Remember When.. -Hati-

[Belle]

A lone shape lay on the cold beach, the wolf's short white fur blowing serenely in the breeze, her chest and stomach rising with every breach she took. The wolf twitched in her sleep, a pained expression on her face as she claws dug into the dirt. The wolf was a curious looking one, with a tail and ears of a lion, and her muzzle was shaped slightly like a lion's, too. The wolf rolled onto her back in her sleep, her mouth opening in a silent scream...

The forest was beautiful, calm and gentle. Light filtered through the tree leaves, and Belle spun around, a smile on her pretty face. A deep chuckle came from her left, and she turned to see a handsome orange wolf. She nuzzled him, and a deep throaty purr rolled out from his maw. Their tails were wagging furiously, though a glimmer of sadness was in the golden eyes of the male. Belle was oblivious to this, however, as she smiled at the male, love clear on her face. Ragnar was everything to her, and she whispered softly, "I love you.." Her mate gave her a warm smile and nodded. "I love you, too. I always will." Now sadness was clear in his eyes, but Belle had turned away.

"So, why did you bring me--," Belle's words were cut off as the two figures emerged from the shadows by the trees nearby, hate etched into their faces. Ragnar looked torn as Belle's scream rang out, and her blood dripped onto the forest floor. Suddenly she gave another, louder scream, and Ragnar quickly attacked one of the wolves, trying to save Belle. It was the first time she changed, and a funny feeling flowed through her as a white lioness took her place. Ragnar and Belle killed the wolves, then Belle turned to Ragnar.. It had been a trick.. His eyes were full of pain and sadness, and he said quietly, "I'm sorry.."

With a jerk, Belle woke up, tears on her pretty face. Her light blue eyes darkened, and she used her paw to brush off her tears, her expression murderous. "Lying scumbag.." she muttered as she stood and shook the sand out of her coat. It was cold, though not as much here, in the southern areas. More tears dripped down her face as she remembered the dream. More like nightmare, she thought bitterly. Ever since he had betrayed her, she had had the same horrible dream. Ragnar.. The few grasses seemed to whisper his name as the wind blew through them, and Belle scowled. He was gone, long gone, and she would never see him again. Ever.

Though she told herself it was fine with her, the tears started falling faster, and she gave out an angry growl, one that was not completely the growl of a wolf. Another growl came, yet this time from her stomach. Belle pushed herself to a jog, her mind wandering. When she had been a pup, and Divinia had given her the surname 'Ardente Lionne', she had not understood. Now she did, though she wondered how the old wolf knew. It was curious, but there had always been something odd about Divinia.

Belle focused back on the hunt, and shifted her form easily. Now she was a lioness, running, though the scent of wolf was firmly imprinted on her. The scent of a young deer wafted toward the lioness's nose, and Belle sped up. Dodging trees, Belle slowed down as soon as she was near enough. She could see the young deer, it's head raised, alert for any danger. Slowly Belle stalked forward, her body low, close to the ground. Closer, closer.. Suddenly Belle jumped forward, startling the deer. It took off with a frantic noise, and Belle gave a loud roar. Belle ran faster, determined not to let the deer get away from her, and her hungry stomach.

With a few more bounds she was closer and closer, and she leapt up onto the deer's back. It gave a strangled cry and fell to the ground, the weight of a full grown lioness to much for it. Belle grabbed onto the neck, holding it into a strangle-hold. The animal soon stopped thrashing, and Belle quickly began to eat. She sucked marrow out of a leg bone, her brow furrowed. It was very quiet here, though probably not for long. Her roar would have alerted anyone in the area, and Belle sighed. After a few minutes of frenzied eating, the carcass was mostly finished, and Belle lay down to clean her white fur, her blue eyes darting around, looking for anyone who dared approach the easily-angered lioness.

[☽ Hati ☾]

“W...Where the hell am I?”

