Unwilling to Admit

[*Kymmi*]

((Anyone join. More than one can join too. =) ))
"Oof!" Anykae grunted, tripping over an egg-sized stone. She was unwilling to admit it, but she was lost. It had only been about a month and a half since she ran away, and she had taken a map with her. After a few days, she easily lost her sense of direction and somehow managed to lose the map, too. She would've sworn she fell asleep with it one night in her hands, but woke up to find it gone. Wind, animals, or some other part of nature was to blame. She had been wandering straight through the forest for days now, just hoping to reach anywhere, that being a village or town or somehow running into Rendylwin.

"Mmf..." She grunted softly again as her thoughts distracted her again and she tripped over a tree root. This forest doesn't end...or I'm going in circles...I don't know anymore. Anykae wished dearly she had inherited her parent's strength in magic, but that never happened. Anykae sighed and sat down for a moment. She needed a small break from walking for so long.

Anykae tried looking up through the tries to the sky. It wasn't black, but not it's baby blue color either. Anykae figured the sun was starting to set. She wished dearly to be able to see less trees and more horizon and sunset. Anykae got up again. She didn't want to rest up too much, for fear she'd fall asleep and wake up dead - if that was possible. She walked onward.

In normal conditions, sure, she'd love to be surrounded by so much nature. However, after a month and a half of being lost in it and trying to get somewhere for once, Anykae would prefer the company of a friend or the hope of finding a trail. Anykae wouldn't even mind talking to her grandma again and fetching her various berries, teas, breads, and other goods from around the whole village. Anykae knew that would mean the others eyeing her disgustedly and whispering to eachother, "See? See? No over there! Yes! That's her! That's the half elf. Ha! That's no elf! She can't even sprint nearly as fast and gracefully as us! Her grandma should just ask for the services of a true elf...hmph! She's looking this way. Here. Let's leave." Anykae tried to push that out of her head and think about exactly why she ran away.

Anykae kept walking, using the small amount of magic she could use to perhaps lengthen the energy she needed to keep from stopping and needing to rest. She doubted it was much, but it was better than nothing.

[Lujayn]

Lujayn peered through the thick trees of the forest, deep green eyes almost a reflection of her surroundings. She'd come here to escape the confines of the city, deciding that she'd had enough with being talked down to because of her apparent age. Now, however, she was beginning to long for the city once more- or, at the very least, someone to tend to her needs.

"Not likely, in either circumstance," she murmured wryly to herself, for an instant betraying that there was someone older within her small, child body. "Now, let's find out what way is what..."

She tilted her head. Was that a sound? Flipping the bright white locks away from her face, she peered more intently into the forest. Ah, there, some distance away, someone else traversing the forest. Pursing her lips, she wondered whether she dared approach her. There was safety in numbers, after all, and she was very weak- much to her annoyance.

Making up her mind, she approached this newcomer, tugging her cloak around her like a timid girl. "Ah... excuse me?" She called out in a shy voice, once she was close enough. "Are you lost?" She peered out around a small tree, as if unsure whether to risk coming fully out into the open. "Would you mind some company?" To all, she merely seemed like a lonely, somewhat frightened girl- and that's how she meant to keep it, for now.

[*Kymmi*]

Anykae was startled to find a young girl looking back at her. "Ah..." was all she managed to say at first. She tilted her head to one side, wondering what a child could be doing here. The girl at first glance appeared to be lost, as was Anykae. Before giving a real response, Anykae tried comparing her to other children. However, Anykae herself was the closest to a human child she ever knew. Awfully polite....for a human child....

Anykae's jaw tightened at first, then relaxed. "I...I don't know exactly where I want to go." She was trying to avoid the fact that she was indeed lost. How old is she?...How do I treat her in order to keep her satisfied? Anykae decided to try to treat her as an equal, unsure of the exact difference of human and elf aging. In her village, the elves matured quicker than humans, but there are exceptions between even the elven races, so she was told.

