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 Jan 1, 2010 2:20:58 GMT -5
Zephyros looked at him concerned. He stood quickly, "What is it?"
When Jason turned back to him, he sat back down. For a moment, he'd feared that he'd been followed, but Jason didn't seem concerned. Sighing, he looked at the letter and tentatively wrapped an arm around Jason's neck. As a wolf, he had a thick ruff. Maybe it was his winter coat... "Mm. You're warm. I could put this in your... I don't want to call it a hut but it doesn't really deserve the title of house, not yet."
In the shadows, upwind of the two, a servant, Zephyros' own personal manservant, peeked through the trees. He saw Zephyros bury his face into a wolf's ruff and speak to it as if it were human. He shivered; Zephyros always had hated wolves, but here he was. There was the scent of magic about the glade... Zephyros must have fallen under a spell. Turning, the servant hurried out of the forest. This must have been where Zephyros had been running to every night for the past two weeks.
And there was only one way to break a spell that held someone in such a grip. The servant ran when he was out of earshot, rushing to tell Zephyros' parents of what he had found.
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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 Jan 1, 2010 22:25:49 GMT -5
Jason wagged his tail as Zephyros wrapped an arm around him, nodding in response to his words. He was quiet and still, wondering what they should do with the rest of their night; They didn't have to worry about Alaheidra coming to look for Jason tonight, but with Jason in wolf form, communication was awkward and one-sided, to say the least.
Jason sighed softly, wishing for what must have been the thousandth time that he could speak and show his appreciation for everything Zephyros had done and was doing for him. He had gone out of his way to help Jason so many times, and fully intended to keep doing so until the curses were broken. And he had no thought for repayment at all.
Jason looked at the young prince with a curious expression, head tilted to one side. What did Zephyros want out 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 Jan 2, 2010 1:22:32 GMT -5
Zephyros still had his face in Jason's neck ruff, his arms around Jason's chest. His hounds had grown used to the smell of this one wolf, and ignored it now. He felt oddly content right now, knowing he didn't have to worry about being caught at least for a time. And he liked being... well, needed. Not being used for his position, but simply being desired for his own value.
And if helping Jason was the way to get that, then he would do everything he possibly could for the other prince. It was a pity Jason couldn't talk this night, but Zephyros was content to just sit and soak in the feeling of being wanted.
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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 Jan 3, 2010 0:02:05 GMT -5
Jason lifted his eyes to the moonless sky as the minutes passed slowly. He enjoyed the feeling of Zephyros' arms around him, the warmth of another body next to his. He would never have gotten such simple, quiet affection from Alaheidra -- she only wanted to use him to gain his kingdom. He wasn't sure what Zephyros wanted, but it couldn't be anything like that.
An itch arose behind his right ear, but he did his best to ignore it, not wanting to move and force Zephyros away from him. He wished for a moment that his curse turned him into a cat rather than a wolf -- that way, at least he could purr and show his happiness more easily.
But he mentally shook himself. A curse was a curse, and he couldn't help what it turned him into. If only he knew how to be rid of it forever. Alaheidra knew, and her father had known... they probably had it written down somewhere. If they could get Alaheidra away from her home long enough to find the book and discover how to break the curses, he could be free!
But how? Jason didn't like the idea of Zephyros offering himself up again, and in any case they would probably do the deed in Alaheidra's home anyway. That wouldn't work. They needed her far from her home, possibly out of the forest if they could manage it. It would take time and planning between the two of them, and that couldn't happen until at least the following night, when Jason could turn human again.
Jason huffed a sigh and remained still, his eyes still on the stars. He hoped they would shine in his favor.
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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 Jan 3, 2010 1:37:52 GMT -5
Zephyros finally sighed and pulled away, smoothing the fur he'd stirred up. "I need to go. My family is getting suspicious and eventually I have to bring back some proof that I've been actually hunting when I spend the night here."
He looked at Jason, looking in his odd pale eyes with a tearing feeling at the idea of leaving. "I'll try to be back tomorrow night, but I make no promises this time. I think my family is about to have me followed to see what I'm up to. Though they probably think I'm seeing a girl out here or 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 Jan 3, 2010 2:08:28 GMT -5
Jason gave a soft whine of disappointment and understanding, his ears folding back against his head. He laid one large paw on Zephyros' shoulder, then lowered it to the ground and bowed slightly in an awkward, silent goodbye. The next day was going to be long and lonely without the guarantee of the prince's presence the following night.
