Kidnapped? Again? [Lyrt]

[Mali]

Note: Mali speech mind

It had taken quite a while for the werecat to leave the desert. She had hoped that Samar would have taken her out closest to Ilirea since that was where she planned to find Niko; however, she was taken to Marna instead. She had been told to follow the Ramr River south and it would take her past Ilirea. She had been thankful for the help, even after the rocky start to their first meeting. Sky fish, what had she been thinking?

Walking through the streets of Marna, her hood up high to cover her ears, Mali knew that people probably wouldn’t notice that her tail was sticking out from under the cape a bit. However, the likelihood of someone paying close attention to the ground to notice her tail was very slim. She had to admit that liked this city much better than Ilirea. Ilirea was so much busier than Marna was. She was used to been looked at now, but in a new city, she hated when people seemed to watch her with their eyes.

Mali placed her hand on her stomach, trying to repress the growl. She didn’t have money to buy food any more. It had been taken from her when she had been abducted and sold into slavery. Of course, she hadn’t been marked, which was a good thing. If she had been marked as a slave, then she would be hunted down. She could easily escape from her spoiled owner easily. Although, she didn’t consider him her owner, since she wasn’t a slave.

Feeling an odd sense travel down her spine, Mali turned quickly, her tail wrapping around herself. It felt like someone was following her. Turning to face the direction she had been headed in, Mali sped up slightly, turning a corner quickly. Too bad she had turned into an empty alley way and not onto a busy street. However, this could be a good thing as well, because she was now able to change forms.

She was about to skitter off to hide when she noticed a tall shadow appear behind her. Turning her head to see the person behind her, she simply ‘mewed’.

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[Lyrt]

In the midst of Marna a young lass sat lute perched delicately on her hip as her fingers lightly splayed across the strings a soft melody stirring up. The latest request that she had received had been troublesome indeed. The Count of Osilon always did have the jobs that tried at her patience, it was almost as if it was a simple game to him not that his face would ever betray such a notion. After slashing a throat or two in his name in the past she would have assumed the blasted elf would have realized she murdered for money, not dragging mangy cats across alagaesia for him. It was assumed that elves contained intelligence beyond that of human capability yet this did bring a slight seed of doubt to such a train of thought.

Werecats from what she knew were powerful creatures, ancient creatures. It would be a lie to say that her skin did not prickle at the thought of studying one. An ancient creature...that would likely protest to being brought anywhere against its will. Needless to say she had accepted the Elf's offer and it was her duty to complete the task no matter the lengths it may take.

Silently she continued to brood over her current conundrum eye sweeping the passing people as she continued to play. No werecat would simply walk about with a wooden sign hanging from its neck declaring itself as such. How would she even be able to recognize one of its kind? The more it was mulled over in her mind the more it began to appeal, a hunt, research. It was all far too tempting and grew even more so by the moment.

There!

Her mind so focused on the thought of a cat a tail had caught her eye. It was not a trick of the light, there was no possibility she had been mistaken. Werecats could take humanoid forms could they not? Yet she did not believe that ones could so simply walk about with ears and a tail in human form. The thought of it was preposterous, yet it made some sort of sense all the same.

Abruptly she stopped playing the instrument and stood slinging the worn lute over her back the peaceful expression wiped from her face. Steps slipping into silence she began to follow pulling her own dark cloak tighter about herself readying herself for whatever possible situation that would rise from this.

The hooded figure was small, female by the way she walked. Men's steps were always far heavier than a woman's, and the always seemed to have more of a bend to their knees as well. especially when trying to move quickly as the figure was attempting to do. Obviously she knew of herself being followed, and then...did not seem to be a native to the city.

With a few long strides once she had turned into an alley Lyrt caught up with little difficulty the lack of bystanders slightly disconcerting. How could if this was a werecat like she had originally been led to believe make such a petty mistake as to lead her into such a place. Was it a simple blunder or was it a plot, a trap? The lass tensed feeling the hairs on the back of her neck prickle.

The small figure slowed and then stopped starting to slowly turn her head to look back at the assassin. Lyrt's breath was caught in her throat in surprise yet still her face was unreadable. It was almost unbelievable how easily she had found one, there was little doubt that it was not one of them. The soft feline mew left little room for doubt and she reached out pushing back the hood and staring down at the triangular ears covered in a soft blanket of fur. The ears of an animal.

Lyrt glanced at the ears for a few moments longer before shifting her gaze downward to meet its eyes trapping it in a harsh icy stare. No one would make any attempt to stop her from simply dragging the girl out, the human form yet animalistic features would stun them. Then by the time they recovered from the shock to react she would be long gone.

