{Flashback} How to play tag (Lucian)

[Sasshyaaddanc]

Day 29 of Summer, Year 510AV It was the perfect city for shopping, one of the few pleasant things in life besides the screams of the dying. She even enjoyed the sun, the warm and most certainly moist air. It was different than Ahnatep where all the air seemed to be dried out, sticking to lungs like salt and sapping your strength. She hadn’t enjoyed her brief stay there and the people she met where not pleased when she left either. Unfortunately for Addanc she had gotten caught with her hand in the cookie jar, so to speak. Eating humans was apparently frowned upon, pity, with so many extra arms it only took on to fill her. Still she doubted she could cause such an upstart in Sylrias and come away unscathed. Humans were foolish enough to not be able to know what she was on sight and made their own trouble but if a Kelvic or even another Dhani told those blasted knights. She delicate shiver slid up her spine, so much blood would be enjoyable, if only it wouldn’t be her own. All the same she liked Slyrias, so many people to choose from, all stuck in their small hovels, she doubted they would notice one missing. And her new identity her as Alana the human, was quite helpful, the guards paid her no heed for she was a quiet, mousy girl who asked people for cleaning jobs near the end of the day. So lost in her own praises she did not notice the old crone until their bodies collided.“Watch where you’re going, fool!” Her waspish tone came out before she could stop herself and she savagely bit her tongue, damn old woman making her loose her cover! Stooping low she glanced around and noted they hadn’t attracted much attention, hoisting the shorter, stouter woman under the arms she quickly righted her.“Sorry Ma’am.” Eyeing her warily the crone nodded, “Trouble was mine…but—“ Turning to walk away Addanc nearly slapped her as the hags voice reached her ears, her hand itched with urge to strike out until the woman continued, “Seeing as your pretty maybe I can offer you one of my…treasures, I’m sure a woman of your stature would be interested.” “Very well.” “This way, I have them in my room, see my stall, I cannot pay…” her mind drifting off as soon as the compliments died she followed the woman only to save face from the mild attention they had drawn. Though she sorely wished she hadn’t when the smell hit her nose, it was worse than most alley ways! She was nearly about to leave when the old woman hobbled over to a large box and pulled out a mirror, a mirror with a glass frame. Addanc snatched it before the woman could even grasp it properly. Calculating eyes appraised the haggish woman closer, she had red hair! Of course, one of those bird people; the ones who used glass to make fine objects, tools and jewelry, among other things. Catching her own reflection her train of thought halted and she barely heard her own voice whispering, “I must see it in the light.” She was so wrapped in her up in the way she looked in the smooth reflection—so unlike pond ripples—her mind did not register the figure creeping up behind her, until she felt the weight from her side lessen, the side that held her coin!

[Lucian]

Lucian felt another hunger pain stab through his stomach, rolling over on his bed with a soft groan. He had run out of things to sell, and he hadn't been able to steal anything worth one miza in the last while. At this rate, he was going to starve. "Ugh... There must be some idiot tourists who weren't paying attention to their pursestrings." He mumbled, rolling off of the bed. He landed light on the balls of his hands and feet, stretching out his back until it popped pleasantly.

With a soft sigh, the Kelvic was up on his feet, pulling his torn dress shirt on over his head. His eyes narrowed at the new hole in his left sleeve. "How is it that everytime I put on this shirt, there seems to be a new rip in it?" Fastening his dagger to the inside of his sleeve, inspecting it to see if anyone would be able to see it through the holes. It wouldn't do any good if he got caught with a badly concealed weapon. Not that he intended to hurt anybody, it was more for cutting open purses or cutting pursestrings.

Deciding that it wasn't so noticeable to be caught, Lucian slipped out of his apartment, not bothering to lock the door behind him. It wasn't as if he had anything worthwhile to steal. He'd have to check the market first; maybe he could snatch some items from distracted vendors. With a bitter smirk, he began to head down to the lower levels. This place was so large, it took forever to go anywhere. But it also left plenty of holes to slip into, and dark corners where normal people couldn't see.

He was nearing the market when he saw an old crone and young woman heading up. He side stepped out of their way, but not before he caught sight of the woman's purse. He could hear the coins jingle as she walked. It sounded like a lot. A grin spread across Lucian's lips, waiting exactly thirty seconds before following after them, keeping light on his feet. There was something strange about the young woman, but he was blinded by his hunger and his thoughts of money.

He waited until the two had stopped, watching until he noticed that both woman were distracted. Keeping quick and light, Lucian tool the steps until he was beside the young woman, pulling his dagger out. With a quick flick, the pursestrings were cut. A smile pulled on the corners of the Krlvic's lips. He had gotten the whole purse~ What luck!

