Heading South, Nox and Ashe

[Josie Wierden]

Information
Nox will be travelling alone until Ashe applies to Beyond and catches up with him.

Since we don't have any means of estimating the OOC time one would spend at average in Beyond we're not giving you a definite timeframe to post in. In time you will be given a 1 week notice to wrap up the roleplay.

Your adventure begins right after you've been approved at the Ranger's Station. It will take 1 click to reach the Bayou from your current location.

Please mark your posts to show-case when you're travelling on foot or riding on one of your mounts (flying or not).


Staff References
Staff Arrangement Thread (Staff Chatter)

Nox's Application
Nox's Character Sheet
Nox's Combat

Ashe's Application
Ashe's Character Sheet
Ashe's Combat

*9* / *14* / *23*

This post has been edited by Josie Wierden on Dec 29 2010, 03:23 AM

[Nox]

Nox thanked the ranger and led Algidus and Arc through the gate, looking around curiously as they arrived on the other side. It didn't really seem that much different on this side of the fence, if he were going to be honest. However, that did nothing to discourage him. He had figured it would take a while to turn up any change in scenery, anyways.

He spent a few moments checking to make sure his packs were secure on Al's back, and that he had everything, before he turned to Arc. Pulling himself up on to Arc's back, the human situated himself behind the vulticus' wings with a practiced movement, making himself comfortable.

You ready to go, guys? He asked the creatures through their mental connection. Both expressed their willingness to move on, and Nox grinned before giving the 'move out' signal. He turned in his seat and wriggled his journal and a pencil from his bag, opening the crisp, new book to the first page and making a note of the date of their departure, their supplies, and anything noteworthy about the surrounding area - which was really nothing. He made sure to glance up every few seconds and make sure that they weren't going to walk into a tree or something - though he doubted that Arc would just wander head-first into a tree, really.

Arc and Al just kept walking, used to the human's constant scribblings.

As a sudden thought, Nox looked over at Algidus, tilting his head curiously in yet another of the dog-like characteristics he'd picked up from spending far too long with his vulticus companion. Hey Al, he called to get the crossbreed's attention. Do you think you can fly with that thing on?

1
Riding Mount (Land)

[Nox]

Al flexed his wings for a moment before laying them back flat over the packs on the flat places Nox had made for his wings. I don't know. He replied, making a gesture that was somewhat akin to the gale-claw equivalent of a shrug. Never tried.

Nox pondered it for a moment before shaking his head and pushing the notion off. It was probably best if they stayed on the ground - at least for now until their supplies were a little more depleted and less of a burden. It wouldn't due to try and push Al and end up losing either their supplies or time healing an injured crossbreed.

He turned back to face forward, situating himself in his seat once more and looking around them. They still weren't really in a place much different than the surrounding lands of the labs themselves; just a somewhat sparse forest full of common plants and oak trees. Nox double checked his compass to be sure they were heading due south before he settled in for the ride.

It's nice weather to begin traveling. He remarked, combing his fingers absently through the thick fur on Arc's neck. At least it's not raining or something. Wouldn't that just be awful?

Arc nodded. Yeah. It would. He replied, too busy inspecting the new surroundings as he walked to really give much of a reply.

Algidus didn't even grace the statement with a response, still somewhat irate from being woken up far too early this morning to traipse endlessly all over the uncharted wilderness. How were they supposed to know where they were going if no one had ever been here before?

2
Riding Mount (Land.)

[Nox]

The group eventually found a well-trodden game path, falling on to it single-file and using it to wind their way through the small bit of woods without worrying about getting caught between trees. It was difficult to maneuver large creatures through endless trees without getting something caught, after all.

The trip was slow goings, especially at this point when there was really nothing going on; just walking, really, and observing the birds up in the trees as they chirped and went about building their nests. Smaller game, like rabbits, flittered through the underbrush and away from them as they heard the party approach.

Al gave an exaggerated sigh, dragging along behind Arc. What's the point of this trip, anyways? He asked grumpily, flicking his tail irritably. All we are going to end up finding is out that we are lost. He pinned his ears back, giving a low grumble.

Nox rolled his eyes, ducking under a low hanging branch. Stop whining, Al. I'm sure you'll find that you like it as we go on. You're just cranky because I woke you up at five this morning.

