Closed [The Blue Bull] Sometimes You Need A Break (Raust)

[Kavala]

Timestamp: 16th of Winter, 515 AV

It had been a rough day at the clinic that much was for sure. Kavala had left the children with Cadra and Larik and had headed out for some much needed adult social time with much needed chaos that was different than the chaos she experienced at home. Something strange was going on. Kavala's Konti gift seemed to have expanded or broadened. She wasn't sure that she was developing something outside of that and she'd certainly checked the Sanctuary's water supply for additions of vision water or something else that might have been causing the problem.

So far, nothing had come up in her lab tests other than water. The Healer had been sure something had been added, something that was causing her gift to go rogue. At first, it had seemed unusual, even amusing. She'd actually liked it. But now, now that she could truly hear animals speak, she wasn't sure she could deal much more with it. Learning to dampen it was definitely a key. Learning to control it would be better. But when wounded things were brought into her healing clinic, crying and sobbing, sometimes keening in pain, it was hard to take.

That might have been why she was sitting at the bar at the Blue Bull looking for a distraction. Piercing blue eyes gazed over the crowd. She was looking for someone to drink with tonight. Perhaps do a little dancing. If heavy petting was involved that would be fine with her. She'd learned her lesson about taking people home back when everyone in Riverfall had a personality reversal and she'd been less than her decent self. That hadn't worked out well and the Konti had learned she was just about abysmal with seduction and the selection of a partner. He'd been a young human, far past the age where he should have known women, and powerful in magic. She could almost taste his djed. Too bad he had no knowledge of his body and had never been kissed or held by a woman. Humans.

Kavala curled her lip in disgust. They came in two types. Oversexed and scrubs. She had no desire to dreamwalk any more of them. The Konti learned to much about them and they took too much of her soul for doing it. Healers and Dreamwalkers had that in common. Everyone needed them when they were hurt or questioning why they acted like they acted in this life. When they were healthy or content, no one had the time.

Her eyes scanned the crowd again and she met the gaze of an Akalak warrior she'd sparred with before at the Sasaran. He nodded an invite and she set her glass of wine aside and joined him for a time on the dance floor. Dancing felt good. The band playing wasn't half bad, even if they were Benshira and the music slightly exotic. She didn't mind the warriors’ hands on her for a set or two because he fought as well as he danced. Warriors made the best dancers. And when the second song was over, she thanked him with a smile, he thanked her with a nod, and she returned to her seat for another glass of wine.

She was on her third and it felt good. One thing Riverfall could do right - besides having extremely fit warriors to look at - was wine. Some of the finest was found in the region, and Kavala enjoyed the vintages to their fullest. Besides, The Dreamcatcher was moored at Alements so she had no worries about getting home safe after having too much wine. She could sleep in town if she needed without taking a room.

Animals. Talking. Talking Animals. The Konti shook her head again. What she needed was good some good conversation with someone new. And maybe a little food to augment the wine she'd already drank. She glanced at the Bartender and ordered a small platter of cheese and crackers that would also hold fruit. She smiled slightly and when the food came she began to nibble.

That's when she saw it, groaned, and wished for the second time today that she could be invisible. A svefra's parrot had spotted her and was slowly stalking down the bar ignored by most of the patrons who were turned around not studying the bartender but in fact studying the band or tapping their feet to the music. The lead singer was female and her blouse was dipping dangerously low, very atypical for a Benshira. Kavala herself wondered if fall-out would occur so she knew that was garnishing the band more attention and keeping eyes on it as they played.

Kavala's eyes glanced back towards the parrot. It was almost upon her. The thing was scruffy. Once blue, its feathers were in the process of molting and it appeared to have lost one eye. It walked with a single minded birdlike purpose which exposed the fact that it appeared something had chewed its once long and beautiful tail off.

"You share." It said, eyeing her food tray as she reached for a slice of apple on it. The bartender hadn't had it sat down before her longer than two chimes. The Konti sighed. "Why? Give me one good reason to share this with you." She said, though she was already pushing the tray over towards the parrot. The bird looked thoughtful and glanced behind her then back at her as if seeking the location of its owner. There was a small knot of drunken svefra dancing as well. Kavala figured its owner was probably there.

