High pitched breaths, cracking of leaves and branches moved away from the old broken towers. Along with noises of pursuaders.
A young girl with opal colored hair had been trying to cross the woods. Alone. Who else would be there with her after all. She had been alone since her mother passed away. Her father, she never knew him. Not even stories or how he looked like.
Whilest attempting to cross the forest she stumbled upon the broken towers. And those whom had made those towers their home. The same people she was now running away from.
A scream echoed through the thick woods as she tripped over a branch and hit the leafy ground. The girl tried to get up but a sharp pain came from her ankle. A second time resulted in the same.
She crawled away in a hollow tree. Hopefully those whom had seen her and pursuaded her would not find her.
The moon was full and Jasper's true form was unleashed upon the world. The beast that often lurked just beneath the skin. It felt odd, to be in this form, it was almost as if he were dreaming. He heard a scream, and ran towards it. He didn't know what he was doing, in his wolf form even he lost control to the beast sometimes, the beast and its urges.
Still he ran. He could soon smell the sweat, the fear, the booze and adrenaline mixed together in the night air. He lowered his head, sniffing the ground, his blue eyes nearly glowing in the darkness. His head shot up when the symphony of heavy footfalls neared him.
A growl, something closer to the sound of a grizzly than a wolf escaped his chest. His Ivory white teeth glistening in the moon light as he crept his way towards the smell of the drunk men. Once the growl was heard it didn't take long for the men to scatter. A beast the size of a large horse was enough to scare off most men, especially when not hunting the particular beast.
Falaen then turned, he could tell there was someone else there, he could smell its fear. He slowly crept closer, the slight hint of blood, as if from a small scrape or cut. It was most definitely a stinky human, that smell was definite. Nothing had quiet the aroma. He found himself looking at a tree, softly growling as his blue eyes grew closure, searching the darkness.
She heard the men leave in fear. Was there someone else in the thick woods? Whomever it was, the person had a dog or wolf with him. She had encountered folk having dogs or wolves as pets. Slowly she started to crawl outside of the hollow tree. But did not find what she had expected.
Cassiopeia was small for her age. Lack of proper nutricion, clothes that actually were to small. Her tiny shoes had been no different. Despite carrying them in a small bag she no longer put them on. It hurt more then walking barefooted.
Being so small made the beast only look bigger to her and she froze. The first she noticed were those blue eyes. Making her think of the clear waters of the sea she had seen in picturebooks. But what were the intentions of this creature now.
''E..ehm....'' she almost squeeked. Still fearfull of her pursuaders that left in terror barely a minute ago. She however did not break the eyecontact with the large beast. ''T-thank you..'' she tried to get on her feet but a shot of pain from her ankle gave her a squeel. It felt hot and bruised and an undeep cut most likely from the branch allowed some blood to have slightly flow out. But knew enough from living on the streets it was not broken. She was not sure what to do. She felt a little fearfull for the creature but was gratefull too and carefully let her tiny hands reach out to him.
Falaen was surprised at the beast inside of himself, well at that moment, on the outside of himself. It rarely took pity on anyone, his beast was aggressive and dominate, an alpha male. For it to bow its head to a child. To simply sniff the child's hand instead of biting it off, then to allow that child to pet him like some pet, it was near mind boggling.
It was something about the innocence of the child, so trusting towards a beast that could tear her apart quicker than she could scream.
His head lowered more, smelling the blood. Falaen panicked. The beast could go in a frenzy, killing the child, something he didn't want to happen. That isn't what happened though. He leaned down, and as if tending to another wolves wound, licked the affected area. The beasts saliva would quickly heal the wound, even easing her ankle.
Falaen sighed, knowing that what he did, and his wolf, because they were the same while seperate, would be more of a curse than a blessing.
The girl giggled a little when the beast started to lick the wound. It tickled but since it started to feel better she did not ask for the beast to stop. Perhaps if someone had ever told her in her life werewolves were actually dangerous creatures and how they looked like she had responded different. But all she knew right now is that he saved her from those men and gently hugged the beast. ''..Warm..'' she muttered burrying her face in the fur that she held before she started sobbing. ''Cassie... Cassie was scared'' she cried. ''T-they were chasing me... and were angry but Cassie did nothing wrong I swear..'' she shivered a little but not nessesarily due the cold. She was used to that to much. ''Cassie is happy you are here..'' she said after she stopped sobbing
Falaen nuzzled the poor thing, He felt sorry for her. She was so small and pitiful looking. He wasn't exactly fond of the girl snotting in his firm but he figured it would be okay. He felt that his wolf liked the girl, something about the child captured his beast, especially now that the wolf knew she would become a wolf as well.