"I would enjoy your presence." Anykae answered truthfully. "My name is Anykae. If you wish, you may call me Annie. What do you go by? If you don't mind of course..." Anykae welcomed the full-human girl with a warm, beautiful yet sad smile. This was the smile of trying to please another. It was a smile she had to use often, not letting anyone try to notice the pain she felt. The only one who understood and recognized the smile as false had been her best friend Rendylwin.

[Lujayn]

With a cry of what could only be described as joy, Lujayn leapt forward, clinging to Anykae about the waist, nearly knocking the poor girl over, peering up at her from under long, white lashes. With a beaming smile, she said, "I thank you for allowing me to come with you, Anykae. My name is Lujayn Sudra, though you may simply refer to me as Lujayn. Only silly people refer to me by my full name."

She let go abruptly, clinging to Anykae's hand, tugging her along. "Let's go this way," she grinned, "If you're really unsure of where to go. I have a good feeling about this direction. I'm certain we'll find some sort of human habitation along this way, and all that it implies: food, shelter, and a bed not made of rotting leaf litter."

With that, Lujayn- her hand firmly tugging her new friend along- set off, carefully picking her way through the treacherous roots and undergrowth that threatened to trip the unwary traveller.

[asa]

Asa trudged through the forest. He was searching for some water to clean his top, as it was covered with the blood of a creature that looked similar to a lion, except it had huge fangs and spikes were dotted all over its body. His foot got caught in a thick wiry bush and he nearly tripped up. Cursing under his breath, he pulled his foot away and continued on. Then, he came upon a most odd sight. A slender...elf? Human? Something in between? And with her was a young girl holding her hand, pulling her along. What are they doing here? He thought to himself. A little girl isn't safe here! At least they're near the outskirts, even I don't go deep in. Asa thought of a way to introduce himself. He didn't want to scare them by creeping up on them, but he'd like to get in front of them. So, Asa sneaked around them in silence until he would come out in front of them. Keeping his hand near Rising sun, he stepped out. Putting on his nicest smile, he stepped out and greeted them, "Hi, my name is Asa. Please don't be alarmed, I d--" Asa remembered the blood drenching his top, "Oh, and don't be scared by the blood. I'll explain later. Now who, may I ask, are you?"

[Sokuro]

The forest rustled with the fleeting of a flock of ravens, cawing in protest over the loss of.. shall we say, privacy to their meal. Veryan snaked along at ground level, following the footprints of this beast slayer in silence.

Upon finding the man pausing in the distance, Veryan turned and, while making an attempt at a guttural, beastly growl, burst into full sprint toward a wide based tree. He bound up the tree around six feet and pressed both feet flat to it's trunk, turning his torso with a snap as he pushed from the bark surface, bounding into the branches of another tree to find himself hidden within the leaves. His armor, though hardly suited for a forest, provided plenty cover in what little darkness there was. Tree by tree, leaping with a primitive hoot each time to once more imitate a forest animal, he followed the man before coming to a stop twenty paces away, watching the man approach two young women...

His lips curled into a delighted grin beneath his mask as he brought his left hand behind him, slipping a short blade from it's leather-bound sheathe.. Patience my lord, you will your fill this night. Veryan's eyes gleamed dimly within the leaves, possibly betraying his position, or perhaps convincing those who'd bare witness to it, that a bird or feline-like creature were watching the travelers.

[*Kymmi*]

((sorry. meant to reply just the other day but was kinda busy. x.x and woo! the more the merrier!!))
Anykae allowed herself to be dragged by Lujayn. The girl obviously had more to her than what met the eye. At first she seemed lost, but maybe she was only lonely and afraid. Now she seemed to know the forest like the back of her hand. Anykae stopped to gasp when Asa stepped out and immediately she clutched the hilt of her sword. She glared back at him for startling her but she relaxed more as he introduced himself, yet keeping her hand on the hilt.

"Asa..." Anykae repeated. "I am called Anykae..." She said softly to him. Her faced stayed serious and she felt uncomfortable. Was it Asa? She was not sure. Asa seemed fairly pleasant, aside from the blood-stains. She had the feeling the blood wasn't from someone he killed, though Rendylwin knew more about identifying animal blood than she.

