Dying Without Death -Open-

[Kailolu]

The vast and many hills of over grown sagebrush stretched as far as the eye could see. The shrubs were dry and poor looking, each one thirsting for a drop of rain. Dead branches reached up toward the sky, as if begging for clouds to come to quench their ever growing desire. The sun gave them no consent as it sat high in the sky, as if proud that it had killed most of the vegetation in the land. It let its light shine brightly, making the ground and everything touching it hot. The head was so intense that small animals would race across the sand and rocks to avoid from burning their paws. A rabbit scurried from the shade of a rock into a thicket, seeking comfort in the dark, cool covering. Even the lizards felt the rocks were too hot to bask on them, and so they would lay in the little light spots provided from the breaks in the shrubs. And even then, sometimes the heat was too intense. Today was truly a hot day.

Okron had been on the lookout for a charge for the past few weeks. The desert was the last place he had wanted to go, but he was left with no choice. For reasons unknown, traveling through the forests and plains had brought him no luck, and the only beings he had found were taunting weasels, and conniving foxes. Neither of which could he connect to for it wouldn’t take long for him to drain their life completely. The demon had to find one of his own species, or that of a coyote or jackal. Those two were just a few examples, for he could bond with a deer, cougar, elk, just something big enough to support two life forces. The black wolf maneuvered around a sage bush and perked his ears, listening for the sound of someone else in the immense lands.

He would have to find a charge within the next week or he would start to lose hope. A charge, in his case, was someone to protect. In the end, if he knew it would be this difficult to find one, he wouldn’t have picked to be a guardian. He thought it would be easier, but no, either his companions would get cocky with a demon protecting them and end up finding a way to kill themselves, or they wouldn’t believe him. The first one was the most popular so far, and he hoped this time it wouldn’t end that way. In truth, he liked each of his charges because they were all diverse and amused him in a different way each time. Protecting was something he was good at and something he enjoyed, though he wished his charges would be more wise with how they acted. Okron sighed heavily as he clambered over a rock, manifesting mist to rise above him to shade him a bit. Though when he tried to make the smoke solid to shield him, it formed into two large black wings, growing bones and sprouting feathers. The wolf growled in protest but held the wings up to provide shade for himself. He wished that they would just remain as smoke, but no, it didn’t work that way.

The demon sighed once again and rounded a rather large rock, trotting under a dead tree. He didn’t bother to stop, for he had to find someone. He didn’t want to die, that was for sure. The demon flapped his wings a few times to cool himself off before he moved up onto a hill. Maybe if he got up there he could see well. Dodging a bush, he topped the small hill and looked around. There, a spec in the distance! Was that a wolf out there? Or was it a rock perhaps? Okron sat down and barked. He then perked his ears and waitied. If there was a response, he would go. If there wasn’t, he would continue on his adventure.

Occ;
Word count; 666
Muse; 80.9%
Tags; Open to all!

[Marie Anne]

Die Pêrel panted heavily as she traveled across the desert. Even keeping up a soft, soothing breeze wasn't helping much. Her thick fur was impossible to penetrate with the cool air. All the air did was make her fur shimmer and change colors.

As she made her way across the intensely hot desert, Die Pêrel heard a bark. She looked up , seeing a large winged black wolf standing on a cliff some distance away. She tried to yip or bark or do anything to communicate back with him, but the only thing she could do was push air around her body, stirring the sand around her. Sighing, Die Pêrel trotted slowly over to where the wolf was. As she came to the cliff, she smiled and tried to speak, but nothing came out. Her throat was too parched to allow for speech. Growing frustrated, Die Pêrel's eyes changed to a light red color. Not pink, but just a light shade of red that would only get darker the more frustrated and angry she got. She would just have to hope that this wolf knew what was up and could point or lead the way to a watering hole.

||ooc: sorry for the short reply, but it's really all I could come up with at the moment. ||

[Kailolu]

Movement to his left brought the demon’s eyes to lie on a white wolf in the distance. Hm, coming to the desert actually worked. Strange… Okron waited a moment until the white mass began to move closer, and he eagerly followed in suit. The black wolf shifted his wings to let the heat against is sides escape as he neared the wolf. By the time he reached the white fae, he was already brewing his magnificent plan. How can he get this one to give him her soul essentially? Why, he’d lie of course. Before Okron opened his maw to speak, he noted her smile and attempts to spit some words out, but nothing was heard. He also noticed her eyes change color to match her expression. The demon smiled far more wickedly then he meant to. “Why Madame, you seemed parched.” He began, leaning close to press his side against hers. “Allow me to offer you shade and perhaps a drink?” Okron stretched his wing over her, taking the brunt of the sun’s cruel heat.

