Squeaky Clean (Mesa)

[Taln]

"There's not a lot of food to be had out here that I know of. The Endals and Avora do the hunting pretty thoroughly so you're not likely to find much of anything really. Although," He shifted his weight to sit up a bit more and Taln paused a moment, both his eyes and navel ring reflecting back a quick flash of light before it disappeared again. "I might be able to slip in and get some food for you. The guards are switching off and having breaks in a few chimes so maybe I can score something to eat if I'm fast enough." The only problem with that scenario was the danger of leaving the woman behind. She'd already proved to be very quiet and careful so he'd best take her with him. "You ready to try?"

[Mesa]

Mesa shifted uncomfortably at the thought of Taln snatching her some food. She hadn't even asked him for his help, and here he was willing to give it, yet again. Was he this kind to everyone? And why would anyone want to put someone so generous so low in the caste system? She could not fathom it. The idea of the stranger's offer to help her made her smile ever faintly, though. She couldn't say no if he was willing to go through so much trouble, could she?

"I would feel awful if I caused you any trouble. You're too kind... Are you sure this will be okay?"

For the first time as she spoke, she searched for his green eyes. They seemed to convey a sense of genuine kindness, a sort of selflessness. She felt as if she could trust him. He reminded her vaguely of herself in more ways than one. If he was so willing to help her, she should be willing to do the same.

"How could I repay you?"

[Taln]

Taln noticed her change in posture and she didn't seem all to thrilled with his plan. Trouble? His being alive caused trouble! He shook his head at the compliment. "Nah. I just know hungry, nervous and exhausted. Look we won't attempt the kitchens then, but I -think- I might know a safer way to go about getting some food." The man caught her gaze briefly and looked away, his green eyes sweeping toward the ground "If you really want to 'repay' me then I think I can work that out too. I know a way around the back of the warrens where I did some work recently. There's a few things in cold storage that I wanted to get for...someone anyway. Are you a picky eater or will fresh meat work for you?" Taln wasn't a picky eater and he'd manage to stay alive by snatching a few bites of raw meat when he could. Her look was so...feral, he didn't strike her as a picky eater that wanted pretty desserts. There was something quietly intense about her posture, her eyes and the tone of her voice. Again he wondered at their similarities.

[Mesa]

Mesa rolled his ideas around in her head for a moment before nodding slowly. It seemed fair. If he was going to help her, she should certainly help him. Again, her stomach rumbled, this time more adamant at the thought of food. Her cheeks flushed and she smiled sheepishly, her ivory teeth peeping through her lips. The truth was, she couldn't wait to get something in her belly.

"That sounds fair. And no, I'm far from picky." She almost laughed at the idea. Who was she to dictate what she wanted when the opportunity was presented to her to have assistance in earning food? It wasn't up to her to make specifications at this point, and she was just fine knowing that. She settled back against the wall comfortably again.

[Taln]

"I'm gonna get you something to eat, but if you hear anyone or anything while I'm in here, just make a cry like a night hawk, and I'll come running ok?" There was almost no chance that anyone would come through here--that's why he'd chosen it for sleep, but you could never be too careful. Taln nodded his head and slowly rose to his full six feet. He turned the corner and swiftly moved from a walk to a brisk jog, his large stride moving faster than most. He turned a corner through the Warrens and headed for the discards. After the kitchen had skinned and used up all the regular meat and skins, they left the rest for boiling into glue the next morning. It was mostly bones, tendons, cartilage and tougher meat from older prey, that even the dek was unworthy of having. It wasn't prime choice, but when you were hungry, it was a feast. Not to mention, he didn't think Reech would've survived this long without those protein rich throw-aways. The large man moved quickly and was back next to Mesa in under five chimes. Like an edgy animal his green gaze searched left and right and he listened intently before he sat down next to the woman. Taln opened the bloody bundle and offered it to her, like he was giving her a grand birthday present, and he grinned proudly at her. The copper haired man had no idea the woman was a kelvic wolf and that what he brought was choice pickings for her kind with the right amounts of meat and bone for her teeth. He only knew that she was hungry and he'd delivered at least something a person could eat if they were starving enough.

[Mesa]

A… Nighthawk? Her curious head cocked to one side at the suggestion, but she understood nonetheless. Certain danger was in the air. What if Taln got caught? It would be all her fault! She shifted uneasily at this as he stood. Mesa almost flinched at his sheer size. He towered higher than any man she had ever seen! Sure, others came taller, but compared to little Mesa, he was a giant. What sort of giant was left to fend for himself and scavenge for food? Such an interesting society she had found here.

As she waited, she fiddled with her hands, wringing them nervously. She noted the dirt under her jagged nails, and picked at it as she looked around for Taln to return. Almost as soon as she did so, he was back next to her. He sat with a swift, nearly silent motion, and offered her a rather plentiful picking gathered in a bundle. Before her were little hunks of meat and bone, raw… Had he known? With her mouth gaped slightly opened, she looked from the meat, to him, and back again multiple times. Finally, she swallowed, taking the bundle.

