Winter Tundra (Ayami)

[ayami302]

Ari watched him as he moved. She loved the way his muscles rippled underneath his fur coat. He looked very strong and very ripped, and she wanted to just rub his soft and warm fur. She frowned, turning her attention back onto the wolf-thing again. She figured that he didn’t want to go back there after the injuries that he had sustained. She didn’t know where her mother, the Ice Maiden, but at this point, she really didn’t care as long as she was alive. Things would get very complicated if she were to become the Ice Maiden. She would have so many duties that she would barely have time to even eat. She sighed, nodding at his every word.

She was glad that he hadn’t used any fire attacks on her. That probably would have killed her for sure, and that would have been a problem. She watched his tail move, fascinated that it was a real flame that could literally set things on fire. She wondered how that was possible, seeing how cold it was in this frozen tundra. She then frowned, realizing how stupid she was. He was obviously an experiment, so his flaming tail wasn’t that uncommon. She just wished she could touch it without getting burned. She knew that wasn’t possible, but she could barely fight the urge.

Her suspicions were confirmed when he explained about the tattoo he had. She frowned. Dr. Hojo? She had never heard of that man in her life, and yet he sounded familiar. She nodded in agreement. So he was an experiment. Well, that was obvious. The thing she wanted to know was what type of experiment he actually was. “Were you human before he…you know…” She didn’t want to say it for fear of offending him. She knew that he could probably kill her with one swipe of his paw, so she thought it best to stay on his good side.

Words: 323
Muse: Good

[Red XIII]

Nanaki's tail tip always being on fire had nothing to do with him being an experiment. If anything, odd tests that inspected the way his body ticked was the majority of what they did. It had been torture for him. He was glad he had bumped into Cloud's group when he did. It was thanks to them that Red XIII had been set free. Nanaki would never forget that time.

Hojo, Nanaki would never forget that evil scientist. It was thanks to Hojo that Red XIII didn't like humans very well. Of course, he liked those as kind as Ariwara here. It's just he wasn't so trusting of humans because of Hojo was all. Once someone made a friend out of Nanaki though, they could count on him to come running to help them when they were in need. Nanaki held his friends highly in his eyes and would never betray them.

Looking at how bad his paws were, Nanaki didn't know how long it would take him to heal. It was obvious though that he wouldn't be able to travel for now. His paws weren't in the right condition to do so. It would be far too painful and it would be no point for him to really heal if he was constantly moving them. It would only open up his wounds once again.

He tilted his head curiously as Ariwara asked him about whether or not he had been human before being used for a science experiment. He thought he had answered her question in telling her what he was earlier. Nanaki had never been human, especially when he said he was a species between lion and wolf. "No, I never was human. I am a species that your kind considers to be half lion and wolf."

Even if she didn't catch it the first time, he had been patient and polite in his response.

[darkluvr4evr]

Ari frowned. So he had been an experiment all his life. She wondered what it was like to be an experiment. She was only a neko, and as far as she knew, she had been born this way. She had lived this way all of her life. She had never known any other way of life. She hoped that she wouldn’t. She was beginning to like this wolf-lion, and she hoped that the feeling was equally shared. She wondered if he had any family, and if they had been experimented on. Yes, she was nosy, but she usually never got this much ‘gossip’ in a small town like this. She didn’t know much, so when someone new came, they always pounded them with questions.

She frowned, wondering if there were others like him. “Are there more of you? Like, do you have any siblings?” She inched closer to him. She wanted to stroke his fur, but she was being polite. She didn’t want to offend him. “This man…does he still live today?” She watched him look at his paws. “If those healing potions work, you should be up and walking in about two days.” She had put a fast healer into the mix that she had made for his wounds. She smiled at him. “Can I…stroke your fur…?” She felt weird saying that. She didn’t know why, she just did.

She wanted him to get better, but she also didn’t want him to leave either. He had been the first company that she had had in years, and she liked company. She had someone to talk to, do stuff with, and to share her emotions with. She hadn’t had that in a while, and it was very nice. She inched even closer still, and then she realized she was getting too close. She backed up, looking at the floor. She didn’t want to make eye contact. She was afraid that his face would be right there, and that would just be very awkward. She didn’t like having awkward moments. It made her embarrassed, and then she would turn red. She hated turning red.