[Sasshyaaddanc]

Her eyes widened and narrowed on the image that was not her own, dropping the mirror she spun to face to boy. “Thief.” Her word was full of undiluted rage, she could scream and have the guards running to her within seconds but her mind seemed not be able to get passed the fact that he had dared steal. From her! Damn all pretenses she would kill the boy and eat his heart for desert! She shook with suppressed and tried to focus her mind on shifting forms to something much more dangerous but a withered boney hand curled around her arm with surprising strength. “The mirror!” It was a pitiful wail and the hand that did not hold Addanc held the pieces up to her with shaky hands. Emerald eyes scanned to make sure they weren’t being stared at and sure enough most people were busy, even the few knights were currently entertained. Too busy settling haggling disputes gone ugly in the Bazaar area. Deeming it safe her own fingers curled around the old woman’s wrist and wretched the hand away while her other hand roughly shoved the woman back into the wall, and slammed her head into for good measure. A faint gleam of red ran down the stone but her attention had already moved back to the boy. Slightly calmer by having taken out soem of her fresh rage on the woman, she plastered a smile on her face, “I’m sure we can work this out, just give me my purse.” This, of course, was a total lie, the moment he handed over the purse she would snap all his little pick-pocket fingers. Slowly she reached out her hand, if he ran chasing would be bad but even if she didn’t catch him the knights would…

[Lucian]

Lucian flinched, looking up at the woman as she turned to face him. Most woman, if they even noticed him pilfering from them, saw a man with a knife and became scared and weak, fearing for their lives and wanting nothing more than to get away from him. This woman was different. She stared right at him, with no fear, no weakness. All he saw in those eyes was hate, rage. A killing intent. A shiver ran down his spine, color draining from his face. He had picked a bad target.

He hadn't even noticed that the woman had dropped the mirror, the old crone's cries not able to pierce through the deafening sounds of panic that were rising in his mind. He had to go, had to run. He needed to get away from this woman. There was something wrong about her. A brief glance down to bony fingers, grasping the young lady's arm, holding out the broken shards of the mirror. Green eyes widened in shock as the young woman took the old woman, and slammed her head against the stone wall.

A stream of red trickled down from where the old woman's head had been slammed into the wall, her body crumpling into a small ball. Lucian brought his eyes up to the smiling face of the young woman who had probably just committed murder. Make that a very bad target. He should just give the purse back and run for it. Though, he wasn't sure she would let him go. The killing intent was still in her eyes. She would hurt him if he got close, of that he was sure.

He should be running, trying to get away from her. He was sure he was able to run faster than her, at least if he had four legs. But then he would lose the purse, which was the whole reason for doing this. Now he just had to make his body respond to his thoughts of run. 'Come on legs. Move. Move, Damnit!' A slender hand reached out to him, and his frozen stupor snapped. Lucian slapped the hand away, clutching on to the purse, and running.

He stole a glance back at the woman, hoping to see her give up and let him go. Or at the very least, that she was the one chasing him. If she didn't call on the guards, it would make all of this so much easier. She didn't know him, and wouldn't be able to follow him forever. Guards could track him down eventually.

[Sasshyaaddanc]

The boy seemed frozen. It was amusing really, many used to say how a snakes eyes could entrap it’s pray, hypnotic--that’s what they had called it. Though it was said to be reserved for the cobra kind it seemed humans were not immune to any…that or her earlier fit had frightened the wits from him. No matter though, it simply made things easier for her albeit this did not please her and she couldn’t help the small pout her lips made as a wave of disappointed annoyance ran through her. How dare her pray be anything less than amusing! Siku preserve her she would make the boy cry out! But it seemed her inner rage was not needed for the his own hand reached to hers and…slapped it. He had the audacity to deny her her own monies. Watching him run she licked her lips delicately, she loved it when they ran. Her mind was darting from one thing to another with every reaction he gave, fear and submission annoyed her but pure fear mixed with a hunt. No that was pleasing. If he made it interesting enough perhaps she would even let him live…at least for an extra hour. He was fool though, to run through crowds with the knights watching. Were they watching? Smiling demurely to one knight she shook her head as he began chase, “My cousin. He enjoys hiding it often. A little touched I’m afraid.” The lie slid from her lips with practiced ease, she didn’t even have to think about it, her mouth automatically covering for her while her mind wandered to more sinister things. “Don’t cause a scene.” She nodded, her smile slipping from her face in contrite concession but it never left her eyes, “Of course.” She wouldn’t cause a scene at all, they wouldn’t even remember the boy had ever been alive. She would take him to a desolate spot and...a delightful shiver ran through her. Making a swift pace she could still see him darting through the crowd, but her was smooth, practiced. He barely bumped anyone only glancing ever once in a while. What fun! Her steady walk picked up to a jog and once of sight of any knight, at least any who were paying attention, she raced after him, not bother to slid through the people she pushed them none to gently out of her way. “Oh cousin, you mustn’t run so fast, I cannot catch you.” Her lips were pasted into a stern warning though her eyes were alit with a burning hunger for blood. His blood. Pumping her legs faster she desperately wished she could change shape, anything to move faster and catch his feet. She could nearly feel her fangs sinking in, biting the flesh and hearing the scream of agony. Wonderful. Truly wonderful. It seemed that the chase was not meant to be for a knight stepped forward cutting off both their runs. Beside him were two other knights. She halted almost immediately and glared at the ground, lucky they had armor or she would have torn them limb from limb for wrecking her fun.

