The little stone house.....

[Prankster101]

A sweet cool breeze whipped through the air as the sun began to set on the Western horizon. Bright reds and yellows lit up the sky as the momma birds settled the babies down into their nests. The crickets chirped with gusto and the fireflies danced with joy as the beautiful summer day came to a close.

Zayanya Dirtclaw sat on her stone bench under the weeping willow, watching the beautiful sunset, and as always...Talking to her plants...

"*sigh* Now isn't that sun just beautiful little Dandylion?..Now, now, now, you don't have to be so grumpy....The sun will be back up in the morn' you'll see."

Her tail flicked playfully as she chuckled. "Now that's the spirit Lilly! You all just close up now and save all your colors for the new day."

Zayanya then sat up straight and looked at the sunset once again, her ears twitching slightly, picking up every sound around her. She then voiced her opinion to the creature behind her, whom she had heard a while back...."Would you like to come and watch the sunset too my friend? They only come around once a twilight and they change every time, so missing one would be a shame..."

[Elizabeth]

The sun was setting. Aloyoshenka stopped to look. He had to admit it was... oh how should he put it, beautiful? It was the first time in a long time that he had actually bothered to look at what was going on around him.

He walked toward a weeping willow, with the intention of going around it, when he realized with some amount of terror, that there was a beast not more than three paces from it. Slowing his walk he decided to find out who this was. He finally got close enough that he could make out the shape out the creature. It was a cat. He froze. His father used to tell him about cats. Large, wild, powerfull, unreasoning, barbaric creatures. Now he had no intention of going forward to meet the beast. He stood stock still until his body grew stiff and hurt. He twitched as the silence was broken by a voice. It was softer than he expected. A female’s voice. And this barbarian was talking to the flowers? Odd, very odd, but he wasn’t taking his chances.

[Prankster101]

Zayanya continued to to sit with her back to the newcomer. She stayed calm, her tail lightly twitching back and forth, and her ears occasionally flicking observing all around her.

She could smell that he was a pine martin and that he wasn't one that was afraid of seawater, but with her "gift" she already knew that. She also knew that he was cautious of her so he kept her from relaxed and continued to talk.

"No need to get all worked up my friend. I can feel your nervousness all the way from over here!"

She chuckled and leaned over to the head stone in the garden beside her. "No Graylunk, he's a newcomer, not vermin. Isn't that right Aloyoshenka..." She turned to look at him when she said the pine martin's name. Her green eyes glittering in the dieing sunlight.

[Glavon]

The sunset was beautiful, streaking the purple-blue sky with pink, orange, and yellow. Fang Bluefur was only half paying attention to it, though, as he watched a wildcat talking to...flowers?

He shook his head. Wildcats did not talk to flowers. They killed, murdered, and tortured. No self-respecting wildcat sat there and talked to inanimate objects. He touched his steel-reinforced claws to the hilt of his blade. Whatever idiotic joke this wildcat was playing, the weasel would fix it.

No need to get all worked up my friend. I can feel your nervousness all the way from over here! No Graylunk, he's a newcomer, not vermin. Isn't that right Aloyoshenka...

Fang raised his eyebrows; the equivelent of another beast gasping in surprise, but decided to wait and see what happened next. After all, there was no harm in waiting. There was harm in running forward. Often to your death.

[lorki]

It had nearly pushed him into the throws of sorrowful insanity, the sight. Immediately his arm moved, as if on reflex, to hover over the marred fresh scar, torn many times into his shoulder. How many times had the wound been reopened just to remind him where to put blame, just to remind him it wasn't his fault? Claws flexed, poised to sink into the skin for yet another countless mutilation of the tattoo, oh if he could just soak every bit of the blue still visible in the ring with blood... Every time he thought it might bring some peace, might bring some sort of calm or satisfaction, but it never had.

Eyes glazed, in either sadness, concentration or deep thought; the wildcat stood perfectly still. The sickness that rose in his gut and the heat that expanded in his chest reminded him of the inner fight that constantly raged, sometimes unnoticed, sometimes obvious. He was tipping towards the edge, raw emotion winning over the mental desire to just stay... still.

For a creature that did not register physical pain very well, Estlin appeared in agony. His fangs clinched tightly together, his eyes glossed and wide, his paws shook. Was he so lost, so focused on forgetting, that the mere sight of another cat could damage him so much?

What a shame, what a failure. That thought kicked him out of it, he pulled his paw away from hovering over the old wound and let it rest over his fast beating heart, his massive paw falling over the four tattooed small ones. He let out a long hissing breath while his mind forced back the memories and the thoughts and the emotion. It would swallow him, if he let it, it had before.