Holding her gaze she reached into a pouch on her waist movements muffled by the heavy fabric of the cloak. Slowly she rifled about trying to find something that would help to incapacitate the creature. It would become far easier to transport it that way and more importantly easier to detain.

The smooth cool feel of glass kissed at her fingertips and she drew out the vial holding it at the ready. Simple flour was all that it held yet its use was quite the alternative to the common thought. The cloud it would create when shattered would create the perfect situation to gain the upper hand.

Spinning on her heel she lobbed it expertly at the wall with a startling crash the chocking cloud engulfing the alleyway for a few moments. Lyrt had her dagger drawn and at the ready as she seemed to leap towards the girl making sure the rope she had picked up earlier was in good reach.

"Submit" was all that she said voice harsh and precise leaving no doubt to the meaning behind the word

[Mali]

Mali hadn’t thought that the person following her would be a woman. She had oddly white hair and an instrument on her hip. What Mali seemed to hate the most was people staring at her and here this woman who had been following her was doing the same thing. She wanted to snap at the woman for staring at her but dared not to. She had to think of a way to escape. Mali had no idea why this woman had been following her, but as she started to rummage through his person for something, Mali turned to run.

It was then that the woman used some form of smoke vial to engulf the area in the fumes. Jumping closer to the werecat, she had a knife and a rope, asking if she submitted. Smiling, Mali shifted forms right then and there, taking off as soon as her body started to shrink, contracting into her feline form. Running away, she was out of the smoke and into the street again.

She knew that the woman was human, with something odd tingeing her aura, but would rather not find out her back-story. Turning left down the street, she only felt it fair to ask why she should submit. Gracing the female’s mind, and allowing a channel to continue communication, she continued to run on all fours. “Why should I submit? What do you want me for anyways?”

[/color]

There was no need to mention being sold to slavery. If this woman was after her since she technically belonged to that spoiled brat—with no proof that she did, because he’d been stupid enough not to brand her—then there was no need to mention it. Even if she wasn’t after Mali for that man, she still felt it better not to mention slavery. She would rather not get back into the slave circuit.

Turning left again, Mali started to run faster, hoping to evade her pursuer when she took a chance to look behind her. She hadn’t needed to run this fast since she had encountered the straw man who took her from Ilirea. That was when she encountered a problem. This was a dead end street and she had run quite a ways down and around a stack of crates before finding that out. Stupid eyes and crates blocking her warped, black and white vision. Maybe she could turn around and make it out of the dead end before her pursuer found her. Or maybe it was best to hide behind the crates, hope she ran past and then run out and in the opposite direction? That sounded better. Crouching behind the lowest crate, Mali waited to hear running before she would dart out.[/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Lyrt]

Lyrt landed lightly into a crouch slowly rolling to her feet attention taken by the flash of a tail disappearing into the smoke. She had gotten away, or seemed to think that she did for now. Yet the pitter patter of little feet retreating was not a sound that she would forget easily. There it was, the hunt had began at last. A small creature would be far easier to transport than a young girl, less trouble and less questions.

She whipped her cloak about herself to dispel the cloud of dust and hopped lightly on top of a barrel keeping her balance with a slight wobble. Fingers hooking over the edge of a roof her pulled herself up and took off scanning the streets for a cat, the tail she would recognize if nothing else. If this one proved to be far too much trouble she could always just kill it, what would one less mean. Cat meat did not sound too bad either, it would be interesting to taste.

A foreign presence brushed her mind, seeming to be more curious than anything else. Magic, only magical beings could preform such feats. The cat? Curiosity seemed to have drawn it in towards her. It was odd, soft yet not prying any farther like a guest waiting patiently at the door.

“Why should I submit? What do you want me for anyways?”


It had spoken, she had entrapped it in its own curiosity, how perplexing. Yet there was no harm in telling it her goal, it would not change that the creature would go with her, either dead or alive for that matter.

Lyrt continued to chase the werecat relentlessly leaping from roof to roof eyes scanning the streets until she spotted the familiar tail darting around a corner. Silently she slipped across the rooftops and crouched down glancing about the deserted street. The cat was there, it was just a matter of where the damned ball of flesh would hide.

Stalking about the edge of the roof the lass kept her gaze trained on the ground not letting the slightest movement escape her. Then there it was, crouched down behind a crate hidden from view from anyone entering the street. It was a tricky little devil and she would have to change her tactics to nap it.

"The cat becomes a mouse" she replied in her mind feeling the presence still there and counting on the fact that it could hear her. Immediately after she sent the enigma for the cat to ponder the assassin leaped down landing in a crouch and sending a kick out at the cat boot making contact and knocking it into the wall. There had been no mention of the creature's state of health, a little broken here or there would make it more obedient in the end.

