Spirits of the Earth

He hated the looks he got sometimes – those questioning glances he got whenever he sat down at a bar to have a swing of mead, wondering, How old is this guy, anyway? At five feet, five inches, some of the guys in this tavern could've picked him up and thrown him out if they wanted to, but the stare from those pale grey eyes told them they might want to rethink such a decision. The tattoos that cloaked his wrists, and the dark hood he slung over his head spoke mysteries to the normies, but for Reks, they were just weapons – arms he held to intimidate, to threaten with wordlessly with his eyes and stance alone. It normally worked. It left him alone, but not lonely.

The only company he held was a mug of spiced mead and a plate of Hyoite's famous crab. He only sipped at his mead, head held down, and his hood covering most of his face. The upside to having cat ears (that he would forever hide from this world) was that he could hone in on every conversation being held in this tavern, and keep up with each and every one of them, all at the same time. They spoke of trivial things – of the fishing season, of the stagnant, ever frozen weather, and of family and friends. No one seemed to speak of the mages – or of magic itself. Perhaps he really was amongst normies here, but that wasn't what Reks wanted in the slightest.

He should rest, he knew – it would do good to give himself a vacation, wouldn't it? But he wasn't sure he knew of anyone who would come to this frozen wasteland for a vacation – maybe a quick stop for the mead here, sure, but besides that, there was nothing notable, except the family atmosphere the taverns and pubs seemed to hold. As he held his mug of ale out, he caught sight of his tattoos – spiraling, branching out across his wrists, a symbol of the curse, of his taint. And he smirked a little – because, if not for the curse, maybe he wouldn't be here at all?

So what, if no mages lurked in this town – was it a crime to enjoy himself? Reks laughed to himself, holding his mug to the bartender, who seemed apathetic and indifferent to the eighteen year old sitting at his counter. Peering at the barkeep from over his mug, Reks asked, "Not much entertainment around here, is there?"

He seemed to strike a nerve. The bartender looked up from the cup he was cleaning, and cut his eyes at Reks, unnerved. "Normally, there ain't," he muttered, with a crooked drawl. "You're a city boy, ain'tcha? I can tell by that look in your eyes. You're probably all stone and no heart – just like all tourists who come here, just to sit at the bar and run their mouths, criticizin'."

Reks cut his eyes at the barkeep, but did not put down his mug. There was that stare again – and in that moment, he thanked the spirits for his eyes, for intimidation really was the best sort of skill to have. The barkeep could not hold the mage hunter's gaze, and returned to his cleaning, grumbling. "We're supposed to have entertainment tonight," the keep grumbled again, cleaning his cup more vehemently. "A dancer. Paid good money for her." He gestured toward the tavern's stage with his damp washcloth. "You should get a good seat while you can."

He raised an eyebrow, curious, and flipped a coin the barkeep's way for his trouble. He had been wrong – Reks wasn't a city boy, far from it. He had grown up on the Isles, where troubles were supposed to be figments of the imagination. Maybe the streets did harden me, Reks thought as he left the bar, moving up closer to the stage to get a better seat, taking his mead with him. But I'd rather be tough than soft. So he'd relax, for now. But he knew there were mages in Hyoite, somewhere – and he'd find them, take them back where they belonged.

But even machines, Reks knew, took breaks. Didn't he deserve a vacation?

As the old clock in the corner stroke midnight and the dull bell rang out... ding... dong... ding... dong... Slowly fading away just as the lights in the tavern did. Everything but the dim candle light on some of the tables, and the growing light that soon engulfed the stage. And just like the bells faded, this ominous music started to play.

First, there was a rustling behind these thick black curtains. A body pressed against them, moving.. seductively, to each beat. Then a pure white hand snaked out, finger charms attached to the thumb and index finger being snapped together to add to the music. Slowly, off beat at first.. then gradually on the beat. Then a mixture. Tempting the music to be faster.

But, suddenly the music just stopped. And the lights went out.

