Hope you're feeling better

As uncomfortable as the use of the sapling rune was, it did the job. The sound of bones moving around came from his wolf-like chest in a muffled array of percussion. He grimaced with the pain that came with it until it was over. The effect of the rune was simple, but elegant. It was a water style spell in which the rune itself turned into wood imbedded in his flesh. It then sprouted leafless sapling wood limbs inside his body which sought out injury and stabilized it. In that particular case, they were acting like a direct cast on his ribs, holding them together and secreting a pain killing chemical while he healed. They could be seen in his human for as well as his wolf form and naturally could change with him as he shifted.

With that out of the way he willed his magic into the curse mark permanently marked on his chest. Similar to before, bones cracked and tendons popped and before long he was a man again and his fur had shed to the floor, revealing his clothes once again. The change didn't come without additional pain and stress to his ribs, but they were stabilized and he was back in human form. That was the important thing. He stayed where he was, too tired to really move very much.

get well soon!

Without further waiting for the girl to respond, Morgäna would maneuver into the cottage-styled kitchen idly retrieving produce by means of a simple meal preparation. It wasn't anything fancy or perfectly made – the sirloin could probably use a little more seasoning but she wasn't a chef. Plated on the simply ceramic carved dish was two slices of sirloin topped with salt, pepper and butter following a basic salad and a roll. The meal took a rough thirty to thirty five minutes to make. She'd made two plates. One for the girl and the other, for the shifter. The young woman would place one plate before the girl, before retreating back to the sitting room. “Come to the front once you've satisfied your hunger.” Without leaving room for question, Morgäna would rather have her eyes on both new dwellers in one setting.

As she entered the sitting room with warm plate filled with food in hand, Morgäna had taken a silent note that the man had shifted back to his original state. Though made little movement it seemed. Soft sigh escaped from pale lips as she set the plate on the side table next to her lantern. Envy light flicked playfully upon indigo candle as if joyed to be near the woman once again. “You should eat.” the mention of food would slip from her tongue almost monotoned and rather lacking. Her stoic expression never moved despite the subtle hint of exhaustion tugging an almost glazed glimmer in her nickel stained eyes. Attention turned briefly to the small fire burning within the stone, still burning lively with comforting warmth. The small gem around her neck would spark occasionally in harmless fits. Pale fingers would absently toy with the amethyst gem, leaning against the wall next to the hearth.

She never did catch their names though never bothered to ask, not much for conversation. “How are you feeling?” she would ask the man – if he were awake.

Part of Orion wanted to refuse the food. She had done so much for him already, but he could feel it. The imprinting process had already begun, and once you start to imprint to your Alpha, there is no going back or stopping it. He thanked her and began to tear hungrily into the food before him with gusto. When she asked about him, he lifted his vest and shirt to reveal the small roots that were partially visible coming from his pants line up to the afflicted area. "Good now, thanks to you." He replied, replacing his clothes. "Seems like you don't use runes very often, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to tire you." He added. He was concerned he had asked too much of her, considering he had already started imprinting and didn't even know her name. Also he had to think of a way to explain imprinting to her without weirding her out.

All these simple things on his mind cleared when a strange scent found its way to his senses. It was faint and wispy and it smelled like death.

Standing atop a building, looking out over the city, Cain brooded over the state of it. So many lives in one place. It was disgusting. Most of them didn't even deserve the soft embrace of death, and he was to walk among them. The idea sickened him.

A light wind kicked up his vest cloak, whipping it around softly as he stood motionless. He was like a dark statue against the moonlight, highlighted by its silver glow against the glassy, black of his armor plates. This was the best time for him to move. His Shadow Style was most effective at night. He held two fingers up to where his mouth would be if not for the mask, and muttered an incantation for a spell to mask his voice. He kept his real voice secret. The voice he gave himself was deep, cold, metallic, and distorted. It almost didn't even sound human.

With that he leapt down to the cobble stone, and entered the establishment he had seen his prey enter only moments before. Hers was a life worth adding to the Ultimate State. Her beauty was astonishing, her purity evident.

