An Evening Walk (open)

[Azazel Mustisson]

The light was beginning to wane as the sun sank lower and lower into the horizon, the giant trees casting shadows as long as the eye could see. And as the sun began to disappear, so did the comforting warmth of the day. Awakened from his pleasant nap, a teenager boy began to lazily stretch, before moving to drape his body over a rock that was still radiating heat. He sighed, knowing before long, this small pleasure would too be gone. He then glanced at his watch before cursing. The days were shorter now, and he couldn't sit around any longer if he wanted to make the last bus back to town. The other alternative was walking back, and possibly missing curfew. He growled and stood up.

"Damn curfew. If only there were more hours in the day...." He sighed and dusted himself off before reaching foe his bag, glancing over his books and charcoal pencils and making sure none of them walked off by themselves. Satisfied with his findings, he lingered a moment, smelling the breeze as it wafted by him, taunting him with the delights the forest had to offer. He hesitated. He was a pretty fast walker. He could always jog if he needed to back to town. With an adventurous grin, he shouldered his bag and started going deeper into the forest, moving slowly and quietly, hoping to glimpse more nocturnal life.

[Ichabod]

A large Direwolf as strolling through the woods looking for something to fill his stomach, Ichabod was all out of food and wouldn't have the money to go get something to eat for the next couple of days. He figured that he would take a run through the forest near town, he was always told that large things are in the forest he was hoping for food.

He put his snout to the ground and began sniffing out anything with a large scent. He came across squirrels, raccoons, cats and dogs, ballsy humans and something reptilian but he couldn't tell what size it was. "There can't actually be dragons inside Dragon Forest, could there?" He spoke out loud but he focused on that one scent and followed looking from trees and branches to rocks and boulders. The scent was getting stronger the more he got closer.

Ichabod stopped as he stopped a human just ahead of him. "Damn it. Just had to be a human." He spoke out loud enough to be heard.

[Azazel Mustisson]

Startled by the voice that broke his thoughts, Azazel glared about, until his eyes fixed on the voice's owner; a dire wolf.
A talking wolf.
A big talking wolf.
Shit.
He stood still, eyes darting as he looked for anything to use, an escape route, anything. The fact that the wolf spoke meant it belonged to a human body,but what was the guarantee that the human was benevolent? Dammit. He just had to go traipsing around the woods like fucking Snow White. Shit.

"What do you want?" He called, trying to sound irate, but his heart hammered in his chest and there was now sweat beading on his brow despite the cooling nightfall. Maybe he could distract him long enough to climb a tree......

[Ichabod]

Ichabod snickered devilishly as he slowly closed in on the poor human. "Don't piss you pants, boy. I am just out hunting." He shifted back into his human form clothed in jeans, boots and duster, still towering over the boy. "You must be a student of Aurelians. Do you realize how late it is?" He mocked in irritation.

He took in the kid and laughed, "Calm down boy, you are beginning to stink up the place." Ichabods senses were completely submerged in this boys scent, if he doesn't calm down seen he will attract something that will kill him.

[Azazel Mustisson]

When he reverted to human form and began mocking him, Azazel went from fear to embarrassment, his face flushed as the strange man mocked and laughed at him. His face burned, the embarrassment turning to anger at the indignation of it all. "What business is it of some creeper fleabag what I do? And don't think you can just stand there and intimidate me like some schoolyard bully." Azazel was furious now, trying to hide his embarrassment.

He noticed the man getting closer and closer..... Possibly too close for the man's own good. He felt the tips of his fangs itching for flesh, and the inklings of venom collecting on the tip of his tongue.s

[Ichabod]

"I have no interest in you boy. Human tastes disgusting." He continued walking past the kid, "I ran out of food at home, and thought I would catch something myself for a late dinner. Besides, I got eat humans, they are mostly bones and are never filling."

There was something not completely right with the kid, Ichabod could feel the fear subside but there was the sense of protectiveness about him. He could understand that, standing at 6 foot something Ichabod can be a very intimidating man but this kid looked like he was about to pounce. Just from looking at the boy, he didn't look like he has much fight in him but he has been knows to be mistaken at times.

