.
He reached down to the depths of his soul and sucked in air. He just had to focus for enough time, and ignore the pounding footsteps coming for him. Just for enough time to...
The world around him distorted and warped with magic. His world became tinted brown as the image of a box formed around him.
But it was too late. A thick, heavy hand reached through the magic and threw him onto his back. “Don’t even think of running this time, you little shit.” Kitan complied, fearful, not knowing what else to do.
“He’s a mage!” A second, wiry man proclaimed.
“Great! Even more reason to beat him.” The first proclaimed, watching the little shifter writhe on the ground. He reached down and pulled a small shiv from his belt. “This’ll learn the kid. Shouldn’t dare be walking around with those ears, the little freak.”
The second glowered at his companion. “I’m not gonna help your stupid ass just to get cursed by his angry Kitsune father or something.”
“Fine, cower. Watch my back for guards or something.” He raised the knife high above his head, readying a savage stab.
The Fox and the Hound
The Fox and the Hound
Last edited by Kitan on Sat Jul 06, 2013 6:48 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: The Fox and the Hound
Sitting on a barrel, minding his own business. That's all he ever wanted to do as he carved out a random wood piece he'd found while chewing thoughtlessly at the toothpick wedged in his teeth. He barely even twitched when the distant yelling reached his ears, rolling his eyes as he wondered what poor sucker was getting it. Had he ignored it and stopped listening in, he would have probably kept sitting on that barrel minding his own business. Yet, being Shade he decided to eavesdrop. One word made him pause his carving, his body stiffening as his eyes narrowed.
Shifter
So the bastards wanted to pick on one of his own eh? Judging by the racket they weren't far off. A child by the sound of the clumsy stumbles. Another reason for moving to the poor bastard's rescue. Looking down at the finished carving with a grim smirk before standing and placing the howling wooden wolf on the barrel. Cracking his shoulders he gave his lips a lick, eyes brightening slightly as he sniffed the air.
It didn't take him long to track them, listening to their insults with a snarl. He moved his long body quickly through the thin alleys, determined to beat the tar out of the fools who dared cross his turf and utter such words. Duck in this alley, jump that fence, around a corner, and past the crossings. When he finally caught up with them the younger fellow had been caught, his eyes wide and innocent as he stared up at the two dicks above him. One didn't look too keen on harming the boy yet the other held a knife high in the air, sneering something to his companion. Shade didn't pay attention to what he said. He never did when it came to trash talks.
He didn't really think about his actions save to take out the back up which he did with an effective bodyslam into the alley wall. Then with a wicked grin he wheeled around to see 'knifeboy' gaping at him in shock. Of course, he would be surprised as well if a random man the size of an ox suddenly tackled his buddy. Cracking his shoulder he leered down at the other man.
"Come on then big boy." Shade sneered flipping him the middle finger, flashing his fangs in a show of his true nature. Seeing him for what he was the fool turned his back on the other shifter, baring the knife now at the tall and amused wolf shifter. "Hey now, I thought we were friends!"
"You freaks just keep showing up!" Came the hateful reply. Shade snorted back as he rolled his eyes. Enraged by the lack of fear the man lunged forward, his knife aimed for the softness of Shade's belly. What he didn't expect was for Shade to actually grab his arm and twist, forcing a yelp from him as he was twisted with is back facing the shifter. Behind him he could hear Shade sneering close to his ear in a low and steady voice.
"Tell me bub, do you think you can take me? Are you willing to bet those pretty little insides of yours on it?" Shade chuckled darkly as he slid close to the man's back, pressing his chest against his back with a smirk. Holding him in a way Shade knew he wouldn't get away, he glanced up at the shocked boy with a disinterested grunt.
"You alright boy?"
Shifter
So the bastards wanted to pick on one of his own eh? Judging by the racket they weren't far off. A child by the sound of the clumsy stumbles. Another reason for moving to the poor bastard's rescue. Looking down at the finished carving with a grim smirk before standing and placing the howling wooden wolf on the barrel. Cracking his shoulders he gave his lips a lick, eyes brightening slightly as he sniffed the air.
It didn't take him long to track them, listening to their insults with a snarl. He moved his long body quickly through the thin alleys, determined to beat the tar out of the fools who dared cross his turf and utter such words. Duck in this alley, jump that fence, around a corner, and past the crossings. When he finally caught up with them the younger fellow had been caught, his eyes wide and innocent as he stared up at the two dicks above him. One didn't look too keen on harming the boy yet the other held a knife high in the air, sneering something to his companion. Shade didn't pay attention to what he said. He never did when it came to trash talks.
He didn't really think about his actions save to take out the back up which he did with an effective bodyslam into the alley wall. Then with a wicked grin he wheeled around to see 'knifeboy' gaping at him in shock. Of course, he would be surprised as well if a random man the size of an ox suddenly tackled his buddy. Cracking his shoulder he leered down at the other man.
"Come on then big boy." Shade sneered flipping him the middle finger, flashing his fangs in a show of his true nature. Seeing him for what he was the fool turned his back on the other shifter, baring the knife now at the tall and amused wolf shifter. "Hey now, I thought we were friends!"
"You freaks just keep showing up!" Came the hateful reply. Shade snorted back as he rolled his eyes. Enraged by the lack of fear the man lunged forward, his knife aimed for the softness of Shade's belly. What he didn't expect was for Shade to actually grab his arm and twist, forcing a yelp from him as he was twisted with is back facing the shifter. Behind him he could hear Shade sneering close to his ear in a low and steady voice.
