Return (Pasture)

[apollo]

Apollo's sky blue eyes absorbed the light and seem to shoot it back out with a glittering brightness. Before him was a house, Ebony's house. Why did he feel so nervous all of a sudden? Runnig his fingers through his black hair she knocked on the coarse wood.

Would she be glad to see him, or upset? Would she scream at him coward, or cry in delight his name? Oh he couldn't hope, he had hoped to many times and had a broken heart. But he almost couldn't help thinking otherwise. He took a step back and looked at the pasture that was around him. It was so bright here..He shook his head, did it ever get night?

[ebony]

Ebony had been furiously cleaning every pot and pan in the house repeatedly. Her mind was racing, her emotions were on high, and she was pretty much angry with the entire world. She needed busy work to keep her mind off of the rest of her stupid life. "Stupid dad... Stupid Axel.. Stupid Apollo!" As if by some malevolent magic, there was a knock at the door. Ebony leaped about three feet in the air. She dropped the pots with a clang and had to stop and take a breath, her hand clenched over her heart. Before even walking near the door, she shuffled through the cabinets for a handknife.

When she felt the cold metal in her fingers, she grasped it tightly and felt the smallest bit more secure. She took cautious, crouched steps towards the door, ducking beneath the top window before warily turning the doorknob. She threw the door open, her knife still evidently lying in her hand. Her eyes widened and she could feel her face burning at the sight of Apollo standing in her threshold. The knife dropped from her hands and slid across the floorboards. Her lip quivered with shock and frustration at herself for even opening the door with all of the omens that had just passed. "A-Apoll... What-how..? Why?" She could barely even form one complete word, let alone a question. Why did he have to come now, of all times? Here she was, an emotional wreck, her violent tendencies flaring like a wildfire, and he just HAD to show up now!

[apollo]

Apollo’s blue eyes widened as Ebony appeared at the door with a knife in her hand. He had been expecting something dramatic, but not like this. Even though her hair was slightly mussed by her furious work, it still shone and captivated him like the first time they had met. The clatter of the knife falling to the ground snapped him out of his thoughts.

A smile came to his lips as he bent and picked up the knife from the ground. Straightening up he handed it to her, handle pointing toward her. “Quite a weapon you got there. Though I bet if you kept it in your hand it would be more effective.” His eyes sparkled with playfulness as he looked at her. “I came to see if you needed any help with some pots, or with anything else.” His smile brightened slightly at her flustered face. At least she hadn’t, well turned him out, well at least not yet.

[ebony]

Ebony just stared at him, gawking with amazement and anger at herself. She was just about to crack a smile, forgive him for everything, let him waltz into her house and stare into his sparkly eyes all day... But her womanly pride slapped her out of the trance. She yanked the knife out of his hand and held up her hands in front of her. "Noooo, no, no, no, nononono. This... is not the way it's gonna go down, mister." Noticing she was basically pointing the knife at his neck, she carelessly threw it behind her before returning her dagger-like glare to his calm, glistening eyes.

She pointed a finger at his face, a few inches away from his nose. "Don't you think that you can just prance over here like some pretty pony, come trotting up to my door, and expect me to give you carrot! Um, metaphorically, of course.." She crossed her arms and scowled at him, making sure he got the point. "I am not about to just fall into your arms and call out your name in a lovesick manner after the way you took off earlier without even so much as a goodbye! Don't you even think for a SECOND that I have forgiven you yet!" The scowl was still evident on her face as she looked away from him, trying to maintain her "tough love" persona. Inside she was dying to just leap at him and wrap her arms around his neck and stare at his shining face all day... No. She had to teach him a lesson, no matter how painful it was.

[apollo]

Apollo's smile faded slightly as she pointed the knife at his neck and waved it about angrily. this was going to be harder than he had thought, or hoped. A sigh passed his lips and he ran his fingers through his raven hair. What was it with women, they were so.. touchy sometimes. Though he had to admit he did leave all of a sudden.

"Well I haven't heard that one before." He muttered to himself as he tried to organize his thoughts. She definitely had spirit. Even though she was getting all riled up, it was sort of cute. For a color came to her cheeks that he hadn't seen before. For a moment he got lost in her eyes, but she turned around suddenly, breaking the look.

His blue eyes closed slightly as he looked down. Reaching out to a rosebush he stroked the flowers soft petals gently. "That was a pretty rotten thing to do.. I should have stayed by your side. I admit it." He paused and sighed again, apologizing wasn't the easist thing to do for him. "But I just..had to go.. having the disapproval from the life guardian can be a bit...oh i don't know..hard to deal with?" He reached down and the rose fell into his hand without making him cut it. Examining the perfect blossom he walked over to her and stuck it over her shoulder into her view. "Now will you forgive me?"

