Episode Seven: Lost Innocence

[Chavah]

Episode Seven: Lost Innocence

"It is now midnight and I'm sitting on the roof of Samson's home. My two journey to redeem myself and my father shall begin tomorrow. Tager and Edelweiss act like I'm nothing more than a speck of dust that they can control or murder off to save the integrity of their clan. I will show them that I'm not a pushover! These games shall be my Waterloo. The last stand.

I have to pretend that I'm a soldier without fear and without a choice. Just keep on marching on impulse until the day of my freedom comes."

Selina had come up to the roof of Samson's home to think. She could hardly believe that after two years of living on the lamb that she would be able to make it to Oren. Tager and Edelweiss had failed to capture here and therefore she viewed this as the start of her path to a victorious life of freedom. Samson had pulled a few strings, so that her and Jon could stay at his second home here. Selina was slowly beginning to respect the old man; he must the must influential trickster she had ever meant.

She was lost in thought and didn't notice that Jon was watching her from the window nearest to the room in the attic that she had chosen to sleep in. The harvest moon that hung over the skyline made the Half-Kin even more beautiful to him. Though he did wish that she still had her white hair and ivory skin at a moment like this....

"I don't get this feeling...It's just an impulse, right?" Jon thought to himself, "She's the most bossy woman I have ever met; yet she has a grace that none of the girls back at home...Something's whispering to me that she's the one..."

For a moment, he believed that she had peered his way, so he ducked as quickly as possible. It turned out to be a false alarm. Every time he thought about her Jon knew that she was impermanent, lacked humility, and was therefore was imperfect but that's what made her beautiful. It was her emotions that marked her as being different from the girls on the farm. She was private, crude, fatalistic, and cynical. Yet somehow this sadness made her beautiful in his mind's eyes.

Jon then placed his back against the wall and slowly smiled, "Hehehe, I'm a sucker for melancholy."

Selina was now wrapped up in a heavy blanket that she had carried in her pack. It was a light white with two horizontal notched bands. It was still the rainy season, so the winds from the north were blowing with their unrelenting fervor.

"I'm not small. I will prove this to the world...I am not small..."

[Chavah]

It took a while for Jonathon to fall asleep. Even though he was sharply aware of how capable Selina was of caring for herself, he didn't want to miss the opportunity to give her his jacket if the rain fell down, or jump in to defend her if anything came with a threat. The only themes of love he was familiar with, were what he read in romance novels. There was no other time he even felt this way about a woman. It had to be her of all people...

Like always, he woke up with the sun. Alia and Nana were still soundly asleep. As for Samson, he wasn't quite sure where he was or what he was doing. The old man was sometimes awake before he was, or still sleeping. Either way, he didn't really care. That man didn't need any kind of help from Jon.

After getting his shirt back on, he moved over to a window, where he stared out at the skies and buildings. The views were all fascinating, but he missed being able to actually see the horizon. Jon liked open fields with less crowds; this place was just nice for a visit. If this was where Selina wanted to be though, he did as well. She didn't take kindly to him following her, but then again, why didn't she just coldly tell him to go away? There was no other sufficient response!

With a calm sigh, he folded his arms on the windowsill to rest his chin down, his eyes still locked on the gray sky. Being able to stand there and think reminded him how out of place he was. Jon was just a lonely farm boy, after all. His skills just couldn't match with anyone else's of the group he traveled with. Alia probably even had some knowledge of weapons and self defense!

Looking at it, he really didn't have a home anymore.

[Chavah]

Selina hadn’t moved very far from the position she had been in since earlier that evening. Her face remained emotionless by human standards. It was blank; unlike the feelings in her heart.

Dwelling on her father always put her into a nostalgic mood. Selina’s relationship with him was mostly based on fragments of her childhood years. Her bright blue eyes stared off into the distance; past the skyscrapers and other man made structures that blocked the natural view of the land around it. Her mind’s eye was once again busy focusing on the past.

From what she recalled, her father had long silver hair, just like Tager. However it was much softer looking. He wore a beard as well. This action was rather uncommon amongst the Kin; because they believed that facial hair was the sign of barbarians. Her father always had a smile on his face. For a brief moment she smiled because she recalled the way he said her real name.