Al scowled. Who did Nox think he was, telling him how he felt! He grunted lowly, but quieted himself and made it a point not to argue any more. If Nox was just going to contradict his emotions, there was no point - and he supposed that if they were going to be out here for any extended periods of time, it would be better not to cause any sorts of rifts between the team.

Arc made no comment as towards the other two's needless bickering, instead giving a soft bark at a small rabbit as it stared at him in the foliage. It scampered away quickly, and Arc gave a hearty chuckle. Skittish little things, aren't they? He remarked to no one in particular.

3
Riding Mount (Land)

[Ashe]

[I don't get why I have to wear this]

[Quit your whining]

[No, seriously. You're not wearing anything that remotely resembles this. I don't like it]

[It's just a bridle, Dracula. I even removed the bit for you. Now it's just a halter with reins...]

Dracula snorted and tossed his head, for the third time since they started he was trying to jerk the reins out of Ashe's hands. The man's grip was firm, however, and he was used to this game. He didn't want to put the bridle on Dracula so much as it would just make things so much easier in the long run. A bridle on his steed would mean less space in the already filled backpack being taken up. And if he did put the bridle in there? It would become a tangled mess in no time. He had to admit, though, that Dracula was pretty good at obeying his hand signals without wearing tack. The saddle, too, was on- and was more of a necessity. It held the saddlebags with all their things, and the sleeping bag and the fishing net and everything... Ashe's boot clad feet felt odd in the stirrups since he was so used to riding bareback. Maybe he should have done training last night to get Dracula used to the tack some more.

[You'll be fine. Once we find a place to camp, I'll take it off and you can do whatever the hell you want.]

Dracula took this deal, trotting along through the trees. The air was filled with the smell of water and woodrot, and other things rotting. It was a new smell to Ashe since he'd never been out here and it seemed to rape his nostrils. But it was earthy, which made it tolerable. He didn't mind the smells of the forest, or in this case a more of a swampy location. Ashe was an outdoors guy and this... Land untouched by man (or at least almost completely untouched)... Was exciting. How many had come before him in this direction? He knew of two, and then Nox.


1
Riding Mount (Land)

[Ashe]

Dracula had no trouble weaving through the trees,even with the saddlebags and the bedroll (and Ashe) on his back. His slim form was able to cut through thinner gaps, so long as Ashe's legs made it through as well. He felt like they were making great time... Forget trying to catch Nox, he was starting to want to just pass him. This Beyond thing was easy peasy.

When Ashe had heard Nox was heading out - word passes fast when you're in a city of gossipers - Ashe had been stunned. He'd been planning to go out by the new year himself...and suddenly Nox was beating him. Which would just not do. So he had stepped up his game, thought out his plan, and here he was, only a handful of hours behind according to the Ranger. Dracula could cover that ground in no time, he was sure.

But as they walked, Ashe couldn't help but wonder what was out there, around him. His eyes kept darting from tree to tree, trying to catch a glimpse of something else moving. Creatures were said to be all around out here, ready to spring out and attack, but Ashe had yet to see anything. Sure he'd only been out here a short time...maybe it was deeper in that caused the rumors? He was also, maybe somewhat, keeping an eye out for Nox even if that wasn't as exciting.

[See anything?] Ashe asked his steed. Dracula grunted and shook his head in response, confirming Ashe's own thoughts. They seemed to be very alone out here, for now at least. There was also the question of if they'd be ready to fight whatever it was. Ashe didn't have a gun for himself just yet - they were so expensive at the Hammer and Ashe had had trouble finding gems on his own until he'd started mining with Nox...and then he'd had to split the spoils so it was still long going - so he was without a true weapon. He could use a tree branch or something maybe if need be. He'd be relying mostly on Dracula's flame and fangs if a monster attacked anyway.


2
Riding Mount (Land)

[Ashe]

It seemed like they'd been riding for -ever-. Ashe was so close to calling for a break. Dracula was agile through the trees, but Ashe was getting kind of sick of reassuring Dracula that it was a good thing they were out here 'wasting their time' looking for Nox rather than just going a different way and trying their luck. For one thing, there was safety in numbers. For another thing, Nox was Ashe's buddy (and only buddy, with Obs still AWOL) and what was the point of having an amazing experience if there was no one to share it with?

