First Impressions

[Sae]

Earth was going to fall.

That's what he had heard. Over and over again. Whispered in cells, boasted in hallways. Earth was going to fall, just like all the others, and the Citadel would be responsible.

Wildfire twisted the silver bracelet around his wrist, his eyes fixed out the window of the small military ship. Their task was simple: move ahead of the battalion and gather information about Earth and its defenses. Already a scouting party had been compromised and forced to flee, but they had been barely more than messengers, incapable of the damage a true warrior could cause. That was where he came in; a slave to the Citadel and a valuable asset in the scouts' protection against... whatever it was that had interrupted the last party. That little detail wasn't something that his superiors had given him the pleasure of knowing. Not that it mattered. In the end, the Citadel always won.

Well. Almost always. Wildfire would go to Earth, that was certain, but he had no intention of waiting for their orders or protecting them. Not anymore.

"--X'hal, be with me."

An explosion of green burst through the belly of the ship and a red streak tore out into space. Sirens blared and immediately Wildfire became vaguely aware of the pain shooting through his body, but he didn't care. He knew the rush of adrenaline that came with taking another planet, the feeling of power that came with crushing a weaker species in battle, and he was sick of it. Sick of taking orders, sick of being mistreated, sick of being nothing more than an object for the Citadel to own. If Earth was able to defend itself so well against the Citadelians then this could be his only chance at freedom. And to the other prisoners of war whom he had left to the vortex of space... Wildfire found some comfort in knowing that death was a mercy.

"The hull has been breached!" He flinched at the voice crackling over the communicator in his bracelet. "Slave #9155 has escaped!"

Chaos ensued. Voices of fellow slaves and soldiers alike came over his feed, but with one solid grip to his bracelet and the sound of cracking metal, Wildfire silenced them and continued rocketing toward the speck of blue and green ahead.

* * *

By the time the Tamaranean broke through Earth's atmosphere, the shocks administered by the thick collar around his neck had gone from annoying to punishing, even for him who had managed to build up something of a resistance. It's malfunctioning, he thought, frantic. It must be malfuncioning. They can't be behind me. They can't have caught up.

But what if they have...?

The thought brought on a fresh wave of panic and with panic a loss of control. No longer watching or caring where he was going, Wildfire's flight pattern turned erratic. All he cared about was getting that blasted collar OFF! Jolts of pain staccatoed so hard and so suddenly through his body that his vision went white and he dropped like a stone with a muted cry. Wildfire crashed to earth, still clawing at his neck and thrashing like a frenzied animal.

[Deleted]

This night found Cyrus away from the city. He had slept most of the day in an abandoned barn, hunted upon awakening, and was now exploring the hillsides. He was in his hybrid form, with no clothes to hamper him. The night breeze ruffled his fur, and bore all kinds of scents to his nostrils. Pausing in his ascent, he close dhis eyes and sighed happily, savouring the world.

I could live like this forever.

He looked up, at the vast canvas of stars. Not that he doubted the Titans, but it was hard to imagine that doomsday was threatening them from those luminous reaches. "Beauty cannot harm you." He chuckled wryly. Then his eyes caught one particular star. It blazed bright red-orange, eclipsing the pallid lights as it streaked across them. A shooting star.

Suddenly it changed course. It practically dropped out of the sky. He tracked it downwards, ears tilting back in a slight frown. That was not natural. The wooded hillsides hid its landing point, but Cyrus could guess close enough. He dropped down to all fours and loped off to investigate.

It did not take long before he heard someone crying out in pain or frustration, and he could smell panic and torment mixed with ozone and scorched earth. Slowing himself, he paced cautiously forward. Whatever it was, it was not native to this world. But he couldn't ignore it. He peaked around the trunk of a tree, and froze as he took in what was happening. An orange boy was thrashing about in a smoking crater, wrestling with a high-tech collar that sparked about his neck.

Cyrus' heart was pierced. Forgetting himself, he stepped down into the dell. Hesitant at first, lest he distress the boy further, then with sudden decision he glided silently across the grass to the lip of the crater. There he stopped, one paw lifted, unsure of how he could help. Certainly, in order to get closer, he would have to calm the young man down. Deciding the best way to do that was to appear non-threatening, he let himself sink down on his belly, ears lowered in non-aggression. He would wait for the youth to notice him (if he hadn't already) before speaking.

[Sae]

It was the crunch of leaves was what alerted Wildfire first and made him look up. He half expected to find a Citadelian staring down at him, gun pointed. Instead, he found a furry creature watching him with what he took to be a curious expression. Torn between awe and desperation, Wildfire ceased his struggle if only long enough to breathe, something he realized he hadn't been doing.

