Dear Fellow Traveler

V

alerian had wandered his way back into the Highlands after satisfying a few clients he had to travel for. There was even a particular Bachelor Party that he'd attended that ended up being far more wild than he anticipated. It was certainly time for a it of a vacation! And what better way to enjoy some time off than to journey about the beautiful scenery that was the Highlands and Perth in particular was an area he had not made himself too familiar with as a younger boy.

As he journeyed across from his hometown of Aberdeen, he watched with wonder as the mountains became taller the closer he was to them and the tree line grew in a long expanse of never ending trees. He could only imagine how beautiful it must be in the Spring and he knew that he would have to return when the greenery was more abundant there. "What a lovely home you have here, Mother Nature."

He spoke to the very presence that he always felt when he was among the wood and he smiled to every tree he passed by and any stray leaves that still fell from the canopy. "I wonder what it is the day holds for me today." He mused aloud to the nearest tree, brushing up against the bark gently while he communicated with the vast ecosystem around him.

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

THREAD TITLE MUSE

“Is e iongnadh as fheàrr, nach eil thu a’ smaoineachadh, Each Uisge?”


The voice was deep, but utterly feminine—a song of warm velvet and cold, moonlit evenings. A song of cycles and ominous promises. The banduri emerged from her perch nearby, where she had watched the seamist male communing with nature. She prowled carefully toward him from the moss-ridden, fallen trunk that found a hitch against two other trees. With her pelt of russet and charcoal, she blended in quite well: at least long enough to spy the other wolf arching against Gaia’s bark. It was amusing…refreshing, perhaps, to see a man appreciate nature.


The witch didn’t often greet the morning sun, but sleep for her was as cyclical as the heavenly bodies she worshiped. She took it where she could and never missed an opportunity for intrigue. This creature caught her attention. With his misty coat and seaglass eyes, he reminded her of the mythical water horse of the highland sea. Legend of its fine appearance and handsomeness lured many fools to their deaths. But Yvaine knew as her paws touched the wet spring earth, and she closed the distance between them, there was nothing to fear.


He was…much smaller than a horse.


Stopping a few yards away, the banduri witch grinned curiously, her moonlight eyes glimmering. “Only Highlanders would venture this far North right now…it’s good to return home, don’t you think?”

table ; bunny

*”Surprises are best, don’t you think, Each Uisge?”
@Valerian

A

voice, low and dangerous, yet tantalizing turned his head instantly with the sound of the thick accented language of the Highlander's mother tongue. It was a damn shame he hadn't picked up enough of it to decipher even a decent translation. That's what happened when your Father was a Spaniard...a shame that language didn't come in handy too much in this country. No matter what it was this highly intriguing woman of the woods had spoken, he smoothed back the fur atop his head and gave her the most dashing, debonair smile he could possibly muster.

The mistress began to approach, halting closer to him as she simply assumed he was no Highlander. “What, pray tell, gives you the impression that I am no Highlander?" He turned to face her, leaning against the tree, his head tilting curiously. “Then again, I suppose if my father was an Outlander that would make me a different beast altogether, wouldn't it?" He mused suddenly, now giving his own words some thought. “Either way, my dear, I do not fear these lands! In fact, I laugh in the face of danger! Ha! I, myself, would much rather live my life to it's fullest rather than hide behind barricades, for a wise wolf once said, ‘The only thing we have to fear is fear itself'!”

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

The witch’s lovely grin widened, one scarlet brow arching as it rose. The male was as talkative as a man half his age, but the salty whiskers around his muzzle betrayed the youthful exuberance. Then again, didn’t all men love to hear themselves prattle? The scarlet-and-charcoal woman, embers to his waves, took one purposeful step closer, her tail sweeping behind her. “Just a test, Each Uisge,” she purred in delight, although inwardly, she thought he was a bit air-headed. “So, one parent is descended from the Highlands…which explains why you’re so brave.” Her piercing, moonbright eyes ran up and down the length of his form. She took her time, making it obvious that she was drinking in every feature. Around them, birds were twittering at the promise of spring, and the light fragrance of blossoms filled the air.


But there was a sudden shadow in her lovely visage as the witch spoke again. Her tone was mockingly sweet and low as she mused, “Oh, but I must disagree, dear traveler. There are plenty of things to fear this far North.” She winked, then leapt behind the tree where he leaned. Circling around, she reappeared behind him, stalking like a raptor, hips swaying like a succubus from worlds deep below. “When night falls, who knows what messages are sent, what blood pacts are made, what fae are worshiped by the ‘heathens’ of the Highlands.” Yvaine shrugged playfully, putting on a facade of concern. But the humor sang in the undertones of her velvet voice. “Rumors say there are even rebels up here.”


