Murder could tell he had alarmed her, with his lurid strides through the mire, by the cautious measure professed in the tensing of her feminine structure. Yet when she revolved she didn’t hold the guise of apprehension. Her dance was fluid, lithe and effortless yet bizarrely alluring. The plumed pennons adorning her shoulders were indisputably remarkable, and Murder’s vermillion chasms inspected them with envious reverie. He had to concede she was quite the specimen of a mare, but lust was not something Murder permitted to overtake him. He prided himself on being a considerate male which was contrasting to so many he’d met, and even flirtation wasn’t something he dabbled in frequently. Murder watched her as she considered him mutely and recognized that his appearance was slightly unnerving to her; oddly he had become reasonably conversant of this reaction in his time. However in Murder’s circumstance his exterior scarcely complemented the soul it encased. He had been a fairly placid baron throughout his years, frequently being confided in and regarded for guidance because of his wisdom and decorum. Murder’s façade was that of a fiend but his ambiance was more of a saint.

When the maiden spoke Murder erected both audits to catch her delicate tones. "Necessity," she paused. "There is something here in which I need, though where this something is, I am uncertain." Voids pirouetted from the vixen as Murder pensively took in the dire settings. What might she conceivably want from this lagoon? He pondered inwardly as he perused the foliage and water’s surface accusingly. Murder had to confess, if he desired to conceal an object this would be an impeccable place. He could sense her eyes penetrating him as he scanned the topography and as he twisted his skull back to observe her his contemplations were confirmed. Her gaze had not left him the entire period and Murder smiled humbly, attempting to pacify her potential uneasiness the best he could. He sincerely intended her no harm and preferred for her to be mindful of that fact.

"I don't suppose you'd know where to find 'moon stone', would you?" Murder twitched indistinguishably as the mare’s voice infiltrated the atmosphere for a second time. He had not anticipated her sudden lyrics and was taken somewhat off guard yet succeeded in disguising the surprise well. As the vapor from her nostrils shrouded her face Murder examined her with the utmost curiosity. A moon stone? He had only perceived of such things in legends and imaginings from his youth so this intrigued him. Something about the manner in which she spoke if it communicated to Murder she was serious and his urge to assist her in procuring what she was hunting matured, even if selfishness was a component.

“I’m sorry ma’am but I’m afraid I have only been told of such things, never have I set eyes upon something that I strongly assumed to be fictitious. Have you any clues perchance? I would gladly contribute to your excursion if I am able.”

Murder’s tones were cool and accommodating, zealously awaiting her response. This could be quite a remarkable expedition.

{ ooc: Sorry that took so freaking long! Forgive me! I'll trying to keep up from now on, and hopefully I'll have that post for Adhara up soon as well. }

What Murder knew of the deities was trifling, but they were so substantial for the beasts in this realm that Murder felt obligated to educate himself further on their customs and antiquity. However from his experiences thus far he was not fond of the Gods in the least. As Murder gazed at the cobalt amulet strung around the striking damsel’s neck and contemplated her words he knew why. The games these demons occupied the mortals with were unmistakably for their own amusement and it sent a tremor of loathing up Murder’s spine. There was no way he could call himself an atheist since the evidence of the idols existence was profound but the longing to cast them from his life once he was returned his crows was intense. That was not to say he would cease to believe in them but merely that he would refuse their help in any way. Perhaps he would even embolden others to do the same. Give them a chance to see reason. These Gods were egocentric, indolent and cruel and Murder intended to see them taken down from their pedestal. Yet he didn’t anticipate it to be easy.

Sanguine orbs traveled from the azure brooch to the mistress’s matching eyes and Murder nodded, comprehending her assignment. It was yet another indication of the divinity’s ridiculous jest at their underlings and though Murder hid it well he felt mild pity for the dame. Gods established their supremacy from the conviction of their followers and yet they were not grateful. Instead they required their devotees to praise them, and to Murder that was erroneous. ”Shall we begin our search?” was the verse that jolted Murder out of his ponderings. The icy temperature of the air was once again recognized by the baron causing the layer of muscle below his hide to quake.

“Yes, certainly, let us commence our quest. Excuse me for not introducing myself formerly, I am Murder.”

His tones were relaxed and hospitable. Today he would help this femme look for this moon stone, in an attempt for Murder to acquire a better understanding as to why these creatures let the spirits treat them in such a way. But tomorrow Murder would embark on a little expedition of his own in optimism of fixing this flawed structure.

