Ill Met By Moonlight (Starfire and Io)

[Lunoh]

Beautiful Oceais

The night is so mysterious, the moon so bright and welcoming, but the shadows it's light creates are filled with danger. The Kingdom of Oceais, named for it's location by the sea, is a prosperous, and bright place to live. Protected on one side by a vast, unexplored ocean and on the other side by tall mountains, thick with woodland and forest. The walls of the kingdom keep everyone safe from the dangers of the Indigo Forest, name for the dark mist that seeped through the trees on nights where travelers disappeared. That forest, with all it's dangers, was the reason Oceais was so safe. No neighboring kingdom dare sent infantry out there, as they would surely never make it through. This creates one problem however. Because contact between kingdoms is nearly impossible, save by messenger hawk, trade is nonexistent, and resources are beginning to dwindle. How will the King of Oceais be able to rule a kingdom if they all starve? This problem has not yet reached the people, as the King is keeping it from them in hopes to find a solution. He had sent his sons away overseas to find new land, leaving him only with his wife and daughter, whom he is fiercely protective of.

 

[Lunoh]

Profiles:

Character Name:
Kaine

Character Age:
20

Nicknames:
Shadow, Wolf

Body:
5'7" Slender, but toned. He has scars, but he hides them with his clothing.

Likes:
Meat, running, constantly moving, hunting, chasing. He also enjoys listening to birds in the morning, music, Singing.

Dislikes:
Being wet, cold, wet and cold, hunger, loud noises, too many people.

Fears:
Deep water, getting sick, confinement, and loosing control of his emotions.

Strengths:
He is well practiced with a sword, but better with a bow. He also has surprising stamina and strength for his size.

Weaknesses:
He cannot swim, and signs of any sort of infectious illness renders him immobilized with fear. He must not let his emotions or fear get the better of him.

Special abilities:
Heightened senses such as smell and hearing, and better eyesight at night. He is also very stealthy, moving like shadows.

Personality:
Kaine is usually very calm and calculating, watching everything and speaking rarely. He comes off as dangerous, but when he's alone, he loosens up shows a softer side of him, though no one is around to see it usually. Despite his dislike towards people in general, he cares about life, and will do his best to preserve. That does not include what he hunts. He knows he must kill to eat and survive, but he respects the creatures he kills with a silent prayer of thanks. He does not socialize well at all, and prefers to be left alone.

Bio:
Kaine keeps much of this to himself, but he was born in a kingdom over the mountains. The kingdom of Lupyce. His family, the ruling family. His birth name was Kainus Lupyce, prince of Lupyce. He lived a fine life, loved by his parents, and loved by his people. There was only one secret the kingdom had. It was a kingdom of Werewolves. Though not everyone in the kingdom shared the gift of the beast, it was commonly known. Children with the gift were quickly taught how to control it, and the kingdom lived peacefully.

At age nine, Kaine dreamed one night, that he was walking through the forest and he came across ruins of a kingdom, all grown over by moss and vines. What he did not know was that, as he lay there sleeping, people were dying in the streets of his kingdom.There had been a rot on the trees of the surrounding forest that had seeped into the soil, poisoning the crops and the livestock. Practically overnight, the whole kingdom lay dead or dying in their homes and on the streets. The only ones who had not been affected were the royal family, who had not had anything from the poisoned crops yet. It was breakfast time when the news reached the castle, and everyone but you prince Kainus had already begun to eat. Kaine had been so wrapped up in telling his family about the dream he had the night before, that he had not yet touched his food.

It all seemed so long ago, longer than the eleven years it had been since then. He remembers watching as his family's health began to deteriorate. One by one his mother, his father, and his five year old brother withered away, and he was left alone in a kingdom of corpses. His grief overtook him and he cried to the sky. his control over his gift was broken that day, and he wandered into the Indigo forest as a young cub. He learned the secrets of that dangerous wood, learned how to live, how to survive and where it was safe to rest.

A few years of wandering through the forest, he came across a new smell. Salt and water. He followed it and came upon a kingdom by the sea. He was wary, knowing that where there were people, there was sickness. He was curious though, and found many ways of sneaking past the walls and sauntering the city. He became quite the master thief, yet no one could quite identify him. They never seemed to get a good look at his eyes. The only thing every witness could say about him was he had the bright sapphire eyes of a predator.

