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She chuckled a bit, the smell of burnt flesh wafting into her nose, "Of course~ It was just a scratch." She stood and jumped down, landing next to him with a loud 'thud'. "You on the other hand, look rather weak. Are you alright?" She twisted her body a bit, checking her side. It had healed completely and the fur was starting to regrow. She grinned, her blue tongue glowing brightly behind her teeth, "Told you~"
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"At least your ok." Niku said with a weak smile. "I will be fine, lightning isn't give and take. It is only take, it drains my energy fast. Especially when I focus it like that." He said looking at Awèsyiss with dull eyes. He snapped his attention to a wolf that was whining. He walked over to the wolf and knelt down. "I'm sorry." Niku said as he pulled out his knife and drug it across the wolf's throat.
He looked at Awèsyiss, "It probably would help if I would eat." He said as he moved to the wolf's stomach and sliced down its stomach to start gutting it. |
Awèsyiss remained in her spot, putting her butt to the ground as she watched him, her head cocked to the side a bit. "I can't believe you're actually doing that bare handed. I've never seen an elf do that..even the darkest of elves." She tapped her fingers boredly on the dirt, "What do you plan on doing about this war then? You said you and your party was against it, but what's your plan to stop it? Even if you were to take over the High Elves, you can't sway their minds simply by being their leader. Not to mention, the dragons. We, er, they will never listen."
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"Well when I fist went dark I didn't have for this, so I had to do it bare handed. And I haven't made any skinning gloves." Niku said as he pulled out the organs. "The high elves have a council. And after I find out the reason this war was started would help me sway their minds." He said as he started to skin the wolf. "As for the dragons, I'm not sure yet. You are the only dragon I have met." He said with a sigh. "Can you help me with the dragon's customs?" Niku asked as he bit his lip, trying to get a piece of skin off of the wolf.
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She stepped over, sitting next to him as she watched, "I can try...I can't help you with everything, as some are closely guarded secrets, but what I can reveal to you might be helpful." She raised her hand, dragging her claw in a line down the hide to make it easier for Niku to pull the skin off. "What I do know about the war is that it was the Elves that started it, or so that's what most of the evidence points to. I haven't been to the Main Land in hundreds of years...I'd rather not deal with the chaos of this war." She shrugged a bit, "In a sense, I've ostracized myself from my kind I guess. I find life out here ot be much more simple and with me being able to shift my form to this I can blend fairly easily and remain out of harms way for the most part."
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"I understand that, just like there is somethings I can't tell you about elves." Niku said nodding his head. "Thanks." He said as he pulled the skin off. "It was the elves that started it. I know this for a fact." He said as he started to cut the meat away from the bones. "Hopefully one day you wont have to hide in this form." He said with a smile. His skin quickly flashed to the high elf color, but then went back to its 'normal' pale blue. "I didn't stop it, it stopped on its own." Niku said somewhat nonchalantly.
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Awèsyiss punched him on the shoulder lightly, "If you say so Niku." She stood up, pacing around rather anxious from the fight, "I really don't mind this form, it's rather nice now that I'm used to it. I must admit, I do miss having wings at all times, but they're useless in the forest. Why don't you just force yourself to change back and get it over with?"
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"I need to do it during the day, but the thing is I get really weak in the daylight."Niku said with a small sigh. :It is quite weird, all of my men don't get weak during the day. But I do." He said as he placed a piece of meat on the grass. He looked up, "Would you be willing to help me? By keeping my men away from me, and having nothing disturb me." Niku asked looking back down at the carcass.
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Awèsyiss shrugged, "I'll see what I can do Niku. It will probably be easier without what's-his-face bothering you all the time. The sun will rise soon, so I would suggest eating quickly then getting some rest. I could wake you up sometime midday if you'd like? It's probably best to do this after you've rested."
