moving through the forest trees the pitter patter of tiny feet sounded through the fallen twigs and dirt, a clear image of what it was couldn't be made out but it soon stopped to rest in a shady tree

Feiori flexed his fist by his side, trying to wish himself free of the cold ache in his joints from sitting tensed for far too long outside. The temperature had dropped dramatically after nightfall; enough for him to just make out the fine clouds of mist with each exhalation. His other hand twisted periodically into the dark-furred wolf at his side, silent and crouched by his side. The rope he had wound around the creatues neck and then tied to his wrist was invisible in the darkness, but he had no trouble finding it and gripping it so tight his half-frozen hand burned.

He kept his eyes trained on a trio of young men clustered around a small campfire, the flames making their features dance, their movements seem sporadic. Engrossed in conversation and the foul looking bubbling mess of food over their fire, he was nonexistant to them. The foliage, the darkness, and his choice of attire hid him from them flawlessly. Almost unconsiously, his hand lifted smoothly and tugged his hood further over his ears, obscuring most of his face and shadowing the rest. He stared for not the first time at their ears, almost envious of the unspectacular, rounded top edge.

The man furthest to the right let out a sudden unexpected laugh. Feiori took a sharp breath and clenched his jaw, trying to still his racing heart. How he hated these men, their animal skins and their profession. Not that he himself claimed to be any better, morally. His hand clung protectively to the wolf beside him. Their relationship was different. He had not enslaved the beast as these men had their dogs and their horses, and then forced them into a life of criminal activity and killing. Feiori flinched as the man in the middle tossed one of the chained and snarling dogs the remains of what he could had sword had been a rabbit not a half hour past. The wolf had chosen to be with him. They could communicate. Now, their link shattered and seemingly lost for good, Feiori couldn't being himself to let go of the only reminder he had of normal life. He let go of the rope and carefully put his hand on the ground to steady himself. He hadn't slept for three days now, nor had be been able to consume anything other than alcohol for longer. His exhausted mind had given up on warning him of his idiotic ideas. His consience was on hiatus.

Twigs cracked to his left, his head jerked in that direction. His hand flew to the weapon leaning against the tree beside him and he tried to focus his eyes on whatever was hiding amongst the trees with him. He would kill it, sure enough. The only problem was how loud it would be, and how many of these men he would have to murder to get the supplies he so desperately needed.

narrowing its eyes the Xinx stared out at the fire and the men that Feiori had been watching, his stomach gurgled for the food as he licked his lips in anticipation though ears twitched when he heard the rustle of someone else amongst his grounds, scowering his brow's his prehensile tail wrapped around the tree branch as he then stood up to get a better look. his pale eyes could see through the darkest night so seeing Fei was no problem, but Fei seeing him was....the Xinx was what it called itself and its ability to camouflage was less than perfect, bright baby blue hued scales with bright pink head fur in the Mohawk fashion with lime green tips, even those orbis eyes of faint grey stood out.

it wore all black of course but it did little to hide the rest of its body, growling softly to itself it wished not to be seen, tongue flicked pasts its lips tasting the air before trying to duck further into the shadows. then seeing the wolf it squinted and kept its eyes in thin slits keeping a gaze at the two people then jumping from the tree to another and making a chirping noise as if to say it was a bird making all the ruckus and not the Xinx, of course no one had ever really seen a Xinx since this one was the last and only of its breed or kind...it having escaped its bonds months before only to cause some other poor loser hell.

Feiori stopped breathing, trying to put all his concentration into locating whatever was moving near him. Alkaru seemed to be able to see it, he noticed, and the wolfs apparent unconcern did nothing for his nerves. He very slowly tilted his bladed staff upwards, tensing his arm. There was something out there. After a moments silence he lelt out a shakey breath and tried to still his mind. Morbid images forced their way into his head, and he clenched his jaw. His free hand clutched desperately at the wolfs fur, bringing an uncomfortable whimper from the animal. He eased up, and as he shifted his weight to bring his center of balance closer to the ground he became horribly aware of the flute in his cloak pocket. He shivered. He had not thought of the thing for onths, ever since he had found Alkaru and then had somehow lost their mental connection. Still he debated as to whether the wolf had simply abandoned him, or he had done something wrong and ruined the ability.

Soft growling behind him whipped his head aroud again, and Alkaru tensed, his lips peeling back. Feiori snapped his staff upright once more, pointed almost flawlessly at the source of the noise. He could have screamed when he sensed it's abrupt movement, having to bite down so hard on his lower lip he could taste blood to stop the urge. Panting as quietly as he could manage he frantically searched the shadowed branches above him, flinching at the creatures chirping. That thing was far too big to be any sort of bird Feiori had ever seen.

A large hand closed around his neck and wrenched him through his cover of foliage into the firelight in front of him. Somewhere out of Feioris vision Alkaru barked, quickly cut off by a loud thud and a series of pained whimpers. The rope connecting them burned his wrist as the wolf strained for freedom. Breathing hard, Feiori began trying to flip himself onto his back, only to find someones foot pressing hard on the middles of his back. He pressed his forehead against the dirt of their camp and tried again to not start screaming.
"Eard ya back there boy. Tryin' ta rob the criminals, looks like."
Course laughter and a boot to Feioris ribs followed the mans words. Feiori laughed softly into the dirt. And he had thought his luck was beginning to change.

shifting his gaze back to the men he blinked, contemplating on going after the camp or the man with Fei, being very small but highly agile he did what he thought would hlp, he started to hiss, and rattle his tail mimicking the sounds of a rattle snake hoping to get their attention "grrrrrrrr....." climinb down from the tree and into some bushes he peered out with a few reptilian clicks to his growling.

once again looking to the wolf then to Fei as if to catch his glance on purpose though all Fei would see is a small faint blue finger pressed to a reptilan smile" shhh..."