Posts by Apex.

[center][fancypost=bgcolor=;border: 0px solid white; width: 455px; text-align: justify; height: auto;font-size: 8pt; line-height: 122%; margin-top: -2px;]The wyvern comes crawling up, not really in any state to go fighting, but he'll go anyway. Looks like they're low on troops so he has little choice.

[center][fancypost=bgcolor=;border: 0px solid white; width: 455px; text-align: justify; height: auto;font-size: 8pt; line-height: 122%; margin-top: -2px;] @Himiko

Apex barely minds the kick. That's not to say that it doesn't hurt like hell. Of course it does, to the point that it feels like be was clipped by a car almost. His stomach reels at the spreading pain and he's drained of breath, but that is a worthy sacrifice for the precious little amount of blood he was able to grab. He swallows down every life giving drop greedily and licks his lips clean. The wyvern doesn't even seem to comprehend that she's hissing at him and is only focused on that red river straining her shoulder. His starving stomach buckles more with a need for blood than in pain so he leaps at her again, toward her side, but uses a gust under his wings to actually go over her. Apex attempts to land on her back and dig his talons in so he can bite her again. He wants the already bleeding shoulder, but it could be her neck, her back, or even her face at this point- he doesn't care as long as he gets more blood. At this point, it is possible that he might even transfer vampirism to Himiko, though entirely accidentally if it occurs.

[center][fancypost=bgcolor=;border: 0px solid white; width: 455px; text-align: justify; height: auto;font-size: 8pt; line-height: 122%; margin-top: -2px;] @HIMIKO.

Apex. wrote:

At this point, it is possible that he might even transfer vampirism to Himiko, though entirely accidentally if it occurs.

He's knocked off to the side rather easily, too weak from lack of blood, but he does manage to keep one taloned foot locked onto her back. Not purposely, but rather that his claws are ensnared in her pelt. It's more a curse than a blessing too as he feels his ankle twist unnaturally as she jerks back up and the awkward position has him scrambling for balance. As she aims for his belly, the hybrid lifts his wings to shield himself. They're gnarled and leathery, but her claws managed to easily slice through the softer bits of membrane which elicits a grunt of pain from him. Better than being gutted still. In return, he tries to slap his spiked tail against her legs to try and gouge or trip her so he can get back to his feet again.

Track

[center][fancypost=bgcolor=;border: 0px solid white; width: 455px; text-align: justify; height: auto;font-size: 8pt; line-height: 122%; margin-top: -2px;]The little ball of light strikes the sand a ways away from Jackdaw, simmering there before getting up and shaking away the little grains that have stuck to him. He floats up then only to stop at the same height he would be for his head in his wyvern body. He stops and looks around, seemingly stuck in this form for right now, and he can feel the crack on his side aching even if he's not even a physical entity right now. It's disorienting, but he knows from this form that he is indeed in a dream and he has a feeling whose it is. Even still, he's excited to see Jackdaw. The light bulb looking fellow glides through the air toward Jackdaw before starting to bounce across the sands and aims to launch himself right against Jackdaw's chest. It's like a cannon ball striking him, yet soft and without pain, but it's strong enough to throw the maned wolf onto his back if he strikes true. The little ball of light nuzzles there if so, enjoying the scent of and feel of Jackdaw's fur though he can't really do much else at the moment. It's a strange, but wonderful sensation.

Moving back then, the orb tries to vocalize then. It's hard, but his voice comes out yet not like he wants to. Words appear before him, words that Apex himself can't even read well since he's only just branching away from Arabic when it comes to writing. YOU ____ OKAY? ____ LOOK SO _____ TIRED. He resists the urge to reveal himself. What good would that do but to make Jackdaw even more sickly? He's just a figment of his imagination in this dream- yes.

[center][fancypost=bgcolor=;border: 0px solid white; width: 455px; text-align: justify; height: auto;font-size: 8pt; line-height: 122%; margin-top: -2px;]Dusty is just taking a nice night walk in search of blood though he won't admit that to himself. No, he's only just going for a walk, even though his stomach feels more and more shriveled each day. He knows that eventually he will break, bite something or someone, but he's hoping not soon. He's drifting on those thoughts when suddenly he hears rustling nearby and goes to investigate. It's hard for him to see as usual, but he does recognize the scent. He pauses to remember her name then says, "Pali, is that you?" He's not so self conscious asking at night, it's less indicative of his bad eyesight. He reaches a wing out to feel but its caught by a bramble and quickly pulls his wing back. Ah, is she caught there?