"Tell me bub, do you think you can take me? Are you willing to bet those pretty little insides of yours on it?" Shade chuckled darkly as he slid close to the man's back, pressing his chest against his back with a smirk. Holding him in a way Shade knew he wouldn't get away, he glanced up at the shocked boy with a disinterested grunt.
"You alright boy?"
Re: The Fox and the Hound
Kitan stared, absolutely stupefied. He picked himself up off of the road, sparing one hand to paw off his dirtied, torn tunic. The other clutched his head, which was now bleeding a small line of red.
Those facts didn’t really matter to the shifter much right now. He was far to impressed. He stood there gaping for a moment at the show of prowess he had just witnessed. “That was amazing!” He blurted. The movement caused his vision to blur and he took a stumbling step back before regaining his balance.
“Arrgghhh...” He groaned, decided now was a good time to sit down on a nearby crate. Fortunately, this one was not an illusion. He flicked his tail off to the side before decending.
The mugger’s accomplice began crawling off at this point. His crawl morphed into a halting run, and he looked back as he fled. The lowlife screamed “I warned you, you idiot!” as he rounded the corner back to the street.
The mugger struggled in the werewolf’s grasp, but to no avail. “Changers damn it, get back here! Help!” Seeing that no help was forthcoming, he quickly changed his tune. “Uh, I didn’t mean nothing by it! Just wanted to let the kid know it wasn’t safe on the streets?” His tone rather obviously implied even he didn’t think the werewolf was going to buy the story. “Just... just let me go, alright?” The man squirmed nervously, to the extent that Shade’s hold would allow such movements. He twisted his head around, and managed to glance in the direction of his little knife... which was halfway across the street, lying unbloodied on the floor. He began thrashing more wildly.
Kitan flipped his legs up to the crate, adopting a froglike position which relied on all four limbs for stability. Perched delicately on the crate’s corner, he looked on the proceedings with obvious curiosity. “So... you are gonna let him go, right?” The shifter said nervously, as if he didn’t register that the man had nearly stabbed him.
“I wasn’t gonna kill the kid, really!” The man whined, awaiting judgment.
Those facts didn’t really matter to the shifter much right now. He was far to impressed. He stood there gaping for a moment at the show of prowess he had just witnessed. “That was amazing!” He blurted. The movement caused his vision to blur and he took a stumbling step back before regaining his balance.
“Arrgghhh...” He groaned, decided now was a good time to sit down on a nearby crate. Fortunately, this one was not an illusion. He flicked his tail off to the side before decending.
The mugger’s accomplice began crawling off at this point. His crawl morphed into a halting run, and he looked back as he fled. The lowlife screamed “I warned you, you idiot!” as he rounded the corner back to the street.
The mugger struggled in the werewolf’s grasp, but to no avail. “Changers damn it, get back here! Help!” Seeing that no help was forthcoming, he quickly changed his tune. “Uh, I didn’t mean nothing by it! Just wanted to let the kid know it wasn’t safe on the streets?” His tone rather obviously implied even he didn’t think the werewolf was going to buy the story. “Just... just let me go, alright?” The man squirmed nervously, to the extent that Shade’s hold would allow such movements. He twisted his head around, and managed to glance in the direction of his little knife... which was halfway across the street, lying unbloodied on the floor. He began thrashing more wildly.
Kitan flipped his legs up to the crate, adopting a froglike position which relied on all four limbs for stability. Perched delicately on the crate’s corner, he looked on the proceedings with obvious curiosity. “So... you are gonna let him go, right?” The shifter said nervously, as if he didn’t register that the man had nearly stabbed him.
“I wasn’t gonna kill the kid, really!” The man whined, awaiting judgment.
Re: The Fox and the Hound
Shade frowned at the boy with an almost confused look on his face, frowning at the concern he showed for his would-be killer. Had he no anger? Didn't he want some sort of revenge on the bastard? No, judging by the face he was getting it hadn't even crossed the pup's mind.
"Naw, poor pup is nervous for the bad guy?" he cooed as his lips curled down in a pout. As spoke though his face began to twist in a mad grin and wild eyes as he stared down at the villain, sticking out his tongue a little as he grinned widely. "Don't worry. He isn't going to die. No, we'll teach him whose boss the old fashioned way."
Grabbing the mugger by the hair he threw him on the ground, chuckling maliciously as he stood over top of him. The mugger cried out in fear as he tried to scramble backwards but Shade seized his ankles and dragged him closer to him than before. Putting his foot threateningly on the other man's groin he narrowed his eyes in challenge, daring the other to try him. There was nothing, he just shook beneath his feet.
"Now pup, I'm going to teach you the basic running of a pack." Shade stated as he began to undo his belt. Glancing over at the innocent stare of the other made his lips twitch in amusement. "First, if you're going to be Alpha you need to put the other males in their place. Insults are never enough unless they are weak willed, so using humiliation works wonders."
With that he pulled out his 'man goods' he then proceeded to pee right on the Mugger's face. Curses and shrieks of humiliation he moved to cover his face but when Shade added pressure to his groin he yowled in pain, effectively moving his hands and getting a mouthful of Shade's urination fluids. Grunting he glanced back at the boy with a grin.
"Now, all you have to do is make them realize that you don't appreciate whatever they did in the first place to question you. Put behind it a threat that you fully intend to keep should they try it again." Shade instructed as stopped peeing on the gasping man and put himself back in his pants. Then with a smile he leaned in to the man's face and growled. "Now, if you don't back off and leave this boy alone I'm going to damn well tie you up butt naked in the slums. You understand?"
