Rumor Has It. {Sharrion}

[Marie Anne]

Útíradiel walked through the forest, her loyal companion following behind her as he was trying to see into the darkness around him. It was very dark under the canopy at night, which Útíradiel should have taken into account. And while she couldn't see at all, her companion couldn't see very well. Shapes were about all he could see, but they could smell everything. The decaying leaves on the damp ground; the babble of a nearby creek; even the breathing of some of the little creatures that were nearby, trying to stay out of his sight. It was simply amazing here. Plenty to eat, if you were fast enough, and almost no one would mess with a wolf, should they decide to stay for more than just a few days. Útíradiel really liked it here. The only real problem was that her brother would never look for her here.

Coming to the famous Salmon Runs, Útíradiel paused at the edge of the rushing river, leaning down to drink from the cold flow. Hearing a twig snap, both Útíradiel's and Beriogelir's heads snapped to attention, locating the direction of the noise.

"Lay down and be quiet," Beriogelir told Útíradiel as he crouched down, waiting for something or someone to show themselves.

[KaiNaium]

[bg=227a23][atrb=border,0,table][atrb=width,399,table] He was in the form of a buck, gingerly making his way to the shore of the infamous Salmon Run. Well, it was infamous to the deer of the area. All his instincts were screaming, Run. That river is fraught with Predators. Run. But he had nothing to fear. His true self was one of the aforementioned predators. The only reason he was not what he truly was was because the brush around here was so fortified and prickly. His antlers were a useful tool for carving a path. But, now that he was entering a suspected predatorial landmark, he exited his guise with a flash of green. Hoof-prints turned to paw-prints and antlers to claws and fangs. His legs were shorter, but more muscled. His carnivorous taste returned. Among all of his forms, Shairron was his favorite. He stretched his newly-returned legs and clenched the muscles all over his body. He noticed with a pang the emptiness of his stomach. This was to be expected. Deer meals were quite insufficient for carnivores. He then jogged forward with renewed earnest toward the Salmon Run. He intended not to stay for too long, just long enough for him to renew his strength for travel. And maybe meet a few traveling partners, if he was lucky. Granted, it was hard to get lucky these days. A passing thought came, I wonder if anyone else in this messed up world has had the fortune to be so misfortunate as I. He shrugged through the bushes, crunching leaves and twigs as he walked into the open expanse before the Run. Although not admitting it to himself, he was completely confident he could slaughter anyone who opposed his wishes. His stance was habitually confident and nonchalant. A passing glance caught the vague shapes of two wolves on the opposite side of the river. He shot the both of them a reassuring smile and continued trotting toward the riverside. His dipped his muzzle into the sparkling water and lapped it into his mouth. His lifted his head, bottom of his muzzle drooping with the water still clinging to it, and glanced across at the pair. There were two of them, a male and a female. They were quite possibly mates. Something inside of him drooped a bit at the possibility of the fancy he had taken for the female. She was... pretty. Of course, the possibility of him collecting a mate was far too unlikely. Not to mention unwanted. After the brief glance at the couple, he returned to lapping water from the Run.

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[Marie Anne]

Seeing that it was another wolf, Beriogelir relaxed and stood up out of his crouching position.

"It's ok Útíradiel. It's just another wolf. He doesn't look very aggressive. He's brown and tan with two black marks across his nose," Beriogelir said, describing the wolf to his companion.

"Let's go say hi," Útíradiel said, getting up and walking across the Runs. It was calmer here, but still a bit difficult to cross, her body being pushed by the currents. That's the only way that Útíradiel knew that she was heading towards the shore. If it got really easy, or really hard, then she was going the wrong way.

Reaching the other side of the Runs, Útíradiel shook out her fur. Beriogelir got out of the water moments later and just let the water soak in a little before he began to wash out the water, using his rough tongue to push the water out of his fur.

Listening closely, Útíradiel slowly pin-pointed where the stranger was located.

"Erm. . .hello," she said with a bow of her head. Now that she thought about it, she had no idea as to the reason of why she had even bothered to cross the river to come introduce herself to the wolf. It was too late now. She was here and speaking, and the only thing she could do now was wait for his response.

