*Bryna's POV*
"There's Dire-Wolfborn, they're, the most common Grey-Wolfborn and least common Winter-Wolfborn." I said. "The difference is in the fur tones, like with Leonin."
"Is there a particular difference in ability sets?" James asked.
"Yes. My specific kind have a breath weapon attack, a wintery one." I said. "Greys are faster and more dexterous. Dires have thicker hide and are notoriously harder to kill."
"All of them seem particularly fierce. I may have to try and find one to put on the payroll." James muttered.
"If you manage to find one, can I meet them?" I asked. "I've never met one of my kind. My late parents were werewolves, and I didn't have them long."
"If I manage to find one, I will let them know there is another of their kind that wishes to meet them." James said.
"We're supposed to keep ourselves secret, monster hunters hunt us just like they do werewolves." I said. "The best way to find one of us, is that we never fully are able to blend into human society. We're also prone to being kind, more so than many other races. I've been hoping Hearthstone Town would attract my sort." My face showed my disappointment.
"It may have and you just don't know it yet." James suggested.
"But no one smells like wolf, like I do." I said.
"If they are more experienced, they may have hidden their scent. Scent is a good way of tracking something." James said.
I realized the father in him was comforting a child. I down shifted to my human form, which offended Jaime. I smiled and said, "Maybe, I could always run around half shifted to see."
"That could be interesting and cause a bit of panic." Sarial mused. "If you decide to do so, travel with myself or one of my friends, like Dean or Plight." A mischievous light sparked in her eyes. "Do you think I could get you to pull a prank on my husband?"
"Maybe pick your prank wisely." James said.
"Afore I agree, I'll need details." I said.
"I just want you to spook him. I can set it up to be here in our home." Sarial said.
"Do make sure your children are not home. A father protecting his child will go to extremes to get rid of danger." James commented.
"That's ok, in my half shifted form I am resistant to all none magic, or silver damage." I said.
"Just don't put yourself in a situation where he feels the need to stab you. No matter how you feel afterwards, he will regret it." James said.
"It's ok, Dad. I've thought carefully on how to do it." Sarial said. "And Jaime will go play with Eos at the water for me, with Sister, Auntie and Sylvia, right?" Jaime nodded. "Well, guess it won't work on Plight. So I'll have to loop him in on it. Maybe Alexander..."
"Alright, as long as you've planned it out." James said.
"Yes, Dad. I'll talk to you later. Wanna say bye-bye to Grandpa?" Sarial asked Jaime.
He glanced at me, then said, "Bye-bye, Grandpa."
"Bye-bye, Jaime. Make sure you stay up woth your studies, alright?" James said, using a light tone while talking to the boy.
"Yes. Is Grandma coming?" Jaime asked.
"In a few days, Grandma and Grandpa will come visit. Would you like us to bring you anything?" James asked.
"Star book." He said. "And Eirwyn's treat."
"Alright. We can bring those. But I want to hear about two times you've said hello to a stranger politely." James said.
"No. But see you soon." Jaime said firmly. He was like a grumpy little old man, but expressionless.
"Valid try, Dad." Sarial said.
James shrugged. "Eh, a grandpa has to try."
She ended the call then. She got up and opened the door to the family room, which was the first time I'd seen it. It was extravagantly decorated with cushions and couches. There was even a built in waterfall. She asked me to stay put, though I could sit anywhere, then she went through the house checking to see who may be home. Once she had that information, she returned. Carrying Jaime the whole time.
"Does Jaime ever get heavy?" I asked curiously.
"No. I used to carry Vincent around until he turned seven." Sarial answered. "I love carrying kids around. Especially my babies."
"Oh." I said.
She patted my head and said, "Jaime, can you do Mommy a favor and go ask Daddy to come see me? Tell Sissy to play at the water with Aunty, ok? Don't tell Daddy why."
Jaime nodded and she set him down, opening the door for him, and watching him go, it wasn't until she saw him with family again that she shut the office door. She then came back and smiled at me, "You can hide well, right?"