[ebony]

Ebony maintained the defiant scowl on her face, even while he was apologizing sincerely. Her expression began to soften at the appearance of a delicate rose in her view, but she wasn't sure how to proceed. What could be the consequences of turning him away again? What could happen if she merely accepted his apology? She was already fully aware that Apollo wasn't exactly a violent man, but that wasn't quite what she was worried about. His comment about the disapproval of her father got to her for a reason unknown to herself. It was like he didn't trust her enough to bring him around her father and know that there was no danger of him getting harmed. Her father wasn't an aggressive man. He had a good head on his shoulders; that much was blatantly obvious, or at least she thought it was.

With a sigh, she had been defeated. She hesitantly took the rose from his smooth hand and held it in her own. She turned it this way and that, looking at all the small details of the beautiful flower. She was still too bashful to look him in the eyes after she had exploded all over him like that. The question was burning on her tongue; she wanted to let it fly so badly, but she wasn't sure how he would take it. It was now, or most likely never. "...Do you not trust him? My father, I mean. Is.. Is that why you left?" She glanced up at him, her expression curious, but in a saddening way.

[apollo]

A smile broadened over Apollo’s face as she took the rose from his hands. Suddenly he found himself in the need of air. For without knowing he had been holding his breath, waiting for an answer from her. Yet her response had been slightly aloft, as if she was contemplating not taking it. In fact she seemed a bit withdrawn. What he didn’t understand was this was bashfulness.

Held back a sorrowful face at this and only tried to be joyful. That in until she asked a question. His face grew stony for a moment as he tried to figure out how to respond. “Your father…” He looked at her for a moment before looking down at the ground about him. “Has a lot on his mind, and you never can tell how people are going to react under pressure…I didn’t want to take any chances.” Though this may seem like he was being a coward. Really it was just a correct logical assumption. After all how could he defeat the life guardian, he may be strong but he wasn’t going to go around trying to kill guardians off and commit suicide.

“It’s not that I don’t trust him, though..” He coughed for a moment, awkwardly, he will let that one lay still. Why was it when he was in her presence he got so tongue tied? “What I mean to say is….I left because I..” He winced slightly. What was he trying to say? “I’m not much of a fighting man when I know it’s against a superior. Though.. sometimes it gives me a thrill to do so, especially when I think they are being unreasonable.” He frowned slightly. “I just didn’t want to trample on a raw nerve. especially with him being so.. touchy.”

[ebony]

Ebony's eyes widened with shock as he slammed insult upon cocky insult on her father. By the time he had finished, her mouth was hanging open like the hinges had come loose. He made her father sound like some psychopathical, anger-management maniac! She took an aggressive step forward, stepping on his foot on purpose. She planted her hands firmly on her hips and stuck her nose in his face. "Touchy!? Unreasonable!? Who do you think it is that you're talking about, Mr. 'I'm the most respectable person in the world'!?" There was one thing you never ragged on in front of a girl, and that was their father. He was about to learn that lesson the difficult way.

"Let's get one thing straight, bud! My father has worked his butt off for people like you so that you have stable ground to walk on every day of your shallow, ungrateful life! Don't you even dare try to put yourself above him!" She poked his chest quite hard, forcing him to take a step back out of her house. "Now, I suggest you turn your little sorry tush around and get along before I take that pan to your head!" To emphasize her point, she stalked over, grabbed the pan, and held it, ready to swing.

She was beyond forgiveness now. No one ever messed with her father. She knew he wasn't exactly the greatest or the closest parent she could have had, but she still loved him more than anyone. She was beginning to get the feeling that Apollo wasn't as smart as he lead on to be. Perhaps it was just that fat, pretty head of his that she was actually hearing instead of his actual clueless brain. She was prepared to smack some sense into him if he didn't abide to her demands. Fathers come first, always.

[apollo]

Apollo took a step back as she took a step toward him. His bright blue eyes widened as he saw an angry flush jump to her cheeks. Every word that erupted from her mouth felt like needles stabbing his heart, digging their pointy ends into as deep as they could. But not a word of defense came to his lips. He knew the battles he could win, and the ones he could loose. Plus he had spoken enough already.

“So much for being totally truthful, you big fool, you barely knew her.” His eyes searched her face for any hope for forgiveness, but there was none in the livid eyes of hers. Dropping his gaze slightly he nodded and turned. “Barely knew her, yet every second was a pleasure…every moment and you have to screw things up.” He was a pace or two away when he turned slightly. His blue eyes raised to hers as he said softly, “I won’t forget you Ebony…” He paused as if to say more but shook his head and continued onward. He would not make her heart break over a heart wrenching, sorrow filled, speech. No, he would make this as painless as possible. Hopefully she would get over it, in a day or two.