“Margret” He’d always say in a deep fatherly voice. She’d always giggle. These days she refused to go by her birthname. It was all a part of her training. That damn training that brought to this point. She sighed, upon thinking about this. While she was proud of her ranking in the military, Selina felt that she had lost so much feelings; training and training. No time for fun. Though…The people that she just met were fun to be around but she could never admit it to their faces. She was still a lost confused child at heart.

Though to be perfectly fair, Selina would still be considered a child by the world. This warrior was only 17 years old. However, since had been little more than a rough and tumble sort; most people thought she had to be in her early 20s. Often she used this to her advantage.

[Chavah]

Selina hadn’t moved very far from the position she had been in since earlier that evening. Her face remained emotionless by human standards. It was blank; unlike the feelings in her heart.

Dwelling on her father always put her into a nostalgic mood. Selina’s relationship with him was mostly based on fragments of her childhood years. Her bright blue eyes stared off into the distance; past the skyscrapers and other man made structures that blocked the natural view of the land around it. Her mind’s eye was once again busy focusing on the past.

From what she recalled, her father had long silver hair, just like Tager. However it was much softer looking. He wore a beard as well. This action was rather uncommon amongst the Kin; because they believed that facial hair was the sign of barbarians. Her father always had a smile on his face. For a brief moment she smiled because she recalled the way he said her real name.

“Margret” He’d always say in a deep fatherly voice. She’d always giggle. These days she refused to go by her birthname. It was all a part of her training. That damn training that brought to this point. She sighed, upon thinking about this. While she was proud of her ranking in the military, Selina felt that she had lost so much feelings; training and training. No time for fun. Though…The people that she just met were fun to be around but she could never admit it to their faces. She was still a lost confused child at heart.

Though to be perfectly fair, Selina would still be considered a child by the world. This warrior was only 17 years old. However, since had been little more than a rough and tumble sort; most people thought she had to be in her early 20s. Often she used this to her advantage.

[Chavah]

About an hour after Jonathon awoke, Alia did as well. She looked to the slumbering child in their bed, smiling warmly at the sight. Nana looked so peaceful and angelic when she slept... Tenderly, she planted a kiss on the girl's forehead and then climbed out of bed, stretching out her arms to their fullest lengths.

From where she stood, she could see Jon staring out the window. He appeared to be deep in thought; she had a feeling she knew what about. After combing through her hair with her fingers, she quietly approached him, making a tap on his shoulder to get his attention.

"Hm?" Jon turned around, then smiled at her. "Good morning, Ali."

Ali smiled back at him, making a cutesy wave with her hand. "Where's Selina? I'm surprised the two of you aren't arguing about something, or training for the competition," she told him with a shrug.

"It's still early. I don't want to bother her," he replied, much of a lie as it was. He very much wanted to bother her, because he knew there was something on her mind. Selina didn't seem to care about the fact he concerned for her, though. The constant pushing away didn't hurt him as terribly as it should. Perhaps by now, he was used to it. How slowly they were getting close was making him somber, but he knew the relationship was still improving.

"Oh, I see," Alie cooed, then looked up at the roof. Jon was gazing upwards when he finished his sentence, so she could only assume she was up there! "I'm gonna go tell her good morning, then."

With that, she left Jon to climb the ladder that led to the rooftop. Once she read there, she took a few steps over to Selina's direction, taking a seat beside her. Like Jon, Ali wanted a good relationship with her. It was very rocky in the beginning, since she didn't really trust her. Now, there was no doubt that Selina was a friend.

"Good morning."

[Chavah]

"Good morning to you as well." Selina said informally. She was still looking out at the wall that surrounded the city that she wanted to call home. "It is good to hear that you are in good health again. Samson mentioned about it last night before we got settled in. That amazing old coot; he knows the system even better than I do. Claiming to be a vet of the last Rift War in order to allow us to stay here instead of the barracks. That wife of his, gods rest her soul, taught him well."

The ex-slave then sat next to her. Selina's eyes still remained forward.

"It's weird being here. I just need to get through some more tests and then I shall be free of my burdens...Such a silly ambition I have."