The place was filthy. It was full of adventurers and bounty hunters and simple drunks. Sinners, the lot of them. His entrance silenced most of the patrons. He assumed his appearance was to blame. It had that effect on most. He scanned the crowded tavern until his eyes fell on Her. Shadow magic was in place to hide his eyes, giving the appearance of hollow voids in place of eye holes in his mask. He knew she would feel his gaze, however. They always did. The few that were still talking and laughing and carrying on where silenced by the sound of his voice carrying across the room to the Gorgeous woman.

"Rejoice, for you have been deemed worthy..." He trailed off as he reached back and slowly drew his wretched blade, from its sheath on his back. The blade was perfectly clean and glassy like his armor plates. Once it was out and down at his side, he finished his sentence, "... of Death." He raised his other hand, two fingers up and the rest closed as he spoke another incantation. "Secret Shadow Style: Veil of Atu."

With that, all the lights went out and an unnatural darkness overtook the room.

[CS for Cain is in the OOC thread]

She had the tendency to space out when starved, or really, just at random moments. It was a habit she was finding it hard to kick. Athena stood quietly thinking as the women remarked on her current state in the town, and quietly wondered if she was genuinely interested or just fishing for information. Either way, she didn't know why the guards bothered her as she mostly kept to herself unless performing. She had assumed that many of the other humans didn't appreciate someone other than a shifter messing around with the elements and would often complain to the guards, although there was nothing magical about her skill; She had worked hard for years nurturing and developing whatever natural talent she had stemming from the disaster of her childhood.

When she didn't immediately respond the woman remarked on her lack of a meal, Athena had to admit that she had lost whatever composure she had when food was mention. Giggling stupidly, she murmured "I think I had bread and some cheese or fruits in the morning, but I wasn't able to eat after that since my performance was interrupted and I left town for a while." But the pale woman had already turned and walked further into the kitchen, Athena watched silently as she cooked a meal for the beast and herself. She smiled politely and took the plate once the meal was cooked.

The warm plate felt like heaven in her hands.

Her eyes closed as she inhaled the scent wafting up from the sirloin. The tanned woman could not remember the last time she had eaten meat. Athena typically ate and lived better when she traveled to other lands, her talent was received better in lands not ruled by magic users; But having been back here for almost a year had taken it's toll on her livelihood. She wasn't sure how the thick meat would settle in her stomach, but she took a bite anyways and nearly melted to the floor. Picking up the roll she turned it in her hands and whispered a soft "thank you," sure that the woman wouldn't hear her as she had already given the second plate to the beast and had her attentions focused on him.

The sound of hickory wood crackling and popping within the small cobblestone fire place filled the room with a comforting light accompanied by her pyrite lantern in the corner. She had listened briefly to what the girl had listed off what she had eaten prior to the meal being served, though assured enough that the meal which had been provided should satisfy any current hunger. A simple nod of her head would acknowledge the dancer's appreciation. Mind would trail in light ponder, considering giving the both of them coin and continue on about their way come morning. Her thoughts would trail as the man too had expressed his thanks both by meal and medical care. Though satisfied that he seemed to be healing rather nicely and quickly, Morgäna's expression seemed unchanged with a rather lethargic shrug. “Unlike my sister, I do not wield healing magic.” She hummed coolly. Pale fingers would trace along her chest, finding the amethyst gem which she wore around her neck. Small electrical currents would spark with activity yet remain harmless. Morgäna hadn't realized that her expression had softened upon the thought of her eldest sister and the silent trail following comment. “I use the elements for the basic necessities, otherwise my practice is strictly traditional.” Most of the town was aware that she wasn't human just by a quick glance of her tiger had often given it away and the occasional use of elemental magic be it to spring plants and herb, water for mixing or a fire to start her fireplace had been shown to unnerving patients.

