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[Celeste Lachance]

The light of the half-moon shone through the trees, landing on the different crystals and sending different colors around the clearing. Around the base of a large clump of them sat a bag, a cloak, and shoes. In the center of the clearing stood a tall young woman, her back arched as she reached down to touch her hands to the ground before lifting her feet into a hand stand. Her feet together she walked forward on her hands a few steps before slowly lowering her feet back down to the ground, standing back up. She smiled at herself, pleased at what she was still able to do after all of these years.

Celeste moved her head to each side, cracking her neck before she moved to stand on her hands again, pausing for a moment before she lowered herself back down into a split. She pulled her front foot in and moved back onto her hands, her legs in a split style in the air before she pushed off of her hands and landed. She then did a front flip and a back flip, then the same thing without her hands.

It was the first time in a while Celeste had had the opportunity to stretch out like this. She was confined to small areas while she traveled, and even when she lived in the small underground city with Audric, she had no opportunity like now to get out in the open and just... well, be herself. She was known for her facades, those fake personas that she would use when she wandered from city to city. And finally knowing this was a good place, she was able to let it all go and bring out what she used to be, what she has always been, what she planned to be.

[Luthien]

Luthien was walking casually through the forest around bloodgrim. He always fount it peaceful to be in the forest, possibly because of his oh so close tie to the natural world. Perhaps, though, it reminded him of his time with Grandpa Joe, living so near the forests, Granpda Joe would often take him in the forest and tell him all about the trees, the creatures, and how to feed on non-humans if the need ever arose.

As he often did when on these late night walks, Luthien took a moment to clear his mind and open his senses. Tonight he was walking in his human form but even in that form his senses were far more acute than those of other creatures. Luthien took a moment to view the half-moon and finger his pendant, he always marvelled as to how it seemed to glow like a second moon to him.

Luthien came across some stones in a small clearing in the forest and hopped up to the top of them with great agility and grace. Luthien had always been a very agile and very strong person. Once he had learned how to hunt From Grandpa Joe, he had become easily the best hunter at the mansion. Even with Grandpa Joe gone, however, he was still careful to keep up his skills.

Luthien gazed out across the forest from his slightly higher vantage point, searching for something to hunt or a nice place to sit and write, for he had brought his journal with him should a muse choose to descend upon him. As Luthien looked about and scented the air his nose caught hint of a trace he did not expect to see. He tested the air again, smelling this new scent and running over it within his mind. She smelled of a Lycan, like himself, but not the usual stench of one who was made, one who was once human and changed. No this scent was different, its was...pure in a way.

Luthien scented the sweet smell again, the musky animalistic scent, the sweet scent...of a female. Luthien looked around as he scented the air, trying to check the direction it came from. As Luthien detected the general direction of the scent it struck him. Her scent....it was like his own. Yes, yes it made sense now, one who did not have the smell of being tainted but instead, the scent of being born with a curse. She had never known life as a human, he could tell now, there were no lingering scents of her past life, what she was now, she always was. Luthien could not belive that there might be one just like him, the only other one he had ever heard of was the Samurai from centuries ago.

Making up his mind, Luthien hopped off the rock and landed smoothly on the ground below, scenting the origin of the scent's direction he headed that direction. He was sure to move stealthily and constantly check the direction he was moving. He didn't want to alarm her nor did he want to lose her trail. His anticipation of finding one like him, however, was making sltealth all the more difficult to execute. As he neared the source, the scent grew weaker, but the ambient light around him seemed to increase ten-fold. As he approached this new clearing he discerned the reason.

In the middle of the clearing before him he saw concentric circles of glowing crystals. He could sense the energy flowing from them, through the trees, through the ground, and even in the animals around it. It was almost as if it were channeling the moon's energy, amplifying it, and sending it out in all directions. Weariness and fatigue seemed to melt away and his body seemed alive, invigorated, powerful. Once he had adjusted his sense to the overwhelming power thickening the air around him he looked to the clearing, there he spotted someone's bag, cloak, and shoes.

"The crystal's energy must have masked her scent, that or it overwhelmed my mind and I could not detect it. But it appears...she is here....somewhere."

Luthien toyed with the idea of entering the clearing and was about ready to step forth when he saw the source of the scent. She was performing what looked like gymnastics or dance moves. He was amazed at the grace and fluidity of her body movements. He was captivated with this person, held in place at the edge of the forest by the shock of finding a Lycan like himself and the grace and control she exhibited. He could tell now, she would make a deadly hunter and an even deadlier enemy. But as an ally...perhaps she could teach him much of the control she seemed to exhibit and perhaps they could teach each other about being born a lycan.

