All Dogs Go to Heaven... Right? [Mature, Private-Lorne]

Twilight painted the mountain range a soft amber. Hues of gold touched the autumn leaves with fire, dancing as clouds of vermilion came and went before the setting sun. Mountains cupped the crimson disk as it fell, almost like a mournful goodbye. A cave resting upon a cliff-side overlooked this view, trampled sand the only floor it had. Sitting on the edge was a man with no clothing, a broad frame that was once tan an unhealthily pale hue. His mane of hair cascaded to his stomach, knots and furls from lack of car snarling the crimson locks.

His amber eyes matched the twilight colors, but not their vibrancy. The glazed over iris's took in no joy, merely lifelessness. The sun was leaving him, yet again. Within the back of his mind, a being awaited the dark hours. Neither took joy in what was to come, but neither had a choice. The last slip of light went past the range, a solemn farewell to the being once known as Jhonen.

Standing, he considered the ledge for a moment. The drop was a good thousand feet, enough to easily end his life. No matter how much he wanted, though, he couldn't. He was forbidden from the thought, and learned that only by trial. Turning towards the cave, the large man strode in. His bare feet crunched on the bones of small animals, even a few ribs from that of a human infant. He didn't care, though. He couldn't allow himself to. She wouldn't allow him to.

The night came, and so did the shadows. Instinctually, the Fae crouched. That shadow that was at the back of his mind strode forth, offering an apologetic thought to the man. Cwn knew how painful this was for the boy, now. Bones snapped, ligaments crawling under the skin of the two beings. A whimper came from the male, and pity blossomed in the Black Dog's mind. This change wasn't always painful. But it was a served punishment from his master. Cartilage moved, stretching out at the ears and nose. Shadows collected around the singular being, adding mass to the body. His spine arced, growing for a tail. His legs snapped backwards, conforming to the body of the Dog. Blood dripped from his mouth as his organs rearranged and healed themselves, the process taking agonizing minutes. The once great Lore was now a shadow of his former self, starved to skin and bone like a mutt wandering the streets.

Blinking away the pain, Cwn Anwnn strode once more out onto the cliff. The range was painted over with silver, the argent hues brushing over the valley in the form of mist. The Moon was coming up, reflected in the river as a silver ribbon slicing through the landscape. This was the time for the Lore, his hunting grounds set. Taking in a great breath, the Black Dog let out a bone-chilling howl. Bones formed together, five dogs with flesh hanging from the calcite growths standing up as more and more of the dead came at the call. Eye sockets flared to life, green necrotic magic giving the dead sight. As sinew grew to connect the structures to form more and more detail, organs came into the flesh. As the lungs knit together, the five Dire Wolves added their howls to Cwn Anwnn's.

Their hunt tonight was like any other. Leanansidhe wanted to locate a Nymph in the mountain, who had made a deal with a mother who wished to share her beauty. The price was the mother's first born, and the Fae had already collected her due. Cwn was to kill the Nympadae, and eat the child's heart.

Imagery danced through Lorne’s mind, vivid memories of a moment which tore his heart apart. He didn’t remember even half of it, the damn red jacket getting in the way of him tearing it away. Jhonen sounded as if his stomach almost tore itself apart, and Lorne had desperately tried to get to him, softly yipping to him as he dragged his fractured leg across the ground. Only for progress to be made, then for him to hear the smashing of iron and glass. But a simple window wouldn’t stop him when he had looked through, running as fast as he could with his fractured leg, trying to follow him.

But his damn leg wouldn’t allow the Kitsune to run as fast as he needed to, trapping him at the pace of a staggering limp.

No matter how much Lorne had howled, or called, or even tried speaking, Jhonen never stopped. Was this the price he had to pay? Lorne remembered countless attempts of tracking him down, remembering countless times where his heart tore itself apart from grief and confusion. His being ached, moreso than what he ever had thought was possible. He almost gave up trying to find him at one point, falling from a rather high place wasn’t exactly something Lorne intended to do. The injuries he had sustained forced him to return to the damn city, whose practitioners, medical people, whatever the hell they were called, gave him piles of  drugs to take.

Of course, he was stubborn, refusing to have too many, but ensuring that he had the main ones. Anything else Lorne left alone. During this time while Lorne was bound, seemingly by chains, to the city, he had wandered back to Jhonens house, cleaning it and fixing the damage the wolf had done, his mind playing through memories of what had happened. Of the being who was the giant wolf at night, but the human by day.

