.Playground.

[Nyx]

The old swings squeeked as the wind blew through the forest. It was about noon, and a little on the cold side, but it was a beautiful day. Or at least that was what Nyx was thinking as she walked out of the forest and into the clearing. She was admiring the merry-go-round near the center, and pulling off the vines that were creeping their way up to the top. It was red and white, like a candy cane, with small silver bells hanging along the edges, and light bulbs that no longer lit up during the day or night. No one ran this place anymore, and so no one was around to maintain the playground, but Nyx figured it was about time that someone had changed that, and it was time to bring this place back to life. Even if she had to do it all herself.

Her nails scraped some of the paint off as she clawed her way upwards, brushing off all the growth and pushing away all the dead leaves that had fallen on the top over the time that had passed. She didn`t understand why there was so much, it hadn`t been that long since she had last been here and everything was alive and parents brought their children around for a day or night out. Upon reaching the top, Nyx sat down and sighed. It had been quite some time since she had last been up here.

"Three months," she said to herself with a nod. In reality, it had been about seven years since she had last been here. Quite a while. But she seemed intent that it had only been a few months. She slid down from the top and dug underneith the carosel, and opened up a small panel under it. She pulled out something from her pocket and stuck it inside before closing it again, then covering the hole with dirt. She clapped her hands together to brush the dirt off and moved to the center of the merry-go-round, and pressed a button.

A simple melody and lights started coming from the playground, and a small, childlike squeel on top of it all. Nyx had made it work. It was one thing down amongst many here. It started spinning and she sat on one of the white horses as it moved up and down. A smile played at the corner of her lips as it turned. It groaned and creaked, and rust was flaking away as it slowly started to come to life. It was harder to see the different coloured lights, but she was glad that they worked at least. Now she didn`t have to stop working when it got dark outside. She could continue through the night if she needed to.

Pinning back her dark hair, she stepped off of the childrens ride, brushing off her already dust coloured pants. Out of one of the pouches that attached to her belt, she pulled out a pair of silver gauntlets and slid them over her hands. Flexing her fingers inside of them, she started work on repairing the swingset that had toppeled over under its own weight.

"Where am I going to get enough iron to fix all of this though..." she said, her soft voice being carried away on the wind. She pushed it all back up and into place, but it wasn`t strong enough to hold any weight. She would have to go and get more materials after she finished off fixing what she could.

"But it`s a beautiful day, might as well enjoy it," Nyx said with a smile, and sighed before going back to the merry-go-round and laying on it, and stared out at the forest as it slowly spun around her.

[Mirus]

Mirus was awoken by the sharp sound of a snapping branch from somewhere below him. "Ha", chuckled Mirus, "Breakfast in bed!". Mirus had fallen asleep listening to the gentle music of the wind blowing through the trees while waiting for, well he was not sure what he was waiting for. He had been feeling that something big was bound to happen soon, and he decided that the tree he was currently in would lead him to adventure.

Leaving the world of his thoughts for now, Mirus decided that he indeed was hungry. "now how will I go about this?", Mirus thought to himself. Taking one last moment to appreciate his tree top view. From high above the ground up in the trees Mirus could see a great distance, "hmm,", he thought to himself, "I wonder what that small clearing is.". He decided that he would make his way to the clearing to see what may, or may not be there. "Besides,", Mirus thought, "I grow tired of waiting.".

Without warning, or ceremony Mirus silently leaped from his high vantage point, to begin his rapid earthbound dissent towards his soon to be meal. Mirus knew without even looking that the branch was broken by a young buck. The deer stood almost six feet tall, and would be more than a meal for Mirus, with plenty to spare for later adventures. Shiira tensed around Mirus' arm, "I haven't forgotten about you Shiira, you can have some too.".

The deer's ears perked up, it slowly raised it's head. The deer was attracted to this area, and serendipitously the tree Mirus was in, by something it did not quite understand. The deer after looking back and forth, decided it was safe and continued grazing. The deer had made the last mistake it would ever make. Mirus, not feeling the need to become a splatter upon the ground today, slowed his decent by casting feathrfall to the silent, lazy pace of a feather slowing falling in a breeze. Mirus waited until he was about ten feet above the deer before allowing gravity to take over again.

Before the deer knew what had hit it, Mirus was upon it, claws slashing, teeth bared, in a furry blur of unimaginable fury. Within seconds the deer was no more. Mirus, standing up from the bleeding pile of deer in front of him, straightened his robes, and coughed twice loudly. looking around to make sure no one saw his, animalistic fury. "Well that was --cough-- fun,", said Mirus.

Mirus then set about preparing the deer, he decided to use a knife for this because he didn't want to dirty his robes, "Even though I could just make them clean again with magic." Mirus mused aloud to himself. when all was said and done Mirus raising his right arm, and pulling back his sleeve turned to Shiira and Whispered "Are you ready?". Mirus lifted the deer meet onto a nearby stone. It was the perfect stone for cooking on, slightly off the ground, not too thick, nor too thin, and almost perfectly flat. Mirus had already brushed all the natural forest debris prior to lifting the meat.

Mirus decided that he would have some fun with cooking this meat, Mirus, with help from Shiira channeled magic from his surroundings, and from his burning passion for magic, and excitement from capturing the deer so easily, and summoned a powerful fire, just below the rock. The flames licked up and around the rock at the meat, and within minutes the area was filled with the decadent smell of cooking meat. "Ha ha ha!" Mirus laughed, he truly loved to use magic, and would use it at any opportunity.

Mirus' attention was brought back by the simultaneous bite on his wrist, and the smell of burning meat. "SHIT!, crap, crap ,crap,", Mirus blurted out. "Oh man not the meat, NOT MY MEAT!", Mirus whined, then shouted. He quickly doused the flames, and lifted the remaining unburnt meat of the pile. "well at least some of it is good, eat up Shiira.". Mirus sulked while eating his meat. This day was not turning out how he wanted it to so far. "It will get better!". He suddenly shouted. So with full bellies the two ancient friends set off in search of the adventure Mirus knew was awaiting them.

