Never Trust Appearances

[Kaleb Morrington]

Yelping when she thrashed and moved away, Kaleb staggered back, quickly closing his eyes to give her at least a minimal amount of privacy. Up popped Amyrea in the right time to warn him about the impending slap. Up came his hand, catching her wrist, his eyes still slammed shut.

"Look, I'm sorry, but it was that or you get sick from being in cold water for a long time. Look i have my eyes closed, I did my best not to see anything." He released her wrist and spun on his heel, away from here and opened his eyes, looking for the door. Spotting it he strode towards it. "There are clean clothes in the room for you, I'll be downstairs." And with that he exited the bathroom, went down the stairs and sat next to the now-awake Adrian.

"So..." the shifter ventured "does this mean I get to kill you slowly and painfully for touching the girl?" "Don't tempt me..."

[Fyra]

She glared daggers at him, heedless that his eyes were closed as he held onto her wrist for a moment. Her body shook with the fury that came with embarrassment, and she stood there for several moments even after he was gone before realizing he'd said something about clean clothes. He could've woken me... held the towel out and been obviously lookign away or something! Just because I'm asleep doesn't mean I won't wake up! She dried herself off and then wrapped the towel around herself to go and look at the clothing he had brought her.

The bundle she found contained a black skirt, a pair of brown breeches, and two shirts, one a blue, and the other cream. There was also underclothing, socks, and two bodices, both black with laces in good conditions. She slid into the clothing, surprised at how well it fit. It wasn't perfect, but it sat on her a little better than the rags she'd been wearing. she slid her self into the black skirt and the blue blouse, lacing up a bodice over it, and slipping socks on her feet. Her boots were slipped on after that. She paused for a moment to straighten her hair with her fingers.

She was goign to go downstairs, and hesitated at the top of the staircase. Silently, she sat down and put her head on her knees. What am I goign to do? I dont' think I can even look at him right now.... and I probably should work on my shifting... you don't get better at anythign without practice. Why is he being so nice, anyways? Food, shelter, clothing... why?! She looked up, peering down the stairs. Finally she stood, sliding down them nearly silently, her movements furtive, her eye turned down. She lifted them momentarily as she came into the main room, caught sight of Kaleb, and turned bright red. Her voice came out a little squeaky. "Uh...thank you..er. for the clothing." She tugged at the skirt, her own belt, with her knife and single small pouch over it.

[Kaleb Morrington]

Kaleb didn't even turn to her, ashamed as he was. Usually he wouldn't care. Usually he'd just seduce the woman if he had liked what he saw. This was the first time he'd actually felt ashamed of the glance he'd gotten.

"You're welcome." He murmured, glancing at her. "They look lovely on you." And with that he stood with a groan. "I'm going to work on dinner, so you can expect it to be elaborate." He looked at Adrian, his eyes dark. "You're free to stay, providing you give her the lessons she wants. You touch her and you're dead." Kaleb turned his head slightly, indicating he was talking to Fyra.

"I'm sorry if I embarrassed you, but I promise I had my eyes closed. I did my best not to look at you. I'd understand if you can't forgive me though." And with that he paced into the kitchen, already trying to think of what would take the longest to cook. He just wanted to avoid Fyra, but he couldn't leave her fully alone with the cat again, it was bad enough he had once already.

[Fyra]

Fyra watched him walk out, nodding, even though he wouldn't see. When he was gone, she looked to Adrian hopefully, and her shifting lessons began again. She didn't care how long it took. She was going to master this. The catshifter talked her through the shifting, and turned his back whenever she was shifting back to human from her animal form. By the end of the afternoon, she had stopped bothering with putting the clothing back on for the moment, and left them in a pile on the couch. Her cheeks were bright red with it, but it was too impractical to shift, put clothing, only to shift down again.

By the time dinner was ready, she had managed the process several times. She was starting to get a feel for it, speeding it through quicker each time. When Kaleb called, Adrian showed up to the table before her, but she came in with a victorious smile on her face. Her cheeks turned pink when she saw his light green eyes, and she quickly hurried and set the table to occupy herself. When she wasn't moving actively, her shoulders hunched forward a bit and she seemed to hug her stomach in a protective manner. It was easy to see that while the setting had been putting her at ease, as being clean and having clean clothing did, she still possessed quite a bit of the fear that had kept her alive on the streets this long.

