Aetos' POV:
Eventually, going under was only making me sleepier. So I finally pulled up and leaned back against the rocks, my limbs feeling like jello, and my eyes being way to heavy. I... So warm... I can't... My eyes dropped down and everything was very dark and warm. I could feel myself slowly slipping away.. I was in a forest. But this wasn't.. A normal forest. Everything was way too pretty to be the forests I know. Against my will, my vision turned next to a small clearing among the trees. And I think I almost died. There I was. Sitting around multi-colored flowers, in a small emerald colored dress. I was the same, yet.. Not so much. My face looked sharper, I was thinner, and there were dark streaks in my hair. There was a snap, and my - I mean her - head snapped up and there was Ulfur standing a few feet away. He was leaning against a tree with his arms folded across his chest, and a small smile formed on his lips. "Ulfur," I said, but it almost sounded like angels singing. But I knew instantly this was not me.
Ulfur's POV:
Aetos?... Aetos?... AETOS! I shouted to her in my mind. I approached the pool, continuing to speak to her, or trying to. Hello? Aetos! Are you there? If you don't answer me, I am going to need to get in that pool, and I'll need my eyes to make sure you are okay. If you don't want me to see you, I suggest you answer me if you are okay! I sounded like a strict asshole, but... I was worried...
Aetos' POV:
I literally jumped and flailed around for a second before falling off the seat. Water went up my nose, and when I came up I was literally almost choking. "I-I'm okay!" I yelled through a cough. Damn... Besides the water that had just shot up my nose, those images still swirled in my head. I wasn't all to keen on staying in the water now. Making my way on the back, and making sure Ulfur was out of sight, I jumped around and let quickly let myself air-dry as best I could before slipping my clothes back on and hurrying over to sit by a tree. I didn't know why, but I had a sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach.
Ulfur's POV:
Aetos? Where are you? You're not in the water still, are you? I asked, concerned. I was way too worried for her safety than I should. I'd like permission to see now, you know.
Aetos' POV:
Yes, I'm out... You have permission... I replied quietly.
Ulfur's POV:
You... you alright, Aetos? I knew something was wrong, or I could just be wrong on this fact too. I didn't think the hot spring would make herforget about my prank, and her possible hatred of me, that quickly... or easily. But, she seemed.. preoccupied or distracted, not normal in any case.
Aetos' POV:
I'm fine.. Just come get me. I wanna go back to camp and go to sleep, please.. I said, softening my voice and trying to sound nice for once instead of being snappy to him like I had been to him practically all day.
Ulfur's POV:
Well, we're making camp here, so pick a spot and sleep. Everything we need is here for now. While you were dozing, I went back to camp and grabbed everything. Took me little time since I used the Nebulous Wolf. I was gone 3 minutes at the most. That water did wonders. I'm half way back to normal. I had to flush all energy, so it takes some time to replenish, but the quick trip didn't take much out of me. I made sure I grabbed everything... and no, I didn't see anything... personal, of yours, before you try to bite my head off about that... Come to the river if you want anything from your bag. I guess once you settle down, I'll go to the hot spring and try to filter more energy into my system. The whole time I spoke in a very saddened voice. I don't know why I felt so low. Perhaps it was her treatment, how she felt now, or how she treated me. What am I thinking? I deserved however she was treating me. Something didn't sit right to me. I guess if she wants to talk, she will... maybe... perhaps... I don't know.
Aetos' POV:
Getting to my feet, I walked until I found where Ulfur had set everything up. Without even thinking, I slipped off my shoes and crawled into the my sleeping-bag, hiding my face. My eyes were stinging, but I wasn't crying. Ulfur..? I called out. There was silence for a moment. I'm sorry for yelling at you and stuff today... I'm just... I don't know... I squeezed my eyes together and shuddered as coolness finally ran down my face. Why was I even crying? I didn't know. I just felt bad about it, and those images would not leave my head... They just kept replaying over and over...
