[ P ] the road less traveled

after the meet with nephele, before the bear raid.

He made sure to travel far, far away. As far as he could make it without growing restless and tired. He had yet to find a place to settle, and a part of him did not feel as though this was home. Many times he had found a place that seemed promising, but in the end it would prove not to be. A long, heavy sigh escaped him as he continued forward edging closer to a forest that he hoped would remind him of the Pines. In the end there would be no home like the one his mother introduced him to, along the beach with the smell of salt and ocean and the sounds of the gulls overhead. It was unlike him to ponder, but as of late the world had a way of turning on him it seemed. After the loss of his past life, love and lifestyle he had Kyros with a woman, a woman he had grown fond of in a short amount of time. And just like that she too was gone. Perhaps he was just a bad omen. Anteros began to slow at the end of the forest, his golden eyes staring into their shadowy depths. He assumed Kyros was somewhere close by, though the boy enjoyed his own freedom as of late. He did not dwell as he knew Kyros was very able to take care of himself. The ebon' man sat, the wind kissing his soot colored cheeks and his eyes closing briefly in hope to find some peace of mind. "speech"

table by amanda

elwynn watched in contemplative silence as the strange man neared the edge of her forest. she lurked in the shadows, waiting and watching, watching and waiting...

the way she stared at him was unblinking, much like an owl stared down at its prey.

however, there was a bit of curiosity behind her primal gaze as she watched him lift his chin and close his eyes. she continued to study him, finding him rather handsome if not a bit brooding. he didn't seem like the type that belonged here, but that might be a good thing. she supposed she could do for some amusement while she was finding her way back to herself after her prolonged illness. though she had to think to herself it was a bit funny how she was running into all these random men suddenly, rather than the usual adolescents or children that tried to make her home a game of bravery. most of the time she let them leave unharmed, but occasionally she might... pick up one or two. they weren't so brave when she got them alone.

her dark lips twitched, revealing the ends of her sharp fangs in a canine smile. she hadn't had that kind of fun in a while. children were easy, however. a grown man like this? that would be more difficult. usually if she put on a charming smile they followed her anywhere, but not always did that work. then again her desires were ever-changing. sometimes she wanted their blood and sometimes she wanted their bodies. which would she want from him?

are you lost? she said softly from the cover of the trees. if he looked hard enough he might be able to see two floating shards of lilac staring back at him from the darkness.

TABLE BY AMANDA, ART BY ASHON

The voice of another would cause his lids to flicker open, his gaze slowly trailing to the origin of its location. There he would be met with violet optics staring back at him, her questioning ringing in his ears. Lost. Yes. He was lost in this place and within himself. A constant battle between heart and mind. Somehow he managed to make it to a place where all his memories haunted him. He was unable to find a place of peace and tranquility, even now. Was he really lost though? Surely not. He knew where he was and the direction in which he came from and where he would return to. He was merely passing by hoping for some solace, but it would prove to evade him. "No, just resting," he would respond back finally as he turned to meet her. She was mixed with dark hues, the only thing bright on her were her flickering, questioning orbs. He stood in silence and would watch her, curious as to what her next question would be. Perhaps she would speak of this college that had been a hot commodity as of late. A soft exhale left his nostrils which brought relief, but only slight. His body was not as tired as it once was, but thanks to Nephele he knew how to aid himself of the restlessness and how to get a good night sleep. The only problem was he had not found a place where he would feel safe enough to do that yet. Perhaps in time he would find a place he felt comfortable in enough to call home. Not today though. "speech"

table by amanda

hmm the upward inflection to her soft noise indicated her amusement as his gaze eventually found her. she slipped from the forest, her own gaze still intent upon him as she came closer. she wondered just what he was resting from. he appeared fine, physically, but even elwynn knew that sometimes it was the mental wounds that took the longest to heal. she was thankful for her ability, or rather lack thereof, to feel much that might make her so contemplative and brooding.

she paused a short distance away, her gaze scrutinizing as she looked him over. he was quite handsome, he seemed the strong and silent type.

she wondered how hard she'd have to try to make him scream.

a giddiness filled her and her black fur bristled lightly, though she wore a kind smile upon her face. now why would you need to rest? you look perfectly fine to me, darling.

she was curious, if anything. if you're hurt i could help you... now whether she would actually help him was about a 50/50 shot in the dark. she was torn between desires in the moment she laid eyes on him. blood or body, which would she try to take?

TABLE BY AMANDA, ART BY ASHON

Her demeanor was dark...brooding, and he had his slight concerns while his guard remained up, but he pushed it in the back of his mind for now at least. The hum of her lips vibrating off one another caused a single audit to swivel while golden eyes rested upon her dark features. 'You look perfectly fine to me, darling.' He tensed up a bit, uneasy by her words, but he let the air out of his lungs to expel in the air. Anteros didn't respond though, unsure of how to honestly, so he let her speak once more offering to help if he so wished it. "I appreciate the offer," his eyes locked into those of violet hue, "I am well though," he was a gentleman, always would be despite his past, it was how he was raised and rooted into his blood. Perhaps a change of subject would settle him with the woman more. She was not hostile, she did not pose a threat so far and while her vibe was a little different then what he was use to, he did not judge her. "I am Anteros," his offered his alias, "whom do I owe the pleasure?" He stretched the muscles in his back, a feint crack filled the air in a whisper, his eyes did not once leave the delicate features of her face. "speech"

table by amanda

the dark woman’s watchful eye noticed the way his ear twitched at her words, but more so the way his body tenses ever so slightly. thinking that she might be... unsettling him was thrilling. was she frightening? she had to wonder what it was that had tipped him off or if perhaps it was only a chill in his bones that shifted his demeanor ever so slightly.

