Post by tanniyn on Sept 26, 2007 7:26:26 GMT -5
Characters:
Ash - adult male falcon
Crimson - adult male gray fox
Cluster of Fir Trees
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Though scattered throughout the forest, it is here that a large cluster of fir trees grow together, without other types of trees growing amongst them. There are probably a good fifteen to twenty firs growing here and all are roughly the same age, standing about 45 meters tall. When the wind blows through their branches, the needle-like leaves makes the trees seem to whistle softly.. or perhaps whisper to each other. The air is thick with the scent of the fir trees. It is a scent that humans seems to enjoy, and they like to come out to the forest to collect a fir or two every so often. But these specific trees are much too large for that, and so they are safe in this private domain of theirs. The ground is soft and littered with needles that have become loose and fallen from the trees, perfect for use in the building of nests or to bed down dens.
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The forest is nearly silent, save for the few soft sweeping noises of the leaves brushing against trees. A chilly breeze glides swiftly through the area, coarsing through the falcon's feathers as gently as silk. The bird sleeps on, however, oblivious to anything outside of his own thoughts. Ash's breathing is short and broken, intakes coming in and going out almost painfully. The falcon is dreaming. In his mind, Ash flies around in the sky, completely free of ground dwellers' cares. The air whooshes by in a long stride as it goes by his wings, faster with every pump of his wings. He closes his eyes happily, breathing in the cool air. When he opens his eyes, everything is suddenly dark. Everywhere he looks, pitch black. Suddenly he isn't flying anymore; it's as if he's pinned to the ground.. or maybe a tree? He struggles, desiring to flee.. from something. Almost by magic, two glowing eyes flash out in front of his face. Ash widens his eyes fearfully, frozen in place. The eyes stare at him piercingly.. then a voice. "Beware the Dark Eyes..."
A mere three feet away from the falcon, Crimson watches him intently while waiting for that moment of awakening. So many parallels between the state of sleep and the state of death. No sound. No motion. No sign of life. The only difference is that the falcon is breathing, but that could be easily... changed... should Crimson so desire. What /does/ falcon blood look like, anyway? Is it a rich red in color as well? Even sitting on this tree branch, as still and quiet as the sleeping bird-of-prey, Crimson's mind is ever busy, as usual. The small fox mentally runs over his formulating plan yet again, examining every part for any weaknesses. There are several unknowns still, but once this falcon wakes up--how /long/ do these birds sleep, anyway?!--Crimson hopes to solidify his plan a bit more. After a few more seconds pass, he decides to act. Not because he's run out of patience. No.. he has /plenty/ of that. He just doesn't see the need to allow this falcon to sleep any longer, when there's important information he must know. A few steps and he's immediately next to the falcon, where he promptly snaps his jaws together, next to the bird's head. A little bit of unfriendly noise, yes.
Ash's dream goes on, unaware of the actual looming nightmare beside him on the branch. His mind is obsessed with the thought of Crimson... the shadow or Dark Eyes, as Ash constantly described him. Deep in his ever active mind, even when asleep phyiscally, Ash is still frozen stiff with the disembodied Dark Eyes directly before him. The voice repeats the same over and over, "Beware the Dark Eyes..." Though even when active enough to invent all this, Ash can't manage to move, nor make the frightening eyes disappear. No matter how he struggles, harder and harder... the dark, evil eyes shift and get closer and closer, until they are almost touching the side of his head. Ash expects the voice to repeat once again, but instead he looks to the side, seeing two large rows of flashing white teeth shine before his eyes. Ash shrieks shrilly as they come down to clack before his face. He is startled into wakefullness, eyes snapping open to see that fox right before him... on the branch?! The falcon utters another high pitched exclaimation before fluttering his wings, attempting to realign himself on the limb. He blinks a few times, clearly still shaken, and takes a long pace away from Crimson. "You... climb?" Ash finally manages weakily, shaking his head to adjust his thoughts.
