Equine Peace

[mixedblood9]

With the rain finally slowing to a more calming, pleasant flow, the rising sun peaked through the clouds. It had been raining throughout the night, but the shelter of the stables relieved some of the misery the equine race of Saverin would have suffered. His coat had finally dried and he was a bit more agreeable towards the stable boys and resident horses, definitely more cooperative.

The past night, Torano had been very frenetic and anxious. His life-long friend was unconscious when his eyes last laid eyes on her and this boy just led him away to strange stable and strange horses. This boy, who he heard called Ras, had during the past evening set him up in a stall next to the Soil Master’s andalusian, not that he knew who Sata even was. The accommodations were superb compared to what he had been living in for the past two years. Hard bare ground, cold winds, soaking rains (not that he minded; he was too involved in protecting his girl), the complete opposite of a bedded floor, shelter and blankets. Ras had even come with a meal before he went off to his own bed. It was very nice, but the chestnut stallion refused to be calmed.

But now that the rain parted and the sun rose heralding a new day, the three year old steed began to realize if they take care of their horses in this leisure, his girl must be in good hands with that man. One cannot expect Torano to entirely trust that man though. It takes a lot of time and much good to gain the stubborn equine’s faith.

As the sun rose, Ras returned to the stables and went immediately to his work. He seemed around twelve or so and stood just tall enough to meet the horses’ muscular chests. The lad worked diligently moving swiftly from one four-legged friend to another greeting each one by name. His job consisted of filling the buckets with fresh water and throwing the sweet hay of the land in each proportional to the appetites and sizes of each resident.

The lad slowed as he came to the new chestnut stallion. His brown eyes noted the recent scratches on his flesh seemingly from blades. Ras figured those wounds should be checked for infection merely as a precaution. Moving quickly and carefully through the mud, the lad went to the back to open the stall doors up onto the large green pasture closed in by a natural wooden fence; it blended remarkably with the forest behind it. Then he left to find his mother to look at the gashes the chestnut stallion carried.

Torano watched the kind boy run off back to his village before turning to gaze at the scenery behind the stables. It was still raining slightly and so he decided to wait before leaving so he could stay comfortable and dry. Big, brown eyes watched the water fall for a moment. However soon his stomach grabbed his attention, just as it had the night before, and he turned back to the hay to enjoy his breakfast.

[Promise Broken 2]

<sup>Aarisia finally managed to make it to the Saverin gates, she let out a shrill whistle to announce herself to the horses that she could easily smell within. The gates were open to allow a small caravan of villagers enter, and Aarisia quickly mingled herself with them.

Sukoshi and herself dissapeared inside the small city.

Thousands of sounds met her ears, but the brave mare dind't even balk -- no matter how many insane seeming beggers and vagabonds rushed past her. She was a war horse, she had seen worse.

She snorted and made her qay quietly down the street, her nares catching the scent of one of the barns. Curious for some similiar company she wandered over in that direction. She was very much aware of the boy that had seeted himself upon her back -- he really liked it there, she supposed.

The rain was coming down lightly, but Aarisia's coat was already wet due to the rain they had encountered halfway through their journey. There was a scent of blood and death on the wind of that storm... but Aarisia had discarded it as unimportant and imagination.

Moving up towards the fenceline, where the outside paddocks resided - she could see only the dark sillohettes of the stall doors of each small paddock. She walked on down the paddock fence, head alert and pointed in the direction so that her attention was focused on the stall paddocks, but none of the horses within came out. Each one held a common horse, grumbling about one thing or another. Many were unhappy about being so confined, but the rain kept them from venturing out into more open space. She snorted as amusement took her -- for she was listening in to the grumbling comeing the from horses within the stable. However, one was silent. He made noise -- the scent was clogged with testosterome-- but he did not speak with the others.

She paused by this paddock, his scent was commonplace... though not entirely. This partially confused her... and she gave out a short whinny to perhaps coaxe the animal out further so she could see him.

She had heard of half-bloods before. Where a finest stallion was forced to breed to a common mare. The cross always resulted in a colt. She knew there was no way that the horse she beckoned was completely finest, she would have smelt his scent and would have sensed his presence much sooner than here and now.

She gave out another whistle... still encouraging.</sup>

[mixedblood7]

Sukoshi had slept peacefully on top Aarisia’s back nestled in the slight arch of her spine finding innocent comfort in her warmth so deeply he had not noticed the changed in scenery. Growing up and raising himself in the forest he had learned it was safer to sleep in day time and keep watchful eyes in the night. Life is not kind in jungle nights. Hence his habit forced him into this deep sleep with help of the comfort she offered.

Rain fell lightly upon his face. Eyes fluttered under the gentle waters and opened slowly to the newly lit surroundings. Surprise overtook control of his small, scrawny body jerked up and immediately down to the ground with a thump and splash into the mud.

Quickly, with the speed of fox quickly, the half-breed child stood up in the puddle of brown dripping steadily. Sukoshi looked himself over raising his arm nearly in submission to the filth now encompassing his entire body of a boy. His shorts draped down heavy with both water and a combination of muck. Oh well, he figured. Used to dirt and rain, the lad did not mind whether the light drizzle would help clean him or not. Life is full of dirt, both literally and figuratively, and the kit was very much used to eating it all.

Slowly he moved from the puddle to catch up with his equine friend while the rain gradually unhurriedly washed his body. The boy shook with fear of the city and made sure to stay between the mare’s right front and hind legs. He clutched to her side as they moved to the stables. Sukoshi found the sight of other animals comforting, however the fact they stood in boxes discomfited him. He hated confinement with a passion beyond description with words. Still he remained by Aarisia’s side; he saw as more than a friend, but maybe even as a parental figure.

The fox hazel eyes watched the chestnut stallion whom seemed to have caught Aarisia’s eyes from behind her strong chest.

ooc: be back in a moment to post with Torano... hehe ;D

[mixedblood9]

Stable ruckus filled hay scented air as horses, cats, and rodents talked and complained. The Soil Master’s companion had offered an ear to listen however Torano’s silent rejection and isolated attitude indirectly told him the chestnut stallion was in no mood to talk or for more equine company. He remained silent with his head lowered to the breakfast offered by the stable boy as others of the residence merely ignored the strange horse of the alleged battle. Ethida’s companion and friend thought many things – more things than a mere riding partner should be thinking. None should blame him though. Growing up with Ethida always there taught him love and compassion and loyalty, to those he truly knew at least.

A whinny from outside the fence took hold his attention. It was feminine, but seemed different in a subtle way. The dampened air masked scents of all approaching so Torano decided to go out and meet this new encounter.

His brown eyes peered through the mist a grayed figure in the not-so-far distance. She seemed interesting enough and he wished to escape from the pointless babble of war horses of how their warrior riders had slain twenty or so men during the course of the last battle or how they just recently met a potential mate or how their sons and daughters have graduated from their training and would soon have riders of their own. Only Satazian’s stallion who watched curiously Torano’s movements to the fields remained quiet with breakfast.

