Breath hitching, Nereus closed his eyes and pressed his lips firmly together. That felt so nice, so wonderful ... All he wanted to do was continue what he'd started earlier, but at the same time he wanted nothing more then to leap away. Moving his hand from the fox's hair to his tail, Nereus pet the limb quietly. He wanted to think alone, but he couldn't. "Ahh, Lily could you stop wriggling like that, you're going to drive me insane." In fact, the fox already was. Lily had confused Nereus so much in so little time. The knight didn't know how to act anymore, or what to do.

Lily wriggled just slightly and then became very still. He didn't mean to move around so much, though he had often gotten in trouble for that very thing numerous times. He was just too squirmy. Lily hid his face against Nereus, and seemed to relax a lot more when the man began petting his tail. So relaxing! Those blue eyes closed, and it didn't take the fox very long to fall asleep in Nereus' lap. Well, at least he wasn't wriggling around anymore to cause the man anymore discomfort.

Relaxing as the fox stopped moving around, Nereus could feel his eyelids drooping. But he couldn't sleep, or the fire would go out. So wrapping his arms tightly about Lily, he placed a soft kiss on the other's cheek as he leaned his head against Lily's shoulder. Perhaps this wasn't so bad ... Having this soft spot for the young man. It had been shocking to say the least but, Lily was so innocent, and in need of protection! Nereus felt like he would do anything for the kitsune, to see him safe and happy.
Eyelids drooping slowly down, he fell slowly into sleep despite every effort not to do so.

Lily was quite comfortable, sleeping against Nereus. If the man didn't stir or move around too much the fox would sleep the rest of the day away and all through the night. He was hungry and tired. Lily hadn't really let himself sleep very much since he'd been running, except earlier, when he had fallen asleep while keeping Nereus warm after finding him. His tail twitched occasionally but the movement was a slight one. Even as he slept, he held tightly to Nereus. That man, he did make Lily feel safe just a tiny bit, though the fox wouldn't be quick to admit such a thing. Right now though Lily just slept. A nice restful, dreamless sleep.

Groggily opening his eyes, he could tell it was night time from the strange light outside. Despite the snow, it was easy to tell the time of day. Or at least, the difference between night and day. A loud grumbling reminded Nereus that he hadn't eaten much the last day except those few sparse nuts. Shrugging it off, he looked at Lily with a fond smile he didn't know he wore. Brushing stray violet tinged hair from the other man's face, he placed a soft kiss upon his forehead. Nereus didn't want to wake him and have him move around, he didn't want to lose the fox like he nearly had the night before. The realization was a shocking one, but he accepted it. Otherwise, life would be too hard to live out during the storm. He'd learned the hard way to do whatever it too to survive.

The fire in the small cave still burned brightly and hot, though there was hardly any wood for it to feed on. Lily had trouble starting those things, but once he did get them started they usually burned and burned until he wanted it put out. The fox murred sweetly as Nereus some hair away and kissed his forehead. Lily seemed quite content to sleep against that man. His ears twitched ever so slightly when Nereus' stomach grumbled but the noise hadn't seemed to bother or wake the kitsune at all. Though Lily's dreamless sleep turned to one with dreams, the fox dreamed of frolicking in the snow mostly. As it was his most favorite thing to do.

Shifting slightly, Nereus grimaced as he realized his feet had fallen asleep. Quietly he tried stamping them against the ground without moving too much. Lily looked so peaceful, sleeping like he was ... Nereus didn't want to break the spell. That's what this whole thing felt like, some strange kind of dream. From the moment the storm had started things had gone from bizarre to unbelievable, though Nereus found himself glad for that fact. The only exception was Tempest's death. If only he could change that, then everything else would be perfect.

Callista cowered a little in the corner as she worked frantically on her spells. She barely had anything to work with, and barely time at all. The storm was raging outside and it was messing everything up. The young woman needed blood, not pieces of clothing that barely held any essence of Lily at all. The fox had always be kind to her, so she felt bad for what she was forced to do. The lord of this place, her master, didn't really give her any choice in the matter. The choker on her neck chaffed now. It had been so long since she'd had it on . Violet had the key, and there was no way he was setting her free.