The mugger gaped up at Shade who beamed down at him. Shade remained still, his head tilting sideways slightly as he gave him a bit of a wink. Then, leaning just a little closer he growled darkly. "Don't bother the boy or you mess with me. Catch on?"
The mugger paled as the bloodlust entered Shade's eyes, pining him to the ground with a stare of pure hatred. Raising his foot from the man's privates he gave his head a snappy jerk, growling lowly as the man scrambled to his feet.
"Run and don't you dare show your face around us." A command that wouldn't go unanswered. The man ran like his ally before him, reeking of Shade's mark and flushed a pure red. Shade watched him go with a snort, waiting a couple moments after the man vanished around a corner just be sure he was gone. Seeing they were no longer threatened Shade turned again to the boy and raised his eyebrow.
"So, catch the drift of it?"
"Naw, poor pup is nervous for the bad guy?" he cooed as his lips curled down in a pout. As spoke though his face began to twist in a mad grin and wild eyes as he stared down at the villain, sticking out his tongue a little as he grinned widely. "Don't worry. He isn't going to die. No, we'll teach him whose boss the old fashioned way."
Grabbing the mugger by the hair he threw him on the ground, chuckling maliciously as he stood over top of him. The mugger cried out in fear as he tried to scramble backwards but Shade seized his ankles and dragged him closer to him than before. Putting his foot threateningly on the other man's groin he narrowed his eyes in challenge, daring the other to try him. There was nothing, he just shook beneath his feet.
"Now pup, I'm going to teach you the basic running of a pack." Shade stated as he began to undo his belt. Glancing over at the innocent stare of the other made his lips twitch in amusement. "First, if you're going to be Alpha you need to put the other males in their place. Insults are never enough unless they are weak willed, so using humiliation works wonders."
With that he pulled out his 'man goods' he then proceeded to pee right on the Mugger's face. Curses and shrieks of humiliation he moved to cover his face but when Shade added pressure to his groin he yowled in pain, effectively moving his hands and getting a mouthful of Shade's urination fluids. Grunting he glanced back at the boy with a grin.
"Now, all you have to do is make them realize that you don't appreciate whatever they did in the first place to question you. Put behind it a threat that you fully intend to keep should they try it again." Shade instructed as stopped peeing on the gasping man and put himself back in his pants. Then with a smile he leaned in to the man's face and growled. "Now, if you don't back off and leave this boy alone I'm going to damn well tie you up butt naked in the slums. You understand?"
The mugger gaped up at Shade who beamed down at him. Shade remained still, his head tilting sideways slightly as he gave him a bit of a wink. Then, leaning just a little closer he growled darkly. "Don't bother the boy or you mess with me. Catch on?"
The mugger paled as the bloodlust entered Shade's eyes, pining him to the ground with a stare of pure hatred. Raising his foot from the man's privates he gave his head a snappy jerk, growling lowly as the man scrambled to his feet.
"Run and don't you dare show your face around us." A command that wouldn't go unanswered. The man ran like his ally before him, reeking of Shade's mark and flushed a pure red. Shade watched him go with a snort, waiting a couple moments after the man vanished around a corner just be sure he was gone. Seeing they were no longer threatened Shade turned again to the boy and raised his eyebrow.
"So, catch the drift of it?"
Re: The Fox and the Hound
Kitan blinked from his perch upon the crate as he watched the yellow liquid fall. He probably should have turned his eyes away, but the spectacle was interesting. Kitan had never seen anything like it, and he wasn’t going to miss it.
As the mugger lurched away through the alleyways, his sensitive fox ears listened to his cursing all the way. “Foxes aren’t pack animals.” Kitan said, recalling his father’s lessons about the wild. “I guess Kitsune are supposed to be, but I haven’t met any.” His big ears swiveled on his head while his eyes remained locked on the werewolf in front of him. The little fox shifter tilted his frame to the side. “How did you do that to him?” He mumbled without thinking.
He threw his legs out from underneath him and let the motion carry him off the box. His feet landed with a stable thump on the cobblestone below. Two small strides flowed from that motion to take him to stand right before the werewolf, though his feet nimbly avoided the puddle. The wolf shifter stood quite a bit taller than Kitan, whose head only barely reached the werewolf’s neck. A small snap of pain caused the shifter to wince.
“The last time this happened, everyone died.” He said simply, offering no further explanation. He knelt down and stared at the piss, perhaps out of a latent fox instinct. He wrinkled his nose and scampered on all fours to a different curiosity. The new object of his attention was the slim knife. “People sure are violent. But I guess you knew that already.” He reached out a finger and poked the handle, giving the weapon a spin. Kitan’s tail waved back and forth under his tunic.
He made a wretched sight. His clothes were torn, and where they were torn his skin had been scraped across the stone. Small red specks dotted the exposed areas, staining the clothing around them. His face in particular had received the brunt of it. He sat cross legged and clasped his hands, a gesture of innocence unbefitting such a maimed appearance, much less one so focused on a spinning blade. The kitsune tossed a glance back over his shoulder, wondering what the werewolf was going to do.
“But do you know why they do this? I don’t.” His soft voice was the last sound even his ears heard for a moment as he awaited an answer.
