Journey to Serdenaugh [Private]

[Vampire Aryen]

His ears twitched as he kept his gaze towards the ground, suddenly jolting his head up as a familiar voice caught his attention. He caught the view of the elder in front of him, questioning his companion that had returned with him. Lowering his head for a moment in respect before listening in to the question, raising his head back up. "He is....a passerby so to speak, one I had crossed today during my hunt, we seemed to have come across the same prey though shared it nonetheless in the end. He is unfamiliar to this region it would seem his destination is Serdenaugh in search of his mother whom was taken by slavers, and seeing as he was respectable enough to share with me his prey I found I should be honorable enough to guide him there." he spoke, tail swishing idly behind him.

[Kuraiya Kitty]

"Ah, I see," the elder replied. "Well, we welcome any of our fellow brothers, so it is of no concern. If you wish to help this stranger, we will give you our blessing..."

Kuraiya overheard the conversation outside, and chuckled to herself as she heard the wolves referring to her as a male. There was no way the wolf would have known she was female since they never exchanged names, and he had never seen her backside the whole time. Dressed, the Ochae'nafod woman stepped out of Damiel's hut, tall and sinuous, clad in a rough-woven outfit. The split skirt revealed her legs to the hip, and the top covered little. Long black hair flowed down over her shoulders, falling to her waist. As she stepped out, she flipped a bit hanging down her front over her shoulder. She said nothing, waiting for the wolf's reaction.

[Vampire Aryen]

Damiel lowered his head in respect at the elders kind words and blessing. "Thank you elder, I feel that this is the best choice." he spoke, ears twitching as he heard footsteps leaving his hut turning to look at the person he thought was a male leaving his home. His reaction was a startled one, ever since he had met the leopard he had simply assumed that it was a male considering the tone in its voice, however he didn't take the time to see any of the other features. "Ahh....y...you're a..." he said, even though he was still in his wolf form a surprised look could be seen in his eyes.

[Kuraiya Kitty]

"Ah! There you are," the elder exclaimed, though rather pleasantly. He was surprised to see that she was female after Damiel's description, but that quickly passed. "I am Aleus, welcome to this humble village of the Lupus."

Kuriaya politely dipped her head in recognition. "I am Kuraiya, of the Pardus clan," she replied.

With a friendly smile, Aleus regarded her. "Where exactly do you hail from, Kuraiya?"

"Ertia," she replied simply.

"I can't say I know exactly where it is, but it must be far," Aleus suggested.

"Indeed, I had to take passage across the gulf on a human vessel. Though that is also the way they took my mother to the mainland," Kuraiya explained.

"I see, I see," Aleus responded, shaking his head sympathetically. "Well, Damiel will hopefully serve you well in your search. I wish you the best of luck, our clan will provide you with anything you need as well." Glancing back down to the white wolf, Aleus added, "Perhaps you should go shift and dress, Damiel?"

[Vampire Aryen]

Damiel had been quiet the entire time, letting the two converse in what they needed to since the man she was talking to was the elder of their village, he felt dumbfounded in himself for not being able to smell it or be able to tell earlier about her. How could I not tell! he thought to himself as he gave a quick glance from her feet up to her head, taking in the sight of the leopards human form.

Suddenly jolted back into attention at the elders remark, here he was sitting before the two still in his wolf form. "Y...yes of course! Itll be but a moment." he said before walking into his home quickly. Once he knew he had the privacy he needed he shifted forms, transitioning from his white wolf to nude man, once he had shifted he took a simple pair of cloth pants as well as a cloth shirt he had prepared for himself upon his return and clothed himself.

[Kuraiya Kitty]

As Damiel stepped inside, Kuraiya watched the wolf nearly sulk away. Deep down, she was slightly amused at his surprise, but she wasn't the sort to revel much in that. Turning her attention back to Aleus, she gave him her thanks for his kindness. The elder departed their company shortly to see to other needs around the village as Damiel returned.

Kuraiya looked back to Damiel and gave the wolf a quick glance over in his Nafod form. He was quite handsome, though exceptionally pale. She should have expected as much with the white coat, though. "Well, at least only one of us was confused," she spoke, a very faint hint of a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth at the tease. Her true voice had a strong timbre, with a touch of an exotic accent.

