[The Freight Docks] Dancing in the Dark [Lucette]

[Talen Stirling]

He looked at her a little askance, an urge to both pull her closer and shy away fighting for control in his head as she spoke and moved. She spoke with seductive grace, and Talen's mind and body had him incapable of forming a swift and coherent answer. Her supple body moved closer to his own, and even if he tried not to he saw more than he ought to do. Desire brewed, but with an effort he turned his mind to answer her questions. "I don't know if I'll tell him.." It was right for him to know, wasn't it? Talen didn't know the priest well, but he'd seen him and knew of his importance to their society. If she were his charge and was a danger, he would need to know would he not? Talen's line of thought was blurred once again as her hip brushed against his own, her cloack billowed and she looked up at him with pleading eyes. He looked at her momentarily and she shyed away, as if guilty of some crime. That felt uncomfortable, as if he were a jailor or master leading her through the streets too haughty to be looked upon. They walked a short distance, the air cooling his troubled mind as he debated what to say and do. He did not believe Justus would abandon her or act wrongfully if he were told the truth, and in the end he almost settled upon informing him. Surely, her ... "Master" needed to know. Talen had never been comfortable being the owner of anyone, he saw himself as a follower more than a leader. Suddenly he felt her dark auburn eyes pleading with him again, and as he turned she asked him a question that was more surprising than the others. "Afraid?" He murmurred and looked at her in wonder, not understanding how she could not know. Of course had been afraid, a large predator stalking him in the night. He looked into her soft features, and somehow felt uncomfortable. Where did the Cheetah end and the woman begin? Was she proud? "Well... Y--" She spoke at the same time, and he moved his head a short distance away, gray eyes glimmering with surprise and then a hint of apprehension. "No. I don't visit the Temple.. For all I knew, a predator was hunting me in the night." Their walk had slowed considerably, and in spite of the cold and the haste they should be moving with curiosity had him talking instead of walking as swiftly as he should. "I don't... Like the idea of being with someone as a favour, or for money... Do you like it there? At the temple?" He almost winced at his clumsy questions, perhaps she did not even have a choice afterall. A beat passed and a cool wind blew through the street, Talen's eyes fell to the exposed skin of his companion with a worried glance. She must be freezing in that weather, no matter if she had a cloack, a scarf or how close she pressed against him. He hesitated to ask, but an idea and a question presented itself to him, despite it's unpleasant results.

[Lucette]

“You were afraid…” the Kelvic breathed in an excited whisper and her eyes traveled over Talen’s armor and leather, to fall upon the sword and shield strapped to his back. The man had been afraid… of her! A low, contented rubble rose from deep in her throat as he looked at her oddly. Lucette was better this time at hiding the pleased expression that crossed her face. She had inspired fear… in a guardsman. The Kelvic did not stop to wonder why it gave her such pleasure. He thought her a predator! A predator that hunted... Lucette’s inner beast burned. It burned, even as the human in her worried that Talen might tell Justus what she had done. Shivering beneath the cloak, Lucette tried to predict how Justus might react if he knew; but she only remembered what Roland would have done in the same situation. And that thought made the Kelvic very nervous. “You do not go to the Temple, but why?” Lucette was surprised, and it shown in her voice and in the way she drew back. “Are you afraid of the Temple too… as you are of me?” Was Talen simply a fearful man? The thought disconcerted her… he had acted so intimidating in the ally. And fearful didn’t seem the word to describe him properly. The slave girl tried to reassure him, “No one would hurt you there…” Cold fingers stroked his arm, even as she shivered against his side. Softly Lucette repeated words she had over heard about the Goddess. “Most visitors are very happy. The coin is for Nakali’s favor - it is she that allows one to visit… and be satisfied. Do you not have such needs? Why else would you stay away…” Her pert nose reddened and the girl shifted on bare feet, though strangely she had not complained or protested once about the cold. Lucette’s hand drew the cloak more closely around her and she smiled readily. “They treat me well. I am very content.” And Justus allowed her the Cheetah, which was something Roland had never condoned. Turning her head up at him, the slave thought a moment then added, as if imparting a great secret, “The ones marked by Nakali know your deepest desires… I am not so skilled as they. I can only offer simpler things.” The visceral and the animalistic; each lay within her, and resided in her eyes for anyone who cared to look. “I could… introduce you to one of them. They would… take care of you.” The Kelvic’s gaze was direct, yet almost it held a measure of flirtatious manipulation. If one of the Marked ones could distract Talen before he spoke to Justus – it would be all the better for her.

