Cinnamon Sunsets and Sweet Secrets (Coltyn)

[Nya Winters]

When he turned to speak to her, to apologize, the spot beside him was empty. The kelvic hadn't liked being crowded by the bruiser, nor too had she stuck around to see what he was going to show her even if it was around his forearm. Rough experience had taught her when men started revealing body parts, slaves got hurt. Barefooted, unarmed, and essentially alone without recourse to her ability to shift, the girl was vulnerable and knew it. The man beside her, no matter how good of heart he had, completely missed her body language and her silent requests for him to remove her collar.

But humans were like that. Flawed, imperfect, blind to so much around them... the girl hadn't been surprised. She'd gotten her sweet however, fairly paid for, and that was the true goal of slipping her handlers and roaming the city. The cinnamon sensation would be something she'd remember for a long time when all they would be throwing between her bars was raw meat, less than fresh, and usually making her beg for it. Begging was something, once, she'd rather starve than do. But now, after she'd been starved, conditioned, and reeducated she knew how to do it. She knew how to do anything debase that made damaged men smile.

Humanity was untrustworthy. And while maybe the one with the sweets was alright, the others around him were unknowns. She wasn't impressed by the big man's smell nor his alpha attitude. Humanity's alphas were not her alphas, and they mostly brought scorn to her face rather than feelings of being impressed and wanting to follow. Looking at the bruiser she knew even if she could rip his visceral organs out, she'd never feed on him. Sour meat. Even starving, such as he was to be avoided. All fat and hot wind that smelled like over-stewed cabbage. The kelvic's lip curled in disgust. He probably had a small reproductive organ as well, one that brought him no pleasure so he carved up his mates instead of properly servicing them. Yes... she could smell the old blood, old sweat, and slightly sweet scent of opium on him.

Ravok. She hated the place. A glimmer of a memory surfaced then faded as turned inward briefly, seeking to recapture it.

Oh, she'd known there was no way off the island with no money, no boat, and no inclination to swim with beasts far bigger than even her kelvic form. Often enough, they'd told her that boats cost Mizas and those were something she'd never have on her own. She got it. Trapped. Unable to grow wings, she was caught in a sieve with nothing to do but slide back down the sides into the hole - the hole that lead to the Kelvic Institute. Despite Coltyn's words, his assurances, he couldn't help her. No one could. No one in this town cared for anyone other than their deity and the coin in their purses.

And so she was halfway down the alley, slowing backing up, when Coltyn turned to apologize. Two more steps, a small pivot, and she'd be gone.

[Coltyn]

"No, wait, come back," Coltyn called as he bolted from his place upon the stoop and dashed down the alley. "You...you don't have to leave." He was about to reach out for her, to grab her by the arm, but in the instant that he raised his hand, he realized that that would not be the smartest thing to do. Had she not just informed him of her life as a slave? A rough life, where hands were used for hitting and groping and...the gods only knew what else. No. He wouldn't lay a finger on her, but he would attempt to get her to stay for a little while longer. "Where...," he began to question as he took up a spot next to her, just at the opening of the alley. "Where will you go? Do you really have to return to your master? Is there no other option? No other way?" He paused now and held his tongue, suddenly feeling as if he were interrogating the poor creature. The look on her face was...well, he wasn't exactly sure what was going on behind those bright eyes, but the look...it was...sad. Yes. Sadness is what he was sensing or, maybe, just maybe it was what he was feeling, yet projecting on her. "Please, forgive me. I shouldn't be so demanding of you. It's just, well...I feel so helpless. Hearing your story makes me want to take action. But...but how? How can I, just a single man, make a difference?" Taking another moment to consider their situation, Coltyn finally broke the silence with a series of words that sounded something like...a poem? "When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, and the road you're trudging seems all uphill. When the mizas are low and the debts are high, and you want to smile, but instead you sigh. When care is pressing you down a bit, rest if you must, but just don't quit! For life is queer with its twists and turns, as every one of us sometimes learns. And many a fellow has turned about, when he might have won had he stuck it out. So don't give up, though the pace seems slow, you just might succeed with another blow! When things go right, as they sometimes do, and the road you're walking seem good to you. When the debts are gone because the mizas flow, and you slip a smile, as you reap what you sow. When life starts tripping you up, my friend, fear if you must, but just don't bend!" At this point, Coltyn grew silent once more. He wasn't sure why he suddenly felt the need to share something his brother had written for him, but, well, it felt oddly appropriate.