As the mugger lurched away through the alleyways, his sensitive fox ears listened to his cursing all the way. “Foxes aren’t pack animals.” Kitan said, recalling his father’s lessons about the wild. “I guess Kitsune are supposed to be, but I haven’t met any.” His big ears swiveled on his head while his eyes remained locked on the werewolf in front of him. The little fox shifter tilted his frame to the side. “How did you do that to him?” He mumbled without thinking.
He threw his legs out from underneath him and let the motion carry him off the box. His feet landed with a stable thump on the cobblestone below. Two small strides flowed from that motion to take him to stand right before the werewolf, though his feet nimbly avoided the puddle. The wolf shifter stood quite a bit taller than Kitan, whose head only barely reached the werewolf’s neck. A small snap of pain caused the shifter to wince.
“The last time this happened, everyone died.” He said simply, offering no further explanation. He knelt down and stared at the piss, perhaps out of a latent fox instinct. He wrinkled his nose and scampered on all fours to a different curiosity. The new object of his attention was the slim knife. “People sure are violent. But I guess you knew that already.” He reached out a finger and poked the handle, giving the weapon a spin. Kitan’s tail waved back and forth under his tunic.
He made a wretched sight. His clothes were torn, and where they were torn his skin had been scraped across the stone. Small red specks dotted the exposed areas, staining the clothing around them. His face in particular had received the brunt of it. He sat cross legged and clasped his hands, a gesture of innocence unbefitting such a maimed appearance, much less one so focused on a spinning blade. The kitsune tossed a glance back over his shoulder, wondering what the werewolf was going to do.
“But do you know why they do this? I don’t.” His soft voice was the last sound even his ears heard for a moment as he awaited an answer.
Re: The Fox and the Hound
At first, Shade was simply stupified by the pure idiocy of the boy in front of him. Had he really acted so....collected after such an attack? Wasn't he the least appalled that he just pissed on another guy? No, he seemed more interested in telling his life story rather than complaining and gasping like Shade had expected. That fact alone irked him more than him playing with the pointy object that nearly speared him moments before.
"I did it to him to stop him from killing your stupid ass." Shade snorted narrowing his eyes as the kitsune glanced back at him all the while playing with the damn knife. "As for the pack animal thing, you shouldn't have gone on your own if you don't know how to fight! Had I not been here you may as well kiss your ass goodbye!"
Shade growled darkly as he stomped right up to the boy and grabbed him sharply by the scruff, heaving him up in the air and away from the damn dagger he was currently playing with. Dammit, did this kid not realize it was sharp? "Yes, people are violent but they can't hurt you if you don't do stupid crap like wander alone with a pouch of goods! No wonder you keep getting robbed! Idiot!"
Shade fumed at the boy in his grasp, irritated beyond belief at this child's innocents. How had he made it this far without getting killed was the real wonder. He had to have had a parent yet, by what he said he never met his real ones right? So who watched over him now? Shade snorted. Whomever it was did the idiocy of filling this boy's head with fairydust.
"Run home pup. I won't be there next time to save your butt." Shade growled as he put the boy back on the floor. "Before you come back learn to fight. At least then you'd make up for that damn airhead nature of yours."
"I did it to him to stop him from killing your stupid ass." Shade snorted narrowing his eyes as the kitsune glanced back at him all the while playing with the damn knife. "As for the pack animal thing, you shouldn't have gone on your own if you don't know how to fight! Had I not been here you may as well kiss your ass goodbye!"
Shade growled darkly as he stomped right up to the boy and grabbed him sharply by the scruff, heaving him up in the air and away from the damn dagger he was currently playing with. Dammit, did this kid not realize it was sharp? "Yes, people are violent but they can't hurt you if you don't do stupid crap like wander alone with a pouch of goods! No wonder you keep getting robbed! Idiot!"
Shade fumed at the boy in his grasp, irritated beyond belief at this child's innocents. How had he made it this far without getting killed was the real wonder. He had to have had a parent yet, by what he said he never met his real ones right? So who watched over him now? Shade snorted. Whomever it was did the idiocy of filling this boy's head with fairydust.
"Run home pup. I won't be there next time to save your butt." Shade growled as he put the boy back on the floor. "Before you come back learn to fight. At least then you'd make up for that damn airhead nature of yours."
Re: The Fox and the Hound
Kitan’s mouth flew open in response to the sudden yank on his tunic. He stared with fear at his werewolf aggressor as the big man barked into his face. Kitan’s eye twitched— he was hearing none of the words as he recalled with horrible clarity a night surrounded by delusive demons. “Let go of me.” He whispered under his breath while the werewolf was still yelling at him. He earned no response.
“I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry. Let go.” He started yanking backwards a bit, the fragile façade of calm he had projected braking apart in an instant. Tears formed in his eyes. “Please, I’m sorry, just let go.” He grabbed the werewolf’s arm and ripped his tunic away from the werewolf’s grasp. The sudden tear made a harsh ripping sound as Kitan stumbled away, but even that was drowned out by Kitan’s sudden shriek: “Let go of me! Let go of me right now!”
He stumbled back into the corner formed by the crate up against the wall, breaking down. He put one hand on the box for stability as he quietly sobbed. He looked back up to the werewolf, but something didn’t really look right.
“What happened to your face?” He asked, curling up in the corner. Indeed, a large crack had formed upon his hero’s forehead. It seemed to be growing down across him, splitting him down the middle. “You make noise. I can’t tell if you are real.” He moved his hands to his mouth as the grim spectacle continued, but his delusion was not to end there. Terrible features grew across the werewolf’s face, demonic features, as tendrils of blood and bone whipped out of the gaping crag which had consumed his delusion fueled appearance.
