[Closed] The Innocent Demon from my Nightmares {Rend}

[Alias Burns]

67th of Winter, 513AV Tent City "Alias, again, my thanks." "Don't think about it too much Jerich." I reply as I take the meager amount of coins from his hand. He then hefts the cask I had set upon the ground and heaves it into his tent. Now that the heavier part is done, I walk through the vaguely familiar part of tent city looking for Matias and Lerisa Ribbles tent, as they're expecting me. As I get within sight of where I remember their tent being, I pause in confusion. where is it? I pick up my pace again to look over the area. there it is, there is just a new tent in the middle of what was before a path. As I approach I notice the fire pit in front of the tent is barely holding a flame, And the pile of wood dwindling. After this I'll come back with more fire wood. "Hey! Matias! I'm coming in." I push open the tent flap and walk inside the dim room. "Alias? That's you right? Ah, my friend, If the winter wasn't bad enough.. You know how perplexing it is to be partially blind and deaf while your freezing and starving?" "Hon, lay back down." says Lerisa, Matias' wife. She is sitting on a stool near Matias' bedroll. "I can sit up just fine dear, and besides, we have a guest. Alias, come closer, have a seat." Lerisa stands and gets the other stool that is folded up among their belongings. "Here you are Alias." She says as she sets it up near Matias. "I appreciate your hospitality, like always." I say with a kindly smile. "I've brought Marim Bitters. You'll have to split this into seven different doses. Have him eat one dose a day, his hearing should come back. Sadly Doctor Petricious only had eye wash to treat the partial blindness. I don't know if that will help, but I got it for you just in case." I say all this to Lerisa, as she will be the one treating Matias. As I speak, I pull out the before mentioned items from my belt pouch and hand them to Lerisa. "How are you doing on food?" "Alias, we can't take these, we don't have any coin to pay you." She interrupts as she holds out her hands with the items in question. "We'll figure that out later when winter is over and Matias is well." I say as I push her hands closed over the medicine. "Alias, you are a good man. Thank you for everything." "Now," I say as I stand. "I'll be back with some fire wood." I turn and walk to the tent flap, but then I pause and look over my shoulder as Matias speaks up. "Be careful out there, Alias. Sunberth brought me to this state. Don't let it happen to you." Always careful. I nod and then remember he can't see well. "You know me, I will do my best Matias." I exit the tent without another word. It takes about an hour to bring some wood from the pile outside my tent. I don't stop in to see them as I drop the pre-chopped logs off. I've had my share of gratitude this morning. I look up into the sky and examine the Sun's position as I walk back to my tent. Right now would be a good time to get my own cask refilled, as there will be less of a crowd at the Pig's Foot. Being pulled on by this day's momentum, I don't miss a beat in getting back to my tent, gathering my cask up and heading off to the Pig's Foot. On my way down the streets I slow my pace as I pass by the alley Kurguill died in. Nothing left to show what had happened. Just muddied snow. The image of a female figure with wings chewing on my friend is banished from my mind as I continue on. I wonder who that was.. That face. I shake my head, sending the last of the images away. As usual for this time of day, the tavern is almost empty. Just three elderly men at a back table speaking quietly, two middle aged men at another table, and two loners at the bar counter. Perfect time to get my cask filled. I walk up to the closest table, as the chairs are more comfortable than the stools by a long shot, And I'm feeling a little like spoiling my self.. Setting my cask on the table I call out to Merv. "Same old." And then I get myself into what I would call a lazy sitting position in my chair.

[Rend]

The door to the tavern banged open and a chill wind pulled into the room, a swirl of snow drifting in to speckle the floorboards. The younger eyes turned to the door to see what was happening while more weary eyes never bothered to lift from there mugs. Cautiously, languidly, a figure stepped into the room. Though the body was wrapped in a thick and ungainly coat of black leather the flow and form left no doubt that it was a woman. A shifting gasp and murmur passed between those who were watching drawing up the eyes of others as the coat moved and flowed of it's on will until it was clear that this was no strange coat but great heavy wings like a bat's.

Rend Stretched and rolled her shoulders before brushing flecks of snow from the rise of her shoulders, breasts and thighs. It was clear to see that this 'woman' was dressed in a belt and nothing more. Her body instead protected by a soft black fur. Her eyes swept across the sparse crowd.

They watch me, Fear? yes. No matter.

She strode across the room with well practiced false confidence and approached the bar. Her fingers nimbly made there way into the small pouch on her belt and returned with a pair of small silver coins pinched between finger and thumb. Her mind darted about to try to remember the conversation she had heard.