He comes and goes, visiting the kingdom for food when he grows tired of the game in the forest, but no one knows where he comes from, or where he goes when he disappears. He likes to keep it that way.

Character Name: Cassandra Laruz
Character Age: 18
Nicknames: Cassie
Body: slim, a bit scrawny, about 5'6"

Likes: Flowers, kindness, sweets, quiet places.
Dislikes: Social events, destruction, her hair getting messed up (which happens quite frequently), gender biases.
Fears: Fire, heights.
Strengths: Quick reflexes, can talk her way out of almost any situation.
Weaknesses: Tends to think before she acts, very clumsy.
Special ability: For some reason since birth, Cassie has had an affinity for nature. She can make plants grow at will, understand birdsong, and sometimes hear the thoughts of animals and whispers of plants.Personality: Sweet and kind, quite stubborn when she puts her mind to it, impulsive at times, awkward and shy around many people, or just people she doesn't know.

Bio: Princess Cassandra had a happy upbringing. Being the daughter of the king and queen, she was given anything she could possibly want and then some. At a young age, she was able to go wherever she desired, which frequently ended up being the courtyard garden. The outdoor world seemed magical to her, more so to her home life. Her parents hosted many balls and social parties, and although they encouraged her to, she couldn't get into the spirit of parties. As she got older, her trips to the gardens were less frequent as her parents booked her with tutors and studies. A princess needs to learn about her kingdom if she were to help her future husband rule. Cassie would protest, sticking to learning things that pleased her, such as books on plants and animals, but did comply to her parent's wishes to study once in a while. They also set up appointments with suitors for her, which she would turn away immediately. A week from her 18th birthday, her parents announced she was to be wed to a man of their choice. Completely outraged by their decision, she secretly took her leave from the castle that night, knowing she wouldn't be able to sway their decision.

Pic:

 

[Lunoh]

Kaine

It was a fine morning, bustling marketplaces and busy docks loading and unloading fishing supplies. Kaine both hated and loved it. He had learned to memorize what days were market days. Those were the best days to sneak into the kingdom and treat himself to some real food. He had to be careful though, as it seemed the guards were on to his antics. He would have to change up his strategy to stay out of the castle dungeons. Things would be so much easier if he knew how to change at will. he could wander through the streets like a dog, and no one would think anything of him. There were plenty of dogs here that looked close enough like a wolf that he could get away with it... right? He looked around, the sighed. Nope, these dogs were wolf hunters, not wolves. He couldn't pass as one of them.

When the sun was in just the right position to cast shadows over the stalls he was watching, he made his move. Using the shadows as he did so well, he swooped in behind a stall while the vendor was talking with a potential customer, and stuffed his pack full of the delicious smelling meat pies. He scurried back away from the stall and into an alleyway, happy with his take. He was about to take his leave when a guard came into view in the alley. Kaine leaned up against the wall and tried to look normal, hands in pockets, hood down, eyes on the floor, hoping the guard would walk by. It seemed he would, but as the guard passed, he stopped and sniffed. He turned to Kaine, and eyebrow raised. "You stop by Mrs. Brisbin's meat pie stall?" Kaine nodded. "Ah, her pies are the best. Good choice my friend."

"Th-thank you." Kaine muttered. The guard went to leave when a woman's cry was heard.

"Help! Someone has stolen from me! I've been robbed! My meat pies are missing!" The guard moved to run to her, then stopped and looked at Kaine. Kaine stiffened and locked eyes with the guard, whose eyes widened in realization. "The Sapphire Eyes. You!" Kaine ran. The guard gave chase, but was nowhere near as good a runner as the thief he was chasing. He lost Kaine, and went to gain back up.

Kaine, once sure he had lost his pursuer, ducking into an abandoned looking shed and laid low, thinking of the closest secret exit out of the Kingdom. It was too far off to go now. He would have to wait until cover of night to escape. Until then, he would have to avoid the guards, and people in general. Not like he hadn't before.