"I'll peck your eye out if you don't." It said in a nasty ancient voice, revealing that it was both male and probably well within its fiftieth decade of life." The thing flashed a wickedly pointed beak at her and Kavala understood firmly that she could lose a finger in a heartbeat.

"Be my guest then." The Konti said, unwilling to fight with a bird, regardless of how rude it was. Animals tended to reflect the personalities of their owners. And so Kavala noted to steer clear of the Svefra. She'd hate to have to cull anymore humans for nastiness this season, but she would if she had too. Humans. Kavala curled her lip again.

Maybe it was time to go after all. She'd come here seeking diversion. Perhaps a dance partner or a good conversation or something of both. It might just be time to decide there was none to be had and leave quietly by the back door. She could go over to the Sapphire Star and buy some company. The thought wasn't wholly unwelcome nor that distasteful to her after seeing what was available in this crowd.

1130/7788

[Raust Benjamin]

There were a few things in the world that truly motivated Raust Benjamin. The first thing was power. Ambition for more. There was always more to accomplish in his eyes, and it was weakness to allow others to keep you from the sweet taste of success. Raust was never satisfied for having just enough; being content were for those who lacked foresight. Being content were for those who are weak. Raust didn't have time for weakness, not in business that he is in. The second thing that drives the blue-skinned warrior was money, and oh how he loved making it. Raust was a firm believer in the motif that everyone has a price, either it be the prince or the pauper. Money controlled the way people thought about you, the way people acted around you, and if people feared you or not. Dismissing it as not necessary for the pursuit of happiness was nonsense and limiting. Mizas opened doors that could never open under such naivety as that, and mizas allowed ones to do what they wanted,when they wanted. That was the most appetizing thing to Raust; having enough gold so there were no limits. As Raust stopped and began to think about those three motivations more clearly, it occurred to him that all three were connected. As he walked into the Blue Bull, the last motivation really hit home for him as he viewed the patrons of the tavern. Women. He loved a woman's touch almost as much as he loved the feeling of gold mizas in his pocket, but just almost as much.

As Raust walked to the bar, he took in his surroundings a bit more as the sound of music hit his ears more intensely then before. To be one of such moral deficiencies, Raust loved the arts. He loved a beautiful song or a painting that brough emotion from heart and to the eyes. The warrior viewed the arts as something beyond mortal understanding and he viewed it as a gift from the gods. That is, if he likes said artwork. He is a tough customer in every regard, but in art his standards rose quite a bit. If something didn't meet his strict scrutiny, he would deem it trash. However, if he enjoyed it then he would most certainly give his praise. Raust would certainly be purchasing more artwork once Leviathan got up and running. Dancing was something that Raust mostly thought of as womanly but he enjoyed it whenever a woman was with him. The feeling of her body against his, the way her body become vulnerable under his touch entices him; it gives him power. That's the thrill, the addiction that plagued the multi-faceted mind of Raust. The thirst for more. More money, more women, more everything. His thirst would never be quenched until everything was wrapped around his mighty thumb. The light within him was nothing more than a match against the forest fire of darkness. It kept him ordered, disciplined and kept him grounded. But the darkness, it drove him. He had no qualms with doing anything on the path to success, because if you don't the game...you lose.

Raust was not a small man by any measure of the term. His hands were huge and the jacket he worse barely contained his muscle-bound arms. Years of hardwork made his body the way it was, plus a bit of genetics. Taking a seat at the bar, Raust was looking for a warm drink to ease his mind and allow himself sometime to reflect. He found it relaxing to plot the future as he got drunk. He ordered himself a couple drinks, and then a couple more. As he took a sip of his fifth drink, he found himself shockingly rattled in his seat. The warrior turned quickly to find the culprit of this disturbance. It was a young human male who was drunk and had a certain look in his eyes."Oy! You were looking at my woman!" he said. Raust narrowed his icy blue eyes as he looked at the idiot human who decided it would be wise to question a Akalak's honor. Before he could do anything however, the young human thought that that push to the Raust's back was not an appropriate way to get his attention. He reared back and drunkingly punched Raust square in the jaw. The man behind the bar's eyes shot open, and Raust's head was jerked to one side by the force of the punch. The blue warrior surely had been hit harder in his life, but usually it was for good reason. This man, however, opened up a can of very nasty worms.

