Flashback Dealing with beggars

[Raus]

Spring 514 34th raus was humming a ditty he had once heard somebody play in the tavern he worked at. He was most likely butchering it, he never had the ear for magic. But he didn't give half a damn. The weather was nice, he was stocked up on food. He didn't have to put up with the duo's antics and lazyness today at work either. For some reason he hadn't need to give them a kick up the arse to keep them working. Such a good day just asked for a good meal to end it. Opened up one of his cupboards and began to rummage around. Looking at the food he had in stock. Potato's, Salted rabbit meat. No fresh meat unfortunally. But he did have some heavily salted bacon in the back. He pulled it out of the cabinet and took a bag of potato's out as well.. His face lighting up when he saw what was hidden all at the back of the cabinet. A jar of sauerkraut. “Petch me sideway's. I thought I went through my winters supply a while ago.” He said with a grin as he put down the bacon and sack of potato's next to his cooking stove and pulled the jar of sour cabbage out of the back of the cabinet. Bacon, fried potato's and sour cabbage. Sounded like a very good way to end this great day. He rolled up his sleeves, started up the stove and filled a small little bucket with water from his waterskin and started to wash the remenant pieces of dirt of his potato's. Today he was going to fry them with skin and all. It had been a while since he did that. He didn't have any spices around, but some salt should spice it up. He was keeping a watchfull eye on the stove. Watching it slowly heat up. When he guessed it was hot enough to start cooking he stopped washing potato's for a moment, quickly dried his hands and took his pan and put it ont he stove. Using his knife to flick a bit of butter in the pan and let it melt. When it was melted he put the strips of bacon in the pan and went back to washing potato's. Again keeping a watchfull eye on the sizzling bacon. It would be a bloody waste if it burned. Especially since the smell of bacon was already starting to make him hungry. He hurried up, he wanted to have all his potato's cut and ready to be fried as soon as the bacon was done. He tried to keep the slices of the potato's as small as possible. That would make them fry easier. Didn't really work out that way though. He nearly cut open a finger trying to do it as fast as possible and even when he slowed down, the slices where still thick and uneven. Well not that it would really matter in the end at least. The bacon was almost done as well. So no time to try and fix it if he wanted hot food. There was a knock on the door just as raus took the bacon out of the pan, putting them in his bowl and was dumping the potato's in the pan. “Petch.. Alway's when a guy is cooking som'thing comes up doesn't it.” He growled to himself as he put his pan off the stove and walked towards the door. He pulled it open and gave a scowl at whoever was at the other end of the door. “Right, so what the petch do you want?” He brusly said. Only after that however he bothered to give the woman who had knocked at his door a lookover. Skin and bone that was all she was, a scabbed over brand on her eye and who knows what else was wrong with her. “Lemme guess. Begging for food?” he said with a sigh. He knew that he shouldn't be doing this, feeding homeless people. But he knew what it was like to have nothing in your stomach for days. She looked even worse then just starvation. Judging from the ugly brand on her face she was some kind of escaped slave. “Just get yourself inside, I'll get some food in ya, you look like ya could drop dead any moment.” He bruskly said as he stepped aside to let her in. “But if ya git it in yer head to try and steal from me. You'll be wishing you were still starving to death. Got it?” When she nodded or agreed to that he let her inside. He grabbed an empty bowl, dumped half of the bacon in it and added a good helping of sour cabbage to it as well before handing it to the beggar. He didn't give her a knife or fork though. He wasn't going that far. Letting beggars inside for a meal was one thing. Giving them sharp stuff he could get stabbed with? Not even he was that stupid. Though what he was doing here was pretty up there as well. “It's still hot and don't choke on it.” He warned her as he went back to his cooking and put the pan filled with potato's back on the stove. He kept a firm eye on the beggar now in his house.

[Tara Kenja]

All hearts were closed to the begging girl. As well as doors. Nothing was in the young girl's stomach. Yet another wooden door was shut closed and even locked in her face. It was only normal that the taverns in Sunberth had beggars. Not every one was so lucky as to afford the daily nutrients needed in a day. Naturally, Tara was attracted to the scent of food. She felt like a walking skeleton. The brand on her soft cheek was beginning to hurt with a searing pain.

