She was coming back to him at least. Glaring, huffing and arguing, but she was coming back. Kaleb ignored the little voice in his head that told him he should just let her come a her own damn pace, but he ignored it and gently snagged the tiny girl, tucking her against him. Of course, she stiffened and fought, but he simply kept a gentle hold on her.
"I'm not going to hurt you, relax, just want to keep you warm. I'm sure you can take plenty good care of yourself, Changers know I did well for myself when I was new to the streets as well. But I guess that comes with being a cute 8 year old." He breezed, working to bundle her up in his cloak as well. He heard her belly grumble and winked.
"You should eat, you need to put on a bit of fat at least." With that he dug into his pocket and pulled out two apples, something else he'd stolen from the hunter. He loosened the cloak so she could at least move her arms and offered her one of the fruits.
"And to answer your question, I already have a guardian ghost. Her name's Amyrea. Nice girl and all, but she keeps proposing to me... blasted lass can't figure out she's dead and I'm not." He scowled into the fruit even as said ghost wailed around his head. "Love can conquer such differences, Kaleb my love!" He shooed her off, muttering for her to keep guard, feeling slightly bad when she did with ghost-tears in her eyes.
"It's a pain, seeing things that no-one else can, hearing things no one else can... feels like a curse some days. Guess its also kinda a blessing too though, now that I think of it." Now he was just musing out loud, munching on his apple. "I mean... I get to experience things no one else can, right?" He questioned, looking down at the girl pressed to his side. "Can't be too much of a curse when you get to do things and see things like no one else can."
Never Trust Appearances
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Kaleb Morrington
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- Name: Kaleb Morrington
- Race: Human
Re: Never Trust Appearances
He reached out and snagged her as she came into reach. Fyra stiffened and resisted, but the fight was more between herself than between her and him. He was bigger, and obviously, stronger. She just wasn't sure if she wanted him to simply pull her around like a tiny doll. But by the time he settled, he had her tucked snugly against his side and she felt the warmth of his body seeping into her. His grip was gentle, if firm. With a sigh, she gave in and leaned against his body, letting his arm circle around her and his cloak add to the cloth that kept in warmth.
Her eyes were curious as he spoke of ghosts and this strange, Amyrea who wanted to marry him. I suppose I could see why, if he's like this all the time. I hope she's not a jealous ghost. She chuckled to herself. Her lips curved upwards as she accepted the apple. "It's a curse when it's inconvenient and a blessing when it's able to be enjoyed." She frowned. That sounded far too applicable to her own situation. With that thought, she dug into her shirt, pulling out the bread and cheese, most of the loaf and half of the wedge, and setting it on her legs that were tucked under the cloaks. She didn't bother with her knife this time. Instead, she alternated bites between the apple, the cheese and the bread.
Fyra's eyes flickered up to meet his gaze, food stuffed into one cheek as she chewed. Her voice was a little muffled. "So... you actually see and hear ghosts?" She shivered a little, her fingers freezing even as the rest of her was slowly warming up. Shouldn't be letting yourself be comfortable. He's a theif... by profession! She snuggled closer to her newfound source of warmth though, her eyes starting to droop as her body worked on digesting the food she was giving it, and found itself able to put more energy towards her stomach rather than keeping her warm.
Her eyes were curious as he spoke of ghosts and this strange, Amyrea who wanted to marry him. I suppose I could see why, if he's like this all the time. I hope she's not a jealous ghost. She chuckled to herself. Her lips curved upwards as she accepted the apple. "It's a curse when it's inconvenient and a blessing when it's able to be enjoyed." She frowned. That sounded far too applicable to her own situation. With that thought, she dug into her shirt, pulling out the bread and cheese, most of the loaf and half of the wedge, and setting it on her legs that were tucked under the cloaks. She didn't bother with her knife this time. Instead, she alternated bites between the apple, the cheese and the bread.
Fyra's eyes flickered up to meet his gaze, food stuffed into one cheek as she chewed. Her voice was a little muffled. "So... you actually see and hear ghosts?" She shivered a little, her fingers freezing even as the rest of her was slowly warming up. Shouldn't be letting yourself be comfortable. He's a theif... by profession! She snuggled closer to her newfound source of warmth though, her eyes starting to droop as her body worked on digesting the food she was giving it, and found itself able to put more energy towards her stomach rather than keeping her warm.
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Kaleb Morrington
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- Joined: Sat Sep 11, 2010 9:31 pm
- Name: Kaleb Morrington
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Re: Never Trust Appearances
He watched her start to drift off and smiled to himself, cautiously angling them so she rested more fully against him. She was starting to warm up, he noted, and seemed to trust him. Which was well enough, because for a change, all he wanted was to help. He shifted into a slightly more comfortable position before humming a yes.
"Yeah, an old mate called it magic." Kaleb snorted. "I wouldn't call it that, just more sensitive, not like I can throw fireballs or anything. It's like shifters. They're just half animals, not like they're throwing spells around like battlemages, they're just a little more in tune with nature." Kaleb chuckled as he tossed the core of his apple away.
"I'm more in touch with the dead for whatever reason, but hey, it works. It's a pain in the ass at times, but hell, it sure does work when I wanna learn something."
"Yeah, an old mate called it magic." Kaleb snorted. "I wouldn't call it that, just more sensitive, not like I can throw fireballs or anything. It's like shifters. They're just half animals, not like they're throwing spells around like battlemages, they're just a little more in tune with nature." Kaleb chuckled as he tossed the core of his apple away.
"I'm more in touch with the dead for whatever reason, but hey, it works. It's a pain in the ass at times, but hell, it sure does work when I wanna learn something."
Re: Never Trust Appearances
She tensed at the mention of magic, shivering with something other than cold. Her skin itched, and she wanted to run. Stop that! Fyra wrinkled her nose, finishing the cheese and the apple, and tucking the end of the bread loaf back away, along with with pouch of jerky that he had give her. She didn't like all this talk of magic. Of whether things were or weren't magic. She didn't want to discuss it.
But she still felt like commenting. "But...magic caused shifters..." Her voice wavered on both "magic" and "shifters" and her shoulders hitched with silent intake of breath. The rejection of her parents still hurt. Even if she was cursed, was she that far gone? She ducked her head down, hiding. There was naught she could do for it. She was obviously cursed. Not only cursed, but now hanging out with other cursed people.
Another breath hitched, for all of her efforts to keep it even. Don't cry. Can't cry. No weakness... he'll only take advantage of it. Doesn't matter that he says he just wants to help.. She pulled her hands in against her chest, shaking her head a little, feeling her lank hair fall into her face where it helped provide something more to hide behind.This stranger was touching all too much on things she didn't want people to know. She coughed a little, blinking away the beginnings of tears, and lifted her head. "What brought you through here anyways? Ghosts?
But she still felt like commenting. "But...magic caused shifters..." Her voice wavered on both "magic" and "shifters" and her shoulders hitched with silent intake of breath. The rejection of her parents still hurt. Even if she was cursed, was she that far gone? She ducked her head down, hiding. There was naught she could do for it. She was obviously cursed. Not only cursed, but now hanging out with other cursed people.
Another breath hitched, for all of her efforts to keep it even. Don't cry. Can't cry. No weakness... he'll only take advantage of it. Doesn't matter that he says he just wants to help.. She pulled her hands in against her chest, shaking her head a little, feeling her lank hair fall into her face where it helped provide something more to hide behind.This stranger was touching all too much on things she didn't want people to know. She coughed a little, blinking away the beginnings of tears, and lifted her head. "What brought you through here anyways? Ghosts?