She paused for a moment, unwilling to admit that she was exhausted as she glanced briefly at the dancer girl. Neither of them had given name if not noted previously; she wasn't exactly interested. White tiger beast would stroll leisurely through the hall and laze comfortably at the shifter woman's heels. He noted that she had not made herself a plate. Whiskers quivering and rounded ears twitched taking note of a strange shift that ensnared the air. Morgäna listened to the sound of metal clanking of guards returning to their nightly patrol through the streets, voices bantering of two or three heading towards the tavern for a drink. She would clear her throat, ignoring the signs of trouble. After all, there were several knights scattered throughout the kingdom leaving them to their duties. “I suppose the both of you would like a place to sleep tonight.” She would push herself from the wall to straighten her composure. Shoulders slouched still with deterring energy. “I have earnings I can give the both of you,” Morgäna felt odd with such an offering – “If you are wise with it, it should last you a month or two.” She wasn't exactly concerned over currency. Not in the means of wealth, she just wasn't one to stress over coin as most were. She would worry over taxes another time. In the mean time she was planning out the day and cleaning she had to do before sunrise. “You should rest too, Black indigo eyes of the tiger would shift just enough to look to his companion, indicating that he was addressing her.

“Three births in one day does not suit well with one who has not slept in three suns.” His scarred face would turn then, to watch for the woman's expression. Unimpressed when she completely ignored him as she walked by him towards the hall. “There is a clean bed in my infirmary – the sheets are clean and pressed towards the end of the room, one of you may sleep there tonight. Then of course I can gather some blankets should either of you choose the chair.” She would let them choose where they wished to rest for the remainder of the night. Though pointed out that she would be in an out of either space with routine cleaning. The strange scent never did go unnoticed, as it tugged her nerves though made no gesture by it. It would be a foolish risk to get involved.

Jason held his hand out to the royally dressed man for about a minute, a charming smile played on his face. The room became hushed as a man clad in black entered the room. Jason retracted his hand as the man began to speak. Something was off about this guy, although he didn't look all that much different than some of the other people Jason has met before. The former knight slowly reached for the hilt of his silvery weapon, ready to draw it if the man does anything too hasty. Suddenly the lights in the room went out, and people began to panic, pushing and shoving each other in the dark.

Jason unsheathed his sword from his side, but instead of attempting to attack the edgily dressed man, he instead called out, saying "So uh... Did you just want a drink or what?" The people of the pub were silenced, "We're all friends here, bud, but... I think you're getting a bit cranky without a good mug." One of the drunks could be heard snickering while the actually sane people looked towards Jason's voice in confusion, "I mean, just because you weren't invited to a table doesn't mean you have to throw a fit." More drunks began to laugh at Jason's satirical obliviousness. "Just take a seat and hugs and rainbows will flow once more."

[I]"Aye, my colleague here is a bit more tact with his words, I couldn't really give a...."[/i]

The man clad in black, shiny armor came striding through the door, claiming something about death while indicating to the very woman he was about to be paid to protect, and the all the torches and lamps snuffed out all at once.

That ain't right.

Lorcan reached down for his gear as Jason took something straight out of his playbook. Crushing, condescending sarcasm. Well played, Jason.

[I]"I mean, the man wears a mask. Might be a bit /shy/ ta be sitting with us. Maybe we should intraduce ourselves!"[/i] He quietly strapped the shield to his arm, and picked up his spear. [I]"And then I'll think about sharin' a pint with the funny lookin' oaf!"[/i]

(get to feeling better soon!)

OOC UPDATE I know we are all waiting on a response, but it has been 18 days since their previous response. I really don't want to do this but I will give it until Friday at the latest before I would like to continue forwards with the roleplay ;o; I know that it may shift things a bit but we can configure a way to finagle with some options! <3 Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

[Edit] WELCOME BACK <3

Asvin made to respond to the play for more coin, a smile twisting his lips sarcastically but the words dropped away as he spun to see who had drawn the attention on all inside of the tavern, coin forgotten. He froze momentarily, horrified to see one that carried death about him like an old friend, knowing that whoever he was he was not here to sell his sword or take a drink. A low growl rose from his throat as all light was snuffed and he heard a rustle, hoping it was his sister preparing for whatever this was. He drew his large blade from beneath his cloak in the dark and braced himself, bringing a stained glass visor from his hip to cover his eyes in anticipation just as a blinding light burst forth from the stone on his sisters forehead.

