[sub]A collab. feat. [@Aerandir] and [@Wildeyes][/sub] [h1][center][color=39b54a]Trouble and in Their Path.[/color][/center][/h1] [center][sub]A work in the Ruvina Expedition set[/sub][/center] Alexina ran out in front of the caravan of carriages. She personally didn't like sitting inside one of those stuffy things. She would have much rather feel the open sky on her skin and hair. She had turned into a wolf, so she could smell out danger better. She came to a stop as she started to smell something off... She skidded to a stop and morphed back into her regular form, her sweat glistening in the sun. Raising her hand high in the air, signaling the caravan to stop. With the smell still on her nose she tilted her head to the side, judging where it came from, she felt the wind on her cheeks, and glanced at the trees around her. When the caravan came to a stop she walked slowly backwards to Lorelai's Carriage. Lorelai was already outside by the time Alexina arrived. She looked towards her. [color=cyan]"What's up?"[/color] Alexina looked back to Lorelai, [color=39b54a]"I don't know... But something or someone is up ahead...."[/color] She ran her hand through her hair. Confused as she couldn't place it. [color=ed145b]"Well, we better go see if it needs murdered."[/color] Alphonse said, suddenly a person, and not a shadow on the ground. Lorelai grinned. [color=cyan]"Yes, my thoughts exactly."[/color] She turned towards the open carriage. [color=cyan]"Sousiel, get out here, you're going on a little scouting expedition.[/color] [color=92278f]"Really? With lazy fuck? Alexina's cool though."[/color] The demon hopped out of the carriage and turned to Alexina. [color=92278f]"What're we hunting hot stuff?"[/color] Alexina rolled her eyes at the idea of Alphonse coming with. After his little 'enlightening' conversation with Taran she wanted to kill him even more. But when Sousiel was called to come with them she liked it more... At least she smelt like Lorelai. [color=39b54a]"I don't know... It's a strange smell. I've never smelt something like this before."[/color] She looked to Lorelai, [color=39b54a]"It's close by, almost directly in our route. Maybe a little off the path."[/color] Lorelai gestured for the caravan to turn around. [color=cyan]"Get a mile or so down the road."[/color] She spoke in Dragon's Tongue to one of the horses. [color=cyan]"Trouble, and in our path."[/color] She grinned at Alphonse. [color=cyan]"Time to show Alexina what you're good for huh?"[/color] She hopped into a passing carriage, leaving the three. Alphonse nodded after his mistress.[color=ed145b] "Alright ladies, you heard her. Let's fan out and see what's ahead of us. Stay out of sight, if the force is small enough, and we consider it necessary, we may as well turn it into an ambush."[/color] Alphonse turned and strode toward the tree line, disappearing before reaching the first tree. [color=92278f]"As much as I hate to admit it...that's a neat trick."[/color] Sousiel's eyes closed suddenly, when they opened the were Lorelai's deep hazel. "Shall we?" She said to Alexina. Alexina raised an eyebrow at Alphonse, acting like a hot shot. When Sousiel mentioned it was a neat trick...she simply shrugged, saying [color=39b54a]"Meh...I've seen better..."[/color] Before morphing into a cougar once again. Looking to Sousiel and nodded before Sprinting into the trees. Alexina loved this form so much, she was quick and agile, jumping from tree to tree, then to the ground and back up another tree. She slowed when she smelt the odor even stronger now. Alphonse's voice drifted from a branch just above Alexina, as she bound up into one of the bows. [color=ed145b]"Humans ahead, over two dozen. Looks like they're loaded for bear. Most likely the hunters we heard about in town."[/color] Alphonse's body was cloaked in shadow, none of his normal features visible through the cloak of darkness. Alexina jerked at the sound of Alphonse voice, she hissed and swung upwards, her claws slashing into the bark of the branch above her. She suddenly morphed back into her human form. She hissed, [color=39b54a]"Alphonse! DON'T. DO. THAT."[/color] She looked up to the branch he was 'in'. Sousiel looked over at the shadow. [color=92278f]"Ok, now that's cool as shit."