The saluki girl walked as far as possible, away from the swamp and away from the muck. Thankful Takeshi had been around, but unwilling to stick with him for a bit, she roamed this strange and new realm. It felt surreal to find herself so far from her home. Would she ever go back? Would anyone come for her? Surely the old woman who took her in ages ago... Well, let us be real. Angel was one of many. The elder probably had enough on her plate. Sure, she had raised Angel but she was not her mother. She allowed her to go on that expedition anyway. This was all Angel's fault, if the old woman was here. Clearly. Sniffing along the ground, she felt this place to be wrong. Every damn thing here was wrong, to be frank. It was not good enough for her, who longed for comfort and pedigree. There were wolves here, a urban legend. She assumed they were all dead, but here they are... In another realm, overpopulated. Fit to burst. She bit back an annoyed sigh as she continued on. The world around her darkened. Perhaps it would be prudent to return to Takeshi... Wherever he was. She felt no need to go back, curiosity was a thing... This would prove to be a downfall. She yelped suddenly, her ankle catching on a deep hole. Angel began to bark and throw a subtle fit. First mud, now this? When would the karma be less of a bitch? "Talk, 'Think.'

The days since Kore and his large family had settled in next to the Rio Grande have been the same for the galaxy-hued boy. Each day, Kore wakes up with his siblings, they eat and putter around near the river’s edge until it is time to go to bed. Life has stalled and the boy finds himself wanting to buck off the monotony of his existence. It isn’t that he doesn’t love his family or siblings, heck he would give his life if it meant they would live. It is just… he wants more.

That is why Kore finds himself wandering further away from the place where his family resides, to this land that is almost in constant flux. The desolate land stretches out before his dark paws and he slows moves, eyes far away, while he quietly ponders the meaning of his life. Paws silently tread across the cracked ground as the boy made of galaxies walks, legs skirting fallen trees, without him even noticing.

Suddenly the wind shifts and Kore is pulled from his musings and the stops to lift his head a little higher as the breeze brings to his ears a subtle sound. Ears twitch, working to pull the noise in as he tries to understand what he is hearing. Curiosity pulls the boy forward, long legs pushing the gangly teen toward the source of the noise. Soon, a form resolves in the distance, a bright spot of gold against the bleak and desolate landscape.

Legs move faster as Kore trots toward them, the blurry form resolving into a beautiful canine. Wonder tugs at his features as he approaches, the slender, beautiful, exotic female captures the boy’s full attention. The caterwauling that she is making erases the nebula-hued wolf’s awestruck look and replaces it with concern. As he gets closer, Kore gently calls out, “Excuse me, miss. Are you okay?” Mentally he kicks himself for even asking that. Of course, she isn’t okay, she wouldn’t be making such a ruckus if she was.


"Kore Regni"

"Aider! Ma patte est coincée dans ce trou !" She yelled in French, already aware that most of the wolves in this land did not speak it. She yipped and tried to tug her paw free, succeeding in a sharp pain shooting up her leg. Her neck swayed in her fit, jerking and contorting as she flailed her head around. That is what happened when the young man asked if she was okay. She didn't stop, she kept going. As if that would even help her. Feeling exhausted after about five minutes of this, she sighed and lowered her neck. Out of the corner of her eye, she at least looked at him. "Ma patte" she tried slowly this time, gesturing to her long limb with her free paw "is, ah, stuck..." Angel flustered from both having thrown a fuss over it and also indignant over letting a man see her do such a thing. The Saluki jerked her head away from him, frowning at the space in front of her. It did not help that he was rather good-looking... for a beast! Tall dark and obviously handsome had a name, and she did not know it "I do not know how to get it out." She added helpfully. Her paw was stuck in a crevice, the long leg only able to move a bit from her efforts.

Strange, foreign words fall from the beautiful creature’s lips and, while they are yelled, Kore cannot help but immediately fall in love with the accent that laces them. The female yips and flails her head which has his dark brows furrowing in worry and confusion. What is ailing her? How is he supposed to help? The concern that had colored his light blue eyes turns into full-blown alarm the longer she struggles and makes noises. Anxiety creeps along his nerves, making the slightly taller wolf shift his weight from side to side in uncertainty. He hates the hopeless feeling that raises in his chest, drowning out all logical and rational thinking.