Anykae let her eyes search around the forest. Why do I feel so nervous? Then she looked to Lujayn, then back to Asa. She drew her sword cautiously, not pointing at either of them. She was sure there was another who intended harm.

"Who did you bring with you? A friend?" Anykae asked. She desperately wished she had better control with magic to be more sure of who or what was hiding where and whether or not it did intend to harm one or all of them.

"Can you sense something?" She asked, now looking back at Lujayn. She wondered just how much more there was to the child.

[asa]

"Who've I brought with me?" Asa asked, "No-one, why? What can I se--" He stopped. Yes, he could sense something. His ears could hear the very slightest disturbance, but it wasn't much, and he didn't trust Anykae that much...not yet anyway. He could tell he'd be able to be better friends with her later, but now he couldn't bring himself to trust her, but despite this he ran over to her, slowly drawing Rising Sun. "Listen," He whispered to her, "If you want directions out of here, I think I know the way. I've explored these woods since I was a child. Civilization isn't too far away..." He trailed off, "Come on, it's nothing. Let's continue...but don't let your guard down" Asa added. He waited for her to make her decision.

[Lujayn]

Lujayn watched the newcomer with faint interest, tilting her head to the side. The sight of blood did not bother her in the least, although she made sure to put on the act of being at least slightly frightened, clutching to Anykae.

And then... she felt a malevolent presence. Something that wanted to do harm. She didn't know what it was, however, and without being in full control of her magic she wouldn't know until it made itself known. Of course, she couldn't say as much.

She smiled upwards at Anykae. "Sense something? No. Of course not. Little girls can't do anything like that," she replied. She turned towards the newcomer- Asa, was his name?- and tilted her head. "Can we really trust you?" she asked, tapping her finger to her lips. "Mayhap you plan to lead us to our deaths. It is evident that there is something making you all nervous... and you could easily be the cause, you with your tunic soaked in blood."I'm wondering if maybe it would be best if we posted in some sort of order? Yes, no? -

[Sokuro]

Veryan's eyes gleamed once more as he crouched just a bit lower to the branch, his right hand holding firmly to it as his left began to play the blade between his fingers. Waiting patiently, his elven ears perking at their spoken words-- he noticed their anxiety, their caution, as a deviant grin pulled itself over his veiled lips. With a quiet, but notable exhale, the sound escaping his mask sounded almost like the screech of a raven.. or perhaps something bigger, echoing throughout the nearby forest as if coming from every direction; This of course being thanks to the layout of the trees.

Slowly, Veryan tensed his right hand against the branch, his grip causing the bark to crack as if a taloned creature were making its way up a tree nearby... oh how he loved toying with his prey.

((Considering i was last to join, I will take my post once you three have replied.))

[asa]

"Don't worry, you can trust me," Asa said to the young girl, "Although you may be right about the blood leading something here. So, I don't want to keep this on much longer," He removed his top and threw it into the woods, not thinking of where he would find a replacement. "Now," Asa said in a hushed voice, "I think we should continue moving. I don't like the sense of unea--" He thought he had heard a crack. Asa quietly drew Rising Sun and focused his eyes in the trees. He didn't think he could see anything. "Anykae, I think we should definately move on. Now,"

((Abot posting in a particular order, I think it would be a little annoying if a) someone didn't come on for ages and b) if someone directs a question to a person whose turn isn't next. But I'm sure you know best))

[Lujayn]

Lujayn sighed, covering it with a cough. They were as cowardly as rats, unwilling to even investigate the cause of the uneasiness that permeated their little group. Fools. An old adage was to not leave an enemy behind you that could kill you.

Better risk something now, and be safe later, than to have something malevolent at their backs, that would possibly kill them whilst they were unaware. Well, if they wouldn't do something, she would... silently, of course. No need to alert them to her abilities yet.

