Never Trust Appearances

[Fyra]

His grumble made her chuckle and the chuckle turned into a squeak as he picked her up. For a moment she struggled. "Hey! Just because I'm small when I'm human doesn't mean I appreciate being tossed around!" But since he did not put her down, she stopped struggling, since they were soon walking down the stairs, and she was not yet ready to wake Adrian, who remained snoring lightly on the couch. One arm hooked lightly around his neck to help balance, she huffed irritably, similar to how she had done so as a polecat. An indignant squeak escaped her as she was dumped onto a chair, and she straightened her clothes out while he began to cook.

I'm not impressed by his morning manners, no matter how- He was complaining about how it was her fault if he burnt the food he was cooking. Moving quickly, her own stomach rumbling and her natural schedule putting her fully awake, she went and grabbed plates down from the cupboard once again, balancing slightly on one foot. When they were set down on the table, she walked over to him, and with the efficiency of a middle-class woman, took the cooking utensil from his hand and used her hip to push him to one side of the stove. "Well, if you hadn't insisted on holding me in place, we wouldn't be having this problem. You didn't have to get up. I wanted to be up. I would have been perfectly fine with waking you up once breakfast was cooked! Now, sit!" She kept an eye on the eggs and began to rifle through the groceries he had brought back the day before. Put into a house, with a semi-comfortable setting, she fell into the habits that she'd had before she'd been forced into being so cautious about what she did and how she acted.

His own fault. She snuck a look at him as she pulled out an onion and some various vegetables. He didn't have to wake up. I would have stuck around for a couple hours, at the least. I've got quite a bit to thank him for. The least I'd do is make him breakfast. Fyra used her own knife to cut up the vegetables, letting them fall straight from her fingers and into the pan he had started the eggs in. It would all be done soon.

[Kaleb Morrington]

He moved when she bumped him, though he didn't go sit down, no that wouldn't be any fun. Instead he stayed put until he was sure she was focused on the food before ghosting behind her and hugging her from behind, burying his face in her hair once more.

"Ya musta been real upper class, love, if ya know how to cook proper with veggies." He murmured, peeking out from her hair, not realizing his breath puffed over her ear.

Kaleb knew he had a way with women, in a sense. He knew they almost never denied him of his wishes, he knew which looks to give them to blush and stutter, but oddly enough he was not inclined to do so with Safyra. Why was that, he pondered, rubbing his face against her hair. Why did he only want to show her the utmost respect. When you meet someone truly worth being with, son, you'll know what respect really is. Kaleb stiffened as the voice of his father pierced his mind. Instantly he released Fyra and all but jumped back, shaking.

[Fyra]

She was carefully cutting into the onion when his hands slipped around her his head leaned against hers. Swallowing, her heart racing as she forced herself to continue cutting the crescent slices evenly, hyper-aware of his hands linking over her too-thin stomach. She wanted to lean into him, and forced herself not to. But her mind flashed through a scene of her doing so and lifting her lips as he lowered his. She tossed it aside firmly I'm not just some farmer's girl to be impressed by smooth talking and a few compliments! But the compliment sounded sincere enough.

Snorting slightly, she replied. "Hardly the upper class... but you spend nineteen years under my ma's roof, and you'd know at least the basics of how to cook too. She was a beast about veggies. And stop calling me that!" Half the onion cut up, she set it aside and reached for a pepper as he rubbed his face against her hair. As she began to cut into it, suddenly his warmth was gone from behind her, his musky scent fading.

Fyra twisted with a worried look, wondering if she had said something, or done something to push him away. Her eyebrows pulled together and she frowned, hands automatically working. "Kaleb? What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost." She paused and smiled slightly "Not that seeing ghosts is uncommon, but you get my meaning."

[Kaleb Morrington]

Kaleb sat down heavily, rubbing his eyes with the palms of his hands before dragging his fingers through his hair. He found himself answering before he could stop himself. "My Father... something I remembered him saying spooked me is all." He ran a hand down his face before he forced himself to stand. He looked at her, too thin, but so calm and welcoming, so domestic. Vaguely he wondered if he could go that way, become a proper citizen, build a home, have a wi- He stopped there, closed his eyes and moved to her, once again hugging her from behind, this time more so because he was seeking refuge from his own mind.

