Open What not to drink

[Wyatti]

68th, Winter, 512
Outside the Kelp Bar: Early Afternoon

It was perhaps a simple curiosity that drew Wyatti to the barrel of strange smelling liquid. For a while the Kelvic hovered curiously around the side of the Kelp bar, staring into a barrel of the renowned supposedly foul smelling liquid. She hovered, her nose flaring as she tried to think through the fumes emerging forth, her large cat like eyes focusing on the strange green coloured liquid. She inhaled a deep breath, taking in the scent that could only be described as dead fish that had been left out to rot. The Kelvic paused, her cat eyes glancing around for signs of life or of others watching her. On deciding there was no one truly paying attention to her, the little girl began her experiment. She dipped her hands down into the liquid, letting her hands being submerged in the alcohol before she returned them to her face. She licked them, flinching slightly at the taste of salt and fish before shrugging. It seemed to her at least pleasant enough, but that was no doubt to the low quantity of the liquid. So upon a second attempt Wyatti cupped her hands and took a mouthful. Then a third. And then a forth.

To say the Kelvic felt rather mellow would perhaps be an understatement. She felt very relaxed, a gentle swaying motion filling her sight as she made herself move. She gave a stagger forward, a small frown growing on her face as she tried to walk. It was no doubt a failed attempt, for the Kelvic found herself quiet quickly sliding down the wall, her feet and hands lacking co-ordination as she stumbled about. Her cheeks on the other hand had turned a fine shade of pink, a warm glow in the cold of winter. Her hands fumbled at the wall as she leaned against it, watching the world go by with a somewhat stupid grin wrapped around her face.

For the adults of the world, Wyatti, the child Kelvic, had tasted her first lot of alcohol. The few that observed her would of noticed her rosy cheeks and seemingly disorderly appearance, and at first glance may of thought her to be ill with her walk and stagger. Most that did look, gave a look of disgust to the kelvic, believing her to be little more than a plague bearer. A pest. But Wyatti did not care about the looks for a change, if anything she was unfazed, giving them sleepy looking grins as the tiny drunk slid down the wall.

Ah... this magic drink is really good...

[Skaiira]

This is bad. Really really bad. I’m running full speed. Fish kebabs hanging out of my coat pockets. My lungs feel like they are about to explode. “Stop! Thief!” I hear the older boy shout. Somehow he is managing to keep up with me. I dart through alleyways and under tunnels but still he is on my track. How could this Happen? I never fail! I’m breathing like a dragon and my throat feels soar but still I run. I trip over a stone and sort of do a mid-air doggy crawl thing until I find my balance. I look back over my shoulder.

He’s still following me. Bastard, just leave me alone! I look up and see my chance. A small stone wall with a rough surface. An easy climb for me. I vault to it and scurry up the wall like a cat with a thorn in it’s arse. I look back. The boy hasn’t turned the corner yet. I sigh with relief as I drop down from the wall. I know I’ve won. “Ya little shit wher’d ye go!” I hear from the other side of the wall. I place a hand over my mouth to stop myself from laughing. Victorius I walk down the alley all pompous like. Fish kebabs hanging out for all to see. That was too close, next time I’ll have to try a new strategy.

I observe my surroundings. I know that I’m somewhere near the local kelp bar. I creep around the side of the bar and pull one of the salty fish kebabs from my pocket. I’m about to take a massive chunk out of it when I see a girl in the corner of my eye. She’s got her back to the side of the bar and she has that look. That same look everybody else has when they come stomping out of that place. Then I notice the large barrel next to her. Oh god she didn’t did she? She cant be much older than me... I stare at the fish kebab and hesitate. It’s not my problem right? I start to feel guilty.

She looks to be in a worse state than I am. I curse at my softness and walk over to the girl. I get down on one knee and get a good look at her face. I instantly blush. Oh...wow... she’s pretty. “I... erm... hi!” Oh god I’m so bad at socializing. “You erm... you drank that stuff didn’t you...” It wasn’t a question, her breath reeked of it. “I tried myself once... pretty nuts isn’t it?” I look at the fish kebab in my hand and offer it to the girl. “Fish?”

[Wyatti]

Wyatti smiled at the boy as he came over, her mind without a care in the world. She swayed for a moment, her eyes trying to focus on him. He said something, a greeting, in which the Kelvic simply gave a small wave. She had a great feeling of relaxation, of no cares in the world, of no concerns and worries. She gave a hiccup followed by a stupid drunken grin.

“I... erm... hi!” she watched an element of awkwardness form, one that normally would of made Wyatti suspicious, but right now, she did not care “You erm... you drank that stuff didn’t you...”

