Fantasy Beast Within

[Victorian Neko]

RustyFable

Yyjorn doesn't answer her at first, taking a moment to first sit and then lay back against a nearby tree. "Yes, there are, for the most part, the orcs are still nomadic. While this isn't a nomadic tribe it's worth mentioning as there is no unified Orcish leadership. There hasn't been in centuries, so villages and tribes tend to largely differ from their culture. Setting aside the history lesson, there are a few key points. But the foremost is when we get there they're going to want to tie your wrist, don't let them. It's a test of character, now don't be alarmed because they're going to come up and only hold the rope out. They'll want you to freely offer your wrist. Instead, you are to take the rope and tie it around your dominant hand." He lifts his right-hand up showing a rope still tied in a simple knot. "This means that you aren't submitting to the Blood-Code but you will accept and behave by the laws of the village. Don't worry so much about what the laws are." Saying this he reaches into his pack briefly before pulling out a green apple, sunlight dancing across its glossy surface. In truth Yyjorn loved this time of year, primarily for the return of apples; while it was true that many elven farmers sold all manner of produce year-round there was an unnaturalness to it. "Care for a bite?" He asks offering it to her, eyebrow-raising he had a few tucked away into his pack should she choose to take him up on his offer.

 

[Victorian Neko]

Eating some of the fish she listens closely her eyes lingering on the rope that was tied to his right wrist. "Don't let them tie the rope to my wrist, take it and tie it to my dominant hand. Got it." With a nod she opens the canteen and starts to drink some as he pulls out an apple. She had apples before, but had never had a green apple before. So she was eyeing it wondering what the chances were of him offering her one potentially. It was not long before Yvette got her answer with him asking if she would care for a bite. "Yes please." The girl was quick to stand, taking the offered apple before sitting down next to him. She breaths on it and rubs it on her tunic before sinking her teeth into its flesh. The apple was crisp yet sour and some of it's juice slides down her chin. Yvette closes her eyes, chewing the bite slowly as to savor the flavor that had burst in her mouth. "Where has this been all my life?" She asks, finally opening her eyes in order to look at him. "I never knew that an apple could taste like this. Father grew apples but they were for making cider, not for eating. So apples always were a rare treat growing up."

 

[Victorian Neko]

RustFable

"You are right that apples are a treat, it's part of what I love about the Fall Season." He couldn't help the smile that grew across his face as he retrieved a second apple from his pack for himself. "Though the rope isn't the only thing that I need to warn you about." Sighing he ran a hand through his hair, calculating the best way to explain this to her. "I mentioned to you before that Orcs tend to be less timid than most races, well there's a reason for that." He chewed his lip, and then took a bite from his own apple one that had such force some juices flew from it and were just briefly visible before they dropped to the ground. "And don't repeat this, but in truth, orcs are rather well. They're rather simple people to put it kindly." Another bite, his eyes scanning her face before continuing. "They're going to want you to wear a collar after I speak to the chief, there is a good chance they'll etch my name onto it." He decided to pause, give her a moment to take this information in before he'd continue.

 

[Victorian Neko]

Seeing him run his hand through his hair she grows worried. Whatever he was about to say it likely would not be something that she would want to hear. And sure enough she was right. Her cheeks grew flush at the thought of not only wearing a collar. But at wearing one with his name etched on it. As if she was nothing more then a pet. In a way, she supposed she was, her gaze falling to the apple in her hand while trying to form a coherent reply. To delay her response she takes a large bite out of the apple, eyes on the ground while the wheels in her head turned. But the delay did not last long as she all too soon swallowed down the well chewed bite of apple. "I see." She says softly, finally daring to look up at him with a conflicting expression upon her face. Part of her wanted to ask if they really had to go to the village knowing that she would be expected to wear a collar after the Orcs discover what she is. "You look like you have more to say." She prompts him not really sure what else to say in regards to the entire bit about the collar.