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Kaleb Morrington
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- Name: Kaleb Morrington
- Race: Human
Re: Never Trust Appearances
Kaleb, being a man and all, was a tad slow when it came to sensitivity. Amyrea, however, was not. "Sop that!" She chided, popping back into view and kneeling in front of the upset girl. "She obviously doesn't want to talk about it. Chances are she's a magic user and doesn't like it." Kaleb cocked an eyebrow at the normal air-headed girl before looking down at Safyra. She felt her shaking, heard her breath hitch and felt his eyes sadden.
"Aye, magic caused shifters. Magic also gave us electricity and other handy things. Improvements in healing stuff, mobility." Kaleb smiled and squeezed the girl. "Could be worse." he heard her breath hitch again, watched a tear spatter onto his cloak and felt truly sorry for the lass. Once more, against his better morals, Kaleb moved the girl so he could cradle her now.
"Relax" he murmured, simply hugging her. "Easier to keep you warm if it's not just on one side and you're not on the cold ground." He lied, keeping his voice easy. Truth was, he just wanted to comfort the poor lass, but she'd asked a question.
"I was out in the woods... kinda doing a self-exploration if you will. Decided to head back to Marn and get rid of some junk, maybe go on from there, that sort of thing." Kaleb shrugged, keeping his voice nonchalant. He looked over as Amyrea nodded in approval.
"But enough of that, you look tired. Get some sleep, love, I don't mind playing pillow this once." His tone was light, teasing, and warm as he cradled her close and reclined easily, knowing his back and neck would likely be sore in the morning but not caring. He looked up to his ghostly companion.
"Keep watch, will ya Amyrea? Poke me awake if anything decides to say hi." He murmured, smiling when the girl accepted cheerfully, ghosting away to go sit on the roof as he boy dozed.
"Aye, magic caused shifters. Magic also gave us electricity and other handy things. Improvements in healing stuff, mobility." Kaleb smiled and squeezed the girl. "Could be worse." he heard her breath hitch again, watched a tear spatter onto his cloak and felt truly sorry for the lass. Once more, against his better morals, Kaleb moved the girl so he could cradle her now.
"Relax" he murmured, simply hugging her. "Easier to keep you warm if it's not just on one side and you're not on the cold ground." He lied, keeping his voice easy. Truth was, he just wanted to comfort the poor lass, but she'd asked a question.
"I was out in the woods... kinda doing a self-exploration if you will. Decided to head back to Marn and get rid of some junk, maybe go on from there, that sort of thing." Kaleb shrugged, keeping his voice nonchalant. He looked over as Amyrea nodded in approval.
"But enough of that, you look tired. Get some sleep, love, I don't mind playing pillow this once." His tone was light, teasing, and warm as he cradled her close and reclined easily, knowing his back and neck would likely be sore in the morning but not caring. He looked up to his ghostly companion.
"Keep watch, will ya Amyrea? Poke me awake if anything decides to say hi." He murmured, smiling when the girl accepted cheerfully, ghosting away to go sit on the roof as he boy dozed.
Re: Never Trust Appearances
Safyra grumbled slightly at his moving her, but didn't protest as it brought her small body off the ground and into his lap. And since nothing in his lap seemed to be active, she slowly was able to relax against him, his voice soothing. The warmth from his body was slightly heady, and she felt drunk. Too much food and heat to boot. You're in trouble girl... She was glad that he didn't continue on the whole topic of magic though. She had come to accept that there was little or nothing that was known that could make her not a shifter, but talking about it brought up not only her fear for her soul but the sorrow of losing her family as well. The streets didn't give one time to grieve.
His story of self-exploration in the woods made her raise an eyebrow. What was there for a thief in the woods? Safety, she supposed. But starvation as well. But his own nonchalant voice told her that there was either no more to the story or that it was a topic that she should avoid. No reason to push her current savior away. He reminded her of the good-natured friends she'd had for so long.
He urged her to sleep. Fyra wanted to protest, but her voice was caught into the yawn that took over her mouth. She shifted just the smallest bit, until she was able to duck her head down, snugging it into his chest and letting one of her arms drape up and over his shoulder slightly. It had been over a year since she had had much physical contact with anybody, but her body remembered. A small smile turned her lips upwards and after a short amount of time, her body fully relaxed against him, her breathing even as she descended down into the blessed darkness of sleep.
There was nothing but darkness for a while. Darkness and warmth. But after a short amount of time, dreams came. And she was running again. From her parents home in a flurry of skirts. From her friends when they tried to greet her in the streets. She shivered a little as the memory-dream turned to the time when two drunks had come after her cornering her in an alley. She felt her skin itching, more and more as her fear grew, the two men had a hold on her. Her form started to shrink. How could she be smaller than she already was?! Fear grew, and she shivered violently, even though she was quite warm. It continued, only this time she didn't run, she couldn't as if she were tangled in-
She jolted awake with a start and a squeak, claws catching on Kaleb's shirt, and the loaf of bread that hadn't changed with her sitting on his chest as well. Her body shook even as it had in her dream as she slowly raised her eyes to see if he had awoken. I've never changed in my sleep before! Her ears twisted flat on her head, the fur over her shoulders standing up slightly.
His story of self-exploration in the woods made her raise an eyebrow. What was there for a thief in the woods? Safety, she supposed. But starvation as well. But his own nonchalant voice told her that there was either no more to the story or that it was a topic that she should avoid. No reason to push her current savior away. He reminded her of the good-natured friends she'd had for so long.
He urged her to sleep. Fyra wanted to protest, but her voice was caught into the yawn that took over her mouth. She shifted just the smallest bit, until she was able to duck her head down, snugging it into his chest and letting one of her arms drape up and over his shoulder slightly. It had been over a year since she had had much physical contact with anybody, but her body remembered. A small smile turned her lips upwards and after a short amount of time, her body fully relaxed against him, her breathing even as she descended down into the blessed darkness of sleep.
There was nothing but darkness for a while. Darkness and warmth. But after a short amount of time, dreams came. And she was running again. From her parents home in a flurry of skirts. From her friends when they tried to greet her in the streets. She shivered a little as the memory-dream turned to the time when two drunks had come after her cornering her in an alley. She felt her skin itching, more and more as her fear grew, the two men had a hold on her. Her form started to shrink. How could she be smaller than she already was?! Fear grew, and she shivered violently, even though she was quite warm. It continued, only this time she didn't run, she couldn't as if she were tangled in-
She jolted awake with a start and a squeak, claws catching on Kaleb's shirt, and the loaf of bread that hadn't changed with her sitting on his chest as well. Her body shook even as it had in her dream as she slowly raised her eyes to see if he had awoken. I've never changed in my sleep before! Her ears twisted flat on her head, the fur over her shoulders standing up slightly.
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Kaleb Morrington
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- Name: Kaleb Morrington
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Re: Never Trust Appearances
He was just drifting, so comfy, when she changed, slowly at first then rapidly as she began to shrink, fur growing and claws. Changer those hurt. He quckly scooped up the girl-turned-polecat and grinned weakly. "Now I didn't see that one coming... Cute though." Quickly he worked to soothe the girl, rubbing her shoulder and aling and down her spine, scratching under her chin, the like.
"Must've been a hell of a dream to make you shift, love, relax, go back to sleep. I got ya."
"Must've been a hell of a dream to make you shift, love, relax, go back to sleep. I got ya."
Re: Never Trust Appearances
This is why you never let anybody get close! She berated herself mentally as she saw his eyes open sleepily. She was turning, going to run away, sure that he would shove her off faster than she could move herself off of his all too warm chest. But his hands caught around her small body, disengaging his claws from his shirt, and skin, and grinning.
She squeaked indignantly at him as he settled her back down against his chest. His hands were gentle, but she felt disgruntled. Nobody had ever handled her while she was a polecat before, and his fingers felt strange against her fur. But the movement of them along her shoulder and back was strangely soothing. He didn't freak out. Well, he did say that shifters weren't a bad sort... something about how they didn't throw magic like battlemages... His voice rumbled to her through his chest, her ears twitching to pick it up. Her eyes were heavy again already.
