Dozer stood on the deck leaning against the rail with a fishing pole in hand. This morning he was wearing a white button up t-shirt that lay open exposing the finely chiseled abs and chest that he worked hard to maintain and his blue board shorts were long but comfortable, only serving to accentuate his long lean body. His Oakley sunglasses were perched on his nose effectively hiding his chocolate brown eyes and the look of boredom they no doubt held. His blonde hair was spiked up in his usual fashion.

Dozer shoved his hand in his pockets watching the pole with more then a little frustration. He had had such high hopes for this trip. It was only the beginning of it but still. Sighing, he looked over as Dawn's voice cut through his reverie. Shaking his head he gathered his things up and headed below decks. He caught sight of Dawn's energetic little sister and his lips twisted into a wry grin.

Continuing on down to the room he shared with the other guys he threw his stuff in a closet and then fell onto his bed. He couldn’t stop himself from thinking of her. There break up had been messy and was now three months behind him but he still thought of her from time to time. It wasn’t that he had loved her; no she had made sure that he couldn’t ever get that close. No, it’s the way she had kept him hanging on, giving him the illusion that she would open up to him soon. That she would let him in.

Scrubbing a hand down his face he pushed Arial and her witchy schemes brutally from his mind. He figured they would be forced below decks for a while so he closed his eyes and tried to drift off.

Padding barefoot through the forest, Layla went about her foraging as usual. Her stores were getting low and needed to be replenished. Rabbits scampered under foot, while the birds sang to one another in the branches above her head. Bending over a particularly large berry bush, her short dark hair covering most of her face, Layla hummed lightly while bent to her task. It was a pleasant afternoon that was proving to be a very fruitful foraging day.

Lowering to her knees, she started picking through some of the berry clusters when the wind shifted, scents danced along on the small eddies bringing her all sorts of information. Raising her head gray eyes taking in everything she listened with both her ears and her other senses. Impressions came to her from every quarter letting her know of the three others that were on the move and where they were heading. Placing a long slender hand on the ground at her feet she felt the change. Rising quickly, she stashed her food in a sealed basket and hung in on a tree limb away from any critter that would chance upon her bounty.

Layla sniffed the air again and sensations dancing along her skin. She had almost forgotten what time of year it was. Her eyes hardened and her mouth became a thin slash. As much as her people needed to Prophecy it still rankled in her nerves that they had to be humans. Though, this didn’t necessarily mean this was the time. Without further thought she plunged into the forest at a dead run. No sooner had she gone a few steps then she reached for the magic within her. The change swept through her body quickly until a she was no longer a woman but a black deer bounding toward the spot where the destiny of Fincayra was supposed to change forever.

I beg to differ I actually like the welsh language and the sound of it even if I can't understand or speak it XD



Dawn prepared himself for the backlash the groans and moans wouldn’t come without a little argument from some of the more “vibrant” members of their little group. His lips turned into a small smile as he heard his sister walk in to the helm room. The radar was blank meaning there was no one in the area but them so the storm wouldn’t be too hard to ride out now that they didn’t have to worry about colliding with another yacht or worse a cargo ship.

Turning to Izze he smiled at her expression taking her glare good naturedly, “Would I ever stop a party over a little rain storm you know better than I do that I would only do something that drastic when it’s absolutely necessary,” He assured her. He doubted anyone enjoyed a good party like he did but there was little choice in the matter, “Look after the storm is over we’ll stop somewhere and party, besides who said you can’t party in the rooms” he said trying to give her an alternative, “Go with Cos and Tatiana and enjoy yourselves while we ride this out. I would let you guys party on deck but you’d get washed over and that wouldn’t be much of a party would it?” He said smiling at her.

Smiling as Georgie’s voice came over the intercom he smiled and replied as he pressed the button to the girls room, “I honestly don’t know Georgie but I would say in a couple of hours we’ll be clear skies and calm seas again so why don’t you guys party down there in the mean time.” He finished off and smiled at his sister, “Now go you know there’s no party if you’re not there.” He said trying to cheer her up.