Without realizing it, the boy painted with galaxies makes soft, gentle, comforting noises to try and still the struggling lady, hoping that she will be able tell him how to help. Finally, the exhausted woman looks to him and speaks more unknown words and a frown to tugs his lips downward. Maybe she doesn’t speak the same language? But then the pretty lady is gesturing to her long limb that is stuck and brokenly telling him as much. Heat flares along his cheeks as Kore turns his gaze to the trapped limb, again mentally kicking himself for not noticing earlier. She seems ashamed, the way she jerks her head away speaking of embarrassment.

A small smile tugs his dark lips upwards as she admits the problem and Kore takes a step forward, moving toward the trapped limb. Gently, he says, “It’s okay, pretty lady. I have gotten my paw trapped a few times. I can help you get it free.” Stepping up beside her, his eyes fall once more to the earth while he folds his haunches to sit. Lifting one of his front paws in preparation to help, the boy suddenly hesitates and casts his gaze back to the lady’s face. Offering her a small, reassuring smile, he says, “My name is Kore. I promise I will try my best not to hurt you. If you feel any pain, please tell me.”

With that done, he looks back to the trapped paw and gently maneuvers his own paw down to her petite ankle. Slowly, carefully, he manipulates the joint, keeping vigilant to avoid causing her pain. With time and effort, the paw eventually slides free.


"Kore Regni"

If such bad luck would stop happening, she would not be able to justify making a fool of herself. "Merci, gentil monsieur" she uttered to him as he moved closer. Perhaps Angel should be more hesitant to accept assistance from wolves... She learned growing up they are brutal, yet Takeshi had been kind. Kore was kind too. A light pink dust settled against her cheeks proclaiming she was 'pretty' "je suis Angélique." Er, no. He did not understand. Right. "I am Angelique" she said, repeating her words in the common tongue. He tries to work the paw from the ground, and eventually it slips out. She winced once or twice, but being trapped was worse than any pain she felt at the moment. Ever the damsel in distress, she muses bitterly to herself. One day, she would be able to stand on her own paws! "thank you. Thank you" she uttered, breathless as she takes the bruised paw and places it tenderly against the earth "you are too kind..." She wished to thank him, so she leans forward to place a gentle smooch against his cheek. If allowed, that is. He could even bite her in such close proximity, but she has never been one to reject showing gratitude. Angel leans back. "H-Have you, perhaps, seen some that look like me?" Takeshi hadn't mentioned seeing any of her travelling band "ones that speak like me?" She held hope, perhaps, they could be found.

The tall, gangly teen feels disarmed every time the pretty lady speaks. Her words are laced with a beautiful accent that lifts and softens each syllable. An awkward smile rests on Kore’s lips as he listens to her, feeling suddenly self-conscious of his own, cracking voice. His words feel heavy and clumsy next to her lilting voice and he silently curses his own, changing voice. The exotic beautiful offers more of her strange, beautiful words which has the teen’s cheeks flushing as he turns to help remove the trapped paw, his lips pulling further back over his saber fangs as he tries to concentrate on the task.

Then, she repeats herself but, in the language, he understands and the teen’s cerulean eyes turn, looking to capture her beautiful rose gaze. A warm, gentle smile works its way onto his lips as Kore repeats her name, “Angelique.” He tries the word out on his tongue, rolling it around for a moment and, as if by some strange miracle, his voice takes on the deep tone that will be normal after this awkward stage. Suddenly, he remembers himself and drops his gaze back to her trapped leg as he mumbles, mostly to himself, “A beautiful name for a beautiful lady.”

Realizing she probably heard him, the teen darts her a glance and offers a shy smile before he returns to his work. With time, the paw slips free and Kore takes a step back, not wanting to make her uncomfortable. Heat crawls up his neck as she thanks him and he shuffles his paws before giving her a small shrug and saying, “It’s okay. I… I am just glad you aren’t too hurt.” Suddenly, she is leaning forward and the gangly teen stills, shock rippling across his features like a wave as she leans in to gently place a kiss upon his dark cheek. The heat is back, flooding his face as his lips curl upward, a dreamy, love-struck look taking up residence on his face.

Angelique speaks up again and his expression falls, head shaking sadly as Kore says, “No, I haven’t. But, I haven’t traveled very far so they might be somewhere else!” He looks to her, trying to offer her hope. It is true that his world small, limited to the river and the few neighboring lands, so who knows what lays beyond them. Eyes turn to look around the area and the teen says, “Lady Angelique, we should move to a different place. This land is unstable and prone to earthquakes.” Turning his gaze back to her, concern tilting her voice, Kore asks, “Are you okay to walk? Do… do you need any help?” Voice lifts and cracks with his ending question, heat burning across his face as the awkwardness creeps back into his frame. The shy smile also reappears, as he waits to see if she needs help.


