Strangers in the Night [M] [@Coma ]

[Wild]

Not far from the noble residences of Essyrn was a beautiful public park with flowers, trees, bushes, a pond, fountains, a playground for children, sandy paths and benches to rest on. At daylight this park was filled with happy children at play, elderly people who enjoyed the sunlight while resting on the benches and birds chirping merrily from the treetops.

But tonight the park was quiet. The children were at home, sleeping safely in their beds, the birds had returned to their nests for the night, and the elderly people had returned to their homes.
Tonight the full moon was up, casting a silvery shine across the landscape.

The silence was broken by light feet running across the sandy paths, and the sound of sobs and crying of a young woman who came running. Her long, raven hair flowed freely around her head, her exquisite dress was torn as if someone had tried to violate her, and bruises could be seen across her face and scattered over most of her body. Her face was bathed in tears, and she had a black bruise covering one eye.

[Coma]

**It could be called a perfect night in many ways - the silvery moon was sending glittery rays out over the parkland, shimmering gently over the peaceful pond and caused the water in the fountain to glimmer as it flowed.  Licon tended to prefer to hunt in the darkness, taking unsuspecting mortals by surprise; often directing his formidable psychic abilities to force the susceptible to the spot, making escape very difficult.  With them enslaved by this vulnerability, he could take his time persuading them to wish...**

**After all, Djinn did feed on the souls taken in payment for wishes.  They were dangerous, unpredictable creatures by their very design - and Licon was an absolutely prime example of this... which was exactly why he preferred to linger and lurk at nighttime.  He stood out too much during the day - and too valued the element of surprise to give it up by hunting in a crowd.**

**He was a muscular creature; his athletic form clad in tough, leathery midnight-blue armour, the ebony handle of a weapon concealed against his side - a deadly razor-edged whip, the lash coiled and skillfully out of sight.  As was common for his kind, Licon was exceptionally tall - nearing 9ft in height.  Despite this, he could camouflage in relatively well in the shadowy darkness if he so chose to.  For now, though, his powerful form remained out in the open; enjoying the sights and sounds of this realm - there was no mist here, which was quite a novelty when you came from a realm of eternal fog.  He wasn't here to hunt this time - he merely wished to get away from his own home-realm for a few hours.**

**This fact was likely quite beneficial for Flavia - it meant that the normally hostile demon would likely be relatively harmless... unless he was provoked, of course.  Before she came running into the park... before he could hear her sobbing... he had felt her presence and her approach.  He had learnt long ago that one person's word would do little to harm him - few would believe her if she ever said that she had seen a demon.** 

**As soon as she did came into sight, though, his head turned, his eyes an unsettled shade of deep tumultuous, testy blue.  It didn't come as a surprise that his hard-won peace and serenity had been disturbed - it was bound to end one way or the other.  Still... he could easily see the bruises along her skin; dark and angry.  It was obvious that she had been attached - and he chose not to pry into her mind to find out any further details.  He found that his mind cruelly suggested that she would be easy prey - but this was quite easily disregarded for the moment.**

**He allowed his powerful arms to fold, fighting back the annoyance that she had destroyed the peaceful atmosphere.  He chose not to speak - she would notice him before long.  He remained in his spot, a few feet away from a large oak tree, looking out across the calm pond water;  tossing unruly strands of shoulder-length navy hair back over his armoured shoulder with a flick of a pallid hand...**

**Humans were odd.**

[Wild]

As Flavia ran sobbing through the park she felt her cheek still aching after the blow her husband had landed to her face. There was a red hand-shaped mark where the blow had landed. And this red wound was only the newest of endless marks and bruises scattered all over her body. The bruise covering her eye made it hard to see, especially when the sight on her other eye was misty by all her tears.

As her vision by these wounds had been temporarily reduced by the tears, she did not see where she was running. And this was how the noble-born Flavia Bathory accidentally bumped into something she had not seen in her path. It could be a tree - it could be a person. She didn't know. But she sensed another presence nearby - heard someone breathing in the darkness.

"Please forgive me, I did not mean to bump into you...." she stuttered, trying to stop her heartbreaking sobs for long enough to apologize.

Perhaps was she afraid that whoever she had bumped into now would be as annoyed for her clumsiness as her husband was. Ever since the day she married she had tried so hard to make Rasul pleased with her. But no matter what she did, no matter what she said, he was always angered in the end. The bruises were results of his annoyance.

She braced herself as she waited for a response from the other being, hoping she had not bumped into a tree. It would be embarrassing being seen standing here and talking to a tree. But then again, trees did not breathe in the darkness. Not like this.

[Coma]

**Licon would have much rather have stayed out of her problems - as far as he concerned, they were nothing to do with him.  He was painfully aware that things in this realm were very different to in his own world.  In this place, women were inferior... with that came the understanding that they were likely subservient and beaten down as a matter of course.  These things were unfortunate; but Licon was wise enough to realise that, even with his abilities, there was no use trying to change such view-points.  It was best to just disregard it...**

**Yet... that was exceptionally hard to do on occasion...**

**...Particularly when a young lady who seemed to be just such a victim of this brutality collided into him.  His gaze dropped away from the calming scenery and down to the sobbing young woman.  Her bruises seemed to be quite fresh, likely inflicted today.  One eye was covered by a painful-looking patch of black and purple, her other downcast and teary.**

**Her impact into his leg didn't even cause a sway of movement from the tall demon - there was a fraught moment as he found himself debating whether he should just walk away from the woman or feed from her - given that she had technically attacked him first, he was within his rights... but he found himself having no desire to do so.  Despite her injuries, he could tell that she had only just entered adulthood... she possessed a remarkable beauty, rare for her kind.  So... just what had she done to cause her attacker to lash out on her like this?**

**She apologised, though... something that caused him to relax very slightly and settle back into a more slouching pose, his stormy gaze drifting back to the still waters, a frustrated sigh forcing its way through him; his irritation seemingly lifting away on the night's air.**

"Don't worry about it."