Several birds took flight, distressed by the sudden grumble. It had been a quiet day until the blue-saturated wolf had spoken. This wolf was clearly troubled and his stride was tempered, nearly tripping over himself as he walked.

Hati had somehow made his way into Kriko Forest.

He soon came to a stop at the edge of the trees, overlooking the gleaming waters below. Water has always troubled Hati, for reasons unknown to him. Ever since he woke from his concussion...water has increasingly become a dreaded horror. His mood immediately slips into an on-going alert and he snaps at the slightest movement. It irked at his fur. Hastily, he swallowed the fear away.

Hati lifted his head and turned to the forest, his body followed. It was pointless to stare at such meaningless things anyway. His mind moved forward, towards the woods...but his body didn’t follow. Hati’s eyes lowered slightly and he looked at his trembling legs...he didn’t come to notice his fear was so obvious. “....pathetic......”

He couldn’t control the eccentric shaking of his legs. They seemed to stop him from going any further...which was a problem to Hati; he loathed the thought of remaining in a immobile position. It was a situation just asking for an attack. To regain possession of his legs, Hati reached down and bit into his own paw. Gradually, his long legs calmed and he released his front paw, licking the crimson splatters that had speckled his maw.

Slowly, yet unwavering, Hati began to maneuver through the woods. His fur was ruffed in distraught from the previous event....but Hati could care less. He hardly cared for anything anymore. Nothing appealed him...nothing earned his trust...and other animals despised him. What was the point of caring anyway?

Hati made no regard to silence his footsteps, nor use his technique as a Lumen to hide himself. He preferred the thrill of finding others....or them finding him. They were a source for entertainment and often the victims of his unwarranted bloodlust. Either way, he hardly put his powers to use.

“Hm...?”

The sound of a strange roar poured into his ears, capturing his immediate attention. In reaction, Hati’s brow furrowed and his iris crumpled in vigilance. “What...was that?”

It was surprisingly close to Hati’s position. Interested by a sound he had not heard before, he closed in. The wolf came out from behind one of the many trees, blinking in surprise to the sight before him. A lion?

Hati didn’t know what to make of it...but his expression remained the same. Pissed-off. “Why are you so damn loud?” he called, his tone both chilling and soft.

[Belle]

Belle was feeling full and satisfied, for nothing was going wrong. So far, no other creatures had came, though it was slightly surprising. Her roar had been very loud, but she guessed no one was here. It wasn't that surprising, the no one there part, for Belle couldn't even remember how she had gotten here. She had been tired and angry and sad, she could remember that.. Furrowing her brow she tried to recall what had happened. Ah, yes. That horrible, horrible snow storm had happened. And she had found shelter here, in this little forest. It couldn't even be called a forest, really, it was small, and the few trees were stunted and tiny. Even so, there was some prey scattered here and there, like the deer she had just filled herself with.

It was comfortable here, and Belle yawned, her mouth stretching open to reveal two huge fangs that had helped her capture her meal. The white lioness stretched out, her tail flicking lazily behind her. It was so very nice.. And she was tired... No! She could not fall asleep. The image of Ragnar begging with her flew through her mind and Belle gave a little noise of sadness. Oh, how she missed him. Belle missed everything about him.. But how could he do that to her? How could he throw away months of love? Belle's sad expression was now darkening as she quickly reminded herself of all of his low points. She let out a growl as she thought, the sadness weighing down on her like she was dragging a full-grown dragon around.

The white lioness flipped over onto her back, letting the few, weak beams of sunlight warm her soft stomach. Her tongue slipped out and licked the last few drops of blood from her maw. She lay there for a few minutes, before rolling back onto her stomach and sitting up, cleaning her soft white fur. The place where she was was actually pretty nice, and Belle guessed it was probably the warmest area of Wonderwhy in the winter. Maybe she would spend her winters here... Belle did not like snow, for her fur was rather short and sleek, and it did not provide much protection from rain or snow. That was why it was nice here.

