We were both {Young}

[{Alaula}]

{Alaula}

We were both young
When I first saw you

Bright blue eyes gazed about as she padded carefully though the forest. She had heard stories of this place, but never had she gone so far in from the dens or the Great Planes. The trees were thick, the bark dark and no grass grew. The biggest wolves had a hard time manovering, but not her. No, her lithe frame easily zigzagged between the trunks of the tall pines and tan fur blending in with the dappled light. If anything, this was her element.

She had excaped from the castle for the night, away from the Istari and the Alchemists. Away from the tense world and into the solidarity of the forest. She searched for someone, one whom she wished to see more than her magical comrades and ever-serious guards. More than the cold King and the febble Prince. She searched for him, the one wolf she worried about day in and day out since the disappearances began to occur.

The little Istari had met him long before she knew of her desire to weild the elements. Their friendship she kept a secret. She was far too young to be thinking of males, of mateship. In this society, it was frowned upon. And she had her future to think about too.

Though they were both the same rank, she hardly saw him on a daily basis, both under different mentors. Yet they met whenever they could get away. To practice their craft alone without the sneering of their peers. Every second with him she loved, adored, no matter how frowned upon it was. She continued to move her lithe form through the trees, looking about for something....anything that could either keep her mind off of him, or to find him amongst the tree trunks.

I closed my eyes
and the flashback starts..

[Nephilm]

IF I COULD BE YOUR ANGEL, PROTECT YOU FROM THE PAIN.

[/color]
i'd keep you safe from danger, you'd never h u r t a g a i n [/color][/font][/center]

He shouldn't have been here. Although the dark wolf was part of the light pack for now, he had been staying near the outskirts, away from the castle. The heart of the problem. It was cowardice, he knew that he was being fearful when he decided to stay away from the royal family, from the endless yellow plains, and even from her; but he couldn't stay. Not after his father had been one of the ones that disappeared. The male was rather young, but he had tried to fight for his father's freedom; yet failed miserably. All that he had to account for it was singed fur on the side of his face that continued up to his ear. There was nothing left but a scar that fur had thankfully grown over; but anyone that knew him after it happened knew where to look. Knew that it was there because the black fur grew over lightly in that spot, leaving a bit of pink skin visible when he wasn't shrouded in this world's constant darkness.

Baby blue eyes searched for her, even though he knew that they shouldn't be around each other; he didn't care. Anyone that had a problem with their bond could be royally screwed, because Alaula wasn't someone that he would give up for the world. Even now, when they were separated, he knew that they weren't truly apart. She was close, it was one of the few spells that he was somewhat advance in. Sensing the presence of others, he was an empath when it came to other's energies; but not their feelings or auras. It was a plus, it was rare that he was crept up on; but anyone that did try to pull a fast one on him usually irritated him or even scared him so badly that he attacked first.

Alau though, he was always careful with. Not that she was a fragile girl, but he would never forgive himself if he hurt her. Feet carried him over silver stream, and he splashed through the waters with speed and even grace. Nephilm didn't stop to shake out his coat, letting the water slowly fly off of him as he ran. It was rare that anyone was out here; this had to be her. She knew where to look for him, she knew where he would be. Which made this all the more easy for him now didn't it?

The istari ran toward the female that shared his rank, the wolf that was quite easily the best friend he had. The chains and trinkets around his neck jingled just slightly as he swept through the western forest, his paws barely touching the ground. Finally, she was in sight, and the brute didn't stop when he saw her. In a rush of positive emotion he swept past her, making a wide circle around Alaula before finally coming to a rolling stop in front of the girl. He tumbled, weaving through the trees and staring up at the girl whist laying on the ground. Their eyes met, and he couldn't keep himself from smiling. If only he could show her how much he missed her while she was gone; she would never leave again.

[{Alaula}]

Ears flicked forward in the silence, listening for a sound, for something. She knew he was here, or at least somewhere around here. All she longed for was to see him, to make sure he was safe. To make sure he hadn't met the same fate as his father. Skyblue eyes closed tightly as she focused on her center, searching for his essence. Yet tracing magic was not her specialty, not alike him. Her specialty was life magic. She could grow a flower in a minute. She wasn't quite...good at ressurection magic yet, but that took a lot of ability to do, something that she hasn't mastered yet.

