World of Sardon

[ultimate_nerdslut]

Kallisto decided that perhaps it was best left at that as they climbed up the... steps? She was quite surprised at the ice steps below her feet as they got to where they were going. She watched the short woman help the taller man and moved in to help. He couldn't have been the lightest of me just despite the fact that he was slim.

"Kallisto," one of her comrades said when he saw her coming through the clearing to them. "What's going on here?" Heasked.

"I'm not completely sure but this man needs medical attention." She said before fetching a warm blanket and placing it on him.

"Thank you again," she said to the woman. "Kallisto Liulfr..." She said extending her hand. She stayed near the man trying to see if he was going to be alright.

 

[EHawkins]

Kallisto decided that perhaps it was best left at that as they climbed up the... steps? She was quite surprised at the ice steps below her feet as they got to where they were going. She watched the short woman help the taller man and moved in to help. He couldn't have been the lightest of me just despite the fact that he was slim.

"Kallisto," one of her comrades said when he saw her coming through the clearing to them. "What's going on here?" Heasked.

"I'm not completely sure but this man needs medical attention." She said before fetching a warm blanket and placing it on him.

"Thank you again," she said to the woman. "Kallisto Liulfr..." She said extending her hand. She stayed near the man trying to see if he was going to be alright.

Lucifine nodded and took the offered hand with a black, slender gloved one.

"I am Lucifine..."

Lucifine looked at the man puzzled, as she brushed snowy bangs behind her ears. She wasn't sure what to make of him. She really wasn't sure what to make of the wolf girl, either...

 

[ultimate_nerdslut]

It wasn't that Kallisto was necessarily attached to this man but it was obvious that he was in trouble and she wasn't the kind to leave someone in trouble on their own. She was up and heading to where dinner was being made. She motioned for the other woman to follow her.

She handed her a tin bowl and served her up some of the soup. The entire group was made up of many different kindsof people... Kallisto was not exactly common even in her clan.

"I'm sorry for running off but you must understand that with a Goddess on your tail you have to get out at the first sign of trouble."

 

[EHawkins]

It wasn't that Kallisto was necessarily attached to this man but it was obvious that he was in trouble and she wasn't the kind to leave someone in trouble on their own. She was up and heading to where dinner was being made. She motioned for the other woman to follow her.

She handed her a tin bowl and served her up some of the soup. The entire group was made up of many different kindsof people... Kallisto was not exactly common even in her clan.

"I'm sorry for running off but you must understand that with a Goddess on your tail you have to get out at the first sign of trouble."

"No harm done." Lucifine smiled faintly as she looked around at Kallisto's colorful mix of tribesmen while she followed the girl.

Her face darkened at the mention of Sardonica as she took the soup. It was too warm for her, even in her gloved hands. It cooled unaturally fast as she blew on it.

Lucifine looked at Kallisto.

"What did your people do to earn the ire of the Goddess?"

 

[EHawkins]

OOC>> Okay, I'm out for the evening--It was fun, and nice meeting everyone See ya later

 

[ultimate_nerdslut]

"What did your people do to earn the ire of the Goddess?"

Kallisto smiled at the question. "It's more like what we didn't do," The young wolf woman explained. She watched the woman who had cooled her soup so quickly and who had made the ice steps earlier. Ice magic obviously.

She sat down and motioned for the woman to join her. "We were not the ones to just bend to her will like all the others. We wouldn't pray to her or worship her... So what use are we to her?" She asked with a grimace at how emotionless it sounded in her mind.

"A lot of us didn't make it."

Her mind wandered back to the man that she thought was going to be her mate. She watched that witch burn him alive. "I want to see her fall from her pedestal."

 

[JckHmmr_2000]

The two women help me. I do not know why they did it, but I am glad they did.

It seems that one of them has some kind of magical control over ice or snow. Interesting.

At our destination, they introduce me to the concept of "food." I must say that I enjoy this "food" and would like to keep doing it as much as possible.