As she feasted first with her eyes, she looked to him again, searching for some kind of reassurance. Would he find her disgusting for eating such things? Or had he himself been in a position in which this was all there was to eat? She couldn’t be sure. Either way, she was sure to be most comfortable and able to consume the provisions in her native form. And yet, she didn’t want to startle him… How could she tell him? Only one way…

”Uhmm, I…” She struggled to find what her mind was thinking. ”I have to tell you, but I don’t want to offend you in anyway… Well, first, thank you. I will definitely enjoy making a meal. You’re too kind. And secondly… I, well, I’m Kelvic… And I know there are some places that do not welcome my kind. I just wanted to know if it would be okay if I changed to eat?” It made more sense in her head than speaking it out loud. In fact, she felt rather silly! Rosey hues crept into her cheeks as she salivated over the meal before her.

[Taln]

Taln watched her and assumed that she was reluctant to eat the mess of offal that few could stomach. If she turned it down, he couldn't blame her. It's not like it tasted any better if someone wasted his or her time cooking it. It would be a good measure of just how desperately hungry the woman was. The large Dek knew that some claimed hunger, but would turn up their noses at the wrapped bundle he offered. He shrugged noncommittally. It didn't matter to him either way if she ate it or not. If she didn't, he would. "It's not gourmet, but I've eaten it before. When you're starving enough, it tastes like ambrosia." Both eyebrows raised when the woman spoke up and he was more than a little surprised. He hadn't met many Kelvics before and it was fascinating how they seemed to move effortlessly between forms. Then he remembered that when they changed forms they'd always be extra tired and extra hungry. It made him glad that he'd found such a large batch of food for her. And as a Kelvic, she'd like raw better than cooked! The large man answered as gently as he could, not wanting to frighten the Kelvic. He was taught they prefer their animal form most and take human form mostly just to speak. "You're welcome. I think it's amazing that you're a Kelvic. I wish I could be one. What kind are you? I don't mind that you want to change form at all."

[Mesa]

Mesa's cheeks grew hot. She was flattered by his interest in her being a Kelvic, if only even just the slightest of compliments. She smiled nervously, an awkward expression as she shifted her weight. The smell of the meats he had brought were drawing out the infamous bloodlust that takes most hungry carnivores. Her eyes darted around as she fought to find her thoughts.

”Uhmm, I’m a wolf Kelvic. I suppose if you wouldn’t be bothered by my shifting and eating here in your presence, you’re welcome to…” Unsure of what else to add to the subject, she inched up onto the balls of her feet and shrugged out of her rags. There was a shimmering burst of light as she reassembled in the form of a rather scrawny, brindled-black wolf. Her eyes were heterochromatic, just as in her humanoid form. Their gold and blue hues shone in the dimly lit atmosphere, conveying the same submissive stance as before. She averted her gaze from his, afraid of what he may think or say. It was an assertive motive to look another in the eyes, and she surely did not want to miscommunicate herself.

Carefully, slowly as she could manage, she lowered her belly to the ground and inched towards Taln. She pressed her nose to his leg to allow him to pet her head, if he so wished. It was important to her to show him that even in this form, what with her long white teeth and thick black claws, she meant him no harm. The whine that escaped her moist black nose was one of utmost respect and affection, a thank you for the meal he had provided as well as for his company. He was a compassionate soul, indeed. She blinked up at him, careful not to meet his eyes, and rested her chin on his knee with a huff. It seemed she was without just repayment for the meal he provided her with, and thus it seemed only fair that she should let him observe and investigate her as he wished, as his first Kelvic encounter.

[Taln]

Taln sat there, absolutely stunned at watching an ordinary person turn into a wild wolf before his eyes. He glanced briefly at her different colored eyes, confirming it really was the girl that was there only a chime ago, and kept his gaze averted from a direct stare. When he saw her crawl submissively and offer herself to him for purposeful touching, he was floored. In the man's entire life, no one had ever behaved that way to him. It touched a tender place in his heart that no person had ever breached, and he had no words to express it. The beautiful wolf's soft whine compelled him to want to comfort her, reassure her. When she rested her dark fluffy head on his knee and huffed, it was the most endearing gesture ever. Taln reached out and patted her soft dark fur, and scratched behind her ears. It was amazing to touch an actual live wolf! Her gorgeous eyes were so expressive and he stroked her head and neck gently, completely awed by her form change. "You're welcome for the food, but you look really hungry so I shouldn't keep you from eating. Go ahead." He urged the Kelvic to eat in a quiet voice.

[Mesa]

With a waggle of her bushy tail, Mesa pushed herself up onto her paws and padded nearer to the morsels awaiting her. Tentatively, looking to Taln for reassurance, she pulled her black lips back over her pearly teeth. The little chips of teeth in the front gripped a tendril of meat as she used her paws to hold the bone to the ground. The smell of the marrow within made her salivate, and before she realized, she was gnawing, ripping, picking at the meat and bone like she had never eaten before. How long had it been since she had eaten? Not as long as she conveyed through her ravenous eating, though it was certainly long enough to inflict unforgettable stomach pains. The thought only made her eat faster.

The cracking of bone made her pause and look around nervously before continuing to pull at the slivers of splintered bone. Inside was the now hardened marrow. She licked at it insistently, curling her tongue inside the hole she managed to break through the shell. Never had a meal tasted as good!

At the same time, she wondered what Taln was seeing in her at this moment. Was he seeing a ravaging, carnivorous beast? A weak, starving scavenger? It was odd, having someone sit there and watch her as she fed, and yet comforting all the same. She felt safe with him there, and felt almost as though he were watching over her. He had provided a meal for her, and was making sure she got to eat it. Such a kind creature he had proven to be, but what was so different about him? He seemed as submissive as she. What was his life like here in this place he called home, and yet had to sneak for food?