**Whether he was correct to confirm his presence by speaking remained to be seen... a good portion of his mind was still encouraging him to either treat her as a food source... or else leave her to her problems.  Yet, despite himself, there was some curiosity.  Besides... he imagined as soon as she caught an unhindered glimpse of him, she'd likely disappear back into the night...**

"You are... all right?"

**His voice held a faint accent - the words in the same language she had used; but it was quite clear that the language used certainly wasn't his first.  The words he chose were quite faltering, as if he was unsure whether they were correct... but there was confidence present on his deep voice - and in his body language.  He remained perfectly calm and collected; not watching as the unfortunate girl struggled to settle herself down...**

[Wild]

As she accidentally bumped into what she assumed to be a someone, she lost her balance, and clung to this someone to not fall flat on her face. It took her a moment to realize that what her arms were wrapped around was actually a leg. Whoever the owner of this leg was, this someone was much taller than her. But that meant that the someone was also much taller than her husband. From what she could feel of said leg, the stranger was also much stronger than her husband...

With a small, delicate hand covered in bruises she wiped the tears from her eyes, wincing with pain as she touched the eye plastered by the black bruise. Leaning her head backwards, she looked up to see who she had bumped into.

What she could see was a tall, muscular creature clad in tough, leathery midnight-blue armour. She estimated his height to be nearing 9 feet. His eyes were an unsettled shade of deep tumultuous, testy blue - a color she found strangely attractive. His strong, masculine face was surrounded by unruly strands of shoulder-length navy hair.

Seeing him like this, her first impulse was to be scared. But then she heard his voice as he accepted her apology.

"Don't worry about it."

The blows she had expected as punishment for bumping into him never came. Instead this deep voice told her not to worry. Flavia had never heard a man speaking to her so calmly before... Her husband had an icy edge to his voice, an edge he introduced her to already on when they first met on their wedding day.

The creature spoke to her again in her own language. His faint accent revealed that it wasn't his first language, and yet his words revealed that under his rough exterior was hidden a gentle heart.

"You are... all right?"

This voice, so deep and masculine, sounded so warm and soothing in Flavia's torn mind. For a moment she felt a bit calmer, more relaxed.

Do I look like I'm alright? she wanted to ask, but instead she changed the words to "I am now..." as a trembling smile washed over her quivering lips for a few seconds before it disappeared.

[Coma]

**The young woman gripped hold of his leg to prevent herself from falling and a low snarl was issued, a sound that would see most away from him.  Licon did not do well with direct contact - especially when his current companion was a weak little mortal.  Aside this subtle warning, though, he remained quite still; resisting the urge to brush her away from him.  As cold and unfeeling as it would seem to any passers-by, Licon considered this woman as no more than an inconvenience at best.  Even this could be worse, though... at least he had ceased his cold contemplations of turning her into a quick meal...**

**He was still steadfastly refusing to look at her - this was absolutely nothing to do with him and he was quite reluctant to get himself involved in human matters.  He could feel her eyes on him, but didn't react... it was surprising that the expected scream and rapid retreat never came from her.  It was likely that she was beaten down enough to have little care for any danger she was potentially in.**

**He said no more, instead waiting for her arms to untangle from his leg and for her to take a step back.  There was no reaction to her softly-spoken words in response to him - it was impossible to tell whether he had even taken in what she had said.  The instance she steadied herself, his huge form turned and he began to move away from the young lady.**

**Perhaps it was best to return to his own realm - or, at the very least, find somewhere in this place a little quieter.  Still, there was a very faint flickering of guilt; despite himself.  He paused very briefly, hesitating before half-turning back towards her and letting his intense tetchy gaze take in her wounds.**

**They looked worse than they were... by the time morning came, they would likely have faded substantially and just throb.  Still, from how they looked currently; Licon could tell a decent amount about her attacker - the size of the one around her eye suggested that she had been attacked by a male... someone that was considerably stronger than her.  He still refused to pry into her mind and so the guess he gave was purely by his observations.**

"...Your brother hurt you?"

**He might have guessed at her father... but he would be an older man and so would lack some of the force he could see was thrown into the attack.  She seemed very young and so he doubted that it would be a husband.  His other guess was that she had been randomly attacked in the street by a stranger.**

"They will fade."

[Wild]

The grip around Licon's leg eased up a little as the young woman heard his low snarl, and she looked up at him with an apologetic face expression. "I'm sorry, did it hurt?" she asked. "I didn't mean to harm you - I promise..."

Her voice was soft and gentle, the one brown eye not plastered by a bruise sparkling towards him as she looked up at him. Yes, he was much taller than her. Yes, he was definitely not human. But even so, she felt a strange connection to him. She found him strangely attractive, and she felt safe in his presence - for reasons she didn't even know herself. Perhaps others would scream and run away when they saw him, but she stayed where she was. A soft blush covered her cheeks, and it had nothing to do with her wounds.

