Moonlit Path

[Madoka Hamada]

[glow=violet,2,300]The sun had set on the Borgis Plain and the moon's silvery light had set the forest ablaze with a silver glow. Madoka's silver hair shimmered from the glow and with the glow it looked almost white rather than silver. She had perched herself in a tree, looking at the ground. The bangs that normally covered her blind, scratched eye, hung revealing the deep scar. [/glow]
"Aye, this no fun, I need someone to travel with, being alone, it's too boring, just not for me. I would travel beyond the borders, but alone, kyaa! That's too scary to even think about! Oh dear, I'm talking to myself again, but I can't help it, I get bored easily and with no one to talk to, I might as well talk to the trees...."
[glow=violet,2,300]She sighed and slumped, it was true for quite sometime, she had been on her own and being alone had taken it's toll. She talked to herself and to anything else that surrounded her. She fixed the turtleneck she wore and combed her claws through her silver ponytail. She was restless, she was definitely a nocturnal creature, sleeping during the day and playing at night. Madoka's silver wolf ears picked up the beating wings of an owl as it took the skies.[/glow]

[Promise Broken /2/]

<sup>Aarisia too was in a wanderous mood. Her mind wandered as well beside her as the moonlight reflected upon the dull sheen of her ebony silk. The black mare was more than just a common horse, but none would be suffered to know. No one was to know. If they figured out her secret, she would be forced to flee from them. For the greatest guardian, guides and comforts in secret. She would remain as nothing more than a common animal to most.

Before now she had been with a journeyman, who sold equines for a living. She had been one of his prizes, but of her own accord. For before that she had been wild... coming into captivity when she heard a calling that only signified another one who needed guidance or assistance. Perhaps just a companion, but it was a longing of destiny that drove her here and there on occasion when called. And still before then she had been the horse of a king. A human King nonetheless, serving as his war horse she'd been through many a war, and yet the battles had remained stale and there was yet to be any gain for either of the four sides.

She shook her head, her thick nape rippling as the powerful muscles and sinew worked together to twist her muscular form as she seemed to releive stress. But there was no getting rid of it, and even as her long ebony hued mane fell back into place - the forlock perched across her eyes - she caught the scent of another. Her head swivelled to the side. The plain's were pretty open, but it was not like the dry tundras elsewhere, there were plenty of places to hide and crouch, but a scent could never be quelled. Ears perked forward as eyes scanned the lighted dark. The moon's light was a blessing and a curse, depending upon what your intent was. To Aarisia it allowed her to spot the silver haired creature that crouched within the boughs of the tree. She felt only slight suspicion, for these were the lands of Earth it was only the foolish who traversed so relaxed within them. So mostly those who did not seem tense, would possibly be of the servent Borran. However, she could not speak. She could not introduce herself, but instead she just stood. Her body rigid and at attention as her head was raised up high, her ears perked forward, and eyes twinkling with diamond like stars reflected sharply the moon's image. Her whole form was black, not a spot of white upon her. The black mare, was hardly anything but a sillouhette with the brilliance of the moon cascading down upon her, and the image itself was stunning. She was a beautiful horse and even the tangles and burrs in her mane and tail could not take away from that image. She needed a good brushing there was no doubt, but she had long since fallen away from expecting luxuries. Such things were only memories now, at a time when greatness rode upon horseback and the horse itself was kept in the image of the rider.

But as stated, that was past.

Suddenly she broke her poise and threw her head down, only to toss it back up into the origional position. Her head again locking in an attentative posture. One single foreleg pawed the earth, as if to ask... Who are you, and why do you perch within a tree? You are no bird -- you have no wings.

But of course, as any equine such words could not be spoken, but were translated through the speech of the body. A language more complex and telling then any words. Through body language there could be few lies... and even as such lies were hard to tell.

In truth, Aarisia was still curious as to who this other was. As well as to the fact she was still searching for that one, that she would guide and assist through this new turn of time. IN suttle ways she would influence, never demanding... always suggesting...</sup>

[Madoka Hamada]

[glow=violet,2,300]Madoka's sharp hearing picked up the horse's hoof beats on the dirt ground. The silver wolf ears perked up on her head and swiveled a little to wards the noise. She picked herself up and bent around the trunk of the tree she was sitting in and peeked around at the black mare. She blinked, her eyes filled with curiosity and wonder as the beautiful beast made its way over. She couldn't remember the last time she saw a horse or even if she saw one. She knew that man used them to ride and used them as tools in the field, but she never saw one up close.
Madoka's curiosity took the best of her and she jumped down off the bough of the tree and landed with a soft 'thud' on the leaf covered ground. She figured that the animal had an acute sense of smell like her and there was no need to hide herself from the horse. She crept over out into the moonlight so that her figure was clearer. She didn't speak anything as she went up to the mare and walked around looking at all angles of the horse. She didn't once draw a finger to touch or make a move to talk, just give the mare a third-degree with her eyes. She was in a playful mood and it was obvious as her silver wolf tail wagged and the ears she had twitched to any noise the mare might have made.
Once she had finished filling her curiosity, she backed off from the horse and waited to see what it would do. Her small nose twitched as the scent of the horse filled her senses.[/glow]

[Promise Broken /2/]

<sup>When the other fled from the branches of the tree, Aarisia could more clearly see the wolfish ears atop her head, and the tail that flickered behind her. Her head flew higher, as she held it higher, a short inaudable snort escaping a quick exhale as she noticed this abnormal feature. The scent was different as well, not completely humanoid, but holding the slight musk of the carnivore that preyed upon the equines of the forest regions. The instinctive aprehension that came with the body seemed to warn her, and this feeling did not go any lower when the other began to circle about her. Perhaps it was all innocent, but then again... what was she mostly? More wolf, or more human?

The prance around her, she feared might be preditory... however, she had a greater intillect than common equines, and thus her reason could quell the instinct. Aarisia skitted away slightly, and laid back her ears as the wolf-human circled around her back -- the one place that was a blind spot of the equine race. With a short squeal she lifted her rear leg into a cocked and dangerous position, but only shoved it firmly back into the earth, instead of lashing out at the other.

With a toss of her head she sauntered away slightly, increasing the distance a little - though as she turned to look back at the wolfish creation, she saw... what did she see? A wagging tail? She'd thought only dogs did such things, and by appearance she was no dog; atleast not completely.

Again her ears perked up in interest and curiousity and she took a hestitant step forward. Keeping care to appear as nothing more then a strong-willed, self-confident, curious, black mare.

