When: Anesus 1, mid-afternoon
Where: the basement lounge
Marcus had slept unbelievably late, for him. The sun had been high in the sky by the time he'd awakened, and he'd figured it was mid-morning, at least. The light flooding in through his window had enabled him to see his surroundings so much better than he had when he'd arrived, and he'd spent a short while looking out and doing his best to survey the landscape he could see outside his window. He couldn't make out anything detailed, but he was accustomed to that; it was just nice to get a basic idea of it. He'd washed up and changed clothes, then put his things away. He'd been too sleepy to do that when he'd gotten back to his room the night before.
Where: the basement lounge
Marcus had slept unbelievably late, for him. The sun had been high in the sky by the time he'd awakened, and he'd figured it was mid-morning, at least. The light flooding in through his window had enabled him to see his surroundings so much better than he had when he'd arrived, and he'd spent a short while looking out and doing his best to survey the landscape he could see outside his window. He couldn't make out anything detailed, but he was accustomed to that; it was just nice to get a basic idea of it. He'd washed up and changed clothes, then put his things away. He'd been too sleepy to do that when he'd gotten back to his room the night before.
After a bit of searching, he'd discovered his room key and then left his room to make his way to the wash room-- he didn't know where it was, but he knew there had to be one. It took him a little while to find it, and he knew that he was likely in for some frustration in the first couple of days as he learned where everything was. Next he located the kitchen and, since he couldn't really cook, he made a meal of some bread and dried fruit from the pantry. Luckily for him, he wasn't a big eater, because if he was expected to cook for himself, he'd be doing more snacking than anything.
These activities occupied him until the middle of the afternoon, and then Marcus decided to explore. It wasn't as if there was anything else he was supposed to be doing, as far as he knew, so he wandered around the first floor until he had a reasonable idea of what was there. His favorite room so far was the oratory, which he thought would have incredible echoes. He was seized by the desire to play his flute in there. Maybe another time; he'd left it upstairs in his room.
Finding the staircase again, the slim blond began to make his way down it, his fingers brushing the wall lightly as he stepped. It was darker down here, and he couldn't see as well as he'd been able to upstairs, but it wasn't too bad, he thought. Once he reached the bottom of the stairs, Marcus turned into a room that was fairly large and cool in temperature. It seemed to have a couch and chairs arranged around a fireplace, and he began moving toward it, squinting a little as his eyes adjusted to the change in lighting.
These activities occupied him until the middle of the afternoon, and then Marcus decided to explore. It wasn't as if there was anything else he was supposed to be doing, as far as he knew, so he wandered around the first floor until he had a reasonable idea of what was there. His favorite room so far was the oratory, which he thought would have incredible echoes. He was seized by the desire to play his flute in there. Maybe another time; he'd left it upstairs in his room.
Finding the staircase again, the slim blond began to make his way down it, his fingers brushing the wall lightly as he stepped. It was darker down here, and he couldn't see as well as he'd been able to upstairs, but it wasn't too bad, he thought. Once he reached the bottom of the stairs, Marcus turned into a room that was fairly large and cool in temperature. It seemed to have a couch and chairs arranged around a fireplace, and he began moving toward it, squinting a little as his eyes adjusted to the change in lighting.
Churat had slept away most of the morning, once he'd convinced himself to get back downstairs after wandering the upper stories and listening to all the new people sleep until nearly dawn. For once, he didn't have much problem falling asleep. Now, as he waited for the sun to set so he could get to his above-ground chores for the day, he was sitting in the lounge-- currently deserted; a number of the other bottom-dwellers had slept later than he had, and the others had vacated the room when he came in-- at the chess table.
He wasn't exactly playing, though. Luthien and Mexecal were. They just needed someone to move the pieces for them.
Move the knight to that square-- no, idiot, that one.
Take it with the priest, Churat.
Ha, you left yourself open-- Churat, move the fortress.
"I can't move the pieces as quickly as you want me to," Churat protested. "Let me finish one move before you spit another one out at me." He didn't notice the human coming in just yet, distracted by the conversation in his head, but the faint scent of "living person", the soft beat of a heart, did distract him a little, and his head turned slightly in that direction, half-hidden by hair, before his eyes did.
He wasn't exactly playing, though. Luthien and Mexecal were. They just needed someone to move the pieces for them.
Move the knight to that square-- no, idiot, that one.
Take it with the priest, Churat.
Ha, you left yourself open-- Churat, move the fortress.
"I can't move the pieces as quickly as you want me to," Churat protested. "Let me finish one move before you spit another one out at me." He didn't notice the human coming in just yet, distracted by the conversation in his head, but the faint scent of "living person", the soft beat of a heart, did distract him a little, and his head turned slightly in that direction, half-hidden by hair, before his eyes did.
Marcus was halfway across the room before he realized there was someone else in it. What cued him in was the voice. His head turned toward the chess table. One person, it looked like. Sitting there moving chess pieces. So who's he talking to? Marcus wondered, his eyebrows lifting slightly. There's nobody else in here... unless they're under the table. Silly thought, he realized as soon as he'd had it. Why would anyone be under the table?
His soft steps carried him closer, hesitation outlined both in his posture and in the slightly quizzical look in his blue eyes. His gaze wasn't quite focused, but that was only because the light had become low enough to impair his vision even further. When he reached the far side of the table, he put his hands on the back of one of the chairs, as if needing an anchor. "Hello?" he said, his intonation causing the greeting to emerge as more of a question.
His soft steps carried him closer, hesitation outlined both in his posture and in the slightly quizzical look in his blue eyes. His gaze wasn't quite focused, but that was only because the light had become low enough to impair his vision even further. When he reached the far side of the table, he put his hands on the back of one of the chairs, as if needing an anchor. "Hello?" he said, his intonation causing the greeting to emerge as more of a question.
Since he had, in some way, registered the human's presence, Churat wasn't exactly surprised or startled by the voice. He did move the last chess piece before actually looking up, murmuring under his breath to the impatient shadows, "There, no more. Take a break."
Damn.
Oh, come on, you can be patient.
Then he looked up, focused over on the newcomer, and offered a slightly-shy smile-- though it was full of fang, so he might not be all that reassuring about it. "Hello," he answered back. "One of the new ones, I'm guessing?" Seeing as he didn't recognize face, heartbeat, or scent, that was the only conclusion.
Damn.
Oh, come on, you can be patient.
Then he looked up, focused over on the newcomer, and offered a slightly-shy smile-- though it was full of fang, so he might not be all that reassuring about it. "Hello," he answered back. "One of the new ones, I'm guessing?" Seeing as he didn't recognize face, heartbeat, or scent, that was the only conclusion.
A Vrykola! By squinting, Marcus was close enough to him to make out the fact that the guy he was talking to had fangs. How cool was that? Now he'd met one of each of the other species. It didn't occur to him to be afraid, because this was supposed to be a place where all three groups got along together, right? It wasn't like the guy was suddenly going to bite him. While he still wondered who Churat had been talking to, it didn't seem polite to ask, so he just nodded.