Sauntering forward Murder walked around the vixen as he desired to find this gem quickly. This place was teeming with the impression of desolation and horror, neither of which Murder was too keen on, and he wanted to leave as soon as possible. Murder stared into the polished surface of the waters that bordered them, detecting the silhouettes of figures in its grasps, and made an annotation to himself to stay strictly to the center of the conduit. Raising his chiseled dome to assess the firmament he realized it was gradually growing dim, a fact that made Murder uneasy. He did not know his way through these everglades and, unlike his plumed acquaintance, was not blessed with fantastic wings to aid him in a fluent getaway should a dilemma arise.

“So what, if I may enquire, is the significance of this stone you seek?”

He desired to know since the more he gauged the situation the more perilous it became. Murder wanted to help her, sincerely, however he was unsure how much he was willing to risk for her cause. The further he ventured the worse the outcome was beginning to appear.

{ ooc: Sorry again for the terribleness of this post and how long it is taking me. I'm really trying to keep up with this but my muse is dead :( }

Something was not right. The further the sun retreated behind the earth the more perturbed Murder became. It was almost like the odor of this territory had transformed abruptly, changing into a most nauseating stench. The reek of putrefaction. As Murder ventured forward he kept his gaze on the murky waters, distrusting the enigmas they obscured. One audit was always stationary on the roan femme, knowing that if he lost track of her something much more sinister could find her. Murder didn’t think she was incapable of fending for herself, actually quite the contrary, and in all actuality he was trusting that she was watching out for him as well. Cassiopeia…what a divine name, Murder pondered mutely, yet he could see that it fit her; she did have a certain celestial quality about her.

“I am quite fond of your constellation.”

Ack, was that flirting? Murder inclined an eyebrow and, keeping his dome in the direction he was drifting, let his voids glance her way after the words escaped his maw. Well that was stupid, he deliberated as a swell of discomfiture inundated over him. Muscles shuddered beneath his cobalt hide as he tried to shrug off his inanity and move forward. Perhaps she hadn’t even heard him? Definitely not. Allowing his eyes to shift back on course Murder persisted in his search for something that resembled a moon stone akin to the one Cassiopeia bore around her neck. He listened to her illuminate him on her goal for this quest, which he found very remarkable. Pain…? Murder mused on this rather scrupulously. Cassiopeia desired healing magic because all she could do as of now was administering pain? This was curious to him. How does one animate the stars? Questions engulfed Murder and he terminated his scrutiny of the acreage for a minute. Erecting his cranium he halted and spoke.

“How do you…?”

Murder’s query was cut short with the introduction of a feeble glowing originating from a pool to his right.

“I think I found something!”

His tones were excited as he darted off in the direction of the iridescent sapphire light. It seemed that the repose of the sun bequeathed life to the gem and now it was rousing from its own slumber. Reaching it rather hastily Murder’s enthusiasm was stifled as soon as he discovered exactly were the stone laid. Glaring up at him with unseeing lanterns was the skull of a deceased and decaying unicorn. In its mouth, nestled between its alabaster fangs, was the cerulean gem which bathed its fetid features in an unnatural indigo ruddiness. Transfixed by the unexpected twist to the expedition Murder was flustered when he perceived the mare exhale rather vociferously and revolved his crania to see her cringing away from a decomposing head of her own. It was almost like a presage for what Murder had to do to retrieve the stone, and as he rotated back to look into the milky orbs of the departed beast he let out a sigh of trepidation. Knowing what had to be done; Murder lifted his anterior limbs from the sodden ground and pivoted to the side of the cadaver. With all his might Murder thrust his cloven talons down into the hazy liquid targeting the stem of the dead unicorn. Putting his faith in the level of corrosion the body had experienced Murder craved it would only take one go to decapitate the creature. As he sunk into the water up to his shoulders Murder’s hopes were granted when he felt his cannons pierce through flesh and bone then hit what he assumed was soil.

Immediately after the separation the pate bobbed to the surface and, still resolutely clenching the stone, stared at Murder with tranquil ruin. Struggling for a second to free himself from the mire Murder finally positioned his forelegs on solid ground again, with much reprieve. However the task was not yet complete. Ears fell back securely against his crown as Murder grunted and stared over at Cassiopeia, hoping that this truly would help her achieve her ambition. Sighing yet again he turned back to the rancid skull and dropped his head to its eye level. Tilting his dome to attain a better position for extracting the jewel Murder opened his jaws slightly and, edging onward, clasped the stone between his own teeth. It had to be a rather vile scene, this death kiss, but he could think of no other way to salvage the moon rock. Gently he retracted himself from the intimate gesture and, to his astonishment, felt the stone slip effortlessly from its perch. Raising his head to look in Cassiopeia’s direction he grinned the best he could, the gem shining lustrously from between his incisors. The deed was done.

{ ooc: Okay jeebus that was long, so sorry. Not to mention gross haha }