Aishe sat quietly on a bench in the middle of Vesper Gardens enjoying the loveliness of the night around her. Ironically, she was staring at a screen even though she was out in the open far away from any computers.
Her shift at Meridian had ended early but she hadn't wanted to go home just yet; Kiamhaat would only be an hour or two behind her. He was still in the Archives, working with Drew on something not horribly important but still engaging. Aishe didn't mind waiting. She had a new toy, her birthday present from Kiamhaat. It was a Kindle, and she was surprised to find she really liked it. Gadgets and high tech things were more his style, but he'd hit the nail on the head with this particular present.
So here she sat, in Vesper, enjoying the night and a book. There were rustling sounds all about as the light breeze stirred the plants, and the noise faded into a pleasant background ambiance as she curled her knees up and tucked her feet beneath her and read.
Moon tanning (open)
She knew deep down that she shouldn't be here. This place was too public, too out in the open, but the restless side of her wouldn't listen to the screaming worry inside her thick skull.
Slipping behind the tall blades of grass, Diane kept her body low, hunkering down on all four legs. The smell of lavender growing more distinct amongst the other smells. She hadn't been here in ages, and in human form it brought back bad memories. Tonight though, the wolf in her wanted to lay in the moons glorious light and be coated by the hypnotic fragrance of lavender. The wolf had no room for fleeting human fears.
Perking her ears up to listen for any sounds, Diane scanned the area for signs of life. When the only noises she heard were those of the natural night life and she was convinced it was clear, Diane made a dash for the low fields of purple remembering to keep her back low.
There own home had an area of lavender that she had planted but it was only just starting to perk up from the earth. It would take some time before it became as lush and marvelous as those inside Vesper Gardens. Besides, this is how the moon should be viewed, not beneath a canopy of trees that block out the magnificent white orb.
Deep inside the fantastic lanes of fuzzy bushes she quickly scanned the perimeter before collapsing onto the ground shelved in by two long rows of vibrant purple flowers. She rolled onto her back and scrubbed her coat between the two bushes, coating herself with their fragrance and that of the earth. This was almost better than a dip in the lake and as about as girly as a wolf could get.
The bright white glow shined down on her as she heaved back to her stomach, stretching her large paws in front of her. Laying her head to rest on her front limbs she closed her eyes and basked in the light.
"I'm moon tanning." she thought to herself.
With a snort that kicked up a little dirt she cracked an eye as a breeze shuffled through the thin branches of the fragrant plant. Closing it once more she settled down and enjoyed the feeling of the cool earth under her.
Aishe
14 years ago
Diane
14 years ago
She must have fallen asleep because suddenly her body jolted, the same way it does when your sitting in a chair and are about to fall out of it. The dry ground kicked up a new round of dirt particles and dust causing a troubling reaction.
Diane sneezed as the dirt sucked into her long snout and felt another uncontrollable urge to sneeze again. And again. Quickly blowing air and most likely snot out of her snout she shook her head and squinted, bracing herself for another attack of the sneezes. When they didn't come she sighed a mighty sigh and opened her eyes wide.
Thats when she realized she was sitting up on her hind quaters in the middle of the fields that didn't quite cover past her mid torso. Her ears went straight up and she froze listening for any noise that would indicate someone had seen her. There were no tell tale screams or gasps of shock so she lowered herself slowly, keeping alert. As she let her ears keep a look out she heard one faint noise that was different than the rest. In fact if she hadn't had such keen hearing she would have missed it all together.
The barely audible 'click' followed by a minute or two of silence then the 'click' again told her someone or something was in the gardens with her.
Diane sneezed as the dirt sucked into her long snout and felt another uncontrollable urge to sneeze again. And again. Quickly blowing air and most likely snot out of her snout she shook her head and squinted, bracing herself for another attack of the sneezes. When they didn't come she sighed a mighty sigh and opened her eyes wide.
Thats when she realized she was sitting up on her hind quaters in the middle of the fields that didn't quite cover past her mid torso. Her ears went straight up and she froze listening for any noise that would indicate someone had seen her. There were no tell tale screams or gasps of shock so she lowered herself slowly, keeping alert. As she let her ears keep a look out she heard one faint noise that was different than the rest. In fact if she hadn't had such keen hearing she would have missed it all together.
