All For Love [[RykanXFerren]]

[praiseofblood]

Rykan stepped shakily off of the ship, fingering his necklace. He drew his coat around him to block out the chill of the air.

He had heard Jeskara was freezing, but this was insane. He hefted his bag and sword onto his back, walking slowly towards the unknown. He had no clue where he was headed, his mother had only given him decades old information on where to find the Majikadai.

He blanched as he thought of his mother. He was incredibly sick, and Rykan could feel him wither away with each day.

The disease was strange. Jikan's skin grew paler each day, and his body would be wracked with coughs. His skin was hot to the touch, yet he would complain of being cold. It was unusual, seeing as even the Medibox had done nothing to improve his condition.

Rykan was worried, and went to visit his family. He nearly cried as he heard the once soothing voice of his mother reduced to being raw and weak, as his amethyst eyes stared at him glassily.

Soren had pled with Rykan to go and search for the Mijakadai, for they would know the illness and the cure. The proud tiger had not wanted to send either of his sons, but he needed to be by his mate. Seeing as Xero was out of reach, he was forced to ask Rykan as he watched over his mate. Finding the cure among the Mijakadai was their only hope to save their beloved bearer and mate.

He asked one of the Mentisquarian cargo crew he had hitched a ride with if he knew anything of the area. When he had recieved a negative answer, Rykan sighed, figuring that he'd be on his own for the journey.

He simply turned, heading towards where the slight vibrations in the air told of a forrest. He would simply set up camp in the woods tonight, but probably wouldn't sleep, seeing as he was unsure of how close he was to the Vampyre city Jokadi.

He walked slowly, a hand outstretched. The air was so still here, he could barely hear a thing. He pulled out his flute, playing low notes that bounced off of the trees and steered him away from obstacles. He kept the melody low, as his muscles remained tensed--ready for danger.

A twig snapped, and Rykan spun around on the balls of his feet, drawing his sword and waiting for the next sound. He cursed his blindness not for the first time as he was put in the disadvantage of not being able to see his enemy. So he listened, ready to lunge at the next possible moment.

[Kago]

Ferren remembered this morning, so far, quite clearly. How he was sent out to purchase a few things for his mother. He couldn't say no. Even, if he had something planned for the day. It wasn't like it was something that took long. He found himself leaving his home and returning not too long after. He could only be relieved he didn't have to deal with the usual dangers his kind did. Unless he was kidnapped. Then that was another story entirely. but certainly next to impossible.

The young male Jshiko could just hear his mothers voice now. How they were so fortunate to be living in the main city. Where they were protected by the law. No one was allowed to consume others inside here. Thus there luck. It often had Ferren wondering why they still resided on the planet. Perhaps due to the fact it was where his entire family had come from. He supposed that would make sense. He wasn't sure what he thought of leaving his home planet either.

It was all something Ferren was hearing again after he had returned. Having the usual conversations he had with his mother. Before he went about leaving home for some time to himself. He always managed to cross paths with someone though. It was almost unfortunate. But he could never bring himself to think negatively of his family. It wasn't like any of them were bad. They were all Jshiko after all. Not to say they were cowards or anything of the sort. Jshiko, were basically like every other race. With the fact that each individual had their own personality. His family in general, was nice, if not pleasant. But enough about his family, who seemed to like taking up quite a bit of his time. He had an idea as to what he wanted to do today, though it was far from safe.

Now Ferren, being a Jshiko, knew what not to do. And what he was doing now was definitely something his parents wouldn't exactly approve of. But when else would he get to use his shape-shifting abilities. Only in the woods. Where he would get wander about freely. He was quite capable of handling himself. At least, he had a firm belief he could, as long as he avoided everyone about. Which was what he planned to do.

So, as soon as Ferren had entered the woods, he had come to change his shape. Briefly having to abandon his clothes, in what he thought was a safe spot, before heading off. Seeing as how the temperature was never that high to begin with, with the lacking clothes, he changed into a creature that had a decent amount of fur. In general, to really get to move around and not leave himself in a horrible position, he needed something that could be quick, not too big, but not so small it was make instant easy prey.

Ferren eventually decided upon a fox. It wasn't too big, and it wasn't too small and it could move about quick enough. It was the perfect form. Well, he thought it fit right now. It was what he came to soon enough wander about the woods with.

Now, he didn't go just anywhere. He was familiar with the woods to a certain extent. To know where he should definitely be careful of, though, in general, he really had to watch out for everything.

