"You know, I really don't like that old man. Only he would think this funny," Nuncia snarled as she kicked dust up from the road, chewing her lip a little in aggravation. It had been a quick scuffle with the new traveller, and once that had come to its conclusion, it left the Sylvaan on a road to nowhere-- at least nowhere she wanted to be, which was any city, town, or settlement of any kind. Sure she was south a bit, but the closest forest she knew of was North more, and with nothing on either side, she was hard pressed to find that shelter before any travellers found themselves crossing her path.
At least she wasn't alone any more.
Aisu gave a snort as the dust blew back in his face, shaking more of the dust from his fur as he padded along next to the disgruntled Sylvaan. The grit clung to the unique swirls of his face and flanks, coloring his already pale brown and black with more of the earthen tone.
And you do know you are speaking out loud to me, right? Others may think you have lost your mind, considering you are also so far from any woodland.... He hated reminding her what others would think of her when she was already so conscious of her vulnerability out of the forest, but it would do no good if someone thought it advantageous to attack the Sylvaan at this point. Especially considering her already harmless appearance, albeit her natural scowling demeanour.
It had been a thankful grace that he had managed to find where his sister had been sent, thanks to that same old man she now cursed under her breath. If the old man hadn't sent him closer to her, she would have wandered this path alone; as much faith as he had in her skills, Aisu still preferred to be there to help her, if it came down to more blows. Especially with the scarring she already sported across her face from her latest brush with a new adversary, as well as all the other tell tale stories her lack of socially acceptable dress lent to the eyes of any who knew what to look for.
Nuncia kicked another cloud of dirt up from its resting place as she gave a likewise snort, continuing along the barren road at a leisurely, if not surly, pace. "And you think I care if they think me unstable? That just means they will be less likely to attract my attention, or my wrath."
Yes, but then they may also think you a likely target, being mentally weak, they may think you physically weak as well...
"Then let them come. I will show them how much of a bad mood I am in right now. That battle was less of a battle and more of a play fight! I couldnt even kill the thing!"
Sigh. Of course she would be upset about that. Another reason why we may want to avoid attention right now. We dont know if you can fully shift again, or if you are still limited by the Elder's magicks.
The old man had made sure that the Shifter wouldnt have been able to kill her elected trainee by stripping her of some of her natural power, as well as blocking Aisu out of the battle entirely by relocating her so far from him. Power like that was to be respected and feared, not enticed by curses and less than diligent due. Not that his sister knew much of giving dues, since she was as wild as the souls she shared her life force with, and as much as he would love to change that about her, he knew better than to hope. His sister was better off than he was at that moment, and that was something he would never change-- even if it did make being near her unbearable at times, with her attitude.
The next cloud of dust the Sylvaan scooped with a bare foot had the wolf blinking the dirt out of his eyes, growling low in his throat. And for the sakes of the Gods, would you stop doing that?! You may not get a face full of dirt every time, but I certainly do! He slid behind her so the next time she decided to do that she wouldnt get him too badly, continuing at her pace, eyes scanning along the sides of the road for likely places that they may take a break.
It was just as Nuncia was about to say something --be it an apology or a retort, Aisu would likely never know now, though if best guesses were to be assumed it would have been an amazing retort-- when a voice carried down the road, a figure up ahead. Aisu stalled his steps so as to fall back a bit from her, his hackles raising in a silent snarl, feeling the Wolf's soul slipping in around Aisu's, taking control.
As much as Aisu fought the Wolf on this, it seemed the animal was adamant on helping Nuncia, regardless of the fact that he would have to take orders from her, rather than letting Aisu use his own mental capacity to help. That was fine as they both held the regard for her safety at the forefront, yet it was the strength of the Wolf's soul that cowed Aisu; never before had the animals soul snatched control like that from him, choosing to wait him out usually. And within the Wolf's consciousness, Aisu could feel the deep primal anger welling to a full grown spout, ready to put his life on the line to protect his pack mate. His family. It was startling to realize just how simply animals thought, and yet how such a simple phrasing could come to mean so much.
Nuncia noticed none of Aisu's inner warring, her attention now focused solely on the newcomer as her steps stopped, leaving her standing in the middle of the road. With what seemed like more clothing on than should be acceptable in at any length, even taking into account the clothing draped over a shoulder, as if this afternoon was too balmy for even he, the man seemed too out of place even out on this road. As if he belonged in cooler places rather than here. With her posture tense, and hawk eyes taking in every bit she could, the man looked to be as simple to read as any other human hunter, right down to the wolf fur-lined boots he wore. Maybe that was what had Aisu growling so low in his throat right now, as if he could sense the killing of one so close to his soul.
Regardless, she shifted her stance as the man's words reached her, a slow and predatory tilting of her lips showing a glint of slightly pointed teeth. Lost, alone, and looking like he may be carrying at least some rations that could last me till we get to the woods. You all make this way too easy, she thought, taking in that his only weapon seemed to be that trident. Her stance would seem rather non-aggressive, considering she made no move at all for the kris on her hip, yet that was exactly what she hoped this naive hunter would think, that she was helpless, or at least no threat. Then he wouldnt be prepared for her attack, when she decided to take what he had, and with the slight growl that hadnt come from the wolf but from her own guts, she knew it was about high time she found something not dying to eat. And considering all there was for days in this direction was dying vegetation, it would be another while before she would be able to drink from a stream without feeling sick afterwards. And as much as the sickness within her had diminished slightly, she knew it wasnt gone from her yet, only laying in wait.
Nuncia waited for him to come to her, a bit closer than arrow range if she had such things, before she spoke, her grin fading slightly at the realization that her normally imposing height was dwarfed by a mere inch or so it seemed, by this boy. The spark of irritation grew in the amber depths of her piercing gaze, lasering the Northern hunter, her tone turning sour.
"No true hunter would ever become lost, child. Yet you are looking for cities, so I'm not surprised to find you are naive as well as stupid. All the cities and towns are infected this far North, and a good ways South by now as well; you will end up dead one way or another, no matter what way you go." If that didnt sound menacing enough, with her bad attitude and scowl firmly in place, her next words seemed chilled next to the warmth radiating from the afternoon sun and sharp as her daggers edge.
"So tell me your name, young one. I'll be sure to send word back to your family once I am done with your grave. The least I can do, one hunter to another..." As if to emphasis the point, the wolf slid from behind her to stand next to the feral Sylvaan, snarling viciously at the Northern hunter as Nuncia did a silent version of her own snarling scowl. Both Wolf and Shifter held their amber gazes on the man, the starvation driving the Sylvaan to take the first step forwards, the wolf mimicking her in a way that seemed eerily mirrored, both moving with that same predatory purpose, regardless of race.
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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~What do You know about Surviving~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ =========================================Aisu, the Cursed Shifter==========================================
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