Selina's eyes then closed and she had a slight smile on her face. Then something unexpected happened. Her black markings started to appear through the magically enhanced make up that Samson had used to cover them with. Instead of remaining black, they started to emit a strange purple glow. At the same time, the old blade that she always kept on her person, but rarely used in combat was also starting to glow that same purple.

They were reacting to Alia's presence.

This could mean only one thing: She was one of the Flowers in the Human World that Tager had told her to be weary of so many times in the past. They were the only ones that could stand up to the rule of the Kin....

[Chavah]

The girl was making a head tilt as she watched Selina, listening carefully to her words. She was staring off into the distance, obviously deep in thought until a time came to voice them. Ali felt thrilled that she of all people was trusted with such information. Selina always struck her as the withdrawn sort, who seldom shared thoughts, feelings and secrets.

"It isn't silly!" she said honestly. "Fighting for what you want, need and love is amazing. The goal itself might seem silly to you, but it really isn't."

Alia parted her lips to say something more, but instantly shut them when she noticed the glows emitting from Selina. She raised her brows whilst making a puzzled expression. These lights made her wary; what did they symbolize? Only the hidden marks on her face and her weapon glowed with purple. All she could do, to make sense of this, is ask,

"Selina, um... What's going on?"

[Chavah]

"I don't, I don't know..." Selina lied. If Alia didn't know she was one of the so called flowers, the better off the former slave would be. The Kin had a reason for wanting the Flowers rounded up and destroyed...The legends said that they would bring the downfall of the great societies. This is why the two nations should remain a part in their minds....

Selina tried her best to cover her face; an unwanted observer from the streets could easily ruin her plans to live in the city....

"I am sorry....But I must get inside." Selina said as she quickly moved towards the window that Alia had used to get on the roof. Luckily it was still open...

As she made it in, there stood Jon. He blinked as he saw the purple lights glowing on Selina's face.

Meanwhile....

Edelweiss stood up on the deck of her airship, Elijah. Her eyes were narrowed and it was clear to her soldiers that she was unhappy.

"You mean to tell me that Tager left this ship with that stupid little girl he found on the wayside?!?!!" She yelled at one of the Relic Guards that stood near her. "That fool! He keeps breaking the traditions of our peoples. How dare he! He should be on the right side of the fight."

She gritted her teeth has she remembered something from her past....

"My daughter. I have one goal for you in life...Keep our people strong. There are many that seek to bastardize the Kin and turn our proud race into slaves for the humans. Remember, that they are the alien lifeforms here. They are savage will do anything to conquer this world as their own....You are the true blooded one...."

Edelweiss' father had constantly told her lines like those and they sunk in. Every passing day she saw her people falling for the lies of the humans. Sure...They might seem similar to the Kin on the surface, but underneath, they were sub-Kin. Dirty little urchins that were sucking the life out of the world.

Just then, one of her guard approached her. His face was stern but she could sense a certain amount of fear in his mind.

"What is it?" She demanded.

"We just received an in-voice from your father. It appears that Tager was there recently and he removed an object from the Relics hall in the Crystal Tower...."

"And what concern is that to me?" She asked.

"It was the Mask of Rshacho."

".....He didn't. That bastard!" Edelweiss then slammed a fist into the wall.

The news of the Mask of Rshacho made Edelweiss uneasy. She knew of the power the item had; she had witnessed first hand the power it gave the last wielder of it.

The woman wore a red uniform, of a similar design to that of Edelweiss. Also like her, the warrior also wore a long braid of hair but she was several years younger. Edelweiss grinned for this match would an easy victory. That was until behind her stood the impressive figure of Tager. The tall collar of his blue coat contrasted with the red of his student.

They paired up. This duel was going to be a friendly game of fencing. Edelweiss picked up her blade and attempted to strike first but Tager's new student easily matched her speed! The girl then ran as quickly as possible and elbowed Edelweiss in the gut. She cried out in pain, for no one had ever dared to strike the daughter of a high ranking family.

Her foe then picked up the blade that Edelweiss had been armed with and soon her neck was pinned down by an "X-shape" of metal. This was the only time that Edelweiss ever whimpered in pain.

"Master. Give me the order and I will end her." The girl said.

Tager waved his hand, "No, no. You proved your point. Disengage."

"As you command." The girl said with a cocky grin. She then fluffed her hair a little, revealing a golden mask....