Returning to a calm, stone faced and intimidating figure, the wildcat allowed his paw to fall away from his chest, though his heart still fluttered against his chest. He kept his stance, stoic, possibly even hidden if no one could sense his presence- he doubted it to be sure. Estlin, himself, could feel emotion easily from others, he could track fear when he hunted, it was simple... And in those last frantic moments he had certainly exerted quite the emotional explosion. His pale blue eyes tracked back to the wildcat that had caught his attention, she wasn't like him- that was clear, but the similarities were too clear to ignore or be displaced by differences. He exhaled, more steadily this time, and allowed his tail to twitch to and fro behind him.

[Elizabeth]

"No need to get all worked up my friend. I can feel your nervousness all the way from over here!"
He stayed silent not moving.
"No Graylunk, he's a newcomer, not vermin. Isn't that right Aloyoshenka..."
"Whatt!" Aloyoshenka stuttered, to amazed to say anything that may have been a better answer in that circumstance. Aloyoshenka shivered and shook himself into a standing position. He walked forward nervously. When he was within 12 feet of the cat he said, "How did you know my name... Who are you?" He regretted saying this immediately after... what if the cat had a bad temper and ripped him to pieces? He tried not to think about it and held his breath. The cat didn't seem like a bad beast but you could never tell with vermin......

The sun was lower now and it was beginning to turn dark. He blinked as he grew accustomed to the dimmer light. The clouds still held their hue. Suddenly he begin to fell tired. He eyes started to close. He did his best to jerk them open again and stifled a yawn.

[Prankster101]

"Whatt! How did you know my name... Who are you?"

Zayanya chuckled. She smiled, her tail flicking playfully around the edge of the bench. The Pine Martin had stepped out into the open. His deep green eyes full of confusion.

"Oh, that! Some beasts call it a "sight". I don't like to call it that. I say I just know! I'm Zayanya Dirtclaw. No one to be afraid of."

"Would you like to sit down?" She said gesturing with her paw toward a small rock across from her.

"You must be weary from your travels. Can you can join us too Fang, um, Bluefur isn't? Your more than welcome to join us from behind that Maple."

Then Zayanya's brow furrowed, and her eyes became cold. She turned her eyes toward her house not wanting to even look in the driction of which she spoke. Her playful tail was still now. "You Estlin Armon Vinsing, however, are not invited. Not with that attitude!"

[Glavon]

You must be weary from your travels. Can you can join us too Fang, um, Bluefur isn't? Your more than welcome to join us from behind that Maple.

Fang blinked and looked up at the leaves of the tree. Sure enough, it was a maple; with a sigh of resignation, he got up from his hiding place and padded slowly forward while sheathed his blade.

You Estlin Armon Vinsing, however, are not invited. Not with that attitude!

Fang raised his eyebrows and sat down on the grass. The sun was slowly dipping below the horizon and the fawn clouds were drifting lazily across it.

[lorki]

"Oh, that! Some beasts call it a "sight". I don't like to call it that. I say I just know! I'm Zayanya Dirtclaw. No one to be afraid of."

His head tilted just slightly to the side, so she was was that type of creature. A seer was another thing he'd rarely seen since his departure from his homeland. The ones he ran into responded much as she did, they knew his name, knew his vicious tendencies and fierce nature. Beyond that, however, none had been able to figure anything out about him, his mental blocks were so sturdy and unmovable that even he forgot things from time to time- the faces of his children, the smell of the desert landscape, the very look of a wildcat itself.

"You Estlin Armon Vinsing, however, are not invited. Not with that attitude!"

Yes, a name and a nature where all that was usually garnered from him... Estlin never had minded seers, even if the most worthless of life forms the gift interested him. His tail twitched, an eyebrow raised as he peered towards her while she looked away from him. He held onto his silence; there was no point in mentioning he didn't much mind if she could read what was in the forefront of his mind anyhow. He maintained his stillness, watching as a few creatures trickled out of the woods while she called them out.

[Elizabeth]

He had been planning to refuse if she had invited him to sit down all along. Now his tiredness was overpowering him. steeping forward cautiously he walked past the willow, out in front of the cat and turned round to face her. He was stunned. She looked, wise, wild, gentle, and pretty... not barbaric. He shifted back and forth looking a little uncomfortable and out of place. Finally he went and sat down next to the stone bench and leaned he head against it falling asleep... through his lidded eyes he saw the trees swathed in the dim evening sunlight. He yawned and lay back on the grass not caring was could happen to him. everything seemed so peaceful and anything would be better than wandering around in the woods for the rest of his life.

