Flashback The Break

[Ixzo]

34th of Fall, 514AV

"Ixzo." The hardness in his tone forced the lion's eyes open and she raised her head to look at the human. She didn't need to look at the man to find there was a hard surge of… something. An emotion she didn't know, something she hadn't learned. Worried the kelvic unfurled her paws, leaning back to stretch from her nap before hopping off of the bed, dragging out her human form as she did so. In about twenty chimes, the Kelvic was at Jodoc's side.

"Jodoc?" She purred, reaching out to place both hands on his shoulders, feeling his stress. His unknown emotion over something. But before the lion could begin to knead his shoulders, the human stood.

"Put something on, we are going out?" Agitation. That must be what she was getting from him. As soon as the lion recognized this, a new hieght of worry filled her features. Soundlessly she retreated from her bondmate, turning towards their chest to fish out a dress. Her hands paused at the bright orange and yellow colored dress that Jodoc loved on her, but a sigh of frustration moved her fingers along as Jodoc moved around the room, gathering his own things. Quickly, the Kelvic slipped on a simple crimson blouse and a pair of pants, deciding attracting his attention was perhaps not the best decision today.

Once Ixzo slipped her boots on, she turned to see Jodoc was just leaving the room, without her. "Jodoc!" She snapped, snagging her vest from the hook, uncovering his scarf that he left behind as well. The residentiary halls of the Mischief were empty this time of day. Those who could had gone to port to enjoy the land before they left to return to Alvadas. Catching up to the human wasn't particularly hard, and once she did, the Kelvic draped Jodoc's scarf over his shoulders. She had only been to port once, and it wasn't particularly cold, but the Kelvic wanted to be certain. The nurturing actions were becoming more and more normal for the lion as she got used to her new bond. Usually such actions were appreciated by her man, but today the human hardly even noticed the act.

Shrugging into her own vest, the Kelvic decided to remain quite as they exited the ship. Today the staircase almost resembled her home in the jungle. Green, mossy vines squirmed beneath her feet and in the corners of the stairs, the Kelvic noticed a small red flower. Not one she had ever seen before, in fact she wasn't quite sure it was a real flower, but it accented the moving vines perfectly. No long did she hesitate at the sight of the illusion as she rushed up the steps to the deck after Jodoc.

[Ixzo]

"Where are we going today?" The Ixam asked, reaching up to stuff one of her braids back into her mohawk.

"I'm going to tea with Elise." The answer was curt, and Ixzo knew she she be put off by the odd mood. She had been just as down as him lately, although she couldn't yet figure out what it was that caused this change in attitude. Attempting to be posative, as she knew Jodoc would usually try to do, Ixzo flashed a smile.

"I like her." She murmured, remembering how she saw the woman. There was a sort of light and happy feeling upon seeing her. Almost, if that was possible, like the first time she had met Jodoc.

Excitement started to fill her chest as the Kelvic spotted the bridge to the tea house. A quick glance at Jodoc confirmed that she was not the only one anticipating this meeting. The Kenashian woman was very charming, there was no doubt about that. Self-consciously. Jodoc ran a hand through his hair, which she hadn't gotten a chance to style today. He didn't want her too, so the long locks mimicked the flat of his pillow instead of being properly laid down in the back. Trying to help, the kelvic reached over to run her hands through the back of his hair, hoping it would do some good, but knowing that unless she had steam the hair would continue to stick up.

Again, Jodoc waved her away, stepping one step further away as they got to the door of the tea shop. For a moment. Ixzo wished she had worn the nice dress after all. Elise might have appreciated the colors as much as she did. Although for some reason the wealthy woman mostly wore whites and greys, so perhaps the unusually bright Alvad colors would be looked down upon. But something had to be better than her worn linen trousers.

When they reached the door, Jodoc gave his name to the host and the young boy lead them deeper into the restaurant, where Ixzo caught her first sight of Elise. Just like Jodoc, the kelvic lost her breathe for a moment at the human's beauty. However, once Elise's eyes landed on her, and the expression that followed, set in, Ixzo lost the same awe as her bondmate.

[Ixzo]

"Good evening Elise." Ixzo glanced at Jodoc who hadn't noticed the steely look she had just gotten, or perhaps he didn't care?

"I see you got my invitation." The words were slightly sour and suddenly the agitation returned. Jodoc's eyes caught her and anger flared through their bond. Panic seized the lion as she grasped onto her bondmate's eyes, desperated trying to read the source of the anger. Didn't they like Elise? Why was he angry now? They had been looking forward to seeing her all day, since the note arrived.

"Jodoc."

"Sit, Jodoc." The man glanced at the single seat across from Elise, where the third chair was obviously missing. Her bondmate hesitated, but pulled the chair out for himself, leaving Ixzo standing. The wild looking woman cast her eyes across the room. The few couples that were taking their own tea were more or less engrossed in their conversation to notice that she had been left standing. Taking a breathe, the Kelvic returned her eyes back to the woman, just in time for a harsh whisper to be aimed at Jodoc.

"Why are you still with her?"

"I-- "

"Didn't we agree that she wasn't-- ?"

