can I pet him

Just watch your fingers... those teeth are sharp

*pets*

*growls softly, and watches with mild curiosity*

I won't hurt you

*chuffs and sits*

good boy

*twitches an ear and sniffs*

aww

(I usually go for Vulpinethropy. Werefox)

(Oooh, that's a cool one. I may have to mess around with that idea sometime)

(Oh yes. I'm making my sona a Werefox)

(Awesome! I look forward to seeing how it turns out ^^)

(thanks, makes TFs easier)

(No doubt )

(yes)

*looks up at the moon*

Not even once. Or all the time. Whichever works best.

Yeah, I suppose it can go either way *shrug*

*A playful trill of pipes plays through the misty clearing with a leaping melody that bespeaks fun, games, and laughter.*

*Growls and tries to locate the source of the noise*

On the prowl again, m'lady author? *A bleating laugh echoes over the mists as the vapor twists and ebbs with the capering of cloven hooves.*

*the growl ceases as her ears flatten against her skull in concern*

Please, don't stop on my account. I just thought I might make it a bit more fun for you is all. A proper feast deserves a good celebration, you know. *A swift glissando ascending from low to high signaled his playful mood.*

*nips teasingly at his goatish heels*

Ah, the lady's bite is worse than her bark. And I thought music was supposed to calm the savage beast. *The satyr bleats another laugh as sweet moist grass and fresh flowers follow in his wake.*

*growls and lifts her nose in the air in an exaggeratedly indignant fashion *

Ah, but the lady is noble. And a noble deserves an emblem of status. A crown, perhaps? *A garland of flowers hangs itself around your neck, while a smaller one rests over your head.* One might say everything's coming up roses.

*twitches an ear at the odd sensation of the flower crown, and then puffs up chest regally*

*The satyr grins.* And he said you were no fun. That fellow just doesn't realize what he's missing. *He pulls out a wineskin from thin air and drinks lustily, then sighs as he removes the spout.* Mmm ... Lorna really has outdone herself this time. I posed her the challenge of brewing without the alcohol. I must say, the flavor is most robust. *he hiccups and smirks as a slight flush comes into his cheeks, while his hair darkens into an earthier brown and a dusting of dark hairs begins to sprout over his chest.* I may have to consider taking her up on that offer to learn the trade. It looks like fun. On a purely volunteer, basis, of course. No contracts, other than perhaps a promise not to pull any pranks inside her brewery. *He smacks his lips as his ears twitch.* And maybe the occasional sample of goods.

*wags her tail approvingly and comes closer to catch the scent of the contents of the wineskin*

*The scent of freshly pressed berries and grapes melds with cinnamon and cloves for a fiery kiss of spice that warms the belly and tingles the nose.* Care for a sample?

*Attempts to decide the most dignified means of sampling the delicious-smelling drink, and settles on sticking out her tongue to try just a few drops*

*The satyr obliges and pours the liquid out for the werewolf.*

*The taste is robust and pleasant, but some of the beverage splashes her nose and causes her to sneeze*

*The satyr laughs* And I hope your adventure with your husband that week proved enjoyable.

*growls in mock-irritation*

Good. By the way, I'm curious. Have you ever tried speaking in this form before?

*her voice is a gravelly growl* It's harrrd, but cannn.

Guess that makes it a little easier when dealing with people who want to hunt you, assuming you can get them to listen.

*growls a laugh* Doesnnn't happenn oftennnn.

The hunting or the listening?

Eitherrr, I suppose.

And have you found anything to eat yet on your hunt, m'lady?

*shakes head and narrows eyes playfully* Got distrrracted.

Is that so? Well, that's hardly sporting, is it? How about I return the favor and get a herd sprinting this general direction, hmm?

*wags tail* Sounnnds fairr.

*The satyr smirks* Careful, though. I don't know what kind of herd may come. *The melody is playful, jaunty, and somewhat alluring, and gradually picks up speed and tempo as he puts more force into the notes to give it a frantic air. The air begins to echo with the sound of many hooves*

*fur raises along her spine and muscles tense as she scans the area for whatever unknown stampede approaches*

*The satyr jumps onto a boulder and leaps into a tree bough for safety, just in case, while he continues to play and the grass continues to grow taller and greener in the clearing.*

*skirts the edge of the clearing to avoid being trampled and uses the growing grass for cover* Cann you see themm? *lifts nose to attempt to catch any scent*

Can sure hear them. *I smirk* I'm guessing deer or horse. It's unlikely there'd be any cows or antelope around here.