“You’re not real you’re not real you’re not real you’re not real.” He muttered over and over to himself. He heard a footstep. He didn’t care what it was, he didn’t want the abomination to take another step forwards. “You’re not real!” He shrieked, and with a feral bound he leapt to the small knife. His hand landed upon the handle and he spun back to face the creature.
Unfortunately, the rapid movements made Kitan dizzy with his injuries. His spin continued until he lay with his back to the earth. His head sure did hurt. He wasn’t certain why, that punch might have been worse than it looked. Oh well. He was tired anyways.
Kit closed his eyes and fell unconscious, entering a deep, merciful sort of sleep. The knife fell out of his open palm, rolling a small ways down the street.
“I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry. Let go.” He started yanking backwards a bit, the fragile façade of calm he had projected braking apart in an instant. Tears formed in his eyes. “Please, I’m sorry, just let go.” He grabbed the werewolf’s arm and ripped his tunic away from the werewolf’s grasp. The sudden tear made a harsh ripping sound as Kitan stumbled away, but even that was drowned out by Kitan’s sudden shriek: “Let go of me! Let go of me right now!”
He stumbled back into the corner formed by the crate up against the wall, breaking down. He put one hand on the box for stability as he quietly sobbed. He looked back up to the werewolf, but something didn’t really look right.
“What happened to your face?” He asked, curling up in the corner. Indeed, a large crack had formed upon his hero’s forehead. It seemed to be growing down across him, splitting him down the middle. “You make noise. I can’t tell if you are real.” He moved his hands to his mouth as the grim spectacle continued, but his delusion was not to end there. Terrible features grew across the werewolf’s face, demonic features, as tendrils of blood and bone whipped out of the gaping crag which had consumed his delusion fueled appearance.
“You’re not real you’re not real you’re not real you’re not real.” He muttered over and over to himself. He heard a footstep. He didn’t care what it was, he didn’t want the abomination to take another step forwards. “You’re not real!” He shrieked, and with a feral bound he leapt to the small knife. His hand landed upon the handle and he spun back to face the creature.
Unfortunately, the rapid movements made Kitan dizzy with his injuries. His spin continued until he lay with his back to the earth. His head sure did hurt. He wasn’t certain why, that punch might have been worse than it looked. Oh well. He was tired anyways.
Kit closed his eyes and fell unconscious, entering a deep, merciful sort of sleep. The knife fell out of his open palm, rolling a small ways down the street.
Re: The Fox and the Hound
At first Shade thought the boy was mocking his face, bristling as he prepared a new onslaught of anger when he smelt the terror ooze from his pores. Then, he saw the panicked confusion and fear in the wide eyes. Something was wrong, this kid wasn't right about something. Shade crouched a little as he listened, trying to make sense of the frightened gibber that chanted from his lips.
"H-hey, kid!" Shade hesitantly stepped forward with a frown, concerned for this boy's mentality. Another step forward as he reached for the boy's head. "Hey-"
"Your not real!" Shade jerked back in alarm as the boy suddenly became alive with panic. His body moved on its own, bracing himself with a snarl as he watched the other. The boy lunged for the knife, frightened and scrambling as he snatched it from the ground. Shade followed his movement with quick and sharp steps as he pulled his fist back and punched the younger shifter right between the eye sockets.
Shade snarled as the boy hit the ground with a moan, his eyes rolling for a mere moment before he lost consciousness. Then, the knife hit the ground with a slight clatter, signaling the end of a startling and rather confusing battle on Shade`s behalf.
For a moment Shade remained still, watching the boy suspiciously for any signs of waking as he narrowed his eyes in thought. His eyes fell to the knife as his lip twitched with irritation though a slight bit of guilt hit his belly.
Knife was probably laced with something. He thought grimly as he edged his way to the still shifter. He grimaced when he noticed a slight swelling on the boy's forehead, signaling a bruise that waited to appear. He let out another grim sigh, pinching his nose in thought.
I can't just leave him here. The blasted bastards would get him for sure. Shade thought dully as he kicked the blade far from the shifter. I doubt he'd try hurting Bec or Lu but he clearly wasn't in his right mind a minute ago. Dammit!
Shade cussed under his breath, glaring down the street as he fumed. He should never have left his barrel. Then he could go on living like he didn't know the boy and wasn't stuck in such a stupidly confusing situation.
"Guess I don't have much choice." Shade grumbled as he sized up the other. Reaching down he heaved the unconscious boy onto his shoulder and grunted in irritation. "Damn, I didn't want to spend any money today either..."
Now, where the crap is that Tavern again?
"H-hey, kid!" Shade hesitantly stepped forward with a frown, concerned for this boy's mentality. Another step forward as he reached for the boy's head. "Hey-"
"Your not real!" Shade jerked back in alarm as the boy suddenly became alive with panic. His body moved on its own, bracing himself with a snarl as he watched the other. The boy lunged for the knife, frightened and scrambling as he snatched it from the ground. Shade followed his movement with quick and sharp steps as he pulled his fist back and punched the younger shifter right between the eye sockets.
Shade snarled as the boy hit the ground with a moan, his eyes rolling for a mere moment before he lost consciousness. Then, the knife hit the ground with a slight clatter, signaling the end of a startling and rather confusing battle on Shade`s behalf.
For a moment Shade remained still, watching the boy suspiciously for any signs of waking as he narrowed his eyes in thought. His eyes fell to the knife as his lip twitched with irritation though a slight bit of guilt hit his belly.
