Settlements and Encounters [Thys] [M- Blood]

[ICE'LIAREA]

Like the entirety of Azelania the cities had been destroyed by the races battling for dominance. With the kyra in full control of royalty the most powerful members of families would go hunting for a chance to become future rulers. That left the cities destitute with no way of ensuring their survival or defense. Radicals who basked in destruction and the desolation that they left in their wake often terrorized weakened settlements. People with an inability to fight remained in settlements nearby the ruins of the ancient cities in hopes they would be allowed entry to the new city which would be built once a ruler surfaced.

Those who possessed some uniqueness or power were hunted by the leaders of the hunts wanting a team of strong warriors and prized possessions. Kiba had ensured her powers were used as little as possible not wanting to raise any suspicion on herself as she journeyed through Azelania searching for answers on her heritage. She had been raised in an orphanage with many other children victims of the wars that broke out in their childhood, once she reached adulthood she wanted to find who her parents were and why she had so much power within her body.

She clasped the buttons shut of her cape and pulled her hood roughly over her head hiding her soft wolf ears and long pink hair that hung behind her heavily resting against her back and underneath the thick brown cape. She kept to the dimly lit roads, coming down to a small settlement that would allow her to rest for the night in exchange for some money. She couldn't help but hesitate, she was never a person to like being in places for too long especially if that meant surrounded by strangers.

'Maybe just go have some food and camp out somewhere for the night..'

She nodded to herself and headed towards the little settlement that seemed more like a village now that the population in the area had increased. Bodies busily rushed through the village finishing their jobs before nightfall, holding onto her hood she headed towards the inn shifting her body around to dodge the bodies that seemed to want to crash into her.

[Thysyrael]

This was a creature with no cares, he gave no thought to the outside world and less thought to what might have gone on in the surrounding cities -or whatever it was common folk wished to call them- He was something of nightmares as far as the stories went, at least, thats what the few that lives long enough to tell stories would say.
Somehow many knew his name but few knew his face, not that he cared, his face would be the last they saw and he would be sure they knew his name as the lights went out.

What he was doing out here was anyone's guess, it didn't appear that he was hunting but that said, it never appeared to be the case,
even when he had his target in sight. He talk to himself as he walk, the dull thud of his boots against the dirt and the broken mutterings making it quite obvious he was approaching, he was a beast that move with no fear, with that in mind though there was nothing to him, no emotion at all. There was a cold, dark mist that clung to him, his outfit billowing as he move only appear to add to the haunting appearance that was this creature.

"What might this be, a flower lost at sea, a little bird carried too far from home by a strong wind? What a delicate little creature, a thing of beauty if a creature might understand such things, fickle as they are."

Toward the end his tone turn sharp and broken, dark and more of a hiss, what had caught his eye though that would bring on such an outburst? A delicate little lady that had just entered the settlement in which he had made claim to for the foreseeable future, why? Because he could and the fools here had already learned to give him space. He sat alone in a corner, he had all he needed and there was a nice clear space around him, the people of this establishment leaving him to his business, even if that was watching the newcomer closely.

[ICE'LIAREA]

She awkwardly moved passed some small groups of people huddled together within the inn not wanting to touch anything around her. She wasn't an overly nervous individual but growing up in an orphanage space was something they had little of and as an adult she had found she actually preferred solitude to having a large group of individuals surrounding her. Grumbling under her breathe she moved to the bar and ordered some warm food and a hot drink to warm her up before she hunted for a new place to rest for the night away from the bustling settlement.

Once the food arrived she slowly picked at the food as she listened to the gossip around her, pulling her hood down to rest against her shoulders she allowed her ears some freedom. She wished she hadn't needed to reveal her appearance but the hood was bothering her making it harder for her ears to pick up the gossip around her that could seem valuable. Sighing she shifted in her seat letting her tail move to her side curling over to her lap as she continued picking at her food. Once finished she pushed the plate back and held onto her hot drink warming her hands as she looked down at the cup her ears twitching at ever nearby noise or shuffle.

Kiba grew alert as a group of men entered the inn rather loudly slamming the door behind them causing a small growl to rise from her chest in annoyance. "Did you guys hear that there is some bandits heading towards here? You think we will be safe?"

