Nymph's: Laika and Yamimoon's Severins co-post
Why do you always return to Agnes anyway?
Laika sighed. “You gave me like, thirty seconds of peace,” she muttered to the wolf’s voice in her head.
I was curious Jing said. Laika could have sworn she heard a pout in the words.
“You're always curious,” she grumbled, but despite her words and tone, a smile crept across her face.
Is that such a bad thing?
“For you? No. For my peace and quiet? Definitely,” she shook her head. “Anyway, why wouldn't I go home?”
She pretty much tortures you and calls them life lessons. Jing’s voice was flat. Laika shrugged. When she had bonded with Jing, the wolf had gained access to all of her memories, so she hadn't had to talk about her past before. Even though Jing could access her memories, the wolf still couldn't feel her emotions or hear her thoughts.
“I always come out just fine,” she said simply.
Said the rabbit who liked to poke its head into the fox’s den until it found itself dinner to the predator, Jing sighed.
“I beg your Pardon, I am the Tatsu that likes to poke my head into the fox’s den. And I'm always the one who comes out fed.” She made her voice light, trying to force Jing to drop this particular subject. The wolf only sighed in response but she could almost feel them imagining absorbing a fox spirit. She grinned to herself.
As Severins was walking to the cave however he decided that there was something he needed to do more than just report back to his superiors about his mission. For some reason he felt like he needed some alone time. So he changed directions, and made his way deeper into the forest. Though as the day pressed on, he was beginning to feel hungry, and amongst the trees he saw a deer grazing on some grass in the middle of a field..
Setting down his bag gently so it will not make a noise he slowly made his way to the defenseless animal. Creeping closer and closer to his prey. This was something he was good at. When he got close enough he dug his razor sharp nails into the windpipe of the creature killing it as quickly as he could to keep the meat from tasting off. Once the deer died he looked at the creature closing his eyes for a moment in silent prayer. He did this anytime he killed. Not knowing completely why, but it became a habit that he didn’t need to break as of yet.
Sounds like you should have spent more time hunting rather than mozying along, Jing’s voice popped up right after laika’s stomach grumbled.
“Not my fault, I had been counting on that hog,” she sighed.
We could have cooked up that pixiu, the wolf said. If it had a body, she was sure it would be smiling a wolfish grin at its sad little pun.
“Right, because dying by an angry pride of monsters is always better than starving,” she grumbled.
That’s what I'm sa-
“Hush,” she cut off what Jing was saying in her mind, even though no one but she could hear them. “Look,” she whispered, ducking down behind the shrubbery she had been passing.
In the small clearing, a man was kneeling down on the ground over a recent kill.
We could steal it from him, Jing offered and Laika rolled her eyes. She wasn't against the idea, but she felt like having some fun. The usual ambush, snatch and grab game didn't sound as appealing. She stood up, passing up all pretenses of being sneaky and pushed her way through the undergrowth until she was standing just inside the ring of sunlight that spread across the clearing.
“Looks tasty,” she said, tilting her head to the side, a playful note in her voice.
A noise caught his attention and he instantly opened his eyes, and stood up as a voice rang out amongst the clearing. “Well seams like I am not the only one that is traversing this forest this time of day.” Severins said as he turned to face the young lady that had decided to make herself known rather than attack him while his guard was down.
Looking at the young lady he wondered why in the world she would be in this forest alone. Though he knows better than to judge a book by its cover. “Well this is interesting. It is such a rare sight to see a young lady inside of this forest. Are you lost?” He asked in a deadpan voice as he smiled at her. He didn’t know what she was wanting but he was certain that she might be here for a fight.
“Lost? Oh no, that wouldn't be possible for me,” she sighed as she took a few more steps towards him. “This forest is my home, which means your trespassing,” her voice held a whimsical tone to it. “It's not the kind of place you want to be alone.” She gave the man a sly smile. The closer she got to him though, the more she felt like she'd seen him somewhere before.
She ignored that feeling for the moment and peered around as if she were looking for something. Or someone. “You are alone. Aren't you?” Her eyes moved back to him, a feigned look of innocence on her face.
Watching her every move to make sure that he wasn’t going to be caught off guard he allowed her to get closer to him. Not knowing exactly what she had in mind. Especially, since she said that this place was her home. Not many people would live in this forest let alone like she had just mentioned. He looked at her trying to see what kind of weapon she might be carrying since he wasn’t sure if she was a hunter like he was. Though nothing was visible for what he could see. The young lady was wearing a cloak.
