Just Keep Swimming

He moved to hug her. Holding the demon close and stroking her hair. “You only do what you are comfortable with. Anything that’s too much, we will find a way to get you out of it. I promise.”

She leaned a bit more into the hug, welcoming the comfortable warmth of his embrace. "I can get out whenever I want to, if I want to. I just wanted to give it a shot but I just don't know if that's still a me thing."

"Whatever you want to do. Personally, I think it might be a part of you still. But not really a big enough piece to make it something you like. But even if I am wrong, I'm ok as long as you are happy." Another stolen kiss off those lips he couldn't get enough of.

"Small genuine circles are worth ten times as much as the largest unbonded grouping." Jinae seemed to finally be understanding what the wolves had been after. Opening herself up to hope and bonds, and smart enough to do it on a very case by case basis. "Not strange at all. Its a...well honestly thats a stereotypical human thought. You don't mean to, but a part of your mind equates humanity towards higher level thinking. Us beasts can be forgiven because sometimes we don't know better. Or we have a monstrous aspect that is just a part of us naturally. Humans aren't supposed to have that, so therefore they less deserving of forgiveness." She wrapped her in a protective hug. As if it were possible to shield her from the world. “No. Not on this. Id endure those things a thousand times to keep the rest of you safe. Especially you. I know you are tough and tenacious. But you are human. That makes you a bit more fragile. There were times the only reason I survived was because my body was designed to heal fast and tolerate a lot of pain. I don't want you ever having to go through something like that." Especially since there would be serious chances Jinae wouldn't survival the ordeal.

"I know, you're absolutely right about that. And that's what I've been learning recently." She smiled at Mel. Glad that she was supportive in every way and not judgemental like most people around her would be. Instead she offered the most wonderful advice and listened to whatever nonsense could spill from her. "I suppose when you put it like that, it makes more sense. But on the other hand, if I'm able to forgive beasts for their monstous aspect, shouldn't I be able to do the same with humans?" Jinae couldn't help but to smile at the protective hug, leaning into the embrace a little more. She knew Mel was right about what she said. Compared to her, Jinae wouldn't last very long with such a thing. "I know but still... I can't change my mind about wanting to keeping you all safe, just like you want that for others. Even if I'm very well aware that I as a mere human couldn't do much about it. It's still how I feel though and I wouldn't change it."

That hug might have gotten just a bit tighter. "I understand exactly what you mean. Just...Just as long as you can understand there are some situations where I need you to be protected. That I might be in harm's way and while it is terrible, its still better for both of us that I am in that position. My mind and body have healed from many many things. But my heart takes a much longer time to heal. And it never fully recovers. So you stay safe...for me please."

She's pleased that he's taken up her suggestion. The forest always calmed her spirits. Even with such nerves fluttering in her stomach. With a shy smile she took the outstretched hand. "Are we gonna do the teleporting thing? Because if so...." Her shyness abates just enough she manages to move close and throw her arm around him. Hiding her face against him. "It makes me kinda dizzy if I don't hold tight." A soft admittance before she clings a bit to him.

Silas could tell she was pleased, which in turn made him pleased as well. Her suggestion was more than perfect in his opinion. The shy smile that appeared made him smirk, almost. There was something awfully attractive about it, yet he wouldn't speak those thoughts aloud. However, the fact that she had moved closer and threw her arm around him did make him smirk. But he figured it was alright since she had hidden her face. Holding her securely, he leaned his head down a little as he spoke. "I don't mind if you hold on tight, I prefer it, actually." Silas let out a soft chuckle and pressed a kiss to the top of her head in a comforting manner, to distract her when he teleported them to the forest. Once they got there, he didn't let go of her of just yet. Partly to make sure she was ok but also for his own selfish reasons because he wanted to. "Are you feeling alright?"

There's a moment the wolf loses her focus. The way she was clinging tight and mentally preparing for the brief journey to come. When he offered that gentle kiss. An intimate yet familial affection that always made her heart flutter. Eyes widening as her group loosened for a fraction of a second. And then she felt that familiar cold of the magic starting. Her hold back to it's iron grip. Holding tight for the moment as they shifted from one space to the other. He didn't let her go when they arrived. Neither did she. Feeling comfort in his arms. Safe. Still hiding, she gave a nod. Without thinking she repeated a line from before. "You still smell really good." This time, though there was still a hidden blush on her cheeks, she didn't regret the words.