Torano gazed towards the mare hoping for distraction and maybe even for comfort.

ooc: k... sorry both are short and a bit unmotivated... didn't have much time to put these together... next! hehe

[Promise Broken /2/]

<sup>Aarisia nickered welcomingly as she watched the stallion flee from the confines of the stables. Perhaps not so common was he? Mere comon horse would not be inclined by anything eccept pheremone to come out into the rain, especially with all the grumbling they were doing about it. Now if she were in heat, no doubt a few would come out at her beck and call. She snorted in laughter as the image came to mind. It was amazing how such strong stallions were subjected to absolutely powerlessness from the mere aroma of a mare in heat. Oh well... Aarisia's heat cylce had long since past. It would return in the fall, but for now... there was nothing to draw out the stallion, but his own interest and need for conversation.

. Hello, half brother. You are, are you not? .

The words were in the common equine tongue. He would have no problem discerning them, just like every or any other common stallion. She would move on to the finest language for more quiet conversation if she could determine for sure if this stud was truly a partial finest.

However, though her attention did not seem focused on Sukoshi, she had not forgotten him. Curving her neck around for a moment as she waited for the stallion to come up to the fenceline, she nuzzled the small boy in comfort. It was definate that he was uncomfortable here, but Aarisia knew it was for the best. It was for the best... He was her duty and it would be a disfavor to allow him to grow up into savagery, and become just another monster within the forest -- nothing but a large predator. That was not her Sukoshi.





[ooc]: sorry mine was so short as well.... I couldn't think of much to say. My muse was kindof on a down-low.</sup>

[mixedblood7]

The apprehensive fox child watched as a seemingly friendly and curious chestnut stallion came nearer from the safety of Aarisia’s side. He was a beautiful creature in the boy’s eyes marked with scrapes by life and hardship. It was in a way comforting for Sukoshi to know he was not the only being with such things. The boy liked the stallion, but there was something about his scent which kept him wary. It smelled of human. Human beings, Sukoshi had learned, could not be trusted to care about him. Backing up further behind the black mare, the fox hid from view and clung to her coat like a juvenile raccoon to his mother’s back.

Like a child, Sukoshi began to whimper and whine for the security of the dark and sheltered forest. His body shivered in the cold rain now blown against the mud which gradually thinned but continued to shutter in fear of the humans he heard waking to the morning light. Turning his head, hazel eyes scanned towards the city Saverin in search of humans entering his ‘safety circle’. The boy lay his eyes upon none of his two-legged ‘enemies’, but he could faintly smell their stench upon the dampened air already laden with equine fragrances. The lad may be half-human by birth but still young Sukoshi loathed being so near the main city in which humans ruled.

ooc: sorry that was really short... I don't know what to do with him right now

[mixedblood9]

The young stallion of perhaps three by now approached to eloquent black mare with his head bowed low to display respect for her as he came to meet her. The sound of his hooves clapping the muck underfoot remained muffled by the rain as was the appearance of dust. Water tends to dampen most things, Torano figured, even spirits. He was tired of being wet, of being tired, of being hurt, of being helpless. With powerful loyalty, the steed pondered the fate of his girl and friend again and even the small demon girl’s health. How is she this morning and what is that man up to? Where is she exactly and who’s helping her? Ethida’s companion worried greatly about her sake and wished deeply to be with her. But for now, this new visiting mare could be a helpful distraction from his sulking.

After what seemed an eternity in the rain, Torano reached the fence line. With his head still low, he noticed to feet of a boy scurry behind the black mare. Slowly his powerful neck muscles lifted his head to a level above the fence. Still he did not cross the border. He was not sure if he was allowed to come that close to the pair. Then he brought his attention to the mare’s eyes. Deep brown eyes looked into hers with a puzzled expression questioning her greeting. The young stallion was blatantly confused.

. What do you mean ‘half brother’? Is it merely because we are both of equine origins or… wait a second! What? .

He answered too using the common tongue of the equine breeds with a quiet tone to his voice. Torano was young and had grown on the roads of the world and so did not possess such proper speech which most human-raised higher-breeds could brag about. Of course the three-year-old had not a problem about this. Figuring he is who he is and as long as he could protect Ethida, the chestnut stallion did not care what other living creatures thought.

Gently from behind the mare, a tender breeze flowed between the horse kin. He breathed in automatically snorted the scent form his nostrils. Backing up one step, Torano again looked at the strange mare in a questioning tone. His mind hopped from conclusion to conclusion concerning the peculiarly present scent and accusingly Torano exclaimed.

. You smell of wolf! Why? .

Torano had yet to catch a sniff of the fox child’s scent masked by the rain, Aarisia, and the mud still covering his scrawny body. Quickly, his suspicious nature took hold once again and the chestnut-coated stallion waited guardedly for an explanation… to both his questions.

ooc: now that's more like it ;D ... hope you don't mind me using your method of marking 'speech' since I don't remember how I did it before

[Promise Broken /2/]

<sup>ooc: forgive me, but I need a little bit of excitement in this post… not too much—but just enough. I’ll introduce it a little later on, or since I have already told you what I was planning—you can incorporate it in there some way if you find a lacking of motivation or a lack in ideas of what to fill a post with.




Aarisia shook her head, sending an array of premature raindrops from her mane and swished her tail as Sukoshi came around her rear. She would never kick him, but did he need to cling so. With a flick and swat of her sharp-whip like tail… as gentle as she could manage… she tried to coax him more towards her front end. It would not be quite so fly-some if he would cling to her shoulder where she could easily see him. The rain had dampened his musky scent, but she knew he was still there; how could she forget about him when she had already imprinted his smell into her mind. If he was her charge, then she had to keep track of him until a new assignment was given to her.

As she was thinking over Sukoshi sudden fear and shyness… she watched the stallion slowly emerge from a building that she herself had lived within for most of her charges. Sukoshi seemed a more wild spirit—and it seemed the stables would not be in her near future until Sukoshi grew older. Subconsciously she put in her head to give him a nickname. Even in her mind, ‘sukoshi’ was a mouthful.

As the stallion came forward she noted his submissive behavior. Strange… Most common stallions had an ego larger than their ‘johnson’ and a brain that could barely hold all the pride they suppressed in their arrogant manners. Many only had eating, sleeping, and breathing on their minds—and when the season came around sex came above all else. However, this stallion seemed to know his place and at least gave some respect to the Finest. She thought she saw maybe a hint of disgruntled opinion at coming out in the rain… but he came nonetheless and she couldn’t help but give him brownie-points for that. Nickering a hello, in a tone and pitch that was like a chuckle of a laugh she pulled her neck over the fence eagerly to meet him. At first his words were confused and questioning, which she could understand. How would he know, or even be expected to know. As it was, Aarisia only assumed that he was half of the Finest blood. Perhaps he was just a strange, intelligent common stallion. However, she doubted that possibility. He used the common equine tongue, just as she did—however, she guessed—if he was a true half brother—he would know how to speak the Finest tongue. This would be her eventual test, once she felt the time was right. She was about to answer his supposed question, and further explain her reasoning, but before she could begin he suddenly cut into her on a totally different topic—demanding to know why she had the scent of a wolf on her. Now whether he was making the reference to Madoka or the reference to the wild wolves that had attacked them it was really all the same.

