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Post by ρłαgυegı .. on Jul 30, 2016 22:59:47 GMT -5
The plot -- Muse A is an innocent young lady, fragile as a flower and loving none the less. The village she lives in, friendly and warm, but not recently. Every month or so people get attacked and killed, usually after travelling into the woods at the border of the town. No one knows what is killing off the villagers, a man, a beast? But recently one of the missing bodies was found and ripped apart. Anyway Muse A gets word of her sick grandmother, who lives on the other side of the forest. Naively she takes off on her own. Getting there is a breeze but coming back home she stumbles upon Muse B, a young male who lives in the woods. She takes an interest in him; worried about his wellbeing living so close to the beast that roams the forest at night. So she takes him back to the village, unknown that she has brought the big bad wolf with her. (This is a twist off of Little Red Riding Hood)
Muse A: » SнєяƖσcк Muse B: ρłαgυegı ..
The Starter: "Goodbye Grandmother, I'll see you soon,"
A young woman called from the mouth of a short stone path, waving at an elderly woman crouched in the doorway of a small cottage. Tucked away deep in the forest was the cottage, away from civilization. Odette often told her grandmother to move to the village where she lived, but she always insisted that solitude suited her best.
Turning her back to the cottage Odette pulled the hood of her thick, blood red cloak over her head, blocking out the cool wind that nipped at her skin. Though the brunette was reluctant to leave her grandmother alone, after having been ill for a few days, she knew the elderly lady was back to her old spirits. Plus she needed to get back home, there were chores to be done and small little jobs to put coins in her pocket. At a brisk pace the young lady made her way through the forest, on an invisible path she had come to memorize. Continue straight until the baby pine growing out of the grey stump, turn right at the meadow where lilacs grew in the spring time and follow the trail of twisted roots. It was almost a rhyme she sung to herself. Easy, simple.
Over the years the young lady had traced this path over and over, never concerned about anything. Recently that had changed. For a monster lurked deep in the shadows cast by the trees. Something that had been killing travellers and villagers. An ominous creature no one had yet seen, but from the recent body discovered, it seemed like a ferocious beast.
Clear as crystal was that day, when the body had been dragged into the centre of the village, found by an old farmer. Large gashes exposed pink flesh and bone, mauled beyond recognition. The sight of the disfigured mess brought the village into a state of panic, people scared to leave their homes at night, scared to even venture a few feet into the forest. Yet of coarse the panic had died down, the image not as fresh in their minds. That didn't mean the threat was gone, everyone knew that, it was only a matter of time before this beast struck again.
Naturally Odette had been naive enough to believe this beast wouldn't cross her path on her way to and fro Grandmother's house. If the beast did so, she felt she could look after herself... though deep down she knew she couldn't. She had just gotten tired of being looked after, tired of being treated like a piece of china that may break at the slightest touch. Her new found stubborn attitude and independence was one of the reasons she currently travelled the woods alone. So far she had been lucky enough to evade the beast. Little did she know the beast only had to have luck once to catch her.
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Post by ρłαgυegı .. on Jul 30, 2016 23:07:38 GMT -5
Continued:
Grass beneath his booted feet. The breeze tickling his face, the trees chittering at him with it's touch. He heard, felt, saw it all- he even smelled it. The fresh air, the life, the clean water. It was so free and peaceful and all he had to resent in this wonderland was the stumps. The gashed open tree trunks, cut to pieces on the ground and hauled off throughout the day until only a groove in the earth and bleeding stump marked it's existence. He hated the human worn paths, their sweaty stench that occupied the air wherever they went. The longer they stayed, the more they cut, the angrier he grew. He hadn't been able to help it. One day he just... snapped. But it worked. They came less now, scared of him, and it was perfect. He hadn't ever thought bloodshed would work so efficiently, and yet here he was. A shadow of a shadow with fangs that grown men described to be longer than their forearms. He wasn't in the least bit sorry, either. Why should he? He had saved his home.
Or so he thought, until he saw her. It was hard, really, to miss the small thing in her cloak of crimson. It was the exact shade of the blood of those he'd mauled. A callused hand lifted, rubbing along his trimmed whiskers and plucking at the dark brown hairs lining his jaw and chin. She seemed harmless enough, and her light steps carried her along a warn path that hinted her familiarity. Still, he didn't think it safe to allow her passage when he'd tear into just about anyone else. So he moved forward, his feet carrying him deftly over the debris lining the woodland's floor and ever close. His short cropped hair failed to catch any leaves or twigs thankfully, he able to emerge mere moments before she would reappear clean of the woods he claimed as home. Once she had rounded the corner, he stood waiting in the middle of her thin path, he fixing on her hazel eyes: a blue-green coloration that, on any other face, would've come off as charismatic. Now, they were cool and aloof, laying beneath every so lightly pinched brows, one of which with a scar that cut through one side,
"Are you alright, miss? You're awfully far from home, don't you know there's a beast out here?"
