Clear Air (Raven)

by **Tryn Frostfawn** on July 12th, 2012, 4:11 pm

When: 52nd, Summer, 512 AV
Where: Clearing in woods outside Syliras' walls
Who: Varjo & Raven

It'd been a day since Varjo arrived in Syliras. His campsite in the tent community to the west of the gates proved durable and comfortable. The people around were friendly and his tent was much more spacious than a room at Traveler's Row would've been. Varjo had heard stories of the devastation the Djed storms wreaked upon Syliras, but it was worse than he'd anticipated. There were fallen buildings, crumbled walls, and debris everywhere. The city was packed but bustling with people trying to help restore the city to its former glory. Knights were everywhere, keeping calm among the people, even in the chaos of the situation. Varjo admired their grace, their servitude, their stature, and once again pondered joining them. Something nagged at him with that thought though, something he didn't understand yet. But it pushed him away from the idea nonetheless. Only time would tell what was really going on. Satisfied it was time to get up for the day, Varjo dressed and cleaned up inside his tent, threw his waterskin into his backpack for easier carrying, and headed off to explore the area nearby Syliras' walls.

It was a pretty decent day today, the sounds of busy bodies inside the walls could be heard outside. The mumbles of people talking to one another, horses heard in the distance from the training fields, it all blended together into a rhythmic murmur. The sound of civilization at its finest. Varjo walked alone, preferring his human form to his horse form today, something that didn't happen all too often. He was barefoot and bare-chested today, his preferred fashion in his human body. It made for less to keep track of if he did end up shifting forms. The ground felt good beneath his feet, real if you will, and the grounded feeling was comforting. He shifted his bag to the other shoulder and continued walking. A few stragglers passed him by, nodding their greetings and well wishes of a good day, and Varjo mimicked them in response.

Varjo entered a set of woods, tall, beautiful, and shaded. The air inside was cool and soothing, and a light breeze played with his hair. He walked alone a while, weaving in and out of the trees, up and over roots threatening to trip anyone who didn't pay enough attention. Varjo was smarter than that though. He retains the natural four legged balance of a horse even in his two legged figure. Tripping and clumsiness were rare for him. These roots didn't stand a chance. Deciding to take a break and relax in the grass a while, Varjo could see a clearing approaching up ahead. It looked beautiful and peaceful, lush and comfortable, and Varjo thought it looked like a perfect place to lay down and relax for a while. He proceeded in his path, the clearing now dead ahead of him. When he emerged though, he discovered he wasn't alone. A young woman of raven colored hair lay leisurely in the grass in the middle of the clearing. Varjo couldn't tell if she was sleeping or relaxing, and he had half a mind to turn around so ad not to disturb her. Thinking better of it though, he approached her, eyes trained on her still form, watching for movement, ears picking up every sound around him, and nostrils flared with caution.

He stopped a couple feet away, though close enough he didn't need to raise his voice for her to hear him speak. "Hello there. I don't mean to disturb you, you appear rather peaceful, but do you mind if I join you? I figured today was a good day for a walk and stopped here to relax a while." He let his bag slide off his shoulder, catching it in his hand before it clamored to the ground. "I have water with me if you're thirsty or anything."

by **Raven Nightfoot** on July 12th, 2012, 7:25 pm

Raven was laying peacefully in the clearing for quite some time before she was interrupted by the stranger. She had followed her daily procedure, wash up, get dressed, have breakfast and leave for the clearing. The clearing was by far her favorite place to be...it was beautiful, quiet and most importantly isolated.

Raven hadn't noticed the man approach, she was in a deep state of relaxation, laying on her back in the soft grass in her usual black leather pants, boots and corset. When the stranger spoke she propped herself up using her arms while mentally cursing him for interrupting her, but once she looked at him she quickly changed her mind. Her mesmerizing amber eyes looking at him starting at his bare feet, up his long legs, past his well defined bare upper body and finally to his head. He had long wavy hair which was a sandy blonde color, a warm looking tan and beautiful blue eyes. A smile crossed Raven's face as their eyes met, this man was incredibly handsome and he had a free spirited look to him.