Pinning back her ears at his tone of voice, she pulled her up over the fence and turned it sideways to him as if to rebuke him for thinking such a thing. Body language was one of her main voices, and was a universal language among most organisms. However, her voice turned out to him hot and heated to completely beat into his skull the rational of why the scent of wolf was upon her. Why did he think her scent held a musky odor to it? She wasn’t a city mare, and wasn’t wearing any bridle or headset. Did he not notice the freedom she currently had. No human attributes and free of fences. Wouldn’t that indicate a wild mare? Well, with a whir of air exhaled from her nostrils she turned back to him with ears slightly backwards and teeth a little barred.

. Don’t talk to me like your accusing me of being a wolf. Do I look like one to you? .

She snapped at him as she snorted through enlarged nares. Turning from him, she appeared as if she was counting to ten and when she once again faced him her ears were forward and her body language was less rigid and aggressive. Mares were temperamental, the stallions learned to deal with it. However, in more calm and patient tone of voice, she continued on.

. We had a run-in with a few, both docile and not so much. As for the whole half-brother thing… Do you remember the stallion that threw you? Perhaps a name or description… .

She encouraged softly as if speaking to a child. Perhaps the tone was insulting, but he didn’t seem uniquely intelligent—kind, generous, and perhaps a loyal companion. But he seemed to her to be the type that merely accepted.
Shaking her head once more, her wet and dread-locked mane swept across her neck and stuck to her coat, her forelock was in an array of different angles, but it didn’t illude from the pure image of power and grace that her figure beheld. Aarisia was an impressive sight and those who knew a horse could easily see her as a warhorse. It was this impressive image that could land her in trouble if she lingered too long.</sup>

[mixedblood7]

Sukoshi was reluctant to allow any to see his weak little body – especially any who smelled of human. This chestnut stallion could after all go back to his human friends and tell of a young, scrawny boy which would lead to an end of wild freedom and the beginning to discipline and rules and criticism. He wanted none of it. However once Aarisia urged him forward, he felt as though she knew what was best for him. She seemed like a mother he never knew and so he came forward, but this time did not cling to her powerful form. Fox child still unknown stood on his own watching the chestnut stallion, yet he remained close to her—in front of her chest but behind her head.

The boy watched as the equine seemed to greet each other until a move back from the strange stallion called forward what seemed a challenge from the ebony mare. Sukoshi fell away from the scene semi pushed away but mainly scared away. He remain close mind, but the aggressive manner frightened the boy. Pulling his arms closer to his skinny figure, the fox child seemed the perfect angelic picture of fear. Then he watched as Aarisia calmed and cautiously moved back into his previous position near her chest. Finding himself back within the comfort zone provided by the mare, the lad shifted his attention to the stallion and his uncommon movements. This stallion did not seem like the others Sukoshi had seen in his earlier years.

Suddenly something captured the child’s attention from the equine meeting. It was… human! Primitive instinct fought to reclaim the young body, however a new emotion worked against the old habits—he felt a strong urge to protect the mare and his new friend. Moving back against Aarisia’s strong chest, Sukoshi slid to a side of the horse furthest from the human city watching carefully with wide hazel eyes for human movement bringing the ‘enemies’ nearer him.

ooc: will be back in a bit with Torano...

[mixedblood9]

Suddenly the hasty stallion realized what he had just accused the wild mare of. Backing away, Torano felt little and stupid while trying to reclaim his pride. He quickly attempted to apologize when she calmed herself and shifted to a more tender tone. She talked to him like he was merely a colt! What gave her that idea? I am a full grown stallion and I have probably done more and seen more for my human than she has ever even dreamed! None could really blame the young male; he, after all, was frustrated and worried for his girl. No matter. Torano threw the thought aside and once again approached the mare of unknown ages.

Listening to her question regarding his lineage, the young chestnut stallion pondered and sifted through old memories of pre-raid origins. He lifted up his head to begin answering her unusual and unprovoked questions when, from behind him near the stables, he heard two pairs of human feet approaching the war-horses’ living quarters. Torano turned his head around to find that boy, Ras, and his mother coming near. Attention shifted back to the mare and the boy with her and he witnessed the child transition from a certain comfort of to horrid fear.

The human mother soon saw, instead of a chestnut stallion within his stall, a black mare… outside the pasture. She however did not see the young boy with her just yet; the vision of his tiny form was masked by Torano’s powerful build. In an instant, she told her son to return the new stallion to his stall and wheeled around to obtain help from some of the neighboring men to return the beautiful black equine back behind the fences. Kira, Ras’s mother, knew not how the horse escaped, but she did know she could not return her to proper place alone.

As the boy rushed between the fence poles towards the new stallion, Torano looked back to Aarisia – a name he had yet to hear. He did not wish to be separated from her just yet. The curious steed had more questions and he only wanted to talk with her. Banter concerning previous and tedious battles bored him and it seemed to him this strange mare would be better company any day. Hastily he let loose a soft nicker to display his disapproval of these latest developments. Shaking his head, Torano dispersed the excess water caught in his mane. In moments, he pranced around hoping to create enough ruckus to allow the mare to escape so she could return in her freedom upon a later date.

Anyway, by now, Torano was wet, tired, confused, frustrated, and the prancing helped that to a point.

ooc: hope this is good enough for you

[Promise Broken /2/]

<sup>Aarisia snorted as the tension seemed to release. However, he seemed a little flustered after a moment from her condescending tone of voice. A part of her felt like she owed him an apology but apologies weren't her forte... her pride just wouldn't allow it. Could she really call herself a mare if she wasn't stubborn half the time?

However, she laxed her ears to show her acceptance of his apology of body and then returned to her previous state--neck outstretched over the fence as if curious to make contact with the chestnut steed. She stood at nearly 17 hands high, which wasn't unusual for her breed. Friesians did tend to gather some height on them, and she was no different. The stallion before her, she didn't believe was the draft breed, probably closer to the Cleveland, or maybe even the quarter horse. She couldn't be sure... however, whatever his breed he was shorter than herself, but not by much. Perhaps a good 16 hands or so.

Anyways, that was hardly important. She waited fairly patient while the stallion thought it over. If he was common, chances were good that he wouldn't remember. If he was a finest, or even part of one... his past memories would be a little clearer.

Aarisia was probably the last to find the approaching humans any threat. She'd been around them for all her many hundred years, and for all those years she had tolerated them like a good finest should. Both Sukoshi and Torana seemed to think that her escape was needed. It was a nice thought, but Aarisia didn't really have anywhere to go. She knew a bridless, saddlelless horse would easily be spotted in any crowd and it would be nice to relax inside, away from the chill of the wet rain. Plus the grain was always sweeter for the domesticated. So as she spotted Kira and Ras she merely looked at them with a wondering curiousity as if to say, "Well hurry up with it."

Watching Torano's antics, Aarisia couldn't help but nicker in a soft chuckling manner. The stallion was strange, but perhaps that was in a good way. Aarisia liked to think so, and even enjoyed this conversation slightly. It wasn't boring. Thinking baout her previous, aggressive attitude she smiled to herself. As her attention was snared by soft coddling words that were drifting to her from both directions. Turning her head to the left, she saw two men, and then to her right she saw two more. Two of the four were actual horsemen, the others were merely a couple of friends. She could tell by the nervousness that played in the eyes of two of them. The pair on her left were the friends, and she knew they were just meant to keep her from turning to run in the left direction. They were attempting to box her in.

