A Beacon in the Storm

[Riamah]

He kindly wrapped two of his tail around her waist to provide her at least a sense of safety. She grabbed a hold of the fluff under her hands and held on. It was like nothing she had ever been exposed to. The natural movements were exhilarating and she felt closer to him than anybody else.

Her plant less world raced by, but there was life to be felt here. While her connection wouldn't be the same as his, this ride gave her a new view on things. Without a speeder surrounding her, Ra was able to sense far more than she could before.

Looking around her, the view she had was wonderful.

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

The air rushed through his dark fur, the pelt soft as silk under Ra's hand as he sprinted. Careful to keep his gait smooth and his tails tight around his passenger. Below him, he found himself getting lost in the steady rhythm of his padding feet. Even if the world was essentially lifeless, it was still nice to be running in the open air, away from the confines of civilization, even if said civilization was incredibly small.

@Ra'a'mah

 

[Riamah]

Ra was a curious person and had noticed he used his pendant and a word to change. She wondered if it was something she use and learn how to do herself. Again a question to be asked when he could speak again.

Wondering how far his ship was away from the castle, she looked around the barren plains in front of them. Not ever having really been out on Vjun to just explore, this was new to her.

Around them it was a flat plains, but she knew there were canyons nearby and had traveled in them before. She wondered where the foxes hid that were here. Something to look for now and with company.

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

It took a few moments, but eventually, the figure of his YT-1930 would rise into view, its hull painted in blacks and blues similar to his coat. Smiling a bit, Vulpesen rose his tails once more, forming a slide for Ra to get done with. And now that his run was done, a small bar could be rear from his chest as Ace dropped down and gave a spiteful headbutt to the paw that was about as large as his entire body.

After a few of the minuscule assaults, Vulpesen shifted back, shrinking into his normal humanoid form. "Sorry about that Ace. Forgot you were in there." In response,t he wolf simply gave another mental rebuke before scurrying up Ra's leg to her shoulders. "So, enjoy the ride miss Ra? I tried to make it as smooth as possible." A wide smile was plastered on his face as he asked his questions.

 

[Riamah]

When his ship came into view, Vulpesen continued to it and stopped. Letting go of his hold on her waist, she was able to slide down the tails he extended for her. For a moment, it looked like he was smiling. Ace dropped down off from his chest, proceeded to indicate he was thoroughly mad at Vulps and then headbutted him.

At least attempting to remain dignified, Ra soon lost the control she had her laughter and just gave up. While it didn't last long, by the time she got done laughing at the two of them, a small amount of tears could be seen in the corner of each eye. At the moment, she really wished she could be privy to the interchange the two of them were having.

The little wolf quite deftly climbed her body and took a seat on her shoulders. Reaching up, she gently pet his paws and almost nuzzled her head against him.

Looking at Vulpesen though, she practically glowed. Her skin was flushed from the laughter and she wiped at the happy tears before could answer easily. The grin was returned.

"That was great! Like nothing I've done before."

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

Chuckling at Ace's antics, he turned to watch Ra laugh. The sight of her joy was infectious, causing the zorrens tail to wag swiftly from side to side, making a very obvious swishing sound as it beat the air. Allowing the woman her moment to recover, he started to lower the ramp of his ship before letting out a sharp whistle. "I know. Maybe the sith haven't taught you about it, but its called laughter." His cheeky grin continued as his eyes seemed to brighten with their lights. Of course he knew she had meant the ride, but he couldn't help but be a bit playful upon seeing this new, slightly less dignified side of her.

With several metallic thumps, a form would emerge from the ship, much like Vulpesen's fox form, if not a bit slimmer as it peered up with sapphire eyes. Shadow, the Valde's mount. Her midnight fur was dyed with various designs, each one symbolic to his people in some way. Despite the creatures status however, her face was rather curious and joyful as she sniffed the air and padded over to this new addition to her owner's company. "Ira se owra Ra." It was the first time Vulpesen had spoken zorren around Ra and the noise would be far different than what she was used to hearing from him. Dipping into a different set of vocal cords, his voice carried a sort of growling sound with hints of a low howl during the softer portions of the words.

 

[Riamah]

They both took her laughing well and his tail went nuts behind him, but he gave her the time she needed to recover. His comment brought up another small set of giggles, but not as much as the antics between him and Ace had caused.

"Really? I had no idea."

Her tone was dry, but still filled fully with the laughter and smile she had. The eyes were almost lit up with happiness and a bright gold. Not glowing like his, but close. Turning her attention to his ship when it opened though, she looked at Shadow as she emerged from the hold.

She was as black as night, but had designs on her fur. Vulpesen said a phrase that she assumed was an introduction and tentatively held a hand out to the mount. In her mind, she repeated the phrase he had said and committed it to her memory. Her ability to pick up inflections she would sound like a native.

"She beautiful, Vulps."

@Vulpesen

 

[Vulpesen]

Leaning a bit against the massive creature, Vulpesen watched as Shadow sniffed at Ra's hand, familiarizing herself with the woman. "That's what I thought." He started to run his hands through the fur, enjoying how it felt under his palm. "Now, where do you think we're most likely to find the smaller variety of fox?" Turning around, he pulled himself on top of Shadow's back before reaching down to help Ra up with him.