But after being trapped there for what seemed longer than an eternity, luck seemed to have struck a bargain with him.

Dust covered, yet also hidden underneath the jacket Lorne threw off trying to get to him, he found the Grim once more. However, Lorne couldn’t help but be puzzled at the glowing book. He had remembered carefully taking it up in his hands, his fingers running down the cover in fascination with just how it was made, just how it was glowing. Questions would remain unanswered when he opened it, pages seemingly... Lorne didn’t know how to describe it, but no matter what he did with this Grim, he would find none of his answers. None of them at all. It had been days of studying the book with no luck, no signs of it coming back to help him.

That was until he stopped being an idiot and his orb seemed to reach out to it, parting with a tiny shred of its magic.

Instantly, the book opened itself, the pages flicking themselves to a list. Lorne had looked through this list, his heart rising in his throat when he read through the first page. He was smart, able to decipher what the Grim had shown him. Locations. Names. But he didn’t care about most of the names here, and Lorne kept searching for the one that he cared the most about. The Kitsune had found the name, the location, and he had left within the hour, the Grim hidden in a bag slung across his shoulders.

But damn, here he was, in the middle of a giant forest, limping his way through the trees and mountains, days, weeks, months later, Lorne couldn’t tell. Nor did he really care. Lorne glanced down at the open Grim once more, the location shifting and changing. When the wolf moved around, and he cursed. ”Would you just stay still!” Lorne cursed under his breathe again, sighing angrily.

The golden sun’s rays of light left the shadows lengthening under the trees, the iron and silver dagger hanging from Lorne’s side. The cold of the night bit at his skin, his muscles contracting to cause a shiver as the night freshly began, Lorne tucking the book back into his bag. However, his heart skipped a beat as he heard it. A very particular sound. A sound so damn familiar that cause Lorne to shift, the bag moving to hang on his side, half bolting, half limping towards the sound, his nine tails streamlining behind him as he ran. The noise designed to flip people, to scare them, to send bone numbing chills down their spines, was the exact same howl which caused excitement to bloom in the Kitsune’s chest. An eagerness to find the source. Desperation to get to it.

Cwn’s howl. Lorne would recognise it anywhere.

The once-great beast lowered his head, sighing at his mission. Ever since Jhonen had left, more and more of the man's aspect came over Cwn's mind. He comprehended more and more, understanding that which he had once spurned as nothing but trivial. A snort left the Black Dog's nose. Trivial. The words of a being upon two legs sprinting through his mind almost so fast, he couldn't comprehend that they were surpassing his once droll thoughts. Instincts. Sniff. Eat. Drink. Run.

A snarl ripped through him. Why was he so fascinated with such? He was damned now. Damned to hunting for the Christ-forsaken 'mother' of his. He was too young when he did her bidding, obeying her every word. Make a deal with her? Sure. Bind my Lore to her hand and one bloodline, pass it down from generation to generation. Every now and then Cwn would be strong, able to do more and more. Then, some generations he'd be weak. Passive. Like a coyote rather than a wolf.

Shaking himself, he dashed the thoughts out of his mind.

"Damn him."

Cwn's eyes rose to the pearl-colored moon. Memories of a man who had a pelt that shone like the great rock in the sky came to mind. Just like they always did at this time of the night. Sighing, he understood that he should get on with his task. If he didn't, he would be forced into more punishments. Ones that would break his body even further, corrupting his form past what Jhonen could handle. Christ only knew how broken his other half already was...

He was running, now. Sprinting down the trail towards the only still body of water, the lake that was in the center of the valley. Yips of the hounds he had called echoed into the night, his paws easily clearing the distance between himself and his target.

"Cwn... Please... Not another one..."

Jhonen's course voice came into his mind, memories of a child's fleshy heart causing bile to rise. These were, of course, the human's. Not his. He hadn't minded the arteries crushing between his teeth, chewing the marrow out of the infant's bones. But... Some form of feeling had gripped his heart when he thought of it. Guilt? No, he was a Dog. He couldn't feel emotions like that. How did he know that though? Here he was, running through the undergrowth with scents flooding his nostrils and causing drool to come out of his mouth. But thoughts of humanity and that which it meant also came to being...

His soft paws carried him over and past the trees, scaling rocks as his heart rose in his chest. Damn it! He was close, Lorne could almost sense him nearby, his heart crying out to find him. Leaves, twigs and smaller branches flung and slapped him across the legs, but his upper body tore through them. The Kitsune was able to remain mostly silent when he did so, as no larger branches would be broken by him.