[/color] She grinned. [color=92278f]"Ever use it to spy on Lorelai and Vespa's sexytimes? Could you take me with you?"[/color] Alphonse dropped out of the tree, and regarded Alexina. [color=ed145b]"Sorry, just trying to get your attention before we got too close."[/color] The shadows fell away from his head, and he smiled.[color=ed145b] I know you've been dying for a piece of me since last night, but let's keep things professional until we get back, alright?"[/color] Alphonse turns to Sousiel, [color=ed145b]"and, no. I'd really rather not encourage her to turn to me for "alternative power sources."[/color] Alexina glared at both Alphonse, and Sousiel. [color=39b54a]"Hardly..."[/color] She looked forward and said, [color=39b54a]"I don't think you are our type....AL."[/color] She stood up on the branch and placed a hand on the trunk. [color=39b54a]"I think we should get all the witches to come help fight."[/color] [color=92278f]"Seems like the best plan."[/color] Sousiel nodded. [color=92278f]"I doubt we'll talk Elina into killing though, but mistress...well...you know 'bout my Lorelai don't you?"[/color] Sousiel grinned with obvious pride. [color=ed145b]"Agreed, their convoy is slow, we should be able to keep close track of them until nightfall. Once they make camp, we should be able to overtake them, murder their guards, and take the rest in their sleep."[/color] Alphonse intoned this all clearly and coldly, starkly contrasted with his normal attitude. [color=ed145b]"It's the best opportunity we'll have to dispatch them before the castle, the only question is, should we?"[/color] Alexina didn't want to agree with Alphonse, she narrowed her eyes as she watched the group of hunters move. [color=39b54a]"The real question is.... Why shouldn't we?"[/color] She said as she gave Alphonse a glare. Before turning around to make her way back to the caravan.[color=39b54a]" It will give me time to call upon the creatures of the forest as well to help us."[/color] Sousiel looked over at Alphonse thoughtfully. [color=92278f] "Can you take people with you? That would make you mistress' best friend I'll bet."[/color] She began to make her way back, falling into step with Alphonse. [color=92278f]"Shadow cloaked ambush...oh I tingle at the thought!"[/color] [color=ed145b]"Yeah, a couple people even."[/color] Alphonse regarded the cat-eared woman warily. He'd heard of her ripping people apart....but she was pretty cute.[color=ed145b] "Want a ride back to the caravan?"[/color] [color=92278f]"Fuck yes!"[/color] Sousiel jumped up and down. [color=92278f]"Do it. Doitdoitdoitdoit!"[/color] Alphonse smiled behind his mask of shadows, [color=ed145b]"Alright, let's roll!"[/color] Alphonse grasps Sousiel's hand, and pulls her into total darkness. The darkness of his familiar, Steve the shadow, who immediately rushed over to Alexina, pulling her in as if the ground had come out from beneath her feet. The shadow melded into the darkness of the forest and rushed back toward the caravan. [color=ed145b]"Am I a carriage now? Geez, I feel like I'm about to burst."[/color] Everyone could hear the faint whisper, the only sensation within the darkness. Alexina let out a small yelp as she was pulled into the shadow, the sensation was weird and cold...she felt that she could feel Alphonse speaking..She felt helpless, and she HATED that feeling. She wanted to yell, kick scratch bite, But she couldn't even speak. She was going to kill him. It was a familiar and comfortable feeling for Sousiel, after all her mistress' commands made her feel helpless and overwhelmed by darkness. She enjoyed the ride in that comfortable abyss. The trip didn't take long, Steve the shadow rushed through the darkness his travel effortless, traveling over the shoulder of his lesser kin, the unliving shadows of the trees and cliffs. Alphonse's senses radiating outward, taking in everything. The darkness touched every part of this place, there was no escaping it. Soon, they arrived, and Alphonse gently pushed them back into the physical world, helping them out like he would a lady from her carriage. [color=ed145b] "Aaaaand, here we are, no travel like dark travel."