[Sunset Falls]Like Cats and Dogs (Ryalas, Djiann, Cristal)

[Kita]

Timestamp: 1st of Fall Location: Sunset Falls The forests felt so much more natural to Kita. She knew she should spend less time in the woods and more times so she could get a bondmate but Syliras got so overwhelming at times. Out in the Cobalt Mountains she could be herself. Fox or human, clothed or naked, none of it mattered. She could not deny that she yearned for someone to spend time with. It had been so long since she had a stable companion. There had been aquaintences, a few actually. There had been thieves, hunters, and even that quiet man she had met in the garden. No one had really stuck with her though. She often worried that she would be alone forever, doomed to fall asleep alone and wake up the same way. At first being alone had been an adventure. "Let's see how many people I can steal from today" or wondering "I wonder where I will sleep tonight". Now it was just haunting. Life was quite daunting when one had no one to talk to. When the only voice one hears is the voice in their head. It was enough to drive anyone to animosity. The thing was, Kita was already an animal. She looked innocent enough with her long black hair and kind features. One could tell from one look at her that she was not all that she seemed. Her gold eyes and vulpine-like teeth made sure of that. It had driven a good number of people away. Who would want to be with a girl who was just moments away from being an animal? That fact was the reason she was alone. It caused these escapes to the mountians. Sometimes they were happy but other times her more depressed emotions took over, as they were now. Within the protection of the wild Kita could let down her guard. She had rid herself of all her clothing except a flowy black and purple dress. She ran expertly through the woods with no attention to how the underbrush was cutting up her barefeet. She was running to a place that she often escaped to in times like these. As she ran her bow and arrows lightly thumped against her back. Each footfall was matched by her bow hitting against her back. Her steps were fast and fleet as the space between her and Sunset Falls became smaller. What she was running from she was not sure. She just felt the need to be in nature, her home. She tried to keep the tears from falling but a few tears fought their way out. She needed to get to the falls so she could have a place to cry in peace.  Soon the rushing sound of Sunset Falls filled Kita's keen ears. A small smile appeared and then vanished on her soft face. She had reached her destination. She walked to the edge of the water and dipped her feet into the water. She watched as the blood and dirt dispersed from her feet. She sighed and finally let herself cry. "I miss Avanthal." she whimpered. She looked toward the water crashing into the body of water she was standing in. It calmed her. The pain of being away from Avanthal hurt but she knew that if she wasn't alone it wouldn't hurt as much. Anything to distract her from being so far from home. Fall was coming and following that would be Winter. Morwen would travel through Mizahar and everywhere would look like her home. Kita looked up at the waterfall and bit her lip. At least she was still welcome in nature.

[Ryalas]

Ryalas was thirsty...there was no doubt about it, His throat burned from being dry and his tongue was beginning to stick to the roof of his mouth. "there has to be something here" he thought to himself lifting his nose into the air, that was when it hit him. "that smell, I love it so much...the fresh..clean smell of water" he closed his eyes to get a better sense of direction and began to walk.

First, it was just a smell, then came the sounds. The roar of water falling from a height, and also the sound of birds chirping and fish jumping. The kelvic picked up his pace almost turning his brisk walk into a full blown sprint to quench his thirst. and then...suddenly, he stopped, another smell had entered his nose. A human smell, a womans. He listened closely hearing her whimpers here and then "damn it...i was hoping to just be alone out here...no humans...nothing just me some water and maybe a fish if i'm lucky..but, i truly do hate to see people hurt..even emotionally..." he silently approached as best as he could in human form trying to keep his clothing from getting entangled in the brush.

He stuck his head inside a bush looking out onto the river he watched her silently for a moment then stepped out "uh, hey....you ok?"