But anyway, he'd been this close to calling for a break, when something moved the bushes ahead. Dracula tensed and pulled up mid-trot, advancing at a slow walk. He was prepared to fight if need be. He'd been trained well and knew how to handle whatever came at him. He arched his neck, flames burning brighter, as whatever it was shook the leaves again. And then it was out- and coming for them!

And Dracula missed it by a hair with his flame. He instantly knew it meant food, and food was what he suddenly craved. The poor startled rabbit skidded to a halt, whipped around, and ran into the dense trees to the left, getting as far away from the Tainted as possible.

[You ruined my kill!] Dracula snarled.

[What? ME? How??]

[You and your human supplies weighed me down! I could have had it.]

[Oh really...]

[Yeah! So what do you propose we do about it!]

[Go see what scared it.]

[What?]

[If we follow the direction it came from, we'll see whatever scared it and made it run. It'll probably be bigger... you know, more meat?]

Dracula chuckled darkly, getting his point and approving. He continued at a walk, for better stealth, and crept along through the bushes and trees. It was a long while going, but eventually they heard sounds of things walking. Big things. And then they saw a flash of fur... [Let's go!] Ashe urged Dracula, who leapt out of the brush and onto the trail, whirling to meet the creature - and seeing two things and a human.

"Nox!" Ashe called out, both excited and surprised. Huh. They'd been this close....


3
Riding Mount (Land)

[Nox]

They had stopped for a quick break around noon, and while Nox was refilling his canteen in a brook running through the trees, they heard something coming up behind them.

What's that? Arc questioned, his great head swiveling in the direction of the noise. Nox slid the saddle bags down off of his back and the vulticus immediately slipped into a defensive position, growling deep in his throat. He began to slink forward into the brush, and just as he was about to spring out at whatever it was that was approaching, he heard Ashe's voice yell out Nox's name.

Boss? The creature questioned, as though asking if he should still attack or not. Nox waved him down, and instantly the creature was at ease, eying the other man and his equillion as they approached.

Algidus seemed, quite frankly, uninterested. He was busy drinking from the stream and generally ignoring Nox and Arc all together.

Nox stepped up beside Arc, the saddle bags slung over his broad shoulders. "Ashe?" He called, tilting his head curiously in another of the vulticus-like mannerisms that he had acquired from spending too much time with his companion.

Once he had confirmed that it was, indeed, his friend, he laughed. "Decided to join in on the adventure, did you?" The man once again turned to fill his canteen, kneeling at the edge of the water and letting it spill over the opening of the bottle. "Bout time, I thought I'd be alone out here forever!" He chuckled, capping off the canteen and then straitening with his customary grin.

Arc eyed Dracula warily, unsure about the equillion - though he was more familiar with the man that was riding him and he gave Ashe a small wag of his tail by way of greeting.

4
Not moving

[Ashe]

Ashe didn't expect to see the sight before him. One man filling a canteen, a cross of some sort looking extremely bored, and the Vulticus that he had insulted looking ready to do whatever needed to be done, even if it involved a wagging of his tail in greeting. How sweet...

"Hey, Arc."

He guided Dracula closer to Nox before dismounting, making sure Dracula was alright in the presence of a Vulticus. When he was younger, he'd gotten attacked by some young Caves and ever since then he'd been a bit touchy. He was getting so much better now, but just in case, you know? Dracula hardly batted an eye at Arc, recognizing him from Ashe's thoughts as the Vulticus that thought he was tough at the Club. Unlike Ashe, Dracula hadn't let those memories go. He didn't approve of weakness in the slightest and what Ashe saw in that man..

"Yep! I wasn't about to be left behind. And besides, thought you could use some real muscle!" He's obviously teasing at the last part, as he stretches his arms out, bends at the elbows, and shows off some of his muscles. In fact, Ashe was a bit disgruntled at being so slow to get out here... It was rather shameful, for the reputation he wanted to uphold. But here he was, and he'd make up for lost time. He grinned at his friend, dropping his 'guns' and crossing his arms in front of his chest.

"Find anything interesting out here yet? All I see is trees, trees, trees..."

[And water] Dracula added with disgust. He didn't need water, but simple humans did.

"And water. And a rabbit. But those don't count..."