Tatiana pondered over Cos’s offer after she had put her things away and decided it was worth accepting while they rode the storm out; besides a little drinking could get her mind of planning ahead. Dawns words to Georgie propelled her forward with her instincts as looked over at Georgie and smiled, “well you heard the man, I’ll round everyone up and we can party here, in our room if that’s alright, I’m sure Izze won’t mind.” She said pointed out.

She leaned against the doorframe as she waited for Georgie’s response glancing over at where Cos and Izze were coming. She figured that if they could at least stay upbeat the whole storm thing would blow over and they can all get back to the sunny deck. They might as well anyway; a yacht full of dismal teenagers wasn’t exactly a great way to start off the vacation. The other night had been bad enough, so bad that she had needed that many drinks.

It was midday when Ionn finally came to a halt at the edge of the forest and pranced lightly into it his long neck shrinking as his body moved upward again and his clothes appeared once more. In his human form once again sweat beaded over his face his heart racing he leaned against one of the ancient trees of the woods and smiled as he breathed the sweet scent in. though still a distance away he could smell the tinge of salty air as the clouds hovered over the sun and began to crowd the sky.

That was strange indeed; it had never once rained all the years that he dared to venture down here to see if the heroes had come. His lips were pressed into a thin worried line.This could indeed be a bad omen but he could not know until the day was over and only then would he know. Until then he had to set up came before heading down to the shore of speaking shells.

Adjusting his bag he rolled his shoulders back and made his way further into the woods looking for the clearing he usually camped at when here. His keen senses picked up every rustle in the forest the sound of the trees whispering and the sounds of many distant hooves told him that he was not alone in the woods. Keeping his guard up he made his way carefully through the woods at least if anyone dared to stop him he could argue he was indeed nothing more than a nomadic bard as he took out his harp and began strumming lightly on it and singing softly the songs of old.

Fay Rose crouched lower in the carpet of leaves which muffled her trained footsteps. She moved like a shadow, seamlessly melting into the black, vivid hair seemingly taking shape with the redwood trees, her body becoming earth. When she hunted, she moved with the stillness only the woods possessed, travelled in vapors carried a strong air of confidence, very similar to a predatory animal.

Her sinewy arms were already outstretched as she gripped her worn bow, the sensuous curve of the weapon resting against her shoulder. The redhead’s ears twitched, hearing a tiny, weightless crackle. She had stalked a stag into the very heart of the forest, a place which held only legends, never stories, for few ever ventured in. The deer was rare, the meat plenty, and the catch hers, just a twitch of instinct away.

At that moment, the unmistakable noise of a gentle hop alerted her of a nearby rabbit. The stag would doubtlessly be finding water by now, which would be easy enough to locate by observing and following plants, the way they curled like wicked fingers pointing towards ponds. There, she would make her kill, but for now, she couldn’t miss the opportunity of the rabbit. Stew sounded delicious. A grim smile pushed onto her freckled face as she flattened herself, fluttering closed her vibrant eyes and allowing instinct to overcome. With that, Fay swiftly turned, and in one swift motion, located the rabbit, released the arrow… Ping. The arrow stood from the plump rabbit’s heart, quavering like a flag. “Victory.”

Izze took in her brother’s word, lips pursing further and further into a little-girl pout. She wanted to have FUN. And could she do that crammed under deck, without speakers and bass and an audience? So. Irritating. True, there were boys below who needed her tending to, she couldn’t let any other little tramp upstage her, and she was infamous for throwing parties in the least likely of places (from broom closets to Transfiguration classes)…

It was tempting. As she thought, she continued to fiddle with the string on her tiny bikini, rocking back and forth on her diminutive feet. With another humph, she craned her neck to look her brother in the eye. For a nineteen year old, Izze was a dwarf, barely topping 4’10”. The worried strain in the lines by her brother’s eyes were unsettling, and though he attempted to alleviate her irritation with a grin, it only spurred panic. Come to think of it, it wasn’t in Dawn’s nature to pass up a party. He introduced her to the scene, even took her promiscuous status in stride, so did his rather sudden party-crashing mean… DANGER?! Izze’s round, powdered blue eyes welled up with tears as she suddenly clung to her brother’s side. “It’s a big storm, isn’t it? We’re going to die, aren’t we?”

