You peer out from the bushes at the small buildings across the path from you. They stand tall, painted dark, just like every other building in Aevi, but something's different. Off. Odd. You can't put a paw on it. It's as if the place is alight with...magick.
You're curious, so you hurry across the cobblestone street that leads into Aevi, home of the Shadowmere, and are sniffing the places up and down. Yep, definitely magick.
Although the Shadowmere are demons, they are low-class and powerless. You know this because you've been around them. You've studied them. So it's something else.
You jerk your head up. Someone's watching you. Your lips raise in a silent snarl. No sound comes out. You know better. There, crouching on the ground, is a young girl in violet, her silver hair spiked and streaked. Her ears are long and slender, the silver earrings glittering in the sun like gems. She smiles, offers out a hand. She glances over to the doorway of the one small building.
Leaning against the doorjamb is a man. His gaze is uncertain, worried. His eyes dart back and forth under silver bangs. Marks lace his arms and face-- scars. Several of them. His hands are wrapped in bandages. Your ears flip back and you look to the girl. You make no advance.
"Hello there, little hound..."
When the Shadowmere talk, they are simply sounds and grunts in different pitches. This girl... This strange girl... You can understand every word. They're crisp and enunciated and thrum with a wild, wild magick.
You smile.
"I'm sure you'll see plenty more of us. We're opening shop here, right on the edge of town."
Your head tilts. You can't really stop it, the curioisity's getting to you. Shop for what?
"Modification," utters the male, brushing hair from his eyes. They glitter. "You want something shiny? Come to us. We'll fix you up."
"We're healers too. If any of your kind need our help, please come! We'll do our best to heal your injuries. My name's Aishen. This is my brother, Kaziel."
The girl looks gleeful as she clasps her hands together. It makes you jump and skitter backwards. You want to trust them but... Not yet.
With a small wag of your tail, you turn and dart off, back to the safety of the forest. They watch you, never moving from where they were. Elves. They have to be elves...
Word will get out. You will tell someone about them. Your mate, perhaps. They'll tell someone else. Soon, hounds from all over will be flocking to this odd shop in Aevi, you know.
For now, though, for now you'll keep it a secret.
