A Slight Misunderstanding(Kel'Ashun)

[Neekra]

Date: 59th of Fall, 512 AV Time: Morning Place: The Spires and its surrounding forest As the sun arced in the sky of the early dawn, Neekra stretched out her furry limbs then stood and shook from head to paw to fluff her fur that was pressed to her body after a good nights sleep. After a long and drawn out yawn, she stepped over to her fire pit and glance down at the last few dwindling embers that survived the night. For a long moment, she sat and watched the embers fade in and out against the dark grey ash while the sleepiness dissipated from her conscious. Once her thoughts were clear in her head, she changed to her human form and fetched logs from the corner of the room to fuel the fire once again. She placed them strategically in the pit then tenderly poked at the timbers and live ashes trying to excite a new fire. Finally, her attempt was a success and a new flame began to burn. Suddenly, a beautiful smell caught her attention. She knew this scent well. It was the glorious smell of a successful hunting trip escorted by the essence of blood, flesh, sweat, and pride. Her stomach growled. “Lupa!” she spoke, thinking that the little dog of hers would clumsily rush to her then they would hurry down for a hearty round of breakfast. But to her surprise, her puppy didn’t come. “Lupa?” Neekra crawled on her hands and knees back to her pile of blankets that she called her bed and carefully shifted through them. Her effort only turned into a waste of time. She stood and looked around her home now in a more desperate attempt to find her cleverly hidden dog. Cold fear washed through her veins when she saw the door to her home wide open. She concluded that Lupa escaped that night while she was sleeping. Panic. To change into her wolf form was her immediate response, to bolt from her home in search of the little dog was her next. She sprinted down the ramp that led from her home to the earth then through the city. The Jamoura watched as she sped past them and moved toward the winding walkway then out of the city. She didn’t see a reason to search the city first since she knew Lupa wouldn’t be there. After bringing Lupa home for the first time, Neekra discovered the dog’s love for the open wilderness where she could carelessly frolic and play without being threatened by a passing Jamoura that could easily crush her with one step if she accidently crossed their path. Of course, her naïve little mind didn’t understand the real danger of the forest since Neekra was always there to chase away the danger. The Kelvic’s mind rushed as she imagined every scenario that could have happened to her poor little Lupa. Hunters, humans, monsters, predators, and frankly anything larger than her could have already eaten her tiny body in one bit then continued on to finish their breakfast. She knew this only because she did it herself. The wilderness was a very dangerous and quickly changing place. Neekra had to find her before someone or something else did. One thing was for sure. If she found that Lupa was hurt, and she also found the one that committed the crime, blood would flow. She was no stranger to revenge. And unfortunately for her new victim, she didn’t have breakfast.

[Kel'Ashun]

