A New Day, A New Opportunity
Avilik rose groggily the morning sun on his face. Stretching he got up to get dress. So tired form the night before that he just grabbed the blanket and laid on the floor going back to sleep forgetting his duties. Sho had been up for about a half an hour now, and began to wonder where he was. It was almost 6 o'clock and he should have been down by now. Walking up stairs she knocked on the trap door. Receiving no answer she opened it and proceeded to walk to the bedroom section of the attic. "Avilik are you up? Avilik?" nothing but silence reverberated in the attic. She opened the flap to his bedroom and saw him asleep on the floor in a blanket. Slightly annoyed she decided to teach him a lesson and pick on him at the same time. Creating a small butterfly out of her fire she sent it to land on his nose with a smirk. Feeling the heat all he saw when he opened his eyes was fire. He yelped and jumped out of his blankets straight up. Slamming his head into the ceiling before landing on his face. After which he stood up rubbing his had. "What was that for?" he asked finally realizing her presence. It was about then that Sho noticed he wasn't wearing any clothing. Rather peeved at him she turned her back yelling at him "Avilik!!" he blinked "What?" "Why are you not wearing anything?" he tilted his head "I have fur, I normally sleep in my fur why? All wolves do such" she groaned rubbing her temples contemplating weather to flame him or not. "That was more information then I needed...I want you clothed while you're in my house Avilik. Now get down stairs and make breakfast like you are supposed to be doing" with that she walked out of the room slamming the trap door on her way heading back down stairs. Oh Phenty, why do I always run into the weirdest people? Receiving no answer form the fire god she went over sitting back down at the table.
Avilik quickly got dressed and rushed down stairs, his paws heavy on the floor. Sho could hear him the entire way to the kitchen. When he came into the kitchen he noticed some fresh milk and eggs on the counter. Grabbing a frying pan he placed it on the stove. Opening the door he loaded the stove full of wood and was about to light it when fire flashed to life on it's own almost burning him. He looked over at Sho, who was smirking trying to hold her amusement in, not finding that funny at all. Closing the door he placed some butter in the pan. "How many eggs do you want and how many my little SorKeeper?" She frowned hating the pet name. "Two, over easy. Don't call me that." He smirked "But it is your name" "it is not my name!" "It is in Wolfen." "I am not a wolf Avilik." She said sternly. "You are in a way." He winked at her. "I could come up with a worse name." She groaned. "What do you mean I am in a way?" trying to get him off the name thing. He just smirked "You will see in your own time Ru Gramet." She raised a brow. "What does that mean?" he chuckled as he placed 2 eggs in the pan and found some plates. "You don't know any Wolfen do you?" "No I don't. Why would I have taken the time to learn it? I'm not even around wolves that often. Besides from what I have heard each pack speaks a different language." He shook his head "That's humans for you. Telling tales that are not true. There are variations in the language but the base is the same. If you know one packs language you know them all. The variation lies in how things are said not in the words them selves." He had her eggs seasoned and ready by the time he had finished his lecture of sorts. "Who said humans where responsible? Are you racist Avilik?" she was somewhat interested, thinking this may help her later in missions. He looked up caught off guard by the question. "I am not racist but humans are the ones who normally have contact with us. Though I have met a couple of elves in my time. It is possible they were not the ones who started the rumors." Sho thought on this for a moment "You know elves?" he nodded cooking three eggs over hard for himself. "A few. They pass through and we give them what they need. My family does have a lot of money stored somewhere but I was never told the exact location or how to open the safe of sorts. I know that it's in plain sight and easily over looked but nothing more then the general region." She quirked her eyebrow finding that intriguing. "So your family has a lot of money but its hidden and you don't know where? Do the elves know?" he looked over at her "The elves and us wolves do not get along well enough to share such information. We tolerate each other at best. Though we do make allegiances it must be beneficial to both sides for it to be long term. My bastard of a father never told anyone where it was and my mother was killed before she could tell me. Though she left me clues I have not been able to solve them. Though I have asked a good Elven friend of mine for help." She was a bit confused by his contradicting statement. "Wait you say elves and wolves don't get along but your good friends with and elf?" he chuckled "I get along with most other races with little problem but most wolves do not. The Elven friend of mine is very unique among his people. He makes the attempt to understand other races. What better way then to help them with their problems and live with them nay? Cetro Niharga of the house of Niharga was a very wise elf though he did not hold high nobility. We called him ShuNituvo, which means wind of wisdom. He earned his name form the speed and wisdom that he held."
