An Unusual Escort

Endellion blinked, One of the being's eyes was blue the other brown in color, both showing signs of the female's intelligence. She had chosen an equine form as was her favorite, although she was once born a human she did not use it as often as she once did. The creatures forelock draped in front of those bright eyes as her head lowered taking in the scent of the earth before she let out a loud yelling neigh ears pinning back as a coyote ran across the path. The black beast lunged forwards biting into the coyote with clear dislike and shaking it before dropping it, it ran with a limp. She was to meet up with an escort somewhere near here and her pointed ears were pricked forwards as she moved up into a floaty trot. Curiously her head was held high and she was searching the area. It was a perfect form for finding people in, with great sense of smell and sight along with good hearing. She shook her head sending tendrils of mane flying and gave a slight jumping kick with stiff forelegs before slowing to a walk, no use in tiring herself after all.

The sky above was dark, and it was cold. Noah never liked the cold, and yet strangely, his flesh seemed to always be cold. He felt an ominous feeling tonigh'. Stepping down a road that seemed to wind at times and straight at others, he felt the breeze brush against him, lifting his dark hair of which possessed a white streak in it, ever so slightly. Noah had been exploring the lands of Aenied for awhile, and yet he felt something today. Something peculiar and different about today made him come here.

There were little light in the area, save for the limited amount provided by the stars 'bove. The small amounts of light made his skin appear pale, though he was really light olive-skin. Brushing a slender finger along his broad brow, he continued on. He had a huge leather bag pulled over his back. Noah seemed like a traveler, and maybe he kind of is one. A handsome traveler, then. He can live with seeming like that. Noah had on light blue denim, wrapping rather tightly around his hip, and then loosening up on his legs. The collar of his black-shirt blew in the breeze, and Noah'd push his bangs out of his face. He sniffed the air, and lifted a hand to rub against his squared-jaw. How strange. He's walked for so long, and there still isn't a place to shelter in...And Noah had no intentions of camping out in the dark, for he was not fond of it, at all.

-The large horse pricked its ears forwards as it heard someone walking not far from her. The shape shifter figured it was likely the one that was supposedly sent to guide her, although it was possible it was not... She bounded forwards with light but powerful steps, head lowering at the sight of the pale skinned male. Blowing air swiftly in a snort she slowed by him, able to see quite well in the darkness, at least in this form. Had she been in her human form she would have had a much rougher time seeing what she was doing and where she was going. Extending her nose to take in the beings scent she bounced away about a foot as any horse might when nearing a stranger, although this horse was much different than most in body type, so she was sure it would be obvious who, and what she was.-

Noah jumped at the sight of a massive horse beside him. He stared at it in shocked silence for a moment, and then started to step closer. The horse was sniffing him! Noah thought for a moment, and then leaned towards its neck, sniffing abit aswell. ...Hey, it was just basic manners. An arm lifted, with his gloved-hand reaching out for the creature's back, patting.

It looked... different than most horses he's seen. Different colored eyes? White eyelashes? And man, it's huge. Noah, being around 5'7 in height, was barely taller than it. He stared into its eyes, and whispered, "I'm Noah.”...He's not even sure if it understood him.

Tonight was his slow night. His thinking slower than normal compared to his usual quick-witted self and... He’s definitely friendlier than normal, aswell.

She was not surprised by the jumping although she blinked as the pale one leaned forwards and sniffed her, she hadn't thought about it but she likely had that horsey scent any natural horse would have. One ear cocked backwards and the other swiveling forwards as she kept her sight on the male, one of the muscles involuntarily twitching at her withers as the gloved hand touched her back she shifted placing one hoof out a foot in front of her and bending the other at the knee and lifting it under her before lowering her body and head in a graceful bow when she heard him tell his name, it was good manners to do so after all.

Raising up she lowered the fore hoof back to the ground and shook her head slowly as a moth lighted upon the tip of one ear. She waited and watched him in a expectant way, after all, he introduced himself to a horse, he must be the right person.

While he observed the horse's behavior, he thought to himself, I must be going insane, talking to a horse and sniffing it. But it seems so intelligent, almost humane. Noah glanced up at the sky, and a part of him wanted to shiver. It was getting chillier by the moment, and he feared that soon, darkness would engulf the territory. He hated the dark. They must find shelter, as soon as possible. Or else ... Well, when Noah's put in the dark, the outcomes are rarely, almost never, good.