[Celeste Lachance]

[[ Oh my goodness, you are my hero for writing that long. <33 It was so beautiful. And now, you have inspired me. Forgive the length, I couldn't stop. =] ]]

Falling back to lie down on the soft grass, Celeste looked up at the sky as she took a couple of breaths. Her arms were spread out above her as she lifted her feet to put her knees in the air. The moon seemed to be calling her, wanting her to be more in the open. But she wouldn't risk it. The last time she had done so didn't turn out too well for her. After all, there are times when a lycan's emotions control too much of their body, changes. Anger, rage, hurt. All of them broke through her and caused her form change, caused a family to lose their child. It had filled her up, sure, but she regretted it ever since.

Hearing stories of freak changes like this, Celeste had wanted to rid herself of this curse. She had caused so many so much pain, just as she had suffered it, and she couldn't bare to keep it. Wandering through town after town, she had heard of different possibilities to kill lycans such as herself. Once she heard of a way to remove it forever.

She had been traveling in Germany many years ago, hiding herself from the towns people by hiding in the woods. On the night of the new moon, sky black as it had ever been, she had dared venture into the village. Celeste had gone days without food, having not had the strength to do much of anything, so now she decided to go and buy meat from the butcher. They should sell to her; she had money, though little, and she was a customer buying some of his meat.

As she wandered through the streets, she heard an old witchy woman speaking to any that would listen. A small group of children was gathered around her, fascinated by her tales. She spoke of lycanthropes, therianthropes. Those able to change form to take the form of any animal one could dream of. One by one the kids suggested different animals and for each of them the witch nodded. "There is only one way to remove the curse from the therianthrope! One way to do it without killing them!" She had held a boney finger at them as she described to them a special potion, one brewed and thrown at the man. Then a spell, a chant, that must be said and a wand involved in it.

Celeste never understood why all of that had to be done. So much work. She never thought to try it; if there was a time and a place to do so, then she would know. But every time previously, she had no reason to. Being the way she was, able to change into her animal at will, it was all still so new to her. She had never had anyone there to teach her of her abilities. No one even confirmed her belief of lycans being real. They told her it was just a fairytale, a story parents told their children to keep them inside at night.

Now, as she wandered the countries, she knew everything she had heard was true. She had experienced it. But still, being how she was, she had not once fed on a human. She stuck strictly to animals; deer, rabbits, the occasional squirrel. And then there was that cow she ate while passing by the dairy farm, and the sheep.

Her thoughts were interrupted as she took a deep breath. Something different was in the air. Something, new. Never had she come across it before, even when in the lycan stronghold beneath the ground. She held her position, not wanting to give away the fact that she had recognized something odd. She knew there was someone around her, somewhere.

Off in the distance came the distinct howl of a male predator. He was voicing his triumph; he had made another kill tonight and his family would dine like kings. Celeste smiled, remembering the times that her family had dined as such. Her father had gone out and had returned with three deer once, and her mother taught her how to cook them to taste just right. She still remembered how, though used her methods rarely. It wasn't often that Celeste had the luxury of herbs at her disposal. She instead went for the typical way of campfire and common spices.

Food left her as she once again got a whiff of the lycan. It was male, she was sure of it, and he was like her. Her eyes closed as she shifted through the scent, finally deciding that he was indeed like her. He had been born with the curse as she had, and because of that had many of the same abilities as she. He would probably be able to shift on will, yet also be caught up and shift when his emotions ran haywire.

“It’s tough, isn’t it?” She spoke softly, her eyes still closed as she still lay back on the grass. “Being the way we are.” She sat up slowly, pulling one of her legs up to her and wrapping her arms around it. The other leg fell, laying on the ground and almost tucked under her in an odd position. Yet strangely enough, she was comfortable. She didn’t lift her head, not knowing exactly where to look to face this stranger. “Do you ever change unwillingly? Does it ever,” she paused for a moment, “hurt you as much as it does me?”

[Luthien]

[[ Please, you give me far too much credit. your post inspired me and I kept writing, I enjoyed it. Thank you for your compliments, however. And it appears I am inspired once mroe, magnificent post, I will have to work to formulate a decent reply. ^^]]

Luthien stood in shock for a moment, he did not move, he was even unsure wether or not he had taken a breath in the few heartbeats that passed between the first pure, delicate words spoken from this magnificent figure before him and Luthien gathering himself to even attempt a response. He was unclear as to whether is was the shock at being discovered or the surprise in her quick surmounting of their likeness to one another. In retrospect it had not taken him long to discern their shared condition and with her senses being as keen if not more so as his own it should be just as easy for her to come to the same conclusion. In his current state, however, this logic escaped him.

He listened to the clear notes of her voice as she spoke and rolled her questions about in his mind. He had never before actually met another lycan such as himself. He had so many questions running through his mind, but he knew that the polite action would be to at least answer her questions first. He was pleasently surprised, however, that one of her first questions addressed the loss of control he had experienced before. It was a sensitive subject, yes, but to someone else who has experienced the same pain, it was something that could be tolerated.

Luthien emerged slowly from the cover of the forest and walked towards the graceful figure that was seated amongst the crystals. The energy difference from the edge of the clearing to the outer circle of crystals was almost enough to steal away his breath but he quickly adjusted to the flux and moved on.