He finished setting her food down on the table with his and left to get her some orange juice before she even asked for it. Then handed it to her "How did.." "I just knew" he cut her off. She stared at him confused as to how he knew what she was going to say before she said it. Shaking head she began to eat. "Avilik what did you put on these eggs?" he smiled "just some seasoning." She took a bite loving the flavor. "What exactly is in it?" "Well is a mixture of seasoning salts, onion powder, turmeric, and bazel." He noticed the look on her face. "The weird color is form the turmeric. It's a very health herb for you." She watched him for a moment before returning to eating. Still thinking about how he knew she wanted orange juice. Also wondering if she could make any money off his cooking.
After finishing breakfast they hurried off to meet Bruiser. Once they arriver he lead them into his office. Sho handed him the reports she had made the previous night. He looked them over carefully noting that she was a little edgy, but dismissed it, as she wasn't used to having a partner yet. He looked over at Avilik. "Have you seen these?" Sho could have kicked herself at that moment. She hadn't bothered to show him the budget. "Yes sir I have." Sho restrained herself from saying anything Avilik what are you doing? He won't appreciate you lying "Do you agree with these figures?" he nodded "I believe they are accurate sir." "You believe?" "Math is not my strong suit sir" "Ah, I see. Well we all have our weak points." He looked it over once more. "Sho do you really need all these supplies?" she snapped out of her daze "Yes Bruiser considering where we are going and the perceived confrontations we may have." He nodded "Very well then. What is your price for this job Sho?" she thought a moment "Well I should think about 1800 gold with 600 up front. This is a harder job so many risks you know." He raise a brow "Are you mad? You're going to bankrupt me Sho." She smirked "I hardly think that." Avilik saw a fight coming "Sir if I may interject?" "Go for it." "I think Sho may be right on this. There are a lot of risks and the jungle terrain as I'm sure you know is a very hard place to coop with. Also though we are planning on avoiding fights with the lackeys he has we may not be able to. We know the lay out of the building but we don't you if there are any hidden traps or guards along the way. We have no clue where his men are stationed or how many he has. Neither do we know their or his training level in combat. I'm not a mathemation but I see a lot of danger in this job for the both of us." Bruiser studied Avilik and his words for a moment. "I can see your point" he continued to think leaning back in his chair. "Done" he walked into the back room returning with to purses of gold and tossed one to Sho and one to Avilik. They hid them away Avilik putting it in his vest and Sho placing it in the folds of her skirt. "I'll have your gear and expense money tomorrow. Avilik tell the clerk what you need in horse gear. You will need the horses to carry all the gear you requested."
Avilik nodded as Sho looked skeptical about the horses. "Avilik you are dismissed. Sho I need to speak with you for a moment." Avilik left to talk with the clerk closing the door behind himself. Bruiser Sighed and looked directly at Sho. "I know you don't like horses but you will need them for this. I want you fully trained on horse back riding, fighting, and maneuvering by tomorrow no excuses." Sho's eyes flared "Why must I ride a horse when I can use my steam cloud?" "Because this is more efficient then your cloud. Your cloud takes more energy for you to use then a horse. She stood glaring at him "I don't need a horse!" He stood unintimadated "You will ride a horse or you will not have a job!" She plopped down in her chair acting like a cornered child who couldn't have her way. Crossing her arms she was silent. "Fine" she finally uttered glaring at him in the most resentful way she could muster. He laughed inwardly as he motioned her to leave, opening the door for her. She stalked out stopping only briefly to stick her tongue out at him then went to sit in the lobby. He called Avilik back in motioning him to sit down. "Avilik you are to have Sho fully trained on horse back by tomorrow." Avilik blinked now he knew why Sho was so mad all of the sudden. "Tomorrow? That's not much time at all. With her issue with horses that is honestly an impossible deadline sir." He nodded "I know that but she must be trained before she leaves." Avilik sighed and played with his mane in thought. "I will do what I can but if she refuses to learn I can promise nothing." "Very well just do you best" he motioned him to leave. Avilik walked over to Sho "You ready?" She stood and walked out the door. "I'll take that as a yes" he followed her lazily as she brooded.