As Belle raised her head, she caught a glimpse of something blue, and the scent of another wolf. She groaned inwardly, for right now she was not in the mood. Her blue eyes flashed angrily, and she stood as the other wolf came out from the trees. His remark ruffled her quite a bit, and she slowly switched her form, wanting to see the shock on the blue wolf's face. He was quite the looker, though Belle was not going to let him know that. Besides, Ragnar was still fresh in her memory, and she winced at the thought of her former mate.

With difficulty, she turned her attention back to the male. He would not get away with that comment, no matter how true it might be. "Why are you so damn ugly," Belle shot back, her face darkening as she looked at the male, her lips curved upwards in a silent snarl.
No one called her loud and got away with it. Especially if she had been enjoying herself before the idiot who insulted her came. Belle rolled her eyes at the wolf's sheer nerve. But, maybe, just maybe, something interesting would come from this.

It might be fun to provoke him, or maybe even get into a physical fight. She hadn't talked to another wolf in a while, and it could be nice to talk to one again, even if it happened to be an annoying, ugly excuse for a wolf.. He wasn't that ugly, really, but Belle was not looking for a new lover, and even if she was, he didn't seem like he was interested in anyone but himself. Really, who was that rude? I am, Belle thought sullenly, her claws digging into the dirt.

Why was he here anyway? Who sought this place out? There was nothing special about it, unless you were a cael. Belle eyed him curiously, but he seemed sure-footed, and she knew cael were not. The idea of a wolf with a fish tail was intriguing, if not weird. Belle turned her focus back to the male, one brow raised in a silent challenge.

[☽ Hati ☾]

Hati took a brief step forward, surprised by the sudden transformation. From a lioness to a wolf! She was a pure white color that perked his interest. In curiosity, he wondered how she could change like she did...but in reality, he didn’t give a care. Even though she was beautiful, she was just like the other wolves he killed.

A brief memory gradually made itself present in Hati’s mind...the time he killed a female, similar to this one. Unlike this white female, the one he encountered was pure black. His eyes glazed as his mind drifted away...

It was a day like this...with no one around other than himself and a female. The pure black one was tenderly soft and she tried to kill Hati’s anger with kindness. It was fragment and he had trouble remembering everything that happened...but in the end, all he remembered was the limp body he left to the crows.

Swaying the memory away, his eyes hardened—gazing at the female. His pink eyes wisped a dark danger that could only be seen if carefully looked at.

‘Why are you so damn ugly?’

Hati’s maw nearly dropped, utterly taken aback by the quick words shot at him “Damn...ugly?!” he growled, infuriated by her unbelievable comment. No one has ever said a comment like that to him before—he never gave them the chance. He lifted his lips in a snarl, furrowing his eyes even deeper than before.

Light began to bend around him, slowly making the Lumen invisible. It was only a brief moment before he appeared in front of the female abruptly. The invisibility vanished and he looked at the female directly. Hati was now a darker color than his normal pelt and his scar that was not visible before, now showed plainly. The scar he so carefully hid was now vivid with its white color as it stretched from his right ear, down his spine, to his left hind leg.

He kept a small distance between him and the female, in case she was to suddenly jump at his unexpected appearance. “You have some nerve female...” he hissed furiously. Hati oddly eyed her , somewhat distracted by her unique blue eyes.

[Belle]

Belle tensed when the male took a step towards her, but it turned out that she did not need to worry, for he made no other movements. However, when her comment sunk in, his face was priceless. Obviously he had never been called ugly before, because he looked like he had been physically hurt. A smug grin crossed Belle's face; that's what happened to those who called her loud. Her skinny tail twitched, the gray colored fur on the end glinting in the sunlight that came down through the scraggly trees. The male's snarl echoed around the clearing, and Belle snarled back, hers sounding almost like a lion's growl. Her upper lip curled back, showing her fangs as she threatened the wolf.

