Sink or swim.

Puanym's tired, aching form inadvertantly spasmed when Xestri spoke, sending daggers of pain through his cramp-locked muscles. All right? Oh, other than the fact that his body felt like it was being burned by a nuclear reactor, he was soaking wet, it was cold as hell, and he'd almost been eaten by a kuenym, he was just dandy. A soft grunt of laughter broke from his throat.

"Puanym has seen better days." came his monotonous reply, and he wearily gathered his limbs beneath him. They still felt as if they were made of lead, but that unnerving weight seemed to be vanishing by the minute. He rose up on shaky hindlegs, wings automatically splaying for balance. "Though he feels as if he has swallowed an iron weight."

The midnight blue 'dragon took a few staggering steps, wobbling harshly, trying not to fall. A rough shiver wracked his frame, and he took a moment to glance longingly back at the fire on the opposite shore. Normally, he'd simply fly over the expanse of water, but his wings felt like someone had strapped bowling balls to his back. "We should return to the fire. It is too cold, and Puanym does not fancy loosing any bits and pieces of himself to the cold."

 

<font color=darkred>Kjetta let loose a small laugh with a hint of madness within it. His dark orbs glittered as he continued to lock them on hers. Folding his arms slightly, his white perfectly long fangs glistened dangerously as he stopped laughing and let his mouth form a smile.

Oh dear Twelve! You think that your threat on my life will frighten me? You've chosen the wrong teacher. I will swim indeed but not for my life. Only for your affection

And with that he opened his long trenchcoat revealing his completely black body and let it fall like a feather to the grassy floor. His fur glistened with glossiness from his recent grooming just an few hours or so before, and now you could see his tattoo, someone faded but still visable none-the-less, of a sword with a gold and sapphire hilt and dripping with blood. He tore his orbs away from her and turned, showing her the full length of his fire-resembling hair reaching towards his elbows. He walked to the edge of the pond and paused. He turned his cranium back to her and said softly

See you on the other side

And then he dived into the still black water like a true athlete competeing in a huge competition. Kjetta was incredably fit due to his warrior training and swimming was one of his favourite pastimes so he was finding this easy, apart from the fact that the water was quite murky and affecting his vision. He knew he only had to swim straight across so all he had to worry about was the two remaining kuenym. His strokes were smooth and powerful and his legs kicked him at a reasonable speed that wouldn't tire him quickly, through the water. His oxygen was being used carefully within his lungs, expelling air only in small bubbles and not in huge blasts as many inexperianced swimmers do. Left. Right. Left. Right. His arms moved continuously as his head kept a sharp eye out around him for the sign of the creatures which could mean his doom. They were lurking in the weeds on one side of the pond and had only just spotted him as he reached a quarter of the way across. The bull began to move towards him but Kjetta knew that speed would be his only chance when the bull came near so he continued his present speed and tempo through the water. The other female kuenym began to move too now that she'd seen her mate moving towards the other moving object in their pond today. Their movements were quite slow for they had bellies that were now quite full and busily digesting Thoren and the other female kuenym.

Kjetta was now halfway, exactly where Thoren and the kuenym had been killed. He looked behind him to see the remaing pair beginning to build up speed and momentum. Kjetta turned his head forwards and decided to increase his speed just a bit to increase the distance just a little bit more. Left. Right. Left. He continued to plough through the murky waters but the pair were still increasing their speed behind him and were now so close that Kjetta could see the very souls in their orbs. Kjetta suddenly increased his speed dramatically, and he sped off through the water like an arrow from a bow, quickly reaching the three-quarter mark. But the kuenym were getting smart. They spilt off either side of Kjetta and they too increased their speed, although slower than he for he had an empty belly and much smaller and slimline body for starters. Kjetta was a little worried now and his mind raced about what he could do. The bull was almost at the end of his tail and so almost within snapping distance.

