Wolf's Wish on Demon Lands (StainedCrimson and Dusu)

[StainedCrimson]

Najee nods slowly taking in the information before looking at Lance with a big smile. "Yes, Na-chan built this shortly after getting here. There was a situation that caused me to look for my own territory finally instead of staying where I was or just wandering around. And Na-chan's friend Yu-kun said that I could move in next to her, yes..." He rocks back and forth slowly. "Mr. Wolfy should also know that the stronger demons often have other abilities to. Not all of them, but a lot of them yes. So you should be careful if you're going to wander around."

 

He looks at Lance and tilts his head. "What is your purpose while here? To just wander aimlessly or eventually settle down?" Najee asks wondering just what it is Lance is seeking. "Are you looking for a home or just freedom from the human cities?" His questions hold more of the air of one talking aloud but still wanting an answer if Lance is able to give one.

[Lady.Taser]

Leaning backwards Lance stretched with his arms high above his head. His muscles were stiff not have been in this form for a while and he was sat stationary they were not being used. Looking at Najee he noticed the child like mannerisms were ever so slowly dissapearing and with a smirk he sat back how he had been before. "I am a wolf without a home or a mate by pack definition I am a lone wolf. While I am trying to have freedom from the human cities I don't really fancy travelling forever, so i will want to settle down."

 

He paused and lay back flat on the ground with his hands under his head. He wanted to stop travelling soon, he would prefer it to be sooner rather than later but he needed a safe area and the idea of going back to the cities revolted him, the filth there was too great that he would rather spend his time with demons and not seeing another Were.

 

"Don't worry, I am not planning on settling down where i'm not wanted. I don't really fancy being killed just for where I choose to live. What is it that happened to you before you lived here? And what kind of abilities?"

[StainedCrimson]

Najee nods to the part about settling down. "Na-chan hasn't been to a human city for awhile, not since before Ai-chan left it with his human, but they didn't feel nice at all." He muses thoughtfully. Seeing Lance flop onto his back stretched out he smiles and laughs to himself at the picture of ease and being relaxed the other presents. At Lance's next comments he nods. "This land is dangerous to those unfamiliar with it and those not strong enough to hold their own. And if you want to live anywhere you have to find out if it's been claimed or not. If not you can just settle in and work on establishing your borders, if it is you have to ask the 'lord' of that territory if you can live there." He explains.

 

He blinks when asked about himself before shaking his head. "No, this is my first time owning my own territory. A lot of Na-chan's life he doesn't know or remember, then Na-chan wandered around a lot, and up until recently Na-chan lived with his now ex-boyfriend." Najee tosses out casually with a shrug before looking at Lance when he asks about abilities. Tilting his head he looks almost confused by the question. "All kinds of abilities... Some can use elemental abilities like ice or wind and some are able to do other stuff. It depends on the type of demon and how strong they are." Tilting his head he looks at Lance curiously. "Are you able to do anything like that?"

[Lady.Taser]

“No… the human cities haven’t been nice for a while too much corruption and reliance on technology, I mean, yeah it is useful, a phone is a great way to keep in touch but there are certain limits. When the technology has got to the point it is today and your smell is as sensitive as a wolf’s you need to either have no sense of smell or walk around constantly with a scarf over your nose or something to try and block it out.” Lance heard the laugh from the other but chose to ignore it. He didn’t need Najee knowing just how good his hearing was. Instead he settled into listen about how the wilds worked, for some reason it surprised him that this territory was the Demon’s first and he looked over feeling pity for the demon who couldn’t remember parts of his past, though this quickly turned to a look of amusement as a smirk crossed his face. Well waddaya know, Demons can swing both ways too. A giggle escaped his lips unbidden.