Edelweiss then put her focus back on the guard. "We are going to the capital."

Several hours later....

Edelweiss moved forward, remaining as stately as possible. Her red uniform made her stand out from the whites of all these politicial figures in the Kin city of Ibis. Edelweiss and just returned from her raids on the rice villagers. With a new harvest of slaves and other goods, she would sleep well tonight for a change. She was headed towards the capital tower called the Ryckhalt, behind her marched two towering soldiers with short white hair. Neither of them appeared to have any expression on their faces. Edelweiss always traveled with these two, for they kept the advances of unsavory figures away.

The halls of Ryckhalt was over crowded with old politicians and their various lackies.

"Generalmisso Dietrich, you cannot just barge here into my offices without a proper permit. You know the drill. I don't care if you are the head of the Eastern divisions. A woman like you...Well, needs to stay disciplined." The old man said, while take a puff from his cigar. "However...If you have news of finding the Flowers, then that is a different affair altogether." He smiled.

Edelweiss had to with hold an angst of disgust when she spoke, "We found the village where one of the Flowers was. It was burnt to the ground and my soldiers are currently searching the rounded up slaves to determine which one is the girl that we are searching for."

"That's it? Generalmisso, I don't like wasting my tax payer's money on empty results." The old man gritted his teeth. "Then what about that Tager fellow? Is he actually making any advance on finding that half-blood?"

"That is what I wanted to talk to you about....Father." She said, "He took the mask. Which is rather interesting; considering the fact that you are the only one with access to it."

Edelweiss then drew her sword, "You are trying to trick the Military by giving Tager access to technology that he was banned from having excess to?!?!?"

The old man laughed, "I will tell you in good time. There are certain things a fool hearty woman like yourself do not need to know for the time being. Tager is a wise man and he knows what he is doing. Since you have failed time and again to bring in that bloody mixed blood Orion."

[Chavah]

Catherine was asked to wait in an abandoned shelter while Tager left to acquire something. She sat at a table that was in poor shape, the chair covered with dust from years without a cleaner. There was even an abandoned spiderweb beneath the set drawn from one leg to the other. Cathy paid no mind to the filth, though. She left the cushy life of a future housewife to make something of herself. Some dirt wasn't going to bother her!

As she sat there, she tapped a finger on the table's surface, her brown eyes gazing at a wall of the shack. She was deep in thought, her expression emotionless the entire time. Tager had plans for her; he said something about helping bring the half-blood home. She trained daily with her sword and learned of her inner powers that came with being a Kin. Cathy wasn't fully confident with her skills, though. Either Tager had something up his sleeve or he was very confident in her.

The upcoming battle aside, her emotions were a mess. From the moment she saw Tager, she was foolishly in love. What stemmed from that was undying devotion. Cathy would do anything for that man, even if it meant dying. He saved her life, after all. She felt like she owed him. At the same time, she just wanted to express her love in any way possible. Hopefully, he'd see her for more than just... A pawn. She knew how furious her family would be if they knew she was letting herself be used. There was nothing upsetting about it, though. She felt like this was what she was meant for and had hope that someday, she could be something more.

On her lap was the sheathed weapon that belonged to her grandfathers. She looked down at it, her hands setting onto the covered blade. Every passing day, she felt a stronger connection with her weapon. The realization that just because she was a woman, she wouldn't have been given the sword, was infuriating. It was meant to fall into her hands! Cathy was certain of it.

'I'll prove that I can do more than cook and clean.'

[Chavah]

Elaine sat behind Cathy.Her large dog stood next to its master's chair, growling at the Kin when ever he walked by. Tager was never fond of dogs to begin with and this monster of a hound was apparently trained to be aggressive to beings its master didn't like.

"It will take until about night fall tomorrow before we reach Oren." Tager mentioned as he started a small fire in a grill that he found in the back of the house. From the looks of this place, it was clear that it had been raided by slave drivers. They were such a common problem in these. Of course, they were sponsored by the so called "Square Trade" between the Kin and the Tsar's nobles. If any came there way tonight, Tager could easily crush them....

He then walked over to Cathy and presented her with a gift box. "This is for you. A gift from a fellow Kin to another."

Tager then formed a rare smile on his face. This was the mask that Edelweiss was looking for.

