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Post by Blindside Tex on Mar 14, 2021 22:59:02 GMT -5
Armin was in the middle of taking a drink of his wine when she answered. He nearly spit his wine out and he coughed as he choked on it slightly. His crystal hues looked to Willow, curiosity in his eyes. “Did you um….mean fifteen perhaps?” He gave a playful smile.
Rose shook her head, “No she clearly stated fifty.” Her eyes were locked on Willow now. “Ignatius has some interesting tastes. Or so my father told me.” She tilted her head slightly. “My father’s pack served beneath Ignatius years ago. He is a filthy criminal of an Alpha.” It seemed everyone at the table was in agreement with the lycan in this moment. She drew her brows together as she shifted in her seat. “So what are you then girl, you’re clearly not a human.”
Kai drew in a breath and glanced to Rose. “Rose she may not even be aware of it. Perhaps the Silverfang did something to her. You’ve heard of the hybrids...you have told me some of your father’s stories.”
Rose looked to Kai with her brows drawn together, her eyes softened. “Perhaps you’re right.” She looked back to Willow and then took her last bite of her food. “I want to know what exactly it is. Armin.” She looked to the lycan carefully. “Tomorrow, you’ll tell me. Yes? Otherwise...you’re not getting your decision.” She narrowed her eyes at him slightly.
Armin drew in a breath. He shifted in his seat almost uncomfortably. He knew what she was threatening. “Of course.” He replied. He glanced to Willow.
“Don’t give her an ultimatum like that.” Kai spoke up. “She’s a good cook. I thought you liked her Rose.” She smiled and reached for her bottle of wine and poured more into her glass. She drank quickly from it.
“Well. We need to know what we are dealing with. If you’re more than just a human, Willow. Perhaps we should prepare for the Silverfang to want to retrieve you...” Rhett spoke as he stood from his empty plate. “Dinner was exceptional. I’ve much to do.” He turned and left the room.
Rose looked to Kai. “She’s gone. If we don’t figure this out.” She spoke. “Got that?” She looked to Willow before she stood and left the room. “Darling.” She chased after Rhett.
Armin let out a long sigh and leaned forward as he closed his eyes for a moment. “Please tell me you have an answer, Willow.” He spoke.
“She may not, brother.” Kai spoke and then looked to Willow. “Do you?” She asked curiously.
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Post by Nyte on Mar 14, 2021 23:15:43 GMT -5
The sudden reaction to her simple answer caused Willow to jump. What had she said? It wasn't anything to surprising in her mind. Many servants to wolves were taken when they were children. It made it easier for them to be taught what to expect from their masters. The confusion was clear on her expression. "But I am human.." she stated softly though her words went unheard as the family bickered about what they were now dealing with.
Willow was suddenly caught between not understand why Ignatius had lied to her about either her age or that she was human, or these wolves were very confused. The latter seemed highly unlikely. They didn't keep servants but they interacted with humans regularly and it stood to reason that they understood the basics about humans at the very least. As Rhett stated that they needed to figure out exactly what Willow was and then departed from the dinning room she sank into her chair a bit as Kai and Armin turned to her with more questions. She had a sinking feeling that she wasn't going to be able to give them answers they wanted to hear.
"I'm human.. Ignatius told me I'll live roughly two hundred years. Average for a human life span, right?" She glanced from Kai to Armin then back to Kai. "I don't understand. Why is fifty years so shocking? The woman at the bread cart must have been at least a hundred and eighty." Her understanding of the world, despite having been sent out into it so frequently, was sorely lacking. Ignatius had filled her head with whatever knowledge he deemed fit and she took him at his word. She had to. If she questioned him then there were dire consequences.
