Author: Elizabeth, Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2017 6:45 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

“I’m used to hunting as well… I supposed that we’re just two wild people who aren’t very civilized.” Liz joked with him as they ate the food. It was really good but nothing like what she was used to. There was a gentle smile on her face as they talked over their dinner. They were so oddly close for two people who seemingly had a lot in common yet not enough.

She drained the rest of her wine and stood up with him laughing. “This little youngster grew up with Rosenites. She can dance like no one you’ve ever met before.”

Together they did the waltz and before long she was showing him traditional Arriese dancing. They had a blast and they laughed together. They fell down together and most importantly they helped each other.

When they got home that night they went up to their room and just collapsed on the bed together after changing. She put her head into Krystopher’s chest and closed her eyes. She couldn’t bare to say the words that wanted to leave her lips so soon so she remained silent as she kissed his cheek. “Thank you for the wonderful night Krys…”

Author: Krystopher, Posted: Sun Sep 10, 2017 7:42 AM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

“Perhaps she may have her own little secrets that you don’t know about”, Krys offered back. They all had their skeletons in the closets and no matter how close people were to each other, one couldn’t fully know every single detail. That was sort of how he was to all that knew him- he had his mysteries and secrets. His brother, sisters, even his previous lovers didn’t know him completely. But then again, he was sure that she would have some that would be too deeply buried for him to know as well. They had that in common too.

Krystopher couldn’t hide his amusement at Liz’s jumpiness, it seemed like she was out of her element and her normally composed self didn’t know how to handle his attention. It might have been slightly bad of him, but he couldn’t help but to have some fun in this. “Of course you don’t…”

The evening quickened as their meals and drinks arrived and he was thankful for her help since he didn’t quite know Arriese yet, unlike his brother that was forced to. But the food was really good, as was the wine that they were enjoying. “I can see that you aren’t used to eating like this? Me neither. Haven’t had a good meal in a very long time. Used to hunting and cooking my own meals.”

A cocky smirk came over his lips as he finished his wine and stood up from his seat. “Can’t remember if I can. Guess my age is catching up to me…” Moving over to her side, he held out his hand for hers to take before leading her onto the floor. “Question is has  the little youngster been taught?” It had been ages since he danced with another- it had been with his wife when they first got married. He could hazily remember that day as he led Liz into a waltz, slowly stepping about with one hand on her waist and the other joined with hers. With her, it was much more easier since she was closer to his height.    

Author: Elizabeth, Posted: Sun Sep 3, 2017 5:11 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

“Careful your face might get stuck like that,” she returned his jest as she watched his rather large smile. She put her arm in his as they walked. “Lily sticks to herself unless she doesn’t.” Liz seemed amused with her rather vague answer. “They are more in control of the businesses around the docks. You’ll meet Aunt Lily eventually, she’s not really anything like Aunt Toya or Mom…” she chuckled a bit more. “Kirika is even more different.” Speaking of the Black Court queen she looked up instinctively at the house that sat on the hill of Sularia. The manor of the Black Court was now in sight.

Liz nodded a bit with him. “Think that was the last time I ate as well… and Aunt Toya was giving me the stink eye the entire time.” She chuckled as her thoughts drifted back to the breakfast entertainment that morning.

“I’ll say… I didn’t think she was interested in things like this,” Liz mused lightly as she looked around with her blush. “Maybe I will!” She jumped at his breath against her ear and chuckled. Liz sat down in the chair as he pulled it out and immediately grinned a bit stupid as he winked at her. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She played dumb with him.

Soon they were brought some of Arri’s best rose wine and were given a number of Arriese dishes to choose from. If Krystopher needed help with figuring out the meals Liz was quick to fill him in. Before long they finished and she poured them each a glass of the wine. “This may be way too fancy for my blood.” It must have been funny hearing it from a princess but Liz never really lived like one. She was more a force of nature than anything.

“So… Does the Old Man know how to dance?” Liz chuckled at him. “I think I want to see if he does.”

Author: Krystopher, Posted: Wed Aug 9, 2017 12:23 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

He didn’t think that she was lazy or anything of the like. If anything at all, Krystopher thought she was absolutely shunning. He thought she was overthinking things again. “Sometimes it's best to do things simple. This isn’t an extravagant night, it is one that we can share in good setting and just be ourselves, he reassured Liz with a smile. But she looked very happy and excited for the night, perhaps her first ever. As for Krys, it wasn’t the first time courting; he had his fair share but he was also looking forward to this night. He pondered if it meant her mother was accepting of him courting her. “Careful now, your face might get stuck like that if left for too long”, he laughed before came over to her side. At least she was getting used to the idea and feeling more comfortable about this. This in turn made the lycan happy as they would get better acquainted as they explored where this relationship between them went. He was hoping to give her as much enjoyment as possible with everything she went through, but also he would do the same for himself for similar reasons.

He smiled even wider when Liz kissed his cheek. “Come on now. We have a night to enjoy.” He took her arm into his and together they left the house and soon found themselves traveling down the streets. “The Yellow Court, can’t say that I’ve seen much of them. I’m more familiar with the Red, the White and now the Purple Courts.” The Black still eluded him as were the Yellow, but he had heard things about both.

“That sounds good, I’m getting rather hungry. I think in all of the excitement for tonight, I forgot to eat.” He couldn’t help but to laugh a little but in truth, Krystopher was starving. The last time they ate was definitely at breakfast. The travel took quite a distance, yet he didn’t mind with the serene scenery they went through. “Aye, it is.” He looked enthralled by it; it was hard to every picture leaving Sularia once one entered it. Had he not met Liz in the first place, then it was likely that he would missed seeing all of this beauty and would leave without hesitation. But now…he wasn’t so sure.

When they came to the tavern, he couldn’t help but to feel a familiar tingle, but decided to ignore it for the time being and entered it. The true sight of the place was simply amazing. He stared, mouth slightly open as they looked around. The scene was complete with the atmosphere completed with the lighting and music. He could see a few other couples around, carrying on with their own businesses. It was both of their first time here, he soon remembered. “Your mother has good taste all right…” He looked to Liz with her face blushing, “I swear that I’ll worry about you turning into a tomato one day”, he whispered into her ear before leading her over to a table and drew her seat out. “I shouldn’t be too surprised, this city is already filled with many beautiful things…”, he winked at her before taking his own.

Author: Elizabeth, Posted: Sun Aug 6, 2017 6:46 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

The moment his eyes landed on her and her eyes met his there was a blush across her face. It was the way he was looking at her like it was the first time he had ever seen her.

There was a light chuckle from her lips as she moved her hands so she could straighten out his shirt. For a moment her eyes didn’t meet his but finally, when they did she was smiling once more and it was rather large, it could have hurt her face if it stayed there any longer. “That has to be the first time I’ve heard that in such a long time Krystopher. I suppose it just feels lazy to wear the same dress I dread for meetings out on a date with you that I am excited for.”

She blushed once more at his words and took his arm with care. “Thank you, Krys.” She reached up and kissed his cheek softly before they started to make their way to the night garden tavern that her mother had told them about. “I kind of do, I’ve seen it on the way back from the piers. It is a treasure in the Yellow Court for how beautiful all the flowers are. The food is supposed to be among the best in Sularia as well now that I think about it.”

It was weird as they walked together over the many bridges. They walked across the largest bridge where the mighty aqueduct separated the city and she stopped to watch the roaring water as it fell from the tower by the castle. “Isn’t it beautiful Krys? The water is so clear and sparkles in the sunlight…”

After they admired it for a while they came to a large building with a type of dark magic radiating from the top of it. “This it,” she said gently as they entered the doors. The building was pitch black only lit by a few candles here or there in the entryway. They made their way through the corridor until the entire building opened up.

The main part of the gardens was completely lit up by glowing flowers and even the butterflies that moved from flower to flower were glowing in their own light. The tavern was an outdoor style one with soft music and candle lit tables. She blushed a bit. “I’ve never been in here… It’s so beautiful.”

Author: Krystopher, Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2017 8:56 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

Krystopher wasn't the fancy sort, at least not these days, but he had made sure to have formal attire just in case.  He had dug through his clothes on something descent to wear before settling for a dark blue buttoned shirt and black trousers. He slipped into a dress coat and brought out a nice pair of boots before he felt as though he was ready. He didn't know what to expect out of Liz given that he had never seen her in a dress before. Krys was confident though in that her beauty would simply shine with it. As he made his way out, he heard whistling from his brother while he was tracking down his mischief filled wife. "I'll be out", he stated while Blaine smirked, "Don't worry, we'll leave the door unlock…Toya! Where the blasted heavens are you now? You better not be trying to fly on that dragon again!" Krystopher left the house and made it back to hers. His stomach felt slightly unease as he considered that it had been an awful long time since he did something like this. Gods, he hoped he wasn't too rusty. Fortunately he wasn't so sure that Liz had experience in this as well, so this would make for an interesting night. The door opened and he thanked the staff member as he was allowed inside. He glanced up to see her awaiting on the stairs and he couldn't pry his eyes away.

She looked stunning.

Although it was clearly written on her tomato colored face that something was amidst. "What's wrong…" He questioned as she came down to the first floor. Her reason made him shake his head. Clearly she was overthinking it again. "You look beautiful, I don't care about anything else." He kinda had a feeling that she wasn't the type to wear dresses all the time, but he liked what he saw. Then again, they were both wolves and their natural state was without having to bare the burden of clothing themselves to fit in with civil living. That, or she was a tomboy. Either way, it made no difference to him. "You look good all dolled up. Guess you were right in it being a treat." He looked her up and down once more before smiling. "Shall we? I still have no clue as to where your mother had suggested us going to dinner…"

Author: Elizabeth, Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2017 8:38 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

Liz herself left as soon as she parted ways with Krystopher. At least she left the library, she went up to her room and sifted through all of her clothing only to realize the only dress she had in the whole manor was the one she wore to the court meetings. There was an unsatisfied groan that left her lips, it would have to do. The dress hardly felt special after all this time but maybe he would like it.

The dress itself had wide jeweled silk made of white while the bodice and skirt had a thin sheer purple material over a shimmery silky fabric. The top was of a sweet heart design and had the same jeweled fabric around the waist. A silk came up her dominate right leg and she fumbled around to find her nice court shoes as well, the same soft purple color as parts of the dress. She combed her hair out and pinned the front half of it back and left the long white curls to cascade down her shoulders and back. Her court jewelry would have to do as well: the trademark purple rose necklace that most of her court adorned, matching amethyst earrings, and a thin bracelet was all she had.

She made note that she would probably have to change all these things as… she didn’t know what to expect with Krystopher but she couldn’t very well just have the same dress over and over, could she? She groaned a bit more before slinking her way down the staircase once she knew it was time to go.

When the knock came at the door she froze on the staircase while the house staff opened the door for the visitor. She tilted her head as her brown eyes met Krystopher’s figure and immediately her face had gone red, she felt silly mostly because these were rather old clothes but they would do. She finished her descent down as soon as the house staff called for her and she looked a little stiff as she closed the door behind her. “I only had one dress…” She said ashamed of herself. “Is it okay?”

Author: Krystopher, Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2017 11:36 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

“This world is strange indeed with its time flow and doppelgangers and the like. I’ve come to terms with it since my arrival, but it doesn’t make it any less strange even now.” Krystopher was quite aware ever since he came to Revaliir and was kidnapped by the evil Moliira, or more so, the Moliira that was from this realm. For some people, they absorbed their Revaliir counterpart and in other cases, it was quite the opposite. He was unsure where he stood if he even had a counterpart to begin with. Krys still felt like his usual self and wasn’t as complicate as some of the others. Still, one could never really tell at face value.

He was a  bit taken back when her mom was less than subtly hinting them going out to spend some time together. His face rested in his plam while he got to listen to Liz trip over her words. Great. But he had to admit, it would help to make things more formal between them. And it looked like she was getting excited from it. “Sure. Suppose I need to go back and getting changed myself”, he said and when they were ready to go and change, he pardoned himself and headed outside to gate himself back to the White Rose Manor. When he got back, he was made to spill what happened to Aurora, who kept asking questions about what happened and he headed back to his room.

Krystopher changed into garments that were worthy of a nobleman and when he came out, she went off to go tell her equally big mouthed mother about what happened. After making sure to leave the house before anything else happened, Krys crossed through the gate again and he was about ready to go inside the house when a thought crossed him. Instead of doing that, he knocked on the door, wanting to at least make the experience as proper as he could make it.

Author: Elizabeth, Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2017 9:44 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

Cathrine nodded. “Her and Adraejen have been married for… some time now. It’s not been ten years but the flow of time for her and me is a little bit fuzzy. If it weren’t for watching my children grow into beautiful adults I would have never known the passage of time had gone by so fast.”

Liz chuckled a bit at him. “Keep me entertained and we won’t ever have to go down that path.”

There was a glimmer of light in Cathrine’s eyes for a moment. “If I were a part of a couple that was just beginning their story I think I would like to go to the nice tavern within one of the night gardens that are in Lily’s Court. Candle light, fancy clothes, and all that stuff… Just a suggestion.”

Liz looked at her mother and for a moment she was shocked. “Are you giving us date ideas?” For a moment she was utterly flabbergasted.

“I do, on occasion, have good romantic advice.” Cathrine winked at Krys. “So go get changed into a dress and head on over to the night garden. I’ll give you the directions to the one I am talking about. It’s not near any of the brothels so the company should be good too.”

Blushing the half lycanthrope looked at her lover and tilted her head. "What do you say? Wanna live a little with me? Won't get the chance often to see me in a dress." A chuckle left her lips.

Author: Krystopher, Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2017 9:03 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

He couldn’t help but to roll his eyes at her but it was all in play. The last thing he thought of himself was that of a knight- he had been far too selfish and was lured to the dark side. But Krys would let her believe him as such because it was in her right to. Maybe there was something in him that she could see that he could not.

