Come Down to the Black Sea

"Hunter. Hunted. Does it Matter?"

Golden eyes widened in surprise as her privacy was invaded by a small intruder. No, wait a child? What was a child doing in a storm like this...much less in the mountainside unaccompanied. Still children had always made her nervous as the skinning knife dropped from her hand in surprise as the child cried out. Her hands raised in a gesture that was an attempt to calm the child, but her face blushed as she realized a gore-covered stranger wouldn't be calming at all.  Returning her hands to her lap as she withdrew a cloth from her nearby bag to wipe her coated hands as golden eyes eyed the boy suspiciously. It was silly to think a child could cause harm to her person, but it wasn't in her nature to be trusting.


Areem was a solo hunter, it worked best with her tactics..much less her occasional appetite. It didn't do her any good to have partner end up loosing their own appetite after one..eventful hunt. Much less the alarm that she was met with when having to explain her situation, that she wasn't going to die from some strange disease due to eating the flesh of a beast. That her stomach was immune from such problems..that didn't stop the suspicious comments during meal times. Normal human food made her feel like her insides were on fire and weak..nothing compared to the rotten inside of a kill. In 'polite' company she soothed her hunger on dried strips of flesh..but it wasn't enough for her magic as she could loose her mind if she remained on such a diet. Or at least that was the selfish reason she told herself after emerging from her 'state', the last one had almost maimed her previous partner after he attempted to calm her down from a frenzy. That was two years ago..she had been a solo hunter ever since then. Her thoughts were broken as the boy's voice spoke out.

Finally the boy made the first move as he posed a question as Areem's mouth pursed as if it was a difficult question to answer. It wasn't that, she was debating if it was even worth having a conversation with this strange child. A gore-covered strange laying into the corpse, and he has to ask who she is. Finally her voice spoke out as harsh as it sounded, like she wasn't used to speaking to another human as she said softly "A Hunter". While the boy questioned her well-being despite the apparent fatigue in his own body "Yes". A sigh escaped her as she tossed something ebony at the boy's feet revealing an elegant blanket of sorts. It was a mixture of furs and feathers, but was surprisingly warm despite it's strange mixture of fabrics. A flicker of annoyance sparked in Areem's mind at having to care for some apparently lost kid, but she wasn't that heartless to throw him back into the snow.

A silence had settled over the cave aside from the occasionally snapping sound from the burning wood, Areem wished that she could resume processing the corpse before the skin of the creature began to harden. That was an impossible pain having to scrape flesh from stiff skin compared to its normally supple state. Still, she couldn't just ignore her new guest as she posed a question of her own "Lost?".  Silently wishing she was more social-able or at least capable of it "Are..you..lost?". The question posed several unasked ones, why was a boy in the storm, was he alright, what exactly was he here for? The mountains were dangerous enough with the severe weather..not to mention the beasts lurking about.

"Hunter. Hunted. Does it Matter?"

A faint hue of red settled on Areem's face as the boy bestowed a smile on her. Human courtesy wasn't exactly common in her line of work nor did her quiet nature welcome it..so when such instances occurred..it was confusing for her. Faint memories of her childhood filled with laughter and love..or was that a mere dream, the only times that were crystal were of her..rehabilitation. Her hands rubbed the scarring around her wrists out of habit.  The boy's question was mere background noise as she could feel the icy grip of iron about her..only to be startled in reality. The boy was much closer than before, damn children ignoring boundaries. She had shared her shelter and blanket..he couldn't be seeking another's body heat for survival...so why was he coming closer.


A fortress atop the mountain. There were a few scant rumors here and there, most were dismissed as mere tales from frostbitten wanderers. Areem couldn't call it a lie or truth as she only been up to this mountain range during this single expedition. Then again children were known to tell tales..but he wouldn't have been wandering out in the middle of the mountain so unprepared. Curiosity was bubbling on her tongue as she would love to hear the truth behind all the rumors, but still she held her tongue. It was evident the boy wouldn't stop his own line of questioning as he gestured to the corpse beside her asking if she intended to consume it.

Genuine laughter escaped from her at the audacity of the question. Did she intend to consume the beast known for causing frostbite from it's flesh alone. Her laughter faded as she realized surprised that the boy's question was serious. Silently shaking her head with a firm no as she raised the skinning knife just over the surface of a battered ear, just enough for a trickle of blood to seep down to the cave's floor. It was strange looking as it slowly began to harden into an icy blue color until it landed on the surface. Ice crystals rapidly began to form on the cave's floor just around the spilled blood as Areem gestured to it "Winterel wolves's blood is dangerous even after death..but it's useful in magical items..for..several things. You wouldn't want to eat this..unless it was specially prepared to nullify the magic in it's bloodstream..or die from internal frostbite..".

