[Knirin Gardens]A walk in the park[Rye]

[Rykanis Dakshata]

Soon enough they had reached the place Rykanis had mentioned, and Rye was pulling him along, finding a seat near the back. It made Rykanis recall something he had once seen, which made him smile at its similarity. It was a dog being walked in the park, and pulling his master along, excited to be going wherever she thought she was leading him. Though, Rykanis thought, it was really only because the akalak had allowed the dog to lead him. It would have been quite simple for him to stop the dog, or take the lead. Similar to how it would be easy for him to stop her, just simply stop being carried, and stand stock still, and she would get him no where. But he would let her continue pulling him along, thinking she was taking him somewhere. She seemed to like to think she was in charge for the moment, and taking him somewhere. Finally they ended up at a table in the corner, and Rye sat, taking a chair with her back to the wall, as she looked around at everyone. Rykanis was fine with that, he could still listen, and was here to find out this girls secrets, as he knew there were some, not these other people. As Rye cleared her throat, and mentioned telling her story, Rykanis simply smiled, waiting to hear what she had to say. So... From Endrykas... But left... Obviously since she is here... Her father was exiled? He did not even know that could happen... Though he did note the way she said it... Her mothers companion... And then saying it was her father, like an afterthought... Odd... It was also interesting to know both of her parents were dead... His own mother was no longer alive... And his father had left Riverfall... Though he still had his fathers father... Then she had a flurry of questions for him, and he simply smiled, trying to decide how to best answer them... Some of them were related to secrets... But he had no trouble answering the ones that were common knowledge... "I do know how to fight, but I would not say I am a simple warrior... I prefer using my mind to battle, and my wits, over just physical force. Though I have been in a scrap or two. As for a brother, I am the only child of my father. As far as I now, I have no siblings. Swimming, well not really, I am not that good. I don't really do it to much. I usually stay on land. And I currently have no children to my name." All of these answers were of course true, but with varying levels of openness. Some were outright the truth, while some simply hinted at deeper information, which were not mentioned in his statement. He was loath to simply give away secrets, and both his sides kept much to themselves, and each other. In return, Rykanis had his own questions, though he said them much slower, and spaced them out more. "What about you? Do you know how to fight? Maybe we could spar some time? Or is there something else you are good at or like to do? Running, building, making, hunting, fishing? Something else entirely? What is it you enjoy doing?" "And I can't help but feel there is something more to you... You seem a bit different... I can almost feel that there is some great secret you are still hiding in you... Just waiting for me to tease out..."

[Rhy]

Rhy confirmed what she saw in his hands before she answered his questions. When she is done she places his hand before him in a way that suggested, rather ironically, that she was giving it back. His hands were calloused but softer then most Akalaks. She assumes it means he spars with some sort of weapon, and often. But he dosen't work at anything rough such as farming, or tending animals.

"If I am keeping something secret, does it really matter? And what you said in the garden, about keeping my theft a secret... Well, as soon as you know, or someone tells you, its not exactly a secret anymore is it? Your chasing shadows. And they aren't even interesting shadows."

Just then a rather voluptuous barmaid passes by, and Rhy has to raise herself almost to her feet until the woman notices she's being hailed from behind Rykanis's broad back. Rhy orders a loaf of bread for herself and gives the woman a sm. In which she is given eight cm in return. She counts the mizas rather laboriously, and stows them in her pocket.

"As for what I do, I hunt. And I dabble is thievery, but thats not really... recreational. As for fighting, if I smashed your face with that kettle over there it would hurt. And thats about the extent of my fighting technique. But I'm tougher then I look, Im up for a good spar. As for fun, I like people and I like to play. Im not exactly complicated."

Her smile is conspiratorial and playful. As if she is sharing a secret after all.

"Here you are Missy." The barmaid comes back with a thick loaf of white bread on a wooden slate, with a knife stuck in the flaky crust. "And a little extra from me." She produces a wooden bowl filled with a white liquid, smelling intoxicatingly like sweetened milk, and thin slices of the less desirable cuts of meat. "It'll help get some padding on ya."

Rhy gestures enthusiastically in way of thanks, since her mouth is already full of the fluffy white bread. The knife is ignored as she concentrates on eating her food. Ripping out tuffs, dipping them in the milk and transferring it to her mouth with an almost giddily pleasure. If he thinks he's sharing he is dead wrong. She'd probably bite him if he tried.

