Completed Sunset Falls Evening

[Nikia]

Nikia didn't know what to make of the situation, at first, but trusted Dan. She grabbed his hands to help herself stand up and get situated. She stood against his body with her left arm around his neck and the other arm holding her abdomen, covering the bruises. Pain ached all over her body. Her knuckles hurt from sharing punches with Skae, bruises and dirt covered her body, scrapes and dried blood had spread across the wolf's face. Leaves and twigs clung to her hair as Dan helped her up. She glances at the ground around the areas she messed up, but her vision was still a little blurry. Now that Skae was gone, Nikia could catch her breath and not have to worry. She was ready to go home and recover. Or at least be with Dan for as long as she could.

The sound of his voice took her mind off of the bad taste in her mouth as well as the aching pain that spread throughout her body. She smiled at him with ease then nodded. She was grateful for his help. "I want to thank you for saving me, Dan." She stated with a slow tone, looking at him with hopeful eyes. Then continued, "I am very sorry for causing you trouble. I shouldn't have." She grunted because of the pain. The wolf looked down taking short breaths to help cope with the pain. Feeling horrible about the situation. She didn't like the way she looked. More importantly, how Dan saw her. A mess.

[Beodan Clathony]

The poor girl could barely stand, Beodan noticed sadly. Bruises were starting to show on her naked body, adding malicious splashes of color to Nikia’s fair skin. He then realized that he had treated her wounds, but not clean the rest of her. Dirt had adhered to the sweat from the fight’s exertion, but had since dried, leaving a fine, cracking coating of earth places where she had touched the ground. He frowned and started to fret at her shoulders, dusting the dirt off of her. He kept an arm attached to her ribs so that she would not fall over if she was dizzy. Hitting her head now would be problematic when her body had to recover so much already. She had not bled much, and for that he was thankful. The scratches would not scar if she took care of them, and did not pick at the scabs. She would be fine. Though, she might move a bit gingerly for the week, what with all the soft spots.

The Wolf Kelvic thanked him, which he waved off with a small smile. Anyone decent would have done what he did, even a few of the slave horses too. “I am very sorry for causing you trouble. I shouldn’t have,” she continued, apologetically. The last word was slurred into a grunt, at which she winced down at the ground, her breaths coming in short gasps. He looked at her in sympathy, and replied, “It certainly wasn’t what I was expecting when I came to the falls, but it wasn’t your fault. If anything it was Skae’s. We just got caught up in it. Nothing we could do about it really.”

The girl looked to be in a lot of pain, her ethereal beauty still there, but distorted. He needed to get her home, or at least to the city if she did not live within the walls. The spa would help with her recovery, he was sure! “Where do you live, Nikia? We should get you home, it is nearly dawn. Can you ride?” He did not have a saddle with him, so she would have to ride bareback. If she did not know how to ride, he would have to limit himself to a brisk walk. It still beat walking all the way back on her own two legs.

[Nikia]

With dawn nearly breaking, the morning air was growing colder. It was time for Nikia to go home after the night she had. She was dirty and looked physically broken. Nothing went the way she wanted it to. Though, thankfully, the altercation didn't get any worse and everyone was okay. So to speak. She felt Dan's touch on her shoulder as he brushed the dirt off. Nikia hesitated, expecting even the slightest touch to hurt, but it didn't. She felt no pain. The wolf smiled at the thoughtful gesture.

It wasn't your fault. His words imprinted in the kelvic's mind. The soothing words took its place as Nikia reached her hand to the man's face and began caressing it. She closed her eyes and rested her head on his chest much like a partner would. She was glad that he was there. She had never met a kinder soul.

"I live in the Stormhold Citadel in the city." She replied. Her breaths becoming more steady with every few minutes, but still trying to cope with the pain. She thought about his second question. Can I ride? Unsure of how it would work out with the wolf being barely able to stand. But, walking would take the most time, which she couldn't do. Nikia answered, honestly, looking at Dan, "I can try." All she hoped for was that he would be steady as he took her home. She didn't want to make matters worse by falling off.

[Beodan Clathony]

A petite hand touched his cheek, almost an extension of their earlier introduction through scents, this time more of an acceptance than a new beginning. The Wolf Kelvic came closer and rest her head, eyes closed, on Beodan’s bare chest, her curvy form pressed close to his. The wind was a little cold, the sun having yet to warm the land. He wrapped his arms around her, hoping to shield her from the nip in the air. She must be tired, he though, she probably has not slept in a day. Stormhold Citadel in Syliras, that would have them arriving at the city gates when the moon rose once more, a bit more than a summer’s day length. That is if he could hold a good pace in her battered state. If she laid on his back, she would be able to sleep, the bobbing of a four beat step lulling her into unconsciousness. It was just a shame he did not have his saddle.