The fox simply smiles, satisfied. It amazes him how those brutes of wolves think that brute strength and force are necessary to obtain what they want. They really have no concept of the more.. refined ways. If Crimson has just accomplished what he thinks he has, this particular falcon will for a long time after this be completely unsure as to what Crimson is capable of. Climbing trees is simple for him -- something natural he and every other gray fox enjoy doing that adds another dimension to their hunting capabilities. Or.. intimidation capabilities, as evidenced here on this branch. "Winged One," he begins, ignoring the incredulous question. Let the falcon think he magically appeared here for all he cares. "You sleep long, while there is much to be discussed. Tell me, what have you done with the information I gave you?"
The bird stares long and hard at the fox, entirely intimidated, and also somewhat embarrassed that he should be so frightened of such a small, completely /un/frightening looking creature. If he honestly told Kasim about what type of creature it was that was hunting Larkspur, the cougar would probably laugh. After all... a fox? But /Kasim/ hasn't met /this/ fox. No, Dark Eyes is far different than any other beast Ash has ever met. The falcon finally breaks his gaze with a single blink, followed by the fox's question. Ash suddenly swallows nervously, even preparing himself for launch in case Crimson decides to deal him in for giving away his information. "Dark Eyes, I related information to the she-woof." Editing his meeting with Kasim, Ash hurridly adds, "She is much afraid of you."
"Much afraid? Is she now..." The fox's delight at this news only affects his expression; Crimson's voice might as well have been announcing the arrival of very bad weather. "You spoke with Larkspur?" His eyebrows raise fractionally. "Where was she? Who was she with?" His smile vanishes. "What all did you tell her?" Even if the falcon told her everything he could possibly remember about Crimson, it wouldn't change anything. Even if every wolf in the Lazuli pack formed a protective guard around her, it wouldn't change anything. Crimson's best weapon right now is simply this: Time. A protective guard would eventually grow complacent, especially when day after day nothing happened. Larkspur herself, if she remained true to how Crimson has judged her, would chafe enough underneath the stifling protection and restriction and eventually provide the gray fox with the exact moment and opportunity that he's been planning for and waiting for. The moment of bloodshed.
Ash nods hesitiantly, unsure of whether the fox is actually pleased or frusterated. He never knew with Crimson; the fox could be almost shaking with fury inwardly, but with the way he reactions on the outside, Ash might take it completely opposite. Dealing with the Dark Eyes is like playing with fire, he finally reasons. "I spoke with her, yes," Ash's head turns to follow a gnat that flies before his face. His beak opens and closes anxiously, the desire to eat almost overcoming the desire to please that ominous fox. /Almost/. He clacks his beak shut and continues, "The she-woof was alone, no one with her. Foolish woof, yes." He pauses, watching the smile fade from the fox's muzzle. Ash waits a moment, before tenatively resuming. "I tell her the Shadow wants her blood. Her blood sings to the Shadow." The falcon blinks once, a bemused expression on his face. "She is much afraid, yes, look like die from fright." Did he do his work well? He can only hope so...for his life's sake.
A very slight tilt of his head is given in response, and Crimson's voice, although still somewhat menacing, takes on an inquisitive tone. "What motivated you to do such a thing?" He doesn't give any indication as to whether or not he's pleased with the falcon's actions. "Do you find terrorizing wolves to be... enthralling?" That friendly smile starts to reappear on his muzzle. "Energizing? Refreshing?" He leans forward, nearly touching the falcon. "Or perhaps you wished to... /warn/ her?" His smile widens. "Warn her to escape the coming danger?" He pauses for a brief moment, then asks, "What reasons had you, Winged One?" He's obtained all the information he needs from the avian--everything now is simply for his enjoyment. The falcon's fear of him is almost as exciting as his imagination of what the sheer terror that Larkspur surely is experiencing right now must be like. What a /delightful/ thought.
