Akshasha's Story

Dani's Shadow

Akshasha's willowy form rested inside Dani's silhouette in the light, a gentle reprieve from the constant attack of sunlight.Teenage girls at their vainest He sat carefully, following her movements lazily. Her mother would be near him soon, complaining about something or other that did not matter to him. Like clockwork every day... Her annoying personage came into view as Dani skipped into the kitchen. It perplexed him as to where the girl had acquired so much boundless energy. "You can watch your tone" Her mother snapped at her. He could feel his skin crawl at the thought of her disgusting voice.

Dani finally coaxed her mother into leaving, the adolescent angst at its forefront. In my time children respected their parents. He could not help but smile at the thought of Ramses the Third dealing with an rebellious daughter. The mother having left, he allowed his cackle to be heard. Like wind through a fallen tree, his voice whispered through the kitchen. He crawled to her feet, sliding up to her ear so that he could speak to her.

"Ahem, Miss Lieber if I may..." He started diplomatically, carefully trying to please his 'Guardian.' He stroked her hair. "Your mother," his voice rang with disgust for the thought of needing a matriarchal figure in life. Akshahsa had never felt a mother's embrace. He found the thought of sexual reproduction quite disgusting "Is not nearly needed for life for us." He carefully pulled her hair back, running his thin fingers through it. "An accidental..." He went silent for a bit, continuing a different conversation "Anyways, about the Carnival..." He stopped for a moment to appreciate himself "It was a wondrous sight. Sphinxes for miles. The commons thought they were only myths, but here they stood, a testament to the God-Kings power." The thought could almost make him smile, though his feline face lacked the necessary features to smile.

He fell back to the ground, waiting on the cool shadow of the ground. "Now is a different time Dani..." He said thoughtlessly "How are your chores going Young Master?" His voice almost broke on the last part, but he managed to carry the thought out. "Is your mother leaving today?" His non-existent stomach gurgled at the thought of being alone for a moment. It had been almost a week since he had fed. Has it been a week? No... longer. It feels so much longer...

Dani

Dani grew attentive to her shadow as he approached. Then he was at her ear. She continued to do the dishes with a quick glance in the direction her mother went it and then back to the dish she was washing. Her shoulders slightly tensed up as he stroked her hair. He began talking about her mother and she listened carefully. A shiver went down her spine and she shot a glare at him before returning to the dishes again.

Dani was grateful when he changed the subject. I'm not sure about this creature. She half-listened to him explain about a Carnival. Sometimes I don't know if he's just pulling my leg. I probably shouldn't care so much. "Sounds nice," she said politely, her eyes trained on the soiled bowl in her hands.

The small tension was removed from her shoulders when her shadow retreated to the floor. Oh. Of course now is a different time... He's very old. Dani felt a little sorry for him, but didn't show it. After all that time of being something more than human and watching everything from where he stood, I can't imagine being bound to a simple human. "My chores are going fi-" she was cut off by her mother's voice. "Dani, who are you talking to? You're not talking to yourself, are you?" Dani sighed. "Yes, mom. I'm talking to myself." Silence. Dani never understood why her mom cared so much if she talked to herself or not. It was her own personal business. Her voice knocked down to a whisper. "I hope she is. If not, I'll probably go on a walk."

Dani did not spend much more time washing the dishes. If she did, it didn't feel like it. She turned the water off and quietly placed herself in a dining room chair. "Mom, did you need me to do anything else today? I've got plans to leave," she called to her mother. "You're going somewhere today? Where are you going?" It was ridiculous how they yelled to each other through the house, but Dani didn't feel like getting up and facing her mom. As it was, the woman sounded surprised that Dani was planning on going somewhere. As if that's something new. I go places all the time. "I think I'm going to just go on a walk," she replied and glanced at the back door where her German Shepherd and Rottweiler stood, watching her. A smile appeared on her face. "I'm gonna go on a walk now. I'm taking Maddy and Nitro with me." She grabbed the leashes and opened the large sliding glass door. Two huge dogs ran into her excitedly and nearly knocked her over. Maddy's little nub of a tail moved as if it could still wag and Nitro's long-furred tail wagged full on. She clipped the leashes to their collars and ran out the door.