“That’s the last thing she needs. It will only give her a swell head”, he sighed. The thought of Toya wrestling with the creatures wouldn’t have seemed out of place for the likes of her. She was certainly…quirky enough to do so. He grimaced a bit when Liz got him for his jest and her mother replied. “I’d imagine I been doing so, otherwise I’d imagine my eyes been clawed out by now and we’d not have this meeting.” Well, not for this reason they were here for now. But at least he wasn’t like the poor boy they spoke of. “I think I’ve heard that name from Angela. I take it he is her husband?” Fortunately Cathrine was more understanding and sincere about who her daughter pursued. That and like she said, they were both full adults.

“Lucky me then”, Krys retorted before shaking his head smiling. “I’d probably never hear the end of it should we come to that path down the road.”

Author: Elizabeth, Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2017 7:49 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

She winked at him and chuckled. “More like a handsome black knight. You aren’t white at all when you are running in your wolf form. Don’t want you to outshine me.” She was clearly joking with him as she laughed a bit lighter.

Discussing Toya made Cathrine smirk a bit as she tilted her head. “Fire is Toya’s element all right. It’s why the dragons seem to revere her as some sort of savior though if you ask me… it’s because she’s more volatile than they are and it scares them into submission.” There was a light chuckle from mother and daughter.

Liz jabbed him in his side as she smiled when he asked about the winds saying good things. “Good things only but who knows what bad things float on the wisps of the wind?” There was a glimmer of mischievousness in the elder Rose’s eyes clearly like that of her sisters’. “Best be on your best behavior then shouldn’t you?” Liz now chuckled at Krys now.

They found themselves by the picture window as Cathrine tilted her head at the couple. “I see, well I have never done it either. I can see why you would be a tad intimidated by it. It could be worse I heard from a little bee that Adraejen pushed his step-daughter's suitor off the top of his temple and barely caught him as a warning.” She shrugged. “But they are but young adults not like you and Liz. I don’t need to threaten you, Liz can do that all by herself.”

Liz seemed rather proud of herself. “I like you in one piece though so I don’t think I’ll be ripping you apart anytime soon.” She winked at the wolf and her mother chuckled darkly.

Author: Krystopher, Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2017 4:21 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

He suppose that she was right and he hadn’t given much thought about what she had meant. “Yes, you have a point there.” Krys wasn’t too keen into thinking about the concept of redemption; it was awkward for him at times when he thought back to those wicked times. Those awful, horrible times where he sought for power to protect his family, but inadvertently had instead drove them away from him. “Aye, but it certain isn’t the easiest thing to so.” 

He figured that Liz hadn’t spoken much about him since she might have still been conflicted about her feelings for him. He hadn’t said a thing to anyone since the idea hadn’t came to him until last night. Or maybe those feelings had existed all along and he just skimmed through them. The lycan glanced over to her as she drew closer when they were alone. He didn’t feel like he was deserving of such a title she thought for him, but he wouldn’t stop her from thinking it if that was her wish. “If you are sure…”, he gave a light chuckle. “Just not a white knight, I beseech you.” He could feel Liz getting more comfortable with him as time passed by, and it seemed to help that they were in her territory.

His confidence died down a bit as soon as they found her mother. The resemble between Cathrine and Elizabeth was easy to recognize them as related. Not fully, but enough though for Krys to see it. It also didn’t help that she was several lifetimes older then him and was someone that could stop both Angela and Toya from bickering with each other. Waving off his apology and self blame made him blink and then look to Liz for her reactions as her mother spoke to them.

“No, I didn’t know that, actually. But Toya’s element I suspect is fire from the sound of it.”, he lightly joked as he thought back to his sister by marriage. As volatile and explosive as she was at times, he would be genuinely shocked about it. “Can’t see a better way of obtaining information then, I guess”, Krystopher nodded. “Has the wind been saying good things about me?”, he asked with a smirk. It had been the same question he asked Crystaline earlier. It was likely to get on Liz’s nerves but it was just in the name of fun.

“It’s be my pleasure, madam.” He went to follow along as the trio moved up to the top floor. The lycan sat down and felt his own nerves coming at ease. Liz sat right beside him and he felt her warmth once more. It eased his lupine side nicely, along with the brief kiss to his cheek. “I see that no…”, he was about to state before her mother’s attention was drawn to their little conversation. “Erm…I was a bit nervous about meeting you. I don’t really recall meeting a parent of a lover before… Liz was just trying to show me that it wasn’t as complicated as my mind had made me believe. I tend to do that sometimes.”   

Author: Elizabeth, Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2017 2:29 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

Liz frowned a bit but it was Crystaline who tilted her head. “That doesn’t mean you aren’t Liz’s knight. They are two very different things you know.” Her voice was soft as she talked to Krystopher. “Redemption is possible for everyone even the darkest star.”

“No, she really honestly doesn’t. She just gets mad when I ask her too many questions.” Crystaline grinned a bit as she realized how mischievous she had been lately. After that moment she left him there so she could find her Colden and smother him.

Liz chuckled a bit leaned up to his ear. “You are no fun…” She was going to call him an old man but he got the words out before she could. She kissed his ear softly before holding him close. “I agree, she is also a good judge of character so I would listen to her.” She laughed a bit held herself close to him. “She wasn’t wrong though you are very much like a knight to me.”

Once they were in the library Cathrine eyed the man with interest before chuckling. “She is old enough to tell me when she won’t be home. I highly doubt you had anything to do with her not thinking about it.” Making her way off the ladder Cathrine was as tall as Angela was which made her ultimately shorter than her lithe daughter. She was built like Angela as well but held herself much differently compared to the Red Queen. There was wisdom in her green eyes as she thought more about it. “She probably wasn’t even thinking about it to begin with.” Liz scoffed for a moment proving that Cathrine was right.

Cathrine nodded to Krystopher before walked with them. “I knew of you. She would tell me when she was going out to run with you. The wind also doesn’t lie. You should know that the Arriese queens each have a relationship with an element… Mine is the wind.” Cathrine explained gently. “Toya’s… well, you can take a guess. You know Angela’s. Kirika is darkness and Lily is light.” There was a small smirk on her face. “We forced Toya into this she doesn’t really like it but her mind is brilliant… sometimes.”

The closer she got the more of a breezy aura she had. Even her hair was slightly swaying to the gentle breeze. “Please, I hope that you will join us for some tea though I am aware you probably ate breakfast so if you don’t want any snacks you don’t need to eat.” Cathrine gave a smile as they moved down to a small sitting area on the top floor of her library. It was right by a big picture window looking out over Sularia.

“Do we have any more of that tea from Egjora?” Liz asked as she sat down on the sofa next to Krys and snuggled in. “That was some really good tea.” Her mother nodded and clapped her hands before explaining to the staff exactly what she wanted in vivid detail. Liz smiled up at Krys and leaned over to kiss his cheek once more. “See, it’s not so bad.”

“What isn’t?” Her mother flickered her eyes over to the couple as she tilted her head.

Author: Krystopher, Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2017 11:44 AM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

“Knight, no. More so like someone that would have once been a ruler, but that was in another life though”, he replied. Where back in the past he would have said it with some bitterness in his voice, Krystopher was calm and matter of fact with it. He came to peace with the realization long ago and sought to find some purpose in his life instead of living for that part of his past. “Thank you?” He wasn’t sure if he should have been compared with Colden on that front but since Crystaline knew him much more than he did, he’d take her word on it.

“Well, that’s at least comforting, has she any pet names for me? I know of a few of them, though I can’t say that I like them”, he chuckled. Krys eyed Liz for a moment to see her reaction before turning back to her sister. “I guess I’m a pretty good secret if that’s the case.” It didn’t bother him whether she shared more than what was being told or not; that was in the past and they were to move forward together. He barely got to say his goodbyes before she rushed out away, presumingly to go see Colden waiting for her. “To be young again…”, he started before turning to Liz, “Don’t say anything, you.” It was a simple jest as he followed her through the house. “I can understand, but I think she has a keen eye for knowing how people work. Colden’s a troubled boy from what I’ve heard, but it would be far for me to judge him for his actions. Anyway, I’ve heard that he’s been improving and trying to make amends for them. I can understand somewhat the path he’s on. Hell, I’m still on it even after so many years.” He at least hoped that the boy would find solace quicker than he did. “It’s fine, they should enjoy their time together for as long as possible.”

They reached the library and he looked on in astonishment for a bit but then the lycan was distracted for moment by the sound of Cathrine’s voice echoing as if it came from all around them. It wasn’t the case though once he looked to where Liz pointed out. “My…apologies, it was my fault that she didn’t come back last night… Krystopher was quick give her a half bow, still feeling slightly awkward about the meeting. It was something he never had to deal with before. “It is a pleasure however to meet you. I hope that Elizabeth had at least told you about me prior.” It would have been more awkward if she had yet to reveal him or what he was to her. Especially since her daughter was holding onto him so close.

Author: Elizabeth, Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2017 9:05 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

Liz chuckled a bit. “At least I don’t have a father around. Imagine how it would be if I did.” She was teasing him but she was a little sad that neither her father nor Cry’s were around. Her mother seemed to go on without any real need for another person only relying on her books and research. “Aye, she probably would have smelled it…” Liz had a shiver go down her spine as she laughed.

When Liz noticed how Krys looked at the home she smiled. “My mother is a woman of knowledge. It is why the Academy is on her turf instead of Angela’s. My mother gets first dibs on all the books that come into the market place as well as artwork… You can say it is her passion to unearth rare treasures. She’s never really alone as long as she has a good book… At least that’s what she told me when I asked her why she never married.”

For a moment Crystaline was full of giggles at her works. “He’s like a knight Liz!” It was clear that she had no way to really protect her sister as she finished looking at him. “He’s all honorable and sweet! It’s not like Colden when he is being innocent because he doesn’t know better.” There was a blush on her face and Liz chuckled lightly at her sister.

Liz nodded to him when he asked about the good things and Crystaline chuckled a bit. “She said some things but she didn’t really delve into anything. She has been super secretive about you.”

“Lady Crystaline, Lord Colden is outside waiting for you. A day in the market place I think he said,” the help at the house didn’t even need to say much before Crystaline was running out the door. There was a loud OOF like she had tackled him right off his feet.

Liz smiled a bit and chuckled. “I wasn’t approving of their relationship at first… but… He’s made her a very happy person. I’ve never seen her this happy before. Always by herself before and never asking for any help but doing everything in her power to help those she cared about. A selfish guardian angel even though she can’t really help us… That would be how to describe my sister.”

She took his arm and cuddled close to it as they walked the halls. “My mother is in the library… Though I am sorry the meeting with Crystaline was so short. She is really young and head over heels for Colden.”

Once in the library, it was grander than even Angela’s library, which was pretty spectacular thanks to the magic. However, Cathrine’s was due to the sheer volume that she possessed. ”Welcome Krystopher to our home. I am sorry that I did not greet you earlier. I figured that Crystaline was enough of a welcoming party for you. The voice came from all angles but Liz was able to find her quite easily up on the second floor. The woman was up on a ladder putting a book away her Rosenite eyes looked down at them as she studied their appearances. ”You should have told me you weren’t coming home Elizabeth.

For a moment Liz was in shock before she chuckled. “Sorry about that Mom won’t happen again… This is Krystopher and Krys this is my mother Cathrine.”

Author: Krystopher, Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2017 8:50 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

Blaine realized his slip, and then grimaced. “You knew what I meant, woman. Ugh.” Krys shook his head, “Old age much”

“Can it, mutt.”

He listened closely to Liz speaking of her family. “Getting those two to cease fighting is a power in of itself, I’d imagine.” Blaine couldn’t help but to agree with those words, though he didn’t want to say anything lest he have to deal with his wife blowing up at him.

Later on, everything was said and done and he was off with her to her house. “Easier said than done. Never really been in this situation before. And you’d think I would have been by now”, he said sheepishly. He had been taught on how to meet with one’s parents, but that time seemed so far away from now. Now that he thought about it, it really had been. “Besides, she would have sensed it either way from what you described her.” He wasn’t too bothered by Crystaline, it was Cathrine that was his concern.

He looked at the house itself and looked in awe. This was a home? It was more like an academy or something. After even gawking, Krys followed her inside and soon met with Crystaline coming down and after a near scare, everything seemed alright. For someone without sight, she sensed him rather quickly. She was young and he could see that she was protective, or rather was putting up an act of such as he just stared at her as she poked him. “My intentions are pure, Crystaline”, he spoke as his eyes kept on her finger. “I won’t hurt her, I swear that.”

“It’s fine”, Krys reassured her as she felt his face for a bit before she got a good picture of him. “It’s a pleasure, I’m Krystopher, though I’m sure you already know a lot about me. Hopefully nothing but good things.” He looked to Liz for confirmation. 

Author: Elizabeth, Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2017 8:12 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

Toya sipped on her juice and looked amused. “Ooohhh Angela would love to hear that one. Cathrine is older by five years or more making her the oldest. She is boring and a stiff… She is in charge of Arri’s trade routes and things like that.” Liz chuckled a bit more.

“My mother likes the rules and keeps them in check. I once watched her take the air out of both Aunt Toya and Aunt Angela’s lungs when we were in DaeLuin. It was when my mother was leaving that place to go back to Arri. She was leaving notes for my sister and I and how to take care of us. Toya and Angela were more content with their little spat than to listen to her so she made them shut up and listen. My mother is a mute so she can’t talk but by way of telepathy.”

Once they moved past the fighting she just smiled at him. “I’ll eat too as long as you do.” She was showing her concern for him as she moved to eating her own food. After they were done and dressed for the day she took him down the streets and across Sularia until they reached the academy like manor. “Don’t be nervous or anything Crystaline will sense it before you even say anything.”

She teased him gently as the door opened for them and the staff let them in. “Liz you are home!” Crystaline came barreling down the steps and Liz was prepared as the blind angel tripped down. Liz caught her sister and they both laughed a moment.

“I told you not to do that. It’s dangerous… Is Colden no here with you then?” Crystaline nodded to her sister before she turned her attention to the new scent in the room.

“Is this him?! Is this your boyfriend Liz?!” Crystaline was all excited as she practically pushed her sister out of the way to size Krys up. “You better not hurt my sister or I’ll get… someone? To teach you a lesson!” Crystaline went to poke him in the chest and actually got his shoulder. “Oops… I’m sorry!” She put her hands up to feel his face. “He’s cute.”

