I must be crazy! [Ethan]

[Fraha]

Timestamp: Night, 4th Day of Summer, 511 A.V Location: The Stallion Continued from here It was late, really late, almost early when Fraha and Ethan passed the Main gates, reaching finally the safe fortress city. They just had an awkward moment when Ethan, dressed only with Fraha's black cloack wrapped on his waist, had to explain the guards the situation. Fraha questioned mentally the guard's persistance, thinking for a moment that they were too curious about things they don't need to know. But then she accepted it, telling herself that's it her job and it's fine if they ask as long this city keeps safe in the way it is. Ethan had to explain the shole situation, adding some details but luckily the guard believed him and left him inside. Fraha didn't know about Ethan's nature and thought that he would be screwed if they wouldn't left him in. You're lucky, what if the guards wouldn't let you in? Said she walking at her right poking him in an arm. They were heading to the inn where Ethan lived, which was the same as Fraha's, but she didn't know that and was heading with him in the inn and tavern's zone. By the way in which one we're going at? asked she curious. the streets were empty, the light's off and only a few guards walking around with torches, some speaking quietly, some simply patroling. The moon was hidden by Sylirian walls which made it darker to walk it through. Fraha walked mare cautionous carefull to not get stuck in a rock or something and fall...again. Some hair got on her eyesight so she moved it behind the ears and tighned the headband to not have it in her way. But then she thought that she was in company with Ethan and a completely practical hair wasn't really pretty to see. So she slid the fingers under the headband, and trying to not be seen by Ethan moved some hair on the side and some on the front. A bit of it would now hide a part of the eyes and slightly the forehead applying some shadow on Fraha's face. She had no idea why but it seemed the right thing to do. But a sigh of relief came out from her voice as she saw a sign painted red with a horse on it.

[Ethan]

Ethan was still a little irritated from the guards. They asked so many questions that were clearly unnecessary. He had lost his clothes when he washed in the river? What is so hard to believe about that? Besides being clearly irritated, he kept his cool with Fraha. Anger and short tempers weren't a good feature in someone you just met. “Well I have my ways to get in and out of the city, you shouldn't worry much about me. And luck is something I always have plenty of.” Smiling even if he was fuming, grace under pressure was always essential. “Probably the same one you are!” He chuckled as he pointed towards the stallion. “Cheapest Inn in town and with windows! That's good enough for me.” Ethan started to notice just how silent it was. They had been walking into the late hours of the night, but it was creepy to see so few people. Especially when the only one's out were knights, their steel armor glistened in the moonlight with a foreboding feel to it. “We should get inside and enjoy a hot meal Fraha.” His hand went across her hip and lower back with a sense of urgency. “We shouldn't linger too long, dressed as we are.” He felt uncomfortable with all the eyes watching him as he knew they were. He was half naked and with a woman. Obviously a scene for most people. It was strange, how much he hated Sunberth to now suddenly appreciate the don't look don't tell attitude they had. “Once were inside we can share a drink, eat til we can't stand it and then finally sleep. I for one am exhausted”

[Fraha]

Fraha listened to him. There was something funny about it, wasn't this the fortress city? and he still could get in? Fraha was suspicios again. But first of all she was thinking why does he talk this much about eating without mentioning that he has to change. Probably he was just tired that's way but Fraha wrote a mental note to ask him about other ways to get inside the city. Err...Ethan? she paused waiting for the eye contact We probably should head to your inn first, you will need some clothes in the tavern, if it's still open of course.. She said that with a serious expression, not so much for her thoughts about him, more because of her sleepy state. She wouldn't be like this if Ethan wouldn't held her for such long. Where do you sleep at? We head there first, get you cloathed then we go to tavern said she acting ironically bossy unless you want other people making questions, or comments upon you? added she when he slided his hand on her back, throu the two wakizashi hilts. It was wierd but Fraha left him do it, altrough she knew she shouldn't. She renembered similar male moves near a bordel, where man did that and women would laugh or make surpired gasps. Was he doing the same? Fraha looked away and blamed herself for such paranoia and trustlessness. Things started to pop in her mind, things about Ethan and her, what happened and what were the reactions. Suddenly Fraha stummbled over a rock out of place, Leaning forward and making a step. It wasn't like her. She also gasped renembering again the prostitutes. What was happening? Damn, i must be more tyred than I thought, my feet run low..said she returning to original position. Since Ethan grabbed her from the left, her left arm couldn't find the space to stand. She would wrap it around Ethan's waist but that could be misunderstood...or would be a natural response. Fraha couldn't decide so she stopped hoping that Ethan would leave the hold where is your tavern? said she smiling, as inside her, panic was growing.