"worthy of death? Oh my, now the question should be..." Her words were punctuated by the crack of what appeared to be a whip of wire that split off at the end into a set of wireds with small, flat bladed ends, wrapping around a beam on the ceiling and she began pulling herself up along it. "is it worthy of me?!" Azierr laughed but to Asvin it sounded strained and brought ice crackling up his blade. "I don't know specifically who you are or why you truly are here but if you touch so much as a hair on my sisters head I will rend you limb from limb" He moved forward to block the man's path with a cats grace and a golden fire in his eyes, a rumble still rolling low from his chest as he eyed the shifter. The shadows cast by the harsh light his sister threw off were exaggerated, even with the visor, and made the lone figure all the more imposing but he would never allow his sister to be taken by anyone. "Now now, before we start throwing punches and such perhaps you would like to explain this...misunderstanding, Mr. tall, dark and scary?" Azierr's voice was tense but she wanted nothing more than to make this go away. The man was the thing of nightmares and if the hairs on the back of her neck were a sign he was more than just a tall, scary man. His shifter form would likely be far worse and she wanted to avoid her brother crossing blades or claws with him. She stood on the balls of her booted feet, with her whip braced in her hand, on a cross beam, ready to assist Asvin should it come to that.

[is this light sustained, or was it like a flashbang?]

"Thank you, but no." Orion replied to the woman's offer. "Money is of no importance to me. Besides, you need sleep more than I do." He could tell she'd been up for days just by the look of her, "I'll stand gaurd until this smell leaves the air. I smell death." He said ominously.

He headed over to a corner from which he could see out the windows while remaining hidden. "If you need me, my name is Orion."

The sudden burst of bright light caught Cain a little off-guard, but he had already made provisions. The light destroyed the shadow clone he had used to enter the room while everyone was distracted (both by the clone and the shadow spell), but the master assassin had already moved in. Hiding in the rafters was nothing more than a fortunate coincidence, as he watched his target join him. With great stealth he leapt onto the same wooden beam that she had perched upon. He positioned himself so close that their backs touched. With his left hand still up to hold the Veil of Atu in place, he spoke to her with that metallic, deep, raspy masked voice.

"It is you who misunderstands.... You are.. Beautiful.. Strong.. Pure..." He turned his head so that his mask was nearly touching her ear, "I must send you to the Ultimate State."

He swung his blade, now held reverse, aiming for her pancreas at an angle that would allow his blade to also sever the abdominal aorta. If his strike landed, she would bleed out in thirty seconds or less.

[my apologies for the shortness, but it's a combat scene so I think I did okay...? ]

((Ooc: it is a sustained light and it's all good ^^. I'll have something up in a bit when not loopy))

White eyes would gaze down when he had rejected her offer. She would glance at the girl as if to await to hear the same, while listening to word pass of her needing more rest than he did. Morgäna would curse under her breath in denial. Mind focused elsewhere between work and the strange, uncomfortable feeling that seemed to have entered the kingdom. “I'm fine.” she would scowl lowly with a hint of a wolfish growl slipping from her lips. She was stubborn – and rather aggravatingly so by the tigers' standards. Attention drew to the pyrite lantern, watching as Envy-light continued to flick and dance so playfully. The fire which burned within its confinements came and gone when it pleased. “I have cleaning to do and--.” Brows would furrow as was cut off upon Orion mentioning he would stand guard. That a foreboding stench of reapers grasp lingered through the air. White tiger companion would rise on all fours and turn his attention to the window covered in a tapestry-fashioned curtain. The man had called himself Orion while she would continue to withhold her own name.

“You sense it too.” she would mention just above a whisper. Fingers would tangle with the gem around her neck, repressing the desire to shift. Though it would do her no justice for several hours if she were to shift into either form right then and there. Her draconian shift was just as painful – if not more than her wolf-canine form. “There is no need to stand guard.” Morgäna then huffed; “I can handle myself well on my own.”

Leeda froze as the dark form entered the bar, her entire body tensing as he made his announcement about death. Her body turned slowly towards him, trying to gauge how to best handle the situation. When the lights blew out she shifted her vision to a cats, it was still dark though, only a small amount of light was given to her. Damn magic she thought sourly, her eyes roaming the limited sight. The sudden shift of the other newcomers made her flinch, although she admired the whip and the woman climbing up to the rafters. She could hear the death guy moving, although where she wasn't sure. "What the heck?!" she grumbled quietly, her eyes finally catching the battle above.