Honestly, if she wanted to get away, she could easily out manuever these men with intelligence that they wouldn't expect from a common horse. She was tempted to--to move out and run from them, just to mock in their faces. So with a playful snort, she tossed her head in temporary fairwell to Torano and then looked to Sukoshi for a moment. Nudging his shoulder, she whickered softly to him.

Because of this guesture one of the men cranned his neck to get a look at what Aarisia was doing. Seeing the young boy, he waved his hands and all the approaching helpers stopped for a moment. Calmly one of the horsemen addressed Sukoshi.

"Boy, is that your horse?" the voice was apprehensive and disbelieving. Aarisia heard the tone immediately and knew the situation had turned a little more dire.

The men could see her build and her posture, it was obvious that she was, or had been a war horse. There was no denying what he saw. However, the boy, a scruffian covered in dirt, wet, and evidently nervous was a suspicion to him. Why would such a boy have a war horse? Simple, he wouldn't.

Aarisia could see the conclusion's popping into the man's head, and her ears instantly fell back anxiously, as she stepped away from the rail. These men were assuming that Sukoshi had stollen her! This was bad.

Ras was still trying to catch Torano, but the stallion was fairly contained inside his enclosed paddock. it would only be a matter of time until he was shooed back into it's inclosure. The men weren't too concerned with Torano. They were worried about a loose mare and possible horse theif, that would need to be turned in to Sata.

Aarisia, snorted warningly and her nares expanded as her breath gathered within her lungs. Some of the other men tried to coo her back into a placid nature, but with their words she only sidled closer to Sukoshi. He was her charge, and she'd protect him until she couldn't any more. Letting herself get caught to go into the barn, suddenly wasn't an option.</sup>

[mixedblood7]

The fox boy had instinctively buried his face in Aarisia’s strength. With hazel pools shut tight, he only could hear the developments surfacing around him. It was the strange clops in the mud which caught and confused Sukoshi that brought his scared facial expression into the open dampened air. If Torano had caused the ruckus in order to grab attention, he had succeeded. Unfortunately for the young Sukoshi, this made him realize the danger he was truly in. He did not, for the life of him, desire to be thrown back into the hands of the human filth. Never again!

Immediately, he threw himself back at Aarisia clinging tighter than ever to his comforter. Then, something that seemed out of the blue brought him back to a reasonable level between fear and safety – Aarisia’s nudge on his feeble shoulder. In addition to her whicker, Sukoshi also heard another calming cooing, but this sounds source frightened all the more when he looked up to find himself surrounded by… human men. This information brought him closer to the black mare’s powerful form in a fit of fear like no other.

Suddenly, a man’s doubtful voice ran through the rain soaked atmosphere startling the young boy upright and wide eyed. His response to the horrid question was delivered in the most ear piercing, high pitched scream at the men.

NO! Friend! Leave! Go away!

Turning the entirety of his scrawny body towards the man who dared to speak to him and his friend like that, Sukoshi stared at him with passionate hate. Fear mixed with rage. The boy’s face turned red with frustration as his whole body tensed up. Everything moved towards the sky bringing his shoulders nearly to his ears. Abruptly, all emotion boiled over and the fox hurriedly gathered up stones and chucked them with amazing speed at the man who seemed the leader. This action brought the boy far enough from the mare that he was forced to sprint back to her safety. So before he saw the results of his rapid tantrum, Sukoshi wheeled around and ran.

Screaming as a child would for his mother all the way back to Aarisia’s side, Sukoshi ran until interrupted by another young man. He appeared in his early twenties jumping down from the trees between the boy and the assumedly stolen black mare. As a young boy would in the situation, the Halfling fell back upon his tender rump, but as a fox would, he scurried around attempting to escape back to the mare whom he had found to be the most motherly creature he ever knew. Sukoshi yelled in fear at the men and caught them off-guard by biting the young man’s exposed ankle.

All he wanted was Aarisia… all he wanted was her warmth and the feel of her soft hide.

Tears forced by fear, frustration, and a bit of rage ran.

[mixedblood9]

The intimidating stallion reared to escape the young human’s latest attempt in catching him to be put back into his stall. Torano wanted none of that at the moment. He was having too much fun with Aarisia; unfortunately these men seemed determined to prevent it from continuing. They had removed both bridle and saddle earlier when they first placed the chestnut stallion with his fellow horses and so now his recapture would prove to be so much harder. That is until Ras succeeded in getting a rope around his strong neck. This was not good and was no fun any more.

Ras kept a nice amount of slack on the rope like a good stable boy would; however it did not matter to Torano. A horrendous amount of bucking, rearing, and prancing about kept the boy at a fair distance; the stallion was not going to permit any close for the current moment. This commotion also bought the attention of another man from a neighboring home. He was an older working man who came to help young Ras with a currently implacable equine male. Torano fought with both people as the young mother watched helplessly from the fence line praying for the safety of her son. Ethida’s stallion battled hard screaming into the atmosphere. He jumped and kicked trying to get away from the strange human hands. His usual untrusting attitude took hold as he looked longingly for his companion when loud yells from the men outside the enclosed pasture. Dark brown eyes peered through the mists to find the boy separated from his beautiful mare comrade.

Rapidly this small disturbance was turning into a mini civil war with screaming and chaos included. Soon, Torano could smell blood in the air. War is a suitable description.

ooc: sorry for Torano's shortness... couldn't come up with much with him... anyway, I thought we both would play the men... hope you don't mind ;D

[Promise Broken /2/]

<sup>Aarisia screamed her dissaproval as Sukoshi leapt from her side to wander forward towards the men. Just to throw Stones!?

Sukoshi! her mind screamed as she watched in slow motion is suddenly realization and his attempts to return to her. The horsemen cowered beneath the assualt of stone pebbles, and were unable to recover in time to grab the incompetant youth. However, a man within the trees jumped down to intercept him and Aarisia's ears pinned back in horror as Sukoshi bit the man's leg and once again attempted to scramble back to Aarisia's side.

Her instinct as a finest shot itself into her blood stream and her adrenaline suddenly flooded her senses as she watched the man cry out in anger and pain. He muttered a long strain of curses and grabbed sukoshi roughly around his waist. The boy was little more than a stick to that man, and with hardly any effort... the imposter had whisked Sukoshi from his feet. The man attempted to pin the young boy to stop his struggling, but Aarisia was not going to merely stand around and watch. Teeth barred venomously as forelegs rose up off the ground and paused within the air to pawed threateningly in the man's direction. The new arrival was halfway between her and the other two horsemen, he was closer than was safe for him. Launching forward, her unshod feet clattered against the cobblestone as crania snaked out and teeth sought the man's tender flesh. Her bite would do much more damage, for a horses's jaw strength was fair enough. However, the man was aware of her charge and in surprise he repeated what Sukoshi had done--he fell backwards onto his back. Thus giving the struggling Sukoshi a chance to flee in the moment. Aarisia reared up... not to strike but to threaten the man into fear enough to get him to worry about the sake of his own life, enough for him to drop the child and flee to safety. This was Aarisia's goal. Yet something went wrong.