It was at this point that Wyatti started nodding. She loved the taste of 'that stuff' it appealed to her senses, and it made her feel great. Sure the world seemed to turn a little, and perhaps she did feel a little bit light headed, but that was not much of an issue was it? She could still smell the fumes of the Kelp Beer clearly, and alcohol clung to her sense. She still continued to nod even as he spoke, a simple act of acknowledgement paired with rosy cheeks. Before she suddenly stopped and made eye contact with him.

"You... You..." She raised a finger as if she was trying to point something out "You have... really nice eyes."

Her speech was heavily slurred, and would of made very little sense to those who were listening. Wyatti waved the fish kebab to one side, shaking her head to the offer. She was not hungry, she felt too great to be hungry, besides from what she could observe from her drunk mind he needed it more. So the Kelvic continued to smile, her pupils having turned from their usual large rounded shape to narrow cat like slits. She gave a broad grin, to the boy.

"Smile!" she hiccuped.

[Skaiira]

Great, just great. She’s totally wasted and you had to just go and talk to her didn’t you? Way to go Skaiira. Now she’s your responsibility! I watch as her finger seems to hover around my face. I tilt my head back slightly so she doesn’t poke me in the eye. "You have... really nice eyes," she says in a sort of weird slur. “My... my eyes?” I feel my heart start to flutter at the compliment but deep down I know she’s hypnotized by the magical works of ‘that stuff’.

She pushes the kebab aside and shakes her head. I guess she’s not that hungry despite her appearance. I shrug and place the kebab back in my pocket. I look back at her face and... holy mother of Zeltiva her eyes just... changed!? I’m a little freaked out but I have bigger issues to worry about. Like getting this girl home. “Smile!” I think she says though it sounded more like a hiccup. Smile? I look around. It’s starting to get dark. This is no place for a young girl to be hanging around in the late hours. What possible reason is there to be smiling about?

I scratch the back of my head and frown. “Err... where abouts do you live I can walk you home...” I start to help her up off the floor when I hear, “There’s the little git! Get im’ lads! Beat him to a bloody mess! He stole my mother’s prized kebabs!” Oh crap it’s the boy from earlier and he’s brought his mates! “I... err... let’s get the hell out of here!” Without a second thought I hoist the girl up on to my back and fling her arms around my neck. She’s heavier than I expect. “Hold on tight!!” I exclaim as we bolt through alleyways and under tunnels. I look back. They’re still after me. Malice in their eyes. Running suddenly becomes much more difficult when you’re hauling seventy pounds of girl halfway around Zeltiva... a drunk one at that!

I turn another corner. My legs and back are chafing but I have to keep running. Suddenly the girl is holding on to my neck to tight and I start to choke. “H-hey! Loosen up there! You trying to kill me!?” If she doesn’t do the job then those boys certainly will. I can’t keep running like this. They will catch me eventually. I spot my escape just a few meters away. I look back. They are still a little ways behind. I make a hard right and circle around a large house. I lower myself as not to knock the girls head off and dive under the stone staircase and we hide in the shadow. I face the girl and place a finger on my lip. The older boys run past screaming insults and curses in their failed attempt to catch us and I crash down flat on my back gasping for air. “S-Sorry …. a-about.... t-that...” I struggle to say out of breath. After a moment or two of violent coughs and heavy breathing I manage to pull my self up in to a seated position and say, "Now, where abouts do you live?"

[Ciqua]

-void-

[Wyatti]

It was the swift movement of this boy that Wyatti was scooped up, the her mind swimming as he ran. At first she felt confused, the sudden movement was unexpected, a shock to Wyatti's previously drunken mind. She could hear the boy wheeze for a moment, perhaps under her weight. She was not that heavy was she? Or perhaps it was the extra weight caused by the rucksack and the few other belongings she was carrying, even they after all would cause additional weight. As they ran Wyatti felt her mind sober, her head become clear as he carried her on, making a great escape through the streets. But just as quickly as he scooped her up, the pair had dived into the safety beneath a stone staircase. Wyatti looked upon the boy, her nostrils flaring, her pupils dilating as she felt the hold of alcohol release her. She could hear the shouts of others running past, the heavy footsteps of curses, but Wyatti said nothing. Not until the boy spoke again.

“S-Sorry …. a-about.... t-that...”
"It's fine," she did not sound as slurred as before.
"Now, where abouts do you live?"

The Kelvic paused for a moment, her mind thinking of an answer to give. Wyatti did not exactly live anywhere, or moreover she went where ever she could and slept wherever she fell. It was a more simplistic life for a simple child. So she gave a shrug, and drew her eyes away from the boy. Even in the glowing light Wyatti could see clearly, her eyes adjusted quickly to the dark. Her ears twitched, listening to the sounds beyond their hiding spot. Soon, who ever was making chase would find them, and by then Wyatti would have to make herself sober enough to be able to react.