The snap of the rear leg, had been a mere warning... just a little proof that some creations, even common ones didn't like being circled like a target. However, there was no malice in the action nor lasting aggression - but was in fact a passive questure (only to heighten if the mood did)

She was also curious as to where that boy had gotten too. She had heard his steps behind her at one moment, and then no more. She had returned and allowed him to mount her and save his lost energy... but he had gotten off before this point -- and had dissapeared. Thus she found herself here... still willing to leave him behind, yet curious and slightly hopeful that that moment would not be the last she saw of him.

However, she was mostly stuck upon the moment, made curious and intuitive by the present of the wolfen humanoid.</sup>

[mixedblood7]

Hopping through the trees came the little boy of twelve. He was excited. With energy returned to his body, the young fox child had jumped off the mare’s back and left her offer of a ride to their next destination. The demon boy had followed her via the tree tops and watched her graceful figure as she strode through the underbrush. He had heard the mare stop ahead of him and became ecstatic. There was a new smell in the air, a new wild scent never before met by his sensitive nose. It seemed canine however not of his exact kind. It also seemed human just as he was. Sukoshi was eager, very eager to meet the source of this new scent.

Coming up from behind the horse yet still in the trees, the boy slowed as he reach a branch above the black mare who had caught his interest a few miles away now. Eyes wide with curiosity, the lad leaned down over horse a few feet from the being. His head halted down below the level of his feet and his position was that of a monkey’s on the branch. Finally he decided to confront the new being. With the stealth a fox should possess, Sukoshi crept to a place in the trees closer to what now smelled like a wolf.

Suddenly, the fox leaped from the canopy to the ground covered with the leaves of past springs. Sukoshi stood in a nearly hunched over form from the crouched position he had landed in and sniffed the air surrounding the two beings of canine origins. He looked up to her face from his almost seeming submissive arrangement his body formed.

Standing straight he turned the upper half of his body to look at the mare behind him. He had landed between the two beings and it would seem he landed closer to the wolf-scented person than to the mare who had decided to warn and come with him. With the moonlight as well as his own curiosity reflected in his gray-blue eyes, Sukoshi smiled his usual youthful grin.

Hi!

He was the first to break the silence and he was not afraid for it.

[Madoka Hamada]

[glow=violet,2,300]Madoka's head picked up at the mare's behavior. She realized that she had the looks of a predator and the horse must have been uncomfortable. Though her looks and behavior were towards the wolf side of her, she had then inner feelings of a human. Her kind heart could never think of a human or a befriending animal as a snack. She looked at the mare.[/glow]
"I am sorry dear, but my curiosity gets the better of me. I did not mean to spook you, I mean no harm, believe me."
[glow=violet,2,300]Madoka's head snapped up, her keen sense of smell had found a new scent, another canine, but this one, this one was young. Madoka backed up a bit, the scent coming closer. When the young fox kit had landed in between her and the mare she was slightly startled. The young fox however showed no hesitation to welcoming her. She smiled at the young fox's boldness, her ears twitching and her silver, bushy wolf tail wagged at the joy in the boy's voice.[/glow]
"Hello, are you the owner of this mare?"
[glow=violet,2,300]Madoka's voice was bright as she asked the question at the young fox.[/glow]

[Promise Broken /2/]

<sup>Aarisia watched as wolfish humanoid seemed to move into an unthreataning position. It soon became aware within the finest's supreme intillect that the creation was of little threat -- atleast for the current moment, and so with a gentle toss of her head she dismissed the old fears, and prancfully lifted her front fores a slight few inches from the terra. Dancing lightly over the earth, as black stoned hooves skimmed over the short grasses of the earthen terrain. The ground was dry and solid; the rains had not yet fallen here, and the brilliance of the moon within the sky fortold of clear skies and uneventful weather -- atleast for the moment.

It was then that Sukoshi's scent drifted to her. Before he was near enough to see. For an equine's sense of smell and range of ear vastly out numbered many. Not to mention that the breed of the finest was advanced in many ways. She had the most sensitive of senses. Ears and eyes twinkled in the lad's direction as he fell from the tree. The words of the humanoid wolf still lingering upon deaf ears. Aarisia acknoweldged the words, but she could give no reaction to them... only a reaction to the tone. This she had already done, by accepting and relaxing within the situation. Her nostrils did not flare so, and her stiff muscular form relaxed obviously beneath the radiance of the moon.

However, knew words struck her lobes...

"Hello, are you the owner of this mare?"

Aarisia did not react. It was nice to hear that they beleived her nothing but common... a peice of property. It was a bellittlement that she had learned to live with and accept. She did not show her rank above that of a common animal, and thus she was seen as nothing more than a common horse; perhaps one that was intelligent, but still nothing more than a horse. This was a desired effect... and part of her hoped that Sukoshi would nod or admit her as his. It would allow the illusion to continue, and keep the mare a suttle secret. A prize beyond many, yet just as common as any other horse. she would always appear replacable - however on occasion there were a select few who bonded with the black friesian. But again, few being the key term.

But then again, she also slightly hoped that Sukoshi would merely say no, and admit her as a wild horse pilfered from a journeyman. Stealing from man? Was that not a feat to boast about, especially when one is as little as a lad. Aarisia thought it so. But then again, so many times her fate played out like strings in a chord. Sometimes changing to better suit the note -- or direction of the path (in her case).

Tossing her head, she distanced herself slightly from them again, pacing off to the left in a circle like fashion, but not like a preditory. She would circle for a few paces, and distance her perimeter and then whicker or produce a sharp vocal, with some body language... to represent her testing of the situation. She was held by curiousity and willingness to hope that one of these were her charges. At first she'd thought the boy.... but again the girl. Could it be true that she was destined to guide two? Wouldn't that be a twist of fate. She would keep an open mind about it. Playing her dance, her ebondy mane floated upon her nape with her movements, even the thorns and bristles stuck within the tangles could not rid the natural grace and flow of the equine hair. A natural beauty Aarisia did possess.</sup>

[mixedblood7]

The young fox boy cocked his head as he listened to the female wolf… at least that is what she smelled like to his nose. He listened however did not quite understand the question. It has been after all a very long time since he last spoke to any two-legged beings. Then behind him he heard the mare’s moves, which sounded almost uncomfortable and nervous. Turning back to the woman he had just recently landed in front of, Sukoshi again cocked his head in puzzled curiosity. What is this wolf saying? Who is she and what is ‘owner’? Wide gray-blue eyes looked on and his mouth ran off without the authority of his juvenile mind.

