It was a warm morning and Ariye was sleeping on the forest ground. A few voices were audible in the distance. Suddenly she could hear: "Hehe. We got another demon here to kill for lord Ivon. We are gonna get good money for bringing its head." A hand grabbing Ariye by the neck woke Ariye up. She was lifted off her feet, choking in the hands of a thug. But then she caught the smell of the mans sweet blood. Claws grew out of her fingers and grabbed the man in his face. The man squeezed Ariyes neck harder hoping to kill her but she didnt feel it anymore. Ariyes claws dug into the mans skull and she pulled hard. The man was screaming. Ariye seemed like she was ripping the mans head off and soon enough she did. The other man ran away in fear. "Fear makes you defenseless against death magic." Ariye said and cast a spell on the man. The man felt like he was burning from the inside out. Soon after he popped like a ballon. She dined on the headless corpse and flesh chunks for breakfast without staining her robe with blood. She then noticed her black horns had gotten longer. "Am I changing back into my old savage form? I was no less beautiful in my true form though." She said to herself, put her hood over her head and left for the next town. Soon she was passing the fields of the outskirts of the town.

Scarlet was running as fast as she can. Someone... was chasing her. The beautiful white coated wolf ran through the forest, not sure where to go or when to take a turn. Soon enough, something wrapped around her neck. She yelped as she got brought down to the ground. Scarlet growled and tried shaking free. With a snarl, ice started to form around her and the man. He looked around wondering what was happening. Then in a flash, something went right through his heart. A sharp ice had went through him. The man's eyes widened... yet he didnt have a chance to scream. Instead, he fell to the ground dead. Scarlet didnt like killing people, but she had no other choice. She shook off whatever was around her neck and started running out of the forest.

Ariye was walking along the fields when she noticed a wolf run out of the forest. It was coming towards her direction. Ariye tilted her head and said: "Whats thats? A wolf? Hey cutie watch are you running from?" She said towards the wolf.

Scarlet looked over at Ariye. "Nobody now... I took care of my problems." she said slightly panting from all the running. She liked being in her wolf form so she never really was in her human form. Scarlet looked back and the forest and trotted off towards the city.

Ariye nodded and went on to town- When she entered the town people were very quiet when seeing her. Almost like only her presence caused fear among the towns people. Especially because she carried a large scythe. But the people should know her already. She worked as a weaponsmith in this town and still owns her own shop. When she got to her shop, there was a banner on it saying: "Dont shop here! Demon owned!" Ariye removed her hood and tore the banner off the wall. Inside the shop she took her robe and dress off revealing a sleeveless black vest with belts and buckles that was fastened by straps from her abdomen all the way up her neck and a short black skirt. She went outside to her workshop and anvil which could be openly seen from the street. She grabbed her hammer and smelted some iron. She then folded the iron with her anger. The bursts against the iron made the ground shake and she folded the iron once per burst while a normal human needed hours to fold iron once. After some time she had folded the iron so much that she made a claymore durable and suitable enough for an orc general. She cleaned the sword and gave the sword a beautiful engraving. She believed weapons had souls and that because she created such a strong sword with anger and hate that it would be an evil sword suitable for a strong but troubled woman because of the beautiful engravings. Ariye came to her stand with the sword and offered it for sale.

Once in the city everyone started to mumbled something as Scarlet walked by them. Some kids threw rocks at her but ran off screaming when she gave them a warning with a snarl. The pure white wolf wandered around the city looking here and there, sniffing every now and then. She tilted her head at a hot dog stand and trotted over. "Scram you damn dog!" the man said trying to shoo her off. She growled and the man, ears pulling back. He grabbed a hot dog and threw it, trying to get her away. Scarlet ran after it, and grabbed it in her mouth before it reached the dirty ground. She gulped it down and walked into a near by park, drinking the water from a lake.