Straightening up Lyrt ran a hand back through her snowy locks a soft sigh breaking from her lips as she stepped forward to the feline and nudging it harshly with her toe. "Done playing?" she asked a slightly bemused tone to her voice.

[Mali]

She had gotten away, hadn’t she? Without the sound of running to alert her that she had escaped, Mali had to assume that the woman had gone the wrong direction. Instead of turning left, she had turned right in her pursuit and lost her. It had to be the only logical explanation as to why she hadn’t run past yet.

And then the female replied. Cat becomes a mouse; what nonsense was she babbling about? Was she delusional? Mali had gotten away.

That was, until she heard the thud close enough to make her jump and the foot colliding with her stomach. Falling to the ground, heaving at the pain, Mali felt the only food in her stomach making its way back up. Disgusted, she felt a harsh nudge and another question if she was done playing and ready to give up. Hissing, she made a clawing motion toward the boot before calming down.

Thinking things over, she had no way to escape now. Should she just change back into her humanoid form? She could always just pull her hood down and cause a commotion in the city streets. She was bound to get separated from the female by doing so.

Changing back, shying further into the corner, she held her stomach, her right hand coming up to wipe the bile from her mouth. “I guess, but what do you even want me for?” she looked up questioningly. She wouldn’t be forced to go back to her feline form, would she? Mali only hoped that this woman wasn’t from the spoiled brat. If she were, that means that she would never escape that sand hill. Surely, she would tell him of her ability to change forms. Of course, he would then figure out that that was how she escaped so long ago. Stupid idiot.

Standing up slowly, her stomach protesting to the sudden and too soon movement, Mali swayed just the slightest. Being kicked in her humanoid form wasn’t so bad; however, she had been kicked in her feline form. This person’s boot had made contact with her entire stomach. It hurt like a mother— but that wasn’t the point right now. Steadying herself against the crates, Mali then wiped the bile on her sleeve before getting a better look at her pursuer.

Why someone like this would be after her she had no idea, but that wasn’t the point right now either. The point she should be thinking about is what was going to happen to her now?

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[Lyrt]

Coldly Lyrt stared down at the feline watching it pour out the contents of its stomach onto the earth. It must have hurt such a small form being hit with such force. it was always did seem to be far more harmful for an ant to be trodden upon than for a dog. Still no thought of compassion even crossed the girl's mind, all that mattered was getting the creature to Osilan as quickly as possible so the damned task could finally come to a close.

The feeble hiss and swipe towards her stayed unnoticed the girl's mind clouded by more important, more pressing matters. The creature was cornered for now, though there was little doubt in her mind that it would attempt to flee again.

Taking a few steps back Lyrt swiveled around surveying the empty street with her eye before smoothly taking a seat atop a crate and surveying her catch. The being had already changed back into its humanoid form, looking hardly any younger than herself now that there was a favorable light.

Her voice sounded mundane enough, speaking clearly in the common tongue obviously rather well versed in it by her pronunciation. The chase seemed to be over, and quite soon at that. One would have thought a magical being would have put up more of a chase.

"An elf requests your presence" Lyrt replied fingering the length of rope that now lay coiled on her lap. There was little reason to tell her anything, but it seemed as if the feline would continue to pester if left without it.

"You have the option of being dragged hissing and spitting by your tail up to Osilan losing your dignity little by little all the while. Or you can come quietly, no fuss no pain and no problems for me." Her eye locked with the girl's ready to taken up on the first of the two offers at any moments notice "you have five minutes to decide or I do for you."

Propping her knee up Lyrt rifled through her person and pulled out a small book bound neatly in brown leather. Flipping through the yellowing pages dully she let out a sigh and began to read. It would be better for the creature to decide in haste, she doubted her patience could even last for five minutes as it was.

Catnapping was not something she would agree to under most circumstances. Yet she did owe him a favor, and this was what it had been used for. A man of...well an elf of high status sends an assassin out to catch a cat with all of the people he could simply command to do so? It was something quite hard to understand.

[Mali]

Mali didn’t like the position she was in. She was vulnerable, cornered and practically captured. She had to hope that this person wouldn’t drug her. That had not been fun for her, slipping in and out of consciousness, not knowing what was happening around her. Cats liked to be alert and know their surroundings, even if she was a werecat and not just a simple house cat; she still felt the same way. Since she was a werecat, she should feel even more so to know her surroundings. However, that was in the past and she had to focus on the present.