When night had fallen, and the guards were sure the thief had gotten away, he emerged and made way for his escape. When he reached it, he froze. There were three guards standing around where he needed to go. They were chatting to each other. "Yeah, apparently the bar keep across the way noticed that a figure would sometimes skulk around here on days of reported thefts. Might be the guy's getaway or hideout." The other guards nodded. Kaine cursed in his head and looked around. He did not want to go all the way to his other escape route. It would take too long. That's when he saw it. Another figure slinking around in the shadows. It seemed to be a female. Perfect. He made for her, pulling out a dagger as he approached her. He would use her as a hostage and force them to let him go. Coming up behind the girl, he jumped at her, wraping his arms around her and holding the dagger to her throat. He had no intention of actually hurting her, but he was desperate, and needed to get out. "Hey!" He growled to the guards, who turned and drew their swords. "Put those down or I'll kill her! You are going to let me through. If you do, she'll go free. If you fight, I take her life."

Japanesestarfire

A bit longer than my usual, but it's an intro. The hostage I was hoping to be the princess, but it doesn't have to be. Could be a poor innocent bystander if you have other plans.

 

[Japanesestarfire]

CasϨandra •❀•ʅaruzxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

❀People buzzed around the town surrounding the kingdom as Cassie snuck her way out the castle gates. Market day was a great cover up for someone leaving town. It was either stay and forced to be wed, or leave and have a shot at freedom. Cassie chose the latter.

As she wove her way through the streets, she tried keeping out of sight, keeping to the shadows. Hood drawn, and avoiding eye contact as much as possible. One wrong move and she could be discovered. And there was no way she was going back home.

As with all functions, guards were placed along the streets, their steely eyes watching all. She shied away from their stares, trying her best to look calm. To her surprise, a one started walking towards her, a stern look on his face. Oh no... I was found out.. It was then she realized the shouting. Someone stealing from a meat pie stand? Sapphire eyes? Curiosity sparked. Maybe one peek, then she'll be on her way.

She followed the guards, trying to keep as far as possible without looking suspicious. The guards sped up; she lost them in the commotion of the streets. She stopped and stood in a vacant ally way, trying to figure out where to go from there. Market day made the layout of the town a bit confusing, not that she'd been into town much anyway. Princesses rarely had business outside the castle.

Cassie took to walking again when a cold edge touched her throat and she found herself unable to move. Her mossy eyes widened in fear hearing the stranger's threat. Her life? Oh please, no. She didn't leave the castle for this! Not knowing what to say, and not wanting to move for fear of the blade piercing her. If not death, surely the guards would realize who she was, and would take her back. Oh, what a predicament it was!

io3121

 

[Lunoh]

Kaine

Kaine was relieved when the girl seemed to be frozen in fear. It made his threat easier if she wasn't fighting back. The guards stood still also, though more from thought than fear. "Drop the swords. Now." He grunted, making his voice sound a lot deeper. They hesitated, but they did. Kaine moved closer to them, his ice blue eyes locked onto theirs. "Step out of the way." They did, glaring at him. He elbowed his way into the small cellar doorway, "Follow me and I slit her throat. I'll leave her when I've gone and she can come back on her own." He backed into the cellar and closed the doors, taking the dagger from her throat and sheathing it. He kept a hand tightly gripped on her arm as he made his way to a corner of the cellar and kicked aside a carpet. Under the carpet was a trap door. He lifted it open with his free arm and pulled her down with him.

It took about five minutes of walking, dragging her along no matter what fight she put up. He was unnaturally strong for how slender he was. At the grated exit, he let her go. "Sorry. I needed to escape. I won't hurt you. Just go home and forget about this." He told her quietly, not looking at her. Then, he lifted the cold, metal grate and slipped out, making a dash for the forest.

Japanesestarfire

 

[Japanesestarfire]

CasϨandra •❀•ʅaruzxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

❀Seeing the opened gate as her chance to exit, Cassie made a dash for it before it closed. "Thank you dangerous stranger, for helping me get outside.." She muttered to herself, feeling a bit ridiculous. Thanking someone who threatened to kill her wasn't something she expected to ever do in her life.

No doubt the guards would come investigate if she didn't come back inside, so Cassie took off towards the forest. She heard the heavy footsteps and shouts just as she approached the trees, and jumped into a nearby patch of overgrown grass in attempts to hide. From there she waited until the shouting ceased. A bird's chirp from above caused her to look up. A tiny blue bird tweeted again, it's black eyes seeming alarmed. A guard was coming her way? Cassie squeezed her eyes shut and curled up in her covering, praying she wouldn't be discovered. After a few minutes she heard the heavy footsteps getting softer, and the bird whistled once more.