"Tough...at times...yes. But others have it little better."

When he spoke his voice was soft, gentle but stern. It held all os his usual rich masculine tone but was not quite as harsh as it sometimes was. He could not seem to speak but in a soft, gentle voice when in a place of such beauty and power. He felt that if he were to raise his voice in a note of discord the crystals would turn on him, as if he were treading softly on thin ice.

"As for unwilling change...is that not the unfortunate mark of our species. Centuries ago, when we were first discovered, the ones that were changed had no control at all. It was only through pain and loss that control was gained. And yet, though we have already payed a heavy price for that control it still manages to excape us from time to time."

Luthien found a spot of soft grass near where the girl was sitting and placed himself gently upon it. he chided himself slightly for his comments appearing slightly arrogant and forward. It was a pattern of speech he seemed to fall back on whenever he was confronted with unfamiliar situations or nervous matters.

"And as for the hurt this loss of control has caused you, I cannot say. I do not know the severity of the pain you have suffered. But I can tell you what my loss of control has cost me. And perhaps in my story you will find some familiarity, though I hope you do not."

"Most of my early life was spent with my mother. She was not a lycan herself but had been...abused by one and I was the end result. She had been told, by whom I know not. That her son would be born with the curse of lycanthropy, a gift from his beast dog of a father. And with that knowledge she kept close watch on me for nine years. Shortly after my ninth birthday, however, the curiosity inherant in all young childeren drove me to an act which I relive nightly and regret every second of my life. It was the night of the full moon, and my mother had been sure that I never viewed a full moon in the open as I was growing up in order to try and protect me from the curse I carried. that night, however, I out thought her."

"I waited for my mother to fall asleep, and then I snuck to the window. all the doors were locked from the inside with a key that I did not know of in order to keep me from running rampant in the streets. but windows we had, and one in particular on this night had a perfect, and full view of the full moon high in the sky. I opened the blinds and gazed up at that silver sphere and felt a stirring inside of me. I was not aware of my curse and did not know the feeling of the moon's energy building within my bones. I felt a strange new energy wash over me a I gazed on the moon, as if it were calling to a part of me I did not know existed. And I did the one thing I could think of at the moment. I threw my head back and let out a howl."

"My mother, in alarm, woke up instantly and rushed to the room where I was. Now I wish she had stayed asleep. In her panic she tried to close the blinds and rip me away from that accursed moon. But it was too late, the power had already flooded my senses and my mind was in a haze, as if the person I had always known myself to be was cast aside and left to watch the horror of what I had become. I threw my mother back from me, and tore at my clothes and my skin. I felt no pain, but that part of me that was controlling my actions seemed to want nothing more than to be out of the fleshy shell it had been bound to. With claws and nails that erupted from no where I clawed ferociously at my back, tearing skin, muscle, and shards of bone from my own back."

"In place of the pieces of my own flesh I had torn asunder from my body, black fur erupted. The parts I had not reached yet seemed to melt away, or be burried under hair that sprang from everywhere. I had always had whit hair so at first I thought my hair had been ripped from my head and was now clinging to the rest of my body but then I realized that no, that wasn;t the case. Instead snow white fur, the color to martch my hair sprang up over my skin all over my body, save one area. That area was my back, which to this day is scarred in my human form and covered in black fur no matter what beast form I take. But it was not the changes I watched come over myself that haunt me, it was the horror of what followed."

"After my change was pseudo complete, and I was in my hybrid, beast/man form. I lashed out at the closest living object with intentions I did not know could ever exist in any person. I watched as the beast that now possesed my body tore at my mother, destroying the once beautiful face and figure I had always known and cherished and turning it into a barely recognizable form. I thrugh my own eyes, as a helpless observer, as I slaughtered my own mother, the only person who I had ever known love from, my world. And I killed her. With my own horrid claws and teeth, with the abomination I had become, in this beastly form, I ended her life that night. To this day, I think back on that night and how if I knew then what I know now how could it have been different. To this day I look back on that horrible night and cringe at what I am, and what I could potentially become. I know not if the pain you have experienced in an unwilling change is anything like what I have experienced, and for the sake of your soul and mind I hope it wasn't. But know that I too have been hurt by what we are."

Luthien sat in silence for a time. He had never before told anyone of the horror he had faced as a young child and the torment he still had because of it. Luthien was scarred inside and out because of that horrible evening and he rarely told anyone of its affect on him. But with this girl, he felt that maybe his pain would help console her and show her that she was not alone in the horrors of this curse. That she had at least one ally on her side against this invisible foe, this battle with one self that all lycans, even born lycans must face.

