Who is who?

[Lox]

Deep in the forests of Transylvania where few humans were ever known to tread a single lowly man wandered with a strange hum floating from him and seemingly without a care in the world as he traveled ever deeper into the forests. This man was odd, to say the very least because after every single crazed warning he received from the common folk of the land he had yet to cease his journey into the evil woods. Most of the people Lox had come across in his long travels were superstitious at best, and though he didn't mean any harm in his actions if he did believe in even a quarter of their nonsense he would be thousands of times damned, cursed, and otherwise plagued with bad luck. Where people feared the night, Lox preferred to travel by such because it was cooler during the summers and others didn't bother him due to perceived insanity. Not only did his total lack of superstitions scare the living hell out of everyone just being close by usually made others extremely nervous of his presence. He was by no means of small folk, standing a tall six feet and four inches it didn't help that he was well muscled from traveling and climbing over rocky mountains that dotted his home land giving him an imposing stature. That and he had the nasty habit of walking in total silence, a skill he had picked up because people bothered him less when they couldn't hear him passing by but finding someone of his size pop up at their side more likely than not resulted in lot's of screaming. The final reason people left him alone was the strange coloration of his skin, hair, and eyes. In this particular land he carried something called the hellion's curse, were a child was born with a demon soul that was given the chance to repent and with patients and kindness could go to heaven in death. As nice as it sounded when he first heard the tale Lox was still treated as an evil omen and avoided like a plague bearer when he did go through towns, which was why he usually avoided them altogether. His slightly messy hair was the color of new snow, and while his skin was tanned (Extremely rare in this part of the world he was told.) his eyes were a deep crimson that supposedly marked him as a demon.

Regardless of all the horse crap he received from everyone and their grandma he went about his own business traveling and exploring all that he could see. Curses, evils, and monsters he worried nothing of because honestly he hadn't ever seen a single one in all his days and even if he did chances were he wouldn't be afraid of them. Hells he was treated with fear and loathing enough being just a different kind of human, he could only imagine what being a monster would be like and honestly wondered if they could really talk and such as legends pointed out. Looking back to his map (Horrid at best, he usually made his own map when he made heads and tails of the garbage normally hailed as the best maps) he only had a vague idea as to where he was, but he seemed to still be traveling to the old ruins towards the north. The thing that nearly scared the piss out of his body was a girlish giggle that sounded close by in the woods. There was a woman with short and somewhat spiky hair gazing at him through the brush with a smile that might have had a few more prickly points than it ought to. "You should have come in with the rest of the servant's big guy, I'm surprised you've made it so far alone and on foot but come along! The other servant's are having a hard time keeping up and they need a strong back probably more than anything right now!" Servants? The rest of the people? What? Lox followed the woman obediently as they traveled pas a few bends in the highway until at last the came across the supposed ruins and was met by what looked like a sprawling, booming castle where laughter sounded from within. There was a party going on in the ruins that looked quite well maintained....

For the next few moments Lox tried to figure out just how he ended up in the peculiar situation he was in at the moment, because out of the blue he had been taken into the "ruins" to find it bustling with party goers and what looked like a huge celebration of some sort. The strangest thing was the servants who went about (Him included serving huge pitchers of beer carried on an enormous platter.) looked like they were about to die for some reason or another. Yes some of the noble cast were quite pale and somewhat creepy (The big burly men and wild looking woman who wore more common cloths actually made him more edgy, including the little lady who was currently drilling her eyes into the back of his skull) and the stranger mix of such wealth looking individuals with what looked like well to do but obviously common folk was down right disturbing he couldn't see why they had such dread in their eyes. That was of course until the witching hour as this country liked to call it tolled and immediately silence filled the giant feasting hall. From large ornate doors a regal looking family stepped through with more than a few not so pleasant smiles coming from everyone in the area, but for the life of him he couldn't understand what the hell was going on. What he could clean from those around him that though some were having fun most of the people here seemed falsely happy, strained even and down right vicious as the presumed lords and ladies of this party sat themselves at the main table.