In the darkness there was this soft bell chime again. Ding...dong... ding... dong.. Then, this sound of rustling chains and smaller, higher pitched bells. Slowly, softly, but still there.

A dim figure came into view, hips swaying, hands moving swiftly. Tail swaying. As her hips moved faster, beckoning the return of the music, the lights suddenly snapped back on and the music started to play.

The feline dancer took off into a full dance. Her stomach dancing. Her hips enticing the gaze of her audience as her muscles pulled and pulsed to the beat. Using years of training it seemed as though her hips were the only things moving at times. Flowing as if they weren't attached to her.

Then she would spin. Shaking the chains and bells at her waist, her tail flicking another bell around to a certain beat-- the bell toll.

Her blue and violet eyes scanned the room as she danced, picking out her next piece.. Someone who she would add to her dance.

He jumped, flinched a little, as the lights went out; the sudden change of atmosphere hadn't been anticipated, and if there was anything Reks hated, it was a surprise. A sip of the mead swept his chills away, and kept his eyes focused on the stage, and on the figure that had stepped into the dim view. Despite the lack of light, he could still see that dancing figure as clear as day, kept his pale grey eyes glued onto her form.

Men around him stood up from their seats at the sight of her, yelling and whistling, easily amused. Like children, Reks knew, or like dogs – more reckless than he. But he had to remember, these people had probably rarely, if ever, saw dancers at all. To some, this was a special present, like an unexpected birthday, but to Reks, this was a distraction, an outlet, to take his mind away from the tattoos that bit at his skin like hungry vipers. Her presence was a blessing, a diversion – her body moved in ways his eyes could follow, which he did without much thought.

And then, he noticed – a tail! And ears, of the feline variety! He drew the mug of mead away from his lips and leaned forward in his seat, to get a better look. And surely, she had to be part feline, or have some feline blood in her. He sat back in his seat, curious – he had never seen another with cat ears before. Unconsciously, he tugged down on his hood, making sure it was snug, so his own set of ears wouldn't be seen in the tavern. But even if he had pulled his own hood away, he doubted anyone would notice. All eyes were on her.

So were Reks', but only because he had never seen a dancer of the feline variety. Hell, he had never seen someone who had feline blood in them at all. He crossed his arms, so that both of his palms were on his tattoos (as if that'd help the pain) and wondered how he should feel about this, or how he should feel about her eyes darting across the stage, as if she were looking for someone.

Reks was normally good at blending into the shadows and staying out of sight, invisible. But he was on the edge now (moreso that normal), and that might've cast him into her sights...

Like a hawk honing in on its prey, her eyes focused on Reks'. His intense gaze and such intimidating eyes. He was perfect!

She spun on her paws, her cat like feet keeping her upright and balanced while claws allowed her to move in ways that a normal person would slip. The music began to slow and she made her way to the edge of the stage. Her hips still except for perfectly timed jolts that made the music sound eerie.

Carefully stepping off the stage by means of the stairs. Each step seeming as though they belonged in the music. The lights followed her as she glided over to the man. A smirk gracing her cherry painted lips and she leaned in close to him. Her stomach dancing, her breasts brushing against his cheek. She brought an arm around him to hold him close as her hips danced to a new and livelier beat. Her tail swaying, twisting and turning with her hips.

She had no issues with any of her personal space being against him. As she danced next to him-- all but giving him a lap dance. Her eyes scanning his face, then focused on those tattoos...and never left. Studying them, and it seemed like she knew just what they were.

She was leaving the stage, making her way over to him.

No, that was conceited. Why would she be coming over here? To prove his point, Reks looked behind him, expecting to see some excited sap that would be getting all of her attention, but saw no one there. No one was there. The only person she could possibly be focusing her sights on was him, and everyone in the tavern knew it but him. He set his cup of mead down, staring up at her, wide-eyed and confused, almost boyish in his bewilderment.