The sounds of water, and then running met her acute senses. She did not have to catch his sent or feel his essence to know it was him. And without another thought she was off, paws bringing up dust as she bounded towards him. Sky eyes searched endlessly in the dappled light as she searched for him, worry apparent on her face.

When she saw him she slowed to a stop, waiting for him to do the same. Waiting for him to meet her, yet he didn't. He ran past her, and for a millasecond she worried that someone was chasing him. The worry was instantly distinguished as he doubled back, the smile on his face pulling one from her own. A soft giggle fell from Alaula's muzzle as he tumbled, and quickly her eyes met his.

All her worry, all her care was gone. It was just him, and that was it. She stepped forward then, smiling so brightly as she nuzzled his muzzle happily. "I was so worried Nephilm" She said softly, melodic voice seeming to echo in the thick wood. Slowly the young Istari pulled away and sat down, staring at him. "I'm sorry about your father...I overheard your mentor speaking of him....and of you." She whispered so softly, looking down at the dark ground, shifting her paws awkwardly.

[Nephilm]

IF I COULD BE YOUR ANGEL, PROTECT YOU FROM THE PAIN.

[/color]
i'd keep you safe from danger, you'd never h u r t a g a i n [/color][/font][/center]

The young brute that was named after something he would never be, could only stare as she laughed. Gods, it had been too long since he had heard her voice. It seemed to captivate the entire forest, either that or he was crazy, because it was the only thing that his ears picked up in that moment. Twin tails wagged wildly, and he nuzzled her back, and as she pulled back he looked her over. She wasn't here because something had gone wrong, he had to make sure that she was alright. But there was no distress in her eyes, she was as calming a presence as she had ever been. If something had happened, it wasn't on her mind anymore. He was the same way; their moments together were rarely deterred by the outside world. It was he and Alaula, he and the little light that he would fight to keep a piece of.

She had heard of the reason that he left; and for a moment he was ashamed. How could he protect her if he couldn't do the same for his family? But he would be absolutely out of his mind to think that Alau would think that way. She was worried for his own well being, as well as his father's. Still, Nephilm only shook his head. "He was taken away, not killed. I know he's still out there." He was hopeful, his father was a strong guard, and was capable of holding his own against the best of them. The dark colored, but not at all dark hearted male would believe that his guardian was out there, and was doing the best he could. Right now it was too dangerous to go look for him, especially when he couldn't end up the same way as he did. If Nephilm was sent to the colosseum, then he wouldn't see Alau anymore; possibly never again. And that was something that the lupine simply wouldn't stand for. He needed her, and she him.

"And I'm alright, It's just a burn; I messed with the wrong guy that's for sure." His face still itched from time to time where he had been singed, but it was at most a first degree wound the night he had gotten it. The lupine wouldn't whine about it, wouldn't give any worry to it unless it got infected or something. The istari had a terrible habit of putting himself off when it came to things like injuries. He would rather bear the brunt of a blow and turn the tables with a counter than waste a dodge; even in fights that he knew that he couldn't win. "You don't need to worry."

"In fact, I'm more worried about you; sneaking out here to see me." He was partially teasing, because there was nothing more that he wanted than to see her, especially while he found himself alone, lingering, wondering whether he should join the little resistance that was quickly growing as the king and his followers grew stronger and the dark wolves were vanishing more and more often. "It's not something a light wolf should be doing Laula." He looked at her no differently because of her fur color, inside they were both similar, so why should it matter? Hive mind was such a terrible thing, it seemed that basic society would gobble up any nonsense a higher up spewed at them.

His voice was teasing, and he sat up and beside her as he spoke, not minding in the least that their sides brushed together just so. If she didn't lean on him he'd end up leaning on her and sending them both toppling if she didn't react fast enough. "How are you? And how are things at the castle?" Inquiry was quiet, and more serious; because a part of him couldn't help but hate the castle now that he was sure the king was something dangerous. The rumors of vanishings weren't rumors to him anymore; if only he could shed that bit of light onto all of the wolves under the light pack. If only...

[{Alaula}]

Pale beige ears perked as he spoke of his father, as if trying to calm her worry. It wouldn't stop it, she knew. Untill she knew that he was truley safe, if she had seen it for herself, then she would stop worrying. "How do you know he hasn't died, Neph." She whispered so softly, not trying to make him worry or lose hope. Curiousity just kept the words from pouring from her muzzle. "Have you not heard of the horrors in the legends? The tales of the Dark Camps? What if its just like before....the King sure isn't sending food there, there's no life there. What if it's nothing but survival, strongest overcome the weak...." She whispered softly, worried sky blue stared directly into his, just watching him.