[Rykanis Dakshata]

Rykanis simply smiled, at Rye's look on secrets. She felt that secrets could only be held by one person, and lost what they were after someone else learned... He felt similarly, that the more people that knew of a secret, that the less value it had... Even better would it be if only he knew, and the person it was about did not know he knew. But only one other person knowing of it was not so bad. "True it is better if no one knows you know, but a secret between two is still good, if you don't reveal it to others. It only stops being a secret though if everyone knows it. Though if someone were to reveal a secret to another... It would make the two all the closer, for the fact that they can hold this secret in common, against others who don't know." Rykanis smiled, with a dreamy look spreading over his face. He obviously felt the idea of such a secret as quite desirable... And oddly satisfying... But he had always felt a odd draw to secrets, and felt a strange satisfaction and pleasure at knowing a new secret. "A secret is a secret..." Rykanis said, not even noticing the barmaid as she walked by. Though he was able to focus once more, as Rye continued her speech, his other side nudging him to attention, not wanting him to miss any facts. Hunting... That was interesting to know... And thievery... Well he already knew that... She sounded like she knew a bit how to fight, though it was no formal style, just the things one would see in a tavern brawl. Perhaps he would take her up on that, fight a little, maybe even show her how to fight without using pans and bottles. "Hunting... Perhaps you could show me a thing or two on that... Teach me to hunt... I would not mind learning, and it might be nice to go after something together. As for your fast fingers, I think we both know that I know of it. And fighting, I am no expert by a long shot, especially compared to most akalaks, but I would love to get in the fray with you, maybe teach you how to throw a proper punch. Without using a kettle." This time Rykanis was paying attention, as the woman returned, dropping off bread and a bowl of soup or something for Rye. Rykanis simply ordered a ale for himself, and gave her the few coppers it cost. Though as he turned back to Rye after ordering, he was a bit surprised by how she ate. She seemed to be eating with an almost inhuman appetite, scarfing the food down. The scene reminded him of a man he had once seen, feeding his dog a bone with meat. The animal had hungrily wolfed down the meat, and stood ready for more. Rye seemed to be eating with similar abandon. Also it seemed the food was giving her as much pleasure and satisfaction, as a nice juicy secret would for him. He had been picking up hints all along, since they had met... His brain whirred into action, trying to puzzle all of the details together... He had seen much since they met, and it was starting to gather into a cohesive entity... She wolfed down food like an animal, afraid it might be taken away. And she was definitely possessive of the food, now that she had it. He could almost imagine her growling or snapping at him, if he tried to take it. Along with that, she had wandered off... And returned all dirty, especially her hands being filthy... As if she had been digging in the dirt... Also know that he thought back on it, she moved a bit oddly, inhumanly, and had little regard for personal space... She had sat in his lap, like a dog might to a new person it liked... Putting all of it together... And he came up with... Well he was not completely sure... But she sure did have a lot of qualities that recalled him of dogs... He tried to remember why that rang a bell... Perhaps he would have to tease out further info or proof later... But he was quite convinced he had figured it out, that she was quite possibly a dog... Maybe a shape shifter? They were not unheard of in Riverfall, he new quite a few Akalaks that took them on as mates, to birth there children. But he did not know for sure yet. Still, he smiled at her, with a new-found joy in his eyes, as he puzzled out her secret. "You have quite the appetite... And really seem to love to eat... We should go hunting some time, find you a bit more to eat. I have very good night vision."

[Rhy]

Rhy nods absently, not really listening to what he was saying. He was smiling though. She wasn't sure she liked it. She's seen him smile like he was amused, or teasing. But right now and right now he was smiling with something that looked suspiciously like joy. It even reached his eyes. But with the effect of the red light hanging on the wall behind her the expression probably looked a bit more odious then he intended.

Then he offeres to hunt with her, and lo n' behold a flaw in her plan: she can't hunt while human. She's never even tried. And unless the prey was slow or stupid enough to get beat to death with a rock she probably never will. She's never touched an actual weapon in her life.

"I'd love to teach you, its actually very fun. But I unfortunately CANT see in the dark."

This is mostly true, but she can smell and chase down a deer at massive distances. Even if she wasn't trying to hide, if she trusted him and it was broad daylight, she probably wouldn't take him hunting. Hunting is a massive portion of her survival, and the guy is not only an amateur, he's big and he's blue. Not exactly an ideal partner. He might even be one of those lead-footed Akalaks that stomp around like children. Lets save the teaching until her life doesn't depend on it.

"How about you show me that left hook instead? The night is still young, I'm still young, and Im full of food. Don't worry, I promise to go easy on you." She smiles around her bowl. "I might not be able to throw a proper punch, and i'd be grateful if you would teach me, but have you ever fought with opponents not above biting, kicking and general nastiness? Let me teach you to poleax someone with a stick and then lets see which is more practical."

Her gorging done, the wooden bowl hits the table like a man after chugging an ale. Full of food and company, Rhy is having a very hard time finding any sort of reason to be dispirited. Except for the fact that when the night ends she's going to be out in the cold again. Until dawn sees fit to thaw her bones with its weak sun. Well, maybe she can turn that situation around as well...