He was strong, but he couldn't endure a lot of pain.

With a small snarl, Lorne felt the ground beneath him becoming steeper, raising sharply. He clambered forward, his white paws a sharp contrast between the dark ground which he struggled through. No matter how much Lorne would slip down the loose dirt rise, he would get to the top, he would see Jhonen again, he was sure that the wolf was here!

But when he arose, only the silver moon would greet him atop the cliff, and Lorne felt a frustrated growl tear from his maw. He was so close! Why couldn't he have been faster... His neck arched down, the giant fox taking a few sniffs of the tainted ground, scattered with bones. He shivered, the smell of decomposing flesh almost making his stomach flip. Firmly, the fox held his maw shut, sniffing and, eventually finding, the scent of the black dog.

He growled, not missing him by much, before his nose would pick up the scent completely, his form half running after the smell. If he couldn't find Jhonen... When he was this close... Lorne didn't even deserve him.

He was at the lake. It wasn't far away from his den, he'd spent the past.. Three moon sets there. Days blurred by in Jhonen's mind, so Cwn couldn't rely upon the man's time tables. His paws thundered forward, not attempting anything remotely near stealth. With just a thought, he sent the five hellhounds forward, circling around the great body of water. Their forms caught alight, the fires of the Never Never spreading through them to blaze their trail. They would corrupt the earth they trod over, affecting only the Nymph.

Sitting down, Cwn only had to wait before he heart the Nymphadae's screech.

Yes... To me.

The child was found. The Nymph was being drug by two of his wolves, her dripping entrails the only thing connecting the two pieces of her body. Rather than crimson, her blood was much more like Oil- reflecting the lights in fascinating patterns. Two more of Cwn's hunt trailed behind, adding an interesting fact into the mix. The Nymph's screaming head.

The last of his wolves, though... Carried the blanket carefully in its maw. The writhing child was in it, fussing out of fear and pain. The mud held no tracks beneath the great beast's body, his ethereal form gliding over the earth instead. The moonlight was still bright, now in the center of the sky. The hunt had taken longer than he had accounted for, but not long enough.

"Cwn... Please..."

Lorne's feet ached as he stormed down the path, his breathing heavy, his heart thundering in his chest. Every step the fox took, the scent grew stronger, closer. For months Lorne hadn't been this close to him, for months he had searched, every day, without rest until his body would collapse and force him to sleep. Force him to eat. There would be hell to pay if he couldn't find Jhonen-no, he glanced at the moon... Cwn... A snarl caught in his throat, and he pressed forward. He would find them, dammit! Even if it meant he went through the agony of going through hell and back, he would find them.

Cries, screams around a close lake made Lorne redouble his tired efforts, adrenaline the only thing enabling him to keep running. To keep drawing closer. To getting to him. But he couldn't take it, his leg flaring slightly, causing him to limp to a stop. He growled, snapping at it like a wild animal would, accusing it of hurting him and stopping him from getting there. But the fox shook his head, pressing forward until he saw them, sitting bored, watching far into the distance.

Lorne, in a heartbeat, felt his form shift once more, his heart beating uncontrollably, eyes welling with tears. What the hell had happened?

"Cwn!" Lorne shouted, covering the last few feet in mere seconds before his arms were slung around the wolf's gaunt, skinny neck. He was mortified, feeling the bones just below the surface of the skin, the muscles fading away. What the hell had happened.

Lorne looked up, about to ask him that exact thing when he saw the five wolves returning.

His face fell.

He turned away, violently sick, nerves, the smell, and the things he saw throwing him well and truly over the edge.

Cwn could only stare in shock at Lorne. The one being who was constantly on his mind, here? No.. This had to be another one of Leanansidhe's tricks.

"Enough, Lea. I won't be fooled by you again, only to have my limbs ripped apart and sewn back together by one of you damned Fae healers."

The growl was there, as the Black Dog chose to ignore his master. She would pretend to vomit. She's done it before at the works she bid him to do. Standing slowly, Cwn padded over to the Hound that held the Nymph's chest. Easily, he ripped into her chest cavity- ignoring the screams and begging her decapitated head babbled out. Ripping out her heart, he tossed it to the side for the moment. He was forbidden from the organ- the only thing that would help the Black Dog regain his strength. No, Leanansidhe thought the sick joke of making Jhonen eat them would work as punishment for his attempts of evading her orders.

