Faces in the Crowd (Sevris)

[Kalina]

28th Day of Summer, 513AV (Afternoon) Once again, Kalina had lost sight of her owner. It had already happened once that day, resulting in the Kelvic kitten running into her first Zith. To Kali, however, there had been nothing wrong with,or different about, the Zith. Other than the wings... the wings were a little different, but Kalina saw nothing wrong with them. And she definitely saw no reason for every other person around to avoid the woman. The ocelot soon wandered across her Master again and, after a small rebuke, which Kalina soon forgot about, she had tried to pay attention and keep him in her sights. As expected, though, it wasn't long before the Kelvic was on her own again. She wasnt even sure what had distracted her enough; she had avoided looking at looking at the water, thus becoming mesmerised by its shimmering from the reflection of the light. And all the water creatures. Oh, how she wanted to play with a water creature. It was probably a person who got in her way which caught the young ocelot's attention. Or it might have been a fly; it didn't take much to distract her. Now, though, knowing that she had lost him again, she was also aware that she would be in serious trouble when she was found once again. It doesn't even strike the three season old Kelvic as odd that she was now beginning to consider Marcus' home her own home too. Or that she even considered him her Master and Owner. So young, she still didn't understand what those words meant, nor did she understand what other people saw her as. But she did understand what he offered her, the home she had been given, away from the Kelvic Research Institute. She would be loyal to him for that alone, were it not that he was kind and gentle to her too. Though now he's going to be angry with me too. If she could pout, the ocelot would have been by now. A flash of something bright catches the young Kelvic's eye. Glancing back, she focuses on the contrast she had spotted amongst everything darker. Walls, clothes, everything, they were dull and relatively boring. But in the middle of all of that, was a mop of pale hair. Kalina yips, excited and curious. Instantly forgetting about her Master, she bounds over to him, weaving in between all of the other people milling about. He was someone new, and someone different. Kali had to know more.

[Sevris]

Sevris had become a more patient man in his days in Ravok. Despite treachery, it only deterred him slightly. He saw a bigger picture which was how he was able to progress through daily dangers. But there were days where he wanted to calm his mind. Today was not one of those days. The call of living required his attention in the market as usual. So he dealt with the crowds of people that loved to spend their money on things they did not need. However among all of those usual suspects in a crowd. Something unexpected did happen. As Sevris stood by himself he looked down as something approached. That something a happening to be an ocelot. A small one at that, he noted, but it had a very smooth delicate fur covering. This was such an odd animal to run into, so he deduced that it was most likely a Kelvic. He had been informed from his Go Zone of the going's on around the Kelvic Research Institute. So he bent down and asked what was going through his mind at the moment, "Where is your master young one." An occurrence like this however odd it seemed. Did not pay any mind to Sevris who was used to seeing many things. Each had its own way of playing a part into his world.

[Kalina]

The success of the initial meeting between her and this new man has Kalina yip once again, tail flicking in excitement as she jumps up on her hind legs to paw at the man. Te man had even bent down to her level! oh, this was a definite positive sign that she was going to receive attention from the man, for a moment at least. His mention of her Master doesn't even cause the ocelot to revert back to the nervous creature she had been mere moments before. She doesn't dwell on the question and, as an ocelot, makes no effort to answer it. He is bigger than me. Only when thinking did her language come out in any form of fluency, because she could think in pictures when she couldn't think of the word. In any other instance, her language was severely lacking, for a child whose age she appeared to be. By seven she should have a full grasp of grammar and an impressive vocabulary. Both were not present in Kali's linguistic limitations. He should find me. Not me find him. This was fair, wasn't it? The young Kelvic was immature and ego-centric, but she wasn't entirely without intelligence, and she was fast learning how the world worked. And anyway, she wanted to see if she could have fun with the man. I hope he finds me... even the voice inside her head had quieted slightly. Kalina bangs her nose against the man's leg, seemingly pushing at him as a matter of urgency to sniff and know what he was. She even licks him, though it comes to nothing, as he tongue only makes contact with his dark clothing. Well, the man was definitely normal. Smelled and felt a bit like Marcus. He was clearly very different to the Zith woman she had just come across. For starters, he didn't have wings. And he smelled like Marcus and other people. The kitten resists the urge to grab the man's hand between her teeth and nibble on it. To anyone who knew her well enough, they would know this was her favourite way to work out what she wanted to know about the man. A habit common among felines and canines long past teething age, Kali knew deep down that she was not supposed to use her teeth, having been lectured on how sharp they were on many occasion. Se had also been warned about using her claws, for the same reason, but that hadn't stopped her from digging them in slightly, into the man's offered leg, which was helping her balance on her own back two legs. Growing impatient, she reaches forward and, with her nose, pushes the man's hand up, her nose and head under it; a hint as to what she wanted him to do. Her tail was still flicking on occasion, and the faintest purr could now be heard reverberating from her body.