It was expected to be a quick walk of sorts, but as Ferren was going, he found himself hearing the sound of an...instrument. Was that what that was? How strange. His first instinct was to run. To get way from the noise. But he found his curiosity winning over caution. Which was odd for him. Usually he could tell when he was in a rather dangerous situation. He didn't understand what the difference was here. Perhaps that was what drew him closer to the music. Close enough he was sure whoever was playing wasn't far away. He wasn't that much out of caution to go bounding out into plain sight though. No. He stayed hidden behind a tree, not far from where he heard the music. His intention was to get a glimpse of this being, or whatever it was, from far away. From where he set himself, slightly crouched behind a tree, he should have caught a glimpse of this being as soon as they passed by or stepped out into his line of sight in general.

[praiseofblood]

Slight rustling was all he heard. Rykan replaced his sword and played slightly louder notes in a higher octave, the vibrations revealed all he needed to know.

It must have been a woodland creature. He shivered, shrugging off the feeling that he was being watched, and began to play again, moving further into the forest. An off vibration alerted him to the presence of a small figure.

He stopped, turning his head towards the tree where the figure was settled. He took a step closer, playing slowly, so that behind his eyes, he could see the light pulse of a tiny, rapid heart. It was a fox.

A simblance of a smile ghosted across his features and he leaned down a bit. He could capture and skin it easily, using its fur for additional warmth, but something about the creature spoke to him. Something told him to let the creature live.

He 'looked' at the creature, and muttering to himself. "Do foxes normally hide behind trees? Or stay stationary when approached for that matter?" he mussed, his soft, deep voice carrying only slighty in the silence. Deciding that the answer was no, turned away from the creature, placing his flute back to his lips.

[Kago]

If Ferren wasn't mistaken. he would have thought that the other person, a male he could see, had seen him. It was just the first thing that came to mind when he saw that he stopped entirely, looking his way. Or was he imagining things. He hoped that was the case.

Any hopes he had raising on that were shattered, the moment Ferren noted this person here. actually took a step his way. Though he was still playing his music. Why was he playing music? It was a bit off track, but he thought it sounded nice.

Although, going back to more important matters, he needed to consider that he could be in danger. He wasn't quite sure though. The man didn't exactly looked like he was about to attack. Though he was a bit too close for comfort. Which was, in general, him coming closer to where he was. Even though he had wanted to get a closer look at this person.

Was he saying something? He heard the man speaking, apparently referring to him being there. It gave him no clue as to whether he was going to try anything. He couldn't help but take a step back. At first, until he noted he just went back to playing that instrument he had. It looked like a flute, if he wasn't mistaken. But didn't that fellow know how dangerous it was to attract attention here?

The Jshiko, in the form of a fox, was tempted to tell this fellow that. But then he recalled he knew next to nothing about this man. He himself could be some meat eater that would eat him. As was known to happen with his kind around here. The thought neither encouraged him to move closer or change back. Out here, it wasn't against the law to try anything with him. To hurt him. If he got his hands on him, he would be helpless.

The best thing he supposed he could do was just take off now. He thought he should, he even moved to turn, but there was something here that had him wanting to get closer to the other fellow. Just to get a closer look. Even if he felt this was far from the smartest thing he could be doing now. He realized this and yet, he found himself moving a step closer to this strange male who played the flute.

It was one step, then another, then he moved as if to circle the other male. Which, in itself, may have been a stupid thing to do but, he really found himself wanting to find out more about this guy.

[praiseofblood]

Rykan sighed, looking for a tree to rest in for the night. The air was getting more chilled, and he reckoned it to be night time here in Jaskara. He hated the air here already. It was sented with fear and blood.

He walked over to a large, tall tree before jumping into it's branches after pinpointing the branch's location. He placed his bag on another low branch and fingered his necklace again. How he missed home, his family, his tree. He rummaged in his bag, searching around for a bit of wrapped roots he had stored. He didn't know much about the plant life here, and didn't want to eat any animals for fear of killing a Jshiko, so he simply packed a vegetarian diet. He found the bag and devoured half of one of the roots. Once he found water, the root would expand and fill him up for the next day or so. Grabbing his canteen, he slid to the edge of his branch.

Jumping from his tree, he dropped to the ground with his sword, listening for any approach. He smelled a familiar smell, and looked around blindly. Did the fox follow him here? Was it a Jshiko?

"Who's there?" He called out softly, but loud enough to be heard. He placed the canteen over his neck and after hearing no movement, he frowned, cursing his sight again. He He sighed, removing his clothing and placing them back into the tree along with his sword.