If this is annn illusion, I'll go up that tree after yooouuu... *shakes head to resist the urge to howl*

Please. I'm not that far gone as a trickster, you know. I still value my friends. *A whole herd of deer comes pelting through, breaking in groups of two and three through the brush and spreading out from there.*

*Without a moment to reply, she launches herself at a sizable buck and manages to take it down in a quick and fairly merciful manner. She looks up the tree* Thannnk you. *circles the carcass* I doubt you'll wannnt to see this nnnext parrrt.

Probably not. Fare thee well, fair lady. *He bows in a courtly manner and disappears with the fife of his pipes*

*Steps away slowly* ...okay... okay... just going to back away...

*lowers toward the ground and considers springing at the obviously frightened person*

Oh no... Oh no, oh no, oh no... Okay... stepping back... I'm just going to go, so I'm not killed by this wolf...

*dim recognition dawns, and she lowers herself down into a sitting position instead*

...No ...Dearshul? Is that you?

*chuffs*

*Walks towards her, carefully stroking her fur* What happened to you? ...the moonlight... it's the Moonlight!

*wags her tail in affirmation*

I have to get you somewhere safe. You know what hunters are like.

*looks around uneasily and follows*

*Smiles kindly as I step slowly out from behind a tree* Why greetings there my dear. And what sort of wonderful mess have you gotten yourself into today?

*looks up at the moon and then returns the gaze to you*

*Chuckles* Fair enough my dear. *Looks around* You mind if I just sit here with you for a while as you ride out this evening?

*chuffs welcomingly*

*Smiles and strolls over and sits down next to the large and beautiful wolf, absentmindedly rubbing softly behind its ears* Thank you so much my dear. So might I ask how you came down with this case of Lycanthropy?

*using a claw, messily carves into the earth "always"*

Really my dear? I had no idea. Born with this particular issue then? *I ask as I continue to softly scratch behind the beautiful wolf's ears*

*nods and leans into the scratch a little*

*Smiles slightly and leans in, hugging lightly around the wolf's strong neck as I continue to scratch behind the ears* Well you should have let me know this sooner my dear. I am always happy and curious to discuss such things. And certainly more than happy to hang around during these times when you are in a different form.

*gives an apologetic whine*

*Chuckles* Do not worry my dear. I am just happy that I am able to know and share this with you now. *I hug you again warmly, looking deeply into your deep and strong eyes*

*Instinct rises inside as direct eye contact is typically taken as a challenge. Her hackles stand on end and it takes all of her willpower to drag her gaze away before she cannot hold back the reflex to defend herself*

Aw sorry about that my dear. I had forgotten about instinct and such things as that. Can you forgive me? *I ask with a smile as I gently lower my gaze and hug you softly again*

*wags tail and gives a friendly nudge with her shoulder*

*Chuckles and continues to hug you softly* Thank you my dear. So do you usually just stay out here in the woods when this time comes around?

*nods and gives a gravelly growling attempt at human speech* Safe herrrre.

*Nods softly* Sounds like you certainly do have a plan in mind for such occasions my dear. Very wise. Um would it be alright if we linked minds? It would make communication a lot easier if you wanted. If not though I perfectly understand.

*nods*

*With just a light touch to your forehead our minds very safely connect* Hello there my dear. *I think to you with a smile* Are you reading my thoughts loud and clear?

*twitches an ear at the odd sensation* I hear you. Quite a handy trick.

*Chuckles as I lightly scratch behind your ears* "You get used to it with practice my dear. So lycanthropy since birth? I had no idea my dear, quite the feat to keep something like that a secret from someone such as myself." *I smile* "You have really learned concealment well my dear I must congratulate you."

People don't take kindly to my kind, so we do what we can Survival is a pretty efficient teacher, though.

*Nods my head a little in understanding* "A fair point indeed my dear. But I would hope that in this world of growing tolerance and love for all that even those once thought mythical might be able to join society without such fears. I truly do hope that is something that you can look forward to in the near future my dear. And also out of curiosity, does this lycanthropy increase your lifespan at all or does it not really seem to have an effect?"

One can hope. *stretches a little* It's hard to say. I've always looked young for my age, but that could be human genetics. I guess I'll find out eventually.

*Chuckles* "Fair enough my dear, I will certainly agree with you on your youthful appearance. I could not nor would not try to guess your age, though a true gentleman would not ask that of anyone unless the subject came up first." *I say with a light laugh as I lay down on my back next to your sitting form* "So is this a more typical form of lycanthropy where it tends to recede as the night ends and day comes about my dear? Or is this something a bit different?"