 

[Victorian Neko]

RustyFable

"I do, however it's more important that I hear what you've to say about the collaring." He hadn't used its proper name, there was something of a ritual involved with it. "And that you understand if there was another option at our disposal I'd pursue it. However, they are the only settlement nearby that'd give shelter to a were-creature." That and they were one of the two in the area, this stretch of the frontier was largely unsettled. Villages and Towns being spread sometimes hundreds of miles apart, this area was strange because it had both her settlement and Nag-Mahl they were only about thirty miles apart. And then finally you had Denzche which had up until six months ago been little more than a trade-post and a ruined entrance chamber being excavated by the Mages Guild.

"Simply put there isn't really a way around this, we can't lie to the Orc chieftain without causing problems later on and it wouldn't be fair to do so anyway." Another sigh flew from his lips as he bite into his apple once again, pondering how best to explain what the collar meant he closed his eyes a moment. Lost in thought, then keeping them closed he began to speak again. "There is more to it, the Orcs aren't strangers to were-creatures some even think that they brought the affliction with them when they invaded. But that's not accurate, they're just more susceptible to it. But it is important that they collar you." Yyjorn damn near bit his tongue at that, the moment he said the words he eyes flew up and he threw his arms out. "Fucking fates above, let me try that again." He could only hope she wasn't upset at his choice of words. "What I mean is that there's more to it than simply 'tame the savage beast and keep her in her place' nor is it sexual." He couldn't help but allow a smirk to tease the edges of his face. He'd seen her blush, just barley and in truth, he could see why she might re-act that way. "The collar and the ceremony where I collar you has magical properties to it." Grabbing a nearby stick he begins to scratch away at the dirt.

"See the thing about Lycans is they function a bit differently than most were-creatures. As they are more like the creatures that they hold half-kin with." He began to etch out what appeared to be a humanoid dog creature barking at the moon. "They can be granted power and more control if they form a contract with a 'master' though the definition changes depending on the culture." Next, he drew out what was clearly a man holding a collar eyeing her to make sure she was listening. "No one is sure why, but Lycans and Lycans alone can form demon-like contracts with humans. It doesn't even need to be with a magic user, but there has to be a level of trust between the Master and their pet." He proceeded to draw a claw-like arm grasping a human-arm. "The contract allows some of the pressure of the bestial mind-state were-wolves enter to be transferred to the contract holder. Making the shifts from Man to Beast less painful and in some cases even giving both parties the option to halt them in progress should the need arise. And finally having a contract is the only way for a were-wolf to shift into a wolf." He finishes by drawing the same wolf-human creature falling to all fours and growing much smaller and more canine-like in appearance. Finishing his impromptu Lycan Magickology lesson he sets the stick down, hoping that perhaps she'd understood what the meant. He didn't want to offend her and could reassure her more if he needed to.

 

[Victorian Neko]

Collaring, that sent a shiver down her spine. "I...well, I am just not sure what to say." She says softly grateful when he ends up speaking up more about the process that she would be put through. Yvette was no longer eating her apple feeling a bit nauseous at the thought of it being important that she is collared. She was doing her best to pay attention to everything he said which meant that she blushed the moment he mentioned that the collar was not sexual. Had he realized why she had been blushing? If so, that would be highly embarrassing. It was not as if sex was something on her mind. You know, given that she was focusing on making it through her first shift. Not like a Hunter like him would be interested in a Lycan in such a manner anyways so why worry about such things? Survival was first and foremost, no matter what she had to do in order to survive. Even if it meant going through a collaring ceremony.

Master and pet. Those words seemed to stick in her head while she looked at what he was drawing out in the dirt with use of a stick. She did trust him. Especially with him making sure that she made it through the Lycan fever. If not for him, she shuddered to think about what might have happened. It had been explained that a fair amount of those turned did not make it past the fever so she considered herself lucky in that she had. "I think I understand what you were explaining to me. It, well, it is just a lot to take in and a lot to process. Just a few days ago I was a farmer's daughter. Now I am a were-wolf who will go through her first shift soon and then after that will be becoming an apprentice Hunter." Sighing, she rubs her hand up and down her arm finally looking up at him with the conflicted expression still upon her face.