[Chavah]

Cathy smiled back at Tager, thrilled to see that rare twitch of his lips. Attention then went to the box in her hands, her fingers moving to unwrap the present. There was nothing glamorous about the decorations, but it's what was inside that mattered. When she lifted the lid, she saw a mask inside. It was unlike anything she saw before, very different from the tribal antiques she was used to. Gingerly, she removed it from the box and looked it over, her eyes twinkling with wonder. The craftsmanship was certainly admirable! However, it gave an unusual vibe; there was something magical about it. There had to be a purpose for him giving it to her.

She stood up from the chair with the item in hand, the box on the table with its ribbon. Like typical Cathy, she flung her arms around the Kin and squeezed his body, her face rubbing against him like an affectionate feline. That didn't last for as long as she'd of liked, though. There was a 'guest' in their presence, plus she knew better than to suffocate Tager with her love.

"Thank you!" she told him appreciatively, grinning. "What does it do? Should I try it on?"

Behind them, Elaine was smirking. She decided to distract herself with the dog by giving his ear a scratch, knowing that staring would be rude. The middle aged woman wanted the night to end quickly. She was anxious to find Margaret and learn what she did the years they were apart. That aside, she was glad to just have a destination. For the longest time, she and Tynee did nothing but wander. Wander aimlessly...

[Chavah]

Tager maintained his coy smile, "This is a gift from the gods. It will allow you to focus your attention with your sword. It will help you to become something more than you could ever wish to be." He then placed his hand on her shoulder. "You don't have to put it on just yet, my friend. We have not yet reached Oren."

The mask was of a golden hue surrounded by the feathers of a long extinct bird; one that we would call a phoenix in our own time. This was no simple gift that he gave to Cathy. It was also the same item that Edelweiss was now going to attempt to reclaim. Tager was playing with fire with this little thing...

The Mask of Rshacho had been created by humans many decades ago when the had first landed on this planet from their home world. These were one of several treasures that they brought with them. However, as time went on the Kin had declared that they would be the watchers of the human race following the Rift Wars. When the Kin discovered the mask, they applied their skills to it. The mask was converted from a relic of the old human world to a new relic of the Kin.

Rumors of its use had gone back for more than a hundred years, though during the final stages of the Rift Wars its existence was considered little more than falsity amongst both warring parties. That was until an Angel of Red appeared from the Kin's forces. He wore this mask and slaughtered thousands. This was the edge that allowed for the Kin to become the dominant force in this region of the planet. They limited the access of advanced technology to the humans, keeping them in a level of servitude. The one exception would be Oren, which used weapons brought from the home world...Nuclear weapons to hold back the Kin's final victory....

In the final peace accords, both Oren and the Kin agreed to lock away the Treasures of the Past. This included the Mask of Rshacho...That was until Tager found it once again....

[Chavah]

"That sounds amazing!" Cathy commented with a jubilant tone, looking over the sparkling mask in her hands. She was very interested in the way it was designed and decorated. Everything about it suited her tastes, but she could tell it wasn't a mere costume piece. Smiling to herself, she set it back into the box for safe keeping, even putting the lid back on when she did. Since it wasn't needed, it might as well be safe from harm's way. Or the eyes of others.

"Will I not need to train with my sword, then?" she asked him, the curiosity apparent in her twinkling eyes as she looked back at him.

Behind her, Elaine was giving a suspicious look, still idly giving the head of her dog some affection. She was familiar with Tager; she could tell he was up to something. "What are you plotting, Tager?" she inquired, her voice flat. "It better not involve hurting my Margaret."

Elaine was a meek woman, but when it came to protecting her daughter, she wouldn't dare think twice about it. The acts might be foolish, since the young girl was more than capable of defending herself. Standing by to watch Margaret possibly die was not acceptable, though. She meant everything to her; she was all she had left.

[Chavah]

Tager glanced away from Cathy when Elaine spoke. Though he did like the ambition of the young girl. She was a lot like Selina had once been back in the day. This made him happy, for it meant that his plans were falling into place. While it was clear that Elaine didn't fall for her being Margret, it was clear that Cathy was going to be very useful in capturing the rouge half blood.