“This way.” He said in a sickeningly sweet voice, nudging her gently with his paw to show her the way they would walk. Okron was silent as he lead her to the pool of water he had sniffed out earlier, lifting his head in a proud manner when he saw the crystal clear blue liquid in the distance. He picked up the pace, remaining close to the fae until they reached the water. At this moment, he stepped aside and raised his wing higher, providing shade for the female as she helped herself to the pond. “What brings you out to these parts, my lovely mistress?” He asked in a tempting tone, trying to butter her up the best he could. After all, he was going to ask her a question that would alter her life forever. But of course he’d never say that.

Occ;
Word count; 320
Muse; 50.0%
Tags; Marie Anne & All! ((Sorry for my short reply, haha. I just finished making a rather long tutorial…))

[Marie Anne]

Die Pêrel nearly collapsed at the sight of so much water after having gone without that magical necessity for so long. She nearly ran to the water, but was in control enough to keep the brute by her side to provide shade. This brute seems promising. Though there is something that he is not telling me. No one is this kind to complete strangers. Die Pêrel thought as she eagerly lapped up the water, slowing herself down so she wouldn't make herself sick.

As she looked at the water, she was quickly dragged into a vision. It showed the wolf that was shading her protecting others, but there was something else. Something that the vision wasn't going to give her. Sighing, her eyes went back to their normal cool blue color, meaning that she was relaxed. "Thank you so much. That was very kind of you. I am here just to get out and explore. How about yourself?" she asked with a light smile. She was going to trust this wolf in what the vision had said. She needed protection from her parents, if they were still alive. Die Pêrel didn't want to know. The trauma they gave her was still fresh enough to give her pause about finding anyone like herself.

Yawning widely, Die Pêrel stretched and regarded the male in front of her. "So you protect people, right?" she asked, shaking her horned head, forgetting that he had not actually said anything about what he did.

[Kailolu]

Okron stood patiently, covering the she-wolf as she drank her fill. He looked her over, judging, criticizing. She was one of the more simplistic abnormal wolves he’d met. And definitely by far the meekest one he’d protected. Or at least, would protect. At the moment she was under his protection as he scanned the area for any intruders while she was distracted with the water. The demon’s gaze was stern as he stared at a coyote far off that had been planning to get a drink. After catching the smoke being’s gaze, the trespasser high tailed it back over the rise it came from.

A sigh from his companion brought Okron back into focus and he loosened his face to a more approachable one. His lips quirked as he smiled at her thanks and reasoning for being here. It really wasn’t his business, but hey, if she was willing to spill it, so would he. He had to after all. “Oh, fighting tooth and nail to live a few more days.” He said nonchalantly, as if his death sentence was no big deal. He had maybe a week left until he turned 83 in this life, then he would die, and come back a few days later. The resurrection process was difficult and painful, but it was better than staying dead. And Okron definitely preferred saving his last two lives until he really needed them. The wolf imposter smiled, “Simply looking for companionship, my lady.”

His wing ached from holding it up so he moved behind her as she yawned and spoke. The demon clamped down on his teeth rather hard at her question. How would she know that? Okron positioned himself on the she-wolf opposite side and help up his opposing wing, letting the tired one rest. “Correct.” He said, his voice a bit guarded. Who was this wolf? How did she know his occupation? “That is very correct. Though you see, I do not protect those of my own free will, more so to survive.” Hey, if he was going to get the truth out sooner or later, why not just say it now? Okron rolled his shoulder until it popped. “As long as I’m protecting someone, I’m essentially immortal. My 268th birthday is coming up.” He chuckled, taking note of the Fae’s horns. “Tell me, do you, or perhaps anyone you know of need a guardian? There’s quite a few perks. One of them being you’d have control over my bodily movements. Or something along those lines…” He trailed off with a devilish smile

Occ;
Word count; 427
Muse; 62.5%
Tags; Marie Anne & All! ((Is she immortal as well or does she just have an incredibly long life?))

[Marie Anne]

Die Pêrel looked at the brute standing next to her, shading her with his wing. She could almost hear the cogs turning in his head as to how she had known his profession. Grinning, Die Pêrel couldn't help but feel a tiny bit superior. She knew could find out things that this wolf couldn't.