"The collar, is it something that will remain around my neck even after we leave the settlement?" Her eyes find his. "I just ask, because the thought of wearing one and essentially being considered your pet. Well, it is odd. But I believe you when you say that if there was another option that you would pursue it. Frankly I don't like the idea of being collared. It reminds me too much of what the bastard who turned me said. He is basically looking at me as property rather then a living being with her own thoughts and desires." She pushes some hair behind her ear and huffs. "I trust you to not be like that though. And as much as I don't like the thought of it all, I will allow it to happen."

 

[Victorian Neko]

RustyFable

"No, at least not if you don't want to." He cracked his neck, finishing his apple and humming it out into the woods. "I won't lie to you and say that the collaring itself is only a symbol. Because it's not that simple. The collar itself is damn-near indestructible, I don't know the exact details of how they make the things. However, I know that there are several spells and charms that go into it." He throws his hands up the in air, letting some embers briefly materialize. He couldn't perform spells in their entirety without using the incantation but he'd used some simple spells enough that he could channel his mana and alter them for small things like showing off. "But they can be removed, sometimes by only the master and other times by the pet and master both. It has to do with how the web of magic for it is woven." Slowly he begins to brush himself off, rising up both of his legs offer a hearty pop and he gives his ankles a slight jerk and they produce a similar sound. "But we can talk more on the way, we should get going." He offers his hand to her, helping her up. "And don't worry, I've no intention of turning you into some mere pet. You didn't ask for this, and I know it's a lot to take in. You didn't choose this life, and I can understand that. I didn't either, my mother was a hunter and so was her mother, and her mother's mother before her. It was just excepted that I follow in their footsteps." His hand instinctively goes for his war axe, slowly running his thumb along its leather-covered hilt.

 

[Victorian Neko]

She seems to relax some at hearing that she would not have to wear the collar outside of the village if she did not want to. And at that point she really did not want to. To her it would be too demeaning. When offered his hand she takes it and stands, finishing up the apple and dropping the core so that an animal could eat it should they want to. Yvette makes sure to grab her satchel and with one last glance back from where they had come from, starts to move forward. She was silent, taking in everything that he had said from the magic that was involved to the fact that he had no intention of turning her into a pet. He was right, she had not asked for any of it. And it was a lot to take in. "Life really is different now." The words were soft, almost soft enough to miss. "I never thought that I would be turned into a were-wolf. Nor did I think I would potentially become a Hunter. I thought I would live on the farm the rest of my life. Marry some boy from the village, have kids, and raise them to become farmers as well." Letting out a bitter laugh she shakes her head. "Fate is a cruel mistress, that is all that I have really learned so far."

 

[Victorian Neko]

RustyFable

"Yes, but you are being far too gloomy about it." He wraps an arm around her shoulders and draws her close to him leaning down slightly pointing at the treetops. "Why just look at that, the leaves are all dressed up and ready to dance for us. Why all it'd take is a good gust of wind and they're perform their ballet for us! One which they only do once a year." He was getting wrapped up in his own artificial optimism now. "And you do have a future, one that you can carve out yourself. Besides you aren't alone anymore, I'll stay with you as long as you like." Patting her on the shoulder he edges off a bit, not so far as to be noticeable but enough so they aren't touching anymore.

For the most part the rest of their journey passed in silence, they'd managed to keep themselves occupied with idle chatter for the bulk of the trip and only slow when the sharpened tips of the villages log wall begin to crest up over the hill as they make their way from the thickets of the forest path. The village itself seemed unimposing, while trees had been cleared away from its walls and left a good twenty meters of space in which a trench seemed to be dug around the whole make-shift wall. A wall which seemed to have tangles of thorn-vines growing all along it, vines that despite the approaching fall season remained lush and green. Some even bearing dark-black roses, the work of shamanic magick no doubt. Yyjorn brought a hand up to halt Yvette, glancing at her and then back at the village. "Are you ready? I'll be with you the whole way." This would be his last reassurance to her for a time, he'd begun to get a sense of her spirit and it was one that was deserving of his respect and of his trust. Perhaps in time, it'd be one that would stand beside his own as a full-fledged hunter, but there would be time for that another day.