[Ethan]

Ethan's eyes were cautiously on the other people around him, with polite but weary glances. His mind was else where but he still had an ear on the conversation. When Fraha tripped and stumbled he wanted to lurch forward and catch her but she had herself under control. She seemed a little clumsy in the forest but this was different. Ethan couldn't tell if it was natural animal instinct or just a plain hunch, but he could tell something was up. Her voice had a different pitch. Odd tone's and attitude, now tripping. He stopped focusing on the guards around him and looked at her with concern. His eyes carefully looked over every inch of her face. She said she was tired... Plausible but with the walking around and energy pumping it was unlikely. She fainted earlier and that could be why she was tripping... Was it because a lack of water of sleep or a combination? Wasn't she sleeping in the woods though? Perhaps food was the problem. While he thought, his head slightly shifted as his eyes still looked. Watching her eye brows and cheek bones. How she smiled but it didn't show in her eyes like it did before. Those sparkling beautiful eyes popped when she smiled. Now they seemed a little dull and shifty. “Are you okay Fraha?” He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder while he smiled sympathetically. Worry was clear on his face and a faint amount of strain. Because when he touched her, he let the tiniest amount of Djed flow towards his Auristics abilities. He put the colors and texture of her Aura out of his mind and simply focused on the beating of her heart. The pulses lapsed against his hand and his hand only. Giving off a loud audible Va Vump Va Vump Va Vump. Her heart was literally pounding, the excitement from tripping could of caused it, but he could almost feel it was something else but he couldn't tell what. “If you need to sleep we can just call it a night?” He let go of the small amount of Aura and her shoulder. Before he started talking. “We can meet in the morning and have breakfast and get to know each other a little more.” His smile was a little worried but he couldn't help but feel for her. She was anxious or sick or both. He spent all this time looking after her, he didn't want anything to happen to her now. “If you need to eat and get some water in you then I will need to get changed first. I am on the second floor of the Stallion so It won't take long and looks are something don't want.” Ethan remembered about the way he was dressed and walked next to the door and grabbed the handle but waited. Prepared to open it and escort her inside. “Either way we should get out of the cold.” He whispered the next part as he looked around. “Plus these knights give me the creeps in all their armor. Never trusted them much.” He didn't like the soldiers and guards of Syliras all that much but he knew to keep his mouth down. “Shall we my dear?”

[Fraha]

Fraha walked silently, wrapped in her thoughts and paranoias when she felt Ethan's eyes over her. She glanced at him briefly to check if she was right and her eyes just crossed his as she turned the head to him then back to the road in less than a second. That was wierd and she felt like an idiot so she immediatly looked at him again "what?" smiled she realizing that Ethan had noticed something about her. Aware of being a terrible liar and a retard in hiding emotions Fraha blushed as she continued to feel Ethan's gaze upon her. “Are you okay Fraha?" "YES...yes" Answered she immediatly, causing a guard to turn and check what's happening. Fraha's voice was acute by itself but when Fraha would raise the tone, the frequency would highen up even more sounding somewhat close to a gasp. But Ethan kept talking, asking questions and giving her some choices. But Fraha had other things in mind, first she was in a tempest of feelings that she didn't understand and didn't want. Second she didn't actually know if she wanted those feelings, but more importantly, as Ethan kept talking and touched the handle of the door, Fraha took the hand and pulled it away from the handle causing the door to vibrate slightly "Ethan, there are no rooms in the Stallion!" she looked at him. Her eyes where slightly closed as if she was suspicios but her eyebrows were raised revealing sadness or dissappoint. She bit her lip before she continued talking "explain this, where are your clothes and where do you live since there are no rooms in the stallion to rent?" Fraha shook the head, she wanted to cry and actually was feeling her eyes lucid. She was feeling that Ethan was lying but what caused her that strong reaction wasn't this. Why would she care so much if he was lying? Why would she want to trust him but always doubted of this? She turned away from him ashamed of her reaction "i'm sorry, i don't know what's with me" said she with a low low voice.

