[Forest] Let the monsters see you smile.

[Erys Grace]

The girl collapsed at the base of a gnarled tree, its dead branches curling with the weight of the sunlights abandon. Her chest heaved, heart slamming against her insides as her head lolled to one side, eyes fluttering open to stare listlessly at her surroundings. Where was she? Even with her adapted vision Erys was having a hard time focusing, there was always a crimson-like blur at the edge of her sight. The handicap irritated her and she nearly lashed out, as if attempting vainly to swat it away. Her shirt was soaked, though with sweat or blood she didn't know, and the tatters of her sweater clung to her wounded arms, both of which draped haphazardly over random tree roots. The Slytherin grit her teeth together, prying open eyes which had been sealed shut by her own pathetic tears as she attempted to stand. "Get up you pathetic meatsack." She demanded of herself, hauling away from the base of the tree to totter on the balls of her feet.

Erys giggled to herself then, a giddy, maniacal sound made sinister by her own blood loss. "Where did it all go?" She whispered to herself forlornly, staring down at her shredded stomach with disdain. Hell, what had happened to her? Was it the trees? Was it that damned vampire again from three years ago, getting her revenge? The professor had thought she was dead. Professor? Huh. Erys found it dreadfully strange to call herself a professor. She had just turned nineteen come Halloween, and yet.. Wait, it was her birthday last month. Why hadn't anyone told her? She didn't even get a present, even a hug.

"What the.." She swore to herself then, seeming to come to her senses as she nearly retched at the thought of her feeling bad. Feeling bad about a lack of hugs, no doubt. God she had fallen so far.. Steadying herself she scrabbled desperately at nearby branches, but they did nothing to stall her descent as her body hit the ground again, eyes slamming shut as darkness overwhelmed her for a second time.[/color]

[Ricky Daine]

It had been a good few months since Ricky had really taken an interest in anything. The way he'd been walking around you'd have thought he'd lost all sense of self. Well, he'd definatly lost something, he knew what it was the problem was he had no idea how to regain it. Currently, he was wandering around the grounds of Hogwarts, staying away from the looming trees of the Forbidden Forest. He used to love going in there for adventures, it held no real bad memories for him back then. Not anymore. Now it held the painful memories of the transformations each month, not to mention the fact of his nudity when he reverted back.

Girty, as much as he hated to admit it, had been a great friend to him over the past couple of months. He had tried to repay the favour by being somewhat nice to her, before he knew what was happening he was also being a good friend to her... they'd become friends. It was odd. He hadnt really known when his feelings for Girty had changed from Hatred to Friendship. He actually cared for her now and loathe to anyone who tried to hurt her. He scowled, he hated the fact he cared for her. Even though he was getting used to it now he kept on thinking becuase he cared for Girty, Erys would never forgive him.

Erys...

There was a name that plagued him. Even now he couldnt believe how much he'd hurt her. He despised himself for putting her through that much pain. He knew about Alex, and he knew it was his fault. He'd pushed them together and therefor didnt blame her. It hurt to think she was fooling around with him, that there was a possible chance of her caring for him and hating Ricky. God, it just ate him up inside. He stopped walking and gazed into the tree's of the forest. His brows knitted together. He felt like something was calling him from in there. He didnt want to go in there, he knew better than most what was hiding in between those trees... but his feet wouldnt stop pushing him forward.

As soon as he was through his senses came alive. His ears pricked up, listening for the slightest sound. His nose became more sharp as did his eyes. There was something in here that shouldnt be here. This was territory for the creatures who roam here... whoever was violating that terrority, the forest and the creatures didnt appear to like it very much. He wandered carefully through the trees, willing that nothing came out and attacked him. He hated this place, it set the hairs on the back of his neck to stand on end.

Laughter filled his ears.

But it wasnt fun laughter. It was maniacle sound. Yet, he reconised it easily. "Erys..." He spoke to himself. He began to hurry, he could smell the blood. It made his stomach churn to think she was hurt. Hurrying through the tree's he broke through, he had to find her. That was the only thing on his mind right now. Soon enough, he had her in his sights. He ran to catch her and what he saw made him sick. She was hurt, badly. She'd lost a lot of blood. He didnt realise he'd be the last person she wanted to see right now. "Erys... You're hurt! We have to get you back to the castle. You need to see the nurse." God, please listen to him.