Another test. She yearned to know what a chipper man like him would have to say.

table ; bunny

@Valerian

O

cean eyes took in that wildcat grin across her maw that practically screamed ‘predator'. But, let's face it, if it was him that she was prowling after, he could hardly blame the woman! She spoke of a test, one of which he certainly had not sign up for, nor was he made aware of the subject matter. He enjoyed the little games that females played and so he hardly questioned it. If her gaze had moved over him any slower she was sure to set him and the very forest around them ablaze.

Valerian puffed his chest out in response to the comment on his bravery, lifting his head high. ”Of course! Bravery runs in the genetics of the Highlander's fiercest of warriors whether it be of brute strength or silver tongue!" He might have blinked for half a second when the shadow of a woman swept behind the tree he leaned on and was suddenly just at his back on the other side of the bark. He straightened up and turned his head over his shoulder to keep her in his sights.

With her talk of blood pacts and heathens, his eyes rounded with an odd sort of wonder and the slightest bit of fear. “There are dangers lurking anywhere darkness can be found, my Mistress of Shadows...frankly, I'd prefer to succumb to the peril of the Fae...for wouldn't that make a more compelling story?" The bards of the world would write legends and lyrics to sing of the fantastical tales of the Otherworld, but cared not for the dark alleyways of the cities. The mention of rebels perked his ears and he nodded, before remarking plainly, “Oh, yeah, I know Jacob's out and about again, but it can't be rumor if it's true. We're all just biding our time until it's time for chaos to rain down one way or another."

Even with the tree between them, he did not dare turn himself around fully. The test continued and yet, how could he tell if he passed whatever the witch considered to be the criteria. Val did his best not to let it bother him and he did offer her the slyest grin. “I cannot tell if you're trying to threaten me or turn me on right now, but I can tell you that I certainly am feeling the effects of both."

@“Yvaine"

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

[Mature Content]

Yvaine chuckled demurely at the male’s response, a gesture akin to tossing coins to a beggar. Considering his size, she supposed he belonged to the “silver tongue” category. Not that she minded his diminutive frame. The witch was well-versed in the dance between males and females; she knew that size wasn’t everything. Perhaps that silver tongue could do more than spin pretty compliments and generate jokes. As she slid closer, the bard’s spiced scent invigorated her senses. Mistress of Shadows…it had a nice ring to it. Every footfall was quiet and graceful as the banduri witch completed her circle, allowing her luxurious tail to brush teasingly against his flank. Almost as if it were an accident.


Oh, he passed her tests. Any male with the bravery to speak of Jacob and the Rebellion plainly, not to mention acknowledge the power of the fae, secured Yvaine’s interest. Turning swiftly to face his sly grin, the witch pushed one shoulder forward. The coy posture was inviting enough, then her tongue running idly along the top row of her fangs as she eyed him.


“That’s the thing about fear, darling,” she purred, her voice low and smooth, bearing the heat of crackling flames and the cool embrace of night alike. It was enough to send shivers down one’s spine. “It reminds us how short life is…how we should embrace what compels us, while we have the chance.”


There was a pause, and the Yvaine took one dangerous step closer. The aroma of herbs and incense clung to her pelt like smoke. It was the perfumed smog that coiled from the charcoal crown on her skull, from the blackened claws and up her lithe, velvet limbs. The rest of her was hellfire. “I have a compelling story to share with you. It involves two wolves, unafraid of war, fighting for freedom…” If the sea wolf did not move, the witch moved close enough to whisper in his ear: “A Silver Stallion and a Mistress of Shadow, helplessly impassioned by the heat of battle.”

manip + code: clae
@Valerian

[Mature Content]

T

he proximity of the enchantress only drew him and he was no stranger to the sensations that led him to lust after another. Neither was she, it seemed. Val did his best to keep his wits about him, closing his maw that had attempted to part to gawk at this auspicious turn of events. Keep your composure! Don't be a fool! Don't forget where are! Amid the forest of Fae! The Angel on his shoulder pleaded. Ah, but the Devil himself appeared drowning the voice of reason out. Nonsense, lad! Look at what an unprecedented gift the universe offers you! You would be a fool not to devour such fine forbidden fruit!

The way she fanned the flames in the lower half of his body, her tail brushing against his flank leaving behind her enticing aroma that bid him to follow...well, all reason was off the table. Valerian thought that there was no possibility of feeling any higher than he did, but he was proved wrong by a low, purring voice that provided an introduction to a narrative. “My, my...I had not a clue that I was in the presence of a fellow Bard, dearest Femme Fatale..." He breathed, in a deeper voice that bordered on the seductive rumble of a growl of a beast who was nearly untethered. It was the whisper of the name Silver Stallion that had nearly done him in before he even got started!