She was close – too close, a little too close – dancing up against him, her breasts brushing against him, her hips swaying in his lap. Without his protest or his consent, she placed his hand around her, which automatically brought her closer as she swayed near him, so close. It was strange – he had never found women to be entrancing, but how could he not stare, when she was demanding his full attention. Her hips were hypnotizing – and he found his hands moving by themselves, moving down to her hips, as if he wanted to find a way to control, to understand, this intoxicating, sinful display.

It was no use, though – any witty remark he could've said had been stolen away from him, unfairly, cruelly. He only stared up at her, his hands on her hips, as no words would come forth to his lips. It was then he noticed, her staring at his tattoos – and he looked up at her then, his pale eyes to hers, as if to question her curiosity, but again, he would not speak. And how could he? And interrupt this almost sacred dance? No, Reks would not. So he kept her close, steadying his breathing – it was all a little too much to handle. But he did hold her gaze – it was the only shred of free will he had left. Every other part of him was held prisoner to her dance.

Soon the song ended like it began.. with a bell chime.. This time the chime only coming from the bell on her tail. She pulled from him, letting his fingers slide off her hips slowly. Turning to look at him she slipped him a single, small, piece of paper.. then returned to the stage with her hips and tail playing out the last bits of the song until she disappeared behind the curtains.

But, that boy.. She had to see him again. See those markings. She was sure she knew what they were! She had seen them before. But that hood obscured most of her vision of him. Other than those eyes, she knew little of him.

Hence that paper.. it was so sinfully hidden in her bra.. handed to him swiftly. On it a simple note: Come see me and a simple address and time.

1 am.. Would that be too soon or too late? She was already on her way to that room.. A simple room left for her by the tavern owner. A place for her to stay for the days that she danced for him. And, after she tucked her money away, she sat at the window and waited for that ill-fated boy.

"Those tattoos... I know them. Any cat would."

A chime echoed through the room – brought Reks back to reality.

His hands slid from her hips, and suddenly, the spell was gone. He pulled his hood down a little further, listened to the yells and hollers for more from the tavern, and wondered if a spell really had been cast on him. Ah, but that was a laugh – she was simply a dancer, a damn good one at that. Preoccupied with his own thoughts, Reks almost missed it – her handing him a slip of paper before disappearing into the diminishing crowd. If he had been quick enough, he would've stopped to ask her why? or what for?, but he had missed his chance, had failed on the quick draw. So he sat back, slumped in his chair, casting his eyes over the paper, taking in its contents quickly.

Come see me, it said, with a quick address and time scrawled quickly on it. He flipped the paper, checking its back for an explanation, and found none. He frowned a little, biting his lip, wracked with indecision. He looked up again, as if expecting her to appear in front of him, but there would be no miracles worked in this tavern tonight. Come see her, it said... And it could be for anything. Was she soliciting him? Or was this about something else, something more important, like his tattoos, which she couldn't take her gaze away from? Maybe she knew the witch that cursed him – maybe she was the witch who cursed him, in a different form.

Groggily, he stood up from his seat near the stage, walked past the barkeep, tossed another coin his way. "It was a good show," he admitted to him, which made the barkeep smirk. It probably wasn't every day that a damned 'city boy' was impressed with the entertainment in Hyoite, and the barkeep tucked away that gold coin – it was money well earned. Reks laughed to himself at the barkeep's good humor, pulled his hood over his head, and trekked on, to the address inked out on the paper. He was probably an idiot, he was probably setting himself up, but hell, curiosity killed the cat, didn't it? Hell, he had nine lives to waste. What was the harm?

Ten minutes later, he was standing outside the given address, his hood pulled down, so that only his eyes were visible from underneath the shadows of his cloak. He knocked, twice, and for good measure added, "It's me. The one from the tavern." He stuck his hands in his pockets – and the seconds that passed felt like hours. He counted under his breath, to sixty and back, anxious, on the edge.