After a while, I hold up my bowl in puzzlement. There is no more food. I look at WolfGirl and IceWoman with a curious and somewhat disappointed expression while pointing to my bowl.

"There is no more food," I say to them. Wolfgirl places a soft object called a "blanket" upon me, covering me. I find the sensation of this object quite comforting and find that I do not feel so cold anymore.

"I feel grateful to both of you for making me not feel cold, and showing me food," I say, thinking that their actions gave me more comfort than my former worshippers. My former worshippers used to pray, and in their prayers, always asked for favors. Perhaps these women need some kind of favor from me?

"What do you wish from me?" I ask the two women simply. Immediately after I utter those words, I realize that I do not know if I can give them what they ask for.

Never have I felt so helpless and powerless and... utterly impotent. If I can no longer grant favors, then do I no longer have worth? How can I ever hope to regain my Immortality if my potential worshippers have no reason to worship me?

 

[ultimate_nerdslut]

"I feel grateful to both of you for making me not feel cold, and showing me food,"

"What do you wish from me?"

Kallisto had to laugh slightly at his speech patterns, they were interestingthat was for sure. She was a little surprised when he asked her what she wanted. She looked at him for a few moments before really deciding what she wanted from him.

"Rest for now alright?" She asked with a kind smile before offering him some jerky from her pack. She rubbed her temples as if she had a headache from when she had fallen, her healing powers never seemed to work on herself. It was crazy how everything was working out... The Goddess, this strange man, Lucifine, and having to be on alert twenty four hours a day. She looked back to see him still awake. "I wish for you to sleep..." She said calmly. "Tomorrow will be a long day."

 

[EHawkins]

She sat down and motioned for the woman to join her. "We were not the ones to just bend to her will like all the others. We wouldn't pray to her or worship her... So what use are we to her?" She asked with a grimace at how emotionless it sounded in her mind.

"A lot of us didn't make it."

Her mind wandered back to the man that she thought was going to be her mate. She watched that witch burn him alive. "I want to see her fall from her pedestal."

Lucifine felt Kallisto’s pain and suddenly she wanted to bring her arms around the girl, to share her own grief and loss at the hands of the Goddess. Her mouth opened slightly, and then closed when she couldn’t find the words of comfort to share with her.

There was silence for a moment as Lucifine’s hand tightened on Tempest’s pommel and she finally spoke:

“I seek vengeance as well.”

Lucifine sighed softly and eased off Tempest.

“Let’s see about our friend, shall we?”

"There is no more food," I say to them. Wolfgirl places a soft object called a "blanket" upon me, covering me. I find the sensation of this object quite comforting and find that I do not feel so cold anymore.

"I feel grateful to both of you for making me not feel cold, and showing me food," I say, thinking that their actions gave me more comfort than my former worshippers. My former worshippers used to pray, and in their prayers, always asked for favors. Perhaps these women need some kind of favor from me?

"What do you wish from me?" I ask the two women simply. Immediately after I utter those words, I realize that I do not know if I can give them what they ask for.

Never have I felt so helpless and powerless and... utterly impotent. If I can no longer grant favors, then do I no longer have worth? How can I ever hope to regain my Immortality if my potential worshippers have no reason to worship me?

Lucifine watched the man intently. Everything about him was so strange… She gave him a nod for his gratefulness, but when he asked what she wished from him, she only stared at him for a moment before she looked to Kallisto who was also surprised.

"Rest for now alright?" She asked with a kind smile before offering him some jerky from her pack. She rubbed her temples as if she had a headache from when she had fallen, her healing powers never seemed to work on herself. It was crazy how everything was working out... The Goddess, this strange man, Lucifine, and having to be on alert twenty four hours a day. She looked back to see him still awake. "I wish for you to sleep..." She said calmly. "Tomorrow will be a long day."

“You should sleep as well, Kallisto.” Lucifine said. “You look tired and your head… You should have someone look at that.”

Lucifine knelt to the man who was wrapped up in the blanket. He had dark eyes, and he had long, dark hair that reminded her oddly of Marius...

