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Post by Kendra on May 26, 2010 22:33:14 GMT -6
Having sensed his growing desire for conversation, Mel was not at all surprised when Arashi's voice broke the sweet melody of the woods. She even found herself perfectly comfortable answering his question.
"He's an elven ranger," she said. "Likes to keep to himself. Wary of strangers. But apt to help those in need. That's how I met him."
She became suddenly silent and slightly withdrawn as she realized she'd started leading the topic to herself and her past. It wasn't something she really wanted to talk about. Instead, she returned to Wysternia, before Arashi could pick up on the lead and ask more about herself and her meeting with the elf.
"He befriends animals more than people and has spent most of his life learning about them, so he understands them very well."
Her mind drifted to distant memories, fondly remembering how he'd been so surprised at how quickly she picked up on what had taken him years to learn. It was this ability to empathize with the animals that led to his discovery of her magical abilities, and when he'd probed a retelling of her escape from the slavers he'd confirmed his suspicions. He'd known her abilities were beyond him, and so sent her to Artenius. While she'd learned much under his tutelage, she was now wishing she'd never left Wysternia's haven.
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Ryugexu
Accomplished Bobbyer
Without Fear... I step forward.
Posts: 192
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Post by Ryugexu on Jun 2, 2010 13:00:12 GMT -6
Arashi nodded. "He sounds like a good person." The two walked for quite a while, coming close to the edge of Wysternia's lands. The difference in energy between the rest of the forest and this place was incredible. Arashi's visible orange eye stared in awe at the beauty of this place. It was most certainly elven woods beyond here. "I have a feeling we're almost there." ((OOC- hope I didnt overstep godmod boundaries. Just wanted to speed up them getting there a little ))
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Post by Kendra on Jun 17, 2010 0:06:23 GMT -6
((OOC- not a problem at all ^^. Its only godmoding if you start putting in what my charrie is doing )) "Yeah, in fact-" "Take one more step and your dead," a voice cut her off from the woods, though no figure was visible. Mel smiled, having sensed Wysternia in the trees, but she hadn't realized how close he was. Or rather, she'd forgotten how far his own senses extended. He was, afterall, an elf. Not a human. He could see and hear over far greater distances than a typical human and sensed their approach sooner than she'd thought he would. "Wysternia, put you're bow down," she called. "We are friends." There was silence for a long moment as Mel stood calmly by Arashi, smiling. Then, the woodelf seemed to appear out of nowhere beside them. Mel did not realize how badly she'd been aching to see him, a familiar friendly face, and she lept into his arms, giving no heed to Arashi's watching eyes as tears of relief flowed freely down her face. Wysternia accepted her hug, baffled as he looked at Arashi wondering what was going on.
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Ryugexu
Accomplished Bobbyer
Without Fear... I step forward.
Posts: 192
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Post by Ryugexu on Jun 21, 2010 19:35:55 GMT -6
Arashi stopped and became defensive. HOW THE HELL DID HE-?Arashi recovered from his mild heart-attack in a tense pose, gripping his giant fan like a warrior would grip the sword strapped across his back. As Mel spoke softly and hugged the man, Arashi relaxed his arm at his side again. He was very relieved it was the person they were looking for. Arashi closed his eye and shook off the adrenaline rush. He looked up to see the foreign face staring at him. "I'm Arashi. I've agreed to help out Mel in her situation." Arashi bowed his head slightly in respect to a new acquaintance. He figured he'd clue Wysternia in on the rest of their deal when that information was needed.
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Post by Kendra on Jun 24, 2010 12:49:24 GMT -6
"What situation?" Wysternia asked, glancing between the two with some reservation. He did not take well to strangers in his wood, but the newcomer was with Mel. Judging from the tears flowing down her cheeks, however, and from how tightly she hugged him, Mel was not in a good state. He let her hug him for a few moments more, then placed his hands on her shoulders and pulled her away so that he could look her in the eye. "What has happened, little one?"
"Artenius..." she started, her voice catching in her throat, and she had to pause, take a deep breath and gather her mental faculties. "... is an evil man. I saw into his mind, saw something... horrible that he's planning, and now he wants to kill me."
The tall, lean, elf regarded Mel seriously, then turned his attention to Arashi. His bow rested on his shoulder, the arrows in their holster on his back, but it was clear from the way he held himself that he could draw the weapon in a moments notice. And though less noticable, he bore a short sword on his belt for closer combat.
Wysternia examined Arashi as he would an opponent in battle, sizing him up carefully, eyes hovering knowingly on the folded fan. "And you've accepted the aid of a creature of wind..." he said, the words more statement than question. "Are you certain you can trust him?"