[center][fancypost=bgcolor=;border: 0px solid white; width: 455px; text-align: justify; height: auto;font-size: 8pt; line-height: 122%; margin-top: -2px;]The wyvern walks over, bobbing underneath his new clothing with each step until he comes to a stop near Horizon and Pali. Spying is good in his mind, but he knows that he has no leeway in this decision. Therefore, he only nods. He would go himself too if he weren't in such bad shape. "Just take care if so." A useful spy can quickly become a detriment hostage or a dead spy if they're found out and those tables can turn very quickly. Best she be on her toes at all times.

[center][fancypost=bgcolor=;border: 0px solid white; width: 455px; text-align: justify; height: auto;font-size: 8pt; line-height: 122%; margin-top: -2px;]Well doesn't he look like a little sunshine kid? But it's not like Apex has any room to talk though, being as much of a punk as he is. He comes to stand near Kace (but not too near as he gets nervous in groups though this one is small) and looks over the joiner then to Amphion. "What he said. Name's Dusty."

[center][fancypost=bgcolor=;border: 0px solid white; width: 455px; text-align: justify; height: auto;font-size: 8pt; line-height: 122%; margin-top: -2px;]'People are dangerous in groups,' the wyvern thinks as he crawls himself over to the others. It's an opinion he's had for years and lends to the reason that he is always hesitant to say he's a part of something. Still, he's here, curiosity winning over from caution. He wants to know what all of this is about and he actually wants to be involved. Let him be useful for something these days. The wyvern sighs and sits up straight, bundling up in his own wings and breathing against the cloth of his mouth cover. "What's to do be excited about?" He drawls tiredly. It's not meant to be a smart ass comment, for once, he genuinely doesn't know what all of this is about at all.

[center][fancypost=bgcolor=;border: 0px solid white; width: 455px; text-align: justify; height: auto;font-size: 8pt; line-height: 122%; margin-top: -2px;]But he wants to understand now. Frowning some, the dark wyvern follows after.

[center][fancypost=bgcolor=;border: 0px solid white; width: 455px; text-align: justify; height: auto;font-size: 8pt; line-height: 122%; margin-top: -2px;]/Is this still going through as retro or paused until/if Leo comes back or what do you want to do? <:

[center][fancypost=bgcolor=;border: 0px solid white; width: 455px; text-align: justify; height: auto;font-size: 8pt; line-height: 122%; margin-top: -2px;]Damn right he had no clue what was going on. At first he's agreeing with Dimitri because it makes sense then the bird's got this jewelry that keeps him alive as Pali said then this asshole fox comes busting up out of Amphion. A vessel then? Dusty nor the past Apex has ever been possessed before or had to house a spirit so he can't much relate and it's hard to keep track with this snarky little spirit. In fact, he has the urge to reach down and try and snap his jaws into the spirit beast and he really should have tried because the next thing he knows it's slitting the bird's throat. His eyes widen, but just as soon as it seems like everything has gone to shit again, he's healed up. Regeneration? Dusty is silent with confusion before he looks away from the spot that the fox disappeared to and back to Amphion. Ah, oh boy. He feels a tug of sympathy for him, but he's not too good with this emotion stuff. What can he say about something like that? Advice he should take for himself. He can't return the love remark as he's never said that to anyone in his life, but he will try not to be a jerk. Rare occasion, this is. Nibbling his lip some, the wyvern pulls the end of his tail where spikes aren't to pat Amphion's head lightly. "Don't be so hard on yourself."

[center][fancypost=bgcolor=;border: 0px solid white; width: 455px; text-align: justify; height: auto;font-size: 8pt; line-height: 122%; margin-top: -2px;]Apex can't help jerking back whenever Dimitri comes out of nowhere in front of him. Was he always there and Dusty didn't see him or did he appear? He regards his blurry form suspiciously because of that, wing reared back, but also because of his words. "What? Why? I am perfectly fine." Of course he's going to deny anything is wrong with him. He doesn't know what anyone around here has under their sleeves. Dimitri is right, there could be a hunter right under his nose and he wouldn't know it. Even if he did cough up the truth, he doesn't want those leering stares that he's seen vampires earn in the past. There's only two ways people regard vampires that he's observed: with distaste or with want. Likely the first, if he goes into the camp and ends up sinking his teeth into somebody, draining them dry. It's a fear of his in actuality. He doesn't want to hurt a clanmate or kill anyone at all. He's decided since he returned and he will avoid that as well as he can. It's the least he can do for his past sins.