Kjetta then got an idea. He muttered some words under his breath, loosing some air as he did so and he didn't have much left, and a rock flew up from the floor of the pond bed and hit the bull in his belly. The bull cried out in pain and was stopped in his tracks, enabling Kjetta to build up distance again. The female was coming up to his other side now and Kjetta mumbled again and a sharper,heavier rock flew up from the pond bed and hit her on the jaw and breaking it. That was one less kuenym to deal with. It was just the bull left. The bull was raging mad at Kjetta now and was coming up again fast as Kjetta's air was running out. Kjetta pushed himself to his limit and he could see the end of the bank just a few handlenghts away. He kicked and kicked and drove himself faster and faster through the water. The bull kept snapping his large jaws at Kjetta's constantly moving tail as it got closer and Kjetta tired. Almost there...Almost there... He said to himself over and over in his mind. He had to dispose of the bull. He let his mind race over the words for another earth spell and found one. With the last of his air he mutter the words and huge long vine-like weeds grew up from the bed of the pond and tangled the bull tightly. Kjetta threw his body upwards and forwards, his head appearing from the water as his hands clawed at the river bank to be let up. He heaved his tired body from the cold water onto the bank, almost slipping and falling back in on some already-wet grass as he did so. Just as his body landed fully on the bank, the bull kuenym broke free and saw his mate crying out in pain furthur back in the pond. There was only going to be one kuenym left in the pond shortly. Kjetta's large chest heaved up and down as he fought for oxygen and rested on the bank. He'd made it. He'd survived. He looked towards the far end of the pond where he'd swum from to look at Twelve. He looked like a drowned rat with his firery hair all over the place and his fur all wet and soggy, shimmering in the moonlight. He slowly got up and shook himself to dislodge the majority of the water from his fur, his orbs never leaving Twelve. Would she be happy he survived?</font>​

 

The ringleader remained in her stoic pose on the water’s edge, as the Teacher stripped of his garments and slipped forth to do his part in the ‘initiation’. Every muscle was stilled, save for her heart and her eyes, the former which pumped sluggishly, enthralled with the night’s events, and the latter, which darted here and there, between Kjetta and the others. Soon, there was no longer a Kjetta to observe, for the male had sloped forward and disappeared into the liquid world of black. For a moment, Okkie paused, wanting to close her corporeal orbs and peel open her x-ray vision, in order to watch his every movement, his every stunt, as she had done for the others. But, instead, she kept her mismatched oculars of emerald and aquamarine open, so she could watch the cool, calm surface of the lake. The real lake, and not some psychedelic, sonaric graph in her mind. She did not know why, exactly, she preferred this course of action for the Teacher, but Okkie had her guesses. She surmised that, in the case that he was slain at the fangs of one of the kuenym, the virgin blood seeping upwards in the water would be an orgasmic-like culmination for one hell of a night, and to watch the whole time would ruin any chance at a surprise like that. And she wanted to be surprised, lusted to see blood roiling in bubbles, popping to the surface, sighing and gasping and hissing with the last threads of life —

But that was not to be. Okkie sensed thrashing in the water, could hear a struggle going in in the depths with the pits of her mind. Then, only moments after he had disappeared, Kjetta was back, striving to launch himself up the opposite bank. The banded female watched him across the pond, her expression blank, and then she heard muffled thunder (or so she thought). Seconds later, the injured she-kuenym had breached the surface, sounding her agony, her jaw bleeding and cracked, swinging loosely from her jowls as if on snapped hinges. Mismatched eyes watched in silent awe, and then they cast around — where was the other kuenym? Teacher had obviously injured the one, had he also killed the other? She could not keep herself from whistling at this impressive stunt-work.

“Well done, all of you,” she whispered, now finally closing her eyes so that she could portray this message telepathically. <b>“You have all proved your worth, so come ’round, and let’s celebrate. I have some interesting things to tell you, and some even better rewards. And I must say, I am definitely not cheap when it comes to fair earnings.”</b.

 

<span style='color:gray'>
Pupil-less optics rested quietly on Puanym for a few moments longer, the feline making sure that her fellow Shadowlack member wasn't in too much pain. It appeared that he could stand, and hopfully walk back to the fire with her. After such a dangerous journey across the pond, it ould have been a shame for the male to let the cold air wipe him out now. After Xestri was reassured of Puanym's strength to walk, she silenlty started to head back to the fire - just as the Teacher heaved himself out of the pond. So, he had made it.. Though, unlike the other two, he had not been carrying a liquid weight of lead. Hardly fair..