Dark eyes scrutinized his face and her nose twitched as she pulled in his scent from where she lay on his chest, her foot and a half of length allowing her to still be shorter than his torso easily. Fyra blinked. Why had she never thought about becoming somebody's pet? Because you don't know how to control your shifting, dolt... She shivered a little, that thought had never been the most pleasant. And that problem would have come about after she had maybe managed to find somebody. But he's... She raised her head to look at him closer, and found his fingers sliding under her chin, rubbing.
I could maybe be his... "pet" and then he and I could be partners? She shoved the thought to the side. In all likelihood, he wouldn't want a tag-a-long. It wasn't like she was even a decent thief. And who would believe him that she was a "pet"? The only time she had seen the animal she was, was when she'd got bitten, and never since. My soul is damned enough as it is, surely. Does staying in this form damn me more? She couldn't answer her own question. Who're you kidding? He'll turn you into the guards as soon as he comes to his senses. But for all the cynicism in that thought, she didn't believe he would. He had shared food with her, and while he had forcibly pulled her closer, he had not touched her inappropriately at all.
With a sigh, Fyra shifted, curling into a ball against his supporting arm and hoping that she would wake up in her normal form.
She squeaked indignantly at him as he settled her back down against his chest. His hands were gentle, but she felt disgruntled. Nobody had ever handled her while she was a polecat before, and his fingers felt strange against her fur. But the movement of them along her shoulder and back was strangely soothing. He didn't freak out. Well, he did say that shifters weren't a bad sort... something about how they didn't throw magic like battlemages... His voice rumbled to her through his chest, her ears twitching to pick it up. Her eyes were heavy again already.
Dark eyes scrutinized his face and her nose twitched as she pulled in his scent from where she lay on his chest, her foot and a half of length allowing her to still be shorter than his torso easily. Fyra blinked. Why had she never thought about becoming somebody's pet? Because you don't know how to control your shifting, dolt... She shivered a little, that thought had never been the most pleasant. And that problem would have come about after she had maybe managed to find somebody. But he's... She raised her head to look at him closer, and found his fingers sliding under her chin, rubbing.
I could maybe be his... "pet" and then he and I could be partners? She shoved the thought to the side. In all likelihood, he wouldn't want a tag-a-long. It wasn't like she was even a decent thief. And who would believe him that she was a "pet"? The only time she had seen the animal she was, was when she'd got bitten, and never since. My soul is damned enough as it is, surely. Does staying in this form damn me more? She couldn't answer her own question. Who're you kidding? He'll turn you into the guards as soon as he comes to his senses. But for all the cynicism in that thought, she didn't believe he would. He had shared food with her, and while he had forcibly pulled her closer, he had not touched her inappropriately at all.
With a sigh, Fyra shifted, curling into a ball against his supporting arm and hoping that she would wake up in her normal form.
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Kaleb Morrington
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- Joined: Sat Sep 11, 2010 9:31 pm
- Name: Kaleb Morrington
- Race: Human
Re: Never Trust Appearances
When the girl finally curled up against his chest, Kaleb sighed and continued to stroke her soft fur. Vaguely he wondered if she'd tag around with him for awhile, be kind of a side-kick. Hell having a pole-cat shifter sidekick would rock. She could get into all those small places... With these thoughts in mind, Kaleb drifted off to sleep, his chest gently rumbling as he snored lightly.
Dawn broke, and was ignored by the sleeping pair. The sun rose further and further until, finally, Amyrea poked Kaleb awake, clearly amused by her love's sleeping patterns. She'd done some thinking, not that she'd tell Kaleb, and she decided she would await the man's death to marry him. After all he seemed to find marriage to a ghost rather impossible. Amyrea sighed. Why couldn't he understand that love conquered all? Either way, she poked him until he woke, slowly and reluctantly, pole-cat still on his chest.
Kaleb quietly thanked Amyrea, intent on not waking the sleeping girl/rodent, as he sat up slowly, taking care not to jostle the creature. He stood with just as much care, making sure to catch her belongings as he moved. He crouched easily, still cradling the pole-cat, folding the cloth and items expertly with one hand, quickly tying them into a bundle which he slung over his shoulder. She'd want those later for sure. He stood once more and looked down to see if his little friend was awake or not.
Dawn broke, and was ignored by the sleeping pair. The sun rose further and further until, finally, Amyrea poked Kaleb awake, clearly amused by her love's sleeping patterns. She'd done some thinking, not that she'd tell Kaleb, and she decided she would await the man's death to marry him. After all he seemed to find marriage to a ghost rather impossible. Amyrea sighed. Why couldn't he understand that love conquered all? Either way, she poked him until he woke, slowly and reluctantly, pole-cat still on his chest.
Kaleb quietly thanked Amyrea, intent on not waking the sleeping girl/rodent, as he sat up slowly, taking care not to jostle the creature. He stood with just as much care, making sure to catch her belongings as he moved. He crouched easily, still cradling the pole-cat, folding the cloth and items expertly with one hand, quickly tying them into a bundle which he slung over his shoulder. She'd want those later for sure. He stood once more and looked down to see if his little friend was awake or not.
Re: Never Trust Appearances
No more dark dreams disturbed Fyra that night. The soft rumble of his snore was a comfort, a constant reminder to her sleeping self that there was another there, and to her animal and human instincts, there was safety in numbers. The sun rose, and she didn't awake. Kaleb woke, and as he shifted her lengthy body, she only barely stirred, eyes closed tightly. It was as he cradled her against his chest and slung the bundle over his shoulder that she woke.
Her nose twitched, Kaleb's scent still strong in her nostrils. Moments later dark eyes opened and she shifted a little, as if trying to look at her body. A small sigh escaped from the rodent, and then she froze, looking up at the man holding her. Memories of the night before seemed strange, as if a dream, but the fact that he was holding her made every bit of it true. She squeaked, trying to uncurl her body, and somewhat succeeding, claws catching on the fabric of his shirt as she moved about.
Oh, why can't I just talk?! She stopped moving, looking up at Kaleb, and scrutinizing him. He looked very different with sunlight on his features, and was, in fact, more charming than he had been the night before. She tilted her head and sat up on her hindquarters, wavering with any movements he made.
Her nose twitched, Kaleb's scent still strong in her nostrils. Moments later dark eyes opened and she shifted a little, as if trying to look at her body. A small sigh escaped from the rodent, and then she froze, looking up at the man holding her. Memories of the night before seemed strange, as if a dream, but the fact that he was holding her made every bit of it true. She squeaked, trying to uncurl her body, and somewhat succeeding, claws catching on the fabric of his shirt as she moved about.
Oh, why can't I just talk?! She stopped moving, looking up at Kaleb, and scrutinizing him. He looked very different with sunlight on his features, and was, in fact, more charming than he had been the night before. She tilted her head and sat up on her hindquarters, wavering with any movements he made.
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Kaleb Morrington
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- Name: Kaleb Morrington
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Re: Never Trust Appearances
He smiled easily down at the little rodent, balancing on her hindquarters in the palm of his hand. Such a cute little creature... he carefully lifted her so he was meeting her eye-to-eye.
"Now, I don't speak polecat, sorry, but I'm pretty sure you can understand me. I'm assuming since you haven't shifted back, you either don't know how or can't." Kaleb commented, watching as the polecat seemed to glare as she shook her head 'no'.
"Ah, no biggy. For now, let's just stick you up here," At this Kaleb slid Safyra on his shoulder, "and you can think about it. Don't worry about shifting while on me, you looked light as a human as well." Kaleb chirped, waiting for the girl to settle before walking through the graveyard, humming an off-beat tune, watching Amyrea flit across the gravestones.
