Raise your hand if your human[Kyra]

[Clyde Sullins]

27 Summer 512 Clyde had been pondering things for awhile... Small facts, adding up over time. He never claimed to be the most observant of all people, but even he eventually puzzled things out. And he was fairly certain there was something off about Kyra. The way she walked... Acted... Even bits of her appearance and tones... Not to mention her eyes... All of it spoke of animalistic tendencies... Which had Clyde beginning to think she was not human. Was something else. But he had yet to directly speak of the topic. To directly ask her. He was not certain if it was a secret or not. Or how she would react to his question. But it had to be asked. It had been a few days since they had last seen each other, and Clyde was once more knocking on her door. This time, it was not early morning, but late in the afternoon. Nearly nighttime. He knocked on the door, and would greet her as she opened the door. "Hello Kyra. I was wondering if we could talk. We could speak here, or if you want, we could go get a drink, and speak there. I will leave it up to you." He would finish it off with a smile, and offer out his left free hand not holding his staff, to her. He recalled the last time they had held hands for a moment, back when he had been working on that arrow design... Though he had been a bit distracted at the moment to focus on it.

[Kyra]

Kyra awoke that late evening a bit earlier than she normally would. The room seemed empty, almost a barren desolate beyond and surrounding the bed that she rested on. All of Marcelo's belongings were still there, however with out him there was a void. A coldness that seemed to reside in her room, even in the light of day, a twisted reminder that her friend was no longer with her. Marcelo had been kind to her and was the only person that she felt close to besides her mother and their butler. Marcelo was the man responsible for bringing the light back into the girl's eyes, and showing her that she was so much more than a simple slave or a pet. He treated her as an equal, something she didn't think would happen again for the rest of her life.

On the day that he bought her, he explained to her that what he had done, wasn't to make a simple purchase, but too free her. He wasn't looking for a slave, what he wanted was a partner and he found that in Kyra. From that day forward, a partnership formed, and from that a friendship, and soon something deeper. She learned a lot from him, and her jaded view of the world changed somehow, only to be distorted and harden after his mysterious death. This was the reason for her troubled days, why she twitched in her sleep as she was plagued by nightmares. Kyra sat quietly at the edge of her bed, her eyes stared down at her bare thighs, looking through the tender skin, and beyond the fabrics covering the bed into the darkness below.

After a few ticks, she rose to her feet and lifted herself up on the tips of her toes. She stretched her arms out above her head, skinny fingers reaching for the ceiling. The rose colored shirt she wore lifted up just above her navel and made ripples on the back of the thin material. She stepped forward, moving into the enter of the room, still balancing her weight while walking with her heels off the floor. Turning around she leaned forward and placed her hands on the floor, holding herself steady, she brought her weight to rest on her shoulders and arms as she lifted herself off her feet. Pushing her full weight on her arms, she lifted her legs further up into the air until her toes were pointing towards the ceiling.

Her shirt ruffled more and settled into a bunch just above her belly, her long hair twirled and flowed over her head and onto the floor. She was careful not to place her hands on her hair as she slowly turned and moved across the floor. She used to practice all the time, when she was performing with Marcelo, but as of late it was a way for her to focus her thoughts. She watched carefully, being sure of where she moved, as she brought her legs over her head, and allowed her body to follow as she stood up again.

Kyra moved to the wall and turned her back to it, taking two quick steps, she turned her body into the air, bringing her hand down to the floor to catch her and the other to help push her body over. She would swing her legs last, using the momentum to push her body over so that she could land on her feet. Once she was up right again, she moved to the opposite wall and struck out again, flipping her body into the air,this time without the use of her hands. She moved in one swift motion, however her body moved a bit faster than her legs, causing her to fall flat on her back.

A soft cry escaped her lips as she fell, the sound easily trailing off into the echo in the room. She laid still without moving, her eyes stared blankly at the ceiling above her. Her focus was still off somewhat, and the fact that she instantly thought back to what Marcelo had taught her said as much. Kyra sighed lightly, and pulled herself from the floor and stood up again. The air in the room seemed to thin, and the walls almost a prison. She needed to get out, take a walk and clear her mind. She moved to her wardrobe, taking off her shirt and slipping into a black skirt. She decided to add a purple corset to the attire, she wasn't sure of where she'd end up or what fun she might find when she got there.