Almost all of his scales were covered other than what was visible on the back of his hand. His eyes narrowed as she asked if he was truly alone. Shaking his head he took a couple of steps towards her letting his bloody hands hang at his sides. “There is no reason for me to to have anyone with me. This forest is not as dangerous as most people think.” He said in a serious tone as he scanned the tree line to see if anyone else was hiding amongst the trees behind her. He wasn’t sure if she was a hunter or not, but he had seen her before somewhere.
Laika raised an eyebrow at the man’s obvious confidence and she tilted her head as he took a few steps towards her. That was when she saw it. Her eyes glanced down to his neck at the unmistakable mark that labeled him as one of the Dark Army’s vassals. The ghost of a smile turned up the corners of her mouth and she reached up to undo the clasp of her cloak.
“Normally I would think those the words of a fool,” she sighed, letting her cloak slide down her arms and she dropped it on the ground beside her with a soft rustling of the fabric. She twisted her arm just enough that her own mark faced him from the medial section of her forearm. “But now I see they're just bold. Not just anyone can devote themselves to the Cause. Only the best of the best.” She flashed the man a cocky grin.
She didn't have to elaborate on what that cause was. Everyone aligned with the Dark forces knew. She had no idea what his perception of her would be, a lone girl traveling through these woods without a weapon in sight…
But she was never alone. And her weapons were never more than a thought away.
When the girl raised her hand to undo the latch of the cloak he stopped moving towards her and watched intently. Severins eyes when straight to the mark that she wore on her forearm, and smiled at her words. He knew exactly what she was speaking of, and to meet another member of the Dark Army inside of the forest was something that he didn’t expect.
“Devotion is one side of the coin. You have to be willing to put your life on the line to fulfill your missions, and bring about destruction and chaos.” Severins said as he raised his bloody left hand and touched the mark that was on the right side of his neck. “The world is our plaything, all we have to do is enjoy ourselves.”
He wasn't too concerned now that he knew that she was a member of the Dark army, but what did peak his interest was the thought of who was stronger. Him or her? A question he would like to have answered, yet at the same time it would be unprofessional to start a fight.
“So did you come here to challenge me, or are you wanting my kill?” He asked, pointing back to the deer that was behind him. He could feel her ambition to fight from where he was standing. He was itching for a good fight since he just had a disappointing mission.
She smiled at him, a small nod answering his comment about the world being theirs to play with. Laika knew it was only a matter of time before the whole world would know who they were and how they would bow before them and their master once he was reawakened. His question though brightened her face, mischief dancing in her eyes.
“How about a game. A test, perhaps. Of strength to see who deserves that deer more,” she folded her arms across her chest, shifting all her weight to her right leg. “First to bleed three times loses.” She raised an eyebrow questioningly, the smile never leaving her face.
Giving her a nod about her little game he liked his odds on being the victor. She might have had an advantage since he doesn't have any Idea about her ability, but what he was certain of she didn't have anything that could pierce his scales. There was only three blades he knew of that could accomplish that feat.
“Well that sounds like an interesting challenge. So let's see who is the stronger.” Severins said as he moved form into an defensive stance with his arms in front on himself. He held no weapons, but if she got close enough she would see the blades for nails. “I will give you the chance to attack first.”
Laika’s smile grew into a toothy grin and she nodded, lowering herself down slightly, her hands held out to her sides. Her palms itched to feel the familiar, smooth surface of her conjured weapons. She noticed then that he wasn't holding weapons of his own. Was he refraining from doing so because he'd seen she didn't have any herself? That would be a mistake on his part. Her lithe, lanky body type usually made people underestimate her. It gave her a slight upper hand in most fights.
She moved forward slowly, keeping her senses open to their surroundings while her eyes stayed locked on him. Then, without warning she rushed forward, pulling her right hand up as she called forth the image of one of her sais. Smoke enveloped her hand, streaming down the length of her arm and pooled together in her palm, solidifying into an ethereal weapon. It was silver-blue in color and see-through, almost like it was made of glass. She swung it forward at the last moment, not expecting to come in contact with him, but hoping for an opening if he dodged her.
