Under the Moon [OPEN!]

[arisu]

Xiao sighed in content. His eyes closed as the gentle breeze blew and chilled his skin. He always like the Lunetta. It was a fun city, and most of those who lived here were friendly, if not, tolerable.

The Moonlight Gardens that surrounded Lunetta truly were a sight to behold. Something that one had to see for themselves. The beautiful flowers that bloomed only at night. To come here was a blessing. His crimson red eyes reopened. He wondered if the werewolf residents of Lunetta appreciated the flowers like he did, or maybe they grew used to seeing them at night since the residents themselves came out more around nighttime than in daylight.

He glanced over to his friend who seemed very much on her wit’s end. Then again she had a very good reason to be. She, a vampire, in the middle of werewolf territory. How absurd. Such circumstances would put anyone’s mind to discomfort. But she should relaxed, he was there. He wouldn’t let anything harm her. Plus she was barely a threat herself. He laughed lightly, trying to break the growing nervous tension around her. “Lily, you need to relax, nothing is going to happen.” He chided. Her two companions, Fai, a phoenix, and Kieli, an animal shifter, slept beside them, unaware of their master‘s irrational yet at them same time rational fear.

[wingedfreak]

Lilana glared at her friend. Xiao was as carefree as ever. She wished she could be like that, at times. It was useful. Especially when you work at a bar. Then she sighed. “It‘s a bit hard to do so when you‘re in the middle of your species’ main enemies‘ lair.” She took a deep breath. “But I guess I’ll try.” She gently pet Kieli’s fur as it slept.

She turned her gaze up towards the sky. The full moon glowed so brightly here. Her blue-green eyes lit brightly under the moonlight. She wondered if the abilities of werewolves were strengthened by the sight of a full moon. The thought made her blood curdle and grow cold. She had never met a werewolf, at least, not up close. Not near enough so they could rip into her. She stole passing glances of them. It wasn’t that difficult to spot them, their tall stature, wolfish grins ,and sharp claws made them stand out if their were near a group of humans.

But to come face-to-face with one, sent slight shivers up her spine. She knew it was a stupid fear, but it was one installed into her when she was a 'newborn' vampire.

Was this how humans felt when they see a vampire? A fear who getting ripped in two and dying at the hands of someone you see from a far?

[wingzteh1st]

It had been a long time since Ran ventured into the werewolf City. His boots rang out against the stone streets and he peered around the crowd. His "kin" here were sad examples of Werewolf strength, and he avoided eye contact with anyone that smelled remotely of wolf blood Luna forbid they engaged themselves in conversation with him. That was some thing he avoided like the plague. Jaded, all of them, every last one. He wouldn't have come within miles of this place if he could have avoided it. But the Werewolf high Alpha had requested a representative from the Frost-fur Pack to come and report on the status of the Forsaken Lands.

Now, on the other hand, this presented him with a lovely opportunity to mingle with local She-Wolves. And there was nothing wrong with that in the least. He licked his lips as if tasting the idea and found it pleasing he smiled a toothy grin. It wasn't the women he avoided after all. Just the arrogant Males who were little more than pups who thought they could run with the pack.

The moon over head brought shivers to him as he looked at it; Even here, in the more temperate regions of the world. The moon always looked the same to him, stunningly beautiful. If he could find a mate that reflected even Marginally the beauty represented above him in that beautiful orb of light he would be happy.

Making his way into the Moonlit Gardens he hoped to happen upon a young She-Wolf who had perhaps lost her way. For a while he wandered taking in the beauty of the Night Lilies and the fresh scent of the air. Coming across the occasional she-wolf he wasn't in luck tonight, nearly everyone was accompanied by a male and the few who weren't were past mating years.

Disgruntled he made his way to the edge of the gardens where a couple Males were walking around either by themselves or in the presence of females. When some thing interesting caught his eye : A young vampire and a Half elf. A strange combination as it was, what was a vampire doing in the midst of werewolves?