Picking berries from a nearby bush, Cata’s ears detected movement from the right. Her innocent blue eyes suddenly became fierce as she hoisted her bow and arrow in one fluid motion. That is when the young girl GUSHED in excitement. Dropping her weapon on the ground, which was foolish in this day and age, she ran over to Basil.

“OH BASIL! LOOK! It’s another bunny! Do go say hi, it looks ever so friendly!” Her hands seemed to hold her head up like it was resting on a cloud as her blue eyes almost watered in excitement.

Basil considered the other for a moment. Then Cata’s eyes narrowed and Basil’s ears perked upwards as a soft ping dashed through the forest. Although naïve, Cata knew that sound all too well. Sweeping the rabbit into her arms for protection, her alerted eyes scanned the area like a radar.

“Goodness me Basil, perhaps it was a false alarm,” but she frowned as she looked to the bunny that was being held tight in her hands. It was looking back toward where the other rabbit had been. A gasp escaped the girl’s lips and her mouth dropped to the ground. “NO!” Holding Basil even tighter to her chest, she ran over to the ailing rabbit. Setting him in between her knees, where he would gain ultimate protection, she ran her small fingers over the rabbit’s body. Shivers went down her spine as she felt the stiffness of the rigor mortis. “She didn’t make it.” Tears welled up in her blue eyes, falling briskly onto the head of Basil. Jerking the arrow from the rabbit’s chest, blood gushed from the wound. Whoever the assailant was, they’d hit the heart; a perfect shot. Examining the arrow through teary eyes, she looked into the woodland where the arrow had been shot. No sign of life. “This arrow is not of a sinister nature. Fincayran.” Sniffing back snot, she wiped her eyes and picked up her rabbit. “REVEAL YOURSELF.” Her voice was trembling with fear.

Cos could feel his heartbeat raising, he didn’t mess around with storms like this. He had no doubt that Dawn would handle things, but fear still paralyzed the young man as it always had. Signing to Tatiana as she joined him at the doorframe, he gave her a forced smile. “We’re gonna be fine.” He said this more to himself than anything.

“IZ. Leave your brother alone, get a move on. Parties down here,” and with the swish of his wand all the bottles, cups, music, and anything that interested the quirky girl soared into the deck below. “SERIOUSLY.”

Why did Cos always have to be the serious one? Or the worrier. Yeah, the latter was more accurate.

Jon could hear the rumble of feet above him and he could hear people talking. He recognized Izzie's voice worrying about the storm and sighed. Jon was sure they would be absolutely fine, as long as they stayed below as instructed.

He groaned and threw aside the book he'd been reading, he just couldn't concentrate. He wanted to have fun, and maybe actually socialize, not be cooped up with a book by himself. They should all be having fun... together.

He got up from his bed, and walked out of his room and he could hear the voices more clearly now. He smiled as he heard them talking about bringing the party down there. That was exactly what he needed. Why hadn't he thought of that? Sure it'd be a bit more spacious up on the deck, but still, it wasn't exactly small bellow deck. There was definitely more than enough room for a party.

He approached the others with a wide grin on his face, "Hey, I'm up for partying." He said, the grin appearing cheekier than he'd intended. Everyone knew that Jon was pretty much a "party animal". Not the gross, throwing up, starting a fight kind. But he knew how to have a good time, and no matter what the situation, in Jon's mind there was always time for partying.

OOC: Heyyy! Watch what you're saying! I live in Wales and MY first language is Welsh, thank you very much. -_-

OOC: Wehheheh. My roommate's from Wales and it's her first language, too. She uses it when she talks on the phone with her dad. I find it so hilarious when she slips English words in to the conversation in the middle of Welsh. Was my translation correct? I'm kind of learning, but slowly.

