Standing still and completely silent in the garden Aireandend listened to everything that happened. When she had seen the Prince a small dose of fear came upon her but soon vanished as she looked at him. He was magnificent and she couldn't tear her eyes away. While he was angry and mean she could see a hint of sadness in his eyes and it made her sad. The man before her was a beast but he was also a man. When almost everyone left she finally stepped forward and cleared her throat. "You are a magnificent beast Prince Leto and no one should say otherwise. I just thought you should know that. I'm Aireandend by the way but you can call me Aire." She looked up into his eyes and gave him a smile. Giving him a small curtsy she backed away slowly.

Running around the kitchen Dashna got everything together, adding last things. The main course was not finished or the dessert but that was fine. When someone asked what the main course was she shouted out the answer. "It's fish!" Then she turned back to her work. When Max came in she turned to look at her with a frown. "Are you telling me that Ethan is missing? Please don't say that!" Sweat was beaded on her forehead and she wiped it with a cloth she had in the pocket of her apron. The kitchen was very hot and she was getting over worked trying to make the feast of all feasts.

Snow moved closer to him and took his hand. "I can't wait for tomorrow afternoon then." She smiled at them both before give a small tug on Alastaire's hand. "Of course I can show you. I can't wait to see what Dashna made. I'm sure she pulled out all the stops." As soon as she went through the open door she let her tongue pop out for a second, making sure she was facing away from the purely human behind her. She was tasting the air to try to guess the food but instead she tasted anger, sorrow, and fear. She turned to look back at Addison but continued on to the back stairs. I'll have to ask later. Something has happened.

She led Alastaire to the dining hall then turned to him. "I need to go check how the food is coming. I'll be right back." She slithered away and went into the kitchen. "Why is the air full of anger, sorrow, and fear? Have you heard what happened with the prince? I went with the group but had to leave quickly with one of them."

Hearing Snow come in Dashna turned her way and listened. "Ethan is missing! He hasn't been by to check the place settings or how dinner is coming along! Max has just told me this." Turing she was about to throw something into a huge boiling pot when her last words hit her. Spinning around she stuck her with a look. "What are you talking about Snow? What do you mean have I heard what happened with the Prince." Sometimes being the cook really ate at her because she was less involved with everything. She was confined in her kitchen, though she did love it.

Alastaire felt surprise at the fact that Snow took his hand, but smiled because he found himself enjoying the sensation. Following her, he nodded when she left him in the hall. Spotting another guest there he walked over. "Hello, my name is Alastaire, and you are? " He stared a little at the boyish woman, and wondered what she might look like in a dress. Making an effort he shook the rude thought from his head. Instead he busied himself with looking at the place settings, and wondering what the food might be for the feast.

Hands on hips, Max stared at the other two with a frown. "Well I'm going to go look for him. Don't either of you dare stop me either." Turning around with a small huff, she tried to find Ethan's particular scent with her keen sense of smell. Walking quietly in concentration she separated the old scents from the new until she fell upon the one from that morning. Quietly she followed it from Leto's room, to downstairs then it led out to the garden. She didn't approach Leto with the problem of Ethan disappearing, she knew she could find him with her own nose and didn't want to upset him anymore then the guests must have done.

Finally she fell upon the right path, and followed it. Hers eyes widened a little when Max saw it would lead her into the forest, but enter she did with a warning growl for any wolf that dared tangle with her. Swiftly she hiked up her skirts and started running towards the place where the scent of mingled deer and man was strongest. Upon finally reaching the spot she knelt down beside Ethan. Seeing his sad expression Max grimaced. "Snap out of it! You can't fix anything by running away and moping around while you wait for the wolves!" As the young woman spoke she took Ethan by the shoulders and shook him roughly a little to emphasize her point.