[KaiNaium]

[bg=227a23][atrb=border,0,table][atrb=width,399,table] Briefly, he heard her name on the wind: Útíradiel. The name sent chimes down his spine, but he shook himself saying, No. I will not allow it. Love does no good for anyone. Her scent, too, wafted toward him. He stuffed his nose into the river, letting the wind and potentially tantalizing scent pass. Maybe he wouldn't stay as long as he thought he was going to, at least not now. Perhaps he would stay just long enough to gather their molecular compositions and gain strength for his journey to nowhere. He glanced up from the water at small splashing sounds and saw the two of them approach. He was a bit curious as to their intentions, but didn't feel threatened. He felt confident, perhaps overly-so, in his abilities. Never did he consider the consequences should he fail. The couple approached, the male following his mate with protective closeness. He then began to dry himself with his tongue, while the female began to speak. "Erm... hello." Interestingly, she bowed her head. Such formality was not unknown to him, nor even uncommon from his past and certainly not unwelcome. It had been awhile since he had embraced much other than savagery and loss. The opportunity to broaden was beckoning to be embraced. "Hello, both of you." His gesture to the both of them, he thought, ought not go unnoticed. "I am Salirr." His habitual false-name came quickly, a lie so often told he hardly thought of it as a lie at all. Quite often, he considered it another title for himself; a far safer title. He grew up on the understanding that names were powerful things.

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[Marie Anne]

Útíradiel smiled as the wolf introduced himself. She liked the name, but she had an odd ping in her subconscious that said something wasn't right. She couldn't really think of any reason as to why that might be, so she just let it go.

Turning her milky-white eyes towards where she thought the wolf was, Útíradiel bowed her head once more.

"I am Útíradiel, and that cougar over there is my companion, Beriogelir. He protects me and helps me see," she said, giving away her fatal weakness without much thought. If there was something truly disturbing about this wolf, or if he tried anything, Beriogelir would help her out, and so would the spirits.

Looking up from his cleaning, Beriogelir heard her mention his name. Standing up, he gave a low bow before flopping down and sunning himself on the cool grass.

"Don't do anything st-irrational," Beriogelir said, correcting himself before he said 'stupid'. Útíradiel hated the word and would never forgive him if he even made and illusion to her doing something or saying some thing 'stupid'.

[KaiNaium]

[bg=227a23][atrb=border,0,table][atrb=width,399,table] The fogginess of her eyes was so clear, he felt incompetent for not noticing it before. Suddenly, she seemed much more delicate and fragile. But, he gathered from the confidence she spoke with, she was far from. "He protects me and helps me see." Regrettably, he felt a release in his fragmented soul that they were not mated. The not-mate-cougar, Beriogelir, paused in his cleaning to bow politely to him. He then spread out under the Sun on the riverside grass and basked in her rays. The cougar murmured something to Útíradiel that made him smile. Memories of Narra flashed before his eyes, but were quickly and efficiently suppressed. "So," he began, "what brings you two to the Runs?" He thought vacantly, What brings anyone to the Runs? Food. Fish. Social Interaction. He sighed inwardly. Pleasantries were often aggravating to him, but he persisted. He had yet to gather the molecular structure of a cougar. For this reason alone, he groped his vision into Beriogelir's molecular components. New recipes always fascinated him, but no emotion other than quiet contentment crossed his face during this process. Above all else, this he had been doing for his entire lifetime. He had never been probed by another's mind himself, he had been too well trained in guarding for that. But, from what he had gathered from the other countless creatures that he had copied and pasted their molecular structures into this memory from, they felt nothing. Apparently, there was no indication that anything was actually occurring other than a time-wasting conversation with an ulterior motive.

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[Marie Anne]

Útíradiel watched as Shalirr started to make small talk before staring off at Beriogelir. A tiny buzzing went off in the back of her mind, but she shook her head thinking it was just a bug.

"We came here for the simple fact that I am looking for my brother," Útíradiel said, a slight tinge of sadness coming into her voice. She almost never talked about her brother with anyone but Beriogelir, and he knew most of the story anyway. She wasn't going to tell the stranger in front of her anything else about him though. It was much too personal.

