Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)
<h1 id="title">Elliquiy Role Playing Forums</h1>
		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Exotic Solos =&gt; Topic started by: Quinz128 on 21-12-2013, 03:50:27</h2>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>21-12-2013, 03:50:27</strong>
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				The wind whistled as it pushed past the snowy peaks of the northern coastal mountains and a light snow fell gently from the night sky. Ono e of the cliffs overlooking the ocean, a fire provided a modicum of warmth to the four creatures that were huddled around it. The air surrounding them was anything but comfortable however, filled with stress and the scent of blood as it was.<br><br>The group wore matching hooded cloaks as white as the snow that surrounded them, albeit stained with an inordinate amount of blood, as if they had all seen fierce combat. The lithe, green eyed vixen wiped fresh blood off her dagger with a pawfull of snow as she looked her captive in the eye, "how does it feel Voltaire? To feel the kind of pain I felt when you betrayed me? Although I doubt a blade across the skin really compares."<br><br>The timber wolf, who wore the same white cloak as his captors but was tied to a spear that had been firmly planted in the ground, grimaced as the dagger was drawn slowly across his exposed chest again, the sharp edge slicing the skin like butter. He could only groan I response though. The vixen had seen fit to tie his muzzle shut after he attempted to bite her neck when she got too close. Isolde, for that was the vixen's name stared intently at Voltaire's tired features. His tan fur was ruffled and dirty, caked with dried blood from a recent wound over his left brow. And he had two additional scars, one. Across the top of his muzzle and another along his right cheekbone. Needless to say, he looked worse for the wear.<br><br>A beast of a grey wolf stalked up behind the slight vixen. Arms like tree trunks, a wall of solid muscle, Letho growled, "when do I get a turn with him? He killed my mate after all."<br><br>Isolde didn't bother looking at her partner in crime, but flatly replied,<br>"well you should have thought of that before you let her fight him alone."<br><br>Letho snapped at the vixen, "are you saying it was my fault?"<br><br>Isolde retorted dangerously, "no. I'm saying I don't care. But if you like, I can easily arrange a meeting between you and your late lover."<br><br>Letho decided to take the hint and said no more. But he did glare intently at the bound timber wolf, making him a silent promise, before heading to the other side of the fire to join the ferret who was sitting there maintaining a bow.<br><br>Isolde gently pushed the dagger against her captive's neck, forcing him to raise his head which had been drooping from exhaustion.<br>"Now now my love, it's not time to sleep yet. But soon. Maybe tomorrow if you survive the night, because I have thought of a good way to represent how hurt I was when you turned on me." Then the vixen hugged the wolf close and whispered in his ear, "this is what you did to me."<br>She began to press the tip of the dagger slowly but steadily deeper into the wolf's rib cage.<br><br>Voltaire squirmed as searing hot pain began to push its way into his body, but he was to weak to fight the vixen's embrace and resigned himself to groaning and waiting for the agony to end.<br><br>The thin blade finally reached its hilt.<br>"Sleep well Voltaire. We have lots more fun planned tomorrow."<br>And with that, Isolde left her spot by the wolf's side, and the knife in his torso...<br><br>---<br><br>Voltaire woke to an enormous hand closing around his throat and squeezing tightly, closing off his wind pipe and keeping him from making the slightest sound. Then another hand gripped the hilt sticking out of his torso and roughly ripped it out. Voltaire's eyes rolled back as he almost passed out from pain and the lack of air that kept him from yelling.<br><br>A deep voice whispered in his ear.<br>"That was for me."<br>Letho then used the knife to cut through the bonds on Voltaire's limbs and mouth while still maintaining a grip on his throat and dragging him away from the ebbing fire. The timber wolf weakly pulled at the grey wolf's wrists, hoping to get just a sliver of air, but to no avail.<br><br>Then, with a burst of strength, Letho held Voltaire over the edge of the cliff with both hands.<br>"And this is for Sam. I'm gonna watch you drift away, and then your going to disappear. Isolde be damned. She had her revenge, now it's my turn."<br>And Letho was true to his word. He held Voltaire aloft by his neck, slowly draining his life away. The timber wolf felt his limbs grow weaker, and his vision blurred, then there was nothing.<br><br>---<br><br>Voltaire groaned as he regained his senses, the first of which was extreme pain. He hurt everywhere. Next he was aware of warmth, and cool liquid splashing against his body. And a granular substance in his hands. He crawled to his hands and knees and opened his eyes.<br>A beach, he realized, but how did he get here? He winced suddenly as he felt a stinging in his left side and looked down to see he was dripping red from the torso down. He clamped a hand against the wound and shakily got to his feet. As he looked ahead he saw a forest at the end of the sandy expanse he'd landed on. He looked down at himself again and the red stained white cloak. It wouldn't be much use here he reasoned, and so stripped it off before staggering on.<br>Beneath the cloak, the wolf had been wearing a green tunic beneath a chain mail shirt and accented by a maroon scarf.<br>Well this will have to do, he thought to himself as he desperately searched for source of water to slake his thirst.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>21-12-2013, 04:17:01</strong>
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				Alone in the woods, just as it had been for years. No one had really come much in this portion of it because there was no reason to. The forest was always have been avoided, it had some superstition attached to it and no one had reason to wander off the path. It was a bit far from civilization so even if there wee curious, yet defiant youths they were so far in between and they never came back. Perhaps because they were punished or perhaps because of they actually fearing what they found within it, though the fear was unfounded. It was a normal set of woods. Flora, Fauna and a single person who tended to her life and the aforementioned things in a small hut a short distance from a healthy lake of fish and fresh water.<br><br>This lone person was the source of rumors, though most had never met her. Her profession was questioned. Lifestyle was questioned. Even her form was a great source of mystery amongst some, just because of the attributes associated with the scaled form and long tail that replaced her legs. The woman, often referred to by many as a witch, would have found herself in another day alone in the woods with a woven basket and looking over the local plants, using small, though sharp, claws to cut the stems of flowers and leaves to settle within the tan container. Despite the image portrayed by different beliefs of what she truly was she wasn't really the same image of an old crone. No large nose with dark eyes full of mischief if not outright malevolence. Not thin and scragly. Not even wearing dark robes.<br><br>This woman was completely scaled with light brown scales that covered her form, only disturbed with darker spots in a curious patter that might remind one of cobblestones were they to silently contemplate the familiarity, though the underside of her body was the simple and very light brown with no markings. Her face was overed just around the right eye with a cobbled patter with the left, the whole of her small snout and front of her neck untouched. She hadn't any hair on her form, though she seemed to opt for the illusion with a wig of short brown hair to cover her head. As mentioned, she had not the dark robes, instead going for an airy, green dress that looked quite odd upon her due to the mis-matching of colors from her scale-patterns and the way it stopped a few inches above the ground, allowing her long snake-like tail to be out of it from the back.<br><br>With the next plucking for a flow, a blue one with two layers of petals, she would lift her hazel eyes, marked with a hexagonal pattern besides the slitted pupil that was wide due to the forest only being pocked with light penetrating the canopy. Something was noticed. Someone was here. But where? Creeping down to try and hide behind a bit of brush she tried to observe who it was coming forth. And she saw. A wet man with soaked fur and a soaked tunic and cloak that seemed so familiar to her, but the reclusivity caused her to forget of many orders. He seemed exhausted and she questioned what happened. The only thing she could figure is he may have washed up from the large river to the west... But how far was that, now? He must have traveled quite a ways. A sense of desire to assist this man came, but she didn't know what to expect. Some people feared the kind of creature she was due to misunderstanding. And one to boldly come out, announcing itself? And what if he was a blackguard? Though, she had a feeling he wasn't due to the outfit, it sparked something in the back of her mind of a welcomed familiarity. One never knew, though.<br><br>Mustering some form of respect, though, she figured she would run away from him. He was clearly out of it, out of breath, possibly injured. If she just left know he could succumb to some infection if just wouldn't do. It would give a sense of guilt to hang over her when she found the bones of the man picked clean by scavengers. Instead, she came from the bushes and slithered out, trying to find the words while she made herself known, "H-Hold there..." She said, realizing that could have been noted as some kind of threat, if not an outright commands, instantly regretting it, "Who... Who are you and why do you come to these woods..." She said, realizing such interrogation may not be welcomed, she tried to cover it quickly with compassion, "And... What... happened to you?"
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>21-12-2013, 07:22:03</strong>
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				Voltaire looked around blearily, trying to get his bearings, but he wasn't thinking clearly enough to even figure out what direction he was facing. He leaned against a tree for support and looked down at the sodden cloak he was still carrying. It felt like he was dragging a bag full of lead.<br><br><em>When did this get so heavy,</em> he wondered as he let it fall to the moist soil of the forest. Rays of light danced through the leaves and have everything a fanciful sparkle as bits of floating dust caught the light. It all would have been quite enjoyable if not for the mind numbing pain.<br><br>"H-Hold there..."<br><br>Voltaire quickly but clumsily jerked upright at the sound of the voice. His paw went to his hip, where his scabbard usually hung but grabbed nothing but air. He'd forgotten that his weapons had been taken when he was captured. He rubbed his eyes as he looked for the voice while it continued to speak. He couldn't make out the words, but finally found the source, a brown scaled woman in a green dress. Any other features were unnoticed due to his delirium.<br><br>"And... What... happened to you?"<br><br>He could barely comprehend what she was asking as he succumbed to blood loss and collapsed, falling unconscious once more.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>21-12-2013, 07:47:06</strong>
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				With her last words slipping out, her heart skipped, noticing that the man had then appeared to pass out. A shriek came as his body went limp, kicking up the dirt on the ground to the air from the impact to allow specks of them to settle upon his unmoving body. "O-Oh no..." The woman let out with wide eyes. She glanced left, then right, worried if someone saw this they might think she caused it. To her relief, though, no one was around, as should be expected, but the laws of drama worked in mysterious ways and spirits, fate and gods had a sick sense of humor. <br><br>She turned her back, ready to leave him there, but, again, her sense of compassion couldn't let her. He looked heavy, though. How would she get to moving him? Her eyes trailed over what the man had, most of it was wet, adding to the weight and she decided he needed to shed most of it if she had even a chance to get him to some kind of safety. Slowly she would advance upon him, and place her hands down, checking for any concealed weapons, first, then started getting rid of the lack of necessities. If he wanted the parts, she could come back later. The cloak had to go. She had a replacement for him at her home, in any case. The armor was another bit of extra weight that was unneeded, removing he tunic and the chain armor from his breast.<br><br>With that, though, she noticed just how back he was. He had cuts all over him, and a wound that was still bleeding, probably because he was deposited to the river and allowed it to flow out with the pull of the water downstream. Realization of just how urgent it was had come to her mind. He would die without help. There was no doubt. Quickly she would have moved to pull him upon her long snake-like tail, heavy with muscles, she figured she would carry him, though awkwardly on the posterior of her tail. She would grunt, whispering, "I can help him... It will be okay..." As if she was doubting her own abilities.<br><br><hr><br>When Voltaire would have eventually woken up, he would find himself in a rather small home of wood. It was a shoddy hut, not really a house, though large enough to contain the bed he laid upon, large enough for two fully grown adults, if need be, stuffed with straw and held together by wooden posts. There were windows that were just crossed with wood and had no glass upon them, though there was a wooden shutter with a simple iron latch, perhaps to keep the weather out when it came. To the side of the bed was a tiny table and further across a larger, longer one with various objects along them. A mortar and pestle, several bottles, utensils as knives and chisels along with small hooks and needles. A few battered wooden chests lined the walls, apparently worn from weather and with simple and half-rusted iron locks, causing them to be slightly opened at all times.<br><br>The area around him was not the only thing that was new, but also some fresh bandages that appeared to have been makeshift from linen rags wrapped around his body at the worst parts. Though the rags themselves were amateur-ish the work on his wounds were done well. He had the deepest wounds closed with the effort of some needle and thread, as well as some some of the fur trimmed and wound dressed with a sticky substance. Next to him on the table was a plate with a few plants he might not recognize and a small ceramic bowl filled with clear water.<br><br>While he would take the time to look over the area, he would notice the door near the center of the home, on the other side of him, open. In came that woman he might recall, were his mind lucid enough despite his wounds and loss of blood. Appearing to ignore him, once she entered, she would head to the long table and set down a small hand-basket filled with various plants including grasses, leaves, flowers and vines.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>21-12-2013, 10:11:22</strong>
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				Voltaire's eyes slowly opened as he regained consciousness. Moving his head only slightly, he scanned his surroundings. He appeared to be in a small wood hut. Lightly furnished, and with most spaces taken up by a wide variety of apothecary goods. Various leaves, flowers, liquids filled jars and bowls or were just scattered about. The entrance was open, and he was currently the only occupant.<br><br>He wondered how he got here and tried to remember what events had brought him to this place, but everything was a blur. He remembered sunlight through a lush green canopy, and bright warmth contrasted with cool liquid before that. Then he remembered... falling. A vice like grip on his neck and the face it belonged to. It all came rushing back then. That last night in the company of those murderous bastards. Isolde's skilled "administrations." <br><br>The memory reminded him of his wounds, the pain of which seeped back into his awareness. He grimaced as he stiffly pushed himself up onto his elbows and looked down on his damaged torso. His armor and clothes had been removed, exposing his lean abdominals and pectorals to be tended to. <br><br>Whoever had bandaged him had done an adequate job. The wounds had all been cleaned and bandaged, the larger ones also having been stitched shut. <br><br><em>That woman...</em> Voltaire thought as he recalled the reptilian form he had seen in the forest, <em>it must have been her.</em><br><br>He let himself collapse back against the bed, having grown tired from the slight exertion. Just as he assumed his former position, a shuffling caused him to glance towards the door with heavy lidded eyes. He had been right. The brown scaled woman glided in with an arm full of supplies which she set upon a table on the other end of the room. <br><br>She hadn't seemed to notice that Voltaire was awake, and he was about to attract her attention when he glanced at her legs, or where her legs should have been rather. He caught his breath as his eyes traveled the length of the snake coils that now filled the room.<br><br>He had no idea what kind of creature this woman was. He had met plenty of reptiles before, and knew that most if not all snakes were to be treated as hostile since they typically ate whatever they came in contact with. What stood before him however was not exactly a snake, but it wasn't exactly not a snake either. <br>Voltaire considered his options. With no arm our and no weapons, he certainly couldn't fight, not to mention his poor health. Escape was the only viable choice, but again, his injuries would slow him down. Plus, the creature was closer to the exit than he. Perhaps he could escape through one of the windows?<br><br>Mind made up, the wolf began to slowly push himself upright as quietly as possible while the woman was distracted, and immediately grunted in pain as the movement stretched his wounds.<br><em>Damn.</em>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>21-12-2013, 11:09:57</strong>
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				While the man had contemplated things, the woman busied herself with mixing together some&nbsp; water to another liquid in a bottle. Her head tilted back as she let some light from the window filter through the glass, causing a small, distorted rainbow to cover the floor just behind her. With a light clink the glass would be set down and she started to pick through the basket of flowers and move a few of what seemed to be roots into the mortar to the side. Picking up the pestle, just beginning to give a low hum that may have been the start of a song, but was immediately cut of when the man grunted out.<br><br>Silence came to her and the light click of the two ceramic pieces would be set to the table, slowly turning around with her upper body, which may have seemed a bit awkward thanks to the tail portion of her not moving at all. Hazel eyes settled upon the man, and she looked over him, realizing he was awake. Without a word she would shift, slithering over, her tail making a U motion as she changed direction from being before the table to the bed on the opposite side. "Well, you're not dead... That's good." She managed to say, in a gentle voice that was a bit deeper than a maiden, with a speech pattern that punctuated the 's' sounds as if they were a blunt force rather than a fluid motion in the sentence.<br><br>"You should drink something." The woman managed to let out, her hand coming from her own side and to the small table next to the bed. It found it's way to the ceramic bowl with water filling it half-way so that there was minimal risk of spilling all the while hoping to satiate the thirst of a wounded man. "I thought you might be able to move for it yourself, but I must have been mistaken." She muttered, lightly before flicking her tongue out to the open air before bringing her free hand down, trying to get to the back of his head so she could guide both him to the water and the water to him.<br><br>Despite trying to keep friendly this whole time, she could tell the uncertainty, perhaps even worry or fear in his eyes. He might think like many others, after all that she was only interested in harming or devouring him and this was all a trick. After all, most people used terms like 'snake in the grass' and take them to be literal in some cases. And with knowledge of him possibly moving in worry, she would be prepared for him to move away, so not to spill the water if he did suddenly shift away.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>21-12-2013, 12:01:23</strong>
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				Well, the woman didn't immediately strike when she heard movement. So thats a start, Voltaire noted with some relief. But it was still to soon to be certain. <br><br>She glided over to him with an offering of water then and he realized just how thirsty he was. He couldn't recall his last drink. Possibly a good day or two ago. But when she made to support his head he, probably predictably, evaded her outstretched hand by hauling himself up with a grimace and turned so he was sitting on the edge of the bed.<br>"No... No I'm fine thank you. Well, I mean I can move myself but I appreciate the water."<br>His voice was a low tenor, with a very slight rasp, possibly due to the years of breathing the harsh mountain air. <br><br>He appraised the being before him with warm, dark brown eyes while he gulped down the delicious liquid. She was certainly exotic, but not in an unwelcome fashion. Just... different. If she had legs Voltaire would have even thought she was attractive, but even the tail was mostly just shock value. He actually found her quite intriguing. <br><br>As he finished the water he realized he must have been staring and possibly giving the wrong impression. He sheepishly averted his gaze and placed the cup back on the bedside table.<br><br>"Thank you again. I needed that."<br><br>The wolf then began to struggle to his feet. He felt incredibly stiff in addition to the intense sting from his wounds, but he tensed his corded muscles and powered through it until he was standing. He panted as he placed a hand against the wall for support.<br>"I suppose I have you to thank for stitching me back together as well. I guess I owe you one."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>21-12-2013, 12:25:01</strong>
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				When the man recoiled, she sighed, figuring it obvious, but it still gave a small pang to her ego. At least he accepted the water and drank it than thinking it some kind of poison. Being one that works with herbs and being as she was just allowed such suspicions to grow. While the water was being deposited down his throat she would move her hand to grab up the plants she left on the plate beside his bedside. A smile came across her face as she spoke, "These are also a bit bitter, but eat them and they will help keep your recovery going well." She commented right when he lowered the bowl from which h drank.<br><br>A look of surprise crossed her face when he actually apologized, but it was quickly replaced with one of appreciation, allowing her to give a slight, though awkward, bow. "You are welcome. I know people hurt usually need something to keep them going... Water is the base of it all, though." She found herself staring at him. Looking over the scars, she convinced herself, but her attention was more of his form. He seemed to have the trim form of a warrior. Strong. Muscular. Quite attractive. The last part seeping to her mind, causing her to shake her head when he managed to stand, she quickly going to protest. "Nonono, you don't want to gt up! You might reopen the wounds!"<br><br>The snake woman would push her hands forwards to his chest, staring up at him with a look of concern, "And you can thank me more by not hurting yourself. Sit back down. If you need something I can get it. You just need to rest for now. There is no way you can wander off with how badly you were hurt." Though the woman was more than a head shorter than him, specifically because of her anatomy and how she had to settle herself on the snake-like tail to move, she gave a firm push against his pectorals. "I managed to get your affects and put them away, so do not worry there."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>21-12-2013, 12:50:37</strong>
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				Despite the woman's protests and sound logic, Voltaire resisted when she tried to push him back onto the bed. He didn't like feeling so helpless or waiting to get better. He wanted to do something. He started to push past the woman, intending to head outside.<br>"Look, I appreciate your concern, but I already said I'll be fine. I've survived worse."<br><br>This was a complete lie. Though he'd been in plenty of situations where he <em>could</em> have died, he'd never come so close to actually doing so. But he said it anyway for her benefit so she would let him leave. She didn't have to know that though. He wanted to at least figure out where he was. <br><br>He made it past the woman and limped towards the door, careful to avoid stepping on her coils.<br>"I'll only be a minute."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>21-12-2013, 13:39:30</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				When the man just pushed past her she gave a huff, "You may say you'll be fine but that doesn't make it true." She countered, trying to get him to stop by moving herself to the side and wrap her lower body around him in a single circle as if it would create a complete fence. "You do too much and you will reopen the wounds and it will be a complete waste of resources!" The snake-woman said, hissing out the last bit. And yet, still he went,heading to the door before groaning, putting her hands to the air, as if questioning a deity of the stubbornness of the man.<br><br>When he got to the door, which she left open, he would feel a breeze and manage to look out to the woods. It was day, clearly, as the sun shone down small pillars of light from the various holes in the canopy, though he really wouldn't be able to see much beyond the woods. While he could look out the woman met next to him, staring up at him with those hazel eyes before saying, "Please, you need to rest. The sooner you rest the sooner you get well. If there is anyone after you I doubt they would look here. If you did come from the river, chances are people already think you are dead.: 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>21-12-2013, 15:11:08</strong>
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				The wolf couldn't help but lean away a bit as the annoyed female told him off in her distinctly reptilian manner. But aside from that she didn't do anything else to stop him<br><br>He sighed with pleasure as he exited the hut and a light breeze ruffled his fur along with the leaves on the trees, cooling his skin which was a bit too warm. He looked around the surrounding area and could tell that they were well within the deeper confines of the wood, and it would take some traveling before he found a recognizable landmark. He was guessing that he was in the forest that lay south of his mountains and was known as Mossflower. The ocean waves that had broken his fall from the cliff must have then sent him drifting south down the western shore of the land, until he was finally beached. He was supremely lucky he hadn't been floating face down.<br><br>His musings were interrupted as the snake woman joined him out side and again expressed her desire that he get some rest with those searching, gem like eyes of hers. He pulled his gaze away from hers and stared off into the distance.<br><em>Down boy. A pair of pretty eyes is what got you here in the first place.</em><br><br>He was silent a moment before responding to the woman's last comment,<br>"... hmm. Maybe."<br>He thought back on his former companions. The bow wielding ferret, Arlo, was an expert tracker. But Isolde and even the brute Letho were also somewhat accomplished. Letho would have no reason to believe he hadn't died from the initial fall if nothing else. Isolde would be a bit more skeptical however, even if she had mortally wounded him. She knew him better than the others. But, between the three of them, if they had thought him alive they would have found him before now. So they must think he was dead.<br><br>Somewhat relieved, the timber wolf turned to head back inside.<br>"All right. I done."<br>After making his way back to the bed, which he gingerly sat down on with a wince, he asked,<br>"So, what should I call my savior? Sister perhaps? Like they do at an abbey?"