She downed her drink and sighed at her luck, she really disliked the idea of staying here with so many people around her. She had already y caught glimpses of individuals that seemed to be interested in a young girl in an area that was majority male occupants. She dropped coins in the hands of the inn keeper and pulled her hood back before sighing and leaving the inn to explore the rest of the settlement for a better place to rest the night.

[Thysyrael]

Had his gaze set on the little pink-haired dove, those pretty little ears of hers,
twitching and turning to pick up on every voice, he would scoff to himself. He cared not for the rabble surrounding them, it wasn't even something he cared to waste the energy thinking about, they were there, milling about in their pitiful lives and getting in his way. A sharp growl rose in his throat any time his view of the precious flower was obscured, those dead eyes of his so fixated on the lady that one may have assumed him blind.

The newcomers caused a rise in the male, his fists would clench and unclench, his teeth catching his bottom lip as he bit back a rather animalistic snarl, there were far greater threats within this building than the ones they worried themselves over. The thoughts that flash through his mind would've usually come to light, images dancing across his vision as he pictured the method he would apply to each of the intruders. His eyes seemed to burn with a cross between genius and insanity, the bloody deaths of these imbeciles pleased him greatly, even if it was only in his mind.

Fool! He had almost missed his prize get up to leave, he would down his drink and shove himself to his feet, the little darling wouldn't be escaping him so easily, he wanted her. Pushing off there was a slight sway to his step, steadying himself on a chair his grip wouldn't release as he move onward, dragging that chair with him as he walk he would bring it up. Effortlessly he would lift the chair and bring it down on the head of one of the recent additions to the inn. Even as the wood splintered and the smaller male crumbled to the floor this beast wouldn't stop, Rauko pushed through the crowd and straight out of the door, leaving the chaos behind him with a sickening grin.

He made it no secret that he was following his little dove, his silvery eyes set on the back of the females head, a rather predatory gaze taking over much of his general expression. He didn't know why he want her, or what of her he wanted, he knew one thing only and that was simple. She would be his before the night was through.

[ICE'LIAREA]

Inwardly she sighed as people stopped her to offer their services, first was a group of males that offered their protection for a price she waved them off politely with a sweet lie. Visiting family. As if her family existed any longer, there was no one out there to save her and in this world she was alone and that realization made it easier for her to keep moving forward never getting attached to one area. Never calling a place a home, she had no home and she liked the adventure. Her senses grew agitated, her inner beast growled warning her of a coming threat but in a place where she saw everyone as a threat she just thought it a normal reaction.

She was pulled around abruptly by a lady asking for her help but as the woman explained what she wanted from Kiba her focus drifted to the distance behind the woman. Her mix matched eyes caught a glimpse of silver staring straight back at her, her heart raced and her beast growled once more.

Warning.. She understood. She nodded to the lady not really having paid any attention, they walked through some alley ways before Kiba slipped away from the lady and made her way through the crowds trying to break away from that distant silver she noticed. No one had ever hunted her or searched for her before. Was this just a male intrigued by her? Had he seen her in the tavern/inn when she had pulled down her hood. Growling outwardly she continued her way through the alley until she reached a dead end, she abruptly turned and continued backwards trying to find a different direction to go down to escape that male that made her beast rage.

[Thysyrael]

Sighs inwardly, all of these people, their stained and filthy presence was enough to bother him, the stench their 'soul' gave off was enough to make even this unruly beast cringe, perhaps though this was only because he considered them maggots and nothing more. Vile, worthless, rotting sacks of flesh that kept getting into his damn way! An outburst he had no control over, lashing out he sent a little old lady sprawling backward, the cries that followed this were nothing more than music to his ears. What monster would hit a woman, let alone an elderly woman who was out here all alone! Oh, thats right,
he would...

Revolting creatures flocked to that lady, this cleared him enough of a path to follow his prize, she reminded him of someone though that could've been the slightly intoxicated state he appeared to remain locked within. Everything was easier after a drink, or seven...
He had lost sight of her, but like all she had an 'essence' about her, her's though was easy to follow, there was something dramatically different about this female and he wanted to know more, he was going to know more.