Mel nodded, and though his eyes narrowed, Wysternia appeared to accept her judgement. He extended his hand in greeting. "Well met, Arashi," he said, a half-smile twitching his lip upward on one side. "It seems we have a mutual desire to aid a maiden in distress."
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Ryugexu
Accomplished Bobbyer
Without Fear... I step forward.
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Post by Ryugexu on Jun 25, 2010 0:06:13 GMT -6
Arashi seemed surprised. "How did you know what I am?" he asked.
"A-anyway. It's a pleasure to meet you too. I think our journey will be successful... It's good practice for me, anyway." Arashi tried to seem friendly, though the elf made him nervous, and a bit aroused, with the way his eyes analyzed Arashi.
I wonder how much about me this strange guy knows?
It was suddenly amusing to Arashi - like a game of cat and mouse. Arashi would play coy, the mouse, and let Wysternia play the cat first. However, Arashi wondered, when should I become the cat?
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Post by Kendra on Jun 25, 2010 21:53:59 GMT -6
Wysternia smiled at Arashi's surprise and answered, "I am an elf," as if that were explanation enough for his knowledge. He paused, accepting Arashi's returned greeting and allowed a curious silence to settle before finally giving further explanation as it appeared either Mel or Arashi were going to speak again.
"I've seen many years. Experienced many things. Traveled with many people. You are not the first I've come across to align himself with the element of air. However, the impression they've left on me does not speak highly of your choice. I've found those who claim air to have fleeting fancies, easily moved and redirected."
His words were a clear challenge, his posture becoming more defensive, though he made no obvious movements. He simply seemed to be settled more firmly in his stance, sturdy yet ready to move, muscles taut and ready to draw a weapon if necessary. He seemed to stand between Mel and Arashi though he took no steps to do so, protecting the girl should Arashi prove a threat.
Mel sensed the rising tension around Wysternia and lightly rested a hand on his arm, sending a gentle calming reassurance through him. "He is in a situation very similar to my own," she said to the elf, careful not to share details as she was fairly certain Arashi would not want to be spreading those details. "He's offered his aid, because he has found in me a common need. Please don't scare him away."
Before Wysternia could say or do anything to reassure Arashi that Mel's calming words had been effective, something large and furry plopped down on the young man's head, sending the branch of the tree it had slipped from snapping upward, its masked face meeting his eyes with a chattering greeting as its claws dug into him, scrabbling for balance.
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Ryugexu
Accomplished Bobbyer
Without Fear... I step forward.
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Post by Ryugexu on Jun 27, 2010 13:53:53 GMT -6
So, the cat has teeth.
"I assure you, my stance will not change. My choice can not be changed." Arashi stood proud with a straight back, also thankful that Mel believed in his words.
Before anything else could be said, he heard a 'snap' and felt a sudden weight on his head. Arashi shouted in surprise and then fought against the sharp sensation. It was... pretty funny actually.
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Post by Kendra on Jun 28, 2010 13:25:29 GMT -6
The furry mass clung more tightly to his head when Arashi started struggling, letting out a chittering screech of its own as it tried not to be flung away. When it felt it could safely do so, it scurried down Arashi's back to plop down on the ground and scramble around to stand in front of him. It's ringed tail twitched, swishing fallen leaves to the side, as it's head tilted curiously, chattering something at Arashi. It was nothing more than a large raccoon.
Mel held a hand over her mouth to stiffle a giggle, though her eyes twinkled with laughter, and Wysternia continued his stoic observation.
"Arashi, this is Procryon," Mel said in explanation. "One of Wysternia's animal companions."
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Ryugexu
Accomplished Bobbyer
Without Fear... I step forward.
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Post by Ryugexu on Jun 28, 2010 13:38:03 GMT -6
Breathing heavily, Arashi shuddered as it climbed down his back and made it's self comfortable elsewhere. He glared at it- his previously semi-styled hair was now a complete mess. One other thing became apparent with his hair in disarray... He was missing his left eye. A line of scar went straight down from his mid-forehead to the level of his nostrils.
Arashi bit his lip, angry with the creature for revealing his face. He quickly began trying to smooth his hair back into place, though using his hand as a comb wasn't something he was accustomed to. Usually he had a real hairbrush with him, but he wasn't expecting to need it today and didn't bring it with himself. Damn.
One thing distracted him from his frustration, and it was Mel's giggling. His one eye glanced to her curiously, where he expected her to suddenly stop and be either nervous or mock him about his disfigurement.
After hearing what the creature was, he nodded. "Right. Procryon."
