The Sounds of the Trees and the Wind and the Singing Tiger. [NR]

Don't listen to a word I say~

The screams all sound the same~

Though the truth may vary~

This ship will carry our bodies safe to shore~

Rare for a creature such as him to sing; but when he was alone; truly so; he would indulge. His voice was gravely and low; almost a rumble of thunder under the soft winds and trees rustling. This was an area he felt safe in; and area of beauty and splendor and sentimentality. Trees similar to the cherry blossoms existed in his ancient home; his family's lands had many, and the gardens of the nobility where a wash with the falling flowers for much of the spring and early summer. It reminded him of home; in a good way.

It was quiet. He could think there. He could be himself; his coloration and his movements seemed... normal, a rarity. A tiger among the cherry trees? Not that odd; not for anyone that had traveled the far east. While no words where sung outside of his mind; the intent was there in his sounds: an old folk song if you will. A line that in his native language translated differently and meant something different then in the common tongues.

It was still familiar and comforting; and it kept him happy until his companion; his only friend; the person he longed to see again; until Demi, returned to him. She was away, and he was... unhappy in his own way; he hated to be away from her. He felt empty and numb without her by his side.

A scent, a change to the winds... he could feel it; she would return to him soon; born on the winds and the water and the seas.

Though the truth may vary~

This ship will carry our bodies safe to shore~

Demi followed her nose, the wind making it easy enough. Her form darted around trees and shrubbery, even a few animals that had been wandering around and were far too slow to get out of her way in time. After a moment or two she skidded to a stop, Flynn in sight.

She walked at her normal pace up to him almost skipping as she did so, still dripping water from her underwater traveling method. Reaching him she sat down indian style near him and sighed before falling backwards and laying there; staring upwards to the sky.

"I think I'm going to keep my ass on the island for a while and not make any more random ventures unless I'm needed...", she muttered softly before turning her gaze to Flynn and smiling, several petals from the trees above falling down into her hair and on her face.

Aaaand the sudden explosion of happy purrs and other tiger-like noises was all anyone needed to know he was a very happy kitty again; his large bulk shifting to almost fall over onto the ground. He was merely laying down beside her; an enormous arm and paw swung carelessly over her smaller form in a sort of "welcome home" hug. Tail flicking and noises dying to a contented purr; he allowed himself to shift from tiger to hybrid forms; a simple shift of his now smaller body all it took to have him all but blanketing her in what would look to human eyes like a cuddled position.

"I smell stress and paint... Need I expect issues to arise this time?"

A tone akin to amusement was all that was given; but the shine of his eyes betrayed his happiness of her return. He only felt alive anymore when she was with him; and he felt that aching emptiness whenever she wasn't. Now was a time for peace and happiness and to just enjoy life; unless the outside world stepped back in to ruin his fun.

Demitria cuddled herself up close to Flynn, becoming suddenly happy and content. It was like the rest of the world was erased from existence besides the two of them here and now. And, it was the way she preferred things. Sometimes she didn't understand herself and why she felt the need to go out and cause mischief; especially when she was so happy and content here, with him.

"Hnn... maybe. Probably not, but then again... that person that came with me, Squall was his name. He summoned this giant three headed dog... and well, people got eaten. Quickly. So.. I dunno..." She closed her eyes, taking in a deep almost needless breath; she didn't need to breathe to live, but Flynn's scent was comforting, and caused her to relax more. "I hope not, I'm suddenly feeling entirely too lazy to do much...", her words were an understatement; she could spend the next few hours, days even, just laying here like she was now. Happy Demi was very happy. Hell, even the beast of a tattoo on her back, the same one that seemed to react with her body, was smiling - it too was too pleased and comfortable to do much.

Three-headed dog? Lovely; that had to be all kinds of damaging.

"Squall...? Like the storm?" He was fluent enough in the common tongues; but names sometimes confused the hell out of him. Theirs were simple; usually a trait the child showed early on; a color that stood out; or simple names passed through blood-lines; rarely did they mean much. Placeholders for verbal communication; the species in general was Psychic and psychic signatures where felt and understood; not verbalized or thought. Unless you where Mind-Blind, as he was; then a name meant more. Although his common name; the one he used now was merely that, a placeholder; his true name was far more and far less; as it held little meaning to anyone but himself anymore. He was simply Flynn, now; and that was all that mattered.