Snow sighed. It looks like the Prince took things badly. "Ethan took the guests to the Rose Garden. He meant for them to meet the Prince. I think he was told earlier by the Prince he wanted nothing to do with the guests because he seemed upset. A guest fell into a rose bush and I took him inside to treat him. I don't think the Prince took too well to having the guests shoved at him." She looked over at Snow and nodded. Why can't things end up happy like in stories?

Ethan glared at Max. "I don't wish to fix anything anymore. Leto will not try to fix his problem. I could go back there and fix things but in a year he is making us all leave. I have ruined everything. He will stay here alone and become even worse and we will be alone in a world that no longer wants us. He is banshing us as soon as this last year passes."

He looked away and into the woods. "I no longer wish to live in that world. He will not let me stay for the betrayal he thinks I've done and I will not leave. So I will die here."

He turned his gaze back to here and brought his arms up shoving her away. "Now leave. I tire of taking care of spoiled royalty and uncouth servants."

Max growled at Ethan and looked up at him angrily from her reclining position. "Wallowing in self pity.. I never thought I'd see the day you would do that. It's more Leto's thing then yours. Besides, you of all people should know the prince is doing only what he thinks is best, that's what you're always saying anyway... So was that all nonsense then?"

Righting herself the young woman went to kneel in front of Ethan, but did not touch him. Max spoke softly now, her anger having abated a little. "We rely on you to help us get trough everything Ethan, most of the servants would be lost without you... Please don't give up just because of one temper tantrum. I'm certain the prince will get over it, you're his best friend." The young woman was so intent on calming Ethan she did not smell nor hear the approaching wolves. They where still far, but nearing the two nonetheless.

Addison nodded once more in agreement with Snow before deciding it would be best to go off now, "I'll see you both later, then." he smiled, before turning and walking off with a bit of a bounce in his step.

Sarita nodded her head at Dashna's answer, "Fish." she repeated to herself. Then, looking about, she spotted what she believed to be the perfect dish for any type of fish, and took to cleaning it thoroughly, though it was already clean. She wanted that dish to sparkle before she placed it on the table.

Risette's eyes widened in surprise when she heard another voice in the room, quickly turning to face Alastaire. ( She is wearing a dress, by the way. For dinner. :) ) "Oh, hello." she smiled warmly, "My name is Risette. It's a pleasure to meet you, Alastaire." She then quickly glanced at the place settings once more, seeing a female servant carrying out the finishing touch, a large, ornate oval-shaped plate. Seeing Sarita's talons, she again thought back to how Ethan described the servants to remember the woman's name. Rita... I believe that that was it. Then, her thoughts changing direction, she turned back to Ethan, "Have you seen a man with rabbit ears about? He looked so distraught earlier..."

Ethan sighed loosing his angry look as he watch Max right herself. "This isn't self pity, it is simple facts. And no it never was nonsense. Leto does what he thinks is best but we can see how wrong that has been." He reached up and touched one of his antlers. "You will not be lost. In a week the path will open and the guests will leave. Then all that will be left is to bring Leto his food. You will have less then a year left. You will all be fine." He looked away sadly and his ears twitched. The wolves are coming. "He will not change his mind. It has been 99 years since this curse and he hasn't changed. One year will not make him forget the betrayal. Now go before it is too late."

At the mention of Ethan, he cleared his throat uncomfortably. "No!" It had blurted out of his mouth before he realized how childish he sounded. He cleared his throat again, and repeated calmly once more, "No. Thank you, but I do not wish to see him." Things would be awkward between them for a while, maybe for the rest of the year; that was the worst fight they had ever had. Both saw things differently with different reasons and perspectives, but they had always managed to make up afterward. This time, Leto wasn't even sure if they would be able to return to their former relationship of master and servant, much less best friends. "Is... He is...upset with me...?" It was more of a statement than a question.