"Are you new here?" she asked, not sure if she meant to ask if he was new in this town or in this world. "I have never seen you around before..."

When she steadied herself and he began moving away from her she had a face expression like a puppy in the window of an animal shop, a puppy realizing nobody wanted to buy it. She did not understand why she wanted to plead for him to stay - she had only just met him. And yet she felt this strange connection to him, the one she could not explain.

Her heart pounded in her chest as he paused, half-turning back towards her. She stood still as he took in her wounds, allowing him to see what kind of monster her husband was. She shook her head slowly when he asked if her brother had hurt her, knowing that none of her brothers would ever have done anything like this. Unlike their father they were gentle and kind.

"My husband did this."

Her voice was hurt, her eyes showing no enthusiasm as she spoke of her husband. Her face, including the bruises, was a clear giveaway that she was forced into a marriage with a man she did not love.

She looked up at him with the one eye not covered by the bruise when he said the wounds would fade.

"I know...."

This was not the first time her husband had used violence towards her. But this was the first time he had hit her this hard. And she also knew that the bruises in her soul would last forever.

[Coma]

**A disbelieving look flittered across his face for the briefest of instances at the suggestion that she had hurt him.  There was a confused shake of his head at the very implication, accompanied by an almost amused smile.  Humans were very strange... he had long-since learnt not to underestimate anyone, mortal or not; but it was exceptionally difficult when the potential 'threat' was a battered and bruised young woman.  No response to her apology was given over than that mild bemusement.**

**She seemed a gentle enough creature, sweet and unassuming... which, of course, begged the question of exactly why anyone would want to hurt her.  It didn't seem that she would be inclined to start a fight with another.  He might have been considerably more confused if he had any idea that she actually felt safe with him - most of her race would be desperately trying to retreat his presence.  Perhaps it was understandable, considering he had made no effort to personally attack her.  For a moment, there was a stretch of silence between them; before she managed a question.  Well... the least he could do was be honest - and if she reacted badly to the answer, at least it could be counted as a narrow escape...**

"I feed from your kind, so I come here to hunt."

**He didn't wait for a reaction from the young lady - by then, he had started to move away from her.  He entirely missed her look of muted panic, the panicked flash across her features and her desperation for him to remain here with her.**

**When he hesitated and looked back at her, the relief emanating from her was palpable - although, the reason remained entirely unknown to him.  There was no denying that he had been surprised to hear that her husband had done this to her - true, even in his kind, there was fighting between couples; but it rarely got to this sort of level.  The expression on his face changed very slightly - shifting from a look of vague irritation and bewilderment, to one of sheer confusion.  His response was automatic - the implication quite clear towards what members of his kind would do in the situation.**

"Kill him."

**The words were oddly cool, a deadpan chill to them that fully implied that such a retaliation would be fully justified as far as he and his race were concerned.  The politics and background of her predicament would mean very little to him - then, his race were known more for finding their own mates then being forced into disastrous arranged matches that were destined to spell only misery for both parties.  To Licon, the act of killing the man who mistreated her was the best, quickest solution to her dilemma.**

**Still, the pain was clear on her voice, a tone that would be heart-wrenching to most... even he felt quite inclined to help her; but resisted that urge.  Why should he get involved in the life of an unfortunate human?  He allowed a few seconds to study her further - a little more intently this time... what was wrong with her husband?  Exactly why would he be so unhappy with her?  She was a very striking woman and seemed to have a degree of grace and decorum... so, what exactly had happened?**

"...he did this for a reason?"

[Wild]

Flavia looked up at the handsome being before her. While others no doubt would find him frightening, she found him strangely attractive. She silently cursed her husband for beating her so hard. How could anyone find her attractive in her current state? She wished she had been at her most beautiful, to see how this handsome stranger would have reacted to see her at her best. Looking at him, she noticed the mild bemusement on his face by the thought that she could have hurt him. Seeing how strong he was, the idea was hilarious. He was a creature of athletic build, and she was a fragile young woman.

She admired his beauty and strength, wondering who he was, what he was doing here and where he came from. Perhaps she would never get to know these questions, especially if her husband noticed she was missing from her room and came after her. But she decided to stay here in the park for as long as she could, at least when this being was here. She doubted her husband would dare to attack her in the presence of this strong and beautiful creature.

She was not surprised to hear he fed from her kind. There was something about him that she assumed other humans would find frightening. She believed her husband would find this creature frightening too - perhaps this was the reason she felt safe in his presence.

"Could you hunt down my husband?"

The question slipped over her lips before she could stop it. It had been a spontaneous slip, caused by all the suffering her husband's wrath had brought upon her.

She felt relief when he stopped moving away from her, a faint hope that he would stay. She saw his face expression change from vague irritation and bewilderment to sheer confusion as she told him about her husband being the reason behind these wounds. His solution was to kill her husband, and she looked up at him like a puppy who had been sitting too long in cold rain.

"How?" she asked. "He is much stronger than I am, and quite skilled with weapons."

She had known her husband for quite a while now, knew what kind of life he had lived before they were both forced into their loveless marriage. So when the creature asked her what kind of reason her husband had for causing these wounds, she knew how to answer.

"He hates me for being his wife," she replied. "For being forced into an arranged marriage with me while he rather would have spent a careless life with his several whores. He says I am the one standing between him and his freedom - so he punishes me. I don't want to be married to him either, but if we divorce, my husband will lose the annual sum of 30 000 gold coins my father gave us for our wedding."