Chewing the elaborate dinner that Kaleb had managed, Fyra had to admit she was impressed. Not like one couldn't learn how to take care of themselves, but she hadn't met many men who knew how to cook at all, let alone anything that would be considered a whole meal. She tucked her hair behind her ears, trying to stop herself from looking over at him, managing only in that she did not sit and stare at him. Instead, small glances were peppered his way.

[Kaleb Morrington]

He saw the victorious smile and felt his heart do something akin to a back flip. Odd. Shrugging it off, Kaleb served his small "family" and sat down to eat, not missing the small looks Fyra kept giving him. He would've thought she was still mad at him if not for the small blush that would creep across her face every time she looked a bit longer than usual. Maybe she was embarrassed? That had to have been it. Kaleb's shoulder slumped slightly. The meal done, Kaleb stood and cleared the table easily, moving with a silent grace.

"I hope you two don't mind, but I'm going to go and take a walk in the woods. Been awhile since I've been out there, and I could use the fresh air." He hesitated. "You can also tag along if ya like." He added, shrugging at the two before he moved to go grab his cloak. Not bothering to see if they were following, Kaleb left the house and slid down the streets of Marn. He kept slow enough that they could tail him if they wanted, but quick enough he could be alone for the moment to try and gather his poor fucked up thoughts.

It didn't take him long to step into the woods, watching the spirits of shifters move through the trees, hunting the spirits of animals. All around him the voices of the dead mingled with the silence of the living. Tears threatened to spill as he moved through the foliage. He had always loved and hated the woods, filled with so many spirits... though tonight... there seemed to be more screaming than usual...

[Fyra]

Fyra hesitated as he announced that he was going out to the forest. He seemed troubled. As he invited them along if they wanted, she hesitated even further. After he had left though, she bolted, up the stairs to grab her own cloak, and then out the door after him. She walked behind him, pulling the wool cloak around her tightly. She kept him in sight, falling behind only once.

"Safyra?" Somebody called out her name. When she looked, her eyes widened. It was one of the shop boys that she used to flirt with. He had always been nice, even inviting her out on walks and such. In her moments of frozen indecision, the blond an made his way to her, sky blue eyes bright. "I always wondered what happened. You just disappeared. Your father never spoke of you-"

Her voice was panicked as she backed away from him. "I'm sorry, sir, you must have me mistaken for another." He protested but she ran, bolting after Kaleb and catching up to him. She stayed silently a few steps behind him, feeling as though he wanted some space, but not wanting to be alone. Already she felt the constant fear creeping on her again, and her eyes looked around her with renewed wariness.

It lessened as they came to less travelled streets, and then finally, the forested area. She kept the tall, dark haired man in her sight, glancing around as she passed behind him, feeling chilly, and as though there was somethign fearful in the woods tonight. Why did I follow him? I could have just stayed warm in the house, practiced shifting more, maybe learned something else useful from Adrian.. She glanced around with wide eyes, shrinking a little, her skin itching.

[Kaleb Morrington]

Kaleb stopped eventually, in the middle of the woods, it was then that he heard the footsteps. He turned, confused, blinking when he saw Safyra, smaller than usual, following him. He took in her shrank appearance, her wide eyes and immediately felt bad. The girl was scared. He moved to her, not saying a word at first, and simply cuddled her against him for a moment, trying to calm her down.

"Now why did you go and follow me, hmm? Could've walked beside me, love." He heard something crunch in the distance and looked that way, Amyrea (who had been following him as well) rocketing off without any verbal commands. Something was wrong. Coolness seeped into his veins, and he knew it would be time he'd have to call on some help soon.

"You must be cold. Why not head home?" He didn't hear how distracted and wary his voice was, was only concerned with watching where Amyrea had vanished, and listened to the increasingly louder screams.

[Fyra]

Fyra pushed against him as he pulled his arm around her. She pushed her face against him for a moment, breathing deeply as she forced her body to return to normal size. Her eyes were still wide as she looked out again. "Seemed like you were thinking...needed to be alone or something. I can understand that, but I didn't want to be alone. So I followed ya." She shivered.

The distraction of his voice and the way his body was tense did not make her want to leave. At his suggestion of heading back to the house, she shook her head. "M'not going anywhere alone. Dunno if I could remember exactly where it was anyhow. C'mon... something's not right." She tugged at his arm, backing up back the way they had come from.

[Kaevad]

The air was so much more foul here... why was it he has wanted to come here so badly? Friends! WAR! Right... to silence these voices who mock and confuse him. These other...sides. The dragon lifted his nose, inhaled. Someone's here... blood... perhaps another heart? No more! No more blood! I just want friends! Let's make some friends, enough of this evil- Shut up both of you. Kaevad growled to himself, now moving through the woods and towards the scent of young blood.