To say the female was shocked when the light seemed to shimmer and twist would be an understatement, but she did a rather good job of hiding it. So he was a lumen. Interesting, interesting. Her round ears twitched slightly, trying to find out where the male had gone to. Belle didn't like this. She felt so vulnerable and unprotected. The white female growled again, her blue eyes flashing dangerously. When that slimy bastard was man enough to show himself again, she would-- her dark thoughts were cut off by the lumen reappearing, this time only a few paces in front of her.

Belle tensed once more, her eyes narrowing. If he was to attack her, there would be no doubt she would be ready. But the male did not attack, he simply spoke; 'You have some nerve female.' Though Belle considered attacking him then, she decided that she would play along. "Why thank you," she purred, but her blue eyes flashed angrily, letting the male know that she would not forgive him calling her loud anytime soon. Her tail twitched impatiently, waiting for him to make his move. Though it didn't really matter. She would crush him like the insignificant creature the lumen was. Or maybe.. Was it possible that the old lore she had heard was true? The one about the wish?

There was always a chance.. Now, how would she go about this? It would be best to pretend that she had no idea what a lumen was, yes, that would be good. Belle would wait until his guard was down, and then she would capture the lumen. According to what she heard, the species were tricky little buggers, and they would try to mess up your wish. So it appeared Belle would have to think things through before she made her wish. What would she wish for? The answer seemed obvious, but she doubted even a lumen could take her back in time. Besides, Ragnar was in the past, and that was that. So many things she could wish for.. A odd looking grin was on her face when she looked back at the lumen, a sparkle in her cold, blue eyes.

[☽ Hati ☾]

Hati was alarmed by this creature before him…holding her ground like she did so. His surprise quickly turned to annoyance though, dissatisfied that this wolf didn’t bend like he wanted her too.

He watched her vigilantly, trying to judge her next move. She appeared to be thinking about something, an odd-looking grin spread across her face. His eyes followed and ended back to her eyes again, this time they seemed to sparkle.

With a gruff puff of air, he contemplated what was possibly going through her mind. “Hmph…”

Hati opened his maw, as if he was grinning. “Would you like to play a game with me?” Hati asked. He was keener that he looked, for he had come across this expression many times before. A flash of exhilaration escaped his eyes “A game of tag.”

The black lumen jumped back from the she-wolf, leaping with grace and lading with a light ‘tut’ to the ground. He had made a measurable distance between the two of them, giving him a good start.

Hati watched the she-wolf and carefully observed her for any sign of movement. “If you catch me…I’ll grant you a wonderful wish” he said, enticing her “…but…” his voice mellowed with obscurity “If you can’t, I will kill you.” The lumens eyes became callous at the last of his words.

[Belle]

Belle watched the lumen closely. She would not let him get away. Belle had waited for a miracle, and now it was delivered to her like this? Too good of an opportunity to pass up. Belle smirked, confident that at the end of the meeting this lumen would be pinned under her paws. He was a lumen, right? Skinny, weak lumen. That meant he wouldn't be too hard to throw around, right? Right.

She was surprised at the lumen's offer. Belle tilted her head, one brow raised in curiosity to show him she was listening. The lumen looked excited. A tag game? A look of pure evil and menace crossed her face as he uttered the last word. A tag game, huh? So he was a smart wolf, unlike the rest of idiots she had come across.

'If you can't, I will kill you.'

Okay maybe not. Belle growled, her icy eyes narrowing at the lumen. Was he stupid? Nah, he didn't seem stupid. Maybe insane, though. Belle scrutinized the lumen, almost as though he was foaming at the mouth. Yeah, she decided after a moment. Definitely insane. Well, it was good she was, too. Belle growled, her mask revealing the true anger bubbling beneath.