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>21-12-2013, 15:39:02</strong>
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				When the man lowered his attention to her, she caught that gaze of his and stared to those eyes. At the same time, though, they adverted their gazes, the snake woman lifting her hands and adjusting the brown-haired wig atop her head in a way that would attempt to hide a curious discoloration on her cheeks, that might have been noted as a blush. All this while the woman was thinking to herself that she just helped a nice strong man with nice eyes, but he was a wolf, something completely different than her and she wasn't into the fuzzies... But then she furrowed her brow in thought, trying to recall the last time she had actually... liked someone.<br><br>When the man turned to head back inside, she slowly turned around, watching him, coiling her tail around as he limped to the bed and ended up taking a seat. While watching him move in that injured fashion she had realized that it had been so long that she met someone old enough to even be considered not-weird to find attractive that she... forgot. With a sigh she would slither back over to the man, taking back up the roots from earlier that he had not accepted. She put her hand out, telling him, simply, "Chew this." Without&nbsp; hesitation.<br><br><em>Savior? Sister?</em> The woman thought, staring at him with slight confusion before saying, "Uhm... No, I do not think it would be nice. I would figure the path I take too... forsaken ... no... that's not right..." The woman looked down, shaking her head before sighing out, realizing how much that sounded wrong. "But... Ignore my own idiocy... My... My name is Sofiera." The woman finally managed to get out, before giving a low bow at what might be considered her waist, though she wobbled a bit trying to keep herself from falling over. "And..." She let out, lifting her head to look back at him, "You are, my mysterious patient?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>21-12-2013, 16:49:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				With a dubious expression, Voltaire looked down at the roots the woman told him to eat for a moment before accepting them. He usually made a point of not putting foreign substances in his mouth, especially when provided by a complete stranger. But he figured that if she had wanted to kill him, she could have done so several times by now. And in his weakened state she wouldn't even need to resort to trickery.<br><br>He cautiously nipped off a section of root, and was happy to discover it was merely a tad bitter. He quietly chewed his root and listened with a raised brow as the female stumbled through her introduction.<br><br><em>Funny,</em> he thought, <em>Im the one who's injured and essentially at the mercy of a twenty-pace-long half python. Shouldn't I be the nervous one?</em><br><br>The wolf chuckled warmly when Sofiera bowed, rather, he tried to, but the pain of his wounds cut him off. So instead he just smiled ruefully.<br><br>"Voltaire. A pleasure Sofiera. But you really don't have to bow. If anybody should be bowing it's me. And I probably would if I didn't think it would make me feel like I was being stabbed again."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>21-12-2013, 17:19:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Sofiera muttered, looking down as she rose up when he noted that she shouldn't be bowing The woman was clearly not used to dealing with people and just nervous with this guesswork. Though she attempted to be nice and caring, she constantly figured she was doing something wrong. One thing she had noticed, though, was he mentioned 'again'. Her hazel eyes stared at him and her mouth was slightly open before asking, "Again...? So it was actually being stabbed? I... I figured that, but I kind of hoped it was just an unfortunate accident that had you hit a rock or something on the way down a cliff.. Accidently and..." Suddenly she was afraid she might be helping some kind of criminal, now.<br><br>The snake woman turned around and stared the opposite way of the man with her back to him as she considered this. She took a couple deep breaths, coming herself before turning around to give him a smile, "Well... Well, Voltaire... You... Uhm... Should probably just lay down. The roots you're chewing will numb you a bit, keep it easier to move but also make you a bit more tired." She rolled her hand before encircling the bed, "So... Could... would you care to tell me what really happened?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>21-12-2013, 17:42:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The wolf curiously glanced down at the remainder of the root he had been taking bites of,<br>"Oh, so that's what it's supposed to do."<br>He concentrated on how he was feeling. It did seem like the pain had dulled a margin, but that could have just been a the placebo effect of knowing what the root was supposed to do. He'd only just started eating it after all.<br><br>Quickly losing interest in the mundane looking plant, he replied to her suggestion to lay down and didn't seem to take any note of her moving behind him.<br>"I think I'll stay sitting up for a while. I've been laying down long enough I think."<br><br>His brows furrowed when Sofiera asked if he would care to explain what happened though. He wrestled with the thought of doing so, he felt like he needed to tell somebody. But in the end he decided now wasn't the time.<br>"Er, I don't think that's a good idea right now. Sorry. It's a long story anyway. I know that phrase tends to be over used, but in this case, it really is a <em>very</em> long story. In any case, I don't think you would find much of it very interesting."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>21-12-2013, 18:30:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Once the man had said he would not tell her... She kind of grew a bit suspicious of it all. Maybe this man was some kind of villain and she was just wishing for some kind of templar to come into her home, wreck things and burn her alive. That would really put a damper on things. She rather liked being moist, solid and unburned. Sofiera glanced to the side, before turning her attention back to Voltaire, leaning forwards. "I insist. I like long stories. It passes the time. And you will be surprised. I have quite a long list of boring hobbies most would figure unsatisfactory. Same with stories."<br><br>While staring up to him, the woman's tongue would flicker out, taking in a slight bit of his scent. After the whole cleaning and him being bathed in the river waters, though, she couldn't really tell much from that. But she figured he wouldn't tell her anything, so she just gave a sigh, straightening up. "Oh, nevermind... I mean, no one will be expecting you here. And I am far from society, so you are generally safe... As long as I don't find out someone is hunting you and ends up ruining my life you should be fine... Hungry?"<br><br>The woman would head over to the side, uncoiling around the bed, coming to the chest and grabbing up a small bit of fruit. It was a peach. The snake looked down before coming back over to the man and offering it back. "Uhm..." She let out, staring at Voltaire, so unused to people she didn't now what to ask or say or... anything! It was frustrating.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>21-12-2013, 19:09:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The wolf felt a pang of guilt as he considered what might happen if the remaining members of his order tracked him here. At one time he would have believed that at the very least they would leave Sofiera be. That if nothing else, they were honorable. But now he wasn't so sure. <br><em>Well, nothing I can do about it now. They likely think I'm dead anyway, but the most I can do is heal quickly and leave. The sooner the better.</em><br><br>Voltaire took the fruit and glanced back at Sofiera as she tried to make conversation. <br>"You're not much of a people person are you?"<br><br>The roots that he had eaten were starting to have an effect on the wolf without him noticing. He was becoming much more relaxed as the pain faded away. His corded muscles lost their tension, and his expression softened. Feeling better, he began to reconsider telling the woman a bit about how he got here.<br><br>"I guess it wouldn't hurt to tell you a bit about what happened to me."<br>Voltaire thoughtlessly turned the fruit in his hands as he spoke.<br>"I've been fighting a war for the past few months," he began bluntly, "up north. In the mountains. And that war came to a head a few nights ago. Unfortunately I was overwhelmed and captured by those I had once considered..." <br>Voltaire paused as he thought about how much he should reveal at this point. He settled on a description that was accurate if not the whole truth.<br>"... close friends. We had... a falling out. They wanted revenge for imagined slights against them, and so they had their way with me, and then left me for dead."<br><br>The wolf looked down at the now mangled carcass that had been a peach before he unconsciously began to squeeze the life from it in anger during his brief anecdote. He sighed and shrugged.<br>"Then I woke up on the shore and stumbled I to your forest. That's pretty much the gist of it."<br><br>He turned to face Sophiera and her hypnotizing gaze.<br>"What about you? How did you end up out here, all by yourself?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>21-12-2013, 19:44:07</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				When Voltaire noted her lack of social graces and actually pointed it out the snake woman would give a light twitch. It was so obvious, and why would she expect otherwise. Sofiera turned her head,watching the wall with intensity before she opened her mouth, only to close it and give a low shy mutter. However, her attention suddenly came back to Voltaire when he informed her he could tell 'a bit'. And that was all that she needed and went ahead to the man's side, curling her tail in a tight coil, with her humanoid body settled down ontop, staring at him.<br><br>The way that she was staring at him, with such focus and curiosity it might have had sent a small bit of discomfort to someone who wasn't used to that large, hazel-eyed gaze. The first thing that came out from her mouth was at the first sentence, "There... There's a war?" Perhaps causing him to realize the dissonance she was from the outside society. She immediately silence herself before slowly nodding. A frown crossed her face, hearing that friends betrayed him and then slowly shook her head, "I couldn't understand that. It... it sounds as if it would greatly hurt... I'm sorry."<br><br>Her attention went down to the peace as he had as well, staring as he fingered it, nodding in response to his wrapping up of the situation with her having found him. "Well... You are welcome here..." She elongated the last word, considering if she should add a qualifier: <em>until you are better? For a week? For...ever?</em> But decided to just cut herself off and let the sentence end in a , seemingly, premature way. "Anyways, thanks for telling me. Trusting me well enough." She believing him in a slightly naive way.<br><br>Something shook Sofiera, though. He asked of <em>her</em>? Why? Was he trying to... <em>No, I asked something and he wanted to learn more of me. I should be flattered! Not paranoid.</em> Lacking any fruit to squeeze in her nervousness, she would, instead, straighten up and place her hands to her hips. "Well... I was here with another person... But... He passed a long time ago. The way I got here was... Well, I am not sure. My... uh... caretaker found me when I was very young. He is the one that built this hut. Taught me to live on my own." The cleared her throat, before perking up, "B-But! I am the one that learned of herbalism!"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>22-12-2013, 01:56:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The wolf chuckled at Sofiera's confusion regarding his revealing that there had been a war. <br>"'War' may be a strong word to describe the conflict that took place. It was really just small skirmishes mostly, until the final battle which still only consisted of a couple hundred. And it took place far to the north, among the peaks and valleys of the mountains where we lived in relative isolation from other communities. I doubt anybody knows that we no longer exist," he finished in a melancholy mumble.<br><br>He again found his gaze drawn to her own as she explained, kind of, her situation. He couldn't stop staring into those crystalline eyes of hers with his own warm, deep brown gaze, as if a spell had been placed on him. He had heard stories of how snakes would entrance their prey in such a manner, paralyzing their prey with their gaze alone before going in for the kill. He'd always thought that was just a myth, but he had to wonder if that was exactly what was happening to him now. <br><br>He managed to stop focusing on her eyes as she finished explaining proudly that she had fought herself the apothecary arts. Glancing around at the plant filled room he said, "and you certainly seem to have become quite the accomplished herbalist. I know some healing techniques as well, but nothing like this. Very impressive that you learned all this on your own."<br><br>He turned his attention back to Sofiera, and stopped on her hair. It didn't seem quite right for her species to have hair and he was certain it was a wig, he had to ask,<br>"that's not really your hair is it? Why do you wear that?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>22-12-2013, 02:20:46</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Sofiera would grow a bit uneasy at how he was staring at her, but didn't look away when she spoke. It would have been rude, after all... Or she thought so anyways. Instead she would keep in contact with him until he broke it of his own accord to examine the area and compliment her. She would feel her face heat up slightly again as the blood flowed through at a quicker place, enjoying the kind words. They were a welcome change from silence. "I... Well, not all of it. I learned the basics from my caretaker. I... Don't want to steal all the credit."<br><br>A smile crossed along her face when the man looked to her again, she feeling the rising discomfort come back, along with a few tightening muscles from her next bout of nervousness. It was replaced with pure confusion with his next question, her hands lifting up to press flat down against her hair before she said, "I... This." A frown crossed her face as she moved to pull the wig off revealing a completely balled head, curved slightly at the top and holding the hair in both hands over where a normal person's crotch would be. "I... Just, you know. Have more experience with people with it and... It's dumb I know." She muttered, looking over to the side, gripping the wig, "It made me feel a bit more comfortable around my caretaker..."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>22-12-2013, 03:45:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"It's not dumb. But I have to wonder if you wore it to make you feel comfortable, or if you really wore it to make others feel comfortable. I think you look just fine without it, and you shouldn't wear it just for the benefit of others."<br>The wolf shrugged,<br>"Just my opinion. "<br>He was quiet for a moment. <br>"I imagine it must get lonely out here though. Why do you stay?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>22-12-2013, 03:54:03</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The woman would roll the wig in her hand, looking down, nd holding her breath as she took the compliment. With the awkward pause she turned her head. When asked of why she remained, her eyes kept focused on the side before saying, "I... Well... I'm afraid of people a bit. I was never really exposed to others and the few cases I was they were always suspicious of me... I'm sure you could understand why."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>22-12-2013, 04:13:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Yes I can understand why. But you won't get anywhere if you don't try."<br>The wolf turned and gave her a grin.<br>"Besides, you won me over right? Granted, saving my life is definitely a good headstart."<br>He have a good natured laugh before continuing.<br>"Life is too short to be worried about what everybody else thinks. Sometimes you just need to take a chance on things."<br>His face hardened a bit,<br>"Even if they might not work out how you hoped."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>23-12-2013, 05:35:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I...!" She started wanting to be defiant. She second guessed herself before saying, "I did try! And it never turned out very well! Suspicions and superstition is all some people go on and never let go!" She took a breath before saying, "And... If I hadn't helpped you, you would have passed me by. Or... If you were armed when I found you try to scare me off or attack me... A-And don't lie!" She stared at the man with a slight huff before moving her hands up and placing the wig back upon her head and adjusting it. "I am sorry if I am a bit... er... salty? Is... that the word?" She said, muttering the last bit.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>23-12-2013, 05:53:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The wolf couldn't imagine how lonely it must be for this woman, to be shunned by all who met her. Certainly he had felt some measure of loneliness as well, but never like this. Never living in solitude for countless years. <br>"I won't lie, I too would have been very suspicious had I met you under different circumstances. But I never would have threatened you. But can see why you might be somewhat jaded yes."<br><br>He smiled and shook his head as Sophiera returned the wig to its place on her head. He reached up and gently removed it, placing it on the table by the bed.<br><br>"I already told you that's not necessary. You look better without it, truly. How can you expect others to be comfortable around you if you aren't even comfortable with yourself?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>23-12-2013, 05:57:28</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				When the word came from his mouth the woman snapped her fingers to give a loud clapping sound before pointing to him, "Jaded! That's the word!" She nodded, clearing her throat, afterwards, looking down feeling that may have been inappropriate. Sofiera would blink at his next words, commenting on her wig that readorned her head. A heat came across her face as he spoke of how she looked better without it, moving her hands up to take off the wig and look down at the brown hairs, "Well... I just figured..."<br><br><em>Figured what?</em> She thought to herself, hazel eyes looking over the various fibers that made up the headpiece. A low sigh came from her before she set it down to the side, "I don't know what I figured, it was just habit after a while... Having it there."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>23-12-2013, 06:27:25</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Voltaire smiled warmly, glad that she was taking his advice. By now though, the roots that Sophiera had given him were definitely starting to take effect. His eye lids felt heavy, as did his limbs, and he only felt the urge to lay down and rest his eyes.<br><br>"Well, I wish there was something more meaningful that I could do to thank you for pulling me from the brink of death. So if you think of something dont hesitate to ask. I'd be happy to oblige."<br><br>He lay his chiseled form back against the straw mattress which, at the moment, felt just as comfortable as down.<br><em>Im gonna have to ask what kind of root those were for future reference,</em> he thought as he lay his head back against his upturned palms.<br>"Anything at all..." He mumbled as his eyes began to close.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>23-12-2013, 06:44:28</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The way that he smiled had made her feel as though she would melt. It seemed warm, legitimate, something that she hadn't felt for a long time and it was making her question herself in a few areas. When he spoke of how she could repay him, she opened her mouth to protest, but thought better of it. After all, maybe he could be able to help her in some way. Something that she wouldn't be able to do on her own. She opened her mouth to speak, but by the time her words came out he seemed as if he had already passed out.<br><br>Smiling Sofiera waited for a response, for a good, full minute, slowly losing her smile until she realized what happened. The roots had claimed his consciousness. Lightly she cursed under her breath, realizing that she might have given him a bit too much if he was effected in such a way. But. At least he was relaxed, now. Once more, she sighed and turned to get some work on. Clearly he would be hungry when he awoke, so dinner may as well be gathered and started with the time she had.<br><br><hr><br>When Voltaire would find himself waking again, the smell of something delicious would be coming. The scent would not be coming from within the small home, but rather, if he looked out the window, from a caste iron pot that hung over a fire outside.&nbsp; The snake would would be curled around some barrier stones at a fire pit, a wooden spoon in hand stirring at whatever was hidden within the small black cauldron. She would lean to the side, grabbing some plants and tossing them in to keep with the contents, stirring some more after, slowly humming a tune accompanied by the bubbling of liquid.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>31-12-2013, 11:33:31</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				When Voltaire awoke some time later, it took him a few moments to remember where he was. <br><em>Ah yes, Sofiera. That's right.</em><br><br>He stared at the ceiling of the hut as he contemplated moving. A pleasant smell permeated the small home and wanted to see what it was. Decision made, Voltaire struggled into a sitting position, the pain of his wounds enticing plenty of quiet groans and wincing. By the time he was upright he was out of breath, but he wasn't about to give up now. Getting to his feet was less of a chore, and he made his way to the exit. Upon stepping outside, he saw that the smell was indeed Sofiera's doing, as she tended to a cast iron pot that was bubbling softly over a fire.<br><br>Voltaire wondered about this woman who had saved his life, how difficult it must be, being one of the very few of your kind, not accepted by any one. He wondered just how long she might have been living this way. He knew the reptile races tended to live longer than mammals, especially snakes due to their slow metabolism. It was too bad really, she was quite nice and didn't deserve to be treated as she was.<br><br>Voltaire announced himself with a simple, "Evening," as he walked up to the fire and sat next to Sofiera.<br>"So what's in the pot?"<br><br>As he waited for an answer, Voltaire observed her scaled coils which lay around the fire pit. Overcome with curiosity, he suddenly reached out and ran his hand along the length of the one before him. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>31-12-2013, 12:13:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				When he came out, Voltaire may have noticed that the woman opted to keep off the wig in which he commented that she needn't wear. Instead he could notice the slow dip in the back of her head which curved oddly, for a mammal anyways, inward near the woman's spine. Sofiera lifted the wooden spoon and flicked her tongue out in a blend of tasting and wafting the scent her way. With a slow smile forming over her face she would mutter to herself, lowering a hand and taking up a bit more of the crushed herbs in the basket near her tossing in a small amount before she lifted her head.<br><br>Apparently she noticed him and started turning right before he spoke, but hurried her gaze once he did. A frown marked her face before she shook her scaled head, speaking out in the familiar accent with elongated 's's that seemed to punctuate every time, even if she continued the sentence, "Why is it you are up?" Her brow furrowed, staring to him, briefly before sighing out and glancing over to the pot, "A bit of dinner. It's a stew of meat and he~eep!" She practically jumped out of her scales once he moved his hand up and along her scales causing a deep red to cross her brown scales along her cheek as she pulled the spoon out and waved it to him, "Wh-What do you think you're doing. Just ... just touching me..."<br><br>The last part ran off, from the initial anger to a bit of uncertainty. It even seemed as though she wilted, looking to the side, meekly, pulling the wooden spoon close to her breast. With a brief pause that may have seemed adorable innocence, she soon snapped back and moved forwards encircling the man so her coils came around him in two-tiered with her face to his. The scales upon her cheeks still burned a lighter red as she stuck her tongue out and wavered it before him, "I-I mean, how would you like it if I just touch you, hmm?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>31-12-2013, 13:15:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Voltaire jerked his hand back when Sofiera let out a startled squeak. It would have been funny if she hadn't then started to threaten him with the wooden spoon and scold him, though rather meekly.<br><br>He chuckled and held up his hands in mock surrender, "Sorry. I was just curious is- hey! What are you... doing..."<br>He finished weakly as Sofiera wrapped herself around him and put her face inches from his. <br>Like he had discovered when he touched her scales a moment ago, her coils were smooth and cool to the touch. What he hadn't noticed before was just how strong she was. He could feel the corded muscle as her thick coils pressed firmly against him, holding his arms against his torso.<br><br>What was she up to? This sudden closeness seemed a bit out of character and was even causing his own cheeks to redden a bit. Her tongue tickled the tip of his snout as she asked how he'd like being touched. He shrugged and gave her a sheepish grin.<br>"Well, I suppose you touched me quite a lot while I was unconscious and that turned out all right. So I, erm, guess I don't mind."<br><br>Voltaire squirmed a bit as he spoke, trying to push Sofiera's coils aside with his own finely toned limbs so he could free himself from her embrace.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>31-12-2013, 14:07:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				When Voltaire countered her statement, her eyes widened up and she stammered out, "Th-That was different! I was doing it to help and..." With that bit, he would have pushed her off, causing her coils to fall off and she quickly moving in a lightning-fast circle to allow her tail to curl behind her, she continuing on, "It wasn't just to... touch..." She muttered, turning her head to the side and considering she may have gone a bit far... But he provoked her! Sofiera's eyes slowly went from their downcast position and up to Voltaire's form as she considered.<br><br><em>Did he? Or maybe I'm just jumping at shadows, now.</em> She thought, trying to rationalize his actions and make herself seem like not-really-a-bad-guy at the same time. <em>He was just curious. He never saw anyone like me. At least not up close. Right?</em> The way that she was staring at him while she considered these things could have been considered rather discomforting. Those large orbs looking over his form, her mouth slightly opened, allowing him to observe her small set of fangs and barely present teeth beside that.<br><br>With a shake of her head she snapped out of her questions as her mind went to countering, and considering how he felt when she wrapped against him and how, perhaps, it could feel different with that fuzziness wrapped around herself. But those thoughts vanished and she sighed out before muttering a low, "I'm sorry." Her eyes turned to the pot and soon her body did, as well. Her tail shifted, allowing her to come to the cauldron as she dipped the spoon in and spoke, "Stew is a good thing for injured people. It's hearty, but no effort is required. Just let it cool, a few chews. You get the fluids you need as well as the vegetables and meat..." She speaking in a matter-of-fact tone, trying to get distracted from the little over-reaction she did.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>31-12-2013, 15:23:03</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As quickly as Sofeira had trapped him, she just as quickly released him. Which was a bit of a relief. Not that Voltaire thought that she would hurt him, but he had the feeling that if she wanted to squeeze him to death she could. For all his strength, which was normally prodigious due to his training, the only reason he'd been able to move those coils of hers was because she let him.<br><br>He thought about the confused jumble of stuttered words shed managed while she let him go. She was back to her uncertain self it seemed. He rubbed the spots where she had been pressed against him, straightening the disheveled fur that had been pushed out of place.<br>"Don't worry about it. But what did you think I might have been doing? Trying to hurt you or something. Is that the only form of contact you're used to? I guess I wouldn't be surprised if that were the case."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>31-12-2013, 15:37:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Sofiera would give a gentle sigh when Voltaire brought upthe touching again. She was hoping to just move past it but, "You should be in bed and resting..." She turning over to the side, heading over to him and putting her hand up and to his chest. "You come back to bed, and I'll explain things. But you don't and you get nooothing." With the last comment she would chuckle, moving her hands up to his shoulders and trying to turn him around and push him towards the home of hers, "Now get in, get in, lay down or am I having to spoon you to get you to do so!" Within her mind she was refering to the wooden utensil she was stirring stew with, unknowing of the other implication such a word could mean.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>31-12-2013, 16:16:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Voltaire looked longingly at the stew as Sofeira pushed him back towards the house. The smell was intoxicating to his food starved body, but he was more interested in what Sofeira would tell him if he did as he was told. He was obediently headed towards the hut when&nbsp; the woman let slip her "spoon" comment.<br>His head jerked around to appraise Sofeira with raised brows and a "What?!" on his lips, but it died out when he saw her unknowing expression. <br>"Er, never mind."<br><br>She must not have realized the double meaning of her words. How could she? Voltaire's cheeks started to burn as impure thoughts began to rise unbidden to his mind. How would two of Sofeira's kind spoon. How would he and she spoon. Who would do the spooning?!<br><br>Voltaire's face was a bright red now as he hurried into the hut, trying to shut out the awkward imaginings, and made his way over to the bed and sat down.<br><br>"Okay, here I am. So, uh, what was it you were gonna tell me about?"<br>He spoke quickly, eager to change the subject.<br><em>Im in Sofeira's bed... oh jeez.</em><br>He'd never been more glad for the brown cotton leggings that kept his modesty.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>31-12-2013, 16:58:00</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Once Sofiera managed to get the man back into the building and settled comfortably to the bed, she would sigh out. Her arms would raise up and cross over her chest, which with the way his thoughts appeared to be going, would notice they were a bit smaller than average for what he encountered with the mammalian kind. Perhaps it was because she was a reptile. But that brought a new slew of questions of why a reptile would have breasts... Were they used for feeding? Just for show? Did one like her lay eggs? Give live birth? And how would those mechanics function for one like her.<br><br>While these things may have been considered, or something that Sofiera considered a long time for herself, she would lean forwards, shifting in an odd way to be face-to-face with Voltaire, "Well, back to the earlier questioning. No. I was not only treated with touchings as a form of beating. My caretaker was a kind man, and comforted me when needed. I am..." She leaned back a bit, one hand coming to her opposite arm and rubbing it, "Just not used to people doing it and it's weird. I haven't been touched since my caretaker." But quickly she blurted out, her face burning red as she realized something, "A-AND NOT THAT WAY! So, n-no. Don't ask, nothing like <em>that</em> happened!"