[Apologize for the length. I got caught up in telling the story. Hope you enjoy though, look forward to your reply ^^]

[Celeste Lachance]

[[ Oh don't apologize for the length. <33 I'm going to be doing the same thing this time around as you've just done, so we'll just call it even, how about that? But wonderful post, and I apologize for my lengthy-ness once again. =] ]]

The pause after her words made Celeste think that maybe she was mistaken. Maybe she had been picking up the scent from someone in the town instead of around her; and there could possibly have been no one there. How silly of her, talking to no one about something that was so precious to her, so secret. Anyone could have heard it; possibly a vampire after her kind. After her little speech, they would definitely know what she was, even if she hadn’t changed and was sitting in the middle of the crystals.

When she heard the leaves and bushes move, however, she couldn’t help the smile that crossed her lips. She had been right, there was someone there. And they were making themselves known, just as she had hoped they would. Maybe her questions had stirred some kind of curiosity from him; and maybe he hadn’t known she was like him. That probably wasn’t so, however. If she had figured out who he was, what he was, then he had definitely done the same for her.

Her eyes closed as she listened to his voice. It was soft, and strangely kind. Never had she encountered someone with such a voice; generally they were all loud and harsh, throwing her out of some place or wanting to start a fight with her. Funny, they never expected her to accept the challenge. Then again, they also never expected to end up facedown in the dirt either. Celeste couldn’t tell if he was speaking like that because it was usual for him, because of her, or for the same reason it was that she spoke softer than usual; the area.

The crystals, ever since she had stepped close tone of them, had gotten a hold of her. She hadn’t been able to make much noise in the clearing, or touch the crystals at all for fear of breaking them, or unleashing some power much unlike anything she had come across. One that she wouldn’t be able to fight or hide from.

Celeste listened to him as he spoke about their ancestors. She remembered hearing this, somewhere. It was possible that as a child she had heard these memories as stories, mere fairytales that her parents would tell her to get her to sleep. Strangely, they never did bring her nightmares. Rather, dreams of her family and of a world where they were accepted.

Her eyes opened as the male sat down near her. She turned her head slightly in his direction, though didn’t look directly at him. If need be, all she would have to do was turn her eyes to him and she would have a clear view. But as he posed no threat to her as of that moment, there was no need. She instead kept her eyes fixed on the area in front of her as it had been for a while.

His words sank deep into Celeste’s mind, circling for a moment before finally settling in the back of her mind. Her eyes closed again, head still turned toward him slightly. From beneath her bangs, part of the crescent moon was showing; the only thing that truly reminded her of her past.

Celeste pulled her other leg up to her and wrapped her arm around it, clasping her hands together and holding her knees to her chest as she listened to his story. It seemed to her that his mother really cared about him, and fought to do the impossible. He spoke about the changing and she couldn’t help but turn her head away from him, chills running up her back as if she could feel the fur beneath her skin trying to break through. Her hands twitched around her legs as she held them there, trying to keep from moving them to her back and scratching at her skin to get whatever she was feeling break through.

Celeste couldn’t have imagined what a child that young would have had to go through after not knowing what he was, and what he was capable of. As he heard him run through the memory, a tear slid down her face. For him, for his loss, for his mother, and for the pain he had to endure. It wasn’t fair that ones so young should have to go through lives so terrible. She had experienced the same thing, watching behind eyes at what she was doing, but not able to stop herself. She had come close to killing her brother once, only to be stopped by her father, who was also in his beast form.

Her head turned more as she continued listening to the horrors from his past. He had had to watch him kill his own mother, a terrible event that not even Celeste could have imagined surviving through. Another tear fell from her eye as he mentioned reliving it. To have to see that night after night was a curse worse than what she carried, or what any other lycan could say for themselves.

The silence that passed between them was unnerving, to say the least. Hearing his story made hers seem trivial. Yet seeing someone die was something she was used to. Celeste took a breath before she opened her eyes and turned her head again, still not looking at him, but looking back to that patch of grass she had once been staring at.

“You aren’t alone…” She said softer than before. Something in her throat seemed to be stopping her from talking, as if it didn’t want her to speak to this stranger, no matter how open he was with her. She swallowed the knot down and spoke again, still just as soft. “I know what it’s like, losing people that you care about.”

Finally reaching a decision, Celeste turned her body, putting her legs down against the grass and facing him. Her eyes moved from the grass and up to look at him. “I was the same age as you, you know. When everything started happening.” Moving her body, she now fully faced him, pulling her knees up under her and putting her hand on the ground beside her, leaning against it as she looked down at the ground, pulling out those memories she buried deep so he would know he wasn’t alone. Not in this battle at least.

“I lived with my mother, my father, and my little brother. I had no clue what I was, what fate I was destined to. I was nine when I figured it out, and my secret was shown to most of the kids I had grown up with, my brother included. I nearly attacked him, but my father stood in my way. None of them were hurt, thankfully, but everyone knew my secret. No one in the town liked our kind. They tried to sneak to the house the night after to kill us, but my mother and father were ahead of them. They had me take my brother away, so we would live.