"Bite your tongue, woman." Tager then stood up to affirm his dominance over Elaine. With a swiping move, he smacked Elaine in the face. "You know your place in the hierarchy. I'm being more than gracious allowing you to even seen your little brat. You should consider yourself lucky that I'm a kind noble, that's even willing to extend a helping hand to a foul widow!"

There was now a large red bruise on Elaine's face. "No. I'm not going to hurt Selina. However, like you she'll need to learn her place in the world. And that is at the side of tradition and chivalry and nothing else."

Tynee began to growl once it saw that its master now had a flow of tears going down her face. Elaine remained stern, she was not going to let him get the better of her...

While this occurred, a black cat sat and watched this unfold. She then started to scratch the window. This caused both Tager and Cathy to watch it for a moment. It then formed an impish grin on it's face. She then stretched and jumped down and ran towards an outcropping of ruins. She ran towards Tybalt's camp, which was at most a few hundred yards away. Since Tybalt was a master of illusions, after all the pro-human goblins in Swamp Town were the ones that took him in, he knew just enough magic to blend in with the surroundings.

"Boss, it looks like the pretty boy struck the old woman, he did. It was so not right. It wasn't." Hector said with her ever present impish grin.

The dark haired man she spoke to, had a gloomy face when he heard this news. "I see. So the Kin are going to be breaking their treaty with us?" Tybalt said this because he had been trailing Tager and Elaine for some time now. It wasn't often that there were travelers in the rolling hills that surrounded Oren.

"Nya~Maybe we should save the old lady. You said she'd be useful, you did." Hector said.

"You know....I think you're right." Tybalt then stood up and began to walk towards Tager's camp. He walked in a slow and steady pace, whispering to the winds, asking for their help in the sword fight that was bound to occur. Once Tybalt reached the door of the abandon home that Tager was using as a base camp, he kicked the door down with Selina-like power. The cool night time air came rushing in. The Prince of Cats' face remained emotionless but one could easily tell that he was not pleased.

The prince drew his sword and the little black cat from earlier sat on his shoulder, biting her thumb at Tager.

"You claim to be a man of chivalry....Yet you struck a defenseless woman, so my friend here says. That makes you dishonorable in my eyes. It fits when such a villian is a guest in my homelands. There is only one way to solve this. Let us see your sword movements."

[Chavah]

There was sympathy in Cathy's eyes when she saw Tager strike Elaine's face. She knew he was a dominant person who wanted to make his position clear to anyone who challenged it. Was hitting a woman righteous, though? The question was troubling for her. Tager was the greatest thing that ever happened to her, so she felt she shouldn't think anything negative of him.

The word 'sorry' was mouthed to the woman who was holding onto her enraged pet. Elaine only looked away, though. To see a beautiful, innocent girl be tainted by Tager... It was unbearable. With no abilities that could stand up to either of them, she really would have to keep quiet.

Margaret would be in her arms soon enough.

Suddenly, cold air blew into the abandoned home, where a man with a cat stood. Elaine stared with disbelief; how did they know they were here? At the mention of 'friend', she instantly knew the cat was spying for him. This stranger was acting as a saviour, though!

"Tager, let me fight him," Cathy offered, giving Tybalt a glare. "We can use the gift you just gave to me."

The glare disappeared when she glanced at the mask in the box on the table. It was a good time to try it out, she thought. And an opportunity to further prove her usefulness. No insults would be had. True, hitting a woman was not chivalrous, but that didn't give this person any permission to barge into their shelter and pick a fight!

[Chavah]

Cathy did not wait for Tager's response to start the engagement against this flamboyant dark haired man. Cathy, though cute, was impulsive just like Selina was. She placed the mask over her eyes and soon the world around her became little more than a haze of dull colors. While it seemed like long moments in her mind, the blobs around her soon turned into various blots of colors. Everything was working like a machine, she could see without being blinded by her fear!

"I will not fight a woman." Tybalt protested.

"I am his squire." Cathy said aggressively, "I have chosen to fight in my Master's place. If you are chivalrous, you will let me show my worth to a master of the blade, such as you appear to be." Cathy spoke in confident voice and was ready to fight.

"Alright." Tybalt said. "Then let me set a price for this duel. If I win, the woman comes with me. If you win, then I will give this sword to you. I have nothing else to give."