Refusing to allow himself to be upset, Rhoden ran through the forest with as much speed as he dared on the uncertain roots of the Druma. Though he had lived in the Druma since his exile from his herd and he knew the paths and trails better than anyone he knew about save the trees themselves, it was never wise to grow arrogant. He made good time as he ran toward where he knew his destination to be, though he did slow down when a break in the treeline produced the image of storm clouds not far off. The branches of the trees above him shook hard, though there was only a small breeze, and he took their meaning.

Putting on an extra burst of speak, Rhoden found his footings with practiced ease as he dashed among the speaking trees. He ran with the hope of reaching the shore before the rain began, though he knew it was impossible. Even if he were running on flat ground and not overgrown roots, unimpeded by brambles and branches, he would never had made it.

Distracted by his own thoughts, Rhoden tripped on a root and was sent sprawling. Panicking, he transformed into his human form before he hit the ground hard and rolled over his own head on the forest floor. His human form, sturdier than his stag form, took the landing rather well, but he still managed to twist his ankle.

"Nothing broken," he said aloud to himself before standing up. He tested his weight on the ankle and winced. It wasn't bad, but it would keep him grounded for the night. Limping slightly, he walked toward where he knew a clearing in the forest to be. He was safer in the Druma than he could be anywhere else and the clearing offered shelter from the coming storm.

As he drew closer to the clearing, however, a peculiar sound reached his ears. Was... was that a harp? Fincayrans in the Druma? But they never ventured this far into the woods. His eyes narrowed as he broke the treeline of the clearing and beheld a man who was, indeed, playing a harp.

Without speaking, Rhoden just kind of stared at him, looking a little confused. He looked so familiar, but why would he recognize a Fincayran?

Dozer had been dozing lightly when the sound of conversation rose above a dull roar. He figured he hadn't been asleep long, so he decided to join in the fun. Still clad in open shirt and board shorts he walked out of the room and approached the stairs that led to the upper decks. He was just about to walk up them when a bunch of bottles and things came hurling down in his direction. Ducking and weaving to avoid being hit, Dozer ended up on the couch. "Oi! Watch it with the flying stuff! Might take someones head off!"

His cocky smile firmly plastered on his lips he grabbed one of the magic'd glasses and down the firewhiskey inside. If they were going to hit rough seas he might as well down a few to help relax. He sprawled out with arms thrown over the back of the couch like a king at his court.

Layla slowed at the edge of the forest, sides heaving slightly from her run. The shadows were still dark where she stopped but she could see clearly through the trees. Shifting back she crouched down and observed. A man playing a harp was ambling along the tree line and there was something oddly familiar about him.

He's handsome. Shaking her head she smiled wryly to herself. Leave it to her mind to come up with something like that at a time like this.

Dawn was waiting for Izze’s outburst but it always threw him off guard when she clutched his side and began asking him if this was all really the end. He needed to focus as he collected himself again and looked down at her and gave her a warm smile and shook his head, “No Izze we’re not going to die as long as we stay off the deck. So you go down with Cos, Jon, Tatiana, and the others and party like nothing is wrong alright.” He said and smiled reassuringly at her, “Besides would I buy this yacht if it wasn’t going to hold up to a storm?” He asked her knowing she knew him well enough to know he wouldn’t buy anything short of the best when it came to vehicles.

He looked back at Cos and gave him a don’t-over-reacting glance, “Take her down with you Cos and make sure she has a good time and everyone else is happy.” Truth was the storm did look like it was going to be a rough one but heading back to mainland could mean they could end up getting slammed into the rocky cliffs so oddly enough the sea was much safer at this point.


Tatiana smiled at Cos and nodded at his words, she honestly didn’t see why everyone was worried it was a storm it couldn’t be as bad as the one she got caught in while in the Caribbean with her family. That was the first and last time they went with a cruise line preferring private yacht cruises after the incident. “Dawn’s right Izze come on lets have fun bellow deck until we can all party on up on deck again. Besides I’m pretty sure one storm could mean clear skies and calm seas for the rest of the week.” She pointed out trying to get everyone to just calm down as she joined them.

