[Tarsin's Boarding House]Heartbeats and Sound Waves(Sondra)

[Ethan]

22nd Day of Fall, 511 A.V. Ravok, Tarsin's Boarding House, 1st chime Ethan stalked through the hallway. Listening closely to each door. His leather boots making a faint scraping sound as he passed by. He was looking for someone, and had been searching for the better half of two days. With little sleep and less food. The search was starting to weigh on him, but he didn't dare rest til he knew where she was. With his ear pressed against the doors, he would listen for the tell tale signs of life. Creaking bed, shuffling feet, snoring or moaning. Usually, if someone had company he would simply walk on. Sondra didn't seem the type to entertain men. It was only a hunch, but one that he liked to tell himself. As he listened to the umpteenth door, he thought about where Sondra might be. When he arrived in Ravok, he started asking around for a Konti. But most people were clueless or unapproachable. After that he thought to spy around the city as a Lammergeier, but it was too much of a risk to change. He started to wonder the city. Using his Auristics to try and spot her at markets and Bazaars. But she was no where to be found. He finally came to the conclusion that Sondra was too smart to be seen strutting through the canals. If anything she would be holed up someplace safe. Til she figured out a plan to flee the city. After that it was just a matter of checking each Inn for information and eventually going door to door to find her. Since he didn't have the hearing of a dog, and his sharp eyes weren't much help with stone walls. Ethan used the gift of Auristics. To peer into each room and detect the Aura within. That was the easy part, getting inside the buildings proved difficult. Most Inn keeps wouldn't have anything to do with him “checking” the rooms. It was either pay a few silver or break in. Ethan chose to bribe. Tarsin's Boarding House was the last place they stayed in before splitting up and heading for Avanthal. Sondra was supposed to wait here to keep an eye out for Hadrian. She might of left this place after Hadrian. To make sure she wasn't linked to his “shenanigans”. But it was a good place to start. Ethan was about to move on to the next door. This one proving too silent. When he heard something. It was faint, but hinted someone was inside. He didn't have the time or patience. To wait around to see what the sound was. There was a lot of rooms to check before sun up. Ethan took in a deep breath and opened up his Auristic senses. The world around him went dark as he honed in. The Aura was a bit out of his comfort zone. The farther the Aura, the harder it was to read. But after a moment of concentration and furrowed eyebrows. He was able to reach far enough. First it was nothing but mist, swirling colors of emotions and feelings. Next came the heartbeat and its sound waves echoing off the walls. Until it was an orchestra of sights and sounds. Giving off information about the person. Most of which he was unable to read. But he could tell it was her. He never read Sondra's Aura, but it felt familiar. Traveling with others always made it easier to recognize that person. And she held a special little place in the Kelvics heart. He wondered if she would be happy to see him? Did she even care? What if she thought it an insult for him to try and rescue her? Doubts had a funny way of hitting you right before the act. I should of bloody thought of this earlier! I have come too far to fret. Knocking on the door softly, he said in a hushed voice. ”Sondra, come out, I need to talk to you. It's me Ethan.” He paused and waited for an answer. A moment passed by and he knocked harder and quicker. Looking around, he raised his voice a little. ”Sondra, get out here. I need to come in!”

[Sondra]

Sondra flopped to her other side on the bed, balling the blankets in her fist as she pulled them closer around her. In the balmy eves of spring, she’d forgotten how numbing the cold could be and how the water drew it. Air infused with the odors of the lake spirited from the surface of the water to her marrow. The chill was sharp enough to wake her from sleep. A room with a good bed, once thought a luxury, had become a necessity, especially as she felt her body cracking in the cold and meagerness. She was alone again because of her sins. Her imperfect fellowship had gone where she could not follow. Likely for the best, she was outliving her usefulness for them. Kendall and Hadrian had found the grit she would sometimes supplement and their talents in magic were expanding. Another set of eyes grew unnecessary. Plus Ethan could fly in petching circles around them all. She was too slow for the company. Sondra bit her lip, a quick punishment for sulking thoughts. There was no point in remembering. Things were the way they were, regardless of how she felt. The only option was to deal with the needs that lurched to her feet in the present. Sondra couldn’t hold still again, or she’d be living out another season of Sunberth. Syliras was a long way yet, and she was without horse and company. As much as she hated Ravok, she needed to scrape something out of its coffers before heading south. Winter was coming too, and with it the nigh impossibility of travel. Someone was stomping in the hallway again, looking for gods knew what; maybe a companion, runaway or someone who’d pay for company. She pressed the scratchy pillow over her head, muffling the sound. The seeker finally reached her door, what it said she didn’t care. She only groaned over the voice. “Not interested.” It spoke again, undeterred. Lady-lis, it couldn’t take a hint. “Petch off!”