Lily mumbled something in his sleep as Nereus shifted slightly and his hands gripped tightly at whatever piece of Nereus they could grab. Lily's dreams had turned again, something that caused the little fox to shiver and jump slightly with a light gasp. Eyes opening and he looked around. A soft whimper and he pressed his body hard against Nereus, inhaling deeply the other man's scent calmed Lily rather quickly. Blinking owlishly he looked up at Nereus' face, then let go of him, glancing to the fire to see how strong it burned. "...If you lay down you can rest better.." Lily wondered why the man was still up, slowly he pulled away from Nereus. Moving to lay down on the ground and watching Nereus expectantly.


Violet was angry, so very angry. His favorite pet was gone, had been for days now. A storm raged so fiercely, as if even nature itself were standing against him. He would not fail, he would have Lily back in his clutches. He grit his teeth as he paced back and forth across the floor of room that could be considered an office. Where most of his business was generally conducted. Books and papers laid scattered on the large desk, some books lay scattered about the floor at the base of two book cases. The man was brimming with anger, nothing and no one was allowed to run away from him. For now as the anger bubbled within him, not yet spilling over the edge, he seemed content to pace. Back and forth.

He didn't know what dreams had startled Lily so, though perhaps Nereus might have had an idea. In any case, he watched with a little worry as Lily moved around, only to smile as the fox went to lay down. So, it seemed like they were beginning to trust each other after all. For some reason Nereus thought the fox wouldn't be so calm with just anyone. No, he was so easily startled. Shaking his head slightly, Nereus went to lie down beside Lily after glancing at the fire. He thought it strange that it was still burning so strongly with so little wood, but something in the back of his mind reminded him of the fox fires from the war.

She couldn't find any trace of the fox at all! At least, that's was what Callista was thinking until a familiar flare of flame energy, magic, whatever one wanted to call it, flickered brightly in her mind. There, she knew where Lily was, or at least a place where he'd stopped for the storm. Poor thing, he'd probably be starving by now ... But at least he'd had the courage to runaway. Standing up, the young woman straightened her clothing before moving quietly to knock politely at Violet's door. She wasn't allowed to enter this room without permission, so she'd been working out in the hallway. Unorthodox perhaps, but Callista was too afraid of displeasing Violet to care.

Lily smiled slightly when Nereus laid down next to him. Tentatively the fox reached out to hug the other man and to snuggle closer against him. For extra warmth probably, or maybe for the extra security that Nereus gave to the fox. Even though Lily still didn't quite trust him, this man had been nice, and continued to be so even after finding out Lily wasn't a female. He made a soft noise of contentment and pressed himself against Nereus, eyes closing as he got comfortable against the other man. His fluffy tail coming around his own waist to gently drape across Nereus as well. It would help the human stay warm a bit.


Violet's pacing came to a sudden halt at the knock on his door. Those eyes turning to glare at that door for a few moments. His jaw was set as he stalked to the door and yanked it open, eyes narrowing at Callista. She had better have good news for him, and by the gods she would if she knew what was good for her. For a brief, tender moment, Violet reached out to gently touch her cheek. Stroking it lightly with his fingers, then those fingers had moved to curl around some of her hair, tangling in the lock he grabbed. Violet regarded her for a moment and then gave that lock of hair a sharp tug. "Speak, slave. Good news, I hope, for your sake." He had growled the words out, but still his voice wasn't really harsh, but it held the promise of harshness and painful punishment. He gave her hair another tug, before letting go as he watched her expectantly.

Hesitantly, he draped an arm over Lily with a sigh. It was still hard for Nereus to accept his attraction to the younger man. Glancing over to his armor lying in a pile, the knight reminded himself that he needed to have his weapons at hand. If it came down to a battle, he needed to be prepared. Nereus suspected that Lily had no idea how to defend himself, and protecting him had become a priority.