There was a tiny hint of bitterness in her voice when she spoke of her marriage. She had no illusions of marrying from love - not with her husband. They had hated each other from first sight.

[Coma]

**Commendably, Licon made no comment about her ability to harm him - save that irrepressible expression of bemusement.  He had already made up his mind that it was best to leave this place and let the human return to her own home - despite everything that life had thrown at her, she was remarkably lucky all things considered.  As far as he could tell, her clothing suggested that she heralded from a wealthy background, she undoubtedly had food and a roof over her head at the very least.  Although, this view-point did come from not overly knowing of the exact details of her marriage or just how miserable her day-to-day life was...**

**It was difficult to say whether Licon would have found her infatuation charming or infuriating had he known about it.  He certainly would not have considered himself the lesser of two evils if compared alongside her husband.  After all, the chances were high that her spouse was a mortal man with all the weaknesses and restrictions that such a status brought with it.  Licon, simply, was not.  Even if the height and weight difference between Licon and Rasul were not taken into account; Licon was an exceptionally gifted psychic and was a formidable physical fighter.  True, Rasul was devious and conniving; but that only went so far.**

**It was the coldness of her tone that caused his next hesitation - she honestly wanted her husband to meet his end by such a violent means?  Perhaps if she knew what such a death actually meant she would not have been so quick to ask for it - it started with the soul being wrenched out of the victim... and only worsened from there...**

"I could... but I won't..."

**He preferred to evaluate his kills before setting himself to their demise; besides her question had been so fast as to be considered automatic.  There was no need to dwell on the possibility too much.  A tiny shrug was given to her query on exactly how she was to kill her husband - she seemed a sweet girl, but a little naive on the fundamentals of killing; which perhaps was not surprising.  He doubted many of this race spent time idling about just how best to dispose of an enemy.  Yet, his immediate suggestion in response did not rely on strength or her ability to physically overpower her husband...**

"Poison."

**He listened as she explained her thoughts regarding her husband hating her.  It stood to reason that there would be bitterness from both of them at having their lives disrupted by one another.  After all, who wanted to be paired with someone they had no love for?  Especially if the union was intended to last for the rest of their lives.  Still, this gave no excuse for her new husband to attack her in such a manner... especially if money was his only driving factor.**

"I see."

**This had absolutely nothing to do with him... she was not of his concern and she was already married.  His involvement would likely only make life more difficult for everyone.  Still, it was surprisingly difficult to pull himself away from the young woman and turn his tall form away once again - quite why it was so tricky was a mystery to him... he had never been so intrigued by a mortal before...**

"I should go."

**His words were still clipped, his tone slightly frosty and uncaring - as if he knew that he shouldn't be talking to the human and was almost annoyed at himself for doing so.  Perhaps he truly should only come to this realm when he was actively hunting... it would prevent such strange encounters in the future...**

[Wild]

Flavia was too young, too inexperienced to understand what danger could come to her from this tall stately creature in front of her. True, she saw he was not a human, but so far only humans had harmed her. She was more afraid of her own kind than of anyone else. And the male she saw in front of her was strangely attractive.

She studied his face as she looked up at him, a soft smile washing over her face for only a brief moment. "I am forgetting my manners," she said, offering a deep curtsy. "My name is Flavia Bathory-Syron, the daughter of Count Bathory of Essyrn. And whom do I have the honor of addressing?"

She studied his handsome face when he said he wouldn't kill her husband. She had no doubt that Rasul could suffer tremendously between such strong hands, but at this point of their marriage, after all the time of abuse, she had stopped feeling sorry for him.

"I could pay you..."

Her voice was soft and gentle, and she pulled out a pouch filled with golden coins. "I could pay you with gold, or...."

She stopped for a moment, hesitating only a brief moment before continuing. "Or something else..."

To insinuate what this something else would be, she moved her hand to the shoulder strap of her gown, moving it aside to reveal the pale soft skin of her shoulder. She puffed her young chest area, trying to look tempting like she had seen her husband's mistresses did when they offered themselves to him. From her clumsy movement it was clear it was the first time she offered herself to a man.

She listened when he suggested how she was supposed to kill her husband. She immediately saw all the hinders a girl like her would have with succeeding this plan. She lived in a very guarded household, where her husband or his servants kept an eye on her in all their wake hours. It would be hard for her, not to mention impossible, to find the poison and to put it in something her husband would eat.

"Where would I find poison?" she asked softly. "And how can I trick him to take it? I doubt he would accept anything I offered him."

She didn't mention that Rasul wouldn't even have accepted her if she had offered her body to him. He was a man who only took what he wanted, without offering anything in return.

She looked up at him when he spoke of leaving already, her face expression clearly disappointed. She didn't want him to leave. She wished him to stay here with her, and... She did not know what she wanted. Talk perhaps? Get to know him better?

When he slowly turned away to leave, she reached out, trying to place a tiny hand on his hand, trying to hold him back at least for one more moment as she looked pleadingly up at him.

"Can't you stay for just another moment? Please?"

Her voice sounded lost and lonely, just like she was, and there were faint traces of tears in her eyes.