<br><br>With that last exclamation, she realized she may have gone and over-reacted again. She drew in a breath and sighed out, realizing her ineptitude with people even more, now. It was kind of frustrating and made her want to curl up in a little ball and hide from the world for a while... As if she hadn't done that for a lifetime already. "Sorry." She managed to mutter before spinning herself around, "I'll... I'll just get the stew. Now wait here!"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>31-12-2013, 17:32:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Despite his best attempts to avoid doing so, Voltaire was indeed wondering about some of of Sofeira's anatomy. It was strange how determined his mind was about bringing up these thoughts against his will, and how determined another part of his body was about making itself known as a result of his thoughts.<br><br>Voltaire sat with his knees together, one arm bridging his legs at the hip while his head rested in the hand of the other which was upright, elbow planted on one leg. He did his best to seem as if he were paying attention, smiling and nodding. But it was his turn to become embarrassed when Sofeira had to clear up any insinuation that could be drawn between her and her old friend.<br>"What?! Er, of course nothing like that would happen, why would you think I would think that?!"<br><br>He stared at a very interesting section of the wall as Sophiera went to go get the stew.<br>"Okay, yeah. You go do that. I'll wait here."<br><br>Awkwardness aside, Voltaire felt himself drawn to the woman. Or maybe it was just the sexual tension, which he was certain he was the only one feeling. Despite the emotional scarring of living alone for so long, she seemed like a innocent and compassionate person. He felt the need to help her, protect her even should it be necessary. Though she must be able to fend for herself if she'd lasted this long. <br>Voltaire sighed with exasperation at his predicament, besides, what did she need a wolf like him around for anyway. What she really needed, and probably wanted, was one of her own kind to take care of her.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>31-12-2013, 18:00:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Within a couple moment, Sofiera would return to the man's side. Her snake-tail swishing around as a form of propulsion to bring her up to him. Two hands held a wooden bowl with a wooden spoon set within, smaller than the one she was stirrin with, ad with a deeper pocket to allow him to eat properly. She set it down next to him, on the end table by the bed. Looking down at the bowl, a pained look came over her face before she sighed.<br><br>"I am sorry that I am unable to accomedate you much more luxuriously. I mean..." Her eyes lowered, before her hand came up to the back of her head and lightly rubbed it. "I am sure you are used to something more luxurious. I mean, soldiers normally are..." She muttered, noting he straw bed. The silverware that was just made of wood, the wood bowls when they should be pewter or at very least tin! Everything here just screamed peasant.. Or wood nut, as that seemed to be everything... And she suddenly started thinking why she shouldn't trade for some things.<br><br>Again she sighed before saying, "Well... I hope it's good enough. i mean, I learned to spice things well... Or well to me... But still, a second opinion would be quite nice." She smiled to him, coiling up before him and placing her hands to the top-most coil and leaned forwards expectantly.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>31-12-2013, 18:35:17</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Voltaire was glad for the distraction when Sophiera arrived with a bowl of warm stew and gladly accepted the wood bowl and utensil without a second thought, inhaling the aroma with relish. <br>"Oh you've done more than enough to accommodate me. I'm just happy to be alive so I can complain about something else later. And I'm sure the food is great"<br><br>He placed a spoonful in his mouth and started to chew, but then suddenly stopped. His expression fell and he covered his mouth with a hand as if he were about to retch. Then he swallowed&nbsp; and grinned.<br>"Kidding. It's very good thank you. Certainly better than anything I could put together. Cooking was never my strong suit. It's unfortunate, being able to make a warm bowl of stew after a long day on the road would certainly be nice."<br><br>Voltaire moaned with pleasure as he took another bite of the delicious meal.<br>"Aren't you gonna have any?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>31-12-2013, 18:47:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The woman gained a frown at his initial reaction, but it changed from a sad one to a frustrated one in an instant. She would raise her hand and give him a very gentle smack to the side of the face. "You're incorrigible!" She proclaimed before shaking her head, giving a light smirk. "And yes... I will, I just... wanted to know what you thought, first." The snake-woman sighed lightly before moving to the side, grabbing up a few things and tucking them to her sleeves before heading out to the pot still there.<br><br>Within a short moment, Sofiera would return, her hands cradling another wooden bowl while she advanced to Voltaire. "Well..." She let out, moving back to coil in front of him, "What are you expecting to do... I mean, once you are healed up enough to go and do... whatever it is you do?" The woman kind of felt bad asking the question. It may seem like she was begging him to leave, yet that wasn't it. She wished to have him stay a bit. Even if it has been not even a day, he seemed nice. Considerate. A bit humorous, which was needed... Though clearly she was too brash or something for someone from a... monastery did he say? He couldn't have been a monk, he might be a templar. It seemed that way with the armor and weapons.<br><br>In her thoughts, she would look down, listening to him when he would speak partially, but losing some aspects. Her eyes would shift back up to him as she took a spoonful of the stew.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>31-12-2013, 19:30:21</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				What was he going to do? Voltaire pondered the question for a moment while he chewed another spoonful of stew. He supposed he already knew the answer really. He had unfinished business. There was still a war to be fought. A personal war.<br><br>Swallowing the food and setting aside the bowl, he laced his fingers and shrugged. <br>"I'll find the ones that tried to kill me and return the favor."<br>His eyes were cold as he said it. Hard. Certain.<br>"But there's a lot to do before I get to that point. Getting better is a given. The real trick will be finding them. I have no idea where they could have gone. And then of course, I need a weapon. I have an idea where I could get one, but that will be a whole other journey in itself. Maybe one of the locals will have one I could take off their hands."<br><br>Voltaire sighed and lay back on the bed with his arms behind his head.<br>"Maybe I should just focus on healing for now. Fortunately that shouldn't be too difficult with the help of your skills."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>01-01-2014, 03:59:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				While he explained the situations Sofiera slowly nodded, looking to her own bowl of stew, spooning it about as she considered things. "Well," she started before raising her head up and frowning, "How many of these people are there? Do you think you could take them on? Would you be direct?" Suddenly she felt worried for him. Would he go off and battle three? Four? Five? people at once? She shook her head, before sighing out, glad that he was willing to just sit down and keep to his healing. <br><br>Sofiera looked down over the man as he lies down. Her eyes scanned over his form, still shirtless at the time. She finished her stew rather quickly before closing her eyes and settling the bowl down. "Well, then... I will do what I can to help you. And make sure you're healed and set... I still have your armor." She giving him a nervous smile, "But I'll make sure you're well enough before giving it back, okay?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>04-01-2014, 09:33:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Voltaire was still wondering what he would do when he finally found his targets himself. He hadn't got that far in the plan yet and could only shrug in response to Sophiera's query. <br><br>"There are three of them. What I do depends on if they stick together I guess. Obviously it would be a lot easier if I found them one at a time. But I think I could still manage to beat them even if they're together."<br><br>He turned his head to look at the exotic and kind woman before him as he continued.<br>"But as you say. It will be some time before it comes to that. And you've done more than enough to help me already. I'll try to get out of your- er..."<br>He cut himself off before he could finish the phrase, hoping to avoid sending Sophiera into some kind of relapse.<br>"... I'll, uh, get off your back soon. I wouldn't want you getting dragged into this for some reason."<br><br>He casually observed her as he spoke, hoping not to appear to obvious. Desire rose in him again, and again he had to shut the feelings out. He turned away, cheeks burning. What was it about this woman that made him feel this way? Was it because she had saved him? And like some silly damsel in distress he fell for his savior? Or was it her naïveté, sincerity, and kindness beneath the lightly jaded exterior? He couldn't pin it down to any one thing, but it didn't matter anyway. It seemed so taboo. A reptile and a mammal? How could it work? Especially with one such as her? Strange how he always seemed to land himself in these situations.<br><br>Voltaire lay his hands on his chest and twiddled his thumbs as he pondered and looked nervously anywhere but at his host.<br>"Um, Sophiera. Have you ever, uh, wanted something that you couldn't have before?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>04-01-2014, 09:56:46</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				This whole situation seemed rather suicidal to her. The way he seemed to be a bit obsessive about vengeance. She started thinking it would e better if he just gave it up and tried to hide instead. Perhaps it was a man thing? Or a warrior or soldier thing? She shook her head, once he went ahead to speak to her, watching his hands as he was now twiddling his thumbs and doing things in such a way that shown out the nervousness. Was that some kind of hint to her? What would he be nervous about? What could he possibly want that he couldn't have? "I..." Sophiera started, before pausing for a brief moment, "I think I have, yes... But... Is there something specific you need or want? I mean, that kind of question usually comes out because of someone already thinking about something... Err... Right?" She tilted her head, staring to him.<br><br>While she awaited his answer, her mind went through with the possible answers. Maybe he was in love with one of these people he had to kill and it was against the situation? Maybe he just wanted to leave and she was preventing him from going about this. Perhaps... He was looking over her and thinking of... her? No that would be foolish to think of that. Sophiera lowered her head, frowning as she considered more, it was all just weird. What could he possibly want that he couldn't have... After all, every one of these things she considered he could have... Given the right situations.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>04-01-2014, 10:38:28</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The wolf swallowed hard and rubbed the back of his head ruefully, and the room was beginning to feel uncomfortably small, and the bed hard. He was beginning to wish he hadn't brought up the subject, but he stumbled onward.<br>"Er, no. I wasn't thinking of anything specific. Well okay, something specific did make me wonder. It's... eh, complicated. But the question was, um, philosophical I suppose."<br><br>He rolled his eyes at the pathetic cover. He'd never been so uncertain before. Well, except one time. And that too had involved a woman. And feelings. He didn't know how to express those. He'd never been taught. Everything he'd learned in his mountain home had been about warfare and staying alive. Now that he considered it, it was no wonder he was stumbling through this conversation like a toddler taking it's first steps. In his own way he was just as naive as Sophiera.<br><br>"You said yes. How did you handle the situation? What would you do now? You know, if a similar situation arose."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>04-01-2014, 10:50:46</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Sophiera hummed, with a frown over her face when he explained why he asked, but soon told him, "Ehhhh... I hate rhetorical questions They just ruin the purpose of talking. I mean it's a waste... Conveys no real meaning or purpose... I mean, if it was knowledge or something and... Great now I'm rambling." The snake-woman started muttering, moving over to the side of the bed and curling around herself. She would lower her humanoid torso over the&nbsp; coiled snake form, arms crossed over her tail.<br><br>The woman frowned, staring forwards when he asked how she handled her situation. Her heart pounded as she tried to recall the past. The whole desire she had, but realized it was just inappropriate in the end of it all. Perhaps it wouldn't have been... Maybe it would have been right, it would have been fulfilling? Maybe it would have helped that other person and kept what had happened from happening? She slowly sighed, closing her eyes before she told him what she did: "Nothing... I... didn't handle it. I let it build inside of me. I said 'I know I can't have it'. I told myself nothing good would come from it and so I kept quiet... I questioned if something better could have happened. Maybe I could have had it... But I won't know now. And... Maybe I was wrong... maybe I was right, but I didn't pursue it... And I both regret but don't because maybe it would have made things worse if I tried..."<br><br>At the end, she opened her eyes and rolled her body slightly to the side, so that she could stare over to the wolf. She stared at him questioning, but then just sighed out, "So... Yeah. I just... literally, did do nothing based on the impulse. What? Is that what is going through your mind, now? Whether you should try for something you 'can not' have or not?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>04-01-2014, 11:27:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Voltaire tensed when Sophiera asked if he was considering trying to obtain something he shouldn't, and wondered if she was on to him or if it was a perfectly innocent question brought on by the subject.<br><br>"I... suppose so, yes. I've been in a similar situation. I ended up taking that which I shouldn't have though. And like you I partially regret the decision. But at the same time, it exposed me to something great for a time. So I just wonder if taking the risk is worth it in the end. Half of me says yes, just go for it. What's the worst that could happen. Heh, but I guess there just isn't any way to know these things is there?"<br><br>He turned his head to observe Sophiera with his deep brown eyes. Taking in every detail of her exotic form. The gentle sweeping curves. Her crystalline eyes. <br><br>"But I also wonder if it would be best for everybody if I kept to myself.&nbsp; The path I walk, I don't know where it will lead. I just know that it will be long, and bloody."<br><br>He turned his head away and stared at the ceiling, giving a dejected sigh.<br><br>"Maybe it would be better if I walked it alone."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>04-01-2014, 11:37:25</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				While he went ahead to explain himself, she would keep her eyes on him. Her eyes were soft, showing a slight bit of concern. She took a deep breath before closing her eyes and speaking out, "I see. So it's similar to me, but you took that chance and it ended up poorly. Where I didn't and it just... Well. I don't know..." The woman would slowly pull her humanoid torso up, and uncurl herself, slithering to the table that had her other equipment, just... looking over the things.<br><br>"Ah, well... You'll have to be sure that you can walk before going off. Alone or not." She chuckled lightly, trying to lighten up things before she turned around to look to him. "But, yes. You ate, are all good and... Well... Just rest. I'll make sure you're comfortable until you are well enough to... you know... leave..." The last word seemed to have drained her energy, causing her to frown and lower her eyes down to the ground as she considered being alone again... Even if it was but a day She liked the contact. But it may not have been.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>10-01-2014, 17:41:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Voltaire grunted in agreement from his spot on the bed, but didn't seem to notice the dejection in Sophiera's voice, caught up as he was in his own depressed thoughts. Then he closed his eyes and shuffled about a little, trying to get more comfortable.<br>"True enough. I won't get anything done in my current state. Have a good night Sophiera, and thank you again for the meal."<br><br>------<br><br>As the weeks passed, Voltaire continued to follow Sofiera's instructions as she cared for his injuries. Well, most of the time. He wasn't one for sitting still too long and couldn't resist taking the occasional walk despite Sophiera's protests. But he could feel the difference as time went on. His injuries pained him less and less, and eventually he felt good enough to begin taking on tougher activities than just walking 100 paces from the hut and back. <br><br>The sun was high, about to make its descent through the clear blue sky as it's rays beat down on the forest below. Voltaire had taken to chopping wood for the fire. It had been tiring and painful at first due to his wounds and going weeks without exercise. But he was quickly regaining is defined muscle mass, which stood in stark relief under the suns light as he worked shirtless. And the job helped him focus, it was similar to training with a weapon. You repeat the same motion over and over until it is ingrained in you. And your body instinctively moves as it should when it needs to.<br><br>With a couple more heavy strikes with the axe, he finished splitting several small rounds and decided to call it a day. He wiped the sweat from his brow with a forearm, then looked down at the fresh scar on his torso. It was still sore from time to time, but for the most part no longer hindered his movements. He thought with equal parts relish and discouragement, as he considered his vengeance, and then his time with Sophiera who he had come to consider a true friend.<br><em>Its almost time for me to leave.</em>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>11-01-2014, 08:53:52</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Sophiera had allowed Voltaire to use the straw bed to rest and sleep upon whenever. Any protest he had was halted with her saying he was the injured one, then her curling up in a corner and managing to sleep out. Over the time, he would notice she left the hut frequently, but came back quickly. It progressively came where she would leave for longer periods after the first week and it seeming as if he was getting better. She would manage to come back with plants and ended up getting him some meat, mostly fish from the lake and rivers, but also some wild boar. <br><br>Apparently, she was a very good trapper and fisher, when he asked, she would explain her caretaker taught her how to live off the land, as he didn't trust much of the traders in the closest towns, especially since it took a couple days to get to them and the food would spoil easily and he didn't like raising the animals. It seemed like a waste to him. So, he went to catch the animals to eat and taught her how to. The woman had always spoke fondly of the caretaker, but he would never have managed to get her to speak of that caretaker other than what he taught her on a survival basis. She never told him what type of man he was, other than reclusive and a bit distrusting of anyone other than her.<br><br>Despite not telling of her caretaker, she did allow him some answers of herself. She explained that she had stayed in this hut and living in these woods for about thirty years. She was about nineteen when her caretaker died and had to live on her own. Apparently, Sophiera had only one contact within all the towns surrounding her, which were three, the closest being two days away for just walking,&nbsp; That person was a mouse named Sheila who she knew as a child and managed to get enough trust to use her to buy anything for her, when needed.<br><br>Today, though, she had been coming back to the hut with a bucket with new fresh fish, three of them, as she never brought more than enough for the two of them. She knew better than to over-hunt or over-fish, as he may have noticed she sometimes just fed him some soup. Though it was wanting of substance, it kept them well for a day or two until she thought it best to get another bit of food. "Almost done with that wood for the fire, Voltaire?" Sophiera asked, giving him a smile as she slithered on to the man. With him shirtless and working like that, she couldn't help but admire him. He seemed young and strong and determined, he was handsome to her and was actually glad that he stayed. She completely forgot about the idea of his quest, since he spoke of much of the activities of the past. Or she took it that way. She thought he was happy here with her and, even though she didn't show it, she was ecstatic for it. In time, she rather hoped he would look longingly to her and beg for her to join him in that bed or to just sneak over to her and take her...<br><br>Voltaire may have noticed that Sophiera was staring at him, now, holding the bucket before her in both hands and hovering over where her pelvis would be, were she to have a normal lower body. She had discarded the wig, after sneaking it on a couple times the first week, but now allowed her bare head to be exposed to show off her brown scales at all times. She wore mostly modest clothes, usually burlap tunics to cover her when it was warm out, though she bundled up excessively in furs once the weather even thought of dropping near sixty degrees. At this time she was just wearing a cloth that covered her front and back with them bound together by simple leather string. She may not have seemed the most elegant of people, but she always did keep herself clean and her scales, curiously, shiny. Though she forgot if he asked her how she managed that or not...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>11-01-2014, 13:19:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The woman had continued to surprise him as he got to know her. He never would have guessed at her age, since she certainly didn't look thirty. But then again, he had no idea what clues to look for on a reptile. Maybe they just retained their looks longer. It had been less surprising when she proved to be perfectly capable of taking care of herself, gathering plants and bringing home meat regularly. The meat was especially appreciated. Living in the mountains where very few things grew, the majority of the available was dried fruits and grains that were brought back by scouts who traveled down to Mossflower forest and brought back goods purchased from the farms or towns.<br><br>But despite his gentle prying, he never discovered much about her absent friend aside from the most basic of details. He wondered why she would be so secretive about him. He couldn't judge though, for he still hadn't told her the whole truth about the events that led him here. He'd told her about his mountain home. The fort that was dedicated to training orphans and outcasts into respectable and deadly rangers. Of the rigorous training and education that was provided with just one goal, to create warriors. And they succeeded. But it also led to the eventual downfall, and extinction of their order. But he didn't mention who organized the rebellion and killed his mentors. And he didn't talk about his quest again after the first day though. No need to worry her.<br><br>Voltaire turned and grinned as Sophiera approached.<br>"Yes actually. Just finishing up."<br><br>He was pleased that she no longer felt the need to wear the wig. He felt that she appeared much more natural, herself, without it. And 'herself' was quite pretty. Attractive even. Standing there, soft, feminine curves hidden only by a simple tunic that didn't leave too much to the imagination. Polished scales glinting where the suns rays touched them. Beautiful. <br><br>He'd spent many sleepless nights wondering how he should approach her as well as wondering, what she might be like, so to speak. He didn't want to be to direct and maybe scare her off. But that was assuming she even wanted him the same way he did her in the first place. He didn't want to chance ruining the good relationship they had now either by putting her in an awkward situation. He wished she'd give him some kind of clue. Or maybe she already had and he missed it? His lack of action frustrated him. How could he be so indecisive? He could think of ten different ways to kill an enemy with his bare hands but he couldn't speak his mind to a woman. Pathetic. Well, if he was going to make a move he'd have to do it soon for time was running out.<br><em>Tonight,</em> he thought, <em> I'll do it to tonight.</em><br><br>He bent down and began to fill his arms with the chopped wood, grunting as he hefted the pile, and started to head back to the hut and the neatly stacked wood that had been chopped earlier.<br>"We should have plenty for the week at least now. What's for dinner?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>11-01-2014, 13:48:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Her eyes kept upon him, watching the man as he lowered himself and curled those fit arms around the wood, she taking a deep breath before holding it and shaking her head to try and take the imaginations from her mind once he spoke. A smile curled upon her face as she said, "Ah, w-well.. Fish today. I got a few extra bits. I was planning on getting them scaled and cleaned and set up in some fillets. I mean, Did you want to try getting one cleaned up? I mean, I know I wanted to teach you how to get fish cleaned up, at least, since any lakes make it easier." The snake-lady moved over, slithering towards the hut. Sophiera hurried up and came over to the man's side. <br><br>The woman tilted her head up to look to Voltaire's face, admiring him at the time. Sure, his muscles may have atrophied and maybe her spoiling of his usual diet may have added a bit more weight to him, but he was still handsome. Quite charming. The more she thought of it, the more she practically convinced herself that he had someone else. The first day he mentioned t, but never had told her what happened. Did they get denied? Did they get together but pushed apart by some circumstance? Maybe he got inured over a woman...? These thoughts did depress her and was actually one of the causes for not trying to show off her admiration to the fullest extent. That and her own social awkwardness. She could get loose and show him off her skills, but she just couldn't get some of the things into words. Lack of experience, probably.<br><br>"If you can stack them up and then get some of the wood to a firepit. I should have the tools ready. We can talk a bit as we get the fish ready, hmm?" She kept the smile to him, before lowering her head and taking one hand up to open the door. "I'll... uhm... Just get everything ready. If you want to get a bath, instead, or do a little more training, I won't mind... I mean, no need to try and get the fish prepared, I know it's a lot of work..." She lowering her voice as she moved into the hut and turned to get to the preparation table.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>11-01-2014, 17:05:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Mmm, fish sounds good to me!"<br>Voltaire said as he finished stacking the wood. He patted himself down in an attempt to remove the flecks of bark that stuck to his fur.<br>"And I'll give you a hand with the cleaning. I know the concept, I've just never done it myself." He was quiet for a moment as he considered what he had to tell Sophiera,<br>"And a... talk sounds good to."<br><br>He looked back to his fur which still had a multitude of bark flecks entangled within, the brushing having had minimal effect.<br>"Buuut I think I better go clean up first."<br>He turned to head in the direction of the nearby river, and gave Sophiera a wave.<br>"I'll be back in a bit."<br><br>The stream was only a short walk away, and Voltair arrived after just a few minutes. Having left his shirt back by the hut, figuring he would need to dry off before he could put it on anyway, he needed only shed his leggings before wading into the cool water.<br><br>The stream felt refreshing after the exertion of heaving an axe in the middle of the day, and Voltaire's concerns were briefly rinsed away along with the sweat and bark that sullied his fur. After a few minutes of scrubbing, he was satisfied that he was presentable again and simply relaxed in the steady waters, letting them ease his tense muscles. As he floated on his back, gazing through the gaps in tree coverage and into the clear blue sky, again his thoughts drifted to Sophiera. Her looks. Her demeanor. Her looks... and he quickly found himself becoming aroused. His eyes widened as he realized what was happening and he stood up, water rolling off his wet fur which clung closely to his defined form, and shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts.<br><em>Now is not the time.</em><br><br>He managed to distract himself with thoughts of his old training regimen, which he would have to pick up again soon. But the damage had been done, and he knew it would take several minutes for his erection to subside. He decided it would be best to start heading back. Leaving the relaxing waters and keeping his thoughts focused on something constructive should help.<br><br>A few minutes later and he was approaching Sophiera's hut, and fortunately his erection had subsided and his fur was mostly dry. He grabbed his shirt and the axe from the stump he had left them on and entered the abode, announcing himself as he did,<br>"I'm back. Hope you didn't start without me."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>12-01-2014, 06:48:45</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				A low sigh came from the snake-woman as she watched Voltaire move off towards the river. She let him go without a confirmation of what he said, instead, just going to the building and setting the bucket to the ground near the table she intended to get to. While he was gone, she would gather the herbs she knew were good to accentuate fish, and get out the things she would use for cooking. A massive pan would be brought out and set to the side of the table for later. As well as an iron grate she would put over the fire, once the fish was cleaned and cut up, she would settle that over, place the pan on and fry it. Sophiera was grateful for the things she managed to gather, as well as her caretaker before. It made things so much easier to cook. And helped diversify things than spit-roasting.<br><br>While she grabbed the herbs and started chopping and mixing them together in a wooden bowl, her mind started drift back to the man who had stayed with her for the weeks past. Realization came over as she noticed how much stronger he was. How he trained with his weapon more and that brought in the next question: Was he going to leave soon? Maybe he wanted to go back to that monastery he lived at before she found him? Maybe... And this time, she remembered, he was going to find the people who hurt him? Her face sank as the thoughts of her being alone, again, came in mind. She had gotten so used to him being here, the welcoming sound of his voice, the assistance he gave when he got well. If he would leave what would she do? Would she just remain here and continue living as she had before? Would she... leave with him? That very thought terrified her. She hadn't know much beyond the woods here, and much less about the mountains that held the place he may want to return to.<br><br>The voice of Voltaire caused Sophiera to snap her head up, with wide eyes as if she had been slapped from her thoughts, the quickness and distraction causing her to nick herself at the finger with the knife. She would hiss and wince, bringing her index finger to her mouth, sucking on the wound as a reaction. A light whimper escaped her throat as she tried to get a grip on herself. The pain was minor, but she wasn't used to i, so she was making a bit more of it than she might have. She looked down to the herbs, noticing she might have cut herself more than she thought, the small batch she was cutting had been dirties with her fluid from her finger, and used her other hand to pick them up and toss them to a disposal bucket she kept to the side.