 

[JazzieBell]

Tonight held no interest for one certain individual, one held above nearly all of the party goers. These ruins were her home, and everyone else was only a guest here. Why they were here was beyond her, the eldest in her clan thinking a gathering would actually be a good idea. All of the races, coped up in one place. No matter how large the castle, space was still tight, each creature use to having far more room Such a gathering was a rare occurrence, and it seemed to annoy more than it was actually enjoyed, but each was required to show, for they all lived under a higher power, The Clan, The Rule, the real owner of all the land they set foot upon, and the oldest of all of them. Thousands of years they had ruled, and no one would ever over power them, for they only grew as time went on. More members, more power, but only the very best, the purest, could live among them. All these party goers, they would never match up to what they were. It was why they were looked upon with hate, spite, but still, fear. There was nothing as deadly as they.

Looking down upon the quiet room, Gale's eyes held little too no spark of interest what so ever. This was her very first big dinner, and she was suppose to be presented to several of the other races by her Elder, but she could care less. She was the youngest of them, the fairest, the most filled with life... She had quickly become treasured by the oldest of them all and spent most of her time sitting at his side, listening to his stories and letting him dote on her as he pleased. Even among creatures so naturally beautiful, to the point it was deadly, she was a treasure. There wasn't a single face there that could match hers, framed by soft waves of fire like hair that reached down to the small of her back. Perfectly white skin was dusted likely with freckles here and there, an extremely uncommon trait for her kind, given what it symbolized. She was lithe, petite, small, and delicate, her curves slight but beautiful all the same. A treasure, yes, though in her own mind she cursed her beauty, because it set her apart even more, and it was not what she wanted. Several years of not getting what she really wanted had taught her nothing, and she still longed, and probably forever would.

The Elders speech wasn't heard by her at all as she stood there before the banister, unlike the others who stood so straight, she was leaning forward, looking off over the crowd. There were plenty of interesting, strange things here, many which she hadn't even seen before, considering she wasn't allowed to leave the castle grounds. Nothing was really too eye catching, however. Well, that was until a certain servant boy caught her gaze. She knew each and everyone of the lowly creatures that served her and her 'Family', but she did not know him. Her eyes narrowed slowly, though she was far away her eyes like that of a hawk, catching every little detail. It was then that she decided she'd have to taste him, smell him, touch. So, when she moved to descend the stairs with the rest, she didn't go to her place near the head of the table. Instead, she moved over to one of the servants she knew well, leaning up to the male. "That one over there, the white hair..those eyes....Yes...I want him to serve me." She received a firm nod and a bow, turning to move to her place at the table, eyes on her, all disapproving, but as always, she didn't care at all.

The servant that she had spoken to, Meir, a very tall, taller than Lox, and sickly thin and pale man, moved to the newcomer, bending forward. "You've caught the Mistress' eye." He said in a low growl, his facial features screaming jealousy. "So, I suggest you go over there and do everything in your power to please her!"

 

[Lox]

Lox was currently totting around another huge platter of beers for the rowdy commoners who drank the stuff with quite a bit of speed and fortitude and figured out soon enough that he was spared serving the more... disturbing party goers because he served them well. That and they had a tendency of growling viciously at any one else trying to get his attention and therefore interrupting their supply of booze. But when the sickly looking stick man growled into his ear to serve one of the woman at the head table, he noticed that these men didn't growl as they had before and let him make his way across the more or less cleared central floor towards the main table. That was until he heard a very distinct padding noise that grew in speed and intensity and promptly placed the huge platter on top of his head. The same woman he had seen earlier, the one who had originally thought of him as a worker had ran full speed into a tackling aimed at his waist, but given his size he was able to swing her around in a half circle to keep from being knocked over. Most of the party goers had turned their attention at the spectacle in the center floor because somehow he had managed to keep the huge tray of beers perched and balanced on top of his head as he looked down the woman's large yellow blinking eyes. This girl wasn't normal, because she promptly grabbed his left shoulder hand hoisted her self up with more strength than he'd thought possible, but as she shifted he too changed his load to hold the platter with his free right hand even as she climbed onto his back.