Once he had left with her love in his chest, warming his heart, now he left with the chill of her hatred. “Just like always…just like always.” His eyes looked up toward the blue sky as his feet carried him to who knows where. “But never again.. never again will you love, never again will you put your heart on the line.” His hands curled into fists slightly as his blue eyes blazed. “Never again …” The last words were like a vow, solemn, yet not without feeling. He felt lost, a life with no meaning, a wanderer, a vagabond.

[aidyn]

Kalos meandered through these mortifying lands of light. Every bright, happy place made him want to regurgitate. It disgusted him thoroughly, this whole prospect of a realm of "life." Everyone eventually died anyway. Why try so hard to make them think otherwise? It only showed that the guardians of foolish things were the larger fools. Which made sense, if one thought about Raphael. Because of his particular location, he was feeling specifically nasty today. He was planning on waiting until he got closer to Axel, but alas, that seemed to be quite a long time away. Starting small was good strategy anyway. He floated along in the air, a shadowy outline, a cast of the firey sun.

As he glided over the home of Raphael, something made him pause. There was a deep sense of resentment, anger, and overall pure hopelessness radiating from the obscure settlement. Kalos smirked on the inside, seeing as though he had no face to form this expression on. What a pleasant find! Oh, the fun he could have with this catch. Perhaps it would be another mindless sap, abiding by his will, doing whatever they were told to assure their final happiness. Kalos could have burst out cackling at the thought. Happiness. A complete mirage, an illusion. The only thing that makes one happy is taking happiness from others. He himself found this quite enjoyable.

Pushing aside his bursting thoughts, Kalos dove down as discreetly as his form would allow. He drew himself closer to the soul he felt, feeding on the negativity that was his dangerous mix of emotions. He began to swivel around his feet, until an idea came upon him as to how he would make contact with this particular soul. He dashed into a bush by the edge of the barrier and quickly shifted his form into that of a small feline. His pelt rippled with strength, his eyes huge balls of pure fire. His coat was a gleaming burnt orange with a tip of black on his nose and tail. Magnificent work, he thought smugly. He sauntered out from beneath the foliage, swishing his tail and mewling pleasantly. Upon seeing his target, he trotted amiably forward and began to twirl around his legs, trying to hide the disgust of it all. He purred and meowed and was overall a general wimp of a cat. Hopefully he would react and be drawn from this place. Hope was all he could rely on.

[apollo]

Apollo’s fists were curled into a tight ball for a moment as he felt the most confusing emotions whirl around him. He loved her, yet he knew he couldn’t come back to her. There was anger, at himself mainly, and at Raphael for screwing with things. A sigh passed his lips as he drew his hand through his coal black hair.

Yet just as he was about to push aside these feelings a cat came meowing, and intertwinging around his legs. Looking down at the cat she couldn’t figure out if he wanted to kick the thing or if he wanted to pet it. His frown twisted lightly into a slight smile as he gazed at it. “ All alone too little fellow? My you seem to be made out of the very body of fire.” Apollo let his eyes draw back to the cottage, should he go back? Then a question seemed to become solid in his mind, “No.. I will never go back, not ever. Forget that girl Apollo it never would have worked out.” He drew his gaze back to the cat and crouching down stared at it. Now his mouth, that had twisted into the shadow of a smile, was curved downward into a frown. Life was miserable to live.

“Well looks like you are my only companion now.. I don’t have anything else left in life really..” He sighed. “Though no doubt you will run off as soon as you catch the scent of a juicy mouse eh?” He held out a hand to the cat, not caring if it bit him or licked him. It would give him the same amount of comfort.

[aidyn]

Kalos felt revolted by what he was about to do. He stuck his rough pink cat-tongue out and gingerly licked Apollo's fingers. It was a foul taste, like that of bitter herbs and tree bark. Earth... Disgusting element, it is... He had never been fond of human contact. From the time he was born, he hadn't been given much attention. He hadn't wanted it. It hadn't ever been a dire need of his, to be loved and have physical contact with others. Time as a loner was enjoyable-
Wait. Kalos was jostled out of these memories by a horrid realization. This past had not been his own. Aidyn had found a hole.

He wanted to shriek out in anger, but quickly suppressed the feeling. Not now, he thought. Not while I'm so close. Just from that one tid bit of time, that one piece of information, he knew he had possibly made an awful mistake. There was a small possibility, just an inch of hope that this could still work. But he had heavy doubts. What was this mistake? He had chosen a compassionate spirit.