 

The talk of abilities scared Lance, his face paling. Elemental abilities and who knows what else. A shiver ran down his spine and he became very glad he hadn’t actually ended up in a situation against any of the demons he had passed, he got the feeling he would have seriously underestimated them. He shook his head at Najee’s question. “No… Were’s have no special or magical abilities past changing into a wolf and quick healing, but they are synapomorphic to our species, at least I know of no other species with quiet the same regeneration rate. What are your abilities?” He was now desperate to know as he wanted to know what to look out for if he ended up on the demon’s bad side, though he was starting to think he very much wanted to be on his good side…. Hell maybe the wilds weren’t the best idea for somewhere to live, but he was here now… and here he hoped to stay.

 

Well maybe not right here…. Just for a bit. He snuck a glance at Najee. The demon seemed more than happy for him to be around and it could be a good idea to get information before venturing anywhere, even back to the cities.

[StainedCrimson]

Najee nods and sighs sadly. "The cities were much nicer before they got so 'advanced'." He shifts and looks at Lance again as he talks about weres and smiles. "Demons heal fast to. Some faster than others and some can even regenerate to an extent. It depends on the type of demon. The same can be said of those who can change forms." He gets a thoughtful look. "If I recall right I ran into a reptilian demon that could regenerate limbs after they'd been cut off."

 

When asked about his abilities he gives Lance a bit of a twisted smile. "My abilities? They are vastly different and noncomparable to any other demon you'll come across. Well, minus Yu-kun and Ai-chan perhaps. More so with Yu-kun than Ai-kun." He looks up at the ceiling before continuing. "My circumstances and there's were much different in terms of how our abilities formed and developed." He suddenly hits his palm with a fist. "Oo! I can fly and swim really fast. Even stay under water almost as long as a water demon." Najee laughs to lessen the tension before grinning at Lance. "All you need to know really is that I'm extremely able to protect and maintain my territory from any other demons."

 

As if able to read his thoughts Najee tilts his head as he continues. "If you don't want to risk running into dangerous demons and really aggressive ones you should stay near this area. Don't go further into the demon wilds. This mountain is already deep in the demon territory, it's considered the heart of the demon lands since it's the only existing mountain range."

[Lady.Taser]

"The healing and regeneration does vary though, within Were's the ability tends to be constant except in rare occasions..." He looked towards the ceiling but wasn't seeing it as his eyes glazed over as he remembered one who had been such an exception, he himself wasn't one but he wasn't sure he wanted a life that... tragic. He slowly came back to reality, remembering that he was in the house of a demon, a stranger and he should probably not get caught up remembering.

 

"Why are they so different from other demons.. your abilities that is? There must be a reason, more than just how they formed... how they formed could easily have affected the strength of them but not the abilities themselves" He eyed Najee carefully. "What makes you so different to the other demons?" Thinking carefully he listened to the advice, according to Najee he was strong enough to defend his territory, but was it a good idea for Lance to hang around here...

"Wait, you just said to stay around this area..." Lance propped himself up on his elbows and narrowed his eyes at Najee. "Did you just ask me to stay nearby... Why?"

[StainedCrimson]

Najee nods and finds it interesting that Were and demons hold that aspect the same. When asked about why he was so different he just gives an empty smile. "That's incredibly personal and has no real place at this moment. Let's just say that human cruelty far surpasses anything you'll encounter from a demon and leave it at that shall we?" He blinks at Lance's sudden change in attitude. "It was a suggestion. If you go to the East you'll come across Yu-kun's territory and she's the strongest demon of all demons, second only maybe to Ai-chan." He says thoughtfully but in a very calm contemplative manner showing that he's being honest and truthful. Shaking his head slightly he looks back at Lance. "Past Yu-kun's territory is that of a group of demon bandits more or less. They're run by my ex-boyfriend who has ice abilities. Those are just the demons in the nearby territories. While none may be as strong as Yu-kun, there will be a lot like my ex who have strong elemental powers. So it was a word of caution and wisdom to you since you don't know how these lands work." He explains.