God's blood, that's what skinny had said to shiny. 2 Silvers for 'sweet mead' and it was blood of god's. Would fill you with fire and strength, best thing there is. I want it. To taste a god's blood

She looked deep into Merv's eyes through her practiced lazy stare and slid the coins forward while she practically purred the words "Sweet mead". Merv took a few moments to register but dutifully nodded, took the coins and busied himself fetching the pitcher of mead. He placed it on the bar and Rend licked her lips as her eyes greedily drank in the color of it. Rend gripped the pitcher with an arrhythmic clacking of her claws upon it's sides before retreating to a chair and table where she sat eying the others in the room as if they might rush at her to take it away.

[Alias Burns]

I hear the telltale noise of a new comer entering the tavern behind me. I spare no mind towards the matter until I notice how many eyes the new comer had earned; almost everyone in the near empty tavern was looking beyond me to the door. I hear the two middle aged men at one table murmur to each other as one of the loners at the bar gasp. I pause, peaking over my shoulder. At first glance I see a woman cloaked in loose leather and tight fitting furs brushing snow from herself, but as my eyes follow her body up to her face.. That's-! I immediately jerk my eyes back to examining my mug. There is no mistake, I wouldn- I quiet my thoughts as if she could hear them as she takes long, confident strides right passed me. Where are her wings? Staring at my mug, my focus never leaves her presence in my peripheral. Merv looks absolutely fascinated by his new patron. I couldn't hear what she said, but Merv, true to his profession, jumped to. After a moment, Merv sets a pitcher of what looks like mead on the counter before the woman. The confident stance in which she stood suddenly took on quite a transformation. She grabs the pitcher with an audible clacking, and half-runs half-crouches over to a table placing herself into a seat in which she will be able to view everyone in the tavern. I try to keep my head down.. but regretfully my chair stands facing her table. I relent to my curiosity and raise my head to see her raking her eyes over the room as if she were prepared for anyone of these people to suddenly attack her. So, not a demon.. apparently flighty. As I get a better look, I realize her cloak is actually the missing wings folded around her. As I take note of that, my eyebrows raise at the realization that she isn't wearing anything! the 'tight fitting fur' I observed before is her fur! Merv decided for some reason, that it was a good time to be overtly friendly "Alias, bring over your cask, now is a good time." I inwardly cringe at having attention called to me at this moment of all times.. What if she saw me that night? Maybe recognizes me? Perhaps sees me as a loose end? Following me? Yeah, Alias.. she took three days to track you down and tie up loose ends.. So if it isn't that.. Then.. happen stance? "Alias, You wanted that refill right?" Merv's voice shakes me out of my reverie. "Uh, yeah. Sorry Merv I was spacing out." I say as I almost trip over myself to stand. I pick up my cask and, while averting my eyes from the woman, walk over to place it on the counter. "This will just be a few minutes." I barely hear Merv as I try to listen behind me over the sound of my heart pumping.

[Rend]

Rend sits in her place, her legs drawn up into the chair so she more crouches in place like a grotesque than sits. After a while of watching the room and becoming more certain that her claim is secure she starts to get more comfortable, with a few short rolls of her shoulders her wings twitch and slide until they rest folded against her back while she looms over the pitcher and sniffs at it.

Smells... good. Like honey but... not.

She lifts the pitcher to her mouth and slowly dips the tip of her tongue into the fluid. It retracts swiftly and she begins tasting it, sweet yet bitter, that faint taste like fruits left too long before eating. Strange but pleasant.

So this is god blood.

She lifts the full pitcher to her lips and starts to drink avariciously, thin runnels of mead dribble from the sides of her mouth and drip from her chin. She lowers the pitcher with a slight gasp and a few short breaths, the sweet taste starting to give way to the bitter.

Don't feel anything yet. skinny must have lied, stupid skin... oh...

The world had shifted slightly, as if the whole building had just tilted forward sightly, heat started to build in her face and she rocked slightly as a smile started to sneak onto her face.

..oh yes... I like

[Alias Burns]

