A Party

Alexei was at a loss of what to do. They were forced to hit the road. Violet had taken a different path, and he was alone with Pictor.

As great a friend as the man was, he didn't want to be spending this much time so close to him. Friendship was one thing. Living together was another. Traveling with him was beginning to turn into  horrible nightmare.

Why couldn't he be stuck with Violet. She may have wanted to kill him but at least she wasn't so whiney.

"This is driving me nuts!" Pictor said for the ninth time in their hour walk.

"I know, you're not used to travel. You're also not used to keeping your mouth shut."

"We could actually have a decent conversation you know?"

"Why don't you turn back into a dog, it'd be easier for you to walk, wouldn't it? Wolves are built for travel. At least, built better than your horrible shoes."

"Someone has a bee in their bonnet," Pictor said rolling his eyes. "I just w--"

Pictor couldn't finish his sentence as much as he wanted to. He found himself slammed against the ground rather suddenly by a white blur of something. He wanted to yell, but found that his voice caught in his throat.

Alexei went to react, only to find that  whatever had tackled Pictor had disappeared. What could possibly move that fast? He cursed. Was it a vampire or something like it? Or was it something else entirely?

"What was that?" Pictor said as he pulled a small thermos out of his jacket.

"Something white...."

"And not you," the Res said as he slowly brought himself to his feet. "Maybe we should run." He started to unscrew the cap. 

It tackled him again and disappeared.

He hit the ground with a mighty thud, the water went flying in the air. He yelped when it poured onto his face. At least it triggered his transformation abilities. He had a bit more of an advantage this way, even if it was only his sense of smell.

Which wasn't actually helping at this moment. 

"Do you know what it is?" Alexei said as he slowly moved closer to his friend. 

"No, I've never smelt anything like it before."

"Great," Alexei muttered as he loaded is crossbow. It was a good thing that he had decided to bring the old thing along. Though he would probably have to get a new one at some point. The stupid thing was starting to put up a fight every time he loaded it.

"It's coming." Pictor said as he clearly prepared himself to tackle whatever it was in return.

It tackled Alexei to the ground, his crossbow went flying. The Res charged.

When had his life become so complicated?

***

"What the hell are you?"

"A haken!"

"And that is?"

The large white creature shrugged. He looked like a deer, dog and a lizard shoved into one creature. At least that's what Alexei thought as he stared at the "haken" that was apparently named Doushi. Cute name for a giant thing.

"So why are you here?" Pictor decided to start the up the questions again as they continued to walk through the cold. They needed to get to the next inn before the night fell. It was already cold enough as it was and they were terribly late thanks to the strange creature they had run into.

"I'm a messenger!" he said cheerfully. "I didn't mean to startle you the way I did but I... didn't know how else to approach. The crossbow is a bit intimidating, you know. Most people shoot first and ask questions later."

"So what's the message...?" Alexei asked as he eyed the creature.

"Violet is safe. And you need to hurry to your destination. But along the way you need to make a stop at the Silver River. You'll know what you need to pick up when you get there."

"Good... to know."