Her emerald eyes turned to Armin with a pleading look in them. "I promise I'm telling you the truth. I have no reason to lie to you. If I did and you found out you'd send me back to Ignatius. If I go back to him now he'll.." she couldn't bring herself to say what the angry alpha would do in retaliation of her betrayal.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Mar 14, 2021 23:33:05 GMT -5
Kai looked to the frightened woman, her brows rose when Willow spoke that the Alpha of the other pack had stated she would live two hundred years. She poured the last bit of her wine. “I’m going to need more to drink for this...” She spoke as she stood and stepped over to a wine shelf and pulled a bottle of wine from it. She set it on the table and looked to Willow. “Darling I don’t believe you would lie to even the most naive of subjects.” Kai tilted her head slightly, “The sweet old baker in town is about 70 or so. She won’t live much longer. Humans are lucky to live to 100 years...by that time they are so fragile that they can barely care for themselves.” She looked to her brother then. “She’s been tricked, her entire life...” She looked back to Willow. “Imagine...” She took a long drink of her wine and began opening the other bottle.
Armin drew in a breath. He turned his wine glass with his fingertips. “The average human lifespan is what my sister said...100 years, if that. With the disease and illness I would put it around 80. Give or take a few years.” He finished his glass and looked to her. “Do you think...sister...” He turned his crystal eyes to Kai. “I’ve heard of it in the past...only a few...and they are quite far between...she must have some sort of fae blood running through her veins….that would explain everything.” He looked back to Willow. “I have a book.” He smiled to her. “If I am right, it’ll explain a lot of things.” He stood. “Kai, can you handle the clean up?” He asked with a raised brow. “I would but, we are on a tad bit of a time crunch.”
Kai was nearly through her glass, “I’ll meet you in the library.” She nodded. “Don’t fret, Willow. Even if my brother doesn’t fight for you. I certainly will.” She raised up her glass before she finished it off.
Armin nodded to Willow. “Come on then.” He spoke as he led her from the room. He walked quickly through the home. “He took you as a child. It is no wonder you have no concept of the true length of a human life. I’m certain he kills off most of the other humans. So you would have no idea...” He sighed heavily. “Apologies.” He turned to her as he stopped in front of the library. “My knowledge of what I believe you to be isn’t...the best...we’ve only one book on it. My great grandfather wrote it….quite a long time ago.” He opened the door and ushered her into the library. “Have a seat.” He spoke before he stepped away. He lit several candles in the room as the sun was setting. The room took on a lovely glow. But it was bright enough to read. He came back and set a thick old worn leatherback book upon the table. “Have you ever...done something that you can’t quite explain?” He asked curiously. “Something that might be considered magical? Mystical some would call it.” He searched her eyes carefully as if he was looking for something. “If you’re a fae it explains why I had to save you.” He gave a soft laugh and shook his head. “Why I feel so frustrated by you...confused even...I’ve never felt that way around a human...” He seemed to ponder for a moment in thought. This was the most that Armin had spoken to her. He seemed intrigued. He wasn't in a panic. He always seemed to maintain his composure.
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Post by Nyte on Mar 15, 2021 0:10:11 GMT -5
At the very least these two weren't suspicious of her. She was very grateful for that, but that still didn't answer her question on what they were going to do about Willow and her apparent age. When the two explained just how long humans actually lived Willow felt stunned. Only eighty on average? That made their lives so short. She was fifty or so and felt that her life was barely starting. She couldn't imagine just how humans dealt with only so few of years. Though as Armin mentioned something about fae blood Willow tilted her head. "Fae?" She had never heard the term before and had no idea what it might entail.
Normally Willow would have wanted to stay and help Kai clean up after dinner, but given the circumstanced she didn't fight against Armin and followed him out of the dinning room and back to the library. She couldn't help but think of the last time he had brought her here. It had ended with him yelling at her and storming out of the room. She would have to try and avoid that this time.
As the sun began to set and the room darkened Willow's eyes naturally looked to the outside world. She had always been one to enjoy the evening and night time. She could see just as well as any wolf could in the dark and found that the moonlight often helped calm her nerves quite a bit after a stressful day. She wondered if she might be able to go and sit on the balcony as she had done when she first arrived at the manor.
