-Caught in a Bad Romance-

[Mama Z]

The rain was falling fast and hard. The showers were even piercing through the thick canopy of the forest. The smell was thick in the air. The smell of rotting vegetation thick. But there was no time for that. She had a mission right now and that was to report her findings. Another pack was closing in on their borders and it was her duty to let them know so the next plan of action could be taken. They couldn't afford another war.

Zaynah ran fast, blinking past the rain that fell into the green colored eyes. Her green and brown legs were but a blur on the ground, blending in with the forest around her. THe upper part of her body which was white looked like a streak of floating through the air.

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[Felypsa]

The rain fell hard, but there was no wind. The air was dead and flat and humid, and Auster, for one, did not like it.

He stood in the torrential downpour, a tall and mighty Druin (or half of one, in any case), with his head bowed low. He cut a majestic, lethal-looking figure, his head and upper half a deep bloodred color that tapered out in long points. The back half of him was a pure white, though it was mattered and dirty as he stood in this storm. From behind each of his ears was a pair of horns, one on top of the other, four in total. His eyes were ringed with maroon and seemed to be brooding.

This creature was a Giaku noble—the son of a prince. His mother, though…she was of no consequence. Simply a former slave who had mated far above her station, and then gave her life to save the Empress. Even though protecting the Empress, Auster’s cousin, had been his job. He should have been there. He should have done more. If he had…his mother would not have had to sacrifice herself.

A small quick form almost darted past him, but Auster stood like a stone. He should not even be here in Tsuyu, he thought. He should be back with Lacrimosa and her young children, watching over them. Only that thought stirred him, and he rose to his full height of six feet. His crimson gaze snapped down to Zaynah.

“Why do you run so fast, scout?” he asked, his voice low and ponderous. “Is there urgent news?” His muscles were taut, his expression grave and serious.

[Mama Z]

She had been so focused on her destination, she failed in her other duties in keeping a watchful eye out. She had to come to a skidding hault so as not to run smack dab into the huge beast. Zay had to blink, shock settling in for a moment as she thought it was a member of a different pack. But the height only spoke it all.

She swallowed and then automatically lowered her head and her entire body. Tail tucking close to her body. She showed nothing but respect. He was a prince, he may not be in line for the crown, but his linage spoke volumes. She was panting, trying her hardest to gather hre breath so she could speak clearly. After a moment she was able to nod, 'Much, Sire. There's a pack that has wondered onto the territory. I know not of their intent but after what has happened in the past, I do not trust them.'

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[Felypsa]

Auster knew that his appearance could be intimidating, and he did nothing to change this fact. It was not that he wanted everyone to fear him; it was simply that he was a very focused individual who had no time to worry about what others thought of him.

Now, the scout’s news made his eyes narrow. It could be nothing, of course. She was afraid and wary, considering the recent war. They had formed a tentative truce with the allied Shinkou and Akeru packs after learning that the whole thing had been orchestrated by a cruel manipulator, but Auster’s self-assigned role was to distrust others. He believed—or hoped—that the allies were not so foolish as to attempt to stir up war again so soon.

However, it could be that some other pack, hearing of the conflict, came to invade Giaku themselves, believing that Giaku was momentarily weak…

Auster snorted at the thought. If that were the case, this foolhardy pack would be crushed under the heel of the empire; he would see to it personally if he had to. “You do well to report this,” he said gravely, looking at the scout. “Come; we shall go to the Empress together, so that you may state everything you have seen. I will escort you.”

After all, one could not be too careful. If there were enemies, they might be on the lookout for a messenger to silence. Auster stood fully, shook some of the rain off his body where it had formed in small puddles, and began to stride confidently through the muddy undergrowth.

[Mama Z]

He snorted and for a moment she had thought she had done something foolish. But soon after he was gracing her with a compliment, one saying that she ahd done well in rushing to report in. He was moving and only then did she look up at him. He was escorting her and she had to tilt her white head. She hadn't expected that. SHe had been expected to hurry on her way, to carry her word as fast as possible.

She watched as Auster moved forward with a purpose. She glanced around the woods again and then followed after him. Never would she disobey a higher wolf. That was not her place to question or to dispute, only to report.

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[Felypsa]

The scout said nothing, but when Auster glanced behind him, he saw her trotting along. She was faster than him, that was for sure; Auster was generally a slow and steady turtle. But he believed she was sacrificing speed for protection. She was too vulnerable out here like this.

