Howling at the moon.

[Phoenix Aster]

This was it. He knew that after tonight... things would never really be the same. Tonight was the night that it would all become real.

It was the full moon. All he had to do was wait for the moon to come out.

The sky was already dark as he sat atop the astronomy tower. He didn't know why he'd come up here. It was foolish... he should have gone down to the dungeons. He'd have to stay up here all night now... since he didn't have time to make it down to the dungeons before he would transform. Still... that could be worth it to see the full moon one final time.

He sighed and pulled out his wand, casting a spell, and a chain appeared, fastened tight to the strong stones around the roof. With a flick of his wand, the other end of it fastened around his ankle. Nodding grimly, and ensuring that the trapdoor was well out of reach of him once he was chained, he wrapped his wand in his cloak, then slid them over to the other side of the roof. Then he sat down on the edge of the tower and looked up at the sky, waiting.

[Malak Aarle]

Malak knew what tonight was. Tonight was special. Tonight was the full moon. It was Phoenix's first full moon as a werewolf. And she was going to go to him. She wasn't going to leave him alone tonight. She refused. She had had that vision for a reason. She wanted it to come true...parts of it. She wanted to be with Phoenix during his transformation. She loved him...she trusted him. She was going to prove it.

Malak hugged her cloak around her as she walked up to the roof. That was where the vision had taken place. That was probably where he would be. She hoped she was right. Malak opened the trapdoor and came up on the room. She looked over to see Phoenix waiting. He sat with a chain to his leg. Malak sighed and shook her head. "You don't need that thing you know," she told him. "I don't think you'll hurt anyone tonight." Malak told him walking over and sitting next to him.

[Phoenix Aster]

"I can't take that risk," he said quietly. "I'm... fairly sure that I won't, but there's always a chance, and it's a chance I can't take." He gave her a rueful smile. "I'm not going to accidentally risk what the wolf that bit me intentionally risked."

He sighed. He was always glad to see her, but right now... he'd been under the weather all day, and with the full moon rising, he was looking quite the worse for wear. Cold sweats were noticeable, as were the rings around his eyes and pale skin. He... didn't want her to see him like this. He didn't want her to see him... as a monster.

"You shouldn't be up here," he said quietly. "It could be dangerous."

[Malak Aarle]

Malak shook her head and put her hand on Phoenix's arm. "I'm not leaving you. I told you once...you won't hurt me tonight. I saw it. You might think you will, but you won't. I know you won't. I believe in you, even if you don't believe in yourself. Besides, I'm not going to leave you alone. You need someone with you tonight. I want that person to be me."

Malak rested her head on Phoenix's shoulder refusing to let him pull away. He would try to. He would want to protect her. But she wasn't going to let him go. She loved him too much for that. That and she wanted this night. She needed to prove to both of them that things were going to be okay.

[Phoenix Aster]

And Phoenix did try to pull away. When she resisted, though... well, it was only a token resistance anyway. He wanted her to stay as much as he wanted her to go.

He sighed, leaning his head against hers, the cold sweat on his face making his skin feel clammy. For a few moments, he was silent. Finally, he put his arm around her. "I'm scared," he admitted, more softly than usual.

[Malak Aarle]

Malak smiled when Phoenix finally realized that she wasn't going to leave. She couldn't leave him. I'm scared, he admitted softly.

"Then that makes two of us," Malak whispered. "I'm scared too...but I have faith in you. I'm not gonna doubt you. I can't. That's one of the reasons why I'm here tonight. That and I don't want you to be alone. You deserve better than that." Malak whispered. she turned her face so she could kiss his nose. His skin was a little clammy, but she didn't care.

[Phoenix Aster]

Phoenix smiled slightly as she kissed him, that familiar kiss that always gave his heart a little flutter. "After tonight... until now, everything's been speculation," he whispered. "After tonight, it's all real. After tonight, I really am a monster." As much as he always called himself that in trusted company, trying to get himself used to the idea, he now realized, the idea still scared him, made him feel... dirty.

[Malak Aarle]

"You're not a monster," Malak told him sternly. "Whatever you are, whatever happens, you're not a moster. I promise you." He had to undrestand. He couldn't give up on himself like that. Malak wouldn't let him. She cared for him to much to allow that to happen. Malak took Phoenix's hand and started to gently rub her thumb across the back of his hand as she held it. "I couldn't love a monster..."

[Phoenix Aster]

This statement, however, meant to reassure him that he couldn't be a monster because she loved him, didn't fall on his over-sensitive mind like she intended. He pulled his hand away, this time really pulling away from her as he stood, choking back a sob. She couldn't love a monster. There wasn't much time left... ten minutes, maybe. "Then enjoy the last of it," he said. "Because in ten minutes, that's what I'll be." And you'll do what everyone else will, he thought to himself.

[Malak Aarle]

"Stop being stupid," Malak told him sternly. Tears were glimmering in her eyes now. "You're being ridicolous. You're not a monster now or ever. I love. I'm always going to love you. I refuse to leave you even if you're being a thick headed oaf!" To prove her point, Malak moved forward and kissed Phoenix. She wasn't going to lose him just because a few things had changed. They would work through it. She swore that.

[Phoenix Aster]

Phoenix kissed her back, tears running down his face as well. On some level, he knew he was overreacting. On another level, though... he couldn't help it. But... he could just keep unfounded worries to himself, he decided. Everything would be fine again after his-

He broke away from her, bowing over in a spasm of pain. He didn't even need to look up to know that the light of the full moon was now shining down on them. "Don't watch," he gasped. "Go... Don't look until it's... done..."

[Malak Aarle]

Malak did want to watch him though. Not for any sick, demented reasons. She wanted to make sure that he was okay. But this was for his pride. She knew that. He hadn't exactly asked her to leave. That was an improvment. She wouldn't shatter it, by dis respecting his wishes. Malak turned away and bit her lip. She moved away to the other end of the roof.

She was doing this for Phoenix. That was what she kept telling herself. She wanted to go to him so badly though. She couldn't though. He wouldn't like it. She didn't think she would get hurt, but she didn't want to risk the mental damage it could do to Phoenix if he accidentally lashed out at her or if he thought he had even if he hadn't. No, she would stay looking away just for him....until he was finished changing. Then she would be at his side once again.

[Phoenix Aster]

Phoenix had been told that the first shift was always the worst. Given what he was feeling at that moment, he dearly hoped that was true.

He hurriedly began pulling his clothes off, not wanting them to be shredded in the process. Even as he was throwing his robes over toward the door, he cried out, feeling his bones popping and muscles ripping into new shapes. The cry slowly became a half-lupine howl, until finally, the fine-haired half-wolf lay curled on the ground, quaking slightly. Pitiful whimpers came from it as it curled up tighter, it's forelimbs raised to cover its eyes.

[Malak Aarle]

Malak felt tears running down her face when Phoenix cried out. She couldn't go to him though. Not yet. She knew that. It didn't kill the desire that welled up insde of her though. Malak bit down hard on her lip instead and stayed still hugging herself. Eventually Phoenix's cry turned into another sound. It was a lupine whimper now. Malak turned and saw him curled on the ground...a werewolf. It didn't matter though. Not to Malak.

Malak ran to Phoenix's side and knealt down beside him. She stoked his fur. "It'll be okay love. I'm not going to leave you." Malak leaned down and hugged him. He was truly her wolf now. He would try to push her away, but she would always be there.

[Phoenix Aster]

Phoenix didn't try to push her away... he didn't feel like he should even touch her. He cowered away, his head still hidden under his 'arms.' He whimpered pitifully, trying to scoot away from her and minimize how much of him she could see in this state.