When he was like this, he could feel everything around him – the tavern patrons that passed him by (there were three in this hallway), the conversations that were being had (two to his right, about the show tonight, and one to his left, about trivialities), and who was staring at him, or paying him too much attention. So far, he was inconspicuous, but that didn't mean he still wasn't on edge. He reached sixty, and started his count back again, to take his mind off who was lurking beyond that door.

Her ears twitched at the sound of the knock. And that sweet and sultry voice that echoed out so softly-- like he was testing her hearing. She smirked. Stood up and approached the door.

She snapped open the lock and slid the door open to look at the feeble boy. Her eyes gazing over his body, then back to his eyes. Piercing still. Just what was he hiding? She stepped aside and let him in. Unashamed at her less than clothed self.. She wore just a black bra and matching lace panties. Who said she had decency? There was something about this boy. If she could lull him into talking... that would be great.

Once he was safely inside, the door was shut. The lock fastened. And a simple spell silently put in place that bound the lock. She wanted him there. To stay. To answer some questions.

Gliding, she moved to his side. Her body following the movements of the snow leopard for which her features favored. That long tail wrapping around his waist. "What's your name?" She almost purred into his ear. No need to scare him.. Not yet.

He stepped inside, and immediately froze, his right cat ear twitching under his hood. Did he hear the door lock? It's normal, he told himself. Everyone locks their doors. She was locking intruders out, not locking him in, of course. He would've started counting again, anything to take away the anxiety, but instead, he took another cleansing deep breath, calming down. This was fine. This was totally fine. He was locked in a room with a total stranger, but that was fine – everything was sugar and rainbows.

Her tail wrapped around his waist as she asked his name, and there were those chills that went up his spine – she seemed not to care for his personal space in the slightest. Before, it had been intoxicating, but now, with the bells and whistled removed, with company diminished to just the two of them, it made him wonder how long he could stand it.

"It's rude to ask someone's name before giving your own," Reks pointed out matter-of-factly – it was always something that bothered him about strangers, and normally he'd make a habit of learning their name first, but this atmosphere was more unnerving than anything. Her blatant disregard for her scantily clad form, along with her invasion of his personal bubble made him want to comply than bother arguing about it.

"...It's Reks," he offered anyway, after a beat, his voice all stone and no heart, just like the barkeep accused him. Last names were something she could do without – first names were a gift, if anything. "I assume you called me here for a reason," he continued on, his hands still stuck in his pockets, his stance indifferent, despite his mood. "A reason that doesn't involve the invasion of my person space." This last line was sarcastic, joking, if it was possible to joke in a stone voice, that is. It was his attempt at being comfortable in a place where he obviously wasn't.

Her tail tightened around him when he barked back at her. He was the man. He should offer his name first. But, he gave in easier than his words had led her to believe. "Reks... huh?" She repeated. Her tail slinking away from him at the 'personal space' remark.

That was when she noticed how uneasy he was. So, to spare him indignities, she put on a robe.. But went right back up to his side. "I'm Solea." She said softly. Looking over him again. "I suppose I owe you an explanation." She began. "....for bringing you here."

Slowly, she reached up, her slender fingers curled into that hood of his.. Then, she yanked it down. At first she was shocked, but that was because her hunch was right. She reached up and ran her fingers over his ears.. then stepped back. "I see.."

Her gaze returned to his wrists. "And what did you do for such an honor?" She asked, snidely.

Reks was off his game, off his edge. Thrown into this strange environment, he was vulnerable here, and never saw her hand coming up close to his hood, stripping it away, revealing his cat ears to her. Wide eyed, indignant, Reks took a step back out of self-preservation (a first for him, he was someone who always moved forward) and fumed at her question – what right did she have to ask it?

"What do you care?" he barked, because she may as well have stripped him of his clothes, held him naked in candlelight.  Instantly, his hands went to his ears, before he thought to pull his hood back over them, cloaking them from view again, even though she had already seen them. Still, the hood was not pulled as far back as it had been before – it had been tacked back on sloppily, in a fit of rage.