"Yes, I'm new," he said, sliding the chair he'd been standing behind out and sitting down in it; it felt odd to be looming over someone like he was. "Is it that obvious?" It probably was, he thought. Marcus was sure he had the look of a person who had no idea where he was going or what he was doing. He'd been lucky to run into Kai last night, or he might still be wandering around trying to find a bedroom! "My name's Marcus," he added.
"Yes, I'm new," he said, sliding the chair he'd been standing behind out and sitting down in it; it felt odd to be looming over someone like he was. "Is it that obvious?" It probably was, he thought. Marcus was sure he had the look of a person who had no idea where he was going or what he was doing. He'd been lucky to run into Kai last night, or he might still be wandering around trying to find a bedroom! "My name's Marcus," he added.
"I'm Churat," the Vrykola answered, standing up and coming over to offer a hand. It seemed only polite. Only he felt bad, towering over the poor human, so he wound up in his habitual slouch, trying to look a bit shorter. Or however that worked. "And I'm afraid so, if just because I recognize everyone who already lives here."
Ooo, he smells tasty, too.
You think everyone smells tasty.
Shut up! I do not.
Yes, you do.
... well, all right, I do. But I'm justified!
Sadly, he did smell good. If just because he was alive and Churat ran on empty more often than not. His self-control was good, though, so he just smiled and asked, "How are you finding it?"
Ooo, he smells tasty, too.
You think everyone smells tasty.
Shut up! I do not.
Yes, you do.
... well, all right, I do. But I'm justified!
Sadly, he did smell good. If just because he was alive and Churat ran on empty more often than not. His self-control was good, though, so he just smiled and asked, "How are you finding it?"
Marcus wondered if he should stand up again now that the Vrykola had gotten up and approached him. He really didn't have room to push the chair back, so he ended up half-turning in his seat and holding out his hand. "You're not new, then," he said, then felt dumb for speaking the words. Of course Churat wasn't new if he recognized everyone, like he'd just said. A faint flush colored Marcus' cheeks, and he tried to will it away.
He didn't realize that Churat was sniffing him up, so to speak, since the Vrykola was acting just like anyone else. Though it was odd to see those fangs at even closer range as he looked up at the guy. They looked sharp, and he had to resist the urge to ask how sharp they were. Even in his naiveté Marcus knew better than that. "It's really different," he said. "I guess everyone says that." His half-smile was rueful. "I think I'll like it once I figure out where everything is."
He didn't realize that Churat was sniffing him up, so to speak, since the Vrykola was acting just like anyone else. Though it was odd to see those fangs at even closer range as he looked up at the guy. They looked sharp, and he had to resist the urge to ask how sharp they were. Even in his naiveté Marcus knew better than that. "It's really different," he said. "I guess everyone says that." His half-smile was rueful. "I think I'll like it once I figure out where everything is."
Once the handshake was out of the way, Churat went back to the sitting thing, himself. It helped with the feeling tall. He didn't comment on the "not new" bit, since he didn't want to embarrass anyone. It sounded like the kind of accidental comment he'd make, before thinking about it. "Well, it's true," he answered, settling back at the chess table but resolutely keeping his arms folded in front of the board, so nobody could take over his hands and get back to the game. "It is pretty different, and difficult to get used to. But you do, I promise. Do you need help with anything?"
What is with you and the helping people today? Luthien asked, over the sound of Mexecal and Garnet still bickering in the background. Churat hitched a shoulder in answer, something that would probably go unnoticed by Marcus. Hopefully.
"With finding things, or explaining things," he clarified. "I mean, there'll be the official 'this is how things are' tomorrow, probably, but in the meantime...."
What is with you and the helping people today? Luthien asked, over the sound of Mexecal and Garnet still bickering in the background. Churat hitched a shoulder in answer, something that would probably go unnoticed by Marcus. Hopefully.
"With finding things, or explaining things," he clarified. "I mean, there'll be the official 'this is how things are' tomorrow, probably, but in the meantime...."
Marcus was relieved when Churat sat back down. That meant he could stay where he was and not possibly run into something if he got up and started walking around. He'd do much better outside, but he'd figured he'd explore the interior of the castle first. This was a part of it, and apparently where the Vrykolas lived. He wondered if anybody else lived down here, or if it was just them. He shifted in his chair, tucking one foot beneath his knee as he tried to decide if he should mention his little vision problem. He hated to call attention to it if somebody didn't know about it already, hated to be perceived as different.
He decided to ask about something else while he made up his mind. "Do you know if we're supposed to fix all our own food?" he inquired. "I kinda don't know how to cook." Once he'd asked the question, it occurred to him that Vrykolas probably didn't cook either, since they didn't eat food. He didn't think. The limited amount of information he had on the species was that they drank blood. He lifted one hand to rub his nose, feeling mildly foolish as he waited to see what Churat would say.
He decided to ask about something else while he made up his mind. "Do you know if we're supposed to fix all our own food?" he inquired. "I kinda don't know how to cook." Once he'd asked the question, it occurred to him that Vrykolas probably didn't cook either, since they didn't eat food. He didn't think. The limited amount of information he had on the species was that they drank blood. He lifted one hand to rub his nose, feeling mildly foolish as he waited to see what Churat would say.
Churat might not actually cook, himself, but he could certainly smell when other people could. "There's some people who take that as a chore," he answered. "People who enjoy it, or like it better than cleaning things or minding the gardens and orchards. Some people do fix their own food, like if they don't want to eat with everyone else or keep odd hours, but you don't have to. You'll have to today, though," he added, remembering the previous year, "and tomorrow, until the new schedule is put together with all the new people on it. You could probably find someone who would help you out, though."
Too bad you don't count as someone who could.
Bet you'd burn the kitchen down, or something.
Stone doesn't burn, moron.
Still smells tasty.
Kind of does. We're going to have to find something soon....
Too bad you don't count as someone who could.
Bet you'd burn the kitchen down, or something.
Stone doesn't burn, moron.
Still smells tasty.
Kind of does. We're going to have to find something soon....
"Oh," Marcus said, brightening a touch. "That makes sense." Maybe he could end up with something to do that was mostly tactile, like he'd repaired the fishing nets back home. He tapped his fingers idly on the table, a staccato drumbeat that was barely audible even in the quiet room. "Nobody'd want to eat anything I tried to cook, 'cause I'd burn it, probably. So I'll have to do something else." He wasn't that concerned about it. Things would work out. He wasn't likely to starve.
"I was wondering if someone was going to tell us what we were supposed to be doing," he commented. Churat had said there'd be a meeting tomorrow to give them information, and that was handy to know. They'd just come into the compound and found bedrooms with no instruction, so one had to wonder if they'd be left entirely on their own.
"How long have you been here?" Marcus asked, unable to really tell anything about Churat's age between his vision issues and the long hair that hung down to obscure some of the Vrykola's face.
"I was wondering if someone was going to tell us what we were supposed to be doing," he commented. Churat had said there'd be a meeting tomorrow to give them information, and that was handy to know. They'd just come into the compound and found bedrooms with no instruction, so one had to wonder if they'd be left entirely on their own.
"How long have you been here?" Marcus asked, unable to really tell anything about Churat's age between his vision issues and the long hair that hung down to obscure some of the Vrykola's face.