((sorry it's a bit short guys))

Azierr growled as he joined her, caught by surprise. She huffed and dropped from the rafter as he spoke, barely dodging the blade, feeling the sting when it left a shallow cut on her arm. The layers of her skirt and her cloak fluttered about her as she dropped, wincing when she landed on a table as lightly as she could and wiping at the slash with her free hand, gripping the whip with white knuckles. Her tense humour turned sour upon her face as she glowered up at the assassin from her crouched position on a table, scattered cups laying about her. Asvin joined her, eyes narrowed and loosing his cloak from his shoulders to reveal his light, leather traveling armour. "I'm sure that you mean that as a compliment dear, however I have brushed with death and it is no great state. It is lonely, cold and dark. I am no fan of any of those things and I plan to live a long life so that will simply not do." Asvin nodded jerkily in response, his eyes slitting to those of a cat and his teeth growing ever so slightly to bar fangs. His easy slide between forms was convenient, allowing him to take advantage of both worlds "I'll double the pay if you lot start now." The words were thrown over his shoulder at the trio he had been speaking to but his eyes were trained on the shadows of the rafters.

"as for you, Monster, You don't touch my sister without her permission and you are not welcome here" His words rumbled as if caught in his throat and he raised his blade. Behind him Azierr removed her cloak as well, her simple wrap, bandeau top and flowing skirt of vibrant green silks a stark flash of colour in the harsh light. Her free hand tucked into the layers of her skirt, fisting in one of her clawed gauntlets. Her sigh and airy words very different from the hard look upon her face"This was all so pleasant until you decided to ruin it with all of this death talk. Who are you to speak of purity with such... unpleasantness?"

Lorcan squinted hard as the light burst forth, grimmacing as he looked away, letting his eyes adjust briefly. The woman he was going to be protecting moved, ascending into the rafters. With the light came the disappearance of the black-clad man, and Lorcan's frown deepened.

The woman jumped from the rafters soon after landing up there, and Lorcan looked up. His brows furrowed. There he was. There were too many people and tables in the pub for him to fight effectively, and he needed to clear the floor.

[I]"All of you drunken wenches and bastards piss off! And take a table with ya. NOW!"[/I] He roared. There was a clamor as people crawled all over each other, some rolling and flipping tables as they went, Lorcan took a few steps, his shield raised as he took a position in front of the man and woman. He grinned.

[I]"Double, eh? That'll make Twelve hunnerd gold pieces for all three..."[/i] He cast a sideways glance at the eavesdropper, then back to the assassin in the rafters. [I]"....Four of us. Deal?"[/i] He asked, the shield still held in front of him.

(( glad you're feeling better!))

Jason shielded his eyes as a bright light suddenly shined from the girl's forehead. Once his eyes adjusted to the light he lowered it, sword at the ready. The young man frowned as he searched the room for the obsidian-clad man, who had suddenly disappeared. It didn't take long for Jason to find the coward in the rafters, back to back with the girl. Thankfully she was fast enough to barely dodge the man's attack, but not without grazing her arm.

Once he found that the royal shifter girl was safe, Jason slightly turned his head to listed to her brother, smirking at his statement. "Sounds like a deal, then." He was about to call to the civilians to clear the pub, however it seemed Lorcan did the job quite well enough. Jason took a moment to scan his surroundings. Most of the tables were cleared out of the pub, however a few still remained. The Teak rafters and support beams were reasonably solid for a run-down, cheap pub, so Jason wouldn't have to worry much about the roof falling down on them from too much trouble. The oak bar counter would provide good cover should he need it. Once he was done scanning the area, he returned his eyes to his assailant and sighed.

"Y'know, I personally find it very rude to ignore those speaking to you. We could've all been friends here, but you decided to go and ruin our good time. Oh well." Jason sprung into action, longsword at the ready. The former royal guard's shoulder cape flourished in the air as he kicked off a support beam and onto the rafters, taking a large swing at the arsenic-clad assassin.