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>12-01-2014, 09:04:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Voltaire was placing the wood axe by the door when Sophiera cut herself, the following hiss and whimper of pain causing his ears to perk up followed by his worried gaze.<br>"You okay?" He asked as he walked to her side and saw the droplets of blood upon the cutting board. He headed to the cupboard where he knew Sophiera kept the medical supplies that she had used to heal him, grabbing a roll of gauze and a bottle of alcohol.<br><br>He retuned to her and gently but firmly grabbed her injured hand.<br>"Here, let me help you with that."<br>He inspected the wound briefly, seeing that it wasn't too deep and a simple bandage should suffice.<br>"You should be more careful. But at least now I can return the favor."<br>He poured some of the alcohol onto the cut to sterilize it, then ripped a strip of gauze from its roll and gently wrapped it around her finger, covering the small incision, tying the ends together to keep it in place.<br><br>First aid complete, Voltaire looked up at her and grinned warmly.<br>"There. All fixed up. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>12-01-2014, 09:32:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As if he was acting like a hero for her he would spring into action and come and see to make sure she was safe! At least that was how she saw it, at this point. Even if he just came over and looked upon results of her injury it became more dramatic to her because of the fantasies she was having. When ht took her hand and pulled it so that the finger was no more to her mouth, she stared at his face. His voice seemed so gentle and comforting, and she couldn't help but stare at him while he spoke and went to work on her hand.<br><br>The alcohol stung, causing her to hiss lightly, but it wasn't long for him to wrap the bandage on and cover it. Once he lifted his head to gaze upon her and grin, she couldn't help but feel her cheeks heat up in a blush. She tried to hide it by turning her head, however it may have been impossible. Though she did try to speak more aggressively than, perhaps, she intended. "Th-Thanks. I could have gotten it myself, though. It... it wasn't that big a cut, I was just distracted." <br><br>Sophiera cleared her throat, pausing in awkward silence before she lowered her head down to look upon the bucket that contained the fish. "Oh, but... Yes... I didn't start without you. I mean, I was just cutting up the seasoning and put them... in, you know, the bowl..." Another pause occurred before she reached down and picked up the bucket, setting it down at the edge of the table, "Well... You get one and I can work on the other two...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>12-01-2014, 11:53:07</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Voltaire chuckled a bit at Sophiera's response. He'd gotten used to how she became a little flustered and defensive. It was one of the things he liked about her actually.<br><br>He grabbed one of the fish from the bucket that Sophiera had pointed out and prepared to clean it, grabbing one of the filleting knives she had. He held the blade confidently, having had extensive experience with a wide variety of weapons, but he was less certain with his handling of the fish. He knew what to do in theory, but had never actually done it. Besides, his former home wasn't in the business of training chefs. Their idea of a well prepared fish was was one roasted whole on a spit over an open fire or eaten raw. Whatever it took to survive. <br><br>But Voltaire did his best as he put the blade to the fish, concentrating on just removing the scales first. The silence felt awkward for him as he steeled himself to tell Sophiera his intentions. With a light sigh, set the blade down and turned to the woman.<br>"Um, Sophiera. I just want you to know how much I appreciate what you've done for me. I likely would have died if it for your help and the cars you given me in my time of need... That said, I think it's time I left. I no longer need to be taken care of, and I have to find those that tried to kill me. I won't be leaving right away, but... soon. I would ask you to come with me, but it's just too dangerous and I don't want you getting hurt on my behalf." 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>12-01-2014, 12:12:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The whole time, she really didn't know what to talk about. Despite knowing he wanted to, because he noted it when she was first coming in about being able to speak to one another while the fish was being prepared. But what? Was he going to speak? Or should she first? She was already done cleaning the fish and working on scaling the thing, using the knife to pull the scales from the fish and trying not to lose too much of the meat to it. Once he spoke, however, the first few words started with something that sounded like it was about to come with bad news... And it did. Once he mentioned he wanted to leave, the knife dug deep into the fish, cutting through the gills, which wasn't bad as the head would be removed in any case.<br><br>Sophiera stopped her movement, lowering her head to try and listen to him better. He had to, it seems. Leave. Even if i wasn't right away. She started drawing a deep breath, taking a little hope with the idea that he said he wanted her to come, but it was crushed down, once he went on saying he worried for her safety. A frown marked her face, her stomach felt like it was dropping, and her eyes were downcast. A bit of hope had kept with her that he wouldn't want to leave, and now, here he was, telling her he was, and that she shouldn't come...<br><br>"I..." The woman let out, staring down at the fish, but unsure how to continue it. <em>I what? Don't want him to leave? Would keep him here, despite his wishes? No, that won't work. I what? Want to go with him? What do I know? I am a survivalist, sure, but no fighter. What if I did get in trouble? And get him hurt, because he wanted to save me.? If he would want to save me?</em> Her thoughts were occurring so fast. Going from the idea of him leaving, what if she was to come, what if not, would she be lonely after his departure if she stayed? Would any of this be worth it? Her mind was just assaulted with so many questions and scenarios that just caused her to start shaking, that caused her eyes to well up with tears.<br><br>Why was she getting so emotional? She had been alone before! She was left without anyone by her side when her caretaker left! But even then she cried as well. But this wasn't as serious as that. He wasn't dying... But he could! Voltaire could find those people and they could finish him off, how they failed to before! Sophiera's head lowered and she started sobbing out, and couldn't help it. She tried to stop, but her heart was beating so hard it practically hurt. "I..." Sophiera let out, trying to speak again, before flicking her tongue out, trying to get a hold of yourself, "I... Don't want you to go..." She managed to get out, not sure why that was what she chose to say, but it was out now, and she could figure nothing better to recover herself.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>12-01-2014, 13:09:52</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				His first clue that things were going to be a bit more complicated than he expected, was when Sophiera's knife suddenly dug deep into the fish she had been cleaning. But he had just continued to speak.<br>By the time he finished though, Sophiera actually had tears in her eyes.<br><br>Why was she crying? He had expected her to be disappointed and downcast as any friend would be. Sad even, but to the point of tears?&nbsp; Was... was this the sign he'd been hoping for? <br><br>Sophiera finally managed to stutter out that she didn't want him to leave, desperately trying to keep from bursting into full blown sobs.<br><br>This was far more than what a mere friend would do, Voltaire was certain. In one sense, he was ecstatic, but in another it was depressing. It hurt to know that he was causing her such pain. He didn't want to do that to her, but what choice did he have? The answer was obvious of course, he could stay. But for every fiber of his being that wanted to remain with Sophiera, another also desperately craved vengeance. Hungered for it. He'd never told her how badly he wanted it, figuring she would think him insane. But, he could have both couldn't he? Just because he left wouldn't mean he could never return. Yes, that's what he would do. He would find the others, kill them, and return to be with Sophiera.<br><br>Voltaire stepped closer to her then and placed his hands on her shoulders, turning her so he was looking her right in those pretty crystalline eyes.<br><br>"Sophiera..." He started, intending to tell her his thoughts, but then another desire came over him. The same desire he'd been feeling for weeks that competed with the hunger for vengeance over control of his soul. His shoulders were tense, and the fur along his spine stood on end as he barely contained a feral hunger.<br>"...I..."<br>He paused once more after trying to continue, and was silent for several seconds before suddenly throwing himself against Sophiera and pulling her against his naked torso into a deep, passionate kiss. His muscled arms holding those delicious curves he'd ogled so many times before against his own defined form.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>12-01-2014, 14:40:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Sophiera felt the tears be blinked down her face upon feeling the man's hands coming down upon her shoulders. She knew she was acting a fool. She knew that what she was feeling was rather ignorant and he was going to tell her that, no doubt. The woman took a deep breath, being turned around and lifting her head up to stare to his eyes. Her eyes were filled to the sides, tears steaming down her cheeks. When he spoke her name, she sniffled, trying to hold back her emotions, but failing spectacularly. That scaled form of her continued to shake and she couldn't help but wish to hear what he was going to say... <em>Just call me an idiot already and be done with it.</em> She wished, but found something else.<br><br>Those strong arms came around her form, and those lips pressed down into her. The woman's eyes widened as she felt the man... kiss her? Her heart leapt, but this was different than the reason it was beating quickly the previous second. He was kissing her. His arms were around her, curled around her body and his lips were against her own. Sophiera was hesitant, at first, his hands were to the side, but slowly came forwards, and were placed on Voltaire's hips. She stopped leaning away from him, instead pushing forwards and pressing her body against his, now. <br><br>While she help this new event, she felt her eyes slowly dry, though her emotions still felt strong. Soon, Voltaire may notice the woman's snake-like lower body would swirl around his feet. That brown-scaled appendage rubbed up against his ankle, at first, and curled around the other leg, so that she was gently wrapped around his lower legs, though not fully. Sophiera would slowly pull her face from his and look back up to him, her cheeks brightened as her breath was broken, her body shaking. She felt her mouth was dry and the eyes losing some of the moisture, though still had some there. "V... Voltaire..." She whispered before whimpering up at him, her mind aflutter and heart beating quickly in her chest. "I..." <em>love you...?</em> She wanted to say, but couldn't bring herself to say it. Not yet, as she feared it may just be this rush of emotion and the sense of worry she had for losing him. Instead, she just stared up into his eyes, her mouth slightly open and eyes slightly closed.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>12-01-2014, 15:33:26</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Voltaire was faintly aware of something brushing against his legs, but he was too concerned with getting as close to Sophiera as possible to give it much thought. Fortunately she seemed of like mind for he could feel her pushing back against him and placing her hands on his hips. He felt the slight cushion of her breasts being compressed between their bodies, driving the heat of his desire up another notch.<br><br>He was reluctant to let her move away and his head followed hers, hoping to keep their mouths locked, but their lips parted anyway. Sophiera took the opportunity try and say something, but it was lost after "I," so Voltaire finished the thought with his own.<br>"I want you Sophiera..."<br><br>He pushed against her again, moving his head down to rub his muzzle up against her neck, taking deep breaths, inhaling her scent...<br>"I want you in every way."<br>...licking her with the tip of his tongue, tasting her.<br><br>A low growl rumbled in his throat and he began to push against her harder, towards the bed. But he had forgotten about the object that had wrapped around his legs, and he tripped as he tried to take a step. He held onto Sophiera and they twisted as they fell, landing on the nearby bed with Sophiera on top. The wolf grinned.<br>"That works too."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>12-01-2014, 15:50:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The woman's tail would curl further along his legs, tightening it around him as she stared at him. And then he said it... <em>He... wants me...</em> her mind confirmed his words, moving her hands to rub up along his hips and back down them as her eyes slowly scanned down to his furry chest, and further down to the pair of pants he wore. Sophiera's breath was broken, her body was shaking as she muttered, "E-Every way...?" She wasn't even sure what that really meant, but the tongue upon her neck had caused her whole body to tingle. With that touch, the feeling of his hot breath on her scaled form, that wet appendage pushing up against her neck, it was actually maddening.&nbsp; Voltaire managed to turn around her, and then press against her body in the direction of the bed.<br><br>"Voltaire, I--EEE!" She started to get her thought up, and was about to speak towards him, but the man had found his legs restricted with her tail, that idly encircled him. He fell down and hit the bed rather hard, since it was but wood and straw. But she was taken with him, shrieking out when he fell down, taking her with him and with an 'oof' she would land her head to his furred chest. The woman breathed in and out quickly, at first, but slowed as she closed her eyes and breathed in his scent.When he spoke, again, she lifted her head up and blushed out, "I... I guess... and..." The woman stared up, at him, trying to refocus, "... You.. You want me... in every way? What... What exactly do you mean, there?" She wanting to be completely clear, first, as to not get her hopes up.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>13-01-2014, 06:32:37</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Voltaire pulled Sophiera towards him so their heads were at the same level while she was speaking so he could continue to nuzzle her her neck and work his way lower. His snout was working its way through the neck of her tunic, the moisture on his nose planting cool kisses against her collar, contrasting whit the heat of his heavy breathing, while his hands explored her body. They rubbed down her hips, then back up her waist and onto one of her breasts while other traveled back down.<br><br>"Sophieraaa." He moaned with some exasperation at her question, driven by the sexual frustration that had been plaguing him for weeks and had now reached a fever pitch, his erection already pressing against his leggings. He tried to be understanding, she was rather timid after all, but now that it was happening, why didn't she just let it?<br><br>He pulled his snout out of her tunic and looked her in the eye. <br>"What do you mean 'what do I mean?' I love you. I wasn't sure at first, but the more I got to know you the more certain I was. I love everything about you. Is that what you wanted to hear?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>13-01-2014, 07:55:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				When Voltaire pulled her head up to his, so that she could stare to his eyes for a brief moment before that furred head of his lowered, she could fee her body shaking. It was due to a blend of anticipation and nervousness. What could she do for him? What was she expected to do? How should she react? These things crossed her mind and made her worry. What if she did something wrong and ruined any moment for him? However, feeling the kisses at her collarbone, the hands exploring her curves. It just made her melt and give a gentle moan.<br><br>A stark blush crossed her face as she felt the man's hand come up and grope at one of her breasts while the other lowered and explored her form. <em>Does he even know how I work like that?</em> She asked herself, unsure of he even knew what he was trying to find on her form, as she was sure she was, at least, slightly different than any of the mammals like he was. And that came to mind if he had any experience with what he was doing. It seemed like he did, just from the way his body moved. Or maybe it was just his attraction to her was so strong that it just allowed him to act on instinct in such a way to get her going more.<br><br>Something new came, though, something she didn't expect when his head tilted back, so that he could stare deeply to her eyes. <em>He... loves me...</em> Her heart skipped a beat at his proclamation, and her breath quickened. "He loves me..." She muttered to herself, eyes so focused on his, and her mind not taking note that she verbalized her thoughts. "H-He loves me!" She exclaimed in excitement, her hands coming up and arms wrapping around his body, so that her hands pressed firmly to his bare back. Her face came down so that she kissed him passionately upon the mouth. The snake-tail that replaced the legs of a normal humanoid would begin curling around his lower body, the middle moving around his legs with the tip just curling around his ankles,<br><br>Sophiera could feel her body heating up. Just those words had spurred her into a new, heightened arousal that the mere touchings couldn't have done. Though her inexperience was obvious with her kissing, her enthusiasm was great. Her head tilting and lips closing to have her pull from his, only for her to tilt her head again and press her lips to his again. Her hands would rub up and down his back, occasionally closing down, to stroke at his fur and gently tug at it in a teasing fashion. And her tail would tighten more around his legs. But soon, she would notice something as the tightening tail caused her body to press up against him further.<br><br>The woman pulled back suddenly, after her body had rubbed up against his pelvis, allowing him to feel that erection hidden behind the pants he wore. Voltaire would be able to stare up at her, as she had removed her arms from around his back to be placed on his chest, holding her more humanoid upper-body up. Her face was a dark reddish-brown to mark her blush and eyes were wide. He would be able to feel the soft, smooth scales of her snake-half glide along his legs, shifting around to position itself in a curious fashion, so that his legs pressed against one another, her lower body hovering just over his pelvis. Her eyes would trail down his form and look down, at his crotch, seeing the tenting occurring before she stammered out, "Y-You're..." she shaking her head, as if unable to finish her thought.<br><br>Sophiera couldn't help but feel amazed he was actually like that, maybe even a little horrified. <em>What did you expect though?</em> The woman thought to herself as she stared wide-eyed at his lower body with a mixed bag of emotions ranging from embarrassment to confusion to worry to glee, but they kept jumping from one to the other. Slowly,her eyes would return, looking at the man's face, looking to her eyes that just had the expression that screamed out, 'What should I do, here?'
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>13-01-2014, 09:29:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The wolf couldn't help starting to chuckle at Sophiera's excited proclamation, but he was cut off as she forcefully pushed her lips against his. Not that he minded. He returned the favor with vigor, his tongue making it's way into her mouth and exploring it. She didn't have a tongue like a mammal that he could push his against but he didn't care. He enjoyed the experience all the same.<br><br>If Sophiera was inexperienced, Voltaire didn't notice. He had made love before and had been shown some things, but for all intents and purposes, was just as new at this as Sophiera. He largely moved on instinct, never wondering if a certain action would feel good or not and just doing it. <br><br>He quickly gasped for air when their lips parted, only briefly interrupting before they locked together again with heated passion. Pushing against each other firmly, as if wrestling for dominance. He enjoyed the sensation of Sophiera's probing hands on his back, pulling gently at his fur and her tail which was wrapping about his legs. That was a new experience, but he found it interesting and new. He wondered how else she might put it to use as they moved forward. He had moved his hands beneath the folds of her tunic. The left rubbed up and down her back, waist, and hips, exploring the sensuous curves and enjoying the texture of her cool scales against his palms. His right meanwhile, grasped her breast firmly and massaged it, squeezing the dome and pushing it against her chest.<br><br>Then, just as he felt her press against his straining member, she pulled away from him, planting her hands on his defined pectorals which rose and fell steadily along with his abdomen as he caught his breath. His arms fell to his sides, Sophiera being out of reach as she appraised his pelvis with what appeared to be mild surprise, and he pushed his torso up a bit, supported by his elbows.<br><em>Im what?</em> he wondered with some concern.<br><br>At that point Sophiera asked what she was supposed to do, to which Voltaire grinned and shrugged sheepishly. He knew what he would like her to do, but he thought the suggestion might be a little shocking given her own inexperience. So instead he just said,<br>"Whatever you want. Whatever feels right. That's all I'm doing."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>13-01-2014, 09:53:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Sophiera's breaths would be broken as he made his response and she tried to think on what she would do. <em>Whatever feels right, he says... Then I should just...</em> Her thoughts would break as she slowly moved her body. That snake tail of hers would slither away from his legs, and she would move around his form, so that her scales gently moved over his form and encircled his body upon the bed. Those hazel eyes scanned his body, looking over his bare chest as he laid there, and down further. Voltaire would be able to feel the snake-tail press against the top of his head before he found her slowly lowering her human torso down so that she was hovering over the straw bed. With quaking hands she would grip the man's pants, and try to lower them, hoping for him to lift his butt up so she could do so easier.<br><br>Doubtful he would refuse the woman's intent to remove his clothes, she would pull them down, so that she could get a good view of his bared lower body. With wide eyes, she would just stare at his engorged member, pinked from the tissue it was made of and reddened further due to the blood-flow that caused it to peek out proudly. <em>What do I do?</em> She questioned as she stared at him, with cheeks reddened through the brown of her scales. A hand would come up, after a moment, and fingers gently curled around the base of his member until she gave him a firm squeeze. Sophiera glanced up to Voltaire's face when she did so, to gauge his reaction before slowly pushing her hand up and along toward the tip of his organ.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>13-01-2014, 10:30:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Voltaire watched, intrigued, as Sophiera's tail coiled around his torso. The scaled appendage blazing a trail through his tan fur as it worked its way upward, pushing the strands aside like soft grass. He could feel her muscles undulating beneath her cool skin as they pressed against his own tense form which felt as if it had risen a few degrees. Eventually the end of her tail coiled once around his neck before finally coming to rest at the top of his head where he could feel it pressed lightly against one of his ears.<br><br>All the while Sophiera had been lowering herself to the level of his pelvis and his breathing grew heavier with anticipation. She grasped the edge of his leggings and began to pull them down. He obliged her desire by lifting his hips to make it easier, and soon his aroused member bounced up, finally freed from its prison, a drop of pre-cum already adorning it's tip. <br><br>By this point Voltaire's eyelids were growing heavy with pleasure and his tongue lolled from his open mouth as Sophiera inspected him. When she finally wrapped her fingers around him, giving it a squeeze as well, it caused Voltaire to shiver and swallow hard. His brows furrowed as he resisted the urge to come right then and there, having abstained from any form of release for months at least, causing immense pressure in his neglected loins. He took a sharp intake of breath and moaned as Shopiera's palm began to travel along his length.<br><br>"I... Oh gods..."<br>He started, unable to finish as he was distracted by Sophiera's administrations.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>13-01-2014, 10:51:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The snake woman would slide her hand up and down Voltaire's lengths as she watched the man's expression change. Her wide eyes slowly calmed as she lowered her lids to look at him with a more somber gaze. "You... like that, huh?" Sophiera said, rhetorically. In her mind, she couldn't believe she was doing this. Here he was. Not just in her bed to sleep, what she offered to assist in him resting and recovering, but for more vulgar purposes. Or at least what many would consider vulgar. Her heart was still beating quickly, as she shifted over him, allowing her lower half to adjust and rub along his bare chest. The fur tickling her a bit at the connection of her scales.<br><br>The thoughts of what she was doing was having a greater effect on her. She could feel her body heating up a bit more, and a desire stirring within her. Her breath quickened as she quickened her hand motions. A new series of thoughts came to her mind, causing her to adjust herself. Her snake-like tail would uncurl from him, and re-curl around his form in a specific position. One he may not be able to determine, at first, but in a way that she would reveal to him soon.<br><br>Voltaire would still feel a large base of her lower-body wrapped around his chest, squeezing lightly at it. The woman would have made it so that her&nbsp; lower body laid next to his head, to the left of him, and arched over the top of him. The end of her tail would have found it's way around his upper arm, wrapping around it in a rather awkward fashion. While she was repositioning herself, she watched her body move the whole time. The light movement of her hand being used to distract him as she prepared herself for the request she was going to give. A deep breath was the last thing she did to prepare herself.<br><br>"V-Voltaire..." Sophiera managed to get out, in a gentle tone of voice. "Look... Look to your left..." She said, in practically a pleading fashion. "I... Touch my scale there... Right... Right there." With that information, the position she was, she hoped he would be able to figure out something of her body. But, just in case, she slowed her hand movement along his exposed member, so that he could focus. "You... Notice my scales a bit different...?" The woman tried to imply without directly saying what she was advising him to do for her.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>13-01-2014, 11:44:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"You... Like that, huh?"<br><br>In response, Voltaire could only nod a few times and gasp out a strained, "y-yeah."<br><br>His tongue still hung from his mouth as he panted and gripped handfuls of straw. Every muscle in his body was tensed as he trembled with pleasure and the effort of containing his throbbing member. And it only got harder. His brows furrowed and his eyes were shut tight as he bit his lip and groaned when Sophiera began to pump his throbbing length at a faster pace.<br><br>He placed a hand on her coils as they began to unwind themselves from his torso, enjoying the feeling of them sliding under his palm. He was gripping her a little firmly, fingers straining just as the rest of him was, but he was careful not to let his claws dig into her or get caught on. Her scales as they slipped past. Then she began to wrap herself around him again, now gently squeezing his torso, which he found even more arousing, though he wasn't sure why. When she had finished adjusting, they were laying in opposite directions, with their lower bodies level with each other's heads. Sophiera even wrapped the end of her tail around one of Voltaire's solid biceps. He wasn't sure what she was planning with the new position and couldn't really concentrate on figuring it out. <br><br>Sophiera remedied that by easing her administrations to his member, allowing him to relax a bit and focus on what she was saying.<br>He looked to his left at her direction and saw what she was talking about. There was a break in the pattern of her scales. Like most snakes the bottom of her coils were covered in wide scales oriented laterally relative to the length of her body. With the exception of this spot, where two rows of scales were organized parallel to her body and split the lateral ones in half. <br><br>He quickly grasped the situation, and was pleased to have the opportunity to return the favor an pleasure Sophiera. He placed a hand against her belly, a thumb against one of the rows, and began to gently pull it away from the other, exposing her pale sex beneath. He brought his muzzle close and simply breathed hot air into the slit before venturing the tip of his tongue into its wet embrace.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>13-01-2014, 12:09:40</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Those hazel eyes kept upon the wolf as he turned his head and looked upon her. It was unclear to her if he had managed to figure out what she was trying to convey. At least until he had moved one of his hands up and placed a thumb upon her and pull away. When he managed to lean in, she watched him intently, wanting to know what he would do with her, first. Then, when that first action came, she would gasp out, surprised at that tongue coming out to touch her sex, and prod it with the tip. "V-Voltaire..." She whispered out, closing her hand around his member, and her tail squeezing at his chest and at his other arm.<br><br>Her breath quickened as she felt her arousal grow further, engorging her sex and causing her to gain further wetness at his touch. Slowly, she would begin moving her hand up and down his shaft again, wanting to watch him as she worked upon her, at this time. It fascinated her. Watching someone actually touching her like that, observing as he was letting his tongue go across her in a fashion she had, with embarrassing admission, attempted on herself at a time when it had just felt desire of some kind of sexual contact was too much to ignore. But watching it like this was far different from self-inflicted pleasures.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>13-01-2014, 12:39:40</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				It seemed that Sophiera wasn't drastically different from a mammal in her desires, and that Voltaire had indeed made the right decision, her cute gasp confirming it. She followed it up by renewing her grip on his shaft and squeezing his torso tighter. Her coils constricted his breathing a bit, keeping him from breathing as deeply as he had been, but he was able to adjust by taking more short breaths. What he didn't realize was that the pressure on his chest also increased the pressure building in his loins. In any case, he found the tightening coils extremely arousing.