Attacks of the Innocent Mind [Flashback solo]

[Vuil]

Winter, Day 68, 510 AV. Cool air flitted through her fur as she and Aldernai, her loving, doting, affectionate owner, walked quietly in the winter morning through the snow covered grasses just outside of the edges of Sunberth, the older gentleman searching the ground insistently. His hand rested gently on her head, stroking behind her ears in that way that made her melt, bringing a low purr from within her throat. Aldernai stopped walking, kneeling down to pluck the leaves of a spiked plant that had found a small patch of snowless ground beneath a tree. "Ah, such a rare beauty." She loved his voice. Wispy, delicate, hiding the strength she knew was within his thin, wiry muscles. More than occasionally, she had been the one pinned in their playful wrestling. The large leopardess rubbed her head against the man's shoulder, nearly knocking him over into the snow. He laughed, light, crisp, pushing her face away so he could continue his work. They didn't need words to convey how they felt, comfortable to sit in silence, Aldernai working to get the roots and leaves of the plants used for his little teahouse, and she set a foot away, watching him diligently. "This here gem is used in your favourite blend, Vuil." The leopardess purred in acknowledgement, laying herself down, head rested on her front paws to keep it off of the cold ground. The silence that came with the winter months enveloped the two, the snow doing its best to muffle the sounds of the city from reaching the two of them. Even the small breeze had died down, leaving a perpetual stillness about them. Aldernai finally rose, with Vuil trailing slightly behind him as the two began their slow walk back to their home within the city. The buildings seemed to rise up around them the further in they went. The stares and glares of the few gutter rats that had crawled out of their beds early rolled off her like water on a duck's back, her attention only focused on the one beside her. Besides, if any of them dared to make a comment, or take an action against the two of them, they would soon find themselves on the receiving end of a enraged cat who was twice their size. The familiar scent of home drifted around them, the leopard increasing the pace of her steps so she was just in front of Aldernai, the man giving a small chuckle at her eagerness. Vuil looked up expectantly as they came to the door of their little home turned shop. Aldernai turned the key in the lock, the door coming open easily, and Vuil slipped inside. The warmth of the home washed over her, giving her golden coat a shake to remove any lingering cold that clung to her, soaking in the heat. As Aldernai undressed out of his winter coat, Vuil decided to bring herself into the form her master most adored. There was a bright light as her leopard features fell away, leaving the slim and short figure of a dark haired woman in their place.

[Vuil]

Her arms wrapped around his torso, head pressed gently against his strong back. He was warm, so very warm, even after being out in the cold for so long. And his smell, not covered by heavy coats of wool, was heavenly, taking in a deep breath, like a swimmer come up for air, to keep in the memory of his scent. Aldernai's hand came to rest upon hers, a wealth of affection and feeling just in that one touch. She felt a swell of love rise within her, shown in the slight tightening of her grip on the man. She would never let him go. Aldernai belonged to her as she belonged to him. They were perfect for one another. He turned in her arms, facing her. Well, as best he could, having to look down quite a bit. She smiled up at him, pushing herself up on tip toes to place a gentle kiss on his chin, not quite able to reach his lips. He laughed, and the world was good. It didn't matter she was in Sunberth, nor did it matter that she ran a poor teashop that barely made enough for them to keep it open. She was happy to share it all with him. The good, the bad, the lows and highs. Together with him, it would all be golden roads in her mind. He gently pushed her arms away, sending her to go put her clothes on. Vuil twirled, heading deeper into their home in search of clothing. She was on a hunt for her shirt now, knowing that it would most likely not be where she left it. Aldernai didn't really enjoy finding her clothing strewn about the floor, so he had come into the habit of hiding them, in the hopes of her getting frustrated at having to look for them each time she changed. It had back fired as Vuil found it a delightful little game, rummaging through the drawers and cupboards in search of the missing items. A shirt was found hiding behind the containers of the different tea blends, her undergarments stuffed into drawer of bills and so on. Soon though, she had acquired a full outfit, slipping the shirt over her head. It was at this time that there came a knock on their teahouse door, bringing her attention back to the other room. They hadn't opened yet, so who would come knocking at their door? Making sure that she was covered, the young woman crept into the room, watching silently from behind the front counter. There was a woman at the door. Long, brunette curls falling around a beautiful face. There was an instinctive dislike for this woman growing in her chest, pushing the growl that rumbled in her throat down. Aldernai seemed happy to see her, which made the burning in her chest so much worse. But she would keep it contained. This woman was obviously someone important to Aldernai, so she would watch. And she would wait for the moment when the woman was gone, and all her master's attention's were on her again. That alleviated some of the burning, aching feeling that swept in her chest, dying down to a simmer. She watched, patiently as a trained huntress, as the two humans conversed, coming into the shop. A frown crossed her face. Aldernai didn't allow anyone into the shop early. Why was this woman special? Green eyes stayed fixated on the intruder, watching her movements, watching for anything that might make her stand apart from all the other humans who skittered about in Sunberth. They conversed near the door for quite some time, in hushed voices that were difficult to hear. Vuil could only catch a spattering of words, and none of them made any sense to her. They sounded like plants, with their long and strange names. Why could she not come back when they were open? This time was her time with Aldernai! The burning in her chest was roiling the longer she crouched here, her hate growing with each second that ticked by. Finally, after what seemed an eternity crouched behind the tea counter, the humans ended their conversation, Aldernai walking the woman to the door to see her off. The boiling hate began to ebb, realizing that her master would soon be her's again, however short the time before the store opened. the door was opened, the two saying their final goodbyes, when she saw them lean together, a quick kiss shared between the two of them. Vuil was struck cold, as if ice had encased her, staring off after the two in shocked silence. It wasn't until the door had closed, the woman gone, that the ice melted, retreating away from the rage that sped through her veins, setting her body alight. How dare she! Those lips were hers! They belonged to her! No one was allowed to touch those lips but her!

