Against the Grain (Amelia)

[Kalina]

30th Day of Summer, 513AV Everything was very different to the young Kelvic when she was in her human form. One of the reasons she hated being as such and remained as an animal as much as possible. With the heightened senses she had as an ocelot now dulled to an almost normal level, everything seemed much duller now, sights, smells and sounds. Unable to take as much in as she was used to, Kalina found herself less able to satisfy her curiosity that she would normally be able to do. Which made her so incredibly frustrated. Having been left in Marcus' home alone, Kalina had soon decided to leave in search of some form of amusement. Aimlessly wandering, the girl found herself in the Merchant's District of the city, not that she had any idea what that meant or was. Walking along cobbled pathways and across the odd bridge here and there, she had spent much time on these bridges, her small hands grasping the railings of the bridge as she stares down into the murky waters. The sheer amount of water she had seen since leaving the Kelvic Research Institute just over twenty days ago had still not left her used to it. Every time she saw it, either in its wide expanses or in the smaller canals dividing the city up into blocks, a surge of emotions poured over the ignorant little Kelvic. Most of all, though, she was still frightened of it, despite her fascination. It was much busier in the Merchant's District than in the Noble District, she noticed. In her human form, however, she was receiving less attention from those around her, something that she didn't like. Granted, when she had wandered away from her owner two days previously in a similar area, much of the attention she had garnered in her ocelot form was negative, but she had been fast and agile enough to get away from any of the aggression around her. In her human form, she would not be so lucky. To this end, she was slightly more reserved about approaching others and spent most of her time trying to learn something about the things, rather than the people. It was this that led her back to the edge of the canal to watch the water, and occasionally watch the odd creatures moving about in there. She still had no idea what they were called, but she liked them in this form and she loved the, in ocelot form. If only she wasn't too scared of the water to find out more. Only where there was a railing of some form was she brave enough to get anywhere near the edge of the canal. He had briefly considered crouching or sitting on the edge, her feet dangling over. But, though the girl was young and unknowledgable about the world, she could hardly be described as not intelligent. In her current form, with dulled senses, she had no idea what was around her and wasn't willing to risk it. The three season old Kelvic, appearing to be around the age of six or seven, reached behind her neck to tie her long hair into a haphazard knot on her head. Spending so much time in ocelot form, she wasn't used to the irritation of long hair brushing against her skin, and wanted it out of her face. The wind did nothing to assist her, but she eventually got it up and out of the way. With her hair up, though, her neck was bare, leaving the angry red line running the length of her neck obvious. To a careful observer, it would immediately denote exactly what she was, and the mistake she had made. Which was exactly what it did. "Look what we have here, boys." Kalina spins, one hand remaining on the railing she was leaning against, to find where the voice had come from, a voice which was too close for comfort. A group of three young men were approaching her, smirks on their faces, hands in pockets. "Little Kelvic running around Ravok all on her own? Must have gotten lost. Maybe we should help her out." Despite his nice words, his expression alerted Kalina to the fact that something was off. Her eyes flicker away from the speaker, to pass over the other two who were sniggering behind him. It was then tHt she realised she was cornered against the railing, and she shifts from foot to foot in nervous agitation. "I'm fine..." She mumbles, moss green eyes darting around anxiously in search of some way out. To her dismay, though, they do not leave, instead they continue their taunting. The one to the right steps forward and, raising his hand to rest under her chin, guides her to face him, "Looks like a little feline," he says, noting Kalina's eyes. "Let's see, then. Change, girl." She shakes her head feverently; she didn't want to. Pressing herself back into the railing, she bites down on her lower lip. The first man was back in her face, anger marring is otherwise attractive features. "Well? Get on with it." OOCSorry, tis a bit cliché and convoluted, but it was the only way I could think of having her get into trouble..

[Amelia Cross]

”and then you will live a happy life with your husband, and die in your sleep at the age of 90” Amelia explained to a young woman, no older than 16 while holding her palm and guiding her finger along the lines of the fragile hand. Who this woman was, didn’t matter, little of her customers mattered, even less of them mattered enough to read truly. Amelia didn’t lie all the time, but she thought that saying that this particular one would be better off with knowing a good scenario, than the one she saw. And right she was, the woman almost squealed in joy and skipped off, after paying Amelia.