"Sorry love, just going to stand here for a bit... and no I won't stop calling you that. It's that or sexy." He added firmly. He watches her cut the veggies, admiring the way her dainty hands moved. She was so feminine... not like his mother, cold, cruel... he shuddered again, pulling Fyra closer, seeking comfort. SHE wasn't like Mother, she was warm, vibrant, alive... she had a temper! Kaleb liked that. He nuzzled her hair.

"We have a bath after dinner. I could use a scrub and so could you. No, don't get upset, it happens after being on the streets for forever."

[Fyra]

She shook her head, not understanding what he meant, but leaving it be. She had turned back to the stove anyways, stirring up the mixture of vegetables as she flipped the eggs that lay undisturbed closer to one side. Then, back to cutting. Fyra froze momentarily as his arms slid back around her and he spoke again. Doesn't he make noise?! She shifted from one foot to the other as he refused to call her anything but 'love'. Part of her felt odd. It should feel so easy to let him touch me, no matter what he's done for me!

But she was cooking, and moving automatically, and trying to find a semi-diplomatic way to tell him to back off, even as his arms tightened slightly around her, pushing his body against her back. He was nuzzling her hair again, which was very distracting as she stirred the pan and then sighed longingly at the mention of a bath. The last time I had a bath was... too long. I think it was in that fountain...freezing cold too. And then she stopped. Wait, we? She twisted in his arms to face him, expression stern. "Now see here, bucko! You best not be gettin' any ideas just because of... of all that's happened! She waved the cooking implement in her hand in an all -encompassing manner. It was hard to be serious when he looked at her with those eyes, so bright against his dark hair. She was somewhat enjoying his arms around her too, for all that he was quite a bit taller than her and so lean, as all street-folk were, he was still strong.

Quite suddenly, she blushed, and turned again, shifting the pan away from the heat and muttering. "Food's done."

[Kaleb Morrington]

"Idea's" He quoted, curious, watching her wave the ladle warily. "Only idea I've got in my head is getting clean." Not true, but he wouldn't admit that. And before proof of his lies became evident to the girl, Kaleb moved away, glad his tunic covered certain...area's. "Excellent, you go sit down, I'll serve this up and wake Adrian up." He chirped, moving to do just that.

Quickly he woke the cat shifter, dragging him to the table by the scruff to the table, dropping him on a chair. "There we go~" He hummed, waking up as he nibbled on the omlette, humming in approval. "Much better than what i could've done." Kaleb told the girl, smiling warmly.

[Fyra]

Without comment, her cheeks still red, Fyra moved around him and sat. Once Adrian was in the room and the meal served out, she ate slowly, her eyes only raising up to meet Kaleb's gaze when he offered her a complement on her cooking with a hum. His smile made her heart flutter and she couldn't not smile back. "Thanks." She turned back to her food and finished it quickly. Her eyes were hopeful as she looked over to Kaleb.

"You said something about a bath?" She looked quite pitiful, the amount of longing in her eyes and voice tugging at any heartstrings that Kaleb had.

[Kaleb Morrington]

She had him at the voice, the simple plea within it, never mind the bloody puppy eyes. Kaleb simply winked and stood, jogging up the stairs, taking two at a time. He slid into the bathroom and quickly started to run a hot bath. Naturally, since the house had been abandoned, the water had originally been cut off. But with the help of a particularly spiteful and helpful ghost, Kaleb had redirected the water route once again.

The bath water running, Kaleb quickly got some towels and a bar of soap, setting them within close reach for the lass. That done he stood, arms crossed, as he watched the water rise slowly, his eyes glazed over in thought.

[Fyra]

Fyra smiled as she heard running water. She looked at Adrian for a moment, smiled at him as he continued to scarf his portion of food down. She then followed Kaleb back upstairs, following the sound of running water. She leaned against the doorway, smelling the hot water and sighing. Now if only there was a way to wash her clothes too.

Looking at the tall man in front of her, she moved forward, timid once more. her voice was quiet, and she was unsure. "Thank you, Kaleb...for everything. You've been more than kind, and you've no reason to." She fidgeted with her clothing as she looked up at him through dark lashes.

[Kaleb Morrington]

He never heard her come up the stairs, so he almost jumped out of his skin when she sighed. Grateful he hadn't, he continued to watch the water, wondering when to stop it since he didn't know how much water she'd like. He heard her quiet, nervous steps sound behind him and draw closer, her voice doing sounding more so. He turned, eyebrow raised, only to smile warmly as he moved to close the distance between them, wrapping her in a tight hug.

