a survivor's beacon of fire (Open Thread)

[wolfshade]

A blue flicker falls from the sky, Its light cast an eerie glow upon the trees and the surrounding area. Most would brush it off as a comet, but this 'free-falling wonder' is not what it seems. It approaches at a high velocity, the forest animals take cover as it cuts through the trees but at five feet off the ground it turns and flies perfectly parallel to the forest floor. the blue flames hissed and crackled at a high intensity as it flew by, but yet, the trees remained un-scorched...

Shade approached the forest canopy straight down, his wings swept back within the blue flames that engulfed his entire body from his ear line back. The world was a blur and the approach, absolutely dangerous. But he has done this many a time before in high speed aerial combat, he knew what needed to be done. The canopy flew by and the ground approached rapidly. He gritted his teeth in pain as the g-force increased upon his bones six-fold, he would normally never exceed four-fold but today he had no choice. He pulled up sharply and came parallel to the ground. He called off the fire and slowed down, he breathed a sigh of relief as the wilderness around him unstretched into solid individual objects from the sudden inertial change. He glided to a small clearing still hidden by the trees and started to back swash his wings to a hover.

Shade landed in the clearing roughly. His body ached and reafed as he coughed up some blood. His chest was bruised and he had a new set of scars on his back, and it didn't help that he was pulling five-plus G's to escape that creature that ambushed him. To him it didn't seem like a bad hit so he tried to find a more suitable shelter. As he went to go look he got struck once more across the back of his scalp. He fell, unconscious and limp; the creature flew off into the darkness with a screech as the crisp night time breeze rippled Shade's warm feathers...

[ulrica]

<sup>Aiu's snowy head rested upon her paws which criss-crossed over the branch she currently lazed upon; her hind legs dangling on either side of the large 'arm'. Her sleep was for once dreamless. No visions of the family she didn't remember being murdered before her eyes. No walks through a blackened world, void of all life but for the creatures that chased her endlessly. Not a single night terror showed its face in her slumber, which was surprising seeing as Al wasn't with her. The slender she-wolf was alone, her dear friend nowhere in sight. For a while the adolescent female slept on peacefully, oblivious to the fire ball fast approaching. But then there was movement. A flicker of a single ear as something displaced the particles of air. A slight flaring of her nostrils as the scent of blood hit her delicate nose. The fluttering of an eyelid as the huntress awoke. Something had entered the forest, and that demanded her attention.

Lithe paws carried the female from branch to branch as she hurried to see what had been so important to her subconscious that it had woke her up. She didn't have to wait long to find out. Aiu's emerald eyes widened with fear and shock at the blue comet falling through Kohai. The snowy wolfess was even more surprised when the trees around it showed no sign of combustion. In fact, they looked perfectly fine. And then...the fire was gone. In its place was a wolf. No, not just a wolf because this creature had wings. For a second, the female's heart trilled as she instantly assumed it was Alastolan. But too soon her head caught up with her and shot that theory down. Al did not control fire, and his markings were no where near close to resembling this wolf's. Aiu watched closely as the new comer pulled out of his dive - the obvious pain of such an action causing the female to wince involuntarily - and glide through the trees into a small clearing. Leaping from her perch, the snowy she-wolf followed this wolf though she made sure to shroud herself in shadow. There's no reason to be seen by a potential enemy... She reasoned as her paws carried her silently yet swiftly toward where the wolf had landed. Again, the stench of blood reached the femme and her mouth watered. But this wolf was in danger, and pain, her hunger would have to wait. Since he's in so much pain, wouldn't it just be better to put him out of his misery...? A voice sneered wickedly in her head. No! Every life is precious. That's what Al always says. I'm helping him, not killing him. Aiu countered angrily. Suit yourself... The annoyingly tempting voice replied.

Creeping closer to the wolf, her gemstone eyes watching him closely as he...got hit across the head? A sharp talon came from nowhere and rendered the stranger unconscious. Aiu gasped, fear sending her heart racing as the creature swooped back around for a second attack. Well, you wanted to help him. So help him. The voice said in her mind, sounding bored. She didn't hesitate. Digging her claws into the loamy soil, the snowy she-wolf gave a great flap of her wings and shot forward. The two raced toward the male's side, both trying to get there first. Luckily, it was the she-wolf who won. Leaping into the air, Aiu's fangs closed around the creature's leg and drug down as she fell back to the earth. While it wasn't enough to ground the massive beast, it was adequate to send it screeching into the night.