"How about a contest Rykanis? A bet, per se. I'll spar with you. If you win our joust with your fancy-handed combat I'll tell you a secret. Its a good one, don't worry. And if I win then you have to let me stay with you tonight. Under a roof. With a blanket. What do you say?"

Her heart might be cheering her on with wooping cheer of hope, but her brain is fizzling with the odds. Skinny and six months old. Lets hope to whatever god is listening he takes her lightly, if he even takes the bait. And lets hope to god he picks a ground in her favour. And lets hope to god she has enough sense not to get her ass handed to her.

[Rykanis Dakshata]

Rykanis smiled once more. He was starting to like the girl, she definitely had spirit, and tried to get her way. His other side however, did not like her as much. He just wanted to know her secret, and did not care for her. And he also did not want to take the risk of losing. So why not just make it were both sides won? "If you can't see in the dark, that is not a problem. We can always go during the day when it is light out. As for the fight... I am sure we could figure something out..." It was funny really, that in making her "contest," she revealed much more about herself, showing something else that was secret. Obviously she was saying that she was homeless, and had no place to stay. Which was lucky, as Rykanis had extra room at his place. "I have a better deal, instead of a contest. A even trade. That way we both win. We can spar, to be honest I prefer using blades, but I will fight unarmed also. But no matter who wins, you tell me the secret. And I will give you a place to stay tonight, with a roof, a blanket, and everything else." He paused here, making sure she had heard what he said. He would be careful with her though, she had already proven once she was a thief. "But I will do it on two conditions. One, you promise you will not steal anything from me... And two, you tell me the secret, before I give you a place to stay... And in exchange, you can pick were we spar. How is that for a deal. We both win, and both get what we want." He hoped she would take the offered deal, as it was fair. In fact, it was much better for her. In hers, she risked sleeping out in the cold. In his, she was guaranteed a place to stay. Not to mention the fact that she weighed next to nothing next to him, was tiny compared to his size, and would be hard pressed to fight him at all really. "So what do you say to that Rye?" As he said this, his ale finally arrived, and he took a good measured sip, keeping his eyes on her face, and paying close attention to how she responded.

[Rhy]

She blinks once. She blinks again.

He is going to let me stay.

Who knew he would just give it to her. Maybe he's softer then he looks. She folds her legs under her as he sips his ale and speaks in the slow and measured voice of the totally dispassionate.

"That seems like a fine arrangement."

But she ruins the facade when her lips thin out in an attempt to keep herself from smiling. Who cares if he wants to see her chase her tail before he lets her into his home. Even if he finds her nature a bit distasteful for himself, Kelvics are considered pets, aren't they? Even if the term 'pet' makes her wrinkle her nose in distaste (wild dogs consider pets to be useless and decorative, and are shunned to the point of disownment) at least its more likely she can wile her way into staying longer, if she can. Pet sounds a lot better then freeloader, anyway.

She firms her resolve and launches into her secret before he can change his mind.

"Im not a Dyrlas, obviously" She motions to herself to call attention to her colouring, which is a lot darker then your average Dyrlas. "Im a dog. Or bitch, if you want to get technical." She stretches her arms in front of her self and yawns widely. The night is catching up with her and she's tired. The small bit of information seemed too small for Rykanis. Maybe she should prove it instead. Or shock him at least.

"Im six months old, I find great pleasure in ear scratches and I eat cats and gulls on a regular basis." She looks up at him through thick eyelashes and laughs loud enough to rival a drunk. "Don't tell me that bothers you. Im a good girl. And I sit on command." She knows she shouldn't tease him. But the opportunity was too good to pass up. She ends her epiphany speech with her mouth open and panting like she's basking in the sun, lolling tongue and everything. Just to prove her point.

[Rykanis Dakshata]

Rykanis simply smiled, as stunned shock came over her face, and she blinked a few times. She surely was not expecting for him to offer what he did, and apparently it caught her off guard. She quickly replaced that look with one of attempted blankness, as she overcompensated by pretending to be emotionless. Though he did notice a twitch of her lips, as she tried to keep it from moving. Obviously she did not know that he had put the facts together, and had an inkling of what she was... Though he would pretend like he did not, give her the chance to tell him herself. She mentioned her dark color first, saying she was not a Drykas. He had figured as much, even though she had said her father was a drykas that had been banished. She did not seem like one of the horse people. And then she admitted it, her being a dog. Even called herself a bitch, a more crude term for a female dog. She stretched out her arms and yawned, revealing her teeth, which revealed her elongated canines far longer than a normal human. Clearly an animal like feature. He simply smiled at her, his lips splitting and showing his teeth, as she tried to put him off and surprise him. But of course since she was only confirming what he already knew, and not really telling him anything he did not know, he was able to keep from seeming shocked, since he wasn't. He did think it was a bit funny though, when she took proving it a bit further, and lolled her tongue out, showing her much longer than usual tongue. He even laughed a little, a deep throat-ed strong laugh. Then he decided to tease her a bit in return, since she kept trying to mess with him. "Now now young lady, I heard that yawn. Your about to fall asleep in your chair. You need to get to bed!" "But your trying to be sneaky aren't you? You still have one more thing to do, you have to promise not to steal. I will get you to bed, but first you have to promise. We can spar or hunt or whatever tomorrow. " He finished this, smiling once more at her, and then taking a long sip of his ale. He would let her squirm for a bit under his stern gaze, waiting for her to respond.