Leeda grinned at the money offered, all she had to do was survive. Her eyes followed the woman as she dodged the attack and prepared to fight with the others, drawing her daggers from her waistband and boot. Lorcan's thundering voice telling everybody to leave nearly made her jump out of her skin, instead she ducked down into a crouch, her blades at the ready. She hadn't thought about the innocent bar-goers, too used to dodging people to get her job done to even think about telling them to leave. "Show off." she murmured as Jason joined the intruder on the rafters. Leeda quietly shifted towards the woman who had been the assailant's target, preferring to not get in the big guy's way up above. She hoped protection detail would be eaiser, "M'lady, lord." she offered with an almost polite nod to Azierr and Asvin.

Orion was just beginning to relax when the sounds of people running down the streets away from downtown echoed off the buildings outside. He perked up, coming to an immediate stand as he listed and sniffed the air at the same time. His teeth were clenched in anticipation, he couldn't help but notice all four of his canines were enlarged, but all he heard was the hurried commotion so far. With that smell in the air and people running, he usually would be hiding or also running, but against his nature he stood his ground. He couldn't leave the person he was imprinting on.

As he stood there, the emotional tug was strengthening the imprint. An empty, circular tattoo on the back of his neck was beginning to fill in with a faint mark, unbeknownst to him. He couldn't see it, and neither could anyone else thanks to his high-collared vest, but it was a family seal. Morgäna's family seal, with a mark specifically signifying her.

A long forgotten bond was being reborn in the descendant of the Royal Gaurd of old, Orion.

[ I want to precede this post with a disclaimer. I'm not trying to make Cain OP, but he is powerful. He's the bad guy so he's gonna be a good challenge. If there's any opposition or if you feel like it's too unfair, please let me know, I'll be happy to edit or explain myself! Okay time for bad guy stuff! ^_^ ]

Many things followed his strike, including blood, but not the sweet satisfaction of Death. Coldly and without response he listened to the obstacles speak pointless words as he stood on the rafters, building magicka for his next move. He was almost ready when something impacted his gut with a loud metallic 'clang!' that echoed off the wall. The obsidian steel that armored most of his body had fully protected him and barely received a mark. He eerily shifted his hollow gaze to the former-knight, but continued with his task. He made no effort to hide the required hand signs for his spell, which he performed with one hand. "Shadow style: Atu's grip." He growled coldly, now holding his hand in front of his face like before, only now all fingers were in a knife-hand except his index which was curled. To follow, the shadow he had casted upon the room moved as if sentient into a hand-like shape, wrapping around Azierr and holing her in place as if the shadows themselves had become solid.

Once she was detained, Cain spoke to the failed knight, "You carry sin. I see betrayal. I see careless hunting of men for profit. I sense self-loathing. You are not worthy." He said, driving his obsidian steel into the man's dominant shoulder (judging by his swing). The superior steel of his blade pierced the man's armor, tasted flesh, and then steel again as it emerged on the other side. Cain's keen anatomical knowledge was key her he caused no profound internal damage other than the damage necessary to take the man's arm temporarily out of commission. He pulled the blade out and dropped down to meet the group protecting the girl.

He was still holding that hand up to hold the spell as he approached them. He put his middle finger down, leaving his ring finger and pinky up, constricting the Royal girl a little more. "Move aside and make this swift, or stand fast and slow her death. It matters not to me." He said, beginning to drop his ring finger.

She flinched as this attacker stabbed Jason and a shadow grabbed the woman. I'm going to regret this. She thought, "At least if it's slow, we have a chance of saving her." Leeda piped up, her voice sounding braver than she felt. She flipped the dagger in her left hand around, barely giving any sign of the throw that followed. The dagger spun through the air, soaring towards him. It clinked off of the baddie's armor and spun wildly onto a remaining table, embedding itself into the wood. "Well crap." she said, more of a statement than a curse. She drove her other blade into the shadow that was holding the woman. The knife's blade slowed down as it made contact with the shadowy form but it did little to affect its grip on the lady. "So much for a good, sharp edge." she added, more to herself than anybody else. Mentally checking that she had a few more stored on her person she threw the other one at the attacker, once again aiming for his hand. Hoping it had a weak spot somewhere.

ooc/ Leeda really talks to herself a lot, just now realizing that...