Clearing her throat lightly, Die Pêrel lightly pressed against the wolf's side. Well, you can protect me. I could use it in case my parents actually find me. she said, smiling in her painfully shy way. She almost never asked for help, but in her mind she was helping this male by allowing him to help her. She didn't actually know what else was going to be involved or what he meant by being able to 'control his bodily movements', but it was something that would help them both. Besides- she was starting to like this wolf, despite the fact that Die Pêrel was very suspicious of him when she had first met him.

||ooc: omg, I'm so sorry... I have like .0002% muse atm... ||

[Kailolu]

Okron’s ear swiveled to face her when he felt her lean against him. “Your parents? I’d find a wolf as young as you looking forward to receiving attention from your parents.” He said, almost a stern attitude brimming his voice. She was small after all, and seemed young. Why would she need protection from her own flesh and blood? “Your story can wait, mistress. If you so choose to have me as your protector…” With each word his head dropped lower and lower toward her legs. “I just have to give you a little—” In one swift movement, his fangs lengthened and he grazed her leg, splitting the skin easily. The wound was tiny and only one drop of blood leaked to the surface. Just as the cut appeared, Okron’s tongue darted out and he wicked away the bead, and it vanished—his saliva healing the wound instantly. “Nip!” He finished, raising his head and offering her a smile. The demon jerked his chin up and touched her ear with his nose affectionately, whispering in her ear: “Now that didn’t hurt, did it?”

Turning, he performed the same bite on his own paw and raised it a bit off the ground, offering it to her. “By accepting my blood and letting it run in your veins, you will have complete and utter control over me, as well as my solemn oath to protect you as long as I walk this earth.” He already felt her presence overwhelming his body, her blood coursing through him like lightning. And already was he subconsciously watching the area surrounding the two, his hackles struggling to rise against his will. It was like they wanted to show, to set a display almost, letting everyone know who may happen to be watching that this she wolf was soon going to be the most well protected wolf in the lands, and definitely the most powerful. She would soon have a demon that would fight to the death and come back to serve her.

Occ;
Word count; 505
Muse; 70%
Tags; Marie Anne & all!

[Marie Anne]

Die Pêrel smiled as the wolf made an allusion to the fact that she only looked like she was a year old. "I am much older than you think." she said with a smile. She was coming up on her 225th birthday and this was a good way to celebrate early.

She watched as he bent lower, watching as he nipped her foreleg. It didn't hurt, but it did surprise her which made her jump. Before she could ask him why he did it, he began to explain. She nodded and licked his paw, the metallic taste of his blood filling her mouth. She could feel the alien blood flow through her and while it wasn't a bad feeling, it certainly felt odd. She moved her legs and swished her tail, trying to get the blood flowing through her a bit faster.

When the blood was finally through out her body, she looked up at the large wolf. "Sit." she said, trying out what he told her about being able to control all of his bodily movements. She wasn't doing it to be cruel. She simply wanted to make sure that he wasn't lying to her.

[Kailolu]

Okron stood, stunned at her sudden demand. What was he? Some special trained, high class, snot nose, uptight—The demon stopped himself and eyed her carefully before placing his rump on the ground. “Would you like me to roll over next?” While the wolf what sarcastic, he gave her a look that almost dared her to request it. His job was not to perform for his host. He flicked his tail and turned his head to the left, searching for something he could demonstrate his skills on. Yet there were no intruders on. In any direction for that matter. Okron lifted his wings and let them dissolve and evaporate, finding them to be a nuisance in this head. Now, standing before his new mistress, was a normal looking black wolf.

It was high noon, maybe a little later. If they stay in the heat for too long, it could cause them to become ill. Besides, Okron was already infiltrating her mind and could tell somewhere in there she longed for shade. He nodded his head. “Perhaps we leave this place. There is nothing but barren wastelands here.” Okron, should he feel his mistress was endanger, could go against her will and forcibly take actions to put her in a place of safe keeping. It had happened before, and if she longed to roam the desert, putting both their lives at risk, Okron would take act. He suddenly stopped and looked at the white wolf. “I apologize for my rudeness, mistress. Your ever humble and loyal servant carries the name Okron.”

Occ;
Word count; 260
Muse; 20%
Tags; Marie Anne & All!((Sorry this is pathetic! That Kihlan post really took it out of me!))