[Kita]

Everything was calm at the base of the falls. Kita closed her eyes and sniffled as a few more tears fell. Her canine nose caught a whole pallet of scents. Water of course, moss, small forest animals, man... Wait, a man? That wouldn't be right. She could have sworn she was alone. When once was was calm and in tune with nature she was now standing alert and at attention. She sniffed the air again and she could smell the man coming closer to her. Her bright yellow eyes looked at the forest carefully serching for any sign of a threat. She had learned the hard way that if she didn't keep her guard up she would die. The Sylirian Knight who she had met had almost killed her for not being careful enough. She could still see the man's face as he held her on the fragile line between life and death. She would not let that happen again.  The man approached and Kita felt herself ready to whip her bow around to shoot the man who was approaching. She kept a nonchalant look though. She didn't want to lose the element of surprise. She heard a head peek out of the bushes and saw a man who could not have been older than her. There was something about this man that instantly made her calm. She did not know what it was but she didn't feel scared anymore. She sniffed at the air and she smelled the man and another smell. A cat! He had to be a kelvic. She sniffed and wipped her eyes. "Oh, I thought I was alone out here. For the love of Orianna." She walked out of the water and stood by the shore. "I'm okay. I'm just... Homesick." She decided to leave out that she was lonely. Although, this man was Kelvic. He would know how it felt to be alone. She sat down on a rock at the side of the small like. "I'm Kita..." She wondered if it was expected that she asked his name too. "May I as your name?" She was timid as any fox would be but she was also curious. It was her nature to let her curiosity take her to places that at times she really should not go. She felt comfort from this man. Her yellow eyes looked over at the man. "You may join me if you like. I'm always open for company." she was a bit scared the man would turn her down but she had to put it out there. If he left her she would be sad. She didn't know him but he was the first person since her brothers to ask how she was. It did not seem like a big thing but it really made her happy. For a moment she felt a flicker of hope. Maybe she would finally see an end to her lonliness.

[Cristal]

It had been quite some time since Cristal had been out in any area where the earth was under her feet and the smell of the land was as fresh as the morning. She had missed being out in the wild and not in the city. Sure when she had gone to Syliras it had been a thrill, but after some time there she felt locked up. Like a animal caged and away from the world she belonged in. Which was what had been happening slowly. Only for a few bell's she had been within the city wall's, but the need to be free was grater then the need to be around others and even as she was free of the walls she felt the loneliness coming.

Still she wouldn't allow her need to have some companionship get to her. She was two years old now and even though she longed for a mate or even just a comrade she knew it was for not. Who would want her? She was a wild animal for the love of all that was good. She needed to go out some nights and run among the wilderness and hunt. Sometimes she found herself baring her fangs and ready to pounce on someone when she was in her human form. Thus why so many turned away from her and she was alone most of the time. She had to chuckle bitterly at that since she was at fault. She could control her animal side... To a point. Did she? Not at all. Why would she hide what she was? How would that work out if the one who loved her or even kept her as a pet woke up to her eating a kill and screamed in fear? That wouldn't be good... No one would have a happy ending then.

Sighing hard as she came around a corner in the wooded area she caught the scent of two others... A fox and another feline? Why that was interesting. When had she wondered towards others without noticing? Ha the idea of being around another besides humans or whatever other races she had been around seemed appealing. Which was why she kept moving, but carefully. Since she was use to being a animal and on all fours the urge to become that was great. She held back though since she needed to get the hang of using two legs and wearing cloths. Ugh... The feeling of the little bit of clothing on her was enough to make her itch. Still she moved gracefully (More so then most) and as she came around a big tree she heard the crash of a water fall and the smell of clean water. Smirking she also caught sight of the other two. More Kelvic's? Why this was a sign of luck!

Unable to control herself she moved out from behind the tree and smiled showing her longer canines. "Hello there... Sorry for intruding, but may I join you two?" As she asked this she caught the sense that something was wrong and bit her lip. She hated the feeling of sadness in any way shape or form. She had enough of it in her short life as it was.