Curiosity hooked him and drew him over to the pair. As he approached he noticed several sleeping creatures around the pair and heard the Half Elf laugh. The half elf was decidedly feminine but strangely smelled of a male.

"Well now, what have we here?" The werewolf asked with what he felt was a pleasant smile, "What are the two of you doing here without an escort? It's most assuredly dangerous in this city, Especially for you Madam vampire." He said making a deep bow.

"My name Is Ran'Cris. I am the High Sentinel of The Frost-Fur pack, It's my duty to show distinguished guests such as you both the hospitality of the Frost-Fur clan. " He paused a moment and smiled toothily he glance up at the moon again, just to feel the presence wash over his body, "Now, if there is anything I can assist you with, I have significant pull with several inn keepers and I can most assuredly acquire you both a room for this evening if you are in need of it. But if I room doesn't please you. Please, allow me to accompany you this evening so that there are no unpleasant misunderstandings,"

He smiled once again as another gust of wind rustled his hair and he nearly whined, some thing on that wind didn't bode well.

[arisu]

Xiao smiled, a small laugh escaped his lips. "Well, isn't that nice of you." His crimson eyes shifted towards Lily, who was, more likely than not, quaking in her boots at the sight of the enormous werewolf. She hid behind him. He, on the other hand, had nothing against werewolves. But... should he accepted the offer? It didn't sound like a bad idea. Better to sleep in an inn, with some security, than try to travel back in the middle of the night.

He returned this gaze back to Ran'Cris. Was it smart to trust a random werewolf who came out of nowhere? Oh well. He'd take his chances. "That doesn't actually sound like a bad idea. But if you don't mind, could we stay in the gardens for a while longer?" He didn't want to leave just yet. The garden's flowers were just beginning to bloom. Who would miss such a beautiful event?

Although the gazes he got from some of the passing werewolves did make him want to go. Not many like the presence of outsiders, even more so when one was your sworn enemy and the other a half-breed.

"Oh, I almost forgot. I'm Xiao and this one here is..."

[wingedfreak]

"Liliana." Lily interrupted, her voice surprisingly cold, it truly did not suit her sweet face. But that was her way of hiding the fact that she was afraid of the werewolf. Terrified, even. "And, I don't think we'll need your services." She knew she was being rude and hated that she was but she really wasn't enjoying the fact that a werewolf was so close by. It was a time like this that she had to wonder why she follows Xiao in the first place.

But then Xiao elbowed her lightly in the side, trying to coax her into accepting the guy. She inwardly groaned. "But..." She paused. "Since you... went to the trouble of walking up to strangers... A room does sound nice..." She mumbled.

She peered in his mind and huffed at what he thought. "And I am not a young vampire. But I'm glad you think I am." She told him with a slight blush on her face. Irritated yet flattered at the same time. She looked away and crossed her arms over her chest.

The sudden wind made her shiver slightly and not for the fact that it made her cold, no, she no longer could tell cold from hot very well, that was a living sensation. The wind carried a scent of blood. How strange. She ignored it, it was more likely something she shouldn't get her nose in.

[wingzteh1st]

Ran tried to keep up his smile, but his worry made it quiver slightly. So the ageless vampire was a telepath was she? Interesting to say the least.

Ran'Cris' gaze drifted from one to the other, but the ominous scent in the air lingered with every passing breeze. It rose the hackles on the back of his neck, the scent was undeniable: blood had been spilled and the arrival of such news was heralded on a wind as cold as the ice in the Forsaken lands. The night was still clear and quiet, it was almost as though nothing had changed; But a menacing undertone was lurking just beneath the tranquil facade of night. The blood he smelled was assuredly of a Werewolf. And judging by the strength of the scent there was a lot of it spilled.

Fear was not some thing he aloud to be heard on his voice. Fear announced the arrival of weakness and some thing to be exploited, Now concern was something of another story.

