As the sun started to make it's way down the horizon. Another day meeting it's end. Another day that the brute had survived. As black paws made their way down the bank of the river, the brute walked with his head held high. He was proud of himself. Against all odds he was alive and thriving. Every day that passed by, Newol grew stronger, smarter, wiser. He was a much sharper blade than he used to be. He liked it here in the East. Every day that went by he'd made himself a little more at home. He had met a lot of genuine souls sense he'd come here, and he'd been making good on his promise to leave things better than he found them. In short, Newol was happy with himself. He was sure that he'd finally figured out how to live. How to live with all the black and bad things that festered in his soul, all the hate and anger, and still be a good person at the end of the day. That was the thing. He'd never thought of himself as a good person before. Just, a person trying to survive. But now, now that his time had come and he'd had to pick a side, he'd made his choice. It wasn't an easy one that he'd made. But he was sure he'd made the right one.

So it was with a happy step that the young man walked along the bank as the sky turned to bright orange and pink as the sun found itself loosing it's grasp over the sky. He always liked this time of day. This and dawn. That was the thought that flooded his mind as he made his way along the bank. A bounce to his step as he walked with his head held high. Ears upright and a sway to his tail. A smile on his face as went. Dawn and Dusk where the two greatest times that there where because of what they stood for. Dusk represented the end of another day of struggling along. It meant that you'd made it to the end. And Dawn represented making it through the night, and meeting the sun again on the other side, because you weren?t promised tomorrow. Never. And with that in mind, Newol was determined to make it to tomorrow, and the day after that. And just keep living while he still had the chance for it.

It would take more than this to keep him down. Accept that it was pointless because his spirits couldn't be broken. He'd already made his mind up to that fact.

Light was fading to darkness, another day over, another day in this hellish world survived. Kau was breaking apart piece by piece. He walked through the twilight, a mountain of a wolf whose true happiness, sanity, was slipping from his grasp. But he wasn?t gone that deep, not yet. No... He had a while yet before he became as bad as the Blood Empress herself. Seeking company was no easy thing for the man, something she too started to struggle with, but at least the man desired it.

His eye, or rather the wound where it once had been, had been treated by some small, dainty healer. She had been willing enough to help him, easy enough to play her into his paws. For her aid Kau had decided to spare her. She was a submissive woman, one that knew her place in this world. As she had said ;; a simple healer. Kau could accept her he supposed. Something about her seemed to remind him of Avion... Perhaps that was the other reason he spared her. His heart ached for his once lover... Bringing out this chaotic side of him. What did he have left to truly live for?

The scent of another man would reach his nose, and Kau?s remaining purple orb would brighten at the smell. He felt a bit better than usual he supposed, up to company at least. Perhaps it could work out well for him if he played his cards right. Even if it was a single night... Sometimes even the darkest of monsters needed someone to hold. It was how his life had been shaped that made Kau into this beast. It was sad... But by being born the heir to such a large Empire he was not raised to know love. To know compassion. He knew strength. The strong survived, the weak were killed. It was how it had been.

But then there was Avion. A slave... Such a delicate and obedient male. Somehow he had captured Kau?s heart, digging right under those walls and guards. The only one Kau truly felt affections towards. The only one Kau would honestly give his life for. He had left the empire leaderless in time of war, after his own mother was murdered, for sake of getting Avion to somewhere where the Kedieo bloodline would not follow them. But this journey... It had, in the end, damned them all the same.

Kau?s gaze would fall on the male he scented, approaching him from behind. He held a lovely form, honestly, and a coat of a beautiful brown shade. He was typically a picky man with looks, though this one... He held the quality Kau searched for. Paws lead him on, clearing his throat as he spoke up. ?Would you mind terribly if another joined you?? His words, normally, when spoken this sweet, were feigned. But right now... Kau needed the company more than anything else. To make it through the night... He needed this.
"Speech"

The voice that met Newol's ears was a rather pleasant voice indeed. Casually he turned to face the new comer that had announced himself, always pleased to find company of a more up beat disposition than the other darker shades of character that Alacritis had to offer him. As he brought his scared maw around to meet the other, he was actually very intrigued by what he saw. He'd been witness to some rather interesting appearances in his time here, but this one was defiantly one of the more interesting ones he'd seen. This man was probably a close second to the most appealing wolf he'd ever met here, and that was the Queen of the Temptresses herself.

It was a shame really. Now that her tyranny was finally over, he missed her a little. She'd been a very important part of his life, the whole reason he'd ever grown up and become a man. The creature that Newol was now was because of her actions. And so he had her to thank for that. She'd been the driving force that made him a man. And he'd hated her. He'd hated her for every single thing she'd put him through. But one of the lessons he'd learned during his whole coming of age was that you can't hate something unless you love it. It wasn't something that could be explained. It was something that you just had to come to understand. It had taken him some time to come to peace with it all too. But he'd finally worked out most of his demons. Not defeated them, but, at least come to terms with them, understood them.