Casting out a tiny mental probe, just strong enough to detect minds, she looked about for their stalker. She'd heard a crack over in that direction was that...? Yes! There, in the trees, it was watching, and seeming amused at its quarry. Humph. She'd fix that in a hurry.

Covering her mouth as if yawning, she muttered a cutting spell, and sent it towards the branches their stalker was sitting upon, to send whatever it was tumbling to the forest floor. Pain lanced up her arm in warning, and she bit her lip to keep from making a noise. She'd overdone it once again.That's true, but there's usually rules inplace for that. I just feel bad when someone gets more or less pushed out because they're not as active as everyone else :x -

[iridescentdreamer]

(Sorry to intrude-seeing as this rp is underway...but it does say it's open~~ I hope it's not too much trouble if I join!)

Pointed ears perked as the faint caws of birds echoed in the distance...probably a good few yards off, along with the faint flare of magic before things quieted.

"...Feels kind of like home." She humored to herself, plucking a flower from a branch, and watched it frost over at her bare touch, before she bit down in a rather sour crunch. The strange orchid left a strange bitter sweet taste in her mouth...not too unpleasant.

"...rather on th' warm side though..." Of course...the forests of Ularian ridge had harsher weather most of the time,-the near quiet peace and warmth was almost refreshing, yet boring.

That and she missed the snow....something that the female Fae connected strongly with.

Her lips formed a grim line on her pale white face as she shook such thoughts off. She had seen enough snow in her life time! Something different wouldn't kill her!

Heart filled with a new zealousness, Kairos pulled up the cloak closed on her shoulders, the crown of her ice blue hair popping out of a bush, and equally blue eyes searched the area for monsters.

Nothing.

"...Funny...I could've sworn-"

A rather loud crack of a branch falling in the distance, and she jumped, half out of startlement, and half out of excitement.

AHA-! ACTIVITY!

Her mentality screamed with glee, before she approached quickly, yet cautiously. She was curious, but not so much so that she wanted to risk her neck just yet.

[Sokuro]

With an audible snap, the branch Veryan perched atop cleaved free of its trunk, tilting him rather abruptly. As quickly as he could, Veryan twisted back, hoping to insure that he landed, as the branch did- on his back or not... that was the price of hunting, never allow yourself to be discovered.. Odd it seemed, that the branch would give way on it's own when previously showing no signs of weakness..... No that was not the frailty of a branch... Veryan's eyes gleamed as he met the earth with a solid thud, the breath knocked from him though veiled by crunching branches. Something caught his eye as he rolled to his side, catching his breath and supported up on his left hand to avoid crippling the leaves of the forest floor... Oho... another visitor, this is going to be a wonderful night.. This one's scent licked at Veryan's senses like fresh blood to a hound, alighting the nerves down his arms in delight, though it took only a moment for the scheme of things to set back into place in his mind. Was it this newcomer that severed the limb?

He couldn't risk it, fighting the shortness of breath in his lungs, Veryan turned onto all fours, mimicking the footsteps of a forest creature as he prowled a bit further away, snaking behind a tree where he placed a palm to it and looked back to where the three travelers had stood. Veryan had to be getting lazy, this newcomer who'd so briefly held his interest was only a few paces away, but just far enough that he'd not noticed their silence..

[*Kymmi*]

((sorry but woo! ap testing finally over~! x.x))
Anykae heard a snap that made her heart skip a beat. She bit her lip and looked to Lujayn, then to Asa. She grabbed Lujayn's wrist and nodded to Asa. Now was not the time to try to understand these two acquaintances. Normally she'd want to fight instead of running, but the child made all the difference.

Following Asa's lead, she took a step forward and started to fall. She caught herself before her knees touched the ground. Ugh. I've used too much magic already trying to keep myself full of energy earlier so I could skip a night of sleep....so dizzy.... Anykae rubbed the back of her hand across her forhead and continued forward. She hoped desperately not to become a burden. She used a bit more magic to keep herself steady and awake, unsure if she would pass out from exhaustion or overuse of magic first.