Armin's voice quickly pulled her thoughts back to the present though and she refocused her attention on the matter at hand. When he asked about her having done anything magical or something of the like she thought back to Kai's comment on keeping her ability a secret from when she had touched the man in town. It seemed she wouldn't be able to keep that secret for long. "I can do things others cant. I've always been able to do them." She explained. "I can change a human's mind, not a wolf's, and can make someone forget a memory if I try really hard." She offered.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Mar 15, 2021 10:26:21 GMT -5
Armin tilted his head slightly as he listened to her. “You can do things that others cannot.” He had a bit of a smirk upon his lips. His brows rose when she mentioned that she could change the mind of a human or even make someone forget a memory. “That is an incredible ability…” His brows tugged together slightly. It was as if he was perplexed by this knew knowledge. He sat down next to her and blew a bit of dust off of the old leatherbound book. “This may help you understand a bit more.” He flipped open the book and it had a beautiful drawing of a fairy that flew over a pond with lily pads and a rushing waterfall in the background. The woman was beautiful, with nearly transparent wings.
“I doubt that you were allowed to read any books, otherwise you would know that humans are very short lived beings.” Armin spoke as he flipped the page. “Fae, faerie…fair folk….” He gave a soft smile, “There are many names that I’ve heard over the years all from different sources. Mystery is something that is connected with all of these sources. No one truly has the full background of the fae. Long ago it was said that they were plentiful and that they protected our planet. That they balanced out nature as we know it. Hence the dangerous storms that we have.” He smirked slightly. “In most books they are said to live in mystical caverns or near springs…they are creatures of nature, born of magic.”
It almost sounded as though he was speaking of a fairytale. The book was worn and some of the writing was smudged from the years that the book had endured. There were pages that threatened to fall from the binding of the book. “I want you to read this.” Armin spoke and gave a nod. “It may help you understand…but I’ll have to decide if telling Rose and Rhett that you could possibly be a fae is a good idea or not…”
The door pushed open and Kai walked in, she had her full wine glass in her hand. She sat down across from the two at the table and let out a heavy sigh. “Today has been full of surprises.” She smiled and then looked to Willow. “My brother isn’t boring you is he?” She smirked slightly. “I told you, he isn’t nearly as fun as I am.”
Armin shook his head and chuckled. “It isn’t a case of being boring, Kai.” He looked to Willow then. “Is there anything else that you can think of? Perhaps any moments that you’ve stood out particularly?” He questioned as he gazed into her eyes.
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Post by Nyte on Mar 15, 2021 11:06:03 GMT -5
The way Armin looked at Willow made her cheeks grow warm. It wasnt the appraising look she was used to but one of genuine interest. As he sat next to her and opened the dusty book she leaned forward to stare down at the beautifully illustrated pages. Even the script hand writing was absolutely gorgeous. "Books aren't really considered valuable to the Silverfang." She told Armin. "Unless they're record to keep track of money and contracts."
Her eyes traveled over the pages absorbing the information and as Kai entered the library she gave the woman a soft smile. "He's not boring me at all." She replied and glanced over to Armin. "Quite the opposite actually." She scoot forward in her seat a bit and flipped the pages of the book as she continued to search for some sort of answer.
As the sky continued to darken outside and the moon rose up over the horizon and the silvery rays lit up her face a feint marking began to appear across her forehead. In the center of her brow there was the image of a pale blue crescent moon with a swirling pattern that spread across her brown and down her temples to the sides of her face. She didn't seem to take notice of the markings and simply continued to read the book.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Mar 15, 2021 13:01:28 GMT -5
Armin chuckled slightly and glanced to his sister home offered a smile back to him. "Well that's surprising. Most of the pack finds Armin to be quite boring." She sipped from her wine glass. Her cheeks were a rosy pink. It was evident that she had consumed quite a bit of alcohol. She leaned back in her chair and let out a sigh as she tilted her head back. "This though, this is relaxing. As boring as a library can be. It is quiet."
"It isn't very quiet with you in her, Kai." Armin smirked as he looked to his sister whom was relaxed in her chair.