Ulfur's POV:
After a long moment, I replied. Hm? Your reaction wasn't unwarranted... What's the matter?... I asked cautiously. She was finally calm, I didn't want to turn her back to angry again.
Aetos' POV:
Nothing... The winds picked up slightly, and I knew I was letting loose so I had better put a cap on it and shut up before it it any worse than what it was. I wiped some tears from my eyes and just nuzzled deeper into the bag. Despite only being out of the water for a small while, I was already getting cold. I hate this.. I've royally screwed up today.
Ulfur's POV:
I know it isn't nothing, Aetos. I can sense the wind shift from here. Here is a good time to tell you the first step to control. First, take a deep breath and find your center. Just gain balance and realize yourself. Second, wipe away your tears. Third, just talk. Let everything you are feeling spill. You don't need to do it to me, but speak everything out loud if needed. Try it...I spoke calmly. I just hope she'd listen. I did feel bad for everything I have put her through in the past few days. I've changed her life entirely, a random stranger who apparently was her husband in a past life she inherited. It's no surprise she feels this way.
Aetos' POV:
First of all... I'm cold. And I hate being cold. Second, I feel like a total jerk for yelling at you and crap. Third... I just had a really weird dream and I don't want know what to think about it.. Did... Um.. Aquila have brown in her hair, Ulfur? I asked shyly.
Ulfur's POV:
I didn't reply. Instead, I found her near the river's edge, curled up in her sleeping bag. I could hear her shuddering from a distance. I got into wolf form, and curled myself around where she was, placing my tail over the sleeping bag like a blanket. ... Yes, she did.
Aetos' POV:
Sucking in a breath, I crawled over to his side and hid myself into his fur. Oh, how I loved his fur. It was so soft and warm.. But that only distracted me for a minute. Just wondering was all... I knew it. I knew it wasn't mind. Was I going to start having visions now...? The thought kind of scared me... There's no telling of what could show up from those things...
Ulfur's POV:
You're... you're getting dreams... right? I feared her confirmation. There's no other explanation as to how she knew that. It was expected. Aquila's name was the keyword. As soon as I said it, it unlocked that memory link... and there's no telling how much it will mix into her own spirit. It won't take over, but it could influence a lot of what she feels and sees... It's like your mind begins to control itself, but allows you some say in what goes on.
Aetos' POV:
Mhm... Ulfur... What's gonna happen to me? For once, I was actually scared for myself. What if I just forget who I am completely and become her? Forget my parents, my friends... Everything... I don't want to forget. Or will I just get these things and just go on like normal?
Ulfur's POV:
I didn't want to tell her... because I didn't know the answer... There's been no inheirited spirits to the human world. In the Reverse World, it doesn't affect them like this. I... I don't know. I was only told to not say her name... This is my fault. Saying her name to you, unlocked these dreams, the link, everything... I was forbidden to say her name, and now I just cursed you with my mistake. As far as I know, her essence will mix with yours. To what degree? I don't know... It will influence how you feel and sometime what you see and dream, but it won't control you. It's two energies mixing, not one rising above the other. You... just need to feel what you feel and don't resist whatever it is. Resisting causes a clash of the energies and it's not good. It's like when cold and hot air meet in the atmosphere, thunder and lightning happen, a storm. Your own will can always prevail over any influence anything from Aquila will influence you with. If you honestly, don't want to see or feel something, Aquila will obey. I know her... her spirit won't take over you. Only tell you the things you need to know. She'll be a guide to you. She's your ancestor, and the one person you should be able to trust most of all, above all else. Be yourself. Know what you want and what you feel, and she'll give you the advice you need to hear. That vision introduced this conversation. That is what I mean by influence.
Aetos' POV:
I listened to him intently as I soaked all of this information in. And suddenly my eyes were burning again, and my shoulders were shaking. I wanted to hold back all the crying, but I couldn't. Everything from the day had just been building and building, and now the dam was broken... The winds had picked up and the trees swayed as an occasional moan ran through the branches. I clutched to his side, as if it were my lifeline. Like maybe if I could just hide, this would all just disappear, even though I knew damn well it wouldn't. Ulfur told me not to be scared of her, but in a way, I was.
