I'm Dreaming of a Red Christmas [Illia & Orenji]

[Oren]

Kendryek listened very quietly. No one said a word. There was only stillness. Not even winter birds chirped.

That's what worried him.

They could feel the tension. They could feel the atmosphere and could tell something was about to be wounded. Even he could sense it even with his heightened senses not available to him. The other premonition he had was that the person wasn't Seth nor Le Cyll. He had the feeling that it was going to be him. He wasn't sure why or how, but the feeling was still there. It made sense, since he was the only one being targeted at the moment, but it was a odd feeling. It had been a while since he had come in contact with a nakki or any other animal that could sing others to their deaths, so he was slightly, very, very slightly, shaken. That was his only explanation. These two put him in a situation he was rarely in.

A situation in which it was possible for him to become injured.

That happened once in ever fifty years or so.

They really didn't appreciate their abilities, did they? If they did he wouldn't be in this situation, now would he? Actually, they probably did appreciate their abilities, but not to the extent that Kendryek did. When you truly appreciate something, you don't typically use it to your own advantage extremely often. You wish to share what you have with others. And killing something doesn't count at sharing. That is called 'using'.

"No."

The statement caught him off guard. Le Cyll? Had Le Cyll just said that? No one had said anything. Wait. Had Seth suggested something? No, she was still singing, and her face didn't say anything, not that it usually did. Either way, it wasn't Seth. There was something about how the wolf had said the simple word that allowed Kendryek to know that it wasn't Seth. Maybe he accidentally said 'no' to his thoughts out loud? Either that or someone none of them knew about was talking to him. Maybe it was someone from beyond the garden? That wasn't likely. Most of the students were away on the field trip. More importantly, most of the ones that would cause trouble were on the field trip.

Then who was it?

Well, whoever it was, or whatever it was, was still talking, for Le Cyll kept doing so himself. The more that Le Cyll spoke the more he got the feeling that this wasn't someone from the academy, maybe not even something from this realm. This thing, whatever it was, was asking him to do something he didn't agree to. From the mention of the sword, he figured the thing wanted him to kill something. There was a small voice that nagged at the back of his mind that he wasn't talking about the sword, but it was the only thing that could have it's 'weight balance all off'.

After a few more 'no's, Le Cyll called out in Kendryek's direction. It was a half-hearted cry. That was something to pay attention to. Why would the wolf cry out for him only partially sincere? Unless he didn't really want help, there was no reason for it. Which didn't really surprise him. Le Cyll was a good actor, so if the thing talking to him was asking him to act... maybe he was only putting half his effort into it. If he really didn't want to obey the voice, then he shouldn't.

The second cry for help was more real, but that didn't make the dragon any less suspicious. He had seen Le Cyll put up a facade, but maybe... either way, it was obvious that the wolf knew where Kendryek was, and if that was the case, there was no sense in staying hidden.

He slowly stepped out from behind the tree, his song still playing through his mind. Seth was quietly sitting on a large rock, her hands folded carefully in her lap. A second later he noticed the kunai tips sticking out between her fingers. So they both had weapons. That wasn't too dangerous: both were of Japanese origin. It must be a good day despite the threatening atmosphere.

"Yes, Le Cyll?" he said, almost threateningly but definitely in an uncaring way. If the wolf was actually in need of assistance, he would have cared more, but his ninja instincts were telling him to keep his distance. Yes, keeping a good ten-yard radius of the kludde and nakki was a good idea. Now that he was thinking about it, he had felt this atmosphere before. There had been many careless people at that time.

Quite a few had ended up dead.

[ωΘĿƒ]

Still not good enough. Not good enough! He's not coming closer!

Le Cyll couldn't help but let out a little laughing snarl. So stupid... This thing was so stupid yet it was convinced what it wanted could not wait. Like a spoiled child, it demanded things, and it was his job to get them for it. If it were alive and fleshly, he would have done away with it by now - dropped it in an icy river somewhere to freeze - but it was not exactly there. Not all there... Just an echo, and just an echo cannot be silenced with just an amount of willpower. Whatever it took to be alone in silence, he had not found it yet.

"Kendryek, it sure is a coincidence that you just happen to be hiding there like a snake in the bushes."