He had to admit, it was nice being with another human. Don't get him wrong, Dracula filled his head pretty well with thoughts so he wasn't lonely, but it just wasn't the same as stretching your jaw and -talking- to someone... It was hard to imagine that just a month or two ago they were still at odds. Why were they fighting again?

5
Not moving

[Nox]

Arc woofed softly before continuing with his scrutiny of the tainted. He didn't really trust the creatures, if only because of the odd fire that surrounded them; however, the creature seemed to be alright - or at least enough under control that Arc didn't mind him being there - and the vulticus quickly lost interest.

Nox hooked the canteen back on to its place on Arc's saddle bags and slung the item back over the giant wolf's back. Now that the beast wasn't preoccupied with protecting them from whatever happened to be out there (aka Ashe), he didn't feel as bad burdening the creature.

The teen ignored the comment about 'real muscle;' where once he would have taken it as an insult from the man, he had come to accept it as jest more than anything. It had taken him a while to get used to the man's sense of humor, especially when they'd been enemies not so long ago.

Nothin' interestin' yet; like you said, lots of trees. He remarked, glancing around. We aren't too far off'a the labs yet, though. We should probably keep going if we expect to make any sort of time. He laughed. Hopefully there'll be more interestin' stuff up ahead, if we're in any sort of luck.

Are they traveling with us? Algidus asked, eying both the man and his companion with unmasked contempt. Surely you don't mean to drag that barnyard animal on our trip? Isn't this torture enough as is?

Nox rolled his eyes. You better be lucky that that 'barnyard animal' can't hear you; I've heard that tainteds can breath fire. He remarked with a smirk in the cross's direction. And yes, they will be traveling with us. Play nice.

The crossbreed huffed, glaring at the new arrivals once more before once again ignoring the entire party all together.

If you're ready to get after it, we were just about to start moving again. Nox supplied, turning his attention back to the other human. He settled a hand on Arc's back, ready to heft himself up on to the vulticus if the other male gave the go ahead to head out.

He had somewhat expected that Ashe would be out here as soon as he heard that Nox had gone. From what he understood, Ashe could be pretty competitive.

Nox didn't mind, though. He was already glad for any company that wasn't an overly sarcastic crossbreed or an over protective vulticus.

5
Not moving.

[Ashe]

Ashe thought about filling up his canteen while they were there. But, since he'd only been out a short while, he'd had all of one drink or so. There wasn't really a need for him to go through the hassle already. The worst that could happen? He'd go a little longer without water when he did run out. But considering how much water was around them he didn't think that was a real problem, actually.

"I'm ready when you are!" Ashe said with a grin. There was excitement in his eyes, more so than the usual. Adventures thrilled him. Dancing at the Panther thrilled him a little bit, but not as much. And normal everyday activities even less. Going beyond? Hell yeah. Going with a friend? HELL yeah! [Sorry bud] Ashe apologized through their link. [No time for a break, we gotta get going again.] He hadn't really moved from Dracula's side yet, so he just swung himself back up with ease and settled into the saddle. Had he mentioned how weird it was having a saddle on Dracula? The Equillon just looked so odd with it. Bulky. But at least, especially with the blanket underneath, it was padding for them both. Even a Common probably wouldn't be comfortable to ride bareback for such long distances...

So Ashe was settled on his back, reins in hand but loose, seeing as he didn't need strips of leather to really guide his faithful mount. He was ready to go, as Nox seemed to be, and the sooner they got moving again the sooner they could find something interesting to do!

Dracula, meanwhile, wasn't just standing pretty like a centerpiece. He was watching the crossbreed, sensing dislike coming from him. Drac may have been able to tell via smell...or maybe the way he held himself...or maybe the way the cross looked them over. Dracula wasn't going to tolerate any of this once they were on the road. No problems from the cross, then no problems with him, but if the cross so much as said anything... He snorted out a spray of steam, following Ashe's lead as the man guided him in the direction away from the one in which they'd come. Deeper toward the Bayou.

He imagined Nox would be on Arc's back and following him, if not ahead of him, in about one or two seconds tops, so he urged Dracula into a walk, then a trot. He was eager to get going, just as much as he imagined Nox was.

..He could hardly believe it. Beyond, at last!