"...They're none of your business," he continued, angry, no longer able to look her in the eyes. It didn't matter that she was nearly feline herself – what mattered was that she had exposed him, his best-kept secret, his one, vain weakness. It was ironic, that someone who was more feline than himself should be the first besides the witch and himself to see his ears, but Reks didn't think of it like that. It was an invasion, one of the highest degree, one that he couldn't just get over, despite the fact that he shouldn't be getting angry, he should not be getting angry...

"The ears, the tattoos... the curse... This is all my business. This doesn't have anything to do with you." He looked up at her, those pale grey eyes more demanding than angry – wanting an explanation from a woman who he barely knew anything about, except her name, and her profession.

As he spoke, he felt the tattoos glowing, their ominous black ink growing brighter – injecting more of the poison in his system. His punishment. His cursed. He winced slightly, used to the pain, but not used to being subjected to it in front of a total stranger.

She couldn't help but chuckle at his anguish. How he put himself through more pain just to prove a point. His anguish. Really.. he didn't have to suffer.

He let him fume for a bit, her ears perking up and she smiled to him. "Might want to calm down there, cat boy.. You don't want to turn into a cat now, do you?" she asked. Letting out that necessary fact that she already knew this curse. This very damnation on his soul.

"I know those markings. Your ears. The pain you feel.. How it's more painful now. How you can turn into a cat if you're not careful." She sucked in a sweet breath and walked over to the window. "Aa... I could help you.. But, that would require your cooperation. Something I think you're not capable of." She sat on the sill and looked to him.

"And.. Possibly something in return."

He sucked in a breath, attempting to calm down, counting to sixty mentally in his head. She was right – he didn't want to turn into a cat, didn't want to look any more catlike than he already did. The ears were enough – the mistake of his raging inferno the first night he had been turned. But if he started getting a tail, possibly fur... Well, it'd just get harder and harder to hide.

But then – he raised an eyebrow - he had never told her about the curse. His stance was more neutral, curious. "How... How do you know about that?" he asked, his voice quiet, questioning, yet doubtful. Reks crossed his arms in front of his chest, hood still pulled over his ears, watching her tentatively, as she sat on the sill.

This one – he had never met another person who unnerved him as much as she did. It was her confidence that did it, that unerring stride of hers that seemed to assure her audience that she knew what she was doing. Maybe it was something he lacked. And she was confident because she apparently did know – about the curse, the tattoos, and how he was even in more pain right now, and most importantly, about the threat that loomed over his head.

"I'm capable of cooperation," Reks corrected, and under the hood, his ears twitched. "I'm just... not sure if this is a serious offer, is all." He shook his head, put his hands back in his pockets, shrugged. "I mean, why help me, of all people?" He was not used to accepting charity from others unless he asked for it – and his days as a vagabond on the streets were long over. If this offer were serious, if she could really help him... He wasn't sure what to make of it.

"And.. Possibly something in return."

"So there's a catch," he asked, but it was a statement, not a question. He sighed, shook his head. "...If this offer is serious, then there's nothing I wouldn't give, to lift this curse." He was pretty sure he meant that too – at the time, he couldn't think of anything he wouldn't do to erase this looming threat. That is, if she was being serious. And he hoped to the gods that she wasn't just toying with him.

She had her gaze focused on the moon for the longest of time.. But, soon turned to look at him. "Why help you?" she mused. Standing up and looking over him. "You're the first person I met who looks like me. Even if it's a lie. You still resemble me." She paused. "And I know the pain of being like me." She smirked. "And not being able to hide it."

She walked back over to him and flicked the hood off his head. Looking at those ears. Then she took his hands in hers and studied the markings. "This one's strong.. It can only be canceled by the person who made it-- although. There is a way to neutralize it. Stop the pain.. Return to human form. But it comes at a high price."