Yawning and stretching out, Beriogelir rolled over, catching a glimpse of Shalirr staring at him. Standing up, he shook himself out and walked over to the wolf.

"What are you doing?" Beriogelir asked, his tone a mix of confusion and light anger. He didn't like to be stared at, especially by males that he didn't know.

[KaiNaium]

[bg=227a23][atrb=border,0,table][atrb=width,399,table] He caught some of what Útíradiel was saying, but the beginnings of her statement were lost in his concentration of the molecular information extraction. "... looking for my brother." He nodded, persisting, "Why is it he needs to be found?" His gaze remained focused on his mission, as well as the majority of his brain processes. He scarcely noticed when Beriogelir stood from his warming spot to approach him. The cougar said, "What are you doing?" Beriogelir seemed annoyed, if not a little angry, but nothing scared him anymore. With nothing more than a flicker of his thoughts, he procured an excuse. "I apologize," he began, " but I have never come across a cougar before. Especially not in these parts. You both must not be from around here." His mission to continue the mindless conversation persisted as the last globes of data remained just out of his reach. He reached in just a bit further... Success. He removed his probe from Breriogelir's consciousness and returned to his full-focused state. He sat patiently, awaiting for the conversation to reach its deadline. He then considered copying Útíradiel's molecular composition into his files. The idea tempted him, and he gave in. His consciousness extended to the she-wolf and examined her, finding an interesting discovery.

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[Marie Anne]

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[atrb=background,http://i.imm.io/eh3G.png] Útíradiel sat and waited for the two males to get over themselves, but Salirr talked himself out of trouble with Beriogelir, and sat down. Beriogelir just huffed and went back to sunning himself by the river. "Don't mind him. He's just a big softy," Útíradiel said with a smile, moving over to sit in front of where she thought Salirr moved to. She waited for him to say something in return, but before she had to wait too long, she felt something come towards her. Standing and backing up, she squinted her eyes. The 'thing' didn't move away as she back up, and she didn't hear anything. "What's happening? Berio! What's in front of me? Something is in front of me and it wants in me!" she shouted, rousing the cougar from his slumber. "There isn't anything in front of you except Salirr and he's not doing anything. What's it feel like?" Beriogelir asked, coming to stand by Útíradiel. He couldn't detect the mental probe that Salirr had sent out, so he naturally thought there was nothing there. "It just feels like someone is in front of me. Too close. They're almost touching me. If it touches me something bad will happen," she said, fear lacing her words as her ears became flattened and her body became low to the ground. "Don't let it touch me!" she pleaded to Beriogelir. I can't stop something that's not there," he said, a bit of laughter in his voice. Maybe she's finally gone 'round the bend... Beriogelir thought, looking at his companion with an odd mixture of confusion, laughter, and concern on his face.

[KaiNaium]

[bg=227a23][atrb=border,0,table][atrb=width,399,table] Útíradiel's immediate, violet reaction nearly sent his mind stumbling backwards. He felt not one mind, civil and humane, within the she-wolf, but more minds than he could count. His probe withdrew. He was surprised but, as was drilled into his mind, no emotion flicked across his face or through his eyes. Only once he had blocked those emotions that would reveal him did he let loose a sort of mocking tone in his voice and a smirk on his face. "Nobody's there." He laughed, carefully worming out the macabre tone that he knew normally prevailed when he was fully himself so that his laugh was chime-like and pure. This, of course, sounded evil to him. But, as he was duly informed after a short time on earth, such an angelic noise was very attractive to those with full souls. "Well, except me."

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OOC:: I apologize for the FAILURE. My head's not in the game right now.

[Marie Anne]

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[atrb=background,http://i.imm.io/eh3G.png] Útíradiel was very suspicious of the wolf in front of her now. She knew that there was some kind of presence in front of her only a few moments ago, only a few moments before Salirr had spoken that there wasn't anyone in front of her. But then again, Beriogelir had also said that there wasn't anyone in front of her. But she couldn't shake the feeling of something, not necessarily human, standing in front of her. Something had scared it off though. As soon as she had felt the thing touch her mind, it went away. The spirits that were with her always must have scared whatever it was away. Shrugging lightly, she walked back towards where the brute was, hopefully not facing the wrong direction. Will you come sit next to me Beriogelir? Útíradiel asked, feeling sort of violated even though nothing had really happened to her. It just felt odd to have something touch your mind, especially when you couldn't see or tell if anything was in front of you or not. It scared the fae and she just wanted the comfort of a large cougar laying by her to make her feel at least a little safer. She could only sigh in relief as a warm body leaned up against her.