What do I wish for? she thought. Can you bring back the dead, stranger? Can you bring back Marius for me, or grant me my vengeance?

Lucifine reached out to the man with a black, gloved hand to brush away dark strands of hair from his brow. She stopped just short of his face, tears brimming at the corner of her eyes for the first time in a long while. Her opened hand turned to a hard fist and her eyes closed against the painful memories that welled up in her.

She rose abruptly from the man’s side, and her cool expression was immediately restored.

“Tempest and I will keep watch this evening…” Lucifine said quietly as she gently patted the rapier at her side. “Rest well--Both of you.”

 

[ultimate_nerdslut]

Lucifine felt Kallisto’s pain and suddenly she wanted to bring her arms around the girl, to share her own grief and loss at the hands of the Goddess. Her mouth opened slightly, and then closed when she couldn’t find the words of comfort to share with her.

There was silence for a moment as Lucifine’s hand tightened on Tempest’s pommel and she finally spoke:

“I seek vengeance as well.”

Lucifine sighed softly and eased off Tempest.

“Let’s see about our friend, shall we?”

There was always the thought of vengence in the back of her mind. The wolf tribes had fallen to Sardonica and her many armies when Kallisto was just a babe. She had not known many wolves growing up but she had found a few in her travels but it never lasted. They were either loners or died at the hands of the Goddess.

Lucifine watched the man intently. Everything about him was so strange… She gave him a nod for his gratefulness, but when he asked what she wished from him, she only stared at him for a moment before she looked to Kallisto who was also surprised.

“You should sleep as well, Kallisto.” Lucifine said. “You look tired and your head… You should have someone look at that.”

Lucifine knelt to the man who was wrapped up in the blanket. He had dark, strange almond-shaped eyes. His long, dark hair reminded her oddly of Marius...

What do I wish for? she thought. Can you bring back the dead, stranger? Can you bring back Marius for me, or grant me my vengeance?

Lucifine reached out to the man with a black, gloved hand to brush away dark strands of hair from his brow. She stopped just short of his face, tears brimming at the corner of her eyes for the first time in a long while. Her opened hand turned to a hard fist and her eyes closed against the painful memories that welled up in her.

She rose abruptly from the man’s side, and her cool expression was immediately restored.

“Tempest and I will keep watch this evening…” Lucifine said quietly as she gently patted the rapier at her side. “Rest well--Both of you.”

The wolf smiled at the comment on how tired she looked. She could only imagine. She had not been sleeping well as it had been mostly up to her to keep watch, her senses were almost unrivaled. Her right ear flinched back sharply but she didn't move. It was nothing more than a snow fox on the prowl. "You're right... It has been many moons since I was privy to a good night's rest." She managed before a rather large yawn escaped her and ended with a very canine yip at the end.

Kallisto watched her new companion and the exchange, it was suddenly painfully obvious that there was a lot more that she didn't understand. She couldn't see the tears... but she could smell them. As the woman stood again Kallisto did what she felt was right. With a purposeful step she moved in and gave the other a hug.

"Vengence will come on swift wings," she reassured before looking down at this man. "Tomorrow... We will have to see if he will be of any use to us. We will need at the help we can get," she whispered before walking over to her set of blankets on the ground. It was there she became a large tawny wolf, used her enormous paw to poke at her little makeshift bed, circled four times, and finally flumped down into the downs with a sigh. Her eyes looked at the woman, whom she gave a wink, before dozing off.

 

[EHawkins]

Kallisto watched her new companion and the exchange, it was suddenly painfully obvious that there was a lot more that she didn't understand. She couldn't see the tears... but she could smell them. As the woman stood again Kallisto did what she felt was right. With a purposeful step she moved in and gave the other a hug.

"Vengence will come on swift wings," she reassured before looking down at this man. "Tomorrow... We will have to see if he will be of any use to us. We will need at the help we can get," she whispered before walking over to her set of blankets on the ground. It was there she became a large tawny wolf, used her enormous paw to poke at her little makeshift bed, circled four times, and finally flumped down into the downs with a sigh. Her eyes looked at the woman, whom she gave a wink, before dozing off.