5
Not moving

This post has been edited by Ashe on Jan 1 2011, 12:03 AM

[Nox]

When Ashe gave the signal, Nox smiled and hauled himself up on to the vulticus' back with a practiced ease. Lets go. He told Al as he nudged Arc into a walk with his foot. He kicked him into a somewhat faster pace to catch up to Ashe, glancing behind them to make sure that Al could keep up with them even while he was toting the packs. The cross didn't appear to be having any trouble with it, however, and so he kept to it.

Once they had slowed down a little bit, Nox looked around. It was interesting scenery he had to admit. Although it was still quite similar to the labs, it was a little greener - a bit wetter, perhaps. The trees were much more dense as well. Around the labs they had been trimmed to a manageable forest; here, however, they were wild and untamed - untouched by humans.

So what took you so long to get out here? Nox asked after a little while of riding in silence. He was thankful for the company, but he still had a difficult time striking up idle conversation with the man. They had enough in common, they just weren't very well acquainted he figured.

There didn't seem to be anything interesting going on around them, either. Trees. Trees. Trees some more. A rock. A tree. Fallen tree. Mossy tree. Bushes. Some more trees. This was boring. After a minute, Nox sighed.

Suddenly, an idea struck him. He grinned hugely, looking over at Ashe with a quirked eyebrow. You know what we should do? He asked, directing Arc around a tree with a low hanging branch so that he wouldn't have to duck. We should sing.

And, without any further input from Ashe, he began to do so. Oh mama I'm in fear for my life from the long arm of the law; Lawman has put an end to my runnin' and I'm so far from my home~ He sang; he was a surprisingly decent singer, actually. Perhaps it was the accent.

Al scowled at him. WHAT do you think you're doing? The cross asked over their link.

Singing. What are you doing? Nox replied with a smirk. Al glared.

6
Riding Mount (Land)

[Ashe]

Ashe glanced back to watch as Nox, on Arc, caught up to them with ease. On a wolf as big as Dracula, it was a fluid motion. The creatures were so well suited for travel together... It reminded him of the last time he'd tried to go to the Beyond with Silver. Gen and Beelzebub, in their younger days. Not that Beelzebub actually aged, but Gen...And, well, he hoped these two wouldn't fight as much as they would, anyway. But it reminded him of it. They'd been so close that time, making it to the ranger station, two lovers working on some last minute training together...

He cleared his throat a bit, snapping to the present. He wasn't even with a lover this time. He was with Nox, just Nox. Someone who was now what he might call his 'best friend' since he had no others. It sounded kind of pitiful when you put it that way, he knew, but they had a lot in common even if they didn't sit and have in depth conversations like best friends tend to do. He didn't have many 'normal' relationships with people, did he?

What took him so long? He flashed a charming grin at Nox, buying himself time. What -had- taken him so long? He hadn't been traveling slowly- opposite in fact,he'd been going fast enough to catch up to Nox on the same day of travel. But he also couldn't admit he hadn't gotten up early like the other man apparently had, could he? Excuses swamped through his mind, each one worse and more stupid than the last, until finally he gave in and blurted out the truth. "I...don't really function too good until noonish." And soon as he said it, he realized the problem this might cause. Out in the Beyond, the mysterious Beyond, that would cost them a half a day's travel. He doubted Nox would want to risk traveling at night to make up for it, so that would mean...waking Ashe up early.

Insert inward groan here.

[Somehow, you'll live]

Dracula's mocking made him shift in the saddle, kicking him lightly with a heel in response.

"No, what?" If Nox was going to announce playing that 'I spy with my little eye' game, Ashe was prepared to move Dracula next to Arc just to sock him. Same with the '99 Bottles of Beer on the wall' song. But Nox was already replying to himself. Singing. Crap, here comes-

A song Ashe knew! The man hadn't sung much besides to Kizulle to get her to sleep, and in the shower (hadn't even serenaded Vixen yet, though this would be the perfect time to practice!) but he burst into song, picking up where Nox left off with ease.

"Oh momma I can hear you a'cryin, you're so scared and all alone... Hangman is comin' down from the gallows and I don't have very long..."