That's a lot of questions at one time.
Well, he's new and probably has a lot of questions.
Still!
Oh, come on, it's only two. You have no ability to remember things.
"We've been here three years, now," Churat said, absently using the "wrong" pronoun, as he was half-listening to the shadows in his head and half focused on not being rude and asking for a bite. "So I suppose I know it fairly well, here." Not that he felt he was the best person to ask, but he did his best. "And they usually let you stew a bit, your first day, I guess... I don't know why. Maybe they think you need time to settle in? Or they want to see what you do on your own initiative? I don't know, but they don't officially explain anything to you until the next day. It's been that way every year."
Well, he's new and probably has a lot of questions.
Still!
Oh, come on, it's only two. You have no ability to remember things.
"We've been here three years, now," Churat said, absently using the "wrong" pronoun, as he was half-listening to the shadows in his head and half focused on not being rude and asking for a bite. "So I suppose I know it fairly well, here." Not that he felt he was the best person to ask, but he did his best. "And they usually let you stew a bit, your first day, I guess... I don't know why. Maybe they think you need time to settle in? Or they want to see what you do on your own initiative? I don't know, but they don't officially explain anything to you until the next day. It's been that way every year."
At first, Marcus wondered if he was asking too many questions, or being annoying somehow, because Churat seemed a little bit distracted. He was worrying about that, and so he missed the fact that the Vrykola had said we instead of I. "Three years is a while," he said, lacing his fingers together and being still. Maybe he was fidgeting too much, maybe that's what it was. He couldn't imagine it, though he knew intellectually that he'd be here for six, that everyone who came through the gates would. Six years. One-third of his life!
He wasn't sure what he'd expected a Vrykola to be like, but this one was nice, Marcus thought. It was probably like people, with some of them nice and some of them not. "Maybe they wanna see who's going to suddenly go nuts and say they didn't want to be here after all," he suggested. "I bet some are already homesick." He imagined he'd be once he wasn't so enthralled by the new-and-differentness of this place, but he wasn't going to worry about it yet. He didn't believe in dealing with anything until he had to; that was the laid-back philosophy of being Marcus Armsford.
He wasn't sure what he'd expected a Vrykola to be like, but this one was nice, Marcus thought. It was probably like people, with some of them nice and some of them not. "Maybe they wanna see who's going to suddenly go nuts and say they didn't want to be here after all," he suggested. "I bet some are already homesick." He imagined he'd be once he wasn't so enthralled by the new-and-differentness of this place, but he wasn't going to worry about it yet. He didn't believe in dealing with anything until he had to; that was the laid-back philosophy of being Marcus Armsford.
Churat chuckled, a bit weakly, imagining that. "Well, since nobody chose to come here, at all, probably a lot of people would, if they thought it'd get them to go home...."
Not that we're among them.
I'd rather be here than there.
At least nobody's trying to fix us here....
"I'm sure some people are homesick, and were the first minute they stepped inside. Most of us get over it, though...."
Or never had it, to begin with.
"Or never had it to begin with," Churat agreed. "So where are you from? Are you missing home yet?"
Not that we're among them.
I'd rather be here than there.
At least nobody's trying to fix us here....
"I'm sure some people are homesick, and were the first minute they stepped inside. Most of us get over it, though...."
Or never had it, to begin with.
"Or never had it to begin with," Churat agreed. "So where are you from? Are you missing home yet?"
Kai's new enthusiasm for the compound had yet to wane. After Marcus had gone to bed and she had finished unpacking her satchel, piling her few changes of clothes on the bedside table and arranging her varied trinkets on the windowsill, she'd stayed up rather longer to poke around the rest of the upstairs floor. The room with the large windows and all the plants had been particularly delightful, a bit of the outdoors brought inside, though her investigation of the other three corner-rooms of the floor had been diverting in their own way.
When she finally made it back to her room, she discovered a small vessel full of a strange black substance in her pocket, and recalled seeing similar things--and a great many other strange objects--in the large room just around the corner. It promptly joined her windowsill collection, set carefully between a tiny rabbit carved of bone and a chipped piece of gold-flecked rock. By then, at last, the exhaustion of her journey had finally caught up with her. After piling the sheets, blanket, and pillows on her new bed into a lumpy nest in the center of the mattress, she'd curled up into the tightest ball her human shape could manage and slept until well past dawn.
As soon as she was awake and aware of the daylight, she'd hurried out of her hide clothes and into her natural shape, which she kept only long enough to thread her key onto a length of leather cord--taken from her windowsill items--and loop around her neck. Then the Lykos had fumbled happily with her key to lock the door behind her, as Marcus had instructed her, and shifted at last into her four-legged form. After sniffing and briefly scratching at the human's door to no result, she'd stumbled her way downstairs and back outside. The rest of the morning was spent roaming the outdoors, acquiring a fresh bit of breakfast as she explored and familiarized herself with a bit of the compound's territory.
By the mid-afternoon, the brindled Lykos happily returned to the compound and sniffed around the main level for a time. She perked her ears amiably at the many other residents she saw and passed as she poked her nose into rooms of strange and unknown function, though none held her attention long, and she was in the wrong shape to converse with anyone but another Lykos, anyway.
At last her investigations drew her back to the staircases, to investigate the direction she and Marcus had snubbed the night before. Once again she stumbled her way down the steps, paws and claws scrabbling noisily for purchase in the unfamiliar stone surfaces as she descended in a rush--and rather lost the race against gravity.
Kai hit the floor proper in a scrambling skid, barking in surprise as she at last deposited herself in a belly-sprawl on the lounge floor, across the room from where Marcus and Churat sat with the chessboard between them.
When she finally made it back to her room, she discovered a small vessel full of a strange black substance in her pocket, and recalled seeing similar things--and a great many other strange objects--in the large room just around the corner. It promptly joined her windowsill collection, set carefully between a tiny rabbit carved of bone and a chipped piece of gold-flecked rock. By then, at last, the exhaustion of her journey had finally caught up with her. After piling the sheets, blanket, and pillows on her new bed into a lumpy nest in the center of the mattress, she'd curled up into the tightest ball her human shape could manage and slept until well past dawn.
As soon as she was awake and aware of the daylight, she'd hurried out of her hide clothes and into her natural shape, which she kept only long enough to thread her key onto a length of leather cord--taken from her windowsill items--and loop around her neck. Then the Lykos had fumbled happily with her key to lock the door behind her, as Marcus had instructed her, and shifted at last into her four-legged form. After sniffing and briefly scratching at the human's door to no result, she'd stumbled her way downstairs and back outside. The rest of the morning was spent roaming the outdoors, acquiring a fresh bit of breakfast as she explored and familiarized herself with a bit of the compound's territory.
By the mid-afternoon, the brindled Lykos happily returned to the compound and sniffed around the main level for a time. She perked her ears amiably at the many other residents she saw and passed as she poked her nose into rooms of strange and unknown function, though none held her attention long, and she was in the wrong shape to converse with anyone but another Lykos, anyway.
At last her investigations drew her back to the staircases, to investigate the direction she and Marcus had snubbed the night before. Once again she stumbled her way down the steps, paws and claws scrabbling noisily for purchase in the unfamiliar stone surfaces as she descended in a rush--and rather lost the race against gravity.