"The heart will be saved for Jhonen. The body burned. You have your damned wish you Fae. The Child will be killed by him as well. Just... Leave me alone... Please...."

Hanging his head, the great dog picked up the blanketed child before striding past the figure of Lorne. An ache settled deep in the heart of the Lore, a mournful look cast to that which he so desperately desired.

"This is all for him..."

With that, he continued back to his den.

He just... Left?

By the time that Lorne had turned back, Cwn was already walking away, his head low, dragging the body with him. But why? Didn't he feel the same way towards Lorne? Or was the Kitsune tricked by this great beast? Surely he wouldn't have, not after how he acted... Right? Lorne watched as Cwn's gaunt, skinny form wandered away, and Lorne felt his heart crumble.

But hell, if he let this stupid animal walk off after months of him searching, Lorne DIDNT deserve to keep him. After all, Jho said himself that Lorne was his. The three words rang in his mind and the Kitsune began to walk again. He would follow and stalk Jho, silently going back to the den, not allowing him to leave him stranded by the lake.

Lorne growled, the light of the night fading, staring down into the black abyss which was where the scent lead to.

"Cwn... I didn't travel so far for ya to leave me." He called out into the den, tears stinging his eyes. "Why? Why did ya leave, am I not allowed to hold the one that I love?"

Tears filled his eyes as he drew closer into the mouth of the den, his voice soft. "I never stopped searching for ya Cwn, both yourself and Jhonen, I never stopped. Even when ya left me, curled in your jacket, refusing to even look at me... I didn't stop trying to follow ya. I never stopped trying to find you, dammit! Why are you hiding away from me?

I love you, damn it Cwn!"

The words froze the Black Dog's heart. Here, in this den of decay and bones, sickness and death, memories flashed before him. A horrible burning sensation, the guidance to purify himself, and..

Turning his head, he heard the truth.

"I love you, damn it Cwn!"

No Fae could lie. They could give half-truths, they could connive, deceive with their words.. but they couldn't fully lie. Pain gripped the great dog as he dropped the dying child, horrified that he had just ignored someone he so desperately longed for.

The starved dog walked forward, out of the darkness of his den. Lorne's hair was pearly white in the outline of the cave, the maw doing nothing to hold him back from the despair this place had come to emanate for the Black Dog. Fire lit within his eyes, the amber light bringing the area to life once more. It WAS Lorne. Stumbling over himself, the Dog scrambled to get closer, to feel the caress of the man that he lov-

If he was here... Leanansidhe.

The thought was enough to halt the beast, eyes frozen wide in horror. She would know. She always knew.

Almost as though the thought called her into being, the darkness swarmed together- a portal from the Never Never blossoming into her figure, crimson hair giving off its own light. Her beauty was awe-inspiring, but horrifyingly unnatural at the same time. Emerald eyes danced with laughter, as she slowly clapped. It was now Cwn Anwnn's worst nightmare.

She had Lorne in her sights.

Glistening with tears, the Kitsune's eyes would pull away from the den. He wasn't going to come out. It was clear, right?

The thoughts were proven wrong in the next few moments, the soft paw pads tapping on the ground as the giant yet gaunt form made his appearance in the mouth of the den. Pity sparked in his eyes as he made his way forward, and Lorne sighed. He couldn't just stand there. The Kitsune made his way over to the wolf, his hands running down the rough fur-like shadows, "What the hell happened to ya..." He mumbled quietly, tears freely falling down his cheeks, "I've missed ya so damn much.."

Before he was able to give him another small pat, before a portal, green in colour, tore a hole in what Lorne conceived to be a natural reality. His tears stopped, and he stood, his eyes turning hard at the sight of the sudden female. He stared her down, her beauty chilling him to the bone.

"Who the hell are ya. I'm not in the mood for games." Lorne all but snarled, quite viciously. He didn't give two fucks who she was.

Disgust made Cwn snap at Leanansidhe, his ethereal fur standing on end.

"Oh hush you silly mutt. You're almost done with time owed."

Leanansidhe strode forward, standing a few feet from Lorne. The Black Dog bolted before him, shielding the Yokai with his body from the Fae. Her emerald eyes turned crimson, anger boiling over and tainting her form.

"DOG. Away with you!"

Flung by an unseeable force, Cwn's body crashed into the siding of the cave. A yelp escaped his maw, hounds from before arising from where they sat. However, a sharp look from Lea caused the five to fall to pieces, the magic binding them together unknit altogether.

