Baratoge Kazari
Keme
Academy Junior: Cougar Shapeshifter
Lusus Naturae
Posts: 176
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Post by Baratoge Kazari on May 7, 2010 22:01:54 GMT -5
Kazari chewed on her lower lip for a moment, thinking. She pointed off to the horizon, squinting into the brightening sun. "To the other side of Janos Hegy did this Kazari travel," she said. "Then circled, she did, and ran to the top. After that she took a different route home."
Kazari nodded a self-affirmation and crossed her arms. She hadn't brought a jacket-- though the cold didn't much bother her, she felt the hairs on her arms raising. She narrowed her eyes, then, and swept her head to the left. She heard something. Footsteps.
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on May 7, 2010 22:28:17 GMT -5
Dominic stopped walking when Kazari did so, and mimicked her leftward head-sweep. There were footsteps approaching. He couldn't tell how many. He tensed, thinking of the thugs he'd fought off the previous night; maybe they had come back to try and get even with him. Well, he wasn't outnumbered this time.
The footsteps came closer. Dominic's hands started to close into fists. If push came to shove, he'd be ready to fight.
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Baratoge Kazari
Keme
Academy Junior: Cougar Shapeshifter
Lusus Naturae
Posts: 176
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Post by Baratoge Kazari on May 7, 2010 22:42:45 GMT -5
Kazari closed her eyes slowly, listening. She focused on that one sense. The footsteps were somewhere between human and beast. They shifted position, and Kazari felt the muscles in her legs and lower back tensing, preparing to attack whatever came upon them. She heard breathing-- hers, Dominic's, Istvan's. And there were others-- two others, at least. There was a scuffing sound, and a short grunt. More movement. But not from the side-- they had changed position. One of them, at least, was above them now.
The movements stopped, and the strange breathing slowed. Kazari imagined a predator, crouched and prepared to pounce. Her eyes snapped open and she pounced upward at a sideways angle, her body slamming into that of the attacker who had jumped from the low rooftop of the nearest building. The pair dropped to the street, Kazari silent, her attacker hissing angrily; they landed a yard or two away from each other, with Kazari standing between her friends and the stranger. His head ticked to one side, and his neck twitched. He made a noise somewhere between a growl and a high-pitched squeal and darted forward, heading for Dominic. Kazari crouched low and barreled forward, putting her entire body into a tackle that had one of her shoulders slamming solidly into the other person's diaphragm. With Kazari's impressive momentum carrying him, he skidded backward into the wall of the building, the contact causing his head to snap back against the brick. He slid to the ground then, unconscious.
Kazari straightened and took a few steps backward, her head tilted to one side, listening for the other breather that she was certain she had heard before.
"Of neither man nor beast, does this man smell," she said so her friends could hear. "There is another-- this Kazari is certain."
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on May 7, 2010 22:57:13 GMT -5
Dominic had barely moved all the while Kazari had been fighting the attacker, except to take a step back when the man-beast had come for him; his attention was focused almost solely on Kazari. Her agility and strength were things to be marveled at. But he had little time to marvel -- there was someone else to worry about now.
The scent of the unconscious figure reached his nostrils, and he wrinkled his nose slightly, not bothering to wonder why his senses had suddenly seemed to increase. It was probably a lycanthrope thing. He tried to listen for the other person that Kazari spoke of, and something in the back of his mind wondered what sort of creature smelled like neither man nor beast. A lycanthrope perhaps? They might smell like both, but neither... not that he had much experience in that area.
He stood still and on his guard, looking around him, listening and trying to scent the air. He could smell what he presumed to be Istvan and Kazari, but the smell of the apparent other was eluding him.
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Baratoge Kazari
Keme
Academy Junior: Cougar Shapeshifter
Lusus Naturae
Posts: 176
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Post by Baratoge Kazari on May 12, 2010 22:20:21 GMT -5
Kazari breathed in deeply through her nose. The other scent was faint, and growing fainter, as if the owner had run away. She heard no movement, though, and felt thoroughly confused by that. She turned on her heel to face Dominic and Istvan, shrugging her shoulders.
"This Kazari th--"
She was cut off as something-- someone?-- collided into her and knocked her forward onto the ground, pinning her with its clawed feet as it ripped into her with tooth and nail, snarling ferociously in its attack. Kazari growled and tried to struggle from beneath the creature, only to have it twine its long, taloned fingers into her hair and pull her head back at a painful angle. Kazari winced and tried to turn away from the creature, who ran one claw delicately down the length of her throat.