 

Shifting he rests his chin in the palms of both hands while leaning on the table to look at Lance. "I offered you the choice to stay on my territory so you can learn in a relatively safe environment while you get adjusted. If you think you can handle the further reaches of the demon wilds then you can do so. Or if not, you'd be welcomed to stay here. I make the offer because I like the feel of you. You feel honest, trustworthy and like you won't go out of your way to cause me trouble."

[Lady.Taser]

He stood and looked at Najee before looking outside, moving over to a window he leaned on the frame and gazed up at the sky. The numerous stars that were visible gleaming in and out of his vision as the light from them finished they long travel. He could stay, it was a nice land, a very nice land and he would be safe, well reasonably. There was none of what drove him away from the human cities and almost all of what enticed him into the wilds, the sweet air, unpolluted lakes and natural bodies of water.

 

"I guess... here is a good place. I have already learnt small bits from observation but nothing significant." He didn't look inwards as he spoke to Najee, rather he spoke quietly out towards the forest, wondering just how larger Najee's land was, with this much space available he would want to run and hunt and be free, without the risk of death from drawing unwanted attention. A small almost imperceptible smile graced his face. "So how large is your territory, and who else would i likely meet on it if i stayed?"

[StainedCrimson]

Najee gives a small comforting and encouraging smile. "Thank you. I enjoy it here to. Hmm, my territory is fairly large. We're in the middle of it. It's roughly 50 to 70 miles in diameter in all directions from here. I could take you on a tour of the edge of my territory tomorrow so you can learn the markers for it." He offers. He hums thinking about Lane's second question. "Mostly wild animals and low-leveled demons that live here and respect my authority. Well, my power actually and low-leveled to me. However, if I take you around my territory then they'll realize you're here with my permission and as a guest so they'll mostly leave you alone. Hmm, Yu-kun and Ai-chan might visit every now and then. Yu-kun is more likely since she lives so close. That should be it mostly I think..." He muses while hiding his pleasure at having someone to share the territory with someone intelligent and probably willing to talk to him and give him company.

[Lady.Taser]

"knowing the markers would be good, so a tour would be great." he turned to Najee with the smile having grown into something larger, one of imense happiness that he didn't even realise he was projecting. The thought of no longer travelling and being a wolf with no territory was pleasing, even if he wasn't in charge of the territory it still made him happy, after all what had caused him to be effectively exiled from his fathers lands was his wish to explore, run and hunt over large expanses of land, rather than being cooped up in what was a garden like a common dog.

 

With a large yawn he wandered over to where near Najee was in the room and glanced over at him. "I'm gonna go find somewhere to sleep, i will be around in the morning." Still smiling he slowly moved towards the door, debating in his head whether to sleep in wolf form or human form, he was going to need to be in wolf form for the tour tomorrow, best way to identify the markers with the wolf's sense of smell. He was however enjoying using his human form for the first time in a while, working out the stiff muscles. It didn't take long to decide to stay in human form, it had been a while since he had been able to wash properly and he could recall seeing a small stream not far away, perfect for a late night wash before bed.

[StainedCrimson]

Najee gets up, reminding the other of just how tall he is, and nods. "If you don't find a place suitable, or decide you want a bed and hot water feel free to make use of some of the extra room here on occasion. I live by myself and am often out wandering. You just have to go back there and you'll find the rooms and hot springs." He walks Lance to the door and smiles at him. "Alright, I shall see you in the morning." He watches the other walk off before closing the door with a satisfied smile for having convinced the other to at least give his territory consideration and to stay there for the time being. Humming happily to himself he goes to soak in the hot water before going to bed, eager for morning to come.

[Lady.Taser]

Hot springs... sounded nice, but right now he needed to be out of the building, he still didn't completely trust Najee and so felt safer in the open air. He quickly found his way to the stream where he stripped off the clothes he had put on a dumped them on the bank before wading in, feeling the current try to grab at his legs, attempting to pull him under. Submerging himself he felt cleaner already, though his hair needed more more than just running water to clean it.