That's right! He's following you! Watch him! Watch him!

"Did Crane send you, I wonder, or is this of your own design?"

That's it. Reel him in! He'll come to you!

"Because it seems a bit suspicious to me."

Kill him! Kill him! Pick up the sword!

"Mon dieu! ((my God)) Shut up!" The wolf spat, making sure to look away from Kendryek so he would not get the impression the words were aimed at him. It really was difficult, talking when this thing was prattling away like that. So infuriating it drove him mad!

"I'm sorry, Seth. I almost forgot to introduce you. This is Kendryek. Kendryek, this is Seth."

The whispering was only a hushed sound now, too low and monotone to hear much of it. And just as well. He did despise people that interrupted him.

"Seth, would you still care to join me for that duel?"

A subtle hint, but the nakki should be able to get it. He did not want Kendryek here. He needed to get rid of him before the voice started up again, despite the methods he used to do it.

Interesting, how all three of them were against each other. This would make a fun fight...
[/size]

[Iƪƪia]

Seth watched in amusement as the dog began arguing with a creature that she could not see. She doubted it existed at all, except for in the dog's head, of course. Strange indeed. He seemed to dislike this creature greatly. What's more, he even seemed to be in pain because of it. It was all so amusing.

And then it wasn't.

Bored once again, she didn't bother to look as she heard footsteps trod across the snow. She didn't bother to look as the footsteps stopped several feet from her. She didn't bother to look as the new arrival and the dog exchanged a few words.

She only decided to look after the dog spoke his name. Kendryek. Making a mental note of this, she tipped her head to give the creature a quick once-over. He didn't look impressive at all. In fact, he seemed as though he'd be a relatively easy kill. She could probably end his life right now...

It was then she decided to sample his scent.

Dragon. There was no mistaking that lizard-like stench. He was a dragon, and one who wouldn't be easily killed. It was difficult enough when the dragon was caught off-guard and in her territory. This one seemed to be on edge. He must have been expecting something to happen, otherwise he wouldn't have followed the dog out here.

A dragon would take a lot of energy to bring down. Precisely why she had killed only one other dragon in her life. And that one was much weaker and stupider than this one seemed to be. Clearly, he wasn't worth her time.

Looking away, she listened as the dog asked her for a duel, but she couldn't have cared less. Her plans having come to an end, she felt as though she could find no more entertainment in either of them.

And yet, what else was there to do? The majority of the students here had left and while she was fairly certain that she could find at least one weak creature to kill, she simply didn't feel like looking. It was quite a predicament. In the end, she decided to go with the choice that was right in front of her.

"Certainly," She kept the beautiful melody in her voice as she spoke, this time purposefully directing it at both of them.

Pushing herself up off of the rock, she let her hands fall limp at her sides; the kunai hanging loosely between her fingers. Sighing, she allowed her eyes to drift from the dog to the lizard and back; her face remaining expressionless. It was all so tiresome. Then again, perhaps... No, never mind.

[Oren]

Kendryek listened to Le Cyll's ranting. What was bother him so much? It wasn't like Kendryek followed him places. Sure, he kept an eye and ear out for any trouble that the wolf might be causing, but he kept to his studies and still spent hours on the internet studying up on different subjects that he deemed he was rusty on. There wasn't anything wrong with keeping tabs on someone, was there? He simply made sure he was within a three mile radius of Le Cyll. How much more 'personal space' did a creature need?

That didn't matter right now, though. The moments at hand were what he needed to focus on. Wait. Had Le Cyll asked if Professor Crane had sent him? If it hadn't have been for the tense atmosphere, Kendryek would have burst out laughing. Why would the chimera have done that? Yes, he had been informed of Le Cyll's location by Professor Crane and had been asked to look after the school for the day, but that didn't mean he had been sent by the professor to look after Le Cyll specifically. It was definitely of his own 'design', as the wolf had so quaintly put it.

After declaring Kendryek's actions 'suspicious', the wolf swore before telling whatever had been bothering him before to shut up. It took a second for the dragon to realize that the first few words had been in French. He allowed himself to laugh at it in his mind. He didn't dare laugh out loud.