Her little known knowledge in healing was only starting to develop and she could not afford the touch of another doctor. Tara headed straight for the on coming aroma of cooking meat. Than, her small fists were brought up to a wooden door. The knocks were faint as she was very weak in this state of starvation. The black pupils shrunk as there a boy opened the door to her. By the tone in his voice and the look he grave her, every piece of her knew he would reject her plead for food. Clearing her throat, “Please I've-” her sentence was cut short when he said she was allowed to step foot in his kitchen and even offered food.

Slowly she entered the warm building, her eyes darted around in fear. Everything was so strange to her. All together she was a little off by everything in general. Sunberth was the only city that she knew of that would except her kind, an escaped slave. But, they did not educated her to much about what went on within this city in particular. Only that it was completely lawless and the seemed to be above it by their standards. Which in a sense was correct. Nodding surly to his mention at thievery she admitted, “I've never stolen anything in my life. Never dreamed of it.” For now, Tara was nothing but grateful of this boy's aid to her. Holding her hands out, she wasn't even expecting a bowl.

Looking down at the food and than back up at the boy Tara was still unsure of everything. Although she accepted the food gratefully. Slowly she reached into the bowl and pulled out a strip of bacon and ate it quickly, quicker than anything she'd ever eaten. Even though the food was almost scolding hot and it burned her taste buds, she continued to eat. Tara was taught that she was unworthy to take her own seat so she slowly sat down on the floor. Her legs crossed she continued to eat the food in her bowl. Even as the amount of food in her bowl went down she thought that it would never be enough.

Though she did not pester the boy for more food. It was silent for a moment as she slowed down and eventually just finished the food that was given to her. Placing the bowl slowly on the floor she looked up, meeting eyes with the cook. “I have no money to offer you..” Her voice was just above a whisper.

[Raus]

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Raus let out a short laugh when he heard her tell she never stole in her life before. “Right, if I got a copper every single time I heard a beggar say that line I wouldn't be living in this hovel.” Raus snarked as he took the now ready baked potato's of the fire. Letting out a small laugh as the girl nearly burned her tongue on the hot bacon. “I warned ya it was hot didn't I?” he said as he turned around and saw her sitting on the floor. He let out a sigh, whatever was going through her mind that led to that conclusions. It didn't have place in his house. You didn't eat on the bloody floor, that was were chairs and tables were made for.

“Get up from the floor and take a seat.” He said as he waved towards the very small table crammed in the corner of his one room home. “Floor isn't made for eating on and I don't even remember the last time I cleaned it.” that was a big lie, he had swept it four day's ago when it had become a bit to dusty. But he hoped that the fact she wasn't just sitting on a floor. But a dirty floor, would get her ass off it and quickly on the chair he had pointed out to her. He couldn't suppress a scowl as he looked towards the dirty slavebrand on the side of her face, whoever had gotten it's grubby hands on her really did a number on her. Though at least she still had the presence of mind to run away.

When she had her ass firmly seated in her chair he had waved towards he picked up her now empty bowl and filled it up with half the amount of baked potatoes that had been in his pan and put it in front of her. Then he went back to his stove, took out another bowl and put the remaining bacon, potato's and sour cabbage in the bowl, that was gonna be his portion. Just as he was going to put out the stove he gave a look over his shoulder towards the girl when she meekly stated she didn't have a miza on her.

“If you had you would've bought your food.” He simply said in response. “Are you still hungry? I can cook more if ya want. You could use it, you're skin and bones.” He didn't turn down the stove yet, until he had heard her answer. A honest answer, not one that she gave because she was to frightened to speak the truth, that stove would stay on. Maybe the heat would do her some good as well. Spring was in full force, but during the evening's it really cooled off. That cloak looked as ratty as they ever was and he was pretty sure that she was cold. A little fire and some heat could make her a bit more comfortable. That and he had still a heap of firewood over from the winter. Thank the gods for collapsed buildings. He walked over to a cupboard and pulled out his healers kit and another bowl. He filled it up with some clean water from his waterskin and set it all down on the table. He didn't know a lot about dealing with burns or serious wounds. But that wound on her face really had to be cleaned and bandaged up. He put down the waterskin next to her.
“Feel free to drink from it.” He said as he sat down on the other chair at the table.