"Now, I don't speak polecat, sorry, but I'm pretty sure you can understand me. I'm assuming since you haven't shifted back, you either don't know how or can't." Kaleb commented, watching as the polecat seemed to glare as she shook her head 'no'.
"Ah, no biggy. For now, let's just stick you up here," At this Kaleb slid Safyra on his shoulder, "and you can think about it. Don't worry about shifting while on me, you looked light as a human as well." Kaleb chirped, waiting for the girl to settle before walking through the graveyard, humming an off-beat tune, watching Amyrea flit across the gravestones.
Re: Never Trust Appearances
Her claws gave her enough grip on his shoulder that she felt relatively secure. She moved herself so that her body wrapped around the back of his neck, hind paws holding her steady on his shoulder, tail flipping a little for balance. Her front paws draped down over his chest a little, pushing against where claws caught, and her masked face was raised to look ahead at where they were going.
What am I getting into? She could feel the scruffiness of his unshaven face, and flicked her ears back a little with her insecurity. I'm with him because he has my things, and even as little as their is, it's valuable. She focused for a moment, eyes closing tightly, but the itchy feeling that came with her shifting didn't appear. And I'm stuck in this shape... Theogios, how did that happen? Whiskers twitching, she cursed the inability to cry, and settled for taking one paw and rubbing it over her face and nose.
Uncomfortable with the silence between the two of them, she sat up a little more, and pushed her head against his jaw, bumping him nervously.
What am I getting into? She could feel the scruffiness of his unshaven face, and flicked her ears back a little with her insecurity. I'm with him because he has my things, and even as little as their is, it's valuable. She focused for a moment, eyes closing tightly, but the itchy feeling that came with her shifting didn't appear. And I'm stuck in this shape... Theogios, how did that happen? Whiskers twitching, she cursed the inability to cry, and settled for taking one paw and rubbing it over her face and nose.
Uncomfortable with the silence between the two of them, she sat up a little more, and pushed her head against his jaw, bumping him nervously.
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Kaleb Morrington
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- Posts: 184
- Joined: Sat Sep 11, 2010 9:31 pm
- Name: Kaleb Morrington
- Race: Human
Re: Never Trust Appearances
**Please note this is a joint post**
Kaleb had been listening to Amyrea go on about some stupid thing or another when a gentle nudge on his cheek had Kaleb pausing in mid-step to crane his neck and look into a set of dark eyes.
"Something up, love?" He querried without thinking.
Perking her ears forward, she squeaked at him, and then nudged his jaw again. I can't speak, but surely he can! Anything but this..silence. I can't talk to ask him things. She waited expectantly, tilting her head to one side as she looked into his eyes.
Kaleb tilted his head, still not quite getting it until he remembered she couldn't hear Amyrea. The silence... it must have been maddening. He grinned, winked and scratched behind her ear before he began to do something he'd sworn he wouldn't do in front of anyone else, he began to sing.
It was an old tune he'd learnt from his "previous life" as he put it, telling the story of a crow and a swan, and how the crow thought the swan had fallen from heaven. It ended with the two dying in the middle of a winder storm, the swan because she could not fly, the crow because he could not leave her side.
The tune done, Kaleb tilted his head to look at Fyra. "That what you were aiming for, love?"
He tilted his head back, and then with what was swiftly becoming a familiar grin and winking motion, started to sing. Not exactly what she was aiming for. Especially with the ear scratch. But it was a start. She settled into her previous position, leaning slightly over his shoulder and looking forward. There was little that she could do to stop him from singing, and she didn't mind. His voice was deep and rich. She didn't know whether he was off key or not, but at least it wasn't silence.
The story was strange. And a little sad. A beautiful love tale in the end. As he stopped, looking at her and speaking, she blinked up at him, flicking her ears one way, then the other, and shaking her head a little. It wasn't exactly what she was wanting. She swiped a paw over her face, trying to think of how to get him to just talk to her.
With a huff, she nudged his jaw again. He had understood that she wanted sound. Silently she prayed that he was as intelligent as he seemed. Just talk. About anything. Even trees!
Kaleb frowned before thinking. She hadn't protested the singing, because it was noise, but that wasn't what she wanted. Perhaps just a distraction from silence? Kaleb thought about it as he continued to rub her neck absent mindedly. In the end, he decided to tell her a story.
"There once was a boy, born into privellage and wealth. He had everything he could ever want, food a plenty, sweets and clothes. But this didn't make the boy very happy, in fact it made him very sad. You see, with treasures such as food, sweets and nice clothes comes the responsibility of manners, keeping an image and other such pains." Kaleb's grin was rueful. "So at the early age of 8, the boy ran away from home, refusing to look back, and grew up on the streets. A gang of kids took him in, taught him the tricks and the trades of being a thief, and he learned quickly. The boy was happy, he had the kind of family he'd wanted. One who cared if he was sad or hurt, one who didn't give two shits about appearance and rules." Kaleb's voice was soft now, reminiscent and even Amyrea was silent, listening to every word.
"It wasn't even two years later when the boy noticed something odd. He could see and hear things others could not. He told the other boys, but they all just thought he was crazy. They were sympathetic at first, only to grow more scared as the information the boy passed him became more and more accurate." Kaleb's voice was now pained, though he refused to admit it.
"In the end, they kicked the boy from the gang, calling him a freak. All he had, in the end, where his ghosts. And so the boy grew alone and into a man, with only the dead for company." Kaleb finished, sounding falsely cheerful.
Fyra shied away from his constant touching a little, but it showed only in that her neck never pushed up against his fingers. She wasn't sure what to think of it. She hadn't had much physical contact since she had left home, and for some reason, the way he pet her, as though she were an animal I am, when I'm like this, I suppose... was somehow very intimate, even though it was not something she had ever thought about while petting a cat or dog.
The tale he told now, was much different from the one he had told in song. There was no love story in it, just simple, story. And it wasn't a very long one either. Whiskers twitched with the realization that his voice had taken on a pained edge to it, and she tucked her body around his neck in what she could assume was comforting. With the mention of seeing ghosts, she raised her head, ears pushed out sideways as she looked at him with serious eyes. Her head tilted and she raised a single paw to point at him, the question an obvious one.
Kaleb managed a wink, though it lacked its usual spark of mischief.
"Yeah love, I'm telling you my tale."
Sad tale. Pity welled up in her, and she pushed against him, kind heart dictating that she had to give him what comfort she could. Thick fur pushed against his neck and her head nestled to his cheek briefly. Fyra still wasn't sure how she felt about the whole physical contact. It was bad enough he had to carry her. But she knew what it was like to be alone. Even in her polecat form she was a less than perfect specimen. Pulling back to look at him, she wished there was a way to shape words with the lips, tongue and vocal cords that she had in this form. She couldn't guide the conversation at all, away from what might pain him. Nor could she share her own story.
Resolutely, she nudged his jaw again. More talking. She'd work on communicating.
"Another story eh?" Kaleb hadn't missed her attempt to comfort, and had leaned into her slightly. He didn't want her to feel as alone as she likely did now, poor lass. Kaleb could remember the pain of being cast out from his own family, of being called a freak. He didn't know why she was alone, though he suspected her story wasn't too far off from his own. Too few of families these day accepted magic.
"Alright... how about I tell you the tale of-" "Me." Came a disembodied voice. Kaleb whirled, hidden dagger drawn instantly. Something else that he'd taken from the hunter, handy now. Before Kaleb, and sitting on a gravestone was an old man, cane in hand, boasting a fish's tail where his feet was supposed to be. Kaleb frowned.
"Don't suppose you can see him, can you?" Kaleb asked, gesturing at the man as he tilted his head towards Fyra.