"Are you stupid? Okay, yes, you may have that whole 'now you see me, now you don't, thing' going for you, but doesn't that just show who is the winner here? On one hand we have me, who will fight you openly, and then we have you, who will sneak around under your invisibility trick, not fighting like a brave, proud wolf. Isn't that what lumen are infamous for? Having an ego the size of a dragon? And thinking they are better than everyone else? Especially dirty, stupid, ugly, inferior HYBRIDS!?" Belle literally roared, her eyes flashing, showing her true murderous intent. Lumens were probably the species that despised hybrids the most. And a hybrid she most definitely was. After many years of being looked down on because she was a hybrid, she was just about ready to kill the next wolf that thought her odd or stupid or ugly or inferior because of her mixed blood.

The hybrid growled at the lumen, her lion tail twitching with annoyance. "Well, lumen, I am going to hold nothing back. I will put all I have into this fight, and I expect you to, too... Though I'm not sure a lumen could be a worthy opponent... I'm giving you a chance to back out, though, before you get your pride and yourself, of course, hurt. But if not.. then prepare to be beaten at your own game." She smiled at him, though the smile was enough to make a weak hearted wolf run away from the anger that was evident.

Belle watched the other wolf, her eyes trained on the male. Would he follow the rules? He seemed like the cheating type. And did he think Belle would follow the rules? Though she highly doubted he would be able to get the best of the huge she wolf, what if? The tiniest chance that he would win was still there.. Was she willing to give up her life for a wish? Or maybe she should just play his little game and then, if she lost, simply make a run for it?

This would certainly play out interestingly, Belle thought.

OOC: FAIL post is FAIL.

[☽ Hati ☾]

"Are you stupid? Okay, yes, you may have that whole 'now you see me, now you don't, thing' going for you, but doesn't that just show who is the winner here? On one hand we have me, who will fight you openly, and then we have you, who will sneak around under your invisibility trick, not fighting like a true, proud wolf. Isn't that what lumen are infamous for? Having an ego the size of a dragon?"

Hati’s maw widened, a priceless face as he laughed into the air. He had never met such a wolf…so unique…so insane…such a delicate prey she was, or so he thought. His muscles tensed, the unique muscles he earned somewhere in his forgotten memories. He dropped his gaze to the female, his eyes tense…anticipating. Hati’s lip curled up, revealing his canines clearly. Hate in-swirled him once more, enflamed by her below-the-belt speech.

“Am I stupid?” he echoed in question “Will I go invisible and strike you when you least expect it? Or will I fight you as a ‘true, proud wolf’ as you so think I’m not.” Hati’s tail gradually pointed to the sky, clearly showing his growing aggression. “Why must I not use what your all spiteful god hindered upon me?”

His eyes flashed, a cruel smile stretched across his maw “A game is for fun…what fun is it if you don’t use what you have?”

"Well, lumen, I am going to hold nothing back. I will put all I have into this fight, and I expect you to, too... Though I'm not sure a lumen could be a worthy opponent... I'm giving you a chance to back out, though, before you get your pride and yourself, of course, hurt. But if not, then prepare to be beaten at your own game."

Hati’s lips quavered, eyes momentarily frozen, his iris shook violently as excitement gushed through his veins. This female…he loathed her so much. His mouth salivated with detestation, his fur rising in response. Hati couldn’t understand her…her irritating attitude that pinned on his nerves. Her anger-filled expression, daring him…

“…” A mutter of hushed words slithered from his heated maw until he regained his normal, pissed-off expression. But this time…a strange glimmer came to life in his vibrant, pink eyes. “Talk about bullshit…” he said coldly “Are you all talk, female? To me, it just looks like that so-called ‘muscle’ you have...is just filled with shit.”

Hati snapped his jaws open, snarling aggressively, his tail flaring, legs tense...

“Lets play”

Hati leaped backwards, a cloud of dust escaping into the air at his abrupt movement. He didn’t bend the light, nor did he run, it was only a defensive stance as he awaited the female’s first move.