Blue sparks zig-zagged along the collar like crooked snakes, drawing him back to the present. His grip tightened and something cracked. He hoped it was the collar.

"G'orthka," he rasped. Help. It was ridiculous to think that an Earth animal could understand him, even more that he thought it truly could help, but the plea came out anyway. "G-G'orthka--!"

Wildfire's back arched with another strained noise, earning him a second satisfying pop. A light on the side of the collar was flashing now, emitting a high whine of warning. Just a little more and maybe he would finally be free, but oh, what if he didn't? What if he was making too much noise? What if they found him again? He wouldn't be hard to trace. Recapture would be easy in his state and Wildfire's stomach lurched at the thought of what they might do if they caught him again. His breathing quickened and his eyes flared green.

No! No, no, no!

[Deleted]

Cyrus met the boy's gaze. He was very glad that the boy had quieted at his presence, instead of reacting violently. The werefox had no idea what he could do, but if other extraterrestrials were any indication it was probably beyond what he himself could handle.

Then the boy spoke.

Werefox flicked an ear. Of course he doesn't speak English. What had he been expecting? Unfortunately it posed a major problem to helping the boy. Assuming that he wanted help and wasn't trying to scare the predator away. Considering his tone and expression, though, Cyrus thought he was asking for help.

He winced in sympathy as the boy arched back in pain. He very much wanted to help. He was also starting to get very angry with whoever had done this. That he was sure was a slave collar, and he would love to break it just to spite the slavers. However, he was still leery of approaching the panicking boy with unknown powers. Never mind that the collar was now making a high-pitched sound that forced his ears back in discomfort.

"Shhhhh." The sound whispered between his teeth, almost inaudible against the noise of the collar and the boy's own sounds. "It's going to be okay, boy. Take it easy." He spoke soothingly, as if he were calming one of his horses. He remained flat to the ground, unthreatening. "I'm here. I won't let them hurt you. Easy."

[Sae]

There was once a Tamaranean folktale in which young warrior calmed all manners of beats and enemies with the sound of a pipe. There were multiple reasons why such a story should not to be there -- namely that Tamaneans would rather fight than come in peace--but in that agonizing moment, Wildfire thought that there might be some merit to the tale. Though the creature's words were foreign, the sound was pleasant and reassuring. It was grounding and Wildfire latched onto it like a lifeline.

Breathe, Ryand'r.

                  I can't!
             
                        BREATHE.

His mouth gaped and with tremendous effort, willed his lungs to suck in air, eyes squeezing shut.

                  In, out, in, out. 
 
                          BREATHE.

Knuckles whitened against the strain. Another pop.

                           Come on! Come on! Damned thing!

                                                        BREATHE.

The whine reached a pitch almost beyond his hearing. The urge to scream welled in his chest. Arm muscles tensed.

                                                             COME ON.

There was a loud snap and with gasp, Wildfire tore the collar off and let it fly away from him into the dirt. Cool night air stung at his newly exposed neck, biting his skin and drying blood. For a long moment, all the boy could do was lie there with his forehead pressed to the ground, a dizzying sort of relief numbing his panic. Then, slowly, as he gathered his strength and pushed himself onto his hands and knees, he looked again to the creature had been sitting, hoping that he hadn't frightened it away--or worse, imagined it's existence. Pleasantly, he was surprised, and the softest, tiniest smiles tugged at the corner of his lips. He wish that there was someway he could thank it.

"Kitak gorfbak." Wildfire lifted one opened palm out to it, as if coaxing it with food. His voice was gentle, if raw with misuse. "Xigmal, rin'r klorgmar."

[Deleted]

As the whine grew in pitch, Cyrus had to fight the urge to get up and run. He folded his ears down and put his forepaws over them, which provided only a little relief. His eyes squinched shut in pain. However -- about from brief pauses -- he continued to speak. He could tell that his voice was working, and that the boy was making a more consistent effort to free himself.

"Come on… yes… good boy… you can do it…"

The flow of words stopped he heard a loud snap. The whining stopped, and Cyrus let his ears up and opened his eyes. The collar was off, indeed. The boy had collapsed, but apart from minor injuries to his neck seemed to be all right. The werefox wagged his tail in satisfaction.

Now the boy got up onto his hands and knees. He addressed Cyrus again, this time in a gentle tone, and held out his hand. Werefox interpreted this as an invitation. Rising to his feet, he gingerly stepped down into the crater. Reaching the boy, he nuzzled the outstretched hand, then looked at his face.

"You did it! I'm so proud of you!" Taking a step closer, he licked the boy's cheek. Then he muttered wryly, "If only we could understand each other." Now that the emotions were settling, he was beginning to think of the advantages an extraterrestrial ally could offer.

((I hope it's okay that he licked him. ^^ If not I'll change it.))