She had settled slightly, ready for him to continue with another story, or random comment. Anything at all. She enjoyed the soft rumble of his voice, hearing it almost more through his throat than out of his mouth. When he cut off and spun, she squeaked as she almost lost her grip on his clothing, and when he stopped, dagger drawn, she pulled herself upright onto his shoulder, ready to begin scolding him in whatever language that polecats spoke.
His question stopped her short. She looked where he gestured, and around, and then shook her head emphatically. If his full story were to be believed, then it was a ghost, since she couldnt see this 'him.' Or he's just insane...Nice enough if he is.
Kaleb swore quietly before sheathing his dagger sullenly, glaring quietly at the ghost. "I'm going to sound a bit crazy for a bit then, sorry love. What'cha want," Kaleb quickly read the headstone, "Mr. Gordon?" The ghost laughed, thought it had a bitter edge.
"Just want to tell a tale to the pretty lady on your shoulder. Cna't she change back? I'm sure she'd be quite the lovely creature." Kaleb scowled. He hated old pervy ghosts.
"She's stuck from what I gather." "Stuck eh? Well then she's a bloody idiot..." Kaleb growled warningly, causing the ghost to tut. "Now, now spirit medium, it's that or she doesn't have any training." Kaleb crossed his arms.
"Better chance of that than her being an idiot. But if you're offering advice, I don't mind passing it along."
Sound a bit crazy? He was crazy! Fyra looked between him and the headstone that he was staring at, and frowned in her way. Her ears flattened to the side and her whiskers twitched. Hearing only half of the supposed conversation was disorienting. Had the ghost said she was an idiot then? She lifted mobile lips in a snarl that showed of long incisors. She wasn't an idiot!
Part of her wanted to shrug off whatever help she might get from the ghost, or the crazy person talking to ghosts, but a bit of sense and hope bound her. What if they actually gave advice that worked?
Kaleb smirked when he saw her bare in teeth in the corner of his eye, the ghost cocked an eyebrow. "Feisty, I like it." Kaleb scowled and vaguely wished he could banish the damn thing. Helpful or not, he didn't like those ghostly looks. Bloody pervy ghosts.
"Are you going to help, or not, perv?" Kaleb growled, instinctively bringing his hand up to shield the girl.
He kept having negative reactions. That wasn't a good sign. Perv? Ghost or figment must be bad then. Leave it. She turned to look at him as his hand came up, shielding her in some way. She only used it to rest her front paws on and look at him. roughly, she jerked her head to the side. She would figure out how to shift on her own, thank you. If it was goign to be so much work to get help from some... ghost.
I'm damned. My soul is damned. I'm stuck in the shape of a weasel and now, attached to a crazy man who sees ghosts. He's a thief and I may as well be one. Theogios...help? She shivered a little, self loathing raising its head.
Kaleb looked down at his little polecat when he felt her little claws rest on his hand, saw her jerk her head, the motion clear. The ghost wasn't so dim as to misread it either.
"Alright, alright, I'll help. Look, just ask her if she itches when she shifts." Kaleb paused in the middle of turning around before slowly repeating the question, his eyes intent on the ghost for any signs of deceit.
Following Kaleb's gaze, she fixated her own eyes upon where the ghost supposedly was for a moment, and then wrinkled her nose. The question that came from him made her shiver, and nod. She had learned to hate that feeling, but part of her seemed to revel in it. It was almost a constant, since she had been so fearful. Always on edge. She couldn't even remember how to get back to her human self now. Suppose it's Kaleb's fault. He got me comfortable... Oh gods, what will he think of me now that he knows? oh he's been kind enough, yea, but he's kind of treated me like a pet- she cut her thoughts off, letting her ears twist around trying to catch words that she couldn't hear. Expectantly, she looked over at Kaleb, waiting for the ghost's reply. Why am I listening to a crazy man?
"It's the magic." Came the ghosts's swift reply. "She likely gets it when she's anxious. You're a nasty calmer though, boy, otherwise she'd have changed back." Kaleb narrowed his eyes. "Any way for her to control it then?" He was starting to get impatient, not liking this ghost, but the girl had perked up and kept looking between the two of them, painful hope evident.
The ghost rubbed his chin. "Yeah, she's just gotta properly remember the feel. Kinda like re-drawing up old memories of her human self, sinking into it, whatever." The man shrugged, causing Kaleb to roll his eyes.
"The main thing she needs to concentrate on is remembering what it feels like to be human." The ghost said, pleased with himself before he gave an abrupt farewell and sank into the ground. Sighing, Kaleb relayed the message, stuffing his hands in his pockets now.
Fyra waited, patiently, for him to pass along the message with a sigh, and then she stayed still for a moment longer before letting out a rapid chitter. Her ears went flat. It wasn't so simple! She couldn't just "sink" into her memories of herself as a human! Could she? Torn between hopeless anger and desperation that her soul could only be whole if she stayed in a human form, she shivered against Kaleb's neck, looking questioningly up at him for a moment.
She tried to draw up memories, remembering walking down the streets, rather than moving on four legs, and remembering reaching out to pick things up with hands rather than paws. But, perched on Kaleb's shoulders, those memories felt like a dream, and she felt as though the polecat form was what she was naturally born to.
"Hey, hey, calm down love." Kaleb murmured instantly, reaching up and pulling her off his neck so he could look her in the eye. "Look, I may not be a shifter, and Changers know I hate magic... just the fire-y and hurt-y stuff, but I know this has to suck for you. Take it one step at a time, love, you'll manage. Don't expect it to come to you like you breathe or something." With that, Kaleb looked around and moved to sit on an unoccupied grave, setting Fyra in front of him.
"Perv-ghost said I was a bad effect on you, something about making you calm or some dumb shit, but if he was right, then maybe this helps? Don't get me wrong, I like your little polecat form, but I don't want you stuck there, and some conversation would be nice instead of me treating you like a pet." Kaleb's grin was sheepish.
I will not calm down! She squirmed in his grip, settling enough to glare at him with narrowed eyes and flattened ears. She didn't bare teeth, but her nose wrinkled. And he hates magic, wonderful. I had to get stuck with a crazy man who talks to ghosts, and hates magic... As he moved to set her down, she squirmed again, and bounded a step away from him.
Creamy and contrasting dark fur shook out as she sat up and scolded him verbally, the chittering squeaks loud and high pitched. How would you feel if I thought you were cute and treated you like a pet, huh?! Weasel or pole-whatever... I don't care if I'm cute! Now I'm just colder than I was and not calm at all! Her skin shivered and her skin tickled as hackles raised up a little bit.
Moments later, she dropped down onto all fours and shook herself out, her breath making a quick "huff" sound as she did so. It looked odd, a polecat concentrating. She closed her eyes tightly, trying to think of herself as human. No itching sensation came to let her know that she was changing. Her jaw clenched, she opened her eyes once more, and grumbled audibly, sounding annoyingly squeaky to her own ears as she moved back towards Kaleb.
Kaleb let himself be audibly and clearly scolded in the polecat manner, doing his best to look properly chastised. He watched as she concentrated, remaining in his crouched position until she sulked towards him, looking very irritated indeed. Pain laced him, not physical, but emotional. Silently he scooped her up before gently hugging her.
"Sorry I can't help much, love. Tell ya what, I'll keep ya with me for a bit while I travel around town and get rid of some extra crap I've got, eh? How's that sound? I'll even nab another apple for you." He grinned at her, trying to lighten the mood.