"Do you know where I can find shelter?”... He must be losing his mind. Noah was known for being rude and haughty to people, especially women. Noah held a fierce grudge against women in general. He rarely came near animals, but when he did ... well, he treated them better than he would humans. But perhaps this was the only way to find shelter. He can’t hope to just keep walking, with no idea what leads ahead.

Her ears twitched as she watched him, he seemed to be a fairly quiet man, although with someone who couldn't talk to she figured she would be quiet too.And although she had a thick layer of fur in this form she could feel the chill in the air and although it was too dim to see, fine wisps of steam rose off of her heated back and softer white clouds left her nostrils each time she exhaled such large breaths of air as her lungs held. Both ears pricked up at the sound of his voice and she paused then let out a soft low grunt before shakeing her head and giveing him a look as if to say 'YOU should be the one to know that sort of thing.'

She considered perhaps this foolish human was not the one that was saposed to escort her, if not then where the bloody hell was the man!? She had waited at the crossroads some time before she continued on, figuring perhaps she got the wrong spot. With a very audible sigh she gave him a sidelong glance before she stretched her legs far in front of her and lowered her back so it there was only a foot of space between her chest and the earth. Indeed shelter would need to be found, and she would rather have company than naught. Even if she thought it was odd company, perhaps this person would know a nearby area if she were to get there quickly, probably not... But it was worth a shot and so, she offered him to sit astride her back and sholders.

Noah blinked, surprised at the creature's intelligent mannerisms. He would assume this is a wild horse, considering it came out of nowhere with no owners. Do wild horses often allow people to ride them out of their own free will? He didn't think so. Today must be his lucky day... though a part of him doubted that. Throughout his life, he hasn't had much luck. This could just be another of fate's cruel twists to throw his life off, just as he started to gain some sort of equilibrium. Then again, he could just be pessimistic.

But if this was the only chance to find shelter, so be it. Noah climbed onto the horse, and placed his chilly palms against its back firmly, feeling the heat from its flesh. Though he was behaving strangely tonight, he still had that domineering air about him that provoked others to follow his orders. He leaned down slightly to whisper into the creature's ear, "Forward, quick."

They must go as fast as they can, or else...or else darkness would envelope them, thus leaving no chance to find shelter later.

Another large breath exhaled, leaving what might have looked like smoke to pour from her nose once more, she was allowing time to consider but she was impatient and nearly about to stand and make the man walk when he finally sat astride her back, She stood, likely a strange feeling moving up so fast without going forwards.She could feel the chill of hands upon her back and and one ear flicked back, she was going to try to give him time to steady himself when she heard the words, forward and quick, This brought out a snort as if she were saying 'you get what you ask for.' And with that her ears pressed back and she sprung forwards, the weight upon her back felt as though it were little.

She was only in a fast trot, making sure he would not fall before she increased her speed to a gentle, but fast lope. It was no wonder humans rode horses, after all she was not a horse just taking on one's form and it was little problem for her to move so swiftly. She had heard of people running horses to death though and she would stop well before then, and even dump this man, Noah, if need be. Luckily her back was broad and nearly as easy for one to sit upon as a saddle and it would take many minutes running hard to start sweating. Tossing her head softly and letting out a softer snort that blew white breath into the air like smoke as she ran

They were racing over the earth. Noah could hear the stomping noise as the horse carried him forward. He had good balance, but had limited experience with animals, as mentioned previously. He kept his back straight thought, for he believed himself a dignified man…though often times, he would appear haughty. Not that he minded that much, of course.
Within minutes, he saw a circle of lights ahead. Glad that this creature had assisted him, he knew that if he had walked, he wouldn’t have made it here nearly as quick. Noah pressed his heel gently into the horse’s side, calling out a steady, “Stop.” As they reached the illuminated town up ahead.
“Down.” Noah had the habit of making practically everything he says out to be an order. But that’s just the way he is. Waiting for the horse to lower him, he glanced around at the people that stepped out of their peaceful homes to watch his appearance.