Lucifine was taken aback by Kallisto's hug, and gingerly returned it, careful not to have any of her skin come in contact with the girl's.

"Yes..." Lucifine murmured. "It will come. It must come..."

She let Kallisto go and gave the man one last look.

All that Marius was is in me now... she thought. I cannot fail him. I will honor his last words or die trying...

Lucifine smiled slightly at the girl's wink. She was oddly warmed by it, as she walked into the snow and the night, unaffected by the cold around her.

 

[ultimate_nerdslut]

The next more Kallisto was early to rise. She stretched out trying to brush off the sleepiness that was threatening to send her back to the depths of her blankets. She changed back into a human and began cleaning up the campsite. There were others that proceeded to help her put out the small fire and get the few horses ready. They couldn't leave any traces that they had been here.

Like the Goddess wasn't searching everywhere for them anyway. The wolf girl walked over to where the nameless man slept.

"Time to get going," she said. It was barely dawn, it was imperative that they get moving as quickly as possible. Their evaluation of him would take place on the road. "Get dressed..." She handed him some clothes and leather boots. Everything was left over. She wondered if they would fit him.

"Fetch Lucifine..." She said to one of the mage's young assistants. She wouldn't want to forget the woman.

 

[EHawkins]

The next more Kallisto was early to rise. She stretched out trying to brush off the sleepiness that was threatening to send her back to the depths of her blankets. She changed back into a human and began cleaning up the campsite. There were others that proceeded to help her put out the small fire and get the few horses ready. They couldn't leave any traces that they had been here.

Like the Goddess wasn't searching everywhere for them anyway. The wolf girl walked over to where the nameless man slept.

"Time to get going," she said. It was barely dawn, it was imperative that they get moving as quickly as possible. Their evaluation of him would take place on the road. "Get dressed..." She handed him some clothes and leather boots. Everything was left over. She wondered if they would fit him.

"Fetch Lucifine..." She said to one of the mage's young assistants. She wouldn't want to forget the woman.

Lucifine walked the outskirts of camp in the early dawn. She'd traded off with some of the others from the camp, and now the watch was back around to her. She heard the noisy crunch of snow behind her and turned abruptly. The young mage's assistant, Belan, stood there, nearly out of breath.

"C'mon!" he said. "We're leavin'!"

Lucifine nodded, put her fingers to her lips and made a sharp whistle. There was a phantom whinny as moats of snow stirred and grew larger. The snow on the ground started to shift and a horse-like shape started to paw it's way out of the snow. It gave another whinny as it finished forming, and Lucifine patted its bluish, crystaline mane.

"Good girl..." she murmured.

Belan stared at the snowy beast for a moment, and blinked as Lucifine mounted her horse.

"Let's get going, then." Lucifine said as the offered Belan a gloved hand.

Belan hesitated at first, but he took her hand and swung onto the snow horse's back. Lucifine spurred the horse and they started back to camp.

"Where are you from, Miss?" Belan asked.

"Korinth. In the deep North."

"You're from the Twilight Kingdom..."

"What's left of it." Lucifine said as they rode into camp.

She saw Kallisto and the man amid the bustle of the people who readied the camp to move. The man looked rather odd in clothes that didn't fit him so well, but at least the cloak did.

"Kallisto!" Lucifine called out. "Where are we going?"

 

[ultimate_nerdslut]

She saw Kallisto and the man amid the bustle of the people who readied the camp to move. The man looked rather odd in clothes that didn't fit him so well, but at least the cloak did.

"Kallisto!" Lucifine called out. "Where are we going?"

Kallisto thanked the young lad that brought her the brown beast of burden. It took a few minutes of trying to show the nameless man how to climb up on the animal. She finally had him seated behind her after ten minutes of irritation. She looked up when her name was called and was surprised to see a horse with a blue mane and who would be atop such a steed?

Lucifine and Belan.