She was terrified. Though at the same time, just a little excited. Callista was proud of herself fo having been able to track down an approximation of Lily's hiding spot despite the storm. As Violet's hand bushed over her cheek, she could feel them redden. A wince crossed her face at how her master tugged at her hair. That was one thing she hated very much. "I've managed to narrow it down to a certain area, despite the storm's interference." Callista wanted to smile and giggle and laugh, because she was so happy with herself. After a while, she'd become dependent on pleasing her master. Though deep down inside, there was a part of herself locked away from all that only waiting for freedom to run fa away from Violet. Or perhaps to curse him to be trapped the way she had been.

Lily fell asleep rather quickly. Comfortable against Nereus, and more comfortable laying down than he had been sitting in Nereus' lap. He murred softly and nuzzled the man slightly in his sleep.


Violet was pleased, more or less. Surely the storm was a help to them, not a hindrance though. There was no way the little fox could travel in such a storm, honestly Violet was terrified that his favorite toy might have frozen to death. Of course he didn't let such fears or concerns show. Violet leaned towards Callista, hsi lips right near her ear as he whispered to her. "Where is he, where is my little pet?" Then he straightened and reached out to grab her hair, he didn't pull it, yet at least. Only twisted his fingers in it some to get a good grip. His mage had made some progress, and he was pleased about that. "How far has he run?" His grip in her hair tightened a bit, but still he didn't yank, only threatened to for now.

A soft smile flitted across Nereu's features as he watched Lily fall asleep. Placing his head against the other man's, he too fell into slumber. Though he was ready to wake up and burst into action at the slightest suspicious sound. It was all that warring in far off lands, with no idea when and how the next attack would come, or even i he would survive to see the sunrise.

Wincing, she was doing that a lot, Callista swallowed loudly before speaking. "It's a ways down the road leading into town, about halfway. That's the most I can tell!" Flinching away from him, Callista struggled not to bring her hands up to protect herself and cast a spell. That would get her into so much trouble! She was too valuable to kill, but that didn't mean Violet couldn't hurt her.

Violet had let a small smile slip across his features, but then Callista flinched away from him, and he hadn't even done anything yet. That smile faltered, his fingers still curled around in her hair gave a hard yank. Pulling hard. If she wanted to flinch from him then he'd give her a reason to do it. "We will set out at the first signs of the storm breaking, understand pet?" He gave her hair another tug, then released it. Reaching up to pat her on the head lightly, after all, she had done good and those that did good were rewarded, even if that reward was just a pat on the head. "Go rest, I have plans to make and I don't need you under my feet." Violet was stern when he spoke, and he would wait for Callista to go on before he started off down the hall as well. Not entirely sure how many of his men he would bring with him yet. He was only fox hunting so he wouldn't need a lot.

Taking in a sharp breath as her hair was tugged, Callista frowned. She should have known better then to flinch without reason, but she always anticipated and expected things like that from Violet. In her eyes, he was rarely ever kind with her and gave her no reason to be glad to see him. Sometimes she was jealous of the attention he'd given to Lily. "I understand ..." Smiling a little as she was pet, Callista had to stop herself from asking him how long it had been since her capture. She couldn't remember. She'd been seventeen when caught, a maid full grown and a mage in training, which had been completed in captivity. "I-is there nothing else you need?" She didn't want to go back to her room The guards who made the rounds, they frightened her to no end. If she could have used her magic against them, Callista wouldn't have feared for her safety as it was only the fact that she was Violet's kept them from going further then they did with their roaming hands and hard pinches. Though that only happened when the lord of this place was far away and in no danger of catching them, it was still a harrowing ordeal.