[Lucian]

She had given chase. Well, that was better than being chased by the Knights. She was one person, easy to run away from, and he didn't expect her to stay in the same city as him. He'd dissapear, and she'd eventually give up and leave the city. He'd have to deal with the knights for the rest of his life. He'd take running from a scary lady over Knights any day. Turning back around, he focused on slipping through the throngs of people, trying to put as much distance between him and the woman.

He nearly stopped when he heard her call out to him, looking over his shoulder at her. Cousin? He didn't understand why she was calling him that, not having heard her small conversation with the Knight. All he understood was she was a lot closer than he had hoped. He could see the stern frown on her face, mimicking that of a concerned family member, save for the bloodlust in her eyes. With a small whimper, Lucian turned around, and came to a very sudden stop.

There was a line of Knights, three of them, blocking the path. In a quick motion his dagger was up his sleeve, hidden from the Knights. It would be bad enough that he was caught stealing; they might just kill him on the spot if they knew he had a weapon on him. A small grimace crossed his lips, taking a few steps back, and very nearly bumping into the woman he had been running from. Hell, he couldn't even turn tail and run the other way. Stuck between a proverbial rock and a hard place.

Well... It was a long shot, but maybe it would work. He gave a small smile, like a guilty child, turning to the woman behind him. "So... Looks like our fun is over, hey cousin?" He spoke lightly. He hoping to all gods that this woman's want to kill him would make it unbearable for her to let the Knigts have him. Besides, she was the one who had called him her cousin in the first place. 'Please please Please! Let her go along with this...'

[Sasshyaaddanc]

She was so filled with a bitter rage at being stopped she nearly missed the boys words, "So... Looks like our fun is over, hey cousin?" Immediately some of her anger was soothed, though far from all of it, if one of those knights ever was alone or at a tavern and full of drink…well, walking home in a straight line would be the least of his worries. Looking at each knight in turn she smiled, part rueful, part annoyed—it was much easier to fake the latter—and curled a delicate hand around the thief’s shoulder. “I’m sorry for the ruckus we caused.” Flicking a warning gaze at the boy she once more smiled at the knights, “I’m afraid he’s not all right. He wished to play tag.” A little more violently than needed she wretched the pursed from his fingers and tucked it into her waist band. “When I disagree he steals my things to make me chase him. If I don’t…my things go missing.” She frowned at him like a mother would a child but squeezed his shoulder; she needed to him to stay silent or he would ruin everything! “We can’t have things like this going on here, a sense of…tranquility must be kept.” There was something smug and icy in his smile that made Addanc wish to cut out his tongue. “We apologize.” None too gently she bowed her head, her nails digging into the boys skin in a warning for him to follow her lead, “It won’t happen again, I—“ “You’re right. It won’t,” His smirk was now a full blown sneering grin, “Because you’re both under arrest.” Addanc’s other hand clench and she could feel the curve of her curl into the flesh in her palm, mostly likely doing the same to the boy but it was all she could do not to lunge at them and rip their lungs out. Breathing deeply she raised her head smothering her anger and forcing it to fear. It was not easy and she was fairly certain her eye had begun a dreadful twitch and that her smile was little more than glass. Her eyes showed no better, the seething rage unmistakable. “P-please it will never happen again. I promise. He won’t even be allowed to leave the house—just please!” It was not hard to fake her initial stutter though the tone was probably leaning more towards barely held in check rage than humble fear. “I’m af—“ “James…let’s just...let them go for today. One warning the next time, well I’m sure we won’t need to be physically or verbally involved, will we?” His eyes danced with mirth at Addancs fury and a part of her just knew this new guard was not falling for her act. It irritated her but if he was not going to call her on it so be it. She could have her cake and eat it too. “Thank you, you don’t know how greatful we are.” “Yea, yea just get moving.” The three guards brushed past them and Addanc swiftly tightened her grip and leaned down to look the boy in the eyes. “Make no mistake if you so much as flinch I will call for them, consequences be damned. I grow tired of this game.” She smiled wickedly, “And I have many other plans, so you—“ She ran a finger along his jaw and smiled almost softly, “--will do precisely what I say, understood?” She wasn’t truly waiting for an answer, the boy would not be stupid enough to run again and risk them both having to repeat the previous situation and she doubted he had any other way to run. He would simply have to comply. A smiled curved along her lips, yes, it was true she had grown tired of the chase but she was dreaming of the torture and he was leanly muscled. A positively feral smile crossed her features as she straightened herself, finally releasing his shoulder. “Delicious.”