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"It will be." Niku said placing another piece of meat on the grass. "My men will take care of the rest. We don't sleep long, only two or three hours at most." He said as he went to a tree to get some wood. "It shouldn't take long to transform back." He said as he set the wood up in a teepee formation. He quickly started the fire and put the meat over it. "It will be nice to see my family again." Niku said with a smile.
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She nodded, "I bet it will be nice..." She lay down, resting her head on folded paws, "I obviously will not be joining you for that. All three of my forms are rather..hated, by the Elves." She moved her tail, wrapping it around and letting the tip lay over her nose. "But you know, that's quite alright with me. At least, when I need to get into a town or city for whatever reason, I can do so without being killed on sight..."
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"At least that is good." Niku said turning the meat. "I just hope my family doesn't hate me." He said leaning back on his hands. "And I will miss this tranquility." He said looking over to Awèsyiss. "When this war is over maybe you can meet them." He said looking up at the sky. "But first, I have to find out what started this war." Niku said closing his eyes.
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Awèsyiss shook her head, "And that I will pass on, unfortunately. Even after the war ends, the hate will remain for centuries." She curled the tip of her tail in a few random patterns, watching it boredly. "Be careful, the wind is going to gust soon...you better make sure the fire doesn't catch on something." Seconds later, a slight gust of wind came by for awhile before dissipating.
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"That is very true." Niku said with a small sigh. "I know I feel it." He said leaning forward and watching the fire intently. "There, everything is fine." He said grabbing the meat. "And it is done." Niku said taking a bite.
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Awèsyiss sighed, closing her eyes and taking a light nap. Throughout the course of the night, her tail often twitched and she rolled onto one side or the other. She was a very..active sleeper.
*** It was not long until she could feel the sun coming over the horizon, barely breaking through the dense trees and warming her fur. It was a nice way to wake up, that's for sure. She lay there for a moment as the sun continued to rise. After quite some time, she stood and stretched out, looking for Niku. Not seeing him, she assumed he was in his tent and so she walked over, poking her head inside, "Niku?" |
"Coming." Niku said as he came walking out of a blocked off area. He finished buttoning his green shirt, "How do I look?" He asked as he did a little twirl. I'm surprised I kept my high elf clothing." He said with a little chuckle. He walked over to Awèsyiss and rubbed her head, "I don't know why but I am in a great mood today." Niku said as he walked out of the tent.
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She blinked, rather stunned, "You look good." She stepped away from the tent to allow him out, "Come on, I know a good place for you..it's really peaceful. Oh! Question for you, how much to High Elves dislike the Dark Elves? If it's just a glare here and there, I could accompany you into the main City. My bi-pedal form resembles a Dark Elf or Drow. I've been meaning to check out some of the Elven necklaces~ They make wonderful bartering tools with the Gnomes."
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"Usually it is just glares, but if you bump into a high elf they will do something and vice versa. But if you bump into a dark elf and you look like one they wont do anything, and again vice versa." Niku said following her. "They do, I have had to barter some of my jewelry to them. This is one thing I didn't barter though." He said as he pulled a ring out of his pocket and put it on his finger. "My wedding ring." Niku said with a small smile.
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"I would certainly hope you didn't barter that. If you'll excuse me.." She turned her body and bounded off, in a similar manner of how she exited his tent hours ago. It wasn't until sometime later that there was activity in the brush.