Arashi was no longer amused by his mental game against Wysternia, at least for now. He was rather bothered by the pair seeing his scar.
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Post by Kendra on Jul 2, 2010 21:35:33 GMT -6
It didn't take any psychic-empathic ability to tell that Arashi was severly discomforted by the revelation of his scar, but having such an ability made it so that Mel practically felt the discomfort herself. She understood, in detail, exactly how he was feeling, though she could not know precisely why without prying into his mind... which was just rude. It was enough to know that he did not like others knowing about his deformity, so drawing attention to it would only make matters worse.
Hence, Mel chose to ignore the injury and give Arashi the opportunity to compose himself without comment. Wysternia seemed to come to a similar conclusion, as he remained silent and his probing gaze softened.
Procryon, however, did not seem to be on the same wavelength. He watched Arashi carefully, even leaning in to look up at his one good eye, chattering something as he brought up his tiny hand-like paws up over one of his own eyes, peeking through the claws and tilting his head both ways as if testing out the cover. Once Arashi had his hair situated, the racoon brought his tail up over his eye so that he could crawl back over to Arashi's leg, tugging on his pants and licking his fingers with a light cooing sound coming from his throat.
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Ryugexu
Accomplished Bobbyer
Without Fear... I step forward.
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Post by Ryugexu on Jul 6, 2010 0:01:54 GMT -6
Arashi finished his struggle against his hair and glared at the little creature.
This is why I hate land-animals. Birds are much better. Birds understand the importance of each individual pruning their own feathers... Arashi took a step away from the creature in an uncomfortable way. "So, um, this thing, it's not going to go with us, right?" he asked.
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Post by Kendra on Jul 16, 2010 21:21:11 GMT -6
"He goes wherever he pleases," Wysternia answered. "He will often travel with me, if he finds what I am doing of interest. Otherwise, he will explore elsewhere."
The raccoon tilted its head to the side once again, watching Wysternia with a measure of curiousity and Mel could not help but smile at the creature's antics despite Arashi's discomfort. The raccoon then finally settled its attention on the small girl and chattered excitedly before dashing over to her and scurrying up her body to her shoulders.
Procryon started sifting through her hair with interest, as if attempting to groom her, and Mel laughed, shaking shoulders unbalancing the animal slightly and forcing him to grab her face to hang on. "I missed you too, you little masked terror," she chuckled.
A smile touch Wysternia's lips as he watched the greeting, but he quickly turned his attention back to Arashi, watching him warily.
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Ryugexu
Accomplished Bobbyer
Without Fear... I step forward.
Posts: 192
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Post by Ryugexu on Oct 1, 2010 0:17:38 GMT -6
((I'm sorry I forgot it was my post... its also hard to tell when a post has been updated sometimes >.< forgive meh!))
Masked terror is damn right, Arashi thought.
Arashi noticed Westernia's stare, and looked uncomfortable.
"What? You won't have to babysit me just because I'm missing an eye." he grumbled. "I lost it as a child. I'm used to it. So, uh, shouldn't we get started? The sooner the better?"
He hoped to end this situation soon, and hoped that little rat would wander off some time soon.
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Post by Kendra on Oct 4, 2010 8:15:04 GMT -6
"The health of your eye matters little to me," Wysternia replied. "I was raised by a blind ranger who proved far more capable than myself."
Mel was drawn from her entertainment with the raccoon by the growing tension in the air. She could feel Arashi's apprehension and discomfort building, the feelings causing her to shift on her feet as if it were her own discomfort. And she could feel the heat of Wysternia's challenging inspection as if it were a fire within her. She took a deep breath to relieve the tension within herself, gather the calm reunion with her friends had brought her, tap into the indifference of the unfazed Procryon, and sent those feelings outward to break up the building tension between her companions.
"Wysternia," she said, voice filled with motherly scolding. "Arashi is here to help, and hopefully receive help in return. He is no threat. Put aside whatever dislike you have for Air. Sometimes the elements must work together."
The elf's penetrating gaze finally left Arashi as he turned to look at Mel with abashment. She could sense his embarrassed surrender, tempered with caution. She then looked at Arashi with an apologetic smile, the raccoon settled around her shoulders and tilting its head to the side curiously. "I'm sorry, Arashi," she said. "Wysternia is naturally wary of strangers, and rather protective of me."
"If I'd known of Artenius' mind, I never.." Wysternia started, and Mel just shook her head.
"He has the kings themselves fooled. I could not have expected you to know," she said. She sounded much more adult. Confidence coming with familiarity and companionship. "Now we do know. And we must figure out what we will do about it."
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