His words were soft yet audible, as he clearly hadn't wanted to startle
her. She pulled a strand of hair out of her face as she propped herself further up. "Uhm sure, no problem have a seat." she said with a bright smile. "Hey, I'm Raven"
she said holding her hand out for him to shake. A handsome stranger come to keep her company in her clearing, she had either gotten very lucky OR very unlucky. Depending on the man's intentions.

by **Tryn Frostfawn** on July 17th, 2012, 7:00 pm

The woman propped herself up to speak with him, sleek and mesmerizing in her all black leather ensemble. She wore a corset, an article of clothing Varjo hadn't seen tons of in his little bit of traveling, and it suited her nicely. Her entire outfit hugged her body, curvy but tight and toned, something else that impressed Varjo. He watched her carefully as she analyzed him from the ground up, his eyes already trained on hers when she reached them. Her eyes took his breath away, piercing and liquid gold in color, much like that of a jewel. She was beautiful, so picturesque in the clearing she was almost out of place there. Something about her though, Varjo wasn't sure if it was in the feel of the air around her or in those deep eyes, screamed trouble at him. Mystery surrounded her, clinging to her in the same fashion her outfit did. This both frightened Varjo in an adrenaline rush kind of way and excited him, and he was intrigued to find out more about her. She invited him to sit with her, flashing a bright friendly smile towards him and introduced herself as Raven.

"Alright, thanks." Varjo went closer and sat down beside her, weight on his hip with his legs folded to the side, arm supporting his upper body. The grass was thick and soft beneath him and he could easily see why she'd been laying down relaxing here when he'd arrived. Free hand shaking the one she'd extended to him, he introduced himself, sending a smile her way as he did. "Hey Raven. I'm Varjo. It's nice to meet you." Her skin was smooth and soft, brightening the smile he already flashed at the woman before him. Opening his bag to grab his waterskin, he took a swig of the cool water before offering it to his new found companion, setting it on the ground between them. "Water?" He glanced around him at the surrounding scenery, tall looming trees, lush grass, birds and insects making their noises in secrecy. He really was a nature junkie, attributing this fact to the nature of his animal breed as well as the nature of his humanity. He'd grown up with and in nature. He couldn't help it.

He closed his eyes, clearing his mind to take in not just the sounds around him, but also the smells and the tickle a breeze coming through the trees. He could smell the grass underneath him, the leather of Raven's outfit as well as her own unique scent, one he liked, the bark and leaves of the trees outside the clearing, and the cleansing smell lingering in the breeze. Breathing a relaxed sigh and reopening his eyes, Varjo looked at Raven. "So Raven, beautiful name by the way, what brings you out here on this fine day?"

by **Raven Nightfoot** on July 18th, 2012, 3:32 pm

Raven watched happily as the handsome young man sat down infront of her, her amber eyes watching his sapphire ones curiously. She couldn't help but look at his bare upper body every now and then, his abs were so well defined, aswell as his biceps. Raven had never considered herself a girl who was easily distracted by a man's appearance, but this man was very distracting.

There was a smile on his face as well, what for, she had no idea. He introduced himself as Varjo, finally a name for the handsome man. "Nice to meet you too Varjo." she said flashing him another smile. He pulled his waterskin from his bag and had a sip before offering her some, "No thanks" she said politely as he placed It between them. Raven shifted slightly closer to him, what was such a handsome man doing out alone in the forest? He had said he was taking a walk, but that seemed unlikely. Raven was pulled out of her thoughts and back to reality when he asked her exactly what she had been wondering about her.

She thought for a while before answering his question, it was an easy question to answer but she was still distracted by his appearance, his skin had a delicious warm tan tone to it. "Oh I come here almost everyday, it's nice and peaceful compare to the noisy and smelly city. What about you?" she answered both politely and yet curiously.

by **Tryn Frostfawn** on July 20th, 2012, 2:04 am

Pleased to be in beautiful company, Varjo listened as Raven explained that she often came to that clearing to get away from the bustling city and it's busy people. He couldn't blame her. It'd been populated but relatively quiet back in Zeltiva compared to Syliras. It wasn't that he didn't like Syliras so far, it was just something he wasn't used to and needed to adjust a little bit. This was his explanation for opting to stay in the tent community outside the Syliran walls rather than bunker down with no personal space inside the city. Thinking of being in Syliras reminded him that his food supplies would be running out in the next couple of days and that he'd have to start working to clear rubble or rebuild walls or whatever they needed him to do in order to eat. He was both excited for the opportunity to help, and a little nervous for his first experience 'serving' others voluntarily. Raven proceeded to ask him what brought him out to the clearing, and to answer her, he'd need to explain a bit about him. He'd never explained to anyone that he was Kelvic before, so he didn't know if it was a commonly well taken subject or not. Deciding that honesty was the best policy, he chuckled to himself and responded to her question.