A cool breeze caressed the she-wolf's figure, ruffling her feathers and playing with her thick fur. Turning back, an anxious look in her eyes, Aiu padded silently to the wolf's side. Male. Perhaps a hybrid but what did she know of such things? Multiple wounds covered his back and one on his head which had knocked him out just seconds ago. Whimpering quietly, the adolescent she-wolf nudged the male's shoulder with her dark nose, desperately trying to get him up. Nothing. She gently tugged on his ear, whining low in her throat. Nothing. Her tail swished violently against her heels as she gave a sharp bark. Nothing. She flapped her wings frantically, darting about him and nudging him again and again. Nothing.

Eyes darting around her, Aiu finally lowered herself down beside the wolf. She snuggled under his right wing seeking the comfort Al usually provided as she slept. This time, however, it was her turn to play guard. Alastolan wasn't here to protect them, and this male obviously wasn't going to offer much safety. So, the snowy wolfess set to cleaning his wounds, her tongue gently cleaning away the blood that was drying in his shadowy fur and raven-like feathers. The whole while keeping her eyes peeled for the creature who had been the cause of this.</sup>

[wolfshade]

Dreams and memories forgotten through time flooded his sights. Memories of his childhood his family and friends, the fires and unsightly deaths he witnessed, the near misses he encountered. Everything flew through his mind, 'am I dead?' the thought was clear in his mind, then he saw himself flying in the air, the first ambush, the chase, the summoning of his fire, the pain... the pain...

Shade's eyes snapped open, with a gasp gritting his teeth in pain he went to roll onto his paws, the fire scorched along his wingtips, crimson red then blue, his symbols and signs marked upon his bod, begun to glow once more beneath his blackened feathers and fur as his energy came back. The mark upon his forehead luminesced as he looked around. But he felt movement beneath his wing, he looked over and saw the white avian she-wolf tending to his wounds, "wha... what... happened?" he asked, still woozy from the strike to the back of his scalp.

Shade continued to look around trying to figure out what happened and what struck him so silently and swiftly. His ears twitching left and right, up and down, as he licked away the dried blood around his lips. He still felt stiff and weak, but it happens when you get struck from no where and end up having to take evasive maneuvers to not die. And where did the she-wolf come from? Was she in the woods when I crashed through the canopy? Did she get hit as I flew by? All these questions flew through Shade's head, and the sting from the pain caused him to start blacking out again, he held strong and refused to let happen

[ulrica]

<sup>The male's gasp made Aiu jump with a gasp of her own. Realizing what it was, she growled slightly and thumped a paw onto his back to hold him in place. The glowing of his markings made the she-wolf anxious, but she refused to leave the wolf's side in case he decided to do something stupid...like stand for example. "Wha... what... happened?" He asked, still sounding out of it and more than a little absentminded. Aiu snorted and nudged his muzzle with her nose, encouraging him to lay his head back down. "Nothing. Just go back to sleep and I'll watch over you. Nothing will hurt you I promise." She cooed, the lilting tones of her musical voice soothingly seductive in a manner only she could possess.

Returning to cleaning his wounds, the snowy she-wolf let her muscles relax. This male wouldn't hurt her, not in the condition he was in at the moment anyway. Aiu's tail swished over the ground, the midnight blue half circles contorting as her fur criss-crossed over itself with the movement then settled back as she stilled, only to repeat the process when her tail moved again. As she cleaned him, the adolescent she-wolf took in the males scent, surprised slightly when it wasn't Al's. Oh yea... I'm not with him am I... She thought glumly, missing her friend and feeling a slight constricting of her throat just thinking about the danger he could be getting himself into. Shoving those thoughts away, the femme forced herself to pay attention to the happenings around her. The first thing she noticed being that the male hadn't gone back to sleep. Snorting indignantly, Aiu placed her paw on his shoulder and shoved in an attempt to get him on his side. If it worked, she would then move that paw to drape over his head while she held her muzzle barely a hair's breadth away from his. Either way, her words would still be the same. "Gods, just go to sleep you stupid male!!" Her voice harsh now, but the concern she felt still showing through.</sup>

[wolfshade]

Dazed and confused Shade nodded at her response, "You sure you be okay doing that?" His concern was genuine, it takes alot to make him have to escape an aerial ambush of any sort "keeping yourself and me safe from a thing like that?" but the tone of her voice when he concentrated on it made it think otherwise, for she did risk her own life to help him, she could of fled, hell she could of eaten him for all it seems. He smiled softly at her bravery and care, "Thanks" he remarked...

