Above and Beyond [open]

[Jocelyn[Spirit]]

An off-white body streaked through the woods, climbing higher and jumping from rock to rock. She ran as fast as she cold, her breath coming in short quick gasps. In her human form, Kayla was in very good shape for she ran all the time and worked out. But a snow leopard is not meant for endurance, but rather quick bursts of speed. So, she strived to change that. And so far she had been doing really well. The runs up the mountain, bounding over the rocks and sloped dirt has increased her stamina ten fold.

She reached her favorite cleaning that over looked the mountain. A rock jutted out, like in the lion king only instead of only rocks, there was a thick forest. She padded softly over to the rock, climbing up onto it and over looking the world. She panted hard and fast, mist shooting out of her nostrils and open mouth. She flicked her long, bushy tail left and right, waiting for her heart rate to go back to normal. She sat down on her haunches and looked out over the mountains. she saw a small pebble sitting on the rock next to her paw and she kicked it off the ledge, watching it fall. She flicked a round aud and listened to it echo off the mountain walls. Click Clack Click all the way down.

[Aras|Ofelia]

He visited the mountains often enough on wing, but this was one of the few times Aras had hiked it on foot. This way was far less convenient - he'd had to pack, drive here, then walk halfway up the trail he could have flown plenty of times over in the same amount of time. Speed and efficiency, however, weren't his primary concerns at the moment. He wasn't entirely sure what were his primary concerns, but winging it across Mist Mountain in record time wasn't one of them.

If anyone asked, he could have said that he needed some time alone to think, which would have been a lie, since he was trying to do anything but. About how he and another Hunter had been sent after a small, 'uncooperative' wolf pack, with orders to eliminate every one of them. About how dreadfully easy it had been; the pack had been thrown into disarray, just as he had predicted, when they took out the alphas in the initial ambush. Before they had time to regroup, the betas lay dead. Four wolves, four bullets. His partner took care of the remaining three. About how the other Hunter had congratulated him on his marksmanship.

The bitter irony did not escape him. Before he became entangled with the Hunters, Aras would have been proud to receive such praise; had he not become involved, he would never have gotten this adept at sharpshooting. And of course, the fact that the very reason why the Hunters sought him out in the first place was because of this talent.

So as he thought about not thinking unpleasant thoughts, Aras neglected to think about where exactly he was going. It took him far too long to realize that the ledge to which his feet had carried him was already occupied.

[Jocelyn[Spirit]]

Kayla sat there twitching her long fluffy tail absent mindly, starring of into space. She let out a big yawn, ivory teeth flashing in the light and her pink tong curling out. She loved it up here, it was so peaceful and relaxing, the breeze rustling in her white fur, throwing it this way and that. She blinked slowly and lazily in the sunlight and then suddenly she flicked her ear around to the back. She heard foot steps and then her head quickly followed her ear and saw a man walking towards her. She froze knowing snow leopards were not common in this part, rare yes, but it was still out of the ordinary. Her haunches slowly raised off the ground, muscles tensing ready to bolt into the trees and brush. She took a few slow tentative steps backwards not sure yet what to do. She may have been curious, but she was also very cautious. Her tong shot out to lick her chops out of nervousness and right when she was about to bolt into the trees, she froze once more, for she was certain that he had seen her.

She cocked her head slightly to the side, wondering if it was ok to stay there, or if she should still bolt into the safe underbrush. She decided that she would back up so her back was just touching the trees, this way they could still both see each other. She clenched her paws, claws threatening to come out of their sheath.

[Aras|Ofelia]

When he did finally notice the feline, Aras came to an abrupt stop. Berating himself for his carelessness, he took a step backwards and held out his hands, palms up, to show that he meant no harm. Judging by the way its muscles were tensed, it was ready for action. If it chose to act, Aras would rather it flee. The last thing he needed right now was a large, neurotic wild cat clawing at him.