Mirus stood, and realizing that he was going in the wrong direction decided to completely turn around and walk back to where he started. After walking for at least five times as long as would have taken him to get back, Mirus came upon a clearing, this clearing was magical to Mirus, and he was instantly filled with joy and wonder that made him want to jump up and down with excitement. So he did, after calming down enough to look at the clearing he realized that it was some kind of play area, there was a dilapidated looking swing set with peeling rusty paint, and something that Mirus had never seen before. To Him it appeared to be some kind of round stable with no walls, but upon closer inspection the horses appeared to be enchanted to be frozen in place, just like the ones placed in formation around the grounds. Mirus continued to look around, he saw what he knew to be monkey bars, and teater-totters, tire swings, and laydownswings, or so he called them.

Mirus smiled, "This looks like fun!", Mirus said to no one in particular. Mirus decided to run over to the laydownswings, and sit in the way that only quadrupeds can, and swing back and forth. Mirus was enjoying a pleasant swing when suddenly from nowhere the enchanted round stable started to rotate, and make not unpleasant noises. Mirus saw the screaming girl trapped in the enchanted rotating stable, and decided that it may be fun if he were to try and save her.

Mirus with a quick and practiced action leaped from the swing and bolted over to the enchanted stable. Mirus nimbly jumped between two of the enchanted frozen horses grabbing the screaming girl and holding her in his furry arms. He then quickly jumped out of the enchanted stable, where the small multi coloured horses were frozen in place. Then Mirus raising his left hand and drawing from his deep magic and imagination, created a soft over stuffed mat, and laid the girl upon it. Mirus then fell to his knees nearly exhausted beside her. He had only reciently mastered the art of turning his illusions to reality.

Mirus looking down at the girl said, "There's no need to fear, you are safe now.". Mirus stared at the girl, waiting for her to respond to him with her undying gratitude. "Maybe,", he thought, "she will reward me with tresure, or a lead me to adventure. Or reward me with other more devious gifts.". Mirus smiled, he would like that, yes he would like that very much. "Yes i would love for her to reward me with magical knowledge, I am feeling the need for fun, and perhaps she knows spells that I can use, yes devious spells of fun for pranks.".

[Nyx]

Looking out at the playground, Nyx noticed that she was no longer alone in her wonderful area, full of memories and happiness. She sighed though, she was not in the mood to move. If someone else was here to enjoy her happy land, then so be it. There was no reason not to share with this other creature, and she would let it be at that. It is strange though, not many other people come out here... Nyx thought. One of the very few times she kept her thoughts to herself. With closed eyes, she enjoyed the sound of the melodies that played around her, and the sound of the squeeking metals underneith her. She didn`t mind the rust too much, or the hard iron below her. It was actually very cool and rather enjoyable.

The back of her eyelids was a bright red colour as the sun shone down on her playground, then turned a dull black as the shadows covered her face. She raised a hand to scratch her head and enjoyed her ride in the small circle, with the horses moving up and down on either side of her. Nyx sniffed the air a couple times, and slid her hand along her face before slowly cracking open one eye to look at where the other creature was. He was not where he was before, and this slightly confused the Lycanthrope.

Her body left the ground faster than she could react, and the next thing she knew, she was set upon something very soft, and it seemed to have come from no where. Before her eyes adjusted to the change of scenery, her hand reached down to a small knife that rested on her left thigh. Her eyes soon adjusted to the light and she didn`t feel as blind anymore. Tree`s started coming into focus, and she realized she wasn`t far off from the merry-go-round at least. Looking around quickly, she noticed that there was that furry creature she saw come into her playground before. Mildly confused, she tilted her head and her brows furrowed slightly.

"What was that all about?" she asked out loud, and before the kitsune could say anything in responce, she answered herself. "I`m not sure, but it`s mildly concerning. Maybe he has some sort of fixation with picking up people when they were trying to nap," Nyx looked him up and down slowly, her light brown coloured eyes scanning every detail about him. "Yes, it is a him, thats for sure... I think," her eyes narrowed for a moment, and then she nodded to herself. She would settle with a male for now, unless there was something he could do to prove to her otherwise. She brushed off her arms out of habit and sat cross legged infront of the man.

"So my good sir, what be your name? And what brings you to my playground on this wonderful afternoon?" Nyx looked up at his face, and a smile creeped across her lips. It was definetly an interesting day, and she was only half way through it. More things were bound to happen, expecially now that there was someone else to accompany her day with. She touched the soft mattress under her and then offered her hand to the lad in front of her. Her long fingers were only slightly protected by the gauntlets she wore. It wasn`t thick metal either, just a very light one so that she could avoid scrapes and bruises form everyday work, and that was all she needed protection from in this form. She could always change if she ever really felt threatened. It was very durable and bent well with her hand and she curled her fingers slightly for him to grab onto.

"Come now, I don`t bite during the day," Nyx said to him, and then hit her head with her other hand. "Oh do forgive me, introductions are needed, my name is Nyx Mýrún. You can, if you wish, call me Nyx," she said, her voice had a bit more harshness in it than before. She was a little nervous, but excited at the same time. He seemed to be one that could keep up with her speed, which was something she didn`t find often. Even in these parts. Perhaps, later, he would even help her fix up this playground, but for now, pleasentries were to be exchanged, and she would try to remember that she should pay attention to his actions, instead of just assuming that he wasn`t a threat to her. Afterall, he could be after something of hers. Maybe her weapons, food, knowledge. Maybe her favoured weapon, or even her body. She knew some men were only interested in that, and she supposed that she couldn`t blame them all that much. She was tall and slender with long black hair and pale features. From what she knew, thats what most men were after.

Not her vast knowledge of the lands and it`s history, or her knowledge of sailing and nature. Just her body.

How she dispised men at times.

[Mirus]

Mirus, very was very excited, the woman was ok and she seemed to be waking up. "Good I didnt want to wait anyway," thought Mirus, yet He was stunned when the Lycanthrope began to speak, "She did not even thank me!" Mirus thought "If anything, she thinks that ive done her wrong, or that im some kind of freak.". Mirus watched her hand relax from the knife at her side, relaxed his tensed mussels, and decided not to pretend to be so tired. After she had finished her decision upon his gender, Mirus was happily surprised. She unlike so many others had realized, at least partially that he is male. Mirus looked down, looking at the woman, and at the illusion of flames crawling up his hands and wrapping around his arms in a way that no true fire could. quickly calming his already subsiding temper, Mirus doused the flames.