[Ryalas]

The kelvic watched the womans body language he couldn't read it very well but months in a cage watching others gave him the chance to study a persons body language she seemed..timid, maybe even fearful. There was a moment of silence broken by her name and question. Ryalas went to speak but a simple squeak left his parched mouth, he turned a shade of red and silently stepped past her kneeling on the ground next to the river and cupping his hands and taking a few gulp fulls of water letting the cold liquid coat his mouth, with that, he stood and turned to her. "it is a pleasure to meet you Kita...my name.." he scratched his head it had been a while since anyone had asked for his name and he forgot his birth name his mother gave him "well the poachers daughter called me Ryalas...i guess its the closest to a name i have..." his voice was low he was well out of his comfort zone. chewing on his inner cheek Ryalas thought "i have nothing to loose if i stay..she's a kelvic like me and so far hasn't attempted to kill or skin me.." he cleared his throat "sure..i'll stay its been a while since i've seen someone not out for my blood." With that he reached into his pocket pulling out a small cloth with a rose sown into it and held it out "here, for your tears..." he smiled "uh...want a hug...always helps..i think.."

Ryalas smelt the other Kelvic before she came around the corner, he turned to her and tilted his head. "uh, well..i..not my choice.." he said hesitantly taking a step back not knowing if she was friend or foe. he couldn't do much in a battle with the choker around him keeping him from turning so he did what he always did when nervous, bored, or lonely. Played with the chain around his neck. he backed up not watching his footing when he slipped on a moss covered rock and with a splash hit the water behind him "well, this is a fantastic way to start...should have just kept on looking for a different source of water." he accidentally said out loud standing up trying to squeeze water out of his shirt still on his body. [/color]

[Kita]

The man did not come to hurt her. That was a first in her book. It seemed that whenever a man came sniffing around where she was concerned it spelled nothing but trouble. They always seemed nice opening up their camps to her or offering her hospitality but there was always a glimmer of sadisim in their eyes. They were not doing kind things to be kind. They saw her as an opportunity, even a chance if you will, for a slave. There was never a friend for Kita it seemed. Just a long line of people, mostly men, who were hungry for a cute little slave. The man before her, Ryalas as he had introduced himself, had nothing to gain from little Kita. She could not be his slave becase he was a kelvic just like her. She saw no flicker of malevolent thoughts in his shocking green eyes. He was quiet it seemed, and polite which was traits of a man she had yet to see. She felt her fear slipping away and what replaced it was somthing forgien. Excitement? It couldn't be. Love? No, she had just met the man. Could it be the feeling that she had heard of murmered in so many bars and taverns? The feeling that only showed itself when there was a light at the end of the tunnel? Yes, it had to be. Kita was feeling hope for the first time. The man stepped out of the bushes and Kita once again wipped away a few stray tears. She was being silly for fretting over being away from home. She looked up and Ryalas was offering her a hankerchif. Someone was offering her something? It had not happened since the days she lived in Avanthal with her brothers. She nodded to him and took the small peice of cloth with a smile. "That you Ryalas. I had almost forgotten how nice some people are. Since I arrived in Syliras it has been a rush of people and places. The only constant thing I have had is my self. " She stopped herself when she noticed she was telling her woes to a complete stranger. She blushed and whiped the tears from her face. Her ears perked up when Ryalas started to talk again. He asked if she wanted a hug. She had not even thought of a hug since she was a kit. She blushed and nodded. "Yes, I think a huh would be nice." In Ryalas' arms she felt calm. She knew that the hug was not one of affection but of comfort but she still felt happy. She had not felt someone's arms around her since she last saw her brothers. The man smelled like a cat, as he should have. Normally that would have turned her away because she was a canine but she could tell that this man knew her pain. She could see it in his eyes. Just as fate had not dealt her the most pleasurable cards he had given Ryalas the same treatment. Maybe Oriana, the deity who she concitered her mother over her own, sent this feline man to help her. The thought of it brought a smile to her face. Even after all that happened Oriana was still with her, or at least she liked to think she was.  The hug was short lived as a girl who appeared to be about twenty stumbled into the clearing where Kita ad Ryalas were. She smelled strong of feline like Ryalas. She wanted to know if she could join them. Kita's heart skipped a beat. "Mother Oriana, have you sent these kelvics to help me? Thank you, I am eternally greatful." Kita smiled at the new girl and nodded. "You may join us. The forest is free. I am Kita and this is Ryalas." She motioned to her new friend. She noticed he was not where he was when she has saw him. She looked down and saw him in the water. "Ryalas! Are you okay?" Whe offered her hand to help him out of the water. "Aren't cats supposed to stay out of the water?" She was trying her luck at an innocent joke. She hoped he would see it as such. She saw the collar around Ryalas' neck and she wanted to cry. She hated to see that such a seemingly nice man would have been held captive. She reached out and touched the man's restraints. "Humans are so unkind." She looked into his eyes sadly. "If I knew magic I would take this off of you. You don't deserve to be treated like a beast. Humans are the ones who should be collared and caged for hurting our race. You are Kelvic, correct?" She looked at him with her striking yellow eyes full of sympathy. She wished that she could help to get rid of his metal restraints. The falls was now populated by three kelvics. Two felines and a canine from what she could smell and her nose had never steered her wrong before. She was a fox, she had to have a good nose. She was happy for the companionship but she was also worried. So many kelvics in one place might attract negitive attention. She hoped that it wouldn't. That would have ruined her budding good mood. It would just be her luck that she found some people like her and then they would be taken away again.