[KaiNaium]

[bg=227a23][atrb=border,0,table][atrb=width,399,table] He watched noncommittally as Beriogelir moved to sit next to Útíradiel, and sighed inwardly as Útíradiel settled in next to him. Their closeness annoyed him, but in a way he should never let himself feel. He silently chastised himself and paced absentmindedly near the riverside. Thoughts continued on the trail of jealousy, and he again beat the thoughts away. Breifly, he looked up at the two, but returned his gaze to the ground again. Piping up, he said, "What did this presence feel like?" His acting career continued, entering the stage where he acted like this sort of situation was new to him. Sadly, nobody had ever given him a straight answer. He glumly admitted to himself that curiosity fueled his questioning as much as his security. He again slapped away thoughts about asking because he wanted to hear her voice. Even vaguely, it sounded absolutely preposterous.

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[Marie Anne]

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[atrb=background,http://i.imm.io/eh3G.png] Beriogelir kept a close eye on Salirr, making sure that the sneaky little wolf didn't try anything. He wasn't afraid of the brute, just protective of his friend. Gently nudging Útíradiel, Beriogelir waited for her answer to the question that the other wolf had asked. "Well,"she said starting off,"it felt like there was something in front of me. It didn't really have any particular 'shape' or anything, but the scent of it was alluring. IT was almost as if it was tempting me to let it enter my mind. The only thing that stopped me from allowing it was the fact that the spirits surrounding me warned that it was harmful, and would somehow damage me. " That was the best way she was able to describe the thing she felt. She didn't know that it was a subconscious nor did she know that it was Salirr that was projecting it. Frowning a bit, she tried to put it into better words, but the task failed her. Maybe if she could touch Salirr, she would be able to use the spirits to convey what she had felt. But it was getting the cautious wolf to allow Útíradiel to touch him, and for that wolf to allow a spirit into his own mind, but that could wait until she found out if this way of explaining satisfied him or not.

[KaiNaium]

[bg=227a23][atrb=border,0,table][atrb=width,399,table] Beriogelir's close watch amused him. An air of confidence surrounded the little cougar, the kind of confidence that was almost too tempting to snap in half. The cougar knew nothing and, he thought silently to himself, he never would. Útíradiel also succeeded in amusing him and, perhaps, bestowing upon him the slightest tinge of satisfaction. She described his mental probe as alluring, tempting, and potentially dangerous. There was a pride in him in knowing that everything he was was irresistible, should he unleash it, but all the more treacherous. But, there it was, deep inside of him, a dread. A dread that was there since before he could remember. It was a dread that had once taken up his entire being, but, through time, he had learned to master. It was the dread of the future; of what he was to become. The dread spoke of inevitability, but he resisted it with every passion left within the crippled entity of his soul. For he knew, somewhere far within himself, that he was strong enough to resist anything that he father could ever offer him. His voice was calm, but he barely suppressed a choke at the words, "Sounds like a devilish temptation."

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[Marie Anne]

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[atrb=background,http://i.imm.io/eh3G.png] Útíradiel was almost angry at the tone the wolf used to comment on how this thing felt. It was almost as if he was pleased that it had frightened her. Beriogelir was not happy either, but for a completely different reason. He could almost sense something bad about this brute, and it put him off his game. He didn't know what this wolf was planning, but he was sure that he wouldn't like it. "Why the smug look?" Beriogelir asked, watching the wolf's expression to try and plan for any sign that the wolf was going to try something. Beriogelir was confident that he would be able to distract the wolf long enough for Útíradiel to escape, but it would most likely mean that he would be left behind, and this wolf would prove a worthy opponent. Útíradiel wasn't happy with the way that Beriogelir was being so jealous. Whacking him with her wing, she listened hard to everything that both of them said. While she didn't have much to say, she was sure that these two would. And while she wasn't very happy with the way that this other wolf spoke to her or to Beriogelir, she was drawn to this wolf. Something about him just tempted her to get close, to find out more about him. Without really knowing why, she used her nose and her acute hearing to locate the other wolf, walking towards him. She just wanted to smell him better, touch him, to satisfy this urge. As she walked, she heard Beriogelir growl softly, his way of telling her to stop and think about what she was doing, but she ignored him. This was something that she didn't have much control over. Even the spirits surrounding her couldn't stop her from what she thought was a harmless endeavor.