There he is again! /Playing/ with Ash's thoughts, again completely baffling the falcon. If he would only once let on what he was thinking... Ash would have a much easier conversation. But no, that's not Crimson at all. Instead of giving in to his suspicious emotions, Ash attempts to conquer his quivering voice and address the fox calmly. He begins to speak.. then the words fade on his tongue. What /did/ he mean by telling Larkspur of the Shadow? Sure it was pleasant to give her the bad news. Was he actually warning her, almost without realization? Ash pauses for a time, trying to ponder his response wisely. "It pleases me to strike fear in the gray-furred ones." He finally answers, shortly adding, "Dark Eyes, there is no hope for the she-woof to escape you. If I warned her, she no get away. I no /want/ her get away. I like see wooves...crimson." The bright eye narrows, an unreadable expression in them for most creatures. The more perceiving creatures, such as the fox before him, would more than likely be able to catch the malevolent gleam in the golden orb. He actually /enjoyed/ causing animals displeasure, and despite somehow despising this heinous fox beside him...he couldn't help but also admire him.
The gray fox is silent for a moment, gazing across the very short distance between the two of them into the falcon's eyes. Finally, he murmurs softly, "Are you sure, Winged One?" There's the slight headtilt again. "Are you /sure/ of what you tell me? Seeking the song of wolf blood is not an easy path, though it certainly is rewarding." And there's the slight smile again. "Wonderfully rewarding." Crimson actually turns his head to the side, breaking his gaze away from the avian to look off into the distance. "I still remember the first wolf I ever killed... a young pup who had wandered away from its pack. Not far enough to be lost, but far enough for me to have plenty of time to enjoy watching its blood drain out before the other wolves realized what had happened." His hackles raise, exposing teeth that have torn into several wolf throats since then. "It is a strange relationship between us. I loathe and hate them, yet it is their blood that sings to me, and provided me with my namesake." He goes silent, still looking off to the side.
A shiver creeps down the falcon's spine as the fox's words drift in Ash's mind. This fox is just strange. Not just evil, but perhaps mad. An insane Shadow, that's what he should have told Lark, is after her. Definitely insane. Those eyes, those deep, hypnotizing orbs that seem to read your very soul. Truly he is called Dark Eyes, though there is obviously more to this fox than merely his eyes that delve deep inside. No, there is more to Crimson, more evil and hate and venom than any one creature could ever understand, Ash speculates. This fox is beyond the understanding of the falcon, however. Ash was never one to think too deeply about matters such as death and revenge. Those eyes. They seem as though to pierce Ash's mind, through everything. Taken in by those eyes, Ash speaks quietly, imitating the fox's own voice without realization. "I am sure of what I say, Dark Eyes. The blood of the wolves /sing/ not to me, though to see them lying breathless and cold is pleasing to my eyes."
Wolves lying cold and breathless? That's the eventual result, sure, but... what of the enjoyment of watching the still-warm body, blood leaking out of the dead form and seeping into the ground? This falcon has no idea of the /thrill/ of seeing what used to be a wolf full of life and vigor transform into a wolf that is now /dead/ for all of eternity. That is why the blood does not sing to the falcon -- he simply does not know how to listen for it. But the avian has served a useful purpose--if Larkspur does not live every subsequent day in fear, then Crimson has misjudged her. Fear breeds instability. Instability breeds irrationality. Irrationality leads to bad decisions... one of which will be Lark's last. To the falcon: "I am glad we share a common desire, then, and I can see you have acted appropriately on that desire. Larkspur's life will consist of fear, now, and her packmates will almost certainly have to change their daily routines to accomodate this fear. Even if I had no intention of ending that little rodent's life, the chaos we have introduced to her life is rewarding enough."