 

Of course he had been swimming through water as a wolf while travelling but it didn't have the same effect, the same feel as when he was in human form. wading along the bank of the river a small way he looked out for a plant he knew had cleansing properties. When he found it he pulled up some of the roots before using some rocks to pool some of the water, grinding the root in the small pool of stationary water he ended up with a sudsy film on top that worked in the same way as soap. It didn't take long for him to finish washing after that but he remained standing in the center of the stream for a while before making his way over to where he had left his things and finding somewhere to sleep for the night, probably up a tree.

[StainedCrimson]

Najee washed up using one of the few different kinds of soaps and shampoos he has on a small natural nook in the cave wall to store them. Finishing washing up he soaks in the hot water for a time thinking about his newest tenet of sorts. He seems like a good man and was easy on the eyes to boot. He wonders if they can develop a friendship or maybe something more. Shaking his head with a smirk he gets out to dry off and head to his room where his bed is basically a giant thick pillow that covers almost the entire floor with numerous other pillows and blankets on it. "Easy Najee, you just got out of one relationship and just met the wolf. No need to get ahead of yourself..." He murmurs crawling into the middle and curls up falling asleep quickly. Come morning he's already up and making breakfast as he waits for his guest to arrive.

[Lady.Taser]

The sun woke Lance up not long after it rose, but he continued to doze through the light that was filtering through the leaves, what finally made him get up was the incessant singing that belonged to the birds. So many different songs, pitches and tunes and while his ears weren't as sharp when in human form they were still sharper than a normal humans so even those songs that were normally on a scale humans couldn't here were picked up. Which all in all made for a complete racket to someone who has grown up with only a few species being able to survive near by.

 

He had dropped to the ground from the sturdy branch he'd found to sleep on a pulled out one of the pairs of jeans from his small bag. He didn't bother with a top, or even to do up the zip and button on the jeans. Najee had already seen him both change and naked so he had no reason to bear shame around the demon and he was just going to have to strip after breakfast to change anyway.

 

He walked down the edge of the stream he had bathed in the previous night and paused at the sight of his reflection. His left hand moved up and he ran his fingers along the cheek bone, brushing over the birthmark he had there. He hadn't seen it properly in a long while. In the human cities he had kept it covered using a special make up, too many people had been scared by it when he was a child. He didn't know what the birthmark meant, thought he was sure it wasn't just random as he had a matching birthmark on his right wrist and another running from just under his belly button and downwards, it stopped just below the waist band of his trousers.

 

With a sigh he turned away and headed over to Najee's house, he had no way of still keeping the birthmarks hidden, since they had still be covered when he change into a wolf by the edges of the human cities they were still reasonably muted when he had changed back last night but now after washing they almost glowed a blood red colour, very similar to his hair. As he approached he could smell the food and he found the door open for him. Moving through to the kitchen he leaned on the frame, his hands in the pockets of his jeans watching Najee. "Mornin"

[StainedCrimson]

"Ah! Hello~! You're just in time for breakfast..." Najee calls out happily turning around. When he sees Lance he tilts his head and gets a curious look. "Did you get tattoos after you left?" He gasps dramatically. "Or, or did you get cursed by a ghost?!" He acts all excited like a kid but doesn't seem the least bit bothered by the marking having suddenly appeared. He can tell they're not tattoos since they don't rise above the skin around them and don't have the look of skin that's been inked. The food is already done and set out so when Najee bounds over to look more closely at the marks in curiosity nothing is dropped or spilled. Not that he'd allow anything to do so in his home.

[Lady.Taser]

Lance needed to stop and blink a few times while Najee's reaction processed in his head, well it shouldn't surprise him that this strange person would not be afraid, but instead curios by his birthmarks, but it still did. Even his parents hated seeing him without them covered. "Well i might as well have been i guess. Can't say they've bought me any luck so far in life, they scare people these birthmarks do. Are there actually ghosts out there?"