<br><br>She started to work his member again even as her sex flooded with her wanting. Encouraged, Voltaire roughly pressed his muzzle against her belly and buried his tongue in her wet depths as deep as he could, letting her juices flood his his palette as he did so. He went to work on her sex, wanting to pleasure her as much as she did him. He plunged his tongue back and forth, side to side, up and down. Anything he thought would make her happy. <br>Of course the pleasure was building in him as well while Sophiera worked his rigid length, and he couldn't help but thrust his hips forward as she saw to his needs.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>13-01-2014, 13:57:59</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				When Voltaire had started moving his tongue inside of her, pressing his snout up against her scales so that his tongue could go further, go deeper. And the feeling of that warm, strong, wet muscle shifting around within her caused Sophiera to moan out, lifting her head. Something came to her mind, though. The more she observed his mouth moving over her sex, the more it came to her that she should repay him in kind. Her eyes turned back from his face and to her hand that was still moving up and down him. <br><br>Those hazel eyes would watch her own hand as it shifted over his engorged organ for a brief time, she would will her hand down to the very base of his member and separate her hands and fingers. Sophiera's hand would press down upon his pelvis, feeling that soft fur against her palm as she let the space between her thumb and index finger snugly fit the wolf-man's member. The snake-woman would lower her head and let her long, forked tongue out. Slowly she would bring her mouth to his red cock and let her thin tongue press against the top of him and lick from the middle of him up to the tip. After she brought her tongue back within her mouth she would pant a few heavy breaths, allowing the warm air cross over Voltaire's erection before she pushed herself forwards. <br><br>Soon, he would be able to feel the woman's lips press against his tip, as if she was kissing it, before pressing forwards, allowing her lips to part and draw his member in. Sophiera would only bring less than an inch of him within her mouth before stopping. She experimentally started suckling onto him, her eyes still opened and turning her head back a bit, keeping her ears open and hoping to hear a positive sound or sight while she worked upon him with her mouth as he had immediately started upon her.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>13-01-2014, 14:53:28</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The pressure in his manhood had been steadily rising and Voltaire knew he wouldn't be able to hold out much longer. Even knowing that, he opened his eyes so he could gaze upon Sophiera's most intimate of places as he continued to lap at its depths. Despite its foreignness, seeing it up close, having it hover a mere inches from his face so that it was all he could see only increased the strength of his passion. To know that he was finally at this point after so many weeks, and that he could continue to do this for the foreseeable future pleased him to no end.<br><br>As he was thinking, he felt Sophiera stop rubbing his shaft and place her palm against its base at his navel. Wondering what was wrong, he glanced to the side while still pressing his tongue I to her slit, just in time to see and feel her own tongue glide across the top of his length. <br>He closed his eyes and enjoyed the sensation, and that of the gentle breeze caused by her nearby breathing. His eyes shot back open however when her lips closed around him.<br>"Ahhnn..." He moaned as he continued to taste her and his eyes crossed a bit as her saliva wet his throbbing shaft and gently sucked on it. He unconsciously thrust his hips forward, wanting to go deeper.<br><br>He pulled his wet face away from her dripping sex to catch a breath, but quickly renewed his attack with a new strategy, wanting her to cum with him. He folded his tongue this time, before plunging it I to her, lewd slurping noises emanating from his administrations. The soft, improvised ribs rubbed against her inner flesh in a number of ways from before, but Voltaire also twisted his tongue within her and even pushed the tip of his snout into her flower, trying to get as deep as he could in an effort to make sure he didn't explode before her, which seemed likely at the moment. It wouldn't be much longer at this rate.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>13-01-2014, 15:16:37</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				When Voltaire's hips pushed up against her mouth, she would open her mouth a bit more to allow more to be pushed up into her. Once he settled Sophiera would bring her head down further, accepting more into her mouth and sucking on him harder. Her head was still tilted to the side, trying to keep an eye on his reactions. When he looked down to herself, she felt her cheeks heat up, and her breath push out through her nose in a steam as he caught his breath, having pulled away from her.<br><br>With his member still in her mouth, she would moan out, feeling him redouble his efforts. Her eyes would actually close now, and her head would turn as she felt she needed to work as hard as he was. That snake-tail would squeeze against him tighter, perhaps uncomfortably so. The tip of her tail that held onto his bicep would pull down, tugging at his arm, pulling it against his body. The woman's head would start to bob up and down over the man's member, her tongue wrapping around him at the base and lifting up and down him as she closed her eyes tighter. Eventually, she would push her head down, going a bit too far and gagging on him as she left the tip of him pressing against the back of her throat. She immediately would pull back, after her response and take a deep breath, panting out as she just held him up.<br><br>"S-Sorry." She muttered, looking back to him. "I... i...ohhh... went too fast." Her voice had a shameful tone, as she felt embarrassed at her own gusto to keep from going on.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>14-01-2014, 03:51:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Mmmnn..."<br>Was all the wolf could manage as Sophiera took him deeper into her mouth&nbsp; and sucked even harder. His snout being too busy for words. His ears turned back and every muscle in his body strained as the pleasure doubled along with the urge to cum. The pulses were stronger than ever and were wracking his body with ecstasy regularly.<br><br>Voltaire couldn't help but wince a bit as Sophiera's coils squeezed him tighter, making him flex his arm to counter the pressure being applied to it. Despite the constriction of his chest making it hard to breath, he wasn't worried. When he had first met Sophiera he might have thought that she had tricked him into her bed, intending to toy with him before having a midnight snack. But he was certain she wasn't trying to hurt him so he let her do it without complaint. Besides that he was finding the new experience immensely enjoyable at the same time, the pressure in his loins becoming unbearable. And the technique with her tongue wasn't making it any easier to contain himself. For someone who had to ask what to do after his pants came off, she was surprisingly good at finding the right buttons to press.<br><br>As he continued to service her flooding sex, she worked diligently at his cock, sucking intently on his heavily throbbing organ. Loud slurps coming from both of them. Voltaire knew he had mere seconds left, but Sophira finally sent him over the edge when she buried his member within the wet confines of her throat, making him growl with pleasure. She released him moments later, gasping for breath as she said something that Voltaire couldn't make out as he removed his muzzle from her depths and moaned.<br>"Agh! FffffUCK!"<br><br>His intense orgasm burst from his tip a moment later. The thick, warm, fluid pouring from his member in copious amounts, some of it spattering against Sophiera's face. Voltaire's whole body was tingling, and he felt a bit light headed. He was trying to catch his breath, but the coils wrapped tightly around him wouldn't let his lungs expand enough, and his breathing was rapid to make up for it. He recalled that Sophiera had been apologizing for something.<br>"It's.. Hh... it's ok. But... hh... could you loosen up a bit? Kinda... hard to breath."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>14-01-2014, 06:48:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The woman gasped, closing her eyes and shrinking her neck to turn her head to the side when she noticed the man's build up had released, causing a stream of white to shoot out into the air and land along the side of her face. Sophiera's breath quickened, until she opened one eye, and glanced down at him, his cock still throbbing lightly, pumping out a gentle stream of his seed as his orgasm started to subside. Her hand seemed coated in it, as well as some of her face, causing her to blush tightly, and squeeze his chest a bit more in nervousness.<br><br>Once Voltaire had started to speak, she turned her attention to him, at first confused, but then widened her eyes, loosening the grip of her tail at his chest and arm, and pulling back a bit. Despite she still being in her state of arousal, she tried to not crush her poor mammalian lover from her powerful lower body. "S-Sorry! I..." She slinked down, panting out still, as she put her clean hand up to try and wipe his release from the side of her face. Curiosity, though, got the better of her as she, idly, let her hand up, and gently sucked upon the side to get a sense of what his seed tasted of. This just caused her to blush deeply.<br><br>Despite him having gotten off, she just hadn't yet, and started questioning herself on seeing if he could keep going for her, or if that would be considered a bit selfish. Her scaled body would shift, the underbelly of her snake-half lightly moving against his chest, but more for repositioning than to squeeze him, again. "V-Voltaire..." She spoke, trying tog et his attention, "I... I'm... I'm not done, yet..." Her eyes staring up to his face, in an almost pleading manner as she seemed to manage to rub the area close to her sex against his face.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>14-01-2014, 08:00:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Voltaire gasped as the muscular coils wrapped around his body loosened, allowing him to breath in the proper amount of air. The strength of them was surprising. For all his training and his own figure, which would be considered impressive by mammalian standards, he couldn't escape from her embrace if his life depended on it. Fortunately it didn't.<br><br>He continued to breath heavily as he let his head fall back against the straw. The limited oxygen had left him tingling and light headed. That combined with his body's relief at being able to breath again was almost like a second orgasm. It was an unusual experience but, knowing that he wasn't actually in any danger, Voltaire realized that he wouldn't mind if Sophiera did it again. He looked down as she started to apologize again before tasting his seed.<br>"No, no it's all right. I didn't mind. Really. I just couldn't take it much longer is all."<br><br>He continued to watch as she tasted him, feeling himself become aroused once more by the sight. He was also a little disappointed that he hadn't been able to help her orgasm when he did. So when she began to rub her sex against his face, he eagerly pushed back against her, nuzzling her her belly and pushing his tongue into her slit once more. He enjoyed tasting her, and licked her with gusto, but as he did, he was overcome by the desire to push his still hard member into her tight orifice instead. He wasn't certain how to ask, thinking it would be rude of him to want to move on to the next step when he had gotten off but she hadn't. So he contented himself with flooding his mouth with her juices, drinking her in as he pushed his tongue deep inside her, twisting and gyrating it about in a manner he thought she would take pleasure in, and enjoyed the feeling of her coils shifting over his fur. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>14-01-2014, 09:15:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The woman would be careful, this time. Despite his tongue coming back to lick up along and inside of her sex, she clenched at her stomach muscles than crushing at the wolf-man's. Her breath quickened and face reddened as she watched him. "I... I was getting close..." She admitted, "I... J-Just... just..." the snake woman tried to speak, tell him he only needed to keep going a bit more, but it was lost as she started to moan out. Her arousal was quite obvious as he could feel how wet she was and the heat the poured from her sex. While his tongue continued to lick, and probe and she watched as he pulled in the juices that moistened her to his mouth, she couldn't help but get louder.<br><br>In an attempt for more closeness, she would pull her upper body up to his and he would feel as those scaled arms would wrap around his torso, his fur rubbing up against the woman's tunic that was never removed during the whole time. While she panted out, he could feel her breath against the side of his face until he would feel gentle kisses at his neck, pressing the fur down so he could tell her face was pressed firmly against the skin beneath in appreciation. Sophiera's hands would close around his back, gripping at the fur as she lifted her head, moaning out directly to his ear before whispering, "S-So close... So... So close... Just... Just a little more, Voltaire. P...Push me over the eeedge." She pleaded.<br><br>While she was whispering, even if he was distracted, it might come to a realization of how flexible, or at very least, how long the woman was. Still with a part of her wrapped around his mid-section, she was able to lift her head up to his flickering ear and speak to him while his mouth and tongue worked on her sex. Within but a few more seconds, he would feel her hands clench more than flesh, the clawed fingers digging to the skin in his back as she pushed her face to his shoulder, just at the depression of his collarbone as she screamed out into it, muffling her cries of ecstasy with his simultaneously plus and muscular form.<br><br>With her form shaking and her eyes closed and her moans dampened by his fur, he would be able to taste more as the snake-woman reached her peak, orgasming from the man's mouthword and rewarding him with her fem-cum. Sophiera, unintentionally, would squeeze at him again with her tail, but not to the crushing point as before. Soon, he would feel the woman's form shifting again, the tip of her tail wrapping around his neck and pulling at him. Strangling him a bit, she would intend to guide his head down and push her head up so that she could press into a kiss with the man, obviously not caring about her taste still being on his lips or within his mouth, but wanting to press those lips on her again. And once directed, she would loosen her grip on hip, overall. The tail tip would loosen against his neck, but still settle there, her coil around his chest would loosen, sliding gently across his form. Her hands would cease gripping at his back, instead rubbing up and down it.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>14-01-2014, 10:18:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Voltaire was pleased to see that his methods were producing the desired effect. Sophiera's loud moaning, and the soaking of her slit encouraged him to keep going. Her antics were also helping to get him riled up again, as he could feel a light pressure building in his loins once again. He would be ready for another go as soon as Sophiera was able.<br><br>He didn't know if she knew it, but every thing she did seemed to drive him wild. Made him want to ravage her again and again. Her moaning. The heat of her labored breath against the fur on the side of his face. Her sweet kisses and the pressure of her face against his as she whispered desperately into his ear which swiveled her way. Pleading, begging him to make her feel good, which he did his best to accomplish. Her fingers which clenched at his fur and dug roughly into his flesh as she muffled her screams with his coat while waves of pleasure assaulted her senses.<br><br>He could tell she was close. Sophiera's body trembled against his and he made one last flurry of gyrations with his tongue before she flooded once more, stronger than any time previous. She squirted into his mouth, the excess dribbling down his already drenched chin, and he could feel her coils squeezing him again as she came. He felt her shifting over him, then her tail wrapping around his neck, squeezing firmly but not painfully as she pulled him away from her sex. He panted for a moment before his tongue, still hanging from his mouth, was pushed into Sophiera's as she pulled him into a passionate kiss. Her coils loosened a bit as they shared her flavor which had pooled in Voltaire's mouth and coated the fur around it.<br><br>He continued to kiss her eagerly for some time. Only stopping to gasp for air periodically before locking lips with her again. Eventually he pulled away from her and said,<br>"That was great. I'm glad I was able to return the favor. But, erm, your not... done... are you?"<br>His erection had continued to rage the entire time, and he kept thinking how good it would feel to push the tender shaft into her flesh.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>14-01-2014, 10:42:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Sophiera's cheeks would heat further when she noticed the wet taste on his tongue was actually from her. Though she wouldn't just blurt it out, she was already rather familiar with the taste of it from one of her experiments earlier in her life. While the two kissed one another passionately, her body would shift, she rolling her snake tail to come from his chest and down further so she settled more upon his abdomen than his pectorals. The warmth of him was so welcomed, and caused her to smile, even into the kiss, enjoying the heat emanating from his body. Not only from his body, but his soul. After all, he proclaimed he loved he! And he was so nice. And bright. He was amazing and accepted her and...<br><br>He pulled away? And spoke? What did he just say? Sophiera tried to get her clouded mind cleared, before realizing... He was asking of they could do more? "O-Of course!" She said, saying the opposite of what she meant for his question. Or at least it was ambiguous because of how he phrased it. But he would soon understand what she meant as the coil around his stomach would be met with another coil, encircling his body, to wrap around his hips, and another around his thighs and another along his knees, calves and one last ending so that his entire lower body, except his feet was wrapped up by her long, brown cobble-pattered snake tail.<br><br>The brown scaled woman's upper body would lift up as she looked down to him, hands coming down to be placed upon his chest as she gazed down upon him with her hazel eyes. "You... Said every way..." She pointed out, recalling what he said once they managed to fall upon the bed only a short time ago. "So... I want to give you every way, Volt..."Her voice would get low, almost sinister intone as her breath quickened. Those scales at her tail would slide against his lower body, every inch of here wrapped up in them were being affected, feeling the scales, and he would notice a wetness being rubbed up against his hip as she was... adjusting herself?<br><br>While her lower body moved to get into a better form for what she intended, she would, finally, move her arms up, with her hands grasping the bottom of her shirt and pulling it up, flinging it to the side, so that he could get a full look over her body, completely naked. Of course, she did wear the shirt because she had those usualy secondary sex characteristics of mammalian women, breasts. Which may bring to mind a question of why one as her needed it, were they not locked in desire with aroused bodies. What he could see, though, was that her underbelly had no cobbled pattern as the back of her did, instead it was a light tan color, and curved around her breasts so the patter was just at the outer part of them. She did have a nipple set upon each of her breasts, and he would notice they were smaller than the average woman's he had met. They were a little more than a handful, as he may have noticed when he pushed a hand under her shirt earlier on.<br><br>"Just... Just work with me a bit." Sophiera said, keeping her eyes locked on his as he would see her panting out, and further feel that wet heat the dragged across his hip, waist and now was organizing itself over his pelvis. She started shifting up and down, allowing him to feel that warmth rubbing against his renewed erection, obviously pressing her sex to his, at this point, and trying to get in such a position for him to actually enter her.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>15-01-2014, 05:14:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Voltaire understood what Sophiera had meant with her confirmation despite the confusion. And her motions further enforced it as her coils began to make their way down his torso and around his legs. Her scaled form holding his lower limbs together. Voltaire felt it a bit awkward, how was he supposed to make love if he couldn't move? But he had faith in Sophiera so he didn't voice his concerns. Neither of them knew exactly what they were doing anyway and they likely were the first to attempt this kind of a pairing. It was all an experiment really. A chance to try new things, and so far Voltaire hadn't been disappointed.<br><br>He laid back and let Sophiera adjust herself. His head cocked to the side a bit and he raised a brow at the change in her tone. Did... She mean something else with her statement? Something more than what they were doing now? Or was he reading too much into it? Voltaire wasn't sure, but his attention was diverted by the wet heat that was dragging across his furred hips, knowing it was her sex, being moved into position as her coils twisted around him.<br><br>Then, finally, Sophiera removed her clothing. Giving Voltaire the view he desired and imagined so many times. Again, he wasn't disappointed. He gazed upon her hourglass waist and those supple breasts with relish, over come with the desire to take them in his hands, fondle them, and to suckle at the pert nipples. They weren't large, but that didn't mean they were any less attractive, and there was still enough there to grab. He licked his chops and growled in anticipation of the moment those treats would be within his reach.<br><br>By now the damp warmth of her sex was hovering just over his member and he was panting along with her. Ready for his aching loins to be joined with hers and having been for a while. He hissed and leaned his head back as she began to rub her sex against his shaft without actually letting him penetrate, and his breaths grew deeper as he clenched at the straw they lay upon. If not for her coils wrapped around him, he would have thrust himself into her like an animal. But restrained as he was, Sophiera had control of the situation.<br>"Awww c'mon Sophiera, don't tease me like that."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>15-01-2014, 07:52:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The woman blushed out, seeming flustered at his words. Claiming she was just teasing him, "I-It's not on purpose!" She said, defensively, breathing in some broken breaths, before muttering, "I.. I'm just trying... to get you... just right..." Her eyes lowering down to the coils she had been moving. It was difficult to move herself in such a way to get him inside of her without the assistance of a pair of hands, but she wasn't going to back off and try that, at this point! Plus... It was kind of hot the way that he was being teased, and wanting her to go on. He wanted her. And that just got her more worked up.<br><br>Within a moment, Sophiera would gasp, feeling to tip of him pressing tight up against her in the way that she wanted. "Th-There it is..." She muttered, closing her eyes as she rolled her lower body, eventually getting him to enter her. A low moan came from the snake woman as she managed to get him forced past the hiding scales and actually getting deeper. The feeling of his fleshy organ would be great to her. It was a unique feeling. A good feeling. A feeling that made her happy to have for more reasons than one.<br><br>Her heart beat heavily in her chest and the muscles around his invading cock would flex, squeezing against him in a warm and wet embrace, as if he was being welcomed home from some kind of long absence. Her eyes lifted, staring up into Voltaire's eyes, before she muttered out, as if in disbelief, "You're... inside of me..." Her snake tail squeezing at his lower body, which only forced him deeper into her, causing the woman to open her mouth in a deep moan. Her more humanoid upper body would lower down, and he would find his face pressing against her exposed bust, her arms wrapping around his head and pressing his face more firmly into the soft orbs that hung from her chest, "V-Voltaire! You're inside of me!" She shouted, as if it was a miracle. Her lower body starting to squeeze and release him, shifting the coils in a way that caused her to move in just a way so that she would force him inside of her, then pull back to have his cock scrape against her interior walls lustfully.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>16-01-2014, 08:06:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Voltaire bit his lip and groaned as he felt his member slowly squeeze into Sophiera's wet embrace. It felt amazing, so much so that it was driving him wild, and every instinct screamed at him to grab Sophiera and fuck her like an animal. But she was still in control. Bound as he was, she dictated the pace. But in a way, the methodic tempo she adopted was just as arousing and increased his desire.<br><br>He moaned along with her as the wet muscles of her sex squeezed against his own, pumping him to obtain his seed. <br>"Gods... gnn... you're so... fucking tight!" <br>He exclaimed as the tightening coils pushed him even deeper into her&nbsp; flexing insides.<br><br>"Mmph!"<br>He was just mildly surprised when Sophiera lowered herself and hugged his face firmly against her breasts. Due to his snout, he was forced to look to the side as her torso pressed against it, so his cheek was pushed against one of her breasts while the end of his snout ended next to the other. He encircled her waist with his muscled arms and held her tight as he went to work on her soft globes. Rubbing his face against the one, panting heavily with lust as he did, then licking the other and sucking firmly at the pert nipple.<br><br>All the while Sophiera impaled herself repeatedly on his hard shaft. He hagan to thrust his hips up into her as much as he could while she came down, increasing the force of their joining slightly.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>16-01-2014, 08:25:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				A loud moan escaped the lips of the snake-woman as she felt his face rub against her chest, causing her face to burn hotter from the embarrassment, and gasp at the feeling of his tongue to lick at her before the tip of his mouth encircled her nipple and started sucking at it."O-Ohhh... Voltaiiire." Sophiera let out, to confirm the pleasure he was causing her, so glad to have him in her arms and pressed against practically every part of her. The soft fur was pleasant, a cushion for her movements as she rocked back and froth over him, and it was tickling her in such a way it just made her more aroused.<br><br>She couldn't help but keep her mouth open, panting out at her motions as she was feeling her heart beat faster as she started lifting the one coil that allowed their sexes to meet. Rather than the gentle, agonizing entrance and exit that came with her shifting her whole lower body forwards and back, she started squeezing him still with all but that one part, which started arching up, only to flatten, causing her to slam back onto him. Each time she got him to bury himself within her again, especially with the increased force, it seemed as if more of her sexual juiced were squeezed out to mat his fur and slicken the area around her joyously used hole, making the tightness of her seem to fade more, due to the ease of entrance from just how aroused she was.<br><br>While she continued to work, she would lower her head down, her forked tongue flicking at his large ear before she whispered, panting out in between words and letting her breaths caress his head in warmth. "V-Volt... I... I need you... I... I want you in me... Don't... Ohhh, please... don't hold back... I don't want you to hold back!" She was practically pleading to him, despite she seeming to be the one in more control than anything. Those hazel eyes would squeeze tight before she put her mouth over his ear and started nibbling at it with an odd passion, her clawed hands curling around his fur and pulling his body up as tight as she could against her own as she let out another moan of ecstasy into his ear while she forced him in and out of her at a quicker pace.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>16-01-2014, 09:13:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The wolf moved his snout away from its treat, making room for one of his hands to come up and grab it roughly while the other continued to press Sophiera against him. He turned his face upward and licked his lover along her neck and chin for a few moments, tasting her, and enjoying the texture of her fine scales against his tongue in addition to every other part of her body. Then he brought his muzzle back down and began to suckle the supple breast that his cheek had been pressed comfortably against a minute earlier. He gently squeezed the nipple between his teeth and flicked it with his tongue and nibbled it.<br><br>He was breathing heavy along with Sophiera's as she doubled the power of her thrusts. The warm air bursting from his nose and over her breast so he could keep his lips locked on her delicious tit. He couldn't help but grimace, not from pain, but from the sheer amount of ecstasy that wracked his body as Sophiera slammed herself against him. He began to grunt occasionally past his mouthful of breast when she would forcefully impale herself on him, causing lewd slaps every time her slick coils pounded against the soaked fur of groin.<br><br>His ear twitched when Sophiera's tongue brushed against it as she panted out lustful, pleading, words, her breath bristling against his fur, tickling the skin beneath. He couldn't give her all that she desired in their current position, but he made a silent promise that he would do so next time. Sophiera started biting gently at his ear then, and clenched at the fur on his back trying to bring them even closer together just as he was. This, combined with the ever increasing speed and force of her thrusts was pushing him dangerously close to the edge, and the swelling of his knot was testament to that. Soon it would be too large to fit past Sophiera's slit with the same ease that the rest of his member could.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>16-01-2014, 09:31:05</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Sophiera gave a light whimper as she kept going, feeling the hand that replaced her lover's mouth upon her breast. The way he grabbed at it seemed rough, lustful, and squeezing at her with a desire for her form that she never figured anyone would display. Her lips pressed against his ear more forcibly, squeezing at the tiny vessels in that part of the body until she started suckling upon it. Eventually, she would lower her head down, pulling her head down to try and give him a quick kiss on the top of his muzzle before it turned to force his mouth back upon a breast, though this time a different one than what it was previously on.<br><br>Once he had placed his mouth back to one of her teets, Sophiera would let her chin settle upon his head as she started to gasp for air. Her mind was so filled with the pleasure of his penetration, of his effort, of his form, reminders of his personality, that she felt as if she was going to burst. And in a way she might. Each of her forceful thrusts that pushed him so deep within her had drawn her closer to another peak, causing her body to shake and her sex to tighten and loosen at various intervals. And as she grew closer, her pattern chanced. Rather than forcing her coil to arc and come down, she would start giving shallow back and forth motions, grinding against him so that his knot rolled against her entrance in addition to the up and down of her lower body.