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Post by mordekai on Dec 27, 2017 1:23:18 GMT
Mordekai was wandering again, almost aimlessly. It wasn't an abnormal pass time for the werehorse, and the sound of his own hooves hitting a variety of substances, from dirt, and mud to granite, were all familiar sounds. Idly, his tail swished back and forth, until even that was boring about this journey. The stallion huffed a heavy sigh out his dark muzzle and upped his pace. Journeying alone was never as entertaining as when Khaal was with him. The crazy immortal was always chattering at him, responding to idle thoughts, even singing sometimes. And his voice wasn't bad, and he knew all of the same songs as Kai did. It always provided an good, fun time. Not to mention that most often, Khaal took routes that were frequented by people, and thus encounters with them eased any boredom.
But, he had chosen the less taken path this time, choosing to wander down the old trails he had used to walk within the mountains. He had slid his way through shale and gravel for some time, but now he wandered through an area that was covered in trees, with solid dirt beneath him. The stallion upped his pace to a prancing trot. It didn't take much longer before he broke out of the trees and into a small meadow. Wonderful. Grass still grew for now. The stallion whickered with pleasure as he trotted into the meadow, the leather collar that rested around the base of his neck shifting slightly with his movements. He didn't hesitate, or seem to care whether there was anyone else around, falling to contented munching upon the short green stalks.
Cream and black, his tail flicked from side to side in automatic habit from summer grazing. Though he seemed unwary, his ears flicked back and forth and his eyes were roaming constantly. He knew these mountains and knew the dangers within them. Not every werebeast cared to find out if you were a fellow before jumping into the hunt. Regardless of his prowess, he was prey.
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Post by Michael Crevan on Dec 27, 2017 1:59:44 GMT
Michael wouldn't say he was lost...just a little directionally confused. He would usually claim he knew the forest like the back of his paw…but he had chases a little sparrow a little too deep. He was wary as he stepped lightly on the dead leaves underfoot. He was a predator, but he was also very small compared to what may live in the denser part of the forest. His ears were pricked, ready to alert him of any strange noises and his nose was twitching. Being in an unfamiliar place made him very on edge. He continued on his way, not knowing if he was going deeper into the forest or closer to his Aunt’s house. He took a deep breath, his nose twitching at the smell of mice. His footsteps became deliberately softer as he prowled towards the little burrow.
In a short second, he shoved his snout down the hole. His teeth grasped onto something furry and he wrenched it out of it’s hole. He threw it into the air and caught it again, breaking its neck as he crunched on it. Mouth full of mouse, he grew decidedly happier. Even if he couldn’t catch bird, he could catch mice with skill. He continued walking, having seen a nice little meadow nearby. He plodded over to the nice green grass and laid down, plopping the mouse beside him. As he began to eat it, he heard hooves against dirt. Soon enough, a giant horse strode into the little clearing. He almost dropped his mouth, but then settled down a little. Horses didn’t mind foxes, but it would be best to let him know that Michael was here.
“Good afternoon, please don’t step on me.”
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Post by mordekai on Dec 27, 2017 21:32:45 GMT
Mordekai had been, for a moment, content to simply begin grazing. But, before he actually started, a voice came from somewhere in the grass. A greeting, in a small, silky voice. The stallion's nostrils flared as he took in a deep breath, his ears flicking back and forth to find who had spoken. But for the first chunk of time, there was nobody visible. And then his nose teased the smell out among the many in the meadow. Fox. And it wasn't just a normal fox. Werebeasts held a scent that set them separate, let alone that it had spoken. Yet still he had not found the fox among the meadow.
His mental voice came out gruffly, one of his hooves stamping for emphasis. -I cannot avoid stepping upon you, little one, unless I know where you are. Show yourself, please.- Though it was phrased as a request, the tone was that of a command, a man who was used to being obeyed in a great many situations. His tossed his forelock to one side, tail flicking from side to side as he now fidgeted, wanting to know how an what was near him.
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Post by Michael Crevan on Dec 27, 2017 23:50:03 GMT
Michael started as the horse stomped its hoof as it responding to his request. He was a little annoyed by the horses response but he knew it was very reasonable, Michael just didn't want to move. He sniffed the air curiously, wondering if it was just a common horse. It was as he thought, it was another werebeast, not just a common horse. He stood up where he had previously sat, collecting the half eaten mice and looking to find a way to make himself visible. He crunched on it a few times to satisfy his stomach. Michael was mostly black, so if he went up onto a small rock or something he would probably be seen by the werehorse.
He trotted over to a lone rock. It didn't look too comfortable so he resigned himself to sitting next to it once he showed the werehorse where he was. He bunched up his muscles and leaped up onto the rock. He was now about neck height of the equine, although he was only a few metres away.