Seconds later, a tall woman stepped from the dense forest brush. She had dark violet skin, that, upon close inspection, was covered in many tiny, tiny scales. Her black hair was tied back in a half-ponytail manner with a jeweled piece that allowed her triple horn crown to show, and ran halfway down her back. Her bright violet eyes, which glowed ever so softly, had slightly curved slits that were a deeper violet than her eyes. Her ears, which were pointed and spiked on the bottom were pierced with many various pieces of jewelery. Other than her overall appearance, her cloak was her most unique feature. It appeared to be made out of a strange leather with tiny little spikes at the end in even spaces from each other; no seams could be seen in the strange piece. As she stepped forward, she was in the process of lacing up the front of her corset, her gloves draped over her shoulder, "Much better. Been awhile since I actually used my vocal chords." She pulled one glove off her shoulder and pulled it on, then the other. She bent forward, checking that her sword was securely sheathed on the side between the armor of her shin and the leather sleeve; the chain wrapping up her leg until it connected with the bottom strap for her dagger. "I'm sorry it took me so long, I had stored my weapons and clothes quite a distance away." |
"I didn't mind, the sun isn't fully over the tree's yet so the sunlight isn't bothering me yet." Niku said with a smile. "When we get back to my father's land I need to stop and pick up a necklace for me and Raina." He said as he ripped the dark elf necklace off of his neck. "If you wish to barter this you can. It is dark elf jewelry, but there isn't much difference between the two." Niku said showing the star shaped necklace with a black stone in the center to Awèsyiss.
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Awèsyiss snatched the necklace from him, examining it with her violet eyes, "It might be worth something to them, but they do prefer High Elf jewelery. Nonetheless, thank you." She clipped it to one of the links on the chain of her sword, wrapping it a bit so it wouldn't cause much noise, "Now come on, it's not too far from here." She turned, lifting her hand in a motion for him to follow as she walked. "What if she hasn't forgiven you? What will you do then?"
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Niku nodded and followed her, he quickly sped up so he was right next to her. "She keeps using the tree's to tell me that she forgives me." He said hoping it was true. "She has a strong connection with the trees, just like I did with the earth." He said with a small sigh. "Now my children on the other hand, I don't know what they will do." Niku said wincing as the sun finally broke over the tree line.
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She nodded, "At least you know she still loves you." She shrugged a bit as they continued. Soon coming upon a small clearing. She displayed the clearing with her hands, "This shall suffice, hm?" She stepped aside, "If you'd like me to leave you alone for awhile, I can do that. I will also keep all other distractions away." She paused mid turn. Why was she helping this man? He obviously could not stop this war between their races. She sighed a bit, placing her hands on her hips with slight annoyance.
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"It shall." Niku said as he walked to the middle of the clearing and sat down cross legged. "You don't have to go if you don't want to. The change will only take a few minutes." He said closing his eyes. He raised his arms, "Ai tar ol o, si mosor os si aes, shol, sharaes, thosi, si'm, eil eilostar. Ai shor sai vaeres teiraer sai si condraer os si aelaer. (I call on you, the spirits of the earth, wind, water, fire, tree's, and animals. I wish to return myself to the highness of the elves.)" He said in elfish. "Ai vaelyli si pas eil saji si si jhol. (I renounce the dark and take the light.)" Niku said as his body shook violently.
He fell to his back as his skin started to turn to it high elf color. His hair grew long and turned blonde. His eyes turned to a light green, and his form beefed up. He opened his eyes and grabbed his head as the voices of the tree's and animals came into it. He closed his eyes and calmed his mind, soon the voices were gone. He opened them and stood up weakly, "It is weird to be tall again. And my hair, ha." Niku said looking to Awèsyiss. |
Awèsyiss crossed her arms as she watched him, elves were so strange..what with their language and whatnot. Her violet eyes watched him closely as he changed; he looked rather stunning in his clothes now. "You shrank as a Dark Elf? Why is that?" She glanced around, feeling uneasy around him now. She managed to keep a good comfortable distance between them, "I'm sorry...I'm not used to being so close to a High Elf. It makes me..cautious."
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"I don't know, it was actually quite annoying." Niku said with a small sigh. "Don't be worried, I wont do anything. Other then play with a rock or two." He said with a small laugh. "By the way can you ride a horse? It is about a one day trek back to my father's land." He said putting his fingers up to his lips. "Or can you teleport?" Niku asked waiting.
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"I've ridden a horse, and I can teleport or fly, even in this form. I would prefer not to teleport though, such a distance is very tasking. We are not known for our magical prowess, but rather our strength and agility. I could even run back; I have excellent stamina and I could outrun any horse you own." She couldn't help but boast a little. It made her feel slightly better.