She stayed in her hiding place a few more minutes before stepping out. The area was clear, it seemed they gave up the search. No doubt her parents would be notified. A stab of guilt hit her, realizing they may put her disappearance to the assumption of death, as what the guards were possibly thinking. Shaking her head to rid her of her thoughts, she gave the bird a thankful smile before heading off deeper into the forest, unsure where to go from there.

io3121

 

[Lunoh]

Kaine

As Kaine neared the tree line, he heard another set of footsteps behind him, but they didn't sound like guards. He frowned and glanced behind him and saw it was the girl. This confused him. She wanted to get out? Why?! Life was hard outside of the walls. This girl had to me mad!

He made it to the tree and practically disappeared, the shadows seeming to swallow him up. He watched the cleared, open meadow that surrounded the wall, waiting for the guards to pass. He knew being this close to the Indigo Forest freaked them out, and they wouldn't be long running back to the wall.

When they had, he turned his head to where he heard the breathing of the girl. He tapped his finger on his leg, wondering if he should leaver her and wait for her to get scared and go back, or talk her into it himself. It was already night, and the forest was more dangerous now than during the day. He sighed and made his way towards her. He seemingly materialized behind her, stepping out of the shadows that wanted to cling to him "What are you doing. You will die out here. Go back."

Japanesestarfire

 

[Japanesestarfire]

io3121

CasϨandra •❀•ʅaruzxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

❀A voice coming from seemingly nowhere startled Cassie, and she turned to see the boy from earlier. When did he get there? She hadn't heard any footsteps, and surely the bird may have warned her. Her mossy eyes turned towards the branch, but the bird had since flew off. Darkness started to envelop the blue sky. Night came fast.

Turning back to the stranger, she thought about what he had said. Surely he didn't think she would go back to her sheltered life, at least not if she was forced into a future she didn't want. Sure, she had no idea where to go from there, but 'back' wasn't one of those options. Instead of answering the boy, she posed a question of her own. "Well, if it's so dangerous out here, then why are you out here?"

io3121

 

[Lunoh]

Kaine

At her retort, Kaine stepped back slightly, remembering why he was out here. His eyes went to the ground, shoulders hunch, then he straightened, shaking his head to clear his mind. "Fine, it's your death." He turned to disappear back into the trees. The shadows swallowed him again, but he stopped, looking back at the girl. The only thing visible in the darkness between the trees were the piercing blue eyes, He watched her a moment, then sighed, stepping back into view, "Come on, I know where it's safe for the night."

Why are you doing this? It's not like you're responsible for her well being. She left on her own accord. She'll attract unwanted attention, scare away game, you'll have to hunt for two now. She's not worth it. All of theses reasons floated around in his head as he stood there waiting for her. If she followed, he's shelter her for the night and try and get her to go back in the morning. If not, she was no longer his problem. Or so he told himself.

Japanesestarfire

 

[Japanesestarfire]

CasϨandra •❀•ʅaruzxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

❀Cassie regretted the comeback after seeing the boy step back and stare at the ground. She supposed she deserved the stranger's response. Yes, leave the poor girl out here to die. It wasn't like she had much of a plan to begin with. Oh well, she'd find a way. Maybe find a small hollow tree to sleep in for the night, it seemed a bit safe to her. Better than being out in the open.

Her thoughts were broken when she heard the boy's voice again, offering to take her somewhere safe for the night. That sounded much more welcoming than a hollow tree. She glanced around, unsure where he stood, until she saw blue eyes peer out from the darkness. Well, I guess there was a reason the guards called him Sapphire eyes. Very fitting. Cassie shook her thoughts away and approached the strange boy, ready to be led to wherever this safe place may be. "Thank you. I know I probably don't deserve such kindness as a safe place, so I appreciate it."She said, hoping that would amount to some sort of apology.

io3121

 

[Lunoh]

Kaine

Once the girl was following him, he made his way deeper into the forest. "The forest doesn't like intruders, so we'll have to sleep up high tonight until it gets used to you." He told her as he led the way. After a bit of walking, they came upon a huge, old, twisted oak tree. It's trunk was split down the middle, inside were notches cut into it, like a ladder. "Get up there, quickly." He told her, watching as the mist began to seep out of the soil.

It had happened twice before in his memory. The night he had lost everything, he wandered into the forest, and that night, the mist came. It scared him, so he climbed a tree to get away from it. The other time, a merchant had left the kingdom this girl was from to seek fortune outside the walls of the city, but when the mist came that night, it got into his lungs, and Kaine watched him as he slowly died through the next day. It seemed the mist was poisonous, and caused an agonizing sickness not unlike the kind that decimated his kingdom.