Rounding the corner he found the cornered dear, the sweet little thing trapped between a rock and a hard place. He towered over most and at this moment he used that to block her path out of here, he wouldn't advance on her, rather he would just ensure her escape route was blocked.

"Come now little dear, a sweet thing like you has nothing to fear. This one has no intent of causing the dove harm, no, this one wishes to cage the dov- No more! A time and a place for all, peace, harmony... Come little flower, tell us a story, why loose yourself in this madness..."

Cryptic, broken, his senses were not at their best, his mind addled by the events leading up to this encounter, don't kill her,
not yet! She remind him of a face he once knew, something about her set him on edge, it excite him in ways he couldn't explain.
Had the beast discovered an emotion beyond the coldness that was death, or was he just enjoying the hunt.

[ICE'LIAREA]

It took everything in her to not go slamming into the strange individual. Instead she stopped abruptly in front of him too close for comfort. He spoke cryptically his eyes were chaotic,and as he spoke she couldn't help but turn from his gaze. Why was this individual so interested in her, her beast growled warning her of the danger before her. Nothing had sent her beast this crazy, she took a few steps back assessing her environment trying to find a way out and away from him.

Her concentration broke when she heard cage... Her heart raced against her chest, he wanted to cage her and keep her as what exactly a trophy? Was he one of those radical groups she had heard so much about that lead settlements like this by a collection of brutes. It took everything in her control to keep from shifting, the wolf wanted out wanted to protect her and yet she knew that wouldn't save her if anything would this strange male become more interested in a shifting female..

Her hands clenched to her sides, she couldn't figure a way out of this place in which she wasn't going to have to fight and probably end up injured. Something about those eyes frightened her like no one else had.

"What do you want.There are other girls..." Her voice was quiet barely audible and yet she looked up with defiant eyes, she wasn't going to submit to this male or any other. Her ears were pinned to her head as her tail agitated swished from side to side in annoyance.

[Thysyrael]

This face haunt him in ways he didn't understand, something of a nightmare the normals would say, or a dream... This creature held his full attention, his head tilting in a rather feral manner, in much the same way a dogs head would tilt when confused or focused. His smirk was something to behold, dark and cold while at the same time there was some kind of excitement, it'd take a genius to understand this monster and even then there was a slim chance of them actually understanding fully, if they didn't go mad trying.

Was he talking to himself? He couldn't remember, not that it mattered, he always talks to himself. There was a light sway to his stance, he had been sat for some time, bored and with alcohol within reach that meant for only one solution, kill or drink, or both...
He was getting distracted, the little dove caught his attention once more as she bark up at him in that broken little voice, it was cute, was that the right word? The word the humans used? His head would tilt the other way as he tried to work out what he meant,
his expression shifting as if he were actually discussing this with himself.

"Little lady, a sweet trophy... We mean no harm, this one asked a question the lady did not answer, tell us the answer little dove... Why must you hide from us sweet flower, we mean to talk, only to.... Yes!"

Silver eyes locked onto the bi-coloured eyes of the little beast, this monster did not understand fear, or true emotion and as such anything shown was as broken as the mind within. Grunting to himself he would take one small step forward, the pup before him either forced to come within reach or pressed closer to that conveniently placed wall, what a charming place this had turned out to be!

[ICE'LIAREA]

This male was clearly insane. The way he spoke he was either very eccentric, insane or intoxicated. She scanned his body, maybe he was both and she was just he unlucky individual who had been caught in some kind of snare. He seemed to scan her body as she did his, as if they were waiting for who would make the first move and clearly it had to be him. He took a step closer and she took a step back her ears perking up as she was shocked at the sudden advancement. She growled and her eyes narrowed as her ears returned to being pinned against her head.

Her tail still moved side to side as she grew increasingly agitated. "I'm not a trophy.." She growled and took another step back, one arm hugging her other side protectively and she looked toward the strange individual. He spoke of not causing her harm and yet she felt like if he took another step closer she was going to explode and sink her teeth into him. "Please, leave me alone I don't like being cornered. I don't want to hurt you.."

He didn't deserve a warning, no he deserved to be wounded and left in a ditch somewhere. Who thought it was a smart idea to corner a girl in an alley. Like what good would come from that apart from someone getting injured.. This had been such a bad idea to come to this settlement she should have stayed far and just hunted wild animals until she reached a place that was safer..