Liz rolled her eyes. “Okay, you pain in the ass… Where’s Mother?”

“In the library,” Crystaline said as she finished getting a good mental picture of Krys.

“Of course she is.” Liz chuckled a bit. “Stop gawking at Krystopher.” Crystaline shook her head softly at her sister and Liz sighed a bit. “Meet my little sister Crystaline.”

Author: Krystopher, Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2017 7:53 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

Krys laughed and Blaine shrugged it off, “Different degrees as I said. Don’t know much about your mother- only met Toya obviously, Angela and spotted Lily a couple of times personally.” Krystopher continued to eat his food while he pondered about what Liz’s family were like. He had things about her sister, but not of her mother. He wondered what or how she would feel about his presence around her daughter. “Cathrine’s the second oldest, right love?”, Blaine asked his wife.

The banter between brothers wasn’t something out of the norm for the two of them, though it had been ages since they did bicker. The last time had been when Blaine was about ready to kick Krys’ ass for keeping things from him and the others. Things that he kept from mentioning to his brother or Liz now. Krys felt like stopping the moment he felt her hand against him. It didn’t seem like she was thrilled with the argument. He wasn’t even sure what to say as she reassured Blaine about the situation with her and having more children. He didn’t know what she meant by being damaged unless she meant emotionally from the things that happened in the past. He felt for her as he also wondered about his daughter. He suppose that after he was done with that, they could at least speak about it given that whatever they had bloomed even further.

Things seemed to simmer down, fortunately. Krys didn’t feel much like fighting anyway and he was still fighting a bit of sleep from the late night. He looked to see Liz adding more food for him. “I’m fine, I thought you were the one that was starving.” He was more concerned for her well being since she hadn’t ate for a good bit and then he reached over for some juice when he heard the suggestion. “We can do that if you want. I doubt that there’s anything here that I will miss aside from these two doing their usual things.” After breakfast and when she was ready, he followed her from the White Rose Manor and towards her home.  A part of him was admittedly nervous about this sort of thing. He couldn't help but to recall that he never met any of his former lovers' parents before. The closest to that was his late wife's aunt that raised her, but he knew them both since childhood so this was a completely new experience. 

Author: Elizabeth, Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2017 7:26 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

“I’m actually pretty sane, I just love to joke with family and friends.” Liz waved a bit to Toya as a joke. “You’ll find that my mother is dead serious and very rarely crazy, as Blaine would put it, she might be the sanest one out of them all.” There was a serious look in Liz’s eye once. “She might be the most stern as well.”

She frowned a bit when Blaine and Krys started to argue and put her hand on Krys’s arm. There was a soft smile on her face. Once the fact of children came up she shook her head. “I don’t know Blaine. It might be well past my time to have good children. I don’t know if I could have any being as damaged as I am about it. Toya does it fine because she has you to hold you up. I’m not about to subject Krys to something like that being as we’re only getting started. It also wouldn’t be fair to ask someone else to father my child.” She gave a sad smile and nodded a bit. “We still have to find Krys’s daughter first.”

“Toya isn’t much of a thinker if it isn’t about battling someone or blowing something up,” Liz chuckled a bit and Toya threw a piece of food at her. Liz caught it with her mouth and chewed on it before complimenting the chef.

After that, Liz moved some food onto Krystopher’s plate now and gave him a smile. “You need to eat or you won’t be strong enough to get through the day. That’s what my mother used to tell me after Coriko passed.” She realized that he should probably meet her family. “If you want Krys… I could take you there today to meet Crystaline and my mother. It’s only the three of us since my twin and Crystaline’s twin have died.”

Author: Blaine Wintercrest, Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2017 6:51 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

“Damn over twenty years and you’d think I would be used to it.”, Blaine sighed. It didn’t feel like it was only that long, it seemed like even more years went by. “You should only know what you’re getting yourself into, Krys”, he warned him as he dug into his deer meat. “They are all crazy, at least the sisters are. Just different degrees. My lovely wife is on the higher scale.” Krys cocked his eye at him but considered what he knew of the sisters and didn’t protest it. “Hopefully the rest of you don’t completely follow in their footsteps”, he spoke to his step-niece. This whole thing was going to get rather confusing for him to keep up with as far as how this family worked.

“Regardless, I know how you both get. As long as the baby isn’t in harm’s way, you can banter as much as you’d like.” He did give Toya a death glare though, “But if you try to get into any fight, then I will personally tie you to the bed and not in the fun way you like.”

It was Krystopher’s turn to stare at the other wolf, “Oh he’s right. I wasn’t whoring myself like a certain man was. As long as his target wore a dress, he tried to sleep with it… in Toya’s case, he had less work in not having to remove one from her.” Blaine growled and bared his fangs at him. “Don’t forget that I broke your ribs the last time we fought, brother.” Krys’ eyes narrowed at him, “And who bite who’s spine nearly clean off?” They weren’t completely proud of their actions against one another, but they hated losing to the other even more.

“Anyway, listen to Toya, Liz. We can’t stop having children it seems. You have a very good chance of it happening again.” He wasn’t sure if his brother wanted more children; he knew of his niece and of the adopted daughter Krys and his ex-wife had gotten. He looked to his brother, who was pretty quiet about the whole thing, which made sense since he was likely more so worried about his daughter and at least establishing a relationship with Liz first. “I didn’t really think you both were going out there each night and screwing around. I understand that it's more of a wolf thing. Tried teaching Toya about it before, but unfortunately she would lead things into another different direction…”, he sighed. “Anywho, we’ve been keep tabs but never said anything about it to anyone but ourselves.”

Author: Elizabeth, Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2017 5:28 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

Liz gently chuckled and nodded. “You know that men do similar things like that too… right?” She was mainly teasing him as they got ready. “Should have but was kinda in the middle of running out on my sister who was asking more questions about you.” There was that blush again as she thought about it. “It is silly how a blind girl can track you down in a house and corner you with questions.”

There was a smile on her face as she pat Blaine on the head. “Not just any Rosenite! A Rose! Fancy that!” Toya made a face at her husband and nodded a bit as she gently drummed her fingers across her large belly.

“He should be used to me being angry by now. I’m always angry.” Toya crossed her arms now and pouted at Blaine.

“Nah, you are a docile kitten.” Liz chuckled a bit at her aunt who scowled towards her. How Liz knew was beyond her but she did. Maybe it was because all the Rose sisters acted alike once in a while. “Sorry Uncle Blaine. I didn’t mean to upset Aunt Toya, just thought she would like a little banter this morning.”

Tilting her head at Blaine Liz giggled. “I think he is saying you are boring.” It was a simple jest as she shook her head. “No need to rush things. It will get there eventually.” Liz seemed very happy for Blaine and Toya as she watched Blaine rub where Sparrow was. “You two have something amazing built here, I would kill for a slice of it.”

Toya looked sad for a minute and smiled. “Someday you might Liz. Don’t let that dream die just yet. You are still really young.” The queen got shy for a moment and chuckled. “We had a bet going that you two were serious with each other. Though I did say that I bet you two were messing around and Blaine said no. I supposed we both agreed something was going on. I don’t think we ever told each other what we wanted the other to do if we were right. It is more fun that way.” Toya thought for a moment more. “When Liz started to come get you the first few times we started to make bets.”

Author: Krystopher, Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2017 4:28 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

Krystopher simply rolled his eyes at Liz and her teasing. “It hadn’t been that long, woman. I can still tell easily if you lot get upset at least. You simply go on to say “fine” or “nothing’s wrong”.”

Krys hadn’t slept like he had in quite some time, like her. It was rather pleasant and it helped eased him greatly. “Didn’t have any trouble, and I didn’t know you were moving that much, to be honest.” He had slept like a baby and hadn’t felt her moving at all. Only that her warming body had been close to him. Her scent still lingered in his nose as he got ready. “Well, you said we’d go out for a run, not hunt. Should have got a bite to eat then, eh Liz?”

They made their way to the dining room and he expected the reactions they got. “No, I figured that you two spent a lot of time together for a while now. Being wolves and given that you two have a routine, it seemed only natural that you two got closer.” Blaine was no where as vulgar as his wife was (having all these children around helped get rid of plenty of what had been in him) and shook his head. “Great, what this wacky family needs, another Wintercrest with a Rosenite.” He cocked his head at Krys and then to Toya. “Calm down, darling. Being angry isn’t good for Sparrow.” As much as she was prideful, he knew that she wouldn’t put her child at risk, especially since their son was still in the womb. Krys’s palm found its way on his forehead before he sat down on across from Blaine. “Enough you two”, the soon to be father again lycan said with some annoyance in his voice. “Play nice until the baby is born. Afterwards do as you wish.” Krys said nothing but silently agreed with his brother as he started to fill his plate.

“No, I hadn’t assumed anything happened. My brother’s days of sleeping about have long since died.” Blaine took hold of some sort of juice in his cup and downed it. “Seemed like yours died before mine, brother”, Krys retorted but he just shrugged it off. “Yup, and I don’t miss it at all. Those days seem like they happened all too long ago.” His hand sought for Toya’s stomach and rubbed it gently. “Our boy will be like the others, strong and strong headed. And yes, I know darling. I told you Krys was too strict on himself to do something like that right away.”

The older lycan rolled his eyes and begun to eat. He felt like Liz was right- they were adults and didn’t have to do anything right away. Things had only changed for just a little bit for the two of them and there was no need to rush things yet if they weren’t ready. “So what’s this about a bet? And how long had this been going on?”   

Author: Elizabeth, Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2017 9:03 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

“Somehow I think you would like that Old Man,” she gave him a smile since it was obvious he liked it a little bit to have pointed it out. “Maybe you are a little bit rusty when it comes to female feelings.” Liz teased him and laughed.

She stretched with him in the morning and pulled herself away from him with a nod. “Best sleep I’ve had in a while. I hope I didn’t make any of your body fall asleep, it appears I liked your warmth a bit too much and almost rolled entirely onto you last night.” She chuckled a bit more before pulling herself out of bed to get dressed. “Absolutely starving since we got zero hunting done last night,” she teased a bit more before running her fingers through her white hair and giving a tussle to her curls to get them in order.

Liz got the tips of her toes to look over Krys when Blaine suddenly stumbled over his words. “Keep your trousers on the both of you. It wasn’t like that at all. So you hardly win.” Liz cocked an eyebrow at Krys and smiled.

“Oh, right you can’t spend the night with a man like that and not have anything happen!” Toya was very pregnant with Sparrow as she sat by Blaine.

“Yes, you can. Not everyone jumps naked off a dragon and screws the first guy that she lands on.” Liz gave a smirk to both of them. “We are adults and we controlled ourselves.” She found a seat next to Krys while Toya sat speechless for a moment.

“I’m going to kill you Liz,” Toya seethed for a moment.

“Kill me over the truth? Please, get any more worked up and you might pop and deliver poor Sparrow early.” Liz chuckled a bit and Toya took a heaved breath in. “Careful it’s not good for your health.” Liz pushed some of the heartier food towards Toya. “Eat up. Sparrow needs you nice and big.”

“You are lucky I like you.” Toya jammed her fork into her food before stuffing it in her face. Liz was full of content giggles as she helped herself to some food.

“Honestly, it really wasn’t like that. I told Krys I was leaving and he convinced me to stay… and we talked about it. That’s all. He’s just really warm to snuggle up to.” She blushed again and Toya sighed a bit before nodding.

“Fine, you win… She isn’t lying. She has this thing she does with her face when she lies.”

Author: Krystopher, Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2017 8:41 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

He had heard stories of her sister and their cousin from listening to his brother and his family. Crystaline seemed like special young lady despite her down comings and Colden…well, he actually felt something for him. “I have heard of what Colden had done, and to be honest, he wasn’t much different than I had been since I was his age. Reckless, greedy and unable to be reached by anyone else. And like him, it took me some time to understand what really happened and to mend burnt bridges.” Although he had learned those lessons much later in life unlike Colden, who was still pretty young. Krystopher let the darkness overtake him and he did plenty of things he regretted to this day. “Must be hard to keep secrets from her if you tried then. Fortunately my sisters can’t do that, though they will pry from time to time.”

 The longer they spent together here, the more he felt different about her. He wasn’t used to another wolf’s embrace since Moliira and he felt her opening up as the night went on. Time seemed irrelevant to the two of them as they spoke. “I would have thought that us talking would have helped soothed you. But I get it, it's hard to speak of feelings when one’s been through what you did. I can’t blame you for it, I’m sorta the same way in that regard. At least together we can start to try and get through that habit, no?”

“You shouldn’t keep that up, or else your face will get stuck that way”, he teased at her blushing. “I should have caught on much sooner with all that blushing you’ve been doing.” He laughed at it and grew closer to Liz. By the time they found themselves tired out, it felt like morning would soon come in a few hours. While he was ready to head home, he somehow got talked into her joining him in his room. There wasn’t much of resistance from his end and soon they both fell onto his bed and slumbered together. He didn’t recall anything happening that night, yet it was a good thing in his eyes. He felt her warmth against his body as he stirred away. Feeling her move, Krys peaked with one eye and confirmed that the events of last night did happen. “Good morning…Liz”, he yawned as he sat up and attempted to wake up. “Slept well?” He caught whiff of the smell of breakfast and looked to her, “Hungry? Think the others are downstairs eating.” Krys got himself dressed in a simple shirt and trousers and waited for her to be ready if she wanted to join before he headed downstairs to the dining hall. Blaine was there, cutting into some of his deer meat when he spotted Krys. “Late night brot…” He expected that he came home because he was running again with Liz but when he spotted her trailing behind him, the younger lycan couldn’t help but to groan. “Oh god, not another one. You didn’t…did you Krys?” He looked from both him to Liz and shook his head and glanced over to his wife. “What do I owe you again?”