The bird has little knowledge of what is going through the fox's head, as it sits there with it large, dark eyes glancing off in the distance obviously full of thought that he'd rather not ponder now. Or ever, for that matter. The deadly thoughts going through Crimson's head were more than likely not... very appealing to Ash. Although, as he admitted to the fox, he enjoyed seeing wolves dead, it was only for those specific creatures. He had nothing against wolves in particular. If this gray fox suddenly keeled over dead, Ash would be about as pleased as he was relieved to see the monster gone. Though he would feel that way about nearly any animal. "The she-woof is terrified of you, is certain." is all he comments, pleased that Crimson is pleased with his actions. Or so he says, anyway. You never know with this one. The guilty thought of speaking with Kasim about the Dark Eyes flits across his mind, and for a moment he considers telling of the encounter to Crimson, though he quickly shuns that idea. If Crimson were angry with him, who knows /what/ he'd do to Ash.
Crimson turns to look at the falcon again, expression unreadable. Not a smile, exactly... something different. More of a blank, neutral stare. "If Larkspur is as frightened as you seem to think, then you have done well. And... that means I no longer have any need of you." The gray fox shifts his weight slightly, as if preparing for something. "I repeat: you are no longer of any use to me." Now he is indeed smiling. He opens his mouth as if to add something, but then hesitates, keeping his dark eyes fixed on the avian. Was he really about to say something? Or was that more for effect? It's impossible to tell for sure.
The blank stare Crimson gives him forces yet another one of those chills to run down Ash's spine. He listens to every word that the fox utters, afraid to miss anything important. Suddenly he blinks, running what Crimson says over and over in his own mind. He has no need of Ash....he has no need of the falcon... Ash freezes. Uh oh. The falcon glances over at the dark eyed creature, a wide eyed expression on his face. He knows where this is going; the fox makes it /very/ clear. Ash lifts his wings, preparing for launch. He's not staying around for this. Before he actually goes into flight, he pauses, turning to the fox. No words can be found for parting; nothing comes to mind to say. At all. Instead, Ash simply narrows his eyes at Crimson, and shoots himself into the air like an arrow. Eager to get away from this dreadful creature. For good.
Ash - adult male falcon
Crimson - adult male gray fox
Cluster of Fir Trees
================================================================================
Though scattered throughout the forest, it is here that a large cluster of fir trees grow together, without other types of trees growing amongst them. There are probably a good fifteen to twenty firs growing here and all are roughly the same age, standing about 45 meters tall. When the wind blows through their branches, the needle-like leaves makes the trees seem to whistle softly.. or perhaps whisper to each other. The air is thick with the scent of the fir trees. It is a scent that humans seems to enjoy, and they like to come out to the forest to collect a fir or two every so often. But these specific trees are much too large for that, and so they are safe in this private domain of theirs. The ground is soft and littered with needles that have become loose and fallen from the trees, perfect for use in the building of nests or to bed down dens.
================================================================================
The forest is nearly silent, save for the few soft sweeping noises of the leaves brushing against trees. A chilly breeze glides swiftly through the area, coarsing through the falcon's feathers as gently as silk. The bird sleeps on, however, oblivious to anything outside of his own thoughts. Ash's breathing is short and broken, intakes coming in and going out almost painfully. The falcon is dreaming. In his mind, Ash flies around in the sky, completely free of ground dwellers' cares. The air whooshes by in a long stride as it goes by his wings, faster with every pump of his wings. He closes his eyes happily, breathing in the cool air. When he opens his eyes, everything is suddenly dark. Everywhere he looks, pitch black. Suddenly he isn't flying anymore; it's as if he's pinned to the ground.. or maybe a tree? He struggles, desiring to flee.. from something. Almost by magic, two glowing eyes flash out in front of his face. Ash widens his eyes fearfully, frozen in place. The eyes stare at him piercingly.. then a voice. "Beware the Dark Eyes..."