He kept his distance sensing both the heat and anger that radiated from her. By the time they were home Avilik was a good 8ft from her. She walked up stairs and slammed her door he didn't bother trying to talk to her. Knowing it would probably only get him flamed or something, instead he respected her wishes and stayed down stairs doing some housework. He took the broom out of the closet and began to sweep the kitchen floor humming a simple tune softly to himself. Sho was up in her room rather upset at Bruiser. "Who does he think he is to tell me my cloud is inefficient. It's much better then a horse and you don't have to feed it." She plopped down on her bed, igniting the fireplace in her room the fire blazed almost out of the hearth. Taking a deep breath she tried to calm down before she ignited the house on fire. She began to think about weather she would ride the horse, as she had said she would, or just quit the job. This had been the only job she could find that would hire her. She sighed seeing no way out of this mess. She wanted to be angry with Avilik but she also knew she couldn't blame him for what her employer does. Avilik had swept the kitchen, dining room, and the living room by now and was reading a book in his room by now. He hadn't made a sound to disturb her at all.
She finally decided to go speak with him after checking around the house she went up in his room which was open noticing him in a chair reading what looked to be a very old book. He looked over at her as she came up but said nothing though he looked uncertain. "We need to talk Avilik" He nodded marking his book and setting it in his lap, then motioning her to sit in the other chair. She sat down glancing at his book once finding a pair of dragons on the cover. Ignoring the book for now she continued "Bruiser seems intent on my riding a horse, I think you know my view on this." "I do" his voice very calm but actually held some seriousness. "Are you going to learn Sho?" She studied him not sure she liked his bluntness. "I do see that I have a choice." She frowned. "Sho let me tell you something. If you want to learn you have to actually want to do it. Otherwise I can not make his deadline and you may never get past a novice's level. The horses know when someone likes them or not, just as they know if you want to learn about then or ride them. Your attitude will affect your horse, if you are afraid they will be. If you are afraid of them they will know a may pull pranks." His eyes focused on hers with a calmness she had never seen in anyone before. She thought on his words for only a moment. "I get what your saying but I'll never want to ride a horse." He sighed, "then you won't be ready by tomorrow." He picked up his book and began reading again. She eyed him not sure if he was kidding or serious at this point. "What do you mean. Just cause I don't like horses doesn't mean I can't learn to ride." He looked up for a moment ten went back to his reading. "You won't be at the level he wants you at if you won't trust your horse and treat him or her as your friend. Horses only respect you if you respect them." "Avilik I do respect horses..." "But you don't trust them like a friend or even as your partner." "Why do I have to trust a horse to ride it?" "Can you really expect them to trust you to be willing to help you if you don't trust them? They are not dumb animals Sho they are living creatures as we all are and they will speak with you if you just listen." "Avilik I don't have your gift with animals all I hear are neighs." "Then you will always be held back in your skill. I can train you non the less but it won't do much good if you don't want it in the first place is my point." He continued reading his book on dragons. Sho glared at him she hated to have to be taught to horseback ride. "Lets go then, I have a lot to learn." "Very well. Just a moment." He marked where he was and sat the book down going to his room for something. Sho picked up his book and flipped through it. It was written in an old language that she didn't know. But the pictures along told her enough. He returned smiling to her when he saw her with his book. "How do you read this Avilik?" "Its in dragon script its not that hard really neither is wolfen. I can teach you both later on if you desire. Lets go."