"I confess to not being privy to higher learning miss... but I don't think it's proper to go climbing people like a tree." The girl looked down in to his eyes as he looked up into her's and smiled with a whole lot of sharp teeth that she didn't have any right having. Hopping off of him she looked at him with a predatory smile as she murmured sweetly to him, her voice gaining a distinct growl that increased with each word. "I think I like you human... I think I like you quite a bit but I wonder how far you'll get." With just the barest flick she slipped the straps off of her shoulders that held her dress up and stepped out of it completely naked, and though Lox cocked an eyebrow at her with a look of confusion the woman before him began to change. She grew taller, her body seemed to fill out with even muscle and kept the distinct curves of a woman as pitch black fur blossomed over her skin. Still smiling her mouth extended into a muzzle and pert black ears sprouted from her short black hair until something between a woman and a wolf who looked at him as if he were a rabbit. He was shocked, stunned and totally still as she approached him with a more coy smile still flashing her fangs until she was very close but she didn't get a chance to utter a word because Lox brought up his free hand and petted her ears before smiling fondly at her. "Awww such a cute little puppy, why would I run away from you?" This seemed to stun quite a few people because everything got really quite, and looking about Lox noticed that the men he had been serving beer to earlier had all turned into the same wolf creatures as well.

Walking calmly up to their table with them all staring at him in confusion he placed the full tray down in the center with a smile. "Sorry gents, but this is the last round from me at least. Apparently some pretty lady wants be to serve her for some reason... Enjoy though, and if I'm free later I'll be happy to bring more drinks." A low deep laugh sounded from the largest of the male wolfs as he reached over and snagged a mug raising it to him in a toast, and with a bow he made his way back towards the head table as if there wasn't anything wrong in the world. The wolf woman who had confronted him growled suddenly and charged at him again, but this time Lox proved that for a man of his size he moved a bit to fast. He side stepped the woman and left his leg out to trip her, only to catch her and bodily toss her towards the others of her kind who laughed and caught her before she fell. "Now now! I have to work right now but I'll play with you later puppy! That is... if you think you can catch me later." The largest wolf started cracking up even as the woman growled low and viciously at the challenge, and some how Lox knew that his carefree smile was what was making her more and more angry. When he did reach the lady's side he was suppose to serve he bowed gently and smiled even if he did have his back to a snarling wolf woman. "Good evening ma'am, what might you like to drink tonight? There's also lovely food waiting hot in the kitchens if you'd like something to eat."

 

[JazzieBell]

"Quite the show..." Gale's eyes moved to the male who sat beside her. He was of higher rank then her, and she had actually taken his place at the table a few years ago, and now grudgingly had to sit by her side every night. He moved his dark eyes to her, offering a false smile. "These are the people you long so much to be in relations with, aren't they, little Gale? Do you really think that keeping one of those beasts in your room will impress 'Father'?" Her eyes narrowed dangerously at his words. The eldest of them all could hear the conversation, but continued to stare forward, unmoving, talking to his mate that sat on his other side, not looking even for a moment at the wolves as they played with some toy they picked up. "Vance, I do not believe you should speak to me." She said, tearing her eyes away to look back at the female wolf as she attempted to attack the servant she had taken interest in. "I'll rip your throat out with my teeth." Her words were spoken so dully, but the older male knew she meant it. She had a temper that was well known, and thanks to her being such a...favorite, she got away with nearly everything, so there was little that could be done. With a sigh, he looked away once again. Bored.