Raust quickly left his seat after giving himself a couple seconds to recover from the hit. He grabbed the man with his large hands and pulled him to the bar all in one quick motion. The human was so intoxicated he couldn't react fast enough and in short order he found his face being brutally and mercilessly being bashed into the hard wooden bar. The man had quite obviously disrespected the honor of Raust and most of the Akalak around him understood the response. The brutality of it was questionable but some of his own race soon broke it apart and kicked the human out. His jaw was clearly broken, along with his nose. If the bartender didn't tell him to stop, Raust probably would have killed the puny man. No one disrespects Raust, not even if you are on the city council or the lord of the land. It ends badly for everyone.

As Raust wiped the blood off of his leather fur-collared jacket, the man cracked his neck and then procedded to drink his drink. The patrons of the bar around all seemed to be staring at him for the way he nonchalantly continued what he was doing after almost killing a man. He loved the attention. He turned his head to give the patrons a once-over when he made eye contact with a woman at the bar. She seemed to be distracted by a parrot, but Raust was quickly distracted by her beauty. Of course, he probably didn't make the best first impression. He continued his drink but his eyes continued to be drawn to her. Finally, he decided that sitting there being a awkward little man wouldn't get him anywhere in life so he left his seat and walked over to her. "Sorry about all that. Some need to learn their place and their facts" he said giving her a soft smile."Raust Benjamin, Commandant of Leviathan Defense." Raust said, pride filling his voice with the last part of the introduction."Well, soon to be once I get everything finalized with the business." he said as more of afterthought. "Couldn't help but come over. You seem to have been getting my attention for a while now."

[Kavala]

The Konti nibbled at the fruit, piling a slice of apple on a cracker and nibbling delicately on it. She was hungry, but not hungry enough for a full meal and not wanting to feel weighted down by one. Riverfall’s cuisine was rich and meat heavy. It was hard to find even a simple plate of fruit or cheese like the Blue Bull had. Kavala always figured it was the Akalaks’ taste. Their heavy bodies demanded specific nutrition and they seemed to eat their weight in meat frequently.

Kavala heard the door open and close and watched a tall Akalak move through the door. He was dressed well and groomed impeccably which surprised her. Usually they were a little rough around the edges or weighed down in armor. The Healer herself was dressed in leathers, black because she was out at night or planning on being, and well-armed even among the friendlies of the bar. Kavala’s eyes tracked the warrior over to the bar a few seats down from her where he sat himself down gracefully and began to drink.

Her attention turned back to the parrot. The ratty old bird was watching a particularly drunk Svefra hang on a woman who much like several others in the bar was watching the new comer. The woman looked a little sallow, like her skintone was off, which Kavala thought meant liver issues. Too much drink and hard living, most likely, though Kavala couldn’t judge until she actually focused harder on the pair. The woman was eyeing the bearded Akalak like he was edible and the Akalak seemed to have not noticed her yet.

Then the woman started nagging. Kavala, curious, tilted her head so she could hear. Bits of the conversation carried over the noise of the band and crowd. “…more like him.” Kavala glanced at the new comer again and stifled a grin. Comparisons never ended well. That was especially true when Human and Akalak males were lined up. There was absolutely no comparison. She noted the aggression in the svefra and saw him shake off the woman to approach the Akalak. Kavala ducked her head and rubbed her forehead. The only true blessing was that the parrot squawked, saw the same scenario lining up that Kavala did, and took seemed torn as to whether to rejoin the woman or stay with the food. The food won and Kavala sighed.

Yes. Definitely time to go.

A crack brought Kavala’s attention away from her forehead and the parrot and back to the altercation that was underway faster than she could watch. The Konti wanted to groan. The svefra took a swing at the Akalak and the Akalak was casually using him as a punching bag as if he wasn’t a living thing but rather a leather stuffed bag. The human was on the ground and Kavala’s gnosis marks were lit up hot and pulling. The Konti swore, waiting to see if the Akalak would kill the human and thus end her compulsion, but no such luck. She was known to the bar and the Konti figured that was why the bartender didn’t step in sooner. As it was, when the other Akalak broke it up, the man was still alive. The Konti gritted her teeth. She met the violent Akalak’s gaze for a moment, then turned back to the parrot. Her mind chanted the word ‘parrot parrot parrot’ but it was no good. She’d not be able to refuse the compulsion.