He walked down the stairs and waited for her to catch up out side. Sho caught up with him and he walked with her the 2 blocks to the stables. After speaking with the owner he got permission to us a pen out in his field for training. Her brought desert rose and Stregar out. "You have to learn simple things with horses first." She glared at him. "Come over here." Reluctantly she obeyed. "First you need to check your horse for anything that may result or be damage." He stepped over to Stregar who knew this routine well. "Check from front to back." He placed his hands on Stregar's front leg felling along it and pulling up his hoof to check for stones ten working his way up the shoulders to the horses flank and down the other leg doing the same on the other side then checking the horses head and neck. He stopped and waited for Sho do to the same. Sho sighed, frowning, but did as he had instructed. "Now first you ride bare back. You won't always have access to a saddle." Avilik took a few steps back and ran at Stregar's side jumping and pushing up on the horse's neck placing himself on his back. "There is no way I can do that Avilik." "Then tell DesertRose this word. 'Nuvundo'" "why?" "Just do it and you'll see" "fine DesertRose Nuvundo" desert rose dropped her front down kneeling for Sho. Sho blinked rather surprised then shook her head and got on. "Say Buvendo to get back up" "Buvendo" DesertRose came out of the kneel, standing up once again. "Now to get her to move just lean in the direction you wish to go. Then more you lean forward the fast she will go." He leaned forward walking Stregar around the pen. Sho was still frowning over this but did as instructed getting her horse to follow his. "Now speed her up, we will take weeks to get there if we walk. Hejah Stregar" Stregar took off like a lightning bolt thundering around the 2-acre pen. Sho grimaced she hated galloping but he was right about the speed. "Hejah DesertRose" some questioning in her voice about what he had actually said. DesertRose took off now too thundering to catch Stregar who was much heavier then her. Sho had her eyes closed hanging on for dear life. "Sho open your eyes you'll get knocked off." She shook her head. "Are you telling me a powerful mage like yourself is afraid of a galloping horse?" She shot the glare to him instantly. "I'm not afraid." "Then stop being a wimp and look ahead of you." She clenched her jaw in anger wanting to flame him but dare not with the horses around. Finally out of pride she looked ahead though not feeling so well about it. Avilik smirked he figured he'd get her to look ahead if she was angry at the time. He studied her positioning for a moment. "Sho relax and move with the horse. Your body should pick up the rhythm. It'll be less bumpy if you move with the horse." Sho glared at him again. "I am moving with the horse." "do you really want to test that?" she smirked thinking she could handle this. Avilik sped up and had Stregar dodge through the trees DesertRose followed as Avilik told her to. Around the 3 bend Sho slipped and almost fell if it were not for DesertRose catching her with her teeth by the collar and setting her down. Avilik trotted his horse back over and dismounted.
"Sho the only way to move with you horse is not to think of you horse as an animal." "I don't need you lecturing" Despite her rising body heat Avilik stayed where he was. "You will never learn with out it. And you know bruiser will not let you go with out this training. I am not the one who came up with the idea I am only the teacher." His face emotionless as she glared at him. "You don't have to be so picky about it." "If DesertRose had not caught you, you might have slammed into a tree Sho." Sho looked away knowing he was right about that. He approached her an placed his hand on her shoulder. "I told you before if you did not want to learn this it would be impossible for me to teach you." She backed up causing his hand to fall off her shoulder. "Yes but you never told me you'd teach this way, humans don't ride bare back and crap." His eyes narrowed "humans are fools when it comes to understanding animals most of the time. And they have been killed by the same horse they ride." He turned walking back over to Stregar and stroking the big stallion's neck. Sho studied him not sure why he had said that or put it that way. "You are racist Avilik" "only against those who kill with out reason Sho." He remounted Stregar "if you still want to learn then mount up and lets go." He trotted his horse off. Sho knew he was hiding something now but she also notice that unlike her he was never bounced around by his horse even in a trot. Sighing she remounted Desert rose after a struggle with the right words in wolfen to do it. She cantered her horse after him catching up easily since he was now in a walk. He glanced over at her his face unreadable. "You finally ready to listen to me?" she frowned "I guess I have no choice if I am to learn." She didn't sound very thrilled about it at all. "Let's try something different close your eyes and focus on your horses movements." Sho shook her head but did as he said. "Now lean forward and speed her up. Once you have her movement try and make your body match them so that you don't get bounced around. Keep in mind that she is your partner you are riding with her and not riding her." Avilik you are a nut. "Sho its kinda like your connection with fire form a connection with her. Command her with out works or actions." Sho looked over at him wanting to know why he had said that. Can he read minds? She shook her head dismissing the thought and tried what he said slowing speeding her steed up and trying to move with her. "Relax your too tense" she wanted to flame him but decided to get him another way. "Well is better to be tense then crazy." Avilik ignored her, his horse pulled up beside hers his hand touch her back for a brief moment. Soon after Sho could feel the horse's muscles and almost see them move in her mind. Not realizing what she was doing she relaxed trusting her mare. Avilik galloped ahead her mare following his lead and galloping this time though Sho did what he said and was moving with the horse no longer feeling any fear of looking ahead. He smiled slowing his pace to a trot. Sho leaned back slowing her mare. "See you did it." She looked at him what she had done catching up with her. "I guess I did. How.." "You obviously just relaxed finally and focus as I had instructed you." He shrugged. She eyed him suspiciously not really sure what to think about him.