"We are going to E'sari." She walked the horse over to the woman. "I have a few cousins there who will give us food and beds. It is there we will rest and figure out a plan..." She said. "It's a few days ride. Unfortunately we have some young with us so we will have to stop frequently even with them all in the cart." She motioned to the horse that had a wooden cart attached to it bearing blankets and children. A strong sturdy man sitting at the head waved to Kallisto.

 

[JckHmmr_2000]

Something strange happened to IceWoman last night. She touched my hair, and seemed... not happy. Strangely, I found myself feeling not well, as if I felt bad because she did. Is this some form of mortal magic?

----------

I do not remember much of this activity called "sleep," but I know that I must like it, for I was not pleased when someone interrupted me and took me away from it. Wolfgirl made me place some soft things upon my body -- like the blanket, but constructed to encircle my body with more accuracy.

I prefer the blanker covering, for these garments irritate the skin on the fleshy parts of my body which I sit upon. However, it seems that everyone here must cover their bodies with similar items, therefore, I feel it is best for me to do as they do.

Last night, it dawned on me that I must accept my current situation as quickly as possible, so that I may adapt quickly, and therefore enhance my chances of survival, and ultimately, ascension.

Wolfgirl tells me to sit upon an animal. I am not certyain why I must place myself upon the animal, and think that this must be unpleasant for the animal. Is itnot bad enough that I must eat some animals to survive? Must I humilate and dominate them so mercilessly?

I learn quickly the benefit fo such ruthless inconsideration. These animals are hardy and strong, and can lend their speed and endurance to a journey.

"I am grateful for your carrying me," I tell the animal as I gently stroke the side of its neck. "In return, I will not eat you."

Wolfgirl then sits herself in front of me upon the animal. I can smell her hair, for it is immediately in front of my nose. Her scent and proximity seem to have an effect upon my body; a pounding sound grows faster inside my chest, and a hardness grows from between my legs.

I remember IceWoman's actions last night. She seemed very disturbed, right before Wolfgirl encircled IceWoman with her arms, and IceWoman returned the gesture. From that gesture, both women seemed to find relief.

Perhaps, I am feeling what IceWoman felt last night. I wonder if it is some sort of disease or illness that transferred from IceWoman to myself. In any case, I believe that I need some sort of relief from my current symptoms, which grow more intense by the second.

I try to encircle Wolfgirl's body with my arms in imitation of their gesture last night. Perhaps this is something that mortals do when emotion overcomes them, and such gestures somehow heal their symptoms.

 

[ultimate_nerdslut]

OOC: Dude you are so funny

IC: Kallisto had been amused with him talking to the horse but suddenly he was hugging her from behind. It was strange how his arms wrapped around her and she quietly looked back at him and wondered if he was alright. He was definitely far from normal and didn't seem to have a firm grasp on reality. She patted his thigh as he hugged her before thinking about what could be bothering him.

"Are you alright..." It was then she realized she knew not his name. She searched the back of her mind before noting that he had never came out and told her... And she had never told him hers.

Hm...

"What may I call you?" She asked after a moment. "You may call me Kallisto," she said. She thought she felt something behind her but she was sure that she was just imagining things. She cast the thought from her mind.

 

[JckHmmr_2000]

"I... do not know if I am alright," I say, feeling quite vulnerable. "I do not know what I am feeling, and do not even know if it is bad or good."

I blow out some of her hair strands that got sucked into my mouth when I spoke.

"Why do you want to call me -- am I not right here behind you?" I ask, puzzled at her query. "And why do you wish me to call you Kallisto?"

I shake my head, thoroughly confused. I realize that I must be proving to be quite a burden to Wolfgirl, and do not wish to invoke further impatience and irritation from her.

"Please, I... need your help. I am very new to all... THIS. Am I not supposed to encircle you with my arms, like you and the ice woman did last night -- so I can feel better? Did I not encircle you correctly?"

 

[ultimate_nerdslut]

Kallisto was confused as to what exactly was going on. She sighed and had to admit that she was not hating him. He was a calm enough person and was entertaining to be sure.