Rykan dropped to all fours, clentching his teeth as he shifted forms. Bones cracked and rejoined, shifting and growing before the man was gone and a large, beautiful white tiger took his place. Rykan felt much freer now, his heavy fur shielding him from the cold and warming his frozen joints. He stretched his heavy limbs, giving a tiger grin as the subtle sounds he was able to hear in human form became magnified.

It was as close to seeing as he could ever get, and he loved it. He heard the sound of running water not too far off and ran towards it. Hopefully, he'd find some way to catch the sent of the Majikadai.

As he ran, he caught the sent of fox yet again, but ignored it in favor of the water. Onve he got to the stream, he drank the cold water happily before shifting to fill the canteen. He needed to finish this quickly, being vulnerable on this planet was not an option.

After he had filled he container, he crouched, shifting and turning back towards his clearing.

[Kago]

Ferren was relieved that he wasn't caught. Well, he was seen, he knew that much, he meant that the man here didn't come to pick him up or try to do anything in general. He was safe, as safe as can be for the moment, to follow behind this stranger. Still, something he thought was generally unwise, but he wasn't turning back just yet.

So far, there was nothing he saw that kept him here. Well, nothing visible. He didn't figure out why he cared to follow this guy in the first place. He supposed this was one of those moments one had, when they did something that wasn't very smart. It was that or there was something he did for something...new perhaps. Not being a risk taker. Maybe that was it, he doubted it though. He usually knew better.

He told himself to go back home now. Seeing that each passing moment it got later, and colder. Though his fur, the fur coat of the fox form he was in, kept him warm. It could only do so much to protect him. Not just counting the cold, but those around him.

For a moment Ferren stopped following the man. He wandered close by, but didn't draw up right underneath him. Well, that was until he noted the man was on the move again. Noting his scent. He had picked up on it. He moved to follow after him, noting he seemed to have gone up in a tree before, only to find that the man he followed, had turned into what looked to be a white tiger. He was stunning. As he was a definite figure to be feared. It had him reconsidering just turning around and running off now.

Which was why Ferren wondered why he kept following the other male. Though he did try to keep a good amount of distance. Not too close to be in plain sight, but to close enough where he could try and watch the other male from afar. He was aware he hadn't come to answer when he spoke earlier. But honestly, how could he expect him to speak when he knew nothing about him. To reveal himself would have been more foolish. Wouldn't it have been? Or was he mistaken not to say something.

The thought of transforming did occur. To change back to his human form. But where would that get him? Only making him more vulnerable. Leaving him helpless and out in the open. Being a Jshiko made him one of the more vulnerable races on the planet. It was one of the reasons he didn't live in the forest anymore. To avoid any unnecessary danger. The kind he was recklessly throwing himself into now. Even with that thought he found himself reluctant to walk away and just go home. It really made no sense to him. Who was this person? He was almost curious enough to ask, but didn't dare go out in the open to speak. Besides, he didn't have any of his clothes.

[praiseofblood]

Rykan returned to his clearing, turning back and placing his canteen in the tree. He still felt a presence, but it was now familiar. The fox.

Not knowing why, Rykan sat down against the tree trunk and called to the small beast after he had dressed.

"Here fox, I know you are there. I also know you are not a fox, so come forward and speak. Are you Jshiko?" he asked, knowing he most likely looked as if he were talking to himself, but he had no one to impress.

"It would be pleasant," he stated, "If I knew who you were rather than feel your gaze, Fox. I mean you no harm." he said honestly. It would indeed be nice to have friendly company on this unfamiliar plane.

He sighed, leaning his head against the tree trunk. His hair fanned out about him, teasing his waist and standing out against the dark clothing he wore.

Rykan leaned back into the tree, making himself comfortable aganst the bark. It was cool and not as rough as the trees on Zerca. He liked them.

He pulled out his flute from it's case and began to play a low melody. It was a lullaby that his brother Xero would sing often.

[Kago]

It seemed Ferren couldn't go about hiding anymore. It seemed he hadn't been doing a good job of that. That much just showed him how easily he could have been caught and eaten by something. To meet the fate of some of his unfortunate relatives was definitely not something he wanted.

Although a bit hesitant to do so, Ferren found himself transforming back to his human form. He didn't see any point in...stalking the man. It was so unlike him, he didn't get it at all.