Author: Elizabeth, Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2017 7:40 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

She blushed a bit when he asked her about her situation with Crystaline. “I told her that it wasn’t what she thought it was… and she told me that I talk about you the same way Colden talks about her so that means that I like you in some way that is more than just friends. I told her to keep her blind senses to herself and not get in my business… She laughed for ten minutes straight until Colden came to get her.” Liz grumbled just a bit. “Her people skills are extraordinary but it’s because she can sense things that normal people can’t.”

She gave him a sweet smile as they snuggled closely together. Whatever they had was warming her soul and it made the rips and tears in her heart feel a little bit better, not healed but there was a start. She would always have a hole in her heart where her son had been and she would never forget him but it had never crossed her mind that she had punished herself too much now. “Glad to know that I can get a response out of you without meaning to. I really was thinking it would be the best thing for you… Now I think… this is the best thing for us.” There was a blush on her face again.

They laid there under the moon and stars talking a great deal. About themselves, their pasts, and whatever else they could think of. Liz didn’t want her past to become a barrier between them now. She had realized that she couldn’t let it. When it was time to go home she weaseled her way into his room and his bed. They snuggled more and she managed to push her head up under his chin while they slept. A bed hadn’t felt that comfortable in ages to her.

They slept in after their run and when the sunlight finally did wake her up she peeked her eyes up at him after pulling her head out from under his chin. “Good morning Krys.” Pressing her lips to his cheek she gave a smile.

Author: Krystopher, Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2017 8:33 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

“Nothing, nothing”, he replied with some redness on his cheeks. He hadn’t met to oogle her body at that moment and went to turn the discussion elsewhere. “I guess, but it’s funny how we differ in that regard.” It wasn’t too surprising given that he was older, but still if hadn’t hit him until she said it and it stuck with him. Since they seem to have grown closer, he was being more formal with her. Whichever name she preferred to be called by, he would go with that without question.

“It’s fine. I just didn’t know what was going on with you and your decision to leave home.” Krystopher grew more relaxed and looked over to her just as she came to lay with him. In truth, he didn’t care if Toya and Blaine made fun of them or not. It wasn’t like he wouldn’t have it coming since he did the same thing when he learned about the two of them long ago. It would merely come full circle, he figured. But it wasn’t a problem for him, much less a thought at the time as he enjoyed the night with Liz. He looked down at her for a moment, “What did you say when she asked that?” It didn’t bother him any that he was referred to as such. Especially if her sister was able to pick up on her true feelings.

“Guess the same can be said about me too. You wanting to leave drove the nail right home…” His arms held onto her slightly tighter and his head nuzzled the top of hers. Her scent was becoming intoxicating to him, which would have been strange to think since they had spent a lot of time together before then. Now it stood out to him and he enjoyed it. Krys kissed the top of her head and thought for a moment. “You were acting much different than before. It set off some alarms in my head.”

Author: Elizabeth, Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2017 7:29 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

Liz tilted her head at the way he looked at her. “What?” Perhaps she had been looking at him different all along so she couldn’t have understood what he was thinking.

There was a chuckle from her lips. “That’s why it’s not so terrible to be the old man.” Him using her full name kept making her blush. It was different from when her family used it. He was showing her that he was serious and she smiled even more so. “I’m sorry I worried you Krystopher.” It was an exchange of their full names. Something they didn’t regularly do.

It was more like they were innocent in everything as they continued. “Who knows when it comes to those two.” She chuckled a bit. His strong arms came around her and she snuggled into him. She could feel him taking in her scent and she gave him a simple smile as she nuzzled his neck softly. They laid on the ground and watched the stars. “A few days ago. It was breakfast and Crystaline asked me if I was going to go see my boyfriend again.” It was such a silly thing.

“Unlike Toya and Blaine, Crystaline can’t see so she goes off of the emotions in the room. There must have been something I said or did that made her think something like that. She told me not to be afraid anymore. Honestly, I think that made me more afraid than her telling me how I felt. But… I possibly cared for a much longer time than that… I only just now realized it.” She blushed a bit at him.

“I would ask when you started to worry but I doubt it crossed your mind until I reacted so poorly.”

Author: Krystopher, Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2017 7:05 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

He could feel the wall she built up melting as he took her into his hands and the space between was nearly gone. There was comfort in being so close to her and he could see that it was having an effect on her as well. Krys didn’t want her to feel something she didn’t want to feel. But as he kissed her, he could feel Liz giving it back to him in full. “Aye, we can share that and then some”, he replied as he took a gaze at her. It wasn’t like each time he looked at her; this time he really looked at Liz. It hadn’t dawned on him until now that she was actually a pretty little lady. Perhaps it was his wolven side that paid it more attention than he would have, but she was attractive and it caught his eye now.

“You are relatively young, and…inexperienced when compared to me. I can understand your troubles when it comes to this sort of thing. I can only promise you I will be patient and understanding. I get how you feel, Elizabeth.” He gave her a half smile, “I worry about that too. You don’t have to be afraid all by yourself. I would feel that more than just up right losing you.” He hadn’t wanted to get close with another for he was fearful that he would lose them like all the others. But Liz had showed him that sometimes they had to dive headfirst to see success. He didn’t want to lose her in this great big world of theirs.

She kissed him again and he returned with some more force behind it. “I have no idea. I think Toya would have more a field day with it than my brother.” He had hardly forgotten his brother and sister-in-law. Which one of them would get the bigger kick out of this? It was hard to say; he knew how Blaine operated but Toya could get annoying at times her. “I guess when it comes down to it, they are nothing but a pair of headaches, especially with that baby coming soon enough. Krystopher looked mildly shocked when she suggested that they could spend the night here. He looked at her sun kissed form gleaming in the moonlight and slowly nodded as he wrapped his arms around her and deeply inhaled her scent. “We can do that, if you wish.” He laid onto the ground beside her and gazed up into the stars. “So when did you start to worry about my well-being?”, he asked blunty.

Author: Elizabeth, Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2017 6:42 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

His words almost broke her heart as she heard it. No one had ever called her irreplaceable outside of her mother. For her mother, though it was entirely different, she was her mother. Liz stared at Krystopher for a few long moments and nodded. The time had been wonderful for her. She was just glad that Krys understood even after the kiss what she was feeling. They were both scared.

Him cupping her face made her blush just a bit. It was much more intimate than what the wolf was used to. His words caught her off guard more than the motion as they kissed again. She had been eager to give it back to him and she put her forehead against his as he spoke to her.

“Yeah… I think I can live with being scared with you…” There was a light chuckle from her lips as she put a hand over his and gently stroked his skin with her thumb. “It’s just hard for me to say how I feel and the first thing my mind turned to was running away from it. I am scared of getting too close to you and losing you. Never being able to find you again if you got lost. That is my biggest fear. For me, it sounded a lot easier to run away and know at least where I left you than to lose you and not know where you were.”

Her blush faded as she kissed him once more. “So… do you think we could live with Blaine and Toya’s banter?” It was more of a tease as she struggled with what she wanted to say to him. “You could spend the night with me… here under the moons.”

Author: Krystopher, Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2017 6:28 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

For some reason, Liz’s answer wasn’t good enough for him. If anything, he wanted her to make the decision because she wanted to, not because she had to. Not because she was running from something here. What drove her to make such a hasty decision? He was determined to find out one way or another. He wasn’t the sort to abandon those he cared about and she was a part of that small, knitted circle. It was partly why he addressed her by her full name, to let her know that he was serious about this conversation. Would she had been alright by herself? Would she be reminded of their time whenever she hunted or ran? He certainly didn’t wish to her leave like this.

“I think that would cause more problems than solutions for not only me, but you as well.” Her hand felt softer than his easily and it still held fast to it. She didn’t look like she was going to run away, which was fortunate for him. “Of course I would care…our time…has been irreplaceable to me. I figured that it was the same for you…” His blue eyes looked up to her and was taken back by the kiss she gave him. One had to wonder just how long she had been wanting to do that. Krys had to question what he felt about it- her fears weren’t entirely misunderstood. In a way, he hadn’t wanted to be close with another again himself. Angelica…Emilia…Bast…Moliira… each of his relationships had ended badly and each person on that list had disappeared without his knowledge of their whereabouts. The last two surely crushed him though for different reasons. He couldn’t help but to look at her with a sad smile. “I understand. I had a few loves of my life that ended either badly or they would be lost. I can’t blame you for being afraid like that.”

His other hand went to take hold of the side of her face and made her look at him. Krystopher’s thumb stroked her for a bit before closing the gap between them. “Just know that I wouldn’t reject you.” His lips met with hers again, just as long as her kiss had been. “At least we can be scared together. Doesn’t that sound better than just leaving here and me?”  

Author: Elizabeth, Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2017 5:59 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

“I’ll figure it out Krys…” She wasn’t scared of the outside world. She knew it could be harsh to their kind.

Soon she was telling him exactly how she felt. The whys and she could see from his face that he wasn’t exactly agreeing with her. Her full name leaving his mouth caught her off guard. No one used her full name unless she was in trouble. Her eyes glimmered just a bit towards him as she blushed and nodded. Soon her hand was in his and she stared at how much larger his hand was than hers. “I thought me leaving would save you from trouble.” She gave a squeeze back to his hand. “I didn’t honestly think you would care if I left…”

Liz was hesitant at first before she leaned over and kissed him gently. It wasn’t long or overly powerful, just enough as she pulled back. “I’m afraid of a lot… Afraid of hurting you. Afraid of being too close to someone again. Afraid of being rejected.” She chuckled a bit. “You would think I was just a young wolf by the way my mind has been running things.”

She was silent for a moment or two before she took a huge breath. “I’ve only ever been with one person and that was Coriko’s father… That wasn’t even a long romance. We met and sorta just had him. So I am a bit awkward at my feelings and since the first time didn’t go so well I have been a bit skittish about it… I will admit. I was scared.”

Author: Krystopher, Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2017 12:58 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

Krys was flabbergasted about the situation Liz presented him with. She said that she was happy being home and yet she was thinking about leaving it entirely. It wasn’t a small decision in the least and he wanted to make sure that she was certain that she was making the right choice. “What do you plan on doing then? I don’t know your experiences outside of Arri, but it's much harsher to those that aren’t of the fairer races. While she was part Rosenite, it was her lycan side that caused for him to worry for her. Humans didn’t like their kind and he had been through plenty to know that it was true. He looked at her, now shifted into her Rosenite form and he remained motionless as he felt weird about the whole thing. “What do you mean I do…” The wolf couldn’t help but to shake his head at her. This whole thing sounded ridiculous; she was leaving because of him?

Krystopher let her hands come to his face and he looked her squarely in the eyes as she filled him in. The more she spoke about it, the more his brows drew together. It sounded like she was punishing herself and also pushing him away at the same time. They had grown close and he was wondering if she didn’t want that. If she wanted to keep everyone else at arm’s length. If to not let anyone else know of her pain and such. He knew that she would carry the burden of losing her loved ones as he did. Pulling away from her, he shifted back as well and sat beside her. “Stop it Elizabeth. You are being too hard on yourself for things beyond your control. It sounds to me that you are running away from something.” He sought for her hand and took it into his own, “That’s not true- you are not cursed or a harbinger of misery. I didn’t know of such since we met…your family don’t consider you as such either. You can’t let your to drown in the sorrows of the past; you have to push through.” It was something he had to learn time and time again, but still, he remained. There were times when he drank himself stupid and contemplated many things but never once were those ideas entertained. He struggled and fought but would always find a way to carry on. “You think that leaving here will make things better? If my word does have sway over your decision, then I think you should stay.” His grip grew stronger yet still loose enough for her to break away from him if she chose.

He lowered his gaze to the ground and sighed, “Of course you didn’t mean to make this a thing, with us meeting and running and such. A lot of things in this world don’t come clear to us at first. It takes some time before we learn more and come to accept or reject it. I don’t want you making a choice like that out of fear. If you wanted to go for your own pleasure, then I could understand, but don’t do it if you are afraid of something.”

Author: Elizabeth, Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2017 12:11 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

It didn’t bother her being that close to him. Actually, it felt rather nice and therapeutic to be up against him the way she was. She chuckled a bit. “I didn’t think it would overly annoy you Krys. Maybe I should stop calling you Old Man.” There was another chuckle as she thought about their interactions. “Aye, things would be very boring.”

Liz listened to his words and shook her head a bit. “I may be but I have a lot on my mind.” He was puzzled at her and finally, she shifted back and laid on her back to lounge. More so, so she could look up at the stars. “No, I’m really happy here as of late.” The words came out in a whisper. “Because you have everything to do with my decision.”

Liz frowned a bit as she reached over and cupped his face. “I don’t want you to get misled into my misery. I feel like everywhere I go I just cause more problems. The last thing I want… is that to happen to you. I bring misery, don’t I? These past few weeks have made me feel a ton better about myself but still, I can’t help from worry. Everyone finds misery around me.” She was frowning a bit more now. “I just don’t want to bring that to you… so I was thinking about leaving so you don’t fall down that hole.” It was clear it had been on her mind for some time. “I didn’t mean to make this a routine… It just happened and before I knew it… I couldn't’ help but come get you at night.”

Author: Krystopher, Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 2:36 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

Krystopher was relaxed and calm as he laid onto the ground. They basked in the light of the moon as it shined overhead and his eyes fell onto the lake for an extended period of time. He enjoyed the comfort and peacefulness of the place. He wasn't really bothered by coming out here, despite what doubts may have been lurking in Liz's head at the time. He watched her carefully before he turned back to the lake, "Don't worry about it, Liz. We all tend to overthink things from time to time. I'm not bothered by your requests. I am an adult- I would have made it clear if I was." He didn't have time for childish games really and she hadn't done anything at all to make him think that she was immature. Well, not as much as she played it though.

"Aye, I would think so. It's been going on for quite the while now." It was easy to lose count with all their runs and hunts. He barely recalled what he was up to before she started wishing for him to come with her on a nightly basis. He felt her warm body snuggled up against him. It was odd since he wasn't used to another she wolf, another female creature in general being as close to him as she was. It had been a long time for him and he felt odd but it wasn't bad at all. The black wolf let out a sigh, "Well that part did annoy me, but given that you wouldn't give up the ghost, I just merely went along with it. Far better for my health, as old as you like to point." He tiled his head and answered almost immediately. "Yes. I suppose things would be dull here without you tossing rocks at my window or sneaking into my room." But Krystopher had meant what he said; he did enjoy her company.