Now that she was left without a client, she was to look for someone new. Preferably, a handsome man or a naïve woman, those seemed to be the easiest to handle. She was sure, she would find someone to fit the description, sure to find them at the Merchants ring. This was that place most people enjoyed hanging around. So keeping her eyes and ears open, she lightly strolled along the small bridges and pathways. Amelia was in a good mood, and so, little of the arguing by the merchants seemed to catch her attention. She was enjoying herself.

The Cross was about to head towards the Docks, as she had failed to catch a customer by these places. But then, she was stopped by the sight of 3 men, surrounding, probably a slave. Amelia knew better than to step in when men wanted a slave for fun. Amelia knew how touchy an needy man could get. Still, the curiosity she had couldn’t stop her. She stepped closer, if the men would question her actions, a Ravosal was on the other side of the canal. She would need to pass them to get there.

She tried to look between the men. They didn’t seem to notice her. But once she saw who they were bothering, something in her boiled. It was a child, a child for own Rhysols sake! How could even these animals try to bother a child. Did these man have no understanding of what common sense was? This they not have a soul? Dignity? Amelia couldn’t let this happen, even if her thoughts on slaves as a whole were quite interesting.

”what do you think you are doing!?” she spoke up from behind the men, forcing all of them to turn towards her ”just playing around” one of the men spoke, his voice was smooth and even Amelia had to admit that all of them were quite handsome. Yet, not quite enough to send Amelia in an awe and make her body tremble. They were just, average – good looking. ”well to me it looks as if you are bothering a child””please, she is a slave, a kelvic one none the less””kelvic…the…shifters?”’”whatever she is, she is a child first of all!” Amelia explained.

The talk didn’t seem to be getting her anywhere, one of the men seemed to be guarding the girl, so she wouldn’t run away, while the other two attempted to intimidate Amelia. While acting confident, she knew that she had no chance against them. She would need to think of something better than out right attack.

[Kalina]

The young girl whines, a sound similar to the one she might make when in her other form. She opens her mouth once again to try to get herself out of changing, to get rid of the men, but another voice intervenes, attracting the attention of the men, who all turn around to look. Kalina also tries to crane her head around to see who owned the voice, but the bodies of the men stopped her and she returns to glancing around in search of an escape route. Dimly, she registers what the new arrival was saying, and from her voice, Kalina established she was a woman, and she was trying to help her, possibly. Kelvic? What's that? Me? The young Kelvic blinks, not knowing wether being a Kelvic was a good thing or a bad thing. Slave on the other hand, she knew exactly what one of them was, and knew it wasn't good. From the tone of the man's voice, she gathers that being a Kelvic is worse. She subconsciously scratches at the marks on her neck as she returns to glancing around. She remains silent, though it was futile, as the man who had cupped her chin turns back to face her. His eyes scan her up and down, landing on the angry red mark around her neck and smirking. "So are you bigger or smaller than your little human form, slave?" Kalina frowns, hand cupping her neck in an effort to hide her mark of shame. She still hadn't completely gotten over it. Her experience a season or so ago had left her nervous about changing without knowing everything about her surroundings. And in this situation, where the young Kelvic felt threatened, she didn't feel safe changing for these men. The only benefit she could get out of morphing form was that she might be able to escape, or harm the men long enough to leave her alone. I shouldn't have left Marcus, I shouldn't have left home... She thinks desperately. After twenty days, she still didn't understand what 'home' was, exactly. And she didn't know whether it was permanent or temporary, though she had now gotten to the point where she hoped that it was permanent. Never leaving again... She promises herself through fright. She wasn't herself, however, and mitigating circumstances were driving her normally playful and immature nature to the deepest depths of her mind. In her place was a hunched over, terrified creature whose knuckles had gone white from clenching the railing so tightly. "Keep out of business that doesn't concern you, lady." The middle one says before spinning around, back to look at her. For a fleeting moment she sees her way out, but it disappears as her takes a step towards her, raising his hand and, before she has time to react, striking her across the cheek. "No wonder you're wandering the streets. No one would want to be a Master to someone so disobedient." The harsh tone and derision dripping from the men's tongue caused her to cringe more than the hit. It was hard enough, though, that she lets go of the railing and drops to her knees, her hand jumping up to rub her cheek as a wail escapes her lips.