A mere three feet away from the falcon, Crimson watches him intently while waiting for that moment of awakening. So many parallels between the state of sleep and the state of death. No sound. No motion. No sign of life. The only difference is that the falcon is breathing, but that could be easily... changed... should Crimson so desire. What /does/ falcon blood look like, anyway? Is it a rich red in color as well? Even sitting on this tree branch, as still and quiet as the sleeping bird-of-prey, Crimson's mind is ever busy, as usual. The small fox mentally runs over his formulating plan yet again, examining every part for any weaknesses. There are several unknowns still, but once this falcon wakes up--how /long/ do these birds sleep, anyway?!--Crimson hopes to solidify his plan a bit more. After a few more seconds pass, he decides to act. Not because he's run out of patience. No.. he has /plenty/ of that. He just doesn't see the need to allow this falcon to sleep any longer, when there's important information he must know. A few steps and he's immediately next to the falcon, where he promptly snaps his jaws together, next to the bird's head. A little bit of unfriendly noise, yes.
Ash's dream goes on, unaware of the actual looming nightmare beside him on the branch. His mind is obsessed with the thought of Crimson... the shadow or Dark Eyes, as Ash constantly described him. Deep in his ever active mind, even when asleep phyiscally, Ash is still frozen stiff with the disembodied Dark Eyes directly before him. The voice repeats the same over and over, "Beware the Dark Eyes..." Though even when active enough to invent all this, Ash can't manage to move, nor make the frightening eyes disappear. No matter how he struggles, harder and harder... the dark, evil eyes shift and get closer and closer, until they are almost touching the side of his head. Ash expects the voice to repeat once again, but instead he looks to the side, seeing two large rows of flashing white teeth shine before his eyes. Ash shrieks shrilly as they come down to clack before his face. He is startled into wakefullness, eyes snapping open to see that fox right before him... on the branch?! The falcon utters another high pitched exclaimation before fluttering his wings, attempting to realign himself on the limb. He blinks a few times, clearly still shaken, and takes a long pace away from Crimson. "You... climb?" Ash finally manages weakily, shaking his head to adjust his thoughts.
The fox simply smiles, satisfied. It amazes him how those brutes of wolves think that brute strength and force are necessary to obtain what they want. They really have no concept of the more.. refined ways. If Crimson has just accomplished what he thinks he has, this particular falcon will for a long time after this be completely unsure as to what Crimson is capable of. Climbing trees is simple for him -- something natural he and every other gray fox enjoy doing that adds another dimension to their hunting capabilities. Or.. intimidation capabilities, as evidenced here on this branch. "Winged One," he begins, ignoring the incredulous question. Let the falcon think he magically appeared here for all he cares. "You sleep long, while there is much to be discussed. Tell me, what have you done with the information I gave you?"
The bird stares long and hard at the fox, entirely intimidated, and also somewhat embarrassed that he should be so frightened of such a small, completely /un/frightening looking creature. If he honestly told Kasim about what type of creature it was that was hunting Larkspur, the cougar would probably laugh. After all... a fox? But /Kasim/ hasn't met /this/ fox. No, Dark Eyes is far different than any other beast Ash has ever met. The falcon finally breaks his gaze with a single blink, followed by the fox's question. Ash suddenly swallows nervously, even preparing himself for launch in case Crimson decides to deal him in for giving away his information. "Dark Eyes, I related information to the she-woof." Editing his meeting with Kasim, Ash hurridly adds, "She is much afraid of you."
"Much afraid? Is she now..." The fox's delight at this news only affects his expression; Crimson's voice might as well have been announcing the arrival of very bad weather. "You spoke with Larkspur?" His eyebrows raise fractionally. "Where was she? Who was she with?" His smile vanishes. "What all did you tell her?" Even if the falcon told her everything he could possibly remember about Crimson, it wouldn't change anything. Even if every wolf in the Lazuli pack formed a protective guard around her, it wouldn't change anything. Crimson's best weapon right now is simply this: Time. A protective guard would eventually grow complacent, especially when day after day nothing happened. Larkspur herself, if she remained true to how Crimson has judged her, would chafe enough underneath the stifling protection and restriction and eventually provide the gray fox with the exact moment and opportunity that he's been planning for and waiting for. The moment of bloodshed.