Thinking back on what her goals were, she had to sigh mentally. This would only prevent her from getting back to Ilirea. She wanted to go home, back to Niko and Arashi, where she felt safe and welcome. Unlike the streets where people stared at her, she felt nice and content being inside the rider’s home. This meant she really wanted to get back and see them again. She had to wonder if they noticed she had gone missing for the past few months.

Thinking of her ‘home’, she was soon remembered of her human mother and how she had been raised by humans. Even the werecat she had met while captured in prison for stealing fish had thought it odd that a werecat be left with a human family. She had figured it was out of curiosity, to see how the humans would react and raise a werecat, but that didn’t bother her. It was the reason she spoke the common language so well. It was also the reason that she didn’t know the ancient language or how to read, seeing as her mother died when she was so young.

Glancing up to her pursuer, she noted how she was sitting atop the crates looking Mali over. She had white hair, which Mali had only ever seen the elderly possess, as well as pale skin and distinguishable features. She was completely clothed, leaving no skin other than her hands to see. She was of average height and appeared to be quite young. Mali would appear to be the same age, although she was really 46 years old.

Upon hearing why she had been chased down and beaten, Mali thought of who in the world could possibly request her presence. She didn’t know any elves personally other than Niko, and he mainly resided in Ilirea. Even so, if Niko were to look for her for whatever reason, he would do it personally. He would never ask someone to look for her knowing that the person was so violent. He would also have stated not to frighten her as Mali would go back to Ilirea happily instead of being dragged there.

It confused her further as the woman stated that this elf was in Osilon. She had never been to Osilon, not to her knowledge at least. Who would want her to come to Osilon? Was Niko in Osilon? Deeming it highly unlikely, she stopped thinking of Niko and started to weigh her options. She was cornered in a dead end alley. There was no way for her to escape easily. She should put up more of a fight; however, she knew that this would only bring her more pain. If she tried to escape when it was likely that she wouldn’t get close to doing so, she would surely end up in more pain than she was already in.

Glancing at the woman one last time as she sat upon the crates, reading, Mali felt a strange pull to find out who this person was. Curiosity always seemed to get the better of her, however, going to Osilon meant that she would be able to eat. Surely, this woman wouldn’t let her starve all the way to Osilon right?

Biting her lip, a few minutes having passed since being told she had five to choose for herself, Mali sighed and resigned her ideas of escaping. She would never make it away from her long enough to have a chance based on their current positions. “I’ll come with you, but I don’t want to be tied to some kind of a leash or anything,” Even though Mali was quite domesticated, she hated the thought of a leash. The spoiled brat had kept her on a leash and that was why she had been able to escape, that stupid idiot. This woman knew that Mali could change forms, so she would most likely make an adjustable leash so if she changed forms, she couldn’t escape. Knowing that to most likely be the case, she requested that she not be forced to wear any form of rope attachment. She would follow her, but she didn’t want to be dragged.

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[Lyrt]

Lyrt relaxed the pound of her heart slowly starting to slow from the heavy beat it had been before. A chase caused such a rush, it was simply an exhilarating feeling flowing freely through her limbs. They would run, fight, claw their way to survival. Eyes blazing brightly with anger at the thought of an early demise from such an underhanded method.

It was only the common nature of the people to fight to the end, death was after all the final journey. Nevertheless no matter how much they begged for their lives to be spared, no matter how much money they would offer nothing mattered. Not race, not age, not gender, not status. A corpse was a corpse and nothing more, eyes empty and lips parted in a final plea the satisfaction slowly starting to bubble up and consume her.

This however was nothing of the usual sort of job, there was no satisfaction. All that lingered was a prickling sense of annoyance in the stiff silence that had followed her statement. it escaped her how the cat could take such time on such a simple decision. A limit had been placed on the time yes, but it was not even imagined that the creature would actually take such time to consider its options. Dignity or none, the simplicity of it was astounding.

The steady silence did have uses at times giving her much time to brood on the next step to be taken. How was she supposed to drag the werecat there in the first place. Various doubts were beginning to cross her mind meddling with her thoughts, twisting them into skewering off in other directions making her feel unsure about the split second decision. The moment she saw the faintest sign of a cat she had gone running without first preparing for what was to come. It was a mistake, a petty one that she silently swore would never happen again.

Her head snapped up as the time limit she had said ended staring at the cat expectantly. It would be a lie to say her hand did not tense ready to just lob her over the head with the flat of her blade. Somehow for the creature it made the right choice just moments before she went through with it.

The request against a leash though was slightly disconcerting to the young lass on the other hand. She had hardly considered the use of a leash, it was actually not a bad idea. Keeping the creature close by her side in the animal form making it unable to change back into a human in fear of chocking to death. The thought had never even crossed her mind of using such a method. The cat had given it up all by herself, how kind.