[Vampire Aryen]

"Y...Yes, atleast only one of us." he said with a nervous smile playing on his lips, he had spoken so calmly with her not too long ago in their animal forms, but now it was as if he were speaking to a completely different person upon discovering that she was female, giving her a quick glance. Her body held alot of beautiful features. "My apologies though, I shouldn't have shown such a reaction. You are a guest here in my home and I do not wish to create an odd tension. Is there anything you would wish to see? The night sky around here is quite a sight!" he spoke excitedly, though a hint of nervousness was showing deep in his voice.

[Kuraiya Kitty]

Kuraiya chuckled and shook her head at his apology and excited attempts to cover up his awkwardness. "I am afraid that I do not have much interest in exploring," the Pardus woman explained. "I mean no offense, but I have heavier concerns on my mind. I would appreciate it if you could show me where I could sleep, though."

[Vampire Aryen]

An embarrassing blush crept along Damiel's cheeks as she caught him on his nervous and awkward words earlier. "Ah, seems I strayed away from your priorities. However if you would prefer most of the homes in my village are taken by my pack, though mine has enough room for you if you wouldn't mind."

[Kuraiya Kitty]

Kuraiya nodded. "That would be acceptable," she replied curtly, glancing about the tiny village and its clustered homes built from native flora. Aside from the species of the thicket that made up their homes, it was really no different from her village in the jungle. For a moment, her train of thought flashed her back to home and she felt the weight of remorse and worry on her chest again, thinking of that place without one of it's few residents--her mother, of all people. She sighed, then turned to Damiel to try and dissuade his interest in any shift of mood he might have perceived. "We already had our supper, so I suppose sleep is the best option for now. Can you prepare a spot for me?" she asked.

[Vampire Aryen]

Damiel was watching her reactions as she took her glance around their humble village, yet that was broken off when her view turned back to him. "Prepare your spot? Of course it will only take me a few moments." he said with a quick smile as he ducked back into his hut, making the necessary preparations for her while she waited outside.

[Kuraiya Kitty]

As Damiel ducked away, Kuraiya gave a sigh. She had felt the weight lift off her shoulders for awhile with the distraction of the Lupus clan, but now it was back. She had to force her anxiety back often, so she could simply function. Her concerns for her mother consumed her when she had nothing to keep her occupied. Every time she rested, it felt like a waste of time...

Kuraiya forced down her anxiety again, taking a deep breath in. Reason had to prevail over anxiety; if she didn't eat and sleep, she'd never make it of course! Rest was a necessity, and now she had a guide to help her through this strange country. She was traveling as fast as possible, there was no reason to feel as if her time was wasted.

[Vampire Aryen]

A shuffling sound could've been heard from within if she had been listening, Damiel was quickly organizing a comfortable bed for her since she was his guest. "Looks like I might have to use some of the blankets from my own bed." he said absent-mindedly as he took another look at the bed he made for her. "Its done if you wish to come inside and rest!" he said poking his head out the door at her.

[Kuraiya Kitty]

Kuraiya's ear twitched as she heard him calling to her, and she entered the hut again. Picking out the new futon across the hut from the one that was already there, she assumed it to be hers. "Thank you for your hospitality," she said, bowing her head to him in acquiescence.

She moved her meager belongings over to the side of her bed, then sat on the futon. "If you don't mind, I'll rest now," she told her host, waiting for him to decide to leave, or turn in himself.

[Vampire Aryen]

Damiel returned the bow of respect to her, smiling softly as he shook his head in the middle of it. "You don't need to thank me." he said softly, watching her sitting down on the futon. He turned away from her, arching his back and stretching long, a yawn escaping his lips as he looked to his own bed. "Perhaps it is best if I rest as well, we have a journey ahead of us tomorrow." he said, turning and looking at her over his shoulder before crawling over onto his futon.

[Kuraiya Kitty]

Kuraiya watched Damiel prepare for bed, and she finally slipped under the covers of her own bed. The futon mattress was of rough woven cloth and stuffed with down. Her tribed preferred hammocks rather than beds on the ground, and perhaps that was the arboreal nature of the leopard in them.