Outside, the sun was shining. It was a nice day for a small person like Dani. She held onto the leashes as the two dogs pulled on them. Maddy kept running toward Dani and then away. I can enjoy a nice walk. My mom will have to pick up my brother around 2:30. Hopefully she'll be gone when I get back.

Dani's Shadow

Akshasha rode along carefully with Dani. She grabbed her two dogs and got them ready for their walk. Akshasha groaned, his body could travel better through the day with the dog's shadows to follow in carefully. Dani liked to go on walks, he had noticed. It was so very human of her He smiled as she walked along. It was odd living like this. "You're just a little girl! You know..." the thought was somewhat mournful to him.

He clacked along, long nails that made no sound on the hard concrete. Dani was a lively girl, sometimes he almost missed a beat when she broke into a skip or burst into a sprint. The light was not particularly harsh today, but he still had more than his hands full dealing with it. Maybe I'm just hungry... The thought of a glistening crimson tide piqued his interest, A bloody gush of bountiful Dani. His ephemeral mouth almost watered. "Hey Dani, where are we going? The usual... walk?" The last word held on his tongue, it felt disgusting to say for some reason. What kind of insane person goes for a walk during the day. He never would understand Humans.

Akshasha thought of something particularly witty to say, but was forced to bite his tongue when an old couple with some small rat of a dog waltzed past them like they owned the place. He had half a mind to split them side to side right there, but the prevailing daylight taught him better. He thumbed up his nose at them, then continued his small-talk with Dani

Mathias

Mathias watched the human prepare and consume his food. Living used to be that easy for me... Before I was bound. The human finally acknowledged Mathias when the food was gone. If he could have smiled, he would have. "Thank you," he said quietly. His green eyes ran over the place. "You may find your means of feeding me. I am not picky. Once you have fed me, I will heal your wound as I have done before. It is your blood which gives me that power," he explained.


Dani

Dani jogged to keep up with her dogs every once in a while. Their energy was almost contagious as they excitedly jumped around her and wagged their tails. She was enjoying being outside and away from the house. Her shadow spoke. "Maybe to you. Humans don't live very long, so I'm not considered a little girl. I'm young, but not a little girl," she explained. Dani was sure that he already knew that, but she felt the need to say it.

There was a small moment of silence and Dani went back to enjoying being with her dogs. The German Shepherd was eager to explore everything outside. The Rottweiler on the other hand was more interested in keeping close to Dani. While they were at home, Dani didn't spend too much time with the dogs. They mainly stayed in the backyard because her mother didn't like having them in the house.

Dani heard the shadow speak to her again. She shrugged. "Just a walk. I don't go the same route every time. I just like getting out and exploring the area a little," she said calmly with a small small on her face. She nodded her head and said a friendly "Hello" as they passed. They nodded in return and kept going. "Was there somewhere you wanted to go?" she asked, her eyes still on her dogs.

Dani's Shadow

Akshasha nodded sagely, his brow furrowed with contempt. Im not so little she says. He struggled to suppress a laugh, almost making himself snort. "It is a big bad world out there my dearest Dani, I would hate for anything..." he paused for a moment while he formed the word slowly "Little, to happen to us." Every few steps he would dash to the mutt's shadow, taking its low to the ground form as an advantage. One of the dogs had slight drool from its mouth. He resisted the urge to pretend to vomit like a sarcastic twit and continued on.

He considered humming to himself, perhaps to annoy Dani, perhaps only to amuse himself. He was not sure anymore. How long has it been? He glided smoothly between the two dogs, only when someone approached did he cling to Dani. "Somewhere i want to go?" He was dumbfounded for a moment. Is she asking my opinion? Or stating an order. I feel like there is subtle context to be had here... "Uh... Young mistress..." He thought for a moment. "I subsist entirely on your lifeforce. There is no where I'd like to go. So long as i go there with you..."