“I could hear their screams from the hill that we sat on, watching the flames that rose from the house. For a while I could sense them, I knew they were alive. But moments after… they were gone.” Celeste paused and took a breath. “I took my brother far away from the town and all of its trouble. A mother wolf with three pups of her own took us in, helped us survive for four years. I repaid her by hunting and helping bring home food for the little ones. My brother turned nine and he fell very ill. I stayed by him and watched him suffer, then watched him die.

“I left after that, traveled everywhere. I watched a lycan stronghold underground go down after the vampires found it. There I was torn from one of the few people I ever trusted in my life.” She let out a slight laugh at herself. “But I guess your tale is more gruesome, is it not?”

Celeste lifted her head to look up at him. She sat up, moving her hand from the ground to her lap as she forced a soft, sweet smile. It wasn’t that she wouldn’t have been able to do this normally, but after talking about such terrible things as their past, it was hard to bring a smile to her lips. Yet there it was, plastered on her face for him. She let out a slight giggle as she looked at him.

“Look at us, telling each other our stories when we know not each other’s names.” Celeste turned and brought her legs out from beneath her body. She now sat on them, leaning towards the man in front of her hand holding her hand out to him. The smile on her face was no longer forced, and was now a warm, welcoming one. “My name is Celeste. Celeste Lachance. It is a pleasure to meet you.”

It had been one of Celeste’s dreams to find someone like her, to find someone that could relate to her on a slightly personal level. They had both experienced things that other lycanthropes would never, and had abilities that they only dreamed of. Now that she was in front of one of the only creatures like her, she didn’t know what to do, what questions she should ask. More importantly, she didn’t know how to act.

Being in the underground stronghold, Celeste had been able to meet all different kinds of lycans. That might not have been many, but there was definitely a good amount. Even with the many different types, she had never met one that was a born lycanthrope like her and the man in front of her. They had all been bitten and changed that way. Now that she had found someone like her, she wanted to become friends with him. And hopefully, get close enough to share things no one else did.

[Luthien]

Luthien listend carefully to her story as well. Telling the story he saw again himself night after night was not terribly difficult for luthien, yes it was sad but it was a part of his past Luthien could never change. And if that part helped someone else like him know that they were not alone in pain and suffering then it needed to be told.

As she related the accounts of her own past, living in a family of lycans and being torn from a home and stripped away from your parents, as if that weren't enough but to also lose the last bit of family you had to illness you could not prevent...that loss, that pain was as deep as his own. He could not imagine what she had gone through, required to fend for herself and move from place to place, losing friends along the way.

He was aware of the existence of strongholds like of what she spoke but he himself had never been to one. And it was not unheard of for vampires to move in and wipe out entire packs in one fell swoop. Luthien could not understand why vampires were so intent on this war with lycans but perhaps this young woman could help him understand mroe about the conflict and maybe more about other lycans as well.

When she was finished with her tail, Luthien watched as a kind smile creased her gentle face. After all she had lost, and after the other horrid tales that she had heard and seen to be able to smile was truly a feat to be recognized indeed. And her smile brough Luthien some relief and happiness himself. He did not wish to dwell on sad memories and she was very right, they had not even introduced one another.

Luthien smiled a gentl and true smile as she gave her name and extended her hand. he had not had many friends and it was possible in this person he could find one. And perhaps together they could understand more about what they were and why they were hated, and more importantly, how they could maybe change that. Luthien extended his hand and shook her delicate one with his own. He could sense the strength in her grip and the power their kind possesed.

"Luthien, Luthien hisvran. and I assure you, the pleasure is mine."

Luthien gave a small bow of his head as he gave his name in return. A good start indeed to a new friendship.

"Since we know so much now bout each other's past and that we know we are two of one kind, it should only follow that we get to know the true person in the present. For starters, what is this place and how did you ever find it....such beauty...such peace...its unlike any place I ever thought could exist in this world."

Luthien chuckled slightly at his awkward attempt at casual conversation. Sadly it was not one of his stronger points but he hoped his fumbling question was at least enough to spurn some semblance of conversation and perhaps even let him know a little more about the person before him.

[Celeste Lachance]

It was a relief to finally get out what Celeste had had to endure alone. She had never once told her story, the true and full version of it. Most of the time, she just told people she fled from France when she was very young and traveled the world. Which is what she essentially did, minus the world part. She had only ever traveled all of Europe, and even then it was a stretch to say that. Still, it mattered not where she traveled. The fact was that she had told this man more than she had told anyone. Including the only man she had ever really trusted.

The fact that he had stayed quiet through the whole thing amazed Celeste. Generally, when she told her story, there was some part about it that people always stop her so they can ask question upon question about it. Then she'd start up again, and moments later more questions. It got to be quite tiring after a while. Having someone listen the whole was through was, well very relieving as a matter of fact.

She finished her tale and as she smiled, she saw his reaction. His face seemed to brighten, his expressions even softened a little bit. The smile that followed showed her that she had indeed helped brighten his spirits in one way or another. Then again it could have quite possibly just been the fact that they were in such a magnificent place as this.