[Thysyrael]

'I don't want to hurt you' the very sight of this female had hurt him in indescribable ways, her face a reminder of a cold time, a bond that it appeared she was unaware of, something about this female drew him in. She feared hurting him, the thought alone would normally amuse him, perhaps even draw a laugh from the dark beast on most days,
on this day all he done in response was shudder at the thought.

One thing he had learned was that when he move forward, she would move back. 'Smart girl' he thought to himself, though in truth this only meant she played right into what he want of her. His intention was to move closer, the way he move was more of a slow saunter, slightly staggered but for the most part smooth, unhindered. As he drew nearer the stench of alcohol would become more apparent to her, his head looming down over her as he seek to look her in the eyes, his form towering over her as his arm came up to rest on the wall behind the lady. He came to rest just inches from her face, hunching over to come eye-level with the dove he admired those contrasting eyes for a brief moment.

"I don't recall concerning myself with what you liked, or asking for such information either. If you wish to refrain from hurting me then you wont, i'd be interested to see such an attempt though, precious little dove..." He swayed ever so slightly, his right hand remaining set against the wall right by her head, his left would come up slowly. Moving slowly his fingers would brush over her hip lightly, working up over her side and arm until his fingertips came to brush over her cheek, taming a stray strand of hair.

"Do you fear us little dove? Those close to you are nothing to fear, if we wanted you dead you'd already know it." Suddenly his tone grew cold and dark, his piercing eyes set on hers as he spoke, for a brief moment the thought of ending her life washed over him. As fast as it had come the thought was gone, shaking his head he chuckles softly.

[ICE'LIAREA]

Although she had met some colorful characters in her adventures she had yet to find someone this... 'unique' it seemed like he couldn't understand warnings or maybe it just meant he didn't see her as a threat in the slightest.This man was completely insane, she took a final step backwards her back pushed up against the alien wall making a growl rise to her lips, her hands resting up against the wall. He took confident steps forward and she couldn't help but snarl as she watched him come even closer the stench of alcohol prominent causing her to slightly grimace at the smell invading her nose.

She looked up defiantly into his silver eyes as she watched his hands growing closer to her body, she snarled as his face came to close for comfort. One of her hands pushed against his chest wanting him to step away from her, too close for comfort. He spoke in such a calm tone as if he feared no threats and then spoke as if he knew her. She snarled at him as she looked at the hand pinned by her head while the other glided upwards slowly touching her hip, arm and then touching her lips. Her magic jumped in response as she felt him too close to her skin. He brushed a stray piece of hair out of her face, her eyes remaining pinned on his as she watched every movement.

His tone changed into something frightening, she pushed harder against his chest snarling loudly. Her eyes became more vibrant as if they were glowing in response to the danger so close. Her hand on his chest gripped on the fabric surrounding his chest gripping tightly as she snarled at him.

"If you want to talk then move away from me."

[Thysyrael]

Despite absolutely adoring being so close to the fearful dove, her fear exciting him if nothing else, the very moment she replied he would respond in a way rather similar to a trained dog, stepping back and dropping to sit in one smooth and surprisingly graceful movement, his legs crossing as his hands came to rest in his lap, if he had cute little ears like hers they'd no doubt perk up.

Silver eyes stare up at the little lady, for a beast as tall as he it didn't seem far at all, not that it mattered, she was going to talk to him now. There was a slight squirm to him, almost something similar to a childish wiggle, impatient as he still await the answer to his question, why must she make him wait, it was cruel and unusual. His head tilt sharply to the left, a grin tugging at the corners of his lips as his cold eyes stare back at her, his fingers splay out then clench up as he wait.

"The little dove said she would speak with us now, we have move back and respect her wishes, as such she must uphold her promise... It's rude to keep a person waiting, why must the dove be rude, we have not given reason for such foul manners."

The little dove would talk now, her sweet yet haunting voice, she would answer his question from before and if she didn't... If the dove would disobey and break her promise, he could think of many ways to break her, she wouldn't be so difficult to tear down, a waste though when all he wanted for was her to answer his question, one harmless little question. Even with the occasional shift or squirm he would remain in place, still blocking her way out but his cross-legged seated position on the floor would surely be enough to calm the little beast, the delicate dove, would she settle and share in a tale... No matter if not...