Mathias

Mathias made a small sound that resembled a human sigh. His voice was a tad deeper with an edge of darkness. It had nothing to do with him in particular. Every shadow resembles the realm they come from in that way. Like a humans from different places will have an accent.

The dogs fell under the attention of Mathias very briefly. They were of no danger to him or Michael, so he deemed them insignificant. The only credibility they had with him was that they appeared to love their master very dearly.

"Alright. Lend me your arm. This will not take any longer than usual." Mathias drifted toward Michael. I can break the skin myself, but it will feel different from the sting of a blade. He concealed a small patch of skin with the shadow of his mouth and pierced the skin as lightly as he could manage. The thick, hot liquid poured from the opening and slowly satisfied the shadow's hunger. He was careful, as usual. Getting greedy and taking too much would lead the downfall of both him and his human. Once he received his daily fill, he sealed the wound.


Dani

Dani was content with his answer. She continued her walk quietly. Maddy turned to look at Dani and then put her head under her hand to be pet. Dani gave the Rottweiler the attention it was asking for. After receiving her bit of attention, Maddy returned to Nitro's side and continued walking. My dogs are silly. Their behavior was amusing to her. She didn't know many dogs that would stop on a walk to get attention from their owner. I wonder why they do it.

Dani glanced down at her shadow. She was a little unsure about him, but he wasn't causing her any trouble, so there wasn't much for her to be unsure about. Maybe it's his attitude. She thought about it for a second longer before dropping it. It's not like it's bad having him. I'm just not sure he actually likes being near me. The thought felt ridiculous to her. Why should she care if he enjoyed being around her? It's not like she was particularly close to him, except that she shared her blood with him. "Is it degrading for you to be stuck to me?" she asked purely out of curiosity.

Dani's Shadow
Akshasha continued plodding along. The dogs were as unimportant as they always were, mindless beasts roving along. Dani asked a question. He Thought about it for a moment, chewing the question over carefully as their little walk continued. "Hmm..." There was a long quiet moment as they continued along. Akshasha clung to one of the dog's stomach. Thousands of years of selective breeding and for what? A drooling mutt with stupid ears. He finally thought up and answer that seemed appropriate to give to his benefactor "Degrading is a very broad term young mistress..." He paused for a moment to continue to think it over.

"I am a being of infinite power. my very existence is simply a nightmare that a human such as you could never comprehend. Once a long long time ago another being came hunting for me in search of power. The young man was tall and well-built, truly a fine human specimen." He paused to lick his non-existent lips in nostalgic euphoria. "The man was the pinnacle of his time, the only one of his kind willing to search me out. And now... as my legend fades and i am only a memory, I am here with you. Do i feel degraded that i must be stuck on this ball of mud with a sack of flash?" A couple walked past them at that moment, and Akshasha grew quiet.
Are humans really so content in this world? They merely go for aimless walks for pleasure. Years ago these people would have been food for the wild.

"I am no more degraded now then i was the night we met. Your existence is the only thing that keeps me tethered to this life. Is that not enough for you?" He tried to wrinkle his nose in disdain, but being in this world did not afford him such luxuries as a scent proboscis. he almost sighed as he continued "My life is tethered to yours. That alone is a prize millions have died for." Akshasha hovered slightly in front of the dogs face. It made a sort of face that he could almost take as acknowledgement. The dogs can sense me? Akshasha stopped moving and the dog went around him. Interesting... He quickly melded back into Dani's shadow and continued with her.

Dani
Dani listened as he explained. It's definitely his attitude. Humans are sacks of flesh. Earth is a ball of mud. Being tied to my life force is also a prize, but I don't understand how he can see it that way. She was silent as she continued walking. It wasn't long before they made it to the park. There were a few places she could hang out and no one would notice her. That was where she wanted to be.