He modified his low and gravelly tone to mock concern, like he were actually worried for her wellbeing despite his sudden appearance in literally the middle of nowhere. His head inclined to one side looking her up and down now that he were close enough to properly see her. She was a slight thing, wasn't she? Not much meat to the bone, but he could live with that. Not like he ever ate them anyways.
The forest felt so alive. Birds fluttering from branch to branch above her head, singing their beautiful songs only to be echoed by another further away. Beside the worn path lay a few flowers, bright yellow against the green and brown undergrowth. Taking in these peaceful surroundings it was easy to forget about the horrible beast that lurked deep in the shadows. So easy to let down her guard, believe that she was safe. For nothing as evil as described in the rumours could appear in such a pure setting. That was exactly what Odette did, let down her guard. Let herself feel calm and safe, for the shadows were just shadows, there was nothing lurking in them. Plus by the estimate of where the sun was in the sky, though it was difficult to see through the leaves, she had enough time to get home before the sun sank below the horizon. If she stopped for a while, she would be testing her luck, and likely finishing her travels in the dark, but for now she had decided she had enough time. There was nothing to worry about.
Following the twist in the path Odette glanced off to the side to a small bird sitting on a low hanging branch. Before she could get close, the bird fluttered off, leaving her to continue on her way. But when she looked at the path ahead of her she was met with a surprise. A stranger standing in the middle of her path, blocking her way. Quickly she came to a halt, an uneasy feeling bubbling up in her stomach. Who was this, was she in danger. No, of course not, this was likely some traveller passing through, no reason to be afraid. After all what she was to be wary of was a beast, not a man.
Resting her hands on the skirt of her light brown dress, she naively offered the stranger a timid smile. For there was nothing to fear. "Yes, I am alright," She responded with a small nod, her eyes meeting the man's blue gaze. His eyes were cold and intimidating. Her skin began to itch with an uncomfortable feeling so she glanced at the ground, tempted to shrink away from his calculating gaze.
"And I know... but I'll be alright, it won't find me," She responded, unsure of her words. Though, she had made it to grandmother's house in one piece and she had been alone then. Coming home should be no different... She could handle herself, or so she so falsely believed.
She was hardly paying attention. He could tell by the way her eyes flit from object to object, her posture relaxed and attention failing to find him until he'd spoken. Upon hearing her response, he relaxed his expression as if relieved by her answer. Ah, so she was alright. That would comfort a normal kind passerby, wouldn't it? Perhaps ease him? He allowed his tense shoulders to drop, hands buried in the depths of his pockets and lips pressed lightly together while she continued. He nearly laughed. "In that cloak of yours? Darling, I'm surprised it hasn't found you yet." He spoke not in an unkindly fashion, but the warning was there. She was making herself stick out like a sore thumb, and as a concerned passerby it was his duty to point out as much.
He wouldn't lie though, he enjoyed the way she shrunk.
She'd met his eyes only once before looking away, her delicate fingers finding the fabric of her skirts and bringing his attention to them. A thin smile, he trying to force some moderation of warmth into his expression even if would more than likely fail. His low voice, no longer feigning his worry, was now spoken with a sort of underused kindness- like he had forgotten what the tone of someone offering assistance of their own free will sounded like. "I'm not sure it would be safe for you to travel alone so late in the day. Would you like company?" His offer, while innocent in and of itself, was as predatory as the rest of him. Still, he was being ethical. She was so fragile and innocent. He, by contrast, was thick and built. Perhaps not the tallest man, certainly not, but he was fairly sure he could break anyone's knee caps that tried to use their height as an intimidation factor. You know, just to get them to his level.
Not that any of that mattered though. The only thing in these woods she had to fear was the Beast. And like it or not, but the beast was standing right in front of her, ivory fangs and matted fur hidden beneath a tight lipped smile and lightly tanned skin.
Red as blood was the cloak that hung from her shoulders, quite a contrast from the mixture of green and brown forest. Like a drop of blood on freshly fallen snow, she stood out from her surroundings. It had ever quite dawned on Odette that her cloak may draw unwanted attention to her until now. The young man's words rung out truth, making her feel even more uncomfortable. Her hands moved to cling to the red fabric, warm and familiar. As if to mask her discomfort she wrapped the cloak closer to her body. The faint smell of spices and her grandmother still clung to the fabric, giving her a little bit of comfort.