"Of course I had reason love, I help all of my fellow street members. Of course," he added with a slight pause, "I wanted to help you more than I'd ever help anyone else. I do that with pretty girls." He winked, not knowing if he was digging himself a grave or not. He hesitated, fear flashing in his eyes, before he covered it and hugged her tight to him again. "Besides, I was thinking about looking for a friend - JUST a friend." He quickly amended, blushing. "I wouldn't object to more but I won't push and- oh Changers the water!" He let go, spun and stopped the water just before it rolled over the edge of the tub.

"Changers thrice damn my own stupidity... that would've been a hell of a mess to clean up." Kaleb joked as he moved to drain some of the water, stripping out of his shirt to avoid having it get wet. A handful of scars littered his body, mostly small dagger-like ones from fights in the streets that never healed properly, but when he turned his back, a couple of old whipping-scars presented themselves. "There we go! Nice and high, but not so much you'll make a mess if you wanna splash around." He said as he turned to her easily.

[Fyra]

She allowed him to fold her into a hug, again. Touchy person, ain't he? But at the same time, she liked his hugs, the way he was affectionate. It showed a kind heart, even if it was improper. Fyra could hardly disapprove of a man who was so willing to help out those in need. His wink, when she leaned back a little to catch it, made her chuckle a little. Even if he is a bit of a flirt. She was about to pull away when his arms tugged her tightly against his body once more.

Her body froze as he mentioned that he'd been looking for a friend. Oh no you don't bucko! He quickly clarified, and then let her go, spinning to make sure the tub wasn't overflowing. Her cheeks were hot, even as the topic changed, and she only flushed brighter as he stripped off his shirt to keep it dry as he reached in to drain some of the water. A small chuckle forced out of her throat at his jesting, but she knew that there was something important hiding, she just didn't know what, or how to draw it out.

Eyes scanned over the lean body. He was a little too thin. Well off for a street boy didn't mean well off. It meant that he wasn't starving and was mostly filled out. Her eyes tracked to the scars almost as if a magnetic pull drew them. She bit her lip at the painful looking whip-scars and her arms crossed in front of her stomach a little protectively. She had never been beaten in any manner before, and had even avoided getting into fights in the streets. She couldn't imagine how painful those must have been while healing. The spell was broken as he turned back towards her and she smiled weakly back at him. He was so sure of himself it seemed, even with how odd he had been acting this morning.

Cautiously, she stepped forward, dipping her fingers into the water to test its warmth, and she sighed, happy with it. Without thinking, her fingers automatically went to her bodice strings, and the bow was undone before she froze. "Oh, out with you! I shan't drown in a tub. She shooed him out of the room and closed the door before slipping out of her clothing and stepping into the club. She looked at her garments, and sighed. She would have to put them back on. She had nothing else to wear. Pity I won't be able to get all marks of the street off of me... She ducked her head down under the water briefly, her hair turning dark with the liquid.

[Kaleb Morrington]

Kaleb had watched the pretty yet dirty bow become undone before he was ushered out of the bathroom. It gave him an idea, she was only going to end up having to wear the same dirty garments, so why not get her some new things? He slipped down the stairs after grabbing his only other shirt from the bedroom, his boots clicking quietly down the wooden surfaces.

"Adrian, I'll be out a bit. You touch her and even the Changers would be able to save your soul." Kaleb's cheerful threat had more than a tint of darkness to it. "I mean it." That sentence was almost black. "She gets hurt, you die, and in the slowest, most painful manner I can come up with. And with the friends I have, I know a good manner of ways to die." Forrest green eyes met the terrified ones of the cat shifted before Kaleb winked and walked out of the house with the parting call of "Now no house parties without me either!"

He was out and on the streets, moving fast. He doubted she would take a quick bath, would likely want to get all the street shit and grime off of thing, elegant- ...her body, just her goddamn body. Shaking his head, Kaleb bumped into a rich man, his bishani falling into Kaleb's waiting hand which slid into his pocket before he quickly raised both in a manner of apology. Walking away, acting embarrassed, Kaleb spotted a lovely clothing shop. He saw a dwarf and a boy in front of it but shrugged by them and slipped inside.