Knife was probably laced with something. He thought grimly as he edged his way to the still shifter. He grimaced when he noticed a slight swelling on the boy's forehead, signaling a bruise that waited to appear. He let out another grim sigh, pinching his nose in thought.
I can't just leave him here. The blasted bastards would get him for sure. Shade thought dully as he kicked the blade far from the shifter. I doubt he'd try hurting Bec or Lu but he clearly wasn't in his right mind a minute ago. Dammit!
Shade cussed under his breath, glaring down the street as he fumed. He should never have left his barrel. Then he could go on living like he didn't know the boy and wasn't stuck in such a stupidly confusing situation.
"Guess I don't have much choice." Shade grumbled as he sized up the other. Reaching down he heaved the unconscious boy onto his shoulder and grunted in irritation. "Damn, I didn't want to spend any money today either..."
Now, where the crap is that Tavern again?
Re: The Fox and the Hound
Kitan felt rather distinctly disoriented. His eyes opened, but his vision was still very blurred. He caught repeating movement in the lower end of his view, and concluded that the repetitive flickers must be feet.
From that one revelation, others quickly followed. He felt an equally repetitive bumping, and discerned that he was slung over someone’s shoulder. He saw the street moving beneath him and learned he was being taken somewhere.
It hurt to think much more beyond that, so Kitan settled for groaning. He patted the back of his carrier as he tried to crane his neck and look around. “What...” The little shifter started asking, but his voice only came out as a whisper of air. He decided to give up his question.
He started breathing to clear his thoughts. “Where am I? What happened?” He asked no one in particular with a weak, hoarse voice. He supposed he was asking the person carrying him somewhere. He spun a bit to see who it was.
Oh. It was the werewolf.
Kitan’s ears flattened against his head with embarrassment. He was going to have some explaining to do, he guessed. Well, father always said to be polite. “Uhhh... my name is Kitan, what’s yours?” He clutched his head, flushed with shame and a bit mad at himself. That was a stupid thing to say when you were slung over someone’s shoulder.
From that one revelation, others quickly followed. He felt an equally repetitive bumping, and discerned that he was slung over someone’s shoulder. He saw the street moving beneath him and learned he was being taken somewhere.
It hurt to think much more beyond that, so Kitan settled for groaning. He patted the back of his carrier as he tried to crane his neck and look around. “What...” The little shifter started asking, but his voice only came out as a whisper of air. He decided to give up his question.
He started breathing to clear his thoughts. “Where am I? What happened?” He asked no one in particular with a weak, hoarse voice. He supposed he was asking the person carrying him somewhere. He spun a bit to see who it was.
Oh. It was the werewolf.
Kitan’s ears flattened against his head with embarrassment. He was going to have some explaining to do, he guessed. Well, father always said to be polite. “Uhhh... my name is Kitan, what’s yours?” He clutched his head, flushed with shame and a bit mad at himself. That was a stupid thing to say when you were slung over someone’s shoulder.
Re: The Fox and the Hound
Shade grunted a bit when he felt the pats on his back, too deep in his own grouches to notice if the boy woke up. He heard the slurred moans but again passed them off as nothing in particular, thinking it was more of the odd mutters that escaped the unconscious man. Twice he put him down to check if he woke up, the third and on he just ignored it and continued onwards.
It was however the question that caught his attention. None of his mumbles ever involved a question before so curious and slightly hopeful Shade glanced over his shoulder to see a rather embarrassed looking fox. Realizing he was awake Shade let loose a low growl of acknowledgement.
"You're awake are you?" Shade grunted as he turned his eyes back forward and continued to walk. "The name's Shade. Care to explain what the hell happened? Better make it good and fast 'cause if I don't like it I know a damn good river that's pretty deep. A body could go missing for days you know."
Honestly Shade doubted he'd ever really harm the boy but he didn't like getting a knife pointed at his face either. Glancing back at the boy he gave him a quirked smirk that tightened at the sides.
"So, what's the answer boy? Care to explain why I had a knife pointed at my face?"
It was however the question that caught his attention. None of his mumbles ever involved a question before so curious and slightly hopeful Shade glanced over his shoulder to see a rather embarrassed looking fox. Realizing he was awake Shade let loose a low growl of acknowledgement.
"You're awake are you?" Shade grunted as he turned his eyes back forward and continued to walk. "The name's Shade. Care to explain what the hell happened? Better make it good and fast 'cause if I don't like it I know a damn good river that's pretty deep. A body could go missing for days you know."
Honestly Shade doubted he'd ever really harm the boy but he didn't like getting a knife pointed at his face either. Glancing back at the boy he gave him a quirked smirk that tightened at the sides.
"So, what's the answer boy? Care to explain why I had a knife pointed at my face?"
Re: The Fox and the Hound
Kitan swallowed roughly and wriggled a bit on the werewolf’s broad shoulder. “Uhhh I see things. Sometimes. I think it’s magical.” Obviously that wasn’t good enough. “Okay, so... I guess I’m magic. I tried to use magic to get away from those guys, but it didn’t work, and whenever I use it I wind up seeing something later.” His fox tail flicked around anxiously before settling in the universal position of surrender between the legs, and it really seemed as though the kitsune desired nothing more than to vanish into thin air.