"So," she brought herself into a crouch "Who were you running from?"

Wyatti was far from stupid, she knew there was a reason behind everything, and she could sense the sense of dread growing behind the boy. The Kelvic blinked and smiled, a sober smile this time. Her attention then turned to the outside world, her nostrils flaring as she tried to remain one step ahead of the others.

"I am Wyatti by the way," she introduced herself with ease, more so because the boy looked about the same age as her "Who are you?"

[Skaiira]

The girl looks a little more sober now and I’m thankful for that. One wrong move and they’ll find our hiding place. More than sober in fact. She seems to be on... alert? I notice the way she moves her head and seemingly sniffs the air. It’s bloody weird. Like some kind of animal. She averts her gaze from mine and I know she’s avoiding my question. Perhaps she’s like me? All the more reason I should find her a safe place to sleep for the night. Again she does the weird animal like thingy and I start to get goosebumps.

"Who were you running from?" The question comes out so casually you’d think we’d been friends for years. “Ah... Well... you see...” I pull one of the fish kebabs from my coat pocket. As if that would explain things better. “Not everyone can live and eat like rich-folk... You’re looking at Zeltiva’s number one pick pocket!” I sit there beaming with a silly grin on my face for a few moments until I realize it probably wasn’t the best thing to say.

Regardless of what I say she smiles, a real smile this time and it’s the best thing I’ve seen all day. "I am Wyatti by the way," she responds. Again with the casualness. It’s odd but I keep my cool. “Skaiira... but most just call me Skai... or, if you don’t like me such as those boys earlier then ‘git’, ‘bastard’, ‘rat’ or ‘fiend’ work to!” I chuckle nervously. Trying to break the awkward ice that apparently only I feel. I hear voices approaching our hide out and I go cold. Oh crap It’s the boys. Why won’t they just give up!? I shoot a glance at Wyatti. Somehow she already knows. She’s in this strange crouching position and I have no idea what she’s going to do next. I swallow and sweat trickles down the side of my face. “Wyatti” I whisper, “I don’t think I’m going to be able to carry you this time. Are you feeling OK enough to run?”

OOC@Wyatti: Feel free to use the boys in your next post. I'm looking forward to how Wyatti reacts!

@Ciqua: Hi there! I'm not quite sure I understand your post. Have you splashed some random tavern people with ale or was that aimed at us? If so I advise you read through the thread one more time. Wyatti and I are away from the bar and are now currently hiding under a stone staircase. Perhaps you could edit that post so you meet us under the stairs, post it one more time and then delete the old post? It's just a suggestion though, maybe I simply misunderstood your post! anyways guys having fun, keep up the good posts!

[Wyatti]

Zeltiva’s number one pick pocket? If you were that good surely you wouldn’t be chased?

Wyatti paused, ears twitching as she tried to listen. The boys were indeed close this time, they had retraced their steps back, searching every hiding place for Skaiira. She could see the worry growing on his face, the concern for him but also her running ability.

“Are you feeling ok enough to run?”
“Yep,” she paused as she beamed at him her hand quickly checking the contents of her rucksack, before dipping inside her coat.

She felt the cold metal hilt of her short sword, hidden out of sight but ready to be used never the less. She undid the front few buttons so it was easier for her to draw.

Yes… it’s still there. I’ll use it if I have to.

There was of course other tactics she could use; she could simply just run, or even use simple scare tactics to frighten off those who dared to make chase. Yes… scare tactics may be best. So as the boys came closer, the Kelvic prepared herself. She remained as calm as she smiled once more to Skaiira, but her tone was firm. She pulled off her rucksack, followed be her coat.

“Don’t look,” she tossed the bag and coat at him “And put the coat in there. And everything else, it all fits so don’t worry.”

The sword was on display now, but even that was coming off her waist. She had to move quickly. It was no doubt due to her intoxicated mind that the Kelvic deemed this to be the best and most fun tactic. And perhaps to Skaiira it would have indeed been the most bizarre action to take. But Wyatti knew what she was doing. She pulled off her other layers, a low throated growl growing louder. A flash of light, a swirl of colour, before the true nature of the Kelvic was revealed. The footsteps were close now, and Wyatti did not waste any more time. She leapt out of the hiding place, into the path of the boys.

Before the boys stood a leopard, hairs raised as a ferocious look in its eye grew, before a great roar erupted from its lungs. Pure intimidation slice through the air, as sheer horror grew on the faces of the boy. For a moment they were held, paralysed in fear, before this mighty predator bounded towards them, followed by a second, louder roar. There was no need to hurt them, but putting the thought into their heads was no doubt a wise choice. A threatening ‘wild’ animal like this would no doubt surprise anyone, be they young or old.