Her voice took on an almost excited tone as her golden eyes seem to light up with simply sharing her knowledge. It was one talent she took deep pride in as she did not just hunt her prey..but learned from them even after death. Running a cloth over the stained knife as she continued "This blade was enchanted with nullification magic..hence the reason why it does not frost..". Her head cocked to the side as she peered at her companion "Are you hungry? Is that why you asked if I intended to eat this corpse?".  


If the Gods were watching, she hoped his answer would be a flat no. The few provisions she did have stashed away in her bag were personal..and she doubted his taste buds would appreciate any of the jerky that she had made. It wasn't made of pork and she would just leave it at that. It had been years of trail and error for her to figure out what exactly her stomach would approve of..much less in breaking down any possible dangers in consuming the flesh of a strange beast. Thankfully one of her mistakes hadn't been in consuming the flesh of the corpse in front of her as her information gained in her travels were warning enough. DO NOT EAT. Clearing her throat as she posed a question of her own "This..fortress..I am surprised your caretakers allowed someone as young as you to wander about the mountain..it's dangerous for a child.."

"Hunter. Hunted. Does it Matter?"

It seemed embarrassment was making its' rounds in the cave as the child had turned a hearty red color in response to her laughter. She hadn't meant to make the child feel foolish at her own laughter as tried to think of a way to bring the conversation back to something more..common. Thankfully she didn't have to take chance of small talk as the boy's cheerful nature returned in a fit of laughter. It was Areem's turn to flush red as the boy explained his own personal dietary preference as the reddish hue seemed to deepen as Areem stuttered out "Well..if you were really..hungry...you.". A huff escaped her as Areem's expression turned a bit sulky "Well children are notorious for putting strange things in their mouths..". That notion was true for babies from her limited interactions with them..she wasn't aware of when they grew out of that habit.


Leaning back against her own space of the cave as she mulled over his concept of 'normal' food. Cow, pig and chicken tasted almost too plain compared to the gamier meats that had crossed her own experienced pallet. Then there was that extremely strange experience in which she had fallen under the seduction of alcohol one such evening and awake with the most pleasant taste lingering on her taste buds. Ever since then she had been on the hunt for that divine experience, but nothing seemed to come close since that mishap. It was enough to make her stomach give a faint growl in response as Areem glanced back at her companion.

At least the boy's mood seemed to have lightened and his posture was relaxed. It was strange as Areem felt her own posture relax,it wasn't common for her to feel this at ease..perhaps it was because her companion was a child? A seemingly non-threatening one at that..despite his apparent wandering nature. Alarm appeared on her face as her golden eyes caught sight of the boy's mechanical arm. Pure instinct kicked in as Areem darted from her own spot as her pale hand grasped the cool metal appendage without a request, the color had drained from her face. Her next words came out in a low rasp "Alright, doesn't result in this..children should be..safe..Unless your..".

It's for your own good child. The God of Fate demands your redemption The clang of metal chains bound to wrists. A cloud of fog from an exhaled breath as a lone child curled into the corner of her 'room' as her..Elders slammed the door of her room with a bang. Not even a scrap of cloth to shield her from the cold stone floor as the ebony child's face streamed silently with tears. Dried red color streaked the cloth robes of her person as shaking hands rubbed together in an effort to fight off the cold. Everything was hurting again..what was she. Cursed? Why would her Elders do this to her. Golden eyes closed as she sought out that thread inside..as a single black feather fell to the floor. Just as her eyes closed into an uneasy sleep as she dreamed of the open blue sky..before it all..


Golden eyes widened in shock as her hand's grip had turned from gentle to a bit tighter after she had lost herself to the past. Shame was evident on her face as she hastily scrambled away from the child as her shaken hands grasped at the fabric of her robes. Her heart was beating far too rapidly as she exhaled loudly in an effort to calm it's frantic pace as she said softly "Forgive me. That was..wrong of me..Are you alright? I didn't use my magic on you..did I?".

"Hunter. Hunted. Does it Matter?"