She had given him her name, willingly, at that. Maybe they weren't so bad after all? But many years of prejudice and hatred and fear could not be dispelled in a mere night, but most would say that it was a step in the right direction. He nodded toward her, accepting the smile. "...It is an honor," he murmured gruffly. It had been a long time since those words had ever been said, so it felt foreign to him -- yet somehow right. A woman by the name of Aireandend curtsied and complimented him, just like the others. More lies? Or... Nonetheless, he dipped his head lowly in a makeshift bow, more polite, princely words falling from his mouth. "The pleasure is mine." Maybe he was going crazy. Maybe Ethan had placed a spell on him. Though, he had promised they would be treated as royalty, and as such, Prince Leto would keep his word.

The wolves were getting louder and closer. The thought of more meat appealed to them, and Leto frowned. He would let no harm come upon his servants or guests; under his oath, for that one week, they were under his wing and therefore his responsibility. "Akira, everyone is inside, correct? Night time brings dangers." The ones that had been turned part carnivore could hold their own against them, but he still didn't want to take a chance; the wolves hunted in vicious packs.

Max shook her head vehemently. "If you think I'm leaving you to the wolves, you're sorely mistaken. I can't carry you so I'll.." The young woman stood with a loud roar as the first wolves made their appearance. She placed herself firmly in front of her friend, ready to defend him for as long as she could.

They leaped at her, grabbing her annoying dress. With an angry growl she lashed out with her claws, kicking them with her quick feet. She pushed and shoved, always aware of where the pack was in relation to Ethan. A loud yowl escaped her when a wolf managed to bite her arm, in retaliation she clawed it's face ferociously making it yelp in pain and retreat. Panting she turned to Ethan and grinned with a murderous gleam in her eye. "Well this is a challenge!" With that said she returned to their defense, keeping the wolves at bay, and hurting some of them enough that they would not attack again.

Hearing an unexpected answer Blythe turned around from the return path to the castle. "Leto, will we be seeing you at dinner?" The young woman wasn't sure how well those ears of his could hear the nearly whispered question she'd asked. It was strange of her to feel so ... uncertain faced with anyone or anything.

Alastaire had to think for a moment, until he remembered Addison's ears. Not comfortable with the woman he returned to his stiff ways. "I was speaking with him earlier, he seemed to be in a much better mood when we parted." The young man went to take a seat at the previously empty table. He was at it's center, not really sure if the master of the castle would be there, or at which end of the table he would decide to sit at.

Ethan watched with wide eyed as Max fought the wolves. I didn't want this. When the wolves finally stood back he knew they would not attack but Max was wounded and the wolves would not let them leave. She would get weak and the would attack again.

"You might be the fighter of us but I am the runner." He jumped up and dodged to the side. He managed to get past the wolves then ran as fast as he could away from Max and the castle. He knew the wolves would follow because he was the weakest of their current prey and he had run. Over his shoulder he called back to Max. "Go to the castle. Do not die because of me." With that he turned his attention back to running. The wolves were close and he didn't want to be brought down close enough for Max to see.

Cheri just happened to be looking out the window, watching all the events unfold. There were two figures near what seemed like wolves-and then it hit her-Max was fighting off the wolves, and Ethan was running away from them. Craning her head to see more, she spotted a couple of wounds on Max's body. She debated going out, but she didn't want to be attacked by the wolves either.

"Dashna! Sarita!"Cherie flew into the kitchen suddenly, her pink hair falling in her face."Guys, Max is out fighting wolves and Ethan's running away from them, we've got to do something!" Waving her arms and tail frantically, she speeded back out of the kitchen to the front door and opened it, finding Max still there. The wolves were now following Ethan.

A scream of rage and frustration left Max. Seeing Ethan's retreating back and the wolves running after him she screamed something she did not even know. "Don't do this to me Ethan! I love you!" Shock ran trough her at the admission but she knew it was true. She'd nearly quit so many times before the curse, nearly left to return to her family but the thought of Ethan had always stopped her from doing so.

Max started running. Not towards the castle but towards the wolves. They would not touch a hair on his head as long as she could stop them from doing so. The last wolf of the pack yelped in pain and surprise when she grabbed it by the tail and flung it towards a tree. The young woman was a lioness enraged defending someone she loved, even from behind she got some of their attention. Those who faced up with her had a hard battle ahead.