[Sae]

Wildfire's smile grew into a grin. It seemed that Earth animals could be as affectionate as those on Tamaran. What a beautiful beast you are... Tanned fingers splayed across its head then scratched behind furry ears. He'd forgotten how much he missed this sort of connection, of having something care for you without needing something in return (save perhaps a belly rub or two). It was nice, he decided, and while he knew nothing about Earth or its inhabitants, he hoped that his new red-pelted friend might remain just that; his friend. 

Carefully, Wildfire stood, testing his weight. His legs felt shaky and sore--something he would chalk up to his less than graceful landing--but was relieved to find that he felt relatively unharmed. That was good. As long as he could move and fly, he had confidence that he would be fine. Now it was simply a matter of finding somewhere safe to hide, then he would truly be free.

"Thak," he urged, half flying-half climbing from the crater, only to stop to reach for the odd animal. If the Citadelians were to come to follow his heat trail here, then Wildfire would not have them discover his friend too. Come along. 


//I'm fine with it! You don't have to ask me what's okay if it's something your muse would do. c:

[Deleted]

Werefox started at the contact. Then he leaned into the hand, making a soft "chrr". It was his first experience being petted, and he liked it.

In fact he would have liked for it to last longer. The boy, however, sooon jumped to the top of the crater. He gestured for Cyrus to follow, and from his smell he figured the youth was still worried. This made him glance over at the broken and twisted collar. He disliked the idea of leaving it there. Its previous owners might still be able to track it, or -- worse in his opinion -- someone like Slade might find it and reverse engineer it. So he trotted over to it, and carefully picked it up in his jaws. Then he bounded out over the top of the crater, landing on the grass beyond.

The collar's taste was harshly metallic, still with the traces of ozone from the electricity. Also it precluded speech. So he spat it out, but he was not done with it. Turning to face the boy, he looked up at him, trying to hold his gaze with his own glowing eyes.

"I know you don't understand, but, stay calm. I am not going to hurt you…" So saying, he rose up on his hind legs, to tower over the boy. His skeleton shifting subtly, enabling the new stance, and he flexed his fingers as his forepaws became hands. He then went back to one knee, partly so that he would not be so intimidating, and partly to retrieve the collar with his now more dexterous digits.

I hope he doesn't misinterpret my interest in this thing. How could he make the boy understand that he wanted to keep the collar from being used against them?

((Oh, it sure is. ^^ I asked because I'm leery of doing things that affect other people's characters. ))

[Sae]

Wildfire stiffened as the animal picked up the collar between its teeth, concerned it might still be active. Given its appearance, the chances were unlikely, but chances were hardly anything that he wanted to take anymore. Just as he moved to take the collar away, the animal spat it back out and spoke again before something quite unusual happened. It began to change.

Oh.

The Earth animal seemed to be no animal at all, but took on an almost Tamaranean appearance. Wildfire felt his cheeks redden. Was this what Earth people looked like? They were shapeshifters? He had really embarrassed himself then, he thought, treating one of the native beings like a pet. The thought made him feel a bit sick. Or maybe that was just the aftereffects of the electric shocks. Either way, now that the truth was standing before him, Wildfire realized how stupid he must seem. How was he supposed to know what Earth animals or beings sounded or looked like? 

Maybe he'd just make an excuse and say his brain was fried.

Then he saw the man pick up the collar again and Wildfire couldn't help but wonder: If he isn't anything as simple as a beast, why would he want to hold such a dangerous device?

"Gorth'ka xan bargnor kish'na ga?" The teenager's voice rose in accusation and confusion as he took a step back, pointing at the collar in the stranger's hand, as if demanding an answer. "Rorgpath kor nor sh'lak!"

//Unless it's killing or seriously maiming my character, it's all cool!

[Deleted]

The boy's reaction was not what Werefox expected. He wasn't quite sure what to make of the scent he was picking up, but it wasn't fear. Or at least his shifting did not increase the fear that was already there. That was a good thing, he supposed.

The collar was still an issue however. The boy certainly did not like his interest in that, if his tone and pointing were anything to judge by.

"I'm not going to put it back on you," he answered, remaining on one knee. "And I'm sure it's not dangerous to me." He sighed, resting an arm on his knee, and looked at the ground. He had the feeling that the alien was not going to understand. He glanced at the hardened outside wall of the crater, an idea occurring to him. He switched the colalr to his left hand, and pivoted so that he was facing the bare earth, going to both knees in the process.

"Look." He gestured at the boy to come and pay attention. With the claw of his forefinger he traced a broken ring. "This is the collar." He set the device on top of the crater rim. "Now it's possible your captors…" Never having seen an actual alien craft, he sketched a generic flying saucer off to the left of the collar. "Can still trace it." He drew a line from the saucer to the collar. "And then track you." He then drew a line from the collar to the right, and then a rough but recognizable sketch of the boy.