Sitting on her bed again, she reached onto her table and picked up her brush and combed her hair. Once she was finished, she put on her boots and took her cloak from the rack and headed towards the door. As she moved closer, a familiar scent wafted into her nose just as she heard foot steps, followed by a knock at the door. After slipping her cloak over her head, letting it drape dainty over her slender shoulders, she opened the door and peered out.

"Clyde Sullins, are you in need of more arrows?" She hadn't expected to see him again, and since she hadn't made any plans for the evening, it could be interesting. He was a mysterious one, and she was starting to wonder if he acted this way on purpose. It was a curious invitation, as he chose to ask her if they could talk, unlike the last time when he was direct and said what he needed. With his hand extended, she tilted her head a bit and offered him a teasing smirk, and turned back to close her door before she took his hand. "I've heard things about this Silver Silver, I am curious to see it for myself."

[Clyde Sullins]

As Kyra answered the door, it was a bit more brazenly dressed than usual. She wore a black skirt and her boots, which exposed a bit of her leg skin. She had a corset on top, showing off a bit of skin, and leaving her arms bare, part of which was shown under her cloak. Clyde gave her a warm smile as he saw her, taking in her attire, and giving her a once over. She was not unpleasant on the eyes, that was for sure. Not bad company. "I would be all to happy to be the one to show you." Walking along a bit, holding Kyra's hand in his, Clyde led the way to the Silver Sliver, through the streets and past canals. It did not take an enormous amount of time, but did take a bit. And there progressed was hampered a bit, since they were holding hands. But Clyde continued to pull her along, holding her hand. Once there, Clyde led her inside, weaving his way through the small crowd, to find a empty table for the two of them. He seated Kyra first, before going around to the other side of the table and sitting down himself. Then he ordered two mugs of ale from a passing barmaid. Off a bit, music could be heard emanating, as a musician with a stringed instrument Clyde could not name played. It was nothing to fancy, but he was not good with names of such things. It was probably something well known, that only he could not name. "So while we wait for our drinks, what do you think? Does it live up to your expectations?"

[Kyra]

"Lead the way." She said simply before they left and followed him as he led her through the streets and past canals. They were holding hands again, though she didn't mind, physical boundaries was never something she cared about. As they continued on their way to the Silver Silver, hand in hand, much in the way that a couple would possibly act, she noticed people along the way giving them more than a simple glance. She wasn't sure if they were eying her or the man accompanying her to the pub. Either way, she was used to being watched and thought little of it.

Still, the attire that he wore was of a certain type, and not common among the people in the city, however her own clothing wasn't exactly something one would wear day to day. With the on-lookers aside, the journey was quiet and Kyra's curiosity had her figuratively dancing on the tips of her toes. She would glance up to him every now and then, thinking to ask him about what he wanted to talk about and why he wasn't talking. As they continued on, she followed, her small hand curled inside his larger palm. There was nothing else to do besides follow along since she had never been to this place before.

Once they arrived, she simply followed along as he led her inside and to an empty table. The inside was dimly lit, and a small crowd covered most of the floor, in between tables and those standing around. There was a strong smell in the air and something she couldn't identify. Her eyes searched the room, looking over the people around her, those she had seen before and some she'd never laid eyes on. Standing with him at the table, she removed her cloak before she sat in the seat that he offered. Her milky white skin seemed to glow in the dim light and stood out from her darker attire.

Sitting at the table, she crossed her legs and smoothed out her skirt. She looked around more, observing the crowd while Clyde ordered for them both. The musician that played for the crowd seemed lively and knew his instrument well. It looked interesting and something she would probably enjoy trying herself. Kyra turned back to face him as he spoke to her, deciding to break the silence between them. "It's interesting, but somehow I expected more violence, but I think I like it."

There was a certain style to the place, a different atmosphere all around. People were huddled together, some in small groups and others with only two or there, all gathered together for different reasons and or common goals. Kyra had heard stories about the place, some more innocent than others, but she hadn't been there long enough to know if any were actually true. She sat properly in her seat, her legs crossed and her back straight against the chair. She was now in the ever popular Silver Silver, and with a powerful man who had come to her home to speak with her. "Are you going to tell me what this is all about? Or would you like me to guess?"