People came by to look at Ariyes wares but after noticing she was a demon they walked away. One of them said: "You demons are scum and dangerous to humans and elves. You prey on our meat. If theres someone who doesnt deserve to be persecuted then its the nekos." "Everyone has the right to live. Even demons. I only eat those who wish me dead." Ariye countered. Then an elven woman came by and looked at the sword. "Even though I hate demons, I like you because I know you are a good person and you work hard. I will buy this beautiful claymore." The woman said and gave Ariye a bad of money.
Later a small mob came and began throwing rocks at Ariye and her shop. "We dont want you here! The guards and soldiers of Ivon will come to get you." The people in the mob said. Ariye just smirked and said: "Before Ivon when we all were equal, you guys literally kissed my ass to get cheaper wares or help and now you dont want me? You are a bunch of pathetic weaklings ganging up on me although I could easily kill all of you on the spot."

Scarlet walked over to a group of trees and layed down. She letted out a small yawn and rested her heads down on her paws. A little girl walking by with her mother looked at her, "Mommy mommy can we keep her?" the young one asked. Her mother pulled her daughter away, "Stay away from that thing." she said and quickly walked away. Scarlet thought it was better to stay in her human form here, but there was nowhere for her to sleep or stay in. As a wolf, she can freely sleep anywhere and walk around like a stray dog. It was easier for her this way, even though the humans seemed to think of her as just a dog.

In the small town, near the lake, the young human-looking man was sitting beneath the shade of a tree. The small aquatic body was noiselessly placid except for a few fish that jumped in the distant shallows, catching minor insects as they buzzed near the surface. And in the shade Pike was silent, nearly sleeping next to his pack and spear. The commotion of a tinny sqeal caught his attention, a gypsy woman who was washing her clothes between the reeds was noticeably shocked at the sight of a wolf drinking from the lake. She tried to shoo it, but the creature didn't notice, so she muttered a curse in words Pike didn't know before bundling her sopping clothes and rushing away.

"Arrogant," his murmer barely audible over his own heart. And when the young wolf took to the shadows across the distance Pike stood up leaving his pack behind, and strode directly toward her. Not speaking as he traveled, but occasionally glancing to determine if they were being watched, he casually approached. But when a mother and her daughter passed he halted sharply--they think it's a dog! "What fools these mortals be! People are no better than the insects... unaware of the gaar lurking out of sight." But where there are fish there are also eagles...

"Shouldn't you know better than to stride into town like this?" he asked rhetorically, but Pike didn't speak until he'd come slightly uncomfortably close to the wolf; and joined her by sitting in the long soft grass. He didn't want to be overheard talking to a wolf, so he spoke gingerly, barely moving his mouth: "You're exposing yourself young one. These times aren't safe for our kind." And he offered her a palm to sniff--as if she *were* a dog. There in the shadows, he knew that the humans wouldn't be able to see that he was speaking, so he was keeping up necessary pretenses, to avoid drawing *further* attention to her, and himself.

Scarlet's ears twitched. She looked up at whoever was speaking and tilted her head. "It doesnt matter. These humans are too stupid to know what or who I am. Besides it wont matter. I'm pretty much a loner now." she said getting up and shaking her fur. Then she letted out a small growl, "And why do you care if I wander these cities or not?" she asked. She felt like she was getting treated like a little pup. "There's nowhere for me to go. I need to wander wherever I can find and try to survive. I dont know anyone here, nor do I trust them." she said, the fur on her neck raising a little. "As far as I know, you might attack me any moment."

"Hm!" Pike snorted, twisting his wrist defensively to keep his palm between himself and the now-snarling wolf. "You must be even younger than I thought.. How old are you pup?" Then he chuckled a little, knowing fully well that he was only being antagonistic. "Listen, if *I* was a threat, if I was your enemy then do you think i would have approached you of my own volition? That which staggers us is that which we never see coming." And he smiled with pointed eye-teeth, and warm eyes.

"There is strength in numbers young one." He was almost pleading with her now. "If you need somewhere to stay, I have a room at the Inn here. I'm just passing through on my way to the capital city." His last statement held a mild degree of malice to it, as if whatever business he had to attend in the capital would most certainly be gruesome and laborious.