[Amelia Cross]

The men clearly had no intention of stopping what they were doing. The painful part was that Amelia had little to no power over them, her magic wasn’t stable and her physical gifts weren’t those of a fighter. So by now, the only thought was talking the men out of this. ”good luck with that” were the heavy words of common sense. And as much as Amelia wanted to think her choice of words was always the best, deep down she was aware of the fact that she is quite poor at convincing others to do what she wishes.

”It’s my business, believe me kid” Amelia stated with her posture proud, she was trying to act though, trying to making the men believe she had the power to stop them. She even used the word ‘kid’ to refer to him, in order to increase the impression of her power over them. The plan wasn’t half bad, too bad she didn’t have anything to back it off with.

For a short moment she even cursed at herself for attempting this. Reconsidering the need to help the girl, but then, as the man slapped the girl across the face. The boiling anger in her returned. How dare they thread a child, a little girl, like this!? It didn’t make sense. Sure, Amelia had unusual ideas regarding slaves, but all of it didn’t really matter. ”stop it this instance! You have no clue who you are dealing with, you crawling pieces of scum” ”yea, because I’m nobody, my father’s name won’t do much either…. they wouldn't care even if he was the one against them”

One way or the other, Amelia had managed to get their attention. Not a good thing though. As now one of the men was holding the poor slave girl quite violently. While the other two seemed to have gotten a bigger interest in Amelia. ”and who might you be then? A girl who got a free day from the house of pleasure? Another slave with attitude problems?” Said the man who was clearly the strongest one of the trio. Amelia would let it pass, being called a prostitute, she had respect for the men and women who worked at the house of immortal pleasure. But being called a slave was something she couldn’t tolerate. ”take your words back, before you regret them” she almost growled, but she didn’t back off. Instead, she came forward, her eyes staring into the man’s.

It was clear, that for a moment he felt slightly curios, maybe even considered following her orders. But he wasn’t as dumb as Amelia would want. He didn’t buy it and her acting wasn’t at its peak. So, she was just left with an irritated man, who was as big as a wild bear. ”we just wanted some entertainment from the thing, she’d shift a few times and that would be it, but you pushed it too far, you don’t shift, but we will find some usage for a fine dame like yourself” the voice was field with disgust, primal need and anger. Amelia felt threatened, but she couldn’t run off, after she had attempted to stop them and frighten them. She was no runner; she couldn’t even run away if she wanted it.

The man came closer and violently jerked Amelia towards himself. Bout of her hands trapped in one of his, Amelia’s eyes looking around, for someone to help her and the slave girl. But there was nobody who would bother to help a slave and an idiot who tried to do it. She could only see people turning away as soon as their eyes met hers. Most of them didn’t even bother looking at them, just casually going on about their own business. ”you are not like this, I know…Ravokians are not evil” she was sure of her thoughts.

”well girl, who will save you now?”

[Kalina]