[Coma]

**She was terribly young and unaware of the dangers around her – those things would come in time, especially if she was tied into an unloving marriage.  Although he was beginning to feel sorry for the young woman; there was little that he could do at this stage to protect her from everything that the world was destined to throw at her.  She was simply not his concern – and it would be foolish of him to concern himself with the exploits and troubles of mortals.**

**She introduced herself – a rather grand name and rank, compared to his own.  Djinn were an odd race; favouring very short names and seldom having any family name attached.  Their kind were ancient, things were a lot simpler when names were short and to-the-point and thus, compared to hers, his own introduction was far less impressive and delivered with that same emotionless tone.  Still – she had his name and that was more than even some of his own race had...**

"Licon."

**The offer of payment came... again, something that he had fully expected.  He allowed a shake of his head to the suggestion of money – he had no need for the currency used in this realm.  What did surprise him was her other immediately offered method of payment.  Just watching her, it was clear that she was not at all experienced in offering such favours – and, if he were entirely honest, he couldn't deny that the nastier sides of his demonic nature were utterly intrigued by the prospect.  He could quite easily take advantage; but a gallant effort saw him managing to see off such dark inclinations.  If she thought that her husband was bad, she'd clearly never encountered a demon properly riled by anger or even lust.**

**Rather than provoke his darker nature, he averted his eyes; turned his gaze politely away from her minuscule display of flesh.  There was the faintest tension of his powerful muscles, a gentle twitch of movement only.  Thankfully, she had quickly turned the subject back round to exactly how she was to kill her husband – her voice had taken on a soft edge, gentle and uncertain.  His suggestions were raised from not knowing the man personally – should he be in the same situation, it would be a simple matter.  For this girl, it was going to be a lot more difficult, particularly if her husband already didn't trust her.**

"You have no freedom to get such things as poison?  I would slip it into something already made for him..."

**As soon as he made to leave, her expression changed – becoming one of disappointment... almost bordering on desperation.  He only caught this look for a moment as he turned; but it managed to burn itself quite forcibly into his mind.  She was a creature of some considerable manipulation, it seemed – whether it was intentional or not...**

**Her hand reached out for him, her warm skin against the cooled paleness of his own.  There was no strength to her grip – it could easily be brushed away and disregarded when taken on its own.  However, it was the pleading tone to her voice and that intenseness in her brown eyes that stalled him when he looked back at her.**

**Quite why she was so desperate for him to stay was still a mystery to him – as was, for that matter, why she was wasn't frightened of him.  He gathered that it had something to do with being more frightened of her husband.  It was something of an insult for a human to be more intimidating than a 9ft demon – and, if he dwelled on it, it would likely antagonize him enough to cause a violent reaction.**

**So... what had held him back?  Yes, he was intrigued by her... there was something about the beguiling look to her, even as beaten up as she was.    His voice, when it arrived, was curious – the emotionlessness giving way to a hint of confusion...**

"Why do you want me to stay?  For all you know, I could be just as violent as the man you fear."

**It was a very valid point – Licon could guarantee that he had far more potential to be a threat than a mere human.  Perhaps she had realized that, currently, the demon wasn't hunting and didn't have it on his mind to be a danger... but that shouldn't stop the natural intimidation that flowed from the demon in powerful waves...**

[Wild]

Flavia looked up at the stately man, or rather Djinn - next to her. There was no trace of fear in her eyes when she admired him. She found him strangely beautiful, and she was mesmerized by the color of his eyes, his skin and his hair. Everything about him was enchanting.

A fascinated smile washed over her face when he said his name - it sounded every bit as magical and wonderful as he looked. "Licon..." she repeated, unaware of the dreaming tone of her voice when she said his name for the first time. "What a wonderful name..."

There was something dreamy in her eyes, at least the one eye not plastered by the bruise. She silently wondered how Rasul would react if he knew that he had chased her off to the park in the middle of the night - only to meet a man she found even more fascinating than him. A little voice in the back of her mind told her that he would not like it, and this brought another smile to her face.

She smiled when he shook his head by the offer of paying him gold for killing her husband. She had a strange feeling that this was a proud man, and that he never would accept to take such payment for a lady. Then there was only one option left - and she was surprised to find out how much she liked the idea. Of course she had been raised well enough to let this show on the surface.

When he averted his eyes and turned his gaze politely away, she smiled softly. "My father says that one should always feel the goods before one buys them," she said, blushing by her own courage. Where did it come from?

I must have taken more after Rasul and my father than I was aware of... she thought to herself.

The thought was even more shocking when she heard herself saying her next words. "You can touch if you want," she said. "I am not dangerous... Besides, it would be a good way to get back at my husband, wouldn't it?"

What are you saying, Flavia? she chided herself. Offering yourself to a complete stranger like one of Rasul's little harlots? But then again - when he can cheat, why shouldn't I?

She lowered her gaze sadly when Licon asked if she had no freedom to get such things as poison. New tears brimmed her eyes, and all her recently gathered courage all of a sudden left her.

"I have no freedom whatsoever," she admitted shamefully. "My husband merely sees me as a subject to use and abuse as he wish. He keeps me locked in the house all day while he goes out to visit his harlots. When he comes home at night he is often drunk, and he hits me."

She listened when he spoke of how she could poison her husband. "I would if I could," she admitted. "But I don't have access to the kitchen. Only the servants are allowed in there..."

Her heart skipped a beat when he looked back at her, her eyes pleading him to stay with her, if only for a few moments longer. She knew it was ridiculous to feel so safe with a complete stranger, but she felt a connection with him that she had felt for nobody else.

When he asked why she wanted him to stay, she looked pleadingly up at him. Her soft lips opened to reply, and her soft cheeks blushed with embarrassment.