<br><br>All through this new method, she would start speaking to herself in repetition, as if she was speaking a mantra. "So close..." She would whimper out, loud enough to he could hear before repeating it again, "S-So... close... so close..." She kept saying, lowering the way her face was turning so that she could kiss the top of his head. "I-I...Oh.. cum..." She whispered, before moving her snout down, to nuzzle against his ear, and start repeating to him, "Cum... cum... cum, cum... V-Vooolt... I'm... I'm gonna....!" She getting increasingly loud before moaning out, pushing herself down against him, trying to get him to knot with her, to try and force that bulbous part at his base to push inside of her sex, so that she could wrap around him, and squeeze him as tightly as she could while her back arched, with tear being squeezed from her eyes and her mouth opened wide to let out a noise to confirm her pleasure.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>16-01-2014, 10:39:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Voltaire could tell that Sophiera was getting close to her peak just as he was. The strength of her sex clenching at his throbbing, twitching shaft indicating it, as well as pushing him even closer. And the sudden change of her pattern helped as well. He could feel his member pushing against the wet, slick, walls of her most sacred orifice instead of sliding along them as she started to grind her sex against his knot.<br><br>Brief thoughts of how happy he was that she had accepted him flitted through the timber wolf's mind, but his animal lust all but drowned them out. He couldn't help it, it was in his genes. Being bred to live as a killer made his primal instincts incredibly strong, and during times of intense passion they became very difficult to resist. In a way, his single mindedness was actually a testament to how strongly he felt for Sophiera. He wouldn't abandon his senses for just any lover.<br><br>Voltaire became faintly aware of Sophiera speaking. Repeatedly chanting her pleasure. Every mention of 'cum' felt like it was directed towards him, as if she were begging him to fill her with his seed, which in hindsight, he would suppose she was. And it was working. His pulses seemed to keep pace with her pronouncements, growing more intense each time. His lips parted from her breast, he was just breathing too heavily to continue using his mouth to pleasure her. He pressed his face against her soft globes and mumbled back to her as she cried out,<br>"I know baby... me too... gnn... me... hah... me too!"<br><br>His hands continued to squeeze her breast against her chest and her waist against his torso. He started to thrust into her as best he could, his chest heaving with exertion, his rock like abs explosively expelling air with each thrust. <br>"Hh! Hh! Hh! Hh!"<br>Voltaire continued, grimacing with pleasure and the force of his efforts, pushing against her harder and harder.<br>"I'm... gonna..."<br><br>With one final Herculean thrust, he forced the mass of his knot past Sophiera's slit and into her clenched sex. The tip of his member exploded, hot semen bursting into Sophiera's guts and filling her, the pressure building against her walls. His head turned upward and pressed against her neck as he howled in mind numbing ecstasy.&nbsp; <br><br>The howl slowly petered out as Voltaire's lungs emptied, and he fell back against the hay, still holding Sophiera close as he lay there trembling and panting. His knot kept them locked together as his shaft continued to pulse, sending small jets of semen into her already filled sex. The excess slowly leaked out from between her slit and Voltaire's knot.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>16-01-2014, 11:07:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				With the force of him pushing up, her eyes would open wide as his knot had managed to force itself into her, pushing her entrance wide and then getting stuck within her insides as her inner muscles would flex, and grind and massage his organ. As her eyes relaxed, she would give out a deep moan, feeling herself releasing with her furry lover, their juices intermingling, despite a majority of his release shooting straight up and through her sex in an attempt for the natural progression of such a coupling. Though, he seemed to keep going in excess, filling her greater than any woman would need. Perhaps due to the lack of release he had before this, excepting the time just a few minutes before as they pleasured each other with their mouths.<br><br>Once she felt the warmth stop from tone continuous jets of his semen pouring into her, she would slump down, keeping her body up with a hand on either side of him and panting hard with her forked tongue hanging from her mouth. She didn't even mind the loud ringing in her ear due to his loud howling directly into it. It was slightly annoying, but mostly cute for her. Slowly, she would lower herself, tightening her coils around him and calmly keeping him within her, not even minding if he stayed inside for the rest of the day. Sophiera's hands at his back would loosen and she would shift herself downward a bit, so that she could have her head rest upon his chest, to enjoy the muscular strength mixed with the furred softness of up in the afterglow of their activities.<br><br>The hazel eyes of the snake-woman would be blocked by her lids. Closing as she felt the comfort by being around him. "Voltaire..." She would whisper out his name, before frowning, realizing something. The announcement that had started the pitfall to this moment. And despite how pleasurable, how warm and wonderful this moment was, suddenly a dark storm felt as if it was raising over her. She had to admit. And she had to request. Without moving, her head, she would squeeze her arms around his torso in a protective hug, "I love you... Please... Don't leave me..." The last part would end in light whimper, as the fright of being in solitude returned to her.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>16-01-2014, 14:38:45</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Not even Voltaire could believe how much semen he had expended. Even after relieving some of his tension minutes ago, but it had just been so long since had felt a woman's sexual embrace. And Everything Sophiera did just drove him wild with passion.<br><br>His breathing was returning to normal and his muscles were relaxing as he lay upon the hay. He watched Sophiera catch her own breath and found her expression -arms on either side of him, holding her gorgeous body above his as she panted for breath with her tongue hanging out- arousing on its own. Not enough to be ready to go again just yet, but enough to prolong his stiffness for another minute or two.&nbsp; He lay his arms across her back in a light embrace as she lowered her head to his chest and her coils tightened their embrace. He admired her strength and how despite it, her personality was so different. Gentle and kind. He also felt the shape of her breasts press against him, and recalled the pleasure of having them pushed against his face. Having their flavor in his mouth and the texture of her nipples against his tongue. She really was beautiful in every way and he was glad that she didn't yet remove him from within her, he shared her sentiment and would eagerly remain inside her for as long as she let him.<br><br>She started to speak. Spoke his name then hugged him tighter.<br>"I love you... Please... Don't leave me..."<br><br>Voltaire sighed and considered her words. He loved her back, of that he was certain. But how should he respond to her request? The obvious answer would be to say "I won't." But would it be a lie? Could he give up the hatred for his enemies, who had taken everything but his existence? Could he abandon the memories of all his friends and mentors who were cut down in battle? Part of him, drowning in ecstasy and love, said yes. But another part of him, the feral, enraged, barely contained, killer that made its home in the darkest corners of his mind said no. That those memories would haunt him forever if he didn't avenge them.<br><br>With worry on his face Voltaire gave Sophiera a comforting squeeze.<br>"I won't."<br><br>Voltaire replaced the frown with a sly grin and looked down at Sophiera, licking his chops.<br>"So now that we've caught our breath, ready to go again?"<br><br>-------<br><br>An hour earlier:<br><br>The three rats were poor woodsman. Making their way through the shrubbery, they couldn't have snapped more branches or left a more obvious trail if they tried. And they bickered incessantly. But then, it had never really been necessary for them to learn such things. They were mercenaries not trackers. Actually they barely even qualified as mercenaries either. Their only qualifications being that they had weapons and would use them on the enemies of whoever paid them.<br><br>They considered their little group to be a professional outfit however and wore matching maroon jerkins to prove it. There was little variation in their basic features, all being rats. Gray, tattered fur. Long naked tails. Dirty, black claws. But the biggest, and the leader of the trio, had a notch in his right ear, and was appropriately named Cut Ear. His weapon of choice was a broadsword which was sheathed on his left hip, and he was leading the expedition. Jibsnout was the fattest of the group and was armed with a spear. He was following behind Cut-Ear. And following him was Choptail. The smallest member who had lost half his tail in a past fight and had a belt of daggers strapped diagonally across his chest. He piped up from the back of the line.<br>"Oi! Boss. When are we gonna get 'dere?"<br><br>Cut-Ear rolled his eyes in exasperation. The same question had been put to him for days now. Ever since they accepted the contract from that pretty green eyed vixen who'd approached him in the village pub. He would have liked to make a move on her, but there had been a dangerous glint in those emerald eyes of hers that gave him a bad feeling. So he'd kept control of his baser instincts and kept their relationship brief and professional. The contract was unusual, and not one he normally would have accepted. But the vixen had promised a ludicrously large amount of money for such a simple job, so he took it. All she wanted was information. If they saw a timber wolf with tan fur, brown eyes, and scars across his right cheek and the top of his muzzle, they were to report back to her associate, a dangerous looking ferret with a bow, who would be waiting in the village. And so his small crew set out to see if they could find this wolf.<br><br>"What kind of question is that?" Cut-Ear replied gruffly.<br>"Were not going to a specific place."<br><br>"Well what are we doin' out 'ere 'den." Jibsnout cut in.<br><br>Cut-Ear was beginning to lose his patience and growled to signify it.<br>"I already told you both! Were looking for a wolf. So were gonna blaze a trail through the woods between towns in case he's hiding in here."<br><br>His two partners were silent a moment as they considered this while Cut-Ear fumed. Then Choptail piped up again.<br><br>"Well we've been walking 'fer days. We should take a break."<br><br>"I agree." Jibsnout chimed in.<br><br>This was the fifth time the two had suggested a break I the past fifteen minutes.<br><br>"Fine!" Cut-Ear shouted, "fine! Well set camp right here! But this was your idea so I'm not doin anything!"<br><br>The rat threw himself down next to a tree and crossed his arms. Determined to do exactly what he said. The other two looked at each other and shrugged before finding their own trees to rest against. After a few minutes of uncomfortable silence, Jibsnout grabbed the tin canteen that was hanging by a rope from his shoulder and shook it. It sounded pitifully hollow.<br><br>"Ey boss, I think we need to find some water."<br><br>"No, you need to find water." Cut-Ear replied pointedly. "Choptail and I have plenty. Maybe if you weren't such a greedy drinker you'd still have some. Besides, I already said I ain't doin nothin."<br><br>Grumbling, Jibsnout hefted his girth from the tree and started walking in the direction they had been going, figuring that was as good a place to start as any. About ten minutes later, he was chuckling at his good fortune. He could hear the gentle babble of a stream just ahead. He pushed onward until he cleared the bushes, then immediately jumped back behind them. He peeked his head out past some shrubbery to get a better look at the figure he'd seen swimming in the water. The figure was getting out now, and didn't seem aware that he was being watched. Jibsnout squinted to make out the figure better. <br><br>The fur was tan, and he appeared to be a wolf. Just like the target they've been looking for!<br><br>The wolf started to emerge from the water and reclothe. Jibsnout decided he'd better follow at a safe distance and see where the wolf went before reporting back to Cut-Ear. He also decided to talk to Cut-Ear about a bonus.<br><br>-----<br><br>Later that night:<br><br>Voltaire's dreams were disturbing. Images of battlefields and familiar halls splashed with blood flashed through his mind, causing him to wince and fidget in his sleep. Friends screaming. Gleaming emerald eyes and then excruciating pain. His eyes flashed open and his breath caught in his throat. He stared at the ceiling as he calmed down.<br><br>He could feel Sophiera next to him and hear her gentle breathing. Making him think back on the pleasure filled afternoon. Sophiera atop him, panting for breath, screaming into his fur with ecstasy, moaning in his ear. Voltaire swallowed hard. It was strange, how quickly his thoughts would switch between those of extreme violence and those of extreme sensuality.<br><br>He sighed and looked to his left, towards his edge of the bed. It was dark out and the inside of the hut was almost pitch black. But as he stared into the emptiness he felt that there were some unusual shapes where there should be nothing but air.<br><br>Suddenly a voice slithered out of the darkness.<br>"Back to sleep pup."<br><br>Every one of Voltaire's senses immediately flew into overdrive as his body pumped out every drop of adrenaline it could. His eyes shot open as wide as they could go, the pupils dilated rapidly to take in more light. His ears stood straight up and forward to hear what was in front of him.<br><br>His body reacted instinctively, years of training telling him that his first move was to simply move since he was at a disadvantage. He heard a 'whoosh' as a pole stabbed past him and into the spot where his head had been a moment before he leaned up. <br><br>He grabbed the pole, keeping the owner from pulling it back and kicked out at the figure with his legs, rewarded a second later with a grunt of pain as the figure doubled over. Voltaire jumped to his feet, still naked from his earlier interactions, and called out firmly but calmly, hoping to keep the woman from waking in a complete panic.<br>"Sophiera! Get up now!"<br><br>As Voltaire began to wrestle the pole from its owner he heard another voice behind the figure and saw the faint glint of a steel blade being raised.<br><br>"Dammit Jibsnout! Choptail, get the snake!"<br><br>Voltaire heard something running towards Sophiera's side of the bed and called out again, unable to do anything else in the moment.<br>"Sophiera! Move!"<br>He focused on his fight then. It was the only way he would be able to save either of their lives. <br><br>Still grappling for control of what he was certain was a spear, Voltaire saw the glinting sword raise higher for a swing. He ducked as the blade arced by laterally, the slash cutting into the spear owner instead of Voltaire as intended. The sound of liquid splattering the walls was audible, accompanied by the smell of iron. Jibsnout gurgled and released the spear to clutch at the gaping wound in his neck, fell to the ground and continued to gasp as blood clogged his throat.<br><br>The wolf ignored him. Now in control of the spear, he held it out vertically in anticipation of the reverse slash the sword owner would use to correct his mistake. Voltaire wasn't disappointed and the blade slammed into the wood shaft. He quickly aimed a kick at where the swordsman's knee should be, sending him yelling to the ground. He was abruptly silenced as the spear haft crashed into his face, stunning him.<br><br>With his attackers dealt with, Voltaire spun around with his spear prepared for a thrust, hoping Sophiera had fared okay against the rat with the daggers.<br><br><br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>16-01-2014, 22:31:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				After her words, she realized that Voltaire was taking a while to respond to her request. And this caused her heart to sink. He would go anyways. He would leave her alone here... Or... She could come over and follow after him. Even if it was dangerous, she would want to follow him, be with him. That would be better than losing him and returning to sleep in an empty bed and the coldness of a lonely home in these words. <br><br>However... He said something else. He said... He would stay with her. This caused her head to slowly raise up, her hazel eyes staring up to those brown orbs of his own. Her heart was aflutter. Voltaire would stay with her! The two of them would stay together and then live their life and enjoy their time together. The snake-woman's mind would end up going through the scenarios of the days, the weeks, months and year. They going to a routine and she staring at him with admiration, embracing every night in this bed and... "So, now that we caught our breath, ready to go again?" Voltaire managed to ask, breaking her thoughts.<br><br>Sophiera blushed out staring meekly at him as she wiggled her lower body, flexing at him before saying, "Well..." A slow smile crossing her face as she pushed up, giving a kiss upon the wolf's lips, "I'm willing to keep going if you're feeling insatiable..."<br><br><hr><br>After their further activities, Sophiera would have moved from being ontop of him, to just laying next to her furry lover. She had unwrapped herself from around his lower body, only a single wrap was left around his leg, though her hands were both upon hi. One at his chest, the other at his back as she had her head upon the very edge of his body. Unlike Voltaire, her dreams were filled with joy. No blood had come, no worry. Just sunlight in the woods as she came to see him chopping wood for her and the curious sight of children with them at the hut... This was something she didn't question in the dream, though it would be noted in the waking world if such a thing was even possible.<br><br>The sudden waking of Voltaire has disturbed her a bit, but not enough to wake her fully from her dreams. However, the unfamiliar voice would cause her eyes to instantly snap open. She glanced to Voltaire, before pushing off him and managing to roll off from the bed, hitting the ground with a thud as she rolled off from the bed. The movement even happened before he told her to move, as she had learned to get out of the way out of her own natural instinct of self preservation... Despite failing, to an extent, and knocking herself from the bed.<br><br>The woman lifted her head, staring at the two rats that were trying to hurt Voltaire, but she had no idea what to do! She was an herbalist and a trapper. Fighting wasn't a thing she did often... or at all. And now she was thrust into this! And she could only stare until one of the three rat men had come over to her side with a dagger in hand. She backed up, feeling her heart beating out in fear as the rat had glared to her, making her worried as she stared at the weapon that was being slashed at her. However, thanks to her flexibility, she was able to shift so that the rat missed. Another slash came and she curled back, being missed again. It seemed as if she was able to dodge everything, but then she had her back to the wall.<br><br>"U-Uh-oh.." She let out, looking behind her, eyes wide, as she patted the wall. She stared forwards and everything seemed to slow down as she saw the dagger coming to stab at her. She would shift to the side, and immediately reacted with her baser instincts, snapping forwards and lunging at the rat. Before she knew what she was doing, she bit down on the man with intent to kill the man who tried to kill her. Her set of hidden fangs would come out just in time to bite at the man's shoulder, and her body shifted as she pushed out a venom to him. After the initial seconds after the bite, she would put her hands out pushing them out so to knock the man out and away from her as his body was infected with her neuro-toxin.<br><br>While she watched him stumble back, reaching for the wound, with wide eyes marking both their faces, she turned her head to Voltaire. The wolf would notice the rat fall to the ground as his body seemed to seize up, and she could feel her heart beating quickly. Less so from the initial fight, and more from her worry if realizing she could be venomous would make him concerned for his safety. She didn't want that detail to scare him. She looked down to the rat she bit, then the other two that he had dealt with himself before shouting out, "W-Who are these people!?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>17-01-2014, 05:33:40</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				When Voltaire turned, all he saw was the rat stumbling away from Sophira before falling to the ground clutching at his shoulder. He wasn't sure what Sohiera had done without a weapon but he was just glad she was okay.<br><br>He made his way around the bed, towards the fallen rat as Sophira asked who they're attackers were. Voltaire hefted the spear.<br>"I don't know,"<br>He thrust the weapon into the rats ribcage, piercing the heart and silencing his whimpers of pain. Then he turned to back towards the rat with the sword he had stunned and added with a menacing growl,<br>"But I intend to find out. Sophiera, light a candle please."<br><br>Voltaire grabbed his leggings from the floor where they had been forgotten earlier in the day and put them on while Sophiera shed some light on the situation. The warm glow revealed the violence of the brief conflict with stark relief. Near her side of the bed, the rat armed with the daggers lay dead in a pool of spreading blood. On Voltaire's side, the one called Jibsnout, who he'd stolen the spear from, also lay still, dead hands clutching at his wounded neck, his dried blood arced across the wall behind him from the slashing sword. And then there was the big rat who Voltaire had gathered to be the leader from they way he'd ordered the others about. He was slumped against the wall, groaning as he began to regain his senses.<br><br>Voltaire pulled a dagger from the poisoned rat's belt and stalked over to the still living one, fury on his brow and the scowl on his lips. He crouched in front of the rat and grabbed a handful of the maroon jerkin he wore, pulling him forward before slapping him awake.<br>"Why are you here, rat?"<br><br>"Get off me! You killed my mates and I ain't telling you anything!"<br>The rat tried to push Voltaire away but was rewarded with a dagger slash across his arm. He hissed and stopped trying to break the wolf's grip.<br><br>Voltaire held the knife edge to the rat's muzzle threateningly.<br>"Actually you killed your hefty buddy over there," he said, jerking his head towards the rat with the cut throat,<br>"I just killed the other one after he attacked my friend. Maybe if you didn't sneak into people's houses these things wouldn't happen. I will kill one more person tonight if you don't tell me what you're doing here though."<br>Voltaire pressed the blade harder against the rat's snout, drawing a bead of blood and making the rat wince.<br><br>"Alright," Cut-Ear mumbled so the bade didn't cut him further,<br>"We were hired to look for a wolf with tan fur and scars on his face."<br><br>The information didn't surprise Voltaire, it was actually the answer he was expecting. But his heart did sink at the news. There would be no peace for him moving forward. He decided to confirm more of his suspicions.<br>"Who hired you?"<br><br>The rat seemed reluctant to answer until the dagger dug into his skin again. This time on his neck.<br>"Agh! Okay! It was some vixen. She showed up at the pub and asked me if I wanted to make some money, then she gave me the job."<br><br>"And where is she now?" Voltaire asked.<br><br>"I don't know," Cut-Ear mumbled back.<br><br>"Come now," Voltaire said as he pressed the blade up against the rats chin, <br>"how would you get payed if you can't find her."<br><br>The rat squirmed in discomfort.<br>"I don't know where she is but one of her contacts is staying at the village a few days east of here. A ferret with a bow and a scar down his right cheek. I was told to give him the information."<br><br>"And instead you decided to try and capture me yourself? That wasn't very smart. Thank you for your cooperation." <br>Voltaire drew the knife back and prepared to impale the rat with it.<br><br>Cut-Ear paled and said frantically,<br>"Wait! You said you wouldn't kill me if I told you!"<br><br>"I never said that," Voltaire replied coldly, <br>"I just implied that I would certainly kill you if you didn't tell me..."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>17-01-2014, 06:33:44</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Thankful it appeared that Voltaire did not seem to mind or care for how she dispatched the man, who was crawling back with the injured shoulder, allowing the poison to spread through him quicker with each beat of his heart. However, she was surprised when he came with that spear, and plunged it to his chest, allowing that strike to finalize the man's fate. She gave a gasp, covering her mouth with both hands, and wide eyes as she noticed the blood seeping from under the clothes that constricted him. <br><br>Sophiera was never a fighter, never really knew death, so this unnerved her to an extent. The watching as the blood pooled around the body on the ground of her home. It made her heart beat faster than she thought possible from fear. Those hazel eyes would turn up, looking to Voltaire as he asked her to get a light of some kind and opened her mouth to speak, but failed to find her voice. Instead, she simply nodded before turning around, coming to get a lantern, instead, since it would illuminate more and be easier to light up for them. By the time she managed to get the oil alight and turn, Voltaire had gotten one of the weapons from the rat that had tried to cut her form to ribbons and advanced to the last one alive.<br><br>She slithered, slowly, looking down and around in fright at the way things were. She tried her best to avoid the bodies and blood that came from them, breathing in with broken breath and brow furrowed in concern.&nbsp; Her questions were numerous, but when all was done, she was sure that her wolf-lover would have found out what they wee, without her having to breath a word. Slowly,she would come by the side of the two as Voltaire questioned the final rat. Her arm was high, as to allow the light to penetrate even the darkest corners of the hut she called home. For now, her focus was on the rat as he spoke, watching as the wolf interrogated the creature, questioning the why and soon the who. The where was less important, but, as much as she didn't want to know, she knew that they had to. That Voltaire had to.<br><br>A small shriek came from Sophiera, once the dagger was plunged into the chest of the rat, and she turned her head, closing her eyes at the sight. She did not like this cold, determined version of the warm, generally gleeful man she had come to know. But he was a soldier of sorts, and had been trained in ways that allowed him to dull out emotions she couldn't control at the requirement to take another's life. Her body was shaking and mouth was dry. Without looking to Voltaire, but still holding up the light, "You... You have to leave now, don't you?" While she spoke, her voice was quivering, uneven, worried. "Since these were sent... others might search?" She tried to guess what he might say without giving a full blown speech to her. <br><br>She had started to feel comfortable, felt a radiant happiness that she could have only dreamed of before, and now here she was with bodies scattered across the floor of her home, of men that intended to kill the man she came to love and herself just for the affiliation with him, no doubt. Slowly, she opened her eyes and turned back to look to him, staring at him pitifully before saying, "I... We'll... c-clean them up.. I..." She looked down and considered what to do, a frown marking her face, "I'll... Build a fire, and then... I'll... I'll start packing... We.... We need to find that contact, don't we?" He may have noticed the plurality, the identification of the two of them going. Despite her fear coursing through her, at this point, she more feared the man leaving alone and was already set on following with him, especially since people already found this home once. And if they had come, three on one, she would have been killed easily.. No point in her not coming, yet anyways.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>17-01-2014, 07:54:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The rat convulsed once as the blade rammed home, then his body fell limp as the life left his eyes. Voltaire sighed and hung his head as he let the body slump back against the wall. He had completely forgotten that Sophiera was with him during his interrogation, so focused he'd been on confirming his suspicions. But her cry of dismay as he finished the rat reminded him, and he immediately regretted his division. He wondered what she might possibly think of him now. A cold blooded murderer who kills unarmed prisoners? It would be a fair assertion. <br><br>He looked up as she started to speak, the fury gone from his face and replaced by melancholy. He felt tired beyond his years. It had seemed as though he might finally break away from the life of violence that he was raised to follow, but now he was being dragged back onto the bloody path.<br>"Yes Sopiera. <em>We</em> have to leave. I think it's likely that these aren't the only ones looking for me. They might not even be the first. It's possible that others have caught sight of us before and simply left to report back to whoever is paying them for the information."<br><br>The wolf considered what this meant for his plans. He hadn't intended on bringing Sophiera with him if he did choose to seek vengeance. But now it seemed that it was entirely possible that his enemies already knew where he'd been staying and with who. The only way he could be certain that Sophiera was safe was if she was within his sight at all times.<br><br>"Don't worry about the bodies Sophiera, I'll take care of them. We'll stay here for the rest of the night and leave tomorrow though, so clean the blood so we don't have to smell it."<br>Voltaire looked at Sophiera with sorrow in his eyes,<br>"I'm sorry to have dragged you into this Sophiera. But I'm gonna fix it, I swear."<br><br>Then he set about hefting the corpses and taking them outside. He decided the fastest way to get rid of them would be to just let the nearby stream take them away. So he spent the next hour carrying the bodies one by one to the stream. The waters were moving fast enough that by the time he returned with the next morbid load, the previous was long gone. Before he sent them off he made sure to strip them of anything useful, primarily their weapons.<br><br>When the deed was finally done, he made his way back to the hut and plopped down on the bed dejectedly. Without meeting Sophiera's eyes he said,<br>"I suppose I owe you a bit of an explanation. Whatever you want to ask, I'll do my best to answer."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>17-01-2014, 11:44:05</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Sophiera silently looked up over to the rat, to see the blood run down from his torso and then to the floor. With a brief glance at the body losing its consciousness the light of life fading from his eyes, she would turn and look up to Voltaire, taking a few deep breaths before nodding to him. "Y-Yes... I..." She wasn't really sure what to say. She was glad she would be taken with him, but... What would happen to her? To him? Would this end up making troubel for Voltaire? Would he... defend her, if people hurled stones at her? Or ostracize him? Without saying more, just doing what he figure best... Cleaning the blood.<br><br>While he went about working on getting the bodies out of here, she would have gotten on her shirt, then work on trying to scrub up the blood with several rags. While she did it started making her sick to her stomach. She wasn't even sure what she was doing. The consistency was so different and it came from people. It was disgusting! It was... frightening. She was shaking the whole time. But by the time Voltaire had gone back and forth to wherever he was taking the bodies she would have finish, with minimal smell coming from the ground where they were. She ended up coming to the bed, and curling up atop it, watching the door. Staring at it blankly as her mind went through. These people were hired to find him, but they were so willing to get her, as well. Just from the presence of her with him. Of course, if they ignored her she'd have tried to save him, but they came into the home while they slept! Who would do such a thing?