On the ground, the three season old Kelvic, who appeared as a seven year old child, was overwhelmed by the aggressive attention she was currently receiving from the men. Though their attention was half off of her, due to the woman who had still not left, for whatever reason, Kalina was still hating the attention she had. In the past, people who knew her, to any extent, could never deny that she loved receiving attention from those around her; all she ever wanted to do was play and, with energy that knew no bounds, she was always up for more fun and games at any opportunity. This. However, was not fun and games. And Kalina was hating every moment of it. Still she wished silently that she had never left this 'home' that Marcus had taken her to. "No, no, no," she begs, shying further and further back against the railings, wishing she could disappear, "I don't want to. I can't do it. No, no, don't make me." the apparent seven year old was little more than a quivering wreck. She had been ordered to change before, by the handlers or researchers at the Kelvic Research Institute, but she had always been allowed to do it in her own time, within reason. She had felt relatively safe, and known her surroundings well enough to know she wouldn't go through the same pain she had gone through when they had first put the collar around her neck. I "No-" she continues, now ignoring the woman's words as one of the men, at least, keeps their focus on her. But he cuts her off. "You stupid, useless creature." he hisses at her as he crouches down, leaning in and leering at her. Go away, go away, go away, no, no no. She screams internally. Her hand returns to grip the railing once again, barely even noticing the warm sensation of blood meeting the cold metal. In her agitation she had clearly clenched her fist too tight and the nails had broken through the skin. It didn't matter, though, all that mattered was trying to get away from these men. "So we got the weak little Kelvic and the stubborn, headstrong pleasure slave." One of the men mutters, and the others snigger. Desperation causes a small cry to escape Kali's lips as she scratches at her neck in vexation. This new arrival, the lady trying to help her... was nothing more than a... slave, too? Kalina was alone. They weren't going to leave her alone... why was she so exciting? Why did people want to know about her? Why, why? Why? Leave me alone! The young Kelvic, completely unaware about the ways of the world, had no idea what the men were saying to the other woman. She heard it, a little, though she wasn't really paying attention to her, focused as she was on her own troubles. But what she did register, she didn't understand. She didn't shift? Not everyone could change form, then?they were going to use her? Like... like people wanted to buy all the older women at the KRI? Because they could offer something she could not? That's what they wanted this lady for? The young girl yelps as the man who had been kneeling down in front of her stands up and drags her up with her. Finally, as he grasps her tightly by the arm, pulling her around as he spins himself, she gets to see the lady who seemed to be standing up for her for the first time. "This little bitch is not complying to our wishes, lady. Maybe you'll do a better job." Kalina hears him speak to the other female present. "Or are you just as useless as her that no Master would want you?" Kali understood none of this. 'Master' has something to do with 'slave'. Which was what she apparently was. But she had Marcus, right? She was only outside that she had been bored. She wasn't bad. And she wasn't going to do what they wanted her to do.

[Amelia Cross]

Strangely as it was, Amelia wasn’t really that worried about herself. She was sorry for the poor girl. She was a child, she wanted to help her, if she was to be in pain, let it be so ”great Cross girl, since when are you this heroic….why aren’t the guards around…” she almost growled to herself. The woman felt how the man was tugging on her, she could feel it. Disgusting. As if she was their toy. Was this how slaves felt? How slaves felt when they did not accept their masters? Probably…

She didn’t see a way out, not now…not yet, so the next best thing came in. Taking the men by surprise, maybe if she acts, if she pretends to be into it…and to submit, maybe then?”I can be quite the pleasure, if you know how to handle me” her voice much softer and gentle, one with skill could probably still feel her anger, aggression and disgust. But probably, to these men, she seemed to be an animal that had changes its mind so suddenly. She knew it would confuse them, the man holding her hands seemed to be the first to be caught under surprise, as Amelia let her body back against his.

”Now this is what I’m talking about” one of the men said as he closed in on her, ran his palm along the side of her face, surprisingly gently he handled her neck. Amelia moved in submission, like a cat that craved more care. Her eyes half closed as she purred ”I must be handled with care…” she stated, while moving her hands a bit, that were still behind her back, held by the man from before ”and if you hold me up, hold my hands…you are stealing pleasure from yourselves, and me” close to a plead, as her body moved in gentle curves, inviting the men to touch, to feel ”I’m sure we can manage” one of them said, with a smile that she had seen worn only by a few. A smile of victory, a smile of delight and pleasure…”they really bought it…must be on drugs”she thought.

It was clear that the man behind her didn’t trust the change in attitude, but the two other seemed to have bought it, despite them getting slightly less attention. Well, if she couldn’t trick him, might as well try to trick the other two ”you’re hurting me” a whimper, pretending to be hurt by the man, holding her hands. ”now, now…let her go!” he ordered, almost violently pulling her away from the man.

Bout of them started to argue, Amelia being pushed out of the way. One seemed to be on Amelia quite a bit, but her innocent looking eyes that sparkled with lust, her pouty lips slightly parted as she looked at the man, letting her tongue line them ever so slightly. No words were needed. He was under her charm ”wasted men are so easy, that explains the aggression….” she thought, watching as the 3 got more and more into the argument. It was quite amusing, and suddenly Amelia saw what could be of her advantage.