[Lucian]

Lucian let out the breath he didn't realize he had been holding, relieved. She was going along with it, thank heaven. At least they had a chance to get away from the knights. He forced himself not to flinch when the woman's hand curled over his shoulder. She felt cold, like a snake.

He gave the woman an annoyed glance. Not alright? Really, she couldn't think of anything better than pretending he was touched? Well, if it made the guards believe their story, he'd go along with it. A pout crossed his lips as she pulled her purse out of his grasp; all that work, and nothing to show for it.

He wasn't able to say anything against her though, as she squeezed none to gently on his shoulder. He stayed quiet, glancing between the knights and his 'cousin'. The knights didn't seem impressed by them, icy and cold. He could see one of them trying to suppress a smirk. That didn't seem right.. On command, he bowed his head.

A slight whimper left Lucian's lips; a mix of fear from the knight's answer, and pain as the woman tried to crush his shoulder. He was hoping to all gods that this woman would be able to charm their way out of this. For a moment, it seemed as though that there was no chance, but then something changed in one of the guards, granting them their freedom.

He wasn't able to enjoy the small victory, nor plan an escape from the woman who held him hostage. As soon as the knight's left, she tightened her grip, her words and gaze promising pain. He swallowed hard, giving the woman a sheepish smile. "A-Alright ma'am.. We'll do this your way..." She wouldn't try anything in front of so many people, and as soon as they were out of sight, he'd bolt.

[Sasshyaaddanc]

"A-Alright ma'am…We'll do this your way..." “Of course we will, I was not honestly giving you a choice.” Straightening herself out she scanned the crowd. It would be easy to take him to an alley and simply leave the city but where would the fun be? True he had nearly cost her dearly but he could prove entertaining if his stuttering was anything to go by. “Do not think I will hesitate to kill you in plain sight. I can flee, you on the other hand would be dead.” Her façade would no longer be needed, this boy had seen much and she doubted if he didn’t suspect something of her. “Tell me child, why did you take me purse?” While it would have seemed like an innocent question his answer would decide whether or not she would torture him then eat him or be merciful and just kill him and eat him. Beginning a slow walk she kept her hand on the boys shoulder, attempting to keep him in the view of the crowd. Honestly she doubted she would kill the boy so easily unless he provoked her, what she really wanted to do was cut him up nicely but keep him alive while shoving his precious coinage down his throat. But this was neither the time or place. She would have to settle for simply steering him through the crowd and making petty small talk until the boy made a move. She could always stab him and claim self-defense. After all she was nothing more than a helpless woman. “Would you like me to buy you a trinket?” She jingled her purse idly almost wishing he would reached for it so she could snap his wrist in two. “Well?” She could buy him a last request item, then take him into the more secluded place and from there… A small grin of blood lust flitted across her face but she was ever alert, she had not forgotten that damnable guard and his smirk! He had known, he had to! Which meant they could very well be followed.

[Lucian]

Hearing that the woman didn't have qualms about killing him in sight of others made Lucian's heart sink. Of course, she could probably get away with doing it too, what with how his luck was going today. Why? Why were the fates so cruel to him? First taking his mistress, and now sending this woman to harm him. It was too much. What had he done? Was he suffering for something he had done? He couldn't remember ever being naughty enough to warrant this. He could feel the woman's hand tight on his shoulder, forcing him to walk at a steady pace through the crowd. He wondered what the knights would do if he managed to make it to them and claim that the woman was threatening to kill him. Most likely nothing, especially if it were the same one's they had run into earlier. And it wasn't as if the citizens would help him. Lucian was on his own.

His odd green eyes turned up to face that of his captor, offering a slight smile. "Because I'm a child with no family and no skills." he answered honestly, finding it useless to lie to her now. "I ran out of things to sell... I just wanted to buy some food.." He could almost hear his stomach growling over the sounds of the crowds, but it was probably just in his imagination. He wondered what the woman was thinking, looming up at her with a curious glance, an wishing he hadn't. The thirst for blood was still there in her eyes. He cast his gaze back downwards, feeling himself shake underneath her touch. He didn't look as she jingled her purse, terrified of what she might do if he did. It was in his best interest if he ignored her attempts to provoke him.

Though it came as a surprise when she offered to buy him something. Lucian glanced up at her again briefly, a searching look in his eyes. He was disheartened by what he say; she still very much wanted to kill him. This wasn't just a nicety, she was baiting him. Still... "C-Can I die with a full stomach?" he asked the woman, his voice small and wavering. He wasn't afraid of dieing, he was afraid of breaking his oath to her. She had ordered him to live, and now he was going to die. "Since your offering, I'd like a meal..."