Half way back to the burning flames, a telepathic message, from Okkie, sounded softly in the polar-coloured feline's mind. Interesting things and rewards? Intruiging. Learning more about this Shadowlack would be worth the cruel journey across the blackened pond. Worth the stains of blood and muk that patched her fur here and there, creating a faint but fowl stench over her body.

Nearing the fire, still silent, female sat, letting the flicking flames lick this way and that, warming her still limbs and cold features. Awaiting explanations and rewards, pupil-less gaze stared deep into the heart of the dancing embers.</span>

 

Tired muslces played hell on he who wanted nothing more than to get to that etheral flame in the clearing. Each step hurt, limbs crying out in private, dischordant agony. Yet, no glimpse of this crossed Paunym's face, nor did it mar the cool gray of his eyes. Pain was easy to cope with, to ignore if need be. He completely ignored Kjetta, not caring a whit about the Teacher's fate. Though, he would be lying if he said he wasn't a little disappointed that the elder male had survived.

Ah...a message from Twelve. Palaver they were to have, to glean up the promised information about this Shadowlack, the reason for their being there. The reason for Thoren's bloody demise...a soft, rather high-pitched giggle erupted from his throat, eyes flashing with crimson glee. He was sure Okkie would have picked up on the slight rememberance, and didn't care. She was probably just as pleased about it as he was.

And rewards...Twelve had spoken of rewards earlier, and Puanym was definitely interested to see what the banded pendragon had in mind. As he approached the flame, the nightsky blue 'dragon made a beeline for his discarded pants, key still hanging in the lock. He didn't bother to put them on; wet leather was a pain, and he could sit by the fire to dry himself off. For now, he stood, simply enjoying the heat radiating back against him. Twelve would reveal in time just what she had brought them here for.

 

<font color=darkred>Kjetta was still trying to cool his breathing, still slightly irregular, as he heard his sweet voice clearly in his head. He didn't like the fact that the males of the species of pendragons couldn't do that but didn't mind for once to have a female's voice run through his head like light through glass. But it wasnt personal. It was in general. She was obviously saying it to each and every one of them. He growled slightly at this but he too stretched his muscles, which were tired and quite sore, and began the slow walk around the pond to the fire.

His body felt cold what with the muddy, bloody water clinging to his jet black fur. By the time he reached the fire, he was having to rub his arms, tyring to stimulate his blood vessels to warm him. He turned his front to the fire and muttered something, the fire immediately burned larger but still somehow he was managing to limit the smoke. This enabled more heat to reach the trio who were soaked to the bones. Now he turned his body forwards to face Twelve, a small grin on his features. He didn't think acting like "lovers" was really going to be appropriate whilst he was smelling like dead and rotten kuenym. Especially when he was soaking wet. Instead he just let his chocolate orbs watch her, the fire within showing her only that he still lusted after her...</font>​

 

<h4>Out of Character</h4>For the sake of making things interesting, I left some points open-ended and enigmatic, because that is just the way Okkie works. But what you need to know is that all three characters have proved themselves in her eyes, and as far is she concerned, can consider themselves pretty much members of Shadowlack. However, as she eludes in her final paragraph, they need to seek a meeting with her and Kakosenas to arrange full membership. After all, she always wants to have the input of her fellow leader. The meetings will probably be individual, and not role-played out unless you really want them to be (we can just make up what happens). If you have any questions, please feel free to PM me!
<h4>In Character</h4>Patience was a virtue, and Okkie had plenty as she waited for the threesome to make their way around the pond. She was still standing on the edge of the water, her toes barely escaping the lapping fringes of liquid, and she watched with fearsome oculars as males and female doubled back. She noticed that each of them was slathered in various filth — blood, dirt, plant debris, the general muck of forest lakes. And as they got closer, she could also smell the scent which they brought. It was a stench, an offensive odor, but Twelve did not blink or pinch her nose, even when the smell caused her mismatched eyes to burn. Like the soldier that she was, she endured it, and did not even comment. She stayed raptly silent as Xestri, Puanym, then Kjetta finally moved around the fire, the former sitting, the two latter standing, all of them trying to shake the wetness from their bones.