[Clyde Sullins]

Clyde smiled a bit, as Kyra sat all dainty like, crossing her legs like a lady might. A bit ironic, considering he had seen her happily kill several men. Her next words did little to diminish this though, making him think that she perhaps enjoyed violence a bit to much. "Well, it does get rowdy at times, but more often than not it is calm. Though I have seen a few brawls break out. Why, were you looking for a tussle?" As always, Clyde had his staff with him, which he kept. It had long since been a permanent addition to the things he carried around. Sometimes, he simply liked it for the quality it brought on. Often people thought of a wizard, by a staff wielding mage. He did not yet have a magic staff, but had plans for one. Along with that though, it was also useful in a scrap, to knock someone with. Though it was of less use, against someone wielding a blade or a strong weapon. As she asked her next question, Clyde took a moment to think it over. In the meantime, the barmaid arrived, putting a mug of ale before each of them. Clyde killed a few ticks by taking a sip, and sifting it around in his mouth, and by slowly swallowing it. Then with a smile on his face, he returned to the task at hand, after glancing around to make sure everyone else was talking, and no one had grown silent or was eavesdropping. "Well, we have known each other for a bit, and have gone through a bit... And over time, I have noticed certain things about you, which has me wondering if... Well, if you are not entirely human... I certainly would not think less of you if you are, but... Well, the question is out there, and you have me intrigued as to what exactly you are... It is a great mystery, that I would like to see the truth of."

[Kyra]

Kyra sighed and looked around the room again. She had hoped that the place would be of more fun, but it would seem that the stories she had heard were not true, or at least the interesting ones. But there was still a bit of a chance, as he mentioned that he had witnessed a few brawls. Kyra leaned forward and rested her elbows on the table, lifting her hands and curving them to cup her cheeks. "Have you ever fought anyone here? Did you use your magic on them?" She hoped that his answer would be yes, and that he would regale her with a tale that would have her figuratively climbing the walls.

She smiled mischievously when he asked if she was looking for a tussle. "Would that excite you?" She asked slyly and watched his expression closely. She didn't know a lot about him, besides that he had powerful magic; wasn't above killing other humans, and seemed to enjoy her company. Kyra had questioned him relentlessly before but he only told her so much. Even so, Clyde knew even less about her, but as they were sitting in a pub to talk, the timing couldn't be better.

When the barmaid returned, Kyra waited politely as she sat their mugs down, all the while staring intensely at her. The low lighting in the room caused her vertically shaped pupils to expand, making her eyes appear mostly black save for a thin, circular golden trim. She watched the woman closely, noting her hair and style of clothing and even her shoes.

Once the woman had left, and Cylde took his time to get around to what he wanted to say. Kyra waited, watching as he sipped his drink, still wondering what he wanted to talk about. She didn't have a preference for the sort of drink he ordered, but reached out a single finger, letting it trace the lips of the mug. Following the circular opening, she dipped her figure into the liquid foam, and allowed it to cover the tip of her finger as she raised it and placed it into her mouth.

Kyra paused, and pulled her finger from between her lips, she was a bit surprised by his question. Not so much that he asked, but the manner in which he did so. "Is the mystery really so great?" She made no secret of what she was and would openly admit it, although there were some that she would rather not reveal herself too. "I am Kelvic..." She said, without the least bit of emotion. It was a simple fact to her, nothing important, nor any reason to feel ashamed. Kyra dipped her finger back into the mug again and scooped up a bit more foam and examined the texture closely. "Have you met any Kelvics before? Any that you didn't like...or were close too?"

[Clyde Sullins]