Webbed fingers gripped the edge of the bar, food and drink forgotten. She did not want to heal the idiot. He’d been asking for trouble. Humans. Stinking idiotic humans. The Healer was so intent on the body on the floor that she almost missed the fact utterly that the man settled down and then moved over to talk to her.

She offered him a pained smile for a moment, then excused herself. “Hold that thought. I will be right back.” Kavala said, rising from the stool and swinging around. She reached down and grabbed something stowed under the bar by her feet which turned out to be a sheathed double-bladed longsword. Then she paced the ten paces past her seat and past Raust’s old one, to kneel at the collapsed man’s body. He was out cold, and no one seemed to be too concerned about it. For a moment, just a moment, Kavala considered slitting his throat. It wasn’t that she was cold blooded or cruel. Well, perhaps she was… but it was more to the point that sometimes it was easier to kill someone who didn’t deserve to live than it was to heal someone who would only raise his hand to a person – especially a healer – at a later date.

The parrot went with her. Flying up to perch on her sallow skinned mistress who hovered still babbling. Kavala ignored the woman as best she could and wished she could also ignore the way both the man and woman smelled. Dreamsmoke. Booze. Unwashed salt-ridden bodies. The Konti almost gagged and went for one of her daggers.

Kavala didn’t truly have a choice though. The Konti took a knee next to the man and laid her double bladed longsword within easy reach. Then she signed, took a deep breath, and got to work.

She reached out to the victim, encased his jaw in her hands, and healed it. She knit the bones together and pushed her power up and took care of his nose. The bruising eased and lightened before vanishing. And the swelling in his brain for getting hit too hard repeatedly was taken care of. The compulsion didn’t ease, so Kavala ran her hands downward and found the broken rib and then broken fingers in the humans’ hand. She forced the contused skin to heal and tapped more of Rak’keli’s gift to fix the strain on the man’s neck vertebrae for being hit so hard and whipped backwards.

The Healer worked for a good ten chimes on the man until her compulsion faded and she knew he was as healthy as she could make him. She would have cursed Raust for interrupting her peace and drinking, but it was always a risk at the Blue Bull and this was not the first time she’d been required by her profession to act. It was Rak’keli’s blessing and curse. Her hands could heal, but they had no choice who they healed if someone was in need of her healing.

When she was done she rose, retrieved her sword and thought about sliding it into the holster on her back. She wore a weapons harness across the leather with several tamo daggers tucked into the back and a brace of throwing daggers across her chest. Knee-high leather riding boots encased her legs, but her upper arms were bare. Her leathers were the style that were sleeveless, letting her move better than most. Like most leathers, the set she wore had an insert in the crotch that allowed extra movement – for riding or fighting hand to hand – that bespoke she was a warrior not a healer, contrary to how she had just acted.

Deciding not to leave, not yet, the Konti turned back to the man who had caused the commotion. If he was still in the same seat where she’d left him, she’d politely offer him a smile. “Kavala Denusk. Healer. I’m sorry for leaving you but Rak’keli asks a cost for her marks. We can’t leave the injured unattended.” She explained quietly, re-stowing her overlength blade and resuming her seat. “Can I buy you another drink for leaving so rudely?” She said, picking up her disgarded wine glass and draining the rest of it. She shook her head at the human that several Akalak were now rousting to his feet, and looked disgusted. “They never learn, do they?” She said to the stranger. He’d said his name was Raust, that much she remembered. But she tried to decide what else he’d said. A word stuck in her mind.

“Tell me about Leviathan Defense.” She said, meeting the strangers pale blue eyes. Something else struck her. Something he’d said before she stood up. “Getting your attention?” She said curiously, her eyebrows furrowed. Had he heard her talking to the parrot and the parrot talking back? “I think you got everyone’s attention thoroughly. The man wasn’t worth your time even if he did hit you. A blade would have better served him. Perhaps across his throat.” The Konti said, shaking her head in disgust. “The smell of him alone….” Her eyes met Rausts’ again and she offered him a slightly apologetic smile as if she regretted speaking her mind. But she did have three glasses of wine in her. And while she wasn’t quite drunk, she certainly wasn’t feeling the need to hold her tongue or her thoughts.