But... why was he finding so many things funny? Was it the atmosphere? Was his mind unconsciously finding things to dwell on to ease his nerves? If that was the case, that wasn't too good. It meant he was more shaken than he had first thought. Then again, it was possible that they were simply funny.

He almost, almost, answered Le Cyll, but what was the point? The crazed wolf was causing such an uproar that he either wouldn't hear or wouldn't care. Most likely was the latter. At this point he was probably so consumed with whatever that thing had been telling him that he simply didn't care, which was odd because he typically put a lot of work into his actions.

After the wolf's little 'tantrum' was over, he introduced Kendryek to Seth. The dragon nodded as the nakki looked up for the first time since he had stepped out. Once more, he didn't say anything. She obviously didn't care. The one that was being obsessed was Le Cyll. Either that or the thing that was bothering him was obsessed. He wasn't sure which. It was most likely the thing, though, cause it didn't seem in the wolf's character to be obsessive over something.

Kendryek had barely been paying any attention to what Le Cyll was saying, but the last sentence caught his attention. Seth's reply put him on guard. She had renewed her song and he was forced to make his own louder, but that wasn't the problem. There was a possibility that they were going to fight. He wasn't sure how good of of an idea that was. He was technically in charge and could get them in major trouble if they fought him or each other, but... what was the point in that? They wouldn't learn. These two were the types that learned life lessons by or because of winning or losing a fight, that was, if they learned anything at all. Something told him that Seth only wanted to kill something and Le Cyll wanted him gone.

Those were the only motives behind their actions.

He deemed it time to speak, so he did. "Last I checked, it was against school rules to fight on the grounds. Though it seems neither of you are the type to listen to as petty of things as those." He hesitated to give his last sentence more power. "I'm warning you, it wouldn't be wise."

[ωΘĿƒ]

The wolf couldn't help but burst out laughing at that.

"Rules? You interrupt something very private, stir up that damn wretched thing, and then you quote me the school guidelines?" He paused a moment, letting the energizing little emotion drain itself out. When he was done laughing, he had the sensation of the clear, cool absence of anything again. How nice. The voice had gone back to sleep. It must have been Kendryek that woke it up - it was a very sensitive thing, always in some sort of tantrum or mood. He had always wondered if he could find some kind of sedative for it...

But that was unimportant now.

"No, I don't think I care much." He finally replied, lifelessly.

He had dropped the sword, he remembered, in all the commotion, but immediately after the voice had gone back and nestled up in its place at the back of his head, he had regained his hold on the sword. It was a beautiful piece of equipment, and surely it was one of his favorite, but it was not his absolute favorite. He only saved that for special occasions. No, there was a reason he had woken up today and decided on this specific instrument - some exact science to the strange possession of this thing.

But that was a secret. Kendryek would only find out if it came down to blows, and he was still not decided on this as a course of action yet. Seth spoke, and it seemed her lovely voice was aimed at them both now. The Kludde picked up his blade, taking out a cloth and wiping the snow from it until it reflected perfectly the blue sky and white snow like it was supposed to. He replaced the cloth where it had been, careful not to touch the side he'd used to wipe the blade with, and examined the perfectly forged metal with some scrutiny.

"If Crane wants an orderly school environment, he should not send a patsy where only a leader will do."

Le Cyll flicked the blade out, sending it sweeping towards Seth sitting so prettily on her rock. The metal was so fast and well polished that it was hard to see coming.
[/size]

[Iƪƪia]

Seth didn't speak at all as she listened to the dog and the lizard converse. She barely listened, really. After all, she was certain that it was of no concern to her. Then again, what was? Instead, she simply kept her eyes trained on the dog in front of her. He had picked up his blade and was now cleaning it. He must have a reason for that, though she didn't care to guess at what that reason may be.

She remained motionless; eyes watching but not seeing. It wasn't really necessary. When in battle, she fought on instinct. Never really trying anything, rather, she just did what came natural to her. It was better that way. After all, she didn't really have to waste time concentrating on anything. Yes, her instincts could be quite helpful.

For example: she didn't have to see the blade coming towards her to know it was there.

In an instant, she was sliding across the slick, snow-covered grass, coming to a stop at least ten feet from the dog. Her face still held no trace of any emotion. She simply stood upright once again and continued watching the dog as she had been all this time.