She saw the lights ahead and her ears pricked forwards, good she would be able to get a nice room in out of the cold. She felt his heels in her side, although gentle to a human she could feel a fly land anywhere on her, and heard the order In response she let out a light squeal before she slid to a halt, her butt dropping several inches as she slid on the road at least two feet. Her ears were pinned backwards and her nostrils wrinkled in protest at what he had done. She however did now lower herself once again but instead stood there, she would let him slide off. She did not take orders and was not going to start now. She had been fairly patient but she felt she would draw the line at having someone put pressure on her sides.

Noah slid off slowly, careful to not fall. Brushing the hair from his eyes, he slipped silently into a building, of which he knew was a tavern of sorts. He had a brief conversation with the owner, then slipped out. He glanced around, and found the horse still there. He had settled for a place that they would rest. All would be well, at least, for tonight it will be.

He led the horse towards the back of the tavern, where a stable was. Pushing the door open, Noah stood there observingly, "You can go in if you want. I won't force you. I think it safest there."

With that said, Noah turned and headed into the tavern. He chose a room that allowed him a clear view of the stables. It had helped him. The very least, it deserves his watchful eye and protection, until it decides to leave. ... Once again, Noah thought of how silly he was being. He was treating it as if the creature had a human mind.

She watched him go although she did not enter, She stood out there letting her body cool down in the chilly air first, her head was lowered and one hind hoof rested on toe of it. After she felt nice and cool and the steam lifting into the air was back to a small amount she began to shift her form, Her form took on a glassy shimmer and she flexed ungloved fingers. Shaking her head some to get the longest of the dark locks away from her mismatched colored eyes. She was fairly tall, of course being a shape shifter she was as about as tall as she wanted to be. Her skin was fair in appearance although it held a healthy glow, She was clothed, wearing a thick jacket over a sweater and some thick cotton pants and leather boots.

She moved into the tavern.. It was a soft sigh that passed her rosy lips "It probably is safer in the stable as a horse." She murmured before turning and entering the tavern, She bought a room for the night and headed up, having soup and a hot glass of tea being brought up to her. Endellion smiled as she fell onto the bed, the sheets and pillows felt great.

He was at the window upstairs, changing. Shirt taken off, Noah glanced over himself in the mirror. Scars of all sorts marked his toned body, and he tossed his bag on the ground. At that moment, Noah stepped up to the window and peered out towards the stables. The horse was gone, and the stable left open. It must've left. Noah shook his head to himself. Perhaps it was for the best. Better in the wild than being tamed and manipulated by these pathetic creatures called humans.

Yet a part of him wondered when he'd see that creature again. He remembered the mismatched eyes, and white eyelashes. Noah knew that throughout his life, he rarely treated anyone with true respect. He didn't like people, period. To be honest, he almost hate women, not that he'd really ever explain why. It was no one's business but his own. That horse had seemed so intelligent. He almost missed it.

How strange it is indeed, that Noah would miss a wild creature, and not a human, one of his own kind. But if it's gone, nothing can be done. He just hoped for the best. Noah turned and fell into bed, letting his dreams carry him away, to another reality.

She sat up as she herd the knock and stood, opening the door and taking the tray she sat it on the corner of the bed and sat by it before picking up the spoon. She dipped the spoon into the bowl before bringing the broth to her mouth, It felt as though it filled her with warmth.after the first bite all manners were forgotten and she downed the bowl and the tea brought to her.

She sat the tray aside and undressed, Her eyelashes were just as snowy white in this form as the last, the blue eye just as light in color as before and the brown was just as deep in color. She laid down and sighed, falling asleep. It was in the morning that she awoke, feeling refreshed. She was not hesitant to lightly bound down the stairs, although she had not gotten strange looks the night before her odd eye color brought rumors of the guest having blindness in one eye which she was used to.

Noah slept well. He had dreams. He may not like his reality, but at least he'd have his dreams. Some say that without dreams, you are nothing. For Noah, it is absolutely true. Without his dreams, he would truly be nothing. He saw that woman again. He felt so dear to her, yet...so far, in the physical sense. But he felt close to her nonetheless. It's difficult to describe, really. He heard her sweet, gentle voice in his ear, whispering kind words to him. Kind words that no other human being would ever say to Noah.

He whispered the words to himself, "We are so far, yet I feel you so near. I need not lift a finger, and I feel you here." Shaking his head, Noah pulled on a tight-fitting white shirt, and dark trenchcoat. After washing, he manuevered downstairs.