Now that the man had mentioned it, her mind began to wander back to the beast. A new found fear of how she had practically been calling for its attention. Silently asking the beast to seek her out and kill her. How she would soon be like the body that had been dragged into the village. Torn up and bloody. Unrecognizable from the massive claw and teeth marks that exposed bone and flesh. Literally torn to pieces, the only way of putting a name to her mauled body would be the red cloak. The very object that had drawn her killer.
Those images made her heart race, terror spreading through her veins. Ready for the natural fight or flight response that came with danger. When the stranger offered his assistance Odette was momentarily relieved. Someone to guard her from the terror that lurked in the forest, a protector until she made it home. Though her new found stubbornness suddenly stepped in. Accepting the stranger's offer meant she was being looked after once more, something she had gotten sick and tired of. She had made it this far without getting attacked, surely she could make it the rest of the way to the village. Not to mention, the way the stranger spoke set chills down her spine. It was dark, villainous, and sinister. There was something about him that seemed unsettling, hence way she had a hard time meeting his cold eyes.
"No thank you. I have made it this far, I should be alright..." Her tone was unsure, for she was questioning just how safe she was. No, the beast wouldn't come out during the day when its light, because all things evil came out at night. Or at least that was what old wives tales had always said. "I wish you safe travels," She finished off before glancing around the man at the path he was blocking.
Pity. He would've enjoyed toying with her all the way home- in fact he may have even found her humorous enough to allow to pass. Now he supposed he should stop playing with his food but... she was just oh so tempting. "Safe travels," He answered, offering a dip of his head and callous smirk. "If you need me, just... scream." He almost laughed at his little inside joke, taking the opportunity to duck his head down and watch hazardous placement of his footing. He had to actually remind himself to be as noisy and uncaring as a regular man, taking one large step off the path and crushing tall grasses beneath his feet in the process. Then, a subtle wave for her to pass.
"Madam," It was perhaps the politest he'd ever been in his twenty odd years, he effectively stepping around her, back onto the path, and continuing in the opposite direction. Once his face was out of sight, the nonchalance fell from his expression. His eyes hardened, the smirk fell- he looked like he'd been confronted with a puzzle he wasn't too terribly fond of. His dull eyes glazed, focus drifting more to scents and sound. He could hear her footfalls, the subtle huff of her breath and the red fabric he now had imprinted in his mind as it was moved. He could practically feel the warmth from her presence on his back, the scent of spice and sweets and just the faintest tinge of sickness.
He would- albeit begrudgingly- allow her passage. If she came back, he may not be so kind. Perhaps he should follow this little path and see what could possibly draw such a small thing all the way out here; it may cause trouble with the big ones. The ones that carried axes and took down his trees; gut his food and left whatever they didn't want for the flies and maggots. His lip twitched, teeth ground together now and the muscle in his jaw working with his thinly veiled contempt and well founded anger. The ones that go hunting in the night for their pelts and kill anything in their paths. He thought, gaze darkening. No. He could not allow whatever it was on the other side of these woods to remain, or this girl to continue her passage. He would cut both down- they say to be scared of the dark?
He would make them fear the shadows that followed their every step.
Carefully Odette kept her eyes upon the young man as he stepped around her, before continuing on the path. Seeing his back turned to her, before disappearing around the corner, brought about two conflicting emotions. Fear and relief. Fear for the monster that lurked in the shadows. Fear of the new information the stranger had told her, about how she was luring the beast in with her brightly coloured cloak. Little did she know she had already lured it, and had it walk away. And yes, there was also a sense of relief when he disappeared. For the man had been intimidating, with an aura that he could hurt her, he had just chosen not to. Something about him had just made the hair on the back of her neck stand up... No, he was just a harmless traveller that meant no harm and she would likely never see again. She was left alone once more.
Alone. Where her only company was the beast who followed her in the shadows. The beast with fangs sharp as daggers and massive bloodstained claws. A creature made of death and darkness, something only the devil could create. And there it was, in the shadows. Odette frozen when she saw something to her left, something dark run by. It had found her. Little did she know what had caught her eye had simply been a raven flying through the trees. Still it was enough for her imagination to twist into this horrible beast, enough to scare her out of her skin.
With a shriek the young lady turned tail and fled off the path, into the deep forest grown over with brambles and thick undergrowth. Fallen leaves and tangled vines crunched under the soles of her shoes as she made her way ever further into the wilderness. After little while of clumsily weaving through the trees a lock of brunette hair got tangled in one of the brambles, pulling at her scalp and making her let out a cry of pain. When she began to untangle it the cloak began to get caught in the other sharp thorns.