[ICE'LIAREA]

Kiba couldn't help but look shocked as he obediently let go of her and stood further away from her plopping on the ground like a well trained dog. She watched him as he wiggled in his spot waiting for her to speak, was this male insane because of loneliness or was he just playing a game to capture her attention. She shifted a step forward adjusting her cape as she kept her eyes on the male at all times. She held her wrist with her other hand rubbing the inside as she felt uncomfortable about the whole scene of being in an alley with someone not very mentally stable.

"I'm just travelling I only came here for food. Was going to leave afterwards but I heard about the bandits.." She looked behind the strange male, she wanted to leave and yet something about him told her running from him would just anger him. Her tail hung low now visible to the male who was sitting in front of her, her heart raced against her chest as she tried to find a way out of this scenario where she wouldn't end up dashing through an alley with blood covering her body.

"W-why are you here." Her voice was broken, her speech shaky as she realized something about her had triggered this unstable individual to follow her and act obsessively. "Did I do something for you to find me?"

[Thysyrael]

"You found us." He state flatly, his tone falling dead as his eyes appeared to glass over, there was something almost haunting about how he spoke at that moment, his overall appearance becoming something of a nightmare. He swayed slightly even though he remained sitting, his fingers tap at his boots as he think in silence, well, he was humming softly to himself, a soft tune that over time grew more and more disturbing, his tone shifting until he screamed all of a sudden, his back arching as he threw his shoulders back against the floor. For a brief moment he would writhe around on the floor, the heel of his boots digging into the loose surface as he grunt and writhe about.

As suddenly as it had come on the moment passed, rocking forward he sprung to his feet, standing straight with his arms tucked behind his back, head tilting left then right as he sway in place. A rather insane laugh would rise in his throat, breaking from his lips as he let the madness wash over him, laughing at the little doves fear. Just as death fed him, fear gave him something incredible, he felt amazing, her presence both broke and amused him.

"Come little dove! Tell us a story, no bandit will come to this place, they're already dispatched...
Rumours spread easily and like wildfire, the men knew what they needed to and only you and I know otherwise.."

There was a flash of excitement in his eyes, leaning forward he would sway slightly in place, he didn't move closer but at the same time he wouldn't be moving back either. The little dove had caught his attention and he wouldnt be quick to leave, not until he was done with her!

[ICE'LIAREA]

He spoke of her finding him but what did that meant, there was no possibility she had been searching for him she hadn't known he even existed. What was he... his aura just exude danger and she couldn't help but fear him. The way he acted was as if his body was shared not by another entity but a force that had no form and no other desire but power. He was unique and strange and she couldn't help but wonder what exactly was he. What race in the vast world of Azelania had she come across. Was he a god, a nenyr?...

There was no way she was this unlucky, at first she thought this mans insanity stemmed from loneliness but as she swayed and as his voice pierced her sensitive ears she couldn't help but cover them instinctively. She watched as he squirmed on the floor, was he in pain? Was he cursed and the insanity was the price of the curse? There were so many ways to explain his erratic personality and yet nothing seemed to fit in the scenario in front of her. She watched him as he sprung back to his feet with new found energy and walked closer to her. At some point unknown to her she had fallen to her knees, and his body towering above seemed endless as if with one movement he could crush her.

"I don't understand what y-you.." A loud noise came crackling through the sky, thunder was raging causing the rain to pour gathering in large puddles on the ground and causing her cape to cling to her body heavily like the rest of her clothing. Her hair soaked and wet she remained crouched on the ground still watching him as if she had been frozen into place by some other unknown force wielding her to remain here with this creature that only frightened her more with each passing moment.

Her lips and mouth grew dry and her voice forcefully parted her lips as if something forced her to speak. "I don't have stories to tell. I've always traveled and I've always been alone." Even though she had been raised in an orphanage she didn't really interact with anyone and her memories were hazy never remember details of those years apart from some faces that remained nameless in her mind.

She looked at him, he made no advancement and neither did she. Frozen in place she couldn't flee even if she wanted to instead she continued to be impaled by the rain causing her ears to lay tightly on her head and her tail limp around her feet as if comforting herself.