"You deserve a rest, it would seem; and the weather is very nice. We can remain here as long as you desire.~"

A shift of his weight; subtle grip with the hand of the arm draped over her; and now she was laying on top of his body; centered for perfect comfort and dwarfed by his bulk. He was as good as a bed for her; and she was a negligible weight that was welcome with every fiber of his being. The same arm shifted back across her; not laid so heavy that she couldn't move; more a gentle, loose hug; keeping her close without being claustrophobic.

Demi paused at his question and gave a light nod. "I suppose so. Odd name.. but at least his means something. Demitria... pssh. My mother should be smacked, if she wasn't already dead."

As he shifted their positions she relaxed more, entirely comfortable with the new laying situation. He was comfortable, and made her feel a deep inner peace, all in all, she was happy. She rested her head against him and closed her eyes, feeling the wind blow her hair back from her face and bring with it the scent of the ever present ocean.

"Hnn.. forever sounds good.", she muttered softly in response to his statement, her smile growing more even though her eyes remained closed. "So, what did you do while I was gone? Did Amaranth let lose any more of those experiments of hers... because before I left some sort of zombie werewolf thing tried eating me..." She ran her fingers lightly across his chest as she waited for her answer.

Hnnng.... that poor beast did not last very long. "It has been... dealt with." His purring sounds increased in volume; enough now to turn his body into one giant massage table from the rumbling. Comforting for both of them; it helped to relieve the last vestiges of stress from his body and really... a giant, warm, massage bed. Most people would sell their first born child for that.

"Unless I have somehow missed another escape; all has been quiet. Far too much so, with you gone."

He enjoyed the silence of the world; natures sounds where music to his old ears; but when Demi was too far away, everything was dull and unappealing. It was just lucky he was a creature that was exceedingly difficult to do away with; he had a bad habit of not eating, sleeping, etc when she was gone.

"It may be time to see if young Amaranth is in need a clean sweep of the island. Three outbreaks in a fortnight is a tad more then normal."

She snuggled up more to him as he purred, enjoying the whole sensation very much so. Her own body, normally such a luke warm temperature unless she had fed recently which she hadn't, heated up slightly from his warmth. "Hmm... I didn't expect to be gone as long as I was. Alec's father left the family business to him, so I got pulled in... apparently he's going to need me around a bit, but he can reach me here if he needs me."

She opened her eyes a moment, staring off at the trees as she continued to run her fingers along his chest; the action more a habit by now than anything. "I think those humans keep randomly getting into her lab when she's working up at that factory. She puts the signs up but they just don't seem to pay it any attention. She doesn't seem to take normal precautions because she herself is immune to all of it... but those humans." She sighed softly. "They never seem to learn."

"But, I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to give a good sweep of the island; encase there are a few running around that were missed... or if, by chance, one of the humans is infected and just hasn't changed yet." She smiled suddenly. "But... maybe later? I'm... rather comfortable, and in no real urge to move... unless Amara feels the need to drag me to her new lab. Destiny built her an underground lab, complete with living quarters... I haven't seen it yet, but apparently it looks like a giant underwater bubble sitting on the ocean floor."

"Underwater bubble? That sounds... rather interesting, actually."

A flash of memory; eyes going distant as he sank into it. There where plenty of water-born clans among his people; nearly all lived primarily in the port city, close to the water they called home. So little of the actual city was above water; the streets drifted right into the sea and no one thought anything of it. Stairs in the docks ran right to the bottom; onto more docks for the underwater traders that never came above the surface. A place of stone and water and plants and the meeting of sea and air and land and everything that was good about their people. All where the same; all free to come and go; no district 'off limits"; something the central city had started to forget with the Nobility locking themselves away in high walled gardens filled with lush homes and so quiet they seemed dead and preserved like a museum.

A shake of the head, only the hint of a break in the rumbles from deep in his chest; he was back in the present and smiling wistfully; he could feel that much. Better to focus on the now and not get lost again; he could sulk in the past when he was alone; he wasn't about to waste time in the long lost times when he had Demi close enough to make the present worth living in.