[Nya Winters]

She wasn't fleeing, not really, just putting space between the stranger and herself until the man passed by and was gone. The man didn't have to chase her, not really, only join her at a safe distance from the back door of the business. The Kelvic blinked, held her ground, and then watched the man start to reach out to touch her and then stop himself.

His words flooded her senses and she listened with the intent of a predator looking for prey in between the lines. The almost musical words spoke to her and she almost purred in her human form. The kelvic smiled slowly revealing a perfect line of white teeth. She tilted her head cat-like and dropped her eyes down to his hand then up his arm to his face.

"You should decide something then follow through with it physically like you do with your words. Kelvics respond to leadership, confidence, and tend to decide to disrespect those that hesitate or show submission. We do not see human courtesy the same way humans do. Commit or do not act at all. If it is the wrong kind of kelvic, you might find yourself simply eaten rather than disrespected." She said reaching out and touching him. She took his hand and placed it on her shoulder drawing him closer.

Her voice was a low, spiced with richness and not light and pitched higher like a woman's normally was. A memory flared in her mind and she knew suddenly that once she'd taught someone else how to act around her kind, someone that had been important to her. And that someone had often filled her head with words such as the mans She tried to capture the memory, hold it, but it slipped away like a breeze, elusive. The Kelvic slipped closer to him and inhaled deeply, taking in his scent. It spurred nothing in her, at least no more memories, though she could tell he was a clean man, one who bathed regularly.

"I almost remembered something then.... " She started to say but was then cut off by his expression. He seemed surprised at what he said, somewhat pleased, and a bit sad as well. She met his gaze, her moss green eyes burning, and curled up her lip.

"One person can always make a change. You just need to figure out where you are most suitable acting. A man working for a business that sell sweets can do little because you stand on the outside staring in. Change comes from within. You have to be on the inside to effect change. They stole my name, my past, my life from me on the inside. They know who I am within. The man I was to be given too may have the answers I seek. He may not either. But if he does, that's a chance I will take. They think to own me, but they cannot ever truly do so. Only a bond denotes true ownership with my kind and that cannot be forced no matter how deeply they chafe at the thought of there being something in the world they cannot control." She said.

"Just like the others below. Some then can own, some they will kill before they are broken. But some people are born broken already, always playing it safe, surrounding themselves with security, only helping others if it doesn't' cost them too much. You can plan for a lifetime, but acting is the only thing that truly counts." She said, reaching forward with her chin as she rose up on her tip toes and ran her jawline down his, marking him slowly with her scent.

"Which type are you? The type of pretty boy to have a 'fwend' ... a plaything I presume like the man seemed to think? Or are you someone better? You could be so much more and use that face for a real advantage other than selling or delivering sweets." She said suddenly, still standing very close to him. She stunk, smelling of human waste, moldy hay, and incarceration. There were even bits of straw and dirt in her brindled oddly colored hair that he could see now that she was standing so close. She would have called him by name, except she didn't know it and couldn't even begin to guess.


.

[Coltyn]