Inside, he knew almost instantly he was so far out of his element it wasn't even funny. He cleared his throat, amused when a woman came scuttling in from the back, tutting in obvious annoyance. Quickly Kaleb relayed his order, giving rough sizes. That done and the bishani exchanged, Kaleb walked out of the store, a stolen coin pouch lighter, and 2 new sets of clothing tucked under his arm. A couple more brief stops had him laden down with a few more groceries as he made his way home. And not in bad timing either.

He slid inside, depositing the groceries on the table and looked around for the shifters. "Safyra! Sorry I took off, had an errand to run... got a present for you, where are you love?"

[Fyra]

She slid into the water with a sigh. Haven't had a hot bath since... oh too long. What's it matter? She reveled in the water for a moment. Already it was looking grimy to her as it rinsed dirt from her skin. Fyra sighed, reaching for the soap and spent quite a bit of time scrubbing herself down, until her skin was pale instead of the light brown of city dirt. She lathered her hair twice until it squeaked between her fingers, and by the time she was done, the water was tinted with grime. With a grimace, she drained the water and refilled the tub to soak for a little bit, reluctant to get into her clothing. And the heat was so nice, the back of the tub tilted at just the right angle. Her arms helped support her to stay up above the water, and her feet just barely reached the other end, bracing her as she slid into a dreamy half sleep state.

She didn't notice that Kaleb had left the house, and she was completely unaware when he came back. Safyra remained in the tub, her skin a little pruny around her fingers and toes, and her hair nearly dry except for where the ends dipped into the water, which was beginning to grow cool. The sandy-blond color was tinted a little with red hints, two black streaks framing her face. Her skin, clean now, was pale cream, and unmarred despite her time on the streets, except for the smallest of scars across her right cheekbone, that shined a little in the lighting. Her head was tilted slightly away from the door, eyes closed.

[Kaleb Morrington]

Kaleb didn't hear a reply, wary, he slid upstairs, noting Adrian was passed out on the couch. So where's Fyra? Up he ghosted, to the second floor, checking the bedroom in case she fell asleep. Not there... He set the parcel on the dresser and padded quietly to the bathroom. Amyrea sat in front of the door, looking amused.

"She still in there?" Kaleb asked, amused when Amyrea nodded. "She fell asleep too." Kaleb swore under his breath. "If I let her stay in there, she'll catch cold... but if she wakes up, she'll get the wrong idea." Kaleb groaned and buried his face in his hands. Amyrea winked. "Good luck, my love, I've got a dinner date." And off she vanished. "Some help you are..." Kaleb growled before cautiously venturing inside the bathroom.

"Fyra?" He called softly, peeking at the girl who was looking away. She didn't stirr or screech, so this wasn't Amyrea being a bitch and playing a joke... He sighed and removed his shirt again, not wanting to get it wet. Over to her he ghosted, throwing up a prayer to whatever Changer was listening. He stopped and forced himself to keep this as business-like as possible. He didn't notice her creamy skin, he didn't notice her curves despite being on the street. He DID notice her hair though, lovely stuff that hair was, way up there and out of the danger zone.

Under her soft- her thighs and shoulders his arms went and he closed his eyes to avoid looking at her crotch. Carefully he lifted her free, glancing around for a towel. Spotting one, he moved quickly enough he could get this done and over with, but hopefully slow enough she wouldn't wake up.

[Fyra]

Solidly asleep, she didn't stir as he came over, and because of the buoyancy of the water, only barely stirred as he began to lift her free. But as the air blew across her skin, her lips turned into a frown. For a moment, she began to shift towards the warmth that was Kaleb, but as he shifted again, she woke, and seeing him, shrieked, thrashing.

Fyra threw herself from his arms, hitting her calf on the edge of the tub. Scrambling to her feet, she was torn between fury and modesty. Seeing the towel, she snatched it up and held it in front of her, still dripping on the floorboards. "Kaleb! What is wrong with you?! Theogios! I should beat you black and blue! Haven't you any idea of propriety?!" Her dark eyes were flaming as she glared up at him, bare foot stamping the ground. Her cheeks were bright red now, the blush creeping up to her ears as well. With a strangled sound, she flung out a hand to smack him, her other hand clasping the towel to her chest, and it hung down to cover most of her. Creamy hips and legs were still mostly visible, as well as thin shoulders and arms.