The Fox Den (Open)

Examining the Fox Den damages, he nodded, 'Alright it's settled, I'll get it set up and give it a good few hours work and then i'll go find Aalis.' He sat and took a deep breath, after a long moment, he began to shift, unaware of the elf creeping up behind him. Jackal talked himself through the change, internally. 'Calm, soothing... you're alone, the forest is your safe haven... your home. You have nothing to fear...' He had finally started to figure out what it was that made the Animal within him emerge. After years he finally started to understand himself enough to take some responsibility of the Jackal. Th first to change was his arms, legs and spine. His Fur shortened and human attributes started to surface. Though his side-striped jackal markings were still visible on his human skin, his hair grew out to his shoulders. Shivering in the cold air, he struggled to further the change, force his human form to take shape. Whining against the will of the Canine. His snout shortened and teeth retracted, He looked like a caveman. Wearing nothing but a Fur loincloth. 'Almost there Guile. Just a bit more..' among his own voice comforting himself, he could still feel the Jackal's presence, the Jackal was still attuned to the forest around him, he began to worry as the Jackal pulled on his, his shift started to revert. "No, What-" He growled, trying to remain calm. his fur grew back and Guile was nearly lost again.

The Jackal could sense something, smell it, hear it. Something- or someone, was too near for Guile to feel the comfort he needed to shift.
He flung his head back, crouching he spun around and caught sight of the Elf there, watching him. His heart jumped and skipped a few beats. "YOU!" He shouted. "No it can't be! I left you behind, you're gone!" The fear on his face was much to obvious, tail tucked between his legs, the Jackal Guile scrambled to make distance between them. "Please, Don't come any closer!" his cried were becoming whines now, closer to the high pitched screams of the Jackal. 'It's him, the Druid, he's back he's found me.' The Worry and doubt in his mind threatened to chase away his human form entirely. 'Keep him away.' He closed his eyes tight, laying on his back, propped up on one arm and the other he used to shield himself.  In that split moment he clenched his teeth and waited for the 'Druid' to make his move. His heart was pounding and his mind was racing.

The half Jackal, half Man flinched as the Elf spoke out, expecting the worst and cowering with held breath. "I'm Sorry! I haven't been hunting I SWEAR!" Now Guile was in tear's awaiting his punishment. A Small voice came from somewhere within his fur as he spoke from behind his furred arms. "_{I haven't eaten, or Killed, or trapped I swear}."
When the Healer spoke again, Guile felt a twinge of pure pain, realizing that he... was curled up in a ball pleading for his life beneath the gaze of a complete stranger. He choked up and the weight of his worst fears crippling him. 'He's just... a Nobody.' He thought. Chest heaving, he shook with each exhale. He peered at the Elf cautiously through dampened eyelashes. Even now the sight of him terrified Guile, though he knew the Elf was not the one he should fear. Guile swallowed his pride and dignity, he Looked like a lowly peasant, covered in dirt and no clothing to speak of. He felt dirty and worthless. 

Slowly he began to stir, he couldn't bare the thought of this stranger staring him down in that condition. He closed his eyes and shifted again. This one he could control. he took on the form of a 'Proper Kintu' as he referred to it as. He had the structure of a man, but the appearance of the jackal within him. Covered in fur from head to toe, dawning all aspects of the animal. He sat up, tail still tucked beneath him. Ears pulled back, the Emotion and guilt in his eyes evident even more so. In this Form Guile could speak with the Human language, if he could only find the words to cover up his entire lack of tact, and the embarrassment. 

Music

Guile peeled himself off the forest floor, to a sitting position, tail between his legs. His ears perked forward, and folded back again, eyes low. Slowly he began to breathe without the pain in his chest. His heartbeat regulated and the twinge of the pain in his snout came creeping back. 'Great, good one Jackal... bested by a tyrant a fraction of your size.' Bringing the back of his paw up to wipe away the dirt and blood, and some secret tears. He eyed the Man before him and his offer. 'A Healer? Well... that's convenient. Oddly enough, That's one thing I can say about Wildgard, there's no shortage of healers right when you need one...' He Sighed, awkward in silence. 

"I suppose I should speak.... eh?" he said, more to himself than to the Elf. 'Ugh. I hate... this. everything about this. Why, WHY?' The Jackal hung a paw over his snout, reluctant to even look at the Healer, or ask him for his healing. "I'm Jack- uh, Guile?" He shook his head. 'Just... go away. I can't do this.' Though he was still stuck on considering the offer of White light. He remembered spending time in the White Temple with Lady Kirsten, he was in a bad way then, and though he wasn't physically injured, the Half-Elf Healer laid a hand on his paw and healed him. Internally. He was so surprised by the effects of the white light that the Jackal within him went to sleep, and when he awoke, he was in Human form, and completely well rested. The Memory of that day put a mild racing back in his heart. 'Heal me. Yes.. I would very much like that. Sir.' but he couldn't bring himself to say it. So he wiped the newly trickled blood again and grit his teeth. "... I.." 

'Do I apologize? No.. what did I do, I didn't do anything worth apologizing for. Should I thank him? ... for what? no that's stupid...Just.. ugh.'
He stood up and brushed off his fur. "My Name is Guile. I appreciate your concern, Sir... I over reacted. That's all."

Like a mere animal, Guile sat obediently, not a twitch or tremble in his tail. He eyed the Elf with uncontrollable suspicion... his heartbeat quickened though even he didn't understand it quite yet. The Elf lay his hand between his ears and Guile avoided his eye contact, letting his gaze fall to the Pendant around his neck. the slightest flicker of his whiskers held interest. When it began to glow Guile's eyes shone with desire. 'He's not a Healer.' breath catching in his chest. 'He can't be, he's got to be an impostor.' The words of the heal drifted into his ears and echoed in his mind though he was focused on his own thoughts instead, 'What is this artifact? how does it work?' These questions rattled around in his contorted mind for a moment, and then the dull throb of the Squirrel scratch subsided, along with the sting. As well as the hardly noticeable ache in his legs and paws from wandering the forest most of the day. He felt invigorated and alert once more.

Ever Since the day he ran into Nabbi and the White Lady, and they had taught him the knowledge of the finer points of the White Light. He had realized a very important fact. At least, Important to himself. You don't have to be physically injured to be the focus of White light. The will of the Healer can heal all wounds if they were skilled enough, even the wounds none could see. Emotional wounds... He blinked himself back to reality, Looking up at the Elf he stood to his feet. Manually dusting off his fur behind, wiping his clawed hand on his legs, He offered a hand to the Man. Staring at the Cloth where the Amulet had just been, the faint outline protruding to hint at it's presence.

He knew better than to Mention it, what kind of thief would he be if he told the Victim outright, that he wanted it... Grinning at that thought he averted his eyes. Back to the Elf again. "Again, thank you." Less than heartfelt, he took the man's hand. "Don't mind my appearance, I would shift but my clothing is hidden not far from here."