[Sevris]

Sevris watched the young ocelot show its energy and excitement. He noticed he was referring to the ocelot as an it and was not sure of its sex yet. The ocelot began to become impatient and stood itself against his leg, burying its tiny claws in to his pants. A quick glance gave him the information he needed. "You're an interesting one aren't you girl. Maybe you can show me your other self." The Lazarin stood up and looked with genuine interest at her. She did not know of his status nor anything that came with it. Oblivious to this was what kept Sevris's attention. So used to everyone knowing who he hailed from and what he was, this was an unlikely encounter. Her tail wagged back and forward as she danced slightly on her paws. This is my first time meeting a Kelvic. I wonder what their morphing ability looks like. The thought was intriguing and prodded him to investigate further.

[Kalina]

The Kelvic's tail continues to flick every so often, her purring growing louder and louder by the moment as she receives what she is constantly craving. The man could have been anyone, a prince, a pauper, a poisoner or a pastor and it would have made no difference to her. At three seasons old, and having spent the majority of that time in ocelot form living in a cage barely big enough for her and waiting each day to be fed, she had no concept of careers, money or social hierarchy. She was fully aware of the fact that she was subordinate to her owner: he was the one to feed her, and he would only give her attention when he wanted to, not when she demanded it. She was also beginning to understand that he had a life beyond his new roommate, and he had work. The nature of that work, however, was still lost on Kalina. She freezes though, and the purring stops instantly, at the man's request for her to change her form. What? Why? Now? Why? The ocelot drops to the ground, so that her belly rubs along the floor, and her ears flatten. She whines, though it is barely audible. It wasn't that Kalina was scared of changing. Well, she was, but it wasn't because she disliked being in human form. Her experiences at the Institute had taught her to be extra wary of transforming, and she made a point of only doing so when she felt safe and comfortable, and she knew everything about her surroundings or, at least, who she was with. Right now, she knew neither, though she was glad that the crowds had dissipated ever so slightly. Less of a threat, that way. The young Kelvic sits up, and, twisting her body slightly, brings her back leg up to scratch at her neck. She knew that she had left the apartment without a collar today, but it never hurt to check again. She whines again at the memory; the scars were still there, still present all around her neck, and she scratches a little more than necessary at the thin line of hairless flesh; it was always itchy. Once done, she drops her foot back to the ground and glances around her, checking that no one was standing to close. Do I have to? Do I really, really have to? She wasn't back at the KRI yet; there was likely going to be no punishment if she didn't do as asked.. right? Only Marcus had the right to ask anything of her... this man.. He was nothing. Don't see why I have to... To say the Kelvic was nervous was an understatement, and when some other person walks a little too close to her for comfort, when she was trying to make up her mind about changing or not for this man, she whimpers and shifts closer to him, ears still tucked back, as she crawls between his legs. If she thought it was safe enough, she would do it. But other people had to back off first.

[Sevris]

Sevris grinned at her reluctance with so many people giving him quick skirting glances every now and then. He looked up and he saw one of his men on working on the ravosala that was apart of the a new extension to his Go Zone. He gestured for the ocelot to follow him as he made his way towards him. The man pretended not to notice them as he was assuming the young one to follow. They came upon the man piloting an elegant ravosala, Sevris pretended to do usual business with him. However instead of exchanging coins, they were instead exchanging information. Updates on whereabouts of the Rising Dawn. And more about any movements made on him from anyone. Only that there have been suspicious movements, nothing of substance really. Sevris gave Kalina the OK to enter the ravosala. "Don't worry," he said stepping on. "We won't be bothered for a short ride into the waters." He was increasingly interested in this ability they wielded. But also how they managed to live in both states simultaneously.