Dusty tries to turn some, walk around him, but it's to be assumed that he can't. Since he's out of the loop, he doesn't know about Jackdaw being a werewolf. When he disappeared, Jack was just a normal, cute little maned wolf who was cradling his broken heart after Apex crushed it into a million little pieces. So werewolves haven't even occurred to him and come to think of it, neither have other vampires. The few he's seen in the past were during traveling, not here in Bloodclan. Though, if a vampire were to be anywhere, a placed called Bloodclan is probably the first place someone would look. Hell, they have a Blood Nile for goodness sake, but Dusty cannot bring himself to drink of it. Something about that gushing mess makes him think that if he were to try it, it would smite him. Cursed, maybe sacred, or both. He tries to get around him again, only to stop at Dimitri's words.

Ah... so he does know. Apex's ears flick down under his turban and he huffs. "Why are you so concerned? What are you?" His voice trails off but he starts up again after a few seconds of deliberation. Maybe he can help? As scornfully as Dusty views help, it's his only choice at the moment. "Two weeks." Not counting the little taste he got from that Riverclanner in the raid. It was only enough to make him mad.

[center][fancypost=bgcolor=;border: 0px solid white; width: 455px; text-align: justify; height: auto;font-size: 8pt; line-height: 122%; margin-top: -2px;]So he did as he said he would, this whole border patrol thing, but not quite to the T. He didn't stop and wait for others, he just said real quick "Border patrol!" then scampered off alone. Why? Because he doesn't want other people to see him crawling around and hiding in crags and under rocks every few minutes. He can't handle this heat as he is. It's sapping the life out of him with every step, every movement, every breath. The sun sends spears in the form of rays that bake his dark form and it's unbearable, especially in the middle of the day like this. He really should have waited until night, but that's when he goes to look for food. Thus far he's been unsuccessful, but he can't just give up. The feline wyvern keeps scuttling along the sands then, but this time when he looks for a place to hide, he happens upon some ruins. They're small and likely are in the last states of deterioration, just a little building with a deteriorated roof of palms and some broken pottery. The building barely looks useful and like it might fall at any moment, but it does provide the shelter he needs. Dusty is quick to enter and sigh in the little bit of relief he gets, but then something catches his eye.

Moving to the back of the hut, he goes over to the chest he spotted. It's old and with a broken lock, indicating that someone else has pillaged it before. There's a foreign look to the container, familiar to him, and with some grunting and pulling with his wings he manages to open it. Inside there's a bunch of sand and cloth. Whatever silverware or jewelry was in there is long gone but he's still interested in the rest of it. Regardless, Dusty wants to give it a look. He pulls out the items inside one by one: broken, ratty red tapestry, a long black scarf meant for a large animal, a face mask to combat the desert's blowing sand, a bag that has some dried up herbs and feathers in it, and a single bangle that the previous thief seemed to have missed. There are little golden ornate details here and there, but he would have been fine with a burlap sack at this point so this is a blessing.

First he takes the two sided tapestry and bends the middles of the soft metal holding the cloth together. Dusty manages to slip that over his head and wiggle his shoulders until the thin metal falls into a more comfortable position. The hole filled cloth drapes over him comfortably, cooling him already. Then he snaps on the face mask and after a few tries of whipping his head and getting dizzy, he manages to orient the huge scarf as a head wrap like a hood. He shakes the bag clean of the debris and puts it on too. Maybe it will be useful for something. He almost leaves the bracelet, it's not much his style, but then he takes it anyway. Might as well be thorough. He slips it onto one of his back legs and heads out of the hut. Once back in the heat, Dusty sits down and wraps his tail around himself then folds his wings under the front drapery. The wyvern sighs loudly and gratefully then, unable to stop from smiling. Wow, this is so much better. He stands up, perkier than before, and actually heads off to do his task for real now.

