Never going "home". (Bucks and I)

[Lady Amira Nuit]

Ariel had been to this part of the forest before but something about it this time made a chill run threw her. No matter. Up ahead she could hear the sounds of a water fall. Lucky her as she walked threw some pushes and was taken back by the beautiful sight.

Not wanting to waste another moment she undressed and dove in. purring loudly she began to dive under the water and splash around just enjoying her freedom from all the madness and horror she had been apart of for son many years.

[Bucks23]

Eric sat cross legged on a patch of grass in the forest. He was wearing just his denims and had his hands resting on his knees and his eyes closed. A slight breeze ruffled his mattered brown hair and shook leaves from the trees around him. Eric was deep in a mediatated trance. Something he had learned somewhere to calm himself down and stop from turning into his wolf form. In his late thirties Eric was in great shape physically, but his lean torso was marred by scars and signs of the violence he had encountered in his life. Since losing himself in Night Rain Forrest, Eric had never felt happier. He just sometimes felt almost overwhelmingly lonely.

Suddenly Eric heard a splash coming from a waterfall he knew was nearby. He snapped out of his riviera and quickly got to his feet. Someone could be hurt, perhaps drowning! He left his meager belongings in a pile and ran barefoot down to the water's edge and gazed into the waters with his bright blue eyes. A warm smile crept across his features when he recognised the nude female swimming under the crystal clear water. He waited until she broke the surface and stuck his hands in his pockets. He smiled happily at her. "Well... fancy meeting you here."

[Lady Amira Nuit]

Ariel was enjoying her time and the feel of the cool water all about her body. As she broke threw the surface of the water she was startled for moment then smiled big as she saw the man staring at her. "Well, I can say the same to you too." She began to swim over to the waters edge and placed her ebows on the grass leaving the rest of under the waters surface. "What are you doing out here?"

God she was happy to see him. The passion they had between then but now she was with Ardolf. He would understand. If Ariel acted it would be because she couldn't help herself. It was the way she was. Always will be and she could never say know to Eric.

[Bucks23]

Eric crouched down beside Ariel. He plucked up a loose strand of grass and played with it absently as they spoke.
"I've been living out here a little while." Eric answered her, smiling. "Some natives from Haven Village helped build me something to live in not far from here. They're good people. I've been getting better Ariel." He sighed and c*cked his head to one side as he studied her. She looked pretty much the same as she did before, only more carefree perhaps. "What about you? I always had you figured as more of a city kitty?"

[Lady Amira Nuit]

She smiled at him. "I felt the need for a little retreat. To be one with my kitty cat and this is where it brought me and I must say I am glad it did." She began to place her hands on the glass and pushed herself up out of the water. She then turned and laid back on he grass totally naked. The sun felt good on her wet skin. She then met his eye. "I have thought about you. Wondering how you have been doing and I am glad to hear you are getting better." She kept her smile in place. "Do you wish to show me?"

[Bucks23]

Eric squinted against the harsh sunlight as he sat down next to Ariel. He rested his elbows on his knees. "You want me to bring him out on a nice day like this?" He asked. He peered down at her stretched out form before looking back towards the sky. "I haven't needed him for a long time. I've found ways to supress my anger so he never has to bother anyone ever again. It's just me now Ariel. Just Eric." He laughed quietly at his own words. "Funny... I know the beast IS me, that we are one and the same person... I just can't bring myself to say that out loud. It's easier to pretend, that the thing I turn into is someone else, someone who I only have to meet now in my nightmares."

He brushed his fringe out of his eyes, his light brown hair had grown to the base of his neck. Night Rain Forest had little in the way of barber shops. "I remember you trying to help me come to terms with the wolf and keeping control of him when he was unleashed before all hell broke loose." He turned his bright blue eyes to look at her again. "What happened to you? After they took you away in that chopper. Somehow even then I knew I'd see you again. Where have you been?"

[Lady Amira Nuit]

Shadow sighed. She looked away from him. "I...I was tortured for awhile. The same horror Wolff always had done to me. I was his toy. His prize and in ways I still am but after meeting you I wanted to be strong. I hate living in fear. Its not me anymore. So I fought and fought and fought. He would hurt me to try and get me to stop but I never screamed. I never gave him that pleasure again but he wouldn't give up. I was his favorite. Then I just got quiet. He wanted stop at nothing to break me but then we came to a part that someone else knew of what had happened to me and he came to my aid. A group of werewolves and their leader came to help me and freed me of Wolff and Cross and he was an old love of mine. He was the one that taught me home to control my cat. Such a wonderful man."

She paused for a moment and looked back at him. "His cabin isn't to far from here either." She looked away from him again at the water fall before them. "He had saved me so many times and I know deep down I do love him but you have a specail place in my heart too." She sat up on her elbows but just kept staring at the water fall. "I'd still love to help you if you wish or even Ardolf could sense he helped me too. He is good about that but its up to you." She became silent. God how she wanted him now. He did seem different. More to himself then anything. He could be so much more if he let him and his wolf become one. She hoped he want to take about stab at it.