But the quietude was not meant to last. Okkie swung away from the water’s brim, and prowled back towards the flames, pausing near Xestri. For a moment, she looked into the orange tongues of the bonfire, and then she began to speak, her voice low, deep, quiet.

“Though this contest was nowhere near as difficult as it could have been, it was, in fact, a challenge, and I must commend you all for taking it, and for passing. Especially because there was an added component of difficulty that you were not aware of, for two of you. Xestri, Puanym, those drinks you shared with me earlier were for more than just merry-making. They had a pinch of Paupfaedhs, a legendary powder that causes the drinker to sink when they hit water. Thus, it impresses me that you were able to deal with that, as well as the other obstacles.” Her ears flicked, and she briefly peered out at the lake. A slick sheath of blood was coagulating on the surface, Thoren’s and the kuenyms’, congealing in a bloody mess. “You have earned your keep, and you have earned the right to be a part of Shadowlack. Xestri, Puanym, your trophy for tonight is that membership, an honor which you will not yet understand, but that will be revealed to you in full, when the time is right.”

As her voice tapered off, Okkie reached her single caramel mitten into her jeans pockets, fishing there for a moment, her digits stroking something within. An almost pained expression crossed her façade, and then she withdrew what she was so lovingly caressing. The femme pendragon held up two bags, just normal, clear sandwich bags. In them, there was what looked to be a small pile of green clippings, and it was apparent that Twelve had something of an affinity for them as she peered at the baggies and sighed.

“Xestri, Puanym, my subordinates of Shadowlack, I told you earlier that you had earned yourselves a little reward just for your bravery. And here are your prizes. I have a miniature plantation of marijuana, and I daresay it is the highest quality weed you can get for miles and miles and miles around. It is incredible. Now, I don’t know if you two smoke, but at least take them and sell them for your own uses. I think you will find that if you do this, you will find your pockets thick with valuables. My stuff is worth an arm and a leg on the market.”

There was no sense of boasting in her voice, as Okkie was not trying to exaggerate, or brag. She was just telling it as it was — her homegrown marijuana had become a hit among the potheads of Janardan, as it was both intense and flavorful. Just highest quality. She and Kakosenas had only marketed a few ounces here or there, though, just to plug some extra spending money. Most of the harvest was collected for their own use. And the use of Shadowlack members. Speaking of, the banded femme paused, sending one last nostalgic glance at the bags, and then she handed one to Xestri and Puanym, respectively. Okkie then stepped back, trying her hardest not to feel as if she had just been stripped of her offspring (which was how she viewed her crop). Trying to get her mind off her ‘loss’, she finally looked to Kjetta, and for the first time of the evening, a look of uncertainty flashed across her face. But it was quickly replaced by a vague expression, as she began to speak again.

“I don’t know what to say to you, Teacher. I think we all know by now that you are not truly my love, and though I am sure you expected sexual favors as a reward, you will receive none. I am not cheap, I am not a whore, no matter how much Thoren wagged his tongue about it. I will have to deprive you of quenching your lust with me. However, if you would like, I can arrange to have you — as well as Xestri and Puanym — meet Kakosenas along with me, so that all three of you can get the final seal of approval at the same time. Though I did not, at first, intend you to be any part of the group, you, too, have shown what you are made of, and it is strong stuff.”

She waved her right hand now, motioning that her speech was over. She had told them everything they needed to know for now, had dished out the rewards. They were all invited to join Shadowlack, and all they needed to do now was arrange a meeting with her and the Evil One so that they could be fully permitted into the gang. Okkie knew they could arrange for appointments between class times, so she did not speak up now, did not offer to make time. After all, she wanted to leave them with a sense of dread and mystery, a feeling of accomplishment that was just slightly blemished with the mark of uncertainty —

And that was just what she did, when, with a silent nod, Okkie backed into the shadows, and vanished.