He nuzzled against the other's hair. Pressing a gentle kiss to the side of his head. "I can go alone. Let you relax here and then return after I've investigated. But I would rather have your company. It helps ground me but...well if I can't grant you a life of quiet leisure, I at least want to grant you as much time with me as possible."

"These creatures, they don't have strong sense of smell. Barely better than a human's. They have great sight and ears. But that doesn't do much in a place like this. There's a small stream nearby. A dozen birds' nests in the surrounding trees. Sounds of a tiny heart and breaths would be lost under everything else. The roots made a perfect cave. I only knew he was there because I started to pick up his scent. The thing would have been searching. Probably didn't know what packmate had taken the pup last. A stroke of luck, but it won't last." He readily agrees that this place was far too open. In the forest, massive wings would hinder it. But in this clear path, the monster would have advantage. He guided them towards the safety of the tree line. Wracking his brain to try and figure out what came next. Remember any weaknesses he had been taught. "Whatever you do Agra, please don't let him out of your sight. He has no one in this world now, we must protect him." In the distance he finally heard what he was expecting. Wind shifting as wings beat at the air. A strong sound, so either many wings or a single large set. Already plans formed. They would stay in the trees. Lure the creature where the wolf was advantaged. Louder beats and he moved towards the sound. Pausing to spare a glance back and whisper. "And stay in the forest. He can't fly at you as long as the trees protect the air. I need to take him by surprise. If we get lucky I can tear a wing off before he knows what happened." With that he moves quickly to the other side of the path. Near the bodies. Hidden by the large close together trunks. Watching the night sky as a tiny dot began to grow larger. Fangs and claws extended.

He nuzzled against the other's hair. Pressing a gentle kiss to the side of his head. "I can go alone. Let you relax here and then return after I've investigated. But I would rather have your company. It helps ground me but...well if I can't grant you a life of quiet leisure, I at least want to grant you as much time with me as possible."

The only two advantages they had were Itsuki himself, and René's brain. They wouldn't be taken by surprise and the vampire knew by research how to kill most things.

He nuzzled against the other's hair. Pressing a gentle kiss to the side of his head. "I can go alone. Let you relax here and then return after I've investigated. But I would rather have your company. It helps ground me but...well if I can't grant you a life of quiet leisure, I at least want to grant you as much time with me as possible."

“... and you are the biggest threat” he says quickly because if this enemy took out these adult wolves, then it would aim to take out Itsuki first, as he posed the biggest threat. Currently, he had his arms full. “Give me the child” he snaps and turns back, swiftly moving over on long legs. René has no real experience with children, nor did he particularly want any. He was good enough with Itsuki’s family but it still remained polite distances and maybe a head pat here and there. They were good enough to know they could not climb all over him as they did the other adults. The vampire’s reserved way of giving attention seemed to please them, as if they had earnt it, but right now there was no choice. 

With the pup safe in other arms, Itsuki's attention shifted to the area again. Noting everything he could. Parsing out the myriad of scents in the air. The female and one of the males were born wolves. The other bitten, but his line of the same toxin. These were kin. Her scent was on the little one found. The mother. But.....there was something he couldn't get over. That dark scent was feint. But it was coming in two different waves. One was a pure but old strain. Present in the environment but fading. The other.....his head turned back towards the vampire. Moving closer, he leaned in to sniff at the pup. Eyes widening at the realization. He was an idiot. In a home of so many hybrids, he should have recognized that immediately. He switched to speak in Russian. For some reason feeling it wrong to say it in a way the little one would understand. "Agra, the creature that hunted them. It's the little one's father."

She gives a smile and offers the other a gentle hand squeeze. “Sweetie no one is fond being around everyone. Even I don’t like everyone. And if I don’t get after Saint for being picky about company, I’m not going to mind you being like that too.” Her own smile fell. “It’s not strange. You’ve encountered nice but also cruel people. So far you’ve only encountered nice creatures. I’m glad and I hope it remains like that. Because they can be just as bad as humans.” A dark look flashed across her face as memories fought to push forward. All the times she’s experienced the worst parts of the supernatural. Thinking some of the worst things, she grabbed the other in a big. “I really hope you never see the bad parts.”