The two experienced horsemen, saw her reaction and feared for their comrades life. They did not know that she was not going to drop her several hundred pound weight upon his meager body. And therefore, when she reared up the two of them rushed forward with loud noises and sudden waving of their arms. Jumping in front of the mare's face. Now all horses have a blindspot and Aarisia was no difference. Taken by surprise the aggressive mare pulled her weight away from them, nearly succeeding in toppling over backwards. Her feet were having a hard time gripping the stone flooring and for a moment she felt her footing slipping. Panic siezed her for a breif moment before she finally managed to right her balance. Shaking her head as she stood their for a moment, with her back to the two horsemen and new arrival. Gathering her breath she glanced up to see two very bewildered helpers. Snorting she put back her ears and pawed the cobblestones aggressively. Signalling she was not happy and she wanted them to move. Yet they didn't budge.

In frustration she went to turn back to see where Sukoshi had gotten to. It would tear her apart to find him seperated from her, going to who knows were. Jail? Aarisia shuttered at the thought. She could do nothing for him if he went there.

Yet again her plans were foiled. She had actually never been on the wrong side of men, and had never had them after her to calm her or capture her. Because of this, she had forgotten their strength in numbers and resiliance to come back. As she turned her eyes caught sight of the flying object too late. A rough rawhide rope noose slipped around her neck and she was oh so suddenly caught--a part of her freedom taken from her. Anger lashed across her face as instincts launched towards the holder of this rope, however, as her attention was diverted by the first rangler, the second rope found it's mark quickly and without worry of missing. Aarisia was suddenly caught within a cross tie. She tried to rear, but was dragged down by the combined efforts of the two horsemen--holders of the ropes. Therefore, she instintively dropped her head and released back legs in a dangerous and very powerful rear ward kick. Her rear legs collided with nothing but empty air, but it was evident she was not pleased and her struggles were very likely to heighten themselves. The men were very eager to get her inside.

In vain, Aarisia tried to spot Sukoshi, Why did you leave me side?! she cursed to herself. Though she wasn't mad at Sukoshi, she was mad at herself for her own lack in judgement. She shouldn't have brought him here. She tried to argue that he needed to grow into a civilized manner of life, but she still felt like this scenerio was her fault.</sup>

[mixedblood7]

Thrown in a blinding fit of combined fear and rage by the sudden rough capture made by an intruding young human male, the young fox screamed like the child he appeared. Flailing limbs shot out in all directions searching for any and all targets within his juvenile reach. This immature chaos wreaked its havoc for mere seconds until Sukoshi was abruptly pinned to the hard wet ground. With eyes shut tight and face distorted by rage, fox child unknown to all in the world continued in his attempt to struggle free. His high yells in the man’s face consisted of expected demands for freedom and a stop to the human’s assault.

That was until Aarisia’s actions scared the man enough forcing his grip to slip allowing her young charge to escape… for but a moment. The horsemen’s successful roped capture permitted the threatened man a chance to grab hold the tiny ankle of the assumed horse thief. Surprised by the strong grip around his ankle, Sukoshi tripped face first into the mud. With nothing but a moment’s hesitation to secure a firm hold on the boy, the young man known as Shawn stood dragging his prisoner up into his strong working arms.

He ran quickly to the back of the barn calling for a good length of rope to restrain the little boy thief who struggled frantically kicking and screaming in his arms. With a force young Sukoshi could not hope to match, Shawn held him down while Kira hastened to his side with the requested bounds. Together they worked to quell the frenzied, childish exertion. The blonde man tied the boy’s thin wrists tightly behind his bare back with the mercy of any enforcer protecting his home. Shawn finished the obviously unwelcome bondage with a number of lopes around Sukoshi’s torso and arms. Also, he included a lead so he could walk the boy to Master Satazian.

Faithfully, Shawn awaited his comrades. He knew they would join him soon once the frisky mare was back in her proper place. The man now had the chance to look upon the boy’s young form. Sukoshi sat unusually still and withdrawn with hazel orbs jetting around observing any detail which could be useful to him. Shawn shook his head in dismay.

You should have thought about the consequences before you tried that stunt, kid.

No response from the fox kit. Only his heartbeat heard. Only his uncertain fate seen.

[mixedblood9]

Chestnut fury danced around Ras, the boy who held him fairly near, dodging strange human hands as they attempted to calm the stallion. This routine of dancing and dodging continued on for quite some time as both opposing parties were too stubborn to submit to the other until Torano suddenly stopped. The older man helping Ras reached out his hand to stroke the stallion’s neck. However, Ethida’s untrusting steed would have none of that now and jerked his head in the opposite direction to avoid his touch. He watched attentively the scene progressing outside the wooden fence.

Aarisia was caught between two men in a cross tie and the boy who had accompanied her was taken forcefully out of sight. Torano consented current defeat lowering his head and now calm face. The man Ras called Thomas took this signal as a positive sign and approached the stallion stroking his wet hide. Upon closer inspection though, he found sadness welling up within the chestnut steed’s brown pools.

What’s wrong, boy?

His gentle voice came during one long rub down his muscular neck and chest to find the stallion’s struggle had reopened yesterday’s battle wounds. With a subtle gesture and soft command, Thomas motioned Ras back to the barn.

As Ras led and Thom stayed by his side, Torano followed quietly with his head low. He revisited previously provoked thoughts – Ethida, his past, the beautiful mare and her strange questions. At least that strange black equine will be joining me soon in the barn, the young stallion hoped attempting to see the bright side of current events.

[Promise Broken /2/]

<sup>Aarisia lifted up her eyes in time to watch as Sukoshi was taken struggling from her gaze. She couldn't see him, nor could she see what they were doing to her charge. Screaming her rage, she coiled her back pistons and leapt forward, dragging a couple of the men with her. But with the combined efforts of the horsemen and volunteers, she was caught in the crossties. She was vaguelly aware of a flickering feeling across her rump as another horseman attempted to ensnare one of her back legs, to hobble her. However, luckily he was off target and her constant movement allowed it to glance harmlessly off her rump--thus it only succeeded to alert her to the danger that was now behind her as well.

Laying her ears flat against her skull she tried to lunge out of the hold of those who held her firmly and securely in the crossties, but her efforts were to no avail, and her struggling only began to lay a tired sense of defeat upon her bodice and mind. Rear legs snapped out one last time, only to find the band of rope from early latch upon her heel. Squeeling in sudden fury... she finally decided enough was enough.

Suddenly and surprisingly she just stopped. She grew quiet, stopped moving, and her ears perked forward in interest not aggression. She wouldn't get Sukoshi by fighting--not anymore. Besides... she assumed for now he was in the barn. Thus the sooner she went into the "stall" the sooner she would be near Sukoshi... the sooner she could escape with him.

The men, looked at their laxed lines with a dumbfounded expression etched upon their faces. Finally, after it had finally registered that she was done fighting, the men pulled the rope off of her rear leg and slipped a halter over her halterless face. Eventually leading her into an empty stall across from Torano. As soon as their hands had left her, she lunged towards the door, but the men quickly reacted and slammed it shut--shaking their finger at her they walked away with sighs of releif as they dusted their hands off on their breeches.