As he pushed her up the tree, he climbed up after her, wanting to get away from it as fast as he could.

Japanesestarfire

 

[Japanesestarfire]

io3121

CasϨandra •❀•ʅaruzxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

❀Cassie glanced around the dark forest as she followed the boy through the darkness. The mention of the forest not liking intruders puzzled her. From a young age, she knew the plants and earth seemed to have a life of their own, but it surprised her she wasn't the only person who discovered it. The deeper into the forest she got, the stranger feeling the forest seemed. Perhaps it was a way of warning? Cassie wasn't sure. But if she intended to stay there for as long as was necessary, she had to find a way for the forest to accept her.

Soon they stopped at an old looking tree. She supposed it was where the boy was staying? She glanced upwards to see what lied ahead, but could only see darkness. Seeing there was nothing else to do besides follow the stranger's orders, she placed her foot on the notch in the tree and did her best to climb her way up. As she climbed, she began to regret wearing heeled shoes. But beyond that, she didn't have much suited for the outdoors. Sometimes it was a curse being a princess. Sensing she should hurry, she did her best to pick up the pace to whatever lied at the end of the makeshift ladder.

io3121

 

[Lunoh]

Kaine

When Kaine reached the top of the ladder, he stepped out onto a platform. Once there, he turned and lit a small torch, and the tree lit up. There, up in the enormous branches of the old oak tree, he had built a little refuge, complete with railings, to prevent him from stepping off the edge, and a little thatched roof over where the tree didn't cover. It was small, but not cramped. Around the other side of the trunk was a makeshift bed of leaves and animal skins. He pointed to it, letting her know she could sleep there, then went off to a large branch that served as a table.

He plopped his pack down on the limb table and looked inside. Some of the meat pies had turned to mush at the bottom of his bag, but there were three that were still intact, and two that had only a little bit of damage. HE took one out and scooted it towards the girl, then took one out for himself, eating it in silence. Well, sort of silence. He was not a gracious eater. He practically inhaled it.

Japanesestarfire

 

[Japanesestarfire]

CasϨandra •❀•ʅaruzxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

❀Cassie was amazed at the small home inside the tree. Did the boy made this, or had someone previously create it? For how long did this stranger live here? She shook her thoughts away and her eyes laid on the bed he had indicated. Not her usual bed by far, but she was sure she'd be able to get comfortable on it somehow. This was a lot to take in and experience if one was used to being on the lap of luxury.

Making herself quit taking in her surroundings, she followed the boy and happily accepted the pie. She had left before dinner at the castle, and she hadn't eaten beyond her lunch and tea with her mother. A stab of sadness hit her as she realized she wouldn't have tea with her mother again. She doubted the stranger had tea, or would fancy having any with her, so she thought best not to bring it up. Instead she ate her pie in silence, carefully picking it apart with her fingers.

After a few minutes, she didn't much care for the silence. She was used to chatter at mealtime, be it from her parents or the cooks and servants. As she looked up at the boy, she realized they didn't much share the same table manners. Oh well, to each his own. Just because I was brought up to have the etiquette I do, doesn't mean he did. I'm not one to judge. She reasoned with herself. Their upbringings were different, that was all.

Although, her being a princess would have to remain secret. Who knows what would happen if it were to be found out? Sighing at the thought, she pushed them away and decided to settle for an attempt at conversation. "So.. Do you live here? In the forest, I mean." She asked before picking at her pie a bit more. Not too much of it had been eaten yet, but she was working on it.

io3121

 

[Lunoh]

Kaine

Kaine had finished his pie and was looking into his bag, debating if he should eat another or save it for later, when the girl spoke. He looked at her, leaving the bag alone and licking his upper lip, much like an animal, then nodded. He stood and took his pack to a notch in the tree, hanging it there. This was the first time he had company in so long. He was a bit awkward. He didn't know how to behave, All he knew was he wanted her to leave the moment the sun came up.

"Why are you out here? Why leave the safety of the walls?" He asked her, scratching his head in confusion. It made no sense to him. Did she not know what happened to people out here? What could possibly so bad in there to make her want to leave? Surely one night here would change her mind.

Japanesestarfire