[Ethan]

He was glad not to be using Auristics when she said “petch off”. Hearing it normally was bad enough. He knew the Konti was resting and had no interest in being disturbed. It was hard enough to bother the woman when they where traveling together. And yes she probably didn't know it was him. But still... He thought about pouring his Res through the door's cracks and making her room a little “windy”. But she would certainly have her hammer, and a humorous prank could turn sour if she thought a Mage was at her door. It might be better to try the window. But he would have a tough time dressing without her seeing. And the idea of being naked in her room... Well it was deeply arousing. Nudity never phased him, but seeing Sondra in her bed would. Awkwardness aside. He wasn't eager to get his skull crushed and chose the window. He was an expert at getting unclothed in public, so it wasn't long before he was changed and flapping out the hallway window. The night air was cold and crisp, as it sifted through his thick black feathers. The moon caressing his tail feathers. He was excited. For the first time on his journey south. He was about to see Sondra, in all her glory and foul tempers. Ethan landed on her window sill silently. Like a black and orange shadow. The Lammergeier hoped to catch her unawares. He frequently watched his companions as they slept on the trail. Creeping about in bird form. Popping his head into their tents to make sure all was well. And always stayed a bit longer at the Konti's tent. She slept so beautifully and the way light caught on her scales... Sadly, he was denied the privilege and was met with a tossing and turning Sondra. Ethan pecked vigorously at the window to get her attention. then scurried across the room. on stubby little legs. As she let him in. In a flutter of bright Golden light. He changed and spoke, naked as his name day. The roll of clothes at his feet. ”You really need to check who's at your door. You could of turned me away! And then how would I have rescued you?” He smiled, and held out his hands. ”Care to hug a 'birdie' friend?”

[Sondra]

When the footsteps faded, Sondra removed the pillow from its smothering place and wadded it beneath her head. She pinched her eyes shut, trying to think of nothing. Eunoe had once told her to imagine a perfectly round sphere that did not alter in order to clear her thoughts. Sondra always failed spectacularly at this, the sphere multiplying, moving and changing color, but she still tried the exercise when desperate for sleep. She twisted again, tightening the blankets around her body. Trying to think of the petching perfect sphere and nothing else. All the other thoughts had a way of churning wakefulness. The sudden noise at her window made her start. Springing straight up, she immediately reached for the hammer propped against her bed. The thing at her window was a blur at first, mottled by fatigue and darkness. Then the shape and color began to accumulate. A vulture, a massive one with vivid coloring turned glowing shades of violet by the evening light. Sondra stared at it for a while, even as it pecked at her window and tilted its head at her. Moving more like a golem than a person, she set down her hammer and opened the window to let it in. As it scuttled across the floor, she dumbly watched it. She’d forgotten how massive birds could get; the city and its gulls had cramped her senses. While she was beginning to be spellbound by the beautiful creature it burst into a mist of gold, reforming into Ethan. “Lady-Lis, Ethan!” Sondra instinctively raised the blanket to make a barrier between her and the exuberant and starkly nude Kelvic. “Put on some petching pants!” From behind the shield of rough wool, Sondra was muttering to herself. “Especially if you’re going to creep into my room at all hours.” She raised her voice, the blanket still separating them. “Boundaries, birdie! I have them.” Tenatively, she lowered the blanket, revealing a very worn Konti. The temporary look of health when they first arrived had vanished. She was marked with shadows, and her motions lacked fluidity, as if her bones were sticking to one another. But it was still Sondra, indomitable despite all logic. “What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be in Avanthal.”