"Kore Regni"

Lucky for him, Angel was a woman who liked being told she was pretty. "Oh, my" she tittered, a gentle blush creeping over her pale blonde features "are you this, ah, smooth with every pretty lady? Or am I just special?" She could not help but thickly lay it on, wondering his intentions, but also tried to speak clearly. English-speaking tourists and tutors had introduced themselves long ago. It was a boon to speak two languages - both 'Common' enough. Though English was the common tongue here. Kore stumbled through his words. She found it cute despite his younger age. Angel had no patience for little children and was quite glad he was not any younger... Else she would have ignored or snapped at him long ago. He wasn't so bad himself; tall dark and handsome and would grow up to be even better looking, she bet. "I may need to lean on you for support - if that is okay" she uttered, feeling her ankle swell with a grimace "luckily, my companions can care for themselves." She did not want him to worry over the canines. Her only concern was heading back the way they came, though... She would have to leave Kore behind, yes? He proved to be amusing so far. "We were beset by bandits" Angel continued, without waiting for permission she slipped up to his side and pressed against him. Letting his bigger frame support her weight. She either had no shame or she didn't feel threatened by him "they took my belongings" She huffed, lashing her long feathery tail "ripped them from my neck and ear!" Along with many other things the caravan held "then tossed me and the others to the side. Just because they were bigger than us." The German Shepherd - the caravan leader - had tried to fight back. Alas, the wolves were too big. Too fierce. Angel was just lucky to be alive. Takeshi left her in the end, and she met Kore now thankfully. But the indignance was still there. "Are all wolves like that?" she asked, pouting "b-but yes. Yes. We should leave this place. Quickly." An earthquake would be the icing on the cake!

The beautiful creature known as Angelique gives a gentle giggle that sounds like the tinkling of soft bells. Kore spies the blush creeping over her pale blonde features and a goofy, adolescent, lopsided grin pulls at one side of his mouth. Angel’s next words have the young man suddenly floundering, words falling from his mouth in a jumbled mess, “Yes. I mean, no. I mean… you’re the first pretty lady I’ve seen! I… I… I…” he stammers tripping over his own tongue in a bid to get out the words he really wants to say.

Huffing to reorient his mind, the teen tries again, saying, “You are special, Lady Angelique. I have never seen anyone as… exotic as you.” Her long flowing fur, sharp, elegant features, and beautiful voice all make her the most beautiful creature the young Kore has laid eyes on. With that mess over with, he ducks his head, trying to hide his embarrassment and the heat that flares across his cheeks from his clumsily placed words. Once she is free and he suggests leaving, offering his help, Angel says she may need to lean on for support.

Without a word, Kore moves to stand next to her, offering his lanky form for her to use. Gently he says, “Lean on me as much as you need. You won’t hurt me.” He flashes her a charming grin as she leans into him and he almost misses her speaking of bandits over the thundering sound of his heart in his ears. Her fur is so… soft. Wide, blue eyes blink as he forces himself to focus on the words, frowning in sadness at her tale. Slowly, carefully, the boy painted with galaxies begins to walk her out of the treacherous land, picking the quickest route out that he knows.

There is genuine regret within Kore’s heart as she speaks about being tossed aside but it is her next words that pulls a regretful sigh from his lips. Setting the course and making sure they are not going too quickly for the injured Angel; the adolescent takes a moment to mull over his answer. Once they have settled into a comfortable rhythm, the starry pelted teen says, “Not all wolves are like that, Lady Angelique. But, it sounds like you met some of the bad ones. There are many good wolves in the world and I hope that, one day, you can see that. I am sorry they took your items but I am glad that is all they took. There are some who would have… taken more.”

Voice falters and falls off and he really does not want to scare her. However, he does want her to know that there are worse things that could have happened. Items can be replaced but her life could not. Reaching down to give the side of her cheek a gentle, friendly nuzzle, Kore adds, “Besides, I’m sure we can find you much prettier things!” Lifting his head back up, he gives her a wink while silently vowing to find her something that will make her smile… if she wants to stick around him.


"Kore Regni"