Completed Won't Back Down

[Tallis Ishtari]

Being back on the water made Tallis relax and most thoughts of what was going on in the forest were put behind him. He heaved a sigh of relief and settled in next to Marx and rubbed shoulders with her. He looked over to where she was pointing. It became obvious that she did not read common tongue. “It says Miss Sandy. I guess that is the name of the boat. Probably named after someone the owner of the boat knew.”

Tallis reflected for a moment and remembered the boat he had capsized. That had been years ago but he wasn’t allowed near a skimmer to captain since. Before it capsized he swore he could have made the boat turn on a dime but he wind shifted before he could convince the girls to get on the other side of the boat to act as a counter weight. Next thing he knew they were in the water.

“The last boat I was allowed to sail was named Wind Star.” He said with a touch of regret. “That job was fun while it lasted.”

[Marxander]

She looked to him, feeling his regret "Hey, you don't need to feel sad. We can have fun, anytime. I promise. You don't need a job. In fact, I've never ever had a job and I have fun all the time!" She tried to reassure him, rubbing his arm, and kissing him.

She turned back to the name, trying to connect the words to the sounds she knew. She didn't want to seem stupid. Kelvics weren't really ever educational trained. It was hard and long and boring as ever to learn words she could speak. But, she figured that if she was going to be any good and proper mother, she'd have to learn some of it. She was still trying to get the words through her head, before her brain hurt and she huffed, stopping. She muttered "Words are stupid."

[Tallis Ishtari]

Tallis smirked and chuckled softly. “Words aren’t so stupid. Reading them can be stupid. I know a few people that can speak and read in more than common tongue. I don’t have the patience to learn all that.” He said as he leaned his head against hers. “I guess though… I’m going to have to learn enough of other languages if we are going to travel some.” He gave a small shudder.

It was definitely a flaw for him. Being easy going and carefree hurt his capability to be more than he was. His father knew this but he his father also knew that his son was very bright and still had greatness in him.

“I can teach you some once we get settled. To read I mean. You know just enough words so you understand basic things around Ravok.” He tilted his head away to look at her.

[Marxander]

She groaned, but nodded. Teaching a Kelvic, while much easier being bonded, was still a daunting task indeed "It's alright, I can teach you some other languages. My uncle taught me Isur pretty well. And I was just learning about Shiber before I left. You see, my uncle use to travel a lot too. He was the one to encourage me to go. My mother was sort of... against my going."

In truth, her mother was livid just hearing mention of it. She was human, and she knew she had only a short time with her one and only child, and she didn't want to give Marx up. It was understandable, she wasn't even a season old before she left. But, she just had a wanderlust, one she needed to indulge in. She needed to find herself and her bondmate.

Her only regret in leaving Zeltiva was that she hadn't said goodbye to her mom. She hoped that one day she could return, but for now, she was unsure and hesitant about going back.

[Tallis Ishtari]

The boat rocked slightly as more people stepped lightly onto the mesh of the skimmer. “It sounds like you miss your home. Maybe we could make a journey back to where you’re from. I’d love to see it!” Tallis said with his eyes ablaze with excitement. “What were your parents like?”

No sooner than he finished his words there was a commotion in the direction of the tree line. The hunters were leading something out of the forest. They were too far away for him to see and probably would never find out because the skimmer was being pushed away from the dock.

“Were they both… uhm… Kelvic?” He had heard that there were half breeds running around, and of course his and Marx’s children would be, but he had never actually met one.

[Marxander]

She tried looking at whatever they were pulling out but couldn't spot it. She hoped it was the squirrel. She shook her head "No, my father was Kelvic. A black bear. My mother is human, but she had some Kelvic in her from a long time ago." She thought back on them, remembering them "My dad is layed back, kind of okay with really anything. He likes to lay out in the sun and catch fish. He tried teaching me how, but I didn't trust him after he nearly drowned me." She chuckled "He can't swim." She snickered even more. Her dad was a barrel of a man, and watching him flap about, human or animal, was a sight indeed.

"My mom on the other hand is very sweet, and loving, but she tends to be a bit... controlling. She means well though."

[Tallis Ishtari]

A line of a smile slide across Tallis’ lips as Marx talked of her family. He could hear the warmth for her family in the words she spoke as she told about an event in her family history. She was an only child while he had brothers and sisters to contend with and watch over. It was nice having a close knit family. Out of all of his siblings he was closest to his eldest sister, Taja. They were only a year apart so it was pretty easy for them to be close.

“It sounds like you have a wonderful family to go home to.” Tallis press his shirtless body against hers and laid a soft kiss on her cheek. “I hope I get the chance to meet them someday. Are Kelvic parents receptive to their child’s choice of partners?” His voice held both curiosity and apprehension. He wanted to make a good impression, but he had his concerns. At twenty-four years old he had yet to find his niche in the world and was still struggling to do so.

[Marxander]

She rested her head on his shoulder. Enough people had come onto the boat now, and it was being pushed off the shore, into the water to sail. She shrugged "Well, my father understands what it means to find a bondmate. I'm sure he'll be fine in any choice I make. My mother on the other hand most likely will be much more... difficult about it. She's never bonded to a Kelvic before. She doesn't understand the need to search. To leave."

Her family, while small, could defiantly be described as dysfunctional at times. They of course had their happy times, but sometimes, it was just difficult.

[Tallis Ishtari]

Tallis did not move as he tried to picture her family with the words Marx spoke. This was his first day ever conversing with someone that was Kelvic let alone being bonded to one. There was still so much more to learn about Kelvic’s and about Marx. He decided it was enough for one day, he could learn more as they went on and learned more about each other. For now he would be happy in the moment, which was something he was good at.

“I’m sure I can win her over.” He said with confidence in his abilities to charm just about anyone. A flash of a smile and a body posture that said that he was not a threat usually disarmed anyone. All except a few mothers that expected much more for their daughters than a young man with no direction in his life. His parents spent a lot of time with the rich and noble of Ravok and had come along quite a few times. Then consequently he met a lot of their daughters.

“When we get back to Ravok, and get you settled into my apartment I’m thinking we should visit a tavern for some entertainment and food. What do you think? Or should we just stay in for the night and strike out early to see what the day brings for opportunities?” Tallis was hoping for another successful pickpocket venture.

[Marxander]

She chuckled on his confidence with that statement. It sure would be a sight to see him charming her mother. Marx doubted her mom would be very pleased with her choice, but there could be nothing done about it. She would warn him later.

She knew taverns were mostly for drinking, which she didn't, but she supposed that it could be a fun little event. She nodded "The tavern sounds great. But I'll warn you now, I don't drink. Being intoxicated and being a Kelvic really aren't two things that would mix together very well.