Shutting the book with a loud clap she stowed it away neatly onto her person letting out a soft sigh. "If you give me any reason to think that you have any alternative motives for escape I will beat you until you either die or pass out. You are expendable. Do not think that I will not kill you if you cause a disturbance."

Shifting she slipped down from atop the crate onto stable ground glancing over the cat with a critical eye. She looked thin, slightly weary? It was hard to tell after so long a history of avoiding contact with people other then it being strictly business.

In other notes they would have to leave at once so she could be rid of such a troublesome request and receive the promised payment. "Follow" she grumbled spinning on her heel and walking out of the alley "we need to pick up supplies before we leave."

It was customary for people to exchange names when traveling together was it not? It had been a long while since having to think of such things, the state of another's health and the like. Disease and infection she could deal with well enough if it got sick, could they get sick? The books never breached that particular topic. Always the most important ones were forgotten, it would just have to be found out. If the cat encountered anything deadly she would just leave it behind to die. Putting it out of its misery was a privileged that would have to be earned not handed out.

"What do you even eat?" she growled behind her at the female "if its anything ridiculous your throat will be slashed here and now and that will end it."

The threats were already piling up and it had not even been a day, however it was the best way to keep the creature in line. Fear was always the best leverage to hold, they would lose all rationality focusing on whatever it was. Most feared death, a blade constantly pressed against the neck would do for the moment until she thought of something better. There always was, a dog maybe?

[Mali]

It seems that this woman was going to stick true to her five minutes. It wasn’t that it was something Mali need to take five minutes to think about. It was either she tried to run and died or she went with this woman. She would need to ask for her name, or something to call her by at least. She couldn’t keep referring to her as the woman.

Any alternative motives to escape, of course, she would have alternative methods of escape. It would be obvious to this woman that everything wanted to live and live freely. She would want to be free of this woman soon enough. Mali just hoped that whoever this elf may be was kind like Niko. The chances of that all depended on something, right. Hopefully it would be on how well she behaved for this person.

Nodding her head, Mali stood a little straighter, hoping that she would be able to eat soon, Mali was ready to follow this person. She just hoped that a leash wouldn’t be placed on her. They were meant for dogs. Cats were meant to move freely since they were freer beings and acted on their whims. Nodding her head again she skittered closer to the person. She wondered if supplies meant food as well. How far away was this Osilon place anyways?

Upon being asked what she ate, Mali looked at this person dubiously. Wasn’t it obvious that cats ate mice, fish, and other such things like birds? That should be obvious if she’d ever encountered a house cat before. Although werecats were different from house cats, Mali wasn’t. She was about to answer when she was threatened again. This person seemed to like threatening people.

“Fish, raw fish. But, cooked is fine, I prefer mine raw, if it isn’t ridiculous . . .” Mali skittered closer to her, having looked around at all the scenery. They had been in the market earlier however now they were further away. They had to head back to the market before they left.

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[Lyrt]

Lyrt spun on her heel once again starting off once she had received her answer from the were. She strode off at a brisk pace it clear that she was in a hurry from her lengthy stride. With the creature willing to behave for now it was in her best interest to hurry of course. The faster the creature was in the hands of the damned elf the faster she would be able to be done with it. After she made the delivery the cat would become no concern of hers.

Alone she could make the trip quickly, nothing to stop her travels but herself, and herself alone. Though dragging another along...how long would this one be able to go without stopping, how fast? So many new possibilities to open up to be paid attention to. Why would she have to put up with such nonsense?

Mentally she kicked herself again and again for even accepting it in the first place. Yet there was little to do at this point, no point in brooding over the past. It just wasted the little tidbits of patience she had left. Not that there ever were very many to begin with int he first place.

Suddenly she stopped short turning away from the market and off towards the gates. If it was fish that was needed she could just fish, or hunt. If the cat liked fish it would probably accept meat just as well. There really were not very many preparations to be made, they really could just leave immediately. It truly was just that simple. "Change of plans...we are leaving at this very moment, any complaints will be met with a fist" Lyrt glanced over her shoulder at the were as she continued on towards the gates.

What to do though about the cat whilst they traveled north? She could not simply drag her until she collapsed, it would be far too troublesome that way if the creature collapsed from exhaustion. She would end up having to carry her most of the way then would she not?

"You have...until my patience wears away to as questions and tell me anything you think it would be important to know about you. Not your pitiful life but your limits of strength...and other things similar to that." Her gaze was critical, she did not have a very big expectation for the creature's stamina, and it was made very clear.

She let out a soft grumble massaging her temples hard eyes pressed closed as she walked. Something told her this would not be enjoyable in the slightest. And she believed it, there was no reason to think otherwise.