I nodded and set my pack down, she hid it in the trunk. She had me hide, mentally connecting to me. The plan was for me to jump out at Mills while half shifted. I heard when Jaime told her, 'all done. Daddy coming.' It took a few minutes for him to come in, Sarial was seated comfortably, waiting for him.
"Hello, my Darling. Our son came and fetched me for something? Would not explain for the life of me what." Mills said, after spotting her.
"I asked him to go play and send you to me." She replied.
"Oh." He said. "Well, then. What might I do for you?"
She got up, mentally telling me to get ready and said, "Come on." She walked past my hiding place towards one of the hallways. I half shifted as stealthfully as possible, and As soon as she mentally told me 'Now.' I jumped up and barked at him. He gave an alarmed shout, while drawing a knife and stepping to the side to get between Sarial and myself.
Sarial chuckled. "Do you think she could scare Dia?"
"What?" Mills snapped, his eyes not leaving me.
Sarial wrapped her arms around him and said, "I love you, Sweetling. Everything is ok, that's just a child."
"Just a child..? What? Who is this?" Mills demanded. Still tense.
"If you'll look away for just a second.." I said.
"Alright. I will turn my head." He said slowly. And did so.
I shifted to my human form immediately and said, "Okies."
"Bryna. Haah. Child you'll give a man a heart attack." Mills said, he looked at his wife, "Did you put her up to this? And wait- are you a werewolf?"
"No, my parents were. I'm a rare occurance called a Wolfborn. A species you share a common interest with." I answered him.
"Yes, Darling, I put her up to spooking you." Sarial admitted.
"I was so confused." He said. "I knew you couldn't have ill intent, but still. Knowing something and feeling it are very different."
"None of my kind ever bear ill-intent. We're one of the few species that won't harm others without more than just cause." I told him. "I do love pranks, though."
"Yes, I can tell." He said. "But I suppose that's true for any child, Hm?" His eyes were on his wife.
"I'll never outgrow that. Jaime said her other form is pretty. Aloud." Sarial said. "In front of her even."
"Oh my." Mills said. "That is a rarity."
"Mhm. What do you think of Plight or Dean escorting her around town in that other form?" Sarial asked him.
"..Why precisely? That just seems to be asking for trouble." Mills replied.
"To see if our town's attracted more of her kind." Sarial said.
"Well, if your race is as you say, this would be a place for them to be." Mills said.
"Yes. We're very rare and we hide ourselves, though. James suggested an experienced one could maybe hide their wolf scent, unlike me." I explained. "Asides, there are 'monster' races living here in harmony, and you guys trade with Hobsnar's town."
"This is true. We can give it a shot." Mills said. "I trust our people to be able to handle a mass panic if it tries to happen."
"I can cast Silence." I said. "Oh, I forgot about that. Winter Wolfborn's can cast certain spells naturally."
"Which spells? I can tell Dad later." Sarial asked.
"Silence, Ray of Frost and Comprehend Languages." I answered.
"Alright. I'll call Plight, then we can have some alone time, hm?" Sarial said to her husband.
"I'm alright with that." Mills said.
"Go figure I can get our son to let us be if I say I'm bullying you." She joked.
"I believe that whole heartedly." He said.
"Alright. Plight's on his way, cautiously." Sarial said. "Any chance I can get you to lounge out of immediate sight in the other form?"
"Oh gods. Here we go again." Mills said.
"You're naughty. But ok. Please look away." I said. He complied, and I shifted, moving to the left of the door. "Am I scary?"
"Terribly terrifying in just the right light." Mills said.
"I'll have you know I made thirty-one enemies flee with a single howl." I said.
"That is a very exact number." Mills said.
"Well, yeah. There had been twenty-five wolves and eighteen goblins about to try and take Thomas, Daelyn and I captive." I said.
"Geeze what have you kids been up to?" Mills asked.
"That's part of what Daelyn got in trouble for." Sarial said as the door to her office opened and closed. "They took a trip to the Underdark to help Thomas' mother, then Daelyn decided to disobey Dad and mock him openly. Hey, Plight."