<br><br>The door opened, and her thoughts were broken, and instead of staring at the door, she stared at him. The tan wolf would come over next to her and sit down, she leaning to the side, ending up with her head to his arm. Even if she was afraid, his presence made her feel less so. He asked her what she might want to ask, in a statement, at least. The woman took a deep breath before saying, "Why is it that the woman is so intent to get you? Why would she hire these people? Are you sucha&nbsp; threat to her?" Her head tilted back so those hazel eyes would look up to him, "What did you do to her? Or her organization?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>17-01-2014, 13:08:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Voltaire was a bit taken aback at how Sophiera focused her questions on the vixen the the rat had mentioned. It wasn't "why are these people interested in you" or "are you such a threat to them?" No, she specifically said "her." He briefly wondered how much he should tell her, but then, he had said he would answer the best he could. And she would likely find out anyway. Better that it be from him.<br><br>Voltaire sighed before starting,<br>"Her name is Isolde, and she... I... We, loved each other. Once. And she doesn't have an organization. Not anymore anyway. You remember I told you about how I lived in the mountains? Well, I was raised in a fort, or monastery of sorts. And so was Isolde. We grew up together and we just... fell in love. I thought it was love anyway. But looking back, I realize that it was shallow. More physical than anything. Because we were so isolated, it just... Made sense at the time."<br><br>The wolf was silent a moment before continuing.<br>"The people who ran the monastery trained everybody how to be rangers, and then send them away when they're ready to live on their own. They taught us how to fight, how to survive, and how to live honorably and fight for justice. There was whole creed behind it. I believed in that creed as did many others. But lots of people didn't either. As the years went on more people wanted to use our skills for profit, as mercenaries. Isolde was one of those people. She was a strong willed person, and proud. We disagreed on how things should be at the monastery, and I told her that I wouldn't follow the path she was choosing... She, wasn't very happy about that. Eventually things came to a head and many of the students revolted against our teachers. They tried to take control of the monastery by force, and were led by Isolde. She personally killed one of my favorite mentors. The man was like a father to me. And Isolde insisted that she was doing it so that we could be together, that without the Order we could love each other again. Obviously I refused and did my best to kill her. But she was just as good as I am and managed to get away."<br><br>Voltaire gestured at the two scars on his face,<br>She's the one who gave me these. Then civil war broke out between most of the students and the teachers. For the next few months there were small skirmishes all throughout the mountains as we each tried to eliminate the other so we could take back control of the monastery. Isolde never got over how I chose the Order over her, and we've had a vendetta ever since. She killed a lot of my friends and I hers... <br>Eventually there was only about a score of either side left, and we met on the battlefield to settle it."<br><br>Voltaire chuckled darkly,<br>"It was stupid really. We'd hunted each other almost to extinction and yet still we continued. I guess we all figured that we'd gone this far so why not finish it. We fought one last time down to the last few. Me, Isolde, and two of her allies. That was the night before you found me. She had her vengeance that night, or she would have if one of her allies hadn't thrown me off a cliff and into the ocean below. But I guess she didn't believe I'd died, hence the mercenaries tonight... We have unfinished business, she and I. And it seems that she's just as determined to see it through as I am."<br><br>The wolf pressed his thumb and index finger to his sore eyes.<br>"So that's who Isolde is. An old lover who helped destroy my life, and a very dangerous enemy."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>17-01-2014, 13:29:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Sophiera watched Voltaire with all the effort one could while listening to such a story. One of love, of regret and action. One of a split between one ideology and another. He had been honest to her. This Isolde was someone who he thought he cared for. But then he tried to rationalize his past away, saying it was merely physical, as if people couldn't change and she always had that harsh fire in her that would cause her to lead a pack against the very people who taught her of the ideals, combat and history. The snake woman took a deep breast, allowing her chest to expand and then slowly expel. She closed her eyes, trying to take all this in, identify what she wanted to say, what to focus on. Of course a tinge of jealousy came through her, knowing that he had someone previous to her, but she shouldn't expect everyone to be out of that circle of love as she had. She shrugged that off, opening her eyes and staring at him.<br><br>"So... Why do you think she is bothering with you? Do you believe she was worried you would take up arms against her, gather a new set of possible soldiers and come over to take the monastery back? Since you said it was just you and the opposing three... Technically they won. Why would she have come back to ensure your death?" Sophiera would furrow her brow, growling out abit, "And to think! If she just ignored you, you would have stayed here with me and she'd have not needed to worry... Kind of... Ironic." She tilted her head, looking up as she considered it, it was... slightly amusing.<br><br>Her attention was turned back to her lover, moving her hands over to his unused one, taking his hand in hers and staring towards his face. She would be staring to his eyes, if he had removed his fingers, to unblock them from her view. "I... Can see she is a dangerous person. With, at least, money to pay for people, if not to do it for herself... So..." She cleared her throat, "I... Admit to being a bit afraid.I mean... I never fought anyone, but I couldn't stay here and let you wander off I'll... I..." She lowered her head, taking a few breaths. What should she ask him? Should she want to learn to fight? Would she need to? What would happen if she did come with him? Would she be captured? What if she was, would she be a burden to him. "I..." She let out again, "I need to try and help you. I can't just leave you with this..." She paused, then gave a melancholy smile, "After all, where else would I go, now? Plus, an herbalist may be helpful for you."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>17-01-2014, 13:59:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Voltaire looked up as Sophiera asked her questions, then answered them accordingly.<br>"She is afraid of me yes. And I, her. It's good to be afraid of your enemies, you'll be less likely to underestimate them. That's exactly why she's looking for me. So she can finish what we started. Honestly, if our positions were switched I'd be doing the same thing. Were both too much of a threat to let the other live. She knows what would happen if I found her. And I know what would happen if she found me."<br><br>Voltaire rubbed the back of his head sheepishly as he continued,<br>"Which is why I should tell you... erm... I lied earlier Sophiera. When I said I wouldn't leave you. I just said it to avoid ruining the moment. I couldn't let her go. After everything that's happened. Knowing that one day she might find me, find us. I'm sorry for that. But the situation is different now. I've stayed here too long, and there's no way of knowing if any other informants have seen me here with you. So you'll have to come with me. I know you haven't done anything like this before, but it'll be okay, I promise."<br><br>Voltaire took Sophiera's hands in his and gazed back at her.<br>"It's better this way. When this is all over, then we can move on with our lives and not have to worry about people looking for us anymore."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>17-01-2014, 14:46:24</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She slowly nodded, before leaning back a bit, looking up and trying to consider this... They had to kill one or the other. They were mutually exclusive in the world now. Why did she have to get involved with such a thing? A wonderful man that really seemed care for her, love her even. And that was kind, respectable a good worker. It seemed like perfect husband material for her! And then this... But... Wait did he say he lied to her?<br><br>She quickly snapped up, looking to him with concerned eyes and a mouth hanging open, staring to Voltaire once he had said that his words were just lies. He would have left her anyways. And that just broke her heart, and that heartbreak could be seen over her face. The sad eyes, the frown upon her face, she shoulders slumped down before she said, "A lie...?" She could feel her heart bearing heavily in her chest as she considered that, "So... What...? You... You would have just left me? I would have just woken up to find you gone? Wondering what happened to you? Not seen you again?" Sophiera could feel her eyes misting as she considered this. He was just going to leave her if this invasion hadn't happened... And then what?<br><br>Blinking her eyes, she would turn her head, even if he took her hands and then said, "I... Would have come with you anyways. You didn't have to lie to me, Voltaire. I... I know I may have seemed emotional, but it was... I was just concerned. And..." She took a few deep breaths before turning her head to him before speaking out, "But...That would make me very happy. I will help you, and when all is said and done we can come back and... we can just live our life out here? Can..." She would lean forwards, staring deeply to him, "Can you promise me that, without a lie? Can you say, once we clear up this problem, we can come back and live our lives together?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>18-01-2014, 07:38:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"What? No!" Voltaire exclaimed as Sophiera's expression fell when she learned about his lie.<br>"I would have told you first! And it's not like I wasn't going to come back."<br>He gestured around the hut, referencing the ambush,<br>"It was so <em>this</em> wouldn't happen."<br><br>He sighed dejectedly, but looked back into Sophiera's eyes as she continued, gazing intently at him the whole time. The wolf placed a hand on the back of her neck and pulled her close, placing his forehead against hers.<br>"Yes Sophiera, I would like that. I promise that we can come back and live our lives together after this."<br><br>He gave her a quick peck on the forehead then turned away, crossing his arms and pretended to sulk, hoping to lighten the mood a little.<br>"But geez, the way you said it made me sound like the biggest jerk ever. I was only gonna leave to protect <em>you.</em>"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>18-01-2014, 18:53:31</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Sophiera set her eyes to him, before keeping a hold to his hands. She was trying to figure out what she would say, but was so unsure. She didn't know what she could possibly add to this. The woman would feel that hand to he neck, having slipped from her hands to do so. Once she felt his forehead to hers, the snakewoman would close her eyes, feeling her heart beating heavily at the contact, and the words had make her quite happy. Voltaire would come back with her, once he did what was needed, and she hoped they could, knowing, full well, death could occur to both of them.<br><br>Once he kissed her forehead, her eyes would slowly open again, her lifting her head up and staring to him as he moved to cross his arms. Sophiera frowned, slinking her head down, once he spoke, and said, "I-I... Well.. If it's not an immediate danger... Shouldn't it be my choice whether I get into trouble? Especially if you are willing to throw yourself into that same danger?" With that she would place a hand to his arm and then say, "I doubt I can sleep after all that, though. I'll... Go about packing some things, and then we can head to the river for a bath and set off when the sun comes up?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>24-01-2014, 10:03:37</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Voltaire's expression sobered at Sophiera's words, she wasn't in the mood for teasing it seemed. He couldn't blame her though, for wasn't in the mood either and had only acted for her benefit.<br>"I suppose you're right. It is your decision and it was selfish of me to think I could make it for you. Sorry for that. In any case, I'll enjoy having such pleasant company on the road."<br><br>He laid his own hand on the one Sophiera had placed affectionately against his arm. It slipped from his fingers as she went to go gather some supplies for their journey.<br>"Sounds like a plan. I'm going to rest a moment but let me know when your ready and we'll get going."<br><br>With a heavy heart, Voltaire lay back against the straw and tried to calm his racing mind.<br><br>---<br><br><strong>Several days later...</strong><br><br>As Voltaire and Sophiera turned another curve in the path they'd been traveling for the past day, the town the rat Cut-Ear had told them about came into view. It wasn't very large. More of a village that was approaching the size of a town than anything, consisting of about a score of buildings organized in a rough circle around the road that cut through it. One building stood out from the others as being obviously larger than the rest. Being two stories and twice as wide and long as it's neighbors, it was likely the inn and pub of the town.<br><br>Voltaire was eager to get this over with and happy that they had finally reached their destination. He was wearing his chainmail tunic and wine red scarf over the forest green jerkin that Sophiera had found him in. It was still damaged in some places since he hadn't the materials to repair it at the hut. He'd have to see if the local blacksmith could assist him in that matter. In addition, he had donned the belt of daggers upon his own chest, diagonally as the rat had, and also wore Cut-Ear's sword and sheath on his left hip. It was a poor replacement for hi blade, which Isolde had stolen, but it was better than the wood axe at least. <br><br>He turned to Sophiera, who was gliding along next to him. He had been wondering how both she and the villagers would react to her presence amongst them. He recalled her mentioning that she would travel for supplies occasionally, and hoped that everybody could continue to remain civil.<br>"Well, here we are. How are you doing?"<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>25-01-2014, 07:36:40</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Though&nbsp; Sophiera had made this trip a few times in her life, she had never become so excited or enjoyed the travel as much as she had this time. Perhaps it was because she was with a man whom she actually loved. Or maybe just for any company to be able to speak with as she traveled, but Voltaire certainly made the trip so nice. Especially, since each night she would curl up next to him, or wrap around him in a warm embrace, despite a slight discomfort, the closeness was something she needed. She actually opened up a bit more, explaining that this town was a place that she knew a few people and frequently traded with them. She told of stories about how she and her caretaker first came and it was full of surprise. Most of the people were squirrels and mice and others of the more meek people. This travel had revealed that her caretaker was, apparently, a fox and an ex-warrior of a kind that became a hermit in the woods.<br><br>If pressed, she would actually open to Voltaire that he was a part of some kind of Mercenary Group. Though she had no idea what the name was. Her caretaker actually tried to bury his past and she did start wondering why. With that conversation done, she would have gone into a contemplative silence until the next day, where she gained more of her pep. Able to speak more, she explained how she befriended a kindly mouse woman who she had become friends with one of her daughters... But she was gone now. She still had kept the friendship with the mouse woman, so they would have to visit the woman first.<br><br>Sophiera was a bit nervous, though. The people, most of them, were uneasy when she got here. But now she was coming with a wolf? They might be even more afraid of him than her, at this point. She was familiar enough. Once the two managed to get to the town, she slithering up next to the man, glancing over the town before taking a deep breath, "I'm doing fine, but... We need to find Shiela. She's my uhm... for lack of a better word, contact, here." She nodded, glancing over Voltaire, giving an uneasy smile, "Bet... I'll look weird to her without my wig, though."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>25-01-2014, 08:13:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Shiela?"<br>Voltaire wondered aloud with a raised brow, briefly drawing a blank as to who that was.<br>"Oh, right. The mouse. Alright, I'll let you lead the way."<br><br>Voltaire fell in step with her as they made their way through the town. He was eager to find the ferret, Arlo and end this madness quickly. But he knew that if he wasn't careful in his approach both he and Sophiera would likely end up dead. So he took the detour as an opportunity to observe the town, planning escape routes and gathering general tactical information. He also kept an eye out for the archer, though he was certain that the ferret likely would have already seen him, and if he didn't want to be seen back, Voltaire wouldn't spot him. Arlo was good like that.<br><br>The wolf quickly realized that they were drawing some odd glances. And though the town was primarily populated by peace loving herbivores, some of the more violence inclined omnivores, and carnivores were still a regular sight. A variety of foxes, rats, stoats and others could be seen trading for wares and other supplies at the various vendors. The wolf came to the conclusion that it was mostly Sophiera who was attracting the attention. It was an understandable occurrence though, considering the rarity of Sophiera's kind and the bad -though somewhat justified- reputation that reptiles got. Still, he made sure to discreetly return the favor when ever somebody gave them a particularly dirty look, which wasn't often fortunately.<br><br>As the minutes passed Voltaire asked,<br>"How long has it been since you last saw her? Are you sure she even lives here still?"<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>25-01-2014, 08:26:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The snake woman nodded to her companion when he questioned, then confirmed who she was talking about. While the two traveled through the town, Sophiera appeared better at ignoring the looks than Voltaire, it appeared. Perhaps it was because she always got those looks, and she learned to not let them bother her. Or perhaps it was something else? Something more? Either way, once Voltaire had asked Sophiera about her friend, the length of time she had been apart and whether she was sure that Shiela still lived in this town, this caused Sophiera to slow...<br><br>A slow frown came across the woman's scaled face before she said, "It's... been about a year and a half now..." She admitted, until she came to a full stop. Her hazel eyes turned back to the tan-furred wolf before moving her hand down to grip at his own and then hurry along. "Come on! I think I remember where her house is! I hope she is still here! If not, we're kind of out of luck!" As she slithered, he would be able to keep up rather well, as she was not the fastest creature around due to just how she was built. She did not have the benefit of the long stride things with legs could get.<br><br>Eventually, the wolf would be lead to a small log house that seemed to be sturdy enough, but small. And once they came to it, Sophiera would release Voltaire's hand and come up to the door, she quickly knocking on the door. Her heart was pounding and she silently hoped the woman was here, but for all she knew, Shiela could have been killed, or died of illness, or old age. Last time she saw her she was over fifty years old and it could have been a close time for her. How long did mice live, anyways? She waited, putting her hands up to her chest, clasping them worried before the door would slowly open, she asking out, "Sh-Shiela? It's me, Sophiera..." Hoping for it to be the woman she knew, though it could have easily been one of her many children, or even her husband.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>25-01-2014, 09:44:07</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<em>Over a year?</em><br>Voltaire thought to himself as Sophiera grabbed his hand and pulled him along. <br><em>Any number of things could have happened in a year.</em><br><br>Eventually Sophiera came to a stop in front of one of the houses set behind the stores that lined the road. It appeared to be lived in at least. The roof seemed in tact and everything looked like it should. No beams were missing and the windows retained their panes.<br><br>Sophiera knocked urgently on the door and began mumbling to herself while she wrung her hands. <br><em>She must be a good friend to have Sophiera so worked up.</em><br>He noted as he waited with her.<br><em>But I guess in Sophiera's position, all friends are good friends.</em><br><br>As he thought to himself, the door began to open, and he leaned to the side ever so slightly to try and get a better look at whoever it was that was opening it, curious as to the appearance of the mouse that had left such an impression on Sophiera.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>25-01-2014, 10:15:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The door opened slowly and then she would look down, noting there didn't seem to be anyone there. "H-Hello?" She let out, leaning to the side, before she slowly looked down, noticing there was but a small child down below that had opened the door. There was a little boy with brown hair, and light white fur with big pink eyes. Sophiera would place squeeze her hands a bit tighter, before saying, "Aww, arn't you a cutie! Uhm... Do you know if Shiela is still here? I mean..." She paused, before realizing that there weren't any small kids around, but... Maybe this was a grandchild she was watching over, "Uhm... Your granmum?" Sophiera said, leaning back and rubbing at the back of her head. With that the child instantly ran inside without another word, leaving the door cracked open.<br><br>The woman would slowly turn to look confused at Voltaire before taking a deep breath. Within a few minutes, the child would be back, peeking out the door before the door opened fully and revealing an older woman, again a mouse woman with fur that was greyed around her mouth and cheeks, along with greying hair. The woman smiled, looking past a pair of old iron framed specs, speaking out, "Oh, Sophiera... It has been a bit. Usually you send a notice before dropping by." The snake woman smiled before rocking her body left and right, clearing her throat with hands behind her back, "Sorry, it... was a bit of an emergency and..." But soon she would be cut off with the woman looking to the wolf, giving a low hum, "And... you have company? Oh, I'm being rude, come in, come in. I was just taking care of my son's children while he went to work... Please... try not to scare them too much.<br><br>A frown would cross Sophiera's face before she glanced over to Voltaire, "Uhm, no problem... And thank you." With the door staying open as Shiela moved into the home, the two may notice that the place was actually full with several children, four boys and three girls, it seemed. This caused Sophiera to look around as she slithered in before the kids seemed to scatter, except for a couple who watched her with infantile curiosity. Once the two entered, the boy would close the door and walk next to the couple, he staring up to Voltaire, as if watching him with wonder, "Are you a templar?" He asked, with a sense of wonder.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>02-02-2014, 12:47:26</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Voltaire was equally stumped as the door appeared to open on its own. He looked down and noticed the young mouse about the same time Sophiera did. He was a small fellow, that was for sure. The mouse bolted back into the house after Sophiera asked if her friend was there, and he could only raise his brows and shrug when she looked back at him quizzically.<br><br>But before long an aged female mouse appeared in the doorway. Voltaire wasn't sure why, but he had pictured Sophiera's friend being considerably younger. As the spectacled mouse turned to him, he gave her a small nod and a respectful, "ma'am." A moment later and they were invited inside, with the rather odd request that they try not to scare her son's children 'too much.'<br><br>He counted seven young ones as he entered and couldn't help but mumble, perhaps just loud enough for Sophiera to hear, "well someone certainly gets busy."<br><br>While most of the children where watching Sophiera make her way, the lad by the door surprised Voltaire with a question. He chuckled before replying,<br>"No, I'm not a Templar. Just a regular person like anybody else."<br>He was unsure how to interact with the boy. He'd never spent any time with children that weren't his own age all those years ago. He rubbed the back of his neck nervously.<br>"Um, what about your father, is he a Templar?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>03-02-2014, 08:17:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Sophiera, despite some of the scattering children, would seem to be in good spirits. She would speak to the older woman, explaining the situation of herself and Voltaire in rather vague terms. Since Voltaire was busy with the child, and the ladies were speaking amongst one another, he'd only really get a few snippets if he paid attention. Sophiera hoping to be able to trade some of her herbs and medicines in exchange for the woman to go out to the markets to get some more appropriate supplies for the wolf she brought and herself. When asked the purpose, the snake-woman explained the two of them were actually going off. That she found him in the forest, a bit dazed and she was going to guide him back home. And that was as close to the truth as she wanted to get. The mouse, Sheila, seemed to not question the situation, too much, besides a simple glance back to Voltaire before giving Sophiera a smile.<br><br>While the ladies talked, The child would shake his head at the question if his father was a templar, "No." He said simply, before going on to an energetic explanation as can be the norm for small children, "My dad works as a lumberjack. He helps get the wood for the timber mills that are on the lake to the south. It's neat! He took me along once, but then he was afraid I would get hurt, but he knew where the trees were falling, so I don't know why he thought that. But I saw your armor, why I was asking, I think that is neat, I was thinking I could be a Templar! I would go and help people and then they also get enough money that I can help my dad and mom, so one of them doesnt have to work too much. I am just glad my grams lets us stay here or else mom wouldn't be able to help work making beds, that is what she does and she is good at it. I feel bad when I have to get under the covers sometime,s she works a lot and think she wouldn't want to do it when she got home, so I don't know..."<br><br>After the youth went for another breath, Sheila would move her hand down, patting the child's head before saying, "No need to bother the poor man, Nigel." Her attention turned up to Voltaire, a smile on her face as she said, "And I asked if you wanted some water, or tea I think we have left. Sophiera got me some herbs to help us along, so I will be going to the market soon. If you really wanted to get out soon, I could go right away, but as I told to her I'd need you to watch the kids. She said it was really up to you, whether you want me to go right away or wait for their parents to get back."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>03-02-2014, 12:24:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Voltaire faintly heard Sophiera explaining to the old mouse what they were doing here. Fortunately she had the good sense to refrain from giving her entirely accurate details. It probably would have been to difficult to explain their situation and he wouldn't want to get Sheila involved anyway.<br><br>He gave the young mouse his attention as he rapidly explained his life story. Though the family likely faced their own day to day hardships, Voltaire couldn't help but feel a bit envious of the child's normal life. He wondered what he would be doing now if he hadn't been raised by the rangers up in the mountains. Voltaire glanced over at Sophiera. Well, maybe he didn't mind his life so much.<br><br>Sheila interrupted before the boy could continue and gave Voltaire his options. <br>"Oh! Well I would like to be going sooner rather than later but..."<br>He glanced at the children he'd have to help watch over, realizing that he had no idea how to care for a child let alone seven. But his desire to find Arlo quickly won out. Besides, he was sure Sophiera and him could work it out.<br>"Alright. We'll watch the children while you go get the supplies."<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>03-02-2014, 12:48:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Sophiera would be watching Voltaire from the side as he decided what to do with Sheila's information. Once it was decided, Sophiera just gave him a silent smile and a silent nod. Sheila herself, would speak to the wolf as she moved over to the side, "All right then. I trust that girl with you, so I'll trust you. I shouldn't be too long, so don't fret too much. Just make sure the younglings don't cause trouble and break things around the house, all right?" The woman would have been grabbing up a small woven basket as she spoke as well as a kerchief she went about tying over her head. <br><br>Once she was ready to go she spoke out, waving her hand up, "All right, Nigel, Nelly, Kyle, Alvin, Nester, Patty, Chadwick! You all be nice to Sophie and her friend. I will be back. If you're good, I'm sure they can entertain your with a story." The woman nodded to Voltaire, before whispering o him, "They should be good." And leaving out the door. Almost immediately after the lady left, Nigel was already staring up at Voltaire again, asking, "Is armor heavy?" with those big pink eyes locked on him.<br><br>Sophiera meanwhile, would laugh out, slithering to Voltaire, and telling him, "You take care of that one, he seems to like you. I'll try to round up the others, all right? Need to make sure I can see them all."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>22-02-2014, 10:24:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Voltaire began to reconsider the wisdom of his decision when Sheila told him to make sure the children didn't break anything. <br>"Is that a regular occurrence," he wondered quietly. Louder he said,<br>"Don't worry Sheila, I'm sure Sophiera and I can handle them."<br><em>How hard could it be,</em> he thought.<br><br>Sheila left a few moments later after a word of encouragement, leaving the amateur sitters to fend for themselves. Voltaire's attention was quickly grabbed by the young mouse who had answered the door. Thankfully, Sophiera told him to focus on that one while she took care of the others. He was already feeling overwhelmed just trying to pay attention to the one.<br><br>He looked down at Nigel, and considered the young one's question.<br>"Well, I suppose that's relative to the strength and endurance of the wearer really."<br>A glance at the mouse's confused expression made Voltaire remember that he was speaking to a child and would have to adjust his vocabulary accordingly.<br>"Er, I mean, for me it isn't, but it probably would be for you."<br>There was an awkward pause as he rubbed the back of his neck and wondered what else to say.<br>"Would you... like to try it on?"<br><br>The mouse's eyes somehow managed to grow wider with excitement,<br>"Can I?"<br><br>"Sure," Voltaire began as he started to unbuckle the sword and dagger belts that he wore over the chain mail, "I don't see why not."<br>He set the weapons aside on a nearby table and leaned over, sliding the vest off over his head with practiced ease.<br><br>"Here you go," he said as he held the armor over Nigel's head, " hold your arms up and I'll put it on you."<br><br>The young mouse did as he was told, and Voltaire slid the vest down onto his tiny form. The armor was obviously too large, with lower half resting in folds on the floor and the excess in the shoulders hanging down like short sleeves.