Life and Death Encounter (1x1 with << Undertaker >>)

[growl.lingo]

Peculiar and unnatural. That it quiet obviously was, he'd never seen another Rukami with such an ability. Of course there were the occasional fire magic users, but this was on a completely different level. This was the stuff of gods. At the thought of anything like that he tensed the idea quickly hitting him that perhaps this little friendship- or whatever it was truly was to good to be real. It would be just like his creators to mock him like this. Send one of their own to enchant him make him happy for a moment; then leaving him even darker and angrier than before. Slowly he let himself relax again. No she was too- too pure? Something like that at least. Not even a god could pretend to be such an angel.

"Not even close to the strangest thing I've ever encountered," he replied smoothly in turn. "Even if it was. You've been to kind to me for I to start judging you for something that poses only as helpful down here in this dark cave." Death dipped his head briefly, glad he could still surprise her with simple things like acceptance. A hard trait to come by, but he's had plenty of time to learn it.

It made complete sense. Magic wasn't something that could not be taught after all. The one thing true to only you. Couldn't be stolen, can't be taught, it was even rare for it to pass down in your genes. Not that he would know anything about that. Old enough to have seen the first sunrise, and yet he refused to ever have kits. That would be to seal his own madness after all wouldn't it? Raising his kits, watching them age- age more than even he, physically, till they were old. Then watching them die, while he still got- still had to live on. That could drive even the most stoic brute to insanity- and he teetered on the brink as it was already. "Well then you're one of the lucky one, or not I suppose. It must get tiring seeing rukamis you thought were your friends change how they treat you cause you have a power."

As she turned the conversation back to him he couldn't help the grimace on his face. Only for a moment though, before it returned back to the light airy look he usually had. If only she knew the "trade" he practiced, then she would not be so eager to learn about him, and his powers. Deciding to match her teasing tone he answered back slowly ,"Perhaps I do have some tricks i could show you, sense you showed me yours- Light Princess." He trailed off for a moment, for affect of course. "Or perhaps you're just trying to learn all the monsters weaknesses," he shot back in a faux accusatory tone.

Finally breaking his eye contact with Hikaru he noticed the winding tunnel up ahead split off in three different directions. At least for once he hadn't been lying when he had said he had never set foot farther down these caves than to excape the rain. Even though he had not explored there was still nothing down here that could pose any threat to the duo. "Which should we take," he asked, still staring at the three tunnels that looked strikingly similar.


[ im actually the worst partner I am so sorry ;u; ]

[wolfpuppies]

Hikaru was curious as to what else this other Rukami had seen that made him not question her glowing paws. Should she ask? Or should she wait, bide her time? She wondered if she'd ever run into Daemon again, after their little adventure into this cave. The golden female surely hoped so.

"It can be. Though sometimes it is worth it to be hated, to be feared, so long as I know that I was able to help them." She offered sadly. "Though it sounds an awful lot like you know the feeling." Since they were still close to one another in the cave, she allowed herself to lean closer to the darker 'kami to brush her fur into his. Their light and dark fur swished and swirled as she moved alongside him. Then she stepped forward, moving away from him slightly. Hikaru had caught the male's grimace as she moved away from him and a look of hurt crossed her face as quickly as his grimace did. It wasn't that she was in love with him - they had only just met after all. But she did feel hurt that he didn't want to accept her comfort, her touch, that he suddenly found it - what, repulsive? Was it that he really didn't like that he didn't know the extent of her abilities, her powers? That he didn't like how different she was?

"Are you a dark monster then? Not some dark prince in matching armor?" She laughed lightly, though it was a little shaky. "It would certainly go along with this mysterious thing you're trying to keep at."

Trying to refocus on his words, Hikaru shook off the hurt and worry. If Daemon could fake it, she could certainly try to as well. Glancing at each tunnel, the golden, long-haired female tried to assess each one in turn. They were all nearly identical in appearance at first glance. All were dark and seemed to wind a fair ways further into the cliff, as her light didn't penetrate very far into them from where they stood at their mouths. They were all fairly quiet too, which was both helpful and not; it meant that there was unlikely to be anything living in the tunnels beyond, but it also didn't help to narrow any of the choices down.

"That's a hard choice. Perhaps start at one end and go from there?" She spoke, though it came out as a question. "Which means either the left or the right tunnel. Hmmm... I guess, we could start with the right one." She offered with a shrug. And since she was the one with the light, Hikaru stepped forward once more, taking the lead so that they'd be able to see where they were going. "Anything you're hoping to find in these tunnels now that we're exploring your current dens?"


