Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Dec 27, 2009 21:38:10 GMT -5
Jason spread the parchment out on a flat surface in the moonlight, making sure his shadow wouldn't obstruct his eyesight. He bent his head over the letter as he wrote, the words coming swiftly and smoothly. He gave details of his year in the forest, of what he knew of his curses, of Alaheidra's behavior and his reactions, and particularly of Zephyros' arrival and his kindness.
The parchment filled up quickly as the moon moved in its orbit, even though Jason's writing was small. Questions about the welfare of Elsamane soon joined his descriptions of his own life, as well as expressions of his longing to see his family again. He finally filled the parchment and signed his name at the bottom, looking over at Zephyros.
"I wish I had my signet ring with me, to give further proof that the letter is from me. Perhaps a lock of my hair would do... What do you think, your Highness?"
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Dec 27, 2009 21:47:29 GMT -5
Zephyros blinked and yawned a little. He'd nearly fallen asleep as Jason wrote, just leaning against a wall with his arms crossed. "Hm? Well, the problem with hair is it could come from anyone. Not even magic can usually tell who hair came from, at least not magic normal people would trust..."
He shrugged, ruffling his hair roughly. The curls fell loosely around his face as his jaw popped in a yawn.
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Dec 27, 2009 21:54:01 GMT -5
"True," Jason nodded, looking disappointed. "Oh, well... my family will know my handwriting, in any case." He handed the letter, ink and pen to Zephyros with a smile. "Thank you for this."
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Dec 27, 2009 22:00:41 GMT -5
Zephyros took them and set them up. "I'll remember it in the morning when I head home. Should probably get something to explain why I've been in the forest all night..."
He leaned against the wall again, his eyes drifting closed. "Forgive me... I'm just really tired. I nearly fell asleep before getting to ask anything of her."
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Dec 27, 2009 22:09:29 GMT -5
Jason nodded, looking around the hut for something Zephyros could use as a makeshift bed. Having him sleep on the ground -- or floor -- just didn't seem polite. However, that seemed to be his only option. Sighing, Jason cleared a space in the middle of the hut that was big enough for Zephyros to stretch out in, gathering a pile of soft animal furs for a crude pillow.
"I'm sorry I can't offer you something more fitting for a prince to sleep on..." he said nervously. "But I haven't exactly been living like a prince myself, lately."
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Dec 27, 2009 22:28:49 GMT -5
Zephyros made a noise, "The blanket is more than enough. I sleep better on hard earth than I do a soft bed anyway. Thank you."
He laid down, stretching awkwardly. There wasn't enough room to really stretch out, which had him wondering how Jason could stand to stay here. "Ma-maybe I could help..." he yawned, "help you expand this later. Make it more" he yawned again, "more weather-proof. Comfortable."
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Dec 28, 2009 0:42:31 GMT -5
Jason smiled. "I would like that very much. Thank you. Sleep well, Your Highness."
He looked around for something to occupy himself with while the younger prince slept. Picking up the sketch he had been working on, he found a stick of charcoal and began drawing again, one eye on Zephyros and the other on his artwork. He kept silent as the minutes passed slowly, listening to the sounds of the night around the hut, coupled with the new sound of Zephyros' soft breathing.
Jason would have liked to have the opportunity to talk more with Zephyros, but knew it would be selfish to refuse him the chance to sleep. Even if it was on the floor of a hut in the forest, under a pile of furs. He finished his sketch and set it up beside the sketch of his family, then stepped outside for a while to watch the moon and the stars go by. Somehow, strangely, that never seemed to grow tedious like everything else did.
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Dec 28, 2009 2:00:33 GMT -5
Zephyros took only a moment to fall asleep once Jason had spoken. He curled up under the blanket, one hand tucked under his cheek. He slept easily, the blanket keeping him plenty warm enough in the slight chill. If he'd had a choice, he'd have been sleeping after Jason had turned wolf again but exhaustion had overwhelmed his choice.
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Dec 29, 2009 16:26:07 GMT -5
Jason stirred slowly, blinking and wondering when he had fallen asleep. The sky above him was a bluish grey color, hinting that dawn was not far off. He stood up and stretched, shivering a little in the cold. Looking toward the hut, he wondered if he should go back inside and see if Zephyros was awake yet, or go straight to the glen to await his morning transformation. The prince would know where he was, surely.
He shrugged one shoulder and stepped into the hut, tiptoeing softly around Zephyros and seating himself on a stool, watching Zephyros sleep. He looked so peaceful when he slept... it enhanced the beauty of his features. Those were only matched by the beauty of his heart... his selflessness, compassion, humility, courage. The woman he was betrothed to was very, very lucky, Jason thought.