I relent once again to my curiosity, sighing resignation to myself as I do so. I lean my back against the bar and try to look over the other patrons 'casually'.. When my eyes reach her table, I can't help but stare in a mix of wonder and, surprisingly, amusement as she innocently sniffs at her pitcher. As I watch, my eyes suddenly squint in thought, my mind going into overdrive. She called herself Rend. She is curious about the world. Her pleasures seem simple. The murder she did was for food, by the look of the body.. so that was instinctual. She is young. She must be. And alone? As she slips her tongue into the pitcher to taste it, I lean over to Merv and speak quietly. "Merv, what species is that?" I ask, minutely gesturing to where Rend is busy avariciously drinking her pitcher.. "That right there," I nod. "is a Zith. I'm pretty sure there is a colony of them not too far from Sunberth. But you still don't see one around very often." I nod again. I softly set four copper Miza down on the counter. "Thanks Merv." I look back to Rend just to see her staring at the pitcher with what is probably her first tipsy smile. I grin at the sight. That's when I notice the pitcher half empty, and she ever so slowly teetering.. My expression went from grin to action in less than a second. I don't know how I did it, but I moved across the table and chair strewn tavern room almost instantly. Just in time to catch her shoulder before she went from teetering to falling. "Careful there." I remove my hand from her shoulder as she balances of her own volition. I guess she is too out of it to remember that she is jumpy. "I'm Alias," I say, as I move to the chair at the opposite side of her table. As I slide the chair out from underneath the table I notice my hand is shaking slightly. When I finally do sink into my seat, I pull out my flask taking a bigger swig than is comfortable.

[Rend]

Rend feels something firm and warm on her shoulder and the world rocks back to upright, it takes a couple of seconds to notice the intruder to her little space. She quickly grasps the pitcher close to herself protectively and glares at the new arrival with a pout.

"My blood!"

She throws back another heavy mouthful then idly starts wiping spilled mead off her self with the back of a hand. All the while she can feel the power of the Great Render filling her up with a similar sort of thrill and glee from a hunt or swift flight... only she's sitting still and it won't stop and is a lil' bit more wobbly than usual.

"Hash Storm picked up? I not noticed"

I am Awesome.

[Alias Burns]

I attempt to keep my flask from spilling as I curve my back in racking coughs. That went down the wrong pipe.. I inwardly roll my eyes at myself, and look up to see Rend hugging the pitcher to herself, glaring at me with what would be a threatening expression if not for the pouting lips. "My blood!" she exclaims before downing more of the pitcher, this time having the courtesy to wipe off what spilled onto her. I hide an amused smile at the absurdity of the entire situation. She begins wavering slightly back and forth, but I don't feel she is in danger of falling. "Hash Storm picked up? I not noticed" She asks before pointing a broad, drunken smile at nothing in particular. "No, no storm other than what you have set loose in your stomach. I think you may have drank more than is-" One of the middle aged men who had been watching Rend calls out, interrupting me. "Get outa 'ere yuh Zith!" I look to Merv first, curious to see if he is okay with this behavior from one of his patrons. He must be too preoccupied to have heard the man. The man is bleary eyed with a look of trepidation. He's afraid. Understandable, really.. I am too. I look back to Rend, and- The rays of the sun shining through the window play with the dust floating in the air, I can tell it is nearing the end of spring. I've always loved how the kitchen is situated to receive sun light at dusk and dawn during this season. I take a glance out the window seeing the close to another day well lived. With the arrival of a merchant friend of mine, we had just received a bottle of fine wine we had ordered last year. Due to the occasion Lauryndra and I felt comfortable having Kendra stay up to have a glass with us. As the sun sank beneath the horizon, I see Kendra's face as the first signs of intoxication set in. Lauryndra and I smiled knowingly to each other. As I moved to take the glass from Kendra's ever loosening fingers, Lauryndra pulls her up out of her seat and into her bosom, whisking her away to bed. After setting the glass down near the wash tub, I follow Lauryndra. Standing above Kendra's bed, Lauryndra sitting on the bedside petting Kendra's hair. We watch as our precious Kendra slowly drifts into the realm of dreams. I stare in wonder at her, a broad tipsy smile- I come back to the present to find myself staring at Rend's face. I must look a fool! I curse myself for drifting off. How long was I staring? "Ay! yuh 'ear me!?" Oh, right. She must not have noticed the man's first words. I look over to him, "We heard you, sir. We'll be just another minute." I look back to Ken- I gently shake my head, Rend"Hey, let's go get some food in you. It'll help you handle the alcohol." I add as if an after thought. I kick myself as I remember what I know she eats. "Hey, Alias! Your cask is ready." "Perfect timing, Merv. I'll be right there." I call back without looking away. I try to think of a way to coax her from the tavern. "Ah, would you like some meat?" Please tell me she eats something other than human..

[Rend]

Rends mind has started to slow a bit like treacle. Words drift to her in catches and snarls, the odd one was talking, some sort of praise about her having a storm inside her. This was when the little man stepped forward, he was taller than Rend, broader too... but still smaller, Like prey.

Small man thinks too big, Small man thinks he's big... small man is wrong

Some words drift through the air but Rend doesn't hear them, her eyes are too busy dissecting the man. The man stands with too much bluster, like a pup trying to scare off another he hopes not to fight. His packmate is watching but ridged, doesn't want this, won't help him. The old ones don't care, let the pups scrap it's good for them. Den elder looks tough, looks like he'll protect his den... but not the small man, Don't break the den. A word drifts to her from outside "...Meat". Rend rises to her feet, passing off a leftward sway by turning to pick up her pitcher.