Once she reached the small area hidden by many small bushes and trees, she took a seat in the middle on the dirt ground. Her dogs invaded her face to give her many slobbery kisses. She hung an arm around each one and pulled them down to her side so that they were laying down next to her. Maddy the Rottweiler laid her head in Dani's lap. "I enjoy being outside. I like being with my dogs. They're my best friends," she said as she looked at her furry loyal companions even though she wasn't talking to them.

Dani's Shadow

Akshasha sat in the dirt for a bit. Dani cuddled her dogs and he tried to ignore them. "I thought i was your best friend." He said plaintively. "or am I just not good enough for you?" He continued on for a bit, not really pressing but trying his best to sound neutral. "Besides, best by its very nature means you can only have one. Best friends is a misnomer." He crept closer to Dani and the dogs, sitting in her Shadow quietly.

Akshasha did not know if the dogs were unsettled by his presence or if they simply did not notice him at all and were unsettled by the apparent apparition that followed their owner. He decidedly did not care. If i had a soul for every time a human played in the dirt... "I like it here," he lied to her. "Its got this earthy feel that i cant help but... love." He dug his slender fingers into the dirt, gouging out four little lines. What a peculiar notion

Dani

Dani paused to think about what her demon said. She laughed. "Not good enough for me. That's funny." She looked at her dogs. They were laying in the grass panting with their slobber-coated tongues hanging from their lower jaw. "I guess you are my best friend. These are my beloved pets. One thing about you being here means I'll always have someone around, right?" she asked.

The demon kept talking. He began about the place she decided to sit. "I don't really like the dirt on my butt, but this place is hidden. I don't have to worry about a bunch of other people being around." Dani sat with her knees pulled to her chest and her arms wrapped around them. I can't figure him out. Does he like being here or not? One minute he's calling the Earth a ball of mud and now he's saying he likes the earthy feel. She stared at her feet and rested her head on her knees.

A twig snapped nearby. Dani stayed put and watched the entrance to her little dirt area. Two teenage boys walked in. "Hey, what are you doing here? This is our spot," they said. One had his arms crossed and the other simply looked at her. She smirked. "I don't really care," she retorted. The boy who was looking at her appeared to be ready to just leave, but the other took a few steps toward her. Dani jumped to her feet defensively. "Leave before I make you leave," he said in a threatening tone. Dani didn't say anything. She stood her ground. The boy made a fist and continued toward her.

Akshasha
Akshasha drifted lazily about the ground, making a shadowy pin-wheel effect around Dani. There was a noise, something organic being disturbed. Never a good sign when it came to this place. He settled down into the dirt, unassumingly into Dani's shadow intertwined with that of a tree and thicket. Two non-threatening fleshballs walked into the unforgiving gaze of Akshasha. One of them clearly the more dominant male his hackles began to raise instinctually. Now Now, he started with a morose thought I cant eviscerate every mammal I see...

He kept a tight lip and allowed the males to talk to Dani. Things began to get heated rather quickly. Akshasha's opaque eyes stared listlessly at the bigger boy, his voice rose. Testosterone flaring through the things body; equal parts serotonin and adrenaline hit the nerves as the he attempts a blind hay-maker at Dani. The boy's eyes close instinctually, but his friend cant help but stare. The shadow of the thicket and the tree appeared to tear from behind Dani, lithe pieces of living darkness flowing towards the young boy. For a single moment that felt like an eternity Akshasha dwelt upon what he had set in motion The other boy will surely report a homicide... Tendrils of writhing pain drove into the boy and he fell screaming.

The second boy ran, sprinting for cover fromthe dangers of the dark. Akshasha moved to rouse Dani, his body pushing her into action even before the silhouettes had finished ravaging the boys corpse. "now is the time to make haste" He hissed at her in broken Aramaic. HUMANS DONT SPEAK ARAMAIC ANYMORE. "I mean, lets get out of here" He amended in a tongue native to his host. The sun was low in the sky, and Dani's short form cast a tall shadow.