She let him pick her up with out protest, even curling against him a little in a return of his hug. His words didn't do much to cheer her though. Apparently, she had to learn how to "sink" into her human self to change back, and then, would she still have the trouble with the emotions? She looked at him sullenly, ears down but not flat, eyes narrowed. Though his grin made her heart flutter a little, it was swiftly over ridden by the negativity of her situation. And there was little she could do to change it. She shook her head a little. In this form, she never really wanted fruit. Meats and breads were fine enough. She reached out to catch his shirt in her claws, wanting to get back to where she was comfortable at least. The prospect of being carried around the city was nerve wracking. She would have to play the part. Normal animals didn't nod or shake their heads. She grumbled, wanting to hide now.
Quietly, knowing what the girl likely wanted now, Kaleb set the bundle that was her belongings, down, before unraveling his cloak from the mess and throwing it over his shoulders. Done up he pulled up the hood both over his head and around the girl. Messing his hair slightly with his fingers, it fell past his ears, shielding his eyes and her from the outside world. Scooping up her items in hand once more, Kaleb made his way into town, wondering if his old fence was still hanging around.
Kaleb had been listening to Amyrea go on about some stupid thing or another when a gentle nudge on his cheek had Kaleb pausing in mid-step to crane his neck and look into a set of dark eyes.
"Something up, love?" He querried without thinking.
Perking her ears forward, she squeaked at him, and then nudged his jaw again. I can't speak, but surely he can! Anything but this..silence. I can't talk to ask him things. She waited expectantly, tilting her head to one side as she looked into his eyes.
Kaleb tilted his head, still not quite getting it until he remembered she couldn't hear Amyrea. The silence... it must have been maddening. He grinned, winked and scratched behind her ear before he began to do something he'd sworn he wouldn't do in front of anyone else, he began to sing.
It was an old tune he'd learnt from his "previous life" as he put it, telling the story of a crow and a swan, and how the crow thought the swan had fallen from heaven. It ended with the two dying in the middle of a winder storm, the swan because she could not fly, the crow because he could not leave her side.
The tune done, Kaleb tilted his head to look at Fyra. "That what you were aiming for, love?"
He tilted his head back, and then with what was swiftly becoming a familiar grin and winking motion, started to sing. Not exactly what she was aiming for. Especially with the ear scratch. But it was a start. She settled into her previous position, leaning slightly over his shoulder and looking forward. There was little that she could do to stop him from singing, and she didn't mind. His voice was deep and rich. She didn't know whether he was off key or not, but at least it wasn't silence.
The story was strange. And a little sad. A beautiful love tale in the end. As he stopped, looking at her and speaking, she blinked up at him, flicking her ears one way, then the other, and shaking her head a little. It wasn't exactly what she was wanting. She swiped a paw over her face, trying to think of how to get him to just talk to her.
With a huff, she nudged his jaw again. He had understood that she wanted sound. Silently she prayed that he was as intelligent as he seemed. Just talk. About anything. Even trees!
Kaleb frowned before thinking. She hadn't protested the singing, because it was noise, but that wasn't what she wanted. Perhaps just a distraction from silence? Kaleb thought about it as he continued to rub her neck absent mindedly. In the end, he decided to tell her a story.
"There once was a boy, born into privellage and wealth. He had everything he could ever want, food a plenty, sweets and clothes. But this didn't make the boy very happy, in fact it made him very sad. You see, with treasures such as food, sweets and nice clothes comes the responsibility of manners, keeping an image and other such pains." Kaleb's grin was rueful. "So at the early age of 8, the boy ran away from home, refusing to look back, and grew up on the streets. A gang of kids took him in, taught him the tricks and the trades of being a thief, and he learned quickly. The boy was happy, he had the kind of family he'd wanted. One who cared if he was sad or hurt, one who didn't give two shits about appearance and rules." Kaleb's voice was soft now, reminiscent and even Amyrea was silent, listening to every word.
"It wasn't even two years later when the boy noticed something odd. He could see and hear things others could not. He told the other boys, but they all just thought he was crazy. They were sympathetic at first, only to grow more scared as the information the boy passed him became more and more accurate." Kaleb's voice was now pained, though he refused to admit it.
"In the end, they kicked the boy from the gang, calling him a freak. All he had, in the end, where his ghosts. And so the boy grew alone and into a man, with only the dead for company." Kaleb finished, sounding falsely cheerful.
Fyra shied away from his constant touching a little, but it showed only in that her neck never pushed up against his fingers. She wasn't sure what to think of it. She hadn't had much physical contact since she had left home, and for some reason, the way he pet her, as though she were an animal I am, when I'm like this, I suppose... was somehow very intimate, even though it was not something she had ever thought about while petting a cat or dog.
The tale he told now, was much different from the one he had told in song. There was no love story in it, just simple, story. And it wasn't a very long one either. Whiskers twitched with the realization that his voice had taken on a pained edge to it, and she tucked her body around his neck in what she could assume was comforting. With the mention of seeing ghosts, she raised her head, ears pushed out sideways as she looked at him with serious eyes. Her head tilted and she raised a single paw to point at him, the question an obvious one.
Kaleb managed a wink, though it lacked its usual spark of mischief.
"Yeah love, I'm telling you my tale."
Sad tale. Pity welled up in her, and she pushed against him, kind heart dictating that she had to give him what comfort she could. Thick fur pushed against his neck and her head nestled to his cheek briefly. Fyra still wasn't sure how she felt about the whole physical contact. It was bad enough he had to carry her. But she knew what it was like to be alone. Even in her polecat form she was a less than perfect specimen. Pulling back to look at him, she wished there was a way to shape words with the lips, tongue and vocal cords that she had in this form. She couldn't guide the conversation at all, away from what might pain him. Nor could she share her own story.
Resolutely, she nudged his jaw again. More talking. She'd work on communicating.
"Another story eh?" Kaleb hadn't missed her attempt to comfort, and had leaned into her slightly. He didn't want her to feel as alone as she likely did now, poor lass. Kaleb could remember the pain of being cast out from his own family, of being called a freak. He didn't know why she was alone, though he suspected her story wasn't too far off from his own. Too few of families these day accepted magic.
"Alright... how about I tell you the tale of-" "Me." Came a disembodied voice. Kaleb whirled, hidden dagger drawn instantly. Something else that he'd taken from the hunter, handy now. Before Kaleb, and sitting on a gravestone was an old man, cane in hand, boasting a fish's tail where his feet was supposed to be. Kaleb frowned.
"Don't suppose you can see him, can you?" Kaleb asked, gesturing at the man as he tilted his head towards Fyra.
She had settled slightly, ready for him to continue with another story, or random comment. Anything at all. She enjoyed the soft rumble of his voice, hearing it almost more through his throat than out of his mouth. When he cut off and spun, she squeaked as she almost lost her grip on his clothing, and when he stopped, dagger drawn, she pulled herself upright onto his shoulder, ready to begin scolding him in whatever language that polecats spoke.
His question stopped her short. She looked where he gestured, and around, and then shook her head emphatically. If his full story were to be believed, then it was a ghost, since she couldnt see this 'him.' Or he's just insane...Nice enough if he is.
Kaleb swore quietly before sheathing his dagger sullenly, glaring quietly at the ghost. "I'm going to sound a bit crazy for a bit then, sorry love. What'cha want," Kaleb quickly read the headstone, "Mr. Gordon?" The ghost laughed, thought it had a bitter edge.
"Just want to tell a tale to the pretty lady on your shoulder. Cna't she change back? I'm sure she'd be quite the lovely creature." Kaleb scowled. He hated old pervy ghosts.
"She's stuck from what I gather." "Stuck eh? Well then she's a bloody idiot..." Kaleb growled warningly, causing the ghost to tut. "Now, now spirit medium, it's that or she doesn't have any training." Kaleb crossed his arms.
"Better chance of that than her being an idiot. But if you're offering advice, I don't mind passing it along."