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"If you want to run to my father's land feel free." Niku said with a laugh. He did a loud quick whistle. Two horses came running from the camp, one was a buckskin Arabian, and the other was a white/gray Andalusian. "If you wish to run there you can. I will go by horse." He said with a smile. "You can take Leaf if you want." Niku said as he quickly mounted the white hose.
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She shrugged, going over to the Arabian, "I wouldn't want him to come this way for nothing. Besides, been awhile since I last rode.." She frowned a bit, suddenly pausing as she was about to mount, "One problem though...I have scales, not flesh. I wouldn't want to scratch his back." She pondered a moment, unclasping her cloak from her shoulders with a slight twinge of pain. After a quick second to recompose, she draped it over his back, so the softer inside was down against this skin. "This is going to hurt me more now..." She sighed, hauling herself to the horses back, gripping the mane with one hand, "Alright, I'm ready to go."
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"You know I did have a blanket that you could of used." Niku said running his hand through his hair. He gently kicked the horses sides as he grabbed the horses mane. "If you get hungry we will stop, other then that we will not." Niku said as he kicked the horses sides to make her go faster.
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"I will be fine. You're little friend filled me up rather nicely." She gently spurred the Arab's sides, sending him galloping after the white horse. "We don't need to waste time going back to your camp anyway. Besides, the marks will disappear after a few hours anyway." She reached forward as the ran, adjusting the cloak and clasping it around the horse's neck; the clasp glowing rather brightly. "Oh knock it off you, it's that or the horse." She flicked the eye-looking stone with a wince as she did so. "Damn wi-cloak."
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"Ok." Niku said with a smile. His light green eyes were glowing in the sunlight. He was enjoying the feeling of sunlight without it hurting him. "I missed the sunlight." Niku said as he slowed the horse down so she wouldn't tire out quickly.
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Awèsyiss gave him a look, "Hey, I am not crazy. The damn things are so annoying." She gently pulled on Leaf's mane, slowing him to match the grey horse's pace, "How long have you been a Dark Elf, Niku? I mean, for you to be able to change back so quickly and easily, it can't have been long..right?"
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Niku chuckled, "What ever you say." He said with a smile. "I was 957, I have been Dark for 70 years. He said as his smile turned to a frown. "The thing is my mind has been fighting the change since I turned." He said letting out a sigh. "My skin was almost black when I went Dark, and it was a very pale blue not more then a few moments ago." He said looking to Awèsyiss.
*** "Well here is my father's land." Niku said stopping the horse. He led her to the gate, "Welcome to Reto." Niko said as the gate opened. |
Awèsyiss nodded, "I see..very interesting. You sure they won't ambush me? I do not take lightly to ambushes..." She held the Arab's mane a bit tightly, "Reto? Hmm..I've never heard of this city...are you guys secretive or paranoid?"
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"I'm sure they wont, you look more like a Drow then anything. And we have a treaty with the Drow's." Niku said with a smile. "We are both actually. Since the Ancient Library is here, we have to be secretive and paranoid." He said as he dismounted the horse. "Leaf and Tinhi, you know where to go, right?" He asked slapping the horses on the butts.
The horses snorted in agreement and ran off to the stables. Suddenly a white hared woman walked by Niku, the woman backtracked and looked Niku in the eyes. Niku jumped a little bit when the elf looked into his eyes, "Can I help you?" He asked a little creeped out. "Those eyes, that voice, that green shirt," She looked down at Niku's hand. "That ring... Your Prince Niku." The woman said stepping back and bowing. "Yes, yes I am. Now stand up, I don't want the other elves knowing I am back before my wife does." Niku said in a whisper, as he pulled the woman up from the bow. "Now please go back to your shopping." He said with a smile. "Yes my Lord, and thank you for returning." The woman said slightly bowing and skittering off. Niku sighed and looked at Awèsyiss, "Sorry about that, I was very loved." He said rubbing the back of his head. |
Awèsyiss sighed, dismounting and removing her cloak from the horse's back and clipping it above her left shoulder. It was a bit scuffed, but nothing a few hours of healing couldn't accomplish. She watched with one brow raised as the woman reacted to Niku. She pinched the bridge of her nose, "You're a prince..what do you expect..." Her violet eyes looked off to the left, catching onto two small children. They were staring at her, as with many of the elves nearby. Her sensitive ears picked up their whispers, causing her eyes to narrow a bit. "Let's just get going...I think I'm going to get sick if I have to stay here much longer." Her hand hovered by the hilt of her sword out of habit as she scanned the crowds for any threats.