"Well, Xiao is it? The gardens are normally a safe place to enjoy yourself, but the flowers do bloom nightly, and I strongly suggest we be going. Some thing has happened, and I guarantee you, whatever it was, an outsider wouldn't be looked too keenly upon right now,"

The sudden eruption of a pain filled howl filled the night air nearby. Startling Ran'Cris into action, he immediately turned from the Half Elf and vampire toward the sound of the cry and began shaking as his wolf form ripped from his clothes. The cry which had been long and agonizing, died off in a whimpering death note and was silent.

Turning slowly toward the pair, so as not to startle them the bear like wolf let out an audible whine and thought. "We should be going Liliana, we need to get you two into an Inn before the Sentinels and soldiers arrive here, they won't show much kindness to strangers. Not after what has happened."

In the air, the sure scent of death hung over everything that was under the moon that night.

[arisu]

Xiao stiffened at the loud cry, the scent of blood didn’t help either. An unnerving pulse of blood lust coursed through his veins but quickly he shook it off. This was no time to be picking a fight, he needed to remain in control of his feral side. He sighed and calmed himself before looking in the direction of the cry. “What has happened?” He asked Ran’Cris, though his gaze did not turn to him.

He looked to Liliana instead. She would be a main target of threats if the werewolves had to accuse someone. A vampire posed more of a threat than a half-breed. At least, in the eyes of a werewolf that would be true. But he guessed that maybe, like most pure races did, a suspicious glance was cast onto half-breeds, too. He hoped so. It would give her a small chance to escape or hide. “We should split up.” He suggested, though was not entirely comforted by the thought. “You can get her to a safe place right?” Ran’Cris seemed trustworthy enough to be given this task.

[wingedfreak]

“What? No. I‘m not going with a mutt.” She was now beyond terrified. Lily never wanted any part in this plan of Xiao’s, not if it involved going alone with the werewolf. No offence to Ran’Cris but that’s how she viewed most werewolves. It didn’t matter if you were a charming gentleman or handsome, if you were a werewolf then she would have resentment towards you and doubts in your judgment if they concerned her. It was the way her lover and creator had raised her to be.

But the look Xiao gave her told her that she really had no choice in this, unless she really wanted to die. She sighed and looked to Ran’Cris. She visibly shuddered. And soon the scent of blood became almost too much to bear. “Fine. But please, let‘s just hurry.” Werewolf blood contained no energy value and could occasionally be deadly to a vampire, if they are young enough. But she had not hunted anything for a few days now and the hunger was getting the better of her.

[wingzteh1st]

Always a little taken aback by mutt comments Ran'Cris growled softly but led the way. Trotting ahead of the pair he entered the city gates and took them towards a small inn far from the city gates known as The Wolfs Heel. On the way there a sentinel approached the trio but Ran snapped an order and sent the pathetic pup running. Truly the Males here were spineless cowards. Which made him wonder what would happen if they found the culprits for the murders of tonight.

Inside the inn he growled at the werewolf inn keeper and informing him of his need for a room. The inn was quiet, surprisingly. This inn was often the spot to be for wild debauchery and mayhem. The tables were all practically empty save for one, where a werewolf couple were gazing at each other and drinking from the same blood red beverage. As for what was in that drink it wasn't hard to tell, but it did appear icy and refreshing.

The floor of the bar was actually spotless this evening undoubtedly because of the events transpiring outside of the city. This inn was popular for off duty sentinels and soldiers. They were undoubtedly out patrolling the city in a tight vigil this evening.

Ran turned to the pair and shot them a glance that told them to wait here. He trotted into the rear room where he kept a spare set of clothes in a lock box. As a werewolf in mixed company you could never truly have too many clothes.

Changing effortlessly he made his way into the bar, once again in his humanoid form he approached the pair with a smile.

"Once again, I must apologize for the events of this evening. Whatever is happening out there is serious, for a creature to attack a werewolf bastion, seems to be nothing but a suicide attempt. I have my suspicions but to voice them would seem to be quite rude in current company."