"Sounds like your brother has been up to some non-sense." Plight said, coming into the room. "Who else is in here?"
"Hi." I said.
"Hoh, my." Plight said turning to look at me immediately. "And who might you be?"
"You know, I don't think my voice changes that much." I grumbled. "I'm Bryna."
"Oh my, child. You'd be very much wrong." Plight said. "So this is what you meant?"
"Sort of? I'm a wolfborn. Xi-an should have three forms, just like me." I said. "There's human form, what I call 'half shifted' and animal form. Only, Xi-an probably would shift with extreme emotions or pain."
"Well, I have absolutely no intentions of testing that out." Plight said.
"Oh, and her bite can pass a curse, and mine cannot." I said. "Well, maybe. I understand she was hatched, so it may be a little different."
"I don't believe she has a curse to pass on, no." Plight said.
"We were thinking of allowing Bryna to walk the town looking like this. Escorted, of course." Sarial said.
"For her sake, are you sure that's safe? People in this town have been through a lot." Plight said.
"They have. Bryna hopes to flesh out one of her kind." Sarial said. "And to keep her safe is why I wanted to see if you or Dean would walk her."
"I would be willing to escort her." Plight said.
"Ah, also, Jaime called her 'Pretty' when he saw her like this. In front of her." Sarial said.
"Maybe that's why he doesn't talk to people? He only talks to the ones he deems pretty? Or at least interesting." Plight suggested.
"He doesn't talk to Eluvian." I pointed out.
"Maybe he just doesn't find her interesting." Plight said, then to Sarial, "I haven't the faintest clue, but that's gonna be up to you to figure out."
"He's probably just shy." I shrugged. "Some little kids are very selective with their inner circles. I wouldn't be too concerned about it. He does talk."
"Indeed he does. And he can be quite fluent when he wants to be." Mills said.
"Besides, it's not like he's a baby-talking eight year old." I pointed out.
"I thought it was adorable." Sarial admitted. "Feel up to taking her now? I can enlist Dean as back up if you'd like."
"Alright. I can take her now." Plight nodded. "And yes, if for nothing else than to alert him to what is about to happen."
Sarial held up a finger for a moment. Then she said, "Dean's on the way."
It took a couple of minutes, but Dean came inside the office then to where Plight and the rest is. He immediately looked at me.
"Two questions. Who is this? And what is your plan?" Dean asked. "Is this Bryna? Is this part of your plan?"
"Yes, she is Bryna. Plight is about to escort Bryna through the town and city." Sarial said. "In that form."
"Oh, this I've gotta see." Dean said.
"I was hoping you'd help him." She said.
"Certainly. Can do. Wouldn't miss this for the world." Dean said.
"I'm not scary, I'm a good puppy." I said.
"No matter how good of a pup you might be, people tend to freak out." Dean said. "But it's ok, we've got ya covered."
"Don't be too upset if someone shoots or hits me. Unless it's silver or magic, I've got resistance to it in this form." I said.
"Good to know." Dean said.
Sarial fetched my bag for me and handed it over. "Good luck. I hope our home will surprise us all pleasantly. Have Sienna call me if need be."
With that, Plight, Dean and I headed out. I considered letting Bibs know about this stunt, but I figured I would later. I had no expectation of these people anyways. Plight's goal was to take me to all the most populated areas. He started with the medical area, where Alexander was playing next to, as per usual, with his lady, kids and grandchildren. Jaime had already been looking our way.
"Bryna is coming." Jaime quietly told Eos. I barely heard it over all the other sounds.
Eos, being a friendly boy, looked for me. Jaime tapped his shoulder and held up a finger to signal it was a secret. Eos looked confused. Once we were close enough, I heard Alexander tell his family, "That's Bryna. I'm pretty sure she's taller than I last saw her. And I saw her yesterday."
"Yes." Sylvia responded. "She'll grow bigger yet. She is only a young child."