It would have been so much better to have accepted the stranger's offer of company. She would have much his brooding and menacing appearance than being torn apart by this beast. Anxiety and frustration setting in she began to tug on the red fabric, attempting to free it from the sharp hands of the brambles. But she had no such luck... And she had no idea where the path had gone. She was lost, trapped and scared. If she didn't get to the path soon, the sun would set and she was sure to be killed.
He had been rather content to continue his investigation of what lay in his home, taking long silent strides and dodging about the undergrowth with relative ease. It was without a doubt the girl screaming that even stood a chance of stopping him; and only because he'd now met her and spoken face to face with her. He stopped and listened, her shriek no more than an echo to his sensitive ears. His head turned, the yellow concealed in his hazel eyes becoming pronounced within seconds. Find her. The command echoed in his head, he bringing to the forefront of his mind the details of her face and the brilliant red cloak she had been wearing.
After that, he'd remember nothing. Not the trees as they blurred by nor the ground underfoot as he passed. He wouldn't remember the birds scattering overhead or his heart thumping so hard it hurt. If anything, when he stood upright in another place, he felt like he were recovering from a flash bang. The world tipped and spun only a few short seconds, everything painfully bright, but the earth dulled again and he was left seeing a wisp of torn brown hair a pace or so away. He lifted a hand, curling it around his finger and plucking it free. A frown, his cool glare now flicking to the trampled path ahead of him.
Moving forward, he found her tangled in the thorns.
His eyes raised to the sky, counting the time in his head before sunset. Just under an hour, he was sure. He should just wait her out. As soon as the sun dipped beneath the tree line he could smother her fear. Instead he stood there, out of sight and listening. She looked clammy, as fear did to most people, and he could actually physically see the pulse of her heartbeat in her throat from this angle. His brow furrowed, and at last, he stepped forward. He squared his shoulders to the thorns that caught his clothes, worn brown leather coat at least helping to deflect them rather than catch like her cloak had so obviously done. Standing just out of her sight, he grabbed a handful of the thorny branches, worked free the red fabric with the other, and tossed them aside. Brambles buried themselves into the thick skin of his hands, sending off pinpricks of pain in his mind, but little attention was paid. Rather, he worked out what ends he could reach, and after that hesitated to wrap both arms around her. "Easy now Little Red. I've got you." Ironic that she feared the beast and yet he had, literally, just caught her. Consider her worst fears confirmed, even as he now began pulling back, easing her free from the thickets.
Panic was a terrible thing. Made even the smartest man irrational. A sickening black poison that was created in the mind, and easily spread to the body. Made the heart race, muscles stiffen ready to react. The black poison then pooled in the lungs, making breath ragged and uneasy as one drowned in fear. Irrational thoughts raced through the brain, paralyzing any sensible reasoning. Terrible thing panic was.
When arms wrapped around her figure, Odette's body stiffened ready to feel pain. Ready to be engulfed by the blackness of death. Her eyes squeezed shut as she waited, waited for something that never came. Instead she was greeted by a voice, cold and menacing just as before... the stranger? Her eyes snapped open to glance at the rugged face of the man from earlier. Those same cold blue eyes that were just as difficult to meet. Once more her hazel gaze shifted away from his eyes to search the surrounding shadows for the figure that had given her such a fright. The terrible blood thirsty beast. But there was nothing. Where was it? She had seen it, her mind told her she had seen it. Had it been scared off? Was it waiting for the perfect moment to strike and kill them both? Or did it know better than to take on more than one person at a time? Questions like this swirled into a vicious storm in her mind, her gaze wild and desperate, desperate to get away from the beast.
"I-I saw it," She stumbled, panic make her words unclear and choppy. Her clammy hands clutched onto the red cloak, holding it close to her neck. Her hands slowly kneaded the fabric, unable to stay still from the adrenaline that was pumping through her bloodstream. "We... we h-have to leave..." She breathed, hardly even noticing the fact that she was now free from the brambles, nor the fact the stranger had saved her from the situation. All she could think of was that they had to go. If they didn't they would die. Flashes of that bloody corpse in the town square popped into her mind again. An absolute mess of crimson. Who knows what the bodies of the others who had gone missing in these very woods looked like.
The adrenaline in her system made her desperate to run, but she couldn't. So she began to squirm in the man's arms, feeling just as trapped as before when the brambles had ensnared her. Oh but she had no idea just how trapped she was. The beast really had found her, but the wolf was wearing the skin of the sheep. Hidden as something familiar; human. No fangs, no claws, no blazing blood red eyes. Too bad Odette had never listened to what her grandmother had said; not to trust strangers. Not everything in the world was good and kind.