A soft sigh of relief escaped Areem at the boy's gentle forgiveness. Children were something to behold despite their many flaws, forgiveness seemed to be overflowing in them. Something akin to bitterness curled in her stomach as that brief flash of memory had made her so..shaken. She wasn't one to dwell on the past, it was pointless to even think of them. Still it hadn't stopped her..reaction..weak. She was weak to that phantom. Damn it. It seemed she wasn't the only one stuck in the past as her gaze flickered to the boy. His eyes were keenly set on the prosthetic as he asked if she was wondering of how a child would be inflicted through such a loss.


A strange spark of anger spiced her tongue as the boy suggested that it would cause her to pity him "To be dragged down by the past to be chained by it. Look forward to your future". ~If only you could take your own advice~ her mind hissed at her as she said such hypocritical words. Her head tilted to the side as if she was listening to something outside before she stood abruptly and began gathering her supplies. Small cubes expanded rapidly as magical seals sprouted about them as she placed bits and pieces of the wolf's corpse inside each cube. The most valuable being the strange tongue of the beast as it was sealed inside the magical cube. A valuable set of items she had managed to pick up from a fellow hunter after winning a bet..spacial cubes came in handy in times like these. The cubes shrunk in size as she stowed them away carefully in her satchel which she strapped to her back as her tone became neutral again "The storm has stopped. Your..home is bound is have some supplies I can buy or trade to continue my journey correct?".


Without waiting for an answer that she would even be allowed to enter said home, Areem turned on her heel and walked out of the cave. Money wasn't an objection when it came to supplies as Areem found out after being swindled one too many times by greedy merchants..still she wasn't one to waste time.  The storm had finally rattled to a halt as her footsteps left an imprint on the freshly fallen snow. A gentle smile curled on her expression as she took in the beauty of the powdered landscape. This was one of her true joys in her profession to see sights such as this in serene quiet.  Those moments could so easily be shattered by beasts lurking to ambush naive prey..thankfully Areem was a prepared.


Golden eyes flickered back to the cave as she called out "You might want to avoid looking up..getting snow in your eyes won't be pleasant..". With that warning, she gently placed her pack on the ground and removed the snowy silk robes from her form. Underneath was an elegant dress, it surprised folks to see a hunter willing to risk such fragile fabric, but she would never admit that the dress had grown on her. Besides, the tailor that made it didn't question her requests of..modification for the design. The dress itself was a stark contrast to her concealing robes as those that witnessed this sight either were allies who wisely kept comments to themselves or enemies that would never see it again.


It was cream-colored dress made of silk that clung to her figure like a second-skin around the top. Gold strings formed a collar-like decoration about her throat as the net-like embellishment streaked over the top of her chest, said neckline of the dress was almost too daring as it dipped in a heart-shape style. The leg portion of the dress draped down to her feet, but each curtain of fabric had been sliced into two separate portions up to her mid-thigh as her magic required mobility..but she wasn't about to bare all on accident. Releasing her hair from it's confines of the ribbon as charcoal hair spilled down to her waist as it brushed against her hips. That was the strangest design request that she had made, but it was good reason.

The curve of her hips was on display as her hands traced the patch of skin with a gentle touch. It wasn't wise to rush this and if she had the time would take it.  A shudder danced over her skin as she reached for that magic before stating softly "Carrion's Wings". The faint glow of magic curled about her finger tips in a soft mixture of gold and black waves as the flesh of her hips became covered in the magical glow. Within seconds, a set of wings as dark as the feathers of a vulture sprouted from her hips, their wingspan long enough for the tips to drag along the snow to leave another trail in her wake. Rolling her shoulders as if it was there that the spell had worked it's magic as the wings shifted in response.

It was like any other muscle as Areem took flight leaving a flurry of snow behind her. There was nothing like the crisp air of the mountains that made her sigh as her wings beat softly as her golden eyes flickered about the area. Scented pine trees and a few boulders here and there..it seemed any possible beasts were wisely avoiding the risk of another storm. Areem and her..'companion' did not have that luxury. A few scant ebony feathers drifted softly onto the ground as Areem returned back to her feet stating softly "It seems we are alone. We can begin traveling..if that is alright..".   Scarlet streaked across her face as wings ruffled themselves in reaction as she grumbled embarrassed "Forgive me, I never asked you your name..I am Areem..Areem Southen..". A sigh escaped her as a weak smile curled on her face "I give you..advice and without even introducing myself..Wonderful..". Her head cocked to the side as if coaxing out a frightened dog "  "Unless..you would rather dwell in your pity?". Her tone was gentler and almost teasing..well that was the closest you would get to have this woman be teasing.