I… don’t… know… what…

And then the memories flooded in interrupting his struggling speech… The village people did not know him. They did not know the young fox child who no longer had a family, at least they did not know he was the child who escaped their slaughter of his family. He knew them. He knew what they had done… subconsciously. Still they talked of him. Who is he? Where is his family? What family does he belong to? What surname does the child own? Does anyone know anything of him? They never found out. They put him in one of their schools for village’s young children. He acted out however. He acted out against their society and attempts to tie his life style down. He ran into the forest whenever the chance arrived but they always found a way to drag him back and they did it too. They did it telling him they owned him, he belonged there with them. Through their attempts to hold him to that place he learned… he learned to hate those words… own and belong.

NO!

He did not want to see his new friend, the mare, treated like that. He did not desire to see her hurt. Why would anyone crave to hurt her, to hold her down and kill her freedom? Why and how would he hurt her? Suddenly out of sheer instinct, Sukoshi fell back upon his hunches and sprung to the beautiful black mare’s side. Running like a fox with four limbs, he arrived there with the agility and speed of a fox. Within the second he leaped up to the mare’s back and wrapped himself around her strong neck. Both arms and legs were apart of her binding. He continued to scream NO at the top of his lungs like a small child throwing a tantrum. NO! NO! NO! Sukoshi buried his face into her mane with his eyes shut tight and the entirety of his face furrowed creating wrinkles of an old man; tears ran down his face brought on by the returning memories.

No. Friend.

This at last was uttered with less intensity than the beginning. He buried his face deep trying to hide, trying to merge himself with the strength of the mare. The fox kit felt safe with her and he did not want to let that go.

[Promise Broken /2/]

<sup>Aarisia was slightly started. For as soon as her eyes came upon the small lad, she saw him racing towards her. An instinctive fear to run from preditors -- to run from the attacker flashed into her perspective. But she was better than such shallow emotions and she pushed it aside with a forceful act that was not entirely easy. She knew the lad a little, knew he seemed and acted reasonably hopeless and helpless. However, she didn't know if he had an angered side and his screaming was beginning to shred and tear at her calming nerves. Prancing only a little with head raised high - a little suspicion, yet a willingness to trust.

The boy leapt upon her back. The sudden force of the motion made her flinch and every muscle in her body started. She sheid only a little, and then pranced just slightly. His screams reverberated within her sensitive ears. It was painful. With a sharp toss of her head and loud snort, and pinned ears she tried to alert him as best she could that his cries were not needed... and shortly it did. Ending with the last few words that calmed most suspicion and aprehension.

"No. Friend."

So his acts were a cry for safety and fortitude? Did he find that in her. She'd never found one so easily attached. It puzzled her and left within her mind a curiousity that would not seperate her easily from him. He was a most curious human - for that is how he appeared. And though there was a slight musk to his scent, she thought little of it. To her he was still a human child. However, his movements had been fast and she had yet to see a child his age move so quickly and agile. Most she had seen were clumsy (in a cute way)

This whole episode took but a moment, and within seconds Aarisia had calmed herself and her startled mind and placed her hooves solidly on the ground, letting the wind play with her ebony mane and tail. Within this darkness she still appeared as nothing but a shadow - all clad in black, no light of white upon her hide. It almost appeared like a ghost, as if she would dissipate into the ground itself and become the shadows. However, Aarisia was no witch and she could do no such thing, her power was in mind, strength, and stamina. Unlike any horse, she could run and keep running far longer than any common equine.

And thus within this second Aarisia reactions came to pass, and again she became the bystander in the conversation of Sukoshi and Madoka. Aarisia looked towards the wolfish humanoid, and her mind felt slightly drawn to her as well... perhaps her charge would not be made of one, but two. Perhaps... she would keep an open mind. Destiny was playing a curious hand.</sup>

[Madoka Hamada]

[glow=violet,2,300]Madoka's eyes widen at the young fox's reaction, but smiled gently at the fox as he clung to the mare. But what he said made her heart stop, as her eyes watered slightly at the fox's one word.[/glow]
"Friend..."
[glow=violet,2,300]She brushed away the small amount of tears that had run away from her eyelids. She gently walked closer to the small fox child and the mare, kneeling down on the cold dirt ground. She kept her distance from the mare, just in case the mare didn't trust her yet.[/glow]
"That's good, a friend works just fine. By the way you acted, it seems you've had some bad run-ins with humans, haven't you? Such a pity, someone has suffered through what I had to suffer through..."
[glow=violet,2,300]She looked to the fox as her words slipped through her mouth. A wind gently picked up and brushed her bangs out of her face, revealing her blind eye. The scar reached all the way across her eye and it's hazy blue color reflected a bit of silver moonlight before the wind died down and her bangs settle back over it. Madoka's hand brushed her bangs.[/glow]
"The scar still hurts..."

[Promise Broken /2/]

<sup>Aarisia stood with an alertness, but her tense posture slowly degraded into something more comfortable. She scented little fear on the wind... and the emotions - so easily percepted by an equines receptors - were neither stressed, nor fractured. Things felt smooth - and with the release of tension the air around them seemed to drift into a tranquil state. But even such a state as this held precaution. Blood lingered upon the winds that travelled across the plains, and through the uncharted regions... to pass by that blessed by Borran. Aarisia could almost feel the war that was slowly creeping in upon the weary nations. The silence was a much needed thing, and part of Aarisia wished that the nuetrality would never end. However, such dreams were bound to fail and remain dreams. But hope was never dead.

When the wolfish humanoid ventured forth and crouched not close, yet not far away -- the wind ruffled the moon kissed locks of the femora. Revealing...? a scar? There was no reaction from the marred eye and Aarisia took a curious step forward. Lowering her muzzle down towards the girl's face, her warm breath shifted bang and lock of the young woman's hair. sweat and skinly oils mingled with the scent of earth, but Aarisia was neither bother nor riled. It was a common smell. Not something to fear. Whiskers that placed themselves along her velvet nose tickled against the girl's skin, and thus returned the sensation to the mare. Bringing up her head, she shook her face... a snort erupting as if to sneeze. Finally feeling comfortable... and feel that there was more conversation between boy and girl... Aarisia looked away and jerked one of her hinds rashly. Sending a sharp movement along her spin - a disettling motion. She was encouraging the boy to dismount. The air was hot tonight... and slightly humid. an approaching storm from the west? Perhaps. Besides, she would stay near. Hoping that her message was clear enough, she dislodged the boy astride her from her mind and cares. If he dismounted, that was wonderful. If he chose to remain on her back, well... She'd continue about her original business. To graze.