With quite the aggressive push, she managed to make the smallest of the men by built to lose his balance and fall on the next one, the one who was standing closer to the canal, the one who didn’t trust her. The balance of the two men was lost and they fell into the canal. The third man seemed to be too worried about his comrades to worry about Amelia or the kelvic child.

The loud noise, the men swearing and throwing curses at Amelia. It all attracted the attention of the city guards who finally acknowledged the event. Amelia didn’t waste time she ran up to them ”those men were hurting me! They tried to take advantage of me and…that poor little child” she said, gesturing towards the kelvic. "and who would you be?" the guard asked, while his comrade was talking to the men "Amelia Cross" likely these guards haven't heard of her father, after all, he was no big member of the Sun, he was just...Dominick...the name was asked for paperwork, probably.

From that point on, everything escalated quickly, the men were taken with the guards. What happened, didn’t really matter, not today and not to Amelia. She just came up to the poor little thing and finally, began speaking ”hey, are you ok, did those men hurt you?” she asked, not daring to touch the poor girl, not after what happened.

[Kalina]

Amidst all the conversation going on around her, Kalina remains silent. The uneducated Kelvic was still uncomprehending of most of what was being said, but she knew that most of it was not good for her. Loathe for any of it to get worse, she hoped that she could continue to remain insignificant in the eyes of the men, now that their attention had moved onto the woman. With no moral compass or sense of selflessness, the girl felt no shame in her desire to protect herself at the expense of her apparent saviour; she could suffer as long as Kali could go free unharmed. She doesn't move or fight against the man as he holds her in front of him, going relatively limp, though she holds her own body weight, again not wanting to attract any more attention. It was probably the first time in her life she had wanted to avoid it; and she was slowly learning that not all attention was of the good kind. The last remnants of Kalina's hope disappears as she looks up to see a fourth and fifth man joining the fray. More tormentors? She wonders silently. As the man speaks, a cold, harsh tone accompanying each word, her thoughts are confirmed. The woman, who had now revealed herself to be Amelia, if she heard correctly, gestured over to her and she dips her head, instantly resenting the woman for drawing attention to her yet again. To her astonishment, however, the man holding her soon lets go. After a number of choice, angry words between the men, the five of them all walk off together. The young Kelvic stares after them blankly, not moving from the position she had been left in. So intent was she on watching the men that she had forgotten about the woman who had gotten herself involved. Kalina jumps a foot in the air in surprise, a hiss escaping her as she does so; a sound similar to one she might make in her ocelot form. When she lands though, she drops down to the floor into a crouching position, where she felt safest. This was probably because she had the most balance down there, or it could have been because she appeared smaller, despite the fact that she was smaller than most human children at the age she appeared to be. Finally, she looks up at the woman, taking her in properly for the first time. At the same time, she registers the questions asked of her, and considers them seriously. Was she okay? She nods, but says nothing, having no concept of the politeness principles that all regular human children developed. Or even other species with normal upbringings. 'Please' and 'thank you' did not appear in her vocabulary.

[Amelia Cross]

Amelia couldn’t help but sadden at the sight of the girl, she seemed to be completely out of her used territory. And while she was sure the girl was an owned slave, children kelvics usually don’t run around on their own, she still didn’t know, should she or should she not ask about her master. The fact this little girl didn’t thank her wasn’t doing much either, it seemed as if she almost got herself in trouble for nothing, maybe she didn’t want the help?

”are you scared of me?” Amelia asked, her voice gentle and soft, trying her best not to get the girl in an emotional trauma. ”you know, it’s good manners to thank someone who helps, It’s not necessary, but shows people you are nice and well mannered””and makes an owner less ashamed” she finished in her own head, not quite wanting to mention anything regarding slavery to her, not yet.

”Tell me, what where you doing here all at the first place?” sincerely curios. If she had ran away from her master, she couldn’t really do much, but if she got lost, it was little trouble to get her back. After what she had went through emotionally, accompanying a silent child was the least of her trouble. ”or will you make me guess?” she teased slightly, waiting for the girl to answer. Her body language open, her hands clear to see, she had no weapons and a smile on her face.