Kai hit the floor proper in a scrambling skid, barking in surprise as she at last deposited herself in a belly-sprawl on the lounge floor, across the room from where Marcus and Churat sat with the chessboard between them.
Churat was on his feet in an instant at the surprised-sounding bark from across the room, though he managed to bump the table and chess-pieces-- to several loud protests and complaints in his head-- and very nearly tangle himself up and fall down, himself, in the process. After a steading hand on the table-top, he managed to get out from chair and table leg and start over to the stairs, where there was now a pile of fur and limbs at the very bottom. After an apologetic glance to Marcus, anyway, who might well be coming over to see what had happened, too.
"Is everything all right?" he asked tentatively, approaching the Lykos-- obviously a Lykos; wild animals didn't get into the compound unless as a joke or a test. He doubted he'd get a coherent answer, or at least not a spoken one; he knew a little bit of the animal-Lykos speech, but only enough to get a vague sense of things meant.
"Is everything all right?" he asked tentatively, approaching the Lykos-- obviously a Lykos; wild animals didn't get into the compound unless as a joke or a test. He doubted he'd get a coherent answer, or at least not a spoken one; he knew a little bit of the animal-Lykos speech, but only enough to get a vague sense of things meant.
"Everybody I grew up with wanted to be picked for this," Marcus had been saying just before the Lykos joined them, enthusiasm in his tone. "I couldn't believe I got in. I'm from Sodiensel, by the coast." He didn't know if Churat would have any idea where that was or not. "I miss it a little, maybe," he added. "Not too bad." Yet. Then the Lykos thudded to the foot of the stairs and sprawled out in a heap, barking all the while.
The Vrykola was startled, and the table jolted as he got himself up, and Marcus soon followed to get a closer look at what he thought to be a Lykos in its true form. He had no idea that it was Kai, never having seen her like that, but when he got near enough, an irrepressible grin broke out on his face. Was he wrong for thinking the Lykos was incredibly cute and cuddly-looking? he wondered. He had no idea what the etiquette was for these situations, so while he crouched down to be more at eye level with it, he didn't touch.
"Hi," he said. He didn't have any experience with creatures who could understand him but couldn't speak to him, but it would have seemed rude not to say anything to the Lykos.
The Vrykola was startled, and the table jolted as he got himself up, and Marcus soon followed to get a closer look at what he thought to be a Lykos in its true form. He had no idea that it was Kai, never having seen her like that, but when he got near enough, an irrepressible grin broke out on his face. Was he wrong for thinking the Lykos was incredibly cute and cuddly-looking? he wondered. He had no idea what the etiquette was for these situations, so while he crouched down to be more at eye level with it, he didn't touch.
"Hi," he said. He didn't have any experience with creatures who could understand him but couldn't speak to him, but it would have seemed rude not to say anything to the Lykos.
Kai easily saw and heard the movements of people on the approach. The basement was startlingly quiet compared to what she'd left behind upstairs, and she blinked in its direction as she scrabbled her paws underneath her once more, the key around her neck clinking dully on the floor.
She'd told Marcus to watch out for a "small" red Lykos, but the adjective only really applied up against another member of her species. Though she had a lighter build than many of her kind, she still stood well over two feet tall at her shoulder and was longer than any human or Vrykolas was tall. She also was red in the animal sense, rather than that of blood or an apple, with a rusty-colored pelt striped faintly with darker and lighter shades.
As she reclaimed her feet, Kai blinked lightly at the first individual's approach, body language on the amiable side of neutral: head cocked, ears attentive, tail held level and slowly brushing side to side. His query then earned a cheerful chuffing and quickened pace of her wagging, as she sniffed curiously at the air in his direction.
Then there was another bit of movement as a body lowered to her level. Sound and scent provided an identity even before Marcus spoke, and Kai suddenly came all the more alert with happiness.
It was a good thing the human didn't try to say more than that one word, because Kai left little room for him to manage anything beyond that! Briefly forgetting the other man, the Lykos rolled a gleeful kind of play-growl in her throat and scampered right up to Marcus's grinning face, her long tail wagging at full speed. She put her snout practically to his own nose and snuffled at his face, blue eyes bright as she growled her very happy Lykos greeting to him.
She'd told Marcus to watch out for a "small" red Lykos, but the adjective only really applied up against another member of her species. Though she had a lighter build than many of her kind, she still stood well over two feet tall at her shoulder and was longer than any human or Vrykolas was tall. She also was red in the animal sense, rather than that of blood or an apple, with a rusty-colored pelt striped faintly with darker and lighter shades.
As she reclaimed her feet, Kai blinked lightly at the first individual's approach, body language on the amiable side of neutral: head cocked, ears attentive, tail held level and slowly brushing side to side. His query then earned a cheerful chuffing and quickened pace of her wagging, as she sniffed curiously at the air in his direction.
Then there was another bit of movement as a body lowered to her level. Sound and scent provided an identity even before Marcus spoke, and Kai suddenly came all the more alert with happiness.
It was a good thing the human didn't try to say more than that one word, because Kai left little room for him to manage anything beyond that! Briefly forgetting the other man, the Lykos rolled a gleeful kind of play-growl in her throat and scampered right up to Marcus's grinning face, her long tail wagging at full speed. She put her snout practically to his own nose and snuffled at his face, blue eyes bright as she growled her very happy Lykos greeting to him.
Churat blinked and looked between the two of them, and quietly tucked his hands into his loose sleeves and contented himself to watch. The little Lykos-- she wasn't very big, for her kind, it seemed-- certainly looked excited to see Marcus.
Maybe they're friends.
I wouldn't mind being friends.
Ugh, Garnet, you're disgusting.
At least the Lykos was definitely unharmed.
Maybe they're friends.
I wouldn't mind being friends.
Ugh, Garnet, you're disgusting.
At least the Lykos was definitely unharmed.
Marcus, slightly off-balance as he crouched, was instantly knocked back on his behind by the Lykos' enthusiastic approach, but he didn't mind that. He was distracted by the growly sound that almost sounded friendly, as well as the thorough sniffing he was receiving. He laughed, a soft sound that was involuntary, and one hand lifted to touch the object that was dangling from a cord around the creature's neck. He felt familiar ridges and angles, and he realized it was a key. That connecting thought was all it took. "Kai?" he said, though he was close to positive that this was his new friend in her animal form.
Her tail was wagging so fast it was nearly a blur, and he couldn't resist petting her soft fur, hoping she wouldn't mind. He kept it brief, then glanced up at Churat. "This is Kai. We met last night when we were walking through the courtyard." Well, he'd walked right into her, but he didn't feel the need to share that. He frowned slightly, then decided he should introduce the Vrykola, too. "This is Churat," he said to Kai, careful with the pronunciation of the name, uncertain if he'd gotten it right.
Her tail was wagging so fast it was nearly a blur, and he couldn't resist petting her soft fur, hoping she wouldn't mind. He kept it brief, then glanced up at Churat. "This is Kai. We met last night when we were walking through the courtyard." Well, he'd walked right into her, but he didn't feel the need to share that. He frowned slightly, then decided he should introduce the Vrykola, too. "This is Churat," he said to Kai, careful with the pronunciation of the name, uncertain if he'd gotten it right.