1478/9266

[Raust Benjamin]

Raust never really cared for humans. He viewed them most as expendable fodder for his ploys but some had real, yet limited, uses. None of them lasted long enough to make real changes on the world, and everything within their life is just so temporary. Raust could have killed the small human man but what good would that have been? His death would have been a problem that Raust honestly had neither the time nor the effort to deal with. Raust wanted to teach the man a lesson of respect, and the Akalak felt that it was enough for the night. More importantly, there were far too many witnesses and he honestly didn't know what seedy friends that leech might have. Raust was content with the brutal beating he gave them man, and if he happened to die from the wounds inflicted, then that is fate. Fate is a very powerful force of nature that Raust doesn't fully believe in. Sure, he thinks that things happen for a reason, but he believes that free will is the true dictator of life. Having some unknown, morally neutral force that dictates peoples lives just doesn't sound nearly as fun to Raust as one dictating their own life.

Raust has never been one to surprise easily, but when he saw the young konti woman, that he was trying hard to take back to his humble abode that night, get up and heal every injury that the large Akalak inflicted upon the drunk human, he was clearly at a lost of words. Why would anyone care about such a waste of air to breath? No one else seemed to care that the man laid there, clearly in extraordinary pain. Yet, this woman decided it was her job to heal this man. Raust's confusion was quickly extinguished by the explanation from Kavala. She was marked by the gods, or one in particular. Raust didn't forget to take a note of the amazing healing ability she possessed; Raust rarely forgot to make mental notes of people's strengths, weaknesses, and abilities. It gave him an idea of the easiest way to dispose of them, or what their best use would be. He was always trying to think ahead of those around him, and he hated being wrong about anything, especially the judgement of character. Raust thought of himself as a man that little got pass, and rather that be true or not, he made it a point to learn the most about people with them telling him the least amount of info.

"No, it's fine. My mood for drinking has been dampened sadly..." he stated looking over at the man who had very nearly killed. Raust was disappointed that he was now up and perfectly healthy, but when the human looked over at the Akalak, Raust gave him a certain kind of look that meant he better never be in this bar again while Raust was a patron. Shaking his head while he turned back to Kavala, he again noticed her distinguished features far more prominently now that he was close. She was quite beautiful, and he partially ignored her questions after she asked if he wanted a drink. He was far too distracted to be worried about such trivial things as words. Gathering himself a bit, he decided to answer, although a somewhat delayed answer."Oh, well. Leviathan Defense is my little brainchild." he stated rather simply."I am going into the business of defense contracting. Very lucartive, and it puts you in a interesting position once the contracts get more...political." Raust said, leaving the ambiguity of what those political contracts might be."We are looking for skilled healers as well." he added as he leaned back in his seat, taking her in with his pale eyes."Leviathan Defense will be the future of this great city, and I am the creator of that future." The last comment seemed to ebb immense pride and something a little more dark. "Oh, he is not worth my blade. Not nearly." Raust said, dismissing the thought of the leech immediately. He did not deserve thoughts. [/b]

[Kavala]

Kavala studied the Akalak as she sipped at her wine. He’d refused a drink, and that was fine by her. She did gesture to the bartender to refill her glass. The man took his time ambling down the bar to do so which gave Kavala time to study Raust and listen to what he had to say. She thought it was interesting he only introduced one of his names. Who was the other? Kavala said nothing as the man went on, answering her previous questions.

Defense contracting? She’d never heard the term. And truth be told she wasn’t a very political creature. But she had experienced politics. Not in this life of course, but Dreamwalking the chavi’s she did, Kavala had come into contact with a lot of politics. The Wardog of Alahea, for example, had never acted unless his moves had a political agenda. Kavala missed her brother and all his incarnations. This man reminded her a little of Vanator’s past life and his aspirations. They all were cut from a similar mold. Handsome. Strong. Self confident. And ambitious. She could practically smell the ambition on him. Her mind went back to the term defense contracting. Was that security? Bodyguards? Was he one of the ultra-expensive men the Akalaks hired to guard their precious possessions when they couldn’t be around? Gems? Women and Children? Kavala wasn’t sure. But she was interested to hear what he had to say and that interest showed on her face.