With a smile he offered a polite bow of his head to the interesting looking male, meeting his friendly voice with one of his own. "I wouldn't mind at all, my good sir." then, bringing his head back up to level, he proceeded to continue walking at a level and measured stride. This decently attractive male had gone out of his way to get Newol's attention, so Newol was inclined to let him take the first step. The brute was actually kind of interested in why this male would take an interest in him, so for now, he would just allow things to play out and see what was up.

The permission was granted by this green eyed male, the one Kau had sights set on. How the massive beast?s heart would shift with desire and thought, his single gaze taking in his face. The best feature of the man, certainly, lay in his facial structure and those orbs that sparkled as if they were emeralds set upon his face. The scarring upon his muzzle, too, held a unique beauty to it that Kau honestly liked the look of. A show that he could survive... As weakness was never something that the man particularly cared for. Kau would flash a smile of his own, one that was not overly eager, but truly showed how pleased he was to now be welcomed in the male?s company.

It was so much better when they welcomed you to their side... And sweeter still when you took them in a way that was normally sacred between lovers. That acceptance to be in the presence of the other lifted some of the mood Kau had, and he would fall into his nature, allowing himself the pleasure to enjoy the company of the brown male. The moment, it was what was most important and what he needed to live in after all. Should Kau get lucky, he thought, he may one day find himself in the company of such a man again. Perhaps this man... Able to fill the hole of his black heart.

?You are most kind. I thank you for this opportunity.? Kau would move to the side of the other, so close it was obvious he cared little for personal space. No... He desired to be close... And just close enough that their coats were barely avoiding touching each other. ?I?m afraid things have been rather lonely here in Alacritia, and seeing such a handsome male as yourself, I couldn?t resist asking, with a bit of hope, that I might be lucky enough to share in some company.? Lies mingled with truths. After all, this other man didn?t need to know everything.

?...and lucky I was indeed. My name is Kau, Kau Kedieo. May I have the pleasure of knowing your name?? Such smooth tones came from him, easily passing his lips. Kau was used to saying what he needed to in order to get what he wanted.
"Speech"

Something of a chuckle escaped the brutes maw at the man's response. He was being particularly charming, and it scent something of a thrill down Newol's spine. It had been a while sense anyone had been so charming to him. Infact he'd spent a good deal of time on much the opposite terms. Trying with all his heart to win the paw of a fare woman, if only for a night, many a time here in Alacritis. It was quite the challenging matter. Many times he'd tried, and many times he'd been turned down. All save for Avalon. Newol did believe in finding a soul mate, one he could latch himself on to as stay with until he was old and frail and blind with age, and eventually lay down and die beside. But he was not against the spur of the moment. And he'd never considered himself claimed yet. Again save for Avalon. Or the Queen. That woman could have at one point in time merely swayed her tail in his direction and he would have followed her just for the chance to smell her in season. But, that time had gone. And so circumstance had left him without a partner for a fair deal of time. So he could understand this man.

Of course, he wasn't quite sure what it was that had caused is shortage of luck, after all, Newol was a very good looking young male. He didn't boast, as that wasn't like him, but he still knew his heritage. He was of a painfully high pedigree for a Rouge. Great kings not even chapters, but mere pages back in his family history. And what of this brute beside him? His belt was certainly interesting, but goodness, he was huge. He attempting to casually eye the man up again out of the corner of his eye. Still curious as to what the brute's game was, but now having a pretty good guess. Newol betrayed nothing though, doing his best to simply appear casually. He wanted it to be clear that anything he gave up was by his own choosing, and that he was not witless.

So, with a smile he spook again in a cool, friendly tone. "That, I understand, friend. Genuine company seems something hard to please here these past few days." He tried to hint subtly with his words. Then the male introduced himself as Kau Kedio. The name was unfamiliar to Newol. And it was interesting. Kau. Kau was a fairly short, easy to pronounce name. Much like his own name. A name that Kau was now asking for, very gentlemanly to. So, who was Newol to deny him the curtsey. With a slight bow of his head, he introduced himself. "I am Newol Zaraidd, friend. A pleasure to meet you." He too was using a charming and smooth voice. Still fascinated by this male's interests in him. He was curious as to just how far this male's interests went.

Kau could not say for certain, but he had a feeling this male had a better idea of his intentions, or at least what he wanted, than he let on. Even if it did not lead to what he ultimately desired, if he could share fully in the company of another wolf, this wolf, for at least the night perhaps some of the ache might leave him. In the end it was loneliness and heartache that was killing the male. Funny how his mind was shifting gears... But it truly lead to show that broken side of the twisted male. Hell, it wasn?t truly his fault he was raised to be flawed. Yet it was he that would need to bear the consequence of each action. His eye spoke of that... Or rather what was left of it.



In the end... Kau marched down a path to Hell. When he got there would be seen... But it was his final destination in the end.