[Rhy]

Rhy rolls her eyes in response to his stare and proceeds to lick her bowl clean.

"Iv already proved to be less then trustworthy, so my word shouldn't mean much eh? So I'll give you something better. I won't sneak off into the night with your blankets or your food because I don't want to. Not only will I be giving up some splendid accommodations (which much thanks are owed, by the way), It would be the single fastest way into the Gideon arena. Especially since you know my name and both my forms."

But it might be funny to see you throttle every dog in the city until you get the right one. She mused. And there was a snort of laughter of the mental picture of the mysterious purple man chasing down the city dogs yelling for Rhy. Totally unrealistic, but amusing none the less.

"So no, you don't have my word. But my reasoning is sound and trickery is not on the menu tonight. I like my skull the way it is; In one piece."

No, a few comforts are not worth giving up what could be a good friendship. Not to mention some spiffy living. She'll have to prove herself useful if she plans to stay a while. How hard can domestic living be, really? Learn some cooking skills. Cleaning, maybe. But she's getting ahead of herself. So she contents herself with sending some focused pseudo telepathy: want me!

"But your right, I'm going to fall asleep on this table and your going to be carrying me to wherever this home is pretty soon." She sticks her tongue out at him in a teasing way. "But as long as I'm still standing i'll follow you home. Like a puppy. Just lead the way."

[Rykanis Dakshata]

Rykanis listened, as Rye gave her own reasoning for why she would not steal. Of course there was no way of knowing if she was telling the truth... But even if she wasn't he was pretty skilled in gathering information. Even if she did try and rob him, he was sure he could track her down, and she would not be safe in her human form. So let her not promise, the point of it had not been to insure she only told the truth, but to judge her. often the way someone answered was as important as the contents of the reply. He had just learned more of her by the way she had responded. She was obviously laughing at something inside of her own head, and found something funny, but he would just let her have her joke. He did not mind, even though she had been trying to control the way things went the entire night, and he had usually let her think she was succeeding, he was still the one in control. Which made his other side feel happy, and enough to convince him to let him bring her home. How could he not, she was so pitiful. Of course his other side felt no such emotion. Getting up, Rykanis motioned for her, and said "come along." Funnily enough something that was often said to a dog. "I live back over by were we started, over by the garden. I stay in Kuahala Estates." They had a nice view, and it was his own private personal apartment that he owned. Carved right out of stone, with smooth well laid stone floors... It would take them a bit to get back over to there, but once they did, Rykanis would open his door, and gesture for Rye to walk in, and look around. Right opposite of the door, right in the middle of the far wall, was a stone hearth, which warmed the room, and was used in cooking. On the left side was his bed, with a soft mattress, sheets, and plump pillows. And on the right side was his couch, which had padding to be softer. There was also a table to sit at and eat, and some wooden chairs seated at it, but that was not really important. But Rykanis would let Rye in first, to look around, and inspect his roomy space.

[Rhy]

Rhy bounds into the room as soon as the Akalak steps aside. The high ceiling and a towering ocean view scream at her to the value of his wealth. These are all frivolous, of course, but pleasing to the eye. And she wondered if she will ever be in the state where she will own things just because its 'pleasing to the eye'.

Comfortable furniture is strewn around the room. Places fundamentally designed just so you can sit. And a wide, soft bed so you can sleep. And after a thorough run-around of the entire apartment, and her excitement starts to abate, she wrestles herself out of her clothes. The clothes are left on a chair, she runs into the bedroom, and without further ado she climbs onto his bed and curls at the foot.

She just has enough time to feel the softness with her sensitive human hands before she starts to shift. Her shifting starts with her back, as if a breeze has swept her apart piece by piece. These fragments glow with a warm light as they swirl in the air and suddenly compact, shaping limb muzzle and fur until a large black puppy lays where the skinny human girl was.

Wind doesn't eat through her fur and the cold doesn't settle on her bones. A first all season. Earlier this night she was stuffing grass down her shirt to keep the frost from settling on her skin, now she was on the softest bed in the house of a resident Akalak. Isn't it funny how things work out.

She doesn't even wait for the Akalak to claim his own bed before she falls asleep.