The Mistress of Shadows was a fair bit taller than the and so he tilted his head back as she moved into his space once more, daring to reach up and deliver a nip at her jawline just beneath her chin. He withdrew only to catch her eye from beneath a half-lidded gaze. “I'm listening...tell me, what does become of this ruggedly handsome Stallion and the smouldering temptress?" His lips peeled over teeth in a knowing smile as he lifted his brows. “I anticipate that a...happy ending is in store for them both? Ah, but, I suppose I shouldn't make assumptions...given the storyteller is the Mistress of Shadows herself..."

@“Yvaine"

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

[Mature Content]

The rumble in the male’s voice was like distant thunder, the promise of a storm churning in the sea. He was charismatic and well-kept, but as the witch understood all too well, the surface was a mask, often placed to hide uncouth and monstrous truths. Was he a beast inside, wielding the power of tempest waves? It sent a shiver down the woman’s spine. If she were to bed the Each Uisge, it would take all her strength not to drown at the bottom of the ocean. For now, she let his waves wash over her in pleasure. The scrape of his fangs against her jaw unraveled the threads of her lust. A sigh bled into a dangerous kiss, which she placed against the bard’s neck as she slid forward.


“A wise man… Happy endings are just a matter of perspective.” The banduri lowered her front half to the early spring grass, letting the blades caress her limbs. Her rear half remained in the air teasingly, silken tail arching playfully, seductively. She glanced back at him over her shoulder. “The Stallion and his Mistress melted, entirely consumed by the flames…those ravenous flames.” The witch’s eyelids lowered as well, her moonbright eyes piercing the traveler’s handsome visage with nothing less than the intensity of the burning stars in the sky. She murmured, a moan teetering on the edge of her thick voice, “Oh, but they were ecstatic.”


[Fade to Black?]

manip + code: clae
@Valerian

[Mature Content]

T

he delectable Mistress of Shadows also proved to be a Siren of The Deep. She lured him, her entire being singing a tune that he knew all to well and so he joined her in this odd duet of malevolence and whimsy. All it took was his fangs grazing across the underside of her jaw to draw forth a sigh that told him that the crescendo of their ballad was meant to unravel them both. His daring move earned him a viper's kiss at his neck, his pulse quickening much like a rabbit's against his predator's lips.

When the Lady of Night drifted from him, he mindlessly followed the trail of her sweet essence coming to a halt as she lowered herself. The enchantress turned to gaze upon him over her shoulder with sinister starlight dancing within her silver orbs and it was all he could do to restrain himself. She was undoubtedly a succubus...ah, but, he himself, was an incubus...the pair of them perfectly matched to feed off of one another in the most unholy fashion.

"Allow me to bring to life your Saga of Inferno..." Valerian took one step and then another in his slow approach, each breath closer to her kindling embers that made him ache. As he began to descend upon her lowered frame, he pressed kisses and drew his teeth along her spine, eliciting shivers down his own. "May we burn brilliantly, my Lady..." He breathed hotly against her flesh as he merged with her, finally giving into his desire. The Silver Stallion readily fell from grace entangled with the Mistress of Shadows as they both were plunged into an everlasting Hellfire of pure ecstasy.

[Fade to Black]


@“Yvaine"

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

[Mature]

Time meant nothing to the witch. She let it flow around her, absorb her, like a stream, faster or slower depending on whether or not she swam with its current. And for a moment like this, the woman was treading water, soaking to the bone, allowing it to cradle her in the present. The smooth sensation trickled down her back and across her limbs, refreshing her as though she were parched. A smile spread over the woman’s maw, her pearlescent fangs shimmering in the daylight, and she tossed back her head in ecstasy.


Now, she was drenched.


Yvaine, like the shark in a blood frenzy, let passion wash over and consume her. She was fierce enough to match the male’s experience with sheer intensity. Beltane was cresting the horizon, after all. And when it was over, the woman was pleasantly exhausted. Her moonbright eyes flickered over his frame, vaguely surprised at what such a small man could accomplish. For a few minutes, she merely laid there, grinning.


But she had no reason to stay. With a heady whisper, the witch leaned over to her unnamed partner. “Now I can breathe again, Each Usage.” Without another word or explanation, she rose to charcoal paws, turning to go. But she was in great spirits. The witch could be convinced to stay, if the male had other forms of…entertainment.

table ; bunny

@Valerian