Tajamesa met his eyes squarely. She couldn't deny the coil of fear in her stomach, but she could ignore it. She kneeled down to bring herself to an eye level with him. I don't know why I'm still here, but I am. Maybe I am foolish. You wouldn't be the first to say it. But let me help you. What do you need me to find? She stood again, holding a hand out to him. Call me crazy or impulsive, but I want to help him. I don't understand it, but I'll kick myself if I don't.. She watched his face, her hazel green eyes meeting his own blue ones. She could read the sadness in his face, and the control with which he held himself back. You're stronger than you think, Lucas. And why do I trust you so? Her thoughts were trouble, despite her steady gaze.
<span style='font-family:Geneva'><span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'><span style='color:blue'> Lucas shook his head at her hand. "I need something large...lots of blood." Lucas crouched and shook his head. He lifted his hand "Hurry..." he bit deeply into his palm and started drinking his own blood. </span></span></span>
Tajamesa nodded and started from their makeshift camp pausing only to morph into her four legged form. She had her mind set on bringing back a large grazer. The smaller creatures that lived at the edge of the lake wouldn't do, but perhaps a herd might stop by for some water. Still, she would have to be careful. She hunted alone and that could be a dangerous past time. Picking up a scent about halfway around the lake, she mentally grinned and took off after it, nose close to the ground. As she grew closer, she slowed, taking more time now, making sure that she remained upwind. She could see them now, just through the clearing. A herd of grazers, about 20 in all. The bulls had large horns that she knew she would have to be careful of, but there were a few smaller ones that ran seperate from the group. She suspected they weren't used to being hunted. Well, either that or they're stupid Sneaking forward, she crouched, belly close to the ground waiting for one to wander her way. After several minutes, one ambled towards her, intent on a batch of berries to her right. She waited until it was in range and then sprang, landing on it's back, jaws locked on it's neck. She dug in with her claws, fighting to bring the beast down. The rest of the herd scattered as she struggled but it was over in just a minute. Panting slightly, a wolfish grin on her face, she stood over her catch for a moment, before morphing back into her upright form. In this form, the beast was just a bit smaller than her and nearly as heavy. With a grunt, she hoisted it up, tossing it over her shoulders. She trudged back through the woods, her mind intent on reaching Lucas with his... Well, I suppose you'd call it breakfast. she mused aloud. So caught up in keeping on the right path back, she nearly missed the snap of a twig behind her. As it was, she was too slow to turn and yelled out as something from behind shoved her and her catch to the ground. Rolling over as quickly as she could ( which wasn't very, considering the beast that now sprawled across her) she glared up at her attacker. It was a pendragon, male. He was greyish in color and rather motley looking. Chunks were missing from his ears and his eyes were reddish brown. His teeth, when he grinned at her , were yellow and uneven, one canine chipped in half. But it wasn't his apparance that worried her so much as it was the wicked looking blade he held in his hand. "And what's this 'ere then? Some little girl has caught me my supper? How thoughtful." Tajamesa glared at him I'd sooner see you choke on a bone than give you any of this, you ass. She never could be quite sure how he got from where he was standing to next to her so quickly, but she was quite aware of the blade he held at her throat. She yelled once, but quieted down as he pressed harder. Oh sure...where's the vampire when I actually need him? she thought, fighting with herself to hold off panic
<span style='font-family:Geneva'><span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'><span style='color:blue'> Lucas smelt another pendragon and it was an unfriendly one. He growled quietly and lept into the trees and flew silently from branch to branch until he was ontop of them, hidden. He watched the scene unfold and when the other male pendragon put the blade to her throat he silently floated behind him. His eyes went black and his fist went through the pendragons chest and he showed his fang in a satisfied smile. His other hand wrapped around the pendragons throat and ripped it and turned the head right around. He bit into its throat and started eating. Minutes later the corpse was on the ground and Lucas was sitting by it cleaning himself waiting for her to get out from under the grazer. He licked his paws clean. </span></span></span>