"Well to be honest, I've never been in a city this large and populated before. I'm not used to all the sounds, mass amounts of people, or lifestyle. I have the mizas to obtain housing inside the walls, but I haven't for a couple of reasons. For one, I don't know if I'm staying permanently yet. For two, not being used to it yet, I'm more comfortable in the tent community outside the walls. It's in my uh, nature, as well to be a little more free and unconfined than that. Doesn't sit very well with people like me." He paused a moment to take another swig of his water. The liquid felt cool as it slid down his throat, already working to cool his insides. Letting all he said sink in for a moment, he continued, this time delving into what 'people' like him consisted of.

"Raven, I'm a Kelvic, from Zeltiva. My parents are both Kelvics there as well. I was sold for a pretty miza early to a man traveling here. At first I was excited. You know, we were constructed to serve and help out. But that man treated me like a piece of property and I hated it. I snuck off in the night away from him and got here on my own. I honestly don't know what I'm doing here. Right now, I'm more than happy to help clear debris or rebuild walls or whatever is needed of me, both for food and to serve in a positive way. I've also considered the Syliran Knights, for multiple reasons. I have no real combat skills, but I could be of use to them in other ways, seeing as what I am. I don't know if I'll find a bond or master here, or if I'm even looking just yet. My reason for coming to this clearing my dear, was to walk out the racing thoughts in my head. It seems to have helped so far. And I apologize if I've laid too much information on you at one time."

Once again pausing to let that settle in, Varjo cleared his throat and looked very intently at Raven, catching and holding her gaze before she could respond to any of what he'd just said. He had an urge, one he intended to follow. "Would you mind taking a walk with me? I function slightly better that way, haha."

by **Raven Nightfoot** on July 20th, 2012, 11:29 pm

Raven was pleased to have someone to talk to who wasn't incessantly commenting on her...'attributes' for once and so she listened curiously to his story. She did not however expect such a long tale, he had basically told her his life's story and they had just met.

Varjo had told her a lot of things and Raven took a moment to register each point he had told her about himself. He wanted to join the knights...Ugh the knights, the 'high and mighty' defenders of Syliras. Raven stifled an eye roll at the thought of the knights and their rigid approach to justice. She hadn't noticed but she was currently looking off into the distance lost in thought.

The handsome young man had also said he was a kelvic, from Zeltiva. A kelvic? Raven had honestly never met one before, she knew enough about them to know what they were but still, she hadn't seen an actual person who was also an animal. She was pulled out of her thoughts by his question and smiled awkwardly. Take a walk? This could be a trap...rapists, bandits, slavers, he could be any one of these but for some reason she trusted him. This was absurd ofcourse since she had just met him, but she would agree all the same. Besides she had her trusty whip hanging from her hip incase she needed to defend herself.

Raven stood up slowly and smiled at the handsome Varjo, "Sure, let's walk." she said cheerfully as they began to walk. "So...your a kelvic. May I ask what type of kelvic you are?" she asked curiously.

by **Tryn Frostfawn** on July 21st, 2012, 3:35 pm

Excited, Varjo stood, making sure to grab his bag and waterskin, and began walking alongside Raven. This was the first time he really noticed her physique, and she was built rather nicely. He kept his thoughts to himself though, for being one to "cat-call" and make inappropriate commentary was something he found rude, and he wished not to behave that way. They left the clearing, re-entering the nearby trees, and Varjo was thankful for the shade and the light breeze that always seemed to be weaving in and out of the trees. The air smelled fresh and inviting, a comfort for Varjo. He noticed the whip hanging from Raven's side and curiously stared at it for a moment. He knew whips weren't rare among Mizahar but he'd never before run across someone that carried it on them for protection measures. This course of thought led him to wondering how good she was with it. Did she do any fun tricks with it? Or was it protection only? He considered asking her about it when she asked him what kind of Kelvic he is.

A sly grin tugged at the corners of his lips when he answered her. "Certainly my dear. I am a Nightwalker. This would be my reasoning for joining the Knights, if I decide to. I have no training whatsoever to be a Knight, but my Kelvic breed just happens to be the breed of horses they ride. I could be a mount. I think it would help my need to serve, but I'm not fond at all of the idea of battle and all that. And I've never really been ridden so I don't know what that would be like. Plus, I don't know if I'm staying in Syliras permanently or not. I'd hate to get involved in something like that and either be forced to stay, or end up having to short them by leaving. So I don't know. Just toyed with the idea."