Of course she should struggle. To panic and squirm as was only logical in the mindset of prey. She chose to fight him, shaking so terribly he felt her gooseflesh beneath the thick red cloak she wore. He looked down his nose at her, lips having fallen into the lightest of frowns. Oh? So she had seen it, had she? Despite her terrorized stare, jumping around like that of an excited rabbit, he released her. His skin crawled where he had touched her, even if the only skin to be seen was that on his face and neck. "Be quiet," he told her in a clipped tone, hands having fallen to his sides again. "Deep breaths. Keep acting as you are and you're going to pass out." On some minor level he was amused, but only because he knew she hadn't seen the beast. But oh, she could. Just a thought and the next time he blinked she'd be no more than a corpse in front of him. It was a terrible thought really, but then what was to be expected of a monster alone in the woods?
Eventually, he decided she was partially right. Only rather than they getting out of here, it would only be her to go. So he placed a gloved hand on her shoulder, turning her ahead of him. He was looming and silent, guiding her through the growth and along a mouse's path through the woods. As he walked, he gave a deep, disappointed sigh. "Well it seems there is no beast today." He told her, releasing her only when her more familiarly trodden path came within sight. "You'd best hurry though Little Red. The sun is getting real low." It was a passive reminder, a truth more than anything. But coming from him? Oh, it was entirely a threat. Consider the waning light her savior.
Not only that, but he was now met with the full extent of what his mauling had done. Seeing it in front of him, he felt a sort of twisted pride. How convenient it was that he now had a reputation to proceed him. It was perfect- or for the time being. He'd have to monitor himself, keep in check. If he targeted too many, the men would come after him. He wasn't afraid, no not likely, but it was something he knew he'd best be aware and weary of.
It wasn't until she saw the familiar path that her heart rate began to slow. That small bit of comfort helped, something familiar and known. A way that promised her a passage to home. Still fear hung around her like a cloud, a storm really. Not yet willing to part and show the sun. At the man's mention of the sun, Odette glanced towards the heavens, to see the sun had sunk a fair ways from the last time she had checked on it. Goodness, if they hurried now they could make it before sunset. Before the beast came back to finish them off.
Without a word she took a few steps along the path before stopping, hesitantly glancing over her shoulder at the young man. He didn't appear to be moving. No he looked like a statue planted in the ground, carved by some hurt and disturbed artist. It was odd... The man had done nothing to hurt her, nothing that had obvious intentions of danger from him. In fact he'd even come to her rescue earlier, lead her back to the right path home. Yet he still seemed ominous, like the calm before the storm. The cool breeze that swept away any remaining warmth right before the rain and the lighting crashed down upon the earth.
For a moment she stood there silently, staring at him as if he were some bizarre creature. In some ways he was. His stare made her skin crawl and made her want to shrink away. His words always seemed delicately picked with a cool undertone to them. The people at her village weren't like him, they were friendly and warm... or at least they had been. The disappearances had changed everyone to become cautious and cold, almost like this stranger. "Surely you're coming with me..." she asked slowly before taking a quick glance around to make sure the beast hadn't come back. Though the real beast was standing on the path with her. "It'll be very late before you get anywhere close to the next town... y-you can't stay in the forest. It isn't safe," She warned him, her tone tinted with fear. She couldn't let the stranger stay and get killed, then it would be her fault. Only, she didn't know she was inviting the big bad wolf into her home. As she took a step closer to him she glanced back at his frosty eyes, once again feeling uneasy. Quickly she pushed that aside. If he were to die out here, she could never forgive herself. An innocent soul she could have saved, that would haunt anyone in their right minds.
He'd be lying if he said he wasn't tempted to squish her face together and coo at her like a child. She was just so cute! And yes, he meant it. She was small and stuttering and absolutely adorable with her hair all frazzled and eyes wide and flustered. It was nearly endearing to the man whom, for the time being, had considered her murder at least four times. "Afraid not, Little Red," He answered cracking the first smile to show his pearly whites. He was careful, flashing them only a moment considering he didn't want her to risk his oversized canines. They were commonly sharp, yes, but he wasn't sure if that went to his extent. "Of course it's safe!" A short scoff, his crooked smirk more amused than anything. "I've lived in these woods since I was a little lad. No Beast can touch me." And while he wasn't lying, he wasn't exactly telling the truth either.
All the other beasts simply chose to leave him be. Why else had she not yet been eaten by a bear in all the years she must've travelled this little path?