Sound a bit crazy? He was crazy! Fyra looked between him and the headstone that he was staring at, and frowned in her way. Her ears flattened to the side and her whiskers twitched. Hearing only half of the supposed conversation was disorienting. Had the ghost said she was an idiot then? She lifted mobile lips in a snarl that showed of long incisors. She wasn't an idiot!
Part of her wanted to shrug off whatever help she might get from the ghost, or the crazy person talking to ghosts, but a bit of sense and hope bound her. What if they actually gave advice that worked?
Kaleb smirked when he saw her bare in teeth in the corner of his eye, the ghost cocked an eyebrow. "Feisty, I like it." Kaleb scowled and vaguely wished he could banish the damn thing. Helpful or not, he didn't like those ghostly looks. Bloody pervy ghosts.
"Are you going to help, or not, perv?" Kaleb growled, instinctively bringing his hand up to shield the girl.
He kept having negative reactions. That wasn't a good sign. Perv? Ghost or figment must be bad then. Leave it. She turned to look at him as his hand came up, shielding her in some way. She only used it to rest her front paws on and look at him. roughly, she jerked her head to the side. She would figure out how to shift on her own, thank you. If it was goign to be so much work to get help from some... ghost.
I'm damned. My soul is damned. I'm stuck in the shape of a weasel and now, attached to a crazy man who sees ghosts. He's a thief and I may as well be one. Theogios...help? She shivered a little, self loathing raising its head.
Kaleb looked down at his little polecat when he felt her little claws rest on his hand, saw her jerk her head, the motion clear. The ghost wasn't so dim as to misread it either.
"Alright, alright, I'll help. Look, just ask her if she itches when she shifts." Kaleb paused in the middle of turning around before slowly repeating the question, his eyes intent on the ghost for any signs of deceit.
Following Kaleb's gaze, she fixated her own eyes upon where the ghost supposedly was for a moment, and then wrinkled her nose. The question that came from him made her shiver, and nod. She had learned to hate that feeling, but part of her seemed to revel in it. It was almost a constant, since she had been so fearful. Always on edge. She couldn't even remember how to get back to her human self now. Suppose it's Kaleb's fault. He got me comfortable... Oh gods, what will he think of me now that he knows? oh he's been kind enough, yea, but he's kind of treated me like a pet- she cut her thoughts off, letting her ears twist around trying to catch words that she couldn't hear. Expectantly, she looked over at Kaleb, waiting for the ghost's reply. Why am I listening to a crazy man?
"It's the magic." Came the ghosts's swift reply. "She likely gets it when she's anxious. You're a nasty calmer though, boy, otherwise she'd have changed back." Kaleb narrowed his eyes. "Any way for her to control it then?" He was starting to get impatient, not liking this ghost, but the girl had perked up and kept looking between the two of them, painful hope evident.
The ghost rubbed his chin. "Yeah, she's just gotta properly remember the feel. Kinda like re-drawing up old memories of her human self, sinking into it, whatever." The man shrugged, causing Kaleb to roll his eyes.
"The main thing she needs to concentrate on is remembering what it feels like to be human." The ghost said, pleased with himself before he gave an abrupt farewell and sank into the ground. Sighing, Kaleb relayed the message, stuffing his hands in his pockets now.
Fyra waited, patiently, for him to pass along the message with a sigh, and then she stayed still for a moment longer before letting out a rapid chitter. Her ears went flat. It wasn't so simple! She couldn't just "sink" into her memories of herself as a human! Could she? Torn between hopeless anger and desperation that her soul could only be whole if she stayed in a human form, she shivered against Kaleb's neck, looking questioningly up at him for a moment.
She tried to draw up memories, remembering walking down the streets, rather than moving on four legs, and remembering reaching out to pick things up with hands rather than paws. But, perched on Kaleb's shoulders, those memories felt like a dream, and she felt as though the polecat form was what she was naturally born to.
"Hey, hey, calm down love." Kaleb murmured instantly, reaching up and pulling her off his neck so he could look her in the eye. "Look, I may not be a shifter, and Changers know I hate magic... just the fire-y and hurt-y stuff, but I know this has to suck for you. Take it one step at a time, love, you'll manage. Don't expect it to come to you like you breathe or something." With that, Kaleb looked around and moved to sit on an unoccupied grave, setting Fyra in front of him.
"Perv-ghost said I was a bad effect on you, something about making you calm or some dumb shit, but if he was right, then maybe this helps? Don't get me wrong, I like your little polecat form, but I don't want you stuck there, and some conversation would be nice instead of me treating you like a pet." Kaleb's grin was sheepish.
I will not calm down! She squirmed in his grip, settling enough to glare at him with narrowed eyes and flattened ears. She didn't bare teeth, but her nose wrinkled. And he hates magic, wonderful. I had to get stuck with a crazy man who talks to ghosts, and hates magic... As he moved to set her down, she squirmed again, and bounded a step away from him.
Creamy and contrasting dark fur shook out as she sat up and scolded him verbally, the chittering squeaks loud and high pitched. How would you feel if I thought you were cute and treated you like a pet, huh?! Weasel or pole-whatever... I don't care if I'm cute! Now I'm just colder than I was and not calm at all! Her skin shivered and her skin tickled as hackles raised up a little bit.
Moments later, she dropped down onto all fours and shook herself out, her breath making a quick "huff" sound as she did so. It looked odd, a polecat concentrating. She closed her eyes tightly, trying to think of herself as human. No itching sensation came to let her know that she was changing. Her jaw clenched, she opened her eyes once more, and grumbled audibly, sounding annoyingly squeaky to her own ears as she moved back towards Kaleb.
Kaleb let himself be audibly and clearly scolded in the polecat manner, doing his best to look properly chastised. He watched as she concentrated, remaining in his crouched position until she sulked towards him, looking very irritated indeed. Pain laced him, not physical, but emotional. Silently he scooped her up before gently hugging her.
"Sorry I can't help much, love. Tell ya what, I'll keep ya with me for a bit while I travel around town and get rid of some extra crap I've got, eh? How's that sound? I'll even nab another apple for you." He grinned at her, trying to lighten the mood.
She let him pick her up with out protest, even curling against him a little in a return of his hug. His words didn't do much to cheer her though. Apparently, she had to learn how to "sink" into her human self to change back, and then, would she still have the trouble with the emotions? She looked at him sullenly, ears down but not flat, eyes narrowed. Though his grin made her heart flutter a little, it was swiftly over ridden by the negativity of her situation. And there was little she could do to change it. She shook her head a little. In this form, she never really wanted fruit. Meats and breads were fine enough. She reached out to catch his shirt in her claws, wanting to get back to where she was comfortable at least. The prospect of being carried around the city was nerve wracking. She would have to play the part. Normal animals didn't nod or shake their heads. She grumbled, wanting to hide now.
Quietly, knowing what the girl likely wanted now, Kaleb set the bundle that was her belongings, down, before unraveling his cloak from the mess and throwing it over his shoulders. Done up he pulled up the hood both over his head and around the girl. Messing his hair slightly with his fingers, it fell past his ears, shielding his eyes and her from the outside world. Scooping up her items in hand once more, Kaleb made his way into town, wondering if his old fence was still hanging around.
Re: Never Trust Appearances
She coiled around his shoulder, hindpaws on his right shoulder, near his neck, forepaws perched on his left. Her head peeked out from under his hair as he mussed it a bit, and as he pulled the cloak around his shoulders and the hood over his head, she relaxed a little, her creamy body hidden from sight and her dark paws and face almost invisible in the shadows that now surrounded his face.