Scarlet relaxed a little, but still took another step back. "I'm.. not that young. 17 in human age." she said lowering her head. "And, I'm fine. Staying in this form makes me feel more comfortable." she said in a low voice. "If you have no business with me now.. then I should get going. Since you bothered me from my short break." she said turning away. Of course, she head her ears well ready for any sound, just in case he tried to attack her from behind. It became hard for her to trust someone, since almost everyone she met always harmed her in some way. At the same time, she looked around, for another shelter. If she was lucky, she'll be able to find a small den or even a cave was fine.

Pike was concerned, and watched as she strode off but noticed the hesitation in her stride. Only seventeen, not old enough to take care of herself. And she looked thin to him, which is why he thought she was younger. But he didn't mention the tiny details he was picking up on, only said: "Seventeen, huh? As I thought, you're just older than a girl... Don't get me wrong," he paused to stand "I mean -- I'm certain that you can take care of yourself. Not many others at your age could, but *you* seem totally self-capable..." He smiled a little, even if he still looked kind of sad. "But I am honor-bound to ask you" he put on a fake, haughty-sounding accent as he continued, "My lady, will you be dining alone tonight? A young woman should never be without a chaperone," and he chuckled a little at his own joke, just one of Pike's less-annoying attributes. He left his question and his hands open, waiting for her response with a tilted head and a look of concern on his face--real concern, nothing put on.

She looked at him for a while. "Actually... I'm not even sure if I will be able ot have dinner tonight.." she said with a small sigh as she sat down. Scarlet gave up on trying to avoid him. "I didnt get your name yet. My name's Scarlet..." she said in a rather weak and tired voice. "sorry if I sound like a sick old wolf." she said with a small laugh, "I havent had anything but a hotdog today." she said. "Why are you here?" she asked looking at him.

"Don't apologize. Times are tough, even for the best of us." He smiled a little and crossed the distance between them. "You can call me Pike. But first thing's first, let's not draw any further attention to ourselves, right?" He crouched down by the wolf, and began to pet her across the head, just as though she *were* a dog, and held her scruff, gingerly, but firmly enough to lead her over to his pack. "There, girl, good girl," he spoke obnoxiously loudly, so that someone, anyone would be able to hear him.

Then he whispered, barely moving his mouth. "I'm really sorry about this..." and he fished a thin rope from his bag, fashioned a very loose lead, and slipped it over Scarlet's neck. "Please don't feel undignified, I've worn that very same rope once myself... and it's nice to meet you Scarlet," he added before slipping his bag onto his back, and took a few steps, one end of the rope in his hand while making sure to keep the line from going taut; he didn't want to drag her, but silently Pike hoped she'd go for it and follow him.

Meanwhile in town the argument between the mob and Ariye had turned into a brawl. The mob had attacked her physically and only defended herself. She didnt want to kill her own townspeople. But her punches did break an arm or two. The people from the mob flew everywhere but in a minute Ariye was done. "I didnt kill you for the reason that I will not kill my townspeople in times of peril. But I beat you to teach you a lesson." Ariye said and closed her shop. She then walked towards the lake noticing a guy and a wolf. "Hey its the cutie and some guy! Hey!" She said as she ran over to them. "Whats up?"

Scarlet pulled her ears back as he slipped a rope around her neck. "Oh geesh.." she mumbled following him. It felt weird to be on a... leash you could call it. She really did feel like a dog. Scarlet looked up as the girl from before ran up to them. She slightly backed away and hid behind his legs. Like she said earlier, it was hard for her to get near others. Even know she was scared Pike might do something that would hurt her, but she tried her best not to show it.

"Do you have any clothes?" Pike asked, as quietly as he could as he led himself and Scarlet down the street, striding briskly but being careful to not appear out of the ordinary. And as he neared the inn where he'd reserved a room early this morning, he noticed a small commotion up ahead. It was outside that smithy he passed earlier that day, and it looked dangerous. He paused for long enough, one hand against the door waiting to push it open, when the blacksmith began beating people up. He heard some minor screaming, cursing, people shouting 'demon'... Pike had thought that her considerable skill was because of an unearthly heritage. When she'd dispatched the crowd and crossed the street to them, Pike was instantly horrified. He slipped the lead off Scarlet, and opened the door for her. "What are you doing?" He asked slowly, seriously, with deep and intense tones.

