Dark paws would propel her gracefully over the eastern terrain, she was doing well to memorize the lands around her home. This particular exploration would bring her about a place of a bit more treachery, the underground labyrinth was an absolute maze. Rhythm would spend a lot time outside the entrance debating about entering the threshold. Her lithe form would sway on her paws, obviously undecided on her plans. Dark chocolate backed ears would swivel back and forwards, trying to gauge her danger situation from the outside. Her tail would hang limply at her hips as her curiosity would begin to overcome the caution. Ever so slowly she would step within the crypt. ""

"I don't know if I would do that, if I were you." Standing outside the crypt, the massive brute rested his gaze lazily on the fae's form. He watched as she was consumed in darkness, the chocolate tones adorning her person making the disappearing act easy. Valentine watched but made no move to follow. The crypt was a dangerous place and bodies of the fallen littered its passageways. It was all too easy to enter, but nearly impossible to escape. "Many creatures go in, but few come out." He quirked a brow, amusement lightening his features. "But if you are intent on going in, perhaps you'd like a guide?" She sought adventure, he was sure of it. Who else would go into such a place? If she was seeking a thrill, what could be more daring than venturing into the darkness with a stranger? "Speaking" -- "Thinking"

The words that reached her ears were deep and held a warning that she found she would not ignore. Lithe frame would stop its slow progression as she lifted her head and swivel it back towards the voice she?d heard. She hadn?t even realized he?d been standing there, and she realized very much she?d need to keep herself guarded better. Still, she didn?t feel much threat from this massive wolf, but she knew to be careful around strangers. Petite paws would turn her around and she would sneak back into the light. Bright bicolored eyes would rest upon his features as his deep voice would continue. His warning would try to send a shiver down her spine as she began to rethink her decision to enter this hallowed ground. What she would not expect was his suggestion of a guide. She?d bring herself halfway out of the entrance, her features curious as she watched him for only a moment before her own words would spill from chocolate lips. "Are you offering?" Her head would tilt a little to the side curiously, did he really know his way around these crypts? ""

She crept into the light once more, the all consuming darkness of the crypt reluctantly slipping from her person. She asked him question and he shrugged, massive shoulders rising and falling quickly. Valentine's lips quirked up in an amused smirk before sugary words slipped free of velvety lips. "I am." Mock chivalry painted his features as he slipped a forelimb forward and slid into a low bow. "Valentine Ghilain at your service." Still bowing, he tipped his head to the side so he could peer up at her, his upturn lip raising higher in a lopsided smile. Would she take him up on his offer? Weenie out and go on her merry way? He was dying to know. "Speaking" -- "Thinking"

Her eyes would find themselves lingering on his form with ease, his handsome features on display as he would calmly answer her question. He seemed so dark and mysterious, deep vocals would draw her in, curious about this man as he introduced himself. He?d position himself in a bow before her, a crooked smile playing at his features that she could not resist. The corners of her own lips would pull back and echo his smile, finding herself unable to decline his offer. She?d refrain from letting herself giggle like a love struck pup, nodding slightly before offering her own name. "Thank you, Mr. Ghilain." She?d back herself up just a bit as she turned her body slight, becoming perpendicular to him instead of head on. "I?m Rhythm Destruction, and I?ll be taking you up on that offer." She would nod again as she sealed the deal and made the plunge. She was going to explore a dangerous dark cave with a complete stranger. For a moment she wondered if this would be one of her better decisions. ""

It was surprisingly easy to convince her to take him up on his offer. He'd expected hesitation, some uncertainty, but as far as he could tell, she had no reservations. It was just as well, he wasn't going to complain...although this did mean he wasn't going to get a chance to practice his smooth talking. Nah, he still wasn't going to complain. She was beautiful and they were going into a scary place. There would be plenty more opportunities to show off. He was sure of it. "Alright, Miss Rhythm," he straightened, "Follow me." Without a second glance he was off, trotting into the darkness nonchalantly. Once he was swallowed in shadows, Valentine spun on his heels to stare out into the open. She put on a bold face, but would she really follow a strange brute into the dark? "Speaking" -- "Thinking"

There wasn?t much that scared Rhythm, she felt fear in small amounts. Now, she didn?t feel threatened by the tall man, nor did she heed any cautionary thoughts that might have flitted about within her brain. She was already sure she wanted to explore the crypts, it didn?t take much convincing for her to accept a guide. He was pleasant enough anyway, tall, dark, with handsome features. There were worse companions to find she was sure. Though one thought did find its way to her mind as she crossed over the threshold. Motif?s recent run in with a similarly described man would cause Rhythm the slightest bit of caution as she followed him inside.
He would waltz inside, her graceful form following after. Her features were held aloft as she watched him turn back towards her, his broad chest very much still visible in the dimming light. She would draw more near to him, not wanting to become separated and lost like he?d warned about. "I?m ready for the grand tour," her voice would echo delicately as she looked up into his bright eyes. She was curious about what he could show her.