"I except." Cathy said. The Mask seemed to be giving her a confidence that she never knew that she had...Dare would one say, a certain youthful cockiness to it?

She made the first move, attempting to knock Tybalt to his feet. The young man was quicker than she had guessed. He parried her strike with the grace of a dancer.

"Mine turn." Tybalt smiled. He didn't draw his sword but rather picked up some dust. Blowing into it, the dust soon grew into a large storm of dirt!

"Magik?" Cathy taunted, "How boring!" She prepared for his strike that was bound to occur!

[Chavah]

Ever watchful of what was to happen, Cathy readied her weapon, her eyes searching through the dust storm for some sign of Tybalt. A surge of energy coursed through her; something she was unfamiliar with. Having the mask on made her feel like she could do anything. Not a shred of doubt in her mind, not a single fear...

Then, something unexpected happened.

Instead of her humanoid opponent, a cat came charging towards her. The feline that spied on them earlier leaped through the twirling cone of dust, landing right onto the girl's face. Infuriated, she unwrapped a hand from her sword to try and pry the little beast off of her. It held on with all its might, hugging her head like an attention starved pet.

Meanwhile, Tybalt was sneaking past the scene to take Elaine and her dog away. The woman was quickly helped off the floor while she hushed her companion, who was eying this man suspiciously.

"We have to move quickly," he hissed to them, taking the woman's hand so he could lead them out of the abandoned shack.

With an angry yell, Cathy finally pulled the cat off of her head, tossing it to the ground. Of course, the feline landed on its feet, then darted away from the frustrated young woman.

"Show yourself, you coward!" Cathy screamed, searching around for Tybalt. 'I've been tricked. Where is that son of a bitch!?'

[Chavah]

For Elaine everything moved quickly when Tybalt had moved her away from the clutches of Tager. While they weren't completely removed from danger, they were far enough away from Tager and Cathy for the time being. This was a camp site that Tybalt had used several days earlier. While he normally avoided using the same campsites, he'd make an exception this time around.

"Miss, I must apologize for the rashness of my movements. However, I can easily tell that you are a lady of great importance. There must be a reason why that Kin was escorting you around..."

"I wanted that girl's eyes. They are so prettttttty." Hector interrupted. Now she was in the shape of a brown pixie. Her cat like eyes filled with much mischievous glee. "But of course, master had to avoid fighting a woman. He's one of those dying gentlemen breed styles. Hector doesn't understand him. Nope."

Tybalt began to crush some berries in a bowl and then handed it to Elaine. "Here, these will help with your bruises. I apologize that I don't have more to offer you at this time."

[Chavah]

The rescue was a blessing.

Elaine immediately took a seat when they reached the campsite, her legs crossing to make the sit more comfortable. Tynee laid down right behind her, suspiciously eying their saviours. The dog would stay calm, but was ever watchful and protective of Elaine. With all the betrayals in their many days of wandering, no one was completely trustworthy.

At the mention of bruises, she was reminded of the wounds she acquired before being taken from Tager. She took the bowl from Tybalt, however her eyes were on Hector. The creature was a curious thing to her. It could shapeshift, from the looks of it, and spoke in an odd way.

"I'm not what's important. My daughter is," she said with a sigh, her gaze moving to the ground. "I have to get to her now... Before Tager does. Thank you for saving me from him. I've forgotten how... Scary he is.

Who are you, exactly?"

[Chavah]

"You know ladi, Hector often asks Mr. Master, who he ish. But alas, he does not tell Hector either."

"I'm just a traveler, from history I have come. I'm the greatest historical bum." Tybalt said. "I have been travelling around this planet for a long time in search of my meaning in life. Since you mentioned your goal to find your daughter, I will reveal mine. I have old company in the Capital, over that way." He pointed towards Oren. "However, due to some past... Difficulties... They won't let me in threw the front gates. I have a deal to make with you."

Hector then rolled around on the log that Tybalt was sitting, "Master, you talk too much. Master's name is Tybalt. Master is known as the King of Cats, he is. Greatest hero in these parts."

"You know...You always ruin my entrances."

"Pffftt, more like Master wants to be a specter."

[Chavah]

"...From history?"