As the man took her hand, she shook it. Not like most other females would, no. She really shook his hand, gripping it firmly but yet gently. It didn't seem as if it was that strong of a handshake, and yet she was able to tell how strong he, just like she, was. She released his hand and hers went to join the other in her lap. Luthien. A very nice name. She couldn't help but smile more as he finished his small introduction.

Celeste couldn't hold in the small laugh that managed to escape her mouth as he bowed his head. She had never seen anyone do that, so to her it was a little strange. "Sorry," she said, "I didn't mean to laugh. I'm just not-"

She stopped as he began speaking. It was true, getting to know each other was probably a good idea. His next question came as a slight shock. How did she find this place. But she couldn't agree with him more. She had never seen a place like this before, even in her many years of wandering. Hearing his chuckle, Celeste looked up at him and smiled after realizing what it was for. Thinking back on what he had said, she would have to agree with his chuckle. A sad attempt at a starter, but at least it was something. Smiling warmly, she ignored that fact and answered.

"Honestly, I couldn't tell you how I found it. I was just walking through the forest when I felt it call to me. And really, I was thinking about all that I hadn't been able to do before." She stopped and readjusted herself, crossing her legs. "What you saw me doing, or what I think you saw me doing, I haven't been able to do in ages. Stretching my legs like that, my body. It's an amazing feeling, really." She then laughed at herself. "Sorry, going off topic here. I found myself hoping that I could find a place to let everything out. And then I felt it call, almost pull me towards it."

Celeste didn't want to say anything else. Whatever came out of her mouth next would probably be something that didn't have anything to do with what they were talking about, and frankly she didn't want to embarrass herself by saying something ridiculous. Maybe he had other questions, or other things to say that could possibly strike up more of a conversation. Maybe, just maybe, they could become what Celeste never had; friends.

[Luthien]

Luthien chuckled a bit at her slightly noticeable insecurity at him seeing her perform her dance moves. To a man of normal straights and upbringing such timidity may seem odd but her being shy about her earlier actions to Luthien was not at all shocking. he understood dancing was to her a sort of communion with nature and one's inner self, one of th most private actions anyone could ever witness and he, a complete stranger had walked in on the middle of it.

He listened respectfully as she described being called to this place, by some power being drawn here. He had to admit, he himself had felt the same calling, the energy of this place seemed to draw both of them to it in ways neither could describe.

"Ah, yes, I felt called here as well. Were it not for the calling perhaps I would have showed more discretion on interrupting your dancing, for which I really do apologize. It was beautiful, but it was not my place to bear witness. I would say the calling overcame my senses but that would only be a half-truth and should not excuse me in any sense."

He smiled and bowed his head slightly in sign of apology before taking in his surroundings once more and seeing the center crystal shine magnificantly. He turned back to Celeste.

"It is strange though...the feeling...the calling to this place. What was it like for you? For me it was this warmth, this longing, and this feeling of purpose all wrapped into one. As I would look off into the distance I would feel my very being being called to this place. And as I approached this warmth began to grow in me...this feeling of peace and calm. It was incredible. And then when I got here, amidst all the beauty of the crystals stood you dancing. You must understand it was as if walking through a dream...so surreal...so...indescribable."

Luthien flushed a little, he tried to avoid getting so emotional and descriptive in these situations but every time he always seemed to let it get the best of him. One day he will surely be able to control it...he hopes.

"Ha, but enough of my rambling. I apologize, I tend to get a touch verbose and emotional during these sorts of things. I'm afraid I've gone and embarrassed myself."

He chuckled and relaxed a bit, hoping she would speak next, he did not trust his tongue at the moment.

[Celeste Lachance]

As she heard him chuckle, Celeste couldn't help the blush that passed over her cheeks, turning her pale skin a soft pink. It was unusual to her, normally she was very good at not getting embarrassed. Normally when she was, she hid it better than anyone she had met. Yet now, as he chuckled at her insecurity, she couldn't help it. Dancing was her life, and moving like that was a privelage. A gift, if you will. And she only ever got to use it once. And that was if she was lucky. For it to have been seen by another without her knowing, it was something she never thought would have happened. But alas, it did. And she could do nothing about it now. What was done was done, and changing the past was not one of her abilities.

He spoke of the area calling him, just like it called to her. As he mentioned her dancing, she looked down, her cheeks turning a slight brighter shade of pink. She lifted her head slightly to look up at him as he apologized and couldn't help but smile. Most others would have cared not that they interrupted her as such. If anything, they would have made her do it more for them. She was thankful that he didn't make her. But in the back of her head, she knew that if he asked, she would do more for him, show him more of what she could do. Maybe she would even consider teaching him how to do them, how to possess so much control over his own body to move like she had. It was an aquired skill, but practice and hard work would definitely help him.