[Mali]

Mali had a hard time trying to keep up with the woman at first. Upon hearing the answer, she seemed to be in a hurry to get going or something by the way that she strode. Mali soon caught up and was in pace with her pursuer whose name she had yet to learn. She would have to ask her soon or else she would become agitated with just referring to her as pursuer.

Mali was watching the bustle of the market before she felt herself bumping into the woman, having suddenly stopped and turned to face another direction. Mali looked at the woman, a blank but thinking look on her face. She then looked off toward where the woman should have been staring but didn’t catch on to what it was she was exactly staring at. It was just the gates, what was so thought provoking about them?

Backing up as she was told that any complaints would be met with a fist, Mali thought that this woman was very violent. She had to wonder what had happened to her to cause this woman to be this way. She knew that what happened in a person’s life explained why they were the way they were when they got older. It explained why Mali couldn’t transform properly, seeing as she was raised by humans and never learned how to use magic properly. However, she had to wonder what had gone so wrong that this woman would lash out at everyone around ehr that she met. At least, that was the feeling that Mali noticed coming from her.

Nodding her head, she now knew why she had been staring off at the gates for. She had been thinking about whether they really needed supplies or not. Seeing as it was just fish, it was safe to assume that this woman knew how to fish and was adequate enough a hunter to assume that she would be able to hunt and fish for the both of them.

It was then that Mali was told that she was allowed to ask questions and talk until the woman’s patience wore out. That was a huge relief. Mali watched for a moment longer as the woman’s hands came up to massage her temples. Was she irritated with the werecat already? Biting her tongue, her tail wrapping around her waist nervously, Mali felt it was okay to ask her questions and talk since she had been told she was allowed to do so. Nevertheless, what to say first?

“Umm, I’m very domesticated for a werecat, and I don’t know much magic, I was never taught. My name’s Mali though. May I ask your name?” that was a safe place to start, right? If this woman knew anything about werecats, she would already find her odd. Werecats were great knowledgeable creatures of magic and mystery. They weren’t domesticated in the least either. However, Mali had been raised by humans and had no werecat influence while growing up so she didn’t know any different. And she couldn’t tell this woman why unless she asked to know. She had told the werecat that she didn’t want to hear her life story afterall.

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[Lyrt]

Lyrt silently walked out through the northern gate of Marna making sure that the the were was following close behind. It would not be good if she suddenly disappeared. The thought of a leash flashed across her mind once again and she let out a soft grumble once again placing her palm to her forehead trying to ward of the impending headache.

The response to her question confused her though, domesticated for a werecat? What was that supposed to mean? Werecats were intelligent, far more than the intelligence of the average alley cat. What did domesticated actually mean? They could change forms, the books she had read mentioned that, but what did that even mean? She was curious of course, a pursuer of greater knowledge such as herself would be shamed not to be so. Yet somehow she did not wish to converse on such things, finding out about the cat's past seemed to be another one of those aspects of the mission to be far more troublesome than it was worth.

Her name though was one foreign to her, Lyrt was unable to place where it would be from. Usually she could pinpoint almost exactly where a name originated, but Mali? Was it shortened? Or was it just unknown to her? So many questions yet she did not want to voice a single one.

"Lyrt, that is my name" she replied suddenly running a hand back through her hair as she pulled out a map while they walked consulting it for the shortest rout that would keep them near some fishing spots getting rid of rations problems. The fish could be smoked as well to keep it for longer. Fish was fish, if the cat did not like smoked fish she would not eat, simple as that.

"Hurry on up and stop lagging behind" the lass growled behind her while she expertly folded up the map and stored it away with one hand. Her pace quickened, and she lengthened her strides arms laying straight by her sides cloak billowing out behind her. "If you get left behind you will surely perish, so you had better hurry up with the pace."

[Mali]

Mali followed the woman as she walked through the gate. She seemed to be lost in thought about what she had said. Mali had no idea if that was good or bad, but the woman seemed confused about the domesticated comment. She made to explain further, but then remembered what the woman had said about not wanting to hear her life story.

It was something that would obviously confuse the woman though. Not much was known about werecats including to herself who was a werecat. They were mysterious beings with supposed vast amounts of knowledge. Mali had no idea how they received this knowledge, with only the guess that it was from watching events happen. She wasn’t a typical werecat though, she had been raised by humans. Even her only encounter with another werecat hadn’t given her many answers to her questions. She had asked, but been told that she was supposed to find out for herself, that she couldn’t be told the answers, which only served to confuse her more. How was she supposed to find out about her own race if they were hidden from plain sight so easily?