((You shush! You are not a bad partner, so none of that! Did I complain or say anything to you about feeling like there was anything wrong with waiting? Nu. I said, I was fine with waiting however long, and I still am - I mean it :p))

[growl.lingo]

"I imagine that feeling must be the only comfort you usually get from them." Though he wasn't exactly sure how the light she seemed able to manufacture from her paws could do more help that helping kits not be afraid of the dark. Unless of course this wasn't her only ability. The thought struck him suddenly curious, but he cast no glance at her or asked her to explain. Demons like him shouldn't ask questions of pretty angels after all. At least he'd decided this was the mind set he must take if he wished to end this little infatuation he could feel clawing at his chest. As he had unwilling became accustomed to already his brooding mood was shattered by a question from her. "To know that feeling I would have to have friends, a pack, or a mate," he seemed to blanch at the word mate, as if it was a disgusting notion. Him having a mate completely unbelievable. One would be nice, but impossible. And, the thought that a fae would choose him was completely ludicrous. "Though I suppose I could assent to knowing what it's like to be- well unliked for something I don't have control over." A brief flicker of weakness. He could feel his skin grow warm even in the dark dank cave. How embarrassing. Like he wanted pity. Then again it was only right? He wasn't trying to act sorry, but she had shared with him. The least he could do was let a few bricks from his wall crash down for her right?

Death didn't even register the feeling of her moving closer to him. To starkly embarrassed, and focused on what would come next to worry about the present. That didn't stop him from noticing the small look of unhappiness that took over her usually happy features. Though he wasn't sure what had caused it- what he had done. It had to have been him after all; he was insensitive and oblivious the worst combination. And then she was speaking again. He wasn't sure if her words were a compliment or just quick wit at the point. "Me a prince," he could laugh at a notion like that. "More like a thief," stealing lives though was a rare commodity. "The mystery is more for the safety of the masses not my ego," he joked. Or at least it sounded like that. He'd never told anyone that was living who he was. Who knew what would happen if he did- something bad probably. Though likely the charge would be on his own head more than theirs.

"And what fair princesses shall we do if there are many more caves and many more spilts in the road? Do you intend to truly adventure down every one with darkness for your companion?" Though he questioned her resolve she was the first to step forward, and as he had found was the case between them in their short time together- he followed after her.

Her question struck him dumb, and for a moment he did little else than to shrug in response. Even though he walk a few paces behind her, and she would have to be craning her neck to see that small movement. "I suppose I am hoping to find nothing. That would be the best thing right? No enemies to fight, nothing to worry about. I suppose if we found little gems that would be nice. I'm quiet the craftsman," or rather something he dabbled in. Though for such a 'lumbering brute' he was quiet skilled at making jewelry.


[[ Ah look at you being the best oh my ;v; I know you said you're okay with waiting, I mean I say the same all the time as well. Of course I'm still going to feel bad for making you wait for me though. But yeah thanks buddy ;u; <3 ]]

[wolfpuppies]

Hikaru glanced over her shoulder at her companion. "We sound like we're pretty lonely individuals, talking about why we're alone." She offered quietly. Her glowing eyes revealed nothing before she turned back toward the tunnel ahead.

"Ha! I can't imagine you a thief. More like a grumpy troll or something, just hiding away and growling at anyone who dares come too close." She let out a laugh. Tail flicking, she couldn't get the image out of her head for some time. Then with a shake of her head, hair waving, she managed to re-focus her thoughts. "So I don't know how well that mysterious thing is working."

"Are you trying to get rid of me that quickly?" The golden Rukami teased. "You can still hear the rain pouring outside, so right now, we have plenty of time. Don't worry about what-ifs if you can't smell or hear any danger." It wasn't her usual motto, but Hikaru felt far lighter and happier around this sarcastic, darker male. It was fun, enjoyable to be able to relax even if she knew it was temporary.

"That answers my next question then - whether you'd trade them or make something of them." She bobbed her head. "I like that, it's something surprising about you and is quite intriguing. Also it's not the easiest skill to master, so congratulations on being able to do it. Why don't you bear any of your own crafts?" A quick glance over her shoulder.

"As for me, I would like to see if any plant life grows down here. Or if there are any small animals perhaps, just curious about what life can or does dwell in the caves." She shrugged. While gems were beautiful, she'd never found an accessory that fit her. And it wasn't like she needed anything else to stand out more. And she was instinctively drawn toward life; whether it was irony itself, because of her powers, or simply her nature one would probably never know.

Pausing, Hikaru, lifted one of her paws. Ears pricked, she peered deeper into the cave. Well that answers one of our dilemmas. The one tunnel was a dead end, meaning they would have to back track to the main cavern and take another path. "After you," she gestured, turning to face the male she knew as Daemon fully. She kept one paw lifted so that he could see ahead of himself and kept close to him so as to best illuminate their path.


((Aw, stahp >//<
But I understand, I feel bad too whenever I make anyone wait.))

[growl.lingo]

"A grumpy troll," he exclaimed in mock offense. "What a fall from grace this is. From Dark Prince to Grumpy Troll," Death shook his head unable to keep the grin off his face. "Perhaps I should recall your position as Light Princess," not that he would. Something about the thought of degrading her, or any truly nice Rukami, put an unpleasant feeling in his gut. "I should be growling at you then. You do seem the only one this grumpy troll has let near for the moment," his tail curled upward, an odd sight sense his tail was abnormally long, but instead of growling just kept his grin present. Obviously he found this whole conversation amusing.

