[Western Hills] Running Wild (Complete)

[Roka]

11th of Spring 512AV

The night before had been a memorable one, yet Roka couldn't recall many details about it. His head was pounding and he felt sick all over. Drinking wasn't the best idea, he'd been rather friendly with a woman he hardly knew, encountered another fox Kelvic, and been in a bar fight.

It only made sense to retreat back to a quieter environment, to the outskirts, where he could be himself. The hills were rippled by a light breeze cutting through them and Roka reveled in the feel against his skin. He worked his way to the tip of one of the hills just beyond sight of the road and seated himself to follow the lay of the land.

It was soft waves of honey and green with stays of color in weeded flowers. He found it soothing to be where he belonged, an animal in the wild.

Occasionally the sound of wheels grinding over the pebbled paths would invade his pulsing temples, but he was far enough to find them inconsequential.

He lay back in the grass, arms spread like a child in the snow, enjoying the day.

[Stigandr]

Stigandr was leaning back against a tree, his eyes closed to the world around him. He was waiting for a few carts with people to pass before he would make his way further into the hills, not wanting to draw any unwanted attention to his travels or whereabouts. His hair began to move against one cheek as the breeze picked up a little bit, causing random strands to go jumping slowly over his skin. He smiled at the sensation, remembering when his hair was shorter, when he served as a slave. The thoughts themselves riled himself up, but were immediately wiped away by the scent of wildflowers that was dancing on the breeze and had found it's way to his nose, bringing a smile to his human lips, a concept still slightly foreign to him. A contented sigh escaped from his lips as he went to stand up, noticing the absence of carts and human noise. Listening again for another minute, and turning his head since his ears did not move in this form, Stupid ears. I do not understand how humans deal with such poor hearing skills. Moving forward, Stigandr walked slowly, feeling the sandals under his feet, a constant restraint on his body that he absolutely hated and wish he could do without more times than not. The ground was soft under his sandals, the grass leaving soft and brief impressions of his travels, the only sign that he had been here, and one that barely lasted. The hill climbed before him, a soft climb for his legs and easy footing on the way up. Once he reached the top, he looked around slowly, his eyes tracing the rise and falls of the surrounding hills until they came to stop upon a man lying on his back on top of another hill. Not sure if he was or not, Stigandr started walking slowly, trying not to surprise the man if at all possible, wanting to observe him for a little bit, his curiosity getting the best of him

[Roka]

Roka sat still the hissing of the grass waving to brush along his fingers and sides. It was a comfort that washed over him, this is where he belonged. He was conflicted in his heart because of the deep magic that ran through his race. It made him crave the approval of someone beside the wind. While he, as he was felt at home among the open, unbounded, free. 'How could someone be so cruel to have created the Kelvics, or did he not know how it would feel to those that would feel so torn when our purpose became unclear.' his mind chased the thoughts around the caverns of his head, knowing there was no pleasing answer.

A careful rustle of earth plucked at his ears, and he sat rather hurriedly, his fingers gripping his thigh, were his eating knife resided, the only thing even remotely resembling a weapon in his possession. He looked upon the other seemingly unarmed and somewhat skittish being approaching and loosened his grip.

The man wasn't close enough to examine fully, but the smell he carried was as if he had spent long periods of time out here. He could be the one intruding. The smell was a welcome one, one that residents of the city didn’t normally embrace, he’d only met one other that had a similar smell of cedar and grass, and he had found her quite congenial.

"I am Roka.” He spoke as to try and not boil tempers, before adding, “Who are you...and is your resolved leisure or something to be concerned of?" he asked still guarded his eyes shifting uncomfortably to check to the presence of any others that would be nearby or following.