 

It was strange having Najee inspect him so closely, very strange and it made him laugh, a deep sound that originated in his stomach as he moved away from the demon. "I don't suppose you can do that after we eat can you, i'm hungry" Lance grinned finding himself happy, not just going through day to day life, but actually enjoying it as he made his way over to one of the plates of food. "looks delicious"

[StainedCrimson]

Najee tilts his head a bit confused by the other's reaction but also smiles hearing the other laugh and ask about food. "Sometimes. Though not always in the sense humans mean them. I should introduce you to Yu-kun's Xiu sometime... He's a good example of one. Well, when he's in his true form anyway." Najee muses straightening up before motioning Lance to join him to eat the food. "I'm an excellent cook. So many recipes I haven't tried yet to..." He says wistfully before shrugging.

 

Sitting down he takes a bite and looks at Lance. "Do they really scare others?" He asks in disbelief. He can't understand why, but then again he's used to the different forms of demons, possibly spirits. Making another jump he tilts his head. "Are you scared of heights or get motionsick at all?"

[Lady.Taser]

So there really were ghosts put there somewhere, a chuckle escaped his throat his little sister would be trilled to know they actually existed. "I will definitely need to meet the ghost at some point." and if he ever chose to go home he could tell her all about it. "These birthmarks mean something, they have to. I just don't know what. That is what scares the other Were's, not understanding the patterns or why me. There are little to no cases of birthmarks of any kind amoung Were's. And as for the humans..." Lance shrugged, "i guess they are just a bunch of wimps."

 

As he ate Lance made sure to savour the flavour of the food knowing he could never make anything so good. The best he could do was roast meat over a fire.

 

"motionsickness? None, a wolf qon't get far if they have to stop every 10 minutes due to nausia." Lance grinned across the table showing his teeth which were sharper than those of an average human. "as for heights i dunno. Never had the reason or opportunity to find out. Why what are you planning?"

[StainedCrimson]

Najee snorts upon hearing the reason for humans and Weres. Who knew the two shared that in common? Not that it comes as a surprise in regards to the humans though. He slowly looks over the other to trace the birthmarks with his eyes again. "They could mean something, but why do you think so? Just because they're a rare occurrence in Weres?" He asks genuinely curious as to the root of the conviction Lance seems to have about them, as well as the other Weres.

 

Hearing Lance negate his worries over making the other sick by flying he grins. "Good! I'm going to fly you over the entire perimeter once so you can get an idea of where the lines are from above and then take you down to walk it." He states happily before finishing his own food. Food really does taste better when sharing it with others.

[Lady.Taser]

Lance hummed under his breath while he thought of the best way to phrase his explanation. "Its not just that they are so rare in Were's. Even within humans if they had birthmarks like mine i would think they mean something. It is the patterns, those on my wrist match the one on my stomach and those on my face frame one eye." he paused stretching and keeping one eye on Najee as he continued. "A birthmark is a group of cells where a different pigment is expressed to the rest of the skin cells. For those abnormal cells to be patterned in such a way isn't something that should be possible unless there is a meaning behind them. At least that is my opinion, other Were's are just superstitious."

 

Having just finished eating as Najee exclaimed about flying Lance frowned and looked down at his stomach. "Um sure, no problems with flying, i fancy letting that breakfast go down first though. I kinda like it in my stomach. Sounds like a good idea though..." looking over at Najee he remembered the sole wing that the demon possessed. "So... how are you planning on flying us both around.. with one wing?" Genuine curiosity laced the words as Najee hadn't doubted it was possible and that intrigued Lance. Just how strong was this guy, though he did see Najee drop an unconscious body so he must be pretty strong...

[StainedCrimson]

Najee chuckles and waves a hand. "I know the definition as well as the biology behind birthmarks as well as several superstitions and myths about them. No need to explain it to me. I just find fearful reactions of such markings to be a bit ridiculous." He shifts and gives a bit of a shrug. "That is not to say I don't think there's some founding or perhaps even truth behind the superstitions, but since the real reason and meaning, if it ever existed, has long since faded from memory then it's also very likely that the reactions we see today are highly skewed and twisted from what they once were."