The inn keeper shot a fearful glance at Ran'Cris, "Are you saying a Vampire Ancient is what's attacking us?" He shivered from head to foot and whined.

Ran'cris let out an audible growl at the innkeeper and nearly smacked himself in the face.

"Are you blind you imbicile? Do you not see the company I am with?"

The innkeepers fearful eyes glanced over the half breed and stopped, widening in terror at the beautiful young vampire that was accompanying Ran. The inn keeper growled loudly "You dare bring the culprit into my house?" The innkeeper trembled and ripped from his clothing, his shape shifting into his bestial form. He approached the Vampire like lightning, But Ran'Cris was faster.

Before the Werewolf had taken a lumbering step; Ran'Cris had the pitiful inkeeper pinned against the wall with one clawed hand in his bestial form.

Rancris let out a bestial dialect that the innkeeper could understand, "You fool, do you not see the face before you? Does she appear an ancient? I do not believe she appears insane, do you? She's practically trembling, I found them sitting in the Gardens, I know they were innocent I was with them when the killings ocured. Do you understand me whelp?"

The Innkeeper nodded and lifting him bodily, Ran'Cris tossed him across the room and sent him crashing down on a table next to the alarmed werewolf couple.

Shivering, and trembling Ran'Cris reverted to his wolf form and trotted into the back room changing into his last set of clothes and came out in an open white button up shirt with a little black lace around the wrists and a pair of loose brown trousers. He was barefoot.

[arisu]

Xiao nearly laughed at this whole situation. It was in his nature to never really take things so seriously so long as no one got hurt. “My, Lily, do you always attract such attention?” He couldn’t help but wonder what kinds of troubles the girl got into when they traveled on their own paths. He shook his head at Ran’Cris and waved his hand in the air as if to dismiss the apology. “Ah, no need to say sorry. It’s normal for people to overreact with a death of others.” In fact, he wouldn’t be all that surprised if a pack busted through the door and tried to kill any of them. It was only natural for one to assume that outsiders who came at night, would be the most suspicious. Of course, he wouldn't be going down without a good fight.

He listened patiently as Ran’Cris argued with the inn keeper. He had to admit, Ran’Cris certainly wasn’t one to be messed with. A small hint of pity went out to the inn keeper as he was hurled across the room with such force before landing on a table. He looked to the couple, who were near hit with the flying body, with an apologetic smile on his lips. “I’m sorry.” An apology seemed in order, to which they ignored, frightened to anger the werewolf that accompanied them. What else could he say?

As Ran’Cris returned, he chuckled lightly. “It must get annoying to have to go through so many clothes each time you transform.” Werewolves sure had an inconvenient life for travel. Or maybe when they traveled they remained in their wolf forms during the majority of the journey... “Anyways, thanks for standing up for us.”

[wingedfreak]

Liliana pouted and huffed at Xiao‘s question. “I don’t come to the middle of werewolf territory. So no, I don’t attract this kind of attention.” She crossed her arms over her chest then glanced over to Ran'Cris. “And you can voice your opinions all you want, I’ll know them regardless.” She told him with a hint of sorrow in her voice. Although she didn’t need telepathy to assume what he was suspecting. Only a slight few truly were insane enough to fight so many werewolves. And those were most likely the Vampire Ancients. Just as the inn keeper feared.

But the terrified look the little mutt of an inn keeper gave her, filled her with pride and dread. Pride because that meant she at least had some scare to her. And dread because they would surely suspect her of murdering their fellow kinsmen. No matter if Ran’Cris told them they she and Xiao were innocent. She hid behind Xiao as the two fought. And winced at the loud snap of the broken table as the innkeeper smashed onto it.

As Ran’Cris came back after his second change of clothes, she couldn’t help but ask. “Why did you?” Why would a werewolf stand up for its sworn enemy? It broke the laws of nature.