Lorne's smirk turned deadly, but he knew when not to push the boundaries. Instead, he would glance at Cwn, stepping slightly closer to allow for his tails to gently stroke the injured dog. He glared at the female before him, "Firstly, there's no need for that.

Secondly, don't ya hurt him. He was defending me.

Thirdly, don't call him a silly mutt, and what the hell do ya mean by 'time owed'?

And.... Finally, although I am absolutely sure that ya know this... But my names Lorne. Who are ya?" He would ask, not allowing the fear which he felt to show on his face. His heart twisted, dying to simply throw a dagger into her and tend to the injured dog behind him, but he wouldn't allow his feelings to show, taking the mask of a calm and poised killer. The assassin at work.

He would watch her like a hawk, his eyes picking out any single thing which the female did. Lorne doubted that she would kill him, after all, she could have done so already by simply throwing him into the wall like she did with Cwn. He was more fragile than the wolf, even if he was gaunt, skin and bone.

Cwn's whimper was assuaged by the affection Lorne showed, not missed by Lea.

"I am Leanansidhe, Muse of the Winter Court. That, my dear Havilah, is Cwn Anwnn. The Grimm himself. Those tales of the hunt being called upon those who made deals with the devil are true- though the devil does tend to have us bring his due."

She was attempting to scare him. Cwn hadn't told her his name. He knew that would cause Lorne to panic. The large dog gave a pleading look to his... to Lorne, hoping that he would understand that none of this was something that he could help.

"Jhonen MacAnndra fancies you. Or, fancied. Not sure how much of him is left to give such thoughts, discipline can be such a harsh thing. You, however, are a new paint on the canvas. He owes me time because he hid from me for oh, so long. But, as soon as Sallehn's heart was stolen from my use... I knew he was there. All I had to do was look. One-hundred and twenty years of service.. I didn't mind fifty of it because he was ah... Still doing a few side jobs. But as soon as Cwn's loyalty change-"

A snarl ripped through the Black Dog, foam dripping from his mouth.

"I never held allegiance to you, you slimey t-"

His words were snapped shut, Leanansidhe's hands clamped down in the no talking gesture.

"-I had to show him the error of his ways, dear."

The words burnt into Lorne's mind, his name striking every wrong nerve in his being. Who the fuck did she think she was, strutting around like that, making claims, talking shit about herself and Cwn. He felt his mask of happiness shatter, a smile turning to her. She wanted Havilah? That was fine by him.

The Kitsune would turn to her, a smile of contempt on his face. "You speak so highly of your own pets. My apologies if you believed their loyalty to be changed, but I do believe that you have proven your point.... that being said..." Havilah spoke, his tone was cold and harsh, but that was fine as Lorne had given up trying to be nice, allowing the true assassin to step forward. He gave the female an incline with his head. "You spoke of them owing you a debt, paying back owed time if I remember correctly." Havilah said, his tails snapping away from Cwn suddenly.

No emotions would rise to his eyes, cold, hard, uncaring. The tears which he shed for Cwn seemed to vanish, bury deep within him. "Would you be so kind as to have a conversation with me, Havilah, and talk with me about how their debt could be paid? I would be willing to help clear it." The true assassin explained, his voice casual, but the tone utterly cold. But one thing which Lorne hoped that Cwn would remember was when he explained that he snapped...

Havilah was simply when Lorne couldn't take it any more. The one who operated when the true work needed to be done.

Cwn stared at Lo-No. Havilah. His tails were rigid, as frosty as the gaze he held over Leanansidhe. His muscles were taut, showing no sign of relief or hesitation in his glare. A memory that had been buried by Jhonen- away from the prying eyes of Lea as she dug through his mind.. Yes, this was indeed Havilah.

Lowering his head, a concerning through went through Cwn's brain. Why was he making deals with a Fae?

Leanansidhe looked this man up and down, slightly startled from the sudden change. Yes, Jhonen had successfully hidden the memory. Covering her lapse, she offered a sickly sweet smile.

"They owe me seventy years of due work, yes. The Hunt didn't have their leader for the longest time, but.." Her emerald eyes sparked with lust, as she looked Lorne up and down. ".. Maybe I could trade half that time? Say, for a bit of yours? You're a mongrel as well, Mythos or not. The Grimm knows nothing of your breed, so I'm assuming that you're Japanese... I've had a few Yokai in my time." Leanansidhe was now walking around the pair, examining them closely. "Join the Hunt. Come at my call."