Her thoughts were a jumble as she let herself retreat mentally as well as physically hiding from the world. What do I do now? I could leave Marn, stuck in this shape... But unless I stay with Kaleb, I'll lose my stuff likely, and have nothing. I don't exactly have the skills to hunt for my own food... and I can't stay like this! She shivered slightly against Kaleb's neck, wanting to cry, and cursing that she couldn't. Fear was rooted within her, with her upbringing. Magic is evil, that's what I've been taught. And I wasn't born with it, but magic came into my life and look what happened. A year, later, I feel lucky if I'm protected from the wind with a single loaf to eat. And Kaleb...people fear him, for being able to see the dead. Or he's just crazy. He doesn't like magic either. It's brought nothing but pain.
She shifted a little, shivering as they came into town. What if he changed his mind, and actually turned her into the guards as an undeclared shapeshifter? She'd be in a cell for a year, if not worse! Fear made her throat freeze, and she had to swallow, her ears flicking to catch the sound of any guards nearby. If they got too close, she might just run anyways. Part of her mind continued to wonder what she would do with her life as it was. She had to face that she might be stuck, maybe even forever. There had been the thought of partnering up with Kaleb, but now she had no way to communicate that to him, and couldn't even ask if he was interested. Besides... that's dangerous... Every path she led herself down, no matter what, required at some point at least that she regain her human form.
Fyra raised her head as they got closer to town, curious as to the business that Kaleb had mentioned. If people paid attention, they would be able to see shiny black eyes peering out from underneath Kaleb's ear.
Her thoughts were a jumble as she let herself retreat mentally as well as physically hiding from the world. What do I do now? I could leave Marn, stuck in this shape... But unless I stay with Kaleb, I'll lose my stuff likely, and have nothing. I don't exactly have the skills to hunt for my own food... and I can't stay like this! She shivered slightly against Kaleb's neck, wanting to cry, and cursing that she couldn't. Fear was rooted within her, with her upbringing. Magic is evil, that's what I've been taught. And I wasn't born with it, but magic came into my life and look what happened. A year, later, I feel lucky if I'm protected from the wind with a single loaf to eat. And Kaleb...people fear him, for being able to see the dead. Or he's just crazy. He doesn't like magic either. It's brought nothing but pain.
She shifted a little, shivering as they came into town. What if he changed his mind, and actually turned her into the guards as an undeclared shapeshifter? She'd be in a cell for a year, if not worse! Fear made her throat freeze, and she had to swallow, her ears flicking to catch the sound of any guards nearby. If they got too close, she might just run anyways. Part of her mind continued to wonder what she would do with her life as it was. She had to face that she might be stuck, maybe even forever. There had been the thought of partnering up with Kaleb, but now she had no way to communicate that to him, and couldn't even ask if he was interested. Besides... that's dangerous... Every path she led herself down, no matter what, required at some point at least that she regain her human form.
Fyra raised her head as they got closer to town, curious as to the business that Kaleb had mentioned. If people paid attention, they would be able to see shiny black eyes peering out from underneath Kaleb's ear.
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Kaleb Morrington
- Citizen
- Posts: 184
- Joined: Sat Sep 11, 2010 9:31 pm
- Name: Kaleb Morrington
- Race: Human
Re: Never Trust Appearances
Kaleb moved through the town with an easy grace of practice, occasionally "accidentally" bumping into people, their gold dropping into his pocket. He always made sure to pick those with that arrogant step in their walk, doing his best to avoid those who looked so damn downtrodden it broke his heart. Well, if he didn't avoid them, it was to drop a few of the misplaced pouches he "found". Sliding by a food vendor, he easily pocketed a few fruits even as he bought a couple loaves of fresh bread and a small wheel of cheese.
He ghosted through people and down a dark alley way, stopping at a door. "Whatever you do, love, don't get seen." Kaleb hissed quietly, bringing up a hand to gently push her head down towards his shoulder. "This guy's paranoid, but good." Making sure she wouldn't be able to be seen, Kaleb rapped on the door, using the sacred patter he knew off by heart. He responded with another knock when the second part of the sequence sounded. Quickly the door was opened and Kaleb was dragged inside hastily.
"Though you was dead, boy, thought you was dead..." the man hissed, quietly dragging Kaleb down further and further into the depths of the house. Using his free hand, Kaleb discreetly ran a hand through his hair, further shielding Fyra from view. To the man known as Lox, it was one of Kaleb's common tells for when he was feeling sheepish.
"Yeah well, stole something big and had to disappear." "Big? Howsit big? Goin' sell, goin' sell?" Lox rasped, whirling at Kaleb with sudden expectancy. "Only if you'll buy. If you don' buy, you don' tell, I dun wanna end up dead on th' streets, yeah?" His street talk and accent were seeping back into his voice with every second spent with the man. When Lox nodded eagerly, Kaleb withdrew the gems from his pocket, not sure why he was trusting Fyra this far. For all he knew, she was a government spy. Internally he shrugged, was about time he got caught either way. Lox eyed them, chewed them and the like before staring up at Kaleb like he was a Changer.
"Ye stole these? These shinnies you stole 'em?" Kaleb flicked his hair out of his eyes rather dramatically, further sheilding the polecat on his shoulder. "Yea, so what if I did?" "Then I'll buy, I'll buy the shinnies, big bishani, big." The man was all but raving now. And so, Kaleb began to barter. Prices, compromises and threats flew through the air before a deal was made.
"Tell you what. I'll half my offer if you can show me to a shifter who can teach others how to shift." The offer was off his tongue before he could think and inwardly he slapped his face with his palm. Lox agreed quickly, seeing the weakness, before reaching out to shake hands, sealing the deal. Kaleb passed the jewels, taking a list of names and a rather heavy pouch of bishani in return. Without another word, Kaleb spun on his heel ans stalked away, amused at the delighted ravings of Lox. "SHINEYS! SHINEYS ALL FOR LOX!"
He ghosted through people and down a dark alley way, stopping at a door. "Whatever you do, love, don't get seen." Kaleb hissed quietly, bringing up a hand to gently push her head down towards his shoulder. "This guy's paranoid, but good." Making sure she wouldn't be able to be seen, Kaleb rapped on the door, using the sacred patter he knew off by heart. He responded with another knock when the second part of the sequence sounded. Quickly the door was opened and Kaleb was dragged inside hastily.
"Though you was dead, boy, thought you was dead..." the man hissed, quietly dragging Kaleb down further and further into the depths of the house. Using his free hand, Kaleb discreetly ran a hand through his hair, further shielding Fyra from view. To the man known as Lox, it was one of Kaleb's common tells for when he was feeling sheepish.
"Yeah well, stole something big and had to disappear." "Big? Howsit big? Goin' sell, goin' sell?" Lox rasped, whirling at Kaleb with sudden expectancy. "Only if you'll buy. If you don' buy, you don' tell, I dun wanna end up dead on th' streets, yeah?" His street talk and accent were seeping back into his voice with every second spent with the man. When Lox nodded eagerly, Kaleb withdrew the gems from his pocket, not sure why he was trusting Fyra this far. For all he knew, she was a government spy. Internally he shrugged, was about time he got caught either way. Lox eyed them, chewed them and the like before staring up at Kaleb like he was a Changer.
"Ye stole these? These shinnies you stole 'em?" Kaleb flicked his hair out of his eyes rather dramatically, further sheilding the polecat on his shoulder. "Yea, so what if I did?" "Then I'll buy, I'll buy the shinnies, big bishani, big." The man was all but raving now. And so, Kaleb began to barter. Prices, compromises and threats flew through the air before a deal was made.
"Tell you what. I'll half my offer if you can show me to a shifter who can teach others how to shift." The offer was off his tongue before he could think and inwardly he slapped his face with his palm. Lox agreed quickly, seeing the weakness, before reaching out to shake hands, sealing the deal. Kaleb passed the jewels, taking a list of names and a rather heavy pouch of bishani in return. Without another word, Kaleb spun on his heel ans stalked away, amused at the delighted ravings of Lox. "SHINEYS! SHINEYS ALL FOR LOX!"