“Right, after you're done eating I'm gonna try and clean that brand on your face. Ain't got nothing to dull the pain. But I can at least make sure ya aren't gonna die of infection. You don't look strong enough to fight any sickness of anyway.” He simply said as he began taking out some bandages and some poultices out of the medical kit. “It's probably gonna hurt though. All this shyke stings like an angry wasp.”

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[Tara Kenja]

The man did not believe her words and continuously called her a beggar. She fought for her freedom but never did she think it would taste like this. Well, Tara wouldn't object anytime soon. After all, he was what helped her live until the present day. Doing as he said she got up quietly and brushed the back of her pants as if she had dirt on the backs of them, but there was none. Migrating to the chair she was instructed to sit in Tara shifted a little to get comfortable. For a few ticks she looked at the bottom of her bowl, mentally picturing the food that could be in it. Lifting her head she raised her eye bows.

“Only if it's not to much trouble.” Yes, most of her body and clothing was dirty, her curly hair could use a touch up but, her smile defiantly stuck out. Offering a genuine smile, thirty two clean pearly white teeth sparkled in her mouth. Dental hygiene was large in Kenash and it was a good habit she clung onto. Watching his movements, Tara was still not sure why he was doing all of this. Picking up the filled waterskin she moved it around in her hand. Yet, another object she was not allowed to use unless it was her own assigned item.

Lifting it up she brought it to her lips. The chilled water was the best cure she knew of. Slowly, it returned a little to her face. After downing a little more than half of it Tara wiped her lips with her arm and covered the waterskin once more. Once more he placed food in front of her. This time she ate slower. Showing that her hunger was going down progressively. If it hadn't had been for this man Tara probably would have been another body strewn on the streets of Sunberth. Unrecognised and unclaimed, a nameless ex slave.

Before he could clean her wound she had to ask a quite obvious question. Even then she hesitated for a tick or two. "Why are you doing this?" The question was basic enough. She hoped he would provide a stable answer but there was no telling. Waiting for her answer she cleaned off what remained within the wooden bowl. Instead of licking her fingers, like she had been taught not to, she did not have a napkin or towel at hand so her pants were the only thing available at the moment.

Gently she pushed her thick curls back. Tilting her head slightly to allow him easy access to the brand. He informed her about the pain that would come from the injury. Though it couldn't have been worse from the initial searing on her soft skin.

[Raus]

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When she did ask for more food he simply took the bowl of food he had set apart for himself and put it in front of her. He was still pretty well stocked on food and he had time to cook more for himself later. So it didn't really matter in the end. He grabbed the empty bowl and put that in a bin, he would have to clean that up later. “It isn't.” He simply responded. He started to wet part of a cloth with the clean water as he let her drink of the water and eat the rest of the food. When she asked about why he was doing this, helping out a stranger and beggar.

“I guess because it's the decent thing to do. Never thought about the why about it. Aren't going to start either.” He answered. The woman was done eating and she pulled her hair out of the way so he could get to the brand. He stood up, moved the medical supplies a bit closer so it was easier to work with and then carefully grabbed the woman's head and took a closer look at the brand. It was half scabbed over already, the wound already being quite old. It didn't look like it had been healing well, the filth caked over parts of it didn't do it any favor's either.

“What a bloody mess.” Raus mumbled to himself as he got to work. First thing first, if he remembered right cleaning the wound always had to be done from the inside out, to really get the filth out instead of rubbing it deeper in it. So he started to clean. Wiping from the middle of the wound towards the edges with as much care as he could muster. It was still obvious that raus was more used to cleaning pots and pans then handling wounds with care. Rough and clumsy were good words to describe it. He just gripped the woman's head slightly harder to keep her from moving away if she started to squirm under his not so delicate touch and made sure that when he was done every single bit of dirt was out. Some temporary discomfort beat out an infection every single day in his opinion and if the woman thought differently then though luck. This was for her own good.