Stopping once more in front of Havilah, the Sidhe crossed her arms over her chest. She was weaving her magic, using the paced time and her words to shift her form. She now looked younger, face fuller and eyes wider. Lips were cherry red, and her curves most certainly there. An attempt by the Fae to create lust in Cwn's m-... Friend?

Cwn put himself between Lorne and Lea, concerned as to whether the magic could work or not. He didn't want to take the chance, even if it meant he'd take a blade from Lorne in regards of being a traitor.

Havilah allowed a half smirk to tug at his lips, the very tip of the middle tail flicking as he considered the words which she had said. He remained silent for a few moments, considering her offer as she began to pace. His breath would momentarily catch, but vivid images of three months ago burned in his mind. Another life. A side life. Both the false and true life Havilah walked.

"Mongrel or not, I'd still put more work in than you would expect." Havilah commented dryly, his eyes watching her as he crossed his arms in front of his chest, staring her down, his mind breaking down her words. "But my question to you, have you ever had a Kitsune? As there are other species which come under being... a Yokai." Havilah spoke easily, while his mind worked in overdrive. Half of their time left would be 35 years... However, Havilah recalled that she never specified an exact time, leaving it blank. Open to interpretation. A loophole.

Which would trap him for the remainder of his days, and Cwn would still be punished.

He had to get that fixed!

Havilah allowed a few more moments of silence to fall between them. A disgusted gaze rested on the scrawny, pathetic wolf at his feet. It was skin and bone. Gaunt. And her words... He raised his head to look at her, his eyes hard. He inclined his head and raised an eyebrow, "No deal."

He spun on his heels, his feet raising to leave them. If that's the final thing that she demanded... no. Havilah needed an advantage, to get his foot ahead of his opponent. To get ahead of the certain dance of death which would claim more than one life if he failed.

None of his thoughts would appear on his face, and he would remain a stony faced figure.

Leanansidhe stared after the Kitsune in shock. Never had she been spurned by a man, not even Dante himself. Clearing her throat, she took a step after the retreating figure.

Cwn had avoided the eyes of Havilah, but could feel the burning glare upon his pelt. This was beyond what he thought possible of the Mythos, his attitude completely different from that from before. What did this mean for him, then?

"No, I've not had a Kitsune. Clever of you to see past my words. What do you want, then? Jhonen owes me Seventy years of Hunt."

Clamping her mouth shut, the Fae refused to give away any more information. Lust for the heart of this man danced within the depths of her now blazing eyes, unwilling to be spurned yet again. The Black Dog saw this, and understood immediately what Lorne was doing. He was bargaining for their freedom. Jhonen stirred within the back of the Lore's mind, coming to at the final hour of night. Cwn could immediately register the shock that his day side had, and the panic that came with it.

"CWN. NO. GET HIM AWAY FROM HERE."

It hurt the Black Dog to ignore Jhonen, but there was no other way. He had to follow his instincts, and let Lorne pick the path for the two to follow. It was the only way to avoid death, at this point.

"I'm sure we can make arrangements. What would you want?"

Havilah could almost feel the woman lust after him, never before having been spurred by a man. He smirked to himself, however, the choices of his actions were building. Havilah... No matter how he looked at it, Havilah would be giving up his freedom. One of the few things which he cherished. He was worried for a few moments, before he heard words which would allow him to begin the bargaining. "I'm sure we can make arrangements. What would you want?"

Havilah's mind raced. YES! A STEP FORWARD! A small laugh came from him, and he looked over his shoulder to her once again. His eyes stopped on Cwn for a moment, the daylight slowly edging closer. Jhonen would be here soon...

The assassin's cold eyes locked with hers, eating away the information which they gave him. She desired for him, to have him serve as her puppet for a while. But what would be a fair price? Havilah's eyes glanced to the sorry dog, before giving a snort of laughter. "Tell me. What are you able to do. That dog is skin and bones, he won't last much longer out here." Havilah stated, incredibly matter-of-factly. What he said was true, judging by the hollows between Cwns ribs.

"I want his work removed. Restore his health. Any damn curse you have put on him for misbehaving, for a punishment, which includes Jhonen... I demand you remove it. Any punishments, remove them too. All debts be paid. All time owed will be gone." Havilah said, his heart locking away from Cwn. It was a hard thing he was asking, but he couldn't stop. Not with a Fae. Those tricky bastards.