Mirus was pleased, apparently she did not notice the flames, she asked him his name ,and what he was doing here, "Well,", Mirus said, while puffing up his slender chest to increase whatever small physical presence he had, "something told me you were in trouble, and I came to save you.". Mirus thought for a moment then decided, after looking at her smiling face that he did not feel like playing his games with her today, maybe if their paths crossed again he would, but for now he would be truthful with her. "...Well,", Mirus finally sighed, and admitted, "I had a feeling that a tree I was in would lead me to adventure, and when I got here I found you being attacked by that enchanted stable over there.". Mirus paused and waited for her to respond in gratitude, for he still held hope that she would, while shifting back and forth in place readying himself for something, or anything.

Mirus watched as the woman smiled and told him not to be afraid. she then quickly raised her hand and before her action was complete Mirus was already two feet off the ground jumping over her. For a reason he could not understand Mirus was jumpy around this woman. When she resumed talking, Mirus, to save face, twisted gracefully and landed on her other side. "So, her name is Nyx Mýrún, I believe that I will call her Nyx, and maybe ill stick around, to learn what she was doing. Its curious that a creature like this would just be laying in an enchanted stable. she is obviously very powerfull, but I cant sense any of the magic on her, does she not know it? or does she know how to hide it? curious.". He thought.

As Mirus was thinking his thoughts of adventure to come, and potential adventure with a new companion, he realized that he was just staring blankly at her, when she introduced her self, he also heard a harsher tone than before. Mirus reached one hand behind his back to check and make sure that his weapons were close at hand, just in case. To cover this action he reached out with his other hand to help her up from the bed that he had created, "That she was so ungratefull for.", he thought. "My Name is Mirus, I am the powerful fun-loving sorcerer known far and wide, in rumors and whispers, There are some who call me 'The Fox', you may call me Mirus.", he said to the woman. Even though Mirus had decided not to play his games with the woman, he decided that it did not mean that he could not have fun with the small talk and introductions.

Mirus' curiosity then took over and he couldn't help but to ask, "So what were you doing in that enchanted stable? was it you who created it?", Mirus waited then quickly unable to contain his excitement blurted out, "How is it that you can do that? And for what purpose did you make it? What magic causes it to light up like that? And Why the red stripes?". Mirus looked at her intently, so focused on the answer to come that he could not even notice that she had yet to take his hand, and that Shiira had slithered her way down his arm and was warped around his slender forearm and hand. Shiira had been disturbed by the noise and had decided to come out and see what was going on. Shiira unlike Mirus was not instantly convinced about this new person, and was being cautious, she would decide when and if this wolf could be friends with her Mirus. Or at least she thought so. So they waited one intent and curious, the other wary and cautious, for the new girl to speak.

[Nyx]

Nyx looked at him for a few minutes before tilting her head slightly. "I`m afraid I have never heard of you, not that I hear much in these lands. Not many people seem to be able to care enough to talk to anyone unless you approach them first, and even then they`re usually really skeptical and don`t talk to you," she said with a blank look on her face. It took her a few minutes, but she reached out and took his hand gingerly with her own. She lifted herself up off of the cushony bedding and stumbled a little. Clumsy Nyx. It surprised many, but it was true. She had problems walking around at times, but she got over it rather quickly, and never managed to completely fall flat on her face at least.

"Either way, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintence, Mirus," she said, and looked around and then at the merry-go-round he had ever so excitedly talked about. Her eyes flickered suddenly to look down at the fox`s hand. She swore she saw something move, but she pushed it aside to focus on the mans questions. She looked him up and down and smirked, before taking a couple steps toward the 'enchanted stable' that he seemed so intrigued with. She paused, took one more step, then stopped to turn around to face him.

"The 'enchanted stable' is also known as a merry-go-round. I didn`t create it, but I helped make a part of it. They used to be manually turned before, but then a while back I helped invent something that is actually widely used, if you don`t mind my bragging. I shall show you, because it is rather hard to explain. I can`t even completely recall how it works, but it is what makes it move and light up," Nyx seemed to take only a step and she was right beside the merry-go-round. Digging up the same spot she had before, she reached under and re-opened the panel and took our the power source she had worked so hard to put back in. The merry-go-round seemed to die as soon as she did. The lights turned off and it slowed to a grinding halt, and the music faded with the wind.

Tossing it between her hands, she held it out to the Fox. She could feel it still throbbing with energy in her hand, slightly draining as she held it, which was why she had carried it in a pouch. She winced slightly under its power, it was even draining the energy that the metals of her gauntlets had.

"Though you did ask more questiong, but take this and inspect it on your own," Nyx said, and looked at the power source before returning her gaze to the Kitsune. "It runs on this, and the purpose of the merry-go-round is enjoyment. For children, mostly. It`s a ride, if you will. This place used to have quite a few people gather here, and everything would light up at night. It was lovely. Fireworks, fires, roasts... I don`t know what happened though. I swear it was only a few months ago that everything was fresh and new. I can`t figure it out,"

Nyx paused to look around again, and took a seat on the now unmoving ride. She couldn`t help but smile in the Fox`s company. He was amusing, and obviously new to these lands, which was refreshing. She was tired of seeing the same faces over and over again.

"Right, he asked about the colouring," Nyx said to herself, and then guestured at the candy cane colours. "These colours were chosen because they make people happy, I suppose. A lot of people thought that they were very decorative. I didn`t paint it, or choose the colours. The people of Midgar did, if anything. The elves loved this place, and everyone got together to make a playground for all races. It was always peaceful here..." Nyx trailed off, obviously thinking about something else. Well, she wasn`t really thinking about anything, she was just lost to herself. Thinking about fireworks. She kinda missed those. They were rather rare. She was considering looking for some the next time she was in a town. Money didn`t mean much to her, she had a home, a rather beautiful one, and money came by rather easily...

"Have you ever seen fireworks before?"