*chuffs in the place of laughter* I don't mind telling. I'm nearly twenty-nine. But, to answer your question, yes, I'll shift back at dawn. Though, I have gained enough control to switch back and forth between forms at will when it isn't a full moon...or Halloween... or July, for some weird reason.

*Smiles and softly pats the back of your neck* "Well as I said my dear you certainly look like you could be much younger, so maybe there is a delayed aging factor at work in your genetics thanks to said lycanthropy. And control over ones abilities is certainly a great boon and talent my dear and I will certainly applaud you for such a mastery." *Chuckles a little bit* "But you are certainly right, why you would lose that control in July on top of those other times where it makes more sense is certainly a bit odd. Still," *I say with a smile* "Being odd is nothing but a strength and something that defines each of us. I certainly try to embrace any oddities that I have, and believe me I have my fair share, and I certainly hope that it does not effect you too negatively."

I enjoy what I am. I just find it's easier to do privately. Even these uncontrolled shifts can be fun... it's a release to be in tune with nature for a while. The romanticism lycanthropic lore is well-placed.

*Chuckles as I sit up and hug you lightly around the neck again* "I am certainly glad to hear that my dear and I can certainly only continue to wish you the best with this particular quirk going forward. So tell me my dear, do you happen to be hungry at all? Also does your lupin form prefer raw meat or would cooked meat be alright?"

*her ears swivel backward in slight embarrassment* Raw meat is more satisfying, but this body isn't picky about what it can find.

*Chuckles as I begin to move around the little glen, setting up a camp with a little wave or a snap here and there, quickly setting up a small fire and tent next to where you are sitting. I pull some dead rabbits out of a small portal that I open up in midair for a moment and place them on a table that appears in front of the two of us* "Fair enough my dear, yours can certainly be raw though I personally will probably cook mine." *I say with a grin* "Would you like some seasoning or anything to garnish though?" *I ask as I begin to prepare a couple of the rabbits, skinning and filleting them skillfully with a very thin beam of light that I project from one of my fingertips*

*ears sink back further* As it comes is perfect. Will it bother you if I eat it raw? I don't usually eat with anyone in this form.

*Chuckles and creates another table in front of you as I place three or four of the rabbits onto its surface. I then pat you softly and reassuringly on the head as I continue to chop up and prepare my own rabbits, grabbing some vegetables and herbs from another portal and chopping them as well before putting everything into a decent sized cast iron pot and filling it with a bit of water to cover all of the ingredients, finally putting it all over the fire* "Do not worry about it my dear. It will not bother me one bit and you are hungry so please by all means eat and enjoy yourself."

"I moonlight as a wolf."

XD Well played

Qadir unsheathes his sword...

(Awesome work!)

Acrathia: *Shadows enlogate and take the shape of a dark woman in between Qadir and the lycanthrope. She does not look pleased.* I swear! Is your reaction to everything slightly beastial to attack it?! First the goat man, now this innocent werewolf! You are sorely testing my patience boy!

*growls defensively at Qadir and then whines pleadingly at Acrathia*

(Thank you! ^^)

"Innocent?" Qadir looks at her incredulously, "My reaction to coming upon a werewolf is generally to prepare to defend myself! I do not fancy the thought of becoming the beast's meal."

Acrathia: This werewolf has quelled its bloodlust, and would only attack in defense. I suppose your reaction is understandable, but considering your attack on the goat man, it wouldn't be too far a leap to surmise that you have an impulse problem, and a tendency to attack first and ask questions later.

Were-shul: *drops onto all fours and tentatively approaches Qadir with a tucked tail*

"Acrathia, is it? That with Brian was different, and you should know it. I was under a compulsion at the time." He says as he sheaths his sword, warily holding a hand out to the monstrous wolf.

Were-shul: *sniffs the hand, aware of the curious mingling of canine smell and steel, and then touches it briefly with her nose*

Acrathia: *inclines her head in a slight bow, acknowledging her error* Very well then love, expect no further interference from me, you seem to be getting along well with her now anyway.

Were-shul: *turns to bump her forehead affectionately against Acrathia's hand in a gesture of gratitude*

Acrathia: *pets the werewolf* Yes yes, you are adorable

"Gods be damned, a friendly werewolf...this world will never cease to baffle me..." he breathed to no one in particular.

Were-shul: *makes a show of looking affronted, but then wags her tail and sits in an awkward pseudo-canine pose*

"Are there many werewolves that will not attempt to rip out a person's throat as a matter of course in this world? There were certainly none in mine."

Were-shul: *shakes her head in the negative and bares her teeth to illustrate the savagery typical to her kind*

"Ah, so my caution was not misplaced. If you don't mind me asking, how do you manage to keep your wits when you are not in a human form? Are you human?