"Yes... no rush at all. Unless one decides to approach us; I don't see much reason to look for trouble just yet. Enjoy a break; enjoy the lovely weather and the blooming trees. So rare to find peaceful moments anymore."

Demi nodded into his chest at his first comment. "Mmhmm. Maybe I'll actually get to see some fish. When I just walk or run under the water more things tend to well... flee from me." She grinned, playfully. "Can't imagine why.. harmless little me."

A chuckle escaped her. "As far as peace and quiet goes we need to enjoy it while we have it. Vacation time starts next week; and then this entire island is going to be filled with noisy humans. Or well.. the beaches and resorts at least. Amaranth was talking about putting up some sort of mental fence to keep them from going deeper into the island; some sort of block or something that automatically just makes them turn around, or remember something important they need to do. She said she's worried about people getting eaten... "

Demi reclosed her eyes, remaining comfortably on top of Flynn, and kept herself snuggled in close. She took another deep breath and then exhaled, filling her senses once more with his scent.

Aaaand there went his mood; to some degree. Joy; more humans stinking up the place and causing problems. He could handle the children that wanted to play with him; tiger form was easier to live in while there where massive hoards of the unwashed and loud masses; but the adults.... ugh. Ignorant; annoying; invasive. Not fun.

"That is the most intelligent plan I have heard in days. Block off the dangerous areas; with a little extra so we can find some peace while the pests ruin the island, yes?"

Demi chuckled again, shoulders shaking slightly in her laughter. "Indeed. Amaranth even offered us a place in her underwater lab if we wanted to take it. Said we wouldn't have to worry about the smell so much; and the water should muffle a good deal of their noise. Plus, there's only one way in or out, it's hidden well enough, and guarded even better. So, there'd be no risk of any of them getting inside; and those random creatures she creates are easy enough to get rid of if they get loose."

She shifted slightly and then smiled. "Besides... anything bites me I'm biting it back... and I bite harder then those random things she keeps making." Her tattoo began to lazily shift, moving from her back to up by her shoulder; the very head of the beastie creature resting on her shoulder now compared to by her spine where it had been.

"That... sounds wonderful; honestly. I am a tiger after all; water and I are very good friends. You know I don't have issues with tight spaces either. So long as she doesn't attempt to bleed me dry again while attempting to decipher my immunities to the zombie beasts; everything should go smoothly. It would be interesting to watch the human divers lose their minds when they see a tiger of my size calmly walking along the seafloor. That was rather fun last season.~"

Demi laughed softly and nodded again, lifting her head up to look at him. "I know, right? I think even Amaranth got a good laugh off of that one; at least until her first experiment got loose and started eating people. But, I don't think you have to worry about her wanting any more of your blood; she's been working on creating a summon of some kind. Not quite sure what she's aiming for, exactly.. she said she wants something small, but powerful.. possibly able to fly... So, worst I see her doing is bombarding you with a thousand and one curious questions about everything and anything that used to walk the planet."

She then paused a moment, a thought suddenly crossing her mind that caused her to sigh. She didn't feed often; didn't need to. She was stronger than she should've been at her age; and that helped greatly. However... she probably shouldn't press her luck; she was plenty sure Amaranth would get pissed off if she /accidentally/ lost it and ate one of her tourists. Especially if it was her large curse that got loose - there was only one person who that beast even listened to, and it happened to be the person she was lying on.

"Hn.. I should make sure I'm good and fed before they show up... Don't need to risk that lovely curse coming out..."

As he listened to her; a somewhat similar thought pattern passed through his mind; although for him, it purely normal need to hunt what he ate every so often. Most game on the island was semi-tame and far to simple to acquire; he needed that chase to calm his inner beast every so often. Maybe some old fashioned fishing would take the edge off; hunt him a shark or two and use the teeth as arrow heads. Keep a few dozen for himself; give the rest to one of the random villagers to sell to the tourists. Yeah... that would work.