"My name is Kallisto..." She said. It hadn't been long since they had set out on their journey. "And I want to know what your name is..." She said trying to keep from laughing and from getting irritated with the man. She wanted this journey to go smoothly and she was sure that he was going to make sure it didn't. Of course Kallisto thought that he would be doing such a thing unintentionally.

"It's called a hug," she explained setting her hand upon his. She patted his hand reassuringly and left it to sit there on his. "You're hugging me just fine," she reassured. "Why do you seek comfort?" She asked as they continued on the horse. She knew that he said he was feeling things andthat he didn't know what theywere.

"I promise once we stop I will give you a proper hug," she said with a soft chuckle.

 

[JckHmmr_2000]

"Name?" I say, thinking that things are getting more complicated much quicker than I would like. "I had a name once. It has been so long since I've heard it uttered in prayer... or even in vain... Father always told me to listen to my prayers. Now, I finally see some of the wisdom behind His words."

I pause for a few seconds in reflection.

"It does not matter," I say, triumphantly, as I realize a few more things. "If I do not know my own name, then it was a name probably not worth remembering. I shall acquire a new name, and then, once I have it, you may call me by that name as much as you would like."

I smile, after hearing my own declaration. It feels good to declare; now I know why heraldic cherubs and seraphs do it so much. After a few seconds of feeling good about myself, I realize something else, and my shoulders slump accordingly.

"Unfortunately, I do not know where or how to acquire a name," I confess to Wolfgirl called Kallisto. "How did you acquire yours? And does everyone have one?"

I wait for her answer, and listen intently. After a few moments, she asks me why I seek comfort.

"Who is Comfort?" I reply. That seems to be a strange sounding name...

 

[ultimate_nerdslut]

Kallisto was finding that the more she spoke with this man the stronger her headache grew. She listened intently as he declared what he was planning. Of course this would not do at all because she needed a name to call him. She would not have a strange man hugging her who she only knew as 'that man'. "You don't know your own name?" She asked. Of course... everything would be too simple if he knew his name.

The wolf groans slightly as she rubs her forehead. "Your father is usually the one that names you. But I will give you a name for now," she said as if hoping that he would calm down a bit after that. "How about Faolan?" She asked. "Does this name suit you?" She asked.

Again his question stirs more questions of her own. "When I say comfort I do not mean a person... I mean why do you want a hug? Are you afraid? Sad? Mad? Confused?" She asked. Trying to keep another question at bay. "These are all feelings that normally make people need hugs." She said. "People who feel like this are comforted by hugs," she continued.

"Do you feel any of those?" She asked. Why was she even bothering with him? He was driving her crazy... Was she really that lonely?

 

[JckHmmr_2000]

"My name is... FALLING?" I ask, thinking back to my rapid descent yesterday. "Alright. That seems... apt."

I then listen to her questions.

"I do not know what I am feeling, for I have never... FELT before," I say, matching her patience. I realize that my arms still encircle the woman, and find that they are starting to feel uncomfortable from the exertion. I let my arms rest upon her body, and realize that I like the way she feels.

"Your body is nothing like mine," I state as my hands explore the contours of her shape. "I like... hugging. I wish to hug you more."

Questions suddenly fill my mind, mostly about this new activity I like -- perhaps even more than "sleeping."

"Do you like hugging? Did you like hugging the other woman? Does she like hugging you? I think I would like to hug her, too. Is her body anything like yours?"

 

[ultimate_nerdslut]

She had not meant Falling but he seemed to like it. She agreed to call him Falling. It was better than 'Man' or 'Guy' that much was for sure. Kallisto is oddly aware of the fact that he is no longer hugging her and while that is fine she is still thinking about it.

"My body is supposed to be different." She laughed. "I am a woman. You are a man. Women are meant to be soft... Men should be more defined..." She explained. She started coughing when he admitted he wanted to hug her more. "If that is what you want..." She said trying to figure out why he would want to do such a thing.

