Whatcha got there, in that burlap sack? (Open)

[Fukurou]

She bolted through the woods, a burlap sack held tightly in her hands. She jumped over roots and dashed around bushes, looking back every once in a while to see whether of not her pursuers were behind her. She jumped up and heaved herself up onto a low-hanging branch and proceeded to swiftly climb up the towering tree. She stopped about half way up. It was midday, and the way the sun peered through the forest gave everything a beautiful and magical emerald glow. She could see for miles from this spot. Perfect. Bryn scanned the vicinity and spotted a group of soldiers. They were looking for something. For her, to be exact. The group appeared to be arguing with each other. A couple of them pointed in different directions and yelling seemed to break out within the group. Eventually, they group came to an agreement and ran in the opposite direction of where Bryn was. A cheeky grin broke out across the young girl's face as she took out a cookie from her pocket and proceeded to munch on it.

[Mephistel]

Something that the girl hadn't notice as she climbed the tree, was the presence of the spirit sitting in it's branches. A young humanoid creature of unknown gender, his features been either too soft or too hard, it was hard to tell. Yellow fiery eyes looking upon her as his dark blueish and green highlight hair were falling over his face. Soft purplish skin and feathers and scales, like peacock covering his shoulders.

Wearing nothing but a small piece of clothes around his hips to hide whatever he could be. The spirit spoke softly, as if rain was falling. His voice was soothing and calm as he spoke. He hadn't made much noise as he turned to sit and face the girl. He was standing a few branches away from her, a little higher also.

-Is it good?-

He asked, looking at the cookie she was eating with curiosity.

[Fukurou]

"Is it good?"

Dagger in hand, Bryn spun around to face the person who spoke. She nearly fell of the branch but managed to catch herself before falling from the tree.

"Back off, mate." She brandished the dagger. "This here's mine, yeah." She looked quite startled, yet fierce all at the same time. She noticed the being's near-nakedness and blushed, mistaking the being for a feminine looking boy. "Are you some kinda pervert, runnin' around in just your small clothes?"

[Mephistel]

Ahuzanel was a bit surprised by her reaction, he stood back a little as she took her dagger out. He had a bad experience with human weapon, they tend to hurt spirit like him a lot.

-I had no intention of taking it from you...I was just curious...-

He said, his voice still as soft as it was before. The being didn't look human, nor even did he look like any elf she could have seen. That last question made him wondered, but he shook his head.

-No...I'm a forest spirit...that is how your people call me...-

He said. To him, wearing so little meant nothing, he had nothing to hide after all. He glance at the dagger, a bit worriedly. Taking another step back onto the branche.

-Could you...put that away?...please..-

He asked. The last dagger that had pierced a spirit, had turned him into a monster and Ahuzanel didn't want to end like that. He was a peaceful creature and never meant to harm anyone.

[Fukurou]

Bryn seathed her dagger. Her fierce expression faded into that of annoyance. "Well, Mr. Forest Spirit, you really shouldn't sneak up on people like that!" She crossed her arms. Truth be told, she felt a little bad about making him feel uncomfortable, but she was too stubborn to apologize. "You might also want to get some clothes anyway."

Bryn thought about what he said, that he was just curious and didn't want to take it from her. Wait a sec, Bryn thought to herself. Was he... talking about my cookie? She reached into her pocket and took out another one. "This is a cookie." She offered it to the spirit. "Want one?"

[Mephistel]

Ahuzanel shook his head as she said he shouldn't sneak up on people, but the ting was, the spirit was there long before the girl had climb in.

-But...I didn't sneak up...I have been in this tree for hours...tending to those babies howl...-

He said, showing her a small hole in of the tree, where the small chirp of baby birds could be heard. He looked at himself, for as long as he had lived, this was the first time someone had told him to wear clothes. but he didn't need them, he didn't feel cold or anything. He tilted his head as she offered him one of her cookie.

A smile appeared on his face and he nodded.

-Thank you...my name is Ahuzanel...what is yours?-

[Fukurou]

She looked up and saw the baby birds, then looked back at the spirit.

"Well, whatever," she said. She didn't sound irritated, but rather dismissive. There was was no point in arguing about something so small. "Name's Bryn" She handed over the cookie. "Ahuzanel. Funny name you got there. Don't mean it in a bad way, though. I quite like it, yeah." The way she talked was different, even compared to the peasant class. Most mortals would consider the way she spoke to be "improper" or "crass." This was the way her people, the ruffians and bottom feeders, spoke after all.

She watched Ahuzanel eat the cookie. "You like it?"

[Mephistel]

Ahuzanel took the cookie and started eating it, piece by piece and slowly. He wasn't use to eating food made by humans, or elves. He would usually eat berries or others small fruits. The taste wasn't so bad. As she asked the question, he nodded to her.