Ash nods hesitiantly, unsure of whether the fox is actually pleased or frusterated. He never knew with Crimson; the fox could be almost shaking with fury inwardly, but with the way he reactions on the outside, Ash might take it completely opposite. Dealing with the Dark Eyes is like playing with fire, he finally reasons. "I spoke with her, yes," Ash's head turns to follow a gnat that flies before his face. His beak opens and closes anxiously, the desire to eat almost overcoming the desire to please that ominous fox. /Almost/. He clacks his beak shut and continues, "The she-woof was alone, no one with her. Foolish woof, yes." He pauses, watching the smile fade from the fox's muzzle. Ash waits a moment, before tenatively resuming. "I tell her the Shadow wants her blood. Her blood sings to the Shadow." The falcon blinks once, a bemused expression on his face. "She is much afraid, yes, look like die from fright." Did he do his work well? He can only hope so...for his life's sake.
A very slight tilt of his head is given in response, and Crimson's voice, although still somewhat menacing, takes on an inquisitive tone. "What motivated you to do such a thing?" He doesn't give any indication as to whether or not he's pleased with the falcon's actions. "Do you find terrorizing wolves to be... enthralling?" That friendly smile starts to reappear on his muzzle. "Energizing? Refreshing?" He leans forward, nearly touching the falcon. "Or perhaps you wished to... /warn/ her?" His smile widens. "Warn her to escape the coming danger?" He pauses for a brief moment, then asks, "What reasons had you, Winged One?" He's obtained all the information he needs from the avian--everything now is simply for his enjoyment. The falcon's fear of him is almost as exciting as his imagination of what the sheer terror that Larkspur surely is experiencing right now must be like. What a /delightful/ thought.
There he is again! /Playing/ with Ash's thoughts, again completely baffling the falcon. If he would only once let on what he was thinking... Ash would have a much easier conversation. But no, that's not Crimson at all. Instead of giving in to his suspicious emotions, Ash attempts to conquer his quivering voice and address the fox calmly. He begins to speak.. then the words fade on his tongue. What /did/ he mean by telling Larkspur of the Shadow? Sure it was pleasant to give her the bad news. Was he actually warning her, almost without realization? Ash pauses for a time, trying to ponder his response wisely. "It pleases me to strike fear in the gray-furred ones." He finally answers, shortly adding, "Dark Eyes, there is no hope for the she-woof to escape you. If I warned her, she no get away. I no /want/ her get away. I like see wooves...crimson." The bright eye narrows, an unreadable expression in them for most creatures. The more perceiving creatures, such as the fox before him, would more than likely be able to catch the malevolent gleam in the golden orb. He actually /enjoyed/ causing animals displeasure, and despite somehow despising this heinous fox beside him...he couldn't help but also admire him.
The gray fox is silent for a moment, gazing across the very short distance between the two of them into the falcon's eyes. Finally, he murmurs softly, "Are you sure, Winged One?" There's the slight headtilt again. "Are you /sure/ of what you tell me? Seeking the song of wolf blood is not an easy path, though it certainly is rewarding." And there's the slight smile again. "Wonderfully rewarding." Crimson actually turns his head to the side, breaking his gaze away from the avian to look off into the distance. "I still remember the first wolf I ever killed... a young pup who had wandered away from its pack. Not far enough to be lost, but far enough for me to have plenty of time to enjoy watching its blood drain out before the other wolves realized what had happened." His hackles raise, exposing teeth that have torn into several wolf throats since then. "It is a strange relationship between us. I loathe and hate them, yet it is their blood that sings to me, and provided me with my namesake." He goes silent, still looking off to the side.