The identification of her name earned a rising inflection to Kai's growling--an agreeable kind of sound, at least to a creative ear--and a happy prancing of her forepaws on the stone floor. In no part of her mind did she think it strange to be greeting a non-Lykos so merrily after only having met him once before, and for a short duration. She was just happy to have a face and scent she could recognize and home in on, and Marcus' recognition and cheerful face only strengthened her positive attachment to the young man. Even the petting, which was a new sensation, was pleasing enough to almost have her nuzzle his hands in search of more of it.
She was kept from doing so, however, by his introduction of the other, whom she'd almost forgotten. Kai immediately and obediently turned her attention up to the Vrykola (though she didn't yet know that was what Churat was). With another pleasant chuff, she backed away from Marcus and turned towards Churat instead, stepping towards him without hesitation or reserve to sniff at the tall man's pantleg.
She was kept from doing so, however, by his introduction of the other, whom she'd almost forgotten. Kai immediately and obediently turned her attention up to the Vrykola (though she didn't yet know that was what Churat was). With another pleasant chuff, she backed away from Marcus and turned towards Churat instead, stepping towards him without hesitation or reserve to sniff at the tall man's pantleg.
At the introduction and subsequent investigation, Churat dropped to a crouch, as well, letting Kai sniff as much as she liked. "Hello, Kai." He added a smile over in Marcus's direction-- he'd pronounced it fine. Not that Churat would have said anything if he hadn't, really. It wasn't important. "You must be another new one."
Cute. In a doggish kind of way. I guess.
Oh, oh, oh, someone to play with??
No, Harlequin. No playing with the nice puppy right now.
Awwww.
Cute. In a doggish kind of way. I guess.
Oh, oh, oh, someone to play with??
No, Harlequin. No playing with the nice puppy right now.
Awwww.
Marcus kept his position on the floor, crossing his legs and letting his shoulders slump as he relaxed. The basement was a little on the dim side for his liking, but this room was nice, he thought as he watched Kai and Churat getting acquainted. His eyes had adjusted to the light in here, and he could see better than he had at first, at least when things were sufficiently close to him. "We're next door neighbors," he offered, since it seemed natural to him to make conversation of some sort. "On the second floor." He wondered what Kai had done all day, though he figured he'd have to ask her later. He also wondered if it was weird for her not to be able to really talk to them.
His intellectual curiosity about all these new things, if nothing else, was going to keep him occupied for a while!
His intellectual curiosity about all these new things, if nothing else, was going to keep him occupied for a while!
Once again Kai responded to her name with a rumbled growl and shuffled forepaws, though she did not bound into Churat's face as she had Marcus'. She did, however, take advantage of Churat's lowered pose to have a clearer sniff at one of his hands while wagging her tail amiably. Despite not knowing who or what he was, she assumed he and Marcus had been conversing before she'd tumbled in and distracted them, and that association was all the Lykos needed to consider Churat as someone to treat pleasantly and perhaps even another friend. Regardless of the warnings she had been given by the packmates she had left behind, she didn't care to be picky about following up on new relationships wherever they should present themselves.
She barked softly in agreement to Marcus' answer, padding back to the human in order to sniff playfully at his ear and hair before she at last turned her attention to the room around them. Like everything else in the compound, it was heavily layered with scents of all ages, but her nose pointed her in the direction Marcus' and Churat's scents apparently had been settled before they'd come to greet her. That, in turn, led her eyes to a table with a most curious set of objects atop it.
In fact, they looked quite a lot like some of the bone and wood trinkets now decorating the windowsill of her room. This warranted investigation!
She glanced at Marcus and at Churat again, mostly just to indicate she wasn't forgetting them, then padded in the table's direction with her tail arced curiously.
She barked softly in agreement to Marcus' answer, padding back to the human in order to sniff playfully at his ear and hair before she at last turned her attention to the room around them. Like everything else in the compound, it was heavily layered with scents of all ages, but her nose pointed her in the direction Marcus' and Churat's scents apparently had been settled before they'd come to greet her. That, in turn, led her eyes to a table with a most curious set of objects atop it.
In fact, they looked quite a lot like some of the bone and wood trinkets now decorating the windowsill of her room. This warranted investigation!
She glanced at Marcus and at Churat again, mostly just to indicate she wasn't forgetting them, then padded in the table's direction with her tail arced curiously.
One of these days, we're going to learn that language, Luthien fretted, attention focused on the Lykos Kai as she moved off again. I hate not knowing what's going on. Hate it.
Yeah, yeah, we know.
No complaints from me. I don't much like being in the dark, either.
At least the human can't possibly know any more than we do.
Churat rose and drifted after her, hands going back into his sleeves. He knew that curiosity. Lykos didn't exactly have chess. "That's the chess set. It's a game you play, with two people, and you move the pieces in a certain way in attempt to capture another of the pieces with them."
Yeah, like that made sense.
"It's, er, a bit complicated...."
Yeah, yeah, we know.
No complaints from me. I don't much like being in the dark, either.
At least the human can't possibly know any more than we do.
Churat rose and drifted after her, hands going back into his sleeves. He knew that curiosity. Lykos didn't exactly have chess. "That's the chess set. It's a game you play, with two people, and you move the pieces in a certain way in attempt to capture another of the pieces with them."
Yeah, like that made sense.
"It's, er, a bit complicated...."
Marcus had gathered that the chessboard and pieces comprised some sort of game, but he hadn't known what it was. He and his siblings and his siblings-by-proxy (his parents' Partners' children) had never had such games. They'd played mostly make-believe: pretend we're in the middle of the sea in a ship. Pretend we're fish swimming away to hide from a giant sea monster. As he pushed himself to his feet, he listened to Churat's explanation, too. Idly, he brushed off the seat of his pants and wandered back in the direction of Kai and the Vrykola. It didn't bother him that much that he didn't understand Kai's Lykos language, because when she wasn't shifted, she could tell him whatever she wanted to. His gaze moved from Churat to Kai as she indulged her curiosity.
What strange little figurines these were! All the artistic carvings she was familiar with had been animal or plant-based, and the numerous pieces scattered across the table were all abstract to her. Well, a few of them looked sort of animal-ish, but not in any way that resembled any woodland creatures she knew. And what was the significance of the white and black-squared board beneath them, and why were some of them lined up beside the board while the others sat upon the squares?
Well, whatever they were, they were pretty. She wondered how one or two would look upon her windowsill. Her head cleared the table easily as she sniffed at them, pondering the myriad scents of people upon the figurines. Kai hadn't expected that Churat and Marcus would follow her, and looked back in mild surprise as Churat attempted to explain. Unbeknownst to her, one of the more animal-like pieces vanished from the board just before she turned to listen, finding a place pinched between her front teeth instead.
A game? How was something like this a game? Weird! But she wagged her tail at Churat in thanks for his explanation anyway. Perhaps he and Marcus had been playing it before. Oh! Maybe it was something she could learn, too, like she'd learned the key-magic! She'd have to come look at it again sometime in her human shape and ask someone about it. She couldn't just shift now, after all--she'd be naked! That would be cold, and she didn't like being cold.