For as long as Seth stood there without speaking, one might assume that she was contemplating her next move. And an incredibly complex move it must be for her to spend so much time thinking about it. The truth, however, was much less exciting. Instead, she had resumed thinking about whether or not she should remain or leave. Would this really be as boring as she had thought? Perhaps walking amongst terribly similar, snow-covered tees would be slightly less boring? Perhaps not?

No, it didn't matter. They would both be dull. And besides, she was tired of thinking. The Nakki took several steps forward before stopping once again.

"How rude. Giving a lady no warning like that," She layered her song over every word.

Her words held no real meaning to them. She had found that creatures seemed to like hearing sarcastic or threatening words from her before they died. Oh, no... That wasn't enjoyment. It was either fear or anger. Or both. And she found both of those emotions mildly entertaining to witness. Of course, she doubted it would have the same effect on the dog. It just seemed to have become more of a sub-conscious habit of hers now.

Without any warning of her own, Seth charged forward. With a simple flick of the wrist, she sent three of her kunai flying toward the dog in quick succession.

She then halted, allowing her weapons to follow their path toward her target. Replacing the ones she had thrown with three more from inside her jacket, she only sighed as she waited for that yelp of pain.

[Oren]

Kendryek raised an eyebrow as Le Cyll's words. What thing had he stirred up? The voice? Yes, that must be what the kludde was speaking of. If he thought it would have done any good, he would have pointed out that he hadn't interrupted them, he had been invited to join the deadly conversation. For that reason and because it was simply a fault in the wolf's point of view, he left it be. There wasn't any reason for him to defend his actions. They were what they were and would be taken how they would be taken. That was the bottom line.

He watched silently and expressionlessly as Le Cyll picked up the katana and wiped the snow from the blade. Wait, what was that? The wolf had seemingly placed the cloth carelessly where it had been, but something about the way the wolf's fingers had moved caused him to wonder about the chemical makeup of the sword itself or possibly of something that had been spread along the edge. In any other situation he would have ignored the slightly odd movement and probably wouldn't have even seen it, but here, now, his senses were at their highest performance and he took special note of every even slightly odd motion. It was a part of his training and a skill he reserved for special times.

Times like this one in which he needed every ounce of his concentration on his opponents.

For this reason, he made special note to keep away from the slicing edge of the blade. As a matter of fact, it would be good to keep away from the kunai as well. They were most likely poisoned and, although he was very skilled at removing such things, it would only prove bothersome. Not to mention, Le Cyll would probably take the obvious advantage and decide to have some fun with a certain Japanese 'friend'.

Faster than any human would have believed possible, the wolf swung his sword at Seth. Even faster and without any obvious thought to her actions and no surprise at Le Cyll's, the nakki dodged the flashing sword as if it was a small ball thrown by a small child.

There was a small lull in the fight as Seth paused and began thinking about something. Kendryek didn't know her well enough guess what she was pondering so he didn't even try. He would have to figure her mind out eventually, but that time wasn't now. He smiled to himself. Now was not the time for many things.

It dawned on Kendryek that Seth had said something about Le Cyll being rude. The very nature of the remark had cause him to overlook it. The nature of his ignoring caused him to question if that was a good thing.

With a quick and almost imperceptible flick of her wrist, Seth projected three black objects toward Le Cyll.

These two definitely had skills that they didn't show to many, at least, none that lived.

[ωΘĿƒ]

Le Cyll pivoted, letting the wieldly sword swing back around without interruption and eventually come to an elegant stop at his side. As simple and supposedly light as it was, the classic katana had been modified slightly, making it a bit longer and heavier than originally intended. This, of course, led to a few corrections in the way one utilized a katana. For example, all that fancy swirling and slashing that could be seen on any television was not exactly as helpful as it looked here. There was a technique, and above all that technique required patience. For instance, instead of blocking the kunai with the blade's edge like he could have done, he stepped lightly to the side, straightening his stance and keeping the katana up, ready for any notion of further attack.

The first thing he noticed was Kendryek. He seemed intent on not getting involved. How boring. If this was going to be a regular brawl, there needed to be more than two people participating.

"I'm sorry," He said to Seth, not sounding like he meant it at all. "but I did ask you if you wanted to fight."

