ENDLESS JOURNEYS (O/A)

[Rikki Tikki Travi]

"Such a task will prove difficult. For now gather information on the man who calls himself Nova. If you have an opportunity kill the fox kin and her guardian. If you can, do so by having the guardian kill her. If you succeed it will cause a war between the fox kin and the wolves."  

[Nova Blancke]

"You are correct Kerana. I believe I would have been more forceful with her if I were. When I want something or in this case someone....I keep on going until I have that. When I saw you sneeze and Alec's behavior change I knew something was up. Luckily I was a little further behind so I took precautions." Nova explained. "Say...can't you hear what she is up to in the next room? Your hearing is better than mine."  

[Nova Blancke]

"So she IS up to something. I knew it was too convenient to encounter that woman. Especially with those undead. What did your ears hear Kerana? Every bit of information helps." Nova asked calmly.  

[Nova Blancke]

`Don´t worry Kerana. I´ll work something out. Even if I have to become a wolf again. See if I can stir up those primal instincts.` Nova replied regarding Alec.

It came to no surprise that Shara would like him. After all..he was beautiful or as others said it handsome. It would make things a lot better if she did. But perhaps it only goes to the extend of being slightly interested. It was his arrogance that said otherwise however.

`That´s good to hear. I could use that.`  

[Nova Blancke]

"You keep on surprising me foxy. This may be helpful." Nova smiled at Kerana. The little fox had proven to be useful. He liked that. Nova had no need for people who were useless. Sitting on the bed he pat her head.

"You go get some rest Kerana and maybe this would all have been a bad dream."

Nova got up and left the room. He shot one glance at Alec before going downstairs. He had not left Kerana unprotected however. A small ward around her that would instantly wake her and alert Nova should anyone other than Nova get close to her.

Ordering a good bottle of wine and two glasses, he returned up. After all...if he were to stay in character he would not give up so easily on a woman. He approached Shara's room. Now he hoped that Alec wouldn't make a scene out of it. But he kind of knew that he would.  

[Rikki Tikki Travi]

Alec sneered at Nova's glance. The man had become insufferable since he put his mitts on Shara. Alec began to fantasize about her petting him the way he had envision Kerana would...

His thoughts became conflicted, he thought he could hear something calling at him. His stomach began to churn and he felt very sick. He could nearly feel his face becoming even more pale. He rocked back and forth in the chair for a little bit while grasping his stomach.

When he smelled Nova coming up the stairs he straightened up as best as he could. He couldn't show signs of weakness in front of the competition after all.

He spotted the wine and snickered, "So that's your game then? Get the lady drunk first? I honestly didn't think some all powerful super guy like you would stoop to tactics used by vagrants and womanizers."  

[Nova Blancke]

Just as Nova thought, Alec get in the way.

"Us adults can't enjoy a good conversation over a decent bottle of wine? It's the best they have here but I am not sure if it's as great they think it is. It is not my intention to get Lady Shara drunk. Wine merely loosens the tongue a bit." He casually explained.

"My...'game' as you might call it, is still so much better than yours. Is going to sit around hoping she catches your so called effort? Your ability to sit on a chair next to her room?" Everything he said sounded demeaning and condescending as he took a few steps towards Alec. He now stood almost against him. He looked down." Oh and do tell....why would she go for a puppy who can't even hold an oath instead of a real man?"  

[Rikki Tikki Travi]

Alec uncharacteristically rose out of the chair and bowed up to Nova. A threatening growl rose from his throat.

"Oath? What oath? I swore no oath! My ancestors did hundreds of years ago. Since then the oath has become a contract of voluntary ownership. We're treated like slaves by the fox kin."

"What do you know if it anyway? Did Kerana put you up to this, to upset me? You don't have to say anything, of course she did. Now that another woman has laid eyes on me, she suddenly can't stand to see her property happy. If she can't have me than no one can right? So she sends you over here to take Shara away from me. Well to Hell with you, and to Hell with Keraaauuughccch!"

Alec's rant is cut short by a glowing glyph wrapped around his neck like a collar. A precautionary measure imbued in the wolves by the fox-kin when they are born. A magical seal that revealed itself when a Guardian refuses his or her duty to protect their assigned fox. It acted very much like an actual collar did. To real in a misbehaving pet.

Alec fell to his knees, clutching his neck and gasping for air. His eyes were wide with fright. He had no idea that such a thing was placed on him. No one had ever told him. It didn't take long for him to understand why it happened. He relented his anger and frustration, and as he did the symbols no longer glowed.

He gasped and coughed. He felt as though a haze had been lifted off of him. His neck was red from the self inflicted clawing, and his stomach felt worse than it did before. Something had happened to him, and his body and soul were trying to fight it.

"Aooowww...I feel like my head is swimming apart from my body."  

[Nova Blancke]

Such a crude way of ensuring the continuation of a master/guardian relation. Nova didn't like it one bit. Placing the bottle and glasses on what seemed to be nothing but air he cupped Alec's head between his hands and began Healing. A cool and refreshing breeze surged through Alec's body. Healing wouldn't take away the effects of Shara's powder but he had hoped Alec already snapped out of it.

"Feeling like protecting your girl yet or do I need to push you further? But judging from your reaction I already succeeded. Kerana is currently trying to sleep, maybe...you should watch over her. But I no longer need to tell you that do I?"  

[Rikki Tikki Travi]

Alec looked up at Nova with combined confusion and gratitude. "What're you saying? I've always protected..."

Bits and pieces of the last few hours trickle into his memory. The rest of it was a haze. All he could remember was Shara. Kerana and Nova appeared as specters in the background.

"...I did...something, said something...why can't I remember? What happened to me?"  

[Nova Blancke]

"Best if you ask Kerana about that, Alec. "Nova replied. "Or your spirit wolf."

Never know what Shara might hear. If it's her real name anyway. I tend to find out what she is up to and just who she really is. Nova send his thoughts to Alec.  

[Rikki Tikki Travi]

Alec looked up at Nova, without saying a word, then nodded. He stood up and shuffled into Kerana's room. He saw her sleeping soundly, yet she had a troubled expression. He kneeled down at the side of her bed, trying to remember everything that had happened in the last few hours.

Even though he can't remember, he has a sinking feeling that he said something awful. Unaware of the conversation in the other room that had just taken place, he kept vigil over her.