It wasn't a cougar, obviously--far too small, and, well, cougars' coats didn't have rosettes. The cat's offwhite fur grew in thick layers, even on the tail; it was clearly adapted to frigid environments. Though he felt the autumn chill, Aras doubted that the cat felt cold at all under all that fur.

Wait. A snow leopard in Canada?

He let his hands drop to his sides and sighed. "We can share the spot, can't we?"

[Jocelyn[Spirit]]

Kayla hissed when he put his hands up, automatic reaction when she saw movement of the arms. But when she saw that he meant no harm, her lips relaxed and coveted her canines. Canines. How degrading for she was feline. Felines had longer and sharper teeth anyways, they should be named after them, not dogs. She cleared her mind of the silly thoughts, it was not the time for them. When the man spoke she knew that he knew that she was a human and not in fact an animal. She relaxed her muscles the smallest bit and let her hind quarters plop down on the rocky mountain side. Her tail resting on the rocks, the very end flicking this way and that, her ears flicked in curiosity. She wasnt sure if she wanted to phase yet, no better not. She was safer as a snow leopard, for onw she could run faster in this form, and if by chance she had to fight she could. For although snow leopards were considered one of the smallest felines, their weight were still anywhere from 60 to even some males at 120 pounds. She herself was on the bigger side weighing at 100 pounds. Her ice blue orbs eyed the man, considering all her options, as well as his.

[Aras|Ofelia]

The snow leopard visibly relaxed, though it remained alert. It eyed him warily, just as he did it. Neither could be blamed for his or her suspicion. Caution was a key to survival. He ought to keep that in mind more often.

Aras was the first to look away, gazing out over the boreal forest spread out below the outcropping. He kept the cat in his peripheral vision in case it decided to make any sudden moves. He was armed, of course - he always carried a weapon with him these days - but he'd really prefer if he didn't have to use it. The snow leopard likely felt the same way.

The silence between the two was rather awkward, even though one of them wasn't supposed to be able to talk. "Come here to think?" Aras asked, mostly to fill the silence. He didn't expect to hear an answer.

[Jocelyn[Spirit]]

Kayla sat and looked out over the land, always keeping and eye and ear on the mans position and movements. After a moment she came to the conclusion that if he meant to hurt her, he would have done it already. So she relaxed even a little but more. She moved out closer to the edge and as she moved, her body lengthened, legs grew longer and the tail shrank. She soon stood on the edge of the cliff as a young woman. Now that she let him know that she was truly a human, she went back into being a little cautious, for who knew what would happen. She put her hands on her hips, elbows pointing out to the side. She turned her head to look at him.
All the time. I pretty much live out on this ledge.
She folded her legs and let her body fall to the rock, curling her knees so she sat in the pretzel position. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, taking in the freedom of the world around her. But then she realized that there was the stranger standing next to her, so she snapped her eyes open and flicked them in his direction.
And you? Do you come here much?
She placed each of her hands on each of her knees but then gave him a smile speaking once more.
Im Kayla. And you are..?
She picked up a single hand and offered it to him.

[Aras|Ofelia]

Movement at the corner of his eye prompted Aras to turn his head towards the snow leopard, only to find that it had become a young woman. She came to stand next to him, hands set at a jaunty angle on her hips, and continued to observe him cautiously.

"All the time. I pretty much live out on this ledge."

She plopped down on the rock and closed her eyes. Strange--she was watching his every move just a few moments ago, yet now she apparently felt secure enough to not only take her eyes off of him, but to put herself in a more vulnerable position. The wind tugged at her hair, causing loose strands to flash gold in the sunlight as she reveled in the fresh, open air of the mountains. She seemed so at ease in her surroundings that Aras found simply watching her peculiarly calming.

As if she suddenly remembered that a complete stranger stood by her side, her brown eyes instantly focused on him once more. They regarded him with the same scrutiny as before, but the woman made an effort to appear more friendly.

"And you? Do you come here much?"

"Not really. I've been coming more often recently, though." He shook her proffered hand, then seated himself next to her. "Aras," he said when she inquired after his name.