[Mirus]

"The people here sound really boring.", said Mirus while helping the strange new person up. He enjoyed the soft feel of her skin against his, and warmly smiled. Mirus was no stranger to making new friends, and he loved to meet new people,so he decided that he would try to impress her and put her at ease. Yet he could not help himself but to catch a wiff of her sent, to someone who was not trying to, she would smell only of forest, but to his keen senses he could smell old dog as well. This slightly confused him, but he was far to excited to pay it any mind for the moment. However, neither she nor Mirus noticed Shiira slither back up his sleeve, which is odd for Shiira, who would normally silently transfer herself to whomever Mirus touched to loot and steal. "And you really haven't heard of me?" he said, sulking a little. He quickly recovered when he remembered his burning curiosity about the enchanted stable.

He stood listening intently to her explanation of the 'marrie goes round' or so he thought of it. "I would have preferred an enchanted stable, but a place made for fun? this is wonderful!" exclaimed Mirus with renewed vigor, "but" he said stopping suddenly "why is it in such horrible shape? and where are all of the people? should not everyone be here enjoying this beautiful afternoon." And a beautiful afternoon it was, Mirus looked up at the sky as the woman continued talking, it was a cloudless sunny afternoon, the sun was warm but there was a gentle brease blowing through the clearing.

He watched as his strange new friend ran gracefully leaped over to the marry go round, and began to dig. He watched confused as she handed him a device, and told him that she was its creator. "This must be a powerful magic," announced Mirus, "You must teach me!" Mirus excitedly waited for her to teach him, while she continued talking. He excitedly watched as the device seemed to be feeding off of his power, but not only his, the nature around him, as well as the sun. This confused him and he would be very pleased to learn the secrets of this device. Maybe his new friend would tell him in time.

"fire works?" Mirus asked. Thinking out loud he continued, "I have, come to think of it, in fact i have created works of fire that could confuse and wow even the most practiced in the arts, i could make a beautiful bird of flames,or perhaps a tree. Or" he said, tone turning sinister "great waves of flame powerful enough to burn cities, to melt stone from mountains, to forge great weapons, to defeat my enemies, and protect those close to me." Mirus was having fun describing his power, perhaps embellishing it, but one day he hoped to truly be that powerful. "Watch" he told the girl. He set down the device, and waved his hand through the air above his head, leaving behind it an arc of fire, that burned with incredible intensity, but gave no heat. Mirus left the fire above him for a few seconds before causing it to slowly fade.

"But not all of my magic is destructive," Mirus assured her, he then quickly looked around at the ruins of the playground, and the tree near the center that appeared to be dead. He knew better though, and knew that a tree like this would bloom once only every six hundred years. "I will impress her with another display of powerful magic," Mirus decided in his head. "then she will have to like me, be my friend, and know my name, perhaps she will be more forthcoming with secrets afterwords. we shall see.". He then looked down the front of his robes, having a quick telepathic conversation with Shiira, to be sure he would help him, after some arguing over the virtue of the action, and Shiiras' current distaste of the new female she agreed to help him, because after he was still her Mirus.

Mirus readied himself and stood with his arms heal wide, he focused his energy and drew the image in his head of exactly what he would imagine the playground to have looked like before it's fall into ruin. Unleashing all of magical might, Mirus set forth his illusion upon the clearing. The effect quickly spread out from where he stood, to anyone who could sense magic there would be a slight tingeing feeling in the air, because Mirus in order to show off even more decided not to hide his aura. The ground was the first thing to change the grass became clean, neat, and of even length. It then spread to the swings, and the slide, to cover the tire swings, and make them shiny and new. When it finally got to the springy animals and the marry go round, it started to go wrong to anyone who knew what those objects really were. All of the animals became full size and stood in place hooves clicking, poles and springs dissapeared. the colours however were not those of normal horses, and animals, whatever colour they were in their normal state, is the colour they remained now that they were 'real'. The horses lazily grazing, and a few making their way over to where Nix and Mirus stood. The illusion culminated its self in the blooming of the tree. The beatifull tree opened in full bloom, "there" said Mirus, after heaving a great breath, "it is finished. What do you think? how much do you love it? isnt it wonderfull? That is the power of Mirus, The Fox" he finished arms wide open, feeling the power recied back through his arms, how he loved to use magic.

[Nyx]

Nyx looked the boy over and nodded. "I`m positive that I have never heard that name before. Though really, don`t go by what I say, I sometimes barely remember my own name, let alone another person`s, so please, don`t take it the wrong way," Nyx said to him, and then watched as he turned his attention from her to the merry-go-round he had inquired about so vigorously before. "Enchanted Stable is such a strange name though, I don`t know if it would catch on, though, but I`m sure we could always try to get people to call it that. I don`t see how that would be a problem," she continued, and stared at his hands as he took her device before bothering to answer his previous questions.

"I think it is an amusing shape, if you don`t mind me saying so. And I`m not sure where everyone is. I swore I was only gone for a little while, but I came back here and everything looked like this..." Nyx gestured to the mess that everything seemed to be in, at least to her. She wasn`t sure what it would look like to other people, but it looked like a mess to her. A mess that she would have to fix up, or at least try to. "I figured at least one other person would be here, but I found you, so I suppose that is one other person.." Nyx trailed off again, and started thinking about the device that he held.

"Powerful magik? Sir, I`m afraid you must be mistaken, I do not know any magik," Nyx said, shaking her head toward the kitsune. "Magik, bah. I don`t need it. It`s a waste of energy that I could use for much more important things," nodding to herself, the lycan looked at Mirus as he asked her to teach him. Teach him what? How to harness the energy of the objects around him and force them into one point to allow inanimate objects to animate? Everyone could do that. Or at least buy one. "It`s been far too long since I had last really made one, but I suppose if I went to actually get the parts I could show you how it is done," she continued, and flexed her hands as she tried to remember what she even needed to make it`s general shape. It had been.. "Two hundred years," Nyx said with a nod in a sense of finality, even though it had been almost two thousand years since the energy sources were created, but she didn`t seem to notice the problems in time difference.

The Lycan watched intently as Mirus described his version of fireworks, and she snorted in response, but kept her mouth closed, she didn`t want to do anything to offend him if she could help it. It wasn`t quite what she meant, but he at least tried to understand where she was coming from. Then he told her to watch, so she did. She gazed up at his hands, and then watched them move. She couldn`t help but stare as fire came forth, and she took a step back. Fire magik. Never friendly from what she could tell. It had driven her away from many towns, thrown at her, singed her back furs, and created such intense pain she wondered if it hurt the castors themselves. Sniffing the air, she noticed that nothing was burning, and the air didn`t even smell of the warmth that normally came off of fires. When he dismissed it, her mouth fell slightly ajar, and she became slightly confused. That was incredible control that he possessed over that element.