[Talen Stirling]

Talen was disconcerted by this woman, Lucette was her name he reminded himself even as he looked into her dark eyes. They seemed touch with a hint of the animal that resided beneath this second skin, and he felt uneasy so close to her - faced with all these questions by her. She felt soft but too cold with her arm in his, and he pulled her closer instinctively, almost habitually. That had been a long lost habit, or so he thought. Rather than answer her first questions, he posed his own. He knew, of course, that no-one would hurt him there. He wasn't afraid of the temple, but he had no intention to go begging for companionship to fill out a gap that he had long since tried to accept. His eyes flickered to her gorgeous curves as she explained. Not that he was never tempted to do so... But it wasn't right. He would not be with anyone who thought it their duty, or their way of earning a living. He was a protector, he didn't need protection. At least, he would convince himself that he didn't. "No.. I am fine..." He murmurred that sentence and picked up his pace a little, his eyes darting between the ground and her face. Between worry, admiration and annoyance. He looked up as they passed a building leaving the freight docks, the temple barely visible in the darkness high on the outskirts of town. A whispering wind of night chill danced through the street from the docks, faint mist and moisture clinging to skin and armour. He stopped dead and looked at Lucette with a distraught expression, then sighed and questioned her. "Lucette.. Can you .. Shift? You''re freezing.." He spoke her name softly, and the rest of the sentence came in stuttering steps. He didn't want this, he was not sure what she would do as the cat. Would she run? Would she attack him? Were she the same person, or did her mind change with her body? He took a single step away from her, unwrapping her arm but for the hand which he took in his own. "Can you turn and follow me to the temple?" He tried a smile but felt decidedly uncomfortable in it, both facing the beauty and the beast was terrifying, each in its own way.

[Lucette]

Lucette regarded Talen with an animal’s alert gaze; every movement he made was noticed with careful vigilance. His arm pulled her closer, and she pressed against the larger, more muscular body with her own smaller one, moving comfortably into its warmth as if she would nestle there. But the man stopped short in their walk back to the Temple and looked at her with a decidedly troubled expression. Her voice, heated with a savannah she had never seen, said, “You do not seem fine... are you truly -” She did not finish the thought, for he had spoken ‘No.’ Always, the little word held her in check. The Kelvic would not push the issue any further. “You… want me to shift?” Lucette asked, unsure but hopeful. No one had requested such a thing beyond Roland, and even then she was only allowed the Cheetah for the briefest of moments. Flame sparked her features, while moist lips turned upwards into a grin she couldn’t begin to hide. “I will be the Cheetah!” Already, her body fidgeted in anticipation. Hand still in his, Talen held her away. But so fearful was Lucette that the man might change his mind, she wasted no time. In bliss, her eyes fluttered closed as the transformation took her. Instantly stars of light played about her shapely body and swallowed her form. Magically the human was replaced with the large feline with lithe musculature and a strong, broad chest. Golden fur and black dotted spots covered her. A large paw rested in his palm, instead of the delicate hand that was there a moment before. Daintily Lucette held it still, so as not to harm the man with her claws. Exquisite eyes lifted, and the black tear marks were made more prominent in the direct gaze. The Cheetah waited almost patiently… for she had done as he asked. But a hundred scents assaulted her nostrils, and in this body, it was more difficult to control her urges. In the end, she broke his gaze to look about distractedly for the source of each and every thing she smelled.