Ulfur's POV:
Aetos, take it easy. Breathe. Aquila is a guide. She will not harm you. You are in control. She will only show you things that you need to see. What you feel, is what you feel. Aquila cannot overcome that. This is your body, she is merely a guide. You can listen to what she says, or you can avoid and ignore it. She tried to help. She won't lead you astray. What do you feel right now, Aetos? Settle yourself, and tell me what you feel.
Aetos' POV:
I feel upset... Why me... I just... I... don't know if I am ready for all this, Ulfur... I-I-I did't think I was scared but... I am... I'm t-terrified... I don't know what to do anymore... I let out a broken sob and shuddered violently.
Ulfur's POV:
Scared of what? Realize your fear. It's the first step to overcoming it. Who are you afraid of? What are you afraid of? You were just dealt a hand in which some higher power, or Aquila, felt you were strong enough to do the job that she couldn't. She has faith in you, Aetos... I have faith in you.
Aetos' POV:
I'm afraid of her... I know you say she's good and she's only trying to help, but I have seen way to many horror movies to know where this ends up! I'm scared after this I won't be normal... I'm scared I'll become to much like her, and that I'll just lose a part of myself... Even if she does have good intentions... Then there was an image in my head. There she was, hugging Ulfur while laughing as he placed a small kiss on her temple. Oh, what kind of advice is that? You're just showing me gross images of you two making out! "Get out of my head!" I screeched as I pressed my palms against the side of my skull. Maybe if I pushed hard enough..
Ulfur's POV:
Aetos... if you don't want her advice or thoughts, then ask her to stop. She'll respect your wishes. Remember, she is your ancestor. She chose you to inheirit her thoughts because you are like her. She is you in the Reverse Dimension. You and her are basically cut from the same cloth, just sent to different places. Whatever she shows you, it is for a reason. Just think about what she is showing you. She sees when you aren't being true to yourself. She is trying to break you from something that pertains to the images she gives you. Sometimes it takes some thought to figure it out.
Aetos' POV:
Oh, and showing me images of you two cuddling and kissing and what not is supposed to be helpful HOW? I cried back hysterically. Then my eyes widened at what I said, and I immediately shut up. Oh god...
Ulfur's POV:
I was silent for a moment. I felt like a hole was blown through my chest. Then images came to my mind of Aquila and I... She must be showing similar thoughts to her for a reason. Something she is burying within herself that she doesn't want to admit, or hasn't realized. I just feel sad for her. I can't image how this would be for her. Just don't resist what you are feeling. You are forming your own storm inside by doing so. She might be trying to show you what you really feel somehow by these images. You may not realize it or you are trying to ignore it or not being honest with yourself about what you feel. The only comparison with images is, she is you. Anything she does, might be representative of you as well. I cannot speak for her reasoning, or her images, because I cannot see what she is showing you. Just look inside yourself and express what you feel, or at least come to grip with yourself.
Aetos' POV:
But I don't exactly know what these feelings are... How am I supposed to except something so forgein, something I have never felt was such ease... My tears had stopped, but my eyes burned and it was hard to breathe. But I was warm, and Ulfur was kind enough to let me sleep by his side. Which I was thankful for. Why are you doing this to me... I'm not entirely you... I'm sort of like a copy... So stop trying to make me love him when I hardly know him, I told myself. I don't know if she heard me or not, but I pray to the All-Father she did.
Ulfur's POV:
Aetos, relax and sleep. Ask her to stop and she'll back off. However, in return you sould be respectful of the help she is trying to give. She is partly you, sometimes it takes one to know one, you know. She can know you as well, if not better, than you know yourself at times. For now, just close your eyes and sleep. Rest up. You'll need to be well rested for travelling tonight.