Falaen laid down, nudging the child to his back so they could put a little distance between them and the bandits.
Cassiopeia fell asleep on Falaens back. She usually had short nights. Staying to long in one place on the streets or woods was not a wise thing to do but it was still dark. Though not visable by the thick woods, the moon had moved down from its high place earlier in the night sky to sink below the horizon.
''Cassiopeia is Cassie...do you have a name?'' she asked softly
Once the child was on his back be stood and began to walk slowly. He was careful to not let the sleeping child fall from his back as he made his way to the caves he used when in his changed form. It was cozy, and well tended to. It was clear no other animal dared to enter it. If one closely inspected they would see an array of animal firs, cleanly tanned along the floors and walls of the cavern he slept in. It was pitch black but his eyes could see fine. He new that in a few weeks hes would be able to adjust to the darkness as well.
When she asked his name he couldn't respond, not yet anyway. She would find out soon enough.
Cassiopeia was not afraid of the dark unlike many of those who were the same age as her. Usually spending nights outside in the streets or the outdoors made it so she got adjusted sooner then a normal person would. But she could not help but to swallow once in anticipation when seeing all the furs. Last time she saw this many furs was at some markets where they were sold in a variety of colors and qualities.
When inside of the cave she let out a little 'wow' of what could be described best of amazement. Surely it was 'just' a cave. But it felt safe. ''Bad men dont come here?'' she asked as she looked around in the darkness for the few feet she at the least had sight. She would see more when the light of day would come.
Birds started to chirp not that long after they had entered the cave. Annoucing the arrival of dawn. Although the trees still blocked most of the light.
Falaen nudged the girl to a corner, using his mouth to adjust the furs and blankets around the child. He hoped she would stay there. He had to go change back to his human form. Well he didn't have to change, but he wanted to, he found it hard to communicate with the child lacking vocal skills.
He then turned leaving the cavern, navigating to another cavern, a deeper hidden cavern. Still, it wouldn't take long for him to return, this time he returned in human form. His longer near white hair pulled back into a loose pony tale. He worse a loose tunic with a leather belt and black loose pants that were tucked into dark brown leather boots.
When Falaen had come back Cassie looked at him. She had not shrieked back but looked at him questioning. ''Blue eyes.'' she said almost sympathic. ''Same..'' the furs were soft and warm and she held them around her small frame. A smile formed on her lips. Eyes were the reflection of someones soul, her mother used to say. Or something like that. It were only one of the few scentences she remembered her mother saying.
''What is good mans name?'' she asked before she attempted to get on her feet again. She did manage and hurt less then she expected. She had bruises and twisted ankles before from slipping and falling but it felt a lot better.
"I am not a good man," Falaen spoke, more mumbling than anything. He wasn't a good man, he had basically cursed the poor girl and she didn't even know it yet. He was a killer, a monster, a beast. The poor innocent just didn't realize she was face to face with evil.
"My name is Falaen," He spoke as he motioned for her to stay down with his hand.
"The more you try to use it the worse it will be, okay?" He spoke as he pulled something out of a pouch in his hand.
''Ok.'' Cassie sat down again. Her eyes not leaving him for a single moment. ''Cassie thinks Falaen is a good man.'' she stated. ''because Falaen chased mean men away and stayed with Cassie. And even brought Cassie here. Like a... like a....'' she pondered with a little sound and closed her eyes briefly to think. ''Like one of those princes who save a princess in moms stories!'' she said enthausiasticly. ''Although Cassie is not a princess. Cassie is Cassie'' she giggled.
''Why does Falaen think he is not a good man?''
Falaen sighed. The girl reminded him of his sister when she was young.
"I am no prince in shining armor," He spoke as she moved the furs to reveal the little girls swollen ankle.
"Where is your mother?" Falaen asked as he gently rubbed some sav on the swollen appendage. He ignored her question of why he thought he was a bad man. She was young and didn't need to know the sins he had committed.
''Cassie's mama is sleeping eternal now.'' the girl replied. Squeeked a little when the ankle was touched but gave no objections. ''She fell asleep two years ago. And papa... Cassie does not know papa. Cassie could not earn enough to pay the home so Cassie was sent to orphanage. But they were mean and hurt me. Mostly here.'' she pressed her hands against her chest where her heart was. ''So Cassie left...'' she looked a little sad and when realising she did so she smiled again. ''But Cassie is ok now. Although no shining armor... Cassie was saved. Also. Is shining armor not useless? It might blind people...'' she squeeked again but still smiled regardless.
Falaen opened his mouth to begin to explain the shining armor part what just the phrase but stopped himself.
"Well I am sorry, my parents are gone as well," He spoke with a sigh. Though the fact still hurt his heart, the wounds never healing he had mastered the mask that covered it.