[Erys Grace]

His voice nearly made her retch as her heartbeat quickened, causing only more blood to seep out from the wounds on her stomach. "No. You see the nurse." Curled up now with her face buried on her crossed arms the Slytherin replied with a blunt, stubborn expletive, refusing to move even then. She moved for no one; she didn't care if Jesus himself was there trying to get her to haul ass, the girl wouldn't budge. He knew he might have to drag her kicking and screaming, but he also knew she'd bleed to death in the process, so.. Win-win for Erys. Well not really, but it caused a smug little grin to tug at her lips, which curled into a sneer at his gently probing touch. Checking for injuries. "Dont touch me!" She spat, the sound barely audible over the felid snarl that fell heavily from her jaws. She would rather get eaten alive than see him again, her weakness would be a weakness no longer. So long as she squeezed her eyes tight he wouldn't be there anymore, and she could get those damned voices out of her head.

Swatting him away with half-clawed fingers--she simply hadn't the strength to fully unsheathe them--Erys attempted to scuttle away, wrapping her arms around her stomach and wincing over in pain. What are you doing here? Why did it have to be you, finding me? I would rather the damned headmaster be out here, even that Hubbles mutt. Anyone but you.. She inwardly sobbed, eyes suspiciously wet as she angled her face away from him. "Its just a scratch." Being stubborn would get her killed one of these days, and she knew it. But she would be damned to let him help her, not again, not this time. "Leave me. You've done it once before, this should be cake for you." Her head spun as both hands scrabbled at her temples, as if she could dig her own fingers in and rip the feelings away. They would plague her no longer.[/color]

[Ricky Daine]

Ricky flinched when she spoke to him, honestly what else had he expected? Her open hostility towards him was expected and rightly deserved. Afterall, he'd been a bad boyfriend hadnt he? He'd lied to her and hurt her. About the only thing he hadnt done was cheat on her and that was the only thing he could honestly say about it. He wasnt expecting her to forgive him, but hell he'd given her enough space now. He was going to help her and he was going to get her back to the castle, even if it killed him. And once she was fully recovered, she was going to speak to him. They were going to sort this mess out once and for all, even if she still hated him afterwards she had to see his side of the story.

"I'm not the one with the big gaping hole in my stomach." He said tonelessly. Odd how his voice was always toneless these days. His eyes held no sparkle and he didnt even bat an eyelid when someone betrayed the Slytherin house anymore. She was being stubborn, he knew this side of her better than most. True he never really knew how to handle it, but his being stubborn too helped and usually they both backed down with compromise. He reached out to touch her, to see just how bad she was hurt. The scent of the blood filled his nose. He really hated being a werewolf. She suddenly lashed out, not physically but her tone could do just enough damage. He flinched back again and frowned. Honestly, even if she hated him she should accept his help and get back to hating him once she was better. "You know I'm not going to let you wander around the forest alone in a mess like that."

He dropped back though when she lashed at him with her claws. Or, rather what she could muster of them. He shook his head, he didnt know what to do. She hated him, she literally hated him and there was nothing he could do about it. It ate him up inside, it burned him right to the core... it hurt... and she never saw that. She didnt see this was having just as big of an effect on him as it was on her. At least he hadnt run off with anyone else, she had Alex... and Ricky was not alright with that. "A gaping hole and a bunch of gashes are not stratches. Scratches come from tree branches or fluffy kittens." He looked at the wounds "Looks like you've been eaten."

When she spoke again, Ricky really did flinch. The pain ripped through his stomach like someone sticking a knife into his gut and twisting it. The guilt washed over him and he suddenly felt sick. "That... isnt fair." He breathed, it was like she'd just punched him. All the air had left his lungs. "I'm trying to help you and... No... that just..." He turned and walked a little away to get his breathing back. So she was still sour about it. Wasnt it her who attacked him and not listened when he tried to explain? Okay, so it wasnt really her fault, he knew it wasnt but there was just so much more to this than that. "You want to hurt me, I get that. You want me to suffer I get that too! But I've already done both of those things... None of it matters right now." He didnt want to have a fight, his voice wasnt harsh instead it dripped with pain and regret. "But... How do you expect to keep on hating me if you're dead? How do you think you'll get me to pay for what I've done if you're dead? I'll walk away scot free if you die... So let me take you to the Hospital Wing because I dont want you to die!" His voice rose a couple of octaves, but he stopped himself short, he didnt tell her that it was because he still loved her. He didnt think that would work, but the reverse psychology of that last sentance might.

