Knights in Stolen Pelts [Markus Andres]

[Nidassasyae]

Fall 56, Late Afternoon The Kelvic girl stood in the middle of the street, ignoring the rude comments of the humans as they pushed past her. Her eyes were wide with terror, and her feet were rooted to the spot. She could feel the great stone walls closing in about her, the city and its denizens crushing her. The fact that the people in the streets numbered quite highly today didn't help her claustrophobia at all. Nidassasyae bared her teeth at the walls, daring them to come closer. Of course, they couldn't really move, but fear did odd things to the mind. The young girl summoned up all the courage she posessed, all the anger she could get from her link to Seliarus, and stepped towards the edge of the street. She focused on just her feet. Left, right, left, right. There, that wasn't so bad, she told herself, still trembling with fear. The fear quickly turned to anger, and she felt like ripping someone's throat out, drinking their sweet blood. This was new. She didn't think of eating people before her Bonding. Now it was commonplace, the tempting thought entering her mind quite frequently throughout the day. But she couldn't. For all her Bondmate's sadistic nature, she couldn't jeopardize any chances for Nehsmay. Her Vantha friend wanted to see the city, and Nidae wasn't about to get both of them kicked out because of her bloodlust. So she simply stood there, glaring at the walls, her icy gaze not leaving the stones in front of her. Her lips moved as she mumbled incomprehensible words, cussing at the very city in the leopard tongue. To any stranger, she would have looked quite mad. With her raven hair tangled, blue facepaint smudged, and only wearing a wool tunic and trousers in the chill afternoon air, she certainly seemed crazy. In fact, Nidae wasn't even sure whether she was sane or not. Either way, she simply didn't care. After all, killing didn't take sanity to do.

[Markus Andres]

For Markus it had been one of his usual tough days with practice, as a result, most of his upper body was sore and it reminded him of it every second of every step he took. Normally he would have found his room and slept it away or at least relaxed. But not today. For he felt restless. He moved through the crowd, giving space whenever he felt like it and taking space whenever he needed it, that was the dance of the streets. He got around quickly this way and his size often helped him to deter people from getting in his way. It was by coincidence his eyes saw the girl with fear painted on her face. Markus formed a single name with his mouth. But no sound left his lips. It reminded him a lot of that scene in the back alley. Where he had also seen a girl with the same fear on her face. It moved something in Markus that compelled him to help this stranger. Then he saw the fear turn to anger. That just spurred him to move even faster. For his ever observing eye had noticed something with the girl's eyes. Kelvic. He couldn't know if the Kelvic was just a bird-human, or if she was in fact a stronger creature. He just knew he would have to pick up his speed. His dark cloak hanging behind him, his equally dark tunic and pants visible only from the front through the opening in the cloak. What wasn't visible from the front, was the bastard sword that was sheethed and hung by his waist. Pointing backwards. He soon reached the Kelvic girl. "Hey, hey, relax." Markus said when he got closer to the girl. "What you so worked up about?" He said with a tone of familiarity as he put a hand on her shoulder. Perhaps a bad move, especially considering her anger, but sometimes, the touch of someone else could bring people back to reality.

[Nidassasyae]

Totally focused on glaring at the walls, the Kelvic girl didn't realize that the squire approached her. Surprised by his touch, she flinched away, hissing. Nidae felt like biting something, attacking whoever it was that came towards her. The dark emotions that came through the Bond were changing her behavior, increasing her bloodlust daily. She yearned to shift, to transform into her proper shape, to battle her way out of the city, if she could ever find her way out. But slowly, she realized that not all the emotions affecting her actually belonged to her. The girl slumped against the wall, feeling the return of her own personality. She felt lightheaded, and more than a bit dizzy. But still, it was an improvement. Delicately, she shrugged off the stranger's arm, then looked up into his face. He certainly looked older than her, because of his imposing height, but there was a sort of youthful innocence about his face. At least, so it seemed to her. He seemed the nice and cheerful sort, obviously the kind who helped out damsels in distress. Her blue eyes flashed when they met his green ones. His voice was threaded with a kind familiarity, so tragically and deliciously human. Her hate for humans was new, and she was still having a hard time adjusting to it. Nehsmay would not approve. Nidae pushed the spite to the back of her mind, knowing that it would cause her friend great distress if she were to eat a human. "What do you want?" she asked in a barely civil tone, not answering his question. How could she even begin to put her fear of this city into words? How could she describe how the walls seemed about to fall and crush her? No, to Nidae's unsophisticated mind, there was no way she could answer. Even if she could describe it, the leopardess wouldn't admit it to the man. It was a weakness, and one could not show others their weaknesses.