[Ethan]

He noticed something a little strange with Fraha but when she pushed the door handle away from him. Things suddenly came into view in a very harsh way. Where those tears? What had he done to hurt her so much. Surely it was a simple misunderstanding. His mind raced and thought about what he had said to offend her. He hadn't been anything but a gentleman all night? Something was wrong and he felt a little worried about her while she talked. When she asked him where his clothes were and where he was staying. Ethan felted a little shocked. Didn't he just tell her where he was staying? Something was definitely wrong with her. Or she just didn't hear him properly. On the other hand he did appear naked in front of her in the woods. She must be so confused. How could he be so stupid in the first place. Of course she would be confused and anxious. They had traveled this whole way and she didn't even know if she could really trust him. It must have been a horrible feeling. The thought made Ethan hurt on the inside. Guilt and empathy were still strange feelings to him but he was learning them fast with every person he met since his separation of his old master. “Their is no reason to apologize Fraha. I can understand your suspicion of me. It's not often men wander naked around the forest.” Ethan laughed and took her hands in his very gently. “Your right I must of misplaced my mind. My room is at the Travelers Row.. Just down the road a bit. I wasn't lying don't worry about that. Your safe with me. I am rather forgetful though.” He laughed a little but paused and thought heavily about his next words. They were tough and dangerous to say if they got to the wrong ear. Although he was in Syliras and he had Hadrian to escape to if necessary. “Fraha I have something I need to show you. It will explain why I was out in the woods. I just can't show you out here...” Ethan looked around and found an empty spot behind a bunch of barrels on the side of the Rearing Stallion. “Here follow me.” Ethan held her hand gently as he quickly walked to the side of the building. Their was little space between the Inn and the castle walls. It served as a perfect spot to hid for a moment. “Alright, now what I'm about to show you is for your eyes only. Is that clear Fraha? Its a very important part of my life and I wish to keep it to myself and choice others.” Ethan was friendly but had a no none sense attitude. He waited for an answer before continuing. “Now whatever you do, just keep calm... And enjoy it I guess?” He felt a little awkward with the idea all of a sudden. He didn't quite understand how she would react but it was worth a shot. Ethan walked over to an empty barrel that was near a window. Pouring out light from the dinning room of the Inn. Probably still serving people eager to drink. Ethan took the cloak from his waist and tossed it to Fraha. “Catch!” He laughed a little, but mostly out of poor nerves. Ethan hopped up and sat on the barrel. He breathed deeply once and closed his eyes. “Remember don't be too surprised.” With those last words he tugged on the energy of his soul. A familiar command that started the change, and with a brilliant flash of light. Ethan morphed from the man Fraha knew. Into the large Bearded Eagle she encountered back in the forest. Perching on the barrel he let out a small and familiar Caw. The cat was out of the bag so to speak, and the ball was in her court. Whatever happened next was up to her. Whether she accepted him or ran away. Either way she deserved to know.