[Erys Grace]

The attempts to transform into a bengal were denied by her own body now, as a pathetic patch of fur that had poked out of her skin withered back to flesh once again. Her bones screamed in protest--unable to complete the change--and she scowled, curling up some more. So she would not be able to escape him, despite his convincing argument. "You want to help me." She stated bleakly, a shaky laugh sounding- but she was on the offensive now. "You want to help me despite knowing about Alex and I." Her eyes gleamed blackly. "Our hot, writhing bodies pressed against each other.." However he replied she knew he wouldn't leave, not if she had ripped him to pieces in the process.. After all, she had tried that already once. Worked as well as that Ravenclaw Ashby's wand. Pushing up on her hands and knees Erys feebly wrapped her fingers around his arm, using him as a crutch to stand. This handicap burned the backs of her eyes it seemed, how irritating it was to have him help her. To have her need it so pathetically like this.

When his voice rose to a scream her eyes widened slightly, the tiniest hint of surprise flickering across her face as the Slytherin froze. She had never heard him speak like this, not even when they had broken up in the common room all those many months ago. Hell, she was going to die here if she didn't make it back to the hospital wing, even her will to live wasn't enough to save her now. She would have to accept his help, much as it pained her to admit it. "Take me back." Erys whispered brokenly, her voice barely audible as she closed her eyes, demanding the tears away before they fell and embarrassed her. He was right, of course he was. How was she supposed to hurt him if she wasn't around? There was no one brave enough to take up her position, she couldn't just up and die right now, that was weaker than a Hufflepuff on a sparkle streak.

The Slytherin began to walk, attempting to ignore his protests to carry her as she carefully set each foot, one in front of each other, solidly on the ground. So far so good, had she not tottered and smacked her shoulder against another tree branch. He would never let her down after this.[/color]

[Ricky Daine]

This was causing Ricky quite some pain, he hated seeing her suffer like this. Being in pain -granted this time not his fault- was awful for him to watch. He rubbed the back of his head, he had no idea what to do to get her to go with him back to the castle. He just knew he needed to get her back there before she bled to death all over the Forbidden Forest's floor. His senses were still sharp, listening for any signs or sounds that shouldnt be here. With her bleeding so much it wouldnt surprise him if something else was drawn to the scent of it.

He flinched again, something he seemed to be doing quite a lot these days. His eyes darted down to the floor and suddenly he felt entirely uncomfy. "Yes, I want to help you despite that." He answered simply, though his voice was shaking roughly. He knew what had been happening between them obviously but he had hoped the rumours were a lie, and that when Ricky'd seen them together it was nothing more than friendship. But now she'd basically admitted it he couldnt live in the delusional world anymore. He'd have to face up to it eventually. But now was not the time for it. Pulling in a breath he held his hand out for her to help her up.

He felt her hand grip around his arm, he gently used his other hand to help her get to her feet. He didnt want to hurt her any more than she was already hurt. Having her accept help from him should have made Ricky happy, it should have given him some hope. But in the last few seconds happiness and hope had been washed away by her revelation. He smiled to her, however his smile was strained and painful. Smiling, smirking, laughing and sarcasm rarely came easily to him anymore and he was beginning to understand why. She'd affected him more than he knew, he needed her. Without her he was just... well, empty would be a good word for it.

After his little rant, he turned to look at Erys who seemed to have a very surprised look on her face. Suddenly feeling very self concious, he turned his eyes from her and ran a hand through his blonde hair. Somehow, his jacket wasnt dirty with mud... even if it was spotted with dark red stains. Erys's blood. She spoke, her voice nothing more than a whisper but he caught it anyway. Extra sensitive hearing did help in these circumstances. "Alright." He put his hands on her to help her but she shrugged them off. She couldnt walk like this and it would take them all night to get through here in her state. "Let me help you, you can barely walk" She ignored him, just like he thought she would. So instead he stuck close to her, watching her carefully. When she stumbled, he was quick to set her right. He put his hands gently on her waist and pulled her upright. She looked weak, a statement she would hate to hear. Turning around, he bent down slightly. "Get on." His tone wasnt sharp, but an air of authority was in it. He wasnt going to take no for an answer. "I'll carry you. Come on. Put your arms around my shoulders and your legs around my waist." Giving her of course, the opportune moment to strangle him. But to be fair, he didnt think she had the strength to strangle a rat.