"You are such a worrywart", he laughed, nudging at her again.  His smile wavered a bit though when she let him know what was on her mind. He hadn't expected to hear that she wanted to depart from Sularia. Blinking at her, he was kind of puzzled as to what to say. Even more so, he wasn't sure how he felt about it. "Why?" There were a bunch of reasons that came to mind as to why she would want to leave home. "Are you not happy here? Is that it, Liz?" Krys thought more about all of this. This was completely unexpected, even for the she wolf. "Why would my thoughts have any weight on your decision?" He was genuinely concerned about all of this.

Author: Elizabeth, Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 10:55 AM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

Liz gave him a wolfish grin as they spoke. He understood her and it was comforting that he didn’t ask any questions about it. They could run forever and they were only doing it for each other or themselves. It made things less complicated that way and Liz was appreciative of it.

Perhaps it was that Krys was the closest person in Arri to understanding her, not that Toya hadn’t lost a child but she had gotten better. Liz felt like she was in an absolutely chaotic loop and couldn’t get out. For whatever reason Krystopher felt like a person who could understand her. He also had been spending time with her without asking too many questions about it. She smiled a bit as he nuzzled her and she snuggled her little body up to his. “Maybe I am being silly.”

Her amber eyes looked up at him and she could sense how serious he was after the jest. “It has become routine hasn’t it?” She looked at him sheepishly before putting her head back down on her legs and closed her eyes. “It seemed to bother you at first but then… It became a habit to call you Old Man.” She chuckled a bit. “Do you like having me around Krys?” It was an odd thing to ask but she was worried. Krys seemed like her only friend at times and there were things she didn’t feel comfortable talking to her mother about.

The infinite well of wisdom that her mother had somewhat terrified her. “I’m thinking about leaving Sularia, is why I ask.”

Author: Krystopher, Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2017 7:08 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

"Guess you could be right about it. I'm used to running and hunting with a pack until we got separated. For a time, I was all alone and had to do things as such, but then I reunited with them. But in truth I can do these things either way and see the benefits of performing with or without others." Krystopher understood Liz's past and it helped to explained why she would find such comfort in participating with other wolves, or in this case, just him.

He felt a bit bad that it took him that long to get the thought through him. But at least now he was understanding her some more. There must have been some trust built up in her for him to get her to open up. Especially after having to deal with it for years. Of course with that, she was letting him know that she felt like he was having his arm yanked with their runs. The wolf shook his head and laid down right beside her in front of the lake. "Meh, it's not really that much of a thing to worry about. Sounds like you're being silly", he reassured her, nuzzling her head with his nose.

"It's not a problem really. Time just went by us and before I know it, it was becoming a routine. Hell, I would have thought something was wrong if you hadn't tried to convince me to come tonight. You shouldn't worry too much, lest you will start to look older." He laughed at his jest but then held a much more serious face. It really didn't seem like that big of a deal for Liz to bother herself with. She didn't need the added stress. "Well, I wouldn't have known if you didn't need babysitting- you seem to like letting me know how old I am on a daily basis."

Author: Elizabeth, Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2017 2:55 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

"Maybe it's because we are products of our environment. Destined to run by ourselves or in small groups? I don't know if I could ever run in a pack… I've never had one to see what it's like. It's always just been myself." Even when Kai was alive, all she ever had was herself when it came to the lupine blood that ran through her veins. After all her father had disappeared before they were born. So she had no other wolf to help her with the shift or even to teach her how to be in a pack.

"Exactly why it would have been a shame if you hadn't learned. To survive is to adapt to new situations and our surroundings. It allows us to live longer and fight harder. It's why you should never lick your wounds until a battle is won. You learn to win and you can fight another day to bring victory." She smiled at him once more through her wolf form. 

Now at the lake she was confused and laying on her paws as she contemplated everything. "I thought I was bothering you tonight. You seemed rather sore at me for waking you up." She was worried about it as her brown eyes shifted over to look at him. "I enjoy running and playing with you as well. It is something I've never had before even if Blaine and his children have invited me in the past. It has never really been my place to accept. I didn't want you to think you had to babysit me if you came. In truth, I just like to run. I didn't really expect to keep asking you to come with me, it was more of a want and desire I felt the need to fill."

Author: Krystopher, Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2017 7:05 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

Krys didn't really think too much of it before she said how she enjoyed his presence. He merely thought it was logical for Liz to come and seek him out since they were the only two wolves outside of Blaine and his children in Arri. It didn't occur to him that there was more to it or not. But now that she mentioned it, their nightly runs seemed to help him as well as before he hadn't even thought to go and run in his lupine form for a while. He smiled at her before they started their little game of hide and chase.

Despite him getting an advantage later on, she found a way to escape from him. She was a craft one for being a younger wolf, he'd give her that much. "Hunting by myself since my pack had split up when I was younger than you are now helped some with my train of thought. Even after reuniting with my siblings and going on hunts with them, I more or less find myself operating alone." And especially now, with the exception of Liz and sometimes Blaine. His sisters were nowhere to be found, but that was the usual case for them.

"We never stop learning in this world. Even now, I find myself learning at least something new every day", he replied as he felt her rubbing herself against him. She seemed pretty comfortable around him and he did as well for letting her. Then again, they were wolves and they did operate on physical comfort more than other races did. The licking, on the other hand was something unexpected and he just looked to her as she went back and retrieved her clothes. He did the same and followed her along towards the lake up ahead. Setting them down, he approached her with a bumbling look when she asked if she bothered him. "No, why do you think something like that? Don't tell me you were worried about waking me up tonight." He shrugged his shoulders and looked down to her face, "You shouldn't worry too much. I'd let you know personally if that was the case. However, it is not. I do like running and playing around with you."

Author: Elizabeth, Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2017 10:05 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

“Runs in the family.” It came off a bit hard but there was a rather sad tone to her. “It’s just been a while since I could be around someone I enjoyed is all.” Even before Coriko’s death, she hadn’t been very social. It had been why Coriko’s death had hit her as hard as it had, she only had him and no one else to hold her up. She had forgotten the bonds of family and friends. It was tough to put those pieces together. “You for whatever reason make me feel alive.” Perhaps it was their wolf spirits calling or she just liked his presence. It didn’t cross her mind any further as she took off into the woods.

He had waited for her and it wasn’t something completely unexpected. Normally she would have been more careful but they were just playing. His pounce on her was a good one as she wiggled free from his large form. “I figured,” she circled as he approached closer to her.

“I was expecting you to learn. It makes the game more fun.” She gently pawed at him before rubbing up on his side. “Let’s go.” She gently licked his face before she trotted off towards their clothes. She took hers into her mouth before going towards the lake. Laying by the water she watched the reflection of the clock and moons high above them. “Do I bother you Krys?” She laid her head down onto her paws as her amber eyes looked over at him.

Author: Krystopher, Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2017 9:43 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

He didn’t consider that his brother put up with his wife out of being docile. It seemed more so like he simply let the chaos that Toya brings run amok rather than trying to quell it. Why fight a wildfire when you can simply pick and choose which fights to take without completely tiring yourself out? “I guess. He used to be very hotheaded but I think that having a family and wanting to protect them beyond all else seemed to mellow him out. Didn’t think I’d see the day where he matured, at least not until after his firstborn came.” He tried not to think too much of his last lover, that was something that wouldn’t go away fully.

“Sounds like you are still a child in this world. That explains quite a lot… You might be younger than Toya, but you’ll still a pain in the ass like her it seems.“ Krys groaned to himself as he thought more about it, but unlike his sister-in-law, he had to worry about Liz popping out of nowhere during the late hours and harassing him to go on runs when he wanted to sleep.

The black wolf trended carefully about and prepared himself for her attack. Once she had, he dug his nails into the soft dirt and absorbed the blow. He kept his composure as she played about and waited for her guard to drop before he went and pounced quickly for someone of his size. “Sometimes it’s smart to let the prey come to them, little wolf” Krys shook his body and approached her more closer, his eyes softly narrowed, “Besides, your scent is easy for me to track from all of our runs the last few weeks or so. All I had to do was just play along and wait for you to get too comfortable.”  

Author: Elizabeth, Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2017 9:13 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

“Blaine got a taste of his own medicine when he married her.” Liz gave him a smile and knew that from the way he said Moliira’s name that it hurt him a bit. “I suppose that’s why he got a bit more docile in his old age.” She was poking fun at them again.

There was a smile on her face. “While my body is the same age as Toya’s almost, maybe five years younger. My soul is fifteen years younger. I told you I aged physically during my first shift. So I’m at least maybe twenty years younger than you…” They were off after that. He heard her words and she, in turn, heard his.

She moved stealthily as not to cause a sound. Hunting by herself taught her a great many things. One of thing was to be a silent and deadly killer. Though in this case, she was a silent and playful partner as she launched herself at him. Her small white form collided with his much larger form. “I’m right here Krys.” She nipped at his ears playfully. “Thought you would have an easier time finding me this time,” she said it almost disappointed as she nipped at him once more.

Author: Krystopher, Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2017 2:25 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

“Easy for you to say, you don’t have the world’s most hard headed brother to deal with”, he retorted with a small smile. “When we butt heads, we go all out. The last time we had a full on fight, we nearly ended up killing each other, and I’m serious. It happened at a tavern and if it wasn’t for…Moliira, we’d both be dead.” It was a gruesome fight between the brothers when they shifted into their wolf forms and shred each other into nearly nothing. “His wife may be the most suited for him since she’s apparently the world’s most hard headed sister-in-law.” If Liz wanted to deal with it then so be it. Then again, it sounded like she had done so in the past anyway.

“Mayhaps, but still, age and experience would put me ahead.” In saying that, Krys caught on that he left himself wide open to more of her jokes. For some reason, he didn’t put too much care into it and besides that he could always get her back before the night was over. But since she wanted to throw clothes at him, it only seemed fair that he returned the favor and tossed his own at her. “Keep it up, little girl. I have a feeling that you aren’t that much younger than me though. I asked Toya a bit about that.” He shifted right after she did and pursued her through the woods. He had her scent memorized from their many runs together, so tracking her would be less of a pain in the butt for him, but she was a crafty one. He heard her words but soon lost sight of her.

“Terrific…”

His running slowed down to trotting with care as he kept his ears up and open, listening for the smallest of sounds. Lowering his head, he sniffed at the ground as he attempted to follow her scent while crouching low to blend in better with the darkness.

Where are you, Liz?

Author: Elizabeth, Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2017 10:05 AM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

“It’s boring if there isn’t any family fun Krystopher. It may get annoying but at least I gave them a reason to talk shit now.” She gave him a smirk and knew that in a lot of ways it would be a lot more fun this way. Kept life from being boring.

“Here in Arri it is a bit different but still I am not part of your pack. If anything I am a lone wolf who can be just as dominate as you are.” Sure she was more mouthy but it was partially due to how excited she was. She was a ton more playful tonight thanks to the positive energy she was soaking in from the moon.

The half lycan threw her clothes at him and watched as he attempted to save himself from her clothes. “Oh really? You certainly move like you are older than me.” She gave him a playful grin before he started to throw his clothes back at her. She caught his trousers and laughed. “Did I strike a nerve Old Man?” She poked at his side just as playfully before shifting and taking off into the tropical woods near by.

“Come on Krys keep up.” Her voice resonated towards him as not to give away her location. She was crouching under a bush waiting for him to come by her so she could tackle him and nip. Hopefully, her plan would go according. If not, at least it would fun and they could bathe in the moonlight of the sisters.

Author: Krystopher, Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2017 11:44 AM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

At first Krys was curious as to what Liz was up to as she moved over towards him. After she nipped him, he turned away and rolled his eyes in fun. "If you are a glutton for punishment may be. I have no doubt that he'll pry it out of them at some point or another and then we'll get the blunt end of the deal." It didn't bother him much though since he was used to the banter with his brother and Toya would likely find it funny. "Seemed to be bothered by their words, enough to want some payback, no?" He slightly laughed at it but didn't mean anything by it. Her determination was admirable though, if not troublesome. Krystopher really didn't have anything against her plan, in fact a part of him wanted to see what would come from it.

"Perhaps, though in the hierarchy the alpha male is the most dominate. But given what I've heard from here, females are more so the heads of this place, so I guess competition between alphas will occur regardless." It was a weird concept, if not just because he was used to the ways he grew up with. Liz sure was mouthy tonight, more so than usual. He followed along as they made their way to the desert. 

Krys was enthralled with the sight that it wasn't until he found her tossing her clothes right at him. Bring up his arms, he attempted to catch whatever cloth she threw but her words distracted him enough for her shirt to hit him. "Hey! I'm not that much older than you…" He pulled her shirt away from him for a moment, only to hesitate and breath it in deeply to gather her scent just in case she wanted to jump off of trees and surprise him again. He dropped her clothes and quick whipped off his shirt and tossed it at her. Soon his trousers were off and were thrown at her as well. "Two can play that game, remember that", he chuckled as he poked her side. 

Author: Elizabeth, Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2017 10:11 AM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

Just like when they were wolves she reached up and nipped at his cheek. “That’s all a part of the fun, isn’t it? Seeing how long it takes him to get it out of the children.” It was just a big game and she winked at him so he would know that she was indeed playing a giant game with Toya and Blaine. “I don’t have to live with it.” She chuckled. “Also giving the kids candy before their bedtime was sort of enjoyable payback. I hugged them so Blaine would be able to smell me on them.” She waved her hand.

Liz gave him an interesting look and smiled at him. “I’m my own alphas and alphas tend to compete don’t they.” She teased him softly. She bumped him with her hips lightly in play and chuckled a bit more before they got to the desert. “Yes, the desert full moon thanks to the enchantment is my favorite sight.”

After a few moments, she began to strip down so she could shift. There was a look on her face before she started to throw her clothing at his face. “Come on Old Man. We’re out here to run not to star gaze all night. You would never forgive me if I woke you up just for that.” She said as her shirt hit his face and hung from his nose.