[Prankster101]

Fang Bluefur had come out of the trees from behind the Maple and sat down. Aloyoshenka too, came into the glade and sat down. she appreciated the fact that the beast felt comfortable enough to come into her presence.

She knew that being a cat often gave off a dangerous feeling to other beasts, but these two were calm. Fang was quiet and pensive. His shifty eyes watching. Zayanya expected that. He had reasons in his past not to trust at first glance. Aloyoshenka was surprised by her at first, but she could see he was calming down and almost falling a sleep next to her stone bench.

"Would either of you like some herbal mint tea? It's my favorite. I find a good cup or two expertly finish off my day." She said with a smile, standing up to get some if anyone wanted any.

She still felt Estlin's presence. He was still watching her with curious eyes, and gloating to himself that she couldn't break the barriers in his mind. She rolled her eyes and called out "Now Mr. Vinsing, you could go way and stop acting so childish. You may have blocked things, but shadows will give good as descriptions as the real thing. And if you continue to hurt yourself, even though you don't feel pain, it will have serious consequences on your health. Unless you want to kill yourself."

[Vikenti Whitedeath]

(Time to crash this party! Don't worry Prankster, I'm not intending on destroying Zayanya's house!)

Lysistra Darkmoon and her vermin gang were out for blood. They hadn't robbed any-beast for a few days and they were beginning to get restless and tired. It seemed like their whole lives consisted of tramping through the endless forest glades. Some of them were hungry, others were tired, but one thing was certain. They had had enough.

Finally, after walking for days, they had come upon a stone house in the woods. A beautiful sunset was spread out across the expanse of the sky, but the vermin didn't care. They wanted what was in the house. Food and loot. Fifteen assorted vermin filed silently into the garden where the three beasts sat or lay. Five of the vagabonds opened the door to the house forcefully and entered immediately. The other ten gathered around the relaxing beasts in a semi-circle with Lysistra in the center. They would stop any dissent from their victims with deadly force if needed. Lysistra pointed her sword at the three good beasts saying, "If no-body moves, no-one gets hurt." After a moments awkward silence she turned Aloyoshenka who seemed fast asleep. She tried to step on his outstretched foot-paw forcefully. "Tired?" she asked mockingly. Though Estlin stood out like a apple in a basket of oranges none of the robber gang had seen him yet. They all had their backs to him.

[lorki]

"Now Mr. Vinsing, you could go way and stop acting so childish. You may have blocked things, but shadows will give good as descriptions as the real thing. And if you continue to hurt yourself, even though you don't feel pain, it will have serious consequences on your health. Unless you want to kill yourself."

Shadows. That seemed appropriate, he thought solemnly. Death? Killing himself was something that had been considered, but he was either too noble or to fearful. Occasionally he wished to simply be cut down, sliced to bits, killed. But Kalsa cats... they only died for a purpose, he'd lost his too long ago and found avoidance of death the only instinct left. Unfortunate, perhaps...

His face was set, he breathed evenly through his nose, counting out the species he could smell... more than had so far shown their faces, he wondered if the seer knew they were out there... No matter. Surely if she couldn't not sense them she soon enough might smell them... that or they would creep out of the-

His eyes darted to the movement just as the thought entered his mind. There they were, and quite a few too. He inhaled, taking the scent and the air to puff out his chest a bit and stand at bit of a more noble stance. He uncrossed his arms and held his paws at his sides, straightening his neck to get a better glance with his pale eyes.

"If no-body moves, no-one gets hurt."

That was interesting, robbers? It seemed like it, a twitchy rather anxious group. Estlin was not the sort of beast to step in on anothers behalf, nothing tugged at his conscious or told him to rush in with the purpose of saving the rather odd group that had gathered. His desire to help was minuscule, but his curiosity was perked. He stepped forward, his footpaws falling in silent purposeful steps as he inched just slightly ahead, watching.

He wondered, calmly, if help was needed weather or not the too-good-for-the-likes-of-him lady wildcat might ask for assistance. He doubted it, no matter what her outlook on life was she was like him- an arsenal of weapons built into an able body. Odds were she could take care of herself, circumstance aside... if she felt the desire... or she might just ofter them some tea. The corner of his mouth twitched up in a smile.

[Elizabeth]

"Would either of you like some herbal mint tea? It's my favorite. I find a good cup or two expertly finish off my day."

Tea? Hmm.... "No thanks." he muttered cracking open an eye.