Lowering her graceful, thick boa down towards the grasses. Her long, flitting mane fell forward, the forlock falling in front of her eyes. Tail flickered behind her absentmindedly as the flies provided a small annoyance that she barely noticed consiously. And even in this state of relaxed feeding, her sense were always alert. Ears swivelling behind and about, calculated the distance of everything that came upon them. Should danger arise... Aarisia may be the first to know.</sup>

[mixedblood7]

The fox kit kept his face buried in the black mare’s mane. He played with her hair calming down and remembering her scent. Sukoshi continued this until her heard the woman’s voice again. Turning his face towards her, he listened to her seemingly understanding tone. The boy felt as though he could trust her slightly now; he wasn’t going to give that over to her so quickly considering how much she did look like those humans. Humans… hurt, a low growl in his throat formed into those words. He was angry for what they did to him in the past. They alienated him, they labeled him, they quelled his freedom and stifled his true voice. The lad stayed laying on the mare’s back until he felt a sudden quiver up her spine. He understood… she did not want him there anymore. He could understand that; his stomach was sticky and the cloth around the upper part of his legs too stuck to his skin.

After pushing himself into an upright position upon the horse’s back, Sukoshi swung one leg around to where to other hung. He dropped softly the forest floor on Aarisia’s side opposite of the wolf. The boy felt safe with the mare and was not going to let that new part of his life go. Also, he did not entirely trust the woman. With his hands placed upon the shoulders of the horse, Sukoshi peeked around at the woman. The scar caught the boy’s attention. After all, he is still a boy even if he remains a fox child.

Fox eyes hidden behind human appearance watched the wolf woman from behind the safety of the mare until finally he gathered the courage to come out. He cautiously moved from behind her in a crouched position. Once in front of the mare and completely revealed to the new woman, Sukoshi stood straight and merely watched her with curious hazel eyes. Moonlight reflected off the slowly drying hair which crowned the boy’s brow. Following after the horse had dried his flesh however his hair and scare attire remained wet with the river’s cold water. A breeze blew up and the lad shivered slightly. He said nothing; he waited… he watched for the next move which was to be made by her, the wolf girl. Sukoshi cocked his head in curiosity and anticipation.

ooc: sry... took a little longer than I thought for me to get back to you... dead comp. and all.

[Madoka Hamada]

[glow=violet,2,300]Madoka looked at the young fox and smiled slightly. She fell backwards landing on her butt, her tail swayed back and forth before laying still on the ground. She dusted off her knees, the brown earth clouded the air slightly before floating back to where it came from. She looked back up at the fox, her muscles relaxed and were no longer tense.[/glow]
"It seems humans have been cruel to you, the way you act, you're skiddish almost. It's alright, I don't plan on you trusting me right away, trust needs to be earned, correct? Oh, sorry am I talking to much? I'm not use to company, I've been avoiding the villages, so I've never really had any comrades or met any one or anything like that."
[glow=violet,2,300]She blushed, she was probably overwhelming the poor child with too much information and it was all because she was just a little too talkative. [/glow]
"Sorry, I talk too much don't I?"
[glow=violet,2,300]She looked back over at the mare as she grazed in the field. She looked to the young fox and smiled.[/glow]
"So she is but a companion, that's nice to hear. She's too pretty to be 'owned'."

[mixedblood7]

The young Sukoshi watched the wolf in amazement. How could one who looks so much like the humans who hurt me and yet still sound so nice? He did not understand the entirety of her dialogue, however he did grasp some general concepts. Humans… cruel… trust… me… villages… comrades. The fox boy turned the words over in his mind over and over repeating them to himself. His mind did not quite wrap around everything exactly being he was a twelve nearly thirteen year old boy who grew up in the forest away from all humans and therefore away from civilized language and terms. Being his mind was juvenile and scarred from a history with people, the young kit understood the first part of her speech that humans were cruel, but it was the second part, which got his mind tumbling with confusion. Trust… me… Sure, why not, the boy thought. You’re like me… you are part canine… part dog… part human… maybe not exactly… but you have the same musky scent I carry… in a way… why wouldn’t I trust you besides the fact you look and smell of human? But this was not entirely true. Madoka had appearances, which made her look more like a demon than the small Sukoshi. He had inherited no characteristics of a fox beside his tainted blood’s scent. Soon though he will inherit the looks of a fox demon to match his canine attitude.

Sukoshi watched the wolf on her butt. He cocked his head to continue watching her from another perspective. She looked different. Now with this new position, he could see her tail and other characteristics of a wolf in the moonlight. The boy felt he could trust her more now, but then another part of her talk squeezed its way into his mind. Villages… comrades… She has comrades in a village… she’s an ally with the people who hurt me… she helped those who imprisoned the black mare… NO!

Once again the boy began to speak, in hushed tones this time. He started to shake his head and quietly rant his disapproval with the singular word, no. Sukoshi shook his head slowly back and forth backing away from the wolf back towards the safety of the black mare. His hazel eyes reflected fear in the moonlight escaping through the branches. He backed away and watched… watched for any sudden movements or signs of a fight of oppression. The fox watched closely and carefully.

ooc: sorry Promise... have to post when I can so I thought it would be fine. ;D

[Madoka Hamada]

[glow=violet,2,300]Madoka watched as the young fox jumped in the boughs of the hovering trees that surrounded them. She lowered her head, she figured that the fox wouldn't trust her yet. Humans must have caused him pain and even though she had wolfish traits, she looked more human. A heavy sigh escaped her lips as she looked to the sky. The stars twinkled above her head, and reflected in her eyes. The hazel curious eyes she had focused to the ground as her head hung. The drowsiness of the night had caught up with her and her eyelids were becoming heavy. They closed for a moment, but her ears were still alert as they twitched upon her head. Her silver hair blocked her sleeping face as she sleep began to take over her body and mind. Her mind began to wander as it brought up thoughts of her past. The old encounters of the villagers and how they abused her and accused her of her parents death. Small bits of words escaped her lips, [/glow]"Mother....Father....Please,no..." [glow=violet,2,300]her head jolted up a couple hours later. [/glow]"I fell asleep, I had that dream, that flashback again.."
[glow=violet,2,300]Her words were soft as she talked to herself, she looked up and looked around to see where the mare and the young fox were at.[/glow]

[Promise Broken /2/]

<sup>Aarisia lifted her head and chewed the mouthful of feed that she had chosen to attempt to swollow. Her ears flickered back as the lad jumped from her backside, and she wandered a few paces off to encourage the two to converse, Sukoshi could use the socialization, he seemed so timid. Logging it as her first motivation she kept a wary ear and eye on all the surroundings. Thankfully the moon was high and the clouds were stressed far apart from one another. The sky was a jet shade, but the moon seemed to illuminate every aspect of their serene little congregation. The plains were vast, and she could see far from side to side. The silence of the night lay thick upon them, but not uncomfertably. In fact, quite the contrare. Aarisia liked the quiet and how it brought upon a peaceful blanket of security when in the open spaces. If danger should come upon them, it would be seen in time to make flight and avoid the chaos. Atleast this was the prayer that Aarisia hoped and prayed for as she watched the starlit sky and occasionally gazed towards the pair. A breif conversation caught her attention between them, and she watched Sukoshi slink back slightly towards her solidity. With a slight snort, she flicked her tail in his direction, the sharp lash like chords innocently snapping. They would cause no real harm, and leave no mark... but it was a guesture used to help get a point across by many equines. Ears fell slightly back as a follow up and she cocked one of her hinds and snapped it once into the hard earth. Then she scuttled away from him and pretended to take up another mouth full. But she was no longer hungery.