Well, whatever they were, they were pretty. She wondered how one or two would look upon her windowsill. Her head cleared the table easily as she sniffed at them, pondering the myriad scents of people upon the figurines. Kai hadn't expected that Churat and Marcus would follow her, and looked back in mild surprise as Churat attempted to explain. Unbeknownst to her, one of the more animal-like pieces vanished from the board just before she turned to listen, finding a place pinched between her front teeth instead.
A game? How was something like this a game? Weird! But she wagged her tail at Churat in thanks for his explanation anyway. Perhaps he and Marcus had been playing it before. Oh! Maybe it was something she could learn, too, like she'd learned the key-magic! She'd have to come look at it again sometime in her human shape and ask someone about it. She couldn't just shift now, after all--she'd be naked! That would be cold, and she didn't like being cold.
Churat chuckled and, guessing the tail-wag for what it was, said, "You're welcome. I know it's a bit confusing when you're not actually learning how to play. I think the pieces got a bit jostled when you came down, I bumped the table a bit, or you could see how the game looks halfway through.
Where did my priest go? Mexecal demanded as they looked over the board. That was going to be my next move! Luthien, are you cheating again?
There was the sense of a sigh from Luthien, and he answered, You know I don't cheat, and you would have noticed if I had control of the hands.
But it's gone!
I'm sure it isn't--
Actually, it is.
... oh. You're right. Where the deuce did it go?
Churat didn't have any idea, either, but he obligingly glanced at the floor, in case he'd knocked it off. "I never did find out-- do humans know chess, or is it just a Vrykola thing?" he asked idly as he did.
Where did my priest go? Mexecal demanded as they looked over the board. That was going to be my next move! Luthien, are you cheating again?
There was the sense of a sigh from Luthien, and he answered, You know I don't cheat, and you would have noticed if I had control of the hands.
But it's gone!
I'm sure it isn't--
Actually, it is.
... oh. You're right. Where the deuce did it go?
Churat didn't have any idea, either, but he obligingly glanced at the floor, in case he'd knocked it off. "I never did find out-- do humans know chess, or is it just a Vrykola thing?" he asked idly as he did.
Actually, Marcus didn't really see how chess could be a fun game, either. It looked as if you sat and moved the pieces around from one little square spot on the board to another. He knew there would have to be rules for playing it, but even with that, he didn't see how it would be all that diverting. The pieces were nice, and he reached out to pick one up so he could roll it between his fingers. Otherwise, there'd be no way he could make out any of its detail. He figured it should be all right to pick it up, since some of them had gotten scattered out of their places when Churat had jostled the table.
"Some humans might," he said in answer to the Vrykola's question. "I haven't seen it, myself." He couldn't quite tell what the piece he held was supposed to represent, and again he didn't want to hold it up to within an inch of his eyes and draw attention to the fact that he couldn't really see well at all.
"Some humans might," he said in answer to the Vrykola's question. "I haven't seen it, myself." He couldn't quite tell what the piece he held was supposed to represent, and again he didn't want to hold it up to within an inch of his eyes and draw attention to the fact that he couldn't really see well at all.
As Churat and Marcus appeared to resume their conversation, or at least pick up a new one, Kai wandered away from the card table and followed her nose around the room a bit more. She unthinkingly fiddled with the stolen priest-piece between teeth and tongue as she wandered, causing small, wooden clicking noises that she didn't even taken notice of. Her attention had shifted now to the fur rug laid out before the fireplace, which looked like a cozy place to sprawl. There was a heavy scent about it that suggested a great many Lykos before her had also used it for that same purpose.
She'd already had a good run and romp outside this morning, so now the thought of just relaxing while there was recognized company nearby appealed to her. She could watch, listen, and learn. After turning a few slow circles on the rug, sniffing as she went, she dropped her rump to sit comfortably upon it, looking over at the males to see what they were up to now.
She'd already had a good run and romp outside this morning, so now the thought of just relaxing while there was recognized company nearby appealed to her. She could watch, listen, and learn. After turning a few slow circles on the rug, sniffing as she went, she dropped her rump to sit comfortably upon it, looking over at the males to see what they were up to now.
The clicking noise caught Churat's attention, given his sensitive hearing, and he looked around, frowning. "Well, if you're interested in learning," he told Marcus distractedly, "let me know. We-- I play it pretty well." Luthien and Mexecal did, and either one would love the opportunity to play against someone other than each other. "What is that noise?"
Sounds like it's coming from the dog.
Why would the dog be making clicking noises?
Besides, she's just laying down.
Sounds like it's coming from the dog.
Why would the dog be making clicking noises?
Besides, she's just laying down.
Marcus noticed Churat's use of we this time, and he glanced quizzically at the guy before mentally shrugging it off. Maybe Vrykolas had different speech patterns or something. Since Churat was the first he'd ever met, he couldn't say. "I will," he said to the Vrykola's offer to teach him chess. He didn't much think he'd take him up on it, but he might decide to one day. It had been nice of him to offer.
He looked around when Churat wondered what the noise was, then said, "I don't hear anything." The only sound he noticed was the faint crackling of the fire, and that brought his attention to the rug in front of it where Kai was. It looked comfortable, and it was a little too cool for his taste down here, so Marcus wandered over and sat down next to the Lykos, careful that he didn't settle on a paw or her tail. "That's better," he said to her, stretching his long legs out.
He looked around when Churat wondered what the noise was, then said, "I don't hear anything." The only sound he noticed was the faint crackling of the fire, and that brought his attention to the rug in front of it where Kai was. It looked comfortable, and it was a little too cool for his taste down here, so Marcus wandered over and sat down next to the Lykos, careful that he didn't settle on a paw or her tail. "That's better," he said to her, stretching his long legs out.
Kai froze at Churat's confused query, ears cocked and swiveling, but like Marcus she heard nothing but the fire. She hruffed a negative of her own (the sound vaguely distorted by her semi-gritted teeth) and blinked curiously at the Vrykola as she stretched her forelegs out and flopped onto her belly. Maybe someone had made a noise upstairs, or elsewhere in the basement?
She rolled the chesspiece absently to the other side of her mouth, shifting her weight about to get comfortable with her chin resting on a foreleg, only to be semi-roused again as Marcus joined her. The unexpected development pleased her immensely and set her tail back to wagging. It wasn't much different from the way one sat close with one's packmates, enjoying company without having to converse at all, no matter what measure of fur was being worn. Maybe Marcus really could be pack! Maybe he even wanted pack, too, or whatever the human version of it was. She had no idea what human social structures were like.
She gave Marcus a welcome rumble-growl and shuffled around just enough to roll onto her side, stretching out along his leg and using it as an impromptu backrest, tail happily thumping the floor and chesspiece peeking out between one set of canines like an overgrown toothpick.