Violet regarded Callista for a few moments. He seemed to be thinking, as if trying to make sure there was or wasn't anything else he needed of his mage at the moment. Well, forcing restless slaves to rest only made things worse. No telling what she'd use that pent up energy for. "Go down to the kitchens and scrub some pots with the scullery maids, then since your so eager for more work." He crossed his arms across his chest and watched her expectantly. With Callista down there, though maybe some of the dishes would actually get clean. Of course the dishes were usually clean, but when Violet wanted to, he never had a problem finding one or two with a spot on them. Especially when he was in the mood to punish, though he really didn't need a reason for such actions.

Nodding quietly after sighing in relief, the young woman scuttled away. She just wanted to make sure she wasn't alone for a moment. Those guards oh how annoying they were! There was a fading bruise on her arm from the last time one of them had taken it into his head to pick on her. Finally slipping into the kitchen, she greeted the scullery maids with a smile and a wave, though she didn't say anything more. Quickly beginning her work, Callista ignored their pitying glances. They thought she had it bad, being a slave for his lordship.

Violet moved down the hallway after Callista had scampered off to go do as he told her. He rounded a corner and stopped abruptly, those eyes narrowing and already smoldering with anger. Why on earth was one of his guards peeking into his slave's room? Quietly Violet stepped around the corner and approached the man. Coming up right next to him and clearing his throat softly. "What do you think you are doing?" True Violet had a lot of slaves and pets, but he hardly paid them any attention unless he was punishing them for something and those slaves and pets were kept in different rooms. Some of them were kept together as if they were a harem, they stayed in a room full of plush pillows. He almost never visited them. Violet only kept his favorites close to him. At the moment his favorites were Callista and Lily. It was why Callista's was allowed to stay in the room that joined his. Violet's eyes were narrowed dangerously.

The guard jumped and turned facing Violet. The man tried to make some excuse, saying something about slaves not being where they're supposed to be. It only made Violet angrier. "MY slave is exactly where I told her to be." He didn't yell, no Violet hissed the words out. Almost growling a bit, but he didn't yell. "How many other of my guards covet my pet mage?" The guard only shook his head, he'd been caught, there was no way out of it now. Violet called loudly for more of his guards. Two that were nearby hurried around the corner. On his order they seized the peeking man. Dragging him off to a large open room. Violet close on their heels. He sent servants out to gather all of his men to that room, and to bring a bucket of red hot coals.

It took a while for everyone to arrive, as they had been pulled from their duties. Violet made a speech, of how his slaves were his. None of his guards, who were basically his, as well, were allowed to spy or touch or do anything to his slaves if he, himself had not ordered. As an example to how serious a crime it would be to disobey him, Violet took a pair of tongs, picked up one of the red hot coals and pressed it hard into the guilty man's eye. He did the same to the other eye. The guard now blind and useless to Violet was tossed out of the estate and onto the street in the storm to be nothing more than a crippled beggar. That being done and the others dismissed to return to their duties, Violet set off to return to what he had been going to do before getting interrupted. Their were papers in his room he needed to look over, and the storm to watch for signs of breaking.

Violet made his way towards his room.

After finishing the last of the dishes, Callista cleaned herself off and scuttled towards her room. She was a little surprised at the way the guards avoided her, as if they were afraid to touch her now. The young woman was grateful for whatever had happened. Probably Violet had finally caught one of them. Rushing to her room, she stepped inside to find it in pristine condition. He wouldn't do anything in her room, not at all. The man knew how sensitive she could be to the ebb and flow of strong energies.

Going to knock on his door, she wanted to announce her return to her rooms. She thought he might like knowing where she was. Then again Violet might be annoyed with his slave for imposing on his time. Callista didn't have that right, though she was one of his current favorites.

Violet had just sat down at his desk when the knock came. He frowned slightly, and stood, glancing at the papers before moving to yank the door open. He yanked the door open, staring down at Callista expectantly. What nerve she had, disturbing him like this...granted he hadn't really been doing anything just yet. That wasn't the point. "Speak, slave. Why are you interrupting me?" He sounded rather annoyed but not overly upset.