[Vuil]

The door was closed, Vuil creeping out from behind the counter. She was standing in the room as Aldernai turned around. She had never been good at hiding emotions, and the man read her easily. Though, he still had the gall to ask her, "Vuil, what's the matter?" She growled, walking forward and throwing her arms around the man possessively. "You're mine... You're mine." The man let out a sigh, his hands coming up to rest on her shoulders. She wanted him to hold her close, tell her the woman meant nothing. That she was special. He pushed her off. Her eyes went wide, staring at him in shocked silence. He straightened his clothing, looking down at her with a blank expression. "Vuil, I am not yours. You are mine." He corrected, his voice stern, as if scolding a naughty child. It stung, making her take a step back. She had never disappointed him! She was perfect! The perfect companion! Vuil let her head drop slightly, her eyes searching for any sign of forgiveness, or maybe mirth! She couldn't have made him disappointed! But there was nothing there for her, the man carefully covering his face in a blank mask. "...Who was she?" A tentative question, quiet, unsure. She didn't know any more. Everything was new again. Was she allowed to ask questions? Would it end up with her disappointing her master again?! No! She was perfect! She could not disappoint! The male shook his head, walking past her behind the counter. "No one you need to think on." Short. Curt. End of discussion. She had treaded into a territory that Aldernai didn't wish to speak about. She had been wrong, but she couldn't be wrong! She knew everything about her master! But, knowing what he wanted, she didn't press him further She went into the back, knowing that they were going to open soon. She needed to start blending. She wasn't sure how to make many of the specialty blends that Aldernai was known for, but he had taught her how to make some of the more popular blends. The first of their customers came in, and their day was begun. Aldernai spoke happily to the older couple, asking for their usual blend of herbal tea. Vuil set into work, grinding leaves and roots, but her muscles were working on memory, her mind focused elsewhere. They chased circles around each other, thinking about that woman! Who was she?! Why was she so special?! He hadn't taken an interest in anyone besides her before! Who was this woman?! Her teeth grit in anger, handing the blend off to her master, before grabbing herself more tea elements. That was how the day continued, and the longer she was left to her thoughts, the more Vuil convinced herself that the woman had done something to her master. There was no possible way that he would allow someone to become so close in such a short time. Green eyes flicked out to the front room, roving over the cheerful male that stood behind the counter. What had she done to him to make him so compliant?

[Vuil]

The time came when the store was closed, Aldernai setting about to clean the counters and put the stock back in place. Vuil had a broom in hand, sweeping the dirt that had been brought in on the bottoms of shoes out the open door. She didn't see why it needed to be done, as more would be tracked in the next time they opened the shop. Still, her master liked a clean store, and she woulf be perfect for him. Everything would be perfect for him. A small smile graced the woman's lips, stealing a glance back at her master. He seemed to be more himself now, later in the day. Focused on his work, offering her smiles and the occasional pat on the head. Just having him smile at her had nearly made her forget about that mornings events. Nearly. It was still there, floating in the back of her memory. Waiting to bubble up to the surface when the situation deemed proper. Vuil gave a small huff as the last of the dirt was brushed out the door, turning and walking into the back room. Aldernai sat at the table, counting out the shiny coins they had collected that day. Her lips parting in a feral grin, coming up behind the man, arms wrapping around his shoulders. She pressed herself against his back, inhaling in his scent as the warmth from his body wrapped around and comforted her. One of her master's hands came up to rest on her arm, sharing that connection and love for just a moment. She could imagine the smile on his lips, small and yet more real than the large grins that covered the faces of the people outside their home. The man stood up, turning to look down at her with. His smile, while there, wasn't the one she had been envisioning. It was too wide, forced. Her master wasn't happy. Vuil felt a prickling sensation crawl along her skin, sinking her heart with dread. Aldernai placed one of his hands upon her face, cradling her cheek. His hand felt cold. "You seem to be in a much better mood, Vuil." He commented, keeping his fake smile pulled on to his lips. "Think you can behave if I have a guest over?" Vuil's eyes widened slightly, taking a step back away from the man. "You've had people in here all day. I've been good." Her master let the smile drop, fixing her with a blank stare. She didn't like it. She didn't like the way he was looking at her, as though he were about to give her bad news. Tell her she had done something wrong. But she hadn't! She'd been good. She'd been perfect! How could he tell her that she had done wrong? "Those were customers. I meant a guest." Vuil stayed quiet, her mind reeling in her thoughts. Why was he so worried about her behaviour? He'd had people over after work before, though not often, and she had always been perfect. What would be so different this time? "I'll be good." She voiced, though her words did little to alleviate the frown from the man's lips. He turned, walking out of the room, leaving the kelvic girl to herself. She was angry, and that terrified her, because she wasn't angry at herself. She was furious at Aldernai, for losing faith in her, for making her doubt herself. Confusion kept the girl rooted in that spot for a long moment, before she walked behind the counter to put away her broom.