Words: 357
Muse: Good

[Red XIII]

Nanaki hadn't been born an experiment. He was a natural born species of the planet. His having been captured by Hojo didn't change his appearance by much except give Nanaki the scars and tattoo he had on his right shoulder. He didn't know how badly her hurt the Ice Maiden but he hoped that he taught her a lesson about attacking someone without just cause.

He looked back over at Ariwara when she questioned him if there were others like him. Of course there were but there wasn't many. Out of the group, Deneh and Nanaki were the youngest. There were others close to their age but not by much. Their species was rare and almost close to extinction.

"I am one of the last of my species. Where I was taken in a few years ago as an experiment, I did not live my life as one. I am the same, just I have scars and the tattoo. My kind lives in Cosmo Canyon and we are the guardians of it. I have no siblings, I was born an only child. My parents were great warriors in their time but have become one with the planet." He hoped Ariwara knew what he meant now. He peered at her with his only eye as she asked him about Hojo, whether or not he lived. Honestly, last Red XIII knew, Hojo was dead. He didn't know that Hojo was actually alive and well again. If he did, Nanaki would be trying to find him alongside Vincent Valentine.

"From what I know of he was dead." Nanaki nodded upon saying that but evil always had ways of returning. The story Vincent had told him, Hojo had come through someone else by some others means before Vincent killed him off for again. Hopefully this time around, Hojo would be gone for good. As he lay there, he heard Ariwara explain to him that with the things she had done, his wounds should be good within two days.

"Thank you once again." He noticed how the girl seemed to keep fidgeting with herself. He could sense that she was excited to have met him. Anyone that met him, young like Ariwara was, they always wanted to pet him. So, he was fine with it. Many children in Cosmo Canyon pet him too. Red XIII always put up with it fine as long as no one yanked his fur, ears or tail.

"You may if you'd like, I'm quite used to humans petting me. The children in Cosmo Canyon always do."

[darkluvr4evr]

Ari listened to the beast as he explained some of his life story. She listened intently, nodding in agreement. She was fascinated with what he was, and she wanted to know more about him, his family, and his species. She had never seen a beast like him, and she had seen some pretty weird looking beasts when she had been out hunting. She frowned. She had never heard of Cosmos Canyon, but it definitely sounded interesting. She would have to put that on her bucket list. Yes, she had a bucket list. When you lived in a little town such as this one, then you tended to make a lot of lists for different things.

She looked at him and frowned. She was sad that his parents were dead. “I’m sorry for your loss.” She had lost her father due to a beast that had killed him while they had been out hunting. She frowned, looking at the ground. She was sad now, but she smiled, trying not to let it show. She was usually a good actor, but when it came to her parents, it still saddened her that she had watched her father die right in front of her eyes. It had been the most horrible experience she had ever had, and she hated thinking about it. She shook her head, trying to get rid of the thoughts about her father.

She nodded when he said thank you in response to her explanation about her wounds. She was debating on whether she should ask him or not. She wasn’t sure if he would accept, and she was afraid that he might get angry at her. She fidgeted some more, and then looked at him when he said that she could touch him. Her heart beating fast, she stood up and went over to him slowly. She stroked his fur cautiously, and then smiled. She continued to stroke it. It was soft and warm, and she liked how it felt. She then stopped and turned to him. “Where will you go after you are healed? And um…” She looked away, and took a deep breath. “May I come with you? Wherever you’re going?” She waited for his answer anxiously.

Words: 373
Muse: Great!

[Red XIII]

Nanaki blinked when Ariwara apologized for his loss. He just shook his head slowly. "It happened a long time ago. I'm fine now." He said it to reassure her that he no longer felt too pained knowing they were one with the planet. He would see them again one day. He had the liberty of a long life but also was endowed the relief of one day passing into the lifestream when his time came. It was sad that there was someone he knew who wouldn't be able to enjoy the same liberty.

It was then that she questioned where he would go once he was healed. "I think I will go home. I've been out for a while, the hcildren would be eager to hear my stories." Nanaki always told the village children tales of where he went. In turn, teaching them about things outside of their home.

It was then that the girl asked him if she could go with him. He wondered. "Do you have family that you'd have to ask first? Cosmo Canyon is very far from here...it would take a while for us to get ther eif you do go."