Were-shul: *nods and gives a gravelly snarl of an attempt at human speech* Mmm hhhuh-munnnn. Mmmmuch prrrrack-tiss.

"Practice, huh?" Qadir considered as he scrubbed at his jaw with one paw-hand, "Suppose it would take lots of practice. How long till you change back? By dawn, or does this last days?"

Were-shul: Dawnnn, unnless I wannt lonn-er *her tongue sticks lopsidedly out of her mouth as she attempts to create a hard g sound for "longer"*

"Do you need a place to bed down? I have a cabin not far from here. It is not fine, but the fire is warm and the stew should be ready by now. I was fetching firewood when I came across you. "

Were-shul: *ears perk instinctively at the mention of food* Was hunnnt-innn. Woooould be nnnice, plllease.

Qadir chuckled, "Hope you were not hunting me! Help me gather a bit of firewood, and we will go back."

Were-shul: *ears fall back apologetically* Nnnew smmmell. Didn't knnnow what yoooouuu wwwere. *she rises to a bipedal stance and snaps a sizeable branch from a tree in a gesture of good faith*

"No, I suppose you would not. I am Qadir," he said as he gathered up a small armful of medium sized logs he had been carrying, "good to meet you--?"

Were-shul: *she bows a little clumsily* Dearshhhul. *she continues collecting wood, digging here and there through deadfall to find sufficiently dry pieces* Yooou... *she struggles to end the vowel sound before it becomes a howl* heere lonnn?

"Not very, I think. Months, maybe? Time doesn't work here as I am used to it."

Were-shul: *Chuffs sympathetically at the observation. When her arms are full, she carries a couple of extra sticks in her jaws and watches Qadir expectantly*

"Should be plenty. Come on, cabin's through the woods this way." Qadir led the way through the woods, and after a few minutes of walking a small cabin in the midst of a clearing came into view. Smoke drifted lazily from a modest brick chimney, and a small fishing pond next to the structure completed the idyllic scene. He went to the door, dropping his armful of wood in a spot on the front porch set aside for it, and opened it for Dearshul.

Were-shul: *follows suit, albeit a bit more clumsily without the full use of thumbs, and nods her thanks before entering*

Qadir closes the door behind her and gestures toward a comfortable looking old armchair by the fire. He then took two bowls from a cabinet and two wooden spoons from a drawer (though he thought better of that and put one back), and proceeded to fill both with a steaming stew that spelt of fragrant exotic spices that the wolf might not recognize.

"It's lamb, made it spicy as I like it, hope it is not too much for you."

Were-shul: *She clambers into the armchair and carefully situates herself in such a way as to accommodate the semi-quadrupedal situation of her spine and not tear the fabric with wayward claws. She takes the bowl with a grateful nod*
Thannnk youuu. *She sniffs at the stew and her eyes water slightly at the strength of the spices. Still, it is food that she didn't have to chase, so she eats, only vaguely aware of how undignified she is being *

"Mmm," Qadir took a bite himself, then sat up as though he had just remembered something. He went to the small icebox and removed a glass jar, and stepped back to Dearshul, "Yoghurt, from Angus' farm. It will temper the heat some." He spooned a dollop, and then another into her bowl, and mixed it all together. The resulting mixture was pleasantly creamy, and quite a bit less spicy than before.

Were-shul: *Growls instinctively when he reaches for the food but instantly averts her gaze and bows her head in apology*

Qadir raised his hands in a conciliatory gesture of his own, and said, "Try it. I think you will like it better, and if not we can switch bowls."

Were-shul: *Does as she is bidden, and finds that the stew is more palatable to her heightened senses.* Thannnks. Tastes nnnice.

"Welcome. You live nearby, when you are not in this form?"

Were-shul: Innn a wwwway. Calll it a seconnnd hommme. Safe to runnn here. *she takes in her surroundings for a moment* Nnnice hommme.

"Mmm," he said through a spoonful. "Not mine. Friend said I could use it for a few days, his old hunting cabin. Supposed to be out here for rest and relaxation, but truth be told I hate being alone."

Were-shul: *nods* Nnneed pack.

Qadir laughs and nods back, "Some people just do not understand."

Were-shul: *perks ears* Have pack somewherrrre?

"Suppose you could call the Seelie Guard my new pack. The pack I was born to, well, it is gone now."

Were-shul: *whimpers, despite herself* Sorrry.

"I have had time enough to grieve for them, best not to dwell in the past. How about you, have you got a pack out there?"