Mali turned her head as she heard the woman speaking again. Lyrt. That was an odd name if she said so herself. She’d never heard Lyrt used as a name, let alone for a girl. She watched as a hand pulled back through her white hair and a map was pulled out and unfolded. Shocked, she quickened her pace, walking right beside Lyrt. Looking over to the map, Mali wondered what it said. She really should have taken Niko up on the offer to teach her how to read.

Soon enough though, the map was put away and she was told that if she didn’t keep pace she would die, just as Lyrt had quickened her pace even more. Mali felt that she may have to jog just to keep up with her. She wasn’t used to walking so fast unless she was evading the guards for stealing. If she were on all fours though, it would be easier to keep up with Lyrt, however, it may be harder to speak with her then. Mali knew that some people felt defensive when something touched their minds. She had no idea whether Lyrt had taken a defensive opinion when she had entered her mind earlier, but she would rather avoid it if that were the case.

Walking along, Mali felt it okay to ask questions. Lyrt had said that she had until her patience fell through to ask questions. "May I ask who is requesting me? Would I know them? I don’t believe I’ve ever been to Osilon before, she I’m a little confused as to why I’m being summoned,” it was an honest and okay place to start, right? It wasn’t too lengthy and it shouldn’t get on Lyrt’s nerves. It wasn’t like she had some huge dialogue just now, just something simple to ask.

Mali was keeping pace perfectly now that she’d lengthened her strides to match Lyrt’s. Her own cloak billowed behind, her hood staying in pace atop her head.

What would it be like in Osilon? What would this person requesting her be like? She hoped that they were nice enough though or else she would be in the same situation as when she was in the desert, except this time she wouldn’t be in the desert, she would be in whatever it was that surrounded Osilon.

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[Lyrt]

Lyrt continued on steadily at her pace not wanting to waste any time at all standing about idly. She needed to stay on task and finish it soon or she would surely have permanent stress lines on her forehead. Such things never really mattered to her before, nor did they even matter now. Yet it was something she could focus on to broadened her drive to finish, not that it added very much.

The cat luckily caught up quickly to her pace, slightly surprising for her small size. Maybe not so useless after all if she could keep it up for a while, who could tell though. It was just a first impression after all, they were never very reliable.

In her line of work first impressions were usually the ones you had to watch for. The soft smiling ones that seemed to utterly perfect were usually the most dangerous. Who knew what lay behind the mask of perfection? The most perfect were always the best, and the hardest ones to crack open to see their true nature.

May I ask who is requesting me? Would I know them? I don’t believe I’ve ever been to Osilon before, she I’m a little confused as to why I’m being summoned,”

Of course the little kitty had questions...people always had so many of them herself included. Books always held most of the answers, the non specific ones mostly but answers all the less. Answers were all that people wanting anyways, the answers that they wanted to hear. It was like the truth in that case and how people only wanted the truth that they wished for. Their truth, the one that their tiny little minds could handle.

"Count of Osilon" she replied with a sigh running her hand back through her hair and fingering her eye patch. Speaking was...just odd, she never had much of anyone to speak to, nor did she really wish too. But talking now would save her pain later, and she would have to put up with it eventually.

"Count Ari Ravnson of Osilon" the lass added lips pressed into a thin line. "I doubt you would have met him yet, and if you have you may have some foreknowledge as to what your getting into. He is a hard man, yet I do not know how he will take to you. Simply he wants a werecat for his own reasons and so I am supposed to bring one too him. You can do whatever you wish once I have delivered you, it is of no interest of mine what may do once you meet him."

[Mali]

Mali wasn’t one for first impressions. She didn’t have anything other than her natural-self shining through and had never mastered masking her feelings before. When it came to first impressions, Mali seemed to wing it. She didn’t see the point in them either. People weren’t always what they first appeared to be so making a first impression had never mattered to the werecat.

Lyrt’s hand once again went through her hair while she spoke. She seemed to do that quite often. Mali took note of it. However, the answer she received confused her. Why was a count of Osilon was requesting her presence? She had never met a count before and didn’t know what she would do when she did meet this person.

She was about to ask the count’s name when Lyrt started to speak again. Mali fell silent to listen to what she was being told. Thinking over what she’d just found out, Mali had a lot of things to consider. First thing she had to worry about was how she would be treated. If a count had hired Lyrt to find a werecat, any werecat, did that mean that she would be held captive? Would she be allowed to leave whenever she wanted? Would she be fed properly?

The second thing she had to consider further was that this person requesting her was in fact, a count. That meant that she would be required to act a certain way in his presence, right? Mali wondered how people even acted in the presence of a count. Should she ask?