[Fraha]

Hearing Ethan's confess of misplacement unexplainably reliefed Fraha a lot. Despite his thoughtfullness about her feelings Ethan seemed a very honest, genuine person, every time more and more. Another guy would probably go away from her and, end of the story while Ethan didn't. "It's ok sorry, i tend to be.." she got interrupted by Ethan which wanted to tell ehr soemthing. From the tone of his voice it sounded something really big. Her feet followed gracefully his lead as she looked at him. He had brought her in a silent, hidden place. Fraha was a bit anxious, knowing that it would be nonsense to not trust now she stood where he told her. Fraha nodded silently, promising him that she wouldn't tell anyone about this...something. Fraha's hands were together, rubbing the fingers one against the other and her eyes were still on Ethan which also added enjoy. Enjoy what? Then suddenly Ethan took of f the cloack revieling his..body again to her. Fraha went surprised, in a bad way, attaching the words he said Something to show, don't tell anyone, enjoy...what the hell?. This was getting wierder any minute more. Suddenly Ethan tossed the cloack at Fraha, landing it on her head. She grabbed it tightly and pulled it down from her face, slowly. It's great to sniff something that was tied around your crotch Ethan said Fraha serious but ironically. Ethan was sitting on a barrel in front Fraha...naked. "Ethan, honestly, what the hell are you planning to.." Fraha's mouth remained still opened as with her eyes Fraha saw something she never would even thing to see. A grown naked man was morphing into a...a..an eagle. A brown feathered eagle, which was now standing on a barrel in front of her. Not understanding hell any more Fraha's head began to spin as she thought that she would faint for good this time. She leaned back on other barrels pointing a finger on the eagle. She was making fast acute gasps, result of wanting to scream in terror but not being able. As her head stopped spinning she started to touch her own face and to rub her eyes. Maybe she ate something wierd? Maybe she was hypnotyzed. After a half seconds spent trying to wake up she calmed down. Slow steps brought her near the Eagle which, if she assumed correctly had to be Ethan. A hand raised to touch the eagle's head, Fraha's eyes were wide and the yebrows were raised in the middle while the mouth sligtly opened. Amazing, is it you Ethan? it had to be him but Fraha wanted to make sure, since nothing was too sure now. She caressed the eagles head with the tip of her long index finger, delicately, almost as if she could brake it if she would go too rough. Fraha renembered all tha moments of that evening, Ethan holding her, his presentation naked...and...the eagle! Anger at Ethan came up to her as she took the Eagle for the neck, not tighting it, still very delicately "YOU'RE THAT EAGLE THAT ALMOST KILLED ME!" grouled Fraha releasing immediatly the "hold" of the neck as guilt came up to her "sorry, sorry, didn't mean to do that." Fraha dropped her arms and left herself fall on her knees and the sit down, feets at her sides but knees in front of her. Her hands ran through her hair letting the headband slide off and letting some fall in front of her eyes. "Give me a sec, it's a lot to take in ya know?" Fraha's voice was calm, slow and barely hearable.

[Ethan]