"The weather is rather a fickle thing, but you're right," the rain was still falling as hard as it had when they had first entered his cave. There would be little reason to think about parting ways; at least not till the rain began to ease up it's plan to drown the plains land. He shot her a questioning glance when she made the remark about not worrying about what could be down here. A little foolhardy, but what could he say. Death was quiet capable of fighting anything down here anyway so if she wished to try, and keep them both at ease with the thought there was no danger in exploring then so be it. It was nice actually, feeling relaxed like this. There wasn't a lot of down time in his life.

He grin, glad something as simple as his hobbies could surprise her. Death did have one item he had kept throughout all his years. The very first real piece of art he had made. It was the scythe he was also described having with him. He didn't really need it to take souls, but it was flashy and at this point it was merely an extension of himself. Simple though- made from the spine of there own kind with a metal blade melded in, and adorned by gems of differing sizes and colors. In a way it was beautiful. "Nearly everything I've made I've left behind to be found by someone else. I enjoy traveling, and if I brought the things I made with me I wouldn't be able to move as quickly as I like. Plus I mean when I travel back through old towns and I get to see people wearing something I made- well I guess it makes me," he trailed off for a moment searching for the right word. "Happy. Yeah it makes me happy."

How fitting she'd like to see what could live down here. "I'm sure we'll find some plant life at least," he answered dragging a claw through the soil that made up the ground. "Though it'll probably be things like fungi sense they don't need as much light to grow," for animals he wasn't really sure what they would find though. Hopefully some type of prey animal though, due to their rather unsuccessful hunt he was still starving.

Odd that the first tunnel they went down was a dead end. Perhaps this place was going to be like a labyrinth. It would be exciting, but he didn't really favor the idea of getting stuck in a place like this. He went to take the lead like she had said to when he noticed how she was holding up her paw for him to see. His ears swiveled backwards for half a heartbeat. That couldn't be a comfortible way to walk, and the thought she was prepared to burden herself for him didn't make him feel good. Not when all he did was lie to her. It couldn't hurt telling her about his night vision though, she had shared her power with him afterall. "Remember how you asked me about the odd things I've seen and such. Well I'm one of them I suppose. I mean not really though it can be a little off putting to some people. See I have nearly perfect night vision," he took a few steps away from her at that, the darkness covering most of him already. "It probably has something to do with how my eyes glow, sense they're creating their own light and all." As he finished speaking he realized the distance he had put in between himself and her. Death wasn't quick enough to stop the pang of loss at the closeness they had been sharing only moments ago. 'It's not like she wanted to be close to you,' he chastised himself ,'she just thought it'd be pitiful watching a kami like you stumbling around in the dark.'

[[ I had the best post already written out before it got deleted ugh ;-; It was honestly so much better than this, but yeah wow.
Also my poor bby right here. I'm thinking he has Dissociation Identity Disorder. It makes sense to me at least ]]

[wolfpuppies]

Hikaru laughed and shook her head. "Then what sort of fall am I to make? Princess to jester, sprite, or is there some other title that you think fits me better?" She teased.

Her eyes softened as she heard his explanation. "That's very generous of you. Not many would be so considerate and leave treasures behind for others. Most would keep them for trading or profit of some sort." Stepping forward, she brushed her hand against his shoulder and smiled toward the male. "And I'm sure finding those gifts makes others very happy as well."

To Hikaru, it never made much difference what kind of plants or animals she found. Life was life. "Are you scared of a few mushrooms?" She teased. "But I figured not much would flourish underground. Never know, though, sometimes there are enough cracks in the rocks to produce light for other small plants to grow." She shrugged.

As Daemon stepped away, she tilted her head. The male was acting as though he were trying to get away from her light. Brow furrowed in confusion, she was about to step forward when the other Rukami's voice stopped her. Pausing, she listened to his explanation. Surprise pricked her ears and Hikaru stared at him for a moment. She was silent as he stood encased in shadows, the glow of her paws and eyes barely licking the edges of his fur.

Finally, she shook her head. "That's amazing," she breathed in wonder. "I have glowing eyes too, and I only have normal eyesight in dark situations - at least I think so. Have you always had heightened sight?"

Not even thinking about it, she stepped closer. Though her paw had fallen to her side somewhat, she raised it again to peer at Daemon and the darkness beyond. "Seems like you fit the troll description pretty well, so maybe I was right. They see well in the dark, don't they?" She laughed. Sharing something like that could be hard - if her own experiences were anything to go on. So she hoped the teasing lifted the mood and didn't offend or hurt him. She'd hate if that happened.

"Thank you for sharing that with me. I know how hard it can be to share anything that makes you stand out." Hoping he didn't shrug off her touch again, Hikaru took a chance. The golden female stepped up and brushed her hand by his arm, then gently bumped shoulders with him.



((I just hate when that happens >.<;
But I love this post, so I think you did well when re-writing it.))