In his human form, he stood there, having only his own white hair, highlighted with a bit of red at the front, to offer him cover. Along with the surrounding foliage. It was the only way he could talk. And he wondered if he should apologize. He did feel bad about following the man, who didn't seem like he had any ill will towards him or any other animals about.

He moved forward now, only to show himself a bit, before he came to speak. "That I am." He answered that first question, unsure of how to go about this.

"My name is Ferren." It seemed rude, not to tell him after that. He would hope he meant it when he said he meant him no harm. With what the man could turn into, he didn't stand a chance against him. Reminding just how helpless his kind could be against those larger then him.

"You play, lovely music." He complimented the strange man, being sincere when he said it. He wans't sure if he needed to apologize for being a bit too curious. Or whatever it was thath ad him following. He still wasn't sure about that.

Now, he wondered if he did have any chance to get away if he had to. It wasn't something he wished to think on, but he was sure anything could happen.

[praiseofblood]

Rykan's head snapped upand turnd towards the sound. The voice he was hearing--the soft and melodic voice--was like a thousand of the sweetest instruments fused together to become one.

He closed his eyes and listened to the sounds. Oce the man stopped speaking, Rykan opened his eyes, turning his head to pinpoint where this...Ferren was. The man had gone silent but Rykan could still hear his heartbeat.

"Thank you. I am Rykan, of Zerca." He replied, standing. The man's heartbeat was beating rapidly, suggesting that it was pumping blood faster to keep the man warm.

"Are you cold?" He asked, taking off his coat and offering it in the general direction of the man. "I have more garmets. If you need them, or I can build a fire." he offered, placing the coat at the foot of a tree.

He turned to hs tree, jumping up into it and using a laser knife to cut some branches. After stripping them, he piled them in the middle of the small clearing and lit them. A flame soon roared to life, and he returned to his tree to find clothing for the man.

[Kago]

Ferren made a mental note of the mans name. So, he was called Rykan and he was from Zerca. A place he had never been to before. Not that he ever left his planet before. This was the only place he knew.

The question asked seemed a bit random. But that was the case. He gave a slight nod of his head but then considered that, he wasn't exactly in plain sight, and he wasn't sure if the other was looking his way. "I am." Especially seeing he no longer had fur to cover his body.

"Both would be appreciated, thank you." He managed a faint smile as he chose to come out in the open entirely. He was sure if something were to happen it would have already.

He found he was able to see the male light a fire. He did hope he had some clothes to spare. He didn't exactly feel comfortable with the lack of clothing. Not just due to the cold.

He did see the coat he had offered. He moved to accept that, hoping it was genuinely meant for him. Seeing as he was quick to pick it up and put it on. It definitely warmed him up. He would hope that Ryken had something to keep him warm. He supposed he could due with this if need be. He just would rather not be nude with the cold about.

Ferren next moved to settle by the fire. Finding it was yet another thing that helped with the warmth.

"Rykan," He spoke the other males name, both wondering how it sounded when said, and wanting to ask a question. "May I ask, what has brought here to this dangerous place?" The planet overall had quite a few dangerous races, that would not hesitate to strike when outside the city limits.

[praiseofblood]

Rykan started when he heard his name. It sounded like heaven from the boy's lips. He grabbed a pair of leather pants which were incredibly warm. He also grabbed a vest made of his great-grandfather's fur, and jumped from the tree.

He had heard the boys question, and debated on telling him the answer.

"I am looking for a group of Majikadai...my bearer was one of them. They were last thought to be about thirty miles away from Jokadi. They are thought to have the cure for my bearer's strange illness." He said, giving as much and as little information as possible.

"If you don't mind...could you speak, so I can find you?" he asked, cursing himself for giving away his weakness.

[Kago]

Ferren was still a bit hesitant with his overall situation. He found himself frowning a bit at all the unwise decisions he made. Like being where he was now. He should be at home. Being as far away from the woods as he possibly could there. What had he been thinking?

Actually hearing an answer to the question he asked, was a bit surprising. The fact the man was a stranger, would have made him think he would rather have some privacy there. He felt horrible to hear the news of Rykan's bearer.

"I'm so sorry to hear that," he spoke, a faint frown, clearly set upon his lips.

What he heard next was unexpected. Why would he have a hard time finding him. It wasn't like he was blind...was he? He found himself frowning once again as he thought on it.

"Of course, I'm not quite sure what to say though." He supposed he would have to ramble on about something random.

"Ah, well, lets see...I did say I enjoyed your music and I meant that." It wasn't like he was giving a false compliment. "I was wondering, where you learned to play." He didn't know someone who couldn't see could play such an instrument.