[Ethan]

Her anger made him feel right at home. Sondra was one of the few people that could pull off being a pain. She was cute when mad and even lovelier when irritated. It reminded him a lot of the wet nurse that cared for him as a child. Chuckling, he reach down and pulled on his breeches. ”I see absence didn't soften your love for me.” Said Ethan, grabbing his tunic to put it on next. Looking up at her he smiled. ”You know distance has- What happened to your face?” Sondra was only partially in the moon light but she looked sunken in and old. Was she not eating right? Did someone rough her up... He pulled the Konti in for a hug. She felt so thin, all shoulder blades and elbows. But she luke warm at least. Thankfully not feverish. ”Your so thin. We need to get you out of here.” He held her tight and opened his Auristic senses. Being this close made it quick and easy. Ethan looked past the boiling emotions. Knowing she wouldn't like being hugged. He instead, felt for her heart beat. Its waves gave off a more steady Aura. Free of emotions and sudden changes. Ethan could feel her weariness. How tired and sick she was. It gave him a bad after taste. Leaving his limbs heavy. ”I'm sorry I didn't come sooner. When Hadrian met up with us and explained why you stayed behind. I took off that night. I should of flown quicker.” He was rambling and couldn't help it. Worry was a strange emotion for the Kelvic and he didn't know how to deal with it yet.

[Sondra]

Before she could protest or wedge something between them, Ethan had swooped in to hug her. She didn’t remember the conversation when she implied anything like this was allowed between them. As a matter of fact she could recall affirming quite the opposite. But here he was, and she could only struggle briefly and relent. To ease that transitional moment, she imagined soft wings instead of arms. The picture brought a temporary flush of calm, even gratitude. She didn’t return the hug in any shape apart from her tired head lolling forward, but she wasn’t trying to punch him in the ribs either. Sondra blamed the fatigue. When he let go, he was already launching into explanations Sondra neither expected nor fully understood. At least not at this hour, her head was bobbing between muddiness and a nerve clenching tautness. His hands were more bracing her shoulders than holding them as he inspected her. She briefly wondered if he’d start shaking her when he got too excited. “Lady-Lis, Ethan, slow down. What are you talking about? Leaving—coming sooner—? you’re supposed to be in Avanthal with Kendall and Hadrian, learning from them, watching them.” She raised her arms in protest, gently breaking the hold he had on her. “Why are you here?” she asked again. “Ugggg,” she continued with an unattractive groan, “And so late… I paid good money to sleep in this damn cot, not stare at it.” Golem like, she began reaching for her blankets again, aiming to swathe herself in them.

[Ethan]

To some, being grouchy at a friend that flew thousands of miles to rescue them. Would be rude and ungrateful. To Ethan, it was adorable. "Should i have boughten flowers? To soften the blow of my late night vist." he teased as she pulled the blankets around her. Now that she was up, there was little chance of more embracing. He savored the moment they had. And sat on the small bed she paid for. It wasn't nice to look at, but it was still warm from her body heat and surprisingly comfortable. "I will repay you for the bed. Don't worry. Your copper won't go to waste." He smirked. It was nice having money. No wonder human's where always killing each other for it. It gave you a sense of security and privilege. The chance to help those you loved, or make other lives miserable. Three thousand gold was a lot of money... He often wondered what he would do with it. Between hunting in the wild and stealing from horny drunks. Ethan didn't need much gold. philanthropy had crossed his mind once or twice. Three thousand Miza could free a lot of his kin. Or feed some starving human children. It would be pointless though. The Kelvics where nothing but beasts, hardly his brothers or sisters. And human children turn into human men and women. Enslaving his people or watching as they where whipped into submission. No, this money was for his kin. Sondra, Kendall and Hadrian. And right now he was looking at Sondra. Thinking about all the ways he could lavish her. "I have come to rescue you. Hadrian and Kendall can make it on their own." Perhaps a golden hammer? "You need money, right? Well i have loads of it and nothing better to do. So i flew here and found you. I have plans to take us out of here at first light. Catch a boat and put hundreds of miles between us and this cesspit." The thought of Sondra in fine indigo silks and golden chains, made his blood boil. creating a unpleasant heat in his stomach. "Do you need something to eat Sondra? I could get us some bread and wine?"