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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 Jan 3, 2010 2:13:52 GMT -5
"I'm sorry, Jason," he said softly, leaning down and kissing Jason lightly on the top of the head. "I swear I will do my best, but... I do not wish for you to be harmed simply due to my presence. I would rather keep you safe than indulge my own desires and risk your safety.
"Good night, Jason."
Moving reluctantly, Zephyros left the clearing, watching Jason for his shoulder. He would admit it to himself now... why he was so interested in coming to see Jason, in breaking the curse. But he wouldn't admit it aloud. Not yet.
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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 Jan 3, 2010 2:32:50 GMT -5
Jason sighed and flopped down onto his stomach, resting his head on his paws as he watched Zephyros leave. The human heart inside his lupine body was heavy with emotion. He knew he had a very strong attachment to Zephyros; he just wasn't quite sure yet how deep it ran, or in which direction. But there was no denying that it was positive, and Jason was intent on finding the core of it. As long as the young prince kept coming back to him, he would keep trying.
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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 Jan 3, 2010 12:59:52 GMT -5
- - -
It was two days before Zephyros managed to return. His wolfhounds trailed at his heels, bumping the basket he held. It wasn't much; better blankets, some fresh bread, a cloak for when the weather got colder, little things Jason could use and couldn't easily get. He felt horrible for having been unable to get away, but there had been a festival on the solstice and his presence had been required. The snow would be falling very soon; that would make sneaking away even harder than it was now.
He entered the glen some time after the moonrise, clearing his throat. "Your Highness?" he called softly, knowing Alaheidra was already here and gone. He'd have heard her voice otherwise.
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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 Jan 3, 2010 15:08:34 GMT -5
Jason looked up eagerly at the sound of Zephyros' voice, getting to his feet beside the willow. "I'm here, as ever. Good evening, your Highness." He stepped toward the younger prince and bowed, allowing the wolfhounds to sniff at him in greeting -- they knew his scent very well by now. "It has been too long."
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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 Jan 3, 2010 16:23:21 GMT -5
"Forgive me... There was a festival, and I could not get away. Somehow I managed to forget it," he said, returning the bow and offering the basket to Jason. "I got these for you."
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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 Jan 3, 2010 16:35:41 GMT -5
"You're forgiven," Jason smiled, taking the basket and looking inside. Blankets, more bread, a cloak, and other small necessities, including more ink, parchment and pens. "Oh, these will be very useful... thank you so much. I should write to my father immediately."
He looked around, seeing a distinct lack of flat surfaces to write on out here. "Perhaps we should go to my hut..."
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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 Jan 3, 2010 21:49:12 GMT -5
Zephyros dug deeper into the basket and pulled out a slate tablet. "If you want to, but I got this too. I'd rather stay under the moonlight. It's always so pretty."
He shivered and pulled his cloak around him, "On second thought... We've fairly well weather-proofed that hut and it's cold out here."
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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 Jan 3, 2010 22:18:48 GMT -5
Jason nodded, pulling out the cloak Zephyros had given him and wrapping it tightly around himself. "Whichever you prefer. I hate winter here... the longer nights mean I'm human most of the time, which would be fine if it wasn't so terribly cold." He smiled at Zephyros. "But it will be easier to survive this one, thanks to your kindness."
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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 Jan 3, 2010 22:38:13 GMT -5
"Well, we could always make a decent fire-pit in your hut. At least at night you could be warmer. It's... a pity you couldn't join a pack. That would help keep you warmer and safer. But I understand why they don't accept you," Zephyros said thoughtfully. "C'mon, let's get to your hut. I'm getting cold."
His hounds whined, turning around his legs and rubbing against him, leaving white fur on his dark pants. "Yes, you can go hunt. No wolves."
The bitch looked at him for a moment, then seemed to nod and the three dogs moved away as if one.
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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 Jan 3, 2010 23:02:52 GMT -5
Jason nodded, standing up and picking up the basket before heading quickly toward the hut. On the way there, he recalled what he hadn't been able to voice when Zephyros had been here last.