[Kaleb Morrington]

Kaleb felt her pull, even after she pressed against him, but he couldn't hear her, not over the sudden increase in volume of the screams. Changers, the screaming! Kaleb fell to his knees, clutching his ears, gritting his teeth as tears streamed down his face, yet still he couldn't escape the screaming, the wailing.

"Keavad! Please! Please release me!" "I have done you no wrong Kaevad! Release me!" "Please!" Kaleb grabbed a hold of Fyra, his eyes agonized.

"Run, something's coming, and it's killed many. Run." Kaleb ground out, shaking.

[Fyra]

She stepped back as Kaleb seemed to collapse to his knees, covering his ears. She shook visibly, but held herself in place, even as he told her to run. Fyra shook her head, grabbing his arm and tugging at him. "Not without you!" She stared, wide eyed around, trying to see whatever it was before it got to them. Her heart was racing, and adrenaline pulsed through her. Her skin itched. Stubbornly, she held onto her human form, clinging to the memory of waking up that morning, of Kaleb coming behind her and hugging her while she cooked.

"C'mon!"

[Kaevad]

He knows, how does the boy know? Magic... I smell magic. Kaevad hummed in agreement as he stepped into the light, icey eyes intent on the small woman. She was trying to save him. How sweet. He'd tried that before... it didn't work.

"Ye know, woman, tha' wouldn't work if I was actually seekin' te kill ye." The shifter growled, arms crossed, his eyes alight with something akin to amusement. "I'll give ye a hint. Ye'd be dead." Keavad laughed. No! She seems nice, the boy too, lets be frie- "Shut up!" Keavad barked out loud. He turned back to the girl.

"Not ye lass, the little human fucker in me head. Always whining about "friends" and "peace" and "tranquility"... rather annoyin' really." His tone was frank as he sat on a near-by boulder, his eyes on the lad now, writhin in what seemed like agony.

"Oi! Pansy man! Stand yer arse up and actually talk te me!"

[Kaleb Morrington]

She was staying, why oh why was she staying? Couldn't she hear them? No... no of course not... she wasn't cursed. She couldn't hear the damned. He hid in her chest a moment, struggling, as the voices rose to a crescendo. He heard the other male, and felt his blood chill. He was talking to Fyra. Threateningly. The voices were trying to warn her, were begging her to run. Ice poured through him and he aimed it at the ghosts.

Silence He called, surprised when they obeyed. He shuddered and pushed himself to his feet, unaware of how glassy his eyes had become. He turned to Kaevad, his eyes like ice.

"I hear you, monster. I hear the voices of the damned that follow you... I see your army." And see them he did, a whole village of people begging him to set them free from the dragon he could see entwining the man. Kaleb shuddered, his eyes hurting. He looked back up at the man and growled.

"What the hell do ye want, fucker?" He began to move away from Fyra, slowly, keeping attention on himself. "What do you need to question my manhood for eh? Care to whip it out and measure?" Kaleb laughed. "I'd beat you easily, short shaft."

[Fyra]

Fyra shook as the man came out of the forest and into sight. He had an aura about him of power, and his gruff tones made her shudder. Her skin started to itch even as she stubbornly refused to let go of her human shape. She was opening up her mouth to reply to him, but Kaleb staggered to his feet and started to speak instead. She stepped back.

Why is he insulting the guy? She stepped sideways, not wanting to leave her companion but terrified, her skin itching as she tried to keep herself from shifting.

[Kaevad]

He watched the boy move, try to distract him, insulted him. He watched the little mouse-girl follow him, obviously terrified yet unwilling to leave him. What an interesting pair. Kaevad barked out a laugh, and laughed and laughed.

"I'd agree to yer challenge, lad, but your little wife would be disheartened." Kaevad chortled at his own joke. "Being half dragon does have its perks. Now stop it with the 'taunt an' distract' tactic, it ain't gonna work on me, lad. Besides, like I said. If I wanted ye dead, ye'd be dead by now. Just smelt ye and thought I'd drop in an' say hello." Keavad's gaze turned to the woman, his eyes keen.

"Now ye, lass, ye have balls. I'll give your husband a hand, he had balls enough to insult me, try to give you a chance to run. But ye didn't. I dunno if that's stupidity or loyalty, but bravo." He reclined, obviously oblivious to their discomfort.

"Now then, kittens, where the feck am I?"