She eventually wiggled her way out from under the beast, vaguely aware of the sounds of a scuffle behind her. Not sure what was happening, she twisted her back in a very uncomfortable angle to look. A gasp escaped her throat as Lucas' s hand shot through her attackers chest, killing him instantly. She looked away as he began to feed, choosing instead to check herself over for injuries. Satisfied that she had none aside from some bruising, she turned back to him, watching him with one eyebrow cocked as he washed himself off, the dead pendragon laying at his feet. She glanced from the dead beast to her motionless attacker, the beginnings of a smirk on her face. Looks like I found both breakfast and lunch she muttered, half to herself. She found it difficult to have any sympathy towards the dead pendragon, well aware that her fate would have been quite similar if things had gone differently. As it stood, she lived and Lucas had fed. Idlly, she wondered if that would be enough to keep the darker pendragon going for a while or if another hunt would be necessary. She hoped not. It wasn't what he needed the hunt for that bothered it. It could just be so time consuming and she had no intention of spending all her time with her nose to the ground. Stepping over to the dead body, she paused for a moment, before shrugging and relieving him of any valuables he might have carried, including his knife. Anyone could call her what they liked, but she'd rather be fed and warm rather than cursing her own nobility and honesty when the weather turned cold. He obviously wouldn't need it. Tucking the knife into her belt, she turned her attention back to Lucas, meeting his gaze over the corpse. She was suddenly nervous, though she told herself this was ridiculousness. She had done what he asked of her. So why did a small part of her mind insist that he would run at the first chance he had? And why did that thought bother her so much? She spoke quickly, to cut off her thoughts before they led down paths she didn't care to follow. I'm going to go and get my knife. she began, convieniently forgetting the knife in her waistband If you want the beast's blood, I may as well take the meat, so it's not wasted. Standing, she quickly turned on her heel and started back towards their camp, suddenly terrified that all her confusion would show upon her face.
<span style='font-family:Geneva'><span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'><span style='color:blue'> Lucas grabbed the grazer and drank the beast dry. Lucas sat back his stomach full and moaned while rubbing his belly. "SEE! Now I am in a better mood. No food makes Lucas a pissed pendragon." He smiled a toothless smile and walked on all his paws toward her his tail waving dangerously. He felt her heart beat and he smiled. "What do you fear?" </span></span></span>
She blinked at his sudden change of mood. She knew she got crabby when she hadn't eaten, but this was ridiculous. And what about his uncanny ability to know what she was thinking? Though...that last part wasn't so peculiar. She was well aware that most of her expressions showed on her face. What do I fear? Lots of things. Spiders, heights...a few relatives on my fathers side... She kept her answer light, purposely misunderstanding the question. Kneeling down to rest, she watched him from the corner of her eyes, noting his wagging tail with a slight grin. Never let it be said that this pendragon was predictable. I suppose that's part of his charm she mused, half annoyed with herself for even finding him charming. Next thing one knew, she'd be going starry eyed like the females from her village used to do when one of the more handsome pendragons walked by. She rolled her eyes at herself, refraining from the urge to snap at him for forcing her to bring the subject up with herself. Not that it was really his fault, and did she have to be so damn reasonable all the time? You'd think that at least * I * would be on my side... she thought irritably as she crawled over to the grazer and began to cut off several hunks of it, intending to preserve them for later use. A seperate part of her mind noted that the job was much easier without blood to messy up the process. Her eyes still on her work, she turned her attention back to him. Why do you ask?