"I also will request that you NEVER send them after a child again." Havilah continued, his arms crossed firmly in front of his chest, his eyes narrowing, reading whatever he could from her.

"What price would I have to pay?"

Lea considered this man before him. If she were to give him what she wanted, then maybe she'd get him as well.

"You'd be part of my Pack. I've seen you angry, mind you. I also know that I could ask for that Medallion of yours... But no. I want to steal away your freedom in a different way." Pursing her lips she thought harder. "Maybe you could take on his years of service. He's still my Hunt, but you'd come at his howl."

Leanansidhe winced as sunlight hit the cave, and Cwn breathed a sigh of relief. Bones snapped back, a pain that the hound was already used to by now. Muscle grew, and his form shrank. His muzzle shrank, eyes fleshing out and mane turning a bright crimson. Jhonen groaned, blood dripping from his nose and mouth. Curled on his side, he shivered in the morning air.

"Or, maybe I could even ask for a night with you? I promise it won't be anything to scoff at. You'll definitely enjoy it." She was strictly ignoring the blood-covered man beside her, his nudity doing nothing for her. "The Nymph's heart is in the back of the cave. I'd suggest using that to help my darling Spot heal. As for the children.. This was part of his punishment. Make him into that which he hates. He's a murderer, now."

Oh the mistake she made.

Any leeway that she held over Havilah was gone, without a trace. But he would ensure that none of this was shown. A smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. "I don't care what you give him as a punishment. I demand that you rebuke them, cast them away from here. I wouldn't recommend that you avoid my requests..." Havilah purred, his tails deliberately brushed against her neck.

"That's not the best way to negotiate after all." He stated, glancing behind him as blood dripped from his mouth and nose. That's too rough... Havilah pitied the bloodied man, and he returned his gaze back to her. "I offer a century. Do ALL I have asked. And I will hunt down misbehaving Fae's, those who truly deserve death." Havilah said, adding his own spin to the words. "Oh, and any hunt that you call Cwn to, I go with him. But no sending him to hunt children. If you need them done, send me to hunt them down yourself." Havilah offered, unafraid to take the life of a child. After all, his own childhood was taken from him.

Havilah smirked, half enjoying the bartering system she had.

Leanansidhe wasn't fooled by this man's acting. However, she was fascinated. "An entire century? Alright.. One century. I'll reverse the curse I've put on the Lore, and allow him to shift through shadows again. I'll also make it to where you are summoned by his howl any time he hunts. As for the children.. If Cwn wishes to, then he shall hunt them. I'll no longer force Jhonen to kill and eat the hearts of the children misbehaving Fae steal."

Shrugging, she flicked a hand towards the back of the cave- her portal ripping through again.

"You'll receive your first check by next week."

~

Jhonen groaned, rolling onto his hands and knees. His muscles ached, the last transformation being just as bad as the first under that damned curse. He had to wipe the blood out of his eyes, His eyesight clouded from the red haze.

Leanansidhe stood above him. "Do you accept that which has been declared? Your words shall seal the deal, magic from the Winter Court of the Never Never binding upon your agreement. There will be dire consequences should you break your word, one including death. Anything to add, Havilah?"

"Lorne.. What have you done?..."

Jho sat up slowly, his muscles unwilling to move as fast as he wished. He wished that the first thing Lea had taken from him wasn't his decency, but none of that mattered now. All that he cared for was Lorne's answer to his puppeteer.

Havilah would tilt his head slightly, after glimpsing the bloodied form of Jhonen. "No more of that sort of transformation, correct? And... Just a question for clarification. I am a being that needs sleep. Will you keep that in mind? As I do quite enjoy my sleep." Havilah asked, giving a half shrug. Aside from that, he was happy with the bargain which they had struck. It was merely a century, time which he could spend with Jhonen. However, accusatory eyes would rise to him.

"Lorne.. What have you done?..."

The voice would raise and it took Havilah a few moments to realise that the man was talking to him. Of course he was, dammit... It was Jhonen... A small frown creased in the mans forehead. Why was he demanding that of him? Havilah glanced away. Three months of searching. Binding himself for a century. This was his payment?

"Accept the deal." He instructed a look of hurt dashing through his naturally cold expression. He was so close, so close until he could break down the icy facade that was Havilah, break down the snapped mind...