Early morning, the mists had receded slightly, at last, leaving the forest floor surprisingly somber.. Its silence nearly opressi..... Ooooh look a butterfly! ..Kel shook his head, his fingers slowly massaging his aching temples. Ash please. I'm trying to be serious here. Hey its not my fault. We haven't had any fun all day... Were about to go wandering through a dangerous forest with nothing but the clothes on our back and our Lakan... that doesn't count? But this is Training. And the nonviolent kind at that. Ash's tone was nearly whining, reminiscent of a small child neglected for too long... Ash I know you like skulking around. Were trying to get better at that right? Yeah... Then be quiet and listen to our surroundings. Wouldn't want anything sneaking up on us while were busy. Inside his mind Kel could hear Ash's muttered curses... but he ignored them. Once they really got going Ash would surely begin to enjoy the challenge of it all. And moving silently at all really would be a challenge. Eventually they hoped to have the skill to move silently in most situations, muffling themselves as much as possible... Then I can sneak a peak at that pretty Eypharian! Shut up Ash. From the looks of things they would merely need to move with relative silence, and an obvious bit of luck, to survive this little training exercise.... They began with a few basic precautions a cloth wrapped lightly around the outside of his Lakan, muffling any possible clanking, his coat pulled about his shoulders to break up his outline as well as possible.. Oooh ooh get out the black war paint while your at it! How will that help? I don't know but it looks amazing. No. Ash let out a sniff of indignation. You never listen to my ideas. Because most of them are insane. Now as prepared as he could be Kel descended the rest of the way to the jungle floor, his feet sinking slowly into thick moss, his senses assaulted by the sickly sweet smell of decay and forest rot. Now that the fog had fled to the morning light sounds of jungle life could be heard in all directions, yet it was nearly impossible to pin down any one noise, the whole menagerie roiled into one nearly deafening roar.... Inside his little bubble Ash smiled, Kel held an echoing one... Interesting place. And they started their first real attempt at stalking in quite a while.. Each step they took was slow and deliberate, slowly lifting up and setting down, weight shifting from one foot to the other so as not to break anything underfoot.... yet even with their care a twig snapped.. a leaf cracked... a thud echoed through the air, lost in the sound all around... Some son of Akajia~ The goddess of shadows would weep at her children blundering through the woods like a bull in at a glassblowers. Hey not like you'd do better, hell you'd just end up smashing your way through, swinging the Lakan like a boa blade. Hey At least id move quickly. Well... Wait... Did you hear that? ..... Whimpering? That's what it sounds like... Im going to check.. be careful I dont like the feel of this place at all.... And Ash was right... something about the area seemed... wrong... A cloying smell in the air... the whimpering of something small just around one large tree..... and then he noticed it. Here the animals avoided. The sounds of a lively jungle receding to be replaced by an almost.. fearful silence. What the hell is around here? Kel gritted his teeth, his hand resting upon his Lakan in anticipation, his feet barely lifting as he circled the tree, his feet muffled by his slow movement.... And he spotted it... a ball of pristine white fluff not far off... but it wasn't nearly as pristine as it at first appeared.. it was splattered with blood, dying the white fur an odd crimson... A puppy!! Say what? Its a dog Kel! Look at the way its moving. And Kel was right again.. it seemed that the poor little guy was flipped around chewing on his own foot.. What brought that on? Son of a Venhrehk! Ash growled low in Kel's mind... and he could not blame him.. The poor thing had been caught in some sort of animal trap, its foot seemingly crunched in iron jaws. Poachers... Im allowed to kill those right? Right? Kels own anger piqued as he answered. Aye that we are.. But before they could do anything against the poachers they needed to try and free this little guy.... With a delicate touch they ran their hands across the cold metal, looking for some sort of release... If I have to Ill tear this thing off! Dont be hasty.. you might hurt the pup even more. Kel sighed in exasperation his hands resting upon his knees as he looked down on the small animal," I dont know how to get this off without hurting you little one..."

[Neekra]

Faster. Harder. She ran. Checking the grounds she often hunted on. Looking in Lupa’s favorite places to hide. Searching the holes she dug to entertain herself while Neekra was hunting. Nothing. Nada. Zero. Neekra kept her nose to the ground and focused on every scent that flowed through her nostrils. The sweet smell of the jungle’s flowers, fern seeds, a rat, a rabbit but not one trace of another dog. Not one. How far could the little dog have gone in such a short time or was it a short time? Lupa could have escaped right after she when to bed. What if she was going in the wrong direction? What if the little dog was already gone, dead, or eaten. No. No. No! She’d rather live in denial until the day she died than believe that the dog had been swallowed whole by some monster that she could have ripped apart in sixty seconds. The possibility was there but it was to much to accept. Or was it? She’s dead. No. Sure? Her mind was a tricky place. Her conscious was more of a monster than she was. She slowed her pace and halted. The trees loomed all round her, mocking her every move. The sun rose above her like an hourglass. She sat with her mouth open, panting heavily, and wished for some direction, some light in the darkness. Neekra lowered her head and smelt the dirty earth. That was it. Lupa. Her scent weak but it was there. Her ear perked up and her eyes opened wide. Her dog had been where she was sitting. No promises that she wasn’t already dead when something hauled her through the area but she was here none the less. Neekra knew she would run into one of them either way if she followed the path then she could dish out either heaven or hell according to who she found. Both would be enjoyable to her though she rather find her dog safe and alive. She concentrated on Lupa’s scent and nothing else. But the essence of her dog’s smell was faint and often obscured or crossed with the more dominant smells of the forests. She’d follow a solid path for a few steps then it would disappear and she would have to search the area for the camouflaged trail then repeat the process in the next few feet. It was a daunting task and far to slow but it was the most probable way that she would ever find Lupa. Some distance later, she found more evidence of her little one. Foot prints, one after another in that silly, clumsy pattern she found humor in. They lasted for only a few feet but it was enough. She was on the right track. She put her nose the ground and found that Lupa’s scent was getting stronger with every step she took. Finally, Lupa’s scent was like a hot shade of pink. It was clear as day and impossible to miss. And most importantly, it was fresh meaning that she wasn’t far ahead. Her ears perked up as she suddenly halted. Whimpers and yelps… Lupa’s whimpers and yelps! She stalked low to the ground and approached the location of the cries. One footfall at a time, she pawed closer to having the full scene in view. Finally the truth was revealed. His skin was the first thing that caught her attention. How could she ignore it when it stuck out like a sore thumb against the green and brown terrain? At first glance, she knew he was Akalak, no question about it. His Lakan was also another dead giveaway. But his detail only crossed her mind for a few second before she recognized Lupa at his feet and the shiny metal trap crushing the bones in her foot. And the blood. Lupa’s blood… Lupa’s bloody body… Rage tore through her body like a wild fire and hate melted over her heart like lava. Her lips rose to reveal her massive bloodthirsty fangs that were hungry for this man’s blood. This poacher would die the most horrible death she could come up with. Gnawing on his feet, tearing the muscle from his bones, pulling out his insides slowly, nibbling on his heart, and keeping him alive as long as she could was just some of her plan. He would pay for hurting her little puppy. He was a very ignorant hunter by her standards. Every baby has a mother. And mother would rather kill herself trying to save her young over letting them die. And if in the event in which a hunter was to hurt the child of a monstrous predator, a smart hunter would immediately kill the baby to avoid its mother finding out. Not this man. He rather let the animal suffer in a pool of pain and misery before slitting the animal’s throat. Cruel and heartless. He deserved to die. She watched as he shifted and maneuvered the trap then listened to Lupa’s helplessly cry. Neekra crept to a closer position behind the man’s back. She’d love to demonstrate how much pain his traps caused by using her fangs as the trap and his neck as the innocent little dog. In fact, she would. With her belly close to the ground, she waited for the perfect moment. When it came, she lunged from her hiding spot and pushed herself at high speed straight for her victim’s unsuspecting body. They collided and tumbled several yards before stopping. Neekra was instantly back on her feet. She jumped on him and aimed for his ruby red skin with her razor sharp fangs.