Aetos' POV:
Sucking in a shakey breath, I nuzzled my face into his fur and breathed in his scent. Pine, and something else I couldn't make out... "Thank you, Ulfy," I breathed as I closed my eyes and let myself grow limp. I'd respect Aquila, but I don't want her in my head. My mouth moved without my intentions, and I uttered something but I didn't know what I said.. But I was to tired to care. I just tried to close out all thoughts and sleep.
Ulfur's POV:
She mumbled something I couldn't make out. I was far too on edge, preparing to do damage control to worry about what she said right now. She grew quiet and I could only assume she had finally fallen asleep. Please be careful with her, I prayed. I crossed my paws and rested my head on them, letting sleep fall over me as well. With using the Nebulous Form now, traveling at night will make me run out of strength soon after we embark. I need another day, and more than anyone, so does Aetos. We'll wait another day before we continue.
Aetos' POV:
When I woke up, it was still slightly dark, but the sky was slowly turning gray. We had slept all night. I was kind of going to rant on how we were behind, but I was thankful for the extra sleep. Thankfully no visions clouded my thoughts when I had fallen asleep, so I felt better about myself. Maybe she had listened to me. And there was one thing for sure... I didn't want to move. Warmth. Oh, the warmth! I should totally make Ulfur my official pillow. But... At the same time, I was a little too warm.. But what if he wakes up? Oh, whatever! He's a wolf, he will probably sleep for awhile longer anyway. And when he starts to wake up you can just slip it back on. Shrugging, I slipped my shirt off and sighed in relief. That feels heavenly. The perfect mixture of hot and cold. I smiled before letting myself run my fingers through his fur. So thick... Yet so soft... I allowed myself to giggle.
Ulfur's POV:
I heard a giggle sound as I began to stir from sleep. I didn't open my eyes, nor did I move, I recognized I was awake, but I just laid there. I could feel Aetos was still leaning against me, so I wasn't going to move and wake her, but... why was she giggling. Oh, whatever... She's probaby mocking me or calling me "puppy" and giggling from it, or something trivial like that. It's a better mood than she went to bed with, so I wasn't going to spoil her fun so early. Fact was though, I did need to get food made for her and also relax in that hot spring for a while today. The Nebulous Form didn't remove too much from my reserves, but I was lingering at about half from what I could estimate of my energy level. A few hours in the hot spring like yesterday should let me be rearing to go tonight. I'm itching to run after being sick for only a few days.
Aetos' POV:
Oh, if he didn't look so menacing and he wasn't so big, he could almost be like a puppy. I wouldn't mind to have him as a puppy. I'd always wanted a dog, yet I could never have one. And in a way, I thought of him as my puppy. "Ohh, how I do love puppy," I sighed. I had no idea why I was in such a good mood. Apparently yesterday all my bad mojo had just leaked out when I had just vented and cried. I felt much better now. Eh, maybe listening to Ulfur was a good idea.
Ulfur's POV:
I heard "puppy" muttered. Yep, she's mocking me. Eh, I'll let her have her fun. My mind did drift to last night. She muttered something before she fell asleep. It's nags at me know when I think about it of what she said just then. I won't ask. It's a little weird... I let her have her fun mocking me and calling me puppy or whatever, until the sun was clearly risen enough that any animal would need to wake up now. I opened my eyes and yawned, diggin my claw of my still crossed paws into the soil before turning my head to look down at Aetos. My tail completely covered her except for her head poking out from the sleeping bag, which poked back inside once I looked at her. Hiding from me? Eh... "Good morning, Aetos." I sighed, pretending to be sleepy. Little did she know I was awake for a while, but never opened my eyes. It was nicer to keep them closed and out of bright lights.
Aetos' POV:
I froze and my cheeks burned. Oh... SNAP! Um... Ehehe... Good morning, Ulfy.. Um... Just... Like... Keep your eyes closed, okay? Don't move. Quickly sitting up, I grabbed at my shirt. But it was inside out and I was fidgeting to much, so it was hard to get my shirt situated.