"Oh whatever, Armin. I'm good company." Kai opened her eyes and then she sat up and leaned froward. "What..." She tilted her head and leaned across the table. Her hand reached out and she touched Willow's cheek where the swirling pattern spread over her face. "Would you look at that brother?" She smiled as she sat back down. "I'm not seeing things am I?"
This caught Armin's attention as well he grinned slightly. "I think we are on to something, hm?" He stood. "I want to see something, Willow." He grabbed the book. "Come on." He led her from the room with Kai in tow behind the two. He led them up the stairs and down the hallway to what could be assumed to be his room. Armin set the book down on a small desk that held several books and parchments as well as ink wells and other calligraphy items. "Come here." He took Willow's hand his grasp was gentle as he led her out onto the balcony. He turned so that the moon would cast upon her skin better than it had in the library. He tilted his head slightly as he looked her over. "That's beautiful." He spoke and touched her cheek, his thumb ran along the markings.
Kai stepped out onto the balcony as well, a smirk curved up her lips. "Do you need a private room, Armin?" She poked fun at him. "He's right though...have you ever seen yourself in the moonlight dear?" She asked as she held up a small handheld mirror that she'd grabbed off of the dresser in Armin's room. "If you're not a fae I'm not sure what else to call you." She smirked slightly.
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Post by Nyte on Mar 15, 2021 14:10:23 GMT -5
When Kai touched her cheek Willow paused in confusion. She vaguely remembered markings on her face but she hadn't seen them in years. It had been so long she had completely forgotten about them. As the two stared at her she reached up to touch her own face but she could only feel the smooth skin where the markings were.
Following Armin out of library she glanced back, as if to check that Kai was indeed following them, and was glad to see she was keeping up. Once they arrived at the room she glanced around the room, making a quick mental note of the room, and allowed Armin to lead her out to the balcony.
While within the house, away from the moonlight, the markings upon her face disappeared completely. Though as soon as she stepped outside once more they quickly appeared once more. The markings were bright, almost shining in a way, and she felt herself blush once more as Armin brushed his fingers against her cheek.
As he looked at her she felt herself melt under the gaze of his brilliant blue eyes. She hadnt allowed herself to think of him as handsome but looking at him now she couldn't stop the intrusive thoughts. She even found herself hoping he quickly came to understand his own draw to her so she knew what she might mean to the man.
When Kai handed her the mirror she tore her gaze away from Armin and looked to the image of her reflection. "I've seen them a couple of times." She admitted. "Not since I was child though.." Ignatius didn't often let her outside at night. Even when she ran errands she was to cover her face and avoid villages and towns at night. The only time she got to enjoy the evening air was when she opened the small window in her bedroom.
Standing out in the night air, free from the confines of a small room and an oppressive master, Willow felt suddenly very.. alive. Like taking the first deep breath after almost drowning. She looked out to the garden below and had a since of longing. As shebglwnced back towards the house she found she did not look forward to going back inside. "If I am one of these fae creatures.. what does that mean for me being able to stay? Rose didn't seem happy that I'm.. not human?" It was still a strange concept for her to grasp.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Mar 15, 2021 19:42:26 GMT -5
Armin took in a breath, a bit of a smirk curved up his lips. He felt the heat rush into her cheek that he had his thumb against and he removed his hand and took a step back from her. He leaned against the balcony and crossed his arms as he looked to her curiously. "You've seen them a few times. But let me guess...Ignatius wouldn't allow you outside at night. Because that my dear is a dead give away that you are most certainly not a human. It's so magical." He grinned and looked to his sister.
Kai chuckled and took a sip from her wine. "Let me see." She reached up and brushed a bit of hair from Willow's face. "Hm Rose isn't happy with anything." She frowned and then rolled her eyes. "She can't stop Armin from his decision, as much as she would like. Right brother?" She glanced to her brother as she sipped on her wine once more. She leaned against the house. "To think, I've been around for nearly three centuries and I have never seen one of your kind."