Shade coughed lightly and a bit of blood dripped along his maw, but it wasn't enough to be listed for major internal bleeding, but maybe a ruptured capillary or two. He yelped softly, as the she-wolf placed a firm paw upon his shoulder and forced him on his side draping a paw over his head "hey..." he responded to her remark, "I am not stupid," he flatted his ears in embarrassment, "I am just presently unlucky" He snorted thinking about how moronic it was that he let his guard down in an unknown area, his tail flicked in his agitation.

On his side head down, he looked around, listening and scenting the new area. There was a few bird now coming out of their hiding places, along with a few of the other local creatures. He closed his eyes, replaying what just happened. Shade started to relax from the she-wolf's care and attention, the signs marked upon his bod faded their glow, and the fire upon his wing edge withdrew to only the very tips and dwindled as he started to tuck them still keeping the she-wolf covered. The only thing that still glowed upon him, now white, was the ankh on his forehead. He laid still, almost meditatively, as he re-channeled his energy back to full....

[ulrica]

<sup>Aiu snorted, a wry smirk on her face at his unlucky statement. She nuzzled his jaw softly before licking the blood away from his muzzle. "Don't thank me yet fly-boy..." She replied softly, the gentleness in her voice making the femme blink. You're going soft girly. A voice in her head teased meanly. The she-wolf pointedly ignored it. Returning to cleaning the wound on the male's scalp, Aiu noticed the strange glowing beginning to fade. There came a slight tugging on her side as the male began to tuck in his wings, though he kept one draped over her creating a warm cocoon. And it was warm. Heat radiated from the male rendering Aiu's control over ice momentarily helpless. Oh well. It's not like I need it right now anyway.

There came a flicker of her ear when the male closed his eyes and for a brief second, she paused in her fussing to simply look at him. The black feathers on his muzzle and down his forehead shone in what moonlight managed to reach through the trees and land upon them. A small smile curled one side of her mouth and she went back to washing his wounds of which there was plenty. What did you get yourself into...? She wondered absently as she worked over the male, her emerald eyes never once leaving the shadows of the forest around them. Yes, her muscles were relaxed. Yes, her actions were calm and unhurried, almost lazy. But if anyone had thought she wasn't paying aware of every tiny footfall within fifty yards of herself and the wounded male, well, they would figure it out while trying to sneak up on them.

A rustle came from the bushes to her right, if the male would have opened his eyes then he would have seen a timid red fox peering out from between the dense foliage. The creature seemed intent to merely watch the two wolves, its orange eyes following every movement the femme made over the male. However, he was allowed to linger there perhaps a second before Aiu had moved into a crouching position. She wasn't standing up enough to fall out from beneath the dark wing which covered her, but it was enough so that her front paws were spread on either side of the wolf's head beneath her in a protective stance. A savage growl came from her throat and her jade eyes flashed dangerously. To say in the least, the fox ran away...very quickly. Snorting slightly, the snowy wolfess snuggled back into the male and once again returned to cleaning his wounds. "I doubt that creature will return tonight and I'm confident in my capabilities to keep anything else away. You just go ahead and sleep now alright?" Aiu said softly commenting on the male's questioning of whether she was sure she wanted to guard him throughout the night. She paused in her cleaning, nuzzling directly below the wolf's ear as she waited for his reply.</sup>

[wolfshade]

((ooc: i may of power-played in this one but for good reason so sorry about that))

Shade nodded softly, "yes ma'am" it had been awhile since anyone stopped to help him in his journeys, he still wondered why she did and now risking her life to keep him safe and care for him. His ear twitched to sound in the bush, but he paid no heed to for the femme already had it covered and the creature loped off.