"Dear, I also believe she is.. covered in fur." Alexander said to her with a smile.
"I see." She replied. "And so do many others."
"Yes, um. What's the plan here?" Alexander asked once we'd reached them.
"This is... Sarial's plan.. to help her find any of her kind that may be here. I'm going to emphasize, this is Sarial's plan." Dean replied.
"Well, she is one of the founders, so she can make all the plans she wants, I suppose." Alexander said.
"Well, maybe exposing people to this form will help my kind be viewed seperately from the beasts our cursed brethren can be." I said.
"Well, that would be nice." Alexander agreed.
"Don't hope to deeply on that, little one. Though, that is a very noble thought." Sylvia said in a gentle voice.
"I understand." I said, smiling.
Xi-an said, "Your fur looks like mine."
"Yes, we match." I nodded.
Eirwyn came up to me and said, "Carry me, please!"
I felt conflicted, my ears lowered, "I don't know Eirwyn. People might be scared of me, and scared people can be violent."
"And that's why we're here." Dean said. "Give the kid a piggy back ride."
With the encouragement, I carefully picked the girl up, minding my claws. They weren't retractable. After I placed her on my shoulder, the girl flopped over, playing with my ears and burying her little fists in the thick ruff of my wolfy mane. She giggled and squealed, causing the twin children, Lirit and Amergin to also want to be carried. With parent permission, I crouched down carefully, as to not drop Eirwyn, and helped the twins to climb onto me.
Xi-an didn't want to, though she wanted to be carried by Plight. Eos and Jaime wanted to play where they were. We walked around the town part with the kids being absolute goofballs on my shoulders. I made sure to not drop them. Amergin seemed particulary fascinated with my claws. Eirwyn liked my fur in general and Lirit just liked the vantage point.
The blonde haired elven children had a human father, yet were true elves. Like their siblings. It was odd, but I supposed it was because their mother is an Archfey. A much more powerful being than one would expect in a human ran city. It did explain why she always knew things about me that I didn't share.
Either way. There were mixed reactions, even as we went to the guard training areas, There was curiousity, but aside from that, no one paid much mind. The townspeople just watched for the most part. Eluvian, Dean's lady, had been weary at first of my appearance. But that faded once I'd picked up the kids. Maybe it was them that were making it so no one was particularly bothered. After our rounds in the Town, we dropped the kids off and headed downstairs to the City part.
A good thing to note, was that this place was not considered a city. Only the Town was reported and acknowledged to the Town. Ther lower part is actually, legally, considered the Underdark's territory. Many more people, visitors too, were usually in the City part. Amusingly, the city was affectionately dubbed Undertown City. Very on the nose.
"Can we pop in to see Vincent?" I asked.
"Eh. I don't see why not." Dean said.
"When I'm done growing, I'll probably be taller than you, Dean." I told him.
"Eh, fine. You run this place then." Dean said.
"Uh-uh. Not the job for me." I said.
"Come on, I gotta find someone to take the job over for me." Dean said.
"You're a young man still." I pointed out.
"Hoh, don't remind me. I have so long to go before retirement." He grumbled.
I laughed, which drew attention. Many eyes, visitors and otherwise, were on me. The visitors were visibly spooked. We walked around the City with the same reactions. One person ran away to hide, even. But the City's people, though weary, didn't seem bothered. A few people were shocked by my appearance. Staring wide eyed. I still didn't smell any wolves, though. Even in my half shifted form. I did smell some peoples fear, which was uncomfortable.
After stopping by all the places around town, we stopped by Bits and Bobs, Vincent's store. Adelaide was on guard instantly, but Vincent wasn't phased. Just looked at the two men and said, "I always knew you two kept odd company."
Dean laughed and said, "Indeed we do young one." He looked at me, "You wanna chime in on that one?"
"Not particularly, though that was a little rude." I replied.
Vincent paused, with his head slightly tilted. "Bryna?"
My ears pricked up and I grinned, "What?"
"So I was right?" Vincent said. "Odd company indeed. What has happened to you?"