She stepped back from him. "You have to stay a certain distance to the one who neutralizes it.. Or it will come back, only to go away when you are back in that zone. And, the person who neutralizes it will bare the same tattoos." She nodded.

"I would think you would know more about this curse... the price you have to pay. That 'something more'.. is choosing to travel with that person who helps you-- me."

He wondered what it was like – to have  such strong feline blood and not be able to hide it with a hood. He couldn't imagine her any other way though, without the ears, the tail, and the fur. But him? He had been fully human once. He had at least looked normal, if not different from everyone on the Isles.

Now he was constantly cloaking himself in shadows, but even that wasn't a though enough disguise. Again, she reminded him of how flimsy his hood was by flicking it off without a second thought, looking at his ears. He scowled when she did so, but said nothing, and merely grumbled incoherencies under his breath.

Solae took his hands in hers, studying the tattoos, and spoke of a way to help – to neutralizing the curse, to prevent the pain from constantly flowing through him. He sucked in his breath, trying not to get too excited – because news like that, it was too good to be true. It was too good to believe, really, but he was unsure why this stranger would call him here just to lie to him. He was still tense, especially since she spoke of a high price.

How much money was he carrying on him right now, anyway?

When she stepped back away from him, he pulled the hood back over his head, grumbling, wondering if it'd be rude to stop and get out his money pouch, to see if he had enough to pay this high price. But no, she spoke of a different price – of travelling around with the person who bore similar tattoos, who would neutralize the curse – her.

"Whoa," he began, taking a step back, holding his hands up defensively. "I would have to travel with you... and go everywhere you go?" No no no, Reks was a free agent – he went where he want, wherever he wanted. Plus, his work as a mage hunter forced him to never stay in one place – how else was he supposed to keep up with mages on the run? He couldn't see it, dragging her into his life and her dragging him into hers – it was preposterous.

"Listen, I can't... I mean, we barely know each other. Wouldn't I just be a burden on you?" And you a burden on me? "I can't ask a stranger to just give up her life to travel with me. Even if it breaks the curse. Is that..." His voice was pained. "Is that really the only way?"

She listened to him, her ears perking up at his words. But she found no humor in them. Wandering over to her bed she sat down and leaned against the pillows. Patting the bed next to her.. beckoning him to come over.

"The only other option is for you to find the witch. Although... with that spell in place, she'll know where you are. Call it a fail safe. Only if it's neutralized can you find her. It's a high price to pay. Making you have to seek out the help of someone to find her."

She yawned, covering her mouth. "Hm... But you seem uninterested in this plan. A man who likes to wander. Sure, you just have to stay by my side, and the zone is quite large indeed-- about 50 miles I would say.. Though, once you leave it.. the pain, the ears. It'll all come back. Until you're back in that zone."

Crossing her legs she looked up to the ceiling. "Would you like to sleep on it? This bed is plenty big for us both."

The only other option was to find the witch.

Then it was impossible, because she would avoid detection forever with the curse still on him, if he dared to leave it not neutralized. Perhaps he could do this, go along with her plan? What did he have to lose, except a portion of his freedom? Fifty miles was not too bad of a zone, and this woman didn't even seem to mind. But why wouldn't she mind? Binding herself to a stranger, offering this much help... was it really because he was the first person she'd come across that looked like her, even a little? He couldn't wrap his head around it.

"Hm... But you seem uninterested in this plan."

"No! I'm interested, it's just..." It was just a little weird, was all. He had fought mages who spit fire out of their mouths, seen people whip up windstorms with their finger and commanded the very ocean itself with naught but pure magical might, and even they seemed normal, to a person who was so quick to help a stranger. But this offer, he knew for sure, would never come again. How long did he have to decide? And why should he take so long to decide? If he was serious about finding the witch and getting revenge for his old friend, then why wouldn't he take this offer up?

Didn't he promise to do everything to help him?