She slowly inched her muzzle forward as he spoke, smiling softly. "I always worry Nephilm." She whispered in her melodic voice. She nudged his cheek where he had been singed before rolling her tongue over his cheek with eyes softly closed. As she pulled away she opened him to stare deeply into his eyes. "And the fact that I sneak out here is none of the castles concern. They do not control where I go when I am not in my lessons. The King has not forbidden any 'Dark Wolves', as said by many now, from associating with 'Light Wolves'." Her words were intelligent, yet she gave a childlike smile and laugh. "I don't worry for my safety meeting you Neph...whomever took your father must have seen him as a threat..." She whispered.

Sky eyes stared at the Dark Wolf as he moved to her side, and she quickly glanced down as their sides brushed. A small smile crossed her lips before she closed her eyes, welcoming the feeling. Before she could even think her body pressed against him gently, her head nuzzling his muzzle. She was a good head shorter than him, and smaller. Yet she didn't mind, it was a good size to nuzzle close if she wanted too. "I am well. I've been worrying since you left the castle, and so has our mentors and the other istari." She said softly, staring at him.

"As for the castle...the King is forever in his throne room, which is inaccessible to anyone but the Guard when they are summoned and the High Alchemist. The prince, however, is leaving the castle more and more to venture, which will cause the King to become angry, I assume...since Kotza has been forbidden from leaving the castle." She whispered softly, remembering her small encounter with the prince as he dashed from the building without looking back. "I would not want to belong to the royal family since lady Kiaa passed..." She whispered.

[Nephilm]

IF I COULD BE YOUR ANGEL, PROTECT YOU FROM THE PAIN.

[/color]
i'd keep you safe from danger, you'd never h u r t a g a i n [/color][/font][/center]

That was one of the hardest questions to answer; to think about, to ponder in the least. But at the same time, Nephilm had faith in his father; knew that the older wolf had surely... had surely survived. He couldn't be dead, he couldn't have passed; he was such a strong lupine, the dark colored wolf refused to believe that he would just pass away. It wasn't an option; not in Nephilm's mind. Not as long as he wanted to keep hope alive. "He's not dead, I know he's not." He said, but he knew that Alaula would hear the strain, the little flickets of doubt that sat, stagnant in his mind. He wouldn't let thoughts like that overpower him, but they still remained. "I've heard the legends." His mother used to tell it to him as a story to get him to sleep. A story of how the kingdom was made something beautiful after becoming a place of torment and racism. He used to love it, because stories usually stayed in a fictional realm.

This one was coming true before his eyes.

"I've heard the legends, and I believe that history will repeat itself. I... I really do." The dangerous undertones of a world that he had once seen as righteous were starting to unfold. Nephilm had no faith in the kingdom's structure, and would place no trust in it's leader. The King was never someone that the dark wolf would fear, but now he was someone that he abhored. Because if any blame could be placed in hisf ather's disappearance, and in his own injuries, it would be on him. The ringleader in this circus, the madman to the master plan. He was going to shake this civilization to its core and all that the little istari with no family to his name and no home to go to could do... was watch.

Her tongue on his cheek whisked away some of the anger within him, the frustration that was starting to boil beneath the surface. She was like his cooling salve on a burning wound; and he appreciated her more than anything else. That was why he relaxed just slightly, letting himself listen to her melodious voice, letting her words wash over him. Perhaps... she was right. Maybe the king wasn't behind this... maybe the legends weren't true. Maybe it was all in his head... if that was so it wouldn't be long before he was some sort of mad man. But there was always the chance that he was jumping to conclusion. "My father was well known. He was loyal to the king, and what has he done in efforts to find him?" His voice was dark, low, but not angry. He would never lash out at Alaula, not when he had enough control to help it.

"Maybe the King isn't to blame but... but he didn't do anything to help." Nephilm sighed, he sounded whiny, sounded pathetic. The King surely had better things to do... surely. "I understand that. She was the sane one in her family I swear." He chuckled, although it was short lived. Lady Kiaa was missed by all; especially by her son no doubt. If he was cooped up with his uptight father in a castle that surely had enough skeletons in the closet to fill a field; he would want out too. "Maybe I'll run into him... I'm not sure if I'm going back."