she pursed her lips at his rejection, but maintained her expression otherwise. very well. she relented, though she had hoped to find him more gullible than this. he was tougher than he looked. a few short moments passed before he offered a name and requested one in turn. a few seconds passed as she contemplated lying to him, but decided why bother? she would simply omit her surname, in case he’d heard of her ilk.

i am elwynn she said softly.

her nose twitched as she took a few steps closer to him. she lifted her snout to smell the scents upon his fur, none of which she could decipher. she was only a few inches away but seemed completely unbothered by the invasion of space. elwynn tilted her head up, if he had not moved by now, to peer at the side of his face from below. surely you know the dangers of this place, why come here to rest in a place where the fae lurk so near? or where i lurk... she thought mischievously.

TABLE BY AMANDA, ART BY ASHON

Though his body ached and he did not enjoy the thought of packing up and moving on to the next destination, he knew that was what would be best. It would be her following words that made his decision to move on that much easier to follow. Dangers? The fae? He groaned inwardly as it was true he was naïve to these lands and what was hidden in their shadows. A long sigh escaped his lips as his golden eyes locked into those of amethyst, "I am afraid I do not." He shrugged, the bit of what she had said about the fae didn't quite make him uncomfortable however. "You can not fear the unknown," he then added in. It was true, in his reality at least. If he did not know what lurked in the shadows then what was there to fear? The idea that something may be dangerous? The idea almost made him snort, and perhaps he was ignorant for that. In all honesty the man was drained, psychically, mentally and emotionally to put much thought into things that did not matter at the present time. "Care to enlighten me?" The ebon' man would listen if she did in fact wish to give explanation. If he believed it or not would be decided later. Fae were mythical creatures, weren't they? It wasn't as if she spoke of a bear who sought the blood of wolves and was able to kill a pack by its lonesome. He waited patiently, his gaze not once lingering from the woman before him. "speech"

table by amanda

elwynn's brow raised as he spoke and she let out a lilting laugh. the unknown is whats most frightening, darling. she said. perhaps she was simply used to the fearful children that wandered her forest, but she found this sentiment to be quite untrue among most others. he was an odd one indeed... the fae lurk within these woods and snatch up foolish children... and sometimes foolish adults. it can happen to anyone and when it does, you'll wish you'd had been fearful and wary. she said smoothly. the fae could be wonderful creatures, or they could be murderous demons... much like herself. maybe that was why she related to them so and worshipped them as her family had. and it doesn't matter whether you believe in them or not, they'll still find you.

a dangerous gleam shone in her lilac eyes and her black nose twitched as she looked up at him. you do look weary and it's getting late. you know, if you won't listen to my warnings than perhaps you'll accept an invitation. with me you'll be safer... for the night. she extended her hand to him, not knowing at all if he'd take it. he seemed agitated, or perhaps it was just the exhaustion. she saw someone new and unknowing of her or her clan's past. someone she could possibly have a little fun with if she could relieve some of that stress...

TABLE BY AMANDA, ART BY ASHON

Her laugh was a chilling one against the air. There was something about her that made him want to know more, but also warned him to keep his distance. His gut screamed for him to go, but his mind told him it was not so wise. She went on to explain that he did have reasoning to be fearful, that these "fae" snatched up children and even adults, or so she said. He waited for a break in her response, his paws were frozen against the earth and his gaze lingered over her dark features, squinting slightly. They would find him huh? Perhaps they already did. "How do I know I am not speaking to one now?" It seemed she could be using some type of reverse psychology. She could be the very thing she was warning him about, and then inviting him back to her home? Perhaps this fae, this woman, enjoyed bringing children and "foolish adults" home in attempts to feed upon their flesh. If they were to be so feared he would not push cannibalism past them. She was eager to try and settle him, to let him know that he would be safer with her, but would he really? "I will pass, respectfully," finally his paws would move from where they had been glued upon the earth. "I am a man who seems to love testing fate," He dipped his head to the woman while a single audit would flick back. "Best wishes, Elwynn," her name sponged into his memory now and forever. Anteros turned back towards where he came, but he did not let down his senses while she remained behind him. He would get out of this forest, but he would not let her threat sit idly. exit anteros "speech"

table by amanda

”how do i know i’m not speaking to one now?”

ah, so he wasn’t as foolish as she thought.

you don’t. she responded flatly.

the rejection fell from his lips, citing events she knew nothing of, and then he attempted to leave. her ears twitched and she swiftly stood, unaccustomed to being denied. he was smart for doing so, but that didn’t lessen the sting of embarrassment. her lips twitched and she trailed after him, her stride even as moved up to try and block his path— even going so far as to to lift a paw to his chest to try and get him to pause, to rethink this decision.

so quickly you forget how i said the fae could be wonderful. isn’t testing fate the best part of life? she asked innocently.

her paw slid from his chest and her eyes trailed along with it before she looked up and smiled again. my intentions were not malicious, and i wasn’t asking you to come over for tea. she said, wondering if he’d get the hint now. i can soothe you in more ways than one. she added, gaze flicking back up. she maintained control for now but could feel it slipping away and this agitated her. she wasn’t sure what she might do if she were denied a second time.

TABLE BY AMANDA, ART BY ASHON