[Stigandr]

Stigandr stopped when the other human sat up, a rather petite looking form, at least from this distance. Turning his head to each side, brushing the hair from his eyes when the wind it them, his large brown eyes scanned everything close and at a distance, his horizontal pupils from his horse half, giving him an advantage at this beyond a humans ability. Somewhat confidant there was no one else about, though that feeling was a shaky one considering the newcomer he had just met, Stigandr moved forward slowly, positing himself on another small hilltop to talk to the human he now know is name 'Roka'. The wind shift more now, the soft breeze caressing what bare skin was exposed, bringing a fleeting smile to his face, before the scent of the newcomer was carried on it as well. Only it was not the stench and stink of sweat, blood, sex and unwashed bodies that he was accustomed to in the city, it was wild and had one that carried many animal undertones with it, but it was not one he recognized. Staring in silence at the human, now able to see him better since he was on a closer hilltop, he could see the faint golden color of his eyes looking back into his, then shifting around looking for something or someone else. Slipping off his sandals and unwrapping his left hand, Stigandr called back, I am called Stigandr. You are different than the other humans in the city, something feels different about you. What is that difference?" He asked, not willing to standing any closer to Roka, the removal of his sandals and hand wrapping preparing him for shifting should he need to.

[Roka]

Roka's eyes shifted over Stigandr, as he inched closer and removed his sandals and hand wrap. This did not seem odd to him except that it was something he would do to find comfort but not many humans would agree with that thinking. The feel of grass beneath your feet, and the unrestrained freedom of expelling your clothing it was a taste you were usually born with in this day and age.

He caught the man’s eyes, they seemed a bit off, but not too noticeably so, he was sure his own would slit to a predator slice when he felt too strongly in his animal instincts. But this man's eyes seemed doe-like. It reminded him of the herbivorous creatures such as deer and elk. Even the man’s movements seem to trot across the ground with a certain ease.

The sudden admittance that he seemed different startled him, like the other had somehow sniffed him out. Then it stuck him, all the pieces that would fit into the frames of this puzzle quickly solved themself, but he would not be the first to speak. He would not reveal himself first to anyone unless confirmed in the presence of another Kelvic. Even still it seemed risky, who knew who this beast was attached to, if anyone, and what his intentions were. Then again, Stigandr was probably just as wary of him as he was of him.

"I could say the same of you Stigandr. Do you call yourself Kelvic?" He asked flatly his star unmoving as he looked at him intensely. "If I am right, you have nothing to fear from me," this, his only condolence to the other, if he was truly a Kelvic that statement would be a clue of his own origins. If he was wrong then the other should suspect little.

[Stigandr]

The question struck at him. His eyes flinched a little wider, then narrowed again, now gauging and weighing the human before him. Could he know? He saw me remove my sandals and hand wrap. That could tip him off if he was... Stigandr's head tilted to the side and he stared. If he is not a Kelvic, he might want to hurt me. He is small though, and I am not so slow. I could best him in a fight. If he does not want to hurt me...I do not know. If he is Kelvic, he might prove to be a friend. It is possible he might wish harm upon me as well. I can still fight him. Stigandr looked around once more, then looked back towards Roka. What was there to lose out here in the wilds? "I am a Kelvic. You? Are you one as well, Roka? Are your words of peace false or real?" Stigandr removed his shirt, still not trusting of Roka. His skin was slightly bronzed from being out in the sun so much, almost for a good part of his life, either working or running free. The shirt dropped to the ground from his open hand, landing in a pile on top of his sandals and hand wrap. His instincts told him Roka was okay, that his mannerisms, his attitude and his smell were Kelvic or something similar in nature, but he could not get beyond his distrust of just about everyone. Stigandr shrugged away his feelings and thoughts, preparing himself for a fight if things went bad.

[Roka]

A quite hum of content at Stigandr's answer escaped his closed lips. It was nice to encounter another, one that seemed as wary as he, at least. "I am Kelvic, and my words are true. I would not harm you in my life, unless you came to harm myself. Which I can see you did not."

A smile tugged at Roka's mouth upon seeing Stignadr remove his clothes. He knew the feeling well, and did not hesitate to remove his own shirt and toss it at the floor, his feet already bare, he wore no jewelry or accessory while in the wild so he could be quick to remove what need to be and change. Though his form was likely small enough to change without the hassle if time was urgent, he preferred not to ruin the clothes he'd have and later expose himself to any questioning civilians.