Armin's crystal hues were still upon Willow, almost as if he couldn't pull his eyes away from her. His jaw was slightly loosened. He was in awe. "Being a Fae puts you at a bit of a danger." He tilted his head slightly. "A lot of the fae ran into hiding years ago because humans, wolves, vampires...all of the beings discovered that their magic is so pure that it could be harvested from some. So we would have to worry about keeping you safe..." He shoved his hands into his pockets his crystal hues still remained upon her. "Rose is uncomfortable with anything that is difficult. She wants the power of an Alpha but because my sister and I do not see her as above us, she struggles with that by simply having a poor attitude. Though Kai doesn't help in that department. Hm?" He glanced to his sister a moment before his eyes returned to Willow. "My father told me stories of the fae, when he was very young. That the wolves used to protect your kind long ago. Before greed got in the way. It explains why I had such an urge to protect you from that mutt and to keep you safe." He tilted his head slightly. "I've never quite done that before for anyone that is not my family or my pack. But I had such an overwhelming sensation, my wolf screamed that I needed to protect you I needed to save you." He crossed his arms.
"He never listens to his wolf." Kai commented before she finished off her glass of wine. "You look, alive, Willow." She complimented.
"She does, hm? Much like that of a lycan that changes for its first time." He glanced back to Willow. "You feel free. For once you can truly breathe. The world around you becomes lighter. The sounds are more crisp. Everything feels as though you have boosted its existence by 100 times." He chuckled lightly. "Or perhaps that is just a trait in lycans." He smirked to her. "No need to worry, Willow. I will protect you. My wolf has charged me with that at least...if you would like to be protected that is."
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Post by Nyte on Mar 16, 2021 0:03:21 GMT -5
Willow was still processing everything. She wasn't human, she wasn't a wolf, but something far more rare. It was like she was living in a dream and was terrified that she was going to wake up from it at any given moment. If what they said was true it made a lot of sense as to why Ignatius treated her the way he had. Keeping her away from others, sending her away when he had meetings, and just his general demeanor towards her overall. If she was something he coveted then of course he would want to keep her separate from the others.
"I do not want to return to Ignatius. I hate to ask you to put yourself in danger for me but.. I can promise I'll do what I can to pay you back. I practically owe you my life." She told Armin. Him asking if she felt free a small glint appeared in her eye as a smile pulled at the corners of her lips. "Maybe.." She wasn't willing to admit that she did in fact feel more free than she ever had. "This is so much to take in. This morning I woke up a servant with no hope my life would ever improve, and now... I'm far away from Ignatius and his pack. I at least feel like I can take a deep breath without someone being cross with me." She shrugged. "I'd like to know more about these fae, and if I truly am one I wish I could figure out where I came from."
Ignatius had told her that her parents sold her to him. A trade to ensure they escaped the pack with their lives and that they were glad to give her up to save their own hides. She had resented the fact that her parents, people who were supposed to love and care for her, hadn't fought for her in the slightest. Now she even question this. What had Ignatius done to obtain her? Where did she come from and were there others like her out there somewhere in the world? "I don't suppose that's really possible to figure out though. It's not like they would know me if I could find out anyway." She frowned a little once more. "Or maybe Ignatius killed them." It was a very real possibility.
She rested her hand on the railing of the balcony and glanced back out to the garden below. Her emerald hues took on a soft, silvery color to them and the markings along her face began to etch further designs into her skin, extending down the side of her neck, over her shoulders and extending down her back and arms all the way to her hands. She didn't seem to feel them though and only took notice when she saw the movement over the top of her forearms. "Why is this happening?" She asked in a bit of confusion and held up her hands. "I didn't do anything." She promised.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Mar 16, 2021 10:55:30 GMT -5
Armin gazed over the woman, the same mesmerized look filled with crystal hues. He crossed his arms over his chest as he leaned against the balcony railing. “If I am not putting myself in danger by fighting other packs, it may as well be for something meaningful.” He shrugged slightly.