He was about to blurt out that he'd do it, that if it neutralized the curse and helped him find the witch, he'd do it, but then she offered him a place on her bed, and his game was totally thrown off. "What?" he asked, taken aback. "No, I don't want..." Exasperated, he sighed. "I just met you, I can't just sleep in your bed. That's crazy." She was crazy, he was pretty sure. It was so weird, how calm she was, as if nothing phased her.

Instead of moving closer to the bed, he crossed his arms, leaned against the wall, trying to summon up that willpower he had lost before. "I'll do it, if your offer still stands," he decided, sucking in a breath. "I promised to do everything in my power to find that witch... turning down your offer would be stupid."

She grinned. "You just met me and are afraid to share my bed? It's best with strangers. Lovers give no space where strangers make space out of nothing." She purred. "My offer stands. Though, a feat like this will take a while. You'll want to rest."

She sat up and looked at him. "The pain will only get worse before it's resolved. And, I'll need to make use of those hands of yours." She grinned. "Now... come lay down and sleep. Unless you prefer the floor?"

She peeled the robe off her slender body and used her tail to guide it to a chair and hung it there. Then she looked to him. "Either way... be sure you blow out the candles.. You're full of such hot air.. Might as well use it for some good." She teased.. Curling up on the bed, watching him.

He furrowed his brows. "I'm not afraid, it's just... strange." Gods, how did he end up in such strange situations? Here he was, in Hyoite, planning to enjoy a mug of mead and show, when somehow, he ended up in the dancer's room, about to share her bed. Wonderful.

He wouldn't tell her this, of course, but he had never shared a bed with anyone before, not even his caretakers when he'd been very young. He'd no siblings to care for, no parents to tuck him in – sleeping was a solitary comfort. And now she wanted him to crawl in bed with her.

Well, it was better than the floor.

"The pain will only get worse before it's resolved," she told him, and he scoffed, shaking his head, and stopped leaning against the wall. "No need to worry about that," he assured, biting his lip. "If anything, I'm used to pain." While he resented her remark about him being full of hot air, he didn't have a comeback for it, and used his so called 'hot air' to lean over the candles and blow them out.

The darkness did not unnerve him – he could still see well, his night vision working wonders. Next to the chair where her robe lay, he removed his cloak, revealing his cat ears once more. Underneath the cloak, he only wore a black muscle shirt, but it was the fact that his ears were out in the open that made him feel vulnerable. Hell, he may as well be naked, without his cloak.

Somehow, he managed to make his way to the bed, curl up on the unoccupied side. "You do this often?" he asked, "Offer your bed to total strangers like me, that is." There was no malice in this question – he was curious. Despite her strangeness, she had been nothing but benevolent, strangely enough. He still was having a hard time swallowing it all.

"Strange? I'm like your brethren.. Plus.. the gift I'll give you... you should feel more than comfortable around me. If you don't trust me... why would I bother to help you?" she watched the room go dark, but her eyes never left him. Always following. And, in the dark the gave off an eerie glow.

"It's not good to be used to pain, but, with that curse, I know you're in it now." She shifted on the bed, watching him lay down. "I've never done this, actually. I like my privacy. My own room. Even if I have someone for that kind of company-- they never stay the night." She reached out to ruffle his hair. "But you're a different story, cat. You're going to be on an interesting journey, and I want to go. I'm bored of this. And, I can help you. So, why not? It works for us both."

Lifting the blankets, she tossed them over him and made sure he was covered before she curled up on her side, facing him. "Rest up, and sleep as long as you want. You'll need that energy."

She was right – he needed to trust her, if they were going to be companions from now on. Travelling partners, compatriots, comrades... Reks had never what it was like, to trust someone, to have someone by his side, for more than one day. But, she seemed to know more about him than anyone ever did – about the curse, about the pain he was always in, even right now as she threw the covers over them. He gripped at the sheet, rolled over on his side, so that he was facing her, wanting to keep his eyes on her – just to be sure she was still there. To make sure this wasn't all some crazy dream.