She did not seem the kind to really like witty banter. Sure, there was some good sport in it, and it did create a fair deal of atmosphere between slashes, but in all reality it was the tradition of the thing that allowed for such speech. She didn't seem to like the tradition much. It must waste too much energy for her tastes.

"But let's be serious. I didn't come here to have another sparring match. I came to see if Crane would stop us. Seeing as he sent someone else, I think we should take full advantage. Would you like to fight something bigger than a wolf? I know I would."

Le Cyll pointed the katana at Kendryek, not making any threatening gestures, but keeping the sharp edge of the sword between them

"Come on, Kendryek. Why don't you show us your real form? Is it big enough here, do you think?"

Now that was the thing. It wasn't big enough for Kendryek to change. What would happen then? Would this deceptively small Japanese boy become defenseless? Did he still retain some power in his human form? And, would he be as fun to play with as Seth? All very interesting questions, and worthy of an answer. Le Cyll would be more than happy to find those answers.

[Iƪƪia]

Straightening up, she stood back and watched as the dog avoided her attack. However, he didn't return an attack. It seemed as though he had decided not to fight her. No, it appeared as though he had his sights set on slightly larger prey.

Seth allowed her eyes to drift over to where the dragon stood, unable to comprehend what this dog wanted. Oh, hadn't he said something about a challenge? Perhaps this was what he wanted from the dragon. Well, that didn't matter to her. She didn't need a challenge. She tried to avoid them as much as possible, actually. And it never mattered how big her victim was. As she had said, the ending is always the same. Why waste the energy?

Her eyes drifted between the two creatures as she contemplated her next move. It was a strange move, to be sure, for she had decided that leaving simply wasn't an option any longer. However, all this thinking... It just wasn't worth it.

Leaving her thoughts behind her, she glided over to where the dog stood. Close to him. Quite close. She stopped not even a foot from the dog, standing beside him and to the back slightly. From experience she had learned that her voice had a greater impact the closer she was to her target.

Yes. I'd like to have a row with this one,[/i] She sang, tipping her head to watch the dog, Why not strike now.[/i]

It wasn't a question. More like a 'gentle' persuasion.

She looked back toward the dragon, her face still showing no emotion. Yes, she quite liked these odds. Hm... Perhaps 'like' wasn't the proper word... Maybe... Oh, what did it matter? Thinking about words when there was a more interesting matter at hand. She wanted to see something die. Soon.[/size]

[Oren]

Kendryek smiled slightly when Le Cyll apologized for his quick, aggressive actions. There wasn't a reason to apologize, much less a reason to explain his actions. When in a fight, one typically didn't stop and talk.

But these two aren't 'typical', he reminded himself.

"Crane didn't send me," he whispered, almost to himself. It didn't matter if they heard him. They could think what they wanted to about his being here. Nothing would change the fact that he was here because he knew Le Cyll. He knew the wolf would be up to no good with the professor gone. Indeed, the Professor Crane had hinted at some troublesome even that might take place while he was gone, but that was only a small part of the reason he was here. It was funny how, after only meeting the wolf three times, he knew that he wasn't the type of person to leave in a place like this with no one to monitor his movements. People like Le Cyll would do something vicious.

Something like starting a fight.

He glanced up at the sun. Sighing, he rolled his eyes. It was way too early for this. What in the world possessed these two to make them so eager to fight so early in the day?

Le Cyll said something to him, but he had to think to remember what had been said. That's what came of not paying attention. Still, he had his 'little habit' that took anything said and stored it for later memory. He never really realized until now what a useful habit he had.

He glanced around and slowly shook his head at the wolf. This place was definitely not large enough for him to change. Le Cyll knew that, so what was the point in asking? Oh, wait. That was the point in asking. The wolf wanted Kendryek to know that he knew he couldn't change forms. The exchange also told Seth that he couldn't change. Unless... maybe that would finally work, but it was only possible, not probable.

Seth's movement caught his attention. She was responding to Le Cyll's words, or so it seemed. She stopped not even a foot from the dog before looking at Kendryek. Now they were both staring at him. The odds kept getting worse and worse, now didn't they?

Though, it was nothing he couldn't handle.