He cleaned out the cloth a few times as he was working, but eventually he managed to clean out the wound. He let go of the woman's head for now. Washed out the cloth quickly and wrung it out. Right two things left to do. Get the poultices on the wound and then get a bandage around it. A quick wash of his hands and he dropped a glob of the poultice on one of his hands.

“Hold still, it's probably gonna sting like shoving your head in a wasp's nest.” That was the only warning he gave her before smearing the poultice over her brand and true to his word it stung like he was rubbing an angry wasp against the side of her face. The fact it was unexperienced raus applying the thing might have something to do with it though. Luckily it was over quickly and raus washed the last of the poultice of his hands, pressed a wad of bandages against the wound and clumsily wrapped it up. Keeping away from her eyes and ears as best as he could.

He wiped his hands on his pants when he was done. “Right, not pretty. But it'll have to do.” He said. “Ya got any other big cuts or wounds like that brand on your face? Better to take care of it now then let it fester?” He asked.


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[Tara Kenja]

She remained silent, not wanting to upset the man with more of her foolish words and endless questions. Tara felt as though she was demanding to much of this stranger. After all, he did give her more necessities and food than she could possibly ask for. With a full stomach, all the tigress wanted to do at this moment was curl into a fluffy orange ball and bask in some sort of sunlight. Whether it be in a window seal or in the grass. She didn't care, Tara could basically feel her eyes getting sleepy.

It was natural for her to want to sleep after such a big meal. Even if she didn't hunt it down or fight for it. Than her eyes picked a spot in the large kitchen to focus on. For some odd reason Tara was rather squeamish at this age at the site of much blood. Little did she know it would be her forte upon learning and growing mature. His hand's grip did not hurt, it was during the initial treatment of the wound.

It was somewhat clear to her that he did not know much medicinal skills. Well, in Kenash the doctors would put you to rest than work on you. They loved their animals to be pretty as possible. So that's what they did. After the banding it was rare that they'd leave scars, property damage of course. Some of them lost their value, some didn't.

Though her beautiful coat did get her off the hook ever so rarely. The stinging around her cheeks was not beginning to fade just yet. The cloth, rough against her skin. Tara held her breath and kept from moving from his healing hands. Once the procedure was over, her muscles relaxed themselves. Slowly, the pain would dissipate from her face.

Though the mental pain of it would not for as long as she knew. Tara than shook her head: “No, I believe you've got it all.” She placed her hands properly in her lap as she was taught. Tara thought she shouldn't even open her mouth to ask him for one more request. But, she couldn't help herself, she was stranded in a city of danger. Maybe a temporary roof over her head would do her good. With her fingers entwined she lifted them up, begging him. “I can only ask you for one more favour. A deal we can strike or something."

Tara stuttered, afraid he would decline her proposal. Her eyes darted from his to somewhere randomly. “I-I could I don't know.. guard the kitchen, help around? In return I can sleep here?.. Until I get back on my feet. I promise.” Immediately she brought her finger up to her chest and formed an X. “Cross my heart.”

[Raus]

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Date

Raus gave her a stern look in the eyes as she claimed that she didn't have any other wounds. “You sure about that?” He asked in a the calmest tone as he could muster. Trying his best to ferret out if she was lying about it. He really wanted to make sure she wasn't hurt anywhere. At her request to stay here and sleep here until she could back on her feet he grinned. “Sure, wasn't gonna throw you out in the streets. I did all this effort so you wouldn't die. Throwing you to the streets afterwards is kinda stupid innit?” Raus stated.

“As for the favor. I doubt that in your state you'll be able to do much to help me around here. You pretty much look as if a bunch of children could kick your arse at the moment. Doubt you'll be any use as a guard.” He bluntly stated. “You can stay a few day's here to get your strength back, get a job and find a shack of your own. I'll help you with it if you want. It's pretty hard for outsiders to find a job on their own in this city. Don't need anything in return, just don't stab me in the back or steal from me and that'll be fine.” he said with a shrug.