;tldr, he found some clothes and put them on to beat the heat and is now actually doing the task from last week

[center][fancypost=bgcolor=;border: 0px solid white; width: 455px; text-align: justify; height: auto;font-size: 8pt; line-height: 122%; margin-top: -2px;]The screaming is something he hadn't expected certainly. He was just settling down after an unsuccessful search for blood, sitting in the moonlight and trying to figure out what the hell he was going to do. He couldn't find food, he couldn't bring himself to drink from that accursed Blood Nile, he couldn't kill a captive and drink from them. He can't do much of anything, but he can go see what's going on here. He's quick about it and scampers into the area with his ears lifted up under his hood. He's well acquainted with nightmares (they formed him as he currently is after all), but he's not had a night terror since the end of his transformation. He's even less aware of the Red God, but that will be remedied soon enough. He reaches out to wake her, only to stop and pull his wing back. Of course the screaming urges him to help desperately, but he has been told before that waking people in extreme nightmares was worse than letting them suffer like this. Still, he can't just leave her wailing all night can he? Maybe he can wake her gently?

Leaning down, he hooks a talon on his wing into his face mask and drags it down to speak softly. "Hey, Pali. Wake up...?"

[center][fancypost=bgcolor=;border: 0px solid white; width: 455px; text-align: justify; height: auto;font-size: 8pt; line-height: 122%; margin-top: -2px;]Dusty can't say he's quite surprised and that's because he didn't know he had died. Even after 'seeing' Dimitri's body that he couldn't identify and Jackdaw saying it in the meeting (which he zoned out from and so didn't catch it there either), as far as he knows Dimitri just went on a trip. If he did realize he'd resurrected, he'd feel it's a strange thing to see folks come back after something as extreme as a spear through them. Where Dusty was born, when a beast died, it was dead. Only dark magic, voodoo, or miracles could resurrect the dead and most times they didn't want to be back. Well, if the afterlife was as they wanted anyway. He can't wrap his head around it himself. He's never died and never intends to, not until he means to stay in his grave. He's thought about dying or even making himself die, but never seriously, just in angry, moody mental fits. He's very much an angsty teenager inside at times, despite being very much fully grown. He's never actually seen anyone come back to life, except today, and even still he doesn't know.

"Welcome back." If he'd known that Dimitri had done this death thing at all and purposely, however, he wouldn't be so accommodating. It is indeed a very dick thing to do. He would also ask how he's come back at all too since he doesn't know about his vampirism just yet. When he does, he'll wonder if he can do the same thing, and perhaps not hold death so sacredly. "Nice trip?" He's just making small talk, but it probably sounds a little rude considering the circumstances though it's unintentional.

What's up party ppl

[center][fancypost=bgcolor=;border: 0px solid white; width: 455px; text-align: justify; height: auto;font-size: 8pt; line-height: 122%; margin-top: -2px;] @HIMIKO.

/Ohh okay! I just wanted to be sure you knew I wasn't trying to powerplay you
><;

He's getting exhausted rather quickly, the adrenaline from that initial bite wearing off. Because of that, both of her attacks are successful and he quickly realizes that he doesn't have the strength to win this. Despite his pride, Apex has the sense to understand that some battles can't be won. Even when he was in his previous, much stronger body, he accepted that. That's not to say it's not embarrassing, especially when he could have gone toe to toe with her before, but bygones can't help him now. Besides, even if he's blood starved, what's the point if he's killed here and now? The vampire hisses as her jaws catch his back leg and he raises the other leg in turn to try and kick her in the head to stun her or at least knock her off. If that works, he'll make for his escape, scuttling over the edge of the bridge. He won't have dropped and flown off though, too weak for that. Instead he'll crawl along the bottom of the structure, coughing and sputtering through the water that he hates. It's dangerous, as he can't swim, but he'll have to risk it.

/Okay, that's fine with me! bump

[center][fancypost=bgcolor=;border: 0px solid white; width: 455px; text-align: justify; height: auto;font-size: 8pt; line-height: 122%; margin-top: -2px;]And he would be the one to do so, drifting over like a little bobbing triangle as he regards her. Or rather, he's regarding her blurry silhouette as he can't see all that well. The scent says this is an outsider though. A girl perhaps? He supposes he'll find out when she speaks. "Name and business here?" Apex's tone is of it's usual neutrality, not really good at socializing.