-So...what are you doing up here? -

He asked. He wasn't originally from this forest, but there was a full moon soon and there was a great assembly that would soon be held, thus why he was in the Niahi woods at the moment. He smiled at her.

-There seems to be a lot of people coming in and out of this forest...it's much more calm in the thundra...-

He said, smiling softly.

[Fukurou]

She looked at the burlap sack, then back at Ahuzanel. Magic radiated from within the sack. "I'm protecting something that's rightfully mine," she said carefully. This was a lie, of course. Earlier in the day, Bryn came across a caravan full of goods. She devised a plan and had stolen the item within the burlap sack. Unfortunately, her plan didn't go as well as she had hoped. After being discovered by one of the many guards surrounding the caravan, she ran and eventually ended up in this tree.

[Mephistel]

Ahuzanel could feel she wasn't exactly telling the truth, but he couldn't just give accusations without proof, and at any rate, it wasn't his place to do so. His job was to protect the forest and right now, he was simply doing that. Also, there that meeting he had to attend.

-I see, then make sure to keep it well...-

He said seriously. On that, he started to climb down the tree branches, very swiftly, it was as if he wasn't even touching the branches, more, like he was simply falling down, but very slowly. Reaching the ground, he looked up to her.

-Well then...it was nice meeting you...-

He whistle and a moment later, a giant white wolf, easily the size of a horse, appeared out of the wood. The spirit climbed onto his back as they started to walk off.

[Fukurou]

"Nice meeting ya too..." she said as she watched the spirit float from the tree. A giant white wolf appeared from the tree and the spirit mounted it and rode off. "What a weird guy," she said to herself, studying the two as they strode away. Bryn slung the burlap sack over her shoulder and hopped down the tree. The way she did it was not as graceful as the spirit, but it was skillful nonetheless. She peered into the bag. A large, egg rested inside. The shell had
a beautiful marbling of gold and marroon, and it seemed to glow lightly. There was a spell cast on it to keep it both safe and incubated. Good. She thought to herself, letting out a sigh of relief. The egg is fine. She had no idea what this egg was, but she knew it would fetch her an astronomical price. It was reckless if her to attempt to steal this egg. Traps covered the wagon, guards surrounded the perimeter, and there was even a mage skulking about. But somehow, she did it and she was damn proud of it.

Bryn looked back and thought of the spirit. Where`s he goin`, She wondered to herself. She figured it didn`t matter. They`ll never see eachother again. pBryn started in the direction of the nearest settlement but stopped after taking a few steps. Her curiosity about the spirit was too strong, so she went after him, being careful to keep herself as hidden as possible.

[Mephistel]

Pryn would need to look for a moment before finding them again, they were off into the woods and luckily, not moving too fast. From what she could see, Ahuzanel was talking with said wolf and the wolf was answering back. Two very good friends enjoying a walk into the woods. She couldn't hear what they were saying, but eventually, Ahuzanel turned his head in her general direction without exactly finding her, then shrugged.

-It's ok...-

And the duo continued. They were getting deeper and deeper into the forest, such as the sun barely made it trough the roof of leaves. They didn't seemed to mind her presence, but it was hard to tell if they knew or not of her following them.

They reached a small opening and stopped there, tall rock disposed in a circle were standing there. Ahuzanel got off the wolf's back and patted him on the head. The wolf lay on the ground and closed his eyes, as if ready to take a nap, while the spirit seemed to be waiting for something.

[Fukurou]

What's he waitin' for? She thought to herself as she watched the spirit and the wolf. She kept to the edge, hiding within the bushes and watched carefully, scanning the scenery for any other signs of life. She wasn't sure if the two were aware of her presence, but if they did, they haven't said anything yet so Bryn thought it was safe to stay. This whole thing seemed pretty strange to her: Ahuzanel, the wolf, this clearing, and the indescribable feeling of magic dancing in the air. She couldn't help but feel as though she was intruding on something intimate and mystical, like a commoner trespassing into the king's dining area. But alas, she stayed and watched.

[Mephistel]

As the sun reached it's peak in the sky, it's ray hit the small sundial standing at the center of the circle of rocks. When it did, green lines of mystical energy appeared from it and slowly reached toward the various stones, lining the ground with strange patterns of  light. The stones were soon covered by those same patterns and glow slightly even in the midst of day. The wolf got up, standing by Ahuzanel's side as he stepped forward the center. And from the ground, lines of light appeared, creating a portal in the air, which seemed to lead somewhere else.

The spirit got back onto the wolf's back and they entered the portal. Once they were in, it slowly started to close. If Bryn wanted to follow, she would have to do it quickly. She could hear the sounds of the man trying to find her not too far away.

[Fukurou]

The purple and blue hues of the portal swirled delicately together and radiated a low yet peaceful humming noise. As the spirit and the wolf jumped through it, it seemed to swallow them whole. She watched it, both intrigued yet frightened of what lied beyond.