"Pretty pretty," it chirped in an odd, fractured voice. "Girl's blood smell pretty." It glanced back at the uncoscious figure in the alley. "Kill brother-- not nice."
The creature dug the claws of its feet into Kazari's waist, pulling her upright as it balanced on its tail. It kept its grip on her hair, its other hand wrapping delicately around Kazari's neck.
"What to do with the mean pretty?" it asked aloud, tipping its head far to one side-- like an owl--- to look at Istvan and Dominic. The question, whether they realized it or not, was directed at them. The creature shook Kazari slightly, as it to reinforce its indication of the girl in its inquiry.
Kazari wrested in its grip, making a noise that started as a rough growl but heightened into a squeak as the thing's hand tightened at her throat.
"Stop," it ordered sternly, tugging sharply at her hair.
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on May 12, 2010 22:28:49 GMT -5
Dominic's eyes widened in fright at the sudden ambush, then narrowed in rage as the creature grabbed Kazari, snarling at her and grabbing her hair, shaking her. A sound that was decidedly inhuman emanated from Dominic's mouth, rumbling deep in his throat, surprising himself.
The creature turned toward the two men, and Dominic stepped quickly forward, speaking to the creature. "Let her go. Your brother isn't dead, only wounded. Take him and leave us be. We mean you no harm."
His hands clenched unconsciously into fists, and he kept his narrowed eyes on the strange beast who still held Kazari. He was perfectly ready to fight if he had to, but he wanted to make sure Kazari was at least out of the creature's arms before that happened.
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Baratoge Kazari
Keme
Academy Junior: Cougar Shapeshifter
Lusus Naturae
Posts: 176
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Post by Baratoge Kazari on May 13, 2010 20:47:57 GMT -5
The creature ticked its head to the opposite side now, its eyes flicking from Dominic to Istvan. It's grip on Kazari slackened, only ever so slightly.
"Harm? No harm. Only fair." The creature's eye twitched. Its muscles seemed to ripple and its hold on Kazari shuddered. It lowered her gently to her feet, though it kept a grip on her with its feet.
"Now," it held Kazari out with its feet, still balancing on its tail, "what to do with pretty?"
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on May 13, 2010 20:54:13 GMT -5
"I don't think you heard me," Dominic growled as he stepped forward -- and it really was a growl, something like a wild animal would make. "I told you to let her go. You don't need to harm her. She was only defending herself against your brother, and that's why he's injured. He attacked her. If you leave us be, we'll go and not come back. There doesn't have to be more bloodshed." But if there is, I will definitely be doing some of the shedding.
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Baratoge Kazari
Keme
Academy Junior: Cougar Shapeshifter
Lusus Naturae
Posts: 176
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Post by Baratoge Kazari on May 31, 2010 0:50:57 GMT -5
"Go then." The creature tossed Kazari forward and turned sharply back to where its companion lay slumped. Kazari landed lightly on all fours and swiveled around to watch the thing as it hefted its brother over one shoulder. Kazari saw now where the creature's head had made contact with the wall. There was a visible bloodstain on the brick.
"And don't come back. There is no place for the mean pretty or the one who smells of bear. Dead brother has no place for them. Home is where the wild ones go. No home here."
The creature seemed to be talking more to itself, now. It made its way slowly out of sight, swaying slightly as it travelled, its companion hanging limp from its shoulders.
"Not nice. Not nice at all."
Kazari waited until the creature's voice was out of her earshot-- quite a time to wait. She stood straight, brushed off her shirt, and scowled. "The hell was that?" she barked, to no one in particular. Kazari shook her head and turned back to face Dominic and Istvan.
"And people call this Kazari crazy. Peh."
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on May 31, 2010 17:13:50 GMT -5
Dominic watched the creature leave with its brother, and relaxed once it was out of sight. He gave Kazari a concerned once-over, the creature's words echoing in his head. So he smelled of bear, did he? Vincent had mentioned the possibility of him taking that shape. Hmm.
"I think we should stay true to my word, and get out of here," he said aloud, looking at Istvan and Kazari. "Are you hurt at all, Kazari?"
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Baratoge Kazari
Keme
Academy Junior: Cougar Shapeshifter
Lusus Naturae
Posts: 176
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Post by Baratoge Kazari on Jun 2, 2010 20:44:59 GMT -5
"No," was Kazari's automatic response. Her scalp stung a bit where her hair had been pulled, and she was sure there would be bruising where her throat had been squeezed, but that was nothing she couldn't ignore. She was made of stronger stuff than that.