<br><br>Voltaire chuckled lightly at the sight,<br>"So how does it feel?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>24-02-2014, 11:11:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Sophiera would watch Voltaire from the side, admiring him as he seemed to take care of the little mouse's questions and show off the armor. It was cute. And it kind of brought to mind how he might actually think of children. Her face burned bright at the thought of it, as she tried to gather all the children together, and inform them if they were good, they could get a story! Even with the way she smiled, and move in a friendly manner, some of the children seemed uncertain of the snake-woman. Perhaps because she was seen as more of a predator and something so unusual with her scales. While she managed to settle most of them down, she still snapped her fingers towards a few that attempted to sneak off.<br><br>Her head craned over, looking to the wolf-man, giving a slight laugh as he managed to get the armor on the boy, clearly oversized for the little tyke. "Voltaire! If you want to bring him over, I can tell you, and all of them, a bit of a story my caretaker told me when I was young!" She shouted, to get his attention, but seemed to be speaking rather fondly of the situation. She knew, though, that she had to question the wolf a few things. It wouldn't be immediate, of course, and she doubted it would even be possible for her to conceive with a mammal, but she never had anything bad to say about children. She never had an urge for them, but it was something to consider, to ask of, even if they were just on the starting leg of a quest that could get them both hurt...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>02-03-2014, 11:15:28</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The boy huffed as he struggled to get comfortable in the mail shirt, which was easily twenty pounds.<br><br>"It's too heavy!" he moaned.<br><br>Voltaire chuckled as he lifted the garment from the mouse's shoulders and began to replace it on his own.<br>"I told you it would be. I'm sure you'll be strong enough to wear it when you're older."<br><br>He looked up as Sophiera called them over with the promise of a story, then back to Nigel.<br><br>"You should go listen. She tells good stories."<br><br>The young mouse nodded excitedly and went to join the rest of the group. <br><br>Voltaire gave a brief sigh of relief as strapped his weapons back onto his person. He hadn't been sure what to do with the boy after showing him the armor. It probably wouldn't have been appropriate to start teaching him how to wield a blade. How did parents manage to keep children entertained all day? It was a mystery to him and he had more respect for those that raised children because of it.<br><br>With his effects in order, he pulled up a chair and settled in to listen to Sophiera's tale.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>03-03-2014, 07:58:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Sophiera would nod, looking to little Nigel as he settled with his siblings. The snake woman took a deep breath, seeming to be oddly comfortable around the children despite her lift as a recluse. Her hands were set in, what could be considered, her lap as she awaited Voltaire to join the rest. Once the wolf had settled down upon a chair, she lowered her head, hazel eyes scanning over this small crowd before clearing her throat, already feeling a bit nervous, now, as the little ones fidgeted a bit and stared up at her.<br><br>"Well... In a time not too long ago, there was a mighty man who had moved on from society. Famous in his own town for his accomplishments, but annoyed with the attention, he decided to wander in the woods, away from others who looked up to him. It was said he was afraid he could not live up to the expectations of others. Some even thought he just was selfish and wanted to remove himself from any responsibility further. But all that was known, for sure, was that he did not come back to the village, or any village, again."<br><br>Sophiera nodded, looking around the people, some seeming curious, like they wanted to ask something, but they did not voice it. "Well, despite his desire to live along, to be away from others, others came to find him. They asked for medicine, for blessings he could not give, and trade for meat that he only gathered for himself. The more he helped, because of his kind heart, the more people came for him. Drawn to this man, eventually, a new town formed, causing him to be back in the same situation he had not wanted. So he devised a new plan, one that would make sure others would not seek him out."<br><br>With that last work, the snake woman brought up her hands, squeezing them nervously, glancing down. "He had decided to trick the others. To risk them for his own desires at solitude and so had went about to fake his own death. He prepared this for a few weeks, eventually ending with his own house destroyed by fire and the charred remains left for any who dug to find." Her hazel eyes would scan at the people, figuring this was probably a bad story for the children but she had already started. So she just cleared her throat and continued.<br><br>"Solitude was his, able to hide deep in the forest, away from others and in a small area that he hoped no one would find. Content with his life, sure none others would seek him out, he had lived his life with no cares bu his own sustenance. However, again, he would find himself discovered. But not like before. Apparently, the man had been working on a hunt, where he found a woman that had been injured from stones and blade. She was nothing he had seen before and barely conscious and unlikely to live. There was something, though. She did have a single egg left over, one she had held covetously, but had realization that she could go no further. She pleaded with the man to protect her spawn, unsure of what would emerge from the egg, but wishing to keep the future bright."<br><br>"Feeling unable to turn from the woman's pleas, he would take the egg and left to protect it, only to realize that woman had been followed. It was but a day that-." And before she manage to finish the story, she would blink, lifting her attention up to the door as it was pushed open, a fairly large mouse-man coming through that had a surprisingly muscular form for his species. "Mum! I'm home and..." He would start, before stopping, looking to the two people in the house whom he had not seen before, "Hey! You! What are you two doing near my kids?" He hoisting up a single-sided hatchet, speaking in an attempt to be threatening.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>14-03-2014, 07:56:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Voltaire listened intently as Sophiera told the story. It became increasingly obvious that it was about her old friend that she had spoken of on occasion. And he also realized that the woman in the story must have been Sophiera's mother, and the egg was Sophiera. <br><br>The circumstances of Sophiera's meeting with the fox were unfortunate, but it made sense in a morbid way. Voltaire hadn't known a species like her had even existed until the day they met. And he couldn't deny that had it been under different circumstances, he too would have treated her with no small amount of suspicion. He never would have attacked an innocent being however. But such was the way of the world.<br><br>The wolfs ears swiveled around as they picked up the faint sound of footsteps on the wooden porch, and the story was interrupted by the opening of the arrival of a mouse who Voltaire assumed was Sheila's son. <br><br>He was apparently not expecting company.<br><br>The wolf held up his hands in a gesture of peace and remained in his chair. He had no intention of getting in a fight with the owner of the house he was a guest in.<br>"Woah, easy there! We aren't here to hurt anyone. Your mother, Sheila let us in. She and Sophiera here are old friends, and I'm a new one. My name's Voltaire, and were just watching the kids while Sheila went to the market."<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>14-03-2014, 11:53:29</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Sophiera was staring up to the door that had the mouse man come through, the kids all seeming to jump up and shout out an appeciation of having their father back in calamitous excitement. The snake woman kept herself coiled around a chair, staring down the area to him as Voltaire seemed to come over and try to diffuse the situation. Once he spoke on her behalf, explaining things and pointing out to Sophiera she gave a smile, lifting her head up and waving at the man who glared at the others suspiciously.<br><br>The mouse gave a low growl before noticing one of the kids with the armor still on. He hummed, and then said, "Nigel, what's that?" He kneeling down and picking up the kid who just pointed, "He was showing me his armor! It's kind of heavy!" He commented, giving a smile to the child before setting him back down, lowering his hatchet and looking amongst the children, "Well. Were they being good to you, kids? And are they telling the truth?" The crowd of children seemed to nod in confirmation before he sighed out, moving over to Voltaire.<br><br>"All right... Sorry, just... Who are you again?" The man clearly not completely sure of what was going on despite he having explained his mother went to the market. The children all seeming to gather up behind the man, standing with him like a swarm.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>21-03-2014, 10:59:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Voltaire stepped forward and offered his hand, which the mouse accepted and shook firmly...<br><br>The wolf couldn't help but grin a bit as the mouse's offspring clustered around him lovingly. It sparked a series of melancholy thoughts however and the grin faded. He wondered who and where his own parents where, or if they even still lived. How would his life be different if he had not been raised in the mountain fort, where he'd been taught to use his skills to protect others for the rest of his life. And that love and a family was not an option for a Ranger such as he, for it would place those innocent lives in danger.<br><br>...He shook himself from his pondering, which had lasted mere seconds in the real world.<br>"I'm nobody really, just a traveller passing through. Sophiera is my guide and we stopped for supplies, which your mother graciously offered to pick up for us. She just asked that we keep track of the children while she was gone. Sorry for the confusion. I would have thought that you had met Sophiera before though, seeing as she's an acquaintance of your mother's."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>24-03-2014, 08:22:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Sophiera had kept quiet, allowing the two men to shake hands and allowing the children to cluster around their parent. She smiled, finding it rather enjoyable, though realizing, along with the story, how much she missed the man that had raised her. A frown came across her face as she lowered her eyes, moving forwards as Voltaire claimed to being no one special. Or a nobody. The snake woman cleared her throat, advancing, once mentioned and gave a smile. "Yes, Shiela was a friend of mine and we came to visit. I am... leaving my home and..."<br><br>The mouse-man looked over, noticing the woman before saying, "Hey, wait, yes... I think I remember you..." He pointing to her, and leaning forwards, investigating the brown-scaled woman, who shifted awkwardly. "Yes! You were the weird girl who Master Kuran brought over when trading with my mom..." The snake woman paused, with her hands clasped together over, where would be her crotch if she had one, with a mild bit of confusion. She waited before suddenly becoming aware, "Oh! Right... I... It's been so long you're..." She paused, before snapping her fingers, "Icarus!" She paused and then looked amongst the children before saying, "Erm... You've been busy..."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>22-11-2014, 08:43:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<em>Yes. Yes he has,</em> Voltaire thought as he too glanced at the crowd of children. The cramped quarters were actually starting to make him a bit claustrophobic, so he cleared his throat to break the awkward silence and gestured towards the door. "Well I guess we'll get out of your hair then. We still need to find a place to stay for the night after all. I'll come by later for the supplies." After another hand shake and a "Nice to meet you," the wolf let himself out the front door, fresh air calming his unease.<br><br>He waited for Sophiera to join him past the front porch before muttering with a chuckle "'The weird girl Master Kuran brought over when trading with my mom.' Sounds like you left quite the impression on him back in the day," he teased while heading in the direction of the tavern and inn he'd seen earlier. If he was lucky, one of his old friends would be there waiting on a report from the rats they'd sent looking for him. If he wasn't, well, he could really go for a large mug of mead about now. "So who is this 'Kuran' fellow anyway?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>23-11-2014, 22:24:17</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Sophiera couldn't help but agree with Voltaire's assessment. With the father back, she was sure they wouldn't need to be here anymore, with the exception of the supplies Shiela was to come for her. She offered a smile to Icarus and waved her hand to him saying, "Well, We still need to wait for your mother so... I'll... We'll just wait out here. Sure you want some time with your children." She slithering out after Voltaire, towards the porch as the batch of mice watched her go, she turning her tail in an odd fashion before coiling to let her close the door without getting anything caught.<br><br>Upon her meeting Voltaire upon the porch, he seemed to repeat the man within, causing her to look down, rubbing the back of her head, kind of missing the wig as that was something that was rather notable with her. Then again, this wolf-man did prefer her without it and that was enough reason for her to discard it. "Well..." She started, thinking of how to respond to him before she noticed him leaving, "Err, Shiela isn't back, Voltaire! We should, you know, wait... " She looking around before she said, "Also... Kuran was my caretaker." in response to his question.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>29-11-2014, 08:05:44</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Voltaire stopped and fumed a bit as Sophiera called out, suggesting they wait for Sheila to come back. He was anxious to see if they could get any information on who sent the gang of rats after him, or better yet, run into one of his old associates in person. Every minute he wasn't searching for them was a minute they had to distance themselves and counter. This was a dangerous game he was playing, neither parter knew exactly where the other was, and every scrap of information was an advantage. But he didn't want to worry Sophiera, so he reluctantly made his way back to the porch.<br><br>"Hmm, yes I suppose you're right," he mumbled in regard to her suggestion before changing the subject. "So this Kuran is the one I've heard so much about. I assume he was also the subject of the story you were telling us. And that the egg was you." Voltaire's thoughts drifted to his own mentor, passed on to whatever lay beyond this life. "It seems that you had a good role model."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>29-11-2014, 08:28:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				When Voltaire turned to her, she could tell he was rather frustrated of her asking him to wait. She was sure he wanted to find whomever sent the people that attacked them within the hut, but Sophiera had to admit she rather not find anyone. It was kind of frightening to her. She worried that they would find them and a struggle would immediately come and she would only get in the way or not be able to help Voltaire at a critical moment. By the time he spoke, coming back to her, she would have been staring to space, imagining the various things that could occur with terrifying results.<br><br>Only once the wolf spoke the name of her caretaker did she snap out of it, looking to him and offering a curious hum. He went on, speaking his mind's pattern before she lowered her head, bashfully and spoke, "Ah... That overt, yes? Suppose I wasn't trying to hide it, at that point." She offered a nervous laugh before moving to make a semi-circle of her tail around Voltaire, staring forwards as her upper body kept beside her furry lover. "I am not sure if he would be considered a <em>good</em> role model... I admit. He deceived people to be alone. He was rather surly at times and pushed hard to make sure we were as independent as possible... I mean..." She lowered her head, trying to form her thoughts coherently.<br><br>"He was a good man, I admit. Many would look up to him, but... It seemed he was tortured. I... kind of kept him from living a life alone, I think. Something he wanted, but he felt I was a responsibility. After all, where could he have taken me to be accepted? Even here, with people who have seen me before, I get looked at odd. I can only imagine what will happen when we get somewhere not familiar with me..." Sophiera couldn't help but shake a feeling of dread at that point... What would happen to her? Would Voltaire with her really help the prosecution?
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>04-12-2014, 01:55:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Voltaire nodded and gave a quiet "mm hmm," as Sophiera described her foster parent, he was familiar with the traits she'd attributed to him as his own mentor had similar tendencies. He wrapped an arm around Sophiera and pulled her into a half hug when she leaned against him, offering a pleasant grin. "I don't think anybody would blame him for wanting to be alone. The world can be a nasty place sometimes, which is why I'm sure he must have appreciated having you around. Your presence is like the light of a candle in a dark cave."<br><br>Voltaire's expression changed then, from warm to one of grim sincerity. "And don't you worry about what everybody else thinks or does. I won't let anything happen to you. I promise." He looked Sophiera in the eyes as he said it so she could see the conviction in his own. And after a moment of silence his face grew warm again and he leaned over to plant a quick kiss on Sophiera's snout. "Now then, let's hope Sheila gets back soon so we can get something to eat. I'm starving!"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>04-12-2014, 05:53:19</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				His idle confirmation of his listening made her question if he actually was, or just waiting impatiently, at first. But when his arm came around her, she turned her gaze upon the face of the wolf. The warmth of his body and insular fur was comforting to her, so much so she leaned into it further. When he grinned, explaining his own ideas of why one would want to be alone, she merely nodded, offering a smile. Though the last of his comments of her mentor caused her face to heat up from embarrassment, causing her to look down, though still keeping that smile upon her face as she so enjoyed the company of Voltaire.<br><br>When he changed, it was a startling contrast. Sophiera stared upon his face as he made his promise, feeling her heart skip a beat in his words, due to at how he said it. He meant it. And there would be no denying it. This caused her to feel warmer, but in a good way, wishing to give him a kiss of appreciation, but was afraid of doing such outside in the open where people may see that. Afterall, she wasn't sure how... But then she blinked when he gave her a quick kiss while she even considered doing the same to him. This time, she visibly blushed, opening her mouth to speak.<br><br>"Well, I just <em>knew</em> I saw that in you two when you came here." Sheila said, causing Sophiera to jump in surprise and look forwards to the older mouse coming forwards with a woven basket filled with several supplies. The snake-woman tried to speak, but couldn't find her voice in the embarrassment while Sheila decided to hand the basket to Voltaire, realizing that her friend was, practically, petrified with her appearance. "Be careful about that, though, son. There are some people not so accepting, okay?" She offered a gentle smile as she paused, looking to the door. "Did the kids actually get some sleep? Is that why you are out here on the porch?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>16-12-2014, 06:43:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Voltaire rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, "Its that obvious huh?" He asked rhetorically. "Don't worry about us Sheila, we'll be okay." It crossed his mind then that his feelings for Sophiera could be used against him if that information fell into the wrong hands. "Even so," his expression becoming one of uncertainty, "maybe it would be best if we tried to tone it down a bit for the time being."<br><br>He accepted the basket of goods with a quick "Thank you," while Sophiera recovered from Sheila's sudden appearance.&nbsp; "Actually," he continued, "your son arrived just a short time ago. We thought we'd let him enjoy some time with his family alone while waiting for you to come back. Speaking of which, I appreciate your help. If there's ever anything I can do in the future, I'd be glad to help. But I think it's best we were on our way. We've got quite the road ahead of us."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>17-12-2014, 06:20:34</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Sheila blinked before putting her arms up, "Oh! He got home early! Good!" She offering a smile that showed her vitality even in her older age. "Well, I think I should go say hello. Little Sophy already got me what I needed and I got her supplies so you are good. And that is a bit of good timing. I was expecting more time with my son, so we both could be in a hurry. You be well, then." She offered a friendly bow before moving to head up the porch, though stopped beside Voltaire, letting a furred hand upon his shoulder as she spoke low to him, "And do keep Sophiera safe. She's a sweet girl, but a bit sheltered." <br><br>With that last word, she patted the man upon his shoulder and proceeded to the door, opening it and speaking out her arrival, only to get greetings from the many children and the father within. The snake-woman was staring to Voltaire, curious of what the mouse whispered, but tried not to inquire. She didn't want to seem invasive. Not to mention, Voltaire really wanted to head along. Sophiera moved to take the basket, herself, feeling a bit of that blush still upon her as she said, "Well, we can get moving, now... I'll check the things as we go, should be a few good days of things for us, if she got the whole list done... But... To the inn, right? See who sent those people to my hut?" She confirming what they were in this town for, rather than the simple supplies to help them beyond it.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>19-12-2014, 11:02:24</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The wolf smiled back at Sheila as she passed him, "I'll do that. Thanks again for your help." Then he looked back over to Sophiera and nodded his affirmation of the plan before starting to walk on. "That's right, but listen." A concerned expression crossed Voltaire's face as he began to explain the situation. "These are very dangerous people we're dealing with and I don't want you getting involved any more than you already have. So from now on, you're just my guide understand? They won't hesitate to threaten or even kill you if it suits them. So we need to tread carefully." His piece spoken, Voltaire turned his attention back to planning how to deal with his old friends and hoped Sophiera comprehended the gravity of the situation.<br><br>A few minutes later, they arrived in front of the tavern and inn. Voltaire turned to Sophiera then and told her his plan. "Okay, here's what were going to do. I'm going to enter alone and find a seat. I want you to wait a minute before following. Purchase a room for us and put our supplies there. If you come back out and anybody has joined my table I want you to stay in the room. If not, then feel free to join me. Got it?" He waited a moment for her answer before giving a determined nod and entering the inn.<br><br>The building consisted of two stories, the first was reserved for the tavern goers and tables filled the space while the second floor was where rooms were available for rent. The tavern was moderately full, but there were still plenty of tables left. A couple chandeliers and a fire place filled the area with warm light while jovial voices, sober or otherwise, filled it with content noise. There was a variety of clientele, from hares and moles to rats and weasels filling the seats, but as Voltaire scanned the crowd he didn't see any familiar faces. Still, he kept a watchful eye out as he made his way to a table in one of the corners. The light was a little dimmer here, providing the tiniest bit of concealment, and it placed a wall at his back and the entrance in sight. All in all a good spot to keep a lookout. Now he just had to wait, if his dear friends were nearby they would approach soon enough. If not, well, then at least he could enjoy a nice meal with his lovely guide. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>24-12-2014, 07:07:03</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				When the mouse-woman had left to go inside, Sophiera was staring up to the door, wondering what she could do. She was concerned that what the two spoke of could make things worse. She really didn't want to really hide her feeling for the wolf man she found in that river more than a week ago, but she also didn't want to get in trouble and hurt for those feelings. Why did they have to go hunting, anyways? The rats were, probably, the only ones sent and they were vagabonds. Maybe the person who paid them thought they ran off. It was kind of scaring her the thought they would be going even further than just this town. Especially since Sophiera, herself, never went further than this place, even with her old caretaker.<br><br>When Voltaire spoke, the snake woman turned her hazel eyes towards the wolf, and offered a smile, before progressively losing it from his descriptions, warnings and plans. Her smile had turned to a look of concern. After taking a deep breath she would say, "I... Well... I understand." She looked off down the pounded in dirt road that was where she knew the tavern/inn was. She took a deep breath before following Voltaire to the wooden structure near the edge of the town. She expected him to continue on, but his stopping caused the woman to stop before him, staring up to the man as h explained this plan of his. "But..." She started to protest, lowering her eyes and looking down to the ground. She cleared her throat, lifting her eyes to him and nodding, "All right, I understand."<br><br>And with that, Sophiera would move in after Voltaire had vanished into the building, she looking through the supplies before following in after. Once she came into the building, her heart skipped a beat, not sure where to go. She never really spoke to anyone before Sheila, really, and her children, and this was all new. How did she go about getting a room? Would they let her? How much was appropriate? Did she have enough? Her breathing got a bit heavy as it felt like she was having an anxiety attack. There were so many people and it felt so <em>loud</em>! She would slowly slip forwards, to a place that looked like a counter. Was this where she was to go? <br><br>As she got up to the counter, her eyes were wide with concern and it felt as if her heart was beating against her chest, painfully. "I-I... Is... Is..." The woman said, trying to get things out, but having trouble. She was so out of her element, her body was shaking a bit. With Voltaire with her, she felt safe, able to get around. She wasn't confident! She was a loner! She lived a life out in the woods, she never dealt with this many people being around and her mouth was getting drier than usual. She tried to speak, staring forwards, almost past the individual past the countertop, "Is... this... where I... I can get a room?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lockean</strong> on <strong>03-01-2015, 07:53:59</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Some conversations from tables nearest Sophiera were paused as the participants turned their eyes to peer inconspicuously at the peculiar woman. Reptiles weren't exactly a common sight, they tended to keep to themselves, but weren't rare either. However nobody had ever seen anybody like Sophiera before. Still, most of the tavern goers were content with giving her just a cursory glance before shrugging and going about their business.<br><br>The bar tender, and owner of the tavern was a middle aged squirrel. His frame was lean and wiry, his red fur flecked with gray. He looked up from the glass he'd been polishing as Sophiera approached and couldn't help but raise a brow as he inspected the woman with curious eyes. His expression remained mostly neutral however, being a bar owner, he met a lot of strange folks over the years. He set aside the glass as Sophiera began to speak and leaned on the counter, supported by his elbows. "Yes it is," he replied to her question matter of factly. "Five coins will cover a room for the whole day."<br><br>At the far end of the room, Voltaire watched as Sophiera did her best to cope with the situation. <em>Of course,</em> he thought as the woman became progressively more nervous. His tail flicked in annoyance at his own oversight. He'd become so used to interacting normally with Sophiera that he'd forgotten how meek she could be. He considered going over to help her, but didn't want to give up his position. His targets could still arrive at any moment. Voltaire glanced around the big room once more before looking back over at Sophiera, who was speaking with the bar tender. Maybe it would be better to let her do this herself, it could help her build some confidence. He'd wait and observe for now, but if she really couldn't handle the pressure, he'd go and help.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Of Snakes and Wolves (Quinz128 x vweight)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Quinz128</strong> on <strong>04-01-2015, 08:48:40</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The way the barman seemed to speak so simply really helped her. Sophiera took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves as she moved to the basket, since she did ask Sheila to get her some coins. A bit of rifling was needed, but eventually found a tiny pouch that seemed to be made entirely of some kind of leather. She pulled out the coins within. It wasn't much, as she could tell, probably thirty at very most, but she also had the ointments she wanted, fresh water, waxed cheese and salted meats. Enough to survive for a while so she was glad to even have this much.<br><br>"Uhm... This is enough?" Sophiera asked, settling down the five coins for the man, not sure if haggling was a thing someone did for a room or not... But she didn't want to risk angering anyone, especially one that allowed access to where she may be sleeping. While she waited for confirmation, keys and directions, she glanced around, wondering where Voltaire was. Her hazel eyes managed to fall upon the wolf, but she quickly turned away, feeling embarrassed and worried as she rally needed to let him do what he needed. But it didn't seem anyone came by him, so maybe it was safe? Then again it had only been a minute or two since he came in.<br><br>Once produced with the knowledge of where to go and the means to get in, the snake woman would depart. She hated stairs, as she found out having to awkwardly move up to the inn section that was on the second floor. She couldn't help but feel a fool, sure some people were laughing at her as she had to coil up, then bend her body forwards and repeat with each step. If she even had to run upstairs she would be sure she would have been in trouble, but tried not to think about that. Sure tumbling down a set of them would be much worse. Once she was able to get to the room, though she would have settled the basket on a chest of drawers, if it had one, or just on the floor otherwise. She then groaning and falling flat forwards on the bed, which she was sure would have been either straw or fur, and decided to start counting quietly herself, feeling once she counted to three hundred that should have been long enough for Voltaire, between her waiting to enter, getting the room and getting up the stairs.
			</dd>
		</dl>
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