Akira lowered her head. Ethan and Leto had their quarrels, but this one seemed to be really damaging to their friendship. "I'm afraid so, sir." I hope those two will come out of this even stronger than before. She looked over at the girl who had introduced herself, then the one that curtsied before leaving. At the sound of the wolves, she turned to peer out into the forest. "The guests are within the castle, master, but I'm not too sure about all of the servants." She turned to face the Prince again. "I'll go search around and as I do that, I'll take the bones from the fish that Dash cooked and a little meat and place them deep in the forest. It should keep the wolves away for a while." Being part wolf herself, she knew some of the things they prefered to eat.

Ethan heard Max's scream and almost stopped. She loves me? Instead of stopping, which he knew would be the death of him and most likely Max, he kept running. He weaved through the trees never in a straight path. He could hear Max fighting again. Some of the wolves were turning towards her to defend themselves and because he was running so fast. He slowed his pace so that the wolves caught up to him. A wolve caught him on the leg drawing blood but he didn't stop. Maybe they'll leave her now. Maybe she will live. "She's bad prey. I am good. Look I'm weak, I'm wounded. Come for me!"

I wish I hadn't come out here. I don't want Max to die.

But she couldn't wait for his answer for she heard a commotion come from the forest. The voices she heard belonged to Ethan and Maxine. "Excuse me, sir," Akira said before running in their direction and pouncing on the wolf that had attacked Ethan. With a snarl, she bite the wolf in the back of the neck. She was torn between protecting Ethan and helping Max, but she knew the lioness would be able to hold on her own for a little longer until Akira had dealt with this miscreant. "Ethan, if you can, get to the castle now," she spat out before taking another bite at the wolf and clawing at it's face.

Raging inwardly and outwardly she clawed ,and even resorted to biting, the wolves that came for her. She was bloody, clawed and bitten, but she would not give up. A wave of desperation ran trough the young woman when she saw a wolf bite Ethan after he'd slowed. She fought even harder then to try and reach the running man. Then an unexpected aid arrived, and Max could finally breath again. "Akira! You better show them whose boss! And Ethan, stop trying to be the hero and get your tail back to the castle!" With a renewed gleam in her eyes the lioness smashed into the wolves with a vengeance.

Shrugging, Cheri decided to join Max in beating up the wolves. From what she could gather so far, it seemed pretty fun, and she needed something to sharpen up her claws besides the Prince's furniture. Seeing Max slamming into one of the wolves, she headed for the one of the others, digging her nails into it's coat of fur. For a while, there was no movement, and then the wolf began thrashing frantically, so Cheri digged her sharp claws into the wolf even deeper, until there was a bit of blood. Grimacing, she held on tight.

Addison sighed and shook his head as he heard yet another commotion downstairs, but as he heard Cheri yelling about Ethan, Max, and wolves, he stopped his walking, turned right back around and ran outside, not truly caring that his ears flopped about on his head so as he did. What were they doing near in the forest?! Faintly hearing yelling once outside, he now actually became grateful for the rabbit's ears- they were rather skilled at hearing.

Sarita's eyes widened in great surprise at Cheri, panic taking her face, dropping the plate she was holding, then cringing at the sound that followed. She could clean later, she supposed, facial features relaxing as she thought this situation over. "Cheri, where is the prince? He should be alerted immediately." The poor fool may be cold-hearted, but he cares greatly about Ethan, I am sure of it. Noticing Cheri had left by now, she frowned, and looking about the room, deciding to leave the broken dish to run and alert the prince herself.

Finally spotting Leto, she raced on up to him, bending over to catch her breath, now surprised she was so fast on her talons. "Sir, Sir, I am so sorry to interrupt, but Ethan and Max, sir- They're being chased by a wolf pack." She would have gone to help herself if she knew she'd be of any use, but he did not. Instead, she found it most important to alert the prince, who might be able to put his form to use. If he so chose to, anyways...