[Marie Anne]

Die Pêrel smirked as the wolf plopped down in the dirt. She couldn't help it. She really did have complete control over the brute's bodily functions. Wiping the grin off her face, she watched the male scan the area and then she watched in utter fascination as his wings just dissolved into thin air. 'Whoa! How did he do that? she though to herself. She was distracted by the show that she almost missed her new protector's statement.

"Well, yes. This is a barren wasteland, but it's where my parents are the least likely to be. I don't see why we have to leave so early. I quite enjoy the heat. It's very different from my home in the tundra mountains." she said, her voice light, almost indifferent. She hoped that her tone of voice would cause the wolf to stay off the subject. She hated talking about her family. Any part of it. It was simply too painful.

Shaking her head, Die Pêrel tried to clear her head of the horrible thoughts that flew through her head at a break neck pace. Instead she started to clean her pelt with special care, making sure that every speck of dirt was off of it. It was also a good way to keep the brute from noticing that her eyes were a deep, sorrow filled blue. Not lifting her head from it's hiding place, Die Pêrel introduced herself. "My name is Die Pêrel. It's a pleasure." she said, not looking him in the eyes even though she knew it was rude not to do so. She hated to show weakness of any kind, especially to someone she liked.

[Kailolu]

Okron’s ear swiveled and he glanced at her just in time to see her gawk at his wings. He couldn’t help but smile. Oh yes, darling, he was very impressive. He shifted his jaw and suddenly clenched it when she refused his offer. His brow furrowed for a minute in confusion. Why the hell would she want to stay in the desert? It was so hooot! He scoffed inwardly at her reasoning but did not argue. She wanted to stay in the desert, so he’d let her stay in the desert. And when she got heat stroke, he’d carry her away all while scolding her like a parent. Hehe, that’d be fun. “Well then I’d at least prefer to find you some shade.” He said, standing and waving his tail to brush sand off his rump. “We can stay as long as you like, but I’d rather not let you burn at the moment.” That was so true in ways more than he could count. But the main one was he didn’t want her to get sick because of the heat. They coul—erm, he could find some shade near water and perhaps bring her something to eat if she were hungry. He wouldn’t allow her to stay in the open like this though. The sand was already burning his paws, so he stepped a few feet forward to the coolness of the damp pond shore.

He noted how she suddenly closed off from him and started to groom her fur. Okron was both stumped and interested by this action. What did he say to make her withdraw like that? Surely he didn’t say anything offensive. He leaned forward and perked his ears curiously, squinting his eyes a bit to show his confusion. He was going to ask if she were alright, but she spoke, cutting him off. Die Pêrel. What an interesting name. He liked it. Still feeling the need to pry, Okron held it at bay for a minute to respond. “It’s a pleasure serving you, Die Pêrel.” He said, throwing a mental party that he said her name right on the first try. The next few words spilled from his mouth before he could stop himself. “Why do you want to keep from your parents? I would have guessed you’d be seeking comfort from them, not hiding.” He knew he shouldn’t pry, especially since her tone of voice and body language practically begged him to drop the subject. He was a boy, what can you do?

Occ;

Word count; 419
Muse; 60%
Tags; Marie Anne & all!

[Marie Anne]

Die Pêrel stood and walked to Okron's side. She still tried to hide her saddened expression, but she knew that the wolf beside her would find out sooner or later. It was really only a matter of time. Instead, she decided to just come out with it and tell her tale.

"My parents don't love me. They never have. I was abused and practically tortured under them. None of my family has shown me any love whatsoever," she said, pinning him with her sorrowful eyes. It pained her, even after a hundred or so years of being away from them. The pain they cause, both mentally and physically was almost too much to bear. She refused to cry however. At least not in front of Okron. "I hope to never see them again," she said her voice low and almost a whisper. She had never really told anyone of her past and she had hoped to keep it that way.

Frowning and looking up at the sun, she started panting. "Let's find some shade and food. I'm tired from roaming the desert," she said, hoping against hope that Okron would leave the subject of her parents at least for another time and day.

[Kailolu]

Okron leaned his shoulder against hers in a friendly gesture as he came to stand by him. His ears leaned toward her when she began telling her story, becoming angered almost immediately. Abused? Tortured? It was all Okron could do not to raise his hackles and snarl at the memory, feeling an unbearable sense of protectiveness over Die Pêrel, especially when she had him under her mournful stare. They would never make her feel that way again. Not while he was alive. He almost didn’t catch her last words, but on impulse he licked her cheek softly, to help comfort her. Okron almost wished he hadn’t brought it up, but he was curious and now he knew where his service was being used.

