Wandering into new lands *Closed*

[ladyjillian]

The sigh came heavy in his chest as he flopped onto the soft grass of the sun soaked meadow. The light breeze that shifted the fluffy clouds across the azure skies gave pleasant relief from the moderate noon day heat. Red and yellow wildflowers dotted the lush grass and swayed gently under the gaze of the lone observer. An observer who should have been relieved to sit in such a beautiful location after a long journey, however this observer remained an exception. Squinting his eyes against the assault of the bright sunlight another sigh worked passed a set of unhappy lips, [green] “It’s too bleedin' bright.” [/green] For any other creature it would have been a perfect day, for Faaiz the ferret it was too bright…and dry, and open, and strange.

Faaiz had traveled for two days straight to reach to edge of the Golfam Marsh and another half a day still until he came upon the spot where he now sat. Having never left the marsh before Faaiz had never been accustomed to such bright light as the sun produced. The duration of a day in the marsh, with its dense trees and vegetation, was measured by the progression of murk defused light. From dawn with misty gloom, to noon with brighter gloom, to night when you were unable to see any gloom through the darkness. With constant low light conditions the creatures of the Golfam Marsh had developed an almost nocturnal quality of vision that allowed them to see some gloom in most darkness, though there was never complete visibility. Faaiz, with his gifted genetics, had better vision then most and it is for that reason he found the brightness so terribly irksome. He scrubbed his face with his anthro-morphed paws and then lightly rested his paw on his upper-arm. He had to admit his eyes did sting.

Sitting there letting the breeze dry his fur, that had always reminded damp while in the wetlands, Faaiz slowly took in the view that surrounded him. Open grassy plains stretched farther then his eyes could see, quite an alien view for the young ferret. He had heard stories of the lands beyond the marsh while sitting with his fathers in the taverns of small villages. Tales that became more fantastic with each rendition and all lies. It was known that any Golfam native who left the marsh never returned and therefore could never bring back knowledge of the world that lay beyond. Faaiz knew not where he was and he could only stare at this outside world, amazed but not intimidated by its vastness. This was the world he had come to prove his worth and place his mark. Faaiz’s ambitions were great but for now they had to wait until he had recovered from his three days without sleep. So he laid down, closed his eyes, and drifted into a dreamless sleep, unaware of what his new future might hold.

[Jaguara Katial]

The sun was bright that day and he wasn’t in a very good mood. The marsh was never this bright and it upset him in quite a nasty way, if it wasn’t for his wings though he was sure things would have been allot worse as he held them up high above his head in an attempt to block out the rays beating down on him.

His journey had brought him to the Highlands and even from what he had heard from others in his wanderings he was very far from impressed, but this place did have a promise in its own way to possibly suit his goals. As he wandered the fields not quite ready to make an appearance into the local villages and towns he noticed a creature with familiar markings…ones much like his own. “Hmmm…” he said to himself as his smile formed a sneer and he changed his direction to wander over towards the shape.

Upon reaching the creature he soon discovered that he was a ferret and a fellow companion from the marsh. This one, how ever unlike himself, had attained his bipedal form and in a way angered him…it made him feel inferior. He noticed the eye on his shoulder and thought of his own mutation. When he noticed the ferret’s rank he scoffed and his mouth widened into an even bigger sneer then before. What was he doing way out here so far from home and why had he picked this bright sunny place to rest? He sat on his hunches and poked him in quite a rough manner. ”You know…this isn’t such a safe place to rest…” He sneered and folded his wings against his sides.

[ladyjillian]

[green]“Actually,” [/green] Faaiz announced in a matter of fact tone, shading his now open eyes in order to look at the creature who had unceremoniously poked him in the side. [green] “It is the perfect spot, I saw you coming from a mile off.” [/green] He gestured vaguely towards the blinking eye on his shoulder. [green] “If I felt you had been a threat I would not have let you get so close.” [/green]

Moving slowly so as not to startle the stranger Faaiz pushed himself into a sitting position in order to better examine the impressive canine. The brown and green blotched fur was a distinct clue as to his origins. Though Faaiz had not ruled out the idea of meeting another Golfam dweller on the outside, he never expected to meet one so soon. He was a large creature, even in animal form, with a posture and haughty expression that did little to hide his commanding personality. It was the diamond suit proudly displayed on his muscled chest, however, that explained better then words the authority he felt over the lower club.

As was Faaiz’s nature, he was hardly impressed. What did intrigue him however were the two tightly folded wings positioned on either side of his back. A mutation! To think there were other mutants like himself, from Golfam Marsh no less. The notion was calming yet irritating all at the same time. He was not alone in his deformities but why then if there were others with mutations he had been so persecuted during his childhood? Faaiz ire fumed with the renewed thought of the life he had left behind but he controlled it quickly not wishing to show emotion in front of the stranger. Emotions gave away to much information to a well informed observer. Information Faaiz was not willing to give up without a fight. The task at hand however was to gain information about this smirking canine who was pleased with himself for waking a seemingly sleeping beast.

