The Forest's Songs

[Talwyn]

Eating the quail and eggs, Tal remained on guard against the magic. He was a bit reluctant to sleep here, not knowing how much easier it would be to get ensnared by the curse. In the end however, he had little choice. Either he stayed and maybe learned even more. Or he would have to leave, now.

It didn't take him very long at all to dismiss the thought of leaving and he found a comfortable spot on the ground. Well, comfortable as far as rocks and dirt go of course. His sleep was peaceful and revitalizing and he woke as the first rays of light showed themselves.

Restarting the fire, he boiled the few remaining quail eggs an lazily stumbled his way over to the entrance of Willowsongs cave. Thinking it rude to just enter, he sat down in front of the gaping hole, and started eating his eggs, patiently waiting for her to come out. When she finally did, a small smile touched his lips and he held out the last two remaining eggs. "Morning. You want one?"

[Willowsong]

Willowsong woke early the next morning, but appearantly not earlier than her visitor. Talwyn was still here. That much she could smell. Her magic also informed her of this. Their extended time together must have formed some sort of 'trademark', something Willowsong certainly found odd.
The witch left her cave, drowsy and with reddened eyes while watching as Talwyn offered her eggs.
She declined the offer with a raise of her hand, and again gave the fire a wide berth as she walked over to the stream to wash her face and to drink.

"You are still here, then." she finally managed to comment, but the smile in her face was apparent even in her voice.

[Talwyn]

With a shrug, Talwyn started eating the eggs Willowsong had refused. He remained silent as she walked past him, not even turning to face her again when she finally managed to speak. "So it would seem." He tried to sound gruff, but it was obvious he was joking. In fact, he tried to hide just how pleased he was at her apparent happiness of him still being there.

Taking the last bite of his egg, he turned around to face her, his expression growing serious once more. "So, as you said, I took some time to think this over... I want to try one last time. We were so close that second time... even if the information was of no use to me." He looked away awkwardly, unsure of how to go on.

"I... I do not mind the risks. I have explained why before, so I shall not bother to do so again. But... risking my friend for this is not right. It is not fair towards you." Getting up, he walked over to her and took hold of her shoulders, looking her straight in the eyes. "I am sorry for making you take such risks. But this is the only bit of hope I have right now... If I don't take my chances with it..." He looked away, leaving the rest of his thought unspoken.

[Willowsong]

Willowsong looked back at Talwyn as he took her by the shoulders. She sort of looked at him funny, then, as he looked away, she did so too, and there was an awkward silence between the two.

"Well...", Willowsong begun. "There is not much of a risk for me, right? I mean... if anything happens, it will be you who will be bound to my will... And I know I never killed someone with my magic.", she forced herself to smile, even though she was looking away.
"If you really want it so badly...I will have you read through all the books. But I cannot promise you will find anything worth anything to you."

[Talwyn]

Looking into her eyes once again, Tal smiled. The gratitude in his eyes was overflowing. A single tear, running down his cheek. His voice barely even a whisper. "Thank you..." His emotions were running wild at her willingness to help him. As he had said before, not many were willing to aid him. Most people were either distrustful of him or just down right hostile. Having someone that earnestly wished to help him... It overwhelmed him.

Embracing her, he fought off the magic that tried using his own emotions to get a foothold again. Remaining silent, he simply held her close. "Thank you Willowsong." Still unable to get his voice louder then a mere whisper. As if struck by the sudden realization that he was hugging her, his face turned red and he released her, turning his face away so she couldn't see his embarrassment.

Coughing in his fist to mask his awkwardness, he stole a glance at his friend. "I... I know most of the danger is for me. But you said it yourself, there are dangers in it for you as well. And I am being selfish and asking you to risk them for my sake." Looking at the entrance of the cave, he sighed. "But yes, I want this. I honestly wish to take this chance."

Facing her once more, determination filled his eyes as he held out his hand. "I trust you Willowsong. You have not tried to trick me. You have not treated me unfairly just because of how I look. And you are willing to risk getting hurt for my selfish desire. So I am glad I can take this risk with you at my side."

The smile forming on his face lifted the grim and serious expression. "I realize there might not be an answer to my problem in your books, but the failure shall not be due to lack of trying." Still holding out his hand, he waited for her to join him before entering her cave once more.