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Dec 30, 2009 12:39:07 GMT -5
Zephyros blinked and woke up, stretching and looking at him. "The moon is setting soon..." he said sleepily, rubbing his eyes. "Shouldn't you be in the glen?"
Standing carefully, he ran a hand through his curls, working out the knots that formed. He doubted Jason wanted him there, since the older prince probably stripped so as not to ruin his clothing and was obviously rather... body-shy.
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Dec 30, 2009 18:24:02 GMT -5
Jason looked through the window at the quickly-paling sky. "I suppose so... I would have liked the chance to speak with you more tonight. Not that I blame you for being exhausted, given what... happened with Alaheidra."
He sighed softly. "It was a shame that didn't turn out better. Please, don't feel you need to try anything of the sort again for my sake. We'll think of another way to get information that doesn't involve prostitution."
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Dec 31, 2009 1:04:22 GMT -5
Zephyros nodded, "Oh, I doubt that would work again... she had a year of frustration, and now... well, I doubt she's frustrated anymore. I will be back tomorrow, with things to make winter easier out here. Now hurry, or you'll ruin your clothes. I'll fold up what I used here and then come see you before I go. I need to create some excuse for being out here all night."
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Dec 31, 2009 1:48:11 GMT -5
Jason nodded, thanking Zeph again quickly -- he didn't think any amount of thanks would be sufficient to show his gratitude -- and ducked out of the hut, running toward the glen and shedding his clothes, just in time.
The moon slipped below the treeline, and Jason sighed, his body tensing up as he dropped to all fours, bones and muscles shifting painfully as thick fur bristled out all over his body. He shook himself when the change was complete, sitting down to itcch himself as much as he could. He wasn't sure what the worst part of the human-to-wolf change was, but the itch of new fur ranked pretty high.
He huffed a canine sigh, wondering whether to return to his hut or not. Would Zephyros still be there? It was worth a look, Jason decided, and hurried back to the hut, nosing his way inside and looking around for Zephyros.
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Dec 31, 2009 2:48:08 GMT -5
Zephyros had finished putting away the blanket and what he'd used as a pillow. Wrapping his arms around his chest a little, he shivered slightly in the early-dawn chill. He looked at Jason and gave him a sad smile. "I'm sorry I couldn't get any information else to help with this. I need to go... my family will wonder where I am if I don't get home soon, and we don't want a search party in this forest."
He knelt and looked Jason in the eye. "I will be back tomorrow night... with my bitch, because otherwise I won't have an excuse. Try to somewhat enjoy your day, I will come as soon as I can."
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Dec 31, 2009 3:07:58 GMT -5
Jason nodded his furry head in understanding, placing a large paw on Zephyros' shoulder and looking into his eyes. They appeared grey to him now, turned silver by the moonlight, and he tried to imagine what color they really were. The darkness didn't let him see much when he was in human form and able to see colors. Perhaps they were blue, like the sky on a clear day, or brown as soft earth, or green as sunlit leaves. Or maybe they really were grey, like stormclouds.
He gave a canine smile, lowering his paw and dipping the front of his body toward the earth in a respectful bow to the young prince. Then he moved away from the door to let Zephyros move past him, watching him in silence.
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Dec 31, 2009 3:26:19 GMT -5
Zephyros returned the bow, then stood slowly and turned to head home. He looked back once, his eyes narrowed a little with concern. For some reason, he didn't like the idea of leaving Jason alone, but he couldn't exactly move into the forest. Shaking his head, he turned back to his travel, wishing there was some way he could help Jason escape. The forest and his curse.
He paused, well out of Jason's sight. What had him so interested in Jason? It wasn't just... his helplessness... was it his strength in the face of this torture? Or something deeper? It had to be something...
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Dec 31, 2009 20:32:55 GMT -5
- - -
King Casper took the scroll of parchment from the messenger and broke the seal, sitting back in his throne to read it. His eyes went wide with shock as he stared down at the letter in his hand. It was his son's handwriting, unmistakeably. He was alive! Casper read the letter slowly, drinking in every detail, not wanting to miss a word. A chilling tale of kidnap, curses and unexpected friendship met his eager brown eyes.
"Bring me a pen, ink and parchment!" he told a maidservant, thrusting the letter into her hand. "And give this to my wife and daughters!"
When the girl returned, Casper immediately wrote a long letter to Prince Zephyros of Talsarind, confirming that he had received Jason's letter and was willing to do anything possible to help his only son. Signing, stamping and sealing the letter, he handed it to the messenger and left the throne room to see his wife and daughters' reactions to Jason's letter.