She rolled the chesspiece absently to the other side of her mouth, shifting her weight about to get comfortable with her chin resting on a foreleg, only to be semi-roused again as Marcus joined her. The unexpected development pleased her immensely and set her tail back to wagging. It wasn't much different from the way one sat close with one's packmates, enjoying company without having to converse at all, no matter what measure of fur was being worn. Maybe Marcus really could be pack! Maybe he even wanted pack, too, or whatever the human version of it was. She had no idea what human social structures were like.
She gave Marcus a welcome rumble-growl and shuffled around just enough to roll onto her side, stretching out along his leg and using it as an impromptu backrest, tail happily thumping the floor and chesspiece peeking out between one set of canines like an overgrown toothpick.
Churat tucked his hands back into his sleeves, feeling a little bit out of place. He supposed he could go over and sit <u>with</u> them, but that just seemed so forward-- and besides, they knew each other. And seemed to get on well. And he was running out of things to say to possibly engage either one of them.
You're such a moron.
Tongue-tied already.
I bet I could come up with plenty of things to say.
Yeah, I don't think either of them would want to listen to you.
The shadows were busy bickering, but Churat, watching them, caught sight of something little and black sticking out of Kai's muzzle. It couldn't be a tooth-- wrong color-- and he couldn't imagine what <u>else</u> it might be, except....
My priest-piece! Mexecal growled.
Though he had no idea just why Kai had taken it, or why she was chewing on it, Mexecal's unreasonable anger at it made him smile a bit and, after a bit of hesitation, come over and drop to a crouch in front of her, holding out his hand a little expectantly. "You know you can't keep that," he chided gently.
You're such a moron.
Tongue-tied already.
I bet I could come up with plenty of things to say.
Yeah, I don't think either of them would want to listen to you.
The shadows were busy bickering, but Churat, watching them, caught sight of something little and black sticking out of Kai's muzzle. It couldn't be a tooth-- wrong color-- and he couldn't imagine what <u>else</u> it might be, except....
My priest-piece! Mexecal growled.
Though he had no idea just why Kai had taken it, or why she was chewing on it, Mexecal's unreasonable anger at it made him smile a bit and, after a bit of hesitation, come over and drop to a crouch in front of her, holding out his hand a little expectantly. "You know you can't keep that," he chided gently.
Marcus' intention certainly hadn't been to make Churat feel left out; it didn't occur to him that going to sit next to Kai might do that. He'd simply felt like getting comfortable, and sitting next to the fire seemed a better way to accomplish that than returning to the chair where he'd been sitting before. He was grinning again, strangely pleased by the way Kai stretched out against his leg, as if she were perfectly comfortable with him. He had no concept of what she might've considered pack, but he understood finding others to relate to, whether they be human or Lykos or Vrykola. Friends, companions.
Kai had her back to him, and he hadn't noticed that she had something in her mouth. When Churat approached, he thought the Vrykola was going to join them until he held out his hand and told the Lykos she couldn't keep that. Whatever that was. He frowned, puzzled, and leaned over a little, squinting in an attempt to see Kai's face and to figure out what Churat was talking about.
Kai had her back to him, and he hadn't noticed that she had something in her mouth. When Churat approached, he thought the Vrykola was going to join them until he held out his hand and told the Lykos she couldn't keep that. Whatever that was. He frowned, puzzled, and leaned over a little, squinting in an attempt to see Kai's face and to figure out what Churat was talking about.
For a moment, Kai had absolutely no idea what Churat was talking about, either, and blinked at his hand cluelessly. The moment passed quickly, however. She had heard that phrase many times before and in many variations, though it was usually accompanied by a slap to her tender nose. The Lykos' cross-eyed expression was distinctively un-canine as she focused on the end of her muzzle and ran her tongue along her teeth.
Oh! She had one of the weird little carvings! Just wait until she put with everything else on her windows--oh, no, wait. Churat wanted it back. Darn!
Except he hadn't smacked her nose, he was smiling (oh, hey! Fangs! Vrykola!), and his tone seemed amused. That was different!
...maybe he wanted to play?
With ears flicking hopefully and another tail-thump, Kai dropped her chin to the floor, between paws pulled closer to her chest. This time when she rolled the chesspiece to the other side of her mouth and chuffed at the tall Vrykola, it was a testing, deliberate tease.
Oh! She had one of the weird little carvings! Just wait until she put with everything else on her windows--oh, no, wait. Churat wanted it back. Darn!
Except he hadn't smacked her nose, he was smiling (oh, hey! Fangs! Vrykola!), and his tone seemed amused. That was different!
...maybe he wanted to play?
With ears flicking hopefully and another tail-thump, Kai dropped her chin to the floor, between paws pulled closer to her chest. This time when she rolled the chesspiece to the other side of her mouth and chuffed at the tall Vrykola, it was a testing, deliberate tease.
Noting Marcus's puzzled look, Churat explained briefly, "She has one of the chess pieces. Come on, Kai, people will miss--" He broke off at the sudden shift in position and blinked at her in mild confusion. What was she... doing. Hiding it from him?
She's suggesting you play with her, stupid.
You've seen Lykos do that. It's like the play-bow thing only without her butt being in the air.
"Oh. Uh." He stared at her even more blankly, now, completely uncertain how he ought to be proceeding. He'd never played with a Lykos before. None of them had ever wanted to; he was a murderous blood-sucker, to most of them.
You've never played with anyone before. No wonder you look like somebody hit you with something.
You have no idea how he looks, idiot, you can't see him.
I can imagine it!
Honestly, he probably does.
"You'd have to show me how," Churat said tentatively, not really thinking about how she and Marcus hadn't exactly been privy to the conversation in his head. They'd know what he meant, anyway, right?
She's suggesting you play with her, stupid.
You've seen Lykos do that. It's like the play-bow thing only without her butt being in the air.
"Oh. Uh." He stared at her even more blankly, now, completely uncertain how he ought to be proceeding. He'd never played with a Lykos before. None of them had ever wanted to; he was a murderous blood-sucker, to most of them.
You've never played with anyone before. No wonder you look like somebody hit you with something.
You have no idea how he looks, idiot, you can't see him.
I can imagine it!
Honestly, he probably does.
"You'd have to show me how," Churat said tentatively, not really thinking about how she and Marcus hadn't exactly been privy to the conversation in his head. They'd know what he meant, anyway, right?
"Oh," Marcus said, sitting back again. "I didn't see her pick it up." Not that that was any big surprise, but anyway. As far as he could tell, Kai didn't seem to mind being asked to give up her prize, though she hadn't actually done it yet. Her demeanor struck him as playful, as well, and he was glad that the Vrykola didn't seem impatient with her. He tended to prefer when others got along, and he felt mildly protective of Kai. It was true he didn't know her well yet, but she was the first person he'd met here, and she was very sweet and innocent-seeming.
He wondered if he'd missed something, because Churat seemed to have jumped topics and he wasn't sure why. It almost seemed that the other guy was involved in a conversation of which neither he nor Kai was aware. It was puzzling, and he couldn't decide if he should say anything about it, so he ultimately decided not to. "Show you how?" he murmured, but his voice wasn't very loud. Churat seemed to be speaking to the Lykos and not him, anyway.