Sleep didn't come easily to Kuraiya, and it wasn't the bedding to blame. She tried her best to suppress her worries about her mother, but to no avail. It was time to try something more serious. Quietly, trying not to disturb her host, she sat up in bed and took a meditative position. Doing her best to calm herself, she slipped into a trance, attempting to connect to their goddess, Entra.

[Vampire Aryen]

Damiel laid back, pulling the blanket over him to curl up atop of the futon stretching long before finding a comfortable spot. Though as he tried to sleep himself he found himself rolling over and facing the guest that was staying with him for the night, a surprised look on his face as he came upon her in her meditative position. Must be difficult for her to sleep. Dont blame her though, if I had lost my mother in that matter.... he thought as he watched her, his eyes fluttering.

[Kuraiya Kitty]

Kuraiya's ear twitched as the rustling of her roommate distracted her meditation. He didn't intentionally interrupt her, but she could feel his eyes on her, and that was enough to distracted her. I suppose trying to connect to Entra in someone else's home is out of the question, she thought to herself.

Opening one gold eye to make sure that Damiel was indeed watching her, which he was, and upon noticing that, she turned her entire attention on him. She said nothing, just stared at him expectantly.

[Vampire Aryen]

Damiel lowered his head under the blankets halfway, only his eyes still peeking out as he saw her turn her attention to him. "Seems like you could sense me watching you, I didn't mean to interupt just....I can sense the pent up frustration and worry about your mother." he said sighing and shifting his head on the pillow. "If you wish to speak about it, I don't mind talking, however if I am bothering you I can easily just turn over and go to sleep."

[Kuraiya Kitty]

Kuraiya's brow knitted in a frown. These wolves were far more communicative than her people, she didn't even know the first thing to say. "I appreciate the offer," she said softly. "But I don't think there is much more I can say..." She paused, then turned back into her bed. "I'll go back to sleep."

[Vampire Aryen]

"I see..." he said, a hint of disappointment in his voice, he had thought this to be an almost perfect opportunity to learn more about the one he would be travelling with, but it would seem she was a tougher nut to crack then he thought. "Then rest well, we will prepare in the morning." he added, pulling himself under the blankets and curling up.

[Kuraiya Kitty]

Kuraiya woke the next morning after a rough night of sleep. Perhaps it was her worries, or the unfamiliar surrounding, but she managed to get just enough sleep. Shortly after dawn, she quietly stalked out of Damiel's hut, trying not to disturb her host, and stepped out into the village. A few of the Lupus clansmen were about preparing breakfast for the community. Once they saw their guest, they offered her a plate of meat and vegetables, which Kuraiya gratefully received. She sat down next to the fire, cross-legged, along a few other clan members.

[Vampire Aryen]

Damiel woke a few minutes after Kuraiya had left his hut, curling up under the blankets before giving a long stretch followed by a heavy yawn. He glanced over at what would've been Kuraiya's bed, however it would seem she had already awakened. "Hmm...I suppose she went out." he said to himself as he pulled himself up, leaving the hut as well.

[Kuraiya Kitty]

Kuraiya had been engaging in friendly conversation with some of the Lupus clan members. Most of them were curious about her own clan, but tried to avoid the subject of her mother. It seemed that word had gotten around about her quest from the elder the night before. They were trying to spare her pain, but they also assured her that Damiel would be a great asset in her search. As guarded as always, she asked little of them, though she had questions in mind. Usually Ochae'nafod communities were close-knit and she had yet to hear word of Damiel's parents. It intrigued her as to why he would be alone, and his white coloration definitely marked him out as different from the rest of the community.

"Oh, there he is!" a young woman spoke, spotting Damiel leaving his hut.

Kuraiya glanced over her shoulder and gave him a nod of acknowledgment before turning back to the plate in her lap to finish her breakfast. Even though by appearance, she could have passed for one of them, her stoic and reserved nature made her stand out from the wolves who were such considerate and open people.

[Vampire Aryen]

Damiel stretched his back, yawning loudly as he came out of his hut, eyeing the surroundings before sniffing the air the familiar scent of meat and vegetables filling his nose. He eyed the fire of his clan members from afar, noting the figure that glanced over her shoulder and nodded towards him. Seems shes getting along well with everyone else. he thought, chuckling inwardly before approaching the group, standing behind her for a moment.