He started to clean up the used supplies, dropping them in the bucket he had for waste or putting them away for later cleaning, and started to stuff the suppliers that could still be used. “got some extra blankets around to make a bed of some sort on the ground. They're in that chest,” he pointed at one at the foot of the bed. “Nothing else in there. Get those out and make yourself comfortable somewhere out of the waywhile I start cleaning up the rest of this.” He said as he motioned to the pans, bowls, and knives he had used to make dinner. “You look dead tired.”


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[Tara Kenja]

Immediately there was an immense amount of weight lifted off of her heart. Tara listened as this man went on telling her what she couldn't and could do around here. Over all the only thing that offended her was the thought of a child being able to take her. Preposterous, she had already killed a man with her own bare teeth, she could take a child. But, she kept her mouth shut and swallowed, not defending her own pride. “All I need is somewhere to stay, I couldn't ask you for any more.”

Sighing, she got up with a heave and moved over to the chest that she was directed towards. Opening it up with a creak Tara grabbed a handful of the fabrics and moved over to a small corner of the room, directly beneath a generally large window. Syna's light shown down onto on of the spots. Despite it already being a hot season, Tara felt that basking in the rays would offer her pleasure, which it did. After placing down the blankets she undressed, than shifted without a moments notice. Her ears twitched as well as her tail, now on top of her poorly made made she circled around once and plopped down.

As her nostrils flared Tara watched the man but than closed her eyes and her ears pinned back. She thought nothing of what the man may think of a Kelvic tigress sleeping in his kitchen but there was nothing she wanted more to rest. The heat began to form on her large back, causing her gently drift off. Her pale orange striped and white colored pelt was thin now. Making her look slick and thin but, muscled. Shortly after uncurling and ending up on her back, back and front paws high in the air. Tara's head looked squished on the blankets, in a cute way.

[Raus]

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Date

As the woman made her bedding raus started to wash up the bowls and pan's he had used with hot water. Whistling horribly off tune as he did so. He took his time with it, making sure everything was spik and span before it was put back into the cabins. Living alone for any stretch of time had quickly taught him to be clean, lest his entire little shack was going to stink of spoiled leftovers clinging to everything. He didn't enjoy going to see the doc either. Doing that had a bigger chance of you dying horribly then just sicking it out. So he rather not eat from filthy dishes. A flash of light let him look up from his dishwashing and turn around. His jaw dropped as he saw the rags of the woman on the floor and a large orange tiger stretched out on the pile of blankets in front of the window.

His mind just locked up for a few moments as it raced, trying to figure out why a big ass tiger was inside his house and how it managed to sneak past him. Getting all tangled up in it's thought's for a few moments. It took him al most a chime of him just staring slackjawed at the sunning tiger before his mind managed to churn out a response.. The woman was missing, no openings where a tiger could have getten in. So the woman turned into a tiger. Raus had no bloody clue how that worked, but he heard of slavers selling people that could turn into animals.

“Right, now I get why you offered a guard job.” He said as he relaxed slightly. “You're house trained right?” He joked slightly. It wasn't a good joke. But at the moment he had a tiger lying about his house. he was still trying to get a handle on that little fact.

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[Tara Kenja]

Her right ear twitched and lifted itself, open to hearing what was going on around her. It never really occured to her that someone might be frightened by her animal form. In Kenash they meerly gaucked at you like you were in a museme or zoo. You were an exibit. Upon opening her eyes she was greeted by a rather frightened looking man. He spoke common, something she could not do in her animal form, it was a shame he could not speak feline.

But, she growled softly in feline, "Of course I am.." There were no words only the sounds a tiger would make when communicating to another cat. Rolling back over on her side, she got up for a chime and stretched. Once more curling into a furry mass. Tara was more than comfortable, her back to the man. Now in the comfort of being in her true form the Kelvic was more inclined to rest whilst she could. Before long she'd have to venture out and see if there was anywhere she could sleep.

Tara was completely broke, it would be almost impossible to stay somewhere that required payment. Maybe a cave of some sort outside of this chaotic city would hold her for the days that led on. She would just have to see and take the days as they'd come. For now she would refuse to take this roof over her head as granted and the food in her stomach.

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