[Utterly.]

[intro 1/3] Kupiriwako

  It was a cold, misty night as a handsome raptor stepped into a  circle of moonlight. He was not a minute too late, or rather a minute too early, as he awaited the arrival of his deceitful companions. Under the night sky they would all ride, side by side in nights growing dark tide.

  The three companions had heard news of a rich couple riding through the area. Kupiranz smiled his handsome, conniving smile as he twisted this way and that."... what such fools, to ride through unknown territory?" His tail coiled  as he chit-chattered to himself. His thoughts whirled as his mind tried to focus on the initial task at hand which was to avenge the poor yet again. It had become his regular job as he climbed the ranks of the "Wanted" list. It seemed to be the only aspect of his life that had worth.
His head shot towards the sky, his eye gleaming."Of course. Everything is worthless but him."

  The sound of soft paws reached his ears. He whipped around to doff his hat in a welcoming gesture as a "lone wolf" appeared from the forest line.With a wide grin across his face, he spoke in a calm and teasing tone." Why hello there my dear. It seems I'm a tad faster than you or her."

[Utterly.]

[intro 2/3] Solesilver

  The stranger transcended from the darkness and into the illuminated clearing. "Hah. You jest." He stuck his tongue out and closed one of his eyes returning the favor. "Maybe, just maybe my dear fellow. I'm surprised you are here before Balanch. You are usually the tortoise, aye?" His eyes narrowed in thought as he tried comparing the Raptor to the Wockee. It was virtually impossible to deny their third companion's speed. Funny, where could she be?

 "Well, I suppose we are to wait out here?" He strode towards a small pool of water, taking care to sniff it. Small swirls of mist hid his feet as he stood preoccupied." It looks  as if there is naught else to do. But..." He smiled his own deceitful smile and blew a breath of frost over the puddle. The water quivered and succumbed to his icy breath as it solidified into a soft snow. Solesilv scooped up a small,rounded ball of white snow with his tongue and flung it at Kupiranz. "Indeed my friend you were the fastest this time," he gave a malicious laugh," but I am the most adept of us all!"

[Utterly.]

Kupiranz wasn't quite expecting to get a face full of snow, but knowing Solesilv, he would have sooner or later.

His reflexes proved to be a bit sluggish as he flipped midair and landed on his face."Grrrahh!" He wiped his face with dagger-like talons, his face writ with challenge and annoyance. "Oh really?The most adept? Then let us have a competition. I fancy you won't chicken out?" His face split in two as he jumped to his feet, bawked maniacally like a chicken, and danced from foot to foot.

Solesilv's eyes shown faintly from underneath his mask. His jesting demeanor soon turned to determination as he watched his friend danced from foot to foot in an attempt to  mock him." Then let's go." With a sudden, quick movement, he unsheathed a dagger from his belt. One moment, the dagger lay in his hand; the next, it whizzed by Kupiranz's face narrowly missing; the last, it lay glimmering in the mist with it's hilt sticking perfectly from the center of a tree.

He watched Kupiranz's face light up with more anger and disbelief. He grinned wildly. "Can you top that?"

[Utterly.]

  Kupiranz sneered. With a glint in his eye, he advanced on Sole, talons outstretched and gleaming. He bumped his shoulder, and in a calm, jeering tone, said, "Of course I can beat you. I never lose a challenge." His eyes narrowed. The two stared into each other's eyes, each full of determination and refulgent energy.

  And with that, they both faced the targeted tree and slid their daggers out of their belts...

~~~~~

"...Impossible." Solesilv chuckled softly to himself."I guess I really underestimated you, Kupiranz." Solesilv stared in disbelief at the 5 perfectly aimed daggers before looking at the 5 that were slight inches away from their target.

Kupiranz's face was straight. "Of course .Doesn't everybody?" His head tilted, and his handsome smile gleamed.

Solesilv returned the same gleaming grin. He knew exactly what Kupiranz was talking about. In the daytime they were harmless rich men, so silent, so polite... yet by night they turned into cruel, handsome hunters that fought for the poor. It seemed a large coincidence."And to think..." His eyes remained closed for a small space of time before opening and staring towards the treeline. His expression became worrisome beneath his mask."She still is not here?" He frowned at Kupiranz. "Where is she?"

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[intro 3/3] Balanchojo

Quick breathing, softly padding feet...and the sound of angry people. "They cannot capture me, oh goodness no..." Her panting breath echoed in the mist as she raced off the path and into the forest. She could still hear the angry shouting of the guards. It was the loudest sound besides her beating heart; her heart was beating faster than her feet could run. She felt as if she were about to have a heart attack. "Hello? Silv, Kupiranz?" She stopped in her tracks as she spotted a clearing ahead of her. She dashed into the clearing hoping to see some friendly faces. All that met her gaze were a puddle of water and glittering moon rocks. Where could they be? Her thoughts raced wildly. She could risk her life, and the lives of her friends,or she could run another stretch of land to find them in a clearing...

[Utterly.]

Silence filled the forest. Kupiranz and Solesilv looked around, the silence filling their ears and squeezing their chests. " Hey Silv... wouldn't you expect her to be--" Kupiranz was cut off as a roar reverberated through the forest. Solesilv frowned and looked at Kupiranz. They could recognize that roar from anywhere. "She is in trouble," he quickly shot a glance towards the surrounding clearings,'but it sounds as if she is nearby." With a nod of his head, he signaled toward the clearing in front of him."Should we head that way first?" Kupiranz was slightly confused. All of the clearings looked extremely similar, but he nodded his head in agreement.
~~~
  She felt as if she were running in circles. There were clearings with small puddles, clearings with logs, and clearings with this and that. She found herself in one marked by a log and small  depressions filled with crystal-clear water.Pant.Pant.Pant. The world seemed to fall as her nose gently touched the surface of the water. Her reflection rippled. She crossed her paws together on the log and rested her head upon them."Kupiranz... Solesilv... where are you?" She muttered to herself. She was lost and exhausted. She was all alone.