Ethan thought she was going to pass out as well. She looked faint and perhaps a little delirious, keeping herself up by leaning on a barrel and pointing at Ethan like she saw the devil. He was used to the whole routine and just waited quietly and didn't move. He probably should of talked to her first, but she seemed like a capable person. Ethan hoped he wasn't foolish for trusting a human so suddenly with this. He was in Syliras though, far from any slave city and the Knights were people of peace and order. He was safe as he could get really. This is what he kept telling himself at least. When she seemed to recover by wiping her eyes and rubbing her face all over. She started taking slow easy steps towards Ethan. He would be lying threw his teeth if he said he wasn't nervous. Even with his large wings and sharp claws, he wasn't over confident. Arrogance made you ignorant and careless to things around you. Whether being in the woods or tricking a woman out of coin. Things could always happen. “Amazing, is it you Ethan?” When she said that he knew she wasn't crazy scared. Just surprised and a little disorientated. She started to caress the feathers on his head and things were going great. He took in the affection gladly. Most humans wouldn't be comfortable with the idea for quiet some time. It wasn't until Fraha's finger brushed a little too firm on his feathers. That he sensed something was wrong. Natural intuition or animal instincts. Either way a cold shiver ran across his body and filled him with sudden fear. Fraha was quicker than his instincts though. "YOU'RE THAT EAGLE THAT ALMOST KILLED ME!” She growled loudly but her hand wrapping around his throat grabbed his the most attention. It wasn't tight so he didn't freak out and claw her naturally. It was held with a gentleness but a clear anger. He stayed true to his training and held perfectly still. Not moving in defense to cause her to give more force or get angrier. He only looked at her and prepared to act if the hand got any tighter. When she let go her eyes were filled with guilt. It was only split second anger and nothing more. It was all he could tell himself to not take off and perhaps gauge her eyes out with his talons. She looked away from Ethan and apologized. Letting her body sink to the floor and rest next to the barrel. Ethan took the apology but waited for her to gain her composure. “Give me a sec, it's a lot to take in ya know?” Her voice was quiet and he could tell she needed a moment. So he gave her just that. Waited until he felt she was ready to hear from him. Ethan hated to push her farther but she needed a man to talk to not a bird. Ethan called on his soul one more time. A flash of light engulfed him and shifted him back into a tall dark man. Sitting on the barrel with his feet dangling over the edge he spoke. “At least you know I'm not crazy or something?” His voice was encouraging but quiet. He didn't really know how to respond to all of this. “I'm sorry to spring you on this so sudden but you didn't seem to understand a lot of things and I thought it was best to kill two birds with one stone.” Ethan laughed but cut it off a little short. Not wanting to be too joking. “I only showed you that, because your a really nice person. Your trustworthy and I like that about you....” He thought about her hand wrapping around his neck and felt a little bad about what happened. “You know I was trying to help you in the tree... You were reaching for a rotten branch. If you grabbed it you would of fallen, hard. I Tried to warn you but I guess it didn't work.” Ethan laughed a little as he remembered her fall. “In my defense I did warn you, you grabbed the branch anyways. BUT I did go back to help you and see you safely home. In fact you could see me as your winged guardian.” He remembered his nakedness and blushed a little. “When Kelvics. That's what were called by the way. When we shift, we can't have any clothes on us. So that's why I was naked... You know I won't bite Fraha. You have nothing to be afraid of I'm practically a human, just a little different that's all... Your fine with that right?” Ethan couldn't help but feel a little sadness in his voice. It wasn't often he felt like a weirdo. In fact he couldn't ever really remember being embarrassed about who he was. This was probably the price for truly caring about human feelings and emotions. Having to take the good with the bad.

[Fraha]

Ethan's words were quite revealing. It all made sense now, a sense Fraha wouldn't ever be able to give otherwise. She felt guilty for getting angry on him. He may had saved her life and she in return took advantage of his eagle status and probably hurted him. She lunged her face in the hands in guilt for being so stupid. Avoiding eye contactwas her only option, the only one she could think of."It did work, i was about to jump on that branch" said she muggling thru the fingers. Standing up, not by choise, but by instinct words of shame came out "and you saved me, and i still didn't trust you and..."hugging Ethan Fraha stopped her speech as her blue eyes began to be wet. "I'm sorry, i'm so sorry" Said she sobbing slightly. This wasn't like her, Fraha wasn't used to cry. Tears were a rather new feeling feeling, Fraha rarely had the occasions to feel sad, this time however, she was really feeling guilty for her behavior. But only one tear relly had shown for she could be sure that Ethan would understand this, Ethan probabaly wouldn't even mind. She closed her eyes while a dump grin appeared on her lips. "you're more human than many.." whispered she tightening the hug. She didn't even care his nakedness anymore, which seemed so right to her now, everything seemed right now. She stood there for a couple of seconds, not caring to say a word. All she felt now was gratitude, loads of it. "Kelvics huh.." smirked Fraha. Now that, in some terms, the situation was stable and there was no tension in Fraha, she relaxed, leaving space to curiousity and excitement she usually had. Any type of tiredness was now absent, tons of questions whirred in her mind and the joy of trust was there between them, she could feel it, she had it. "So you can morph to animals right? Can you become a cow? Or a cat?" Fraha's speech got faster "oh oh wait, become a glassbeak, you would be the first friendly one i meet" A thought of Eagle being Ethan's only choise didn't even pass thru her mind, foolish some may think, but Fraha's intent wasn't to offend, yet instead to discover. Afterall, Fraha's mind wasn't that of a grown person for certain. She knew it, but wasn't ever concerned about it knowing that people would notice it anyway since often her words used to betray her acts. Fraha bit her lip though she wanted to talk more. A sudden embarassement stopped her as she realized that she was actually, asking a naked man to become a cow. Lucky them, cause that sudden silence allowed Fraha to hear some armored footsteps walking in their direction. A bolt of panic ran thru her back as she whispered to Ethan "Knight! coming!" She quickly gazed back, was it too late? What to do? No, there wasn still no sign of the law but it would show up shortly. A girl with a naked man in the middle of the night would certainly not please the severe knights.