Severins knew better than to underestimate any member of the Dark Army. She had to have abilities that were strong enough to have her become a top member of the army. Only the best of the best have the right to wear the markings of the dark army. A serious look came across his features as she charged at him. He watched her closely looking for some kind of weapon, and not too far away from him an unearthly smoke appeared in her hand, and then a glass like weapon appeared in her hand.
As she was about to stab him with her sai he turned at the last moment, and sidestepped her attack. Revealing his back to her. Thus giving her a false target. Allowing her to think that he is giving her an easy target. But in reality the moment her sai comes in contact with his skin she will see why he turned his back to her.
Laika hadn't expected him to give her such an easy opening. Though he dodged her initial thrust, she used her momentum to swing around, following up her attack with a side flourish. Her sai swept across his back, the fabric of his shirt ripping from the sharp edge of her weapon. She grinned victoriously as she danced away, but when she looked at her blade, it was still clean. No blood clung to its surface and her grin faltered.
“I was wrong about you. You do have some tricks up those sleeves,” she narrowed her eyes, twirling her blade around playfully. She made sure to keep herself ready for another attack, but open enough that he wouldn't be able to see when it would come. Jing was present in the back of her mind, but the wolf was being quiet and watchful. Studying her opponent the same as she was.
Severins smiled as he turned to face his opponent. “Did you think it would be that easy?” He questioned as he reached for the bottom half of his shirt, and removed it. Revealing his ultimate defense. His silver scales glistened in the light as he used the shirt to clean his hand of the deer's blood, and then threw his shirt to the ground. The only place his scales didn't cover was his chest, and abdomen. His muscles were lean and well defined and flexed slightly as he stretched his arms in front of himself.
Laika’s eyes roamed the man’s form as he removed his shirt. Scales. Most of his body was covered in them. She studied his chest like an artist would a canvas, deciding the best places to aim her strikes. Since she knew her sai couldn't cut through his natural defences now, she knew she was going to have to make it through his offensive maneuvers to find herself an opening. Yet, she still didn't know what to expect in that area. He had yet to reveal his choice of weapon.
“I am not that easy of a target.” Severins said as he stretched his neck from side to side getting ready for a fight. Deciding to take the initiative this time he ran towards his unnamed target. As soon as he was within range he curved his hands into the form of a claw, and slashed them at her in a succession of quick strikes. Though he was holding back because she wasn't an enemy, and she had yet to prove he would have to go all out in this fight.
“Show me what you got.”
He suddenly rushed forward, swiping at her with his own hands. Dagger-like claws threatening to make their mark, signaling one point closer to losing this game. His speed surprised her. She dodged his onslaught as best she could, side-stepping and jumping backwards as quickly as her feet would carry her.
Use this as an opening! Jing called out in her head and she grit her teeth, focusing on dodging the swipes she couldn’t block with her sai. She narrowed her eyes, and all at once, with the sai in her left hand, she blocked his current hand from catching her across her chest as she summoned a second, identical sai in her right hand. With an elegant sweep, she brought it up quickly, catching him on the left side of his abdomen before she jumped back. But she wasn't fast enough, she felt the sting of one of his claws from his free hand come in contact with her skin, and she knew her successful attack hadn't come without a price.
She scowled, though amusement still danced in her eyes.
Smiling at the fact that they were fairly evenly matched, though not in speed but tactics. She was able to catch him on his abdomen causing a red line to form, and blood trickled down his skin, but that move cost her dearly as he caught her blocking arm slicing into her forearm.
Now they were separated again and they each scored one point in this game. His smile never left his face as he was excited to finally have a challenge. “You are quicker than I first thought.” Severins said as he reached down and traced the injury with his index finger. It had been a long time since he had an injury. “Shall we continue?” He asked as he waited for her to make the next move, taking a defensive posture.
Laika narrowed her eyes playfully when he commented on her speed. She had been thinking the same thing about him. She grinned as the initial shock of his wounding strike wore off. It wasn't too deep, so like herself, he was just playing along with their little game and somehow that made her feel even more excited.
She wiped her forearm lightly against her hip, cocking her head, “I am definitely glad I met you. It was threatening to become quite a dreary day otherwise.” She didn't give him a chance to respond right away as she led the next attack, throwing one of her sais towards him, hoping to distract his attention away from her as she summoned a third sai. She knew the one she’d thrown would disappear before it even reached him. But hopefully his initial move to block it and the wisps of smoke it would leave behind to cloud his vision would still give her enough time to move in close and away from him again before he could take another point from her.