He was eager to learn more, but Die Pêrel changed the subject fairly fast. Her look told him not to pry any further and he obliged willingly. She won the battle today, but she would never win the war against Okron’s probing mind. “As you wish, mistress.” He said, arching his back and summoning smoke to cloud above him. He let them solidify into feathered meaty wings and held one over Die Pêrel as he began to lead her away. The demon was silent for some time as they walked through the desert, and it was an uncomfortable silence. He cleared his throat when he saw a large sage-bush that had grown on top of a boulder, providing a nice large jagged circle of shade. It was on a small ridge, and the ground seemed dark in the shadows. Okron smiled proudly and lifted his head. He knew that look anywhere. Water was buried underneath, he knew it. “I’m afraid all I’ll be able to find you in this barren place is hare. I do hope you don’t mind.” He said with a chuckle, vaporizing his wings when they neared the boulder. The demon stretched his limbs when he reached the shade, feeling instantly better. He rolled a shoulder until it popped and moved a few feet away to where the soil was deepest.

The black wolf turned toward Die Pêrel so he wouldn’t shower her with dirt, and began to dig furiously. He shoveled up mounds of dirt, feeling it grow wetter against his fur until cold water pooled in the hole he dug. Nudging the excess dirt away, he stepped back to allow the small bowl to fill. “If you’ll wait here, I’ll only be a few moments.” With no room for a reply, Okron turned around and vanished into the desert at a fast paced jog. He was determined to prove his skill as a sla—erm—butler. He was no slave after all. He was too hot. Okron moved around the desert with ease, his paws making little to no sound and he listened and sniffed for prey. It was a little more than five minutes before he returned to Die Pêrel with two rabbits awkwardly crammed in his jaws, their fur choking him in the heat. Okron dropped them near his new mistress and started pawing at the soil in the shade. He carved out a poorly made hole and laid in it, relishing in the feeling of cold dirt and sand cooling his overheated fur. The demon nudged the rabbits closer to his mistress and offered her a smile. “You say you’re tired of this Desert. Perhaps we leave it soon then?” He then remembered her saying something about this being the last place her parents would look. Quickly he assured her. “It doesn’t matter where you are on this planet, as long as you are by my side, your parents—or anyone for that matter—will never harm you. I give you my word.”

Occ;
Word count; 624
Muse; 80%
Tags; Marie Anne & All!

[Marie Anne]

With a small smile, Die Pêrel followed where Okron led, enjoying the silence of the desert. Though it wasn't quite silent. There were vultures flying overhead, the buzz-buzz-click of Cicadas, and the almost silent sound of rabbits and small ground squirrels skittering away from the two approaching predators. Die Pêrel knew that the black wolf beside her was in a hurry to leave this desert if only because he was probably about twice as hot as she was. Sighing, she knew that he wouldn't let her stay here for much longer.

As they drew up to the sage brush, Okron gave a knowing look and began to dig, revealing a water source. This must of been a new spring, otherwise the sand would have absorbed most of the water within a few years' time. Here in the desert, nothing lasted very long, but that didn't bother Die Pêrel. She was glad for the constant change. It was very different from the frozen world she came from where things took decades to change, if they changed at all. Laying down in the cool shade, Die Pêrel watched Okron trot off in search of food. While she waited, she panted in the shade, glad that Okron had spotted the underground spring. It made the area cooler and it gave her something to drink as well. She avoided looking into the water, fearful of what she might see. The visions were normally good, but she didn't want to think about what she might get now that she was bonded to someone else.

She was just lifting her head from getting a drink when Okron came back with two rabbits. They were relatively fat for being in the desert, and they were good. Die Pêrel took one, leaving the other for Okron and began to eat with earnest. She happened to like hare, though snake is good as well, once you get past the bones. Licking her muzzle, Die Pêrel looked over at Okron. "Thank you so much for the hare," she said before continuing. "I would like to leave soon. We can leave tonight if you so wish. I would just like to avoid the Tundra at all costs. We can go anywhere else I suppose," she said feeling a shiver of terror go through her at the thought of the possibility that she might see her family again. They would surely kill her on sight.