He spun quickly around, "What is a child like yourself doing in a place like this? Are you lost or just foolhardy?" He asked. "This place can be very dangerous and Aurelian would not be pleased with me if I knew someone about a missing student of his."

[Azazel Mustisson]

It wasn't the man's statue that initial triggered the fight or flight response as much as the predatory form he possessed. Azazel stood his ground, not letting the man get close to his side or rear, pivoting his body to continuously face him. If he had a tail, he'd definitely be shaking it in the leaves around his feet, like the warning rattle of his ancestors.

"I don't have time for stupid games. Are you going to let me leave or yap my ear off all night?" His words had a bite to them, though his own tone had gone cold, his stance calculating. Against a larger predator, most snakes stood no chance. Which was why adders and their kin were so feared and revered among humans and other species. "I'm minding my own business, that's what."

[Ichabod]

His kid is a spaz, Ichabod doesn't need to use his scent to see that. The kid is so skiddish he would probably kill himself would the help of something dangerous. "I am just looking out for Aurelians students. You wouldn't be the first fool I would have had to pull out of a shitty situation." He started to walk away "But if you would like a less chance of surviving these woods, I will be on my way."

He shifted back into his direwolf form and loped out of site of the kid but he will have the kid in his sights. "Don't be a cocky shit, kid." He thought to himself.

[Azazel Mustisson]

He narrowed his eyes at the mention if a shitty situation. "What do you mean? What's in these woods that's worth worrying about?" He was used to having his ego attacked- he had a twin sister after all. He relaxed slightly, but he didn't trust this asshole enough to lower his guard completely.

"Who are you anyways? Why do you give a shit about the principle or the school anyways?" He was curious now, this guy cared too much to just be a passing hunter.

[Ichabod]

Ichabod was walking around the trees circling the kid, "Large Dangerous creatures have been spotting in these woods. They kill without remorse. They do no listen to reason. Only those who are experienced enough have come out of here alive." He spoke as serious as he could be, trying to get his point across.

"I particularly do not care for the students but I respect your Principal highly for what he does and in turn he protects the children. I do want I do for the sake of his reputation." As defensive as Ichabod can be, he does have a kind side and tries to do what is right. But he would rather to have Fate run its course, uninterrupted.

[Azazel Mustisson]

The sun was falling faster now, the light of it nearly extinguished as it fell below the forest floor. A chilling wind ripped by, and it was all the youth could do to keep his clothes from being ripped away, and all his willpower to keep from shivering. At this point, he'd have to go back... But with the sun going down, he was losing landmarks to find his way back.

"Would you lead me back to town then?" He asked, a bit grudgingly at first. Dark things eh? Sounded just like home, he thought bitterly. He held his backpack tighter on his back, hoping to keep a bit warmer despite the chilly air around them.

[Ichabod]

Ichabod's vision kicked in to its fullest and he could see the child clear as if it was day. He quietly made his way to spook the boy from behind. He growled in mock menacingly, "Lets leave here so I may finally eat." Ichabod could feel the slight hunger pangs but it was silent as hes stealth.

He takes great in the students because he felt honor bound to do so whenever he was given the chance to scare them it was a bonus if he can manage it. He figured he would toy with this child a bit more before taking him back to the dorm.

[Azazel Mustisson]

He didn't react, almost as though resigned to fate. He just stood, trying hard not to shiver but he was fighting a losing battle, and his teeth were starting to chatter. He wasn't prepared for it to get so cold so fast.

He felt hunger as well, but what he craved most was warmth- he needed it more than anything. "J-j-ust get m-m-me outta here." He shivered, almost wishing the man would come closer if only for the warmth.

[Ichabod]

He could physically see the kid begin to shiver, whether it was from being scared or from the weather he offered his assistance. He turned around and lowered himself down to the ground, "Turn and get on. We have a bit of traveling to do." He turned his head, "Oh and hold on tight."

[Azazel Mustisson]

With the cold as it was, he didn't need to be told twice. He cautiously climbed onto his back, gripping the fur for dear life and pressing his body again the man's for warmth. It came in comforting waves as it radiated off his body. His back was still cold, but this would do until he could get back to his dorm and crank the heat up. The only thing he'd do aside from that would be to worship the advent of heating technology.