"I am over here now. On the rock." He called out, mouth still full of his prey. He dropped ot down gently, peering curiously at the stallion that stood in front of him. He was quite intimidating, and Michael privately hoped the the stallion didn't notice that he was a juvenile. Most people didn't take juveniles seriously. On the other hand, it may make him more willing to avoid stepping on him, which Michael was all for.
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Post by mordekai on Dec 28, 2017 0:49:51 GMT
His eyes searched for a moment longer, listening as the soft rustle of movement marked the creature's passing. It moved slightly away and around him, until it came to the base of a large rock. Moments later, a small, mostly black fox, popped up onto the rock, calling out to him. His ears flicked, as if he had heard a physical voice. Mental voices didn't truly give a direction. But his eyes locked upon Michael, and his nostrils flared as he took in the fox's scent, head tossing slightly. -Well, I see you now. If you don't come too near my hooves I shan't step upon you. I think.- He took in another breath and snorted -Is that a mouse? Gross.-
With a shake of his head, he lowered his muzzle down to the grass once again, taking a couple bites and munching upon it slowly. His tail flicked idly, and for a few moments he almost convinced himself that he was alone, again. Then he paused, and raised his head, grass hanging from his lips as he chewed. -What are you doing out here alone? This is far from the beaten paths, and you are a smaller creature than many. It gets dangerous if you cross the wrong paths.- He didn't know how young this fox was, but it was still young enough that he was unsure just how fare into the depths of the mountains he should be going.
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Post by Michael Crevan on Dec 28, 2017 10:54:22 GMT
Michael let out a sound that was similar to a bark and resembled a laugh. "Alright, I'll keep my eyes on you then. Don't mind me." Just as he was about to resume eating, he had to glance up again. The gruff voice was insulting his meal choice. He huffed and replied, "I would rather it be sparrow than a mouse but at least it isn't grass. No grass for me today." He distinctly remembered the last time he had eaten grass from his aunt's recommendation when he had been feeling ill. It had made him vomit up his dinner. Never again would he eat grass, despite knowing that it would make him feel better in the long run.
The other werebeast seemed to go back into his own little world, so Michael began to eat the rest of the mouse. There was only a little bit left so he stayed on the rock. It wasn't so uncomfortable after all, and he much rather the horse sees where he was than trample on him. He blinked slowly as a ray of sun beamed down onto his back legs. He looked quite peaceful despite the worry that was buzzing in his chest about how he was going to get back and what the required etiquette was with unfamiliar werebeasts. His head jolted back to the stallion as he was once again spoken too.
Michael was hesitant to share his woes with a complete stranger, but he started softly. "I...know the dangers. Wolves, bears, humans and even owls that might want to kill or eat me. Yes, I realize I shouldn't be this far from home. I just...I got caught in a hunt for a bird and at some point, I lost track of where I was. Not that it's your business or anything." His ears flattened a little as he thought of the long trek home. At least he could survive out here by himself for a few days- but Aunt Marissa would go sick with worry. Michael's tail drooped a little, but he threw a challenging look at the stallion. He didn't need pity or scornful advice, at that was what he was sure he was going to get.
Tags: mordekaiWords: 380 Notes: I've edited so that the telepathy is in italics
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Post by mordekai on Dec 28, 2017 21:43:30 GMT
Kai hadn't expected company, but the stallion had forgotten that sometimes it was nice to have company outside of Khaal's strangeness. The horse shook himself, the leather collar around the base of his neck shifting with the motion. His head lowered for another mouthful of grass, but one ear was trained toward the fox now, listening to his physical noise as well as what came through his voice mentally. Gently, his tail flicked back and forth, the mix of black and cream a generally pretty flag in motion. One brown eye watched the small fox with interest, and his head lifted once Michael's voice came again.
A moment of pity entered him, but it was gone swiftly as he raised his head, finishing the mouthful of grass. From the sound of it, this fox was not yet an adult. Kai's nostrils flared as he snorted softly. He watched Michael's ears flatten slightly, and let out a heavy breathe. Kai blinked at him, ears flicking as he decided what to do. He didn't usually help others, but this... this was a child. A young adult at best, and small enough that any one of the were-beasts or feral animals of the mountains and woods would quite easily do him harm.
Kai shook himself again, a large hoof stamping. -Tell you what, kid. You tell me the general area where you live and I'll get you there. I know these mountains like nobody's business. If nothin' else I can make sure you don't get eaten by an owl or an eagle or something.- He tossed his head slightly and snorted. -I'm Kai. What's your name?-
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Post by Michael Crevan on Dec 29, 2017 3:03:19 GMT
Michael stared at the horse as he stomped his foot, his eyes widening ever so slightly at the offer. "Would you really?" He asked, his voice laces with curiousity. This werehorse was certainly not his friend, but not his enemy either. He knew that there was a possibility that he could be lying and wanting to capture the fox but that was the least likely of outcomes. All the defensiveness drained from his expression as the horse introduced himself as Kai. Michael curled his tail in and offered Kai his own name, "I'm Michael Crevan. I live close to the borded between the Sakiri Wildes and the Grasslands...I would be immensely greatful if you could show me the way back home." He replied respectfully.