Was it wrong of Coltyn to fear for the worst in the instant that she boldly invaded his personal space and then proceeded to rub her face against his? After all, she had just said, '...find yourself simply eaten rather than disrespected.' Simply eaten? Really? Ok. Sure. He was being ridiculous, but that was exactly how he felt in the moment. Good or bad, right or wrong, a flash of fear had tingled down his spine and he wasn't willing to let the sensation pass without acknowledging it. Did he need to act on the feeling? No. Probably not. It just, well, he hated to admit this, but he just wasn't all that familiar with her kind and their ways. For all he knew, she was simply saying farewell. However, she could also be sizing him up for her next meal. Do they even eat the flesh of man? I suppose, in these dark times, anything is possible. Refocusing on her words, she was now asking him what type of man he was. What did she mean by this? Was there a concern that he was just like the rest of his kind? Could he be cruel to her? Could he use her as a plaything and then toss her aside without feeling an ounce of remorse? "No! I would never...," he found himself blurting as he pulled back just a little so that his eyes could capture hers. "I couldn't use you. I wouldn't..." ...because you're not my type, he wanted to say, but didn't. "I mean, don't misunderstand me, my past is indeed filled with such frivolous endeavors, but here, now, no...I would not dare handle you in such a way. You've suffered enough. My intentions are good...and, I guess...they could be even better," he added as he considered her final words. "Well, what I mean is, you're probably right. I could use the gifts given to me for something better than this..." He let his words drop off now as his eyes focused on the shop. "I...I don't live too far from here. Would you like to, uh, go there and, perhaps, wash up?" he offered in a gentle voice as he returned his focus to her, not knowing if she would read more into his words. "That is...if you're able to...in the time you have."

[Nya Winters]

She released him immediately when he pulled back, listening to his words carefully. Nya really listened, deeply, with her whole body. It was how she knew what humans were thinking, what they were feeling. They gave so much away with body language that they might as well be speaking words. And as he moved to restore space between them she answered some of his questions by reaching out and touching his jaw where she'd marked him.

"Scent. It is a powerful thing. I gave you my scent. Kelvics, especially predatory ones, often mark territory by leaving their scent. Here.." She withdrew her hand and touched her own jaw. "Here cats have scent. We mark scent, so faint you cannot smell it as a human, to mark a possession or something under our protection or even to say thanks. It is a gesture of shared acceptance to rub someone's jawline. It is a hello and a happy 'I accept you.' It is nothing more. I can smell emotion. I can smell things like fear and arousal and other things. You smell curious and confused and interested in many things. I can tell you are smart, but you are not getting your mind satisfied. I can tell you are not aroused and not wanting sex which makes you safe for me to follow without the fear you will force a mating. Men like to do that a great deal in this city. I am infertile anyhow." She said, matter of factly as if it didn't occur to her that men enjoyed the act just for itself and not for a purpose.

"Yes I would like to see your home." She said softly. "And maybe have something to eat, something more than a sweet. Being clean would be good too." She said softly.

[Coltyn]

Coltyn took pause when the young female started speaking about men taking advantage of women. He knew it happened - probably a bit too often, and not just to women - but in all honesty, he only wanted to help her, not help himself to her. His intentions were exactly what he said and nothing more. Safety - for the briefest of moments - food, and a washing was all he had to offer. It just wasn't in his nature to lie for personal gain. The outcome, from his experience, was usually unfavorable to those who caught themselves up in a web of lies. "My flat is nearby," he informed her as he motioned across an adjoining courtyard that contained a stone statue and several benches, which were currently unoccupied. "Stay close and keep alert," he instructed and then instantly felt foolish for treating her as if she were a mere child. He had a feeling she was always on the lookout, ready to react in an instant. "I...I'm sorry. It's just...," he began to explain as they now stood on the opposite side of the square near an opening in the wall, "...habit, I guess you could say. I have two sisters and a younger brother that I tend to mother, since, to put if bluntly, the woman cast in the actual role is incapable of such kindness and concern. Not to mention..." His words trailed off now as his thoughts went once more to his older brother. He felt compelled to tell her all about him and, more importantly, inquire about those within her ranks who were taken against their will, but, again, it seemed somewhat rude to concern her with such things. "Not to mention," he repeated, rethinking his choice of words, "once the sun sets, the city tends to take on a new personality and, I regret to say, during these trying times, it is more cruel than kind." Growing silent, Coltyn focused on the simple task of getting them to his flat. He truly hoped the quick trip could occur without incident, but he wouldn't be surprised in the least if it didn't. Since the storm, both citizens and outsiders alike were a bit more hasty, as well as desperate, in their exchanges with one another. Putting thoughts before actions or words was a rarity these days.