Once she closed the distance she came at him from his side, aiming for a patch of scale-free skin underneath his arm.
“The day was a little on the peaceful side.” Severins said as he watched closely as she wiped the blood off of her forearm. She seemed as in much a good mood as he was. He loved a good challenge. Then the woman threw one of her sai’s at him and he instinctively went to bat it away. However, once he did the sai disappeared in a wish of smoke that blocked his vision slightly. Giving her the time she needed to strike him. The blade slide across his skin signaling now she was one point ahead of him.
Though she was still close enough to him for Severins to retaliate by aiming a kick to her midsection. If it connected or she jumped back didn't matter much since he quickly closed the distance. Beginning his next assault. This time he was punching at her looking for an opening to strike her a second time to even the score once again.
That is when it happened, and he wasted no time striking the location with his claws. Once he struck her he backed off once more. Though this was short lived as he attacked once more not giving her much time to prepare herself for the next valloy of attacks. He was enjoying himself immensely.
Laika’s eyes widened when her opponent recuperated quicker than she expected. A well placed kick swung around and connected briefly with her side and she stumbled slightly as her feet fought to stay beneath her. He was on her in an instant.
How could you not see that coming? Jing asked, annoyance clear in their voice. You humans are always over confident, the wolf scoffed while Laika continued to struggle to keep herself out of reach of those dangerous claws. Moments later though she felt the familiar pain of her skin being sliced open. This time on her shoulder, part of her shirt hung freely down her arm, a small blood stain gracing its edges. That was two for two now. All she had to do was get the next hit-
A small, startled noise escaped her as her opponent refused to give her time to collect herself, another series of attacks landed on her. It was a smart move on his part for the next hit won the match. Summon me! Jing called in her head. Though they weren't fighting to kill, she knew the wolf was just as competitive as she was.
Laika focused all of her attention into blocking the man’s attacks while she pulled the necessary magic resources from her mind to call forth Jing’s earthly form. Wisps of fog raced together from all over, quickly coming together, forming the shape of her bonded spirit wolf’s form. It took a mere couple of seconds, before a large, white wolf with gleaming red eyes pounced at the man’s back.
But it was too late. Moments before Jing’s teeth could reach him to pull him away, Laika tripped backwards. Fighting to catch herself with one hand and block with the other when she felt the sharp, stinging sensation spread across the palm of her hand. Jing, connected still to her mind sighed, staring at her with its crimson eyes. She glanced up at the wolf for a moment. She knew her eyes would mirror the same crimson color as Jing’s until she sent the wolf away again. She exhaled roughly, letting herself fall back on the grass as she pulled her bloody palm up to gaze at the scratch that now symbolized one of her only losses ever.
“You win,” she mumbled, breathing heavily as she looked up at the man standing above her from her spot on the ground. A sly smile spread across her lips, “It was close though. I almost had you.” She propped herself up on her elbows and out of her peripheral she saw Jing dematerialize again; the smoke dissipating slowly. She knew her eyes would revert back to their deep green shade since she wasn’t pulling on her bond magic anymore. “You're a true warrior,” she conceded, offering up a light smile.
The match was close as, and he was enjoying the fight. However, all good things have to come to an end, and that end came quicker than he thought. He was intrigued that her eyes turned red the same time the wolf came into this world. Severins wondered why that was. As the fight came to a close he smiled down at the young lady. “Well we are all warriors, and you fought well. Though why didn’t you bring out your friend earlier?” He said as he leaned down offering her a hand to lift her up of the ground. Once she was back on her feet he released her from his grip.
“Well it is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Severins, and what is your name.” He said as he smiled introducing himself. It was always worth getting the name of his fellow warriors. It made it easier when they were on missions, well what little missions he goes on with others. The adrenaline was still pumping and his purple eyes looked as they were glowing, but they weren't. “You put up a great fight, and thanks for the fight.” He said as he looked back at the deer. His smile still on his face as he looked back to her. “Let’s enjoy the deer. Might as well share since you provided me with some much needed exercise.”