But never say he was intentionally rude. He strode forward, clasping his hands together behind his back like that of a proper gentleman. "But... You do have a point. My humble abode would be impossible to reach before dark." Besides- he was curious. He wondered what the interior of her little village looked like, whether or not their walls truly were built high enough to keep him out. He was skeptical to say in the least. And yet as he neared, he found his wandering thoughts to focus back in on the girl before him. She was just so jittery; part of him was thrilled by it, as he always had been at the aspect of a nearing hunt. Another felt it his duty to comfort her, even if it was by no means his current desire or specialty. His brows furrowed a bit, he able to feel the heat radiating from her panicked body now that he stood only a short two to three feet away. "You understand that you are safe with me, despite my appearance?" He knew he did not have the face of a kind man, nor did he have the body of an easy going wanderer or worker. Beneath these clothes, he was riddled with scars. If anything, the more of his flesh to be seen only further warded away newcomers. Hence why he made his personality ugly enough no one ever got close enough to see his battle scars. "No harm will come to you, this I swear." Games. That's what he took interest in, and that's now what she was to him. She was the rabbit caught in his snare, and he didn't even have the kindness to put her out of her misery then and there.
Despite the small voice in the back of her head that pleaded for her to just run back to the village, away from the peculiar stranger, she decided to believe him. Naive as a rabbit she would follow the fox, believe him to be pure hearted and kind like all stories told. Even at the age of twenty one, Odette had yet to learn that not everyone's intentions were pure. That evil could sometimes wear a friendly mask. She knew not of this game he had begun, simply toying with his food until he decided to kill it. No why would she think that? He had not told her of his horrid intentions, so naturally she just assumed them to be pure... despite his frightening appearance.
The words that flowed from his lips began to soothe her troubled mind. If he lived in the forest and had not come across the beast, she should be safe with him. And like a gentleman, he promised to keep her safe. What else could be more comforting than that? She let her hands drop from her cloak, the red fabric wrinkled from where she'd been fiddling with it, and folded them over her stomach in a very proper manner. Sure she was still nervous, her hazel eyes still shon with fear, the terror wouldn't disappear until she was safe in her home. But it was lessening with the promise of her safety.
"Thank you," She squeaked like the little rabbit she was before glancing down the path that twisted along eventually ending at the village,"W-we should get going." Her voice still held a tremble from the intense terror of before, but it should fade away soon, if everything stayed safe as promised. Leading the way Odette took a few steps before pausing, "What is you name, sir?" He hadn't told her one yet, and if she were to invite him into the village she should at least know his name, it was only proper. Then she could introduce the man to the other villagers, maybe he could share some tactics with them on how to avoid the beast so they could continue on with their lives. Instead of living like mice, constantly in fear of the cat that lurked just out of sight. Unlike before as they walked, Odette didn't seem as aware of the birds that were finishing off their songs to the sun. Nor the flowers that lay on the side of the path. Now she was checking the shadows and the position of the sun in the sky and the stranger to make sure he was still there to protect her. A constant cycle all brought on by fear. Next time she ventured into the forest, maybe she wouldn't wear her blood red cloak...
It was rarely required of him; everything about him would pass through his head in the span of a few short seconds and, less it be out of place or important, escaped his radar without a second thought. More than once he'd looked up from the woodland's floor and seen her cloak, bright and colorful and tantalizing to his dull eyes. How soft it must be, and how thick. He had the desire to touch it simply because it was new, something he hadn't seen before. Such bright extravagant cloths weren't exactly common in his world.
Her voice brought his attention away, he blinking at her and looking mildly surprised. A... name. Yes. He had one of those, did he not? He remembered it vaguely; his mother had called it to him so many times as a child. He had heard it every time his grandmother and grandfather demanded attention in their little home just inside the village. His father grunting it as he showed him how to do basic chores. But should he trust her with his identity? Did it matter? "... My name is Lucien." He was uncertain in his words, but he left them be and allowed the truth to settle there. Lucien. It was his, well and truly. It was his name and all he'd carried from his childhood into adulthood. So why on earth was it so odd to hear it aloud again?
Amidst his thoughts came a sound. A disturbance. It had a ripple affect in his mind, gaining his attention within milliseconds of being registered. In the span of a few short seconds he had extended a hand and grabbed her yet again, this time by her arm. He had to remind himself to be gentle with his grasp, he quite nearly pulling hard enough to hurt her before he stalled in his actions. Rather than rip her out of harm's way, he instead stepped forward and lifted his free hand, wrapping fingers around the carved wooden slab. The axe's blade hovered, stopped entirely in it's movement from his grasp. He released the young woman beside him, fingers tightening till his gloves squeaked in ominous protest. His head turned to one side, the yellow brown rims about his pupils prominent in his defensive action.
The man looked sweaty, like he had been up to no good. Logically, reason told him that he had only come looing for the red-clad figure at his side. He was likely out here to find her, protect her, and bring her home. But oh, what a mistake had been made. The would not tolerate the likes of him. And so he moved his hand from her to the axe, ripping it free of the man's grasp and allowing his upper lip to lift. "That's not very nice." No sooner had the words left his lips that he turned the axe, slamming the wooden end of it into the other man's chest with enough force to knock him back on his rump.