"Speech"
'thoughts'

Her words brought a smirk to his lips. Really, there wasn't much down there but endless tunnels and the occasional corpse. But...perhaps he could frighten her yet? Faking chivalry, he dipped his head once more. "As you wish." With that he turned once more and ghosted further into the darkness. Setting a slow pace Valentine moved carefully as his eyes adjusted to the darkness. As soon as his night vision set in, his stride became more languid and sure. His ears moved constantly, swiveling rapidly to take in every sound that came his way. The last thing he wanted to do was run into a wall or faceplant in front of the beautiful Rhythm. Before him the tunnel split into two equally dark and damp passages. Nothing really stood out about either; as far as Valen was concerned, one was as unappealing as the other. Stalling as he made up his mind, the brute asked, "So, tell me, Miss Rhythm, what brings you to these parts? These caves aren't exactly the most appealing of places." That one. He chose the tunnel to the left, gliding down the gritty path with confidence. "Speaking" -- "Thinking"

He?d easily find a smirk adorning his features as Rhythm finished her statement, he?d accept easily showing her a hint of gentlemanly manners. Her own lips would turn up into a girlish smile as he?d dip his head and turn eager to lead her down the path. His pace would start rather slow as their eyes would slowly adjust to the darkness. It would only take a few turns before her eyes would become completely useless. Her other senses would become all the more important. She?d keep her shoulder in line with his hips, finding it hard to keep their bodies totally separated as they walked down the chilled halls. She?d occasionally shift into him accidentally, and hoped he wouldn?t mind her missteps. She hadn?t quite noticed that they were travelling in silence until she?d hear his voice mix with the natural sounds of the crypt. She?d find her mind focusing on the question instead of the decision he would make. "Knowledge, Mister Valentine." She?d whisper as they continued on, "Those that have seen many places tend to know many things." She?d let out a bell like chuckle, "Not that I have seen many places." For a moment she would go silent before returning her attention back to him, a late thought brimming. "And you? How do you know these caves so well? What brings you here?" Hopefully they wouldn?t be complete strangers by the time he had led her out of the maze. ""

The fae's voice would dip to a whisper and without realizing it, Valentine's volume lowered to match hers. The walls around them amplified each sound made and the quietness of it all gave the atmosphere an intimate feeling, as if they were the only two souls in existence. Occasionally her steps would carry her too close to him and he'd be reminded of her nearness--a reminder that was not unwelcome. The wisdom in her answer surprised him. He'd expected something a bit more playful and a bit less thoughtful. "Then you honor me with the opportunity to escort you." Valentine's toes brushed something laying across his path and he halted mid step. Massive neck craned out, nostrils twitching as he investigated the roadblock. The smell of decay swept over him, and while he couldn't tell what it had once been, he knew what it would be forever more: a corpse. He skirted the badly decomposed remains, tossing a comment over his shoulder as he did so. "Step lively." Now, onto her question. "Honestly?" He inquired, not giving or even expecting a response before continuing, "I get bored." Valentine's shoulders rose and fell in a shrug Rhythm probably couldn't see. "It's not often that I come back to a place, but there's many opportunities to fail here. I like the challenge." And the risk. "Speaking" -- "Thinking"

She had never been bothered by quiet places, more so she encouraged the practice. She hadn?t tried to quiet the atmosphere but she would find that she could not deny its pleasantness. Silence would bring the pair closer, even more so than their physical positions. Thoughts would flitter again to her sister, and the words they?d exchanged upon her arrival home from the south. Rhythm had never shared such close proximity with anyone outside her family. The realization of such a milestone would cause a flutter of nervousness within her stomach she wished to ignore. His words would help nothing, as his chivalrous tone put a shy smile on her face. Still she?d also notice that he?d speak no qualms with her touch, though she?d still be careful not to invade his space on purpose. This task would prove almost impossible as he stopped quite suddenly. Cobalt and chocolate fur would mingle before his warning was given, once again regaining the distance as he led her around the misplaced remains. Easily he?d flow into answering her question, honestly, as he put it. He?d admit that it was more of a challenge for his underworked mind. She could see the reward in that reason as well. She was sure he must have come exploring here many times to have learning his way around, for a moment she wondered where he might be leading her. Was there another exit? WOuld they eventually double back and come out the way they came in? And even better question she?d ask herself was whether she would trust him, or ask his plans. For a long few moments she would continue on behind him, matching his pace easily. "What?s the longest amount of time you?ve stayed down here?" She?d offer the question again, her voice still delicate upon the air. ""