[Sondra]

As Ethan detailed his mission and intentions, Sondra’s face passed from shock to offense and was finally mottled with a stubborn anger. At the end of the Kelvic's explanations, she waxed eloquent. “You can stuff those Miza’s up your feathered ass, Ethan,” her voice had a growl, “You don’t like being owned and I don’t like being bought.” She took a deep breath, trying to stifle her temper. One could tell she was struggling with balancing the goodwill Ethan intended with his aggressive assumption of her compliance. “No, bird.” At least it wasn’t his given name she was speaking with a calm so deliberate it spoke more of rage. “I don’t want any wine or bread. It’s probably second-petching-bell.” Remembering something she forgot to mention, she added, “Oh, and get off my bed.” To encourage compliance, she kicked at him once from under the covers. “Who said I needed rescuing?” she laughed, but the sound was more mocking than mirth. “Granted, this is bad, I won’t lie, but it’s not the worst I’ve seen. And even if it was, I sleep in the beds I make.” Sondra rolled her shoulders and stretched her neck, working on old pains. “It’s too late to talk about anything serious, Ethan," the raggedness had crept back into her fading voice. "Give me til the morning,” she waved her hand at the room. “You can stay, but make yourself… smaller if you’re aiming for the bed." Her voice was even as she added a firm caveat. "No touching, don't betray trust or you won't get it again.”

[Ethan]

Sondra was, to say the least. Irritated at his attempted rescue. Like any head strong person. She threw the offer back in his face. With an eerie calm in her voice. pissed at the very idea. That she, needed help. Whatever my Konti Warrior says. His little comment got him a foot in the ass. She was strong despite her tired appearance. And kicked him out of the bed. While he laughed, rubbing his thigh. "You better watch where that foot goes. My body isn't nearly as handsome bruised." She continued bashing his generosity. Starting to roll over and get ready for bed. Her anger taking on a dull edge. She must need sleep to let him slide so easily. He wasn't using Auristics out of respect, but he knew this was bad. "Sondra I-" He was cut off with an offer to sleep on the floor or feathered in the bed. She wasn't in the mood for talking and it was the best deal he was going to get. Things could wait till tomorrow morning. So, Ethan took off his clothes... again. Didn't people know how annoying it was to change back and forth? He silently sighed. Irritated but endeared by the Konti angrily trying to catch the sleep she desperately needed. He came over to the bed. Bare but keeping his hands over his "areas". Sitting by Sondra, he changed. The eerie golden light washed over the room. Bright, but warm. Like sunshine. Now that he was dressed more appropriately. He crawled under the blankets. Tucking himself into Sondra's warm chest. When he was a Lammergeier. Things clicked differently. He was more focused. Less concerned with words and speech. And more concerned with physical touch. Sondra's body heat was intoxicating. The warmth of another always made him feel safe. Returning him to a distant past. Giving him the affection and security he so desperately needed as a child. Next to Sondra. He felt like he could sleep well for once. Without nightmares or that hollow feeling in his stomach.

[Sondra]

Signaling the end of discussions, Sondra promptly turned her face against the wall. She felt the weight of Ethan's body on the bed, then the shift to something a trace lighter. Lady-Lis, couldn't he have been something manageable like a crow? His talons pricked her under the blankets as he maneuvered over the bed. She closed her eyes, waiting for him to finish and perch somewhere, or curl into a ball. Whatever it was birds did when sleeping. But it was Ethan. So he did no such thing. Choosing rather to break the rule she had so eloquently laid out about not touching her. Sondra was baffled. Her eyes blinked suddenly open. "You little petcher. I say no touching and you interpret that as what? Don't touch with hands? But nasty little claws are fine? You're a dead man." The bird didn't move, it just radiated feathered warmth. Still unsure whether she should fling him bodily out of the bed, or give this bit of ground, Sondra stared at the bird's plumage, boring holes into it with her eyes, until she could not help but follow its beautiful marbling. Cautiously, she lightly ran her fingertips over his shoulder. With a little more pressure she passed them over again, feeling the feathers pass from stiffness into down. She had once been a child who would have been delighted by such a thing. When did she get so old? When did wonders cease to make her grateful? "Tomorrow," she mumbled, "You're a dead man tomorrow. I'm going to kick you in the teeth the moment you show them." It was compromise enough.