Kai punched her brother’s shoulder playfully. “Oh I’m not worth putting your life on the line hm?” She smirked and then grinned as she looked to Willow. Her smile faded slightly as the woman stated that Ignatius may have killed her family. She wouldn’t put it passed the mutt to do such a thing. He was aggressive. She gave a soft sigh, “Well, perhaps he did not kill them.” She placed her hand upon Willow’s back gently and then moved to stand next to her. She looked out over the lights of the city in the distance with a soft smile upon her lips. “Armin will help you find the answer, won’t you brother?” She glanced to her brother. Though something caught her eyes. Her crystal hues gazed to Willow, to her silvery eyes and then to the markings that moved down her arms.
Armin stepped forward and reached for her arm. He set Willow’s hand upon his forearm gently and he looked over the markings as he tilted his head slightly. “I couldn’t tell you.” He spoke as he traced along the markings curiously. “Perhaps it is time that you read that book, hm?” He gave a bit of a smirk to her. “It may have more answers than I could ever give you. I haven’t read it cover to cover. Just a few passages here and there. But…I imagine…it must have some form of information that could help.” He stepped back inside.
Kai glanced over her shoulder to her brother and then to Willow. “You must be shocked.” She spoke. “Your day has been filled with quite a few twists and turns. Armin doesn’t sleep much, don’t let him keep you up too late. If you need to rest, just tell him.” She chuckled lightly. Then a sound caught her attention. Kai’s eyes melted to the honey color and she gazed down into the forest. Her lip curled slightly. A beautiful white wolf came leaping from the forest, it had striking honey hues. Another wolf leaped from the foliage, the pelt was black as the night and the eyes only seemed to deepen into another darkness. Kai took in a breath as the hues of the two wolves settled in on them. She grasped Willow’s arm, “Come on.” She spoke as she gave a gentle tug and pulled her back inside, her fangs were visible as she spoke. A howl came from the front courtyard of the home.
Armin was at the door before they even entered. “What’s going on?” He questioned his sister.
“Just Rose and Rhett.” Her voice was a bit of a growl. “I’m sure she took him out for a kill…” She drew in a breath and glanced to Willow her eyes still honey colored.
Armin shut the door to the balcony and then gazed to Willow. “Rose isn’t as horrible as we make her out to be.” He gave a weak smile.
“Yes. She is.” Kai snapped. “Don’t let him give you false hopes. She’s poison. Just look at how our brother has changed.” She crossed her arms.
“Kai.” Armin spoke his voice calm. He then looked to Willow. “Do you feel alright?” He asked curiously as he looked to see if the swirls were still upon her skin.
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Post by Nyte on Mar 16, 2021 13:49:37 GMT -5
They were all at a loss for what to do about the new discovery concerning Willow's origin. Though she was hopeful that something in the book from Armin's grandfather could help sort it out, or at least point them in the right direction. The markings along her arms and hands were made of swirls that almost looked like vines crawling down her skin. The silvery glow to them with the pale blue stood out sharply against her skin. As Armin went back inside and she was left with Kai on the balcony she smiled and shook her head. "I'm not tired. Not anymore." She told her honestly. Before coming outside she felt as if she could lay down and sleep for at least a whole day, but now she felt like she had the best night's rest of her life.
When Willow turned to see the two wolves emerge from the forest Willow immediately felt the rush of panic course through her system. Even with how much she enjoyed being outside she didn't argue when Kai pulled her back inside the door and out of sight from the other two. Her markings were quite bright and if they got close enough it would be almost impossible to hide. Though as soon as she stepped into the shadows of the house and the moonlight no longer touched her skin the markings began to fade away completely. She still still felt rejuvenated in a way but she was definitely less energetic now than she was just a moment prior.