He faced the sky, breathing in the sun in an impulsive moment. "Would you like to go for a run?" a smirk upon his faces as he looked back to Stignadr, and began to unbuckle his pants.

[Stigandr]

Stigandr smiled slightly and relaxed a bit, seeing that Roka was not a threat. He was another kelvic such as himself, and one that smelled and felt friendly. He was not sure of his animal form still as it was one he could not immediately recognize. Things progressed to a friendly state so suddenly, Stigandr was not sure what to do. He was not a social creature, so distrusting of others, but this Roka seemed to move along easily in this regard. He was preparing to unclothe the rest of the way, asking if Stigandr wanted to run. This was a sudden and positive catalyst for Stigandr, a true smile forming on his lips for the first time in months. "I will never say no to a good run." Closing his eyes and taking in the warmth of the sun, Stigandr removed his pants, loosening the waist and letting them fall next to his clothes already on the ground. The heat of the sun and the cool breeze, the soft grass under his feet and the scent of the wilds around him. All of it was screaming at his senses, at his true nature. Turning his eyes towards Roka, Stigandr changed forms, his human body of a lean, toned man replaced in a beautiful swirl of cool-colored lights and smoke with a medium-sized black horse. His legs stretched and pawed at the ground. To feel all four legs again and on the ground was a feeling of power and grace. Without waiting, Stigandr took off at a run, angling himself to run several horse-lengths wide of Roka, the path being one to take him close enough to Roka for Roke to fall in pace with once he changed, but one that was not threatening either.

[Roka]

A grin spread over his face, as he watched the familiar transformation from an unfamiliar view. Stigandr was a horse, large in Roka's eyes, and as black as a starless night. He ruffled with pride at the sight, to see a man burst into such an untamed creature, was a sight he only experience, but hardly saw.

It made him yearn for his own transformation. He tossed the remainder of his clothing aside, and allowed the tendrils of light to envelop him as he walked forward, a spiral of luminescence blown away to reveal of a small orb of blackened fur. He dashed forward, head thrown in the wind, as he treaded a streaming path through the grass that was just tall enough to allow him to peek over the tops of the blades and wave about a full and flapping tail to the air of the day.

He barked happily, his body filled with delight as he accustomed himself to a gentle jog. He bounded toward the black stallion, his feet leaving the air with each extended step, like he was jumping through the breeze.

He greeted the other with a yip and dashed forward, the only fear he felt at that moment was perhaps getting caught under Stigandr's hooves.

[Stigandr]

As his hooves thundered into the ground, flattening the ground out grass beneath them, he heard the barking of Roka who had taken an animal form that he did not recognize. It was small and appeared as though it would be a fairly agile creature. He hoped so, not wanting to accidentally trample and kill this new found Kelvic. As Roka fell into running with him, Stigandr began to gently veered the path further away from the road, but still within earshot to him, easy to hear anyone moving down the road and anyone or anything that might approach them, but far enough away to keep them out of sight and from attracting unwanted attention. Time began to melt away, becoming something unimportant, something that did not matter beyond daylight and nighttime. The distance rolled behind them, how far they ran becoming insignificant to the black stallion, the feeling of being free taking over in a way that was similar to being washed over by a refreshing spring. It took away the stress of the city and the stench of filth that seemed ever present. It took away thoughts and feelings of loneliness, replacing them with bliss and ecstasy. Such a dangerous state of mind for Stigandr to go to as it detracted from his awareness of potential dangers at times. Suddenly, Stigandr veered off to the side, taking his path between two hills, seeing if Roka could quickly catch on to the change and keep. He wanted to test this small creature's agility and reflexes, and some part of him deep down wanted to play. It was something he had not done since he was a child, but something he had avoided since his slavery. Even now, it was not something he fully realized was happening, as if part of his past and lost years were awakening deep inside him.