The barely audible 'click' followed by a minute or two of silence then the 'click' again told her someone or something was in the gardens with her.
Aishe
14 years ago
Aishe couldn't exactly ignore the odd and somewhat obvious noises coming from off to the side. Someone sneezed. It was a snorting kind of sneeze, like the sniff of a dog nose. That was followed by an enormous (by superhuman hearing standards) sigh.
There was a motion, observed out of the corner of her eye, and Aishe glanced up. Before she could do a double take though, it was gone.
She didn't belong to Evenhet security for nothing, though. She calmly continued to click through her pages, although she wasn't exactly reading any more. Instead she waited, opening her mind, searching for anything that was out of the ordinary.
Aishe didn't like the sensation of being watched.
There was a motion, observed out of the corner of her eye, and Aishe glanced up. Before she could do a double take though, it was gone.
She didn't belong to Evenhet security for nothing, though. She calmly continued to click through her pages, although she wasn't exactly reading any more. Instead she waited, opening her mind, searching for anything that was out of the ordinary.
Aishe didn't like the sensation of being watched.
Diane
14 years ago
Diane weighed her options. Her first choice being that she could lay here and wait and hope that whoever was out there didn't come near the lavender she was laying under, but how long would that take? The second being she could dash out and hope to god that she wasn't seen as she ran like hell all the way home.
Neither of those options sounded very optimal but she had to do something.
Staying low she began to creep down the long rows of lavender headed towards the direction of the soft clicks, making sure to keep the noise in front of her. It wasn't smart to turn your back on any threat no matter how small. Unfortunately she didn't know the size of what was out there, so she definately wasn't giving her flank to the unknown.
As she slinked to the edge of the last row of gentle smelling bushes, Diane realized she was going to have to make a break for it to bridge the gap between the fields and the gardens pathways. It would leave her exposed and open to any attack for at least three seconds judging by the distance. She cursed to herself and it came out as a low growl.
She raised her snout upwards and took a deep breath, attempting to breath in all the smells of the courtyard but came up with nothing more than combined floral scents. The soft clicks remained constant although and Diane took that as a good sign. Maybe whatever was making them wouldn't even notice if she went quietly enough.
Gathering herself back, she coiled her muscles up and felt the power build. Launching her red furry body forward she leapt half the distance of the clearing coming down on all fours and sprinted to the nearest available cover, a gathering of tall grass. Pausing to recollect herself and to let the adrenaline rush flush through her viens, Diane scanned the area with her eyes. Not far from where she now stood sat a dark haired female, nonchalant in her pose, head bent over some thing in her hands. The thing Diane couldn't recognize but she knew it was the source of the clicks she had been hearing. When had this female arrived? She hadn't heard a thing, damn her for falling asleep. She'd bite her own ass for her lack of care if she could.
Diane held still as she attempted to plan out her strategy.
Neither of those options sounded very optimal but she had to do something.
Staying low she began to creep down the long rows of lavender headed towards the direction of the soft clicks, making sure to keep the noise in front of her. It wasn't smart to turn your back on any threat no matter how small. Unfortunately she didn't know the size of what was out there, so she definately wasn't giving her flank to the unknown.
As she slinked to the edge of the last row of gentle smelling bushes, Diane realized she was going to have to make a break for it to bridge the gap between the fields and the gardens pathways. It would leave her exposed and open to any attack for at least three seconds judging by the distance. She cursed to herself and it came out as a low growl.
She raised her snout upwards and took a deep breath, attempting to breath in all the smells of the courtyard but came up with nothing more than combined floral scents. The soft clicks remained constant although and Diane took that as a good sign. Maybe whatever was making them wouldn't even notice if she went quietly enough.
Gathering herself back, she coiled her muscles up and felt the power build. Launching her red furry body forward she leapt half the distance of the clearing coming down on all fours and sprinted to the nearest available cover, a gathering of tall grass. Pausing to recollect herself and to let the adrenaline rush flush through her viens, Diane scanned the area with her eyes. Not far from where she now stood sat a dark haired female, nonchalant in her pose, head bent over some thing in her hands. The thing Diane couldn't recognize but she knew it was the source of the clicks she had been hearing. When had this female arrived? She hadn't heard a thing, damn her for falling asleep. She'd bite her own ass for her lack of care if she could.