That was not to say that Auster was just going to lumber along. Once he was sure that Zaynah was following him, he picked up the pace. They had to get all the way to the Giaku mainland and then find the Empress. Auster had a good idea of where Lacrimosa might be.

Along the way, he glanced down at his companion. “What is your name?” he asked her. It was not within Auster’s nature to be friendly, per se, but having been raised by a former slave as well as the prince who loved her…he felt he should perhaps take care to learn the names of the subservients he encountered. Especially those who were so dedicated to the safety and well-being of the pack, as this scout clearly was. Auster could definitely appreciate that.

[Mama Z]

She made sure to stay behind him. She didn't walk besides him because she was not an equal, behind him was her place. Beneath him. Once he picked up pace she did so as well. She stayed close, making sure to be alert as he was and as swift as he was.

But she about tripped over her paws when he asked the question. She hadn't thought of telling him. His history was not unknown, but at the same time, he was in a different class. She glanced up to him briefly then back to the road in front of them. 'Zaynah, Sire.' she introduced bobbing her head even if he couldn't see it.

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[Felypsa]

She did introduce herself, though Auster had to turn his thick neck around so he could look at her closely; even though she could definitely keep up with him, she was hanging back. More propriety, he thought, with mild distaste. “Zaynah,” he repeated with a nod. “That sounds…foreign. Were you born here, Zaynah, or did you come from elsewhere?”

He considered the matter and frowned a bit, which of course made him look all the more intimidating—though he was not frowning at her exactly. “There is no need to call me ‘sire,’” he added, dark eyes flickering. He was a noble, yes, but he did not consider himself one of the more public royal figures. The fact that pure strangers like Zaynah here would show him such deference and respect—it made him somewhat uncomfortable.

“My name is Auster, and it is good to meet you, Zaynah. It is pleasing to see someone so dedicated to and concerned about the safety of our pack.” He continued to hustle along as he talked, though there was no breathlessness in his unhurried words; he had enough stamina to do both at the same time without strain.

[Mama Z]

Not her fault that her fathers teaching was ingrained into her soul and every fiber of her being. He had taught her to be proud of her land and her pack. That went along with utter respect for those who held high authority. She knew her place and never wished to toe the line. She was ready to answer his next question when he came out with a statement. She frowned and couldn't help but hesitate. Really, you didn't hear that every day.

She swallowed and nodded, folliowing after him. 'It is my honor to defend these lands,' Sire she thought, 'And yes I was born here. My father was a scout as well.'

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[Felypsa]

His thought that her name was a foreign one was proven incorrect, or at least, his assumption that she had come from elsewhere was. Rather, she had been born in this pack, just as he had. “I see,” he said ponderously, blinking through the sheets of rain. “Then you have loyalty to your family as well.” His voice held a note of approval.

To Auster, there was nothing more important than family. Even as dramatic and irrational as his complicated extended relatives could be, he would give his life for any of them. “Your father was a scout?” he queried, noting the past tense of the verb. “Does that mean he is no longer?” He could have been treading on a sensitive issue, he was aware of that, but his voice was gentle and not at all prying. Simply curious.

Well well well. Wasn’t this interesting. Her slowpoke, single-minded nephew was actually hurrying somewhere. Of course, to Tiamat, Auster’s increased speed was still scarcely better than a turtle plodding along the ground. But no one could be as fast as her anyway.

The green Druin kept in the shade, sheltered somewhat from the downpour, as she watched her least interesting relative jog alongside a mere scout…making conversation with her. Tiamat’s silver eyes danced with amusement. Well, this could be interesting, couldn’t it? She would just have to wait and see how this played out. And then determine whether she could make it even more entertaining.

[Mama Z]

Why he was interested in her life was beyond her and Zaynah wasn't sure if she should be honored or worried about such things. At his question, she winced only a little but continued on as if nothing but a fly had landed on her. 'He became lame in an accident a very long while ago.' She informed, 'His injury never healed right and he is now on the other side.' It had been a painless death. Some insanity toward the end from fever but after that, he was just gone. Not a surprising thingt hat her mother had followed soon after, grief being what had killed her.