"Sounds a plan, yes. The fewer destructive beings loose at once, the less hassle we'll all have. If the whispers on the wind are right; there will be more of the oppressed ones visiting for a vacation." His way of referencing the lands Demi had been in before returning; he had a serious dislike of anyone that ruled with such heavy-handed measures. The people from that city where always troublemakers; anyone that knows they have a very limited time in which to experience freedom tended to be.

Demi sighed and shook her head slightly. "Joy... I just might end up eating someone then; if only to shut up their drunkenness." That was one of those pet peeves of her; she knew humans drank, had no problem with it, but it was the ones that took it just a tad too far or further for that matter that got under her skin. They were always so loud and obnoxious, plus the smell itself tended to wrinkle even her nose - and she was always head first in death and destruction, so there wasn't a lot that could make her take pause like that.

"Hmm.. now I'm torn... go out there and find something to /play/ with... or lay here and remain comfortable. Both choices are equally appealing...", she said with a slightly wicked grin. Her mood was definitely changing swiftly; currently stuck between her lazy comfortableness in which she felt now, and the rise she tended to get from the idea of hunting something.

"We should find something large, mean, dangerous, and hunt it together. It would be interesting to see just what gives the both of us a challenge.~"

Two reasons; more time spent together, and the thought of finding something that outright dangerously powerful did things for his animal nature that few others could. Most creatures in this time where either exceedingly small or too tame for him; hunting what remained of his world was nearly impossible with the low numbers; and supernatural beings tended to be sentient and that was never any fun. He wasn't a sadist after all.

His purring slowly began to change; less organized chaos and more... organized, really. Almost taking on a tune, for several moments. Then his throat actually cleared and a humming was overlayed over the purr; a strange sound, but not rough or grating or bad, really. The music of a forgotten people, before the time of human sensibilities. Few ever knew he had any talent for music when he was younger; and now, only Demi would ever hear his songs.

The words where not words, translated from the common languages into his native tongue; now conveyed as emotion and sound and so little true spoken anything. It fit his style better; and the verse was simple enough. Maybe one day he would sing it to her in a way she would understand better; but for now, this felt better to him...

Then I see your face
I know I'm finally yours
I find everything
I thought I lost before
You call my name
I come to you in pieces
So you can make me whole

The winds changed; the trees stilled. Sounds of nature and the world harmonized with him; a trick and a surprise and something he had no control over; it just happened. The world was telling them to stop; relax; enjoy what they could. He was all for listening, just this once. Now was the time to rest and enjoy and recover. And maybe, if he felt like it, sing a little more for her.

The idea of finding something so large and dangerous gave Demi a secret, almost sadistic, thrill. There wasn't much around, save maybe her loved ones, who could honestly challenge her abilities and strength; so to find something that would offer such? It was indeed an appealing idea. "Maybe, if we cannot find anything like that, Amaranth could make something for us...", she said softly.

She then fell silent, as the new sound that Flynn was making reached her sensitive ears. A smile, calm and relaxed in its nature, formed across her face. She was utterly at peace now, and once more she rested her head on his chest and closed her eyes; just enjoying this moment. She picked up on how even the nature around them began to harmonize with him.

The tattoo began to move again, only unlike it's normally sign that meant it was trying to break free, it was simply reacting to the song, moving around her form carefree and relaxed. Demi found herself thinking that if anything happened to come along and ruin this moment she was going to make it hurt and suffer and only kill it after she had broken it so completely; but then she pushed that thought out of her mind and simply relaxed, enjoying their time together, and not worrying about the world around them for once.

He seemed to just appear out of thin air. Rumor had it that the man had some sort of strange abilities himself, but he never spoke on them. He barely said a word besides orders or specific messages given to him by Alec. The butler was a strange one. No one even knew his actual name.

Yet he was there, almost instantly, standing nearby Demi and Flynn. "Excuse me," he said, clearing his throat. "I'm sorry to intrude upon the moment the two of you are having, but a very serious matter has arisen back in Edge City. I have been tasked with the quest of tracking you down, Demitria, and informing you that your presence is requested urgently in Mr. Kane's office at your earliest convenience. I do suggest that you not keep the man waiting..."

Then again, almost instantly, he was gone...