“I hope you aren’t puradyne. I guess that wouldn’t make sense though, since I think you’re a werewolf? I don’t know.” He continued to ramble, “I’m a shifter too. Obviously, I mean, since I’ve got ears. I’d hide them, but I can’t do that ‘cause I never learned how. And I guess that is the story of me? No, wait, that had nothing to do with what you asked. Sorry. Uh, sir.”
He turned his head to stare at the back of Shade’s. His voice dropped to a much lower volume as he continued. “They’ve been getting worse lately. The delusions, I mean. They used to be funny, silly things, like a six legged chicken, so I used magic all the time, but now they... now they look horrible. One impersonated my father, who is a dwarf. It was dead and... creepy.” The little shifter shivered as he remembered the rainy day.
“They don’t make any noise though, which is how I usually tell them apart, but I guess I was scared, and when it appeared around you, you still made noise, so I wasn’t really sure if... um, yeah, I think you get the idea.”
He pulled up his hands and nervously poked his fingers together. “And also, I kind of sort of maybe have one more to pay off from when I made a beer bottle look like a flower jar...” He winced. Shade probably wasn’t going to like that part.
“I hope you aren’t puradyne. I guess that wouldn’t make sense though, since I think you’re a werewolf? I don’t know.” He continued to ramble, “I’m a shifter too. Obviously, I mean, since I’ve got ears. I’d hide them, but I can’t do that ‘cause I never learned how. And I guess that is the story of me? No, wait, that had nothing to do with what you asked. Sorry. Uh, sir.”
He turned his head to stare at the back of Shade’s. His voice dropped to a much lower volume as he continued. “They’ve been getting worse lately. The delusions, I mean. They used to be funny, silly things, like a six legged chicken, so I used magic all the time, but now they... now they look horrible. One impersonated my father, who is a dwarf. It was dead and... creepy.” The little shifter shivered as he remembered the rainy day.
“They don’t make any noise though, which is how I usually tell them apart, but I guess I was scared, and when it appeared around you, you still made noise, so I wasn’t really sure if... um, yeah, I think you get the idea.”
He pulled up his hands and nervously poked his fingers together. “And also, I kind of sort of maybe have one more to pay off from when I made a beer bottle look like a flower jar...” He winced. Shade probably wasn’t going to like that part.
Re: The Fox and the Hound
"You talk a lot, don't you?" Shade grunted as he continued on his strides without a pause. Inside the gears were turning, processing the new information he had been granted. So the boy was magical and a shifter? Having him around could be useful, seeing if he could fix a couple kinks the boy had. So, Shade switched his additude into one of understanding forgiveness. This boy could be useful later on. "Don't call me sir either. It's Shade I said. Sir makes me feel like one of those damn guards."
"So, I'm going to think you imagined me a monster then?" Shade hummed as he came to a pause at the river and glanced around. "No wonder you panicked so bad. I suppose I would have went for the knife too if I thought a monster was after my weak ass."
He examined the place for people, bystanders perhaps. Yet he saw nothing and so glanced back at the fox with a studying frown. Their eyes met and he peered into those wide eyes without a moment for hesitation. An eye was a window to the mind or 'soul' depending on whom you asked and Shade thought no different. He peered into them, reading the vibes that pulsed from the squirming kit. Seeing the fearful yet honest gleam in his eyes Shade snorted in acceptance before lowering himself to place the startled boy back on his own two feet.
The look was priceless. Smirking Shade chuckled deeply before sticking out his hand and gave his eyes a bit of a roll, looking amused at the boy as he gave him a friendly smile.
"Sorry for my rudeness earlier. As you can see the streets tend to get people a bit... violent. It is nice to meet you Kitan." Shade hummed warmly despite the thoughts that turned around in his head. "Now, you mentioned you couldn't hide your ears.... Why is that? While your at it of course, tell me more about these... powers of yours and those visions. Maybe I can help in some way."
"So, I'm going to think you imagined me a monster then?" Shade hummed as he came to a pause at the river and glanced around. "No wonder you panicked so bad. I suppose I would have went for the knife too if I thought a monster was after my weak ass."
He examined the place for people, bystanders perhaps. Yet he saw nothing and so glanced back at the fox with a studying frown. Their eyes met and he peered into those wide eyes without a moment for hesitation. An eye was a window to the mind or 'soul' depending on whom you asked and Shade thought no different. He peered into them, reading the vibes that pulsed from the squirming kit. Seeing the fearful yet honest gleam in his eyes Shade snorted in acceptance before lowering himself to place the startled boy back on his own two feet.
The look was priceless. Smirking Shade chuckled deeply before sticking out his hand and gave his eyes a bit of a roll, looking amused at the boy as he gave him a friendly smile.
"Sorry for my rudeness earlier. As you can see the streets tend to get people a bit... violent. It is nice to meet you Kitan." Shade hummed warmly despite the thoughts that turned around in his head. "Now, you mentioned you couldn't hide your ears.... Why is that? While your at it of course, tell me more about these... powers of yours and those visions. Maybe I can help in some way."
Re: The Fox and the Hound
Kitan was at first a bit overcome by the sudden change in Shade’s demeanor, but he quickly ignored his unease in his haste to accept the nicer version his wolfen companion presented. Kitan eagerly reached out and shook the were wolf’s outstretched hand. He had a sudden memory of the delusive monster that emerged from Shade and brought his hand back; he was fairly certain he had hidden his reaction well enough to avoid offense.
His ears twitched around, listening for anyone nearby. He couldn’t hear much over the nearby water, but he chose to assume it was safe enough for discussion anyways.