Queen Heidi flung her arms around her husband when he reached her, her blue eyes shining with tears. He brushed the tears from her face and kissed her, pulling his daughters into his embrace as well.
"I have sent Prince Zephyros of Talsarind a message," he told them. "It should reach him before the end of the week. Until we get an answer, we should search our libraries and look for any information we can find that could help us to help Jason. We need to know more about what we are dealing with -- or, what Jason is dealing with -- before we attempt any sort of rescue."
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Dec 31, 2009 20:40:22 GMT -5
Zephyros clutched the letter from King Casper tightly, running as fast as he could to the glade and Prince Jason. Admittedly, it was to him, but there were parts especially for Jason, and Zephyros wanted him to see those parts personally.
It was only as he entered the glen and came within sight of the willow that he realized there was no moon that night. Had it really been so long, that the moon was half-way through her cycle? ...King Casper's reply was going to have to wait a day or two until Jason could take his human form. Zephyros shook his head. Irregardless, Jason deserved to at least hear what his father had written for him, even if he couldn't hold the letter and read it himself.
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Dec 31, 2009 20:50:56 GMT -5
Jason looked up from his resting place beside the willow as Zephyros entered the glade, his tail wagging at the sight of the prince. He got to his paws and stretched, coming up to Zephyros and bowing in greeting, then sniffing curiously at the letter in the young man's hand. It smelled like his father, and the seal in the wax was definitely from King Casper's signet ring. Of all nights to get a letter like this, it had to be the night Jason couldn't turn human! He stood back, watching Zephyros patiently, eager to know what the letter said.
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Dec 31, 2009 21:05:46 GMT -5
Zephyros returned the bow distractedly, "I'm sorry, I forgot until I got here it was new moon tonight. I wouldn't have brought this until tomorrow night. I haven't read the part of the letter for you, but I could read it aloud for you if you like."
He settled down on the ground with the letter held out where Jason could see. "Unless you can see well enough to read it and tell me when to change the page."
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Dec 31, 2009 21:16:25 GMT -5
Jason looked down at the letter, his tail wagging at the sight of his father's familiar handwriting. He drank in every word like it was water for his parched spirit: cool, sweet and quenching.
His family was going to try and help him by looking for information about his curses. He was glad they were wise enough not to try and rescue him with what little information they had, but he despaired in his heart at the thought that only Alaheidra knew how to break his curses specifically, and she would not surrender that information lightly.
He paused and looked up at Zephyros for a moment, wondering if he was reading along, and curious about his reaction to all of this.
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Dec 31, 2009 21:21:58 GMT -5
Zephyros was looking anywhere but the letter. He'd read what was intended for him, and the rest was for Jason. He noticed Jason looking at him and just looked back, "I'm not reading it. That was intended for you, and so I felt I did not have a right to read it."
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Dec 31, 2009 21:44:12 GMT -5
Jason nodded slowly, accepting Zephyros' reasoning. He returned his gaze to the letter, his eyes darting back and forth across the page. He reached the bottom of it and pawed gently at it, to indicate that Zephyros should turn the page for him. When the prince did so, Jason began reading the new page, his ears folding back and his tail wagging at his father's expressions of affection on behalf of the Queen and Princesses of Elsamane, as well as his own.
Reaching the end of the letter, Jason returned his gaze to Zephyros, his eyes quiet and content. He wished he could speak, to express the range of emotions in him in a way Zephyros would understand, but fortune didn't feel like giving him any more favors tonight. Now they knew the royal family of Elsamane knew that Jason was alive, and that they were willing to help, however they could. But that was the question, wasn't it? How could they help?
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Dec 31, 2009 22:31:22 GMT -5
Zephyros just looked at him, "From what I can see in your expression, which admittedly isn't much, you appreciate what you've read."
He tentatively scratched Jason's ear, unsure if Jason would appreciate being pet like the dog he currently was.
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Dec 31, 2009 23:12:03 GMT -5
Jason's tail began to wag in spite of himself as Zephyros scratched his ear. As awkward as the action would seem in Jason was in human form, in this form it felt quite pleasant; Jason leaned into the other prince's hand a little. He couldn't get upset at Zephyros for not treating him exactly as he would a human prince, but at least Zephyros was being respectful about it. Awkward at times, but always respectful.
He turned his head suddenly as an unfamiliar scent reached his nose. He shifted away from Zephyros, pinpointing the scent, trying to discern if it was an omen of good or evil. It was far enough away, but coming closer all the time. Jason stood still as a statue, watching, listening and waiting.
The wind shifted suddenly, making Jason lose the scent. Wrinkling his nose in disappointment, he turned his attention back to Zephyros.
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