Now that he was there facing her, the young woman thought better of her idea. Ruffling a hand trough her long hair she looked to the floor. "I wanted to say thank for ... I mean the guards ... Just thank you." This was a big difference from the way she'd been before. There were so many things about Callista that had changed since her capture. And she was certain nothing would ever be the same again.

Violet stared at her for a few moments and reached out to caress her cheek gently. "You belong to me, no one is allowed to touch you or look at you without my permission." His hand moved to her hair, the fingers running through it gently, such a thing was uncommon for Violet to do without causing pain, but he did so love silky hair. He loved touching it and pulling it. He leaned in gently to whisper. "If you are truly grateful, then you will show me by being my very obedient slave." He gave her hair a light tug that would be more annoying than painful, as he straightened back up and let his hand fall away from her. "I have work to do, I expect you won't bother me again unless it's important?" He said it like a question, but it really wasn't a question. Quite simply, he was dismissing her.

She didn't want to be alone. Castilla had always hated being alone. There had been a cat in her tower, then she'd left to travel and the forests had whispered her name accompanying her along the way. The young woman with bluish silver hair wanted nothing more then to run away, but at the same time her heart told her to stay. Was it so hard to believe that she was truly grateful to him? To her, it was a little and it came to the forefront when Violet didn't pull harshly upon her hair, but instead ran his hand gently trough it. "No of course not, and as usual you'll call if you need me." Bowing her head slightly, she turned away from him and slipped out of her dress. Beneath was a white slip, modest enough in length and cut. It was quite comfortable as Callista slipped into the bed and snuggled down to close her eyes.

When she turned away from him, he closed the door. Returning to his work or whatever the papers on his desk were. Some of them he signed, a few he balled up and threw onto the floor. A maid could clean it up later, or maybe he would make his slave mage do it. Lily wasn't here for such menial tasks, but that would change soon. Violet looked up from his papers to stare out the window. Watching the storm intently and willing it away, though he knew he could not control the weather no matter how strongly he glowered and thought at it. Soon though, he was certain, there would be a break in the storm.


Lily yawned, snuggled against Nereus comfortably. Slowly though the fox opened his eyes and pulled away. Sitting up he rubbed at his eyes sleepily and looked at the entrance of the cave. The storm still raged outside, but it seemed a little different. Lily was sure it was about to weaken, it would break soon. Probably only in a few hours time, when that happened he couldn't afford to hesitate. He would have to run. His stomach growled and he frowned, though the hunger still wasn't too bad. He could ignore it for a long while. He looked at Nereus to see if the man were awake or still asleep.

After sleeping quietly for another hour or so, Nereus finally shifted around and opened his grey eyes. Sitting up also, he sighed a little when he saw Lily and reached out to pull him close again. Planting a light kiss on the other man's lips, Nereus then released him and moved away to pick up his armor. "Lily, would you mind helping me put this on? I have the feeling that my armor might come in handy soon." He could put his things on by himself, but it would take much longer.

Her night was a restful one. The mage's mind had been eased tremendously by the fact that no one would bother her anymore. Lately, thoughts of such things had been haunting Callista, until it became difficult to think of anything else. Another reason why it had been so difficult to track Lily down. Thinking of the fox had her bolting upright and glancing out the small window of her room. It looked like the storm was finally dying down, with snow falling gently instead of the way it had been doing so before.

Moving quickly to her wardrobe, Callista pulled out a long skirted dress which swept against the floor elegantly. There were just enough frills to make her happy, despite the dark chocolate color of the dress. The heartshaped neckline accentuated her attributes while making sure she would stay rather warm. There was a fur coat in there too, but Callista decided not to done it until Violet had decided they would go hunting for Lily. Thinking about him had the young woman remembering the strange energy she'd grasped along with his. It seemed unlikely that Lily would befriend anyone in this storm, so she'd dismissed it quite easily. But now with a night's rest, she realized that perhaps it would be a good idea to tell Violet about it.