Grabbing the largest pair of gardening shears from his tool box, which held curved blades of about a good foot at the end, Addison slung them over his shoulder before running off to follow the others, first spotting Ethan and Akira. Reaching behind him to grab the shears as he approached, he got a good hold on them with both hands and swung them at the nearest wolf, slicing it open, and sending it sliding into a tree that was a few yards away with a small yelp.

Ethan watched as more of the servants came out to help him. Why do they keep coming? And why is it they are all women? He turned and headed back towards Max. He picked up a branch and hit a wolf. I can't run back to the castle. I wouldn't make it. I'm almost out of energy. But if I don't run and with the extra attackers maybe they will leave. "I'm sorry Max. I can't go back. I got you all into this. I won't leave you." He smirked not knowing if she would see it. "Anyways I doubt I would make it back. I may be a deer but I don't go like long runs like them."

He sighed once again when he saw Addison. Well at least there is another man out here now.

Max's lip trembled a little when she saw Ethan coming towards her, but then she had to turn around and claw a wolf. Turning to face him quickly she laughed at his smirk, it was so unlike him. "Well next time you want to tangle with wolves, make sure not to go alone! Sheesh!" Max did her best to hide the small tears of relief that were forming at the corner of her eyes by rubbing them away the moment they formed. Uncertainly she went to hug Ethan and found herself crying. Max hated crying! She tried to stop, but it just made everything worse. The young woman ended up hugging him even more, despite the pain in her arms and all the other wounds she'd managed to sustain during the battle.

Something was wrong. He hadn't heard what Blythe had told me because his attention was shifted toward the forest. There was a rather loud ruckus going on over there, but he wasn't too terribly sure as to why. Just before Akira could say anything further, she dashed off toward the noise; he called her back, not wanting the wolves to devour her, but his fears had been assured when Sarita ran out breathing heavily. Obviously, she had been running at full speed to give him this important news.

His face visibly paled. Why were they even in the woods? They all knew it was too dangerous to be in there, especially for a deer! "Get back inside and make sure the guests stay safe!"he ordered before rushing off in the direction that Akira did. He couldn't use his wings because of the thick trees, blocking his way with silent, mocking laughter. He pushed his legs to jump over obstacles and rush through bushes until he got to the clearing where Ethan, Max, and several others were, surrounded by wolves. With a deafening roar, he grabbed one in between his teeth and threw it, smashing it into the truck of a tree. It cried out pitifully, but he was unconcerned and rather more worried about the health of the others.

After the wolf that attacked Ethan was taken care of, she charged at the others on all four and growled at them. They knew better than to attack her. Shortly after the change, she had encountered the pack while she was hunting in the forest. They attacked, hoping for a meal, but ended up with her as the alpha. Reluctantly, the wolves backed away slowly. Akira stood up and wiped the blood from her mouth. "For someone who wouldn't make it back to the castle, you sure had enough energy to run to Maxine." She turned around to face him. "Why the hell were you out here anyways? You're a deer. Were you trying to get yourself eaten?"

Ethan hugged Max and brushed aside some of her tears then turned back to the fight. He would talk to her later.

Ethan paled when Leto came running to their aid. Now he really is going to hate me.

He watched as Akira drove off the rest of the wolves. "Running to Max and running to the castle is a lot different. And maybe I was. I have the right to and I didn't ask any of you to come to help me." He looked a Leto. "I don't want to leave my home."

Nodding silently to herself Max returned to battle even though she felt completely drained. When Leto arrived with a roar she would have cheered with happiness, if she'd had the energy. Then Akira chased away to wolves and she could finally relax. With a sigh the young woman let herself sit down with her back to a tree in order to rest. When Ethan spoke about not wanting any help, it stung, but she knew he hadn't. I hope he doesn't try to get himself eaten again, or find some other way to... Max couldn't even think of it, the thought was too horrible.