She couldn't help but wonder, though, where the creature had come from. She was so very tempted to follow the thing...
But no, it would be stupid to follow the creature that had just threatened her life. If she went alone, anyway.
Kazari kept these thoughts to herself and smiled at Dominic. "Where to go, this Kazari wonders."
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Jun 2, 2010 20:59:20 GMT -5
Dominic shrugged, looking between Istvan and Kazari. "I don't know this city very well; I'm largely depending on you two for directions," he said with a half-smile. "Do you think it would be better if we retraced your steps, Kazari, or started looking in a different direction?"
The bite on his neck was itching badly under the fresh bandages Istvan's aunt had applied that morning; he resisted the urge to scratch at it, as well as the still-healing gash in his thigh. He was glad their encounter had ended without too much violence, or his wounds might have reopened in the fight. He didn't want to cause Istvan's family unneccessary trouble.
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Fekete Istvan
Ireth
University Junior: Mage
Make believe, close your eyes, I'll be anything for you.
Posts: 140
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Post by Fekete Istvan on Jun 11, 2010 17:43:57 GMT -5
"We should go in a different direction, I think," Istvan spoke up. "Kazari had no luck searching last night, so what's the point of following a trail we already know is fruitless?"
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Baratoge Kazari
Keme
Academy Junior: Cougar Shapeshifter
Lusus Naturae
Posts: 176
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Post by Baratoge Kazari on Jun 11, 2010 17:52:29 GMT -5
Kazari nodded, looking a tad crestfallen. She felt bad for not being able to help. And here she had gone and just found more trouble. Bah.
"Leading will no more this Kazari do," she announced with a bob of her head. She half-smirked. "Lest more oddballs by chance are we to find."
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Jun 12, 2010 22:00:17 GMT -5
"Well, nobody's blaming you for that," Dominic told Kazari amiably, reaching out and giving the girl a rather heavy pat on the shoulder. "It was bad luck, that's all. Nothing to do with your leadership skills."
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Baratoge Kazari
Keme
Academy Junior: Cougar Shapeshifter
Lusus Naturae
Posts: 176
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Post by Baratoge Kazari on Jul 21, 2010 13:23:11 GMT -5
Kazari beamed at him. She was still so very sorely tempted to follow the creature. Maybe if she snuck out again tonight...
No, bad kitty.
Kazari sighed, and started to say something to the two males, but a scent was dragged along the edges of her perception by a rather sharp wind. Her hair was whipped into crazy shapes around her face, and her clothing fluttered. Kazari froze. Her eyes shot open.
"This Kazari," she started, then she paused and twitched, turning in a jerk to face the wind. "The scent of bear, has this Kazari caught." She twitched again, and whether it was a trick of the light or not, her pupils seemed to reduce to slits. But no, she couldn't morph here. Not outside. She took a breath to calm herself. She looked at Istvan, then sideways at Dominic.
"Not normal bear."
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Jul 22, 2010 15:22:36 GMT -5
"That... thing," Dominic spoke up, looking at Kazari. "It said that one of us smelled of bear. It can't be you, and I rather doubt it's Istvan, so it must be me. Vincent mentioned that I might take that form if my lycanthropy isn't cured. Is that what you smell?"
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Baratoge Kazari
Keme
Academy Junior: Cougar Shapeshifter
Lusus Naturae
Posts: 176
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Post by Baratoge Kazari on Sept 16, 2010 13:53:29 GMT -5
Kazari arched an eyebrow and leaned forward to sniff Dominic. Yes, he smelled similar to what she had caught on the wind. Very similar.
She looked up at him through her hair. "Same," she said simply. "The one who bit you, this Kazari thinks is what she's caught."
Just then the wind shifted, and the scent vanished. Kazari's eyes widened and she bit her lip in an oh noes! fashion.
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Sept 16, 2010 20:01:49 GMT -5
Dominic watched Kazari curiously, seeing her disheartened expression and assuming that it meant she'd lost the scent. He hoped it would shift back again; otherwise they'd be at a disadvantage, not knowing where the other lycanthrope was. Very bad news if he planned to attack again, for revenge or otherwise.
After a moment of thought he experimentally sniffed the air himself, trying to catch the elusive scent. He wondered if he'd recognize it if he ever managed to catch it.
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