[/color] Alphonse said, as he stepped from the shadows himself. Sousiel's feet hit the ground and she immediately jumped into the air. [color=92278f]"Fuck yes! Awesome, shit bags!"[/color] After Alphonse had finally stepped out of the shadows she jumped up and gave him a high-five. [color=92278f]"No wonder Mi'lady is always so pissed that you can be a layabout, man. Apply yourself fucker!"[/color] Alphonse shrugged almost sheepishly.[color=ed145b] "It would be nice, if I could apply it for anything other than deep strike assassination. Or learning about who needs assassinated, or....I've been over this before."[/color] Alphonse took a drink from a flask that hadn't been visible before the trip. Alexina took the experience far differently, she reached out to the nearest tree...looking like a cat who could barely keep her balance. She shuttered as she could feel everything once again and she looked around as she was scared out of her wits. Only to narrow as she saw Alphonse and they were near the caravan again. [color=39b54a]"Alllllphonse!"[/color] She growled. She pounced and and tackled him. Her fingers gripped his windpipe like talons of an eagle. [color=39b54a]"Don't EVER DO THAT TO ME AGAIN."[/color] Alphonse choked out a reply. Failing to form words he raised one hand in a thumbs up and mouthed "OKAY" Striding out of her carriage Lorelai happed upon the sight of poor Alphonse being choked out. [color=cyan]"Alexina! Get off of him!"[/color] Alexina's eyes were fierce, animalistic, she hated the feeling of being useless...helpless. She heard Lorelai call her name and yelling at her to get off of him. She hesitated for a moment before quickly standing up and walking away. Her arms hugging herself closely as she shivered at the thoughts of going through those shadows. She walked over to a tree and leaned against it, her head down as she tried to warm herself in the sun. Alphonse clutched his own throat, as Lorelai strode toward him and offered him her hand. She helped him up. He massaged his throat before saying quietly. Just loud enough for Alexina to hear. [color=ed145b]"I'm sorry, I only meant to bring us back faster. I should have known better."[/color] Alphonse swallowed and turned to Lorelai.[color=ed145b] "Nice to see ya, boss."[/color] Sousiel arched an eyebrow at Alphonse. [color=92278f]"What? You're not used to getting choked out?"[/color] [color=ed145b]"Doesn't mean I like it."[/color] Alphonse grinned,[color=ed145b] "Although, context changes everything, you know."[/color] Lorelai smiled apologetically at Alphonse. [color=cyan]"Good work, I assume you've got a report for me, but give me a moment if you would."[/color] She made her way over to Alexina. [color=cyan]"Lexi, are you alright?"[/color] She whispered. Alexina pulled away by reflex at hearing someone again. Looking like a wounded cat, Her eyes on the verge of tears, but they were not spilling over. She looked away so Lorelai could not see her weakness. [color=39b54a]"I-I'm fine."[/color] She lied. The whole experience was horrifying for her... reminding her of old nightmares. Something she pushed from her mind long ago. She felt violated while in Alphonse's shadows. She didn't like it at all. Alphonse spoke, distracting Lorelai from Alexina.[color=ed145b] "We found a force of hunters ahead of us. About thirty strong, the rumors from the bar indicate that they're heading to the same castle we are. Unless we slow our course immensely, we'll walk right into the middle of them, and I don't think we can skirt around their group with the wagons."[/color] He stared at Lorelai, resigning himself to her decision. She thought a moment. [color=cyan]"I don't really see a way around them...Fuck...I guess we'll have to go through them."[/color] She massaged her forehead. [color=cyan]"Begin making preparations. We'll hit them at dark, hopefully they'll break and run for it."[/color] Alphonse nodded "I have some ideas for Taran, fire does a wonder on Morale.[color=ed145b]"Alphonse walked away. Time for work.[/color] Alexina didn't reply, she only nodded. She rubbed her arms as she tried to compose herself. Wiping the evidence of tears in her eyes while facing away from everyone. She took a deep breath and let it out slow. Lorelai placed a reassuring hand on Alexina's shoulder as she began making mental preparations.