"If I remove the collar…" He raked his claws across the earth, obliterating the image of the ring. "Then it will make it harder for them to track you." He looked at the boy. "You understand?"

He hoped he did. This was insanely frustrating. There was so much he wanted to tell the boy -- and ask him -- and he couldn't. At least he had artistic skills.
[/b][/b]

[Sae]

Green eyes slitted in suspicion, he complied, but took care to keep as much space between them while still able to make out what he was drawing in the dirt. It was easy enough to make out, but the fact that it looked like pictures would be their only way of communicating... Wildfire's nose scrunched. It was so primitive! Not to mention a huge time waster, especially since he wasn't nearly as good an artist as he'd like to hope. No, no, no. There were much easier ways to do this.

Confident only in that he would have the upper hand if the Earthian tried to cause him harm, Wildfire took the chance and stepped closer to him. Uncomfortably close. Frowning. Then, without warning, one hand set on the stranger's shoulder while the other grabbed a fistful of hair, just enough to tilt his face up to him. All concepts of personal space abandoned, the Tamaranean planted a kiss squarely on his mouth. Unfamiliar sounds and words burst into his mind, flooding his thoughts with a cacophony of jumbled noises, gradually twisting into Tamaranean. It soon became too much and as abruptly as he began, he stopped and took a step back.

"...Gr-Grate-- ful, for help." His nose wrinkled at the taste of the new language. "I owe you much. But I-- cannot-- not risk harm going to you." 


The first language transfer was always the most difficult.

[Deleted]

Werefox tilted his head slightly to one side as the boy suddenly drew closer to him. He smelledtense, what was he -- the boy grabbed his fur. That hurt, and Cyrus' reaction was to recoil and snarl. The grip prevented the motion however, and Werefox stared up at the boy with anger and confusion, claws extended and ready to flay him open. Confusion overwhelmed anger, however, as the boy kissed him, his lips against Cyrus' exposed teeth. Cyrus checked his attack.

When the boy let him go he fluidly rose to his full height, still obviously annoyed as he faced the offender. Before he could say anything, however, the boy spoke. In English. This surprised Cyrus enough to keep him silent a moment. He nodded slowly, reasoning that the kiss had somehow imparted the knowledge to the alien.

"You are welcome," he replied. "I could not stand by and watch someone in pain. As for putting me at risk, that is not your decision to make. Besides, I doubt your former masters are prepared to deal with me." He glanced sidelong at his sketch of the flying saucer. Then he folded his arms, looking sternly down at the alien. "And you. Never do that again. I do not appreciate being grabbed and held. You should understand that. Or so I would have thought." He glanced pointedly down at the collar, then back at the alien.

[Sae]

That made him flinch, but little remorse shown on Wildfire's face. He still felt jittery and uncertain, but now that they could actually communicate, he was quick to resume whatever pieces of his "stoic warrior" persona he could gather. He had already made himself look weak and that wasn't how Wildfire wanted to make his first impression.

"I will not," he said, this time pausing long enough to focus on not stammering, "as long as you do not give me a reason to." The boy straightened his spine and squared his shoulders, keeping his chin tilted up toward him. "I am... Ryand'r, of the planet of Tamaran. What are you called?"

[Deleted]

The boy calmed down quick. Werefox would have liked some contrition, but he sensed he was not going to get it. The alien still smelled of uncertainty, but was now more confident.

"Hm." Werefox considered him, and his answer, before unfolding his arms and relaxing. "I am called Werefox, but that is only what I am. My name is Cyrus. And it is my pleasure to welcome you to Earth." He held out his hand, echoing the gesture Ryand'r had made earlier. "I was not pretending earlier when I licked your face," he stated gently. "I still wish to be your friend. To help you however I can."

[Sae]

Cautiously, Wildfire accepted the gesture... exactly as Cyrus had with him, by brushing his cheek against his open palm. It must be the way people greeted one another on this planet, he reasoned. Perhaps by allowing someone so close to your neck and face you were showing trust, though it made him feel somewhat ridiculous and he forewent the action of licking the werefox. 

"In-Information," he answered. "You can help by giving information of Earth and its people. I did not know that Earth's natives were like beasts who could alter their form." It certainly changed his view on things, that was for sure, and he wasn't sure if he liked it. Animals were trustworthy beings; smart, yet not smart enough or too loyal to betray. Tamaranean-like beings capable of speech and greed such as Psions or Vernaithians, on the other hand, were very intelligent, but that intelligence made them ruthless and sadistic. To see something of a combination of the two confused him. He hoped Earthians took more after beasts than not. "And... help by information of shelter."