"Because I like you," she whispered shyly, lowering her eyes and expecting him to hit her for being so impertinent. "Because I feel a stronger connection to you than I have ever felt with anyone else... I know you could be violent, but to me you have only been kind and gentle - the only man I have ever seen who have showed me any kind of kindness..."

She looked up at him again, her brown eye looking pleadingly into his.

"Please, Licon... Don't go..."

Don't leave me alone here, with my husband....

[Coma]

**Her fascination remained absolutely bewildering to him, his psychic abilities gently suggested that she was becoming infatuated by him; but he hid this newly-gained knowledge quite well.  Once again, his more demonic tendencies quickly jumped at the fact that he could easily take advantage of her – and why shouldn't he?  She was putting herself in this danger all on her own, she had been given many chances to flee him from the very first moment they had met – and she had let those opportunities drift away.  Even his more compassionate side was beginning to quietly agree that she knew what she was getting into – and that it was her own risk to take...**

**There was a strange dreamy tone to her voice, a matching look across her eyes as she complimented his name; but he did not respond to it for the time being, lost in quiet, confused contemplations of his own.  This mortal was very strange... that definitely went without saying.  She purred another invitation at him... for him to touch her and, with a sizeable effort, he managed to keep himself at bay; shaking his head and managing to refuse the invitation again.**

"Your father shouldn't refer to you as an object."

**His voice had a bitter tone – to him, it was quite incomprehensible that anyone refer to their children in such a way; regardless if they were male or female.  It felt too barbaric, even for a place such as this where women were thought of as widely inferior.  Djinn were considerably more advanced – female Djinn were considerably rarer, but they were treated with the same degree of respect as their male counterparts.  It was equally strange to him that Flavia had no degree of freedom... a fact he voiced with a skeptical tone to his voice...**

"None?  You are away from your husband now.  Just don't go back.  What stops you from leaving him?"

**Of course, whether she would manage to stay away from her husband was another matter – if he were to lose such a substantial amount of money, he would likely hunt her down and drag her back to their home.  Killing him remained the only real option – and she was quite adamant that she wasn't able to do that.  Still, she would no doubt find a way – trying to hire him as an assassin was along the right lines, but Licon was no hired killer.  There had to be hunters in this realm she could perhaps turn to...**

**He could feel that she responded honestly enough to him when he asked why she wanted him here.  Even without his psychic abilities, he could detect the bashful tone to her voice and the bashful rose flush against her skin.  Yet... a connection?  She felt a connection with a demon?  She must be insane... she had to be.  He had been nothing but frostily polite to her, had even initially snarled for her to keep her distance from him... that had been the kindest any man had ever been to her?  There was no hint of an untruth from her, no deception or ulterior motive – and with that being the case, it was actually quite sad.  Despite himself and his demonic instincts telling him just to forcibly drag her away and hold her captive, he felt sorry for her...**

**When she pleaded with him again to stay and not leave her, he allowed a deep sigh and a baffled shake of his head, tormenting those long strands of midnight blue to fall over his shoulders; before he managed a breath of a reply.**

"Fine."

[Wild]

Flavia watched the stately creature beside her, feeling her heart beating faster just by standing beside him. What was wrong with her? She had only just met him, and then her heart started beating like crazy just by the sight of the flexing of  his strong, well built muscles under his robes?

Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.......

Flavia shook her head in confusion. Where did that come from? She blushed lightly, wondering if Licon had noticed her fascination of his exotic being. Little did she know that he was trying to stop himself from taking advantage of her - and if she had known she would probably have been even eager to talk him into touching her.

Though, she noticed a look of confusion on his face and a sizeable effort as he managed to refuse the invitation. She mistook him for being shy - after all she had not been married for long, and thus she had not yet gathered much life experience.

"It is okay, you can touch me if you want," she said gently. "I don't bite, and I don't suffer from rabies..."

She heard a bitter tone in his voice when he said her father shouldn't refer to her as an object. She looked up at him in childlike wonder. Didn't all fathers treat their daughters as object? At home father did not only treat her and her sisters as objects, but also his wife and the servants of their household. He was the Master of the house, the head of the family, and they all had to obey him.

"Why?" she asked. "Doesn't all fathers do that?"

She sighed when Licon pointed out to her that she was away from her husband now. Her eyes filled with sadness when she spoke of her husband. "If I don't come back, my husband will probably come and drag me back," she said. "Or he will send his servants for me. And when I return I will be beaten until I can't sit for a week for being a disobedient wife again. No matter how hard I try to be a good girl he always complains... It is so hard to know what is right and what is wrong, when the rules changes every day."

She lowered her head when he asked what stopped her from leaving.

"My father sold me to my husband's family for a lot of money, and they brought him precious gifts in return. My husband and I both belong to powerful families, and if I break the contract, the two families may go to war against each other. I couldn't bare to think of innocent lives being lost because of me."

She blushed deeply and didn't dare to look at him after admitting to feeling a connection to him. She had no idea why she had said that, it came spontaneously. But as soon as the words fell, she knew in her heart that they were true. Why? She didn't even know. It was like meeting someone for the first time - and then it felt like she had known them forever....

A tiny hint of a smile washed over her face when he decided to not leave, glad that he would stay with her for a little while longer. She loved the sight of his midnight blue hair falling over his shoulders. He was handsome and strong, even if others might find him intimidating.

"Thank you...." she said softly. "I feel safe with you...."