When her wine was refilled, she sipped at it. Her eyes roamed Raust’s features and she decided he wasn’t bad on the eyes at all. That was what she was here for wasn’t it? Distraction? Diversion? Something fleeting that wouldn’t last? His arrogance was a bit off-putting. To Kavala, if you were all that then you really didn’t have to say you were all that. He was the future of the city? She looked thoughtful and wondered how a pitch like that would work with the City Council. The Konti knew a few Council Members and most of them followed Wysar’s teaching which more than on the surface were discipline, integrity, and conviction. Wysar never claimed one had to be humble. But most were, including Kavala. Raust had that conviction going for him. She wasn’t sure about the other two traits. And for a moment, not for the first time, she wished her Konti Gift worked on people. She had no idea if the conviction was part of a greater façade or if it was something else. Perhaps something darker.

She did note his fishing. He slipped it in between other thoughts. They were looking for healers? Healers to defend what? Kavala honestly really wanted clarity to what defense contracting was, but didn’t want to appear ignorant. She was smart for a Konti, but that didn’t mean she’d been exposed to every facet of Akalak Culture. This was definitely new territory.

“People aren’t my specialty in Healing.” She said absently, not wanting his baited hook to go untagged on. That much she’d give him. Admitting to him that she was in essence a veterinarian would most likely not go over well, especially if she wanted to talk him out of a dance or two. He looked like he could move and since he’d stopped drinking, that might keep him at the Blue Bull a bit longer.

She had to nod in agreement when he added in that the man was not worth his blade. Most Svefra were more trouble than they were worth, though Kavala didn’t truthfully have as much of a problem with them as she did with slavers and other seedy sorts of humans. There were ways around compulsions. Blades were one of those ways.

“I must confess though I have lived here since 507, there are still aspects of your culture I do not understand. I run in a small circle of clients in my line of work and I haven’t had much exposure to politics. I’ve never ran across the term defense contracting at all. Is that like bodyguard security or something else? You’ve made me curious.” The Konti asked, shifting on her stool so that she was angled towards him, engaged in the conversation. She sipped her wine again and took another look at the plate she’d ordered earlier. Selecting a cube of cheese, she popped it into her mouth and began to nibble on it. She was hungry, though the Konti was beginning to wonder if the hunger was more for companionship and good conversation than food.

She pushed the plate a little his way and nodded to it with her chin if he wanted to nibble any of the fruit, cheese, or crisp crackers on it.

Then, as he answered, Kavala would take the time to open her senses and flood her mind with djed, pushing the level of her vision to a new extreme and looking at him with her Auristics. She had no set goal in mind, but she wanted to see if anything stood out about him in a glaring manner. She particularly wanted to see if his aura changed when he spoke, as if there was conviction behind his words or deception. The Konti scanned carefully, working the whole time on keeping her breathing easy and her eyes on him. She would appear, for all intent and purpose, to be assessing him much like any woman would look long and hard at a man in bar.

Kavala didn’t dislike what she saw. She just didn’t want to accidently pick up a clingy Akalak or someone who was looking to promote his agenda by rising in the ranks. And climbing status meant filing wombs. They weren’t particular on what wombs so long as a child was born healthy. Kavala was convinced, even as a powerful healer, that she wouldn’t be having any more children anytime soon. Healthy recreational sex was fine. But she didn’t want to be anyone’s trophy. She was finally at a position in her life where she had enough rank, money, and security that she didn’t need anyone to fill those gaps. It was hard – very hard anyhow – to find someone who had her drive as a business owner anyhow. Understanding that The Sanctuary was her life was not something most Akalak would tolerate or understand anyhow. They wanted serviced hand and foot, at least most of them, as Kavala had learned when she had talvis’ to account for. They would appear at any time of day or night and demand their rights. Now though, no one had any right to demand anything. The thought made her smile. And if her body wanted a little adult activity, no one would frown at her for picking up this stranger – arrogant or not – and enjoying him for five minutes in an alley or five hours in a rented room somewhere. He knew her name but he didn’t have to know her. And she certainly didn’t want to be a possession.