"Being a Kelvic, and even more so a horse, is why I'm dressed how I am. It's not like with a wolf where they can use their jaws to carry a bag or a bundle of clothing. Things fit around their necks easier too. As a horse, I can barely get my bags' straps to slide over my head and onto my neck to carry them. I can't use saddle bags because for one, I don't have a saddle. And for two, I can't tack myself up if I did have one. Clothes must be shed to shift, or they'll shred in the change, and the less clothing I have on before I shift, the less there is to keep track of if I leave them somewhere to come back to. Being barefoot doesn't bother me because I retain some of my animal qualities in this form, so my hands and feet are almost non-reactive to cold, heat, rocks, etc."

He paused for a few moments, letting that sink in and regulating his breathing again. Shooting her a playful curious look, he spoke again. "Anything else you'd like to know? Or is it my turn ask about you?" A light chuckle escaped his mouth before he went back to focusing on walking and where they were headed.

by **Raven Nightfoot** on July 22nd, 2012, 12:43 am

The pair walked through the forest side by side, the young woman and the kelvic. Raven was curious to hear more about her new acquaintance Varjo the kelvic, and so she listened intently. As he spoke she noticed just how peaceful the forest was today, serene and quiet yet not silent.

Varjo explained that he was a Nightwalker, Raven having parents who were former Syliran knights knew exactly what it was, a horse. So this man was a horse kelvic...Varjo went on to explain his reasons for walking around topless, something about it being less clothes to worry about when he shifted, not that she minded the view. He also mentioned that he had never been ridden before. Raven wondered why he would want to join the Syliran Knights to become a mount, that seemed very demeaning, especially to a handsome kelvic such as himself. She had assumed that the only people he should allow to ride him were good friends at the least, but she had been wrong.

Varjo had finished speaking, but not before ending his speech with a question. Raven looked up at the tall man "You talk to much." she said with a smile as she punched his forearm playfully. She hoped he wasn't offended by her usual teasing manner. "Nope that's all, your turn." Raven said as her lips formed into another smile.

by **Tryn Frostfawn** on July 24th, 2012, 4:25 pm

Varjo studied his companion's features before she answered him. To see her now, not only standing but walking with him, he noticed the sway of her hips, the way her clothing clutched her muscular body, her ebony hair, and most of all, her golden eyes. He'd never seen someone with eyes like hers before. They were captivating and fascinating, mysterious and almost frightening, playful and caring. He swam in a sea of liquid gold. Her smile was bright and teasing as she chastised him for talking too much, punching his arm in play. Fiesty. He liked it.

He playfully grabbed her upper arm and shoved her off to the side away from him, laughing and smiling as he did so. Her skin was soft and smooth, and he imagined she took very good care of herself, an impressive trait in anyone. "I apologize for talking too much. I hope I'm not boring you. I'm just an open person and I guess I naturally seek to share things with people. Tell me about you though. Anything you feel comfortable sharing. Where you grew up, what your life has been like, your dreams, anything. Your turn to talk my ear off." He stuck his tongue out at her, teasing her for teasing him, noting that for the first time in a while, he was truly enjoying himself.

OOC :

by **Raven Nightfoot** on July 24th, 2012, 8:33 pm

Raven was observing the kelvic aswell, although she liked to believe she was doing it less noticeably. The young man's body was quite a sight when it was in motion, his warm tanned skin revealing his abdominal muscles at work as he walked. Varjo's body must have spurred on the fantasies of more than a few women in the past.

She couldn't help but laugh as she shoved her gently, he was playful as opposed to being uptight about being near a lady, she liked that about him. She wasn't a fan of overly gentlemanly men, they were always super polite and too careful not to say or do anything that would offend the lady they were with. However, Raven disliked the opposite aswell, men who only saw women as wives or whores, men who thought a woman's job was cleaning and cooking...she hated the womanizers. Varjo seemed to be situated dead center between the two extremes, not too polite and gentlemanly yet not too rude and womanizing either.

It was her turn to speak now! But Raven couldn't think of anything to tell him. Everything interesting about her was something she had to keep secret, especially from anyone planning on being involved with the Syliran Knights. "Okay well there's not much to tell...My parent's are retired knights, they wanted me to join them aswell but I refused. There's not much else to tell, I spend my days in the clearing and that basically all." she spoke in her usual confident voice flashing the horse kelvic a smile now and then.

As they continued to walk through the forest Raven's foot caught a up turned root and she fell forward quickly grabbing Varjo's upper arm instinctively. "Sorry about that, I'm hardly ever clumsy, I'm more of a graceful being." she said slightly embarassing as she straightened up, her hand still gripping his muscular arm as she she smiled up at him.