"I'm fine." She reassured Armin as he inquired on her wellbeing and gave him a smile. "Isn't Rhett going to want to know what we found out though? Keeping it secret at this point.." she looked over to Kai "is a bit difficult." Looking past Kai she saw the old tome sitting on the desk where Armin had placed it when they walked into the room. She walked to the desk and as she reached to pick it up but just before her fingers could touch it the book suddenly flew open as a wind blew through the room and flipped through the pages. She pulled her hand back out of surprise with a small gasp. The wind only lasted for a moment though and the pages quickly settled on a passage with the depiction of a woman appearing to be partially merged with a tree.
The passage next to the depiction spoke of a type of fae folk who could cultivate other living things around them and increase their strength. Plants became more lively and vibrant, animals healed their wounds or cured illnesses. There were even accounts of the fae extending the life span of some beings. The most striking thing about the passage and woman was the mention of the markings that each fae bore on their bodies. It told of their age and from which clan they were born to. The color of their markings was also indicative of their overall strength but the writer of the book was unsure exactly what colors meant what.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Mar 16, 2021 19:38:36 GMT -5
Armin gave a bit of a smile and a nod. "Yes, we are going to have to tell him. But right now we are gathering as much information as we can. Hm?" He watched as the swirls disappeared from her skin. Armin watched as she moved across the room and then the sudden gust of wind pushed the book open and the pages flapped about.
"What...." Kai spoke, she stood near the book and Willow, her eyes had widened slightly. Her hair fiery locks were pushed around by the wind that pushed through the room. Kai tilted her head slightly as she gazed to the passage that the book had been opened to. "How interesting." She spoke as she read the passage, her brows tugged together. "That would make sense why Ignatius wanted to have you at his side. If you were to be this sort of Fae...which your markings do look a lot like this image hm?" She lifted her eyes and looked to Willow.
There was a knock at the door then. Armin looked to the door with furrowed brows. He stepped over and opened it to reveal his brother. "Rhett." He spoke as he stepped aside.
Rhett stepped into the room. "Well, how has the information come along?" He questioned curiously. He looked to Kai whom had closed the book swiftly when the knock had come from the door.
Rose stepped into the room behind Rhett. "She's a Fae." She spoke as she strode across the room and gazed over Willow. "Aren't you?" She questioned a bit of a smile upon her lips. "I saw your markings beneath the moonlight. I've only seen that when I saw my first Fae when I was a child. South of the Silverfang pack's territory. There is a forest there that teams with magic. You can feel it the moment you walk in." She gently grasped Willow's arm and pulled her over toward the door that led outside so that the moonlight cascaded over her. A grin split her lips then. "Well, welcome into our pack's protection then. I suppose you won't be running in the hunt after all." She looked over the markings that appeared by the stream of moonlight upon Willow's skin. "I bet he stole you from your kin. I wouldn't put it passed that mutt. He will do anything to gain any sort of power. Now we just have to determine exactly what it is that you offer." She glanced to the book that Kai held in her hands. "What's that?" She questioned and took it from her grasp. She flipped it open and tilted her head slightly as she turned through the pages quickly. "Huh...I never knew that your pack was so close to the fae." She glanced to Rhett with a quizzical look in her eyes.
"Our great grandfather was around during the time that the fae mingled freely. Before the other beings on this planet decided to use the fae for their power." Armin spoke up. "Don't get any ideas, Rose." He moved swiftly across the room and put himself between Willow and Rose.
Rose chuckled as she looked to Armin. "You really think I want to hurt her? Silly pup." She closed the book and shoved it into his chest. "Not at all. She's under our protection now. You'll live a much better life here, Willow." Rose stepped around him and reached to touch the markings on Willow's cheek. "My father may know more about where you are from. After the hunt I am set to visit him. If you would like, you may come." She nodded and then turned with a yawn. "I do believe I am going to turn in for the evening." Rose glanced to Kai whom was clearly on edge. She grasped Rhett's hand and pulled him from the room. It was clear that she made a lot of the decisions for the pack, even though she was not the Alpha.