Though he had wanted some privacy, he was in a way glad for Kayla's presence. It was a pleasant distraction from the mental disquietude that came with being left alone with his thoughts.

[Jocelyn[Spirit]]

Kayla half held her breath when Aras moved closer to her, but she let it out when she saw that he was simply just taking a seat next to her. She couldn't help notice that he was attractive, and maybe around her age, give or take a few years. She opened her mouth to as his age, but then snapped it shut thinking it might be rude, for they don't know each other. There was something about him that seemed to draw Kayla in, but there was also something about him that gave her the shivers.
Her mother used to tell her all the time that if you know the animals, can tell a lot about a person by finding out their talisman. She gave a small smile, thinking about how much her mother had taught her, and how useful it has all been.
So, whats your talisman?
She asked, then hoped it didn't sound too forward, or personal.

She plucked a small weed out of a crevice in the rock and twirled it between her fingers. She then lifted her arm and let the weed go, watching it float around in the wind, like a small boat on an angry ocean. The weed drifted far away and soon out of sight. Sometimes she wished she could do that, fly away from all the troubles and start new. She let out a big sigh, her golden hair whipping around her face and shoulders in the growing breeze.

[Aras|Ofelia]

"So, what's your talisman?"

Aras looked at her curiously. Very forward, wasn't she? Even Reyes had waited a bit longer before he had posed the question. Still, Aras supposed that telling her wouldn't hurt. (The vulture didn't quite agree, but it wasn't too worried - most people here mistook the Lammergeier for an eagle anyway.)

"A vulture. And before you ask, no, I don't eat roadkill." He gave her a whimsical smile. The question almost inevitably came after he told people his Talisman. The predictability was amusing.

Leaning back, he braced his hands against the rock and looked skyward. It was a breezy day - excellent flying weather - and the vulture shifted restlessly. Later, perhaps. Taking off and abandoning the earthbound young woman next to him would be quite rude. Not to mention the fact that he'd leave an impression on her, something that someone who preferred to keep a low profile would rather like to avoid.

Now that they weren't eyeing each other warily, the silence felt more serene than awkward. There was no need to converse; Kayla's presence was enough to keep his mind off of far more disagreeable things.

[Jocelyn[Spirit]]

A large smile broke over her tanned faced as he he didn't eat roadkill. She gave him a now playful smile and said,
Believe it or not, that was my third question, not second. I was going to ask if you circle your prey. Then I was going to ask if you ate roadkill.
Kayla gave a small giggle, enjoying the teasing that came so natural to her. She let her light brown eyes, almost the same color as her golden hair, linger on the man for a moment.

An unusual name....Aras.
She let the 'r' roll off her tongue. And she said the name one more time under her breath, perhaps just loud enough for him to hear. She leaned forward and crossed her legs under her body, letting her hands rest in her lap.

Whats flying like?
She turned her head over her shoulder to look at him, her expression was dreamy, and longing. Maybe even jealous. She loved her snow leopard, everything about it. But that doesn't mean that sometimes she doesn't wish she could fly away and see the world in a whole new way.

[Aras|Ofelia]

"That makes you slightly less predictable than most people," Aras rejoined. He could see the vulture rolling its eyes. And just what was wrong with being an opportunistic feeder? it seemed to ask. Besides, it ate bones most of the time; it would take those over rotting flesh any day.

He grinned wryly when Kayla commented on his name. "It means 'eagle,' in some European language. I think my parents were a bit too hopeful. Or maybe they just liked the name." Probably the latter; everyone knew that giving children animal-based names in hopes of influencing their Talisman was just tempting fate.

"What's flying like?" he heard Kayla asked wistfully.

Tilting his head to get a better look at her - was it just him, or did her eyes seem to flash gold when the sunlight struck at different angles? - Aras mulled the question over. He never really knew how to put it into words; he simply relinquished control to his Talisman, who soared the skies at it pleased. 'Freedom' would be too cliche a word.