Dan bent his knees with his back to her, ready for her to jump on him in human form, pickaback. After she had climbed on the best he could, he willed himself to assume his other form. With a flash of light, his will became reality. A glossy brown horse stood in place of the naked human, with Nikia splayed across his back, her arms and legs hanging off the side of him. Riding a horse was simple when you did not need to guide the stead, and it was intelligent enough to problem solve passively, all you needed to do was stay on. She was a nice size for that, just able to reach her legs on either side comfortably, but small enough that she could lay along his back with ease. With a toss of his tail, he set off along the river, heading to the road.

The sun rose, bringing light and warmth to the Kelvic pair, inviting birds to sing them ballads. It traced across the sky, reached its peak, then began to fall back to the other side of the horizon. The reached the road a while after noon, and continued on. Beodan stopped every few hours to let the poor girl off, to stretch and see if she was alright. She had napped a good deal, which helped to pass the time, but cause him to have to tread carefully to make sure that his rider did not fall off in her sleep. All traces of the sun had vanished by the time they arrived at the city gates. He shifted back into human form, and gently set Nikia to her feet, waking her as he did so. He took her hand so he could guide her groggy form through the city. The guards looked surprised at their lack of clothing, but waved them through the gates, no doubt having seen this sort of thing regularly.

They wound their way through the great castle, into the area where her apartment would be kept, though he did not know the rest of the way. “Almost there, Nikia. Where now?” he asked, hoping they were headed in the right direction.

[Nikia]

The wolf smiled, pleasingly, and hugged Dan back. She was exhausted from the night she had. It didn't help that she hadn't slept yet, either, but was happy that Dan offered her a ride home. He was the kindest should that Nikia had ever met. Now that everything has calmed down, she can focus her thoughts freely. He is so sweet, kind, pleasing, gentle and looked handsomely perfect. She that in a matter-of-fact tone. Dan was helping her relax and shielding her from the cold. Nikia's body warmed quickly in the man's embrace. She was pleased and wanted to stay in his arms, but she figured he was probably tired too. The delicate women fought against the urge to sleep. She looked at him with exhaustion. "Thank you." She told him.