REleasing a begging call, she screamed for Sukoshi? She didn't know where he was, and she oculd barely catch his scent of the masking odor of hundred of other musty equines. For now, she knew he was still inside... but how long would that last if they thought the boy was a horse thief? Forlorn and depressed, she moved away from the stall door, and shoved her head out the outside window--letting the cold rain wash across her already soaking wet face. Her belly dripped run-off from her back into the dry soft bedding, but she didn't care and obviously neither did anyone else... for no one came to brush the water off and dry her down. She snorted... just as well they were afraid -- she didn't want them to touch her anymore.</sup>

[:x: Paradox :x:]

Again! he ordered himself, and obediatenly his will obeyed. His image to any observing eye would thus flutter and disolve into something... someone different. The change was so suttle, and so quick, that one could blink and miss the transisition. And if they did manage to observe, their mind would be so utterly astounded, that they would wonder whether they saw correctly in the first place. Therefore, Zerion would commit himself to the new appearance before he actually got anywhere near human contact. He didn't want to risk breaking his cover, not with so much at stake.

He concentrated, and felt the air around him thicken, and a tendril of his own consciousness flee from his skull like a life-line... upon which he would draw back his magics and "become himself again" -- so to speak. He could not linger too long over an extended period of time, without taking a break from his illusion. It took large amounts of physical and mental will to withold a successful vision, though Zerion could boost that such power and endurance he did rightly possess. Afterall -- this was his greatest skill, and it went well with his profession. Funny thing is, most within his home knew him as Zerion Calypsin, a charming young elf, that worked as a reserved archer--ever their be a need for an extra bow he would come to assist. But this was merely a ploy -- a life he relayed at home, to keep him completely out of suspcisions way. NO one would ever suspect, the pleasent, polite, and charming elf to be awry within dangerous politics and have a mind as cold and heartless as an assassin. In reality he was the kind of man, who would meet you only to have different ways of bringing misery to her life stirring within his mind as he made "pleasent" conversation to your face. He was a sick charmer, indeed. There was always a certain laughter in everything he did, and the things he found pleasure in were not the same as what some would first imagine.

Once he felt sure that the image was sustained, and holding... Zerion let his mind relax and slowly withdrew his magics. Like reeling in measuring tape--if you just let go... the sharp metal end slash lash back with painful realism. No, Zerion was careful with his skills, best not to overload his system with too much. Everything must be used in small well calculated amounts.

With a sigh, he opened up his eyes and thought about the poor soldier whom he had taken the liberty of eradicating from the picture. It was necessary. Zerion couldn't have the real Lieutenant Juris barging in on him in the future now would he? No sir. Where did the body lay? Even Zerion would not relinguish the knowlegde to himself anymore. What was done is done.

Slipping his hands into the folds of his black clothing, the devious elf returned to the roadside, and placed the hood of his large coat over his head, masking his hair and face. Should another traveler pass by, it would probably be best if Zerion remained nothing more than a dark hooded figure. However, for awhile the road remained empty.

Yet as he grew closer and closer to the city of Saverin, more and more people began to pass by. Many didn't even give him a second look, but once the opportunity showed itself. Zerion transisted. Pausing by a tall shrouded willow, he hide himself in the weeping boughs and removed his hood. Straightening his cloak comfortably, he brushed the sand from his linens and closed his eyes, falling into a standing state of meditation. This illusion needed to be strong, resiliant, and very difficult to comprehend. If the master was of a strong mind, it would be difficult to hold a simple vision. As it was, Zerion knew he would be affecting the mind's of hundreds, and that would be a touch taxing upon his strength. So this moment of meditation was necessary to draw from himself the needed reserves to sustain a good image while meandering through the city. He also planned to make it fairly independent--to a point where once it was set, the only thing he would have to worry about was drawing it all back in. It would hold itself in place without his constant pressings.

The process took time and more effort than the concocting murauder had been expecting. Sweat began to line the brow of the villian, but all the while his mastery of the minds of those to come within his radius grew and strengthened to a point that would hopefully be strong enough to keep Satazian within the loop of his control.

When he felt he was ready, a middle-aged human stepped from the darkness. His hair was the color of brown silk, and his eyes a deep shade of rusty amber. His face was old and worn, and the shadow of a beard was beginning to grow upon the sides of his face and upon his chin. It was a very rugged look, and did not appear as the 26 year old, but more as a 30's man. Zerion smiled, and so did the liuetenent Juris. The gesture was more of a smirk, actually.

Stepping forward, to the passerby, the uniformed soldier of the outer border patrol was nothing out of the ordinary and they either ignored his passing or nodded a friendly gesture. Zerion forced himself to act the same, so as not to illude to anything but the gentlemanly manner of Juris.
But after an eternity of enduring such comradery, the gates of Saverin loomed upon him.

Now was the time of judgement.

Coming up to the barred entrance, he faced his facade skyward and was met with a quizitive stare from one of the guards on the wall. When he continued to stare, Zerion decided to help give his memory a slight push. Raising his voice, he boomed skyward; Liuetenent Juris at the gates! I have news from the borders!

Lowering his head, with a devilish smirk at his clever lie, the masked elf surpressed his wicked grin as he listened to the grinding and screaching of worn and rusty gears. Ever so slowly, the gate began to lift.

<::::::::>

Past the gates, the elfin daredevil found himself in a very robust and active community. People swarmed around him, going about their daily chores without a thought or care in the world for the war that brewed outside their gates. Ignorance was rampant here. Zerion could feel it's stagnant presence all around him. The idea of the war finally spilling over their high walls and into their safe havens, put a gleeful smile on his face. The image of burning, crying, and klling did so amuse him that he had to force it from his mind before Juris's wicked, sadistic smile could be noticed by too many. AS it were several passerby were giving him odd glances as they wondered what had made the liuetenant wish to suddenly smile such an unsettling one.

With a sigh, he put the thoughts aside and began to walk past the large stables, the barrack beyond that, and the prison wards afterwords as well. He didn't know where he would find his target, but he assumed around the military areas would be as good a place as any--his elegant body mingling with the crowd behind the image of a tall brisk man. No one was willing to stop his path, and no one saw any reason to. Well almost no one.

A stranger suddenly slammed into his shoulder, making him spin ever so slightly. Mind whirred spasmodically, as he nearly pulled back his magics in reflex. Luckily he could himself, both in mind and body--an elf never falls--and his disguise shimmered only slightly. Not enough to be noticed.

Once he had steadied himself, he whirled around to look fiercely at whomever could not walk in a single straight line, but he was met with only a soft apology and apologetic expression. They didn't realize the gravity of the situation. Zerion did. Just because he looked like Mr. Juris, Zerion did not feel like Juris. If ANYONE were to grasp his arm, or feel his face, they not discern the same thing as what they were seeing--an unfortunate crack in his disguise.

With a sigh, he brushed himself off and prepared to soldier onwards, when something made him pause.

An overwhelming sense of releif... several of those around him were releived at something. His perceptiveness could feel it and his eyes could see it in their faces and posture. He looked around, curious as to what might have just transpried that would allure many around this area to feel a release of tension.
It was then that he heard it.