He'd had worse odds, though he had to admit, it had been a while. He would probably be sore tomorrow, but at least he would be alive. Hopefully these two wouldn't be dead themselves. That could prove bothersome. Very bothersome. Two dead students wasn't something easily hidden. Then there was informing parents, though something told him that they wouldn't be missed by many. After all was said and done, though, it was still simply bothersome.

Not to mention that it would be a waste of a perfectly good chance to learn more of how people such as these two worked.

[ωΘĿƒ]

Le Cyll smiled slightly at the sea horse's painfully sweet song. She was trying to make him attack first - a very smart thing, considering she did not know Kendryek as well as he did. She had no idea the power, and then the restraint Kendryek would use on this power once revealed.

But, as was the case with so many other things, Le Cyll did. He knew that the old dragon was a tired thing, worn out long ago by the thrill of fighting and burnt out to anything the likes of violence. It was sad, really. Kendryek could do so many things with his power and his wisdom. He'd lived such a long life, and a full one at that - it was easy enough to tell by the way he assumed he knew what was best for others. Kendryek, even if he could change is shape, would not use his power to crush Seth and himself. He would merely prevent an incident. He was far too "wise" to do anything else.

Wasn't it funny, the way only the strongest and most unstoppable would refuse to use their abilities? It was almost a disease they contracted.

But oh well. Kendryek did not have to fight to his fullest - it was actually something that would cause Le Cyll to leave instantly. No, he would use only the necessary amount, nothing more. That he could see on his own, and that he did not need the thing inside his head to tell him.

It thought Kendryek wished to kill things, but it saw from such a limited perspective. He knew better...

Watching the dragon roll his gaze to the sky, Le Cyll could only guess what he was thinking.

"Too early for you, Kendryek?" the wolf asked, mockingly concerned. "I'll be sure to make our next tussle later, but for now you must deal with the morning."

So saying, Le Cyll indulged in Seth's melodious prodding and made the first quick swipe towards Kendryek. He made it light, only slicing the top of the skin if it hit. The next swipe was almost exactly the same - very light, and only skin deep. He made at least twenty of these swipes in the few seconds he was near, then quickly dodged away.

He had been testing something in the lab all morning - so dark and early that even Crane and Mike hadn't been in yet. It was only later, after they came, that he had to leave his studies and take his newest creation into the field for a trial. It was still far too early in the testing to be sure, but he had to start somewhere, didn't he? It had been hard at first, going into battle with an imperfect sample, but now that he had the situation lain out for him, there wasn't much of a choice now was there? He would have to try his new drug out on Kendryek.

And better him than Seth... The dosage was meant for dragons, after all...

[Oren]

Kendryek chuckled at Le Cyll’s comment. Of course it was too early! Would he ever admit that? No, not really. Just because he had a preference didn’t mean everyone had to know it, nor did it mean that he should announce it. But if they guessed it…

“Very good, Le Cyll! You’re learning fast,” he mocked. There was no way that Le Cyll was just now learning to read people’s actions. It was obvious that he had practiced and honed this skilled for years. Like Kendryek, the wolf could pick up on someone’s personality faster than a brick could fall from a two story building. It wasn’t often that he met someone almost as skilled as himself in the art of judging personalities.

He didn’t do much as see the blade as he felt it swinging toward him. In his peripheral vision he could see the flash of sun, and as time seemed to slow he calculated where the strikes would hit. Naturally and automatically, his body moved out of the way, the metal swiping inches from his body. The blade snagged his shirt and barely nicked his skin the first swipe, but in the twenty or so afterward, the blade hovered centimeters away. It was a fast strike, to be sure, and the second they were done, Le Cyll was out of reach.

Such a jumpy creature, Kendryek mused to himself. Very careful to not get caught in the dragon's claws... hm.

Lightly touching the spot that Le Cyll's blade had caught him, he felt a sharp pain and the tell-tale slickness of blood. Bringing his bloody fingertips up to his face, he saw his red blood slowly turning black. So, that potion was still working after all this time. After years of study and testing different substances, he had configured what it would take to make a poison detector. Once infused with blood, the individual 'molecules' would attach themselves to red blood cells, one 'molecule' per cell. When the red blood cell died, it would find a new 'host'. It was kind of like a virus: living yet dead, impossible to dispose of, continually making more of themselves, and lethal to metabolisms that couldn't withstand them.

