it's.only{L.O.V.E.}if.you're[loved]in.return.

[Samira]

The midnight shadows played silently over the sleek pelt as the back cat loped easily through the trees. The sound of the river's ceaseless murmur sang loud in the silence of the night, an ever-changing monotony underneath the hushed nigh-sounds. Crickets seranading, nightjars calling, owls hunting; the night was alive, with its never-ending song. Rustles in the underbrush, the wind sighing through the high treetops - she ignored them all. She felt the soft dirt beneath her paws, felt the caress of the midnight breeze against her fur. Luminous pale eyes gleamed from the black feline face as she ran on.

There was something in the wind tonight; something - she couln't catch what. Every whisper of the night's song was trying to communicate something to her; but she couldn't understand. She hadn't a gift for languages. It was waiting - waiting - anticipating some change; something was coming. What was it? Good or evil? She didn't know; couldn't feel it. But it was there; it made her whiskers tingle and her tail twitch; it made her fur prickle as the wind moved it.

A bat darted past her on the liquid darkness of the night air, mouth open in a silent scream, blind eyes unnecessary as it expertly dodged every obstacle the woods laid before it. She ran on. She had run far tonight; the urge had been strong to run out the turmoil that was beginning to surface inside her; she would have to be quick to get back home before the dawn.

Hours later the dawn sent its first silver tendrils over the world, taking a faint hold on the woods, the rivers, the mountains. Slowly it grew stronger, more confident, playing brighter colours now, faint rosy blushes and golden showers through the sky, grasping the world tighter in its ever-brighter hold. Khaetisa paused before the door of the little house and felt the rush that always took her half by surprise as a ripple ran over her and the soft pelt turned to smooth skin, the pointed ears settled back against her skull, the eys changed, the sharp teeth and claws relaxed, the tail vanished, and in place of the big, sleek hunting cat there stood a tall slender woman. She ran one slim hand through the thick mass of black braids before opening the door and stepping inside.

"Laewenna?" she called. Her foster-mother was usually up by dawn. "I'm home. There's a change coming."

[Hornswaggler]

What in Gaila's name was this...?
Sarlis shook his head, hooves beating the ground in a rather faltering rhythm. Dark brown eyes were narrowed as the branches of trees whipped across his face. There was a path through this part of the woods, though it wasn't a very clear one. He was ignoring it, however; the centaur knew the forest inside and out, and he often only took the paths to avoid the necessity of going around so much foliage. Tonight, he didn't bother, simply plowing through the trees. Sarlis had never been to the house of the Guildmaster, but he knew exactly where it was, and at the moment all that really mattered was getting there...fast. It was odd behavior for him, really. Normally, he was one of the most stoic creatures that lived in the Guild. It was difficult, sometimes impossible, to phase him. He had seen a lot in his long life, and there weren't very many surprises left. This, however...With a rather horse-like snort, he shook his head again, attempting to clear his eyes of a rather stubborn shadow that hung over them. His night vision was normally excellent, but now it seemed as if there was a thin veil that refused to move. His thoughts didn't seem to want to cooperate, milling this way and that without reason. Only one motive stood out; Get to Laewenna's house... Sarlis had no idea where this thought had come from, or why it was so persistent, but it wasn't about to be ignored.
Breath coming out in ragged pants, the centaur hardly noticed the large pawprints that started in the sand, and that indifference worried him. He was an expert tracker, after all, and whatever beast made these prints would surely be a good hunt, but the idea was soon pushed away. He really had no care for it at the moment, and the small logical part of his mind was concerned. What had come over him? What on earth was this shadow that drove all coherent thought away, and where had it come from? True, he had been a bit edgy every since moving to a new area of the forest (the creatures in his old territory had just become far too annoying to deal with) and he had always wondered why there were few inhabitants near the stream...but surely there was nothing too wicked there, right? No one had caused any problems, not one beast had come along to challenge him...which was all too strange. But now, he suspected that there was something amiss. That thought too was soon discarded as the small house came into view, and the sight of a large cat suddenly shifting into a girl hardly concerned him. His hooves clattered over the stones in front of the door as Sarlis came to a quick halt, his eyes half focused. Staring around in confusion for a moment, he put out one hand to stop the door from closing.
"Laewenna!" Sarlis called out, his voice rather broken as he attempted to get his breathing under control. "Laewenna, come out here...!" Pausing for a moment, he shook his head again as the shadow in his head seemed to push him forward, almost laughing with what seemed like triumph. He cringed at the feeling, his free hand pressing against his eyes in an attempt to make them behave.
What was wrong with him...?

[Samira]

ooc;;
Hailz, love, don't mind a wee PP here? You haven't posted in ages and we have to do something before we all die of boredom....

bic::
There was no answer to her calls. She sniffed the air, taking in the odd mixture sweet, bitter, tangy, salty, fresh - the crushed herbs, odd powders, drying plants, foods waiting to be eaten. Laewenna's scent was everywhere, of course; but not fresh. She wasn't here. The approaching sound of pounding hooves made her turn in the doorway to face whatever was rushing toward the little house by the river. A centaur, tall and arrogant and looking strangely flustered and dazed and angry all at once. She wonderd what on earth forced a centaur to come down this far from their hidden places. There were a few friendly ones, but not many. They took the name of the guild and, from time to time, fought for it; but that was all. They lived apart, scorning all the rest of the world.
"Laewenna!" he called out; his strong voice sounded desperate. "Laewenna, come out here..." She stepped forward a little, shoulders back and one dark brow raised doubtfully.
"Laewenna isn't here," she told him coolly. "May I help you?"

[Hornswaggler]

The centaur winced, one hand at his head. "Not...not here?" he muttered. Eyes lowering for a moment, he felt the shadow run through possibilities. He could just wait here...that was always the more boring of the options. Sarlis felt his head shake, though he had no recollection of ordering it to do so. No, Laewenna had to be here. Why would she be gone? He stepped forward suddenly, hardly aware of it. "Where is she?" he demanded, one hand twitching as if to go to the bow slung across his shoulder. Restraining the action, Sarlis forced the arm back at his side, both hands clenched into fists. "I have to see her." He winced again, tail swishing from side to side in a mixture of impatience and wariness. He stepped forward again, rather shocked as he did so. What was happening to him? It was as if he were dreaming, but unable to control any of it. His hand now on the doorframe, the centaur stared down at the girl in front of him, eyes fairly unfocused. "Find her," he rasped, sagging as if suddenly exhausted. "Find her, I need to see her..."
((Fail shortness. D: 'least I posted!))