 

<span style='color:gray'>
It was all over. For now. The three had accomplised their task in getting across the pond, and were halfway there to becoming fully-fledged members of the mysterious Shadowlack. Polar coloured feline took the small bag of marijuana silently, half-way through Okkie's speech. Notthe sort of reward she had expected, as she was not a smoker - but as the banded one had said, she would be able to get a good price for it.

Not long after Xestri had recieved the bag, Okkie had merged with the shadows, gone. Time for the rest of them to leave, too, the small one expected. And, getting away from the dank stentch that reigned over the area was something the scythed feline was looking forward to greatly.

Silent, occulars closed, the small one slowly shofting into her quadraped form, preparing to make the journey home. Soon greatly resembling an Earth-based snow tiger once again, just as she had when she first appeared, Xestri looked to Puanym. She saw him worthy of Shadowlack, as he was both invited, and posoined by the same liquid as her. The Teacher however, she ignored. It would probably be best, as it was highly unlikely that he was in the best of moods, having found that Okkie had no lust for him whatsoever.

Pupil-less gaze locked onto Puanym, a light nod of respect was directed his way. Their paths would cross again soon - two worthy members of one organization. Head then dipped lower, the small bag of marijuana taken between teeth. With that, Xestri too, turned into the shadows, gone.</span>

 

So, he was in. He'd made it in to the illustrious Shadowlack. And, with a reward to boot. Though Okkie seemed reluctant to part with her gifts, Puanym was definitely eager to recieve it. He fairly snatched it out of her grasp, barely restraining his eagerness. Bringing it to his nose, he opened the bagn inhaling deeply. Eyes falling half-closed with delight, the still-nude dragon sighed deeply. Ah...now that was pot. He used the drug sparingly, but knew a good batch when he got his hands on it, and this definitely fell under the good stuff category. There'd be no selling of this, only heading back to his dorm for some papers and maybe sneaking into the basement.

For some reason, Puanym wasn't very surprised to hear that the delectable drink Okkie had provided them with had been drugged. Now that he was out of the water, he began enjoying the slight buzz that remained. The combination of the drink and the smell of the herb made his head spin lazily, in a pleasantly hazy feeling of serenity. One ear was cocked, listening to Twelve's speech.

Kakosenas? Cloud-misted eyes opened slightly, shifting to the banded 'dragon. That name sounded vaguely familiar...but of course, his memory wasn't always the best. Before he could question, however, Twelve vanished, melting into the shadows as they embraced her with eagerness.

And then there were three. All were quiet, and Xestri took the moment to shift into the quad she had been before she'd arrived. A nod for him, one of respect that he returned, despite the fact that she could not see it. Teacher was ignored as she slunk from the clearing.

Puanym remained a few moments more, soaking up the warmth from the dying fire. He stank, was congealed with blood and mud, and decided to forestall replacing his pants. Instead, he replaced the hoop into his ear, the dangling key glimmering in the low light. The pants and belt wuld be carried. Before leaving, he cast a critical glance at Kjetta.

"It was perhaps foolish for you to come. Twelve could have killed you, and this Kakosenas we have heard mention of might possibly do the same. Being a Teacher could both benefit and plague Shadowlack...and if you prove to be the latter, I will not hesitate to put an end to your pestilence." There was no malice in his voice, only the same soft monotone he always used. "It is your choice...but beware of your steps."

 

<font color=darkred>Kjetta just stood there, fuming as she flatly refused his feelings. His tail flame coloured a bright red with this feeling and he clenched his jaw together tightly. He loved her and yet, he now also hated her.

I never suggested you were a whore Twelve.. But I accept your offer...

He trailed off as she just suddenly disappeared. He looked confusedly around the camp, just as Xestri went on her way. Turning his orbs to the other who had turned back to him on his own way out, he listened. The youth was right, he knew that, and Kjetta nodded

Oh but Puanym, she may kill me and this Kakosenas too, but then the whole of Shadowlack would be in danger. They'd have a dead teacher on their hands, one with Elemental Sorcery and Warrior skills at Journeyman level which could be very useful to them. I shall watch my back but Puanym, you should also watch yours..

Kjetta turned to the fire and muttered again. It died out, making the clearing dark and mysterious. Then he picked up her trenchcoat and headed back to the Acadamy, to shower again and to think....</font>​