[Markus Andres]

Markus wasn't surprised by the reaction. It was to be expected when someone surprised you when you were scared or angry. He did note the hiss. Meaning that his earlier assumption that it was a kelvic, probably was true. Either that or a very very angry woman with an eye condition. Which Markus wouldn't believe for one second. He took his arm back when she shrugged it off. His smile and cheerful expression didn't change when her question came. Another thing he had expected from her. Everyone couldn't be like Airil when they got scared. Markus took a step back however. Kelvics could turn into an animal and attack - and that hiss of hers had told Markus it had been a feline creature. That could range from house cats to much much creatures. Both his hands went up to show he meant no hostilities. "Woah woah, why that tone. I just wanted to help." Markus said. "You looked troubled." Markus said with a hint of concern in his voice but also trying to sound comforting. To be honest, he had no idea how to tackle this situation. Much like with Airil. His mind was racing to figure out the best next move. He figured calming the creature was the first thing to do. Then from there, he knew little of what to do. Perhaps get her away from all the people, somewhere she could feel safer. And that was how far he had gone with his overall planning.

[Nidassasyae]

Nidassasyae watched his movements carefully. It was odd to her that he didn't just leave. Humans never actually helped her, and she was quick to turn them away if they tried. This man was different, odd, he still retained his cheerful expression. He did not leave. She had a hard time believing that he was simply helping her out of the kindness of his heart. Unless he proved to her that he could be trusted, she would continue to treat him thus. This was not a girl who seemed cold at first, then quickly warmed up to someone. There were very few things that humans could do to make her truly trust them. When he backed away, Nidae let out a breath that she hadn't realized she had been holding. Snow Leopards were solitary creatures, and a stranger's touch was one of the most frightening and insulting things to her. She didn't understand why he held his hands up, was it to show her that he held no weapon? That was obvious, how could he have put a hand on her shoulder while holding a weapon? In any case, it didn't matter much to the girl, who thought of claws and fangs as more threatening weapons than a dagger or sword. Nidae almost found herself appreciating the gesture, but didn't let it show on her face. At least the human knew not to provoke her. The comforting tone of his voice both intrigued and infuriated the young Kelvic. He obviously thought that she wasn't capable of handling this on her own, but it was interesting that the stranger cared if she was troubled or not. No one had ever done that to her before. She had met both her friends in stranger ways than this, yet they had been concerned with more important problems than feelings. This human, whose name she didn't even know, seemed to think that her emotions mattered. "Troubled?" she hissed, showing long pointed fangs in the place where a human's canines should have been. "You don't know what it is like, human to be trapped in this stone cage, with no where to run. No chance at freedom." A bunch of small children ran by, shrieking and laughing. At the sudden noise she cringed away, pressing herself closer to the wall behind her. "A human wants to help?" she asked skeptically. "Then lead me out of this cage you call a 'city', if you truly want to help me." There was no please, no kindness in her tone, just the desperation of a cornered wild animal.

[Markus Andres]

Markus was glad that the Kelvic creature, in human clothes, had not taken offense or seen his step back as a sign to attack. He just let the Kelvic take the time she/it needed before he would do anything else. But he would not have to wait long, for the Kelvic hissed at him. Spitting one of his words back in his own face. Still, his expression did not change. He did note the fangs. Growing a little uneasy. He couldn't recall having seen a feline creature much larger than a fat well-fed house cat. So he was a little concerned at the idea of wrestling with a large cat. But those next words struck something in him. Kindled a small anger inside of him. His eyes narrowed in on hers. "I know everything... About being trapped in this stone cage." Markus said in a very low voice. Not much more than a whisper. But his voice had turned hard. His voice was probably drowned out by the noise from the children and their happy voices made him ease up again and regain his former composure. He unclenched his fists again. Not remembering having clenched them to begin with. 'Calm down, Markus... Calm down.' "Follow me then." Markus said with a calmer voice. "I'll show you the way out of here." Markus offered her a hand she could grab on to if she wanted, but he would only hold it out for a couple of moments before he started to walk. They weren't far from the main gates. Would only take a couple of chimes to get there. "So, do you have a name?" Markus said, turning his head in her direction. Trying to strike up a conversation. He knew from personal experience that talking often helped to calm people down - provided they made sure to avoid touchy subjects. - Besides, he was curious. Did Kelvics have names? He gently pushed some people aside as he walked. Making sure the feline creature- in human form - was still with him.