Several seconds of silence followed on the heels of his statement. In the resounding quiet that followed, Valentine became very aware of just how noisy they were. Each quiet exhalation, each soft footfall, was as loud in this crypt of silence as thunder. At least that's how his ears processed it. He was also aware of their proximity, every bump, every accidental nudge, seared into his flesh with white hot sensitivity. Rhythm was the first to break the silence, her whispered question rushing to him in a quiet symphony of echos. It pulled a soft laugh from him as he remembered (with a certain amount of terror) his first time. "The first time I came down here I was lost for well over a day." He shrugged again, forgetting once more that the gesture was probably lost on her. "That's actually why I came back. I hate the idea of leaving a puzzle unsolved." "Speaking" -- "Thinking"

The place was indeed impossibly quiet, surely there were no other souls but the two of them. She?d listen to the deep breaths that would fill his lungs, though she wasn?t sure she could hear his heartbeat over her own. The proximity was making her blush, and she would thank the heavens that they were surrounded in darkness. His voice would not help this nervousness in her belly either, the more he said the more she wanted to hear him speak. Her mind would spin, trying to think of more questions for him. His answer would poetically reach her dark ears, she?d try to keep from swooning as they continued on the path. Had he eventually solved it? She hoped so, she wanted to get back into the sunlight someday. Before she could ask one of her many questions dark paws would find themselves stumbling over a loose body part. She?d squeak as she went toppling over into Valentine?s general direction, surely colliding with him due to the close proximity. ""

The smell of decay once again reached his nose but Valentine, being indifferent to death and its by-products, merely lengthened his stride and stepped over what little of the corpse blocked his path. He was so desensitized to it that he remained absorbed in his memories and forgot to point it out to Rhythm. Her stumble into him caught him completely by surprise. The squeal she made as she touched the corpse was enough to draw his attention, but not enough to clue him into what was happening. Her weight, though far inferior to his own, was enough that when coupled with his surprise and her positioning succeeded in forcing him to the ground on the opposing hip. Unless Rhythm acted quickly, it was likely that she'd follow him to the ground, possibly even landing on top of him. Valentine allowed his lower half to pivot on the ground (his back limbs rolling to the side occupied by Rhythm) so that the force of his fall dissipated along his frame. For a moment he was silent as he took in what had happened. When it all made sense he laughed, the sound booming off the walls around them and surrounding them in mirth. "Speaking" -- "Thinking"

She?d feel herself falling, and too disoriented to catch her flailing body she?d feel herself collide into the massive frame that was Valentine. She?d feel him give way beneath her as she followed him to the earth helplessly. Cushioned pretty much completely by his fall she?d feel herself being propped up by the warm man beneath her, and for a moment she wouldn?t move. The sound of his booming laugh would shake her out of the surprised stupor and she?d sit silently again, afraid that his laugh was at her. However the sound would not make her feel bad for tripping, but would lead her to see the humor in the situation and she too would find herself giggling rather exuberantly. That was until she realized she was still atop him. Surely she was hardly a burden to the giant man, still she realized her mistake and her laugh would be cut off short, blood rushed to her face as the mistake took hold in her mind. The worst part was that she found herself unusually comfortable perched upon him. Hurriedly she would release him, with as clumsy a movements as she?d ever mustered the girl would find herself on the cold stone once more. "I?m so sorry," she?d apologize, mostly for perching upon him for much too long, but also for knocking him down. Though he laughed she was sure that he would be getting tired of her rather clumsy presence by now. ""

Not surprisingly, Rhythm felt as light as a feather. Valentine could find nothing intolerable about her weight on his side, instead, he readily accepted it. He was confident in his person, his looks and personality, the sum of his being, really, and thus, comfortable in nearly every situation. How could he possibly complain with a lovely fae perched atop him? Her laughter cut off suddenly, but the brute's own mirth would ebb away slowly, devolving into a low chuckle and then silence as he regarded her curiously. She sounded embarrassed, an assumption that amused him almost as much as her laying across him did. Rhythm's side was warm against his, her fur meshing with his own in an odd, yet not unpleasant, way. Valentine wasn't the least bit put off by her closeness. He chuckled at her apology, thoroughly amused by it. "No need to apologize, Miss Rhythm, none at all." She got off of him, leaving behind a rapidly cooling (and very disappointing) spot on his side. He was slow to rise, the reason for his unwillingness not immediately understood by him, but there nonetheless. "I've had loads of accidents befall me." He shrugged. "That was far, far from the worst." "Speaking" -- "Thinking"