(OOC: Sorry it's small gotta go)

[darkluvr4evr]

She really didn’t care if it happened a long time ago. It was still sad to lose a loved one, especially if the loved one was close, like a father or a mother. Ari was still sad about her father dying before her very eyes, but she was now past the point of crying for and mourning him. She missed him a lot, but not enough to cause her to burst into tears. She nodded at him, trying to hide her sadness with a smile, but not doing a very good job. She looked at the floor, fiddling with her fingers as she listened to him say where he was going to go next.

She cocked her head in a cute way, her ears going up in curiosity. Children? She loved little kids, but since there were only a few in the town, she never really got to hang out with the kids. She babysat once in a while, but that was about it, and considering she had her ears pulled and her tail played with, she wasn’t very keen on doing it again. Still, she loved little kids, even if they were a pain. She wondered if the little children looked exactly like him or if they looked different when they were younger. She frowned at him.

He had said that his species was rare and there were only a few left. She wondered how many, and at that moment, she decided that she would help them to survive. Now that she had decided that, she was determined to go with him, no matter what the consequences were or if he refused. If he said no, she would find her own way to get there. She heard him ask the question about her family, and she frowned. “Well, my father…he is dead, has been for seven years now, and my mother…well, I’m not sure where she is.” At least on that one she was telling the truth. She figured he didn’t have to know about her mother being the Ice Maiden just yet.

“I have no other siblings. I live alone here.” She looked up at him and smiled. She wanted to reassure him that she was ok, and that living by herself didn’t bother her. It had its pros and cons. Sometimes she liked being alone, all curled up with a book and a blanket at night, and sometimes she hated it, like when she was bored and didn’t have anything to do.

Words: 416
Muse: Great

[Red XIII]

It wasn't like Red XIII didn't care about his loved ones whom had become one with the Planet. He missed his mother, his grandfather and his father. Still, whenever the thought of them came to his mind, he'd remind himself that one day all of them would meet once more in the Lifestream of the Planet. He just hoped he made his deceased family proud with the things he had done. No, he was sure Bugenhagen, Seto and his mother would be proud of him seeing what he had accomplished in his life so far.

Having been without them for so long, Nanaki only remembered good memories of them. His father, whom he once thought a coward, was a warrior he especially looked up to. Seto had set a standard that he hoped to accomplish. Of course, maybe not sacrifice himself but he would be brave enough to put himself in the same situation his father had done before him.

Nanaki listened as Ariwara explained her situation. Her father had passed away and her mother, she didn't know where she was. Broken families, Nanaki heard many stories of such. In fact, many of Nanaki's friends contained broken families. It wasn't an uncommon thing in the world today.

"I apologize for having asked." He truly meant it too. He didn't mean to remind her of her own personal loss. However, Ariwara seemed fine with it after a time. Sure, at first, he sensed some grief but it had gone away almost immediately.

Ariwara apparently lived alone most of her life in this cottage. She had no siblings here, no one else to rely on but herself. Judging her youth, it amazed Nanaki just how much responsibility had been placed upon her shoulders. At least Nanaki had been lucky enough to have Bugenhagen for a good amount of his long life.

"Well, if you don't mind coming along then you may...if that's really your choice." It wasn't like he would deny someone their choice in life. It was up to Ariwara if she really wanted to leave this place and take up residency someplace else.

"Cosmo Canyon is quite warm, no snow like what you are accustomed to here."

[darkluvr4evr]

Ari smiled up at him. She shook her head. “No, it’s alright. I need to get over it anyway.” She stood up, stretching. She looked at his wounds, and peeled back the bandage a bit. Surprisingly, the wound was almost completely healed. She was a bit surprised at how fast the wound had healed. She bandaged it back up again, smiling up at him. She wondered if he could walk. “I want you to get up and walk around.” She stepped back, giving him room to get up.

She knew he would be able to walk now, and she wondered if they were going to leave now. “I’d like to come along, if that’s alright with you.” She smiled at him, cocking her head and looking him over. He truly was a magnificent creature. She had never seen one before, and she was glad that she met one. She loved the fact that he was very intelligent and could hold a conversation with her. It had been years since she had someone to talk to considering that she lived in such a secluded area.