As he described the calling to her, she closed her eyes, listening to what he said and trying to remember if hers was the same. Hers was different, she realized, after hearing everything he said. Some parts were similar, yes, but others were quite the opposite. A smile passed over her lips as she saw his flush, shaking her head. "There is no need for apologies. Everyone is passionate about some things, and you shouldn't be embarrassed about it.

"As for your question, I'd have to say mine was a little different. Since I had been thinking of a calm and secluded place to be, it reached out to me with the image of just that. I did feel the warmth, as well as the longing to be there. But the purpose I did not feel. I saw. I saw this place again, like it had sent me a vision. I saw myself in the middle of it, watched myself do exactly what I wished to do. The vision wasn't clear at first, it was very blurry. As if it was just something I was imagining. But as I neared this place, it became clearer, and I watched as I was able to dance like never I had before. When I finally got here, I felt it welcome me, push me closer to the center where I would be able to do what I wished, what I dreamed." She found herself laughing at what she had said. "Sounds kind of like a child's dream, but that's what it was, I guess. A child's dream coming true."

She looked over her shoulder at her things that laid in a pile off to one side of the clearing. She then looked back at him, a small smile on her face as she remembered what he had said earlier about her dancing. "Earlier you said my dancing was beautiful. Did you mean that? Or were you just saying that so I wouldn't get mad at you for interrupting it?" She laughed slightly herself, hoping he knew it was a joke. She knew that wasn't the reason, and only said it for her own enjoyment, and hopefully to get a laugh from him.

[Luthien]

Luthien grinned at her question. He could tell it was a joke, anyone capable of creating such beauty and grace would surely not ask such a question. He relaxed and shook his head as he picked up a small crystal shard that had been torn loose from the soil and made it dance between his fingers.

"No no, I was quite sincere. Such beauty, such elegance...such grace...it truly was beautiful. The embodiment of the word itself if I could be so bold. But not only the movements themselves were beautiful but the passion you obviously had for what you were doing...that is what really made your dance shine."

Luthien was a firm believer that true beauty comes from individuals and the inner self, not exterior looks and facades. Anyone could look good and put on an impressive show, but the ones that realy stayed in your mind, as if burned there by the fire of their passion and resolve, those were the ones worthy of true beauty.

He nodded as he mulled over once again her comment on everyone being passionate about some things. This was most definitely true. And it wasn't so much as his passion itself that he was slightly put off by, its how it affects the situations he is in that really concerns him.

"And yes, I do suppose everyone does have their own passion. mine just tends to manifest itself in a series of vivid verbal descriptions that can lull even the most reslute of insomniacs into a coma like state."

He shook his head once more. Even in talking about his passion he could not avoid the flashy descriptions. Perhaps he should become a writer and make money off of his uncontrolable verbosity.

"But do tell me, other than dancing what other passions do you posses? What are some things you like to do for enjoyment?"

[Celeste Lachance]

Celeste listened as Luthien spoke about her dancing. The corner of her lips were curling up into a smile as he spoke of the passion she had behind it. If only he knew just how much passion she had for dancing. And thinking back on it, Celeste realized that tonight she had put the most passion in her dancing than ever she had been before. And he had seen her. He had watched her move with the music that played within her, and that was the best dancing she ever did. The words he used to describe her dancing popped into her head and she smiled softly.

"Thank you, that is quite a compliment. But not an unappreciated one."

His words triggered a thought in her about beauty and what it really was. Her whole life she grew up thinking that beauty was something on the outside, something visual and tangible. It wasn't until he mentioned it and hinted at it that she realized it wasn't true. There were men out there that made her think she was beautiful because of her looks, and they got the point across to her. She had only met one person that seemed to care for her for another reason than her looks, and he ended up leaving her in the end. Not of his free will, but because of necessity. He was trying to save her.

Luthien spoke of his own passions and she nodded. The way he spoke reminded her of those old books she would dive into when she felt so alone and secluded. With a smile on her lips, she tilted her head toward him a bit. "The way you speak, Luthien. It reminds me of old books, written when people had a better knowledge of the words they used." She gave her compliment without realizing it was a compliment she offered him.

At the mention of other passions she took a breath and looked up as she thought about it. "My other passions? I am an avid book reader when given the chance. Any kind of books, from classics to old manuscripts. I often lock myself up in a room just to finish a book." Smiling sheepishly at the hobby, she turned and looked over at him. "I'm also a fan of swimming."

And this was true. If not dancing, Celeste would rather be out swimming in the crystal clear water of a lake. The calming effects of the water against her skin helped her to release any negative feelings about the day or things that had been going on.

[Luthien]

Luthien listend as she spoke of her other passions, her avid book reading and her love for swimming. His lips also curled in a sly grin as she complimented...or so he believed...his manner of speech.


"Well I must confess my pattern or speech and manner comes from a childhood spent in a University Professor's house with books upon books as some of my closest friends. Needless to say they rubbed off on me a bit."


Luthien shuffled his feet some and made his way slightly further into the clearing, still spinning the crystal shard nimbly through his fingers, back and forth, watching as it glinted in the moonlight every flip.