 

[Victorian Neko]

Yvette did not feel she was being far too gloomy about it. It was true, her life had changed drastically and it was understandable that it would take time for her to adjust to all the changes. But for now she was focused on getting through one day at a time. If she could just make it through her first change then surely things would not be as bad. She had to hold onto that thought, had to keep it tight against her so that when the change happened perhaps she would not be as worried or afraid about what it would be like. Every so often on the way towards the village she would point out an animal she had never seen before, or a plant that caught her attention. It was a welcome distraction but soon enough they had arrived and were right outside the village with Yyjorn having stopped her with a single hand.

Taking a deep breath, she nods as she releases it. "I am as ready as I will ever be." She replies, heart racing softly. Reaching for his hand, she squeezes once before letting it go. "Let's do this." Yvette offers him a reserved smile knowing that soon she would see an orc for the first time. Remembering his words she chanted in her mind to tie the rope herself, to not allow them to do so. A small sigh leaves her throat, the wind blowing through her hair as leaves danced in the air. Fall, the season of change. How fitting that was she realized as she was going through a very major change. Step by step they approached the village and though the urge to turn and flee was high she resisted. Instead holding her head high with a determined look on her face. Only the slight twitching of her hands would betray how nervous she was in that moment.

 

[Victorian Neko]

RustyFable

He merely nodded his assent, the time for words having passed. As she began to move he strode forwards in tandem, slowly shifting to take the lead. After all, he was known to the Orcs, she was not. Though he'd prepared her for coming into the village he still needed take lead here. Eyes scanning across the near-barren landscape, there were a few scattered farming plots on the other side of the trench cut deep into the Earth. The village itself rose up in front of them, great wooden logs tilted outwards tips carved into their ends. The greenery that had been viewable from a distance now stood out vibrantly against the dark ebony color of the wooden spikes, clearly fueled by some form of magic if one listened closely you may just hear a faint humming. The tell-tale sign of an ancient spell being persevered by fresh magicks, work of the village shaman no doubt.

There was a shanty drawbridge drawn up hanging from a makeshift gate built up into the wall. The pit was impassable, while there was no water it was filled with more log-cut pikes. Though the ones in the pity were thinner and stood straight up, metal tips fashioned onto them and more magick still crackled and popped below. Some form of curse or perhaps a hex meant to hasten would-be raiders out of this world and into the next. As they drew nearer to the edge of the trench a gruff but feminine voice called out from the draw-bridges tower. "So you've returned to us, he who land-strides but is of the stone-kin!" Drawing up to a stop Yyjorn's head tilts upwards, eyes scanning the structure holding the thin wooden plank they needed to cross. "Tihal, drop the damn bridge and open the fuckinh' door. Jobs done." There was a mischievous glint in the man's eyes, one that spoke of unseen history and old friendships. At first no sound carried through the clearing but the rustling of the trees in the passing winds then, some frogs off in the distance clearly preparing for hibernation by the slow and wheezy croaks they make. Then all at once, there is the sound of boots crashing against thin wood, sounding almost as if the floor might give out beneath the sheer force of impact.

The sounds drag a broad grin across Yyjorn's face, his features seem to ease but his body tenses up giving off the sense he's on the edge of a seat while standing if such a thing were possible to envision. "What do you say to me you hooligan parading about as some great slayer of critters, you are little more than a fancily dressed exterminator!" As the words bound out from beneath a thin opening the upper-story of the tower his grin gets wider and wider, threating to careen off his face. Then a head pops out, it was pale green like a light olive green. Framed by long flowing deep black hair, almost the same hue as the wood that formed the Earth-works of the village. It was long and free shifting and swaying in the breeze, a hand swept up several times to sweep it back into place. "I said let us in, you angry snot-wad come to life." He wasted no time in returning a barb in the figures direction, sticking his tongue out as he did so. The Orcish women's eyes narrowed, they were an even lighter green then her skin. "When you get in here I'm going to kick your ass." Was all she offered, head disappearing back in the direction it'd come. Mere-seconds later there was the sound of wood squeaking and ropes slithering back and forth. Then the draw bridge began to lower, watching it lower Yyjorn titled his head in the direction his companion. "I guess we're in, let's go before they change their minds." Was all he said, begging to move across the bridge.