[Djiann]

Loping through the forest, Djiann was glad to finally get out of the stifling castle. I don't understand how anyone would WANT to live there...it's so...closed. Without realizing it, he tripped on a root sticking out from the ground. Rattling off in Shiber, he cursed the trees; he missed the sand dunes of Eykotl. The alleyways of Yahebah...the...the... Snapping out of his little reminiscing session, he heard voices, coupled with a roaring sound. "What...is that?" He said to himself as his natural curiosity took hold. Bounding past bushes and trees, he was met with an odd sight. Three kelvics, he could tell they were kelvics by their scent, in the same area, next to...alot of water...falling down? "HEY! You guys aren't human, are you? You're like me! And what's that?" Pointing at the waterfall. He was always getting surprised in this area. It wasn't like home, not like back in Yahebah at all. He didn't even understand why he called it home, he wasn't welcome there. To them he was just another slave. Unable to contain himself he said, "Hey is the water cool? How deep is it?" He eyed it longingly, one thing he's developed over his travels was a love for swimming. He just loved diving in and swimming around, then jumping out and running all of the water off of his body. He was such a child at heart, but in that was his fortress, no matter what happened he would retreat back into that child, and be safe from the evils of the outside world...at least for a time. Anyway to him it was more fun to do that, why would someone WANT to be serious? Why do all these people take this time in the world for granted, so much so that they worry about every little thing; when all they need to do is loosen up and have a little fun. Which is exactly what he intends to do if the water is deeper than his height.

[Ryalas]

Ryalas smiled when Kita offered him her hand to help. He continued to dry himself and looked up at liter when she spoke once again "oh water...no i love water actually" he smiled at her "what you don't like water?" he smiled at her again. once Kita reached up and touched his chain Ryalas changed. His body tensed up and he closed his fist's as memories of survival flashed in his brain over and over again the words "we take off your collar, you kill. man, woman, or child. understand pet?" He sighed opening his eyes again to see Kita looking up at him. "no...it is most likely best i keep it on now anyway...old habits die hard..and.." he sighed again "but thank you for your sympathy.." once again he smiled looking into her eyes again..only this time getting lost he didn't realize or count how long he had locked his eyes onto hers, for once Ryalas felt safe, he also felt something he never felt his heart raced and it became harder to breath "i've only felt this way when i was forced to survive against a poor victim or anyone who stepped over the line...what is this" he thought to himself until once again he blushed and stepped away clearing his throat coming back into reality. "oh sorry...what was i talking about.." it wasn't until another member joined the group that he spoke or moved again.