She?d feel a flutter in her breast as she stepped away from his dark form, though she was very much embarrassed at the sudden contact she couldn?t deny the enjoyment of the close contact. The only time she?d spent with the opposite sex had been her brothers, she was very much at a loss at how she should be acting. Of course she knew to mind her politeness, but when it came to more physical demeanor she knew running into wolves was far from being pleasant company. She could hardly even think about what he thought of her now. She? listen as his laugh died off slowly, she almost found the quiet unbearable now. She was ashamed of her clumsiness as much as she was about how much she found she enjoyed their tumble. Relieved to hear the soft chuckle break through the dark silence, still she?d try and decide if he was laughing at her. Though he dismissed her apology and she?d feel herself let out a breath she hadn?t known she was holding. She didn?t care what other wolves thought of her, but for some reason she would worry over what the massive brute would think of her. He too would eventually stand again, or at least she would decipher the sound of movement that way as he explained his run ins with accidents. At least she wasn?t the worst of them. "Well," She?d start quietly, almost unsure how she was going to continue, "Then I?m not sorry." She?d confess honestly, the hint of her now more amused smile riding on her features. She liked the close contact, which felt so odd, she never touched anyone that was not her family. ""

"Well," came her whispered voice, "Then I'm not sorry." He could hear the smile in her tone. "Oh, you're not, are you?" He teased, his tone light and breathy as a plan began to form. "That's not a very nice way to treat your guide." Valentine's nose lifted as he scented the air. He was familiar with this stretch of tunnels. They wove among one another, joining and diverging in a seemingly random way. "Perhaps..." He took a silent step away from her, testing the ground for its willingness to hide his footfalls. "Since you are so, so rude..I should just leave you..." His smile grew devious and in a second he was gone, disappearing down one of the crypt's many passageways. Of course he wasn't going to leave her there to die. His chivalry may have been in jest, but that didn't make him heartless. No, he'd wait until she was good and afraid and then come back. It was a game, a prank, and while it was indeed in poor taste, in the end, it was simply a tease. "Speaking" -- "Thinking"

She'd find that he was quick to respond, his voice similar in tone to her own as he would seem almost surprised at her answer. She wouldn't notice the movements his large frame was making as he would begin his prank. She was hanging on his words as he led her on, quietly commenting on the rude angle she'd taken. She'd find herself smiling, thinking he was just musing when his presence would completely disappear from her. For a moment she would stand completely still, her eyes wide and her breathing practically stopped as her ears swiveled slightly for any sound he might make, but there was only silence. Her whole experience would be turned upside down as she felt the fear crash in around her. She'd feel a whine slip from her throat as she waited for Valentine to reappear, or at least for a sound to come to her. There was nothing though, "Mister Valentine?" She'd whisper, the uncertainty and fear would make the soft sound crack as another whine would leave her throat. She was very much out of her element, and as the disappearance was so sudden her head would not work properly. She wouldn't think to follow the scent trail back as panic welled up within her breast. Another fearful sound would fall from her lips, the intensity of them increasing as she tried to hear her thoughts over the sound of her own heartbeat. Taking in deep breaths she'd try to calm herself, but would find that she was closer to hyperventilating. "Oh, please come back." She'd whisper as she found her legs curling beneath her, apparently it was better to stay where she was than start finding her own way out. ""

Slinking through the tunnels like a criminal on the run, Valentine's mood was elated. He was rather pleased with himself. It was a rotten thing to do, sure, but he couldn't help the amusement that threatened to lift him off the ground. He ran until he was certain she would never find him, and then he stopped and stood still, ears swiveling to capture the sounds of pursuit. When none reached his ears, he began the process of circling around Rhythm. Coming up behind her, the brute slowed to a snail's pace in the hopes of going undetected. His plan was childish: sneak up behind her and yell 'BOO!' like his life depended on it. Valentine was seconds from doing just that when Rhythm's whispered plea reached his ears. Immediately he deflated, every ounce of mirth leaving him. She'd seemed so confident at the beginning, so sure and unshakeable, that he hadn't even considered this reaction. He'd wanted her to be scared, yes, but not terrified. Dropping the stealth, he moved along the wall to her left in the hopes of coming up beside her. "Wish granted, Miss Rhythm," he rumbled softly. "Speaking" -- "Thinking"