The trick was, these 'molecules', which he named 'SAP', had a reaction to any poisonous substances. Until coming in contact with any such substance they were clear. When they did, though, they would expand to three times their original size and turn pitch black in color. It was kind of like an allergic reaction.

The only two drawbacks were that the SAP didn't get rid of the poison, only minimized the effects, and they almost killed you when you first ingest them. It had taken three weeks to completely recover from the damage they had inflicted on his internal organs. He could only imagine what the SAP would have done to a smaller creature, and he assumed that very few species on earth could withstand the immense pain they caused for three days straight starting one hour after ingestion.

Looking back, it had been worth it. After all, they did exactly what they were designed to do: detect poison and determine its potency.

Smiling, he looked at the wolf. "Nice poison. Almost undetectable, but I'm afraid its not strong enough to do any harm, or much harm, that is."

Tearing off the bottom strip of his shirt, he cleansed his hand. Then, without warning, he sprung back twenty feet and ascended the tree that had earlier been his shield from unwanted eyes. He chuckled to himself as he thought about how strange this 'fight' was. It was more of a possibly deadly conversation, which was alright with him, by all means; it was simply strange.

But by all means, it was entertaining, and something inside him was enjoying this.

[ωΘĿƒ]

]
Resting the edge of the long, elegant blade carefully out of reach of his less-that-impervious skin, Le Cyll noticed the spot where he'd nicked the dragon. The blood was turning black, and Kendryek seemed far from the paralytic illness that Le Cyll had so hoped he'd concoct in the dragon. In fact, after weeks of testing this simple poisonous serum, and hours of augmenting it after he had met the troublesome dragon shadow, there was only one word that accurately described the utter waste of everything that he had tried to accomplish.

"Damn!" the wolf spat. Immediately, he took a defensive position as Kendryek ascended a nearby tree. So much work! So many hours wasted! Ruined! And for what!? Some black blood?!

Wait... Dragons did not have black blood. Then why did Kendryek?

Could it be that he had something helping him out? Some form of medical genius made specifically for this purpose? It was a long shot... but the reaction from Kendrek was more than enough proof. And what do you know? It only made the dragon that much more... interesting.

Why did Kendryek have poison fighting medical technology in his blood? One had to be so curious as to wonder...

See? He knew what would happen. He's something, isn't he? Be careful. Dragons bite...

Yes. Dragons did indeed bite. And so did Seth, on that note. She had a bit of venom too, but Le Cyll's poison was not meant for Seth. She would most likely die of it, and he would not have that.

Kendryek could die. Seth could not. Why, you ask? Perhaps because one was bigger and more threatening than the other. Or perhaps is was because one of them shared a deep rooted perversity that was found so little that it was criminal to go and waste on one hate-furled rampage. Who could really tell? Not Le Cyll. He only knew instinct, and his instinct told him that one of them should be chased off at swordpoint while the other should be inquired upon.

Sure, Kendryek probably had better stories than Seth, but he was not as tenacious - not as egotistically cruel. There was something of an interest in that too, despite the fact that one had been around the race track a few more times than the other.

Le Cyll picked his sword up from the resting position, swinging it around to face the tree.

"Come out and play or run away, Kendryek. There is no middle road. Do not be so rude as to interrupt a conversation, then tuck your tail between your legs and scamper off."

He waited, patiently, but hearing that small whispering sound rise up the back of his spine like curling tendrils. Seth looked bored. He would not want that, now would he? He'd giver her a show..
[/color]

[Oren]

Kendryek rested his head against the tree trunk, smiling a tad when Le Cyll spoke his challenge. So, this little pup wanted him to come out and 'play'? That was new. Most creatures, after realizing how strong he was, made sure to stay out of fights with him. This wolf, Le Cyll, was different. Of course, he had known that from the beginning, and it came as no surprise. It was simple expectation and inevitability. Whether they fought today or took a rain check, they would fight eventually, and probably more than once. He had figured it would be that way for a long while now. Le Cyll wasn't the type to leave strange, interesting people alone, and it wasn't Kendryek's style to leave strange, interesting people alone, and neither put up with people that snooped in their business, so a clash between the two was bound to happen.