In all honesty Odette had had enough excitement for one day, all she really desired now was to be tucked into bed and let the world drift away. Maybe make a meal before that, but a nice sleep sounded appealing. After her scare from the horrible beast, that had really just been a raven, she wanted nothing more than to hide away somewhere safe. Silently she cursed herself for not staying a day later at her grandmother's, for then she wouldn't have run into this circumstance. Though alas it may have been worse. The beast could have still tracked her down, and then she wouldn't have the ominous but kind stranger to help her. Lucien. It felt nice to now have a name to put to his face, made him seem a little more friendly. Less like when she had first met him when he had scared her out of her skin. He was still quite intimidating, but less so with his promise to keep her safe. For he would keep that promise... right?
A sharp shriek escaped her throat when the man grabbed her arm, freezing her in place and standing in her way. What was the meaning of this? Had he found the beast? Once again her heart began to pound, the poisonous panic threatening to overwhelm her as it had earlier. Though there was no beast, not this time. When Lucien let go of her arm, she glanced around him to see a familiar face wielding an axe. Philip. What was he doing out here? Had he come searching for her... she was later than she told the townsfolk she would be. She had told the people she would be back in a weeks time, before mid-day, and that had been long ago. With the threat lurking in the shadows, everyone had been on edge. It wouldn't surprise her if this was a reaction to the fear stabbed straight into their hearts.
Before she could greet the man, Lucien uttered a rather threatening phrase before knocking the man over with a hard blow. Something that was sure to leave a few bruises. For some odd reason Odette got the feeling Lucien wouldn't stop at just knocking Philip onto his back. His threatening demeanour warned her that this might not be over just yet. But she could, hopefully, put a stop to it.
"What are you doing?" She shrieked as she came out from behind the young man, planting herself at his side. As if she could stop him from moving to give another blow, she placed her hands on his arms, the brown leather cool beneath her warm palms. "This man is a friend, he means you no harm," She told him with a frown sitting upon her lips. She was about to turn and ask why Philip was carrying an axe with him, but she felt the question was rather obvious. For protection against what lurked in the darkness.
Unfortunately she was right. He'd have cut off the man's head if given the opportunity, he actually leaning forward against her small hands like he were still contemplating it. Still, he closed his eyes. She couldn't see the yellow. Once his temper wilted away, he opened his eyes again and looked down at her. "I said I would protect you, didn't I? I'm afraid I don't know this man. Forgive my mistake." And yet, as he backed off, he failed to relinquish his hold on the weapon. Even as the recognized Phillip stood, he refused to return it. Mongrel. With a cold glare, he grasped both ends of the gaze between his tough hands, raised one leg, and broke it's hilt over his knee. He tossed each broken part opposite ways, crossing his arms and returning his icy stare. "Look before you swing." As if that were a perfectly valid excuse for breaking it. Eh.
Now as tempting as it was to stand here and listen well into the night as this larger man stuttered over his reasoning to be out here, Lucien liked to think he had better things to do with his life. He cleared his throat rather noisily, reminding the other of what was to be done. Gesturing him ahead, he now followed a bit closer to the little woman he'd accompanied alone minutes ago. "So," A mischievous note to his voice, he leaning down a bit and lowering his warbled voice to refrain from being overhead. "It seems to me like you've a bit of a stalker Little Red." It was perhaps the closest he'd come to a joke in years. Why else would a man come looking for her out of worry less they be family? He had the strongest desire to waggle his eyebrows and grin, instead settling to keep his gaze ahead and allow his knowing smile to be heard in his voice even if it was kept from his expression. "Any more strange men wrapped around your little finger I should be aware of? Can't risk any unwarranted injuries, after all." Right.... "injuries". More like almost murders.
Lucky for the man, the rabbit had the beast curled around her little finger too it seemed. Lucien would never admit it, but he had turned his wrath on the man without any intentions of stopping, just as she had assumed. For her to stop him and effectively save her fellow villager... It made him think. Really, it did. There were two sides to him, and more often than not the second side didn't ever listen. For her to be able to reign that part of him in- well it was unheard of and new. Maybe this small woman would be the angel that showed the devil a little mercy.