Time passed and she noted the she-wolf's sudden lack of speech and descrease of breathing intervals. Looking towards her, ears perked forward mind ever so curious. She saw the young woman asleep. How could one fall asleep so quickly. Sukoshi stood a few short paces away from Aarisia, and she toss a reasuring nicker in his direction, just as a note to him that her retorts and rejections were not complete discardment. She did not dispise him. But she was a mare, and as a mare she was naturally fickle and tempermental -- moody so to say. But that was just her quirks, they were who she was, without them, she was not completely Aarisia.

When the wolf aroused the jet black finest creeped inwards, towards the wolfish being; as any curious animal might do. She'd gotten over the preditor like emotion and had now been satisfied with the notion that Madoka meant no harm. And so, the freisian crep softly and carefully up towards the humanoid's face. Her own muzzle coming within inches of the pale skin. It was at this moment that Madoka awoke completely, opening her eyes suddenly and now met with a large face of an equine. Aarisia, slightly startled, squealed sharply, but softly, and tossed up her head. Her ebony mane of shoulder length flew wildly about her nape for a moment, before again settling in its position. With that sudden movement over and done with she lowered her face again, not thinking that her sudden appearance in the humanoid's face might have startled Madoka as well. Shortly her hot breath was once again tickling the young woman's facade. Dragging in Madoka's scent, the mare made an effort to give her in the equine's traditional way. She wondered what name she would be given this time, and with the thought raised her head to peer at Sukoshi thoughtfully. He would never know her real name, and she would never give it out. For if she did she would reveal herself as what she truly was; and she mustn't be anything more than a commen, though intelligent, equine.

She'd been called many things in her life time, and by many names she had come... but never had she been given a name by a younger child... and she was suddenlt most curious to his choice, if he would even give her a name at all...</sup>

[Madoka Hamada]

[glow=violet,2,300]Madoka's hazel orbs met Aarisia's brilliant eyes. She was slightly startled at having the large beast hover over her while she was asleep. She gently reached over to the sheer black horse's muzzle and rubbed it lightly, careful of her sharp claws.[/glow]
"Hello dear, how are you?"
[glow=violet,2,300]Her voice was gentle as she rubbed the muzzle of the horse, her ears twitched to any of the noises that escaped from the horse. Her hand movements on the horse slowed down as she turned her attention to the young fox boy. Her eyes widened and then turned to the horse, realizing that her attention had drifted from her intended target.[/glow]
"Sorry, my mind drifts a bit...where did you guys come from that you guys fear humans? Oh, hehe you probably understand me, but unless you can talk through telepathy I won't be able to understand you."
[glow=violet,2,300]She smiled slightly at the thought of talking to an animal outside of her species. She started to back to rubbing Aarisia's muzzle again careful that if the horse gave any clues that she did not wish to be touched, that she would cease her actions.[/glow]

[Promise Broken /2/]

<sup>Aarisia snorted. Indeed she did understand the wolf girl, but she pretended not to heed the words and merely nudged the woman's hand; gently of course. She then held her head tall and proud, she didn't fear anyone -- especially not humans. With another snort the old mare picked up a lofty gate with a small rear to start and took a few spirited steps off to the side, where she again lowered her head to chew upon the shoots of grass -- idely watching the duo that she remained near.

AS she chewed upon the grass she heard a few new additions to the soundless night. Two of the horses that had been with her in the encampment were making their way quickly in her direction. Aarisia raised her head and gave a sharp scream in their direction to gather their attention and welcome them. Even in the simplicity of their common minds there was a certain social bond between the kin that Aarisia could not ignore. One horse was a large draft, of a shire breed. His coat was grey and speckled with black and silver. He was young, but docile (which came with the breed) the other mare was shire as well, but she was black with large white stockings and a blaze that covered a majority of her face. She seemed older and was definately more experienced... perhaps the stallion and mare were attached together. Partners, half siblings, or perhaps just two equines that had matching personalities. Either way, they eagerly sought the attention and security of another equines, for there was strength in numbers. Even the common animals had enough instinct to know that. When they reached the pitch black friesian, Aarisia, she nipped playfully at their manes, and tossed her head energetically. More than willing to fressle for a little while. The early morning wind had her all worked up and wound. It would be nice to relax. And so keeping a distance from Sukoshi and Modoka -- the other horses didn't like the humanoids -- Aarisia took off at a elongated run as the pair took up the chase, and the three raced in a large circle around the pivotal point of the she-wolf and the fox child. Sometimes the trio ducked out of site behind a hill, or block of trees. But aarisia always remained near... just incase the fox child needed her. Again; she wouldn't admit her supreme nature and if and when she should be found out she would dissapear and fade away from his life to traverse and wander to someone elses.

These were the thoughts that ran with her as she raced with the wild horses, enjoying the common pleasures of life; she didn't know when the troubles of the world would catch up to her and the boy, perhaps never, perhaps tomorrow. IT was with this consciousness that Aarisia decided to live every moment to the fullest, and racing with the fellow equines was more than thrilling; it was rejuvinating.</sup>

[mixedblood7]

Being young, the fox boy became bored very easily and so when the female wolf had fallen asleep, he had escaped into the trees to amuse himself. For a time he watched the woman sleep, wondering how any person could become so bored or tired in the middle of a conversation to fall asleep on the spot. Was he really that dull to speak to? However it was not his fault if that be the case. It had been quite some time since he last communicated with another humanoid creature. And so while the woman slept, Sukoshi let his curiosity lead him into the branches find all sorts of trouble… at least as much trouble one could find themselves in roaming in the moonlight. He found himself a crack in the bark of an ancient tree and sipped its sweet juices. The boy had no name for the tree nor did he have one for the syrup, all he knew was he enjoyed the sweetness it offered. Also during his travels through the leaves, he accidentally stumbled into a bird’s nest… the mother was home. With a hard thump, he once again found himself on his back in a cloud of dust. The boy coughed as the bird seemed to scout to decided whether she was satisfied with his humility or not… she hovered for a while before returning to her speckled eggs in their bed. Standing up, the fox child patted the dust from his ratty shorts and off his scrawny body. He stood and looked around to find the mare in the she-wolf’s face. Sukoshi chuckled to himself at their closeness.

