Come play with me in the fog?

[ardeur]

<sup>The fog curled around his long lean legs. It seemed to be beckoning him and he didn’t see any reason not to follow its coiling gesture. The darkness hid his figure well as the fog seemed to swallow his body up. Only his orange eyes could be seen in the darkness as he walked through the dead forest. His long ears twitched upright as he listened for any sounds. It seems that life had been snuffed right out of the forest. He heard no chirping crickets, calling frogs, or screeching bats. The only thing he heard was the creaking of the dead trees being pressured to move against the calling winds.

His re coat was well cared for and his black main laid neatly down his backside. The tip of the mane fell over his right eye in a Mohawk fashion and hid it. However, he could see through the strands of hair. His long tail was sweeping the ground beneath him as he walked and he began to sniff the air. Well he didn’t smell any company yet. Perhaps he had been one of the only wolves willing to explore the graveyard of trees? It did have a spooky feel to it didn’t it? He chuckled at the idea.

He was thinking of how much he would enjoy having a partner to play with in the darkness. Sex in the fogs just sounded so thrilling. A sly grin pulled over his black lips and he licked his jaws in a hungry way. He was hoping to find a predator wandering around searching for a little play thing. Oh how he would enjoy being that play thing if he was wanted. He shivered from the fantasy that flooded through his painfully sexual mind. There was nothing wrong with having a healthy sexual appetite now was there? He shook his head in agreement with his own question.

The intoxicating smell of a dead thing caught his interest. He was a little famished and could possibly go for something to eat since no one was here to play with. So he followed the smell and soon found a rather large buck half eaten. Well what luck! There was still plenty of meat for him to scavenge. Delightfully he moved towards the innards of the carcass and began to tug at the decaying flesh. It wasn’t that old so he wasn’t worried about accumulating any kind of sickness. His ears twitched in different directions to keep his attention alert as he consumed his little meal.</sup>

[crise]

The steady beat of a heart had increased since Crise had been sent on her quest, her heart condition subconsciously doing exactly what she needed. Somewhat short of breath with a building headache due to a ringing in her ears, the Mexican femora was growing more adgitated by the minute. Exodus had instructed her to be harsh and rude, as well as threatening. It wasn't exactly an easy achievement for the normaly good natured female. More often than not she was cheery and overly friendly, asking a million questions instead of providing unwanted answers. Now she had been asked to act as someone she normally wasn't, and the darker side of Crise's personality was usually only present when she had memory of her more depressing memories.

Still water logged from the storm earlier, as well as somewhat muddy from the soft earth, the fae pushed on through the dense fog and seemingly lifeless forest. Lleingas after the rain seemed twice as eerie as it had during it. The fog felt more like ice cold hands ready to strangle anyone dumb enough to wander into its grasp, and all life had retreated to the safety of nests or dry land in hopes of finding some sort of shelter. Combined with the summer's heat, the territory felt disgustingly muggy. Crise couldn't help the frustrated growl that rumbled from her throat as she continued to track the scent of the stranger.

After getting turned around a few times due to frustration and poor visibility, the multihued fae finally came across her query. Lazily stalking his way through the trees was quite the giant brute. Well, he was giant in her opinion anyways. Mexicans were a small breed to begin with. Crise had the added effect of being a runt. Thus, the lanky male was a good foot taller than she was. That didn't keep her from attempting to act as her alpha had instructed, though. It just meant she looked a little rediculous during her approach.

White fangs glistened in what little light managed to peer through the canapoy and low flying clouds, as vicious a snarl as she could muster bursting through the silence. In all truth the sound came out more as a cross between an annoyed snarl and a confused growl. Her lack of memory was proving to be quite troublesome for the present situationed. Reguardless, Crise padded foreward, head lowered threateningly with tail held high. She did her best to mimic the behavoirs she'd observed in Exodus, this honestly being the first time she'd ever had to play a leader. Crise did not have a dominant personality. She was a sweetheart, a follower, and the only times she ever lost her cool were the ones that resulted in her blacking out.