Clearly this woman was excited by the idea of fighting. Really, Clyde did fight, when he had to, but in general he kept from looking for a fight. Usually enough just came to him. Her questions brought this into greater clarity, as she expectantly asked of the fights he had mentioned. Alogn with that, she seemed so excitable over the concept of magic, always wanting to hear of him using it, and even more so to see him use it. Surely this was not a good influence on him, wanting him to cast spells. He had enough urges and voices telling him to use magic, without another one outside his head. "I got into one or two fights. Nothing big, mostly. Though one did devolve into a big tussle. Luckily I got away before any guards or anything showed up. And I did once set a mans eyebrows on fire, who was harassing me and trying to intimidate me into buying him a drink. That got rid of him." Clyde smiled a bit, recalling the haughty man, who was so sure that Clyde should fear him, and his reaction when Clyde had dismissed his rude remarks, and calmly informed him his eyebrows were on fire. He had left it open to interpretation, on whether he had set them on fire or not. Though he probably came to that obvious assumption. "That is okay, I am fine just talking with you. I feel no need to get into a fight. I would think it would be the mark of a boring conversation, if that was necessary, and my company was not enough." He gave her an questioning look, as she carefully dipped in one finger, and tasted the drink off of it, instead of taking a sip or drink. Clyde took another measured sip, not really trying to get drunk, more just drinking a bit. Partially just for something to do with his hands, and to help fill the bits of waiting. But he was interested in hearing her response, and in learning for sure she was a kelvic. "That is good to know. It does explain a lot. I have met a few kelvics before, though not that many. I don't recall any I did not like, or that I was particularly close to. To be honest, I have rarely met one, or been around one long enough to do so." Though her question was a bit odd... Why was she curious of his past affiliations with kelvics? "What of you? I know kelvics usually have a... What is it called? A master? A partner? Do you have such a person? To be honest, I am not exactly certain what such a position would even entail, or how it works. Or how it is begun. Perhaps you could help me understand it a bit more." Clyde gave her another smile, looking at her eyes, enjoying the oddness of them from a normal humans. Though he did wonder one more bit... If she was a kelvic... What animal could she become?

[Kyra]

A big tussle he said. She wondered about that, having never seen him use his fists in a fight and figured, or perhaps preferred to imagine that he simply set them ablaze on the spot. The story did take a turn for the better when he mentioned that he set a man's eyebrows on fire. That would make for a more entertaining story and once again her interests were peaked. "You set his eyebrows on fire....because he wanted a drink?" She smiled wickedly and slipped her tongue across her feline teeth. "Why not burn his face off completely?"

It was a curious thing, and she couldn't help but to wonder how he was able to set only the man's eyebrows on fire. Then again, she had witnessed him do other things that she would have thought impossible, although those were much more fun to watch. She tilted her head and twitched her nose a bit as she looked at him. It seemed that he had misunderstood her intentions. "No, your company is just fine, and I hope that I'm not boring you?" She didn't mean to suggest that they fight each other, but rather that she could find an opponent in the room for a sporting event of sorts. After all, in the past he had taken to showing off his skills for her, and she thought it a fitting gesture to do the same for him.

"It explains a lot?" She asked, though mostly teasing him. She was aware of the differences between the women in the city and herself, and the fact that he hadn't figured it out sooner showed how little contact he'd had with kelvics. "I see..." She simply stated and decided not to press any further. She could tell that he was curious about kelvics, or maybe he was more curious about her, of this she wasn't certain. "We are what are are, though I suppose that doesn't mean anything."

When he mentioned the subject of masters, Kyra glared at him, her expression shifted into a more intense stare for a moment before her features softened and she looked down at the mug again and sniffed it before finally taking a sip. The taste wasn't all that enjoyable and it was likely that she would not finish it, but she'd give it a try since he had offered it. There had only been one that demanded she call upon him as her master. To Adele she was a daughter, and to Marcelo a partner. However to this man, she was nothing more than a slave, and to her he was simply poison.

"Many kelvics are slaves, it is the way of the world, the way humans prefer it. Any kelvic can have a master, but to form a bond, a closeness between a human and a kelvic, that is something completely different. I had such a bond, but it ended as all things must." She paused for a moment, as she recalled memories of what seemed like a lifetime ago. "To understand a bond is to understand the kelvic." Her full lips curled up a bit, almost into a smile as she stared at him, her eyes focused on his. "Masters....don't require a bond, only that one serves them without question and without hesitation."

She became silent for a few ticks, wondering what he made of all she had told him or if he understood it at all. Kyra lifted the mug again and brought it to her mouth, parting her lips as if to take another lip, but stopped just before the cool liquid touched her tongue. "Do you enjoy living alone? Is there a reason that you cling to your solitude?"