Sitting down, he hesitated a bit. "Willowsong, last time... it seemed easier to stick to that fine line when you were not touching me. Or talking when it's not needed. And even that was still do able... However, when you started singing, there was nothing I could do anymore."

[Willowsong]

With a surprised look on her face, Talwyn hugged her once again, and then turned away, his face a bright red. For some reason, Willowsong had to laugh.

Then he invited her to join him to go back to the cave. For some reason, Willowsong didn't take his offered hand yet again, but still followed him as they moved back to the cave.

"Willowsong, last time... it seemed easier to stick to that fine line when you were not touching me. Or talking when it's not needed. And even that was still do able... However, when you started singing, there was nothing I could do anymore."

"But...I love singing...", she said peevishly, acting like a little girl whose cookies were taken away.
She sat down next to Talwyn, running a hand through her black hair.
"Are you saying I should leave you alone when you're under my spell? But your mind will break free if I don't...seduce you."

She bit on her lower lip, slightly uncomfortable.

[Talwyn]

"Are you saying I should leave you alone when you're under my spell? But your mind will break free if I don't...seduce you." He eyed her curiously as she said that. Hadn't he been doing fine that second time with simply stopping his initial resistance?

He narrowed his eyes as he stared into her green eyes while she bit her lip. She seemed uncomfortable about something... "Would... would I be terribly wrong if I said it seems you enjoy the attempts at seducing me?" He suddenly asked, still staring into her eyes.

Shaking his head, he spared her an answer to his question. "Well, it doesn't matter. It seemed to be going fine when I just let the magic take over slowly, even without you aiding the curse. I merely got overwhelmed the moment you started singing."

[Willowsong]

"Would... would I be terribly wrong if I said it seems you enjoy the attempts at seducing me?"

Willowsong tilted her head at this question, looking like a bird eyeing potential food.
But she couldn't answer, seeing how Talwyn already spoke again.

"Well, it doesn't matter. It seemed to be going fine when I just let the magic take over slowly, even without you aiding the curse. I merely got overwhelmed the moment you started singing."

"I have to admit, I am surprised by how fast my spell takes you over when you allow it to. Normally, the process is gradual and subtle, I never saw it act so....aggressive."

She brought her hands together, looking at their slender form as she continued.

"But the reason for my... seductive nature is because it comes with the spell. I get this subtle, yet irresistable urge to twist your mind as far as I can. Besides, the first time your will was mine, you were quite reluctant to follow my order to read that book. Maybe it is different this time, but I don't know. The pain you go through when your eyes transform tends to wake you up, too, so I panic, and try to get you under my control again."

[Talwyn]

Talwyn seemed to consider what she just told him, as he remained silent and appeared deep in thought. "Well, maybe that is because unlike others, I am purposefully allowing it to take me over. Well, to a certain extent of course." He proposed in response to her statement about the sudden aggressiveness of the curse.

With a slight shrug he moved on. "It doesn't matter though. We'll see what happens when we get there I suppose. Just please, no singing this time. Alright? Not that it wasn't pretty, because it was. It just... it seems to empower it to such a point I can't withstand the magic anymore."

Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath to ready himself. Looking into her eyes he gave a nod. "Ready? Here I go..." Inviting the obtrusive magic in once more, he let it sink in slowly. Once he reached the point where he was under her control, his eyes turned blank and lifeless again. Inside his mind, he struggled a bit, but managed to keep enough control.

[Willowsong]

Sighing, Willowsong positioned herself to the opposite side of Talwyn, slightly creeped out by his soulless eyes. She actually kind of preferred it if he was completely under her control, because then, his eyes were full of passion and love.

She took the first of her books, looked through it, then handed it to the charmed Talwyn.
"Read this for me. All of it. Only stop when you become tired of it."
This time her tone was more commanding, resisting the urge of tempting Talwyn further into the web of the curse.

[Talwyn]

Taking the book from her, Talwyn started reading. Or at least, he tried to. His eyes could not focus on the strange symbols, nor were they transforming as they had done during the previous attempts. Flipping page after page, even the soulless Talwyn started to look frustrated.

In his mind, he eased his resistance some more, allowing the magic to take over further. He did so with care, like a mountaineer unrolling more rope for the partner that is carefully climbing down the cliff. The magic, of course, jumped eagerly at this opening, assaulting his mind.