"Like..." How best to describe it? "Finite infinity. While you're flying, you feel like you can drift wherever the winds take you, but in the back of your mind, you know your limits: you can only fly so high, or have to meet the ground at some point." He flashed a bemused smile. "If that makes any sense."

[Jocelyn[Spirit]]

Kayla watched him as he spoke, commenting on her various comments. She gave a small, almost coy smile when he mentioned what he name meant. She almost rolled her eyes, but held it in. For parents were always trying to change their children to become like the talismans that they want their children to be.
My parents were hoping for a tigress. Poised, strong and never a push over.
She paused and gave him a slightly flirty smile.
But they got a snow leopard instead. Close enough in my opinion.
The leopard gave a small hiss at the though of being compared to a tiger, brutal monster it tended to say. Clumsy animals with no hunting skill was it favorite comment about tigers, for the leopard and Kayla have heard so much about silly tigers from her parents.

When Aras went on to explain flying, Kayla leaned towards him, curious to what he said. She was glad he just didn't say freedom, because that is kind of like a 'duh' answer. And everyone says that. Her lips parted and curved into a smile as she thought about flying, what it really felt like. She looked out over the ledge and jumped to her feet. She walked to the ledge not at all being careful, as if she might fall. Her toes dangled over the side and she flung her arms out like a bird. She tilted her head to the sky and closed her eyes, swaying back and forth.

She swayed so much without being careful, or keeping her eyes open that she could easily have fallen. She used to do this all the time when she was little, always getting yelled at by mom and dad. She let a laugh escaped her mouth and she even filled her lungs with air and screamed for the simple and pure joy of the wind blowing around her body, like a blanket of silk.

[Aras|Ofelia]

Aras chuckled lightly. People always wanted the majestic animals, the romantic symbols of power or freedom or whatnot. "You don't have to be a tiger to have those qualities," he said thoughtfully. He'd met a tiger shifter only once before, and while she was indeed poised, strong, and definitely not a pushover, something about her was too... forceful, as if she always felt compelled to be dominant. She was very set in her ways and opinions - God forbid if anyone tried to change her mind about anything. "Still, no offense, but I think William Blake's 'The Tyger' would have lost some of its appeal if he'd made it 'The Snow Leopard' instead."

He was slightly taken aback when the young woman suddenly leaped up and bounded to the ledge, flinging her arms wide and shouting with wild abandon. The sound was almost feral, full of the pure, primeval elation of being untamed and unrestrained.

'On what wings dare she aspire?' How oddly coincidental; he had mentioned Blake rather offhandedly, but here she was, a living embodiment of his lines. Except for the part where she was not a tigress, and she wasn't exactly fearsome, and... well, perhaps she wasn't quite that similar to Blake's tyger, but something about her still evoked a feeling of mystery and power.

Getting to his feet, he went to stand at Kayla's side. She teetered dangerously but appeared blissfully unaware of the danger. Aras hung back, unwilling to interrupt her revelry, but stayed close lest she lose her already precarious balance.

[Jocelyn[Spirit]]

Kayla paused and let her arms drift down to her sides, she turned her head to loko at him and gave a chuckle to his comment about William Blake and the Tyger becoming a snow leopard. It was true, tigers had more of an appeal to people, but who cares. She still wouldn't change who or what she was for a million jewels. When he moved to stand next to her she felt his presence and something about it stirred her leopard, whether it was caution, or curiosity, Kayla did not try to find out.
She took a deep breath and turned around to face the mountain side. The trail she had taken continued to travel up the mountain, but she had never gone that high for it was always starting to get dark once she sat here for a hew minutes...or hours. She gave a trouble-some smile and took a step towards the trail, who almost seemed hidden behind the trees for lack of use.
You wanna explore with me a bit?
she knew the sun would begin to set in maybe an hour, but she suddenly didn't care. If she got lost up here at night, she could survive the chill using her leopard fur. She smiled at him and started walking towards the trail, looking over her shoulder to see if he would follow.