"You should know, when you were here two nights ago I had an idea that might help us find out more about my curses, if it succeeds. It needs a lot of more careful thought, but..." He told Zephyros his plan for infiltrating Alaheidra's home in search of her spellbooks. "Do you think it might work?"
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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 Jan 3, 2010 23:26:14 GMT -5
Zephyros bit his lip, "We'd have to be really careful. There's really only one way I can think of to keep her distracted long enough for you to break in... I do have a cabin on the outskirts, which means you'll never get there, but... there is no such restriction on her. However... getting her there is the hard part. She'd be suspicious of me around here still... I could come as if hunting, and pretend I found a different sort of game than I was looking for..."
His expression grew thoughtful as he started working on how to get Alaheidra away from her house. He held the door open for Jason, his expression still distant.
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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 Jan 4, 2010 0:18:07 GMT -5
Jason nodded as Zephyros spoke, trying to make the pieces of the plan fit together in his mind. He ducked into the hut and opened the window, setting his basket down on the nearest available surface and pulling out the writing supplies. He sat on a stool and balanced the slate on his knee, smoothed the parchment out over it and began to write. This was much more comfortable than before.
This letter wasn't nearly as long as the last one, but the expressions of love and longing for his family were just as strong. He signed it and rolled it up, handing it to Zephyros with a smile. It was going to get harder and harder to deliver letters in the future, once winter set in, he thought soberly in the back of his mind.
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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 Jan 4, 2010 0:31:40 GMT -5
Zephyros took it, looking around for somewhere to set it. He didn't want to put it in his purse where it would get crumpled. Finally setting it on a shelf, he sat down. "Don't let me forget that. How were your last two days? I was so busy that when they finally let me go, I'd fall dead asleep. Literally on my feet, once."
He sat himself on the floor, crossing his legs. He looked up at Jason, his head tilted to the side. He was curious as to Jason's answer, hoping the prince hadn't been too lonely with his own disappearance.
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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 Jan 4, 2010 17:30:14 GMT -5
Jason rested his chin in his hand, his eyes growing distant with thought. "It was strange not having you here for so long... and I daresay the night was lonely. I missed having someone to talk to besides Alaheidra."
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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 Jan 5, 2010 12:18:44 GMT -5
Zephyros smiled a little, "Two weeks and it's become commonplace. Small wonder my family thinks I'm hiding a girl out here."
He shivered and pulled the cloak closer. Curling up a little, he rested his head on his knees, wrapping himself up in a small cocoon. "With luck you won't have to stay here for too much longer. I think I've almost figured out how to get the ribbon and hair down. Then we have to confirm that burning it is how to break that spell before we do so. Those kind of things can be kind of tricky if you aren't absolutely positive of what you are doing."
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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 Jan 5, 2010 17:08:33 GMT -5
Jason smiled and nodded, hope brightening his features. "With luck," he echoed. "And time. We'll figure it out together."
He pulled his cloak tighter around himself, moving down to sit on the floor with his back against the side of the stool, his legs drawn up to his chest to preserve his body heat. "I wonder how my family is taking all of this... Letters can really only say so much."
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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 Jan 5, 2010 17:58:54 GMT -5
"The point is to cut the time short," Zephyros pointed out, grateful that Jason had moved so that he wasn't craning his neck.
"I'm sure they are just happy that you are alive, and that there is a possibility of you being returned to them. Which is my goal, but... well, I can only do so much." He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Mm... to do that, we're going to need to get her away from her house, and I'm not sure how to make it seem accidental for me to find her...
"Unless..." he grew thoughtful, biting his lip. "I could always tell her I'd been looking for 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 Jan 5, 2010 18:14:47 GMT -5
"Even so, we still need some time to plan this out and execute it," Jason replied.
"Hmm..." His gaze grew thoughtful at Zephyros' next remark. "Perhaps." She would take that remark however she liked, and inevitably twist it against Zephyros. Jason still didn't like the thought of Zephyros letting Alaheidra use him, but perhaps this time they would actually obtain some useful information.
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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 Jan 5, 2010 18:24:00 GMT -5
Zephyros shrugged a little, "Seems to me most of the planning is when to set this up so that you'll have the most time to go through her stuff, and yet make it look accidental..."
He sighed, resting his chin on his knees as he looked into the distance thoughtfully. He wasn't quite sure how they were going to pull this off. Especially with winter coming.
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