Ryalas felt...out of place to say the least normaly ryalas was alone..none to talk to and he was afraid of groups never know who you can trust especially when you just meant them...but these people seemed... different...they seemed to be like him. Afraid of humans...or at least he was..it seems like Kita has anger towards humans. after a few seconds of talking to himself in his head Ryalas sighed, "i guess we each have story's...and no better way to get to know someone then to there past.." he took a few steps away from the group sitting on a large rock, he turned to Djiann. "i guess i'll start...since your new my name is Ryalas..or at least that is the closest i have to a name" he moved the hair out of his eyes, a nervous tick of his "When i was young my parents were killed by poachers..or at least my mom was while trying to defend me, my dad left as soon as they showed up..he wasn't a very courageous man if i remember correctly.... Anyway, with my mom dead and me just a small pup the 'leader' of the poachers thought it would be a nice change to have a beast as a pet and/or bodyguard..i was thrown into a cage for a year let out only to fight for there pleasure or to kill anyone who stepped out of line...if i dis-obeyed..i was punished...either Starved...or..." he raised his shirt revealing the scar of a stab wound "or beaten, however there was one person who showed me kindness...the 'head honcho' had a daughter..she showed me kindness..was amazed by how quick i aged and begged her dad to let me be able to play with her...well as soon as that door was opened i had this" he reached up and touched the chain around his neck "placed on me...for safety measures...if i can't change, i can't kill and escape..well that went on for a few months until one day she took me out of the camp and told me to run...and now...i'm here..no money no weapons just the training i have.."

He turned to Djiann "oh i forgot..the water...its not so deep..atleast not where i fell..enough to sit in and relax...but im sure that's it.." he stretched looking at Kita again and smiling, then shook his head "sorry...i shouldn't stare.." he looked around "so. what are your storys? if i may ask?"

[Kita]

How long Kita and Ryalas' eyes stayed locked was unknown. There was a hint of shy electricity between their calm gazes. Kita smiled as Ryalas told her that he enjoyed water. "A cat who enjoys water. That is a first. I enjoy water too. It is relaxing. Of course, the water where I am from is not the kind for swimming in. It is far too cold for that." She gave a shy smile to Ryalas. She had never felt comfortable with sharing her past with anyone until now. She could not help but see a flicker of interest in the feline's eyes. It made her smile. It had been a while since she had felt this comfortable. She felt a bit disheartened when Ryalas turned down her hopes for removing his bindings. She was not sad for the fact that she could not help him but for the look in his eyes when he said that old habits die hard. The world truly was cruel. She could tell Ryalas did not have a malevolent bone in his body but she knew what humans tended to do to kind souls. Or better yet, her brothers knew.  Just as things began to get quiet she found her eyes drifting in Ryalas' direction. The quiet did not stay for long though. A rustle in the bushes brought a dark skinned boy who smelled once again, too animalistic to be human. The boy talked in a hurried and excited manner. It was a tone she was not used to. He asked about the water and Kita had to admit, he was interesting to observe. Kita echoed Ryalas' answer "The water is quite cool and if you go out far enough I'm sure it is deep enough to swim." The boy sure was excited! She envied the trait deeply. It had been a while since she truely felt excited for something like he did.   All attention shifted to Ryalas as he recounted his tale. Kita wanted to cry as she listened. It always pained her that people would treat her kind like that. When he finished she saw him looking at her again. She blushed and smiled at the attention. "I guess I will tell my tale next." She situated her self on the rock and shot a glance over at Ryalas. "I grew up in Avanthal, land of Everwinter. I was born to two human parents and life was actually quite nice until I started to age a little too quickly. The moment I started to look older than my age my parents kicked me out into the cold. I would have died if my brothers had not haves me. To my surprise I had two older brothers. They had been kicked out like I had been for being kelvic. My eldest brother's name was Jeran and he was a wolf. The younger of my older brothers name was Tayn and he was a wolverine. The three of us lived togather for a while. It was quite nice actually. Jeran was more of a father to me than my real dad ever was and I always concidered my mother to be Orianna the goddess of Bears and Parenthood ever since I got lost in the Northern Wastes and I followed a line of bear tracks home. Jeran and Tayn raised me until I was one year old. Then one day I returned from hunting to see my brothers being pulled away by human slave traders. Jeran was in his wolf form and I still remember what he told me as he was being dragged away. 'Be strong Kita because no one will be strong for you.' It was his own way of saying don't give up because I am gone and don't try to save me. My brothers gave themselves up so the hunters would leave before I got home." Kita tried to hold back tears but they fell anyway. She wiped them away and finished her story. "So I left Avanthal in scearch of a better life. I've almost gotten killed a few times but at least I am still here." She gave a small smile and picked at the hem of her dress. "I have to keep going for my brothers. I know I'll see them again someday." Kita looked at the other Kelvics assembled and blushed at her tears. One of these days she needed to stop crying about everything. She looked at Ryalas to guage his reaction. She knew his story was much more horrible than hers and she wanted to give him another hug to let him know she felt for him. She was far too affectionate for her own good at times. Ryalas made her feel happy though. He have her this sense of calm that she had not felt since she was living Jeran and Tayn. A warm sense of belonging. She noticed her eyes stayed on Ryalas a bit longer than she had intended and looked toward the other two kelvics with her face in a full blush. She was far too much like her animal side. Curious and interested but painfully shy and timid.  Kita looked at the waterfall and then back at her companions. "So who is next?" She was anxious to hear about the other Kelvics. She had never felt a kinship like this. It felt nice to be around others of her kind who knew her struggles and knew her joys. She took comfort in the thought that she was no longer the odd one out in the group. Far too often she was just known as the kelvic. In this group she was Kita, no other labels required. She smiled at the thought. The hopeful feeling bubbled up in her chest again but is was matched with a new feeling. She gave a glance in Ryalas' direction and knew exactly what that emotion was. She smiled again. It had been far too long since she had felt this good.