[Kalina]

The ocelot's heart sinks as she watches the man turn and begin to walk away from her. All because she hadn't wanted to morph into her human form when he had asked... Kalina growls, more in irritation towards herself than towards the man. Despite herself, though, she pushes herself up to stand and pads after him, not yet willing to give up entirely on getting what she started out for from the man. She slows behind him, acting like any other feline would around a human, first running herself up against his legs. The Kelvic kitten begins to purr, though she doesn't know if it can be heard from down where she was, whilst the two men talk to each other. She entwines her body and tail in between the man's legs, more to remind him that she was down there, than anything else. It wouldn't do to have him forget about her. When he steps away, Kalina looses her footings and mewls as she falls to the ground. Within an instant, though, she is back on her feet, shaking herself off. She bounds another step to keep up with the man, but she skids to a stop as she realises where he was going, and what he wanted her to do. Get... in? Me, get in that? The kitten whines. Ever since her owner, Marcus, had taken her away from the Kelvic Research Institute, and she had had to get on that floating thing on the water that took them to main Ravok, she has been terrified of the water. Since then, she had done everything she could to avoid being too close, let alone on it. And now he wanted to put her on a floaty death-trap? No... But then... if she didn't... he would most certainly leave. And opportunities like this weren't around every corner; Kalina had quickly learnt that a fair amount of people in Ravok wouldn't give her the time of day and, of those who would, not many of them would be... nice. She whines again, ears flattened against her head and neck. But she finally inches forward and, taking a painful amount of time to get her footing, going back and forth, before setting her paws inside the Ravosala, she drops her belly to the floor of the contraption, thinking it was quite probably the only way to keep herself from falling out.

[Sevris]

The Lazerin couldn't help but smile with humor as he saw the ocelot try against her better nature to not go on the boat. But she forced past her fear and began to edge her way onto it. Certainly taking her time she finally stepped on, Sevris followed in suit walking after her. She would have to face her fears sooner or later. They took off in good fashion slowly as to not disturb the ocelot to greatly. Sevris had directed the man too a more secluded location that was close by. When they arrived he prepared to depart and asked, "Coming?" He assumed the short ride was uncomfortable, less why he made a short detour. However he led them towards a more secluded area leading along to the Lakeside Stables. The Soldier was very familiar with this place as a child, though he never got the chance to actually ride the horses. He would be instructed soon enough and would need to pick a horse to his liking.

[Kalina]

The growl that the ocelot unleashes as the man follows her into the boat was possibly the most uncharacteristic she had ever done in all her three seasons. The creature was frightened, that much was clear, from her movements and position. The sound, however, was feral; a sound that portrayed none of the human qualities the Kelvic had. Nothing was a bigger motivator than fear; nothing could drive a sentient being, be they human or animal, to become something they inherently weren't. Yet, here, for the first time, she was pure animal, and only Sevris was present to watch her in this dangerous state. They weren't on the water for long though, and throughout the journey, Kalina doesn't not once look over the edge, nor does she see the water creatures she had come to be so fascinated by. She remains on the bottom of the boat, her belly never leaving the comfort of the Ravosola. All the while, the deep, reverberating growl never stops. So fearful the three season old ocelot was that she had completely forgotten about her Master, Marcus, and how she had once again lost him in the crowd. She was supposed to be looking for him, trying to find him before he found her. Maybe he hadn't even noticed that she was gone. The chances of that were slim, but not entirely impossible. Instead of doing that, though, she had climbed into a boat at some stranger's request, and travelled farther away from him. After what feels like an age, at least to the young Kelvic, they dock again, against another walkway. The man had not even finished speaking to her before the small creature was on her feet and off the damned water-bound vessel and onto the walkway. The walkway itself was made of a flimsy wood, not much better than than the vessel. But it was the only place in this city that Kalina could conceivably call land. Other than the safety of her own home. She mewls, grateful to be off of the boat. At the sound of footfall on the behind her, she remembers the stranger who she had been on the boat with, and she spins around to face him. He walks past her and she pads along behind; she had been though the worst, no doubt, and there was nothing left to do but follow. Maybe he would reward her, the ocelot thought, and that would be well worth getting on the boat.

[Sevris]

He had needed something to distract him from this seemingly dull day. This wasn't exactly what he had in mind but he certainly didn't mind. They walked off the boat and on to dry land where he felt that the ocelot would be better suited at. "Traffic is not a friend of mine. Less the ingenious inventions of the Ravosala. But enough about that. If you will." He continued on and the ocelot followed in suit apparently in higher spirits. They found themselves walking on a path that held all signs of life but humanoid. Creatures of all sorts went about their business. While a young and bright eyed ocelot stayed by his side. Alone they absorbed in their environment. Ravok was a beautiful site, no matter what angle you were looking at it from. Perhaps this was suitable to the ocelot, he thought as he turned his attention to her. They were already at the stables. He said to the ocelot, "Happy?" With a smile on his face. The horses in abundance could be seen from their vantage point. Maybe this would make her come out. Sevris could only assume so.