"Not all magik is destructive? Thats a ridiculous comment, and very hard to believe," Nyx retorted, and looked away, only to see the grass begin to change, and a powerful energy come from beside her. She could smell it, and let out a slight growl and turned towards the source, only to find that it came from her fox friend. Power that great had a reason to be hidden around here, it usually ended up in someone being hunted. The reason why Nyx was proud of her ability to stay away from it. It kept her hidden while still being able to remain as powerful as she truly was. Her lightly coloured orbs continued to watch as the slide and swings turned to their original form, but looked very confused when it reached the horses. They remained their playful colour, but Mirus had turned them into real animals.

"That is amazing magiks that you possess, though still hard to change my mind about them not being destructive. And the tree is wonderful, though I have seen it do that before. But... well, you see, the animals that you created aren`t supposed to be real, they were created to substitute the use of real animals, so you didn`t wear out horses that are used for carting more important things, like carts for traders. Have you never been to a playground before?" Nyx asked, tilting her head in a canine like way. A smile slowly spread across her face. In exchange for this wonderful display, she could show him something about herself. He seemed to belong to a canine type, so he shouldn`t be too surprised at least. She started taking off her belts and pouches, and turned so her back to him as she continued to remove her clothing, laying them in a pile next to the belts. A light coloured fur could be seen already growing from most of her body. She stood up to her full height and straightened her back and cleared her throat.

"For showing me how powerful you are, I, in exchange, will show you where my powers lie," she said, and looked up at the sky, and her whole body almost seemed to go limp as she dropped down to all fours. When she re-opened her eyes they were a completely different type of brown, and the iris` were much larger than a normal human`s should be. Her fingers twitched and claws started to sprout from where her nail beds were, and a lush, thick, dark brown coloured fur started growing to an almost obscenely long length. Bones could be heard cracking and snapping into a different place as her body molded itself into her alternate form. A snout started to form from her face, filling with long, ivory coloured teeth. A whimper came from the beasts mouth as the transformation continued, and her body became longer and more muscled, and her hair melded with the rest of her fur. In another twist and groan Nyx stood up on her hind legs, paws instead of feet, a tail from her back, and long, wolven ears from her head. The transformation only took a few moments at best, but she felt every agonizing second of it.

Almost two feet taller than before, the Lycan looked down at Mirus with a twisted smile on her long snout. "This is my only 'magik'. My true form. I have trained long and hard to be able to do this upon will, but it pays off in the end. I hope this isn`t too much for you," Nyx said, her long tail swishing back and forth behind her, almost like a small puppies would when it got too excited.

[Mirus]

Mirus watched barely able to contain his delight, as he watched Nyx growl and snort while he was using magic. "Not exactly The reaction I was hoping for." thought Mirus, but it would do. His grin finally broke forth when he saw The apprehension turn to wonder on her face.
upon finishing with his illusion, Mirus dropped his arms to his side, illusions were his favorite, and a simple, small one like this was little more than a vigorous warm-up. Mirus looked upon his creation and was pleased, he then turned to look at Nyx.

Mirus' smile quickly faded. It was not as perfect as he thought, sure she told him he was powerful, but he already knew that. Of all The wonders he created, she found a flaw, apparently The horses were supposed to be fake. Mirus sat down, she even questioned his knowledge of play.

Mirus' smile quickly returned to him when he saw that she was not disappointed, but smiling, and tilting her head in a way that reminded him of a long lost lupin friend, from his time in The brothers of The wolves. "I wonder what this power could be?" he thought, eagerly awaiting her to reveal a great secret.

Mirus watched as Nyx transformed before his eyes, he watched her grow and heard her bones cracking, he heard her whimper, but decided to wait and see what was happening. She stood before him in what she called her 'true form' with her tail swishing back and forth behind her. "Transforming is hard for you?" Mirus asked confused. "That's odd. because I can transform at will, its just an ability that I've always had. Here watch" he told her, completely unfazed by Nyx's transformation, into what he knew people would call a monster. "Has she even looked at me?" he thought "I'm just as furry as she is, its no different than I've always been. Well, this does explain The old dog smell.".

Mirus took a step back and waved The flowing sleeve of his robe across her vision. Before it had gone all The way across, he was no longer standing there. In his place was a small furry creature standing on all fours, not much more than one foot tall, with pointy ears, and a long narrow snout containing a row of very sharp looking teeth. His colours were almost The same, except if one were to look closely they would see that his fur took on a slight tinge of The cloths he was wearing, depending on where they were. The fox looked up at Nyx, and let out a series of small barks. Mirus didn't use this form very often anymore, but it still had it's advantages. He always found that his greater works of fire, infiltration, and just remaining hidden or a smaller target were far better in this form.

The fox trotted over to stand before The sit down swing, he then leaped gracefully into The air to land in The middle of The swing. He sat, staring out into The distance, feeling The gentle breeze, enjoying where this day was going so far. He decided that it would be fun to leave The next move up to his recently furry new friend. He could see how there would be those who would find her scary, and he certainly found her interesting, but he had no reason to fear her. For now he would wait, and enjoy The smooth rocking of The swing.

[Nyx]

Nyx watched The creature before her turn into something even smaller. She crouched down and curved her slightly elongated neck down so that her face was about level with his. The only disadvantage for him being that... small... was her long snout could probably fit half his body into her mouth. Stretching her nose a bit more, she sniffed him then snorted. Fox. Her breath seemed to make The foxes fur flatten a bit against his face. Reaching out a long claw, she hovered it over The Fox`s head in measurement, before withdrawing it back to her own body and tilting her head. A non painful transformation was unheard of, but then again so was a Lycan being able to transform at will. As far as she knew, she was The only one who could do it.

"Most of my species cannot transform at will, only under The full moon can they change into their true form. Mine is special, I suppose, but that's why it`s painful. I am forcing something unnatural upon myself. Though it`s become less painful than before. And you are lucky. I cannot transform with my clothes on, for they will only rip," Nyx paused for a moment, then something crossed her mind. "Have you never heard of The Lycan`s transformation before?" Nyx asked, and watched as he barked at her. She looked slightly taken aback, then shook her head.