Ulfur's POV:
I gave a sigh, and turned away. Did she really? I thought. So much for the nakedness thing, I guess. I saw nothing, so... it shouldn't bother anymore. Luckily, my tair is quite think on the fur. Perhaps something did change for the better in her overnight. We'll see how things go. I won't ruin her good mood. "Hungry?" I asked, as I could feel her fidget beneath my tail doing... whatever it is she was doing.
Aetos' POV:
I finally got my shirt back on and sighed in relief before falling back down. "Mhm. And you can look now," I replied as I ran a hand through my hair. I frowned as it landed on a curl in the end. Ugh. I hated those... My hair wasn't really curly, it just landed in waves when it got wet. And now it was going to be wavey until I could get a flat-iron to it... Which, sadly, I did not bring. So now it was going to be a mess. "Uck... My hair," I groaned as I sat up and brushed it back with my hands. "And no, don't waste your energy on making food. I will gladly eat what was left from the other night."
Ulfur's POV:
"Too late." I said, nudging her. "Get up and eat up. There's too much out here to go to waste." I spoke, giving a slight smile, while placing my gaze upon my tail and her head again.
Aetos' POV:
"Oy," I moaned as I crawled out of my sleeping back and over to duffle. Grabbing my leftovers, I began to munch on my bacon and what not. It tasted good. I shoved down what food I could. I still felt bad about the whole having him to use his energy to provide food thing.. But if he was willing, guess it was okay. While eating a bagel with some cheese and bacon, I swallowed down what I had finished and looked over at Ulfur. Taking a small breath, I let my tongue vibrate against the roof of my mouth a let out a special noise that only I use. It was a mix between a cat and a pigeon. It was an interesting sound, but eh.
Ulfur's POV:
I looked over at her with a look of confusion. "Well, that's... new." I muttered. I didn't move much for a while as she ate. Eventually, I morphed back to human, grasped a sausage link and bit into it. Luckily, I could manage to reheat anything that had cooled in waiting. "Now, these are good sausages, how they should taste... not like sludge." I commented, tossing the last bit into my mouth. I joined her in scarfing down all the remained. I don't know why I ate the human food when I didn't need it, but I had never exactly eaten food before. It was something I wanted to try, and I don't exactly understand why we never actually eat anymore. It's rather fun, especially when you are with others. We were both completely full once every crumb was devoured. We sat in silence for a moment. "I'm going to head back to the hot spring. It helped recharge the batteries yesterday. Perhaps, I'll be back at full in a few hours." I commented, getting to my feet and looking down at Aetos, still sitting Indian style on the ground.
Aetos' POV:
I was surprised when he actually started eating. He said he didn't have to eat.. So why did he? Oh well. I didn't really mind. But I did enjoy his company.. And, in a strange way, I didn't want him to leave. I let out my purr once more. I guess... I kinda don't want to sit here all bored, though.
Ulfur's POV:
Well, you don't need to sit here, you know... Just think about it. I gave a grin and began to take my time walking towards the hot spring. I slipped off my over-jacket and laid it over a rock while continuing to walk.
Aetos' POV:
Hmm... I just sat there for a moment. And then.. I just didn't really care. I scrambled to my feet and ran after him, I jogged in a circle around him twice with a sly grin. "Race you." With those words I bolted ahead, everything becoming a blurr, the wind howling in my ears.
Ulfur's POV:
"Oh, you think you can beat the wolf, hm?" In an instant, I bolted, sweeping by Aetos in the fastest dash the Nebulous Wolf form could handle. She was no mroe than 50 feet from where the race started, when I had reached the hot spring. I stood atop the rock, the steam rising behind me, looking down into the small clearing. "Well, I guess I won. Come on, Chickadee!" Still standing ato pthe rocks, I pulled off my shirt. Then realizing, I probably shouldn't have done so. I looked down at her nervously... Did I just ruin it, everything I just somehow miraculously managed to win back? I held my shirt crumpled in my hand nervously, waiting for a reaction.