Dani

Dani noticed that her shadow was acting a little unusual. Things were happening. Her spine went stiff and left her standing there in shock. He's attacking that kid. As sick as it sounds, she just stood there and watched. There was a voice nearby that said something in a language she couldn't identify. [i]Is he... using a spell of some sort? The thought was a little ridiculous, but she couldn't think of anything else. He was clearly capable of some sort of magic.

"I mean, lets get out of here." Dani nodded once and quickly ran out of the small, hidden area. Once out, she tried her best a casual glance around and decided her route. Should I go back home? She didn't know where else to go, so she decided on home. That was where everything she owned was at anyway. She pulled on her dogs' leashes to get them to follow her. Both of them appeared to be unsure of their surroundings. The fur on their backs was standing up. Dani realized she had been too distracted by her shadow to note the reaction of her dogs. My poor dogs. She reached down to give them both a quick pet on the head.

It wasn't long before she reached her house. She took the leashes off both of her dogs and directed them to the back door so they could get some water. "What do I do?" she asked no one in particular. She ran up to her room and just stood there. Her mind was beginning to go numb to keep her from thinking about anything. "Maybe I should just.... sleep. That sounds like a good idea." She laid herself in her bed and stared at the wall in front of her, not really feeling any emotions or thinking any thoughts for the moment.

Dani's Shadow
The remainder of the walk proved to be uneventful for Dani, the dogs trotting along mindlessly as she led them. The whole endeavor regarding the boy and protecting his dear Dani had proved only slightly more taxing than he imaged. Though he did put more energy into it then absolutely necessary, perhaps following a human around for so long had left Akshasha with a sense of whimsy. He was complacent enough to follow her in thought.

Typical rise in chemicals denoting stress. I can feel a dark tinge to her aura. Her companion contemplated everything for the remainder of the walk. Dani arrived at her house very quickly, breaking Akshasha's thought. Like a scolded pet he refused to speak. She does not appear to be very happy with me. The thought of not getting to eat after expending so much energy briefly worried him but before hecould drive himself into a frenzy Akshasha decided he'd better just wait until morning and confront her.

The night passed quietly, Akshasha doing what he always did; patrolling Dani's house. A willowy black whisper of a shadow strolled through Dani's apartment. Brief patches of carlight flash in the windows, two cat's eyes lit up in the shadow, a suggestion of fur as black as night; a cat to anyone outside who may catch a glimpse.

First, a perimeter around Dani's room. Always seven circles around her bed, then one around the room. From there it was a short trot to her parents rooms, then her siblings. Akshasha only cursorily glanced at these, caring little for its inhabitants. Down into the kitchen, like clockwork he jumps onto the counters and does a quick once over of the room, then straight outside to patrol the housing perimeter. Ending near Dani's room anyways it takes the barest effort to phase through her wall back into her room. Starting the cycle anew.

Akshasha
The night Akshasha had long waited for finally came. It was his seventy-third jump from the kitchen table when he heard Dani's door creak open. For a moment he could only mewl like a baby kitten, aghast at Dani's sudden bravery. He kept to the shadows and waited for her to come downstairs. A quick little thing, it wasnt long before she was headed out back to the drooling mutts. He padded over to the door, waiting for her to latch it closed and a second or two after to phase through the door.

Too long, Dani was already starting up the brick fence. He watched her scrabble up and onto it. Either dog was close by her and he produced no scent. He continued to step along lightly, only regrettably giving up his cat guise once the dogs came back to him after losing interest in Dani. Out and about without even asking. Insolence will only get you killed... Akshasha became acutely aware of his hunger. A drive in the very core of his existence.

"If Dani wants to play then I can play." he whispered quietly to himself. He conjured himself up as large as he could handle at his current capacity. Dani's dogs stared but didnt bark at him. He wasn't even sure they could distinguish him from different shades of black. A measly three feet and ten inches of black shadow mountain lion. I look like a starved female runt.. he noted to himself before scrabbling up the walls.