"Lets move on to the next thing shall we?" she shrugged he shook his head and grabbed a cross bow from near by handing it to her. "You know how to shoot right?" "Yes I'm well trained with the cross bow." She said a hint of pride in her voice. "Very good then let's see you his the target from horse back in a trot, canter, and gallop." She groaned but started off in a trot hitting her mark, hitting it again in a canter but having to shoot twice in the gallop cause of the wind, but she hit the bullseye the second time. "Great now try you fire." Sho had no trouble flaming anything out in any gate. "Lets get a saddle then." He headed back speaking with Stregar for a moment. "You know how to saddle a horse?" "Oh yeah I do that all the time." Sarcasm dripping from her words. "Grab you saddle blanket off the fence." He placed his on Stregar. "Then get your saddle." Avilik flipped the stirrups and belts up and picked up the saddle placing it on Stregar's back. Sho attempted to pick up the saddle but was struggling. "Come on Sho you can do it." She shot a glare to him but managed to lift the saddle up onto DesterRose's back. Panting slightly after she was done. Hmm.. She needs to work out a bit. He showed her how to loop the belts around and how to make sure your horse didn't swallow and air as a trick. Then he showed her how to put the bridle on. Avilik mounted up and took off Sho close behind. He was having some slight difficulty not being bounced in the saddle. Stregar neighed a protest "yes I know you hate saddles. But so do i." He sped up skipping the trot entirely. After in a full gallop he waited for Sho to catch up. She wasn't far behind somewhat hate the saddle now too. "Now lets go through some maneuvering and fighting skills." He showed her how to dodge a shot how to jump off a running horse, something she refused to do until he called her chicken and got her angry with him. She burned him soon after.
After going though all the necessary things he headed back to the stable and put his saddle away. Sho put hers away with much difficulty. He walked home limping slightly from his burnt right leg. Sho was exhausted from lifting the heavy saddle. Avilik went and made diner while Sho went up stairs to take a bath. Though she didn't like water a nice hot bath sounded nice to get rid of all the dirt she had picked up in training. Avilik made some rice then placed it in a frying pan with veggies and chicken making fried rice of sorts. After he finished he set the table politely waiting for her. Sho descended the stairs in a red a line dress. Avilik raised a brow saying nothing as he took his seat. "Don't even start" he looked up at her. "I didn't say anything" "but you were going to" "only a comment that I guess I should get the laundry moving." She studied him before taking a bit of her friend rice finding it almost as good as eating out. "Where'd you learn this?" "I talked to a elderly lady in town once when I was still travelling. She gave me a recipe book is all." I really must try and do something to make some money off his cooking. He finished up silently placing the dishes in the sink to be washed and leaving to do the laundry. When he returned Sho was finished and relaxing on the couch. She picked up one of his books and looked at it though she couldn't read it. He finished with the dishes and came out to find her with his book. "What's this about?" "It's the history of the wolfen wars. They happened centuries ago." "Woflen wars?" "Basically a bunch of packs fought with each other and tried to kill or take over each other." "Any reason for it?" "I'm reading it to find out that very question." She sat his book down still curious about it. "I could always teach you wolfen" "no that's not necessary." He chuckled taking a small green book from his pocket he handed it to her. He winked to her and left leaving his book there and heading to his room. She opened the small book to find the wolfen code key and a glossary of wolfen words. Looking up what he had said to her earlier she raised a brow. "You called me your sister Avilik? Why would you do that?" a perplexing question she would ask in the morning. She headed to her room finding a note on her door. It read 'by the way you look very nice in red'. She took the note down and went into her room flaming the note in her hand but laying translation book on her dresser. Soon she laid down for the night thinking of why Avilik was acting like he was.