After he released her, Dan kneeled down and told Nikia to jump on. She obeyed the best she could. With seconds later, she felt Dan shift. His smooth skin against her thighs turned into a glossy brown coat. He was soft. Now that Dan shifted, it was easier for her to get comfortable and situated. She moved higher on his back, as to not fall, then moved her hair to one side of her shoulder. Making it easier to lay along side his back. The horse kelvic whipped his tail and began heading out.

~~~~~~

Every few hours, Dan made sure to stop so Nikia was able to stretch. In between her naps, the kelvic would open her eyes and see a different scenery each time. Almost like photographs. In her slumber, she felt the sun's warmth on her back, but not so much the sounds around them. Even though Nikia was exhausted, she could feel the pain ease away. The final stop they made, the wolf was feeling much better. She smiled, played, and took the time to make sure Dan was alright. The days adventure made Nikia worried. Dan must be exhausted. She thought, as she got back on the horse's back. And set their way once more.

It didn't take them long for the two kelvic's to reach the city gates. Nikia was gently placed on the follow ground and was waved on to enter the city. She was still a little groggy from the trip. Dan's arm wrapped around her waist as they made their way through the city and towards the castle. They managed to make their way through the crammed spaced of people. After a short while of direction, the kelvic's had approached the castle. Almost home. Nikia thought, happily. Moments later, they arrived at their destination. She heard Dan's voice sounding hopeful as they walked through the hallways. The wolf smiled and pointed to the second door on their right. "Just right there." She stated. Then continued, "You'll have to excuse the mess. I wasn't expecting company."

Nikia opened her door to see her small apartment piled with boxes, of her parents belongings, on each side of the door way. She had failed to move them for a while now, not wanting to say goodbye. Her apartment was empty, for the most part. Besides the furniture it came with. A small table say in the middle of the room, her bed against the corner of the wall -right side- opposite of the entrance with a table next to it. Her chest rested at the foot of the bed filed with letters from her parents while her blankets lay on top of it. The bathroom was located on the opposite side oh her bed. Nikia and her parents didn't have much of anything. Her father barely made enough to live let alone provide much. The sleeping arrangements were simple. Nikia got the bed while her parents slept on the floor. A fairly difficult way to live, but nonetheless, it was home.

The wolf moved aside for Dan to enter. She mazed her way through the boxes and reached for a blanket to wrap around herself. Trying to look a little decent. Then reached one for Dan. Nikia returned to the door way with a blanket at hand waiting for Dan with a nervous smile.

[Beodan Clathony]

"Just right there,” Nikia said, pointed towards a door a little ways down the hall. The constantly lit torches flickered with the slight draft, evenly spaced between identical doors. "You'll have to excuse the mess. I wasn't expecting company." Beodan waved her off, he was used to the blissful chaos of the woods, her room would be neat by comparison! He followed her to the door and stepped inside at her gesture. There were boxes piled up around the edges of the room by the door, but there was table with chairs, and a bed with comfortable looking blankets lying in disarray. A chest tucked against the wall held who knows what treasures.

His eyes came to rest on her again when she approached him, a blanket in her outstretched hand. He saw that she had wrapped one around her body, so he did the same. The slightly coarse fabric reminded him of the one in his tent. Suddenly he was aware of just how exhausted and aching he was. Dan sat at the edge of her bed and groaned, rubbing his arms and legs one by one. They had been traveling through the long night and into the morning proper. “How are you feeling?” he asked suddenly, fixing her with his chocolate gaze. He worried for her, “Those hits looked pretty painful, do you need anything?” And the ride would not have helped matters either. Though, hopefully it would just be a few bruises that would fade completely in a few weeks. He frowned, he had hit Skae rather hard in the head. She seemed tough, but still, doing it to anyone did not sit right with him.

Dan let himself fall backwards, his arms bent above his head as he stared at the ceiling. He blinked, his eyelids lingering shut for longer than they had to. “I.. am tired.. but if you need me…” he trailed off, letting the offer complete itself. Nikia seemed to be moving just fine, albeit a little gingerly. But that was to be expected. He yawned widely. He had no plants with him for treatment, though he could always run to Stormhold Salves and borrow some from Sahfri if she had dire need of it.

[Nikia]

The wolf watched as Dan made it carefully to the bed, after receiving her gesture of the blanket. She could only imagine just how sore and exhausted he must have been after the long travel back home. Especially, carrying constant weight on his back. Nikia let out a small chuckle as to just how tired Dan was being after he sprawled out comfortably on her bed. Almost amusing. Although, she wasn't too far from the idea herself. For a moment there, Nikia almost forgot Dan's question then replied, "I am doing a lot better.". Her blue eyes fixed on him, smiling with gratitude for such care and worry. "The hits could have been worse, but they will bruise.", she added as she gently caressed the sore spots. A minute later, Nikia heard Dan's voice beginning to trail off. After everything he did for her, it still amazed her that he was willing to do more for her. Still a stranger to him. Even though she didn't reply, she continued to look at him as she adjusted the blanket she had wrapped around her body.

After a few short minutes, the woman began to walk toward the stack of blankets on top of her chest that Dan was laying close to. Her body moved slowly and delicately, just as a predator would, making it's was through the maze of boxes. Her white long hair trailed close behind her. The tips brushing against her thighs. In seconds, Nikia managed to get to her chest. She stood beside it as she was grabbing the blankets and tucked them under her left arm. She moved rather slowly because of her tender body. She then took a step in front of Dan and reached for a pillow that laid beside him. she held the pillow close to her chest as she turned back around to make her way through the maze once more. Since Dan was taking her bed then that meant Nikia taking the floor. She sighed. Tired. Her face blank and her eyes still adjusting at the sight of being back home. The woman out the stack of bedding on her chair. Including the blanket she covered herself with and began to move some of her boxes in the kitchen. It didn't take much time at all. She had a reasonably accepted sleeping space a foot or two away from the bed. Nikia then grabbed her bundle and laid each comforter down one by one and placed them neatly on top of each other.

Once everything was done and over with, she laid down starring at the ceiling. She missed the feeling of her soft blanket against her pale skin while her head began to sink in the pillow. Once she started to relax, Nikia went over the days events. From meeting Dan, having been involved in conflict with Skae, losing and regaining consciousness, all the way up to the travel back home. The more Nikia thought about the events the more sight of the ceiling she was losing. The lids of her eyes began to take more energy keeping them open. Moments past and she was asleep.

[Konrad Venger]

Nikia Grade Withheld due to Out-of-Date Ledger Beodan XP: Observation - 4 Socialization - 3 Persuasion - 1 Unarmed Combat - 1 Medicine - 1 Herbalism - 1 Lore: Spotting a Fellow Kelvic Nikia: Slender, Pleasant Wolf Skae: Too Close for Comfort Combat: Don't Need to be Human to Fight Medicine: Vyfox + Water = Basic Poultice Verinskae Grade Withheld due to Inactivity (eight months) Shared Lores: Location: Sunset Falls A Meeting of Kelvics Proper Kelvic Greeting: Exchange of Scents Click Me! : Wolfie and Dhani, if you do come back, lemme know and I'll sort you out. This was a prety cool story, despite some obvious wee problems. First of all, no, I doubt the guards of Syliras WOULD let two naked people into the gates. It's a very strict city and no, nudists are not welcome. Kelvics frequently leave caches of clothes hidden just for such occasions, though. Secondly, be very, very careful with letting other people control your characters. Godmodding is a problem on play-by-post RPGs and Staff/Mods/graders will crack down hard on it EVEN WHY YOU SAY IT'S OKAY. We/They don't just accept that because you're cool with it. Fortunately, nothing too bad here, so no worries. Oh, and please make sure you go back and edit your post in the Request Thread to reflect the fact this one is now done and dusted. PM me with any questions and later 'tater!