[Coma]

**At least it was relatively accurate that few would try and attack her when she was in a demon's company; although many might question why said demon wasn't taking the opportunity to hurt her himself.  Even his own kind would be inclined to question his motives - especially given that he could overpower her and force her to make a careless wish.  Once a wish was requested, he was well within his rights to wrench her soul away and disappear with it, content with an easy meal.  Her death wouldn't be traced back to him - and even if it was, why should he care?  It would teach the mortals of this place to be far more wary of demons...**

**Yet, he had no desire to harm her... he would normally take any opportunity for an easy kill, but not with her.  Quite why he felt such reluctance, he wasn't sure - but he chose not to question it at present.  There had to be a reason... it just wasn't making itself known to him as yet...**

**His leathery armour creaked very slightly as he moved, his arms folding testily in ill-contained frustration at his own confusion.  His own uncertainty was frustrating him - a dangerous mindset for a demon to be in.  Her fascination in him hadn't been missed - her blushing insistence of his touch had spelled it out very clearly.  He had also noticed the way she looked at him, the star-struck shine across her eyes... utterly alien to the way any others of her kind had looked at him...**

**At her new assurance that she was happy for him to touch her; he felt his resolve begin to crumble - his darker side was beginning to tire of his refinement and polite declination.  She was being dreadfully forward, tormenting the demon to such a dangerous extent... but the threat didn't at all seem to bother her...**

**Her words about her father, about her husband and the dreadful circumstances of her life went unheard... his own mind had shifted from the quiet intelligence he had displayed earlier to a far more aggressive mindset.  Around him, the atmosphere changed from one of ever-present lingering peril and foreboding, to one of intense outright danger and electrifying dread.  Thankfully, at least, he managed to retain his more humanoid appearance and did not slip into his bestial true form, the one of the real demon lingering beneath his usually closely-maintained calm.**

**He vaguely caught her smile, her gratitude for his remaining here - and her assurance that she felt safe with him...**

**She really shouldn't...**

**Those already midnight eyes were now dangerously darkening, the intimidating presence that usually clung to him increased by a hundredfold.  He might have warned her that it was foolish to have tormented a demon closer to darkter thoughts, the hold on his more mild temperament fleetingly tenuous at the best of time.  Now, though... now it was too late...**

**A predatory look had overtaken his shadowy gaze... a hungry, intense stare that promised nothing but pain and suffering.  For the first time, there was a very slight smile across his thin lips... a dark expression that spoke only of maliciousness and cruelty.  His abilities had unlocked fully, his psychic abilities buzzing around him in nearly-audible waves - walls of psychic talent reverberating outwards, testing his surroundings...**

**Like this, with all his intimidation and his abilities surrounding him, she would have been forgiven for darting away - but it would be incredibly perilous for her to do so.  It would likely only stir his instincts to hunt her down... and that was liable to be dreadfully disadvantageous for her.  At least, though, she could see that there were worse, more intimidating things in the world than her eternally-unhappy husband.  At least Rasul, for all his faults, didn't have this dreadful feeling of dread and violence around him...**

**It was fortunate, perhaps, that she had riled up more primal urges in the demon; rather than driving him fully towards anger or the sheer desire to kill her.  He moved surprisingly fast for such a huge creature - his hand darting out to attempt to grip her wrist and pull her toward him in a fluid, forceful movement.  Surprisingly, he did not intend to hurt her - but given his natural strength and the size difference between them, it might be an unfortunate, unavoidable occurence.**

**Once against his armour, his hand still wrapped authoritively around her wrist; she would be able to easily feel the full force of his presence, the intense impact of his powers skirting around her; bouncing away as if repelled from her.  There was a moment of hesitation, doubtless while Licon tried and failed to get his bearings and pull himself back under his usual tight control... before he leaned far down; aiming to capture her lips with his own cold, pallid ones in a forceful kiss...**

[Wild]

Flavia stood next to Licon and looked up at him with sparkling eyes. Not for a moment did it occur to her that he was a dangerous demon and that she might be in danger. So far he had been nothing but kind to her - speaking to her as if she was his equal. Flavia could not remember many times in her life where anyone had spoken to her like that....

She enjoyed everything about him, even the way his leathery armour creaked when he moved. She could see a faint trace of frustration in his face when she looked up at him, but she had no idea why, much less that he was frustrated because of anything that had to do with her.

As she stood beside him, chatting innocently about anything that slipped through her mind to make him stay for just a little while longer, she saw his midnight eyes darkening dangerously. She loved to see his eyes shifting in so many colors - she found the different shades beautiful and fascinating at the same time. She saw a hungry, intense stare in his shadowy gaze, a slight smile across his think lips. She loved to see his smile - in a strange way she found it attractive.

If she had been a magical creature, she might have discovered the dark waves of dread and violence about him. But she was just a young woman, not yet experienced enough to know that there were far more dangers in the world than an abusive husband. Never did it occur to her that she was in danger, or what might happen to her next. So she stayed, lost in her admiration for the attractive male beside her.

When he suddenly moved to grip her wrist, she willingly followed when he pulled her towards him. Perhaps it was this willingness to do as he wanted which kept her safe from harm.

Pressed against his armour she could feel her heart beat, not from fear - but from happiness that caused a big smile to slowly beam up her face. She enjoyed the touch of this fascinating man, and she pressed willingly against him when he leaned far down. There was a soft purr of pure bliss escaping her lips when he leaned  in to kiss her, and she tried to wrap her arms around him and returning his kiss with passion.