"Hunter. Hunted. Does it Matter?"

Dipping her head in acknowledgement as Areem said softly   "Pleasure to meet you, Master Laspor..Although if you call me Areem, I think it would be better if I call you Ahote..". Her tone was teasing as the boy's cheeks had become flushed..it was..almost endearing. A soft laugh escaped her as her wings shuffled about as she waved a dismissive hand   "Well, I don't really plan on wasting my energy searching for this rumored home of yours by myself. Not when I have an excellent guide. Correct?".  A small part of her was bursting with excitement at the thought of finding some truth to the rumors. Yet a more rational side of her was chiding itself that it could just be a home in the snowy mountains.


An intense hike. Well it seemed that she had chosen the correct mountain to go hunting in if she was looking for a decent work out. Still if a child could manage the trip, then a woman like herself could too.  Still a gentle smile curled on her face as the boy asked if she intended to fly both of them up to this mystical castle of his. As if one cue, the wings vanished into a pile of feathers and faint ash-like magic as Areem gestured   "Unfortunately, my magic wouldn't be able to sustain itself that long with the added strain of a...guest". Her head cocked to the side as she teased    "Unless you are wanting to die from a very..very..very..long way up..I suppose I could find my way to this castle of yours..".


Inside, she was almost glad that the boy's face had turned a bit grey as the mere thought of having to lift him and herself for who knows how long made her muscles feel fatigued already. While it was her magic that made the wings, she couldn't help but feel the phantom fatigue in her muscles if she strained herself for too long while flying. She had attempted to carry another person only once..it had ended horribly. Her passenger had ended up with broken legs..although that could have been due to her 'accidentally' dropping him into a canyon after he had pissed her off one too many times. A journeyman highway robber..too stupid to know danger when it was glaring at him right in the face. Still he had demanded her possession and got just what he deserved. Although maybe she shouldn't of just left him there..but then again it was his fault.

Reminiscing over the memory for a moment as Areem gestured ahead of her   "Well, if you would lead the way Ahote. I would like to get to our destination before dark..or if that storm decides to pick up again". Noting that he still had the blanket about his form as Areem softly stated  "If you wish to keep it ward it off the cold. Consider it as payment for being my guide..". . Slipping back into the robes she had returned on the ground as she slipped the sachel back onto her person, ready to hit the road..or well..snow.

"Hunter. Hunted. Does it Matter?"

The boy's request lingered in her mind as the pair made their way through the fallen snow. The sincere excitement that gleamed in Ahoto's eyes made her almost regret declining the boy's request. Silently making the promise to become strong enough to give into that simple whim even for the smallest amount of time. She didn't voice this promise as a small voice whispered in the back of her mind that she wouldn't be able to accomplish that goal..her magic was too..underdeveloped. An inexperienced mage prone to allowing her magic take over..literally..the utter euphoria she felt allowing it rampage out of control. To forget her past and troubles as the creature raged on the battlefield to soak it all in.


A few would call this utterly irresponsible, but who were they to judge her for..such tactics. Still a bit controlled training would do her good, perhaps after her trip was concluded she could find another secluded location to attempt to rein in her magic. Patience was always one of her best virtues..that is when she chose to attempt to use it. As her mind ran about, Areem remained silent as each footstep left an imprint on the snow to be covered with another flurry of snow within seconds. Biting down her lip as she worried another storm would begin picking up..or was it the rising altitude. Jagged rocks lined the path as Areem fought the urge to glance down the hill to see how long their journey had been so far. Stamina came in bursts for Areem as she silently thanked that her companion was a mere child instead of a muscle bound man who could leave her in the snow drifts to move at a faster pace.  


A small sound of surprise escaped her lips as it seemed that they had finally arrived at their destination. The boy's term of a home was a stark contrast to the one she had pictured in her head. In her mind's eye she had imagined a simple house made of wood with a roaring fire awaiting within and a scolding set of parents. The cold stone..castle before her was immense and impressive as Areem's gaze slid about the structure. It was impossible to imagine how a traveler  could forget this location..unless something else was..different about the structure. Golden eyes finally landed on the bundled Ahote as Areem asked with a tilt of her head "Ahote. This is a castle..not a home. Explain, please". Her tone was curious and gentle, as alarms rang in her head internally that there was something extremely dangerous about this place. While her bloodlust purred at the thought of combat, or at least a chance to flex it's muscles just a bit. Not that she was stupid enough to fall into a trap..on most occasions.