Laika sighed, a good-natured smile stretched across her features as she took the man’s hand. It was rough and warm in her own. “I like to prove my strength without the need of summoning my bonded spirit. I'm a Tatsu,” she informed him as he pulled her to her feet with ease. She didn't see the harm in telling him the truth. As long as they were on the same side. Besides, she didn't even know if he'd know what a Tatus was. They were a dying breed, rare and almost unheard of. Also, you're stubborn and foolhardy. Don't forget that, Jing chimed in her head. She shook her head slightly in response to the wolf as Severins introduced himself.
“Laika. And likewise. It isn't often I come across someone as skillful as yourself,” she murmured as she took inventory of her wounds. They were all shallow enough, she wouldn't have to worry too much about them. Though, she did see the one on her palm making it slightly uncomfortable for her to wield her weapons in the near future. When Severins mentioned sharing the deer an almost wolfish grin spread across her face and she nodded excitedly, a piece of Jing’s personality slipping out through her.
“I honestly can't think of anything more satisfying right now,” she said in a rush before she caught herself and forced her calm demeanor back into place. “So, what brought you out to this lonely section of the world anyways?” she asked as she strode over to the deer with him, scooping up her cloak on her way past.
Severins didn’t know what she was, but it didn’t matter much to him. Though he will have to ask his master what they were. “I am a Metal Dragon. Nothing special though you probably figured that out because of my scales.” he said offering some information for information. Though now he knew the name of someone that was a good fighter. He might have to have another sparring match with her later on. Then a question came that changed his smile to a more subtle one.
“I was sent on a mission in the kingdom of We. I came into the forest to keep the hunters off my trail. Not many people would come into this forest willingly. So I was safe. Then I was heading to the safe house to report to Master Murdoc. Though I have a different plan now.” He said as he began skinning the deer with his nails. “Could you build a fire, or do you prefer the meat raw?” He asked as he continued to skin the deer.
“Only fools or very confident people consider themselves safe in this forest. Though, since I've seen your fighting style, I'll rule out the fool option,” she said playfully. Her expression took on a questioning look though as she tried to place the name Murdoc with the face of someone she might know. She knew she had heard the name, and she knew Severins looked familiar. But she couldn't recall from where. She had probably seen him at some point while accepting or finishing a mission. She was pulled out of her thoughts when he asked how she’d like the meat prepared and she waved dismissively.
“I'll get a fire going. I may share my mind with a wolf, but I still have the body of a human. And the appetite,” she muttered, turning to collect sticks and dried pieces of wood. Hmmm, a dragon. I wonder if he’s ever made the Oath. Jing muttered quietly in her mind.
“What oath?” she whispered in response.
The oath to bind his spirit to the dimension I come from. Dragons are the most common spirit found there because of their lineage and traditions teaching them how to do so, Jing replied.
“You're a wolf… how did you ever come to make an oath?”
I was reincarnated as a wolf. I came back with all of my memories; as a punishment when I was exiled from my Caste. Jing didn't say anything more and from their tone, Laika could tell the wolf decided the conversation was done. She respected her bonded partners wishes and let the idle chatter drop. Though she still wondered if that meant Jing had been a dragon in their previous life. Returning quickly to where Severins was working on the deer. She began stacking the gathered wood, preparing something else to say to the dragon.
Just because he beat you, doesn't mean you should tell him everything about yourself. You can respect his skill, but don't trust him, Jing grumbled before receding into the back of her mind again.
“I know,” she sighed exasperatedly before she could stop herself. She didn't want Severins to think she was talking to herself. She clamped her mouth shut and acted like she hadn't said anything, working in silence for a short while until she decided to strike up the conversation again.
“Do you often carry out missions alone? They usually pair me up with the most useless members they can find,” she decided to keep clear of topics that she herself would rather not share with him, sitting down beside the fire and making herself comfortable.
As the fire was getting ready Severins worked dressing the deer, and cutting it up into steaks. They would have to be quick since the smell of cooking meat will attract other creatures. The fire was now hot enough to cook, and he placed the meat above the flames to cook. Though an interesting question came up and he got a serious look on his face.
“I usually don't work well with others so they rarely team me up with people. Besides most of my missions are revolved around assassinations. So the smaller the group the better.” He said as he looked up from the flames.
She was definitely an interesting person. She was energetic and looked to like a good fight as much as he did. He chuckled slightly as he continued to cook.