"There she is!" A man's voice broke out from the quite forest. The sound of many footsteps came thundering from behind her. Bryn looked back. There were at least a dozen or so guards sprinting her way, brandishing all sorts of weapons. She looked at the portal. It was getting smaller and smaller by the second. The portal was her easy way out, but there was no telling what lied beyond. On the other hand, running from the guards would be nearly impossible at this point but if she could manage to shake them and leave the forest, she would never have to worry about them again. Guards. Portal. Guards. Portal. She sprung up and ran with the burlap held tight in her hands. The portal was nearly closed and guards were approaching faster than she anticipated. Bryn dove of the portal. The head guard lunged for her ankle, missing it by just a hair. She hit the portal just as it closed and it swallowed her whole.

[Mephistel]

When she passed trough the portal, she found herself swirling into the air for a moment, until she fell to the ground, or what seems to be the ground. The portal had close behind her, cutting her from all sounds from the outside world. A quick look around would tell her that she was nowhere on Earth anymore. Or so it seems.

It was dark and the small path on which she was looked like it was alit by thousands of small blue rock, shining in the dark. Around her, a forest of mushroom of all kind and color, also glowing in the dark, long gelatinous branches falling off their top like the tentacles of a jellyfish. Stars could be seen in the sky but none were familiar, it look like a complete new set of constellations. Small strange insect were flying about, minding their own business but also lit with that similar bioluminescence.

A little further ahead, she saw the giant white wolf and the spirit, which shoulder's scales and feather were also glowing in the darkness. Some runes had appear on Ahuzanel's face and were glowing as well, a soft aqua blue light. They were walking on the small path, the only one so far.

[Fukurou]

Bryn stood still for a couple of seconds, taking in the mystical scenery. The way in which every plant appeared to radiate a soft glow made the it look as though the two creatures in front of her were walking through water. She marveled at the absolute beauty of the mysterious place. Bryn took a step forward. Vibrant green glowing grass sprang up around her foot and then faded away within seconds. She took another step forward and slowly followed the others.

[Mephistel]

As she followed the strange young spirit and his wolf, they made their way trough the forest, as strange as it was. Slight glow were showing on every steps they took, as well as Bryn. They kept walking and eventually reached a crossroad. That's when Ahuzanel turned his head, spotting the elf and said.

-You should have said so if you wanted to come...-

His voice wasn't angry, nor annoyed, just soft as the rain, it almost felt like she was hearing rain fall when he spoke. The wolf turned his giant head toward her, his icy blue eyes locked on her.

-Come...it will be faster if you get on Wolfang too...-

[Fukurou]

"Well," Bryn started with a defiant look on her face. "It wasn`t like I was planning on comming..." She looked at the wolf and then back at the spirit. Neither of them looked angry or even irritated. Instead, they looked at her patiently, waiting for her to join them on their journey. She looked closely at Ahuzanel`s face. The runes on his face gave off a blue glow. Bryn wondered if something similar had appeared on her, so she looked down and inspected her own own hands. Nothing. She looked back up at the two beings and walked towards them. She approached Wolfang`s flank and tentatively reached out her hand to touch his snowy pelt. Their pelt felt like velvet on Bryn`s small hand. She climbed up onto the back of the wolf and held on to Ahuzanel.

[Mephistel]

Ahuzanel just gave off a kind smile as she approach the wolf. Been a bit impatient, Wolfang still waited for her to climb on, and once she was done, he started running. They rushed trough the woods a lot more faster and as they did so, the wind came clashing against their face, Ahuzanel's feathers gently brushing against Bryn's skin as she was close to him. A good thing she was holding to him, she might have fall with the speed they were running at.

They eventually reach a large opening, leading into a beautiful valley. Tall grass welcomed them, and the sparks of crystal clear rivers in the far made the valley look like a fine neck wearing a long pearl necklace. In the distance, they could see a large fire and many figures around it. It felt like nighttime and so, their long shadows were dancing around the fire pit.

They joined them, the wolf walking into the tall grass until they reached the group. Many creatures stood there, reminding of the spirit Bryn was with. All of them had skin of various tint, feathers, scales and fur covered their shoulders, some had flowers sprouting from their heads and other had branches on their back. They all looked incredibly beautiful and androgenous like Ahuzanel. The spirit got off the wolf back and moved toward them. Where he was warmly welcome.

As they got closer, bryn could see that many different kind of food were lay on small tables, fruits of all kind, apple, grapes, melon, and many others, wine of different sort as well, but perhaps it was better to be careful. There was also cheese and berries, along with various type of breads, some dry meat from unknown beast.

-You've arrived! We are happy to see you!-

One of them said as they welcome the spirit among them. The wolf stayed a bit behind with the girl on his back. He lay down on the ground and closed his eyes, resting in the tall grass.

-Oh...and you brought a guest?-
-Ahh yes, please allow her to stay.-
-Certainly, the more the merrier as they say!-

Ahuzanel then waved for her to come along.