The little 'show' actually was a bit entertaining, only because she hadn't expected such movements from him. Now that he was closer, he was so obviously human, despite his appearance, and that only fueled her curiosity more. She put her elbows on the table and held her chin, her tongue sliding carefully over her pointed canines. The woman... she looked at the wolf for a long moment, even as Lox stood at her side and bowed, she was still staring at the angry beast, finally her nose scrunching before she leaned back, looking up at him. Rather than telling him what she wanted to drink, or eat for that matter, she reached up and grabbed him by the jaw, pulling his face down to her level. She treated him like a show horse, her fingers running through his hair, down his neck before she forced his mouth open. It wasn't exactly...proper, but no one questioned. He was a human. There was no race below his, hell, animals were considered better. Gale had never really seen why...but she went along with everyone else, though her touch had a strange sense of...care. After she closed his mouth she gently rubbed his cheeks, as if to right any wrong she may of committed.

"I'm not thirty, and I'm not hungry. I am also completely aware that you do not belong here, so why are you so calm? You can not tell me that you have seen such sights before in your life." She looked up at him, lips pushed into a bit of a pout as she waited for his answer, eager. He was the only thing of interest she had found here, and if he continued to be so, maybe this night wouldn't be completely useless after all. Her existence was lonely, and she was forced to accept it... but she had only recently been allowed the privilege of owning a 'pet'. The problem with that was finding a creature she could stand.

 

[Lox]

There was something strange that flashed in Lox's eyes for an instant the moment she grabbed his jaw and yanked his face down towards hers. For that instant his eyes held the same madness and insanity that could be pinned on the crazed and mentally unstable but as soon as it showed it vanished as he blinked owlishly at her. It struck him as extremely odd to be so violent and harsh one moment and then caress his cheeks as if she were sorry for what she had just done, but the thing that was nagging at the back of his head was a dark voice that told him this is how these people were with humans. The fact that the wolf people were obviously not human cued him into other details as his eyes drifted for a moment to the side to really look at some of the party goers before looking back into her own eyes. "Do you not feel?" He asked simply in a solid voice, knowing there were more than a few people or somethings watching him. This woman seemed to be part of a higher tier of power amongst all the party goers but as he straightened from where she had yanked him down to he looked at her with sorrow in his eyes. "I haven't known before tonight such people existed in the world, and looking around now I think it's safe for me to assume most here besides the servants aren't common humans... As for why I'm calm I'll answer with another question. Should I treat anyone here differently because their not entirely human?"
Looking around once more he caught sight of the wolf woman he had been playing with earlier and smiled.

"As far as I can tell everyone here's capable of feeling emotion, laughing with friends or trying to pounce a human with his back turned but asides from being different I don't see any real difference." Lox felt a shiver down his spine as he felt someone watching him very intently, and turning back towards the table he was caught by the gaze of the houses master or so he assumed to be the master. The man looked just a bit past his prime, but his gaze was like an old man's with far too much experience than what his face showed in age. Instead of turning back to the room he spoke to him directly as he felt compelled to give his opinion to he highest power here. "The condition of one's birth is irrelevant. One may only be judged by the contents of his character, and the condition of his morality. I honestly don't care what or where anyone here's from, I only care to know Who they are because that's the only way to view a person or at least that's how I choose to see someone." The elder man looked at him quizzically before smiling and even laughing gently, turning back to his mate who was also smiling and murmuring gently to her allowing Lox to escape that intense gaze. When he did give his surroundings more notice he found there wasn't any off hand chatter anymore and most of the party goers were looking at him with... longing? He couldn't quite put to words how they were staring at him but when he caught the puppies eyes he saw her staring with down right hunger. If that wasn't enough to somewhat unsettle him the big old wolf who had laughed and toasted him earlier was smiling with entirely too many pointy teeth.

This wolf spoke in a deep voice that was colored with a low growl that almost sounded amused. "A strange human to say the least. What is your name human?" Why was it that he seemed to talk with nothing but imposing teeth... "My name is Lox sir. Lox Paradox." Turning back to the woman who had summoned him he wondered what exactly she wanted with him, and was glad she looked more interested than hungry like some other people currently staring at him.