Smiling at Jon, Cos, and Dozer she looked back at Izze, “So are we going to have a party or what?” She asked them with a perfectly arched eyebrow before heading down again to start the music and find some plastic cups they could drink in realizing glass would probably not be the safest on the upcoming bumpy ride. After that probably best for her to find a summer dress that wouldn’t stain easily if anything spilled on her in the process of partying.

Ionn continued walking carefully and silently through the woods singing to himself and the rest of the woods as he carefully strummed the small harp in his hands, “Out of the fire of speech, out of the sword of song, out of the well of wisdom, the tales of the strange ones come. Let the bright knowledge run, as candle-flame among you, ‘til the tale is done.” He sang in a soft masculine voice that seemed to ring off the trees as the tunes of his harp. Before he knew it he was in the clearing and singing still as he considered where to set camp.

All the while he had not been ignorant of the sounds around him. He could hear a rustle in the bushes on one side and could hear the sound of hooves suddenly dying out and the sound of man as the sounds began to sound suddenly as the feet of man. More deer folk he thought to himself. He looked over at the young man who walked out the forest. The boy could not have been older or younger then he himself. He stopped strumming and set his harp aside holding it against his thigh, recognizing him as one of his own, his hooves having given him away, “You know you probably should be more careful of your step when you’re prancing through the woods.” He said to him throwing the word prancing in to the conversation as he gave him the I-know-what-you-are glance.

Still very much aware of the other presence in the bushes he did not wish to give his fellow deer-man away knowing that not all fincayrans were fond of them. Even some bards were not very comfortable with them despite the fact that they were the more open minded of the bunch. Old blood ran too thick and old wounds ran to deep for some to move past.


Emrys looked up smiling as his niece came in and broke though his thoughts, “Nothing dear one.” He replied as he smiled looking down at the tiny young fawn at his elbow and kissed her forehead, “How are you feeling this morning?” He asked her smiling as he lifted her and placed her on his lap as he reached over and rang for a servant to bring them their breakfast. One of the few luxuries he allowed himself was someone to prepare and bring their food to them.

By the time his niece had joined him he had made up his mind to go visit her majesty and take his niece with him. He did not trust anyone to tend to his niece while he was away and preferred to have her with him safe and sound rather than leave her here when Dagda forbid, Rhita Gwar turned his attention to his people and attacked them while Emrys was away.

Amber gave a questioning look, not sure that she quite believed him, but did not ask anything further of it. With his usual good morning smile looking as genuine as ever, it was challenging to disbelieve for long. Soon, she too was smiling as he lifted her onto his lap, but she remained silent for a good few seconds before answering his question. She shifted her weight to a more comfortable position, keeping her eyes on her lap for her moments of silence. Small bits of her dream ran through her mind as though on replay: the joke that Peter always called cheesy, her mother’s laughing eyes and bright giggle in reaction, the warm decorations in her old living room… Ember liked the simplicity of her uncle’s home, but she did make note at one point how different her mother’s and his style of décor was.

No. She would not say anything again… Typically, Ambrosette only told her dear Uncle Emrys of her dreams when they were bad, which half the time she couldn’t help, but do. Fifty percent of the time she woke up in screams or tears. The other half, it just felt better for her fears to talk about it with him. He was certainly always willing to listen as much as he was willing to answer many questions—just a couple of the many reasons she loved her uncle so.

After glancing around the room, out of habit, for any other sign of a human being, she answered with a smile, turning her head to him, “Just a little hungry.” Amber, being as shy as she was, did not like to speak around people that she didn’t know very well (unless of course they spoke of something that peaked her interest and curiosity).

With her next short pause she found herself vaguely wondering if he too dreamt of their family. If they were good or bad. If he liked remembering or pushed it away. She, however, kept her mouth closed, or at least for now. In some ways the topic seemed like safely guarded territory.

“What about you, Uncle Emrys? Are you good?” She ended up questioning in return. “And do we have plans for today? It looks pretty out.” This is often how her questions came out: in a long stream of many. Though as she finished her last statement, one of the servants entered, causing her to blush. She did like having them around to help; they made very good breakfast, but she still didn’t like saying much to them. Perhaps someday that would change.