"You are unwelcome here, tresspasser," she spat through gritted teeth, though the words had sounded better in her head. "This is Salen territory. Entering our lands unannounced and hunting in them in punnishable by death. If you are smart, you'll leave quietly." A low snarl continued to hum in her throat, though it was clear the fae was not at all cut out for this sort of work. She had no clue how to play alpha, how to run someone out of the lands. And in all truth, Crise was slightly intimidated by the male before her. Though he didn't have the bulk her alpha did, he definately had the height. And acting the way she currently was was so at odds with her current personality that there was a good chance he'd see right through her and laugh. The last thing Crise needed was to be mocked by an outsider, especially when she was supposed to be playing alpha.

[ardeur]

Aggressive wasn’t her guise. He had to subdue a laugh that was tickling his throat. His long and lanky legs pulled his figure closer to her in a bold manner. His ears twitched as his multi colored eyes were fixed on her and he smiled a toothy smile. His tail flicked behind him as he tilted his head to the side and spoke, “So? You going to kill me then?” he asked curiously. His long main feel in his face and he shook his head to move it.

He was hoping for a male to possibly wander on in and play but a female could do the trick. He wasn’t a hostile male in any way shape or form. His whole demeanor screamed playful. Yes, he was trespassing. And yes he knew better but he liked the thrill of a possible fight. He didn’t enjoy fighting just to fight but it was nice to show off his skills once in a while.

His head turned behind him for a moment. The fog seemed to be rolling in on them. The dancing clouds were up his legs and gave him a hovering looking. She on the other hand looked as if she was swimming in fog and he couldn’t help but laugh. A little chuckle escaped his muzzle and his eyes widened in sarcasm and he shook his head, “Oh I’m sorry you were trying to be serious, please continue with your threats.” He said in a noble voice. He bowed his head slightly and he arched his brow just a touch to wait for a response to both his question and statement.

He wondered when she would abandon her façade and show her true persona. She was obviously making a good example of being dominate and his posture was more dominate then hers. He chuckled internally but his facial features were still nice and solid.

[crise]

“So? You going to kill me then?”

Crise's entire body tensed as those words left the maw of the taller brute. The sarcasm that followed it was completely lost on her, her mind too distracted by the images his snide question had conjured. There were always a handful of triggers that would cause the femme's memory to come flodding back to her even when she was most lost concerning who she was. This Maned brute had just stumbled across one of them.

The word "kill" echoed in her mind, dredging up the horrors of her past as if they were living nightmares. Herself drenched in blood as she stood over the mangled body of her former mate. The fallen figure of her sister, the first life she'd mistakenly taken without remorse. You see... Crise was a unique breed of monster. It was almost as if she had two personalities, except that wasn't quite the case. The soul of an innocent had the haphazardly beating heart of a cold blooded killer. She felt remorse for her actions only sporadically, but when she did it was enough to prompt her to try and take her own life. The rest of the time she managed to lose herself so completely that half the time she couldn't even remember her own name.

This was one of those times that all her most horrid memories came flooding back all at once, none of the nicer ones around to cushion the blow. And given the fact that she was supposed to be acting strong, had been ordered to stand dominant, it was too overwhelming for her to handle it all at once. Remembering the horrors of her past while trying to act like someone she was not was near impossible for the girl. With or without her memories, Crise had never been the strong, leader type. She was the outgoing, overly friendly fae with a strong curiosity. Or she was the wisened, bittered femme who was more curious to know what death had in store for her than life. Either way she was always the type to sit passively by, doing more harm to herself than to others. The only time she ever harmed others was when she completely lost all sense of self. At this moment, she was exactly that opposite.

The Mexican femora squeezed her eyes shut as tightly as she could, trying to hold back the tears. No matter how hard she tried it was impossible to dam the floodgates, however, and a few drops of salty liquid trickled down her cheeks. The stranger before her had greatly underestimated her, and that underestimation had unconsciously triggered a mental breakdown. "Fleur... Telmar..." The names of her fallen loved ones were whispered so quietly they blended with the wind stirring the fog. Fog. Suffocating fog. She shook her body furiously, trying to chase away the horrifying memories, but it was of no use. All the while she was oblivious to the stranger, despite the fact that his words still echoed in her head. Would she kill him? Probably not, unless her genetic conditions once again caused her mind to temporalily escape her body. Was she capable of killing him? Most definately.