<span style='color:blue'><span style='font-family:Geneva'><span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'> Lucas looked at her and smiled. Since you are scared of spiders maybe you would like me to get that one on your ear? Lucas walked up to her and nudged her. </span></span></span>
Her eyes widened in horror at his words. Leaping up, she shook her head frantically, swatting at her ears. Moments later, she stopped and looked at the ground around her; nothing. Carefully, she felt around her ears. Still nothing. She looked at him, noting the smile on his face. He was...joking? She turned abrubtly from him, rage and humuliation filling her. Biting down on her tongue to distract her from the sudden tears that threatened to fall, she relaxed as the warm, coppery taste of blood filled her mouth. The distraction worked as she brought her emotions back under control. He couldn't have known just how deadly serious she had been about her earlier statement. Or could he? Stupid...stupid stupid stupid, Taj. Let's go right ahead and just trust the bastard, just like you have all the bastards before. You never do learn, do you? Her body unconsciously reacted to her thoughts and she clenched her jaw against her anger, hardly wincing as her canines sliced at her mouth, cutting the skin. With a small shock, she realized how close she was to losing her control. Stepping back suddenly, she turned and ran, needing to put as much space between herself and him before things started flying....literally. Shit shit shit....not again, not this again....
He shook his head. He looked at her and crossed his eyes to his nose, showing her the spider that was on her ear was now on his nose. He laughed and put it down and it disappeared into the foliage. He sat and waited for her. His stomach growled and he looked down. I just fed you, you bastard.... He swatted at his stomach with his tail and whined.
She winced as she crouched down in the clearing where she had finally stopped. A heavy wind rose around her, whipping the trees, causing several small branches to snap off the trees. Bringing her arm to her mouth, she bit down hard on it, forcing herself to concentrate on the pain, not on her anger. Slowly, the harsh emotion left her and the air around her settled. Her body exhausted, she slumped to the ground, rolling herself over to stare at the canopy of trees and sky above her. She really should go back, apoligize maybe. Still, her loss of control had embarassed her. It couldn't hurt to stay here for a few minutes, maybe nap a bit. She was tired. Reaching down, she wrapped the hem of her shirt around the wound on her arm to slow the bleeding before she dozed off. She slept heavily, unaware of how much she had drained herself. In her sleep, her arm slipped down from her stomach and her bitten arm continued to bleed slowly.
<span style='font-family:Geneva'><span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'><span style='color:blue'>Lucas wondered why he was hungry again and thought about it. Suddenly he felt why...it wasnt hunger. He ran into some bushes. When he came out he ran because the smell was still there even after buring it. He shook his head. He walked towards the female and then sat infront of her with his back to her. He watched as all manner of life found its way near them in their nocturnal passing. He just quietly sat and protected her while she slept because she needed it. "Sleep young one for tomorrow we must leave this place." He silently sat until the suns rays started to break into the fog of the night. </span></span></span>
Day 16 Mia, 81379 Taj cracked her eyes open, squinting against the early morning light. Her body felt odd, rested and tired all at the same time. She slowly stretched out where she lay, moaning softly at the pleasant feel of sore muscles being worked. Sitting up slowly, she blinked sleepily as the previous nights events came flooding back to her. With another moan, this one not so pleasent, she pushed her thoughts away, determined not to worry about them until she had woken up some more. She twisted, stretching her back and neck and she noticed Lucas sitting next to her. Though his back was to her, his attitude seemed relaxed enough and she allowed herself a sense of security. G'morning she said quietly, her speech still slightly slurred from sleep.
He glanced at her slightly and he nodded. He started to walked towards the east and shook his head. He felt something wasnt right. (OOC - this is where it gets confusing) He looked behind him and she wasnt there. The forest was gone so was the field. He looked around the valley he was in and the world was grey. Grey skies. Grey earth. He smelt sulfur and it burned his lungs. He looked to the horizon and a whole army stood in his way. In the world of fields and forests, as he shook his head he faltered in his step. He felt something wasnt right. His body dropped and the fire on his tail extinguished. He looked at the army and snarled. It was the army of all the pendragons and other living things he had killed. He walked towards them with his head held high.
For a moment, she simply stared. One moment, he had been looking at her, the next, he was on the ground. Recovering from her shock, she dashed over to his body, heaving him over onto his back. She began to panic as she realized that his tail was out and she placed her hand on his neck before remembering that he wasn't likely to have a pulse in the first place Damn you! You can't just up and die out of nowhere, or whatever the hell it is you vampires do! Wake up! Frustrated, she shook him, trying to wake him. She called his name over and over, her voice rising with her panic