[Djiann]

"Oh, that's me!" Djiann spoke up immediately. "If we're all sharing our little tales of terror, then I suppose I should be next! Or maybe last...Either way it'll be fun!" Djiann's jovial behavior would definitely offset the mood of his tale. "Where to start...where to begin...where to launch off... Hrmmm. Ah!" The words finally hit him, he knew what he was going to say. "I'm a bastard! My mom was a prostitute, but then got a new set of bright red lips on her neck...It got slit." He clarified. "My home city is Yahebah, by the way. Sand EVERYWHERE. So I grew up pretty quick, by the time I was 8 months old I was already running with the child gangs. Yes. Child. Gangs. What else are orphans supposed to do? Live in an orphanage? Oh right, the one that got burned down... Anyway, so we would pull off small jobs. Seeing as I was usually the biggest I would start a fight with one of the other kids, and while a crowd gathered the others would cut their purses. Then before the guards came we would bolt. Other times we'd arrange fights, and there would be bets. You'd tie together one of your arms with your opponent, and duke it out; whoever passed out first lost. In the middle of one of these fights he hit me in the nose, and I lost control of myself and changed. Don't ask what my form is, NOBODY knows what it is. But apparently a local 'business-type' took notice, lucky me! So the next morning I woke up in a room, with a rope tied around my ankle. It was really tough rope, stronger than hemp. I can chew through hemp, not this stuff. So for about a year I was run through the gamut of this sick bastard's ideas of 'coercion'. He wanted to imprint me on his spoiled brat. Daily beatings, wait...oh yeah HOURLY beatings. Aha, that man thought he could beat me into imprinting. He also did this one thing, where he would have me tied to a table and then cut me with a knife, but really really slowly. And as he sliced, he'd have one of his lackeys salt the wound instantly. Man that burned... So after about a year of that, and a bunch of other stuff that kind of just blurs, his son had a bright idea. He thought he could teach me with his 'Teaching Stick', so this kid comes into my room and takes the rope off of me to begin smacking me. I changed into my form that second and kicked the little Sha'vat..." at that point Djiann started rattling off in Shiber because he didn't know the Common words for it. When he was done finished his story, "So after that I bolted from the house, took what money I could while running and now I'm here!" He laughed as he tried to catch his breath. Disrobing, he said, "I'll be right back!" Then he ran over to the water and got to a part where it was actually deep and started swimming laps. Diving down and surfacing, he was just having a blast feeling the cool water on his skin. Swimming back to shallow water, he ran back to the group and said, "Well, looks like there's only one story left!" The thought never occurred to him that his incessant smile might come off as a little creepy. But then again probably the childish gleam in his eyes probably clarified that he wasn't creepy, he was just a a happy kind of guy.