"Nothing has. I'm just walking around normally in a half shifted form." I said with a shrug. "I wanted to see if there were more like me around."
"Just a quick question, who came up with this plan?" Vincent asked.
"Visiting you? All me." I said.
"I think you fully know I meant why are you roaming the town looking like that?" Vincent said. "Asking out of genuine concern."
"Okies. Sarial suggested that if I went around in this state if one of my kind are in hiding here that they may come out." I explained. "She decided that Dean and Plight would minimize panic. The people who live here haven't really reacted much, with mainly visitors being scared."
"I feel bad for any of those visitors who try to put a bounty out." Vincent said.
"They can. I certainly don't share much in common with this half state." I shrugged. "I'm also not cursed, so if I am captured torture won't cause me to shift."
"I was meaning the fact that half this town would rip them apart." Vincent said. He looked very serious. The more hard edged side to a Hearthry.
I shrugged. "Don't be concerned."
"Who me? Concerned about a friend? Never." Vincent concluded.
"You're silly." I told him, I turned to Adelaide, "How has your day been Miss Addy?"
"Lovely. I have been working on some hobbies." Adelaide said.
"Did I surprise you?" I asked, grinning cheekily, which showed my teeth.
"You definitely gave me a little spook." She said.
"Aw, I wouldn't hurt nobody," I said. "Unless they touch me. Well, I'd hold back currently."
"Someone touches you, never hold back." Adelaide said.
"Well, if I did so in this form it'd be viewed as a monstrous thing attacking another rather than self defense. That's counterintuitive to what I hoped to achieve." I pointed out.
"Then you come tell me, and I'll do it for you. You won't even have to buy a ticket." Adelaide said.
I smiled at her and said, "I'll keep that in mind for future problems." I turned to Dean and Plight, "So where should I down shift at that people won't make connections?"
"Well, due to my previous professions in life I have a few spots that are secretive." Dean said.
"Okies." I said, then tilted my head, ears twitching while I listened. "Some ones are rationalizing that I'm being controlled by one of you or Sarial as a display of power. A few have figured out I'm not a werewolf, though their assumption about werewolves only shifting at night or the full moon aren't true."
"Who in the world thinks we're walking you sround as a display of power? I can do that on my own." Dean commented.
"I don't know the voice well. The consensus is that they should ask Sarial because she'll know." I said.
"Oh no, the consequences of her actions. Well, let's go get you changed." Dean said.
I nodded and said to Vincent, "I'll be back."
"And I'll be here. Why don't you buy something when you come back." Vincent said.
We left and went to Dean's hidey place, the entire way we avoided eyes being on us. Plight broke away first, wondering in a different direction before returning to his family, probably. After letting me in some area, Dean walked off. I down shifted, changed my feminine cloth, then my clothes. I would need to go to the river and clean that cloth. For now, I wrapped it up in a specially treated leather and headed out. Making sure no one saw me leave.
Then I circled around back to Vincent's shop. I approached him and asked, "How did you know immediately it was me?"
"You don't sound that different." Vincent said.
"Plight said I did sound different." I said, confused.
"It sounds more like your voice has been matured." Vincent said. "But still you."
"Oh." I said. I was pretty flattered actually. After a moment, I added, "I can be a wolf, too."
"Oh? What kind of wolf?" Vincent asked.
I shrugged. "I can show you."
"Sure, I doubt it will be as surprising as you walking in as your previous form." Vincent said.
I went over to where people walking into the store, if they do, won't see me, and shifted. Then I approached him.
He looked at me and said, "So pretty much just a smaller form of the other one."
I woofed, and went over to Adelaide, so she could have a good look at me. Adelaide leabed down, then paused.
"Can I pet you?" She asked.
Amused, I nodded. I can't communicate in this form, so things that are common silent human communications had to be relied on. Adelaide began to pet me and said, "You are so soft. This feels good for the soul."