He was stunned that Kai had offered as him a safe way home and it warmed his belly a little. Having a horse nearby was usually a good deterant for a lot fo wild animals as their hooves could deal great damage. He chirped softly to himself, relieved that the day wasn't going as badly as it could have. He quietly wondered to himself how the stallion had known the forest so well, since he had never seen him before in the pack as well as pondering the collar around Kai's neck. To Michael, a collar was a sign of ownership and slavery, so to see it sitting on the stallion's neck so plainly to see puzzled him. Like most of his musings however, he kept to himself.
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Post by mordekai on Dec 30, 2017 0:57:32 GMT
It was just a toss of his head to answer in the positive to his offer as the fox questioned it. Warm brown eyes watched Michael as he spoke, snorting in a slight amount of amusement at how polite the youngling suddenly turned. Good, he supposed. It was better to be polite to strangers, particularly if they might be the ones ensuring your safe travel home. He stepped closer to the rock, ears perked forward slightly. No surprise to him, the fox was smaller than his own head.
Kai whuffled softly through his nostrils, his breath warm as it ran over the fox, smelling of grass and green things. -Well, nice to meet you, Michael. Your bird hunt took you quite a ways. All the way into the mountains from the edge of the Sakari wilds is quite a run for someone your size.- He shook himself again, sending the collar to shuddering before it settled, sapphire centered upon his chest again. -You know how to stay on a horse’s back? Getting you home will be faster on my hooves than your own four paws. Half a day, given the terrain.- It wouldn't be unusual to Kai, to carry another. For that matter, a youngster, like this one seemed to be, would be almost weightless. So long as he could cling to him with no saddle, it would work out fine.
It wasn't too long of a journey to the edge of where the Sakari wilds met the mountains. But the terrain was rough. Over flat land would have been much easier, but the mountain trails? Kai shook his head slightly. Luckily, his endurance was trained up from years of running around the continent for years with Khaal. Otherwise a jog through the mountains might have been tough.
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Post by Michael Crevan on Dec 30, 2017 10:08:48 GMT
Michael watched with wide eyes as Kai came closer, realising just how small he was and how big that the werehorse was. He sheepishly shuffled his feet a little as the stallion commented how far he was, nodding softly. He felt as if he was useless, sitting around at his aunt’s house all day, not providing food nor money, and it made him restless. He knew his aunt wasn’t ready to let him brave the world alone yet, so he compromised with her by going out on long hunting trips. Michael had desperately wanted to give something back to Aunt Marissa, so he had decided to get a bird to give to her, in thanks. He wanted to show his appreciation as he felt that he hadn’t been grateful enough lately.
He shook his head in answer to the horse’s question, “No, I’ve only ridden horses while in human form. I’m sorry.” He paused for a moment, taking a closer look at the band that ran around the horses neck, “Maybe I could grip onto your...collar?” He didn’t know if the collar was a touchy subject or not and he didn’t really want to have to walk all the way back. “I don’t want to dig my claws into your back,” he admitted. He raised his tail a little and tried to judge the distance between the rock and the horse’s back. Michael reckoned that he would be able to jump the distance without hurting anyone, if the horse brought his back closer. He wasn’t planning on jumping on without warning though, he just kept the distance in mind for latter.
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Post by mordekai on Dec 30, 2017 17:47:19 GMT
Kai chuckled, and it came out as a broken, choppy whicker. The stallion flicked his tail from side to side, one ear rotating as he listened for anything odd in the area. He shifted his weight a bit before extending his neck and blowing air at the fox from his dark muzzle. -So turn human, kid. You can’t grip proper as a fox for me to go faster than a walk. Trots are too bouncy for paws, and your claws can’t grip the same as a feline’s on leather. The collar shifts as I move, so it doesn’t help you without thumbs.- He shifted again, swinging himself sideways along the rock, close enough that Michael would barely have to jump, even as a fox.
His hoof thumped into the ground in restless impatience. -Unless you’d rather take longer to get home. We won’t be there ‘til after nightfall as it is. Might be morning by the time we arrive if you just try to keep up. Foxes are fast but I’m built for long runs.- H shook himself slightly, skin shivering down his back. -You can try to stay on as a fox if you like, first. I can keep my movements smooth. Your claws won’t rip me up like a felines, so I should be fine.- Now that he had made the decision to help Michael, he was eager to be on his way.
