[Surya Plaza] Looking for work [open]

by **Rivaal** on July 9th, 2011, 4:38 am

"Don't say it like that," he complained. "You should make yourself happy. I don't need you to worry about my own happiness. I'm quite content with the way things have been." He didn't want to hurt the Kelvic, but he had to put his foot down sometimes, or else who knew what she might do to cheer him up.

by **Arev Saatjian** on July 9th, 2011, 4:43 am

"Da would have done it for me. That's what a pack is for," Arev said, standing up. The normally cheery Kelvic was quiet and withdrawn. "I'll go out. Content away."

She grabbed her bow and quiver as she went, finding a nice quiet section of the greener areas of Lhavit to practice her archery as the sun sank and the city started to come alive. The only thing that kept her tied to the memory of her father these days was the song of the bowstring as it let arrows fly and the dull thump of steel arrowheads against a fallen log. She knew she wasn't nearly as good of an archer or hunter as he'd been, but so it went.

Every day she practiced anyway, just to feel the braided string against her fingers and the carved animal patterns under her fingers. They were patterned knots with fierce dragon heads and serpent scales, signifying and warding off evils. What was more, the weapon had been crafted by her kin long ago, in the days when the first Kelvic were made with magic. The connection to the past gave her comfort and curbed her loneliness. Someday, perhaps she'd be worthy of the gift and use it to defend her master faithfully.

If she could ever find one that wanted her.

by **Rivaal** on July 9th, 2011, 5:11 am

Rivaal felt bad (again), and he knew he had to seek forgiveness (again), and he had to console her (again). He sighed once more as he sat up and dug around for his boots. Once he got them on, he locked the door behind him and went after her.

Stopping a few people in the streets, he hurried down her trail one the vague directions of the locals that had made it to the streets.

About ten or fifteen minutes passed before he could see her in a clearing. Firing a bow, in a city at least, was kind of crazy. Still, he smiled and quietly walked up behind her. As she drew back the bow once more, he waited until the bowstring was released. Then he took off his scarf, white despite how often he had worn it, and lightly wrapped it around her neck. It was filled with his scent at least. "Keep warm. There's still a place for you back home when you want to come back."

He didn't feel like pushing his luck and turned to walk back home.

by **Arev Saatjian** on July 9th, 2011, 5:16 am

Arev heard a satisfying thump as her arrow hit the rough wooden target, not saying anything when the scarf was wrapped around her neck. It wasn't his fault. She shouldn't have attached to him like a lone pup. Though that was basically her in a nutshell... "You don't have to apologize," she said as soon as she heard Rivaal starting to move away. "The moment you wish it, I'll be gone. That is the way of things." She didn't want him to feel trapped.

She drew back another arrow, sniffing slightly to make sure no one was coming her way before firing. She didn't want to hurt anyone. Arev was careful, at least. Perhaps things would have been better if she'd stayed on the road, bound for somewhere else? Still, Lhavit was her home for the moment. She'd have to make the best of it.

by **Rivaal** on July 9th, 2011, 5:24 am

Rivaal sighed. He did that a lot in the past day. "Arev... I don't want you to leave. You're the only person I've got." He smiled and glanced back at her, but she was busy practicing. "Just try to relax." A small laugh escaped him. "And I want the scarf back when you're done with it, so I have to see you again."

by **Arev Saatjian** on July 9th, 2011, 5:31 am

"Da used to tell me stories of the outside world. He said many times that the whole world is not Kelvic. I think I forgot that too quickly," Arev said quietly. "I know it was unfair of me. But I didn't consciously decide. And you do not seem keen on the company of others, if you are right about yourself and leaving. Perhaps I would be better served finding a pack of my own kind?" It's not your fault, Rivaal. You weren't ready for a Kelvic. Who ever is? I ask too much.

The next arrow struck hard, sinking in deeper than the others. It was foolish to be afraid of being alone, lost. In a city like this, she could no doubt find a home and a different master. Guards were always wanted. Even if she wasn't Shinya, there were probably criminals somewhere in the city who would take her. Maybe they'd even be as kind as the Vantha.

She would miss his smell, though. It reminded her of the winds that blew through her home woods.

by **Rivaal** on July 9th, 2011, 5:37 am

"You're not a very good Kelvic, are you? Either that, or you worry too much. Did I ever say I wanted you to leave?" He laughed. "Just... Just give me a few days to get used to having you around. I'm sure it'll all work out soon enough."

by **Arev Saatjian** on July 9th, 2011, 5:45 am

"I care for my master's happiness enough to leave if he so wishes it," Arev said hotly, retrieving her arrows with sharp tugs. She didn't stop her emotions like a human would have, and it was clear that she was frustrated, hurt, and bitterly lonely. Being told she was a bad Kelvic just made her want to howl for her father's company and slink away with her head down like a kicked spaniel. "And with all respect, I pay more heed to your body's speech than your tongue's. You may not say you want me to leave, but clearly you want no commitment from me nor any guarantee of my loyalty. I will stay, but I expect nothing from you. Not a word, not a gesture, and not your time. I'll be here."

She was a Kelvic. She would ask for nothing, and give until it killed her. It was her job to be a good wolf, a proper guard, nothing else. When Rivaal tired of her, he'd pass her off to someone else and she would take a new name. It was a simple system, one she knew that many Kelvic followed. Her father had for many years, until she was born.

by **Rivaal** on July 9th, 2011, 5:53 am

Rivaal didn't think it was possible to be frustrated with a race, but there it was. He walked up to her and wrapped an arm around her, hoping to catch her off guard enough to get her attention. "I hope you'll be bright and cheerful later, and just so you know, it's impossible to fully hide how I feel because of my eyes. You should watch them instead."

by **Arev Saatjian** on July 9th, 2011, 5:59 am

Arev snorted with her own frustration, golden eyes narrowed slightly. She'd only ever been around other Kelvic. "That only helps if I know what your eyes mean. Do I look as though I have a great knowledge of Vantha?" she said, tucking arrows back in the quiver at her hip. If he was irritated with her, she was no less with him. Why couldn't he just understand that it was her nature to bond to him? To try and make him happy? Instead he snapped at her and reminded her that he'd been quite content before she so rudely barged in. At least, that was how she understood his conduct. Why didn't she get to be infantile? She was a good deal younger than him.

The Kelvic ducked her head slightly, calming herself with difficulty. "I apologize. That was harsher than I meant. Do I have permission to depart the city for a short time?" A hunt out in the wilds would probably settle her, or at least give her prey to vent her newfound frustration on.