She nodded when he said that Cosmos Canyon was very warm. She would be glad to be in a place that was warm. She had grown used to the cold weather where she lived, but she hadn’t seen warmth in years, so she was excited to jog her memory into remembering what it felt like to not have three or four layers on every single day. She couldn’t wait to begin the trip. She also wanted to meet the children of whom he spoke and the rest of his species as well. She wanted to know everything there was to know about them. She just hoped that she didn’t seem too eager to go.

“Well, whenever you’re ready, we shall go. I’m already packed. I was planning on going on a hunting trip so most of my things were already packed and ready to go.” She gestured to the pile of things she had. It was a small pile, but it meant something to her. Some of the things were sentimental, and she could never leave the house without them. Of course, he didn’t have to know that. If he asked, she would definitely tell him, but otherwise she would stay quiet.

Words: 390
Muse: Great!

[Red XIII]

Nanaki listened to Ariwara as she stated that she needed to get over it anyway. Well, that was good. He wouldn't remind her about it anyway just for the sake of her feelings. He knew what it felt like to be reminded of it. He remained where he had been since he had come here. Prepared, he watched carefully as Ariwara peeled back some bandages on him to check the state of his wounds.

Looking at the one she had peeled back, he peered at it too. Sure enough, the wound was surprisingly healing quite well. Whatever the girl put into the concoction, it was working quite well. Maybe he wouldn't need to wait two days for healing? Maybe it would be lessened to just a day until then?

He looked up at Ariwara when she suggested he should walk. Nodding, Nanaki braced himself for whatever pain he might feel. Slowly but surely, he put up his good front leg, next his second. Oddly enough, the pain in that one was dulled to the point of hardly any pain. Next, he forced his hind legs up and stepped carefully about the room. In both injured limbs, the pain was dulled. He could actually walk and put pressure on them!

"That concoction you used on me has helped a great deal. I hardly feel pain in them now."

He heard what she said about the trip. Well, if she wanted to go then that was her choice. He wouldn't stop her. Everyone had the right to make their own choices, unless they were far too young to realize the choices they were making were reckless.

"If that is your choice, then it's fine with me."

He thought about how long he might take to actually head out. If he was doing this well, probably by tomorrow. He just hoped it wouldn't cause an infection depending on what the snow did to his bandages.

"I might try tomorrow, if you don't mind."

[darkluvr4evr]

Ari smiled at him, nodding. “Yes. It must have mixed in a lot more than I had thought. When I prepare it, the healing contents don’t start until I actually mix it. I must have mixed it a while longer than usual.” She stepped back even more. She loved the way he moved, how his muscles rippled as he moved. She admired how graceful he moved when he did move. She wished that she could move with such grace and such power. She could never move that well.

She stepped back as he stood up. She watched him with worry, getting ready to help him, if she could, in case he buckled from the pain. She smiled when he stood tall and proud, showing no to little signs of pain. She felt proud of herself for healing a big beast like him. She had never done that much healing before, and she had proved to him and herself that she could heal almost anyone and anything. She was so proud. She beamed at him. “I am glad that you are well. I have surprised even myself by healing you that fast.”

She nodded at him. “It is my choice. Thank you for allowing me to come with you.” She went up to him and hugged him, hoping that he didn’t mind. She buried her face in his warm fur. She loved the way it felt, warm and soft. She wanted more hugs like this from him. She just hoped that he wouldn’t mind in the future. She nodded at his decision. “It’s fine. We can leave whenever you feel ready.” She suddenly cocked one ear towards the window. She had heard something, and she didn’t like what she had heard. It sounded big, and threatening, the kind of thing that she feared. She didn’t know what to do.

Words: 312
Muse: Good

[Red XIII]

Nanaki was still somewhat unsteady and weak but nothing compared to where he had been before. At this rate, he would be able to go tomorrow. If everything still progressed this well he would not be surprised if his wounds were gone. "It is amazing how swift it happened...thank you and good work." He thought he might as well praise her efforts. She truly outdone herself here if that is really what happened.

Having been laying down for the entire time until now, Red XIII stretched. It was a very good stretch too. One that he really needed considering how stiff he had been getting just laying on the floor.