[Kel'Ashun]

Kel didn't know what to do... the puppy seemed weak, so much of its small store of blood soaking its own fur and the ground around it, and he'd need a bit of time to find a release for this thing... But suddenly the pup began to stir once more, his whimpers gaining a slightly more urgent tone, his little nose turning and sniffing the air," Please little one, try not to move. You may open the tear that wound even more." Yet the little dog would not be calmed. Someone, or something, had it riled. Ash. Listen out for me. Aye aye captain. Kel let his hand slide down to his belt, slowly wrapping long fingers around the handle of his blade. If nothing else the returning poacher would find a fully armed man waiting for him rather than the defenseless pup... For the moment he returned his scrutiny to the little dilemma before him, his eyes roaming over the mechanism... Ah there! Right there upon the side was a ring, probably the mechanism for reopening the trap, Kel grinned and began to reach for it, KEL! Somethings coming! Ash was right the pup was now yipping, almost excitedly its small tail wagging weakly... and from behind him came a vicious snarl. Oh shyke. Moving on pure unadulterated instinct Kel began to roll forward, tucking his neck low in an attempt to protect it, just as something big and... furry smashed into his back. And they tumbled, rolling several feet before coming to a violent stop, Kel groaning upon his back Be ready! Ash's warning was just in time, the beast lunged once more, its huge fangs snapping for his throat. But it could not reach, right as it landed Kel tucked his feet under it, the soles of his boots resting upon its furry gut, and with a mighty heave he sent it flying. He didn't let the opportunity pass, he found his footing quickly, practically leaping upright once more. He slid his blade from its sheath with a slow deliberation even as he stared the beast, a wolf, in the eyes. A wolf? Why would it be after me? Maybe it wants the pup? I doubt it. It wouldn't be worth the trouble. Not for food.. just look at that wolf. Its pissed. Oh gods! It thinks we hurt the pup. Kel grimaced, finally understanding the unusual rage in the creatures gaze... No matter, as it is the thing would try and make him its dinner. And that he could now allow. Obviously. Oh shut up Ash.