[Talen Stirling]

She changed, even before the lights surrounded her she seemed to light up into a predatorial grin, her body twisting with energy and excitement. He could see the want, the desire and the beast howl for release and Talen steeled himself with a deep breath against the instinct to rush away. He froze as she disappeared amidst the flickering lights, caught between flight and curiosity as he saw the beauty become the beast. The light hand in his own changed, coarse hairs and cold paws resting lightly in it. He trembled faintly as he looked down on the beast, his hand twitching instinctively in eagerness to grasp for his blade. Instead he dropped her paw carefully, slinking away from the cheetah with eyes following her every move. They locked stares, the predator's eyes focused only for a moment before shifting gracefully to gaze into the darkness. Talen stepped back and cleared his throat before speaking, silencing the question whether she would understand him with a shake of his head. "Let's... Walk." He crouched and picked up the cloack and scarf in turn. With the cloack safely clasped around his shoulders and the scarf wrapped with considerable care and reverence around his neck he set forth with a fast pace and a concerned glance to check if the cheetah would follow. OOCSorry about the delay. I've moved out, and it's been hectic. If you would take Talen and Luc to the temple, or as far as you'd like, that would be great and go right ahead!

[Lucette]

Talen cleared his throat, and the sound brought the Cheetah’s cold stare upon him, to consider him with feline fascination. Her muzzle turned upwards to sniff the air, leather, armor… the man-ish scent of him. All worked to remind her of the fright he had caused her in the ally. Now though, Lucette did not feel so cowardly - especially as Talen stepped back from her… Why did he move away? Was it to give her space… or was the fear of her still there? The Kelvic observed… but the guardsman did not seem dangerous any longer, and he made no move to frighten her again. He only bent to retrieve the cloak and scarf she had so readily forgotten in her haste to transform into the beast. ”Let walk, he said, donning the garments. And the Cheetah found her most immediate concerns about the man, gone from her mind. Yawning wide, her sharp teeth were prominent, and then just as suddenly, her jaw snapped closed, forceful and final. Effortlessly the Kelvic fell into a lope behind him, and even though his pace was rapid, to the Cheetah used to wild sprints, it was too slow. Lucette could have run the distance back to the Temple easily; she did not understand why he wished to accompany her. Unless… unless he wished to speak with Justus… unless he wanted to apprise the priest of what she had done this night! The Cheetah’s head whipped upwards towards his shoulder, then past, to find his features, as if looking upon them she could discover his reasoning.… Again distrust wound its way through her heart, and a wary hurt shown in her angled eyes. How could she trust him when he would not commit to remain silent with Justus? And why would the man pass up a chance to meet Lucette’s friends at the Temple, the marked of Nykali? Talen had denied anything was wrong, but the Kelvic could not believe him…, for she could not begin to understand what he feared from the Temple. In the past, Lucette had invited citizens of Denval into the Temple to visit with her. But, this guardsman, she did not want him to enter… Justus would surely feel Talen’s desire to speak with him. Justus always knew… Lucette’s eyes shifted forward, only sliding to the man at her side occasionally as they made their way to her home. As she walked, the deadly grace encompassed every step, in either form she used. Her thoughts remained upon Talen and distracted, the Cheetah’s shoulder or hip bumped against him, as she moved ahead or behind. Her position always changed. And for a slave that had grown surrounded by constraints and rules, it was surprisingly hard for her Cheetah mind to be reined in. At the ornate doors to the Temple, the Kelvic was at a loss of what to do. Twitching frantically, her tail refused to stay still, as did her mind. Silently and slowly, she sat before the entrance and stared at him. Talen would enter the building or leave… as he wished.

[Tabarnac]

Within the Temple, which wasn't laid out as one might expect of a temple, but rather a brothel, there were no customers or worshipers this evening. Many came later, after food and rest, and there were likely people in the cells of pleasure within. But the sight that greeted Kelvic and man was remarkably domestic, which might seem almost aberrant considering the locale. Most Denvali were not squeamish about sex, nor judgmental about acolytes and priests who were often also sex workers. But there were always people with strange hang ups. Most of them ended up here at some point, the better to work through them. Siwa knelt in front of a divan, restful, chin to her chest as Jey carefully braided her long, dark hair, his fat lip caught between his teeth in concentration. Justus was there too, reading something or other, his sprawl both elegant and restful. They took their free time near to him, but many people reacted that way to Justus, the one who understood their needs, sexual or otherwise, and did not judge them. He was the one who looked up and smiled at Lucette and her guest, warm through the strange cast of illness that beset those marked by gods these days. Jey's own grey eyes were shadowed like bruises, but he kept them on Siwa, and she remained motionless until the chain of her braided hair be released. "Welcome home, Lucette. Ah, and young Talen, welcome." He stood, setting his reading material aside. "How may I help you?" Even though one got the feeling he already knew the answer to that question, he always asked. There was a comfort in that.