"No, you don`t need to change The animals back. I think they`re quite lovely like this, I think I shall take amusement in it for now," Nyx said, and stood up as she watched him bound away and over to The swings. He seemed to enjoy his magik`s, and she would let him have his fun. She straightened out and walked over to The horses that seemed unphased by her difference in appearance. She stroked one of The beasts manes, and used her other clawed hand to play with it`s velvet nose. She smiled to herself as she felt The warmth of The horses body, and sighed. It had been quite some time since she had last even ridden a real horse, and she kinda missed it. An idea suddenly passed her mind as she heard her stomach growl.

Nyx walked over to where The Fox sat and leaned against The swings poles as she watched him with her large eyes. "Hey Mirus," she started, licking her long snout, "have you ever been to a circus before? I heard there was one in an elvish town not too far from here, and I grow hungry as well as need to resupply so I can finish my job here," Nyx said to him, and then remembered her power source. Before Mirus could reply, she droped to all fours and almost seemed to teleport to where The power supply was, and them over ot The merry-go-round. She quickly put it back into place and watched as The merry-go-round lit up again and started spinning as music now started to play again. 'Teleporting' back to The swing Mirus was in, Nyx`s tongue rolled out of her mouth as she started panting, more in excitement than anything else.

"It`s been a long time since I`ve been to a circus, they`re so much fun. I used to be in one, you know. I was everyones favourite. Then I got bored and started travelling again. Now I`m a travelling acrobat. Maybe sometime I`ll show Mirus my costume. Oh how I love that thing. It allows such freedom with my movement... but Mirus, what do you think about going to The circus? Like I said, it isn`t that far, and we can eat and check out stores and things. I`m pretty sure we could find other things to do as well. So do you want to go?" Nyx asked, her words almost flowing together as she started talking faster as her excitement grew.

She started sniffing The airs. She could guess that they might meet up with some 'trouble' if they left for The elven village, but it was nothing she couldn`t handle, and they could always avoid it if Mirus didn`t want to get into a scuffle. Nyx couldn`t help but smile though. This fox creature could prove her much entertainment for The next couple of days.. or weeks... or years even if she could. Time was nothing to her. Until she was slain, she could live forever, and she didn`t plan on dieing any time soon. That was something that was, overall, easily avoided, expecially with her regeneration speed. One night of sleep and she could completely recover. It was nothing for her to get into a scuffle, and she wasn`t afraid of much. Gylf taught her never to be afraid, and she never was. A small smirk spread across her face as her snout turned towards The sky.

"I like you, Mirus," Nyx said, with her eyes afixed on a cloud. "I do hope you`ll stick around for a while."

[Mirus]

"well I'm glad you like them The way they are." Mirus barked, before running over to The swing. He decided to wait, and see what Nyx would do, if she did decide to attack, he was fairly sure he could defend himself, although he felt no need to worry, caution always proved wise. He listened to her approach one of his creations, and gently stroke its fur. "It's been a long time since anyone has seen me in this form, let alone stoked my fur. I've been away from people for far too long." Mirus' thoughts were cut off by an excited, and hungry, Nyx who was filled with questions.

"Ummm" he thought out loud "Yes I have been to a circus, they can be lots of fun. but if you are hungry" he barked while steeping off of The swing. Before his paws had touched The ground The fox had already taken on his usual form of Mirus The five foot tall effeminate kitsune. "I do have some deer meat, I ... 'caught it', and cooked it earlier today, it should still be fresh, I could even warm it if you wanted." Mirus reached into his pack and pulled out two of The few remaining un-burnt pieces of deer meat. he offered it to The lichen "I would love to go to a town with you Nyx. Do you know The area? If you couldn't tell yet ... I'm kind of new to The area."

Mirus waited, to see if she would take The meat, or if she wanted it heated or not. "so these elves" he pondered "do they put on a good show?" he started walking away, towards The opsite side of The clearing that he came form, turning back and shouting "What are you waiting for, The changing of The seasons? Lets go! Adventure awaits!" he finished his shouting with an elegant gesture, and a cheep magic trick that was one of his firsts, and would impress only those who knew nothing of fire magic, or knew no illusionists. As he spread his arms out wide, and his robe snapped to its furthest reach Mirus summoned a multitude of coloured flames weaving them into delicate, and elegant pasterns above his head, this gesture came second nature to him, and being this showy caused him no shame or regret whatsoever, in fact he loved it even if she didn't. Similar to The flames he summoned earlier these were illusionary and gave off no heat or smell of flame.

"You know something Nyx, I like you," he said turning back around to continue his walk. "you are certainly more fun then The last person I met, maybe you will keep this place interesting." He continued on for a few more steps before stating "besides The day is barely half over, and I know that grand adventure is bound to follow. The tree told me so.

Mirus snapped his finger and The illusion disappeared, leaving The playground in ruins once again. He didn't need this hollow gesture to dispel his magic, but he found that he was on a roll and decided to keep The facade going for a shot time longer, he was just having too much fun not to. "well coming or not?" He asked turning back one final time.

Mirus reached into his sleeve to look for Shiira, but she was not there. "hmm," he thought "I wonder where Shiira could have gone, maybe she is with Nyx. I hope that they get along."

[Nyx]

Nyx watched as he changed back. His transformation was so graceful, as compared to her bone cracking, self harming transformation that seemed so jerky. At the mention of deer meat, the long, wolf ears that were ontop of her head twitched, and a small amount of saliva dribbled down her snout. She couldn`t help but look down at Mirus. Testing, she straightened out her back and fixed her posture, standing properly in front of him. A smile curled it`s way around her muzzle and a small laugh escaped her throat.

"You`re quite the short little fox thing, my friend. Before you weren`t too much shorter, but now, I dare say, you are about two feet shorter than me. It`s kind of strange. I`m used to males being taller... or at least closer to my height, even in this form. It`s quite... strange, to say the least. And as for your food... I am very... very delighted that you would be so kind as to share your meal with me," she said, and reached out with one claw and stuck it inside a piece of meat. Bringing it back up to her mouth, she placed the slab of meat on her tongue, and then closed her mouth. She seemed to only chew twice before swallowing before speaking to Mirus again. "Actually," she paused, licking her lips as she reached for a second piece, "I know my way rather well around all of Verandi, and even some of the lands around it. Three and a half centuries gives you a lot of travel time," Nyx said, slightly reveiling her 'age', or at least the one she thought she was.