“I can’t hide my ears because my dad is a dwarf. I never learned how to shift. Dad found a couple other shifters to see if they could help, but that didn’t work.” Kitan pouted for a moment, taking the time to kick a pebble into the running water. He then added an empathetic, “Which is dumb. I want to shift.”
He sat down on the shore bank and listened to the splash. His head turned as the ripples were carried off downstream before swiftly vanishing. “And my dad says my magic makes me an illusionist. I can make them look like whatever I want them to, but I have to focus and there are size limits too. Also, I haven’t figured out how to make them make noises yet, but I just know there has to be a way!”
He turned back to look at Shade, curiosity in his eye. “I don’t think you’re a mage though. How do you figure you might help me out?” He scampered back up to the werewolf, his red tail wagging happily. “Do you know a mage? I love meeting mages. Marn stinks about that, what with illegalizeing them. Magic is neat!”
His ears twitched around, listening for anyone nearby. He couldn’t hear much over the nearby water, but he chose to assume it was safe enough for discussion anyways.
“I can’t hide my ears because my dad is a dwarf. I never learned how to shift. Dad found a couple other shifters to see if they could help, but that didn’t work.” Kitan pouted for a moment, taking the time to kick a pebble into the running water. He then added an empathetic, “Which is dumb. I want to shift.”
He sat down on the shore bank and listened to the splash. His head turned as the ripples were carried off downstream before swiftly vanishing. “And my dad says my magic makes me an illusionist. I can make them look like whatever I want them to, but I have to focus and there are size limits too. Also, I haven’t figured out how to make them make noises yet, but I just know there has to be a way!”
He turned back to look at Shade, curiosity in his eye. “I don’t think you’re a mage though. How do you figure you might help me out?” He scampered back up to the werewolf, his red tail wagging happily. “Do you know a mage? I love meeting mages. Marn stinks about that, what with illegalizeing them. Magic is neat!”
Re: The Fox and the Hound
"Hold on Kid! Settle down." Shade laughed rolling his eyes. "Even if I did know a mage it wouldn't do any good. Anyways, I thought I could try and help with the shifting or at least showing you how to scrap properly. Then maybe you wouldn't have to use those illusions as much."
Shade gave him a rather crooked smile, ignoring the slight slip of his mask in order to beam down at the foxboy. Rubbing the back of his head sheepishly he glanced away to towards the skies with a slight chuckle, giving off the air of embarrassment as he coughed a bit in an attempt to clear his throat.
"I...I figure it's a way of apology for my.... behaviors." Shade said still watching the clouds. He glanced down at the fox before flickering his eyes away again. "If you don't want it, I can walk you home and then I'll be out of your way. I don't mean to pester of course."
Shade finally locked eyes with Kitan, glancing at him with the saddest looking eyes he could pull out. He forced his shoulders to slump and he tapped his foot sheepishly. He gave a forced yet embarrassed smile as he gave an apologetic chuckle.
"So, what's your choice Pup?"
Shade gave him a rather crooked smile, ignoring the slight slip of his mask in order to beam down at the foxboy. Rubbing the back of his head sheepishly he glanced away to towards the skies with a slight chuckle, giving off the air of embarrassment as he coughed a bit in an attempt to clear his throat.
"I...I figure it's a way of apology for my.... behaviors." Shade said still watching the clouds. He glanced down at the fox before flickering his eyes away again. "If you don't want it, I can walk you home and then I'll be out of your way. I don't mean to pester of course."
Shade finally locked eyes with Kitan, glancing at him with the saddest looking eyes he could pull out. He forced his shoulders to slump and he tapped his foot sheepishly. He gave a forced yet embarrassed smile as he gave an apologetic chuckle.
"So, what's your choice Pup?"
Re: The Fox and the Hound
“Well...” Kitan shuffled his feet. “I guess I probably should accept. But I don’t think you’ll be able to teach me how to shift. Dad and I have tried, nothing works. Maybe it’s different for kitsune or something.” He paused, thinking about what he just said, before glancing up to Shade. “I mentioned my dad is a dwarf, right? I’m adopted. That’s why he can’t teach me.”
“But in hindsight...” he continued, obviously somewhat embarrassed as he continued to fidget about the shore. “I probably should have payed more attention to what dad said about defending myself. What were you thinking about?”
At this point, the pebbles at Shade’s feet began to move and swirl around. Kitan took a step back, staring with surprise at Shade’s feet. Was Shade a mage after all? Was he about to be given some kind of test? He flicked his ears forwards, suspicious.
Even with the water nearby, it was apparent to his acute hearing that not a sound escaped the little pebbles as they flew off downstream like a small tornado.
The kitsune smiled softly, watching them go. “I guess we’re good on that second delusion now.” He giggled softly. “For a second there I thought you were going to use some sort of earth magic.”
“But in hindsight...” he continued, obviously somewhat embarrassed as he continued to fidget about the shore. “I probably should have payed more attention to what dad said about defending myself. What were you thinking about?”
At this point, the pebbles at Shade’s feet began to move and swirl around. Kitan took a step back, staring with surprise at Shade’s feet. Was Shade a mage after all? Was he about to be given some kind of test? He flicked his ears forwards, suspicious.
Even with the water nearby, it was apparent to his acute hearing that not a sound escaped the little pebbles as they flew off downstream like a small tornado.
The kitsune smiled softly, watching them go. “I guess we’re good on that second delusion now.” He giggled softly. “For a second there I thought you were going to use some sort of earth magic.”