“You seemed to be here for some reason as well. Are you on a mission at the moment?”
Laika looked up from the stick she was snapping into pieces idly as the meat cooked when Severins answered her about his usual missions. Assassinations were nothing new to her. Her ability to conjure up her own arrows to take out her target and the fact that they disappeared on their own, leaving no trace was apparently a sought after effect for such missions. She wondered briefly why she hadn't been called for that type of job recently though.
When he asked her a question in return, she tossed the rest of the twig into the flames as she leaned back and glanced up at him. “I was on my own mission actually-”
Careful. A Tatsu should keep its affairs secret to its own kind. That's how they still exist… Jing warned, causing Laika to pause before she could finish her thought. She back-tracked quickly and shot a sly smile towards Severins.
“It was just a little hunting excursion on my free time. Seems you just beat me to the game,” she gestured to the slabs of cooking meat. “I'm not actually expected to check in for another mission for a couple of days yet. Though I get impatient just waiting around. Never expected I'd run into a fellow member though. Especially not in such a remote place,” she said, her tone held a whimsical note in it. Jing’s words from earlier replayed in her mind, about the oath and she eyed the metal dragon curiously, trying to imagine what Jing had looked like in a similar form. But she sighed, she hadn't a clue what Jing’s appearance would have looked like. From the sound of the wolf’s voice, she imagined a masculine aura, but when she had asked, all they had told her was that they didn't bother with titles. It was a confusing concept, but she accepted it.
She pulled herself out of her little reverie and crossed her legs in front of her, leaning forward. “Do you still keep in contact with any others of your kind? Dragons, I mean,” she asked. She knew that though dragons weren't as rare as Tatsu were, they still weren't very common. And she had found herself innately curious about random subjects since she had bonded with Jing. Yet another piece of the wolf’s personality that rubbed off on her.
Severins hadn’t ever thought of if there was any other Dragons. It was something that he really didn’t care about too much. Especially since his family abandoned him to live their own lives, and he had to fend for himself. Shaking his head he looked at her. “I am not interested in anything about that world. They are the ones that cut ties, so there is no reason to care.” he said as he looked to the fire. The meet was almost done, and he really didn’t want to speak anymore about his life. “We all have our skeletons, and that is something that I don’t want to talk about.”
The fire was dancing in the light wind that began to blow. Taking the meat out of the fire he gave her some, and began to eat. Knowing that soon the scent would attract some unwanted guests. “Soon the peace will be broken. So eat up.”
Interesting… An outcast. So the chances he knows of the Oath is slim. A shame. But not our problem, Jing chimed in the back of her mind. Laika stared at the fire, her mind and thoughts flickering as much as the fire. She respected that Severins would rather keep his past to himself. She had her own qualms about sharing certain facts about her own. She sighed but when Severins moved in her peripheral, she looked up and watched as he took a couple slabs of meat out of the fire, handing her one.
It was still hot, but she didn't bother with etiquette or manners. That was a luxury she'd never gave much thought to. She couldn't remember the last time she had ever bothered with silverware even. She just used her control over ice magic to cool her fingers to keep the hot venison from burning her. She forced a smile though as she took a bite, “A little more excitement doesn't sound like the worst thing.” She glanced up at the sky. Mid afternoon. She would have to get moving soon if she wanted to make it back to Agnes’s before dark. Seemed a shame to leave such pleasant company though.
“Though you're right. As much fun as it could be, I have somewhere I need to be tonight,” she sighed, ripping off another bite.
“The day is going by quickly. I have someplace I have to go. Stay as long as you wasn't, but I have a long way to go. Since we both have to be somewhere, I think it is time we parted ways. Though I will be looking forward to seeing you again.” Severins said as he finished his food, and sat up. “Till the fates see fit to have our paths cross again.” Severins said as he moved to the edge of the forest and picked up his bag off the ground, and made his way deeper into the northern forest.
Laika looked up, a genuine smile gracing her features. “As do I. It was certainly a pleasure and I look forward to our next meeting.” She called out behind Severins, watching him walk off to the edge of the clearing. She sighed, her gaze returned to the fire. “I guess we should bag up the rest of this meat to appease Agnes for taking longer than expected,” she muttered. She heard Jing scoff in the back of her mind but got to work anyways.
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