-------------------------------------------------------

Imogene was seated by the sunlight on the burgundy-upholstered bench that her father had built into the wall by the windowsill when he had built the Adhemar home. On days such as this—where the sun was bright and there was no work at the pub to be done, this is often where Imogene could be found. Though, did it ever last long? No.
In her hand she held a battered copy of The Voyage of Bran by Kuno Meyer. Her brother had sent it to her a few days ago with the small package of money he had made for them. Evidence of this was at the other end of the bench, by her feet, where torn brown packaging lay next to a small scribbled on note. The note read small chicken-scratch:

Immy,
I’ve moved on again, but of course will still not say where. Found this elderly man with a room full of old books. He was willing to trade one for my help in repairing his roof: The Voyage of Bran. I hope it to be a new and interesting read for you.
Stay safe. Love you all.

Reuben

Somewhere in his wandering he had learned to write and though it was not particularly pretty, Imogene found herself envious to the point of being bitter. Though, bitterness was not a hard trait to come by for her.

Downstairs, there had been screaming and yelling and even the quiet, distant sound of running, but that was bearable. At least for now… She had just gotten to the part of the woman bearing a son and read: “I go home, the pale pure morning dawns near: Mon—“

There was a high pitched scream at the very top of the staircase. Imogene looked up from her reading, annoyed and glaring at the only thing she could at the moment. The wall. Rolling her dark eyes, she turned them back to the page. “Moninn—“ she started to read again, but…

“EEEEEEKK! EEELLLRRRRIC! Eww ewww EWW!”

was again interrupted. As though the animal at her side was able to sense her irritation, the dog growled defensively. Closing her book, she pet the top of his head. The dog was a black mut with pointed ears, looking much like a large Doberman Pinscher more than anything else. Slowly getting to her feet, she let her lingering fingers drop from the top of his head then picked up the letter. Without giving it a second glance, she placed it on top of a tall stack of warn down and discoloured books that could be seen in the corner of her room. Even though she did not share it with any of her sibling, it was one of the larger rooms in the house. When she was very young she had shared it with Reuben and now that he was gone… It was hers. Though, soon Charlotte may be getting her way and moving in with Imogene.

As she stepped out of her bedroom with book in hand she was nearly trampled by the two that had been screaming earlier. Reminding herself to keep her cool for the two giggling children, she took a deep breath. “Merry, the house isn’t for screaming and Elric… Merlin’s beard, take that nasty amphibian outside.” She shook her head to herself, then headed downstairs where there, as always, were children spread out everywhere, playing and crying and even one sleeping (bless him). “I’ll be back soon mum,” she told her before stepping outside into the lovely scenery. She heard her mother’s request of her coming in soon to help out loud and clear as the woman practically shouted it over the ruckus after her. Without a reply she was headed deeper and deeper into the woods.

Georgie couldn't help but be scared but none the less she tried to follow Dawns idea, she stood up and walked to the end of the corridor, holding her firewisky in her right hand she pushed open the door leading to the relaxing lounge, where she walked over to the chaise and fell down on it, drinking from her glass and looked out fo the glass wall, out to the dark clouds and then she reached for the remote control, pressed the blue button, and watched the blinds shut themselves, and hide the dark clouds away from her, when they had eventually closed she looked around at the neutral walls that looked opressing and dark when the blinds had shut, she sat up, pulled herself another firewisky and plopped back down, taking a sip, and waited for the storm to blow over

Finally, Imogene had come to her usual spot in the woods where she often went for silence. And silence is normally what she found there, but today it appeared that silence was abnormally challenging to come by. Just as she was about to take a seat in the shade of the large tree overhead, she heard a loud, though very feminine voice a mere few yards from her. There was almost a sound of fear to the girl’s voice behind its forced confidence and anger…

Bitterly, she stopped her attempt at a sit and leaned against the tree, staring with those dark eyes of hers in the direction of the disturbance. She would not be getting involved, that was for sure. She would simply have to find a new location. Looking down to the book in her hands with hesitance, she thumbed the pages then gave an irritated sigh. No, no, no. I do not care. With a small shake of her head she moved on, deeper into the forest, maneuvering her way around the varying sized trees.