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"Ok, the jewelry shops are right up here." Niku said pointing ahead and to the right. He started to led her to the stands, as he heard some fast passed running. He knew the footsteps, "Crap." He said as he heard a bow string snap. He quickly turned around and threw up a earth shield. He dropped it when he heard the arrows slam into it.
Suddenly a blonde hared elf dropped down in front of Niku. "Niku Talberon Migorn! How dare you leave me for seventy years?!" The woman yelled as attention was being drawn to them. Niku's mouth dropped slightly, "He-..hello Raina." He said a little scared. "That's all you have to say is hello? What about I'm sorry Raina, or please forgive me Raina." She said crossing her arms in a huff. "And where is that necklace I bought you?" She said staring down Niku. "I'm sorry Raina, and could we possibly talk about this at home?" He asked a little embarrassed. "If you want to Awèsyiss, you can go shop." Niku said still looking at Raina. |
Awèsyiss covered her mouth with her red-violet hand, holding back her laughter, "I had no idea that she wore the pants~" She turned on her heel and meandered off to where Niku had pointed. She glanced over the jewelery, rather impressed with their craftsmanship. And that's why those devils want them...if their information wasn't so key to my mission I would've killed them years ago. She sighed a bit, but suddenly, something caught her eyes.
She looked up to the vendor, opening her hand in front of the pendant, "May I?" She nodded without looking up. Awèsyiss gently lifted the silver pendant, examining it closely. The detail in the dragon's body was impeccable and the way the silver was molded around the natural Amethyst was just astounding. She swore she could see some diamonds in there too; along the border of the stone, but realized that the silver was just highly polished. "How much for this?" She lowered her hand a bit so the woman could look. The young-looking elf peered up from the chain she was working on. She smiled a bit; but quickly frowned seeing the owner of the voice. A drow..marvelous. "I don't think you could afford it." She gently took it from the woman's hand and placed it back on the stand. Awèsyiss narrowed her eyes a bit, pulling a bag of gold coins the back end of her dagger sheath. She loosened the tie a bit then let it drop to the table, revealing the amount of gold inside, "Oh, I think I can Little Miss." The woman stared wide eyed, "3,500 in gold..." Awèsyiss smiled, pulling the bag from the table and snatching a few coins, letting them fall to the counter. After a moment, the small pile resembled the exact amount required. "Thank you very much." She snatched the pendant from it's stand, examining it again. It was definitely worth it. She bent forward, attaching the little pendant to one of the chain links by the hilt of her sword. She smiled again, nodded her head to the woman, then turned around, glancing at the other shops. |
Niku glared at Awèsyiss, "Well wouldn't you be furious if your husband disappeared for 70 years?" He said quickly turned his attention back to Raina. "Shall we darling?" He asked holding out his hand.
Raina slapped Niku's hand away, and turned on her heel as she went to their house. "And who was that Drow Niku? Is she my replacement?" She asked slightly glaring at Awèsyiss, as she walked by her. Niku quickly ran after Raina, "She is just my friend, no one could ever replace you darling~" He said with a smile, trying to calm her down. He was afraid to ask this next question, "How are the children?" Niku asked flinching as he waited for her response. She stopped dead in her tracks, "We will talk about them when we get home." She said as she started walking again. Niku frowned, "Well this wont be good." |
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