"Before I finish these off," Nyx said, swallowing another piece, "Do you want any more? I don`t wish to eat all of your food if you are still hungry. And you are a fine cook for being out in the wilderness, and not knowing the area," she listened to him and looked at her fur and the swishing of her tail kicking up dirt and shrugged. When she got close enough for them to see she would change forms, but until then she would just stay like this, she was much faster. And faster was always better in Nyx`s books, expecially when they had some place to be. Before she could move though, Mirus dispelled his illusion, leaving her wondering at where his Magiks went after he was done with them, or if they just ceased existing overall.

"The elves do a fine job, but I think this one is a travelling one, and therefore we are in for a treat, because I do believe that there are some anthro`s in this one, and they are always my favourite performers, because they have a wider range of abilities an skills," Nyx said, and shook her head as she thought about the last time she was at a circus. Wasn`t the greatest... she ended up, in a sense, ruining it. But that wasn`t her fault, they had offended her. It was their fault. She took a step foreward and paused.

"More fun? that's good to hear, now lets get going, I shall show you the way," Nyx said, and dropped to all fours and shook her whole body, dirt flying everywhere as the huge amount of fur that covered her body all moved at once. She started at a trot, to make sure that the Fox would have no problem keeping up with her pace. It was a decent run from here, but she could have crossed about a quarter of it by now if she needed too. Tongue rolling out of her mouth as she began to breathe, her nose caught the scent of something and she suddenly veered off in a different direction. With a snarl and a sound that seemed almost like a roar, Nyx was flying in the air and landing on top of what appeared to be a squid humanoid.

Saliva dripped out of her mouth and onto the mans face, and she snarled. He had been torturing a small girl, and he had what was coming to him. Raising a paw in the air, Nyx slashed down at... nothing. The man dissapeared from below her. She stood back up and looked around, and the small girl cried even harder. She was scared of the Lycan in front of her, and Nyx`s eyes softened. She crouched down and offered a paw to the girl.

"I`m not going to harm you, I`m going to take you to the elf village... alright?" Nyx said to the small, blonde haired girl with those bright blue eyes. She was wearing a small, lavender coloured dress, and had many cuts all over her body, from what appeared to be caused by a whip. As the girl shook and reached out to take the long, black claw that was offered to her, a force pinned Nyx to the ground. She let out a howl of pain as it pushed down onto her spine. She was flipped over to see the man holding out a hand toward her.

"A psionic..." Nyx growled, how she hated those kinds of enemies. She twisted and strained so she could turn and look at the girl. "Run," was all she had to say, and the girl nodded and took off. The squid man glared and tightened whatever hold he had around Nyx`s body. Wincing, Nyx looked at him. He was tall, almost as tall as she, with flowing black robes and a green skin colour. He was bald, and the lower half of his face was covered in tenticles. "Gross," Nyx said a loud.

"You ruined my meal," the squid man said, walking closer to the imobile Nyx.

"You shouldn`t prey on small children," Nyx snorted.

"that's a lot to say coming from a beast like you," the man said, and Nyx felt a small knot in her stomach. She hated what her race was, and yes she sometimes fed on human flesh, but never children. Never. That was something far too monsterous for her to be able to do.

"You`re going to regret it though," Nyx snarled, and started fighting back against the man`s hold on her body.

[Mirus]

Mirus smiled at Nyx as she hungrily eyed his food, moving his hands forwards in a giving gesture he repeated "I'm still full from before but I will join you in one piece, besides," he continued. "The more you eat, the less I have to carry with me" he smiled again warmly as Nyx took an entire piece with one claw. Mirus, who was not very hungry from eating before, slowly ate his piece. "I'm glad you like it Nyx" he said as Nyx quickly gobbled down the last of the meat.

"So you do know you're way around here then, that's great!" he exclaimed with glee, ears suddenly perking up at a sound off in the distance, he chose to ignore the source of the sound for now. "hmm, only three hundred years old?" he puzzled to himself, "The lichen here must be of a very powerful breed, no one can move that fast without centuries of training, and to have developed a power source, a power I have never even heard of. Or maybe she is just that skilled. its of no importance" Mirus thanked her for offering him more before finishing off the last of his meat. "Go ahead Nyx, its nice to meet a girl with an appetite."

"and I'm actually quite tall for my race" he said pouting a little "besides, being relativity small is great for getting into places you shouldn't be!" Mirus and Nyx talked for a time before she left to lead him on the path to their destination. She was moving fairly quickly, and he could have kept up, but he decided to just walk behind at a quick pace instead. After a few minutes Mirus heard Nyx dart off the path, and after some shouting, and strange noises, he felt the sharp buzz of magic, not a magic he has used, but one that he was familiar with.

He walked off the path where Nyx had and passed a frantic child who was running with all of her might to get to the path. Mirus knew that something was up, but he did not yet know if it was Nyx, or some other creature here in the woods. He decided to slide three of his throwing nails from his sleeve down into his hand. He continued walking, he came upon Nyx laying on the ground struggling against ...."against the magic, I do know this, its psyonics, god psyonics are a pain in the" Nyx looked up at Mirus, he winked at her "WHATS GOING ON HERE!" he bellowed, startling the man, as he turned around Mirus was temporally taken aback. "god you are disgusting!"

Mirus took one step back and faded from view, he used his power to cause himself to become invisible. This was one of his favorite tricks, he had done it so often that he could even mask his aura, and magic resonation. "HA HA HA, YOUR FRIEND HAS LEFT YOU, HE KNOWS WHAT IS GOOD FOR HIM!" the man laughed an evil and slightly manacle laugh, before turning back to Nyx. He redoubled his efforts to crush the wearwolf with his power.

Just as he turned back to face her, Shiira, Mirus' viper leaped from Nyx's fur onto the mans face. The man screamed in a horrible mix of shock, rage, and pain. His magic was disturbed, and the hold he had on Nyx was lost. Shiira had hidden away on Nyx in her fur when Mirus had offered her the food, "she had not forgotten" thought Shiira "even if my Mirus had accepted her, she still does not trust the Nyx". Shiira not even needing to see him, sprung from the mans face and appeared to disappear, but she had only landed on Mirus and became part of his illusion.