[Coma]

**There was such blind naivety in her, such unawareness of what was around her and the dangers that lurked in this realm she called home.  In a way; her sweet, innocent nature was endearing... he found himself uncharacteristically hoping that it would not become her downfall.  Yet those thoughts were short-lived – he was soon lost to the malevolent darkness of the true demon that resided eternally within him and the dreadful powers that ebbed around his powerful form.**

**There was a very faint sense of relief that she didn't run from him – the result may well have been far different than the one she was currently enjoying.  Any movement to escape from her would have drawn him to chase her down – and that would have no beneficial outcomes for her.**

**Her voice was lost to him, it mattered little what she was saying or how she stared at him.  It would have amazed him that she was so willing to be pulled to him – there was no screaming from her, no desperate struggling or cursing him for his forwardness... just that bewildering eagerness and that content smile.  She had gotten exactly what she had wanted and, although it was confusing to him that any human could honestly be interested in a demon; it was too late for either of them to backtrack away from this situation now.**

**As his lips forcefully met hers, she pressed herself closer against the hardness of his armour; stooped as he was, that long midnight hair obscured both their faces.  A pleased, contented sound escaped her and she returned the kiss.  No... she didn't just reciprocate – she worked to deepen it, pushing herself into the kiss and filling it with a lust and passion all of her own.**

**Again, a dangerous move on her part... but at least one that partially paid off for her...**

**As a result of her enthusiastic response to the kiss, he allowed a guttural growl of lust – something dreadfully sinister and frightening.  His hand, that had remained wrapped round her wrist, raised; lifting instead in an attempt to tilt her chin up a little; the intense kiss was broken... but she was given no time to recover her breath from it.  Instead his lips approached her neck, attempting to press a kiss there; on a tender area that would undoubtedly set her nerves firing pleasurable sparks to her brain...**

[Wild]

Flavia delighted in the handsome looks of the handsome male standing beside her. Her heart was fluttering in her chest - not from fear, but from something else. Her eyes sparkled with stars when she looked up at him, she felt warm inwardly, and if there were dangers around him she surely didn't see them.

She did not plan to run from him, as she felt no fear when he was nearby. No, she felt strangely safe in the presence of her strong, tall new friend. She wondered how Rasul might have reacted if he knew that he with his actions had caused her to run right into the arms of another man - a man that seemed to capture her more with each minute passing.

Pressed against the hardness of his armour, Flavia moaned in pleasure as she deepened the kiss. Her slender hands buried themselves in his hair, and she curled her tongue around his in a deep, passionate kiss. She pressed her body against his, trying to entice him to go further in his kisses and caresses.

His guttural growl of lust encouraged her, and she willingly leaned her head backwards to grant him access to her neck when he lifted her chin a little. The feel of his lips on her bare neck set her nerves firing pleasurable sparks to her brain.

"Oh Licon," she moaned, pressing her body against his as her heartbeats became more rapid and her breath more shallow.

Her own hands trailed lightly over his body on the outside of his clothes, trying to caress every patch of his skin she could reach. Her moist lips caressed him eagerly where she could reach him, and she whimpered with desire as she pressed her slender body closer to his.

[Coma]

**She pressed up against him, her hands exploring the hard resistance of his armour – a fact that drove waves of confusion through his already-baffled mind.  Quite why the pretty little human had taken such an interest in him was an utter mystery... one that was exceptionally difficult not to question.  She had mentioned feeling safe in his presence; but... why would anyone feel safe with one of his kind?  They weren't known for their kindness and patience, after all...**

**Her husband would have definitely reacted purely should he have seen her with the demon at this moment – Rasul was already quite certain that his wife either was or was going to cheat on him.  This would only absolutely confirm this belief and force jealous anger and resentment further through Rasul – something that would only bring absolute misery to Flavia in the long run.  Of course, Licon cared little about such misfortunes at the moment – her marriage was not his concern.**

**Her pleasurable little noise barely registered with him... her hand found long strands of his hair and, uncharacteristically, he allowed this; perhaps surprised that the girl even dared be as forward as she was being, particularly in a location so open to passers-by seeing her infidelity and rushing to report back to her husband.  Before his more rationale mind could linger too long on this possibility she had deepened the kiss, letting her tongue torment his...**

**Once that first kiss was broken, he had hoped to regain control of his less primal self; but that wasn't to be.  Her reaction to his forwardness only encouraged his darker instincts.  Her breathing his name did drive him back to his senses, though... he managed to force himself back to his formidable full 9ft height, shaking his head very lightly in baffled confusion.  He couldn't deny that waves of desire still harshly shook through him, particularly as she had begun to brush her hands and lips over the bare skin of his wrists.**

**After a few seconds, he managed to persuade himself to take a faltering step back, away from her.  His voice was low and quite remorseful for his own actions.  He had not intended to lead her into cheating on her husband... and he felt quite dreadful for it...**

"...you're married."

**The flow of power was beginning to absorb back into him from his moment of uncontrolled instinct.  His gaze lifted away from her, turning to glance around the park.  By the entrance, a man lingered, staring at the two of them.  Now that Licon's power had faded away; he was now brave enough to step closer, glaring all the while at Flavia in ill-concealed hatred.  Licon made no movement toward the newcomer, assuming it was a disapproving townsperson who had been horrified that a married woman would associate with another, let alone a demon...**