[green] “Hello, what can I do for you?” [/green]

[Jaguara Katial]

“Is that so? And what makes you believe that I am not a threat?” Sebak's smirk grew wider at the sudden change in emotion of the ferret while he examined him. He liked that he had some kind of authority over him; perhaps there was some promise in this club. Sebak had big plans and as such the reasons he was in these lands were to carry those out. He liked this creature already and he could be useful he thought to himself. How hard would it be to get him to help with my little ventures? How hard would it be to manipulate him to my whim and perhaps get him to follow me in these goals, become a subordinate…yes....He sneered again and yes he liked the idea that was forming in his head.

"There is not a thing you can do for me…right now…but more importantly why would you have wandered so far from home? Surly this place isn’t the location one would choose unless..." Sebak took on a commanding and strangely disturbingly elegant pose as if the wheels in his head were turning. “Unless you are looking to broaden your…horizon that is….” He smirked and laughed a deep disturbing laugh and just watched the ferret and his reactions to his words.

[ladyjillian]

He was cocky you could tell that a mile off as Faaiz had but he was also dangerous. Two very important facts that you needed to respect if you wished to stay alive. Choosing his words wisely Faaiz mulled over the inflection of the questions the stranger posed. There was an undertone that made it clear there was intention hidden beneath the simple question. When considering your options the rule of the game became getting the most information without giving much in return. Simple answers in roundabout fashions often gain the best results, especially when you are playing against novice (Which this stranger certianly was not). Also, you must never give information to a question that was not asked. With all this in mind Faaiz decided to answer the questions from the beginning and leave it up to the stranger to take it from there. It occured to Faaiz that the fun part was about to begin and he was planning to see it through to the end. (You must always remember children; never speak to large hulking beasts in empty fields unless you are a professional nasty guy yourself. >_>)

[green]“I could see that you were not a threat upon your approach. Your approach was one of curiosity, not one of malicious intent. As for my leaving the marsh, yes it was in search of broader horizons.”[/green] Gesturing with his hand in a wide sweeping motion taking in the sparkling sky line that stretched for miles, Faaiz animated his point. [green]“I believe I could not have found a better place. Don’t you agree?”[/green]

[Jaguara Katial]

Sebak had to agree this place was full of promise for what he intended to do. He had high goals and this was the place to complete them. He eyed the ferret up and down again...yes he would do nicely...if all went according to plan...

“I agree this place is full of...promise..." He snickered to himself and watched the reactions of the ferret. The look in his eyes seemed similar to that of his own and he wondered to himself what kind of goals this fellow marshlander had in mind. “But what I wonder is what kind of promises are you hoping to dig out of this land? What are you trying to achieve by coming to this place? In addition, why did you pick this place of all things? Surely one of…your rank…would find more comfort in a less opposing area then a place so close to the court of hearts…” He was hoping to incise him to betray more of his inner feelings and emotions, to judge him on his raw soul. How close could he come to get him to break? He sat where he was and watched intently on his current “victim” and the progress he was making on wearing him down.

[ladyjillian]

“…promise…” Again there was something in the voice that hinted at something more dangerous, glorious, and potentially rewarding. Faaiz was intrigued more then he would admit however slight glimmer of excitement crossed his features. Calming quickly Faaiz began to realize that this stranger was not going to give up information without proper encouragement, the games could continue forever if one did not take the lead. Since Faaiz was the creature traveling in a strange land with nothing but a slim dagger and six copper coins to his name, he felt it was he that would benefit most from a profitable alliance, if that was in fact what the stranger had in mind. Faaiz knew that the questions the stranger posed were meant to search his soul and most occasions slipping into telling the truth could prove dangerous, but on occasions such as this answering such personal questions was the most efficient method of gaining information.

“The Court of Hearts, is that where I am? I truly had no knowledge of my surroundings. I have only just left the swamp, traveling until I reached this very spot needing rest. For my purposes of placing a mark on the world by any means necessary I do not believe my location or my rank have any bearing. I have strength, wit, courage, and skills, they are all that is required to prove myself to my fellow creatures. You, however, stranger seem to have meaning behind your words that make it seem that more is needed to survive in this foreign land. What information are you withholding from a fellow Marshlander who is out seeking his niche in the world of fortune that might show him to the right path?” By revealing his purpose with a defiant air Faaiz felt the need to quit his lounging in the shadow of the canine’s bulk and he lazily rose to his feet in his anthro form. Though the canine was large, Faaiz on his long sturdy hind legs stood nearly a foot and a half above the stranger’s hulking animal mass. It was rude to stand in bipedal form in front a creature with only their animal, however Faaiz was not concerned about protocol he was concerned about strength and not looking weak. Standing there Faaiz silently challenged the canine to say that he was not capable of surviving on his own. Also, the act of dominance was a warning to the diamond that this ferret was not to be misunderstood.