"You see, I don't know how to play an instrument, and I think it would be lovely to learn, not that I'm asking you to teach me." He hurried a bit with saying that last part. Briefly, raising a hand to brush aside a few strands of red and white hair. "I'm just saying that, it would be nice to have such a skill." He went on to say, feeling his face heat up a bit as he rambled on.

"About earlier, I hadn't meant to...follow you the way I had." He spoke, looking off to the side, for just a minute, before looking back in the direction he saw Rykan to be in. "I was just...I was...I'm not quite sure." He couldn't help but bite his bottom lip a bit then. He really had no idea why he was following Rykan. He couldn't say it was anything but curiosity, right? Even though he thought he should go off, where he knew it was safe. He was putting himself in danger, still being where he was.

[praiseofblood]

Rykan follwed the sound of the boy's voice. As he walked, he resisted the urge to laugh. He had asked the boy to talk, not to ramble. But it was endearing anyway.

"Ferren," Rykan said to silence him as he stepped in front of him. "Thank you for your compliments. I learned to play from a human female on Zerca. I also wouldn't mind teaching you to play," he reached out and felt his fingers connect with the smooth skin on the side of the Jshiko's face.

He felt fire shoot through him and nearly dropped the clothes. He handed the clothing to Ferren, stepping back before clearing his throat. "And...as for your following me, I don't mind it so much." he said, sitting acros from the boy, his unseeing eyes staring into the fire.

[Kago]

Ferren was sure he would have kept rambling on if he hadn't heard his name said. He took that as a sign for him to be able to stop. At least, he figured it to be so as he found himself staring up at Rykan. Hearing him speak, responding to what he had said.

He certainly wouldn't have guessed he had learned from a human female. He really didn't know much about other planets. He was remotely aware of where what race could be found. He had assumed humans were only on Earth, but he supposed, with the little but he knew of Zercan's, that wasn't an impossible idea.

Something the Jshiko would have thought on, if he suddenly didn't find his thoughts being disrupted by the other touching him. His eyes, every so briefly widened, as he focused on the male in front of him. It was rather odd. More so, with why he was still here, as well as why he had followed this strange man period.

Ferren was certainly not thinking to say anything then. He simply found himself staring, until he was handed the clothes, he assumed was what he would wear. He quickly went about putting them on as well. Briefly stripping himself of the coat given.

He still minded what Rykan said though. If he understood, what was said so far, Rykan was half Zercan and half Majikadai. Unless he was missing something there. So, he did imagine the other male here could take care of himself just fine. Especially when he considered that Rykan could turn into that white tiger he saw earlier. A creature that could easily tear him apart. Not that he was any sort of threat though.

"I would be nice to learn, but I couldn't possibly bother you to do that." He felt himself saying this, a bit at random, even though the subject was just mentioned. He really wasn't thinking to be a bother.

Thinking on it a bit distracted him as he covered his nude figure in the clothes given to him. Leaving him now just holding the coat he was given to wear at first. He was wondering if Rykan needed it back. "Would you like your coat back?" He didn't have it on, he sort of held it hugged to his chest. Finding himself appreciating the leather pants and vest he was given to wear. He knew these would keep him warm, to a certain degree, but the coat still would have been wonderful to have.

Now, don't think Ferren didn't appreciate the kindness Rykan was showing him. He just couldn't, in good conscious, take all this expecting a stranger to mind him more then himself. He felt he was just being foolish, coming out here as he had, only to bother someone who had important things to do. Far more important then minding some Jshiko who didn't know how to mind his own business.

[praiseofblood]

"You worry a lot." Rykan observed. "You can use the coat for now, I will fare fine. It is not a bother to me," he smiled.

He stood, going back to the tree to grab his flute. He began to feel around until he came across his case. Opening the case and extracting the flute, he cleaned it methodically with his cleaning cloth and returned to the fire.

"I will teach you how to play. It will help take my mind off of my being here. So here," he said, standing behind the man and kneeling. He leaned over Ferren's shoulder, placing the instrument in his hands. His chest brushed against the man's back, and he ignored the shudder passing through him. What was this feeling?

"Place your hands here. Your left will face outward and is placed here here and here." He said, his strong nimble fingers placing Ferren's fingers on the keys. "Your right hand will face the opposite direction and your fingers are placed here here and here as well."

"The mouthpiece is pressed to your lips, like this." he said sliding his hands slowly up the pipe until he found the headpiece. He moved the steel against Ferren's lips and instructed him to blow.