 

Najee waves a finger at Lance while looking amused. "I know you saw me fly before so you shouldn't be so quick to judge or question my abilities. And I've flown carrying my friends before. It's easy!" He grins before getting a thoughtful look. "So long as we're not being shot at or attacked by other flying demons that is. Shouldn't be a problem though since we'll be within my territory."

[Lady.Taser]

"Well i can agree with you on the reactions, but since i had to live with people who reacted like that i needed them covered with a strong kind of make up." Lance frowned, the make up had been specially formulated to hide the deep red of the markings, but the amount it had cost him once her became independent was ridiculous, not that he spent his small fortune on anything else but it was still ridiculous. With a deep laugh Lance realised how stupid it was to think about money now, after all he was in the demon wilds now, "What good is money here.." he muttered a smile on his face once again.

 

"I'll trust your ability to fly while carrying me, but i came here prepared to change and don't fancy heading back before flying with you." Standing he leaned on the windowsill, he liked the wooden frame and the view of the forest and sky, even without the stars it was still a view he wouldn't tire of. "So you'll have to take me like this, i can't wait to get up there now. You must feel so free when you fly, all that space and so few obstacles. You can even see so far in front of you." Lance had his face turned towards the wind almost tasting the smells in the air.

[StainedCrimson]

Najee gives a huff of displeasure but drops the subject of the markings, for now. He laughs at Lance's comment about money. "It can be very useful. You can pay other demons to do things for you, get them to keep others away or themselves, buy food or clothing from the few demon villages or one of the border villages..." Najee lists a few off. "But most things can be traded for if you don't have money. Not that human currency is much good here really." He muses a bit to himself.

 

Najee huffs and crosses his arms. "What? Did you think I'd go around flying with a wolf in my arms?" He gives what could almost be called a pouting glare at Lance. "I'd planned on taking you flying in your human form, the wolf would be too awkward. Once we've done the air lap and land then you can change into a wolf and follow me around the border if you want to." Hearing Lance's thoughts on his being able to fly he smiles and gives a small nod. "It is very much like that. There's nothing like the experience of flying through the air and feeling the wind rush around you."

[Lady.Taser]

Lance gave a laugh at Najee displeasure, "you seem upset, don't worry, there will be plenty of time to figure things out. After all it seems like i may be here for a while." He grinned at the Demon as he listened about the uses of money, not having realised that the demons used a currency system at all.

 

He couldn't identify why but for some reason the demon huffing was cute and it made him laugh again. "Just checking, didn't think you'd want a huge wolf with a row of dangerous teeth in your arms." He winked at Najee, finding that he actually liked the Demon, more than he could say for most of the people he knew back in the cities.

 

"It will be interesting to see how flying compares to running." He thought remembering how much he loved to run and this was going to be the first time he had such a large open and most importantly, Safe place for him to run. The way here had been too many dangerous possibilities for him to safely run on the way here but now he could have the freedom to run through the forest, feeling the adrenaline rush as he needed to think and react quickly to avoid the obstacles.

[StainedCrimson]

Najee nods with a small smile. "Demon currency is similar in the way that value is dependent upon what you what to pay with. However, demons don't use paper or coin currency like humans." He grins rocking back and forth. Hearing Lance voice why he thought Najee might not want to fly with a wolf he starts laughing, almost hysterically. "I've flown with a wolf who's words and looks alone are much more dangerous than your teeth could every be."

 

Once he calms down he smiles at Lance. "After I clean up we can get going." He says waving at the now empty and dirtied dishes. Laughing softly to himself he gets up to start cleaning up after breakfast and very happy about his new companion that will be living with him in a way. The other was smart and with a good sense of humor which are definitely good things to have with a roommate. After the dishes are washed, dried and put away he goes over to Lance. "Ready for your first flying adventure?" He grins obviously excited.