Sukoshi began to trek over to the couple though his body hurt from his fall when he heard a twig snapped under the pressure of some foot. He turned to look into the night-covered forest. There he saw almost fluorescent yellow eyes staring back at him. Suddenly, rabid beasts leaped from the bushes and pounced on his tiny body. The brute forced of the canine knocked the wind from his lungs and he gasped for air as he struggled to free himself. In one swift yet frenetic movement, kicked into the wolf’s gut and hurled him into the nearby briar patch. Hastily, fox child turned himself over onto his fours and raced around to find some sort of protection. The black equine was not near him at the present moment and the woman smelled like these wolves. He did not know where to turn; he could not see the horse. Therefore, Sukoshi followed his instincts and sprung into the boughs directly above him. No one could truly blame him. He was after all a child and he was not used to friends. Hence he knew not of the ‘stick together’ policy of alliances.

[Madoka Hamada]

[glow=violet,2,300]Madoka picked up her head to the commotion and just saw Sukoshi run up into the boughs of the trees. She got down below the tall grass and began to take her transformation. Madoka's large wolf body padded over to where the previous quarrel had taken place. Her silver muzzle touched the ground as she inhaled the scents of the passerbys. She picked up her head looking to where the rogue wolf would have landed. Her hazel eye looked about for any sign of the beast. The blind blue eye however stared into distant space and the scar that in her humanoid form was covered by her bangs, was now fully visible. The large silver ears that sat on her head twitched for any sound, a twig snapping or the padding of feet on the soft earth or the low growling of a vicious beast. She looked about for the small fox.[/glow]
"Sukoshi? I think it's safe, you can come out.."
[glow=violet,2,300]She didn't talk like normal, her mouth moved, but her words came out in a telepathic voice that was out loud for everyone to hear. She waited to see if he would come out, but her ears drooped and a small whine escaped her. Sukoshi hadn't fully trust her in her human form, because she did look more human. With this incident, her wolf form wouldn't gain her any points either.[/glow]
"Why couldn't I be a bird demon?"
[glow=violet,2,300]She thought to herself, giving a heavy sigh.[/glow]

[Promise Broken /2/]

<sup>Aarisia caught the scent during one of her rounds, and slid her back pistons beneath her as she slid to an abrubt halt -- nearly causing the shire stallion behind her to collide full frontal with her hind quarters. It was a close miss, and he came around her with a curious nicker as the black shire mare caught up. Both horses had expanded nares, and were showing lather upon their neck and shoulders - a sign of fatigue.

Aarisia however, was still energized and the swept had only begun to show slightly upon her chest. Her breath came in long, quick draws as she gathered it from the release of pent energy. The scent was musky, and mingled with a hint of insanity. This bothered her and she caught the whiff of the same musk she had scented on the Madoka. It was wolfish; she concluded.

With a sharp scream, she buffetted the earth with her large, broad, stiff and powerful legs; launching herself forward with speed that was amazing of a draft breed. Nimbling cross over fallen logs and weaving through random patches of trees. She took the direct route back to her charge; Sukoshi.

The shires were confused when they caught the scent. Their initial responce was to flee, which they did. But they could not understand why their friend would head towards the danger. However, their instincts dismissed it and for their own survival they quickly dissapeared into the night.

Finally, after a raged run the mare came short upon the scene, the scent of the rabid creation still corroded the surrounding air. But the scene was not clear, there was another wolf. This one's scent was not rabid but it seemed to present the same danger, and Aarisia quickly pinned back her ears, and stopped her forward momentum.

Rising back upon her haunches, she drew herself up and flailed her front hooves, menacingly as she threatened this new threat. She had little idea that the wolfish creature was the transformed Madoke. It didn't cross her mind. She was worried for her charge, and the musky scent of the wolves. The young woman, and the boy she did not bother to look for. Not yet, if damage had been done, it was damage that she could not reverse nor correct. She found it best to sacrifice her time to rid the scenerio of the new wofl.

Even as she finally fell to earth; stroking the soil with a powerful fore as she arched her neck, ears back, teath barred... she found a sense of familiarty in this wolfish being, and she considered opening her mind to it. As a Finest she could speak the tongue of all the creatures, through mind of course, but she liked to use it only as a last resort. Normally she didn't mind, since animals could not tell tales to human's and give away her superiority over the common horse. For now she would act like any protect mare would to a foal. She would act, like she was but motherly to the young boy; nothing more.</sup>

[MB disconnected]

Within the protection of the leaves partially lit by crystal moonlight, Sukoshi scurried around in circles attempting to reclaim the bearing he had lost at the time the rabid wolf attacked. During the course of one leap, his foot failed to catch a limb for a successful landing and slipped. Instantly as he fell from the boughs of the large and old tree, his hand frantically searched for a grip to save him from yet another fall; it would have been a third fall for him in this one night – not very good luck for a demon boy of his age. However, it probably would be expected considering his age and heritage; fox demon children tend to be very curious and mischievous, hence he would find himself in enough trouble to satisfy his attention span. Still, this night remained very unlucky for the kit. Fortunately, his limber hands found a safe grip supplied by a branch suitable for his weight.

Hanging there for a moment, the fox boy heard the approach of a group of beasts. Turning his small head, he looked into the night saw nothing, but he could smell something… something almost musky. Sukoshi scurried into the leaves once again to find a vantage point from where he could see them and where they could not find him… through sight at least. He watched as a pack of wolves hurried back from where their leader had attacked him. Fox child could see the attacking wolf; it was scared and confused. After the pack past under him without even glimpsing into the leaves to find him, the boy looked in curiosity in the direction of Madoka and the black mare. Decidedly, he hopped back through the trees to find his friends.

Finally after fighting the resistance of the leaves and partial lighting, he sat above the black mare and a wolf who stayed behind. Why would a wolf take on a horse alone and why would a pack abandon a member? Sukoshi wondered in confusion. He had thought the wolves were social, loyal creatures to one another. I guess there is no real honor amongst night beasts. The fox kit cocked his head to the side trying to understand this stray wolf before he dropped himself down onto the mare’s back. Large gray-blue eyes stared at the wolf challenging it to dare attack him and his friend. He knew most canine were not that stupid to take on two creatures, especially a large mammal such as a horse, by themselves. As he watched her, he caught it. Lightly drifting in the eddies of the air, Sukoshi smelled the familiar scent of Madoka. The fox straighten upon his hunches keeping his delicate balance on the mare’s back. The boy looked around for her lifting his nose into the air and closing his eyes to focus better on the scent. He figured the she-wolf was near however the thought she was right in front of them did not cross his juvenile mind. Quickly, fox attention turned back to the wolf now in their presence. He hoped it would not threaten them – after all he was merely an isolated child of twelve.