[Talen Stirling]

His eyes darted constantly to the large predator at his side, and only with a great effort of will did he remain still when she bumped and brushed into him. He was nervous, yet at the same time there was a surreal beauty to walking in the moonlight with the creature. His feet fell with forced regularity, and he felt almost skittish. Still, they pressed on, and despite his strange companions he began to wonder. There should be no question, in truth. His duty was to inform Justus about his charge's behaviour. In order to ensure that the nights events would not be repeated, perhaps resulting in grave error and injury. It was easier to be righteous now, with the shape of the massive cat trailing his steps instead of the lithe woman. They made it to the temple doors, light and warmth making the decision to enter all the more inviting. Talen turned towards the kelvic with a hand on the doors, a nervous smile itching at the corner of his mouth. "Let's go and find Justus, yeah?" He looked at the nervously poised cheetah in a suspended moment, a thoughtful frown crossing his brow before he pushed on the doors all the harder to shove away any hesitation. The doors gave way easily and a swift place quickly found them in the company they sought. Talen stepped softer as he entered the room, suddenly very aware of how misplaced all of his weaponry seemed in this place. There was the pretty Siwa lounging delicately, tended to by a, to Talen's perception, squeamish looking fellow. He looked to Justus as he spoke his question, at once feeling both uncomfortable with the strange knowledge and power the man had over him, and calmed as he could feel the man's nature and urge to please. "I... Ran into Lucette, on patrol. It almost came to violence, but luckily she changed shape and I.. Decided to walk her home." He rolled his shoulders and shifted on his feet, feeling uncomfortable with the half-truth and under the eyes of the servants of Nikali. Those that could see his needs could see his weaknesses, and if he were to protect he could not afford to have any.

[Lucette]

Unable to hide her unease, even in the feline form, the Cheetah slunk to Justus’ side. It was apparent Lucette was unsettled, her head low and heavy and her black whiskers twitched nervously. Her muzzle nuzzled his hand, pushing for his touch. Always the Kelvic was joyful to see him, but tonight she wished to distract her master from Talen’s report. As Lucette’s head moved, her dark rimmed eyes stayed upon Denval’s solider, accusing and worried. Soft feather-light dots of sparkling flame surrounded the Cheetah’s body and Lucette shifted. Once more the Kelvic stood tall, though her eyes never moved from Talen’s face. But for her gaze, she was not intimidating covered only by pale skin that hugged her curves. Her fingers circled within Justus hand, and she leaned against the man, standing just behind. Her look pleaded silently with the soldier, and she pouted prettily when Talen began to speak. A low hum sounded in her throat… she was hurt by his admission, simple as it was. She was hurt by the man’s perceived betrayal. Justus would know! Justus always knew! Fidgeting, Lucette could not control herself well, for she had shifted too often this night and found herself on an animalistic edge. “I did not mean it!” The Kelvic blurted out, turning to Justus quickly, then back to Talen. “I only wished to play! I would not have hurt you!” Her voice trembled, and Lucette cowered, still holding onto Justus’ fingers, but now she held them in supplication, fearful of retribution for her actions.

[Tabarnac]

Justus' hand resisted Lucette's push, comforting her and reaching around to scratch behind her ears. And then she was in her human shape and curled up against his side in a way that would make any man react; her need for secrecy shot through him, of course, and Talen's evasions. He might have sighed; children! "I see no harm has come, but I will talk to Lucette about, ah, proper etiquette outside the walls of the Temple. Perhaps this will not be a problem once more people have become acquainted with her. There are no cheetahs native in this part of the world, so you can count on any cheetahs you see being Lucette, who wouldn't knowingly hurt a person." Though, of course, there were the people who enjoyed a bit of clawing now and then... Justus had sway in Denval, it was true, but he was not the sort to cut a guardsman's balls off for doing his duty. "Is this sufficient?"