Scarlet hurried inside the door. People looked at her for a minute before going back to what they were doing. "Where's your owner? This isnt a dog inn." one of the workers said. She looked towards the window and Pike. Oh right my clothes... Damn I dropped it back at the woods when the man was chasing me. Oh well I guess I'll have to stay in this wolf form. she thought to herself as she sat down. Seeing that Scarlet wasnt going to cause any trouble for now, the worker let her be, waiting for the "dogs" owner to come in already. She sat there, trying to look normal.

"Why are you so horrified? I am just a friendly demon who protected herself from an angry mob. People nowadays are so prejudice. By the way my name is Ariye. I am going to head to the capital tomorrow to eliminate Ivon. He has lost it. First he tries to make me human then he takes it out on all non-human creatures and I am starting to turn back to my true form after all these years." Ariye seemed very talkative to others who were persecuted like her. "If they dont let you into the inn then you can stay at my place. I have a bed that I never use anyways because I dont sleep."

"Shh!" Pike insisted, pressing a swift finger to her lips before leaning in and whispering "Not here." Then he glanced all around, to see that noone was listening. He still wasn't certain someone wasn't. Pike grabbed her wrist and pulled her into the Inn, up the stairs, and into the room designated to him as he deftly unlocked the door and slipped inside in one movement. Then he whistled for Scarlet to join him, clapped his hands and cooed for her, "Here girl!" The innkeepers scoffed, that this oridnary-looking young man would be cavorting with the likes of demons and wolves. Maybe, they thought, he's not so ordinary after all. And when a dark-cloaked figure swept into the inn, and took the elderly couple aside, they privately told him everything they'd witnessed.

When they three were safely inside, he pulled a grey and slightly unflattering robe from out of his pack. "Sorry Scarlet, but this is all I have for now. It'll have to due for cover until we can get back to your pack." Then he turned to address the demon, "Ariye, I agree with you, and I am with you in this task, but you can't single-handedly storm the capital. I've lost my share of friends to Ivon's fury, and I want to go with you. Let me help you..."

"Ivon tried to turn me human for two reasons. First off he saw that I was in social peril and second off he feared that I would learn magic and a demon has increased magicka. So I am confident that I could take on Ivon alone. But the rest of those stupid humans might be a problem. I cant kill them all alone. Uh... What am I saying? I dont want to kill all humans. I sound just as bad as Ivon." Ariye said.

Scarlet's jaws opened when he cooed for her. "Are you serious?" she hissed running over, wagging her tail acting like a dog. She tilted her head and sniffed the robe. "You want me to wear this?" she ask picking it up. She sighed, "Nevermind I'll just stay in my wolf form." she muttered jumping on the bed and laying down. She rested her head on her paws, still ready to attack if she needed to. She eyed the two others in front of her, her tail swinging from side to side.

Pike sighed at the wolf laying on the single bed in the small and sparsely furnished room, "Fine... at least *you* can speak in that form. *I* can't speak outside of purrs or yowls if I shift into my other form." So he bundled up his grey rain cloak and secured it back in his bag. "But of course... make yourself comfortable," he spoke without any sarcasm, meaning that very honestly and directly as he took a seat himself. Then, guesturing to the only other piece of furniture in the room, a chair, he motioned for Ariye to sit as well. "Slow down Ariye... I don't know what you mean, so please--slow down, and tell us what happened."

"Well until a couple years ago, Ivon was our village healer. He seemed to be a kind hearted person and thought he was helping people by turning creatures human. He failed often and I was the victim that came closest to a human. But now I am starting to turn back. My claws are coming back, my horns are growing longer and my skin is beginning to tan. I want to kill Ivon for what he is doing to my fellow creatures." Ariye said.