[Oh dear god... Ashe, what the-]


6
Riding Mount (Land)

[Nox]

Didn't function well before noon? Well, that would be easy enough to fix; a few days of waking up at a somewhat decent hour would help that, right? Even if not, Nox was used to people who weren't exactly morning bird; he knew well enough not to talk to them before 10, at least. Hell, he himself wasn't exactly a very talkative person before then anyways, even if he was consistently awake early in the morning out of force of habit.

Not a morning person, eh? Oh well. I'll be sure to wake you /after/ cooking breakfast then. Nox laughed. He wasn't sure how well Ashe would take his routine waking up at 6:00 in the morning to see the sun rise; if nothing else, though, he could get camp all packed up and such in the mornings, and make breakfast - that should take a reasonable enough amount of time to make it a somewhat alright hour to be awake, right?

Al wandered along at behind Arc, somewhat displeased at having to spend so much time in close proximity to the dog; he wasn't very fond of Arc, no matter what his feelings for the human male may have been. Actually, that was almost the point - he didn't seem to like anyone at all except for Nox. Such a charmer, that one.

Checking the compass, Nox made sure that they were still headed due south, not wanting to get lost out here in the middle of nowhere. Not that it would be difficult; it was really considered lost if you didn't know where you were, and it was hard to know 'where' you were when you were in an uncharted expanse of wilderness.

The teen ducked under another low hanging branch and leaned back on Arc so that he was laying down on the creature's back with his legs still bent to either side. It was clear that he'd spent quite a bit of time on the vulticus to know that this was okay and that the creature wasn't going to walk them in to any trees.

Arc continued to wander along, following the trodden game trail that they had found themselves upon.

Nox grinned. He was happy that Ashe seemed to at least have the same taste in music - it made these sing alongs much easier. He picked it back up where Ashe had left off. The jig is up! The news is out - they finally found me! The renegade who had it made, retrieved for a bounty!

Al made a noise of protest in his mind. Would you shut the hell up already? I hope you're not planning on finding any creatures while you're making that terrible racket, you'll surely scare them all off. He pointed out, pinning his ears.

Stop being such a wet blanket, Al. Nox said by way of reply.

7
Riding Mount (Land)

[Ashe]

It was really..odd, to be singing with a guy he had wanted out of his life a few months ago, while on the back of a Tainted Equillion, walking down some random creature-path that was worn down by years of paws and hooves, while heading Beyond into the Unknown, a place where monsters were abundant and people told tales about the hideous being out there. And Ashe was going to spend this transition singing rock music with Nox, and royally pissing off his mount. If he would have paid attention, he would have been able to see the annoyance on the features of the crossbreed as well and know that he and Nox each had a kill-joy. As it was, Dracula was filling his mind with protests, trying to get Ashe to snap out of it.

[Ashe, what are you doing? Do you -know- what you are doing?]

"Never more to go astray!
This will be the end, today, of the wanted man!"

While Dracula may not like it too much, it was a fitting song to sing as they left the Ranger's Station, and the City, behind for...who knew how long. They were like renegades running from the law- the Labs may not have many laws, but the Beyond had even fewer. The only thing that governed here, Ashe'd been told, besides the age old "kill or be killed" and "survive!", was that if he happened to die somehow he'd be transported back instantly. Morbid thoughts, that there was something inside him or tracking him constantly, aware of his beating heart, ready to step in... Took some of the fun out of it if you asked him.

"Oh mama I've been years on the lam, and had a high price on my head..."

He continued singing after a slight pause, setting up the next verse for Nox to start singing. Dracula didn't seem to have a taste for the good music, though, and he purposely went into a jarring trot to try and upset him, or at least mess up his vocals. It was a real pity Ashe was so used to riding that it hardly affected him. He did drop off finally, though, much to Dracula's pleasure. Nox singing was one thing- it was embarrassing for his two creatures over there, but Ashe? Ashe was an embarrassment to himself and to Dracula. Human voices shouldn't be used like that.. It was wrong. Just wrong.

[Are you done yet?] Dracula asked as quickly as possible, hoping his human had come to his senses and was done finally. He'd be willing to forget it had ever happened and forgive Ashe for this, if he stopped right now. His hopes were dashed before Ashe even responded; he knew the answer.

[Nope! Just getting started, bud. Why don't you chime in?]

[Why don't you die in a fire...]


7
Riding Mount (Land)