Completed Webs and Wolves [Hisoka]

[Vlodaru Ceiba]

Summer 2, 512AV

Vlodaru wrapped his silken cloak tightly around him as he wandered. The black of his cloak made his ashy white skin stick out even more. The cloak concealed everything but his feet. He was currently barefoot, so he could climb quickly if he needed too. As he had traveled through this area before, he knew the terrain was potentially dangerous.

The sun had risen behind him earlier that day, so he knew that if he stayed on his path that he would return home to Kalinor. He carried his spear in his right hand, close to the end, with the shaft resting on his shoulder. There was a gentle wind that sent chills through his core.

His head hung low as he walked. I haven't seen civilization in almost three days. He thought to himself. His feet were sore from wandering, and he just wanted to find a nice cave to sit in and relax.

Bells went by unnoticed by Vlodaru. The monotony of his journey was only broken by the occassional bird or rabbit. As the sun began to set be pulled his hood up over his head to keep Synas light from his eyes. I will need to find shelter soon. As he thought this his stomach let out a low rumble. He smiled, revealing his long white teeth. I guess I'd better eat something.

As he reached into his bag, he thought at first that he had heard something. Was someone coming? He listened intently. But alas, he did not hear anything. Vlodaru pulled an apple from his bag and took a small bite. As he did, he heard the noise again. Only this time, the noise was louder.

"Hello?" He shouted. "Is anyone there?" He looked around, adjusting his eyes at will the darkness he looked into. He brought his spear down, sliding his hand to the middle of the shaft, and stood, point down, and listened intently again.

[Hisoka]

The sun was almost at it's peak. Hisoka did not dare look over her shoulder, instead, she listened, as she raced through the wilderness. She realized that she could no longer hear her pursuers, and began to slow her pace. Once she was certain, she ducted into a cave, hidden by some bushes. She moved as far back as she could, and let the bag she carried in her mouth, drop to the cave floor. Hisoka sat there, panting, and waited for any sign of the ones chasing her. When she heard none, she curled up, lay her muzzle on her front paws, and let out a sigh, quickly drifting to sleep. Her golden eyes snapped open, hearing something, or rather, someone at the cave's entrance. It did not smell like humans did, but it was not a sent she recognized. She heard a, crunch, followed by a sweet sent. "... a...apples..?", she thought to herself. She shifted to the back of the cave, seeing a shadow pass by, her eyes able to see in the darkness with only a bit of moonlight, letting out a quiet growl. She lifted her head cautiously at the sound of the creature... his voice. She did not recognize it, but that meant little, for she was at the moment, prey, to the predators hunting her. As she shifted to get into a better position, her paws brushed against it's wall, which broke off a few loose pieces, creating a small sound.

[Vlodaru Ceiba]

Vlodaru stiffened as he heard a small clacking sound. He looked all around him: his spear pointing everywhere he looked. He stood silently for a few moments. When nothing happened, he slowly relaxed, taking another bite of his apple.

The wind cut through his thin silken clothing again, sending chills down his body. I need shelter. He glanced around again, noticing a small cave to the right. Vlodaru rested his spear back on his shoulder, stuck his apple in his pocket, and wrapped his cloak around him as he made his way to the small shelter.

He was cold and tired. He didn't pay any attention as he wandered inside. And so, Vlodaru was well into the mouth of the cave before seeing the small black shape in the back of the cave. Again he froze. Dilating his eyes, he could make out the small canines features clearly. The wolf was a scrawny little thing with jet black fur. Its eyes were a striking gold. But there was something about its eyes that told him this creature was...different.

He saw the fur on its scruff sticking up and its white teeth bare. Slowly he backed away with his long left arm out in front of him.

"Ko vadra dutanisBe still, creature." He spoke with a thick accent in Symenos. Quickly, he leapt upwards, his hand extending microscopic hooks. He caught onto the roof of the cave and swung his legs up behind him. When his feet grabbed onto the ceiling he aimed his spear down. This may be the only shelter for miles! His eyes narrowed as he prepared to thrust his weapon down into the wolf.

But he hesitated to strike, seeing the small bag next to it. What is that? When he was distracted, the apple in his pocket fell to the ground and rolled beside the wolf.

[Hisoka]

Hisoka was frightened, for this human looking creature, who did not smell like humans, seemed a much better predator than she. When he spoke, she could not understand him, for it was not a language often taught to outsiders. Something fell from the strange creature, and she flinched away from it, letting out a small yelp. Deciding that she would have much better chance, she changed her from. However, though she now appeared human, this also left her bare, for Kelvics could not transform in clothing, or they ran the risk of strangling, or crippling themselves permanently. She appeared to be 16 in age, with long black hair, as dark as her midnight colored fur in her lupine form. Her clear, piercing, ice blue eyes stared at him, opened wide, the pupils dilated from the dark. Crouching, Hisoka kept him in her line of sight as she reached for her bag. As she did, her hand brushed against the apple, and she quickly recoiled her outstretched hand, grabbing her bag as she did so. Retreating away from she figure above, she trembled nervously, as any trapped animal would. She also made sure to keep an eye on his spear, wary of it's sharp point.