[Neekra]

She felt his soles of his boots press against the soft underside of her belly seconds before she was air born. She landed on her side several feet away and rolled twice before stopping. Neekra then stood, unscathed by his little maneuver, and shook the dirt from her glossy black coat. Her golden eyes, like liquid fire, burned with hate for her enemy. She studied him ever so closely. Every breath he took and every time his finger twitched, she knew about it. The only thing she couldn’t read his heartbeat but that didn’t matter, she would make it stop in short time. She poised herself for another attack, head and neck down, front legs bent slightly and back legs ready to lunge forward but that wasn’t her plan. His shiny metal blade flashed in her eyes. No, a frontal attack would never work, especially with that blade threating to rip through her throat if she made a wrong move. Then that would give this hunter two heads to mount on his wall and that was unacceptable. She pawed step by step while processing every direction in which to strike, which would deal the most damage and which was less likely to get her killed. She moved in a complete half circle, her eyes on him the whole time, before she stopped and glanced at Lupa directly behind him. Her body and the ground below her was soaked with blood and despite her pain and suffering, her puppy was still happy to see her as usually. She wiggled and pulled trying to pull from the trap but Neekra knew that her attempts to escape were only making her wounds worst. She growled once to get Lupa’s attention then again to demand that she calm down. Lupa’s reaction was instant. The little dog stopped fighting her restraints and laid down, panting. Now, with Lupa conserving and slowing her blood flow, Neekra had time to concentrate on her fight. Her focus shifted back to her antagonist. Again her time had come to attack. She pushed off with her legs and sprinted for a few feet before leaping towards her target. At first thought, she planned for him to see her coming head on but that wasn’t her intention. She landed right behind him, nearly brushing his side as past him, then spun her rear around so that she was facing his back and aimed low. She latched onto his ankle with one quick movement.

[Kel'Ashun]

Kel let me out! In this situation... I guess your better suited to play. Have at it. Kel'Ashun's body shook, his entire demeanor changing, becoming more wild, loose, more aggressive. Ash smiled, his lips pealing back to reveal nearly blindingly white teeth, an interesting contrast in their blood red face, This ones mineThe two circled each other, the wolf in one direction, Ash always in the other, watching, feeling each other out. A little dance all their own, primal furry and instinct lightening their steps. Ash stared into the beasts eyes... So intelligent. Why? It doesn't matter. Its trying to kill us, all I need to know.Kel grunted, an idea suddenly striking him. If she is the mother of the pup he may die without her... Dammit why do you think of this now? Ash glared, his eyes hard, yet he could not bring himself to attack. Kel was right. She was protecting her own, and Ash could respect that. But the wolf would never get that pup free by itself. So he watched, and waited, hoping for some opening, any opening. Apparently though, the wolf had become tired of waiting, its haunches dipped, readying for a leap. Ash reacted, quickly spinning away and out of the creatures path... only to fall into its trick, he felt jaws clamping about his booted calf, the tip of the beasts fangs just barely piercing the leather of his boots. Thank the gods for good craftsmanship. Ash snarled now, his patience wearing thin. Don't kill her. I won't. Shes just not going to like this. The big man turned, all his considerable weight poised on one foot as he kicked backwards, practically ramming his foot back down the wolfs throat. If it didn't break the things teeth, it would at least send it flying through the air. Even if it managed to stay latched on it would have a hell of a painful crash when he brought it down to meet the ground. And then hed strike, in the time before it could get its strong legs under it for a leap or some such, he would stun it.

[Neekra]

Success. She felt her fangs sink into the material of his boot. Hopefully, they went through his flesh too. If so, pinning him to the jungle floor and ripping off his face would be much easier. Unfortunately, it didn’t matter whether or not her teeth were lodged deep within his leg; she had left herself open to his counterattack but that was the price of having to get so close to attack. His foot flew at her faster than she was able to dodge. Impact hurt. His kick forced her to release his boot and drove her head back, instantly she tasted her own blood in her mouth. Instead of fighting against his move, she corporated to avoid the unnecessary damage and allowed herself to fly back and tumble until her back smashed into the base of a large tree. A small, almost inaudible whimper escaped her lips as pain began to overwhelm her body. If it wasn’t for Lupa, she would have stayed down but because of the fact that the little dog was in trouble, she couldn’t do it. She couldn’t let Lupa die like this. She couldn’t let this man escape without being punished. This red bastard would pay for hurting her puppy. Her eyes snapped open first. Then her front paws balanced on solid ground and pulled up her rear. Her world spun. If it wasn’t for her thick animal skull, his blow might have killed her. But that information wasn’t enough to stop her. She studied him for another brief second. He was furious now. Was it because she gave him a run for his money? Did her last attack make him realize that she was serious? Hopefully it was both. Finally, with her vision clear enough to see straight, she bolted for him again. Neekra barreled past him, nipped at his foot as she past then circled him, nipping at the other foot. To avoid being hit again, she’d sprint several feet away then came back and repeated nipping randomly at his feet. This was a distraction of course, and when the time came, instead of her previous route of running past him, she lunged as she neared him and sent her full body weight into his side.