[Erys Grace]

His demand abandoned now the Slytherin's face contorted into a smug, childish expression; her searching eyes darted off in another direction and with a sudden burst of adrenaline she jerked herself away, toppling through the bushes and somersaulting into a small clearing. As he was soon to follow (if not already there, having probably anticipated her escape attempt) she heaved her body up, driven by pure instinct now. Pupils slitted and hands half-pawed she swiped out at her rescuer, words mangled and fractured by the raw velocity of her snarl. Thoughts were but tiny blips on the radar that was her mind, the occupying force a simple but powerful state of destruction. It was the will to survive, a dominating factor in all animalistic minds, an unwanted addition to the life of an animagus. I will break you. The animal hissed, hooking its claws at the flesh of his chest, ripping and tearing. She would soon be overcome however, he would pin her to the ground and the adrenaline would fade to leave a pathetic, whimpering excuse for a person bleeding to death right there.

His reaction silenced her, and though her wrists were manacled again she struggled against her fleshy bindings, looking up at him with narrowed eyes. The pain of him on top of her was pleasant; it was as if she were holding hands with an old friend, one she missed dearly. It was comforting almost, causing her eyes to flutter closed and a loud purr to rumble warmly from her chest. When would he learn to beat the crap out of her like she wanted? If she wanted something done she'd just have to do it herself, it seemed. Erys slipped one wrist from his grip to snake it around his neck, jerking his face close to hers. Lips mere heartbeats away, touching yet not touching. Your move.[/color]

[Ricky Daine]

As Erys suddenly broke away from him with force he had not expected her to have, he stumbled and had to hold on to the tree beside him for support for a moment. He watched with horror (and slight fascination) as she toppled through the bushes and into a small clearing. Ricky sighed, honestly... was she trying to get herself killed. Why wouldnt she just gracefully accept his help for today and go back to hating his rotten guts tomorrow? He knew as well as she did that she wasnt getting very far, her being half dead (or certainly looking it right now) and him being as fit as a fiddle.

He wandered through the bushes, they scratched at his covered legs but he ignored it, and into the clearing. She was pushing herself to her feet, and he was careful enough to stay just out of her claw's reach, for now at least. His eyes wary, obviously he had underestimated her strength and that could end up bad for the both of them. He was actually becoming slightly irritated now with her childish behaviour, he just didnt get the point in it. Hate him, fine. Kick him and punch him, fine. But dont be as so stupid as to not accept help under pain of death... that was ridiculous. She seemed to close the gap between them, her hooked claws heading right for the danger point in his chest. Right for his heart. If it wouldnt have killed him he'd have let her claw it out, it was hers anyway so what was the difference? Unfortunatly, she needed him right now, whether she would bloody admit it or not.

"Oy, cut it out already!" He half snarled through the struggle, gripping her wrists tightly and not letting her go. His eyes, though still wary, were betraying him. He cared, and if she was paying even the slightest bit of attention she would realise that, whether it registered with her was something else entirely.

Gripping her, and trying not to hurt her anymore while she was struggling was proving to be a very difficult task indeed, and as she moved, he moved, the two lost their balance and fell down. Ricky found himself laying on top of her. Painfully, memories of when they used to play fight came to him. Something he really didnt want to think about right now as he sat up, pinning her beneath him, he both felt and heard the purr in her chest but chose to ignore it. He relaxed his grip as he was assailed with thoughts he hadnt thought for a long time. By the time he noticed, she'd slipped her wrist out of his hand and in the same fluid movement she'd snaked the free arm around his neck and pulled him back down, their faces almost touching.

His breath caught in his throat. This wasnt what he'd expected when he'd come in here, or when he'd found her. In fact, it was far from what he'd expected. Selfish desire soon took over though, he'd longed for this closeness ever since he'd lost her. He'd wanted to touch her. He let go off her other hand and snaked his hand in her tangeled hair, before closing the gap between them, his mouth devouring hers in a kiss which in his mind, spoke more than any words could. As soon as he'd done it though, he realised the mistake in this... well less mistake more fear in her reaction. He broke off slowly and stayed close to her, his eyes watching her reaction.. trying to read the lines in which he may have now crossed.