 

[Victorian Neko]

She allowed him to lead, remembering what he had said about how he was known and she was not. So she makes sure that Yyjorn was at least a couple steps ahead of her as they approached the gate itself. Taking a moment to peak into the pit she shudders. It would not be pleasant to fall into that at all. And given that there were metal tips it would be even less pleasant then it already appeared to be. Ysolt wasn't sure what to say so she was silent as the two lobbed insults back and forth and before she realized it she let out a slight giggle. Having seen the mischievous look in his eyes she had a feeling that there was a history between the two of them. But what it was she was not sure. Either way she was grateful when at last it seemed that it was decided to let them in. However, she was a bit nervous about how sturdy the draw bridge itself was.

But she did not hang back long, soon scurrying after Yyjorn to make sure she was not left behind. "Guessing you two know each other? And I never would have dreamed of calling an Orc an angry snot-wad come to life. You have balls as big as father's prized breeding bull!" There was awe in her voice that he felt at ease enough to insult an orc in such a manner. After all, she had heard how violent of a race they could be. So she wondered how serious the threat of kicking his ass was.

 

[Victorian Neko]

"I can see why. The water feels amazing!" She sighs happily and leans back right as he asks his question. Before he could even finish it all of a sudden water was splashing everywhere thanks to Tihal causing Yvette to sputter some while wiping the water from her face. Eyeing the towel, Yvette doesn't bother going after it as it was soaking wet at this point anyways making it frankly, useless. Looked like unless it dried off while they were there she would be stuck carrying a soaking wet towel. "I was going to try and keep it dry you know." She mutters drying before leaning into Yyjorn. "I haven't known her for that long, but the look in her eyes tells me she is plotting something. Promise me you'll keep me safe from whatever it is she is planning?" She asks with a bit of a pout, clinging onto his arm some. Which, incidentally, causes her breasts to press into him allowing him to feel how soft yet supple they are.

 

[Victorian Neko]

RustyFable

“Yvette, if it’s the look I think she’s making; we both should be running the other direction.” Slowly cracking an eye open he gazed at his dear friend Tihal, it was a long slow thing to an undiscerning observer he could appear to be checking her out; eyes drawing along every inch and curve of her body. For her part Tihal is only to happy to take advantage of this appraisal; her lips drawing even wider. “See anything you like?” Leaning into his gazes she began creeping her hand down his free arm, but her eyes were trained on Yvette a fierce determination had laid anchor in her eyes and they shimmered like a deadly poison enticing a challenge. “Tihal, I’ll drown you.” Though he tried, Yyjorn couldn’t keep his composure and began to giggle before breaking into a deep hearty laugh. Causing his green-skinned companion to lose her resolve, and break down laughing besides him.

“As for you Yvette, it’s too hot down here for you to be clinging to me, get off me please.” He kept his eyes turned away as he addressed his other female bath-mate. “Are you, by the gods, Yyjorn are you blushing?” The hulking mans body stiffened at this question, head turn upwards. “Nrgh, n-no.” There was a sloshing sound and then laughter filled the air. “Oh by the divines! This is better than anything I could’ve managed! The mighty Yyjorn is blushing!” Tihal began ranting in between her gasping laughter. “Tihal I will drown you!” As his face grew redder Yyjorn’s free hand grasped for Tihal.

 

[Victorian Neko]

Yvette watches the two, still pressed against Yyjorn as she wondered if he had even noticed that she was quite naked at the moment. Either way she was laughing as she knew in the end she was the one being collared by him and that surely had to mean something that he was willing to undergo such a ceremony for her. In a way, she felt like she was winning the unspoken battle between her and Tihal. "Too hot for clinging? I don't know about you, but it feels perfect~" She coos, sensing a rare opportunity to tease him. In fact, she presses even more against him. "So tell me Yyjorn...do you like what you....feel...." Giggling she presses more against him, practically climbing into his lap which had the unfortunate side effect of helping Tihal escape his grasp for the time being. "She gets to tease you all the time, so it's only fair that it's my turn I think."

Reaching up, she strokes his cheek while pouting. "Come on Yyjorn, you can look. Surely a big burly hunter like you can handle seeing little ol' me nice and naked...."