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Post by ρłαgυegı .. on Jul 31, 2016 18:08:04 GMT -5
He'd been still, head turning upon Odette once she spoke. The first genuine smile he had worn hadn't left a trace on his face, he looking as grim natured and passive aggressive as he had throughout their encounters. "I like to think I'm capable of good deeds every now and then," He responded quietly, he looking down to his forearms and rubbing awkwardly at one where the skin was bared without the protective leather of his coat. "She was begging. I pitied her." Not a lie, no, but not entirely the truth. He hadn't given her his jacket because he pitied her, he'd given it to her because he sympathized. Yes, there was a difference. He knew that pain. He remembered what it was like to never feel full, to always have a cough or a wheeze and to know that, even though you tried your best, everyone else would look at you like filth and push you away for demanding some form of human contact. The kind act of a stranger putting his jacket around your shoulders and telling you everything, while not okay right now, would turn out- it was a small and barely significant gesture that could make a world of difference in the eyes of a child.
His mind was always so busy and he always had so much to say, but he was doing it again. Holding his tongue. His eyes rose, meeting Odette's and holding as they always tried, even though her own gaze would dart away. He wanted to ask why. Why whenever he met her gaze, she'd look away. Why that whenever he was close, she looked like she would shrink into her skin or shrivel away like a flower from cold weather. He wasn't perfect, far from so, but he was actually trying for once. He just had to remember that all would be said and done come the morning. Should she stay out of the woods, he'd never have to see her again. He'd never again worry about what someone else thought of him, or whether or not he should act a certain way. It was petty and ridiculous and he despised it, but the second he stopped thinking about it he would do it again.
Like now, as he pulled the door open and allowed her admission into her own home, considering her hands seemed quite full and he saw no use in keeping her waiting over small talk about a poor girl and a shred of clothing. His head quirked to one side at the sight of the vegetables, brow furrowing a bit. Had those come from a nearby garden? Had she bought them? Judging by the dirt and roots still clinging to them, he had to assume the former; an interesting concept really. He didn't think people would still have gardens, seeing as how long he'd been gone. Wouldn't it make sense to go to the market every day or so? Perhaps that was just his addled thinking, highly hypocritical as it was. "I've brought in the water." He added, more or less to inform her that, distracted as he had been, he'd still done as she had asked.
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Post by ρłαgυegı .. on Aug 5, 2016 23:28:09 GMT -5
How long he had lived in the forest was beyond him, so he answered; "As long as I can remember." Not a lie, just... not these particular woods. As the two settled to eat, he would answer her questions carefully as if treading on eggshells, asking her questions in turn to make her feel less as if she were intruding on his privacy. Admittedly, it was amusing. He was carefully vague, to the point that if another asked her these same questions she could answer, but only barely. By the time the night wore her out and they were off to bed, he felt like his heart would burst from his chest. The beast that had formerly been asleep in his chest was awake now, scrabbling and gnawing at his ribs and trying desperately hard to crawl out of his mouth whenever it opened. He had to remind himself to be still even when darkness was cast, laying flat on his back with a room of separation between himself and Odette. Still, in the silence he could hear her soft breaths. If he focused hard enough, yellow colored eyes closed, he would be able to hear the softest thump of her heart.
His mouth watered. Not because he was hungry, no, just because it was so enticing. He hadn't ever been isolated with a human like this, and even with the walls between them it was oh so tempting to get up and take a bite. Think him terrible and cannibalistic, but he couldn't help it. As the saying goes: once an animal has had taste for human blood, they begin to crave it. Turning his head, he blinked now in the darkness, eyes having adjusted to allow him sight of insignificant shapes. He could hear the weak scratching of a mouse beneath the floorboards, something at last to draw his attention from the naïve rabbit that allowed him in her burrow. He was going insane. The silence, punctured only by Odette, the mouse and the occasional creak of the house itself, was maddening. He was entirely too hot too, the left over stench on the flame stifling and it's remaining heat leaving his skin sticky and overheated. A short sigh in the darkness, eyes closed yet again.
At last he stood, padding in near silence on bare feet toward the doorway to Odette's room. He stilled then, head turned to listen to her easy breathing on the other side. Assured for whatever reason, he ventured back to his own resting place, sat, and buried his head in his hands. He stayed that way several hours into the night and into the predawn, having fallen into a sort of light doze. An hour or so before the sun rose and the sky was a dull mid toned gray, allowing him to creep from the home and throw on his shoes. He left without mention of where he was going, returning only when he saw fit and with... groceries? Yes, groceries. He'd walked quite a ways, found a butcher house, and got a cut of ham, then ventured even farther and bought a half dozen eggs and a hen off some elderly man. Carrying his load in one arm and the chicken in it's wood carved cage in the other did he return, leaving the docile bird outside a moment to see the produce safely inside. A few branches, some twine- he built a temporary makeshift pen out back by the time the sun had risen, leaving the hen there and returning inside to start a fire and start making good of himself. Now at least he would leave this place better than he found it, Odette would have fresh eggs, a chicken when she was no longer able to lay said eggs, and in turn for her making dinner the night prior he would make breakfast.
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