Author: Krystopher, Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2017 11:37 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

“Yeah yeah, if you say so”, he shrugged in teasing her. He guess that a run would be alright to contend with. She seemed to have her heart set out for it. Even though he had seen the moon at its peaks for months now, he suppose that it would be different from glancing out of the window. “Personally like watching it across the sea myself, but I guess since you are whining about it, we can go”, he said, chuckling to himself.
 
He wasn’t surprised that she gave them treats. The last thing they needed was more candy, something that their grandmother had already indulged in. “Nice planning, save for one thing. Part of Blaine’s…profession was to collect information. A pair of eight year olds are only going to get so far before he learns and then you think their teasing is bad now?” It was going to get worse once they figured out it was her that did it and combine it with his disappearance. They would never hear the end of it as it would suggest what they were already saying.
 
“And the little wolf is trying to be brave, I see”, he said with a cocked eyebrow. “Well, I’m not your alpha, so you have nothing to worry about anyway.” He followed her away from the city and towards the jungle he was becoming accustomed to. It was nice and quiet but then lively with the surrounding nature. He noticed that she hadn’t shifted yet, which was odd but he kept his tongue. His blue eyes looked up along with her finger pointing to the moon. “Aye, indeed. It is quite beautiful.”, he agreed with her. “It might be because of that. Been waiting a while for it?”

Author: Elizabeth, Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2017 11:21 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

“Just because you aren’t bound doesn’t mean it’s not beautiful to look at Krys,” she in all honesty just liked the moon on nights like this. Her blood did call towards it but not in a way she was forced to shift. “Besides you need to see the moon in the desert. There’s not a damn sight like it in all of Revaliir.” She would have known, she had been wandering for a while now.

“Candy and I told them if someone asked that Toya gave it to them. Which isn’t a lie, she had given them candy earlier today.” She honestly wanted a little revenge on the two of them and making the twins have a sugar high was just enough punishment in her eyes. “Should see what my mother does to her when she’s had enough. It’s absolutely terrifying.” She chuckled.

She gave him a grin. “Oh Krystopher you have my paws shaking in utter fear,” there was a snort of laughter from him as she pulled him along. “Big bad alpha trying to keep up with the little ones.” She was giggling all the way to the edge of the now quiet city. The jungle outside of the city was full of natural noises however and it made her feel more at home.

She didn’t bother to shift or suggest it until they got to the edge and she stopped. She pointed up at the sky. “Look at how big it is here in the open. Don’t know why it looks so different here… Maybe it’s the enchantment on this place but it is my favorite sight.”

Author: Krystopher, Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2017 11:09 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

“Aye, the moon is on full strength, isn’t it?” He covered his mouth as he yawned, not out of boredom but more so out of fatigue. “Due to experience and age, I can still hear its call, but I’m not bound by the moon, Liz.” His blood didn’t quite feel like it was on fire but he was sure that she wasn’t going to lighten up on this subject. Especially with the pet name she called him, which made the older lycan narrow his eyes at her. “I can promise you that I can easily keep up with you. I think I’ve proven that time and time again.”
 
She was certainly feisty tonight, which he guessed was due to the moon above them. “Of course the little snitches would help you. Toys or candy?” When it came to his brother and sister-in-law, Krystopher shrugged it off. “When you’ve known my brother for as long as I have, it's easy to ignore him. Not sure if the same can be said about his wife, but then again I am friends with her older sister. If she gets too rowdy, then I’ll ask for Angela’s help.” He wasn’t too bothered by their “ideas” since he was sure that they weren’t the only ones that were starting to think that. Two single wolves that spent a lot of time together was sure to gather unwanted attention.
 
Again she sought to stoke the flames and he gave her a sour look. Moving up towards her, he stood over the woman and cross his arms, “Lookie here, younglin’, I can keep up with the best of then even now. I’m probably better now than I was in my so-called prime.” To prove his point, he took her hand and followed her along.

Author: Elizabeth, Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2017 10:52 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

Liz threw the pebbles until he came to the window and debating throwing another one but it looked like he got the message. She chuckled a bit. “The full moon is out tonight and you are trying to go to sleep. Come run with me instead. The moon looks huge on the edge of the oasis.” She chuckled a bit and tilted her head in an oddly cute fashion at him. Her mouth looked like she was up to trouble. “Or are you too much of an old man to come out and run when our blood comes calling?”

After a moment of chuckling, she grinned. “I had to bribe Kite and Tempest to tell me what window was yours. No offense but Toya and Blaine can get annoying with their banter. I would rather them not know about a late night run or less they will get ideas.” She waved her hand. “Come on now… Unless you are really too old to come out and play with me.”

She offered her hand out to him and chuckled a bit hoping he would take it. “It’s good for you to get out and run.”

Author: Krystopher, Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2017 10:44 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

It looked like they were getting back on the same page now and he nodded. “It’s fine, we are still getting to know one another.” Krystopher wasn’t going to act like he was used to dealing with others. In some ways, he was like Liz but they would both learn he’d hope.
 
He knew that Blaine and Toya’s relationship was odd from the start, but his companion was right- they were a great fit with one another. He was sure that no one but the two of them would understand how in the world they clicked. Before his brother met her, he was a womanizing troublemaker and look at him now. A family man and doted husband. Toya had been through a lot herself but Blaine was able to help steer her into the right direction. If there was such a thing as true love, then they were the prime example.
 
They spent the remainder of their time together long into the night. When he got home, Krys was questioned by his brother relentlessly about his whereabouts and what he’s been up to. He didn’t lie- he told him that he had been hunting with another wolf and it didn’t take too much time at all for Blaine to figure out who it was. Along with Toya, they started to poke fun and get some ideas as to his friendship with Liz. It grew more in the coming weeks when they would hunt and run together, just the two of them. Most of their banter fell onto deaf eyes as far as he was concerned. He knew his place with her and vice versa. Still, it was nice to spend some time getting to know her and it helped to get him out of the that mad house.
 
On this night, he was laying down in bed after playing around with Kite and Tempest all afternoon before handing them off to their grandfather. Sleep felt like it was closing in but before his eyes fell, something tapped at his window. At first Krys thought it to be nothing at all and relaxed. Then the sound went off again. And again. And again. Finally he had enough and shot himself up to see his window as a pebble made contact. “What the?” He got up from the bed and peeked down outside to see Liz below. Sighing, he quickly made use of the blankets on his bed, tied and knotted them together before he lowered them through the window and securely tied the other end to his bed.
 
Krys scaled down the side of the house and when it was safe enough, dropped down to the ground below. “What’s the matter, Liz? Not used to this sort of calling. Not since my youth anyway” He said the last bit with a sly chuckle. He wasn’t sure just by how much, but he was sure that he was older than she was.

Author: Elizabeth, Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2017 10:10 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

Liz smiled at him and nodded a bit. “It’s alright, I should have realized you were playing. That was my own fault. I’m not used to others very much.” She said it sheepishly and would have been blushing had she not been in her wolf form.

“Maybe someone like Toya is what Blaine really needs or needed in his life. Who knows, he is vastly different from her but she is a lot better than how she used to be after Costel died. That was a dark time in our family.” She admitted it. Soon they were playing and nipping each other.

This went on for what seemed like forever until Krystopher took the deer back to the manor. She waited for him and once he got back they spent the rest of the day running around together and more playing. It was light hearted and what they both had probably needed. Liz showed him how to effectively hunt the birds as she had leaped into the air an incredible distance to latch onto one.

They did this for weeks together and it was good for both of them. Toya and Blaine had been teasing them on and off making Liz roll her eyes whenever she would come get him. However, on the night of the full moon when her heart was racing the most to run as her wolven self, she had shown up earlier in the day and bribed the twins with candy to tell her what window was Krys’s she didn’t want Blaine or Toya knowing. They were insufferable already.

She made sure the twins didn’t tell their grandparents who had given the candy and proceeded to wait until that night before throwing pebbles at his window. She wanted to go running tonight on the desert edge.

Author: Krystopher, Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2017 10:12 AM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

Krys hadn't meant to be rude, and he had thought he was playing around with her, but something seemed weird. Perhaps they gotten on the wrong foot with one another. But soon it all changed as they discussed Kai. "Aye, the first shift we take is usually the hardest and most taxing", he agreed. Krys hadn't considered for a moment that her brother might have been traumatized by the turn of the events. Especially if they didn't have someone to help them through it. He was grateful that his own parents and others were there when he had done so when he was a child. "It's the first time I've heard about shifting making one more older but I guess that helps to explain my nieces and nephew then." At least Liz wasn't bothered by it too much and embraced that side of her.

When he heard the name "The Feral", his eye lit up and he laid there with the memories rushing back through. "Once a upon a time, I had been in that guild, though I do not remember seeing your mother, but considering everything I joined it long after that then." There were times where he missed it and the people he grew close to, but everything happened for a reason and he was grateful for his time there. 

He didn't mind spending more of the day with her, especially since he'd gotten comfortable being in his wolf form. It was likely due to him neglecting it for so long. And he enjoyed the company she was; it was good to be with another wolf that wasn't family. It had been much of a longer time since he hunted with an outsider. Looking up to her, he smiled, "Sorry about before. Thought we were still playing." Though he wasn't going to apologize for his paw, that one was clearly just in playing around. 

"Oh I know. She's a hard book to read for most. Even Blaine sometimes is guessing how she feels, definitely with her being pregnant. Poor bastard." He couldn't help but to laugh, but it soon fell through as Liz attacked him and he nipped at her in return. He didn't need to know why she did it; being wolves, they thrived on physical contact for comfort among other things. After they got through, he took the doe by the neck into his maw and started to drag it back on the way to her home. It wasn't a difficult task for him since he used to do this back at the Refuge and once the deed was finished, he trotted back to the lavender fields and back to her.

Author: Elizabeth, Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2017 12:25 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

For a moment Liz gave him a serious face as he snapped but it was more so that he needed to know she was joking. It didn’t last long though as their minds moved fast, which was good for her. “I’ll never understand why he thought so. We were raised knowing what we were but… we didn’t have our father. Our first shift was the hardest thing we ever had to do, it was painful and all we had was each other. We were five but we were an unlucky batch. The first shift caused our bodies to mature so much faster and we grew that night, we didn’t get a childhood. Maybe that’s why Kai disliked it so much. It never bothered me, I suppose I am much more like my mother.” Cathrine was an interesting person who took her pain and transferred it into her work, something positive. It was something Liz had learned to do and sometimes had failed at but she was getting there.

“We were born in a guild hall, a place called the Feral. Father had gone missing shortly before our birth and apparently that was the only place safe for us to be born. Soon after our birth Mother left the guild and lived by herself, well with us in the middle of the forest. Mother has always been a loner, never really wanting for anything. She taught me to become a survivor, but I am still learning life’s harsh lessons.”

Once they had got the kill she wrinkled her nose as he pawed at her face. “Maybe we should. It does sound like a lot of fun. I could use that in my life right about now,” there was a chuckle from her as she watched him. There was a curiosity in her eyes but she shook her head. “If she’s happy about something she isn’t telling anyone. Toya has never really been the type to be able to convey her emotions if not with her fists.”

She was quiet about everyone else though. Perhaps it was because she understood the danger she had caused. “It always gets worse when I’m left by myself but I prefer to be by myself, it’s a problem. It’s not like I completely dislike company, I am better because of it but… I guess that is my mother coming out in me. Compared to the others she isn’t really social and she keeps to herself. I can never get over how much alike we really are.”

It sounded like things were getting somber for a moment so instead of continuing her thoughts she launched herself at Krystopher and began to paw at him and tug on his ear. This was her other way of dealing with it, a much healthier way in her opinion. It was just that she never had anyone around to be like this and now she very much did, at least for the moment.

Author: Krystopher, Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2017 12:11 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

Krystopher snapped at her when she teased him. “No, I meant that it slipped my mind to even shift because I was thinking of other things.” He knew that she was just joking around though. He did feel slightly bad since she hunted by her lonesome even when she had her twin with her. “That’s a pity. I know that some people with wolven blood may think that they are cursed. I can at least understand it more from those that are bitten and turn into werewolves, but our kind is much more…different. I’m sorry your brother felt as though he was cursed.” The wolf couldn’t help but to shake his head a bit. It just irked him sometimes when someone couldn’t accept themselves. But then again, everyone had their personal battles, their own personal demons that they had to endure. He himself was no exception to that.
 
They played around with each other in the field, which helped to shake the rust off them both and also help Liz to get back to being used to her wolf form. It seemed to come to second nature to her, which was an excellent thing. “I see. I am used to being self-reliant myself. Back in the other realm, I ran a guild in a castle in the middle of a dark forest. We did trade but usually we hunted and grew whatever we need to sustain ourselves.” He missed the Refuge Lunaire very much so, but it was just the physical place. He missed the life he had with his family and loved ones. Starting over again wasn’t something he very much enjoyed but he would do so anyway. He was a survivor, after all.
 
Liz agreed with him on how to take down their prey when they found them. Fortunately she was able to quickly find them some deer that looked ripe for the picking. Giving her a wolfish grin, he immediately circled around the herd, using the vegetation to sneak around them. He made enough movement through the brushes to make sure that she was aware of his position. When they were ready, he burst out of his hiding spot and spooked the does enough to scatter but he went after the closest and they cut off its escape route before quickly delivering the killing blow to its neck.
 
Setting it down onto the ground and out of his maw, Krys looked and licked some of the blood off him. He slowly moved over to Liz and looked down her. “If that’s the case, then we could just drop off the doe now and run around a bit longer. " He stretched his back out and batted at her face with his paw softly. “What do you think? The house is whacky as ever. Toya’s pregnancy merely had it more crazy, but besides that, everything’s normal. She’s starting to show. And her mate’s protective as always.” There was no surprise there as Blaine looked after her and their children and grandchildren. They all meant the world to him. “Think she’s happy that you’ve been doing better yourself too. We all are.” 
 