Amelia would never admit it to the general public, but she liked children, she didn’t necessarily want one now, but she would love to be a good mother.

oocsorry for being short, but there was little she could do taking her persona into account

[Kalina]

Kalina continues to stare at the woman wordlessly, blankly. She seemed nice, now that they were alone. She had the same mannerisms as the man who had taken her home from the Kelvic Research Institute, whom Kalina now knew much better. For the most part he was kind, gentle and patient with her, at least when she was well behaved. This woman seemed like she would be the same, maybe. Thank someone? Good manners? She knew that she needed to say something now, but she wasn't entirely sure what. She remains silent for a number more chimes, probably appearing quite stupid in the process, and she supposed she was. But she finally manages to say "Thank," before falling silent again, thinking this was enough, what the woman was after. What was she doing here? Now, that was a harder question to answer. What was she doing out here, after all her wandering, she wasn't even sure where 'here' was, though she guessed it wasn't that close to Marcus' home. Only then did her dilemma really hit her. Somehow she had to find her way back to him. Did he even know she was gone? Was he worried? People did that, right, worry? Maybe she could retrace her steps. But... everything looked exactly the same to her, all the buildings, they were surrounded by water, and she had no idea which landmarks would guide her back. The Kelvic's lower lip trembles for a few moments before she returns to her newly developed habit of nibbling on it. More times than she could could in recent days, she had tasted her own blood trickle along her tongue before she swallowed it, a product of her new nervous habit. With the Kelvic form of an ocelot, the girl had eaten her fair share of uncooked meat in said form; she didn't mind the taste in human form either, though it was metallicy and unpleasant for extended periods of time. Hopefully that wouldn't happen today... Kalina is pulled out of her reverie by the woman speaking for a final time. She glances away, at her surroundings, before turning back. "Wanted to look 'round," she mutters, just loud enough so that the woman could hear her. "Didn' tell him I was gone though..." the child's ego centric mind assumed that this woman, Amelia, would automatically know exactly who Kali was referring to when she asked about 'him'. "Can't remember way back now." the Kelvic glances around once again, a spark of hope appearing in her eyes, as if a sign might just appear, directing her back to Marcus' home. When no sign appears, though, the light in her eyes doesn't disappear, this was the first sign of Kalina returning to her normal self: bright and bubbly and inquisitive. Not quite there yet, though, she would be more herself when she was back in the comfortable presence of her owner; the man who had looked after and protected her since taking her from the KRI. That and she would feel better once she was further away from all the water, which she still hadn't completely come to terms with yet.

[Amelia Cross]

The girl at least attempted to thank her, it was short and didn’t really come off as is she meant it, but at very least, she tried. Maybe it was her mother’s old morals that she had gotten in Amelia, but if someone at least tried, it counted. Not to mention, it was quite hard to be angered by someone who is barely over the age of…what could the girl be? 6 maybe? Well Amelia would never give her more than 7, she was quite small. ”that’s better, I at least know you can speak” she chuckled. Of course, she had heard the girl mumble something before, but back at that point, she was a bit too busy by the men, to actually pay attention to it.

The desire to look around seemed to be natural, back when Amelia was this young, she was hard to keep in one place for too long, unless she had someone to talk to or a book in her small hands. None the less, Ravok was easy to get lost in, especially at such a young age. Even now Amelia tends to mix up the paths, the houses at some places look exactly the same. If it wasn’t for some landmarks, she’d probably wouldn’t be much better than the girl she had, sort of, saved. ”walking around Ravok all alone isn’t the best thing to do for a child, you could get hurt” as true as it was, that didn’t matter, what mattered was to get the girl home, wherever it was.”let this be a lesson, running off without telling someone, is dangerous” Amelia had a good guess that the ‘he’ she referred to, was her owner. Unsure if the child is aware of her possession as a slave, she avoided using the term.

”So, can you describe how your home looks? I could help you look for it” an offer short while, she hopped the child wouldn’t be scared and run off because of it though. It might come off a bit sudden or, just plain weird. And as curios as children could be, it might as well set off an alarm and that’s not exactly a good thing.