Everything that she came by though was not like her favorite spot. There was not enough sunlight for reading or there was not enough shade to remain comfortable in the heat. So, Imogene continued moving on until she heard voices ahead. The initial feeling was complete and utter annoyance at the fact that it seemed that people were everywhere: talking, yelling, playing… But as she looked towards the noise, she noticed the shading of someone or something—not one of those speaking, but rather, listening? Quietly she stepped forward and her eyes squinted ever so slightly. It was a girl and not one that she recognized. At all… Could it be a deer person? On their side? It would make sense considering the time of year.

Moving silently, she stepped forward more to see those the dark-haired girl was watching. She knew the voice well; it was Ionn. Forgetting the silence of her step, she walked forward into the clearing, walking right passed the hiding girl. Imogene didn’t even give her a glance.

“What are you doing all the way out here?” She asked her friend, if anyone could consider what they had true friendship. Really though, Imogene trusted him as much as she trusted her own family and that was big for her.

Her eyes couldn’t help but wander also to the boy, about the same age as herself and Ionn. She recognized him, but couldn’t put a name to the face. “Sorry, you’re name has escaped me…” With a flickering glance behind her to the bush she added casually, “You two are being watched. Did you know?”

Layla watched the two men from her hiding place in the shadows. They hadn't said anything as of yet, but she was curious as to why they were here. Movement had her swinging around, gray eyes scanning the forest. It didn't take long to find the source of the noise. It was another girl and she had seen Layla. Studying her for a couple moments she decided that she hadn't ever seen the girl before.

The girl never said anything to her. She did however, see what Layla had been looking out and then to Layla's consternation stepped out of the trees and address one of the men like they were friends. Then to her extreme frustration and anger, the girl let them know that they were being watched. The wretch.

Layla fought for calm for several seconds. She blocked out the scents and sounds of the humans and immersed herself in the forest. Whoever she was, the trees and ground said she was human. Fury seethed up from out of nowhere and she was once again fighting for control. After what seemed like ages, Layla managed to get herself back under control. Brushing a hand through her hair, she stepped from the trees and shadows exposing herself to the strangers and to the sun.

It had been a long time since she had been out of the shelter of the forest. She felt vulnerable but didn't show it outwardly. Her face was impassive and her eyes cold as she looked at the three. The girl she took an almost immediate disliking to, humans were never to be trusted. The boys she wasn't so sure about. Not yet anyway. She wasn't going to apologize for watching them either. So, for the moment she stood silent and watched and waited.

Rhoden scowled at the way the man greeted him. The connotation behind his vocabulary had not escaped Rhoden and he was not particularly pleased with the fact that he had happened upon another of his kind so close to where he made his home. The deer people of Fincayra had banished him from their herd when he had been quite young and, while Rhoden tried not to hold a drudge against all of his race, it was difficult for him not to think of them as all the same. He wasn't about to say any of this, though, especially when the trees in the clearing above him were practically screaming that they were being watched. From where, he wasn't sure, for whoever it was, they were being stealthy enough that he hadn't noticed strange movements through his pain-tinged mind.

Before he found any words, a third party entered the clearing, a woman about his age who he did not recognized. When she greeted the other man as a friend, however, he immediately assumed she was also a deer person and his eyes narrowed almost like a prisoner who's just walked into a pub where constables gather. He didn't move, however, and didn't answer right away when the woman asked--in a roundabout sort of way--what his name was. Instead, he waited and listened to what the trees were saying above him.

"I cannot speak for him," Rhoden said, "But I was aware of watching eyes."

No sooner had he said it than yet another figure appeared in the clearing, looking overly-obstinant. He blinked at her a few times before turning around and limping to the edge of the clearing. Picking a very wide treet with a circular root at its base, he turned and sat in the circle and began nursing his sprained ankle with a thick bandage and a collection of herbs from a pouch at his side.