Author: Elizabeth, Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2017 9:26 AM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

Liz chuckled a bit and shook her head. “A shifter who forgets to shift? Now I’ve heard everything.” She was teasing him and she hoped that he could see that. She was completely different when her mind was focusing on the hunt instead of all the negativity around her. It was almost like a shining star in the distant dark for her and it showed greatly. “Yes, I’m the lone wolf of Sularia. I have no pack. Never really have since I was born even with Kai. He was… less than thrilled about his lycanthrope blood than I was. He didn’t want to be ruled by the moon, he simply tried to stop it. Kai was my twin brother, I know I’ve mentioned I had a twin but not his name.”

While they played in the lavender field she let out a laugh as he snapped at her. She knew it to be playful as they looked around the fields of the lake. He was on alert much like she was, even though she was more playful she had never stopped listening and by the way, her eyes moved, she was also watching. It was out of habit of being by herself that she was so aware, which made getting the upper hand on her like the slavers had a really challenging thing to do. “Home feel I think is a good reason but no there is a significance. A long time ago we depended on the outside lands for trades, for food and other things. Adeluna’s king went mad and attacked us killing many of our own before we stopped his army. The Academy created this place so we could sustain ourselves in case something like that ever happened again. It also helps that Angela is our matron goddess, she helps keep the soil fertile and useful.”

She was right beside him and being very careful as her ears marked where she heard the noises. “I normally go for the large game myself. Mostly because what I don’t eat I can bring back for Crystaline and Mother. Also, it is more challenging and I live for the thrill, or so I get told.” The white wolf nodded to Krystopher as she padded along, just ahead of him. She dipped down low and looked like she was peeking under a bush for a moment.

She flickered her tail and looked back at Krystopher before moving her head slightly so that he knew she had found a target. They moved in the way that they had talked about and when the time was right they took out their first deer. It spooked the other does with it but Liz laid next to the slain doe quite happily.

“How many more should we get or are we pleased with just one for now?” They could always continue the hunt at a later time. She rolled on her back and tilted her head back so she could look at Krystopher. “Not hunting for so long makes the first hunt… tiring. Not too much but enough to make me a bit sad.” After a few moments of silence, she closed her eyes and wiggled a bit until she was back on her stomach and put her head down onto her paws. “How has the White Court been since my unwanted imprisonment started?” There was a hint of humor in her voice as she spoke of her healing weeks.

Author: Krystopher, Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2017 11:48 AM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

Krystopher laid down onto the ground and waited patiently while Liz prepared herself for the shift. His eyes didn’t oogle on her naked form as appealing as she looked; he wasn’t that sort of people plus between shifters, it wasn’t as taboo as it was for humans to see another in just their bare skin. Once she shifted, the black wolf rose back up to his feet.
 
“I’d imagine. I merely let it slip my mind for some reason.” Not to mention, it had been too long since he went on a hunt. He hoped that he wouldn’t be too rusty and with Liz getting back into it, they would need to coordinate well together to have a good hunt. Beyond what he learned of her from that night, he wasn’t sure what she was really like and the sort of hunter she was. It was good that she rolled around in the dirt for a bit to mask her white fur, so he assumed that she did well in sheath. “Do you go hunting alone often?” He was curious since there didn’t seem to be too many wolves outside of his family here. He pondered if she just solo hunted these days, and knowing such things would help them build cooperation in the long run, he was sure of it.
 
Once she took off, he trotted behind her into the fields, getting reacquainted with his lupine form before he realized what she was about to do. He snapped playfully at her but she was quick to get away. She seemed happy that she was back in this form and not restricted. He felt it was a good thing as well. Shaking his fur, the wolf glanced at her direction and peeked over ahead to where she suggested they take their hunt. His ears perked straight up; he could indeed hear some movements from the treeline and deeper. It sounded like there would be plenty of game for them to tend to. “I see. I suppose that all of this was created for a more at home feel or is there some significance beneath it?”
 
Krystopher was just about ready to stalk into the area and slowly made his approach towards the forest. “I tend to go for the large game myself. Deer sounds pretty good right about now.” He would make sure not to go overboard with it too; one, maybe two would be enough for him. Once he reached the woodline, he waited for her before silently prowling about. He was careful with step as much as he could be. Any sort of noise like a twig snapping would not be in his best interest. Despite his size, his fur was good at concealing his form and not stand out so much. Every now and then, he sniffed at the air to see if there was a herd of them about. “Once we find them, one of us can circle around and that way we can cut one of them off. But we should pick a target when that time arrives first”, he suggested softly enough for only her to hear. 

Author: Elizabeth, Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2017 8:54 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

“You do the same thing I do Krystopher. Try not to drive yourself mad until you find the answers. You’ll find her, I know you will.” There was a peaceful smile on her face that was for better or worse with the situation. She tilted her head and looked at her savior and chuckled. “I think you need to remember that you have people to lean against as well. You have a whole pack’s worth right here in Sularia. Troublesome as they may be they are your family.”

Once he had come down to see her she tilted her head again and studied him for the very first time. While she had been in pain she hadn’t quite taken the time to look to see what he looked like since everything that night had been rather hazy. “A hunt sounds good for both of us then.”

Walking with him out the door she simply nodded. “Around the lake is a really sound idea. Not a lot of big angry creatures to avoid there.” She chuckled a bit not that it would have bothered her overly much. Once they were in a good spot she started to unbraid her hair and throw her clothes and other things into a pile. Her necklace was the last thing she took off and she looked like she was pondering on it for a while before she tossed it just the same, though safely, into the pile of clothes.

It didn’t take long for the change to come for her either as she shifted and shook her white fur. She stretched her front paws then her back legs as her tail came up in a satisfied groan. “Thought I was going to die if I didn’t get to stretch on all four soon. They had me on lock down and god forbid if Belle understood that I need to stretch like this every once in a while.” She itched herself freely now as her deep amber eyes looked over at Krys. She had to say that she was maybe just a little above half his size. That was the advantage of purebloods, they could be faster and stronger if they wished. The sun reflected off her coat and could be blinding at times but she solved that by rolling in the dirt right there. She knew that they would at least need to camouflage a little bit, at least she did.

“I’m ready.” She pulled herself up and gave herself a good shake as she padded off to look on the outskirts of the lake. She bounded around in the lavender field and stuck her head up over the tall stalks of lavender to look at Krys before proceeding to pounce on him. She tugged at his ear before letting go and stalking out in front of him. “Should be some good game around the tree line. That’s where I always find some deer and other rodents that the academy lets loose. Gods know this place would be barren if it wasn’t for the academy’s magic and transplant methods. The whole lake area and farm fields are all artificial thanks to them.”

She stuck her nose to the ground and sniffed around just a bit. “Large game or small?” Which did he prefer? It had been a long time since she had hunted with another wolf perhaps that was why she was so giddy about it.

Author: Krystopher, Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2017 8:34 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

It was a hard concept, but he knew that it was true that he couldn’t give up on finding Isabelle. Otherwise he would drive himself insane. He felt sad that Elizabeth had endured so much and yet she seemed strong despite her will nearly being broken moment ago. At least he was assured that she wouldn’t fall back into the state of mind that she had been in. But it was true that he had never had to bury a child so young like she did.
 
“Sounds like your family have been through terrible times. I know about that too well.” It had been a long while since he thought of his own parents as well as his people. It was a shame that he lost nearly everything within a few days of war. It was through miracles that he found his siblings, one by one. Liz didn’t seem to have such luck though with everything that happened to her and hers.
 
“I’m afraid I will be tortured until I do find her though. She’s the last part of me I have in this or any world. I have to find her to silence all the questions lest I drive myself mad. I’m sure you understand.” Krystopher fell back into the chair and listened as the sirens started to died down. “Must have. Guess Blaine and Jayden will head home soon, along with everyone else.” By now he wondered what would happen when he got back and Blaine complained on his whereabouts. He didn’t really mind it though. “Remember that well, Liz. You can’t keep living in the past, no matter how hard it is to push forward. I’ve been there plenty of times and it is hard, but you do have support, I believe. Lean on them if necessary; sometimes it far better to do that than to go through it alone.”
 
He had stayed until he was sure the others would return to aid her and excused himself. For the next couple of weeks, he kept himself busy with his twin great grandchildren or sparring with Jayden or getting into various trouble with Blaine. Of course they had to worry about Toya catching whiff of it and bribed Aurora from snitching to her. Sometimes he would be left to his own devices and would remain in his room or in the study. Today had been a quiet day with his brother having to take off on business and his children were watching over their mother to make sure that she didn’t overdid herself. Krys was in the study, reading more of the book from the night he had to look for Elizabeth. He was just getting to the good stuff when he was interrupted by one of the servants. It had been a long time since someone called him “Lord”; it was something he wasn’t very much used to and had to stare at her for a moment before placing the book down. It was unfortunate that he would going to have to leave but he was curious since he didn’t know too many people outside of the White Court. Then he heard that it was Liz and he nodded before heading downstairs.
 
She seemed to be doing fine as he approached her. She looked good, especially without stained blood all over her. Straight to the point, she asked him to run with her; but it made sense since she was still kind of recovering. Everyone else was rather busy and he had nothing more to do around here. “Sure. It’s been a long time since I hunted.” Now that he thought about it, Krystopher hadn’t shifted in a long, long time. It would likely do him some good to stretch out and get some running down.   
 
He had a feeling he knew of where they would go since Blaine had mentioned a place nights ago. “Think around the lake will do.” He accompanied her on the path and before they knew it, they were around the Kirika Lake. Like his brother had stated, he could see the plains around it, provide miles of freedom and potential quarry. He slipped off his coat and removed his dark shirt and unlaced his boots. Being shifters, he wasn’t bother by getting undressed though normally he would shift without needing to shed his clothing. But Krys figured that it would be fair to do so if she had to. Soon his pants were off and he let the change come over him. Before long, a large black wolf stood in his place with those cerulean eyes. “Ready whenever you are.”

Author: Elizabeth, Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2017 1:47 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

“Hold onto it until it slips away,” she spoke with a sadness in her heart. She knew about that so very well. From waiting for her husband to come through the door back at their home to hoping the void storm would end so they could bring Coriko home to get help. Sometimes hope was all you ever had.

She found a place in the Purple Court far from the library, which was probably best since Krystopher had found her. She was more at home in this place than listening to her mother yell. “Hopefully so… She hasn’t been completely alright with me wandering since my twin brother’s death… and after him, my younger brother also died. My mother had had a lot of loss in her life… but I understand and can bear the storm with her. I supposed that’s why in a sane state of mind that I choose life. So that I don’t have to make her suffer the pain of losing me either.”

She tilted her head at him as they waited and she gave a small smile. “If I shouldn’t have to suffer Krystopher… Neither should you. I think we would both get our asses beaten by those who care about us… both living and the deceased or missing.” For his sake, she put missing as her amber eyes moved to the window. “The sirens have died down they must have told my mother I am here.”

–

It took a while for her leg to heal. She was in a lot of intense therapy with Angela’s daughter Belle. Angela didn’t have much time these days to oversee her recovery thanks to the twins but that was alright. She flexed her leg as she watched the young blonde feel her muscle.

“You’ve healed quite nicely even with the potion. We had thought that you would have a permanent limp even with the healing powers my mother had. If Krystopher had brought you home any later you might not have been so lucky,” her voice was soft as Belle stood up and nodded to Liz.

“Sounds like a miracle to me. I thought for sure that I had permanently damaged it.” She flexed her toes and seemed pleased. “Can I shift now?”

“You can shift to your heart’s desire now. You should be just fine to go on a hunt as long as you don’t overstress your leg.” It had been a month since she had last been able to go on a hunt and even now she was required to have someone with her. For this, she wanted a wolf, someone who could ultimately enjoy the hunt with her and it would have been weird to ask her cousins or Blaine since it felt like they would be more of her babysitter.

She hopped up and flexed her bare feet on the cold tile before leaving the Red Rose Clinic, one of a dozen on the road as she felt the nice hot breeze against her face. Her white hair wasn’t blood stained this time around as she made her way to the White Court. She had on a loose tan shirt and pants. Hanging from her neck was a cracked hourglass necklace, more symbolic than anything. She knocked on the door before being let in.

A servant came and heard her request and before long they scurried off to find Krystopher. “Lord Wintercrest? You have a guest in the parlor, it’s Lady Elizabeth.”

She had her arms crossed and her white hair was braided in different places and tied with a golden ribbon on the end. “Do you want to take run with me? I just got cleared to go on a hunt but I need someone to go with me… if anyone would go they would just be a babysitter… It would be weird and I need a wolf companion to fully enjoy the hunt with me… What do you think?”

Author: Krystopher, Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2017 8:56 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

Liz was going to be in pain for a while, that injury was going to affect her movement for an extended period of time, but she would live from the look of things. "I think that if it gets worse, Angela may need to be called to check it out." Now that he thought of it, Blaine and Toya did have plenty of daughters and granddaughters. Whether by blood or not, his brother doted and took to all of them as if they were all equally his own. Heaven knew that with him worrying over them would likely drive him crazy.

He helped her up off of the ground with ease and care. She seemed so light to him, even for Rosenite standards. When she lost her footing, he grabbed hold of her to help out. Her words though caused him to once more bite his tongue but his jaw loosened as he thought about it. He would have never gave up and told himself already that he wouldn't until he found Isabelle, dead or alive. He prayed that it would be the latter. "Sometimes hope is all we have to hold on to", he admitted out loud as he started to lead her away from the cemetery and around to the front of the house. He could still hear the sirens going on and people calling from the distance. Somewhere in the amidst of the chaos was his brother and nephew still searching for her.

Liz was greatly attached to the blanket she held, being the one that her son was in when he was first born. Krystopher continued to guide her until they were inside the house. From there, he lead her to the nearest room and placed her down where she could rest. "I doubt that you should have some in your state." He looked around and found a place to sit for a moment and nodded at her. "My niece told me that too, at least the shortened name part. Perhaps she will be understanding, hopefully." Closing his eyes, Krys fell silent for a short while before he looked to her. The words from before had sunk inside him and he felt as though he had to say something about it. "Honestly I do want to sometimes, but I want to know what happened, if she's still alive or…not. Isabelle is the last remnant of my life before all this chaos. My wife had disappeared long ago, as did our adopted daughter as well and someone very close and dear to my heart. The last thing I want is to learn of her death as well, but I know I will never be satisfied until I find her."