"Excuse me?" Anger flared in Ixzo and she focused her eyes on the woman now, daring her to look up at the towering Kelvic.

"Jodoc." Elise kept her gaze on the man. He ran another hand over his head and Ixzo just knew that he was probably beginning to wonder if he had put on his deodorizing powder, because they both knew he was beginning to feel the sweat.

"Elise, dear," Ixzo's throat caught as she her mind started to wander in a different direction, thinking of all the reasons this tense meeting could be happening. "It's not that easy."

"Yes it is, dear." She emphasized the last word and Ixzo squinted at the woman, but had to refrain herself from taking a step forwards. "Like clipping your hair."

"Jodoc?" Ixzo remembered the day before when she had left the two alone for a few chimes to flag down a taxi for the woman. What had gone on while she was away. "What is she talking about."

"Ixzo, not now." He snapped, brown eyes shifting up to glare at her, but Ixzo's eyes still didn't leave Elise as she briefly imagined what would happen if she lept for her. Ending the conversation before she really figured out what was going on.

[Ixzo]

"Well then." The woman picked the napkin up from her lap and placed the cloth on the table before her. "I guess this isn't g-going… to work." The woman faltered as she stood, unconsciously flitting her eyes towards Ixzo. As soon as the lion met her gaze an unintentional snarl parted her lips, and she felt the grind of teeth. "Keep that think under control if you so clearly want to keep her."

"What?!" A low, guttural growl managed to slide through her teeth, with only a miracle she had the sense to speak in common so they understood. A hand was laid on her should just in time to realize the Lion was getting as close to a hunting stance as her human form would allow. Knees bent, her shoulder so far forward. And she had lowered her gaze, which still remained on her prey, so that it was clear she could not focus on anything else. Feeling the human touch, the Kelvic took a step back, tearing her gaze away from the woman and straightening up.

"I don't want her, I want you." The words were murmured. Clearly Jodoc was more conscious of their surroundings than she was, since by now the other couples in the room had ceased conversation.

"Prove it." The woman whispered. Delicate blue eyes flitting across the faces that were looking at her. Panic ceased Ixzo's throat and she turned to Jodoc next to her.

"Don't do it." She pleaded, immediately understanding why he had been so distant the past few days. Why he was always angry, which she now recognized was at her, when Elise was around. Why he always looked more forward to meeting her. Why he hadn't touched her since they met Elise. "Jodoc." Her voice cracked and she suddenly realized she couldn't breathe. Almost as if she could read his mind, she felt something constrict their bond. "Jodoc. No, no, no, no-- No! Jodoc!"

It was almost as if someone had hit her in the chest with a tree. Or an elephant had stepped on her. The human looked to her only once as she felt his severe their bond. It was like he had ripped her emotions out, because while she could recognize the wetting of his eyes, she couldn't feel his pain. Her own was too overwhelming. Desperate, Ixzo reached forward for the man, but he grabbed her wrists, calmly putting her hands back down. "Jodoc." She whispered. How could they go back now? How could they go back ever.

[Ixzo]

"Good, that didn't seem so difficult? Come, we shall have tea at my house." The woman's voice was very far away, and Ixzo only faintly recognized her words, spoken casually. She acted as if the world had not just fallen apart. As if Jodoc hadn't just cut Ixzo off from everything she knew, everything she loved. The lion didn't have time to be sad as she quickly realized Jodoc had only done so because Elise had asked him to.

Wordlessly, the kelvic twirled on her feet, barely taking time to prepare as she lunged towards the woman. If she had time to change, she could have ripped her throat out in half a tick. But her human teeth would have to do. Clawed fingers wrapped around the woman's perfectly manicured face, and Ixzo used her momentum to push back to woman's head, exposing her fair throat to the Kelvic. But before the Lion could fully latch on to the woman's jugular, there was an elbow flying towards her face.

The impact had gone unnoticed, but the effects were immediately evident as Ixzo's hands went limp, losing her grasp on her prey, but dragging her nails across her cheek. Her feet gave way, and the lion fell with the woman still loosely in her grasp. By now Elise had managed to start screaming hysterically, which only make Ixzo angrier, but the world was not so kind. Before he head even hit the ground, her world was black.

[Konrad Venger]

Nice job! Your work has pleased The Sloth! Ixzo XP: Socialization - 2 Intimidation - 1 Brawling - 1 Lore: Observation: Nameless, Unspoken Concern Elise: Beautiful and Cruel Kelvic Bonds: Agony to Break, of Soul and Flesh Click Me! : Holy shit, this was simply STUNNING! Writers like you REALLY push me to up my game on here, because this quality of writing was beautiful. Not just well-crafted but incredibly mature and full of thick, human characterization. Especially Elise. Gods... I thought I knew how to write real bastards, but she was unbelievably cold and cruel, right down to "Like cutting your hair". I could gush over this all day but haven't got the time. This was perfect, and it was PAINFUL to read... which is always a sign of great writing, and it's the first time I've seen a Kelvic bond broken, which you evoked with heart-crushing, spirit-shredding brilliance. Can't wait to read more. Oh, and please make sure you go back and edit your post in the Request Thread to reflect the fact this one is now done and dusted. PM me with any questions and later 'tater!