He caught himself staring into her emerald eyes, they were full of mixed emotions, he was fascinated with them, her aura was vibrant, colored by stamina and past life. He looked away embarrassed, he shouldn't be eyeing up a she-wolf on a first meet, and besides a she-wolf like her probably has a mate already. "For a huntress you have a soft heart" he said as he remembered how firmly but softly she forced him down to the ground, limbs like that could only belong to a hunter or warrior.

Shade sighed still embarrassed slightly, his pains started to diminish, and he was tired and sleep didn't seem like a bad idea, but inside, he didn't want another wolf die just to help him so sleep was taking time. Shade was always a warrior at heart and would never leave anyone behind, but this,... this just defied his logic, maybe it is because he was tired, tired about trying to find answers that don't exist or tired of trying to fit in with all the other species, he was the last of his kind, the last of his native background, just a hybrid that was unlike the others...

But as a believer of the fates, like his father, he asked why did he not die on the first strike thirteen-thousand feet in the air. How did he survive the pull-out of that dive, even his species couldn't naturally make that many G's, and why did he run into this avian at the end of it all. So many questions he wanted answered, but he can't find out now, he was injured and weak, and he had a she-wolf pinning him to the ground so he wouldn't move. Finally, his mind went blank, and sleep took control...

[ulrica]

Aiu rolled her eyes with a smirk at the male's title. Mostly because she knew deep down inside that she didn't deserve any title except for one... Outsider... A voice sneered in her head. The she-wolf had to actively think about not flinching at the silent word. However, she quickly shoved such things to the back of her mind and once more focused on the male. His gaze had caught her own and she felt her heart pounding wildly. Quickly looking away with a troubled expression. You're just scared that he's going to read you and not like the past you've led. Silly girl, death is your calling. Sooner or later this will be clear to you... The voice hissed venomously before fading into silence. "For a huntress you have a soft heart" He said softly, his words kind and sincere as he relaxed beneath her. Aiu laughed at the comment, the sound coming out broken and choked. You don't know how wrong you are... She thought with more sorrow than expected. "Thanks.." The adolescent femme replied audibly, her voice quiet...downcast as where her eyes.

Finally, the wolf began to drift off into sleep; the dark oblivion claiming him slowly but completely. Aiu smiled and nuzzled his cheek gently, a gesture whose affection was usually only shown to Al. Maybe he's right, maybe I'm changing after all. The she-wolf hoped, thinking of her dear friend's words of encouragement. Yes, you're changing, but it's too late to make a difference.. The voice returned, scornful as ever. The deaths of hundreds rest on your shoulders, their blood stains your fur... Those are the sins you will carry for eternity, and not even Alastolan can change that...

Silence.

The snowy wolfess sighed quietly, an aged look coming over her features. Leave... A new voice whispered, it's wisdom tempting to the she-wolf. He'll be safe for the night and tomorrow he will heal... Leave and allow him a future untarnished by your interference... There was a twinge in her chest at that thought. Yes, she should leave, but something wouldn't allow her to simply forsake this wolf to chance and luck. Who knew what sort of scavengers would come along if she left? He could die and she wouldn't be the wiser. A tell-tale growl rumbled in the she-wolf's belly, however and the realization came that one way or another, she would have to leave for at least a brief while. Choosing the shorter absence, Aiu slid from the male's snug embrace and padded silently a few yards away. Jade eyes turned back on the wounded male and the wolfess paused for a moment, watching the wolf in his slumber. Be safe... And sleep... She willed before allowing the forest to swallow her...

Scents bombarded the femme's delicate nose and she soon decided upon digging into a rabbits burrow. A mated pair plus their late offspring. They wouldn't have survived anyway... Aiu told herself, before attacking the small opening. She caught them by surprise and not very deep. An easy kill. The female was smaller and the huntress quickly devoured it, however, the male she left alone. After she cleaned the blood from her muzzle and paws, the adolescent female grabbed the rabbit around its neck in her jaws and began the short trek back to the wounded wolf she had momentarily left. With a predator's grace she stepped into the small clearing and was instantly searching for the male, hoping he hadn't awoken in her absence and done something stupid...like, say, try to move.