Opening her eyes again, she let them fall upon the much taller beast. Tears were still threatening to fall, but the emotion shining brightly in her eyes was cold, icy. She would not, could not let him talk down to her... especially knowing what she now knew about herself. "You really should watch your tongue, child," the fae lashed out, her voice so calm and level it even astounded herself. She lowered herself into a sitting position, tail lashing at the ground and stirring a few leaves before it curled around her paws. Her head was held regally, posture reflecting her wisdom moreso than her faux dominance. Crise was now in no mood to play games, and though it briefly ran though her mind that she could let this male end her life and let her be rid of all misery, she had resolved to let no such thing happen. She had orders to carry out. She would simply carry them out in her own way, without all the phoney threats and useless accusiations. "This is not a land in which to seek cheap thrills. If you value your life, it would be wise to leave now. There's no telling what judgements you will face by choosing to linger. A lone wolf stands no chance against an alpha supported by his pack.

[ardeur]

<sup>His ears twitched as he carefully observed her behaviors shift. She seemed almost terrified in a lost memory of sorts. The distant gaze in her eyes was so forlorn it stung at his own apathy. His ears pulled back in a question as the slightest hint of a voice escaped her muzzle. Two names came into play, Fleur and Telmar. The names tickled his mind for only a moment and a questioning look was displayed on his features. Who were the wolves that belonged to those names? Well, it wasn’t his place to ask any questions at the moment now was it?

Her sudden change from confused and terrified to confident and somewhat hostile made him almost jump out of his skin in surprise. He shook the confusion he was feeling away and stood still for the moment. Her threats seemed a little more laced with venom this time, instead of the self-conscious and forced aggression in later moments. A slick smile crept over his muzzle as he took a dangerous step closer. His hairs flickered upright on his backside as the playful mood was slowly starting to dissipate.

His tails flicked in a slight annoyance as he spoke, “Well then, where is this alpha then? Clearly you don’t fit the description with your flaky display of emotions, love. So if you want to make an example of me, being a trespasser and all, then I suggest you do something about it.”</sup>

[/color]he said in a low and level voice. His orange eyes began to flicker with a subtle aggravation from being toyed around. What was with the hostile actions towards a possible new member? Was this how all new packs greeted new comers who have shown no signs of threatening behavior? If anything he had been in a flirty disposition earlier but the desire simply slipped away for the time being.

His muscles twitched beneath his thin coat. If a fight was what she wanted, well now he was all for it. He wouldn’t mind taking his more sensual approach at breeding to a more aggressive display now. She had brought this upon herself. However, she still had time to possible rectify the situation or just keep confusing the hell out of him. Either would work just fine.
[/sup][/blockquote]

[crise]

Her own drastic mood shifts seemed to affect the stranger greatly, for though his voice still held that flesh biting tone his actions were clearly jittery. Stormy eyes did not miss the way he covered up startled bewilderment with a chauvinistic show. He took a step closer; she blinked. Then Crise was up on all fours, the smile on her maw mimicing the male's smirk as she matched his approach with a step of her own. Her head craned back further to better look up at him, brow raising as she took in his words.

Then, suddenly, Crise's head tilted back fully. A powerful howl ripped through the air, echoing off trees and forcing even her own ears to back away from the sound. "Sir Exodus, my little friend would like to meet you." Conflict swilred in her grey orbs as ever so slowly she lowered her maw, fixing her gaze on the Maned male. Silently she'd accepted his challenge, her body pulsating with an eerie calm. If he wanted to so desperately be an exampe, fine. She'd make him one.

In one fluid motion the Mexican femme had stepped back and was once again sitting upon her haunches. Her gaze was now level as she stared him down, her expression cold as ice. Steadily her heart drummed within her chest, adrenaline levels subtly fluctuating as her temper boiled within. Crise was not the type to get angry. At least, not when in one of her darker moods. Anger was all about a loss of controll. Anger was something that only reared its ugly head when she no longer had controll of her actions, those times she had no sense of self.

"That, dear boy, is known as a howl." Her words held the sting of hail, tone much like one used by a very strict teacher. "Had you some competence, you would have howled your entrance and neither one of us would be in this little mess you've made. Clearly you need a lesson in etiquett." The last word was practically hissed as she unblinkingly watched his every movement. Crise could only wonder at what was going through the tresspasser's mind. Here he'd come looking for a little fun and instead ended up with the most complex fae in all of Acerbus. The Mexican's moods would be no eaiser to read as time passed either. Crise was the embodiment of a crisis, and her downward spiral was possibly something even her alpha's appearance couldn't save her from.

To be continued in The Arrival.