Diane held still as she attempted to plan out her strategy.
Aishe
14 years ago
Now, that was less than subtle. Aishe saw a movement out of the corner of her eye and was able to discern the shape of a large dog. A very large dog. She sighed, staring at her Kindle for a moment longer.
Then she raised her head and stared directly at the dog - no, let's be correct - she thought to herself, the wolf, in the bushes.
"I'm not going to hurt you," she said. "Nice doggy."
Wouldn't hurt to give the critter an "out," she figured. It didn't seem interested in harming her. That situation might change if he, she, it, knew she was aware of its nature. It had to be, she reasoned. Wolves, even if they lived in downtown Nachton, would hardly be roaming around Vesper Gardens. And this thing was way too large to be a dog. Perhaps they could chalk it up to a trick of the moonlight, and then everyone could go along their way and be happy.
Then she raised her head and stared directly at the dog - no, let's be correct - she thought to herself, the wolf, in the bushes.
"I'm not going to hurt you," she said. "Nice doggy."
Wouldn't hurt to give the critter an "out," she figured. It didn't seem interested in harming her. That situation might change if he, she, it, knew she was aware of its nature. It had to be, she reasoned. Wolves, even if they lived in downtown Nachton, would hardly be roaming around Vesper Gardens. And this thing was way too large to be a dog. Perhaps they could chalk it up to a trick of the moonlight, and then everyone could go along their way and be happy.
Diane
14 years ago
When Diane heard the female sigh it wasn't hard to figure that she hadn't gotten away with being even the tiniest bit sneaky with that last move.
When the female looked up and locked eyes with Diane time slowed. Fear, anger, and survival instincts were all the things she should be feeling at that very moment, but instead she felt none it. The woman had a kind gentle face and even though she met her gaze, Diane didn't feel threatened.
Curious.
Even the females voice was gentle as she spoke to ease Diane's anxiety. She heard no quiver of fear in the tone nor did she smell the slick sweet scent of anxiety when their eyes met.
Extraordinary.
Seeing as it was no use trying to sneak away anymore, Diane slowly stepped out of the greens and slowly walked across the small courtyard. It didn't help that she wanted to get closer to the female with no other explanation than the lack of distress the dark haired woman put out.
"She should be afraid." A small voice in the back of her mind whispered.
Baffled, Diane kept her movements slow and careful. It was possible that this woman was one of her kind and if that was the case she was highly interested in finding out why they hadn't met before.
When the female looked up and locked eyes with Diane time slowed. Fear, anger, and survival instincts were all the things she should be feeling at that very moment, but instead she felt none it. The woman had a kind gentle face and even though she met her gaze, Diane didn't feel threatened.
Curious.
Even the females voice was gentle as she spoke to ease Diane's anxiety. She heard no quiver of fear in the tone nor did she smell the slick sweet scent of anxiety when their eyes met.
Extraordinary.
Seeing as it was no use trying to sneak away anymore, Diane slowly stepped out of the greens and slowly walked across the small courtyard. It didn't help that she wanted to get closer to the female with no other explanation than the lack of distress the dark haired woman put out.
"She should be afraid." A small voice in the back of her mind whispered.
Baffled, Diane kept her movements slow and careful. It was possible that this woman was one of her kind and if that was the case she was highly interested in finding out why they hadn't met before.
Aishe
14 years ago
Aishe carefully set her Kindle down and stayed relaxed on the park bench. If things got ugly, she would have to rely on her own abilities to get her free of a messy situation, but this was the middle of Nachton after all. Unless this wolf wanted a heap of trouble, there would be no fight. It might be quiet in the gardens now but it never stayed unpopulated for long.
She slowly sat forward, leaning her elbows on her knees and lacing her fingers together.
"You're very pretty."
It was the truth. Even if this wolf was supposed to be some kind of arch nemesis, Aishe was new enough that that sort of prejudice hadn't really colored her thinking yet.
"And I imagine you're very dangerous."
She was talking for the sake of talking, but it seemed appropriate.
"But you don't seem like you want to be dangerous right now. It's a nice night."