"WHERE DID YOU GO, YOU BASTARD!" the squid man shouted clawing at his face. Shiira had managed to free one of his eyes from its sockets, and it was dangling from the optic nerve, and oozing blood down his face. "I WILL END YOU!" the man lashed out with his mind, splintering trees all around, and tearing up the ground, nearly missing Mirus who was currently standing above in the tree. "NO MAN SHOULD EVER HURT A WOMAN!" he shouted, even though he may not have many values, Mirus believed that it was not alright to hit a woman, unless she attacked first, and posed an imminent threat, or if it was a contest, yes in contest it is alright he nodded.

Mirus' rage boiled over into his flames as he lit the upper half of the man ablaze. The smell of burning hair, cloths, and melting flesh quickly filled the area, as the man thrashed about hurling curses, and splintering trees. Mirus was knocked from the tree towards the ground, the man was powerful, without a question, but being blinded, and on fire his spells were only half heated. The man had just managed to put the fire out when Mirus landed on his back, the man, clearly stronger than Mirus physically, threw him against a tree about ten feet away.

"NOW I HAVE YOU! KITSUNE!" the man mustered up all of his strength to crush Mirus against the tree. He was successful, Mirus could not move, try as he might he was stuck against the tree with Shiira pressed against his chest. He was unable to breath, and darkness took him. Mirus had blacked out for about 15 seconds as far as he could tell, Nyx had done considerable damage to the man in that time, yet he was still standing. "I hate psyonics," Mirus said again to himself. Remembering the throwing nails he took out before. He quickly and accurately threw them into the mans knee, he let out a howl of pain and fell to his hands and knees. Mirus sniffed at the air, drawing in the sent of the battle, and something else he thought, smelling again.

"Nyx, can you finish him, I need to run after something I saw earlyer. And whats going on here? who is this guy? what did you do?, what was he doing to you? by the way I don't think that this guy is alone, but I think that he is the most powerful of the three, unless they know how to hide their auoras." Before being able to satisfy his burning curiosity Mirus took off running down the path to where the girl had fled. His robes, still as clean and neat as they were before this day began, the rinkels blowing themselves out in the wind behind him. Mirus was gone, but decided that he would keep his ears open to see if Nyx would need his help, he doubted it, she was more powerful than Shiira gave her credit for.

[Nyx]

Nyx couldn`t help but laugh as Mirus saw the mans face. His reaction just made her smile, and then choke a little as the creature tightened his grip on her mind. She clawed at the ground, because that was all she could really reach, being pinned and all. She watched as Mirus faded from her already blackened view and actually felt a bit of doubt in her mind as the psionic`s voice boomed in her mind. She winced a little bit, but only a little. Nyx was trying so very hard not to show any pain, but as her vision started to fade, and her breathing became ragged, she started to wimper.

Blackness closed around her eyes.
Then her mind.

She could see the lights of death coming to her, circling around her, picking up her soul from her body. Nyx could feel herself start to lift, and felt a cold breeze around her. She knew this feeling all too well, for it had happened to her many times already, but she felt that this might be her last one. The lights were so bright, and relaxing. They were eerily comforting, and danced around her, bringing a series of salty tears to her eyes, that made their way through her coarse fur, sliding along the fur as it slowly withdrew into her body, as her spirit became human again, she looked down at the beast she really was. So powerful; so fiece; so battleworn. It was the way of her species. Even though not many people could see them through her fur, the werewolf was covered in the scars from many years past. Little did Nyx know exactly how many years, but she guessed only about 50 years. Even her human body bore the scars, but they were covered by clothing. Across her back, her front, her legs, her arms, the back of her neck... there were about three different symbols burned into her skin from different owners, and about nineteen different runesets on her body from Gylf.

Nyx continued to weep, finally able to feel free.
Darkness closing in.
The Light coming closer.
Hands carresing her body as she was carried...

Her breath came back to her all to quickly, and she started in a coughing fit, curled up on the ground, looking up to see that the snake thing on the squid things face. She watched as the snake, also, seemed to dissapear as well. With a tilted head, it took her a moment before she actually understood what had happened. She brought herself to her feet, standing on very shakey legs, before drawing herself to her full, powerful, dangerously beautiful height. She took a few deep breaths as the psionic played with his dangeling eye and then his flaming body. Nyx almost felt the need to make a comment on the man`s sexuality, but thought otherwise as she felt herself want to vomit at the smell of his boiling body.

Nyx regained her stregth as Mirus handled the squid man for a few moments, taking all the time she could, knowing that this was not her area of expertise when it came to fighting. As Mirus was pinned up against the tree, a snarl escaped her throat, and a loud roar flew from her mouth. Even the psionic was startled enough to break his hold on Mirus, and Nyx was quickly beside him in a moment, helping him to the ground. She then flung at the still dazed psionic, tearing into his chest, and taking a large chunk out of his side with her snout. A quick jab to his chest and he was sent flying back.

Her ears twitched at the sound of Mirus` voice, but she didn`t dare look away from the psionic that half stood before her. She didn`t move as Mirus spoke to her either, but she knew every sound that he made. His breathing patters, how fast his heart was beating, and every groan his joints made when he moved.

"I believe that I can," Nyx replied, slowly, with a very low, growling voice. It was taking every force of will to even speak in the common tongue, and not just in a series of growls, howls, and viscious roars. Her whole body trembled with battle, and it took her a moment before she could continue. "And I don`t know, and as far as I know, there is nothing that I had done to cause any irritation to this man as far as I know. I have never even seen him before... and as for two others, I can`t smell them yet, so they`re not a direct threat to me at this point,"

Nyx waited for Mirus to leave before drawing energy upon herself, and lunging herself upon the other man while his knee was down, she spent the next few moments gouging herself on his flesh, picking apart the skin from the bones, having her fill of what little meat he had. She inhaled and shuddered as she felt his power surge through her, sending ripples through her muscles. She felt replenished and cracked her neck before sniffing the air, and following the path that Mirus had left for her in the air.