Vincent seemed to be stifling a laugh. I remembered about my lady issue, and glanced behind towards the path I'd taken. No drops. It made sense, blood isn't always a thing in wolves and dogs during this time. Or it just canceled it because it didn't know how to treat it. Either way, I just let Adelaide keep petting me. I flopped my front legs over her knee and wagged my tail for her, like if I was a dog. Human's liked these actions.
Adelaide looked at Vincent suddenly and said, "Vincent, I need a dog."
"Really? A dog?" Vincent asked.
"Yes. A dog." She replied. "I feel it would help keep me centered."
"A particular kind? Small, medium, large? Two heads?" Vincent asked.
"No matter what it is, it does need to be sturdy." She said. She found a spot just behind my ear to scratch and I involuntarily thumped my back leg leaning into the scritches. It felt very nice and I was incredibly embarassed.
A few people came into the shop and began looking around. Adelaide set me down and stood, being watchful. So I scampered behind the counter next to Vincent where I wouldn't attract as much attention. Seeing an opportunity since his hand was lowered as he chatted to the customer, I bumped my head against his hand. He absent-mindedly scratched my head.
One of the customers did end up purchasing something, and the ones that came in together left together. Another few came and went after some looking around, then the store was empty again. Vincent maintained a friendly demeaner the entire time, even if he could out speak any of the adults that spoke to him.
He looked down at me and said, "How long do you plan on hiding behind my counter?"
I walked out, shifting to human, "Well, my coat matches in both forms. I'd hate people to make connections."
"Ah, logic behind the madness." He said.
"I'll admit I don't always act like an adult, but I am certainly a skilled tactician." I said.
"Well, miss skilled tactician. I have this lovely little game we could check that out on." Vincent challenged me.
"What game?" I asked.
"It's a game called chess. You move pieces on a board and try to kill each other's king." Vincent explained.
"Chess? With the rooks, knights, bishop and queen?" I asked.
"Yes. That's the one." Vincent said.
"Are you sure? I used play it with Tilton and Daddy before I died." I said.
"Then it sounds like you'll be a worthy opponent." He said.
"I'll beat you up if you cheat." I warned.
He side glanced me and said, "What in the world would make you think I would cheat?"
"Tilton cheats." I said. "The dirty troll toe."
"What in the world did he do to cheat?" Vincent asked.
"Violations of the touch-move rule, illusions. switching pieces. Moving pieces back into play." I listed. "He gets very creative. He's a sore loser and a sorer winner."
"None of this matches the Tilton I have heard of." Vincent said.
"Well, he's matured I guess. He was always a rapscallious troll toe around me." I shrugged. "The Tilton I remember most was from nearly four centuries ago."
"Ah, yes. True enough." Vincent said.
"Asides, it's not baby talk that I use when I say certain words. It's words that have been phased out of todays speech patterns." I told him.
"Speech patterns would have changed over time, yes." He said. "But are you wanting to play or not?"
"I'll play with you, acause you're a cute boy." I replied.
"I do not see how level of cuteness has anything to do with playing chess, but alright." Vincent commented.
I shrugged and smiled at him. He waved me to follow him to the back room and set up the game to play. We played three rounds. I proved to be muchly out of practice of the game. He won the first round without issue. There had been some rule changes over the years. The pieces were not even the same. I managed to drag out the second round with seemingly nonsensical moves and won that round. The third round, he'd caught onto my play style and trounced me.
"You're movements were truly bizarre and followed no true pattern." Vincent said.
"I think I would probably need to be more serious to challenge you properly." I noted.
"Are these excuses I hear?" He asked.
"No, just an observation. See, to beat Tilton you gotta be nonsensical. But you actually adapt quickly. I'm impressed with how you managed to counter what you call bizarre and patternless." I explained.
"I would bother to explain how, but I don't need you to adapt either. The next time that we play, it's best you come serious to the table." Vincent said.
"I'll study up some more on the game, then. There were some changes I wasn't familiar with." I said. "But you gave me ideas for potential fights."
"Maybe we'll try checkers next time. It's far more in depth than people give it credit for." Vincent said.