"Tired?"

Oh... vermin. Today is not a good day to try and attack me. Thought Aloyoshenka. Wriggling his paw out of reach of the vermin leader he opened his eyes and sat up. A female pine marten... What was it with females lately? It seemed they were all out to get him. Oh well... "Yes I am." was all he said.

Then after a pause... "Look at me Mam. You want to try and pick a fight with someone like me? I'm not bragging but... You're only a female and I think I could take you out real easy. No offense?"

He looked up at the cat. "Madam, forgo the tea for a while if you don't mind me saying and look to the safety of your house. A fight seems to go without saying today." He stood and faced the Pine Marten. "Well what are you going to do?"

[Glavon]

If no-body moves, no-one gets hurt.

At this, Fang actually chuckled, something he never did. In one fluid movement, he leapt up, drawing his blade. He stared at the vermin challengingly, his expression daring them to come close as he whirled his blade in a deadly arc of steel. Shutting out the other beasts, but keeping a wary eye on Estlin, he snarled angrily. Quite a startling mess of emotions from a weasel who didn't blink an eye when a mouse was slaughtered right in front of him. This had started out as a normal night and this stupid pine marten had had to come thinking she was all powerful, and ruin the sunset completely. He wasn't going to take that lying down. "Vermin" though he were, he had a strange personality when it came to the beauty of nature. Such a thing shouldn't be destroyed by worthless scum.

He moved right past Aloyoshenka and faced the female pine marten. His black eyes looked dangerous as he stared the female in the face, the blue highlights in his fur all but invisible owing to the lack of light as the evening approached.

"Vermin have been saying that for years. You've only killed the old and young, too harmless and frail to offer resistance against you. It's about time you actually took on trained fighters-beasts who have worked all their lives to ensure vermin like you get wiped out of Mossflower once and for all."

He was talking too much; he closed his mouth and satisfied himself by taking a swing at a rat who had ventured too close to him. The rat stumbled backwards with a rather deep line across its chest and ribcage; it was only a matter of time before the vermin died, so Fang stuck the sword's tip in the earth and watched the female.

[Vikenti Whitedeath]

(I would prefer it if people tried to kill my beasts, not just kill them. I would probably let you kill them anyway, but I want to keep a few. I'm OK with the rat dieing, who needed him? ;D)

[Glavon]

(XD Okay)

[Elizabeth]

(Listen can this be the horde the killed Aloyoshenka's father and brother mabye? That would b cool...)

[Vikenti Whitedeath]

(It could very well be! ;D If you want them to, sure! I could make Lysistra say something that makes Aloyoshenka relise that.)

[Prankster101]

(( It's ON Merce! I am assuming that the extra horde members are just that...extras...Don't worry, I won't kill them ALL off.....))

"No thanks."
"If no-body moves, no-one gets hurt."

Zayanya watched, furious as vermin entered her house with out permission and then this pine martin began ordering everybody around. This would not do.......

Still standing she rapped out at the new pine martin with an attitude as the walked forcefully to her door. "Lysistra Darkmoon, put away that silly little blade before you get killed for that last remark!"

"Tired?"
"Yes I am.""Look at me Mam. You want to try and pick a fight with someone like me? I'm not bragging but... You're only a female and I think I could take you out real easy. No offense?"
"Madam, forgo the tea for a while if you don't mind me saying and look to the safety of your house. A fight seems to go without saying today.""Well what are you going to do?"

She stormed angrily toward her door, the vermin in a circle. parting for her way. "Oh don't worry Aloyoshenka or you Mr. Vinsing. I can handle this MYself!!" She marched into her house as Fang took out a rat.

"Vermin have been saying that for years. You've only killed the old and young, too harmless and frail to offer resistance against you. It's about time you actually took on trained fighters-beasts who have worked all their lives to ensure vermin like you get wiped out of Mossflower once and for all."

All of a sudden a big crash was heard. Screams emitted from the stone house and Zayanya was heard yelling, "If there are ANY vermin left in my house by the time I count to three, the remaining creatures will be skinned alive and boiled in their own blood! ONE! TWO!!"

Four horde members dashed out of the house, covered in bruises and blood. Hiding behind anyone they could. Zayanya appeared at the door, throwing the last one out by the scruff of the ferret's neck. She stood in the doorway, claws unsheathed, fangs bared, holding a large kitchen knife that looked like it had been stuck into the fireplace, red and flaming. " You see Lysistra Darkmoon, these "horde" vermin are just like you! Cowards at heart when faced with a power stronger then themselves. You and I both know of whom I speak!"