[Nidassasyae]

Nidae glared down at the offered hand. This stranger expected her to hold his hand? No. She didn't trust him farther than she could throw him, but it seemed he was her only way out of this blasted city. There was no way she was holding his hand. While some cats might not object to one's touch, purring and rubbing themselves against their owners, she was not a house cat. Leopards are not social creatures, living out most of their lives alone. The stranger would have to prove himself trustworthy before Nidae even attempted to behave. Of course, Nidae didn't exactly want him to prove himself, it was so much more interesting to go along with her bondmate's feelings for the moment. That included a deep distrust and hatred of humans. Nidae worried for a moment that if she did not, then he would not show her the way, but it did not seem so. The stranger abruptly turned and started walking, perhaps towards the gates? It seemed that she had no choice, she would have to follow him. "Nidassasyae," she answered, not giving him her nickname. If he was still asking questions, then he knew she was there. If he knew she was there, then he was probably still showing her the way out of the city. The Kelvic girl stayed in the wake caused by the big man's pushing away of the crowd. The hatred was slowly fading, seeping away from her veins. Nidae wasn't altogether sure if she wanted it to go away, as it certainly meant that she'd treat this man slightly better. That is, as long as he didn't go around insulting Dhani, which she thought that would be most unlikely.

[Markus Andres]

They did have names. But they certainly didn't have normal names. Normal simple names like Markus, Richard or Viktor. Markus opened his mouth. Wondering for a moment if she had been kidding. But she didn't look like the kidding type. He mouthed the name in his mouth. Trying to form the movements he figured would go into creating the different sounds. After a couple of seconds doing this. "Nidassasyae? Wow, impressive name." Markus said, wondering if his tongue would break if he had to use that name again. "Would you mind if I just called you Nidas?" Markus asked. He could see the gates in the distance. But of course, that didn't help on the crowd moving in and out of the city. The people were probably coming back from the fields. Seeking protection behind the large stone walls for the night. Markus brushed by the farmers. Throwing some glances back to Nida-something. Making sure his feline friend was still with him. Soon they would reach the gate itself where Markus would confidently walk through the gates. Moving against the flow of the people. Ignoring them completely as he walked. Instead keeping his attention on the creature behind him. Not wanting her to get agitated or dangerous to the farmers. They would soon be through the gates and on the other side. Much more dangerous, but a lot freer too. "Out of the city. As I promised."

[Nidassasyae]

Nidae shrugged, not really caring. Humans had such difficulty with her name. She wondered if she should change it. Names didn't really matter, after all. "Nidas, Nidae, Nida, Girl, Kelvic, It's all the same to me." She followed closely behind the man as they wove through the crowd. If she squinted, she could just make out the gates in the distance. The bright sunlight made her uncomfortable, and Nidae focused on watching the man's boots instead. The Kelvic girl let out a sigh of relief as they exited the city. The press of the people was gone, the stranger had stayed true to his word. His kindness, combined with the fact that Seliarus' anger had faded away, left Nidae feeling extremely grateful. Perhaps she trusted people too easily? No, that was Nehsmay. Nidae decided it was because he had stopped doing whatever he was doing and had helped her. In her very limited experience, humans rarely did so. They went about their lives as she went about hers. She could respect that, it was how life worked. The hatred was gone now, as she realized that humans had never done anything that warranted her hate. It was confusing sometimes, mixing up her bondmate's feelings with her own. Sel probably had many reasons to hate them, but Nidae had none. So, why should she continue glaring at this man? He had done nothing wrong. "I'm sorry about the way I treated you back there, sir," Nidae said sincerely. "It's just that- well... do you know anything about Kelvic Bonds?" She felt that he deserved an apology, or at least an explanation.

[Markus Andres]

Markus looked at Nida with a somewhat happy expression. Although it had been a minor ting, it felt good to help people out if they were having problems. Something minor like this to him, could mean a lot to any other person. Then again, it could also be considered something so irrelevant that the helper would receive nothing but a glare. It annoyed Markus a little, but he decided he wouldn't let it bother him. He knew the feelings of being trapped in the cage of Syliras, even if over time he had learned to like, even love the place. He still sometimes felt the lingering desire to go to a place not hidden behind tons upon tons of castle walls. Markus into those glaring eyes, not caring about the glare, for he was mesmerized by the animal side of her. People like Nida and Diane, so long ago, both had shown him that there were much he didn't know about the world. So much he wanted to go out and explore. But alas, that was perhaps not his lot in life. He was about to raise a hand and just brush away her apology. But when she continued, she peeked his interest. A kelvic bond? A what? Markus had never heard of it before. He went through the list of names Nida has called herself earlier to find the one most appropriate for future use. Nidas? For some reason he liked the sound of that name, sounded almost golden in his mind. "A kelvic bond? I don't think I have ever heard about such a bond." Markus stayed silent for a moment. "... What is it?"