"Well yes, I know no one is fond of being around literally everyone. And trust me, that's also not what I'm looking to be like. Even though I'm willing to get out more, I'm still very much inclined to keep the circle small, as small as possible, preferably." Jinae pursed her lips slightly, giving a small nod. "I know. But even if I know that they can be just as bad as humans, or even worse at times, I find it easier to forgive them for their actions. Tell me that isn't strange. That I find it more acceptable for a supernatural to be horrible rather than a human." She made a face for a brief moment yet her features softened after she noticed the dark look flash across her friend's face. "I know you have more experience in that, and I am truly sorry for that. So honestly, I'd rather witness the bad parts as opposed to others having to."

"Small genuine circles are worth ten times as much as the largest unbonded grouping." Jinae seemed to finally be understanding what the wolves had been after. Opening herself up to hope and bonds, and smart enough to do it on a very case by case basis. "Not strange at all. Its a...well honestly thats a stereotypical human thought. You don't mean to, but a part of your mind equates humanity towards higher level thinking. Us beasts can be forgiven because sometimes we don't know better. Or we have a monstrous aspect that is just a part of us naturally. Humans aren't supposed to have that, so therefore they less deserving of forgiveness." She wrapped her in a protective hug. As if it were possible to shield her from the world. “No. Not on this. Id endure those things a thousand times to keep the rest of you safe. Especially you. I know you are tough and tenacious. But you are human. That makes you a bit more fragile. There were times the only reason I survived was because my body was designed to heal fast and tolerate a lot of pain. I don't want you ever having to go through something like that." Especially since there would be serious chances Jinae wouldn't survival the ordeal.

And then they were alone. The she wolf offering a bashful smile. “I’m really glad you decided to come. I was hoping we could spend more time together.” Her gaze dropped to the floor. “If you have anything you want to do I’m happy to join. But if you are ok with it, I was thinking we could go for a walk in the forest and explore….and then maybe go back to your house to hang out a little.” The blush on her cheeks got so much worse as those last words slipped out.

His gaze went back to the she wolf once they were alone, walking over towards her before holding out his hand towards her. "I'm glad I decided to come as well. You really do look stunning. Not that you don't always look stunning, but today you look even more beautiful. I honestly can't think of any better way to spend my time." Silas couldn't hide the smile as he watched her cheeks heat up even more at her own suggestion. "That sounds like a lovely idea to me, Mel. I'm all for it. Shall we go?"

She's pleased that he's taken up her suggestion. The forest always calmed her spirits. Even with such nerves fluttering in her stomach. With a shy smile she took the outstretched hand. "Are we gonna do the teleporting thing? Because if so...." Her shyness abates just enough she manages to move close and throw her arm around him. Hiding her face against him. "It makes me kinda dizzy if I don't hold tight." A soft admittance before she clings a bit to him.

He nuzzled against the other's hair. Pressing a gentle kiss to the side of his head. "I can go alone. Let you relax here and then return after I've investigated. But I would rather have your company. It helps ground me but...well if I can't grant you a life of quiet leisure, I at least want to grant you as much time with me as possible."

Glancing over towards his lover, René catches the sight of him sniffing a tree, indeed like a scent hound, and it has one of his finely shaped, dark eyebrows arching high into his hairline. “Sometimes I enjoy your animal side, my love, other times...” he trails off with a shake of his head, what was the man going to do next? Urinate up it? It is then, however, that he catches it. The faint, wafting scent of blood. Lifting his own chin, his head turns and he glances ahead of them into the treeline. This smelt almost... fresh. 