[Ethan]

When she put her hands to her face in despair he wondered if he said something wrong. Maybe she was upset about being lied to or the fact that he wasn't human... The thoughts were upsetting for Ethan and put a deep pressure on his heart. "It did work, i was about to jump on that branch" She muttered threw her fingers with a hint of shame in her words. Ethan was relieved to find out she wasn't mad at him, but he felt even worse that she was upset with herself.. She got up quickly and blurted out. "and you saved me, and i still didn't trust you and..." She latched onto him and started sobbing. Telling him she was sorry. He could understand why she felt terrible but it wasn't a problem for him. Trust wasn't something he expected when he came to help her and grabbing his throat wasn't alright but she was angry about nearly being killed. It was acceptable, but he didn't try to cheer her up. If she needed to cry then he didn't want to interrupt her.. Ethan hugged Fraha back and held her close, holding the back of her head for comfort. He was new to sadness and shame coming from Human's but he was well versed in the emotion. Having lost his old master. He began rubbing her back with his free hand and letting her cry. Showing her it was alright and that he forgave her. Their embraced lasted a little longer. Ethan wanted to continue. To keep comforting and taking of the young woman. He missed the feeling and always cherished the chance to nurture someone. Ever since his master was lost he had few people to take care of. Sadly it was in his blood as much as flying. She whispered in his chest something sweet but a little disturbing. "you're more human than many.." It was sweet to hear from a human. A sign of acceptance of who he was. A sign that he was keeping true to his old masters work. To be better than other Kelvics. To never be anything less than human. It was disturbing because he didn't know if being human was such a good thing? Everything that made him human also took away from his Kelvic blood right? Could a Kelvic be a human as well? Wasn't the whole point of his race. To be half man and half beast? Although important, these questions were for another time. Ethan kissed her on the head for her kind words and continued to embrace her until she spoke again. "Kelvics huh.." She said with a smile in her voice. It was nice to see Fraha look relaxed and easy going so soon. He didn't want her to dwell on guilt too long. Her next couple of questions made Ethan laugh loud and smile wide. Most humans had silly questions that made him feel awkward, but Fraha actually had questions that made sense. “A Glass Beak or Cow? That's some request.” Ethan laughed and mockingly thought about it for a minute. “...No, unfortunately a cow is not in my blood. I'm afraid an Eagle is all I can change into.” He smiled at her and began to explain a little more so she wouldn't be confused at what he is. “Kelvics are basically animals with a Human form. Kelvics can be any animal you can think of. So yes a Cow or Glass Beak Kelvic can exist. Although I'm probably the most civilized one you will ever find so be careful...” The word Careful froze in his throat as he too heard the footsteps. Fraha confirmed his fear and a sense of panic shot into his stomach. Scared but calm Ethan grabbed Fraha by the shoulders to make sure she paid attention. “Don't freak out. I am going to change quickly and fly away. Go back to your Inn, open the window and look for me.” The footsteps were closing in and made his words quicken. “If I don't see you tonight I will find you tomorrow. Just stay out in the open courtyards where I can see you.” Ethan quickly kissed her on the cheek good bye and quietly ran behind the stack of boxes and barrels. Shifted quickly, and took to the dark cloudless skies.