Kai let out a long breath. "Oh she may not want to hurt you but she wants to figure out just how she can use you." She growled, her eyes honey colored for a moment before the blue returned. She looked to Willow and crossed her arms over her chest. Kai took in a deep breath and shook her head. "Apologies." She gave a smile. "We will figure this out Willow. Not that I believe you would, but you're not going with her to visit her father. I don't trust it."
Armin shifted and handed the book back to Willow. "Let's just see what we can learn." He nodded. "I won't let Rose do anything to you." He assured her. "At least my wolf won't." He laughed as he looked to his sister. "Kai, would you prepare a room for her?" He asked.
"Of course my liege." Kai bowed deeply, but she was a bit wobbly from the amount of alcohol she'd consumed. She laughed and then gave her brother a playful shove before she stepped from the room. "I'll be right across the hall." She called over her shoulder as she left the room.
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Post by Nyte on Mar 16, 2021 20:46:23 GMT -5
Willow had no idea what had caused the book to open the way it did. However as she read the text and observed the image she felt an instant connection to it. She couldn't explain how but she knew that whatever had opened the book wanted her to find that specific page.
As she heard the knock on the door Willow jumped slightly and was internally grateful that Kai had closed the book. She didn't fully trust Rhett. It wasnt because of something he had done. Actually he had been very kind, but as soon as Rose entered the room she had a pit form in her stomach. Something about the woman put her on edge. It didn't help when Rose hauled her over towards the window. Before when Kai and Armin had been observing her markings she felt a but shy but still rather comfortable with their observations. With Rose she felt like she had just been stripped bare and was being evaluated and appraised.
Willow flinched away from Rose's hand when she reached to touch her cheek. Then as she mentioned her father she immediately knew she didn't want to go anywhere with her. Even if she could find answers the risk wasn't worth it. When Rose and Rhett finally left the room she gave a sigh of relief. The woman was terrifying in more ways than one.
When Kai left to prepare the room Willow would stay in she looked to Armin. "I havent really thanked you yet. For everything." She told him. "I really do appreciate it, and I hope that some day I can repay the favor." She looked down to her hands as she played with her fingers. "Can I ask you something? You keep saying your wolf chose to help me and.. protect me. What does that mean exactly? Isn't your wolf.. you?" She had never understood the difference and had always been to scared to ask.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Mar 16, 2021 21:04:30 GMT -5
Armin looked to Willow and he gave a smile, "No need to worry about such trivial things." He spoke, "In time I'm certain that you'll do something to aid me, just as I have for you." He stepped over to the doorway and gazed out to the night but he stayed within the room. Willow's next question seemed to send him into thought. "Well, yes." He spoke after a long moment. "My wolf is as much me as I am it." He turned to her and stepped to her, he gazed into her eyes. "It is more of a figure of speech I suppose." He gave a soft laugh with a small smile. "You see, the wolf is more instinctual, less....thought process. I am generally known by the pack to think actions through to the point that I will talk myself out of performing an action that I will later regret. Now, if I were to only listen to my wolf. Or, my instinctual side...I might do some of the other things with the pack. I may fit in a bit better. I might not argue with my brother nearly as much. However, that is not who my father raised me to be. He too set his wolf to the side and used more of an intellectual approach. Each pack...to survive I believe needs at least one wolf with this trait. Kai...kind of thinks things through, a bit...but as you noticed when she is angry her eyes change. That is her giving into the animistic side of her being." Armin drew in a breath in thought.
"To be quite honest, I rounded the corner and I could feel your fear. I could hear your pulse. I didn't think in that moment. Normally I would tell myself it isn't worth saving a human. For every human I save another pack with turn another human into a slave, so why would I bother with just one girl?" He raised a brow slightly. "But you're not that..." He searched her eyes a long moment. "You're quite far from just that and my instincts knew that there was something different about you...and for the first time in a long time I listened to my instincts and made a rash decision." He drew in a long breath, "I'm not normally like that unless it is Kai in danger, or perhaps another member of the pack." He laughed lightly. "I'm glad I listened though." He motioned to the book. "I do hope that helps you discover more about yourself..."
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