[KaiNaium]

[bg=227a23][atrb=border,0,table][atrb=width,399,table] Just as he spoke, Beriogelir piped up with a reply. "Why the smug look?" He corrected the confident cougar with ease. "Amused." As he replied, the white-winged wolf began to stride toward him. Breifly, he tried to discern her intentions. From where he stood, it looked like a come-on. He brushed aside the impression, thinking he must be mistaken, but she continued to move toward him. He took on a pensive look, carefully placing barriers around his mind and watching Útíradiel as she continued to advance.

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OCC :: sorry bout this. not sure what else to say... >.<

[Marie Anne]

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[atrb=background,http://i.imm.io/eh3G.png] Útíradiel lightly stuck her nose out when she got the feeling that he was close enough for her to touch him with her nose, to take in the full smell of him. She wasn't sure where she was touching, but it was a wonderful smell. He smelled of earth and a tinge of something else. The spirits called it 'Finit', but Útíradiel didn't know what this meant. She had never come across this particular smell, but it intrigued her and she wanted more of it. Walking around the large brute, Útíradiel kept smelling him, her tail wagging in response to the fact that she liked the smell. This also gave her a point of reference so she knew what part of him she was smelling. She politely skipped his rump, feeling that would have given the wrong impression, but she kept her nose buried into the wolf's fur until she reached his face. There she gently lifted herself up with her wings, smelling his face and ears. They each had a slightly different smell, yet they all smelled the same. Acting on impulse, she stuck her tongue out and licked his forehead. It tasted like earth and the smell, 'Firit'. Landing gently, she smiled lightly. "I like you. You smell good," she said in a light-hearted voice. She had lost where she was looking, but smiled wider and licked her nose. She was being truthful in that she liked this wolf, but she wasn't telling everything. She didn't even know how much she actually liked this wolf, but she was going to find out one way or another.

[KaiNaium]

[bg=227a23][atrb=border,0,table][atrb=width,399,table] Útíradiel's proximity both gave him great pleasure and frightened him beyond any doubt of that which he had been frightened before. Her presence beside him brought into his mind a world of unidentified colors, sounds, and smells of indulgences he had previously denied himself. As feelings like those he had only felt for one other caressed him, an involuntary tremor came through his body. Her nose brushing his unnaturally smooth, silky fur left prickles on his skin that remained long after she removed her touch to speak. "I like you. You smell good." The situation she had, voluntarily or involuntarily, put him in left him lost for words for a noticeable amount of time, more time than he would have liked to admit. Within himself raged a war, the likes of which he had never felt before. Inside of him, the two sides battled relentlessly, each attempting to persuade him that they would lead him where he needed to be. One side raged, No. This was not the plan, Prince. She will only be lost to you once the time comes. The other side rebuddled, But you are a strong Prince, strong enough to save her and have her for yourself. With a growl, the other side roared, You are not good for her; your tongue like indulgence and your touch like sin. Do you wish to drag her down with you? With a chirp, the other side replied, If she truly wishes to be with you, she will be dragged with you, wherever it is you may go. Both sides bowed, My Prince, and departed, still leaving him thoroughly confused. Both sides had made good, logical arguments, but neither side showed a true, correct way. Neither side showed him where he needed to be. With an inner growl, he decided that the entire situation was purely illogical and was apt to destroy everything. He didn't need this. But... no. He wanted this. He wanted this more than anything he had ever wanted before, but he was afraid. He was afraid to let himself have it. Briefly, and out loud, he chuckled. So this is what temptation feels like. With a pang, he realized how much of temptation she was, too. They were two temptations together. A smile appeared, more sincere than many others he had allowed himself over the years. "I would like to like you, too."

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