[Vlodaru Ceiba]

As the wolf flinched and yelped, Vlodaru concluded that this creature was scared. But this only fortified his mind against it. Animals are more dangerous scared and cornered than when they confident and free. He deftly moved forward across the ceiling with only his feet and left hand when suddenly, something wondrous happened.

He stared in awe as a blinding light encased the wolf. He was forced to look away from it, as his eyes were dilated too much to look at it head on. When he looked back however, he could hardly believe his own eyes! Where once stood a wolf, now crouched a girl! Her blue eyes were as big as his amethyst ones as they danced from him to his spear.

Entranced by this magical creature, he dropped back down to the floor. Vlodaru had heard stories from visitors to Kalinor of animals that could take the form of humans. But he never thought he would see one for himself.

"Can you speak?" He spoke in common, though his Symenos accent was still there. He aimed his spear away from the scared little girl. "What...what are you?"

[Hisoka]

Hisoka stared up at him, still wary of the stranger, even if he lowered his 'pointy stick', as she called spears. "..I..I a- *cough cough* am... a Ke-*cough*-lvic..", she replied, her voice was hoarse from disuse. She rubbed her throat, as if to sooth it's soreness. Looking into his amethyst eyes, she saw that he had become curious, pushing her nervousness upwards. Here eyes flickered towards the entrance of the cave, looking for ways to escape, her mind still trapped in her hunted state of mind. She clutched her bag to her chest, ready to flee or fight if need be. "..A..Are you.....", she paused, trying to remember the word, "..sla-*cough*....slaver...?" Hisoka was trying to distract him, while attempting to find an opening, a way for her to pass him, and escape the cave.

[Vlodaru Ceiba]

She can talk! He grew excited and his curiosity deepened. A Kelvic. Interesting! Her coughing however upset him a little. And her rubbing her throat only made him more concerned. Is something wrong with her voice?

Vlodaru crouched down to eye level with the girl. The bag seemed to be very important to her, judging from the way she clung to it. Then he noticed her eyes darting from him to the exit. He was about to address this when her question caught him off guard. He stood upright, somewhat offended.

"A slaver? Of course not! I would never do something as dreadful as lock away another for labor! How dare you accuse-" He stopped his insulted tirade, and realization dawned on his face. Her scrawny appearance, and frightened look. This girl is a runaway! He knelt down again and looked into her eyes apologetically.

"I'm sorry, Kelvic. I did not realize..." He spoke kindly and softly. But he stopped himself, unsure of how to continue.

A cold wind blew in, chilling him slightly. This girl must be freezing! He thought to himself. He took off his cloak, revealing the exo-skeletal armor of the Symenestra he wore on his torso. He laid the cloak in front of the girl. Partially because he was concerned for her, and partially because her nudity made him uncomfortable.

"Please, put it on. I know it is not very thick, but it will help." He backed away slightly and set his spear on the ground beside him, so as to help put the girl at ease.

[Hisoka]

Hisoka shied away when he was offended. "..I... I'm sorry...", she mumbled quietly. When he offered his cloak, she gaze darted between the two. Stretching out a hesitant hand, she touched the light fabric, surprised by the silky texture. However, she looked up at him, shaking her head. Instead of taking it, she opened her bag, pulling out a plain pants and a shirt. Quickly, she wriggled into them, resulting in her appearing dwarfed by the clothing. She looked up at him, then slowly took his cloak, holding it out for him to take back. As she did so, she examined his armor with her eyes, having never seen the like before. It drew out her curiosity, to a point where she was no longer so nervous. She tilted her head to the side in a very animal-like way, taking in his appearance.

[Vlodaru Ceiba]

Relieved that she at least put on something, Vlodaru took back the cloak. He did not, however, put it back on. Just in case she changes her mind. he told himself.

As he noticed her reaction to his armor, he stood slowly, allowing better view of it. For the first time to the girl, his elongated arms were visible. This girl is just as curious of me as I am of her! He stared back at her, taking in everything he could.

First thing he noticed, was her eyes. Blue as the sky and shone like the moon. They mesmerized him. Had her skin not had as much color to it, and if he hadn't seen her transform from a wolf, he may have confused her as one of his own blood. She was small, yet almost mature. He concluded that, even for her age, that she was very beautiful. And then he noticed something else about her. She was skinny. But it was a malnourished slenderness that was probably due in part to her slavery.

He pulled a second apple from his bag and handed it out to her.

"Here, you must be hungry. Take it. And I wont accept 'no' as an answer." He spoke in a way that was both forceful, yet friendly. A smile appeared on his face, revealing his large canines slightly.

[Hisoka]

When he gave her the apple, she took it, her stomach grumbling slightly. Seeing his canines, she grinned, her own showing as well, and took a bit of the apple. Her eyes widened in delight, as the sweet taste filled her mouth. After a mere moment, she devoured the fruit, for similar to her wild cousins, she was not one to chew. Finished, she looked up at him, once again hesitant with food out of the situation. "...Wh-who are ....you ...?", she asked cautiously, her eyes roaming his armor once again. Something seemed different.... though he looked similar to humans, there was something that made him other, someone of another race. She noted that she were similarly pale, though he was more so than she, and then, she looked into his eyes again. Just like that, she was mesmerized by the twin amethyst pools.