[Bucks23]

Eric listened to her difficult story. He felt bad for not being able to save her. He remembered well the impotence he felt as he helplessly watched that helicopter take her away. He had met Ardolf and a few others of their kind that night. But he hadn't spent long in their company. He even left the city shortly afterwards, it wasn't the same without Ariel in it.

"I met him once already." Eric said atlast. "It would be nice to meet him again I suppose, under more pleasant circumstances." He sat down on the grass next to Ariel and stretched out his legs before laying down next to her. He stared up at the few clouds that hung in the otherwise perfect midday sky.
"Truth be told I don't think I need any help, I can keep the beast quiet now. I could even be normal again." He regretted his words as soon as he had said them. He didn't want to insult Ariel or her race by insinuating that they were less than normal.

Proping his head up on his elbow he turned onto his side to face Ariel and saw her watching the waterfall. "Hey," he said softly, reaching out to brush a loose strand of her hair from her face. "I have a special place in your heart?"

[Lady Amira Nuit]

She listened to his words and sighed softly to herself. If he trapped the wolf inside it would always find its way out. That was the way with her panter. It always found away even after years of thinking you fought it the anger brings it out. She just hoped Ardolf could help him to see that.

Studying the water fall a little more she suddenly looked over at Eric. He was so handsome and how she always cared for him. "I do, yes," she whispered. "You have always had a special place in more heart. How I missed you hoping you were ok too. That those damn vampires hadn't of hurt you." But knowing the words he spoke of Ardolf he must have helped free him. Ardolf had been tracking her sense she had left Mera cabin in Night Rain. That is how that bastered had found her. Well, his dog Cross. Damn bounty hunter.

She kept her gaze on his as she leaned in and kissed his lips gently. It was a surprise to her just as much as it was to him but she couldn't help it. She had wanted to do that the first moment she layed eyes on him. She was a sucker she was beginning to see for werewovles. As she pulled back she said, "I am sorry. I didn't mean to surprise you. It surprised me too but I have been wanting to do that sense the first moment I ment you." She smiled softly waiting for his words.

[Bucks23]

Eric blinked in suprise after Ariel kissed him. He let out a nervous shaky breath and smiled. "Well... me too actually. Obviously the kissing you part, not kissing myself." He stopped talking and relaxed, letting his fingers run through her glossy black hair. "I care about you too Ariel." He spoke softly, his bright blue eyes searching her beautiful face. "I've felt... so alone without you." He suddenly stammered and changed the subject. "Okay. I will see Ardolf. Maybe he can help me." He removed his hand from Ariel's hair and stood up. He reached down to offer Ariel a hand up.

[Lady Amira Nuit]

Ariel smiled up at him. She took his hand and he helped her to her feet. Looking at him looking at her she leaned in and kissed him again. Suddenly they heard a snapping of a twig and turned quickly. Ardolf was standing just a few feet away leaning against a wall. "Oh don't mind me. Please go on."

Ariel took a step towards him but Ardolf put up a hand to make her stop. She did and looked confussed. "What is it Ardolf?"

"You tell me! My girl friend is making out with another man as she is all naked. I came to check on you but I can see you're fine."

"Ardolf please stop. He is an old friend. You remember him. At that apartment building with Wolff and Cross. He is the..."

"The werewolf. I yes, I remember now." He pulled himself from the wall and walked over to him. They almost matched in size. Ardolf was just an inch taller and a little muscle to his build. "She has talked about you. Seems to be a good man. You have taken care of her while I couldn't. Good to know that she does have someone else to look after her." He turned his back then and began to walk back to the house.

Ariel smiled at Ardolf and looked at Eric. "He likes you," If it was Eric in his own shoes any man would think not but she hoped he could see past it. She took his hand as she pointed at a robe. He got it for her and help her put it on. Taking his hand again she said, "Come on. We need to go to the house now. He does want to help but I think unless he gives me the green light we must remain at red." She began to walk as he began to follow and knew Ardolf would be a good man as he always was to help someone in need. She wondered more though. The three some she had once before and was wondering if it was possible again. Though Ardolf didn't seem the type he was always full of surprises.

[Bucks23]

While he was in Ardolf's presence, Eric kept his head bowed slightly, his eyes on the ground and his shoulders hunched. He felt naturally submissive around the older, stronger male wolfin. Like a wild pack, Ardolf effortlessly made his presence alpha. When Ardolf began to walk off towards the house again, Eric soon relaxed.

He smiled at Ariel. "Likes me huh? I'd hate to see what he would have done if he didn't." He fetched Ariel's robe as requested and held it up for her as she slipped her arms into the fine material.

Another hopeful smile crossed Eric's features as Ariel took his hand and lead him towards the house. "Remain on red, got it." He said and scratched behind his ear with his free hand. "I remember the last time I saw him, we had to fight practically side by side against every damn vamp in that joint trying to get to you." He sighed, the memory not a happy one as he recalled standing beside Ardolf on the roof of the building as they watched Ariel taken away by the helicopter. They had been inches from saving her. "I didn't stick around after the fight, lost myself somewhere in the city. I wish now I'd atleast spoken to him or something."