Were-shul: *laughs a growling laugh* Of frrriennndly wolves? Nnno. But close with the fae. *having wolfed down her stew, she carefully sets her bowl aside, climbs out of the chair, and sits on the floor by the fire* Both courrrts. You'rrre knnighted?

"Aye, knight of the Seelie. Suppose you and I are in a similar situation, then. There are no other Varn in this realm." He pauses a moment, and the silence hangs.

"You are known to both courts? I was not aware there were any such creatures. The courts do not seem to play well together."

Were-shul: *smiles a fanged smile* I ammm a rrrarrrrity, but perrrhaps you've mmet mmy kinnd before? An authorrr orrr crrreatorrr of worrlds?

"You could say that, I suppose, if I take your meaning right. One that did so physically but it seems without intention, and another, a human, that created one intentionally but did not think it could be made so physically. The two met in less than fortunate circumstances, and here I am. If that makes any sense."

Were-shul: I am fammmiliarr with the forrmerr. I am herrr authorrr. The otherrr is yourrrs?

"Was. I have my own story now. I do not understand, though...you have some connection with the Traitor?"

Were-shul: *nods* Yourrr rrrelationn to himm is howw-oooow it is with Mmmoth and mmyself. Though, I still guide her fate.

"Could you stop her? Or help someone else to do so? She has damaged so many lives..."

Were-shul: *sitting back on her haunches* I could, but I wonnn't. It mmmay nnot make sense to you nnnow, but it will. There mmmust be time for the pennnndulumm to swing the other dirrrection.

"She has people I care about, has tortured them by dangling their humanity before them for centuries, just out of reach. You are correct, I do not understand." The mood in the small room has soured somewhat.

Were-shul: *sighing* Happy ennndings don't come for free, Qadirrr. They will be rrricherrr for what they have sufferrrred. As will you, I thinnnk. It doesnnn't make it anny easierrr, I'mm aware.

"I would say this has gone on long enough, that they have suffered enough, but I do not think it would make a difference, would it."

Were-shul: *tilting her head* Does it help to knnow that I agrrrree with you? You've caught this whole affairrr at its tail-ennnd. Cannndle is about to learrrn what it meannns not onnnly to be human, but to be a mmmannn. The Fawkeses arrre going to have to stop rrrunning from their prrroblemms. Mmmmanngiafuoco is going to have to decide hoowww farrr loyalty can be pushed. These arrre things nnnnecessarrry to theirrr happinnness if they arrre evennntually uncurrrsed.

Qadir sighs and considers that a moment, and the only sound that filled the small room was the slow crackling of the fire.

"I suppose it does, and it does not. If you will not tell me how to defeat her, can you at least tell me the best way I may help the others?"

Were-shul: *aware that what comes next may well put her back outside and away from the fire* You wonn't like what I'll tell you, but it will be the best thinnng forr themmm. Set a prrrecedennt annnd forrrgive Moth whenn the time comes. You arrrre rrrespected. Otherrrs will follow yourrr example.

Qadir's eyes narrowed at the suggestion, "How? I mean to run her through, Dearshul, if I am given the opportunity. Why should I forgive her?"

Were-shul: *weighing just how much she should say for a long moment* Because therrre is morrre to herr than her misguided deeds. She will nnneed an ally soonnn. The Guarrrdianns will back me up onn this.

Qadir's eyes narrow slits and his voice takes on the edge of a growl, "She ripped me from my home and my family simply because she could. She imprisoned a boy for two centuries in the body of a beast of burden, altered the course of so many other youths' lives. Killed some of them as surely as if she drew the blade across their throats herself. I respect the Guardians, the white one has given me good council, but what you ask I cannot do."

Were-shul: *keeps her voice calm, but cannot fight the instinct to defensively raise her hackles* You asked what you could do. I annnswerrred. Do as you will.

"You are a guest here. I am not such a brute that I would ignore guest privileges, you have nothing to fear from me. You are serious though, aren't you...I cannot imagine a scenario where I would do such a thing, but we will see, I suppose."

Were-shul: *calming slightly* Apologies. It is harrrd to ignorre instinct in this formmm. But I amm serrious. When the timme commmmes, you may underrstand. You've allowed a werrrewolf as a guest, afterrr all.

"You have not offered me or mine harm, she has. As I said though, we will see."

Were-shul: That is fairrr.

"I will turn in, I think. Help yourself to the fire as long as you like." Qadir stands and moves toward a small adjoining bedroom.

Were-shul: *stands in a pseudo-bipedal stance and bows* Thannnk you forrr yourr hospitality.

"Think nothing of it. Goodnight, Dearshul. I will think on what you have said."

Were-shul: That is all I can ask. Goodnnnight.