Aishe shrugged at the wolf. She should probably be more afraid, but everything she'd managed to scrape up told her this wasn't an animal, but a rational, thinking person. It wasn't so odd - she had halfway meaningful conversations with raccoons in her spare time, after all.
She slowly sat forward, leaning her elbows on her knees and lacing her fingers together.
"You're very pretty."
It was the truth. Even if this wolf was supposed to be some kind of arch nemesis, Aishe was new enough that that sort of prejudice hadn't really colored her thinking yet.
"And I imagine you're very dangerous."
She was talking for the sake of talking, but it seemed appropriate.
"But you don't seem like you want to be dangerous right now. It's a nice night."
Aishe shrugged at the wolf. She should probably be more afraid, but everything she'd managed to scrape up told her this wasn't an animal, but a rational, thinking person. It wasn't so odd - she had halfway meaningful conversations with raccoons in her spare time, after all.
Diane
14 years ago
It was oddly pleasant, the sound of the womans voice, to her wolf ears. Diane had a strange feeling she knew why her lesser brethren followed humans home now. But she was not a dog she was a wolf. Not your usual kind of wolf either and in either case they did not go home with people and become pets.
Bowing her head low in front of the female as a sort of recognition to what was being said, Diane backed away from her still not ready to give flank. Apart of her wanted to stay and sit by the female as she sat and played with her flat clicky object. Make watch over her in the dark. That was the protectiveness that dwelled inside of her. In either form she was a protector at heart and the females kind voice and words combined with her lack of fear gave way to the wolf feeling such things. The rational being that was in the back of her mind at all times, told her that was a ridiculous idea and that soon more people would show up and that would mean exposure.
Going with the better judgement of the two over instinct, Diane gave them both a good distance before she turned and picked up the pace. She didnt get too far before she turned behind a bush to get another look at the female that offered nothing but soft things. The wolf was filled with thrill that she couldn't of have recieved simply hunting rabbits in the park.
(ooc : diane out pending response!)
Bowing her head low in front of the female as a sort of recognition to what was being said, Diane backed away from her still not ready to give flank. Apart of her wanted to stay and sit by the female as she sat and played with her flat clicky object. Make watch over her in the dark. That was the protectiveness that dwelled inside of her. In either form she was a protector at heart and the females kind voice and words combined with her lack of fear gave way to the wolf feeling such things. The rational being that was in the back of her mind at all times, told her that was a ridiculous idea and that soon more people would show up and that would mean exposure.
Going with the better judgement of the two over instinct, Diane gave them both a good distance before she turned and picked up the pace. She didnt get too far before she turned behind a bush to get another look at the female that offered nothing but soft things. The wolf was filled with thrill that she couldn't of have recieved simply hunting rabbits in the park.
(ooc : diane out pending response!)
Aishe
14 years ago
Aishe still didn't move, although she was poised to do so if it became necessary. The wolf lowered its head and she tensed; often when canines lowered their heads it was a sign of aggression, not submission. She'd done her homework, after all. But it seemed something different was meant this time, so she nodded in reply.
She took in the wolf's markings and color as she backed away, noted the shade of the thick red-brown coat as it appeared to her in the moonlight, the approximate height and weight, muscle density, things like that. Her sharp eyes tried to miss nothing, for she knew there would come a time when she was forced to recall this moment in detail, and perhaps never another one to get so close without violence.
The wolf finally disappeared, quickly as she had come. Aishe dropped her eyes back to her Kindle and continued to keep an ear out for anything unusual, clicking quietly in the night. But nothing else happened; by the time Kiamhaat met her an hour and a half later, it was as if it had been a dream.
((ooc: Aishe out))
She took in the wolf's markings and color as she backed away, noted the shade of the thick red-brown coat as it appeared to her in the moonlight, the approximate height and weight, muscle density, things like that. Her sharp eyes tried to miss nothing, for she knew there would come a time when she was forced to recall this moment in detail, and perhaps never another one to get so close without violence.
The wolf finally disappeared, quickly as she had come. Aishe dropped her eyes back to her Kindle and continued to keep an ear out for anything unusual, clicking quietly in the night. But nothing else happened; by the time Kiamhaat met her an hour and a half later, it was as if it had been a dream.
((ooc: Aishe out))