They entered Ardolf's house and Eric saw that Ariel seemed to be thinking about something. He didn't ask her though and went back to behaving a bit submissively around the pack alpha. "Nice place you have here Ardolf." He said.

[Lady Amira Nuit]

Ardolf was putting more wood in the fire place as he took the poker and began to mess with it as the two of them came walking in Ardolf turned around with poker in hand pointing the hot end of the pointer at him. "Thank you," he said with an even tone. He then turned back to the fire attenting to it.

Ariel sighed. "Ardolf please. You know me. I..."

"Think before you speak Ariel. I love you. You know I do but please tell me if I am the only one in this because if I am..."

She let loose of Eric's hand and walked over to Ardolf. She knelt down onto her knees and looked at his face. His face looked sad, lost even because he felt so much love for her. Ariel was a free spirit and it was hard to just be with one person with her. He knew that but sometimes he wished she would just belong to him.

"I'm sorry Ardolf," she said as a tear ran down her cheek.

He turned to her and wipped it away. His smile was sad but his eyes told her not to worry. "No I am sorry my dear. You are a butterfly. We all know it. I can not be selfish."

"But you have every right to be. You have helped me grow into the woman I am Ardolf. Then we had so much fun together. I played with your heart and then left. It was wrong of me but you have always had a big part of it. You still do but know this man does too. He still needs help Ardolf like the help you gave to me to help control my beast. Please, Ardolf will you be that man I know you are?"

Ardolf smiled softly and nodded. "Of course." He kissed her on the forehead and stood. Helping her to her feet he turned to Eric. "My place is your place. Any room is your room but the one upstairs at the end of the hall which is mine. Ariel has stuff everywhere so she really doesn't have her own room pre-say. So whatever you do is fine with me." He turned to Ariel. "I mean that."

"I know you do. Thank you Ardolf."

"You're welcome." He turned back to Eric. "We will start first thing in the morning on whatever you want to do. At sunrise. Right now I need to get some sleep. Night fall has come so quickly upon us and I like my rest. By all means the kitchen is open for you whenever you wish." He kissed Ariel on the cheek then headed up the stairs and disappeared.

Ariel watched him leave then pulled Eric onto the couch. Smiling big she said, "So, what do you want to do now?"

[Bucks23]

"Honestly?" Eric asked, "I'm so tired I think I could sleep for a month." He stretched and yawned so widely he could have swallowed a small house, then settled again. He smiled sleepily at Ariel and nodded his head towards the dying fire in the big stone fireplace. "I think I might bed down on the floor infront of that if you don't mind?"

Hearing no objections, Eric got up from the couch, untangling himself from Ariel's slender limbs before heading over to the rug infront of the fireplace. He curled up in a semi-foetal poistion. It probably seemed weird to be choosing to lay on the floor instead of in a bed, but Eric had grown more accostomed to sleeping on rougher ground these past few years.

He smiled slightly towards Ariel. "I'm really glad we found eachother again." He admitted quietly.

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(OOC: Here is the bio for my new character, Liam Penn, fantasy1987.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=creatures&action=display&thread=1219 )

The moon was high and full, it's silver light was a blessing to see by as the young human bent low to examine the ground by an enchanting lake somewhere in NightRain Forest.

Intense and aged blue eyes peered out of a young and handsome face as the rougish man checked over tracks and tried to surmise how recent they had been made. They definately belonged to the feline changling he had been hunting for sometime. His client was offering to pay an extremely healthy sum for her capture.
Liam's brow furrowed as he discovered another set of tracks entwined with the first. She seemed to have picked up some company. That could complicate things.

Liam sniffed and stood up straight, the only noise was the slight creak of the leather sheaths strapped across his torso. The man was covered in weaponry and makeshift armour. His ice blue eyes roving the nearby foliage as he decided the best direction to take. He would make camp soon, but at dawn he would continue and not rest until he had gotten hold of the changling called Ariel...

[Lady Amira Nuit]

Ariel knelt down and said, "I am glad we are together again as well." She kissed him then stood. Watching him drift off to sleep she then walked over to the front door and walked out. The night air was calm. She has missed this house so much. Smiling she walked over to the pouch swing and sat down. Rocking back and forth she suddenly heard a foot step and looked up to see Ardolf at the door.

"Want some company?" He asked.

"Yes, please." She moved over as he walked over and sat down beside her.

"I've missed you Ariel."

"And I you Ardolf."

They both looked our as Ardolf said, "Its beautiful isn't it. Still so peaceful at night."

"Yes, it is. I've missed it."

He took her hand in his. "Then don't leave."

"Ardolf..."

"Please, I love you Ariel. I dont want to spend my life alone without you."

"But I love Eric too. Dont make me chose."

"I am not asking you to chose. I dont care if he is here to. I just want you to stay here."

Ariel smiled. She wasn't sure what to say to him right now. He was so wonderful and she did love him with all her heart. She was still unsure though of what to do. "Lets just sit here and enjoy."

So they looked out and just would enjoy the sounds of the forest around them.