What he said was amusing to her, and she wondered if this introduction was common. Especially with the line 'from history I have come, I'm the greatest historical bum.' It was a clever rhyme, whether or not he planned that.

"King of...cats?"

Elaine looked baffled, to say the least. That name was unheard of. To her, at least. She was a wanderer, though, not exactly familiar with specific areas of the world. There was much more she needed to see and learn. That was never her goal to begin with. Traveling was just something that... Happened. A result of loneliness and a yearning to change the scenery. Until recently, everything was perfectly fine.

"A hero indeed," she belatedly agreed with Hector, when she thought back to how she was rescued.

"What is this deal? You think I can get you past those front gates?" Elaine then asked while folding her arms.

[Chavah]

"Simple." Hector said, speaking before Tybalt did. "You help us through the gates by pretending to be a holy woman. You will follow our everyrequest and then I will grant you whatever wish you'd like. Within my power of course."

Selina pushed Jon out of her way. Two people had seen her black markings reacting to their presence. In the Kin world, this was a sign of fear or weakness. She knew that deep down if there were any other Kin in the region they would clearly sense her.

"Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit and a pile of it!" She thought aloud. Selina was looking for a place to hide. The last time the markings had gone off was back when her column was attacked....No matter how brave she pretended to be, there was something about those markings that scared the living hell out of her.

Selina found a sanctuary in the coat room. She then began to cry. The memories of her past came back to haunt her....

[Chavah]

"What the!?"

Jon smoothed out his coat after being carelessly pushed aside. That behaviour of Selina's was expected by now, but there was no reason to treat him that way. He did not do anything moronic that he noticed. All he was doing was standing there.

As he followed her to ask what her deal was, he saw her disappear into the coat closet. At that, he raised an eyebrow and scratched at one of his temples. There was no imagining why she went in there, so he would just have to ask. Although, he couldn't help but feeling like something was... Wrong. A strange, emotional pang hit his heart that told him so. 'Weird.'

He got close to the door then, about to knock on it. Jon paused, though when he could hear quiet weeping. This was a surprising discovery; she rarely showed such feelings.

Instead of asking through the door, he twisted the knob and dropped to one knee, then craned his neck to try and get a look at her face. "Selina? What's going on?" he asked in a gentle voice, his concern very clear in his eyes.

[Chavah]

Selina's first natural reaction was a wide eyed stare. She knew that he couldn't really see her face too well, at least hopefully not. Selina wasn't fond of showing emotion off in front of all these strangers; especially male ones. Deep down she knew that Jon meant her no harm but why was he so willing to follow her around?

"Nothing." She said with a sniffle. This was a lame attempt at a lie. She knew that he could hear her moping. Selina then rested her head on her knee. Sighing, she spoke, "My markings are causing me pain. Sometimes, they cause irrationality when they start up."

Selina was once again, bending the truth. Alia had somehow triggered the glowings. But how was that even possible? Only Kin had the ability to do that. While she couldn't be hundred percent sure, there was little chance of Alia being part Kin. The Kin had little or nothing to do with the Rice Growers. To the Kin upper class, these humans were little better than slaves. While to the lower classes, most of them avoided humans altogether due to rumors.

"I just need to get it out of my system. That is all." Selina said it once again but the moping was stronger sounding.

[Chavah]

'Pain?'

Jon showed a crooked frown as she explained the problem to him. As expected, she was trying to hide her emotions from him. That was typical Selina, he figured. Though, it was a bit upsetting. While he wasn't too experienced with women, he was aware of the importance it was for someone to have a shoulder to lean on, no matter who or what you were. He always considered himself that sort of person; a sturdy stone figure for people to lean against when they were falling apart.

Selina wanted to get this out of her system, she said. So he stopped himself from asking further questions about these markings and the harm they were causing.

"Is there... Anything I can do?" he asked, looking over his shoulder before scooting closer to her. Instinctively, he put his arms around the girl and gave her body an affectionate squeeze. Part of him was jubilant for this moment. He was falling in love with this young woman and since the day he realized it, he'd wanted to hold her like this, and more. Jon settled on just hugging her for now, though. She seemed to need a comforting embrace more than anything else, and something to get her mind off of this matter.

However, he couldn't help but notice how pleasantly warm she was...

"What can I do?" he asked again.

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