The last thing she considered was what relationship Lyrt shared with this Count Ari. Was she his personal servant or something or was she like a free-for-hire type of person? Although the last thing she thought about didn’t concern her directly, she was still curious about it.

Feeling the air getting cooler as the sun started to set, Mali pulled her cloak tighter around her as she kept pace with Lyrt. It was a good time to voice her questions, as it was a good a time as any. “Is there a special way I would act while in his presence? You’ve been around him fairly enough, right? So is it safe to assume that since I’m being forcefully requested, that I should do whatever he says and be polite and respectful?” Again, she had never met a count before. The highest ranking and most influential person she’d ever met had been Niko and Arashi and they were only dragon riders.

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[Lyrt]

“Is there a special way I would act while in his presence? You’ve been around him fairly enough, right? So is it safe to assume that since I’m being forcefully requested, that I should do whatever he says and be polite and respectful?”

Lyrt would have groaned if she had the thought process to, instead she merely scowled staring down at her. "Last questions I will answer" the lass said in a dark tone starting to think upon the answers to give. Ari was moody unlike most elves though she had not met vary many. He was fairly unpredictable to say truthfully. Never could she tell what to expect when she met with him.

She reached down playing with her knife idly as the sun slipped lower casting long shadows across the lands. Making camp soon would be a wise choice that most would take but she preferred to continue on until she could no longer go anymore, it made better sleeping anyways.

"You should always stare between his legs, he finds it improper if you do otherwise. Always call him 'Terrible One' he loves to be feared. He thinks of himself of a human so if you can find a way to address him in such a way that would hint you find him as such you should do so. That is all that you need to know."

Her face never betrayed any of the lies enclosed in the words nor did her tone. She was curious how 'sheltered' she truly was and how she would act before the elf. It was no business of her own if she offended him. She would simply sit back and watch what happened observing silently like one did in a book.

[Mali]

Caution, that was what Mali regarded Lyrt with as she received a scowl from the woman. The dark tone that she used also didn’t help in making the werecat feel better. Maybe it would have been better not to ask at all.

Should the response she received and then the deliberating silence that followed be an answer in of itself? If this Ari was, so hard to sum up then maybe it was better that she not know and find out once she reached Osilon. However, the image of Ari that was forming in Mali’s head was of a tall elf with long black hair, darker skin and a constant evil look on his face. Oh, her mental picture also involved flames behind him and an evil aura emitting from him.

Mali watched the blade spin as Lyrt continued to remain silent. The silence as she thought of an answer was killing Mali. It was nice that she had the glint of setting sunlight off the blade to distract her from her growing thoughts of what a difficult to sum up man might be like.

As soon as she received her answer though, a furrowed look overcame her features. Mali was confused and had to order her thoughts to get this straight. So, Ari liked people staring at his crotch, that it was improper not to do so, he enjoyed being called the ‘terrible one’ since it made him feel like he’s being feared, and he thought of himself as human. She shook her head. That was a lot to take in. She would need to remember all of that so that she wouldn’t insult him when she got to Osilon.

“Okay. I’m sure if I can remember it all, I shouldn’t insult him. Thank you for telling me,” Mali thanked Lyrt with a wide, sincere smile. Mali then looked forward, determined to remember what she’d learned. Although it was odd to think about staring fixatedly between someone’s legs, if this Ari found it disrespectful to do otherwise, then she would stare between his legs. Mali had to wonder if that meant she had to stare at his crotch or if she could stare at his thighs instead. Should she ask?

“When you say, between his legs, can I stare at his thighs instead, or does it have to be in between his legs?” the question was asked with the most innocent of intentions although the information she had received hadn’t been.

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[Lyrt]

Lyrt swore under her breath her hands tensing in obvious annoyance. Was the cat really so ignorant that she did not know that she was being mocked? Living with elves such an ignorance would be useful she supposed, elves were always so...impossible to understand in most cases. Ari was an absolute exception, he was far too emotional for an elf. It was almost as if he enjoyed acting that way, slightly childish in her eyes unless there was a direct threat.

Elves were all the same in the end, little difference between dwarves, elves, and humans besides for their size. Yet when the blade slit across their throat a crimson rain lashing out their blood was all the same. Warm and red staining the hands of all who touched it.

"Between his legs" she replied with a soft sigh wondering how the elf would respond. Slash her throat? Tear off her flesh with his fingers? Far too many possibilities to consider in the moment. Either way it would not be favorable for the werecat's health. It would be interesting to watch to witness an elf snap finally as well.

"Less speaking more walking" she grumbled quickening her pace once again. If the elf ever sent her on another job like this she would kill him in his bed, people would even pay her for the trouble. Enough people hated him after all, it was best to keep the option open.