((OOC: Hmmm... Unless you were meaning about when he's looking into her eyes and the aura stuffz then I honestly didn't see any power-play lol xD It's cool anyway, I didn't mind ;P ))

[wolfshade]

Shade slept even as a light breeze ruffled his feathers, he was too tired to move to tired to notice that the she-wolf trotted off. Images of his puppy-hood flashed through his mind again. 'Why did you not help them?' the thought stung badly, 'you know you could of dodged that bough that fell on you' he started to snarl, 'but you took it straight to the head, and now you are blind in one eye, your pathetic' it chuckled...

Outside, Shade remained still, only a few muscle twitches made the point that he was still alive and asleep. Tormented by memories of past life, a snarl emanated from his maw and flicker of red sparked along his wingtips and then diminish as he went silent once again.

The air shifted, Shade's ear unconsciously twitched towards it, Wing beats they seemed far in fact they sounded as though they were moving away. His muscles rippled into compression beneath his fur ready to spring forth and take air in ishkoodah' injured or not, for he was not going to be ambushed again. But luckily he wouldn't need to do so tonight for the wing beats disappeared into the distance..

[ulrica]

<sup>The male's sleep seemed untroubled to Aiu, as he only twitched every now and then. She smiled, her head falling to one sight slightly while she watched him. Unfortunately, the peace didn't last long. When the adolescent she-wolf was slowly walking back to return to the wolf's side, a flash of red flickered at his wingtips and a snarl sounded from his muzzle. Dropping her kill, the snowy wolfess rushed to his side, anxiously nudging his muzzle with her own. She whimpered and tip-toed frantically around the wolf, nudging him every once in a while. But, as quickly as the strange fire had come, it was gone and he seemed no more awake than he had been merely seconds before. Whimpering a final time, she snuggled back under the hybrid's wing and nuzzled her nose behind his ear, nibbling it gently and much like a puppy. Finally accepting that he was alright, Aiu nudged her nose beneath the base of the wolf's throat and allowed her tensed muscles to relax.

This peace didn't last long either. The sound of wing beats caught the snowy wolfess's attention just as the male's ear flicked toward the sound. His muscles tensed and coiled, readying to move. She placed a single paw over him in an attempt to hold him down, but she needn't have bothered. Slowly, the wing beats died away as the beast who possessed them flew into the distance and the wolf beside her eased back into a state of calm. Even so, Aiu couldn't keep a feeling of anxiety from making her heart thud heavily within her narrow chest, and her sharp eyes remained glued to the night sky. Nothing would hurt this male on her watch. Nothing...</sup>

[wolfshade]

((ooc: going to advance this ahead a bit))

A day passed, Shade was shocked that he slept for a day and a night, even injured like he was a day ago from that creature, he always awoke to the sunlight's first rise. He fluffed his feathers and fur as he yawned and stretched, his large canines sparkled in the sun.

Shade didn't know right away if the she-wolf was still around, for he was still numb and woozy, nothing that a brisk morning flight, no, walk, wouldn't cure, he didn't want to risk another freak ambush happen again. That one night was enough excitement for a week.

He took in the morning autumn scent, starting to understand his new surroundings since his long trek across seas and storms. His sightless right eye catches the light as did the scar that surrounded it as he flicked his auds around...

[ulrica]

<sup>Time passed agonizingly slow for the usually busy she-wolf. Where once she never stayed in one place for very long, now she forced herself to remain by the male's side. Every once in a while she would take short cat-naps, but she would always wake at the slightest noise or movement. Not once did she leave the male's side, not even to retrieve the rabbit's lifeless corpse. No, that was a meal for the male not her. In the minutes before the wolf awoke, Aiu had been starring into the glazed eyes of the rabbit. She imagined it having a voice and tempting her with its succulent taste, promising mouthfuls of sweet, delicious blood and flesh. Thankfully, the male stirred before the adolescent female fell to her hunger. He looked around as if unsure of his surroundings, his ears swiveling this way and that.