[Clyde Sullins]

Clyde smiled, and shook his head, at the misunderstanding. "He did not just want a drink. He was trying to extort me, to intimidate me by fear of injury that I had to get him a drink. To force me. I was simply showing him that I was not as weak as he seemed to think I was. He underestimated me. So I showed him that. And setting his eyebrows on fire, seemed the simplest way to do so. I was not aiming to kill or maim him. Simply... To teach him a lesson." Honestly, it probably would have been easier to set his entire face ablaze. It had taken careful control to keep the fire from spreading, and burning more than his facial hair. He smiled once more, upon hearing that he was not boring him, and that his company was enough. He replied to her returning the question, with a simple shake of the head, and another grin, as he looked at her. He did not find her boring. He found her... Well different, but exciting for it. Why after all, would he hang out with someone just like him? "Slaves. Well sometimes in Ravok, slavery can actual protect someone. Better than dying. Really, I think it depends on the person involved. Some people are raised into it, and for them it is not so bad. It is more like labor, were you have a home and food taken care of, instead of pay. But I don't see much for the people that are forced. And of course, not everyone likes the arrangement." "I don't see you as being of the sort. I would not be against such a thing, if a kelvic wanted me to be there master, or such. But neither would I be against a more open free partnership. As I said, it would depend on the person, or kelvic. I think some kelvics want and need a stricter master, while others do not, and enjoy more of a partnership. The same goes for humans." Clyde took a moment to think, wondering how well he really knew and understood this kelvic... He did like her... And felt to a degree her understood her... But he did not think he understood her to that extent, of such a bonding she described. Not yet anyways. "Do I like living alone? I am not sure. It is simply how I ended up living. I left my family a long time ago, not on the best of terms... And I have few people I am close to in Ravok. I just ended up alone. At times I do prefer solitude, perhaps a bit more than the average person. But I would not be opposed to living in the same home as another, if I liked the person enough." "What about you?"

[Kyra]

His words were true, and she understood the statement very well. In the city of Ravok those of lower class and non humans were treated with disdain and many times victimized by those with more power. It was for that reason that Marcelo told her, in the event that she found herself in the position where she may be attacked and sold off, that it would be easier to let people believe that she was a slave and belonged to him. This of course, was just a precaution and one that she never had to use. "Yes, I suppose that's true."

It was also true that some slaves, though mostly kelvic enjoyed their meager existence and the bit of life it allowed them. Kyra was different in that she was gifted to a family and well taken care of. She was treated like a human, and better than some in that she was pampered relentlessly, cuddled and kept safe from the horrors of the outside world. Kyra raised the mug again and took another small sip. The taste wasn't any better than the last, in fact it was even worse with the bitter after taste still lingering.

"Clyde Sullins..a Master? I suppose that it has a certain ring to it." She smiled a bit and let her finger trace the mouth of the mug again. She was surprised to learn that he was of the sort who kept kelvics. The most curious thing was that he didn't have one, and she found that to be strange when they were easy to come by. She had seen kelvics sold here and there and some even begging humans to take them in. It was the way things were, especially in the city. Clyde was a powerful man and she would have thought that he could take anything that he wanted.

"What of you, would you be a strict master?" She teased, and leaned forward again as she pushed her mug to the center of the table. She wait, interested to see what his answer might be. There was more to it, the reason that he didn't already have a kelvic when he stated that he approved of the idea. Perhaps there was a certain type he was looking for or maybe certain skills? "If you were to take on a slave or...a partner, would you prefer a man or a woman?" Gender was another subject that she didn't have an opinion on. Growing up in the city and on her travels through Sylira, she had witness all sorts, between genders and even those of other races. So much so that it all seemed common place, however she knew that some held preference over such things and was curious about his.

Kyra listened as he explained why he lived alone and realized they had a bit more in common. She too had left her family, and had few she could trust in the city. He didn't tell her why he had left home, but she figured that it must have been ill fated, much like her own story. She didn't ask about it and would wait and let him tell her more if he chose to another time. Instead her curiosity sent her down another path, and one just as personal. "What kind of people does Clyde Sullins like?"

He asked the same of her, as to why she was also living alone and without a master or a partner. Kyra looked away from him, for her the grief was still to near and to speak of it left a somewhat copper taste in her mouth. "I lived with someone a good friend, but he was murdered while I was away and now it's just me."