"So I must say I also share a passion for books and reading and will often forget some of life's most basic necessities if the tale is enthralling enough. Fantasy and science, I must say, are my favorite. I view such stories as two-sides of an evenly balanced coin telling the same amazing tales in two very different ways."


He smiled as he rolled the shard onto his thumb and gave it a quick flick straight up into the air before catching it. He opened his palm and showed her the side of the shard that fractured from its parent crystal and gave her a shy grin.


"It appears to be fantasy tonight, I suppose anything can happen."


He said with a grin, wink, and a low chuckle that carried just a hint of his animalistic heritage. He then began slipping off his coat and making his way towards the river.


"Can I interest you in a late-night swim?"


He asked with a kind smile as he looked back at the stunning girl lit elegantly by the surrounding stones.

[Celeste Lachance]

Speaking of universities, Celeste's mind traveled to the school in town as she briefly wondered about the library she knew they had. She was brought back to the conversation when he began talking about the books he liked. Fantasy and science were also some of her favorites, though nothing could beat a good romance novel. Call it the girl in her, but she always fancied them. Perhaps it was the apparent lack in romance she had going on in her life.

Her eyes casually traveled to the stone Luthien was playing with in his hands. They followed it as he flipped it into the air and caught it, showing the jagged side. She looked back up at him and smiled. Fantasy. Such an amazing genre. It could carry you to places you never knew existed, and always dreamed to visit. It takes you on journeys to meet creatures that have no possible way of living on the same earth. And yet, here they were. Two creatures out of a fantasy book, having a conversation with one another. She smiled at the irony of a werewolf reading books about their kind.

Luthien mentioned a swim and her eyes lifted to look up at him. There was no lake around, she was sure of it. Though after focusing for a moment she heard the whisper of a stream, further past that the roar of a river. And wherever there was a river, a lake was not far behind. Slowly she stood her eyes showing a joyful glow in them as she looked up at him. "A swim sounds delightful. I haven't had that chance in quite some time." She said as she walked over to him. She didn't worry one bit about her things in the clearing. For who could steal from a place as beautiful and peaceful as this?

[Luthien]

Luthien smiled at her acceptance of his invitation and draped his coat over one of the crystals he was passing. Though he made the gesture out to be a rather non-chalant sort of act, the fact that he was willingly exposing his scarred and tormented back was a testament to how comfortable he was in this place, with her. He stopped at the edge of the clearing and waited for her to catch up for as peaceful as this place was he was not about to simply run of and leave the girl behind.


"Neither have I. I've heard that the lake aroun here is absolutely breathtaking and has very moderate water but I've yet to make the journey to see for myself. But in the spirit of this night...a better time I can think of not."


He grinned at his slight use of a rather awkward very bookish sentence structure. She claimed she found it amusing so why not enjoy himself. He offered a hand to her as he got to the edge of the crystals, the last few steps laden with sharp shards and awkward steps.


"I am not entirely sure what the allure is but swimming at night in the cask of the stars and all their fiery glory is so incredibly different than swimming beneath the harsh and sometimes unforgiving sun. It is almost as if a day swim is a sweet escape from a hot day whereas a swim at night is a delve into one's soul and that of the world around you. Its almost as if a night swim is a first date, a personal encounter between you and mother earth. A day swim is more like a lunch with an old friend."


He smiled back at Celeste.


"Or at least that's how I look at it."


He said shyly.

[Celeste Lachance]

She neared him and watched him take the coat off and reveal his back and the many scars it housed. Unconsciously her hand raised and brushed back the bangs that had been covering her face. Her other hand came up and brushed the long bangs in with her hair, which she then twisted up into a loose bun. Not hesitating even once, she broke a small twig from a tree branch and twisted it into her hair to hold it, small leaves and an acorn hanging from the twig. With a small smile, she continued toward him.

Noting that he was waiting for her, she smiled. It wasn't often one met a gentleman, and when one did it was a rare sight to behold. A lot of men in this situation would have continued on, knowing that they are the better of the two and they have every right to do what they wished. But even from being with Luthien this short time she had been, she knew that it wasn't true. His hand outstretched to her and she took it graciously. Then his words came.

The meaning behind what he was saying felt right at home in Celeste, for she had had the same feelings about swimming as he seemed to share with her now. There was just something about the moon hitting her when she swam at night that made the calming effect even more powerful. She agreed, there was a better bond with mother nature at night than there was in the day time, especially if the swim at night was done because of a great desire to, and not just to become more comfortable in ones surroundings.

"No, I understand completely what you mean." She said before looking up at him. "And I must say that I agree with you." A pause. "With but one thing to add to it. Swimming at night also adds sentimentality to those on dates or with other people. While in the day time there is laughter and enjoyment in what one is doing, it is only at night that true feelings are able to be revealed." Her head turned up to the moon. "And under such a beautiful moon, how could one stop themselves?"