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Post by Michael Crevan on Dec 30, 2017 23:36:44 GMT
Michael wrinkled his nose as the horse breathed on him again, listening as he spoke. The fox nodded his head, having not considered turning back into a human before now. It would mean he would be riding naked, which could be uncomfortable. He didn't like the possible outcome of chafe, but he disliked the very likely prospect of falling off as a fox even more. He watched as Kai turned around so that his back was much closer, listening quietly. He was silent in his contemplations for and against riding as a human or fox before making his decision. He then shook his head in answer, "No, it's fine. I'll shift into a human. It's probably the safest way."
He leapt off the rock onto the more stable ground. After only a few moments his body began to shift upwards. Michael was a little unbalanced as he regained his human body. He blinked a few times, now being quite a bit bigger but still smaller than the horse. He gave the horse a quick smile and stepped back onto the rock so that he had better access to Kai’s back. Although he knew that he was stark naked, Michael wasn’t too bothered. He did have a few apprehensions about riding the horse but being seen by other wasn’t one them. He was naked as a fox, what was the difference when he was a human?
He glanced at Kai’s face, putting a hand on his back to make sure he didn’t skitter off. He doubted that would move, but he may not have been expecting. After only a few moments, he threw a leg over and sat on the werehorse’s back. He scooted forward so that he had the collar to grip on and his crotch was closer to the withers. “Is this okay?” he asked, his voice soft and uncertain.
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Post by mordekai on Dec 31, 2017 3:51:26 GMT
Kai waited patiently for Michael to make up his mind. It would be best with the boy human, but he could manage to simply guide him home if need be. After a short time, the small fox announced his decision, and leaped down from the rock. Moments later, small fox was replaced by a young man. Kai turned his head slightly. Boy fit him better still. It looked as though he still needed to grow into the gangly limbs he had. Still patient, Kai waited for Michael to climb back onto the rock, and tilted an ear, watching as the boy reached out and then finally slid onto his back.
His tail flicked and he turned his head to look at Michael as his voice came. Instructions came a moment later. -A bit more forward. Bring your knees up until you can grip with them, don’t just let your legs dangle. I can move smoothly, but you still need to hold on. And grip a handful of my mane. The collar isn’t the best handle.- The stallion waited for Michael to adjust his position, and then started moving, heading in the general direction of the area that Michael lived.
At first, he stayed at a smooth but swift walk, allowing the youngster to get used to his movements. His steps were long, more of a pace than a walk as he sped up. The ground was smooth through here still, and once he felt certain that Michael was holding on tightly, he broke into an equally smooth, not quite as bouncy as normal trot. -Did you really wander this far just hunting birds?
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Post by Michael Crevan on Dec 31, 2017 5:02:52 GMT
Michael payed attention to Kai’s ears and they flickered, knowing that a werebeast in their animal form used their body language just as much as their words, if not more at times. At the stallion’s instructions, he moved even closer to the withers, seating himself quite forward and pulled his knees up, careful that they didn’t interfere with Kai’s shoulder movement. He moved his hands from the collar into Kai’s mane, holding firmly. He took a sharp breath when Kai first moved, but he just relaxed his hips after a few moments. Michael wasn’t one of the most experienced riders, especially bareback, but he knew enough of the basics to be able to ride. He made sure to hold on to the mane without ripping it out.
Michael felt Kai’s pace speed until they moved into a trot. He held his knees firmly in place so that he wasn’t like a sack of potatoes on Kai’s back. He breathed quickly just before replying to the stallion, “Well, yes. Kind of. I had gone out to hunt.” He had to stop for a moment to take breath, the bounciness of the ride quickly chasing out the air in his lungs. At first, I was chasing a rabbit, but then I spotted the one of the birds and followed them back to their nest. Then both of them started swooping on me so I continued on the way I thought was the right way.” He recounted.
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Post by mordekai on Jan 2, 2018 23:17:26 GMT
As Kai moved, he kept one ear angled back towards Michael, listening. He knew that the trot was a jouncy ride, and not the most comfortable, but there was not much he could do. Walking would get them nowhere fast, though it would save the young werefox's legs and paws from the long journey. There would be plenty of space where walking would be required. But this stretch, he could even break into a lope, if the boy could stay on. It wouldn't last long though. Better to pace himself. Carefully, he lengthened his stride slightly, to smooth out the roughness of the gait. The stallion snorted slightly at Michael's words, an acknowledgement and perhaps an opinion. It was hard to tell.
His rough voice came a short moment later. -You know how to tell which direction is what, right? If it was merely a misdirection that led you this far, then it should be much easier when in more familiar areas to tell which direction to go.- He waited patiently for the answer slowing slightly as they reached an area where the trees and underbrush were thicker. The stallion huffed as he stepped over the roots and swerved in gentle swings around large trucks, taking the paths that wouldn't cause Michael to have to duck too often to avoid branches. His ears flicked back and forth, listening to the area around, his his neck arched to allow him to see the ground in front of him a bit better, lessening the chance to trip over a large root or gain a rock stuck in his hoof.
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