Dani had landed nearby. He picked up on her scent. The warm pulsating drone of her blood sounded in the distance. Even from so far he could hear her arteries feeding the precious little body life-blood. The mountain's quasi-real saliva glands glistened with moisture. The slow stalk of a feline on the hunt began. Akshasha was going to scare Dani out of ever leaving without him again; and enjoy every savory second of it.

Dani

Dani decided to walk to the end of the street closest to her. The less time she spent walking down one street, the less likely a cop would be to spot her. At least, that was her logic. So, she kept walking throughout her neighborhood. She wasn't surprised at how dark it was but, but she didn't realize how quiet and empty it would be. There was not a single person in sight. However, she wanted to be on the safe side so she stayed alert and listened for every sound and made sure to observe the area around herself every so often.

Dani stayed away from the park she had visited earlier that day. There was bound to be a cop car there. She headed toward another park instead. It was at the very back of the neighborhood and right next to it were brick walls lining where houses were supposed to be. The building process had been delayed, so the spaces were going to be vacant for a while. It was the perfect spot backed by a hill that would either provide an easy escape route or make life difficult. It didn't matter much to Dani. She knew the neighborhood well enough that she was sure she could lose anyone who chose to follow her.

It took about fifteen minutes to walk to the park at the base of the hill. Dani kept close to the back where the park met the hill. It felt like the safest spot. There, she found a curb to sit on and just sat there. She was enjoying her time outside by herself at a time she wasn't supposed to be there. The best part? There was still not a single person in sight.

Akshasha
The little girl with her head in the clouds flounced away. Akshasha was certain that her head was a-spin with thoughts about the night sky and the quiet pensive calm of the darkness. The girl whirled away tearing through the nighttime as only young female humans could. Akshasha wasn't certain if Dani was wearing pants, but it certainly wouldnt be the first time that she had left without them in the middle of the night. He thought his situation over. What would frighten her the most... Many contemplations raced through the shadow's mind as it kept pace with his thoughtful owner. She seemed to be avoiding something as she went, perhaps the shadow could use that to a certain effect.

After quite some time, or at least what felt like an unnecessary amount of running to the already hungry shade, Dani had settled herself somewhere she decided was fit for her throne. A small concrete ledge near the back of the park, she sat down her heartbeat alone beating against the cool gale of the wind. It was silent like this for awhile. Akshasha chose not to make himself known for now, instead listening to the calming pulse of Dani's heart. It could have been an eternity. Sadly, Akshasha was a realist and it was more like eight minutes before a second heartbeat was heard off in the distance.

Akshasha was off like a wisp, to greet the newcomer in his own unique way. The man was only a little less than a quarter mile away; and was simply taking a moderately paced stroll through the night. Akshasha sighed, I cant simply assault a jogger... He wrestled with the thought for a bit. Perhaps the jogger could attack Dani though... Akshasha put on his scariest motif; making himself to be just over four feet high and jet black, quadrapedal with vicious claws and a sloped back ending in a jaw filled with points. The tail that expressed his agitation was only Proverbial icing on the mortal's cake or so he told himself.

Akshasha waited in his vicious feline guise, just past the fork in the road that divided Dani's park with the rest of the neighborhood. The man's heartbeat droned heavily, in time with his footsteps, he was quickly approaching the shade's hiding spot. Akshasha almost shuddered with anticipation. Dani gets to have all the fun... he thought to himself as he sprung forth from his hiding spot in a nearby backyard. The jogger's eyes went wide with horror, and he halted in his traps. Akshasha felt upset by the under reaction. Maybe he is just stupid... The jogger mumbled something about Pumas and turned and darted in the other direction, straight through Dani's park. That's more like it... now I only have to steer Stepping through the shadows proved tiring for Akshasha, but he managed to, albeit a little awkwardly, force the jogger to run toward the back hill where Dani was to be waiting. The man never screamed, to the shade's frustration, and instead seemed entirely focused on outrunning the would-be Puma.