A shiver creeps down the falcon's spine as the fox's words drift in Ash's mind. This fox is just strange. Not just evil, but perhaps mad. An insane Shadow, that's what he should have told Lark, is after her. Definitely insane. Those eyes, those deep, hypnotizing orbs that seem to read your very soul. Truly he is called Dark Eyes, though there is obviously more to this fox than merely his eyes that delve deep inside. No, there is more to Crimson, more evil and hate and venom than any one creature could ever understand, Ash speculates. This fox is beyond the understanding of the falcon, however. Ash was never one to think too deeply about matters such as death and revenge. Those eyes. They seem as though to pierce Ash's mind, through everything. Taken in by those eyes, Ash speaks quietly, imitating the fox's own voice without realization. "I am sure of what I say, Dark Eyes. The blood of the wolves /sing/ not to me, though to see them lying breathless and cold is pleasing to my eyes."
Wolves lying cold and breathless? That's the eventual result, sure, but... what of the enjoyment of watching the still-warm body, blood leaking out of the dead form and seeping into the ground? This falcon has no idea of the /thrill/ of seeing what used to be a wolf full of life and vigor transform into a wolf that is now /dead/ for all of eternity. That is why the blood does not sing to the falcon -- he simply does not know how to listen for it. But the avian has served a useful purpose--if Larkspur does not live every subsequent day in fear, then Crimson has misjudged her. Fear breeds instability. Instability breeds irrationality. Irrationality leads to bad decisions... one of which will be Lark's last. To the falcon: "I am glad we share a common desire, then, and I can see you have acted appropriately on that desire. Larkspur's life will consist of fear, now, and her packmates will almost certainly have to change their daily routines to accomodate this fear. Even if I had no intention of ending that little rodent's life, the chaos we have introduced to her life is rewarding enough."
The bird has little knowledge of what is going through the fox's head, as it sits there with it large, dark eyes glancing off in the distance obviously full of thought that he'd rather not ponder now. Or ever, for that matter. The deadly thoughts going through Crimson's head were more than likely not... very appealing to Ash. Although, as he admitted to the fox, he enjoyed seeing wolves dead, it was only for those specific creatures. He had nothing against wolves in particular. If this gray fox suddenly keeled over dead, Ash would be about as pleased as he was relieved to see the monster gone. Though he would feel that way about nearly any animal. "The she-woof is terrified of you, is certain." is all he comments, pleased that Crimson is pleased with his actions. Or so he says, anyway. You never know with this one. The guilty thought of speaking with Kasim about the Dark Eyes flits across his mind, and for a moment he considers telling of the encounter to Crimson, though he quickly shuns that idea. If Crimson were angry with him, who knows /what/ he'd do to Ash.
Crimson turns to look at the falcon again, expression unreadable. Not a smile, exactly... something different. More of a blank, neutral stare. "If Larkspur is as frightened as you seem to think, then you have done well. And... that means I no longer have any need of you." The gray fox shifts his weight slightly, as if preparing for something. "I repeat: you are no longer of any use to me." Now he is indeed smiling. He opens his mouth as if to add something, but then hesitates, keeping his dark eyes fixed on the avian. Was he really about to say something? Or was that more for effect? It's impossible to tell for sure.
The blank stare Crimson gives him forces yet another one of those chills to run down Ash's spine. He listens to every word that the fox utters, afraid to miss anything important. Suddenly he blinks, running what Crimson says over and over in his own mind. He has no need of Ash....he has no need of the falcon... Ash freezes. Uh oh. The falcon glances over at the dark eyed creature, a wide eyed expression on his face. He knows where this is going; the fox makes it /very/ clear. Ash lifts his wings, preparing for launch. He's not staying around for this. Before he actually goes into flight, he pauses, turning to the fox. No words can be found for parting; nothing comes to mind to say. At all. Instead, Ash simply narrows his eyes at Crimson, and shoots himself into the air like an arrow. Eager to get away from this dreadful creature. For good.