Softly, he let himself down to sit his rear end on the mare’s back mare comfortably. Still he watched the wolf with apprehension. The whole situation was strange to the young Sukoshi.

[Madoka Hamada]

[glow=violet,2,300]Madoka picked up her head hearing the thundering of Aarisia's hooves. She quickly backed off as the mare reared up into a dangerous position. Madoka dodged the mare's diamond hard hoof strikes at her. 'She must not recognize my scent...' Madoka thought to herself. She watched as Sukoshi slid off the mare and on the ground. She watched him as he watched cautiously.[/glow]
"Don't you recognize my scent? It's me Madoka, please stop!"
[glow=violet,2,300]Madoka backed up against a tree, her tail between her legs. Once she had backed up right against the tree, she rolled onto her back, a sure sign of submission. Her tail was still tucked between her legs as she looked up at the mare and Sukoshi. She watched and waited would she see her and stop attacking? If she didn't she would have to move quickly to get out of the way. One strike from those hooves she possessed to the head and it would surely kill her.
Madoka's silver coat had twigs and grass weaved into the fine hairs. Her huge paws were up in the air to keep her on her back to keep her balance.[/glow]

[Promise Broken /2/]

<sup>Aarisia stopped her rear upon the earth, but kept her ears pinned back as she watched the wolf cower in submission. She had not really examined this ones scent, she had only smelt that of the pack, and did not stop to ponder that Madoka had transformed into one of them. Ears back, lips tight against her teeth she slipped forward carefully and cautious, muscles tense and ready to respond to any possible danger. It upset her that she could only find Sukoshi, but there had to be a reason, and as she paused to examine the wolf's scent further she realized the musk and humanoid stench. So there was a reason, the words spoken only clarified.

she could feel Sukoshi's weight upon her back , and had to adjust her steps to bear it comfortably and ballanced. However, when she lowered her muzzle to the wolf's small face, she snorted and relaxed turning her head away as she looked at Madoka with puzzlement.

Aarisia shook herself, forgetting about sukoshi for a moment as she shook her whole body. She looked back apologetically and lowered her head to graze once again. Common horses were grazers, and their stomachs ruled their movements. She had to appear as nothing more than a common horse; though it was evident now to anyone who knew how to read her movements that she was or once had been a trained and brave war horse.

Part of her wanted to speak out to the transformed madoka, to let her know that all was well, and apologize. Aarisia had made the mistake of assuming. Sometimes being a finest was difficult, since she could always only do so much without giving away her true intelligence.

She lifted her large dome and nickered softly and gently to the belly-up wolf and nuzzled the canine's side encouragingly.

- all is forgiven -

Though Aarisia knew Madoka would not be able to hear the finest speach of telepathy - Aarisia could not help but say it to herself.</sup>

[Madoka Hamada]

[glow=violet,2,300]Madoka closed her eyes, but when the mare's hooves had stopped pounding and remained on the earth. She opened an eye looking at the mare. She opened both eye as Aarisia nuzzled the soft coat of her underbelly. the soft nickers that escaped from Aarisia, Madoka took as an apology and placed her cool, wet nose against Aarisia's muzzle. To say that she accepted the apology Madoka's wet tongue licked Aarisia's muzzle. Her large silver tail thumped lightly against the earth as she wagged it. Even though she was a wolf, a wolf was still technically a dog and Madoka had the friendliness of one. After a few licks, Madoka's eyes reverted to Sukoshi as she looked at him with large puppy dog eyes to show she was sorry for scaring him. She rolled off her back and got back up on her large paws. She shook herself free of the blades of grass that had entangled themselves in her silvery coat. Padding over to Sukoshi, she kept her head bowed down. Once she got to about a foot away from him she sat down and wagged her tail innocently.[/glow]

"I am sorry, I had no intention of scaring you like that. I should have warned you of my wolf form."

[mixedblood7]

Large, hazel eyes watched attentively as the scene unfolded into horse and wolf nuzzling with each other. This was very precarious to the young fox boy, even if he did not grow up isolated from the world. Those of the canine family and of the equine race did not get along considering they were destined to be on opposite ends of the predator-vs.-prey stick of life. However, the sound of Madoka’s voice coming from the wolf’s mouth cleared up the present scenario for the young one, but still it was not common among any standards.

Almost immediately after his quizzical mentality, a new mindset took hold the lad’s physique. Once more – it tends to happen every-so-often – his childish side blossomed within his eyes. Gently he let himself down from the black mare’s tall form and landed on his hunches. He looked upon the strange happening between wolf and horse. Confusion overwhelmed the naïve mind forcing Sukoshi to the ground accompanied by a very immature moan. Grabbing his head with freshly dried light brown hair, the fox lad dropped to the dirt and rolled around in it for a moment in an attempt to regain some sense of familiarity; he felt comfortable covered in dirt and mud from head to toe. With a new layer of filth upon his scrawny form, the boy, both fox and child, stood slowly back onto his calloused feet.

Resuming with a youthful expression upon his face, the fox child more or less pranced over to the wolf Madoka’s side. Thas okay, he said with a higher pitched voice than his earlier ranting. Quickly arriving at the she-wolf’s side, Sukoshi squatted next to her and began petting her playfully. It has indeed been a long time since his previous encounter with a friendly beast of the forest, besides the encounter with the currently unnamed Aarisia. Apparently, it would seem he has a better time becoming use to the wolf formed Madoka rather than her humanoid figure. This was strange for the boy, but then again this entire situation has turned very strange. The fox smiled brightly revealing friendly appearing teeth which have yet to take their true sharp form once he has matured. He smiled and laughed like the child the human world had suppressed many years ago. Sukoshi enjoyed this.

Sukoshi has friends.

[Promise Broken /2/]

<sup>Aarisia snorted as she listened to their conversation with half and ear. She was a guardian, and didn't want to listen to a conversation she might be tempted to join into. She still had no name to come to with Sukoshi - and she wondered exactly how she was supposed to react to him. What did he expect? What would give her away as something more than just a common horse? If Sukoshi was ever to realize that she was different than other horses -- uniquely and vastly different -- then she would be forced to depart from him... that was always the hardest part --leaving. It was easy enough to leave the king's and prince's who saw her as nothing but an asset to their stables, but there were always those few fallen favorites who truly could create a friendship bond with her. It was always leaving them that she found the most difficult.