It wasn't fate, though.

Inevitable things and fate were not the same. Fate entailed predestined things ordained by a higher power for a creature or person to do. Inevitability was something that could be avoided if a plan was carefully put together but was most likely going to happen and after a certain point it would happen no matter what one did. This... this seemed to be one such situation. As Le Cyll had said, Kendryek could run, but what was the point in that? Running was delaying the inevitable, if you would. As much as that was true, what was the point in 'playing'? 'Playing' entailed acting foolishly. If one played in a fight, they would surly die or at least acquire nasty wounds. Playing was definitely not a thing to do at present.

"No, dear kludde," he said in a normal voice, "I do not believe I shall run. Nor do I think I will 'play', as you put it."

But wait. What had the wolf said? It was a challenge, was it not? Come and play or run away? Now that was a different story, altogether! While he would still not play around, if he could confirm this challenge, he just might be able to sate Le Cyll's desire to fight him. He would then be allowed to fight, whether Crane approved or not. A challenge was a challenge, and, being Japanese, declining a challenge would dent one's honor. That was something that Kendryek would not allow. Although it had been ages since he had been in his homeland, he still upheld the values that he had been taught.

The value of honor in combat was one of them.

It was an age-old law, but Kendryek was almost age-old himself, so what could someone say against him following one such law? Not to mention that age-old laws were still in practice today.

Sighing audibly, he looked at the wolf, his eyes serious, amused, and expectant all in one. "Do you really want me to fight you? I will if that is what you want."

Of course, the kludde's reply would be 'yes'. He would be surprised it it wasn't. What, then, was the purpose of asking the question he did? It was that confirmation he had been contemplating about. It was his permission to cut and maim. It was the key to a chain.

Because he was pretty sure of the wolf's answer, he didn't wait to jump down from the tree. Silently and almost unnoticeable, he slipped three shuriken out of a bag. More noticeably, he slowly took off about six of his invisible bags and laid them next the the tree. The other three, all containing weapons, were still around him, along with a couple belt pouches. He leaned against the tree, looking at Le Cyll, expectant for an answer.

[ωΘĿƒ]

Realizing exactly what Kendryek had just said, the wold had to start slightly.

....really? He was going to go along with it? Give into the consuming force of chaos and fight? He'd think Seth would be goaded into such a thing, but never Kendryek.

Dragons bite...

That was right, they did. Le Cyll - the darling paranoid soul that he always had been - was ever aware of this fact. Kendryek was much bigger and stronger, and in the world of the animal kingdom, that held more weight than intellect or skill.

Now, far be it of him to complain, but he was a little surprised; and even more so he was a little nervous. Head on confrontations were not usually his norm in social contact. In all actuality, neither was the cowardly stalk of an ambusher. Le Cyll was not a being of habit - he was a predator of opportunity. If something was smaller than him, he had every right to kill and eat it; and if something was larger and more likely to squish him, he would keep his distance and pick away at defenses until the thing was dragged to his level.

He may be petty, spineless, and egotistical, but he wasn't stupid. He had every right to be cautious of Kendryek, and it was mostly because of Kendryek's sadly crippling gentleness that he had even made the challenge. Now that had been smart, hadn't it Picking fights with giants...

He won't kill you.

Yes, that was probably true, but Le Cyll would not risk it. He had made the challenge, but now it called for a more.... delicate approach.

He slid the sword back into its sheathe, straightening his stance.

"I do not want to fight you, Kendryek," the wolf shrugged. "It does nothing to fight - such violence is senseless and cruel. I want a challenge. A hunt. Food and entertainment at the expense of a life. There is no reason for a fight and there never is..."

He frowned, hollowly.

"Especially not something that is so peaceful. However, you force me to it. You impede where you are not allowed, and this is problematic. So in this case, yes. Yes I want a fight."

He stood there, watching the dragon. He was doing something = preparing, perhaps? It didn't disturb him. He was ready. He had made measures to be ready ever since he had met Kendryek.

You could call it intuition, or you could call it paranoia. You cold even call it fate, if you believed in such things; but Le Cyll knew as soon as he met Kendryek that there would be a confrontation.
[/color]