"Tell you what, that boy's got guts to go after a mare like that. She was hell and spitfire to us... and we were her rescuers!" a releived chuckle and a clearing of the throat revealed a possibility of why everyone was relaxed now.

"I still don't see how she got out... Barn was all getting locked up when I left..." Another voice resounded from a different direction.

Zerion was so involved in listening to the gossip that he didn't notice one of the stable hands come up to him, nor did he notice that he had already made it to the stable yard.

"Sir? You here to get the horse theif?" the older youth stated quite plainly as he went to grab Juris's shoulder to get his attention.

Zerion saw the motion, and quickly turned about so the youth touched nothing. Embarressed, the stable hand shrunk back a touch.

Zerion was trying to decide whether to move on, or investigate this supposed "horse theif" that could handle a spitfire mare. Besides, criminal to criminal--why not help the young welp?

He briskly nodded without saying a word, and entered through the barn archway. Finding himself face to face, with a tied up lad, and an undecided group--one man, stable master, and one woman, wife of the man most likely. It was an odd picture, and Zerion had to hide a smile.



ooc: sry... the ending is total crap compared to what I can do... but with this post being so long -- I started to rush myself just to get it written. ;D

[mixedblood7]

Tied up and looked upon as a dog, Sukoshi could not help but feel defeated as he sat in back of the barn. He listened with not much interest to the conversations occurring all around him. It was just like before –- ignored and treated like an insignificant urchin – only this time they’ve tied him up like a thief! No one wants me. No one cares for me. I hate humans! The thoughts remained hostile despite his defeat and Sukoshi deeply desired for the comfort of the black mare again. She, it seemed, was the only family the boy was meant to have. His human façade flickered fox as his eyes, staring at the dirt, transitioned quickly from hazel to a rustic yellow and back. Current events brought on too much stress for the human boy to handle; the fox boy stood at the brink of breaking the dam which held him back. Though it would be a premature release. Human thoughts and age kept his fox nature instinctually at bay.

It was after this blink in consciousness when her scream cut through the musty air. His acute ears picked it up easily over the human babble and he perked up to see her. The man also shifted and tensed, but at the boy’s movement perhaps as a preparation for a new struggle. Shawn was correct. Sukoshi struggled to rise and find her. He fought against the rough rope bindings and succeeded in standing. Ignoring the surrounding humans, the young fox tried to enter the other half of the barn. Unfortunately one man would not be ignored –- the one holding the lead rope, Shawn. One sudden tug backwards and Sukoshi was back on his butt. Score: humans- 2, fox child- 0. Not very good for a child who merely wanted his freedom.

This last defeat brought his eyes back to the dirt. Soon, however, a muffled footstep entering the barn’s dust caught Sukoshi’s unwilling attention. Hazel eyes followed the ground to find a pair of boots a short distance away from his meager form. From here, he followed a uniformed body to a rugged man’s face… smiling at him! He knew this new man would not help him either so he growled harshly expressing his severe disapproval at the whole situation. The boy’s scrawny face distorted in both anger and fear.

His fate was out of his tiny hands and Sukoshi knew it. He was at the mercy of these humans! A low snarl continued as the fox kit’s eyes kept anxious watch on the strange military man.

ooc: sorry about the wait... don't wait for a post from Torano because I've got nothing for him to do... he just stays quietly in his stall for now.

[Promise Broken /2/]

ooc: I stand beside MB9 -- I'll post as Aarisia when she is needed -- that'll probably be once Zerion is Sukoshi leave, if that's what it's leading up to. ;D

[:x: Paradox :x:]

Juris wiped away the smug victorious grin that had been growing on his face. He could notably see the disapproval and defeated growling of the young lad, and he couldn’t help but feel proud of himself for freeing this fellow urchin. However, Sukoshi obviously did not see the humor in the matter—Zerion didn’t expect him to. As far as the little rogue knew, Juris was only here to cart him away to further trial and punishment. Zerion wondered if the little rebel would be at all surprised when Juris released him back out into the world. Freedom!
Funny thing is, Zerion really didn’t care if he surprised or please the little lad. He wasn’t easily touched by soft, pleasant moments of fuzzy happiness and love. It was something he’d never embraced and hadn’t the wish to. He wasn’t truly releasing the kid because he cared. He was more or less letting the runt go, because it was on the way and Zerion thought he’d do a fellow rogue a favor.
Well, without further ado, Zerion—or Juris rather—took the lead of the tied up rookie with a gruff expression, which he used to show his seriousness and suppress his insane humorous impression of the whole situation. Here was, under the eyes of hundreds of earthen citizens and not a one of them suspected anything amiss, and those who did, didn’t show any protest. The young man who had been guarding and holding the young vermin, was glad to be rid of the thief, and it seemed they were no longer concerned once Zerion had the kid in his control. It was no longer a civilian matter. Sukoshi was in the hands of Satazian, Master of Soil, and of no more importance to them. They were no longer responsible.

Swiftly and without waiting any longer, Juris nodded briskly—without a smile—and let his eyes reflect a sense of business, which the man took very seriously. Zerion made sure to hold a measure of boredom within the captain’s expression, so that everyone would realize that the man would prefer to be doing other things than taking a lowly horse thief off to the dungeons.
So, dragging the wrongly accused behind him in a rather rough and uncaring fashion, Juris led the child back behind a corner of the stables—where only a scattered few remained; mostly beggars and paupers. However, even they left the area at the site of one of Sata’s soldiers. When Zerion believed to be out of sight, he pulled the tied boy around to face him.
If Sukoshi had been struggling through the duration of the short trip, Zerion hadn’t really noticed. The natural drag on the line was there to begin with, and Zerion was a strong elf, skilled and toned for physical confrontation—though not overly so, like many humans.
Anyways, facing the lad, he put a finger to his lips, and softened Juris’s expression, as he began to fondle with the knots located in several tricky places. Beneath his breath, he cursed the stableman’s handy work as he struggled with some of the larger, more intricately woven tangles. One eye constantly flickered towards the street that could be seen through a crack in a high rising fence. People, passed by, unawares, and not worried about a manure alley behind the stables. Indeed, Zerion understood their discontent, for the foul wasteful smell was beginning to irritate the sadistic elf. All the while, Zerion watched the boy’s face carefully; fully aware that at any moment the child could think distrust and thrash suddenly to free himself from Juris’s strong hands.
AS he finished with the last knot, the soldier grasped the boy’s shoulders firmly and smirked understandably—a sparkling mischief in his eye reflecting inside Juris’s dull brown orbs.
“Ok kid, off wit…” He drowned himself out as he looked beyond Sukoshi—hands still gripped tightly on the lad’s shoulders. Through that same crack, skillfully keen elfin eyes saw one unmistakable figure—Satazian, Master of Soil and designated target of the insane marauder. Standing up, Zerion looked over the fence line and saw that Sata’s direction was headed to the dungeon barracks, and so that to was where Zerion must go. But how?
Certainly, though Juris was a soldier of earth, he could not just waltz into the jail isle with no reason. But what reason was there? Zerion’s eyes drifted back down to the unknown Sukoshi, and a sly, manipulative and dangerous smile spread itself upon Juris’s allusioned face. His hands moved quickly, his right grasping the boy’s short brown hair firmly—his knuckles attempting to find a secure hold, whilst his left gripped the child’s shoulder painfully tight. Zerion would use this kid to get into the Dungeons, to get close to Sata—the thought of managing such a feat brought an evil smile to his lips. Was he insane, to seek such dangerous thrills. Many thought so, and even Zerion thought it to be at times. However, what else was a dangerous rogue such as himself supposed to do in his spare time?