Tossing the thought aside, she doubted there was much that the boy would manage to figure out from her demeenor. She was carefull to play the part of a common horse. Sometimes playing ignorant was difficult, but at other times... it was simply the easy way out. Such as now... she didn't need to worry about apologies, she needed give any - nor were any ever expected of her. She merely grazed a few yards away from them... she was completely out of their range of attention. Atleast, they didn't seem to care much about her location currently. Tossing her mane and tail, she snorted -- she couldn't care less, right now... it didn't bother her. The dawn was soon approaching though... this might irritate her. With the rising sun there was always heat. Sure, premorning was not the hottest part of the day, but it was still a banisher of the pleasant calm of night.

As she lowered her muzzle back to rip at the roots of the tall grasses, she found a faint scent that drifted across her nares. It smelled of burning wood, fresh damp hay, smoke, and... men. A faint cry of far-away horses reached her sensitive ears and she lifted her head to gaze curiously in that direction. They were a fair distance away, and there was no need to be alarmed. But the familiar scents reminded her of her time with men. She remembered their luxuries and found the memories very attractive.

Turning to look at the couple of her small charges -- the wolf-girl and strange musky-scented boy-- she let loose a body-shaking call. A pleasant neigh to grab their attention indefinately. She was moving on... obviously pretending to give the impression that she was going with or without them. Of course if they did not follow --if sukoshi did not follow-- she would circle back around. Let them think that she was a mere wild horse that had been tamed at one point and had taken a favoring liking to them. Besides her matted tail and mane and dusty coat, she looked like a proper war horse. Besides it would be for Sukoshi's benefit to get him back into civilized living. He couldn't properly grow up within the wild - he could turn malicious with age. Everyone knew that innocence died with puberty... heaven only knows what would happen if that loss of innocence was subjected to a difficult life as a life in the wild -- where the laws of nature were kill or be killed, hunt or be hunted. It wasn't a place to develope a young boy. If continued this life, she could --and would-- assume that he would develope into an uncivilized, difficult, and dangerous man. Plus there was still that strange scent of animal musk that the boy had about him. He wasn't completely human -- she knew this... well she assumed it.

After locking eye contact with them for a few moments, she turned away and began to walk in the direction of a larger scent. The scent of a town not far from here. Saverin she believed. She had been there before -- she had been one of their prized war mares. She had never bred successfully. Her immune system easily eradicated any common stallion sperm. Of course they tried... but never succeded -- she could not bear a common foal. Of course, if she'd been stallion -- she would have easily thrown several half-finests. But this was Finest genetics and unimportant right now. She continued at a walk -- not desiring any faster gait. It wasn't needed. Besides perhaps they would want to walk with her. She would give them a moment's opportunity to catch up to her walk. Later on in the journey she would pick up a faster speed, but for now... slow and steady was just fine.</sup>

[Madoka Hamada]

[glow=violet,2,300]Madoka's back right foot began to thump on the soft earth as Sukoshi scratched her. She enjoyed the young fox's hands running through her fur and scratching her skin which was hard to get to with her thick silver coat.

The dawn was approaching fast as the sun began to creep over the horizon. The sky turned from it's deep black to vibrant colors of reds, oranges, and yellows. The stars faded as the sun's light overpowered the small twinkle of the heaven's lanterns. The sunshine began to creep over the horizon and cover the fields of grass and over the trees.

Madoka's back foot stopped a little as she looked at the sky, but through her wolf eyes, the vibrant sky had died down to a gray scale. Her ears perked up hearing Aarisia's neighing. She got up out of Sukoshi's reach and ran after Aarisia to catch up. Her body was set in motion as she ran through the grass, the wind from her running through the air ruffled her fur and muscles tensed and relaxed as she ran. Once she reached Aarisia her body slowed until she was just walked up to Aarisia and looked up at her then at Sukoshi.[/glow]

[mixedblood7]

The boy with them remained so engrossed with playing with the wolf and feeling her fur between his fingers he had not recognized Aarisia motioning to leave the woods even as she tried to gain his attention she tried unfortunately in vain. His smile wide and eyes youthful, one would not imagine what he could grow up to become. Vicious, mischievous, and even murderous not caring for any of civilized society. Fox clan members tended to be especially when threaten this being the reason their young grew up as human children and they adapted to possess more demonic characteristics than their ancestors. The black mare could not have known how close she was to the truth nor did the fox lad know. Transformation day was approaching soon enough for the kit and his days of innocence gradually coming to an end.

With nothing in his mind but the comforting softness of Madoka’s coat, Sukoshi continued to be oblivious of all around him. It was not until the wolf stood and ran to catch up to the mare did the fox even realize she was walking away slowly. His childish hazel eyes watched them leave for a moment while he stood low on his hunches. Crouching forward, he watched feeling abandoned. Then when his equine friend doubled back to look in his direction, scrawny legs sprinted to join them. He did not think much of where they were headed, but he was young, naïve, and did not much care about anything at the present time. Sukoshi’s stomach began to growl and his body ached. Of course the boy was hungry; he had not eaten anything since he met the strange mare during the past evening.

He most nearly flew over the forest floor towards his two new companions. Then finally when the distance was just right, Sukoshi the fox child leaped onto the mare’s black coat which reflected the rising sun’s brilliant light. Upon landing on his perch upon her back, the boy fell fast asleep nestled in the arch of her spine hugging the horse’s neck and rubbing his face in her mane. The lad knew not of a more comfortable thing in the world; it was a new found security with her.

And so ontop the back of Aarisia, the unknown guardian, Sukoshi left with the equine and wolf.

ooc: sorry for the short post and if I got anything wrong... I did not have the other posts in front of me at the time... I guess this thread is basically closed now. ;D

[Madoka Hamada]

[glow=violet,2,300]Madoka waited for Sukoshi, but something caught her interest. She perked up her ears and looked in the direction.

"The swamps, that's where's its coming from..."

Madoka got up onto her legs and walked away a bit from Aarisia. She wagged her tail slightly, then turned to Aarisia and Sukoshi.[/glow]

"I'm going this way. I will meet up with you two later. There is something I want to check out."

[glow=violet,2,300]She bounded in the direction of the swamps. The morning sunlight illuminated her silver coat, until she got into where the trees and the dense forest lay. Then her glowing coat dimmed down to where it looked like a light gray. Her paws padded on the ground as she ran through the trees dodging whatever was in her way. Her tail had a slight twitch to it, wanting to wag and show her enthusiasm, but if it did it would knock against the trunks of the trees.

She felt a sudden sadness leaving behind the fox boy and the mare, but she knew somehow. someway they would meet up again, whether in the territories or in a war. She shook her head, not wanting to think of the war and other morbid thoughts, right now she would focus on the scent she had found.

"Someone, someone like me, another wolf. I know it is..." [/glow]