He was not the type that'd pay attention to rumors, and yet he was exceptionally sharp today. Words of all sorts zoomed around, and Noah heard about a blind girl. He sat at the table towards the far corner downstairs, eating breakfast, and listening to all this imprudent gossip. How foolish of these people.

Endellion pulled her jacket around her form, murmuring softly to herself "I'm far too used to warm fur.." Long black strands shifted as her previously ordered breakfast was brought to her. She blinked as all the silverware and her cup had been placed on one side of the plate. Her lips curving downwards in a frown at this. Although the intentions were good she was irritated by this. "I'm not blind." She spoke in a calm voice and moved everything to the correct position. Why was it people loved to gossip about her odd eyes, she had already heard whispers that she was blind in both eyes not just one, and people speculating how it got that way.

As she looked around the room she saw Noah sitting at a table and smirked softly before she turned away and picked at her food a bit before eating it, it would not be long before someone stranger came in and gossip was spread about that person. Of course now that she knew the one meant to guide her was apparently missing she sighed, she would likely end up lost before she got to her destination. She kept an curious eye on the man from last night, he did not really seem anything unusual, save for the fact that he would get on a possibly wild and dangerous horse.

Noah was a fast eater. Back when he was a kid, he remembered his guardians had forced him to eat slow, and appear ... more dignified. They wouldn't tolerate it whenever he misbehaved, whether he did it purposely or not. Now that he's an adult, and a lone traveler, he didn't care what others thought of him. Manners at the table's a trivial matter to him now.

So he finished his breakfast quickly, ready to leave. He swung the bag over his wide-shoulder, and turned to glance around. That was when Noah's eyes fell on the girl that he knew everyone else was talking about. For a moment, the girl seemed familiar to him. Where had he seen her before? Noah stared hard at her for a few minutes, espicially at her eyes. She must be the one that practically everyone is gossiping about. But that didn't matter to him. Something about her reminded him of someone, or something...

Making up his mind that he had free time to spare, he stepped up to the girl and placed his bag down on her table. Noah usually avoided strangers. He lacked skills to converse with people he didn't know. But he just had to know who she was, and why she seemed so familiar to him.

-She felt like someone was watching her, she stiffened slightly as she ate, she often ate fairly fast, she did slow herself down a bit when in public though. She jabbed softly at some of the egg with her fork before finally putting it in her mouth and eating it. She figured when she left she would take on the equine form once more and travel that way, upon her own swift hooves she was often faster the the most fleet of riders. She continued to think of this as she sat there, absent mindedly putting another bite of egg in her mouth, about that time a bag descended upon the table.

She jerked slightly in surprise and lifted her eyes to the face of the man, "N-" She started to question him simply asking his name but stopped herself, most people were a bit unnerved by her unusual ability's. "G-Good morning?" She spoke with the softest of stuttering as she reminded herself until he introduced himself with her in this form not to mention his name. Her eyes were quite obviously not blind, both focusing upon him as white and black eyelashes lead the way for her to blink in some surprise. "You can pull up a chair and sit here if you want to?" She offered him and smiled softly.

Deep orbs peered down at the girl under his own curly eyelashes. Sitting down opposite her, Noah placed his palm flat against the wooden table with a thump noise. He kept staring at her, espicially her eyelashes now. Why is it that this girl seemed to remind him of something? Where had he seen those white eyelashes?

Then he realized that he had sat down, and never said much of a word. He started to speak, though his voice was much quieter and cracked than it was when he spoke to the horse the previous day, "...What is your name?" It had seemed rather curt of him to ask a question like that, but he didn't really notice.

His slender fingers messed with the zipper of his trench-coat idly. Noah's mind was racing, but it didn't seem to go anywhere. He couldn't answer the questions that he had in his mind. This dissatisfied Noah immensely. Maybe she would be able to provide him an adequate, and satisfying answer, for when Noah has his mind on something, it often fails to escape him.

How horrible it would to scare him by her knowing his name, he already seemed to be unable to place his finger on something. She watched him for several moments, wondering if he had placed the connection with the horse and herself yet, figuring that was what was bothering him so much, she continued to smile for a few moments before taking a bite of toast. She herd his voice, and his question although she took a sip of her water before she spoke "Endellion." She smiled once more, She remembered having been told her name's meaning by her father 'fire's soul.' It couldn't have been much more fitting for the woman's blood and temper ran hot most days. "What about your own... What is it?"