Buried memories resurfaced. They stung badly, but their presence was not unwelcome. They were not tormenting him. They were helping. Why did these ones not utilize the best tactics? Why did they not flee? Something had stopped it. The wind shifted. A light breeze tickling his skin as it carried his scent away. An ancient wolf's scent. A protector. A caretaker. Mere moments later, the sound reached his ears. Whimpering sobs. He rushed to the noise. A tangle of large roots that made a shallow cave. With the softest voice he coaxed the little shadow to move forward. A pup wandering out with shaky legs. Very young. A toddler. His cheeks covered in dirt and dried tears. With no hesitation, Itsuki picked him up. Cradled the little one against his chest. Whispering soothing words as the tiny form began crying in earnest. Sobbing against the ancient. Itsuki's gaze shifted to look at Rene. "Agra....Something is hunting him. We can't leave him unprotected."

He nuzzled against the other's hair. Pressing a gentle kiss to the side of his head. "I can go alone. Let you relax here and then return after I've investigated. But I would rather have your company. It helps ground me but...well if I can't grant you a life of quiet leisure, I at least want to grant you as much time with me as possible."

"I have not sired, I have no young of my own, but... I know yours give you your reasons for existing. So I will go with you, because I would not see anything happen to them either". He murmurs gently. It was true he could not understand the need of a father to protect but a part of him wishes he could... but his day of siring young was passed, so this was all he had.

He tilted a little to steal a kiss. "You are perfect Agra." He whispered the words. Offering this gentle moment before they had to set off. The trek was long. Passing through rows of large houses. Twisting through parts of the city before finding their way into the woods. Venturing deeper into the shadows as the searched for the area they would need to investigate. He navigated by memory and scent. Occasionally catching a trace of something that gave him pause. It was familiar, yet not. Prompting a trace of dread like the night they had hunted the blood crazed vampire together. But the scent was not of vampiric origins. No it was somehow darker. At one point he stopped beside an ancient trunk. Sniffing at the bark. Just catching the small blood splashes decorating the surface. Wolf like him and that dark entity.

The coiling was hardly noticed. Saint still happily just petting the scales. Not oblivious to the movements. Just apathetic to them. “Obedient to a certain extent. I generally hate authority figures. I’d never have ended up on a ship like this on my own because I’d hate getting bossed around by the captain. Nothing personal against him. Just my own issues. But I will listen to him. Do whatever the fuck he orders, because my alpha told me to. And what she says goes. Hopefully he’s not gonna make fucked up decisions but I’m kinda optimistic that even if he makes bad calls its gonna end up in a funny story.” There wasn’t trust in Nachim. There couldn’t be. He didn’t know the guy at all. But Itsuki did. Had felt confident enough to put them on the ship under the guy. And Mel was confident enough to follow his lead. So the least Saint could do is obey directions and try not to be too much of an ass. “Nah. We wolves have very long lives. Like to the point I don’t know the actual life span but it can range into the thousands. But death will eventually come for me.” He might have secretly liked Rak calling him a baby. The moment pricelessly hilarious. “Fuck yeah that is young for an ancient creature. You are like half the age of my father in law. And like a tiny fraction of a percent as old as my chick’s first baby daddy.” Yet another amusing moment of the conversation. Once again being reminded that in the supernatural world, with immortal and long lived creatures, even things hundreds of years old could be babies in comparison. “Does it bother you that you’ve never met another of your kind? Wolves are social so being without another is kinda hell. Is it similar for you or are Naga more solitary creatures?”

Rak hummed, “I never felt lonely because I was always alone, so I didn’t know the difference… then I never felt lonely because I had captain and everyone else…” head tilted, pink eyes ran over the other, black and white hair fell against eyelashes, “Nagas spend forever guarding treasure. Hmm… what’s the word, ka? It’s our only purpose. I think nagas are meant to be alone, so the opposite of you!” He smiled wide. “Can I see your teeth? Wolves have big teeth, right?”

"That's....huh I guess its normal to you, but that sounds kinda sad I guess. Something meant to be alone. To exist and die in solitude, with no one around to celebrate or mourn." That was a very heavy idea. One that had his mind circling to some very dark places. Spared by the sudden curious question. A fantastic distraction. "Oh they certainly can. Just depends on the form. We start off normal. But the fangs come out when we want." He pulled his lip back to show ordinary teeth. A moment later the enamel lengthening. Growing larger and ending in a very sharp point. Something that could piece most substances.