 

[Riamah]

Ra gave him a bit of an odd look at his words, but it took a moment for them to connect back to the joke about laughing. If the truth were known, she was a little nervous Shadow really would bite her hand off. Relaxing when it didn't happen, she actually moved to pet Shadow if she allowed it.

"There are some canyons of the other side of the castle and then the ocean at the end of those. I've never seen one myself."

Taking her eyes off Shadow, she gave Vulpesen a crooked and mischievous smile.

"I would think you should know better."

@Vulpesen

 

[Vulpesen]

"Then perhaps we should remedy that by finding one." In response to her chastisement, Vulpesen's hand lowered while his head tilted to the side. Fixing his golden eyes on her, he asked in a voice of puzzlement, "What do you mean?" Under him, he could feel Shadow taking a step forward to press her head into Ra's hand and rub against it, enjoying the petting. Then came a rather odd noise, something like a whuffle which could be described as a purr rumbled through Shadow's chest and throat, causing a small vibration under Vulpesen.

 

[Riamah]

Shadow did allow Ra to pet her and stepped in closer to give what had been a gentle pet into something that was more firm. Pulling her head back slightly in surprise, she looked up at Vulpesen.

"Is she purring?"

The meaning of her words he didn't understand or pretended not to and as Shadow allowed the petting, she looked up at more. Having gotten a little better of a feeling for him, she knew she could joke and hot have it taken the wrong way.

"Well you are foxy so I would assume you know other's habits better than I do."

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

Vulpesen chuckled and leaned forward, his arms folding a bit to rest on the back of Shadow's neck. "Yes... yes she is. Guess she likes you." Upon her comment, Vulpesen did his best to stay passive, keeping his grin unchanged. Of course, the sudden heat on his face told him that the color of his cheeks had betrayed him in at least some small amount. On Ra's shoulder,a small barking sound could be heard as Ace attempted to hide his face in his chest and shoulder. Shut up... Heheh. Make me. Doing his best to avoid glancing at his snickering companion, Vulpesen leaned back up. "Well, then perhaps we should be off."

 

[Riamah]

Ra blithely pretending her words had no effect on either Vulpesen or Ace broke her straight façade and grinned up at him. The color on his cheeks and the noise Ace made were totally priceless and not something she would forget.

Holding her hand up with that grin, Ra nodded, "let's get going."

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

Doing his best to shake the embarrassment form his mind, Vulpesen took her hand and helped her join him atop the beast. "Ace, find something to hold onto." He heard a sharp bark of defiance behind him which brought a grin to his lips. Then as he felt the tails coil around himself and Ra, he gave Shadow a soft kick with his heels, sending the fox into a quick trot across the surface of the planet.

 

[Riamah]

Ra climbed up behind Vulpesen with his help and hoped Ace would be fine on her shoulder or find a place to hold onto and stay on top of Shadow. Even though she wrapped her tails around both of them, Ra felt brave enough and as comfortable as she had been in all her memory, she hesitantly put her arms around him if he allowed it.

The gait of Shadow in a trot was not as smooth as Vulps had been, but it was a different kind of walk. It would just make her hold on that much tighter to him.

"The canyons near the castle are on the other side."

She wasn't sure where to begin, but suggested an area she was somewhat familiar with.

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

Flicking his tail a bit, he allowed it to curl into a circle on Ra's lap while Ace leaped down to curl up in the tight coils. "Canyons on the other side. Sounds as good a place as any. Sari rash!" Immediately, Shadow sped up, moving into a smooth canter to bring her master and his companion to their destination. As for the arms around his waist, Vulpesen certainly didn't mind... though he was happy that he was facing away from her. You've spent far to much time locked in that castle. I swear to the stars, I will throw you off this fox.

 

[Riamah]

Ace found his safety spot in the form of Vulpesen's tail in her lap. Making sure he bundled in herself, she nodded at his words. He knew where to guide Shadow at least as far as her castle.

The ride smoothed out and she could have let go, but kept her arms around him. It felt right and comfortable. If the thought had been there once before about him, it came back now. For the moment she was glad he was facing the other direction.

While one part was telling her to run like she always had, another was urging her to stay the course and see where it went.

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

For the most part,the ride was doing well. A smooth gait, quiet scenery that wasn't trying to kill him. Lovely company wr- right, we're not thinking about that. At least, that was Vulpesen's hope until a vision popped into his head, one that wasn't his own. Ace had decided to peer up and give a direct feed from his eyes into Vulpesen's brain, something which caused an involuntary kick which would speed Shadow's pace a bit. "Now that's just rude."

 

[Riamah]

Ra didn't know Ace had looked up at her as those thoughts went through her mind. Nor did she know he was able to allow Vulpesen to see through his eyes. The kick he gave Shadow and the increase in speed drew her out of them. When he spoke, the look he couldn't see had confusion on it.

"I didn't say anything..."

Looking down, she narrowed her eyes at Ace.

"What did you do, you little scoundrel?"

Knowing full well Ace couldn't answer, she hoped Vulps would tell her the answer.

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

"Ashlan wolves don't naturally have words. Since they communicate with their minds, they've evolved to speak with ideas as well as raw feelings, sensations, senses and emotions... including sights and memories. With enough practice, Ace and I are capable of broadcasting any of our senses to the other, even if the other isn't quite preparing for the sudden broadcast." Vulpesen let out a small sigh. Though, the expression on Ra's face before her confusion did help to ease him. Then, just in case his explanation was unclear, "By the way, you look nice when you blush."