"I've spent three months searching for you. I find you in a state of dismal proportions. What do you think I've done..." Havilah asked, sighing. Please Jhonen... Just accept it... I'll explain it all later.

However, Havilah had the feeling which he wouldn't accept the order. He sighed, kneeling down next to him. "A century of service. Its a small price to pay to have you back, to rid your punishments, you won't eat another childs heart unless Cwn demands it..." He sighed, raising a hand to rest it gently against his cheek. "You will be healed as we agreed..."

Maybe, just maybe... Havilah prayed that he understood why he had done it.

Love worked in stupid... annoying... weird ways.

"Very well. You will be able to sleep outside of the Hunt. Your deal has been made."

Leanansidhe left, casting a flick of her hand at Jhonen. He felt like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders, and took a deep gasp of air. A smirk crossed the Winter Muse's face. Enjoy the time I've given you with him, Spot. I think the two of you are going to be a very, very interesting pair. I'll let Queen Mab know what's occurred here. You were one of her favorites too. The Tuatha De Danaan will discuss the arrangements of your life.

Lorne had given his freedom...

The portal closed behind Lea. Once he was sure the Fae was gone, Jhonen stumbled over the piles of broken bones, to Lorne.

"I'm so s-sorry.."

His arms wrapped around the man he loved, tears rolling down his cheeks. His snarled hair caught a few, but many more dripped onto the Yokai. His muscles trembled from the abnormal force he was putting through, even though they were now healthy again. His mind was unused to the freedom he had once more.

"You gave up so much for my miserable arse... I'm so, so sorry... I.. I..."

Havilahs heart broke, Lorne's arms outstretching to receive his lovers embrace. He wrapped his tails around him, giving him cover for the external forces, protecting them from anyones prying eyes. "Shh... It's alright." Lorne murmured quietly, he kissed his forehead, the weight of his decision melting away like nothing as he held his beloved Jhonen in his arms once more.

"I would have given up the time again just to ensure your safety... I-... no... HE drove a hard bargain... I.... Dammit Jhonen! I missed you so damn much!..." Lorne growled slightly, his arms wrapping tightly around him, refusing to let him go at all. He rested his cheek slightly against his, eyes watching like a hawk. Three long months he struggled, three long months Jhonen was suffering for.

Like hell Lorne would let anything else come to steal Jhonen or Cwn away from him. But, even now, during their hunts... Lor-Havilah, would join them. It would prove to be easy and fast hunts.

The heart! Cwn!

Panic flared in him, but his arms stayed firmly around him. "You're... both alright now... right?" Lorne asked gently, kissing him again, "I love ya Jhonen, and I'm so damn sorry I didn't get my arse over here sooner and that ya suffered... I'm so sorry..."

Jhonen shuddered. Memories of leeches, of his flesh being ripped open and healed closed.. Maggots chewing apart his liver and kidneys. Leanansidhe's patience for his screaming...

"We've only eaten twelve times. Cwn's not been allowed to eat a heart in the past three months, he's been saving them for me so that I don't starve..."

Cwn's memories, then. Shredding apart mermaids and elves, ripping out their arterial pumps.

"We were put here because she didn't want you to find us too soon.. We were originally in Cormere, hunting the river Fae. Pixies and the like. I didn't mind that but... It just got worse. I'm.. I'm healthy. We both haven't eaten, but our bodies are as well and whole as they were when you first met us. But..."

Jhonen put his forehead on the Yokai's shoulders.

"I want to go home. I want to eat a greasy hamburger. I want to smell oil and gasoline in my shop. I want to sit there and read smutty novels because I've nothing better to do with my time. Three months with that woman has been long enough for me. I want... I want you, Lorne. Above all else. Please... Don't leave me. Don't let me leave you. Ever. I hated it. I hated every second of it. Every time she dug her nails into my head, going through memory after memory. Her fucking teeth ripping my body apart. Those ravens of hers opening my stomach, taking out my liver just for her to heal my body and send Cwn out for a hunt. Then it restarting. The changes she made when we traded bodies..."

A shudder went through Jho again.

"My bones snapping, tendons stretching to make room for the bones that Cwn has. My jaw.. The scents, the sights, all of it overwhelming.."

He was starting to break down.

"A-and the children... She took the boy. She can't do anything to him, no, that's why she needed me. Now she has to give him back to his mother, take back the changeling. I've killed two children... They were sick, half dead when brought to me...But that 's no excuse.... If I didn't, she'd open me up again.."