Still unable to read the symbols, he had reached the end of his metaphorical rope. Giving in anymore would leave too little of his conscious under his own control. Maybe Willowsong did need to do a bit more then just sitting there to trigger the transformation.

Putting the book down, he stared at her. His eyes still blank and soulless, though there appeared to be a hint of frustration in them. "I'm sorry mistress, I cannot read this." His voice sounded strange when it was devoid of the usual emotion. Sitting there, he patiently awaited her next command.

[Willowsong]

"I'm sorry mistress, I cannot read this."

Willowsong looked up, surprised both at his tone and the fact that his eyes were still normal. She had warned him about the lack of effect, and now her fear had proven to be true.
Maybe it was time for a little help.
"No, dear, I am the one who is sorry.", Willowsong said, suddenly moving over to Talwyn on all fours, a smile appearing on her face.
"I will show you how to read it..."

With that, she sat down next to Talwyn and wrapped her arm around his neck, starting to caress his skin. But she refrained from singing, figuring that would make it too much.
"Please, is reading this too much to ask? For me?"

She lowered an arm, took a hold of his left hand and made it flip back the pages he had skipped. Afterwards she gave a clear laugh.
"My love, you need to start up here!"
She pointed at the first chapter title, biting at her lower lip in faked amusement.

[Talwyn]

As she swung her arm around him, he could feel magic getting stronger. Apparently, her trying to seduce her target had great effect on the curse, just as she had warned him already. Thankfully, the magic got stronger gradually, allowing him to prepare for it. Just like during the second try. He could withstand this, he was certain of it.

The burning pain started again and he cried out. His eyes were transforming once more, her gentle caressing soothing the pain. Had he been able to, he'd be shaking his head right about now to clear his mind. The fact his skin seemed to burn wherever she touched him was the curse, he reminded himself, you don't like her. Well, not like that anyway.

After his eyes had transformed, he did as she asked and started reading, while the conscious part of his mind was ever vigilant to keep himself from falling prey to the curse. He read quite fast, finishing the book before the afternoon had changed into dusk.

After she gave him the next book, he started reading that as well and soon, before he even realized it, the sun was starting to set. His mind was weary and his stomach grumbling. Struggling to regain full control of his own mind, he started to panic.

The magic had slowly and subtly caged more and more of his mind. It was as if it had been forcing itself from one way, while stealthily coming from behind with the real attack. With his mind weary as it was, he couldn't fight back. He still held enough control for now, but slowly and surely, he was losing the battle.

[Willowsong]

Willowsong was slightly relieved when her touch seemed to have the magical effect on Talwyn's eyes again. She refrained from cuddling herself against him this time. Talwyn kept on reading, his iron will seemingly dead-set on finishing these books today.

"Don't strain yourself.", Willowsong muttered at one point, although Talwyn seemed to ignore her, eager to read these books thoroughly. By the time the sun was starting to set, Willowsong was starting to nod. The day seemed to pass surprisingly fast, but maybe that was just her mind being funny. Unlike Talwyn, she wasn't . When she ate as a spider, she didn't seem to be very for days to come, which is why she was so glad to leave the forest's animals alone. Save them from becoming her prey.

Talwyn's stomach suddenly grumbled, and Willowsong started. Had she fallen asleep? Talwyn was still reading, wasn't he?
The witch placed her hand on his stomach, giggling softly.
"? I'll get you something to eat in a moment...", she mumbled, drifting back to sleep. Of course this wasn't intentional, but she was just so tired.

[Talwyn]

As Willowsong fell asleep once more, Tal too, started yawning. The curse was making him sleepy. It was sapping his energy. His ability to stay awake, to stay conscious. Fighting with all his might, he tried everything to stay awake. But his body just wouldn't listen.

Just like the curse wanted most likely. If he let his conscious drift into sleep, he couldn't fight anymore. He'd be easy prey for the all devouring curse. He tried biting his tongue, but his jaw wouldn't listen to what he told it to do. And he was so very sleepy...

Would it really be so bad to cuddle up to Willowsongs sleeping form and sleep? It seemed such a great idea... so why was he fighting so hard against it? Something about something else thinking for him? He couldn't remember. All he wanted to do was sleep...

Cuddling up to her, he swung his arm around her body. The last thing he saw before falling into a deep and peaceful slumber, was Willowsongs face. Her eyes closed and seemingly content.