"Yes... it was nice to hug her.... but I do not know if she liked hugging me and I do not know if I really liked hugging her. Her body is different than mine but it's not bad." She was having a hard time with this now. "Faolan... Is that why you hugged me? Because you saw Lucifine and I hugging last night?" She asked before explaining, upon his asking, who Lucifine was.

 

[JckHmmr_2000]

"Yes, that is part of the reason, I suppose," I reply. "I felt strange, new sensations when you sat in front of me upon this animal, and I thought that my body was ailing. When you and Lucifine hugged, I thought you did that because she felt bad. So, I thought that I should hug you, even though I am not sure whether I actually felt BAD. In retrospect, I think I actually like the sensation you evoke in me. Now, I think I know why there is such a thing as hugging."

I pause to visually examine the young woman in front of me. I move a little bit away from her, so that I can get a broader view of her body, which now intrigues me to great extent.

"I wish to examine your body without these coverings upon you. I like touching you. It makes me feel... good. Touching you and hugging you feels better than eating or sleeping. I wish to do this more now."

 

[ultimate_nerdslut]

"Hugging is meant to make people feel good." she said. It was pretty simple. She knew that she felt better with a hug. Kallisto felt him shifting and wondered what it was that he was looking at. But didn't want to ask because she really didn't want to know exactly what it was he was looking at.

Kallisto's eyes grew to the size of dinner plates.

"You want to what?" She asked going into panic mode. She had never gotten quite that request so bluntly before. Why was she blushing so hard?

 

[EHawkins]

Lucifine moves through the Caravan...

Lucifine took turns riding point with some of the more able fighters of the caravan on the way to E'sari.
Every once in a while, people gave her snow steed odd looks, but paid her no mind for the most part.

When she was satisfied that no one was lost or lagging behind, she slid back into the caravan’s ranks until the point rider came to her again for her turn. Lucifine idly listened to Kallisto and the man’s chatter. The wolf girl had decided to call him “Faolan”, but somehow, it came out “Falling”

Lucifine didn’t look at the other two as she trotted along side them. Her snow-white hair was tousled by the winter wind but she was impervious to its icy fingers.

“Not ‘Falling’” Lucifine said to the man. “Faolan”

Only it came out fay-o-lawn, with her northern Korinthian accent. She looked at the man for a moment, unsure if the name suited him or not, and decided that it didn’t matter. If he had amnesia from his fall, perhaps he’d remember his own name in time.

Amnesia… Lucifine thought. total amnesia… that would explain a lot of his strangeness

"Yes, that is part of the reason, I suppose," I reply. "I felt strange, new sensations when you sat in front of me upon this animal, and I thought that my body was ailing. When you and Lucifine hugged, I thought you did that because she felt bad. So, I thought that I should hug you, even though I am not sure whether I actually felt BAD. In retrospect, I think I actually like the sensation you evoke in me. Now, I think I know why there is such a thing as hugging."

I pause to visually examine the young woman in front of me. I move a little bit away from her, so that I can get a broader view of her body, which now intrigues me to great extent.

"I wish to examine your body without these coverings upon you. I like touching you. It makes me feel... good. Touching you and hugging you feels better than eating or sleeping. I wish to do this more now."

Kallisto's eyes grew to the size of dinner plates.

"You want to what?" She asked going into panic mode. She had never gotten quite that request so bluntly before. Why was she blushing so hard?

Lucifine’s brow furrowed at Faolan’s sudden advances towards young Kallisto. She saw that the girl was uncomfortable and gently grabbed the reigns of their horse. It slowed while the rest of the caravan slowly drifted on around them.

“Your horse looks tired from carrying two for so long.” Lucifine said quietly. “Why don’t you ride with me for a while, Kallisto…”

She didn’t want to make too much of a scene over this, but if ‘Faolan’ was making Kallisto uncomfortable, Lucifine wouldn’t have it.

Faolan and I are going to have a little talk later about decency towards young women… Lucifine thought, as she offered the wolf girl her hand.