"Mmm yes. Meat. Rrend would like to eat meat. Hot, Frresh Bloody Meat."

She looks back to the small man and makes a show of looking him over as she walks towards him, the sway of her body flowing into an exaggerated swagger as she approaches the man. Her right hand clenches and stretches, claws on show until, in a sudden, noisome motion, her wings open to full span. The man recoils to guard himself. A heavy, bubbling laughter rolls in Rend's chest.

"you'rre a verry little man. Den Elder wouldn't like the mess you'd make, best tell him you're sorry."

She gives a deferential nod to Merv before draining her pitcher and thrusting the empty into the small man's chest. He gripped it as he backed away towards the bar and Rend looked to Alias.

"Come along Allys, you give me meat now"

[Alias Burns]

She stands abruptly. It looks like she is about to lose her balance when she suddenly turns to pickup her pitcher, counterbalancing. "Mmm yes. Meat. Rrend would like to eat meat. Hot, Frresh Bloody Meat." She says. "Good, Then let's.." She swaggers away from me, towards the scared man and his companion. "Rend?" I notice her claws stretch, please don't kill him.. Then, suddenly her wings unfold to what I assume is their full span. The man flinches, putting his arms up to guard his face. I stand, getting ready to- "you'rre a verry little man. Den Elder wouldn't like the mess you'd make, best tell him you're sorry." She says to the man. I pause, staring at her. She nods to Merv before draining what remains in her pitcher and shoving it into the scared man's arms. "Come along Allys, you give me meat now" I snap out of my stupor. "Yeah.. Let's do that." I couldn't keep the grin from my face, so I didn't try. With a unbelieving shake of my head and that grin still on my face, I walk beyond Rend to the bar and pay Merv for my cask. I then walk up to Rend with cask in arm, and nudge my head towards the entrance. Walking along a street through the castle commons, I take a sidelong glance at my companion. She's been pretty quiet since we left the tavern. Why are you doing this!? Buying food? Dont play with me.. I'll play with me if I want. I'm in danger! Without the occasional scare, what am I alive for? For no reason.. You lost your reason The sinking feeling I've been plagued by for the last two years crashes into me full force, Pulling me, goading me. As my eyes lose their purposeful focus, I think to Rend. What would happen to her if I left her to wander Sunberth alone, drunk? Why do you care? She is no more than a animal who is instinctively killing. She seems alone. This place isn't safe. Forget her. I pause, closing my eyes. I suddenly feel different. I refuse acknowledgement of the gathering storm No Purpose as I feel myself rise above the depressive bottomless hole Everything Lost I had dug for myself. I come back to the present to see Rend pausing to stare down the street towards the hubbub of the sea side market. The sheer curiosity on her face has me speaking before I can think. "Would you like to go down there?" I inwardly furrow my brow at myself. That is awfully public.. I look up in surprise, because I don't think I mind. I open my eyes and grin to Rend. And for the first time in a long while. Everything feels like it will be okay.

[Rend]

Rend begins to walk alongside Allys, her attention drifts about the place like her feet do but they constantly flick over three things, three topics that keep nudging into her fading attention. Firstly 'why does my face feel all numb and flumpy... like swelling after a fight with out all the stingy' The thoughts of past fights and conflicts pulls her back to the bar, to the little man and the question 'why? Why didn't I kill him? or at least hurt him, he threatened me! Obviously Den Elder would understand that, he had to suffer for trying to stand above his level, Even Ally saw that'. The last thought was of him, Ally, the one who walked beside her, the one who would give her food now. Something about the seemed important but she couldn't quite grasp why.

She looked over at him and noticed his eyes looked glazed and distant. They were grey and cold before he shut them away, sealing them inside with his revery. Rend leaned slightly closer, something about him was interesting but Rend didn't know what, or why. A bubbling mass of noise, disjointed and overlapping, flows down the street and, unthinkingly, Rend looks down towards it. What is it Great Rend? What is it about food? Allys get food, I eat it. What is it? A voice reaches to her out of the dark of the world "...go down there". She turns back to Allys with a breathy whisper "I think we have to".

Her hand lunges out like a viper and clasps round Allys' wrist, the soft fur brushing against his skin as she takes a step towards him, leaning till her face is inches away. Her dark eyes staring into his as she starts talking "We will go there, and Allys will buy food, and Rend will eat food and then we will sleep.
Her breath smells sweetly of honey tinged with alcohol, her eyes go slightly wide with a touch of delighted surprise. That's more important! why? he feeds me and... sleep... I don't know why but Great Render wants it!