He wondered if he'd missed something, because Churat seemed to have jumped topics and he wasn't sure why. It almost seemed that the other guy was involved in a conversation of which neither he nor Kai was aware. It was puzzling, and he couldn't decide if he should say anything about it, so he ultimately decided not to. "Show you how?" he murmured, but his voice wasn't very loud. Churat seemed to be speaking to the Lykos and not him, anyway.
Kai's body language wilted, a little, when at first the only thing Churat did was stare at her--and not just any stare, but with a kind of wide-eyed bewilderment like that of a pup who'd just been chastised by a dominant adult for the first time. He didn't want to play, then? Had she done something wrong? And if she'd done something wrong, what? And why, if she'd done something wrong, would he look at her like that rather than chastise her?
Or did he perceive her as the dominant? Was his apparent confusion because she was stepping down to his level? Back among her tribe, Kai's penchant for getting in trouble (or at least nuisance) had kept her around the lower end of the hierarchy, so the thought that she might be above him caused her some bewilderment of her own. (And that didn't even start trying to take unknown human or Vrykola methods of dominance into account!)
Her train of thought passed quickly, and Churat spoke again before she could take a different form of action. The Lykos perked her ears at him again. Show him? So...what? He just...didn't know how to play? How did anyone not know how to play? Was that really what he meant?
Well. If that was what he was asking, she'd need a bit more room, because right now she had Marcus to one side and her tail towards the fireplace. Kai carefully got her hindfeet under her again as well and stood up again, all the while watching Churat for some sign that she'd misinterpreted, circling around him somewhat so she was back in the more open floorspace.
Then she hopped towards him with a little muffled chuff, poking her nose at him to flaunt her possession of the chesspiece, then just as quickly took two scrambled steps backwards and dropped flat to her belly on the floor, watching for his reaction.
Or did he perceive her as the dominant? Was his apparent confusion because she was stepping down to his level? Back among her tribe, Kai's penchant for getting in trouble (or at least nuisance) had kept her around the lower end of the hierarchy, so the thought that she might be above him caused her some bewilderment of her own. (And that didn't even start trying to take unknown human or Vrykola methods of dominance into account!)
Her train of thought passed quickly, and Churat spoke again before she could take a different form of action. The Lykos perked her ears at him again. Show him? So...what? He just...didn't know how to play? How did anyone not know how to play? Was that really what he meant?
Well. If that was what he was asking, she'd need a bit more room, because right now she had Marcus to one side and her tail towards the fireplace. Kai carefully got her hindfeet under her again as well and stood up again, all the while watching Churat for some sign that she'd misinterpreted, circling around him somewhat so she was back in the more open floorspace.
Then she hopped towards him with a little muffled chuff, poking her nose at him to flaunt her possession of the chesspiece, then just as quickly took two scrambled steps backwards and dropped flat to her belly on the floor, watching for his reaction.
Isn't that just the cutest thing ever?
You would think so.
"She was inviting me to play," Churat explained for Marcus's benefit, making a somewhat-confused but altogether valiant attempt at swiping at Kai's muzzle as she danced back, but not rising from his crouch, since he was on a better level to reach her that way. He hoped that was what one was supposed to do in response to that. "I've, er, never actually done that before. Definitely not with a Lykos." He cast the human a little glance in between trying to guess what Kai was going to do next. "Have you?"
A human, play with a Lykos?
Or maybe just play in general.
I bet humans play a lot more than Vrykolas....
I bet other Vrykolas play, just not us.
You would think so.
"She was inviting me to play," Churat explained for Marcus's benefit, making a somewhat-confused but altogether valiant attempt at swiping at Kai's muzzle as she danced back, but not rising from his crouch, since he was on a better level to reach her that way. He hoped that was what one was supposed to do in response to that. "I've, er, never actually done that before. Definitely not with a Lykos." He cast the human a little glance in between trying to guess what Kai was going to do next. "Have you?"
A human, play with a Lykos?
Or maybe just play in general.
I bet humans play a lot more than Vrykolas....
I bet other Vrykolas play, just not us.
Marcus was watching them both, a smile on his lips as he wondered who'd be the winner of this play battle for the chesspiece. Kai was really cute in her animal form, and had he been the one playing with her, he probably would've let her win just because of that. Of course, he had no interest in the game piece since he didn't play chess. "No," he said in answer to Churat's question. "'Course I never met a Lykos before last night. When I was a kid I played with my brothers and sisters, but I guess that's different?" His intonation made it a question; it was something he did sometimes and really didn't notice, probably because it was such an ingrained habit.
"Never met a Vrykola before now, either," he added.
"Never met a Vrykola before now, either," he added.
Kai didn't let the fact that Churat and Marcus were still conversing dissuade her from her attempted game. If the Vrykola was going to allow himself to be distracted, she'd just have to make off with her prize, but the swipe he took at her was a step (or a grab) in the right direction if he really wanted to play!
She darted back in range, taking a swat at the Vrykola's shoe with one paw (hook-claws carefully held back, of course) and barking once through her clenched teeth. It was both encouragement and a taunt, a you'll have to do better than that! Then for good measure, as she danced to the side, she batted at one of Marcus' extended legs as well, just because she could and his foot was in range.
She darted back in range, taking a swat at the Vrykola's shoe with one paw (hook-claws carefully held back, of course) and barking once through her clenched teeth. It was both encouragement and a taunt, a you'll have to do better than that! Then for good measure, as she danced to the side, she batted at one of Marcus' extended legs as well, just because she could and his foot was in range.
"Don't know," Churat admitted. "I never had brothers or sisters."
Or friends or playmates or even bullies to try and suck up to.
Churat swallowed the desire to say something less than nice at the shadow-- company; always have to remember the company-- and was actually taken quite by surprise when Kai attacked his shoe. He fell back onto his rear end, blinking at her.
You're so bad at this, Harlequin complained, and took advantage of the surprise to bump him back and into "watcher" mode, to Churat's dismay.
Breaking the corporate face into a bright grin, fangs and all, Harlequin took all of Churat's hesitancy and confusion and tossed it right out the window. He gathered Churat's body up into an approximation of an actual Lykos play-pose, and actually pounced for Kai.
Or friends or playmates or even bullies to try and suck up to.
Churat swallowed the desire to say something less than nice at the shadow-- company; always have to remember the company-- and was actually taken quite by surprise when Kai attacked his shoe. He fell back onto his rear end, blinking at her.
You're so bad at this, Harlequin complained, and took advantage of the surprise to bump him back and into "watcher" mode, to Churat's dismay.
Breaking the corporate face into a bright grin, fangs and all, Harlequin took all of Churat's hesitancy and confusion and tossed it right out the window. He gathered Churat's body up into an approximation of an actual Lykos play-pose, and actually pounced for Kai.
Marcus didn't want to interfere with their game, but he grinned and reflexively pulled up his knees when Kai swatted at his leg, then wrapped his arms around them. The Lykos was definitely in play mode; if he hadn't realized it before, he certainly would have now. "Well, I think you're gonna have to work harder if you want that piece back," he told Churat, amusement in his voice. After Kai'd contributed to him falling down, the Vrykola seemed to get the idea and really throw himself into the game, actually pouncing at her in return. The blond propped his chin on his drawn-up knees to watch.