"Death likely won't bring you the comfort that you think it will. What happened to Coriko is a real tragedy but I wouldn't think that he or your late husband would want you to suffer like you are…" 

Author: Elizabeth, Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2017 8:00 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

Liz shook her head. “No, that’s just how Blaine and Toya deal with all their daughters and granddaughters. Especially that Aurora and Remedy. Dear god they are like exact replicas of their grandmother.” She screwed the cap on the flask and groaned a bit more from the numbing pain that she had now that the adrenaline was gone.

She held tightly onto the blanket with one hand as he helped her up. She lost her footing and began to limp on the leg. She felt like the leg would reopen at any moment and she winced. “Never lose hope until you find a body Krystopher. The moment you lose hope… you just won’t be able to live with yourself until you get the answer. Why give up when you know you’re never going to stop? If we hadn’t been swallowed by the void and came into Revaliir, I would still be looking for my husband… but…” She shook her head. “I understand.”

Liz’s amber eyes looked down at the blanket. “It stopped smelling like Coriko years ago but… He slept with it a lot until he decided he was too old to. It’s his receiving blanket from when he was born. Angela made it for us… or at least she got her daughter Aaryona to make it.” She chuckled a bit and held the blanket close. “It’s really the only thing I have that brings me comfort. I managed to grab it just before the void swallowed us and I’m thankful I got it.”

She tilted her head. “Though I could use some whiskey… Could make me forget about the damn in my leg. Liz is short for Elizabeth by the way… Only my mother calls me Elizabeth though and only when I’m in trouble. Which I’m sure I will be tonight from the sounds of it.”

Author: Krystopher, Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2017 7:46 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

He knew that his sister-in-law was a harsh woman, but also a warm and kind one when she wanted to be. Surely he felt that every family across the land had a “Toya”. Sometimes she seemed to be a pain in the ass, but ultimately he did care for her since she was a part of his pack. He felt some comfort that Liz seemed to value her opinion as well.
 
Krystopher didn’t feel like arguing the events of what happened with her as far as the slavers were concerned. What was done was done and she seemed adamant that she would be careful next time and didn’t need assistance. Knowing that the Rosenites he did know were stubborn as hell, he figured she was the same way. He would have to take a page out of Blaine’s book, picking the right battles to fight and knowing when he should just take the loss.
 
Things got a bit more serious when she told him what happened to Coriko and his heart sank. Losing a child was hard enough, but one so young was even worse, especially if it seemed like fate was against them. There wasn’t much he could think to say that could comfort the hurting mother and widow. Fate could be so cruel and make us go through terrible ordeals. Beyond survival, there was nothing to gain from getting through but everything to lose from failing. He had heard of these void storms every now and then; they reminded him of something similar back home but he shook his head of the thought.
 
He ceased his magic once he was sure that she was drinking from the flask. “Could have sworn that she had some alcohol or something. I’m too used from seeing her and Blaine drink all over the household.” He was thankful that it actually contained something helpful in this situation. Drinking with the amount of blood loss Liz endured would make for absolute trouble otherwise. “Aye, she is. But I doubt that a certain someone would let her try it for her own good.” Krystopher slowly rose back to his feet and offered her a hand. “Yes, that’s me. And…unfortunately so.” He had to bite his tongue a bit before he had to think of her once more. “Come on, I can help you up and get inside. You shouldn’t be on that leg for too long before it fully recovers…”

Author: Elizabeth, Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2017 7:18 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

“Toya has a death wish all of her own and she doesn’t even realize it.” She said it without thinking and perhaps this was a bad time to crack a tiny smile thinking of the woman. It went away as she noticed she had done it and frowned just a bit.

Once she was shifted back she was just as not shy about it as he was. She was a shifter after all and this was natural, she knew from him speaking the same wolven language that he was one too. “They cross into the red sands on occasion. Being as far out as I was… probably made them think it was safe to do. I don’t need any backup for such a small job… Just next time I need to be alert.” She looked up at him and blushed a bit. She didn’t want to be weak. “I hadn’t realized how long I’ve been here.”

Now she was looking at Coriko and he had noticed. It caused her to frown greatly. “It’s been two summers since I put him in the warm ground. I’ll never forget how scared he was when we got caught in that void storm in Parvpora… Or how much he asked me to make it stop hurting. He caught the fever over there and if it wasn’t for the void storm we would have gotten home and I could have gotten him the help he needed.” She took her fist and punched the ground. “The god damn void storm was what killed my son!” She yelled it. “First my husband dies and leaves me with our infant… then the fates decide I can’t my son either.” She was so angry with the world.


It took her a few moment to calm down but she was quick to take the flask and drink it. She didn’t want to deal with Toya if she didn’t drink it. She looked at Krys and shook her head. “Toya is one hell of a woman. She would wrestle down a dragon if she thought it was giving her attitude.” That was her small joke. “My leg is still really sore.” She looked down and saw the healing light from the potion she had drunk. “Probably will be for days…”

Her eyes turned to him. “Your name is Krystopher isn’t it? Toya said your daughter was lost. At least when she sat me down to talk to me…”

Author: Krystopher, Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2017 6:56 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

Krystopher simply looked at her while he still healed her, her words shocked and disturbed him greatly. What was her situation? Why did she wish to die? He didn’t know who “them” were, but he was sure that her death wouldn’t solve things regardless. “Toya wouldn’t let anyone die if she can help it. And I’m the same way”, he said to her in wolven language. “I don’t know your situation, but wanting your death won’t solve it, I’m afraid.” He had never wanted his death before, but he had been been greatly depressed when he lost his wife, daughter and stepdaughter a long time ago before even coming to this world. He remember holding up in his room, surrounded by bottles and misery. He couldn’t summon the energy to do anything but mope around and pity himself. When he truly lose everything, Krys tried to not fall into such destruction ways or worse, which was why the lycan was in Sularia in the first place.
 
He looked to the white wolf as she shifted back. Her being naked didn’t faze him; it was merely something that shifters gotten comfortable with after a while. It also helped him to see just where she was hurt and tried to focus on that. “I see. I wouldn’t have thought that they would come this close to the city’s grounds knowing that if spotted, they would be dealt with.” But sometimes with a person’s greed, they could be capable of anything if it was strong enough. “Perhaps next time you should have some backup just in case. Everyone’s been out here looking for you. Apparently you’ve been gone for a while now”, he sighed before noticing that Liz was looking up at something and then his own eyes followed suit. His eyes were glued to the statue before realizing that he was someone important to her. Even more than he assumed when she replied. “I…I’m sorry for your loss. Losing a child…it’s as painful as it gets without it being your own death. A parent shouldn’t have to bury their young…” His voice trailed off as he lowered his gaze. His daughter, though not buried yet, had been missing for so long that he wasn’t sure whether she was alive or not. But he knew the pain of not knowing, not being around his flesh and blood and the questions never stop rolling in his head.
 
The blanket she held looked as though it belonged to a young child, so he assumed that it once belonged to her son. Upon her suggestion, Krystopher took out the flask and handed it to her. “I think Toya likes you. Not that I’ve seen her like anyone enough other than her husband, my brother.” It was a shame that she felt so desperate to see her son again and while he understood in some regards how she felt, he still didn’t feel as though her reason should warrant her death.

Author: Elizabeth, Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2017 3:25 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

Her breathing had become to slowly vanish but her heart rate picked up as Krys got near her. She let out a snarl as he went to heal her but quickly noticed the flask from the smell and she put her head back down into the blanket. “Why can’t Toya just let me die.” There were tears even in her wolf form. It was such a sorrowful sound that would come to him. “I want to be with them, it’s not fair. Why couldn’t it have taken me too.”

Her voice sounded so much younger than that of Toya or Angela but she was still mature. After a few moment her body shifted and while her naked form was there she didn’t seem to mind he holding her leg. With the fur gone, it was easy to see that a spear had gotten her through the ligaments of her leg. Her amber eyes stared up at him as she cradled the blanket in her arms.

“It was a simple hunting trip. There had been a giant sand wurm out on the edge of Arri causing problems for the people coming to and from Sularia. It had been contracted to be killed so I said I would take care of it. Trade is what the Purple Court deals with on a day to day basis, I thought I could help my mother out. It’s a sand wurm, nothing overly dangerous where a group of the guild from Toya’s court had to go.”

She pulled the blanket closer to her. “I killed it and it didn’t take more than a day to find it and do that… However, I hadn’t counted on a group of slavers coming to investigate what was going on. I was noticed and couldn’t get out of the way. There was a group of twelve and I had managed to take down eleven of them before the last one managed to spear my leg. I dispatched him before I could take care of it but…” Her eyes drifted to Coriko’s statue. It was a statue of a happy little boy, the way she remembered him most. “If I had died I could be with my son. So I came here instead of going to see Angela.”

She sounded a bit defeated as she looked to the flask. “The flask is one of Angela’s… It’s a healing potion that is twenty times as effective as a healing spell. I only know because Toya lets me drink it whenever I get hurt. It might work better for healing the ligament.”

Author: Krystopher, Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2017 1:28 PM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

While Aurora would have normally argued back at her mother, it was already not a smart idea to do so with Toya in general. But to do so while she was with child? That was basically asking to get killed so she did as her mother told her and shut her mouth while she talked to Krys. He could see plainly that she was being serious right now and obliged when she pulled him down to speak with him more privately. “You seem to know her case rather well…”, he said as she handed him a flask. Apparently Liz would need a good drink out of whatever his sister-in-law had packed inside it. “Cemetery behind the Purple Court, got ya.” The lycan couldn’t help but to wonder why Toya would have a good idea as to where she was, specifically at a child’s grave. He gripped tightly around the flask before he slipped out of the manor after being pointed towards the right direction by Aurora.
 
While he went down the trail, Krys couldn’t help but wonder why Toya felt like he should be the one that goes and finds her. Why not tell the others that were out there looking for her? Too many questions arrive in his head but he pushed it aside as he eventually made it to the correct home and went behind it. Sure enough he could a cemetery but then smelled fresh blood not too far inside. Soon his pacing became running as he followed the scent until he spotted a white wolf. “Liz? Liz?” He made it over to her, and saw that she was greatly injured around her leg. Acting quickly, he placed his hands onto her blood soaked leg and concentrated his magic to focus on the wound. Healing magic channeled onto her as he looked at what she was curled upon. It looked like a blanket of sorts but he didn’t pay it too much heed.
 
“Don’t worry, I got you. It’s gonna be okay. Do you remember what happened?”, he asked as he continued to heal her. 

Author: Elizabeth, Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2017 11:55 AM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

Toya heard the magical sirens going out over the city. She was immediately concerned. They would only have sounded them if something was really, really wrong. Then Jayden had come in and told them it was Liz and her heart sank a million pieces. Liz was so young and she was going through so much in her young age, she remembered going through half the things that Liz was in that moment and she had barely made it.

She held her hand to her belly as she came out. Once the others had left she sent a look to Aurora. “Say nothing about what I’m about to say.” Suddenly the woman was completely serious. “Krys this is something only you can do while I’m stuck here…”

Pulling Krys to her she pulled him down and put her lips to his ear. “In the cemetery… Follow the purple court. Towards the back, there is a child’s grave. She will be there. She might need this I imagine.” She put one of Angela’s crystallized flasks. “Hopefully she isn’t hurt too much. She might be in her wolf form. She is white furred but you should notice who she is. Hurry, you might find you have a lot in common with her Krys.”

In the cemetery right where Toya had said she would be was a white wolf in a pool of blood. She was slowly bleeding but she had enough sense. She pulled the blanket out of its safe spot and curled up with it. She whimpered softly as her brown eyes looked up at the statue of her son. “It won’t be long now Coriko.” Her white fur had blood spots all over it. It looked like the wound was on her back leg, that was where her fur was soaked in blood the most.

Author: Krystopher, Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2017 9:22 AM, Post Subject: Silent Night (P,R)

Krystopher had been with the White Rose Court for a few months now, and his recovery seemed to be going smoothly. A great part of this was because of his brother’s family, particularly Kite and Tempest as he got used to being their great uncle and their antics. But the twins were good kids and they were a part of his rather small pack. He was grateful for what remained of his family because in this world, that would be ultimately all they had left- each other. But to say that every now and then he was haunted by his past was an understatement. His mind went back and forth when it came to Bast or Moliira or his beautiful daughter. While he was sure that he’d never see his former wife or lover again, he had to carry some hope that the child was somewhere, safe and sound. It was the only thing that would keep him from breaking down at times in private.
 
It was a clear night where he sat at the windowsill of his room, reading one of his favorite books. The house was alive with the usual- the kids running about and causing mayhem while Blaine chased after them and Toya bickering with Aurora over being allowed to do things even in her pregnant state. Her daughter tried to keep her safe and he could hear her calling her mother a knucklehead only for her to return the favor. He softly chuckled to himself and turned to the next page. He was about to get to the best part with the desert air was filled with a strange sound that echoed all over. Peeking up, Krys looked over to see people down below gathering with lights and calling out for someone. Blaine and Jayden soon exited the manor and joined them and he slipped back into the room and tossed the book onto the bed.
 
Heading downstairs, he saw Aurora looking outside. “Hey, what’s going on?”
 
The teen turned to her uncle and frowned. “The sirens are going off. I think someone has gone missing. Father and Jay went out to go and see. They told me to look after Mother so that she doesn’t get any ideas.” Jayden returned a moment later, “Liz has gone missing.”
 
“Liz?” 
 
“Elizabeth, one of our cousins from the Purple Court”, his niece explained. “Ma! Liz is the one that’s missing!”
 
“She’s apparently been missing for a few days, that’s not normally like her. Anyway, I’m going back out there”, Jay said, “You can come if you like, Uncle. Or you can stay with Aurora and keep Mother out of trouble.” After that he headed back out there and Krystopher went to seek out Toya, with Aurora following behind him.