Dragging the boy once again, Zerion made his way back onto the main streets. If Sukoshi chose to struggle, Zerion was perfectly ready and willing to retaliate in any way possible to keep the kid contained. It was off to the dungeons—and Satazian was close at hand.

ooc: it’s not terribly long, and I apologize for that, but there wasn’t much else for me to say, and I was lacking muse when I wrote it. Sorry. :\

[mixedblood7]

It was a fury of mud splatters and half-dried dust after the morning’s rain. So much for being clean as far as street urchins go. Sukoshi became once again covered in the muck and grime he himself kicked up. The boy struggled ferociously with the masquerading dare devil. Screaming, he created a frantic chaos which no one seemed to mind. Juvenile yells and childish vocabulary filled the air.

However, this ranting soon died off as the man twisted him around to face his quarry. Juris’s softened tone and friendly façade confused the naïve woodland child. He cocked his head curiously, bits of dirt flung from his short locks, looking for some explanation to this human’s actions. None would be so kind as to free… Wait! He is!

Hazel eyes brightened and the boy eagerly wiggled – he wanted to help loosen the knots and this way is the only way he knew how. The tough ropes which had ferociously cut into his wrists now dropped gratefully to the soil. As the disguised elf gripped Sukoshi tightly, the boy looked whole-heartedly into the current warm visage. He listened intently to the voice uttered in what seemed a playful gesture.

Suddenly though, the fun attitude left the man’s brown orbs and stared into the distance. Sukoshi’s eyebrows flattened and his eyes squinted slightly in an attempt to read the soldier’s eyes. Just as quick, too quick for the fox kit’s taste, the soldier grabber him roughly and the struggle began once again.

Sukoshi’s scream cut through the air like a knife as the soldier grabbed his short locks of hair and gripped his shoulder. However, with his hold, the fox knew, he had a greater chance of escaping than the ropes. Ranting calmed merely to let way furious growls from deep within the youth’s throat. Muscles tensed. In a flash brought on by unrestricted adrenaline kicked up a cloud of soggy dust as the boy kicked off the ground utterly ignoring the pain shooting from his head and shoulder. He swung himself attempting to flip of land on top of the soldier.

Liar! Never… never nice! All the same! All you humans are the same!

Thoughts raged. Blood boiled. The fox… the demon awaited the breaking of the dam.

ooc: ok... I know it is very late... and lacking in style and length... but I was just trying to get something up for you in between the chaos of life... sorry.

[:x: Paradox :x:]

Zerion was fully expecting a light struggle of some hind similiar to what the boy had attempted as the disguised rogue led him from the building. However, he was not prepared for the lad's attack. He was ready to pull and drag a child that was struggling away from him, but he had not really predicted an offensive defense. Yet it mattered very little. Zerion was a fighter, a soldier as well as any--his spare time consumed by a false life as a reserved Soldier of Water's realm. He was as much a killer as a manipulator, and the boys cries would drag too much attention--at least more than Zerion wanted.

The boy leaped. It was an unpredictable move, and Zerion was taken aback for a second before his responsive reflexes retaliated. His right wrist was bent backwards, slightly creating a wrending discomforted that immediately filled Zerion's blood with adrenaline. The right arm lost its leverage, and thus lost its use in bringing the boy back under control--yet it still retained its firm hold on Sukoshi's scalp. However, his left was still firmly clench on the boy's shoulder, and he forcefully shoved his upper body weight into the arm, sending an overpowering amount of force into the ascending child, meant to fling the lad back towards the earth and away from Zerion's back.

True Zerion is not as heavily built in reality as his illusion was, but he was still a full grown, toned, and powerful elfin archer--whose upper body strength was as finite and grand as most men. Compared to the stick-like figure of the small human boy... Zerion had no fear.

Still, his smile was gone and he was no longer as kind and warm as he had begun. He scowled down at Sukoshi and his mouth curled in half of a snarl, his eyes--the eyes of his image--sparked with exhausted patience. Throwing his right arm out, extending it and hopefully flinging the boy around to face him, Zerion curled his wrist forward and twisted it to the right--whilst he released his left hand from its shoulder hold. The twisted motion of his wrist was meant to flex and pull back the boy's head to a painfully uncomfortable degree, just to make sure the kid understood Zerion's true potential for malice, and to subdue the boy's rebellion.
With his left hand free, he brought it back and harshly lashed out--cuffing Sukoshi rather violently and without much restraint.
With the attempted punishment tried, Zerion fixed his left hand back on the boy's shoulder, squeezing the flesh to emphasize the point he was about to make.

"Don't do it again. Your usefullness will only last for so long, and if you want you're freedom in the end it'd be in your best interest to cooperate without any more such rebellions," Zerion paused to let the snarling words soak in, Understand?

The words held no warmth, but they were not void of seriousness. There was always a certain evil thrill that lurked inside his soul when the blood of intellectual beings covered his murderous hands. If the boy put up too much of a fight now and the plan was a failure, Zerion would feel no regret in killing this whelp that could both assist and destroy the impersonator's goal--of course, if things failed... Zerion would have to retreat to safety first.





Zerion's eyes did not flicker out to the world beyond the fence, instead they bore into the rebellious child, demanding an answer before Zerion move on. Satazian was in the dungeons, Zerion knew this. He could spend a few more seconds waiting.

[mixedblood7]

His attack in blind rage is quickly thwarted by what seemed sheer force. However, the suppressed demon continued to rant – until the pain of ground meeting bare back flesh jolted through his body. The demon, who had held onto consciousness by a thread, fell back into subconscious existence leaving the naïve Sukoshi to deal with the repercussions.

It was as if the fox child became a life-sized rag doll while the masked Zerion punished the boy. A grimace and the expected pained expression upon the boy’s face increased in intensity as the distance between his and the fictional face closed. The quick punishment handed to Sukoshi by the elf was of course received in utter discomfort. Scrawny arms moved in an attempt to cling to his now solidly red cheek. However, he stopped just short of tenderly caressing the swollen flesh for fear of another retaliatory strike for his insubordination.

Sukoshi yelped as his skinny shoulder felt as if it was going to break under pressure. Quickly, though, he bit his lower lip to quell the noise which may also annoy the soldier. Hazel eyes, stubborn and strong, glared at he man as his eyes bore straight back. His harsh words towards the fox kit scared Sukoshi. Teeth slightly shown through thin lips expressed the boy’s severe disapproval of what was seemingly to come. Still, one persistent tear found its way down through the boy's grimace.

However, this defiant phase quickly passed. Posture slouched, but hardened visage had yet to soften with its eyes still staring at the man. Sukoshi Dare, fox boy and wild child, consented to dismal defeat… for the moment at least. Hazel eyes fell slowly to the ground.