The femme stood, moving away a bit and shaking her fur/wings out. She stretched, yawning as she did so, then turned her emerald gaze on the wolf. A small smile curled one side of Aiu's mouth, something sorrowful in the gesture as she had just remembered this wasn't Al. The excitement from the creature's attack having worn off, she suddenly worried about her intimacy toward the wolf who was - in all ways - a stranger. The snowy wolfess was an affectionate creature at heart, a nudge of one's nose against her own being a normal occurrence in Aiu's world. But her world was not his and this is something she needed to remember. So, giving a sheepish grin and dipping her head a bit the femme spoke with hushed tones, suddenly unsure of herself around this male. "I hope you slept well..?" Even though she was anxious, the hope in her voice was obvious as well as in the small wag of her tail. Dog. A voice scoffed with disgust in the she-wolf's mind, though it was quickly shoved away. Still, it left a mark on the young wolf's confidence.</sup>

[wolfshade]

Shade got up, but only with a little grimace from his sleep-stiffened joints, "yeah, as good as it could of gotten", he smiled softly, "thanks for helping me." He outstretched his wings with a low growl and the fires flamed along its leading edge. Dirt and pebbles flew around as he flapped his wings to loosen them up and retucked them tight against himself...

Shade eyed the she-wolf, "now that i am a little more together, i should properly introduce myself," the blue flames flickered across his symbols. "My name is Shade, Wolf Shade" He bowed lightly and smiled again, "But most call me Bane. I am the last of Northeastern Fyre Wings. May I ask whom you are?" his tail wagged softly.

The fresh autumn wind flowed through his feathers and fur as he stood tall on strong limbs. His muscles rippled beneath his skin along his frame as he breathed and waited for her response...

[ulrica]

<sup>Aiu began to relax with the male's smile, she even ventured a step closer. "It's the least I could have done." Her voice was soft, but a timid smile began to spread over her maw. A timid smile that instantly disappeared when the wolf growled. The fire sparked along the length of his wings and the snowy she-wolf instinctively cringed away as if he had threatened her in some way. However, when his wings were tucked back against his sides, Aiu shook the fear from her cloudy head and forced herself to meet his gaze. Still, as the flames remained in the strange symbols across his body, she dared not take a step closer. "My name is Shade, Wolf Shade" The wolf said, not unkindly. "But most call me Bane. I am the last of Northeastern Fyre Wings. May I ask whom you are?" Emerald eyes shifted from the male to the forest's edge, fear making the femme wonder if she should simply chose to skip out while she still had her life. "I'm... I'm Aiu.." She said, her voice little more than a whisper. The suddenly frightened wolfess would have been surprised if this, Shade, had even heard her.

A crisp fall breeze gently caressed Shade's frame, brushing through his feathers as if it were a comb. His bod was muscled well, his legs steady and sure. All-in-all, he was a magnificent creature. Quite intimidating to a naturally reclusive creature such as Aiu. While it wasn't actually the male himself which frightened the adolescent female - although his splendor left her feeling slightly breathless - it was more the electric blue fire that danced as symbols over his sturdy figure. There was two things that could petrify the lithe huntress in terror: thunder, and lightning. This male's flames possessed one, and his deep voice was comparable to the other. For the she-wolf, it was almost too much to bear. Never-the-less, she jerked her head toward the discarded rabbit carcass still laying where it had been dropped. "That was for you... If you wanted it..." Aiu offered, her voice still quiet yet at least more than the previous whisper.</sup>

((OOC: Erg >.< sorry, I didn't proof this one so please excuse the multiple mistakes I'm sure there are. I just can't stay awake long enough to read over it though xD haha ))

[wolfshade]

Shade's flattened his ears and drop low to the ground, he knew he was scaring the femme. He knew he was a scary stranger on the first meet. Whining softly the fires upon him subside and the symbols dim as he tried his best to make himself as unfrightening as possible but it was hard with his background, "Aiu?" he tried to pronounce the best he could with his foreign tongue, "it is a pleasure to met you miss. I am eternally sorry if i startle you with my physique" he tilted his head lightly, "I know that am a scary sight at first but i am actually benevolant i do not wish to fight and i do not wish to scare others, i am actually a nice guy"

Shade looked towards the rabbit that she gestured towards, he looked back at her, "thanks again" he laid on his chest and happily munched away at the rabbit, when he was done he looked back at Aiu, "you think we should find better shelter? Anyways i am new here and i wouldn't mind a tour" He smiled softly