He felt the need to run, to dash through the woods and climb up trees. He smacked some reality back in his head, not allowing the feline aspect of his current state to succumb his more human side. Mewing urgently, he attempted to lead Apollo in a direction out of view of the nosy daughter of Raphael. If anything else went wrong, this entire plan could fall apart. Nothing else could interfere. Anything that did would be stomped on and disposed of in his path.

[apollo]

Apollo's eyes drifted back to the cottage. Yes all was lost for the two. He had a feeling that he would never again be able to say he was sorry to Ebony again if he didn't right now.

Yet as his foot was just about to turn, just about to go back, the cat at his feet started meowing urgently. It almost seemed like the cat was trying to lead him onward, away. A grim smile came over his lips as he nodded to the cat. "Yeah, you are right.. I should just leave her, knowing my luck, I would just screw things up again."

Not looking back Apollo pushed his jet black hair aside and strode after the cat. His blue eyes were set with a new determination. Never again would he come back to this place, he couldn't, or could he?

He didn't think about the strange way the cat's tongue burned when it had licked him. Or the repulsion that he felt from it. Being an earth element fire was his weakness, and he usually could sense if his weakness was around. But right now with his emotions so screwed up, he couldn't tell up from down. His heart was breaking, and his senses were lying on the ground in pieces. Perhaps this cat would led him to a new life, a new place to live.

[aidyn]

Kalos purred with satisfaction, really trying to get fully into character. The gentle breeze felt wonderful as it brushed against his firey pelt, sending tingles rushing up his spine. Something about this entire ordeal left him walking on eggshells. He felt watched, like something was monitoring his every action. It was an uncomfortable and awkward feeling, but he forced himself to push it aside. Nothing else could be more important than this. An overpowering need for an ally pounded against his brain and nearly drove him to the point of revealing himself. In all truth, he was afraid to do this alone. He couldn't put himself in a liable position to take the blame. He desired a shoulder to push it all onto, so he could walk away clean. Without it, he knew he would end up dead, or far worse. Axel could be unimaginably merciless. Absolutely nothing would stop him.

Kalos had a deep fear buried within a shell of hatred of Axel. He tried to coat it with animosity, but his very cowardly actions only showed his fright. He couldn't take any solitary actions. He couldn't bear the thought of taking the fall. Nothing would fall on his shoulders. He would escape completely blameless, a clean slate. That was the only thing that mattered. Even if everything fell apart, as long as he escaped in one piece, there would always be tomorrow.

All of these mixed emotions raged through his feline mind as he trotted along as merrily as possible. Seclusion. Quiet. That's what he needed. Then he'd wrap Apollo's pretty little soul right around his finger. The fool deserved it. What did he think he could accomplish with Raphael's daughter? What was the motive? Then again, it could have just been his useless emotions. Kalos had rid himself of the nuisances as much as possible. Nothing else got in the way more. He
would make sure he did the same to Apollo. He began to lead the pretty boy towards the outer skirts, a place where they would most likely be alone. Seclusion. Temptation. Domination. The words repeated over and over in his head, and he grew more and more anxious with every pawstep he took. If this backfired, he couldn't imagine the consequences.

He dove through the underbrush, far away from the little household or these so overly damn joyous plains. It was quite revolting, to be honest. He occasionally would glance over his shoulder to make sure his minion was still following. He would go to the city. Yes, the city. A dark alley, perhaps? Oh, it all just seemed far too easy!

[apollo]

Apollo sauntered after the cat as it seemed to be leading him to a specific place. "Lead on little fellow." His voice was low as he spoke. Even though every fiber of his being wanted to go back wanted to make amends, maybe just one last glance. Yet he refused the urges and continued on. Soon that little house that had caused him such comfort and such pain disappeared into a little blob of shadow, then nothing. His blue eyes focused on the cat, not paying attention to where he was going, just following.

The rose that he had given Ebony, it's velvety petals arranged in such a perfect array that no othe flower could match it. Yet as Apollo left, and as the pain within him increased. The rose began to turn black. The rose itself turned to the color of blood, deep and rich. Then the edges deepened into the black that only the night knows. the green leaves that were so bright and cheerful turned a deep green and the thorn less stems grew claw like thorns on them. Then it was finished, the end result had a wild, breathtaking beauty about it. It looked black and hopeless from the side view, yet if you peered between the petals, a blood red color seemed to seep from the seems. No matter how hard you would try and remove it the would just come back like a weed and grow once more. For even though Apollo had left Ebony, shutting her off from his mind, yet in his heart, there was still a deep love for her and a pain for messing everything up. Never would he forget Ebony, even though she might forget him.