She remembered clear enough of her father, the blue eyed woman that was her mother had died giving birth to her. Her father always had looked at her funny, like he just couldn't place his finger on something, she had always figured it was if he was her true father or not, for his eyes were not brown, but green. In fact no one in her family that he knew of had brown eyes that she might had received one from nor ability's to change their form like herself, or any magical ability's for that matter. It became apparent in the later of her years growing up that she was not his child, for she did not have her mothers rougher looks, but more feminine features. She smiled as she then spoke " Hey, You wouldn't happen to know where we are would you? I was supposed to meet up with a guide some time ago but he never showed up yesterday."

The woman was smiling at him, and being friendly. It seems as if most people around here are quite friendly, excluding himself. At her question, his mind worked. His name? "Noah." He had no idea why it was given to him. It just kind of ... was. It's been with him since the day of his pitiful birth. His last name belonged to the family he was given to. Those thoughts made him shake inside, with a fierce anger. Noah shoved them aside.

"Do I look like a tour guide?" Noah's rude, sarcastic self was back. This is how he would treat most people. No wonder people avoided him whenever they can. He would often reside at the Meeting Houses of the Aenied council. Though the council people have to work with him, most disliked the idea. Rather, they disliked him and his haughty self. He had a habit of snapping at people, most likely because he hoped that by doing so, they'd leave him alone to his pessimistic thoughts. Though...perhaps another part of himself wished for something else. He didn't know what it was, exactly.

"What're you doing here if you don't know where you're going?" Noah eyed the girl closely. Not only did he had a thing against people, he had a huge grudge against women. This would be rather ... unfortunate, for this poor girl. What can be blamed though, but Noah's past? It couldn't be helped.

-She smiled "Nice to meet you Noah." she spoke in a plesent tone, it was when he spoke his next sarcastic question that she took on a look of surprise "nn.." Her oddly colored eyes narrowed before she spoke her own reply" Apparently your nothing of the sort since you couldn't find your own way here!" She then took on an irritated look, she had not meant to say something that would send his poor little head spinning into confusion. She took that moment to stuff the rest of her toast in her mouth.

She did not answer his next question but instead downed the toast with a swallow of water, nearly choking on it trying to get it down. She sighed and leaned back in her chair, she figured perhaps he would not remain snappy, he had seemed plesent enough before. "What are you doing here anyways? in this area? Passing threw as well I take it?" She smiled once more although not quite as cheerful as before, it was forced a forced cheerfulness... She was watching him as she sat there, of course it couldn't be any worse than his out right staring in her opinion. Almost anyone would be unnerved by such a hard stare.-

Noah's expression was blank as he watched her reactions and heard her strange words. How did she know that he couldn't find his own way here? He can’t remember having seen her until now, though she did seem abit familiar. But it was amusing indeed, with her mannerisms that betrayed just how irritated she was. Then she choked. Noah almost laughed inside.

He leaned forward some to place his fingertips together, resting his elbows on the top of the wooden table, "I travel. How unfortunate it is that the towns are so far apart. I would've had to camp outdoors last night, if I didn't get some help." Noah noticed her fake cheerfulness, and continued staring at her in that observant way of his.

"You seem upset." He wasn't even sure why he said that. It was just like Noah to make a random, but rather accurate statement like that.

-She frowned at him as he spoke "so in other words your scared of the dark?" She muttered and then leaned to one side, having finished her breakfast she finished her tea off as well, it had nearly saved her her from the toast, bitter as the morning tea was. She blinked as she heard him say she was upset. "Never ye mind that. Its just because.. ahh never ye mind it." she told him and smiled softly before she stretched her arms back behind her head "Hrrn.. I guess I'll keep going in the direction I was going..." she murmured more to herself than him and then said as she started to stand "Oh, By the way.. That horse that let you ride on it last night.. Was me. It wasn't quite a horse."

She stood there watching him for a moment then smiled "Sorry, Probably hearing that makes you quite freaked out. But I'm rather surprised you didn't at least come to some sort of noticing similarities.."