He looked like he already had his eyes on the prize anyhow. Leviathan Defense? It sounded like a budding business. Maybe he was looking for investors.

“Are you fully funded or seeking outside investors?” She asked after his explanation was done. It was a fair question. Kavala didn’t mind talking business, not by a long shot. And while he answered that question, she let the aursitics fall away and reached out to touch his arm carefully, in the guise of brushing something off his fine leather jacket. She checked him then for health, frowning slightly as she half-lidded her eyes and looked with other senses seeking disease, pain, or even long term injury. Kavala was what she was. There was no help for it. But he was a big man and there was a lot of body to check.

She was almost done with that health check on Raust when a large muscled form bumped her leg. It was a welcome familiar energy that placed itself between her form and the Akalaks. The jet black Imperial Watcher broke her concentration but kept her attention enough that she didn’t fail to catch his words. “Kavala. You are well?” Her hand reached down and she stroked the dogs head. “Ink. You should have stayed at home. Someone is going to mistake you for a wolf in the dark.” She said, sending reassurance and love to the dog through their empathic bond.

Glancing up she met Raust’s eyes. “My apologies. I raise rather protective dogs and one slipped out to check on me it seems. Ink, this is Raust. Raust, this is Ink.” She said, making introductions. “They are trained to guard, protect, and give security to residences.” The Konti added, not sure if that fact would interest the Akalak or not.

1,466/10732 superpower
1466/2,146 sky contest

[Raust Benjamin]

The company of a beautiful woman never seemed to dull Raust's mood. He always could find the time to set aside for his carousal of women. He has sired three sons already at the ripe age of fifty and with more offspring, more respect in the grand city of Riverfall. Raust knew what he wanted, and he never tried to beat around the bush. Having a woman underneath his massive palms gave him a power-rush straight to his head. They were submitting themselves to him, much like everyone else should...No, he thought again. They were submitting to each other, but then again, no. That woman was his to do with as he wished. But you are releasing yourself to her just as much as her to you. Raust's mind argued with itself morew and more sparingly, the lighter brother deciding that he would let his other half control but guide his thoughts with more discipline and order than if the dark brother was left free. However, sometimes they just did not get along.

As Raust's mind raced, he tried to focus in on the conversation he was having and after a couple seconds of intense concentration, his alternate personalities stopped arguing, bringing back the status quo. He was surprised to hear that she didn't know what defense contracting was, it was quite self-explanatory. Well, at least Raust thought that. He placed a hand on his beard as he thought about the answer to her question."Well, my dear, Defense Contracting is anything you name it. Do you need your land protected for a certain period of time? Leviathan Defense. Do you need bodyguards for a special event? Leviathan Defense. Does the city have a dangerous mission that the militia is not equipped to deal with? Leviathan Defense." Raust said ending his little explanation with a smirk."You see, we will be the professionals. We will work with the most dutiful confidentiality. We will be successful." he eyed her, the pale blue orbs showing a glint of something. Maybe pride. Perhaps, arrogance. Either way, he knew he his aura was a stone wall of confidence and self-assurance. He genuinely thought he could not fail. Power also reeked off of him...The need for it. The ambition for more power. Charisma could be noted as well, the potential for him to move thousands with just his words. Raust thought of his potential as limitless, and he would strive to prove it so. Although he spoke with a big stick, he tried to carry one as well.

As she started to talk business, this piped up Raust's interest a bit."Well, right now the city is providing the funds. If you wish to offer some services, I could arrange for them to pay you. The way you healed that man proves to me, rather it be man or human, you can heal it." Raust said with a strong nod before raising his hand."A mug of ale, barkeep." the Akalak said with his deep yet dignified voice. The barkeep brought it over quickly and placed it down. Raust picked it up and took a sip. "Ah, business always brings about my thirst." he said before giving Kavala another smirk.

The dog startled Raust ever so slightly. He wasn't really use to pets or guard dogs, but the idea intrigued him."How much does one of these guard dogs go for? I could always use the extra protections..." Raust said before leaning down to get a closer look of the animal. It could truly break the neck of a grown man with its jaws. Certainly could be put to good use, Raust thought to himself.
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