He nodded when Ariwara had thanked him for allowing her to go along with him. Nanaki was mildly surprised when Ariwara had suddenly hugged him upon thanking him. Getting a bit out of the surprise, he pulled out his good paw and lightly patted her head to show it was fine that she had hugged him. "You're welcome." He was certain she would get along well with the village people. They were quite used to different things. A person with ears and a tail wouldn't at all be discriminated against. If anything, they would find her interesting. After all, the species that protected them was Nanaki's kind and they weren't what one would normally expect to see for beasts.

"If I am better, I suggest we go tomorrow." He cocked his head to the side as well when he heard a sudden noise. Curious but cautious, Nanaki listened intently. It sounded like maybe a big monster was outside. Unafraid but cautious, Nanaki padded almost silently on the floor toward the window, ears perked forward as he listened for sound.

[darkluvr4evr]

Ari frowned. She wasn’t liking the fact that she had heard a noise outside. She normally didn’t see monsters or at least people who hunted her kind this far out. She had seen neko hunters before. She knew that they used the ears and tail for hats and mittens, and she hated them. She wanted to stop them, but she had to outrun them first. She had done well in coming up here, but she was now second guessing herself since she had heard the noise. She looked out the window, but saw nothing and shrugged.

She turned to him and nodded. “Thank you.” She smiled at him after he had patted her on the head. It must have been her imagination. Still, something in the back of her mind told her that something was wrong. She shook her head, brushing off the thought. She was just being paranoid. That was it. She sometimes got paranoid. Living alone could do that to a person, especially one who had been living alone like she had been all these years. She cocked her head in a cute way and smiled. “That sounds good. It will give your wounds time to heal further.” She was glad. At least she could relax.

She headed towards the kitchen and got a mug. She then made some hot chocolate and turned around. “Would you like some?” She didn’t wait for his answer. She got out a bowl and poured it in. She then brought it to him and put it on the floor. “Forgive me if I offend you by-“ She gasped, coughing. She dropped her mug, it breaking on the floor and spilling hot chocolate everywhere. She dropped to her knees, an arrow in her back. She moaned, slow moving on the floor. Outside, an archer stood, still having his arm cocked. He smiled in triumph.

Words: 315
Muse: Good

[Red XIII]

"You're welcome!" he replied until something had been heard.

Nanaki's ears swiveled about on his head, this way and that as he listened hard for any other sound. He didn't see nothing or smell anything. Ariwara's home made the smells outside inaccessible for his powerful nose. All the scents in the home drowned out anything that might have come from the outside. He remained rather still for the moment, ready for anything.

Animal instincts told him to not let down his guard even though Ariwara seemed to think the coast was clear. Cautiously, he glanced about the room.

He didn't know what had made the sound but he didn't like it. Something was telling him to be careful despite the tension seeming to leave the air. He watched as Ariwara headed back into her kitchen to make a mug of hot chocolate. He blinked when she offered him it, clearly no longer wary of what could be outside. Maybe he was being too jumpy? Nanaki didn't trust that thought though. There was something wrong, something very wrong.

"Yes, please." He said it just to keep Ariwara occupied for now. At least until he was sure danger had really passed and he had worried for nothing. When she came back and placed the mug on the floor in front of him, he heard her attempt to apologize. However, she was cut off.

His single eye widening, Nanaki saw Ariwara fall coughing and then saw an archer behind her. Ariwara had been shot by an arrow! Springing into action, Nanaki let out a furious roar as he lunged for the archer with his claws out and teeth ready to bite.

[darkluvr4evr]

Ari ripped the arrow out of her back, crying out in pain. Although she bled, she managed to pull herself up to a standing position. Her eyes were already blue. She was pissed off now. She saw Nanaki lunge for the archer, and she smiled. Oddly in this situation, she was kind of relieved to see Nanaki protecting her. She felt safe. She saw the archer notch another arrow, and she gasped. With a flick of her wrist, the bow and arrow flew away from the archer. He gasped, clearly not expecting that to happen.

Standing defenseless, all the archer could do was scream as the beast came charging at him, about to kill him. Ari turned away, not wanting to watch the blood fest that was about to happen. She suddenly got light headed, and moaned, dropping to the floor. She created an air bubble to stop the bleeding, and she then passed out in her own pool of blood.

Words: 161
Muse: Dying