?Oh, just the past few days in your case?? Things were falling from act to more genuine itself. But Kau wouldn?t let his desperate feelings show. ?You must have quite the social skills then it would seem.? Perhaps a bit of jealousy behind those words, but it was hidden by one of a bit of amusement, single orb flicking back to the brown male at his side.



?Zaraidd... I can not say for certain, though that name does stick out some. It is likewise a pleasure to meet you, Newol.? Kau would flash a smile at him, keeping his level of charm on the up. ?At any rate you do seem an odd sort for a loner, if I must say so... And such a lack of company for both us up until this point. Such a shame... But as my brother always said, Lady Luck has an odd sense of humor to strike you when you least expect anything good.? His words might have been more lengthy this time, but Kau was throwing a bit more hint at the male. Or rather, exchanging them. It was like a little game... Who was going to be the one to be blunt to the other first?

"Speech"

Something about the way that Kau spoke, the subtle way that he hinted with his words in response to Newol's on. It confirmed his suspicions. Which only lead to increase his bewilderment that such an interest would be taken in him. Be it out of desperation or genuine want, he wasn't sure and tried to avoid putting too much thought into it because he understood both. He was who he was after all. There was a lot of pain and hate and anger in his family. To carry this blood inside you was to carry the ability to cling hard to your emotions. Your beliefs. It was who Zaraidds where. And it wasn't easy. No walk of life was easy. No walk was simple. Every member of his family was born with the potential to change the world. Mountain's of potential. But you had to understand your soul. You had to understand what your strongest emotion was. Because there laid your strength. You had to come to understand your most broken aspects and teach yourself to love them because it was part of being you, and if you couldn't love yourself you couldn't love. Newol knew what made him happy. He knew what made him feel alive. For him, it was Anger. And anger was a double edged sword, because if you didn't treat it properly, it turned into hate and consumed everything you where. And you became a monster. He was no monster. He walked a fine line, but he clung to himself. Then you had to learn to apply this emotion as a tool. And Newol used his anger to fuel his rebellious refusal to give up on the world. To give up on the belief that it was possible to leave it better than you found it.

And so, he was not blind. He could tell something festered in Kau. He could smell in on him. But he paid no mind because he was broken too. Everyone was. So for the time being, he didn't care what demons lay inside Kau. He just knew that for what every reason, his soul was searching for temporary peace. And he had to problems in offering that. Hell, was it not just as effective to pray with your enemies as it was to Fight with them? Forgiveness and retribution were not lost words on him. And if someone was kind, did it not make it easier to be kind in return? There where so many different ways to improve someone's outlook. And being given what you wanted had a calming effect on those used to having to take by force. So, Newol finally found himself in total agreement to the situation.

After all, Newol was alone too. And when you where alone, you saw to be with others. Others with some form of common ground. And being alone was a common ground. The brute could do for some brief and fleeting company himself. So with a grin just short of a joyous laugh, he took a bound forward, catching Kau's ear with a swing of his tail as he leaped. Then, spinning on his heels he faced the man with a calm smile. Again, he didn't give anything he didn't want to up. And at this particular moment he didn't care. It was something within his own interests too. With calm words, he spoke. "I am a odd loner, Kau. Your pretty strange too." Newol liked strange. He liked Personality. Variety. Flavor. They where the backbone on which change sat. The only things capable of breaking a vicious cycle. Finally, settling on his rump, he placed his tail on his paws. This was just a little outside his norm. Something strangely unfamiliar. But if he'd have been opposed he wouldn't have played this game for so long or so well. Finally he spoke again. "Well, Kau Kedio. I have to significant connections here anymore. In fact to the point where it's a wonder I've stayed. So I have no reason why my bed wouldn't be open to you." This was but a brief moment. A reminder that you carried a Soul. What Kau chose to do with it afterwards was his own decision.

Kau would give a nod at the statement Newol gave. "Perhaps so, my dear. But I was not always a loner. Just a bit of the sad part of life I slipped into. True enough. But perhaps it was better this way, in the long run. War was, in fact, quite messy business. As the one who wore the crown during that time things were just going to get even messier, wouldn't they? He had wanted to spare Avion from that. He had. But at the cost of losing him another way. Now here he was, and Kau, a man who believed all things happened for a reason, had to wonder what Newol would be to him.

The man would move alongside Newol, gently letting their coats brush against each other. Closing that space, Kau would gently nuzzle Newol's cheek, a loving caress. Lonely as he was, corrupted as he was, Kau still had some of his heart. Some of his righteousness within. The male would close his eyes, a gentle smile on his lips. "I thank you for that, Newol. Honestly I do." But Newol would be unable to save him in the end. His orb would open and Kau would give a gentle rub of his head on the other. Oh how he needed this. How he needed love. But for Kau... perhaps it was too late. He walked a dangerous path... and it would slip him further into corruption.

...To the point of no return.

"Let this night be to make memories." He would rumble, waiting to give the other a chance in things. It was odd for him... but... he was still there. Part of that more innocent wolf he once was.
"Speech"