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[Felypsa]

So she had lost a parent, just as he had. Auster looked up at the sky, blinking as some of the raindrops plunked like pellets into his eyes. They had both lost someone dear to them, whose life had been lost in duty to the pack. And yet, both of them were equally willing to pay the same price. He had more in common with this previously nameless scout than he had imagined.

“My sympathies,” he rumbled. “I too know what it is like to lose a parent.” Auster did not know, could not expect to know, that Zaynah would have been aware of the sacrifice his mother made. “We must make sure it does not happen again,” he added, his voice becoming stronger and firmer. “Would that the rain would let up,” he murmured.

Eyes glowing, Auster summoned up his magical wind. It took more energy than usual, since the air was so dead otherwise, but soon the breeze whirled around the two of them, causing the rain to fall on either side of them. A thin sort of shield, but one that at least cleared the curtain of rain from his eyes. “Come, Zaynah. We must hurry, so that my mother and your father’s deaths are not in vain to save this pack.”

Such melodrama! Tiamat was enjoying this immensely already. She only wished that Auster and Zaynah did not have to move so slowly, but well, no one could keep up with her. An idea finally struck her and she dashed out in their paths. “Hail, royal nephew!” she called out, silver eyes glittering in the rain.

Auster slowed and looked at her quickly with a small frown. He knew his Aunt Tiamat, of course, the daughter of his grandfather Tartarus and a concubine. He had little to do with her. But before he could respond, Tia went on: “I couldn’t help overhearing. You have an urgent message for the Empress, don’t you?” She lifted up her head, looking almost majestic with her silver curled horns.

“Yes,” Auster said, looking at her impassively. Tiamat nodded and then looked at Zaynah. “What did you see, dearie? I’ll take the message first myself, a preliminary warning. I’m much faster than you or our enemies could hope to be. I’ll be at Lacrimosa’s side in a heartbeat.” Auster hesitated, but then looked at Zaynah. “Go on, tell her,” he murmured. “She is unnaturally quick.”

[Mama Z]

Things were moving at a slower pace than she was wanting to go. Especially since the royal was giving her his sympathies. And he could relate. She'd only heard rumors and like a good scout knew not to believe them unless they came from the source. She nodded, taking the sympathies. 'And for you.' And she was honest. She wasn't sure how close he was to the parent he had lost, but it had to be hard. Then he summoned a wind that helped to divert the rain.

But they weren't alone for long. Soon another was joining them and Zay paused to look at Tiamat for a brief moment, again her body lowering a fraction. She wanted to know what the drama was and Zay looked to Auster for a brief moment before looking back to Tia. 'There's a pack on the borders.' She stated, 'Im not sure if they mean harm or not but it needs to be known.'

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[Felypsa]

Tiamat turned her attention from her surly nephew to the scout herself, listening to the message. It was simple enough. The Druiness gave a wide smile. “I think I can handle that,” she said airily. “I’ll be at Lacrimosa’s side with the news in the span of a heartbeat. You can come later, if you want, to describe them more to the Empress.” She winked, and with that, she was off, dashing quite fast through the rain. In fact, she seemed to be moving so quickly that hardly any rain fell on her form.

Truly, she did mean to tell the Empress, but that would not take so long. She had other plans as well cooking up in her head, plans that make this much more interesting.

Auster watched his strange aunt disappear from sight almost immediately. It was so odd that such a tall creature like her could move with such speed and agility. He then turned down to Zaynah. “I can continue to escort you, if you like,” he offered. “You still run the risk of being seen by these outsiders.” He glanced around them for a moment, the wind still keeping them somewhat safe from the downpour.

“I would report directly to the Empress, if I were you,” he added quietly. “It is not that I do not trust Aunt Tiamat, but…she has a tendency for bending the truth and exaggerating. It would be better to hear it from the source.” He paused, then went on. “Besides, the Empress could very well reward you for your good work.”

[Mama Z]

She bounded off without a second thought to it and Zaynah felt the oddest twinge of jealousy shoot through her. She wished she could run as fast as that, but also, Tiamat just ran off with her news. Zay was never one for glory, but her job was sacred to her in a way. She lived for these packs and their safety. She guessed it was simply hard to hand the news over to someone she was totally unfamiliar with.

After a few moments, he then spoke and she looked toward him. He was giving more advise and she tilted her head. He explained why without her prompting and she made a face. 'I wish not for rewards. I just want to make sure this is dealt with right.' and promptly. But she was curous to know why Auster had just told Tia what was going on.

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