Falaen then pulled out a few strips of cloth and gently began to wrap around the girls ankle.
"Are you hungry?"
Cassie blushed. ''A little hungry'' she admitted. ''Cassie has eaten last 4 days ago. But Cassie sometimes had nothing to eat for over a week. Cassie is used to it now. But I found some berries'' She rreached for her back; gone. The piece of fabric she had hung around her and functioned as a bag was gone. With her way to small shoes in it and the few berries she had collected. ''Cassie lost her bag..'' immediatly she looked as if she was going to cry. But a quick rub from her hands over her eyes was enough. ''I will get a new bag'' she said simply
Falaen sighed, emptying the pouch he had in his hand and handed it to the girl. It was a small rather expensive looking leather pouch that had a strap that allowed it to be hung over the shoulder.
"You can have this one."
"Stay I will be back with food."
Cassie blinked a few times. A gift? With trembling hands she took the pouch and looked at it as if it were a large chunk of diamond or gold. She then got up and wrapped her arms around Falaen. ''Thank you. Cassie never receives gifts. It is Cassie's new treasure'' she said before she let go. ''Cassie can stay put. And will wait till Falaen is back.'' she paused as she sat backk down again and looked down and stuck out her hand bent all her fingers instead her pink in her hand. ''You will come back right?...'' she asked. It was more often someone left her with the promise to come back but they actually never had. ''Pinky promise?...''
Falaen looked at the girl for a moment. He guessed he could understand why she would be hesitant about him leaving. Of course he did bring her to a part of his home she why would be do that if he planned on abandoning her? Still, with a sigh he offered her his pinky.
"Okay, pinky promise," He spoke.
He then turned and left, going to check traps and bring stuff back from his cabin, a place he wasn't yet ready to take the girl.
Cassie watched him leave and curled herself up in the furs cuddling her new pouch. ''Cassie made a new friend today.'' she whispered before she closed her eyes and brought her thumb to her mouth. Something that she despite her age still often did. Her eyes closed and she quickly fell in a light sleep. She'd wake at the slightest of footsteps for sure
It didn't take Falaen long. The wold inside of him was still very much awake and ready to prowl. He could almost instinctively tell which traps would be sprung and which would be empty. When he did he return he had a rabbit, a couple of apples and a rather hard looking piece of bread.
A bit sheepishly the girl looked at Falaen. ''welcome back'' she said and looked at the food. Her stomach made a rumbling noise and her mouth watered a little. Sure she was used to not eat a lot but she did eat when able. Often unspoken longed for it too. But thinking of food already could make a person hungry. She was comfortable in the furs as well as they kept her warm. ''How will Falaen prepare the rabbit?'' she asked exited. She knew it was often prepared as stew, roasted or baked. But how to do it herself she had actually no idea.
Falaen tossed one of the apples at the girl.
"Here, eat this while I cook the rabbit," He spoke as he set up a pit close to the entrance of the cavern to allow for ventilation. In several moments he had a small fire going, it was clear he was well rehearsed in building and starting fires. the rabbit was already field dressed and all it took to get the fir off was a sharp hard yank and the flesh easily peeled away from the muscle.
Cassie was a little clumsy with catching the fruit but somehow had very silently hopped to Falaen on one leg. Holding a fur around her with one hand and held the apple in another. The pouch was knotted with some rope at her waist against her dress.
The crunching sound of taking a bite of the apple was the first actual noise she made. The furs had kept her warm but in the end fire was warmer.
She finished the whole apple, even its core. But she had set aside the seeds. She had a habbit of planting them. ''A lady once told Cassie apples are the Devils fruit.'' she said with a giggle. ''Maybe that is why they taste so good.'' she said as she placed the seeds beside her and warmed her hands at the fire.
Falaen actually laughed, something that was rare in deed.
"It is called the fruit of knowledge, so only those who think knowledge is evil think it is the devils fruit," He replied after a second.
He had the fire going and the rabbit propped up on sticks cooking. He sat down, watching silently. He didn't know how he was going to tell the girl, or how she would take it when he told her that she was going to be what he was.
(Sorry if this post is extra special. I know I haven't posted in a bit so I figured I would try)
((No worries. There is a lot going on in your life after all. Post when you feel like it =3 ))
''You laughed.'' Cassiopeia said softly.''knowledge... does that mean that is Cassie eats tons of apples..'' she spread out her arms indicating something big as she spoke.''.. that Cassie will become smart?'' She giggled. She looked at Falaen before hugging his arm.''Falaen laughed. That made Cassie happy because Falaen's blue eyes look so sad. Cassie hopes she is no burden to Falaen..''