"Brethren or no, you're still the strangest person I've ever met," he admitted with a laugh, shaking his head. "But I think I'm okay with that." He could tally up how out of the ordinary this day had been, and even after he was done, it would still be the most eventful day he'd had in a while. How much easier would it be to hunt mages, he wondered, if he were not in constant pain? How would it feel, he wondered, to not have to wear his hood to hide his persistent cat ears? An unfathomable future stretched in front of him, so close that it was almost palpable, but it was too far away.

He couldn't help but grin a little as she ruffled his hair – what was he, a kid? Still, the gesture was warm, and it made him feel a little safer here, underneath her covers. "Just as a warning," he started, "I don't stay in one place for long. I'm always on the move – hunting." To please that figure back in La'marri, the one who collected his mages and smiled every time he brought a new one. Her warmth was what he strove for. "But hell, at least we won't be bored, right?"

Reks buried his face into the pillow, wondering if sleep would come. "Goodnight, Solae," he murmured, testing out her name for the first time. He decided it felt like a good name – Solae – and that meant she had to be a good person. Something told him that he could trust her, that if he could trust anyone, he definitely could trust her. And so he drifted off to sleeping, dreaming of a world without curses and witches, of a world where he was normal again. Human.

She grinned. "Well, strange or not. You still have to put up with me if you want that pain to go away..." And she leaned in to whisper into his ear. "Plus... I can give you free dances. You seemed to like them."

Solae shifted on the bed and took in a long breath. Then snuggled into the blankets. "Get some sleep kitty." She teased, finding it amusing to call someone else that-- even if she was more a cat than him. Then again, she could really mess with him. But, to be fair, she would explain all the conditions.

And, she was trying to think of a way to do the tattoos in a less permanent way that would still work. All this to think of and to sleep? Well.. she was a cat. Forgetting things in order to sleep came easy to her.

She curled up a bit, closing her eyes and dozed off quickly. Soon, her cat instincts kicked in and she moved over to the other source of heat-- him. Curling up next to him with an arm around his waist.

Cat, kitty... was he really those things? He wrinkled his nose at her nicknames, even though he barely heard them, since he was falling quickly into a serene slumber. Heck, if what she was offering him was true, if the curse could really be neutralized, then these nicknames wouldn't even apply to him anymore. He wondered if, when the curse was neutralized and the threat of going full-feline was temporarily erased, if it would erase his feline abilities – his reflexes, the retractable claws, his nine souls.... Reks doubted it, and prayed the good would stay when the bad would not, but knowing his horrible luck...

He felt her arm reach out for him, curling around his waist, and his ears stood up – alert. He wanted to say something, to speak out against this invasion of his privacy, but he felt that, even if she was semi-awake, she wouldn't care. Tense, Reks had to find his inner peace again, eventually, slowly, growing comfortable with her closeness. The minutes that passed as he tried to find sleep felt like hours, until eventually, the poor boy did close his eyes, snoozing silently under these covers. Maybe he would never admit it aloud, but this was the softest bed he'd slept in for some time. Were taverns just better here, in Hyoite? Or was there something more behind it?

[center:1bjf2g2k]___[/center:1bjf2g2k]
Daybreak.

The sun shone in his eyes obnoxiously, almost a little too eagerly, as if it wanted Reks to want up too early, to rouse him from his comfortable sleep. The mage hunter groaned, rubbed sleep from his eyes, and rolled over, only to be face to face with a stranger, one who he barely remembered, until he forced the information to all come back to him.

What had happened yesterday, at the tavern, at the show, and the offer she made him... Right, this was Solae. He had panicked a little there, had jumped a little, under the covers, but after remembering her, he calmed down, taking a deep breath, sighing. He wanted to wake her, since he wasn't the kind of guy who just lay awake in bed, pondering the day, but she looked really peaceful, laying there, sleeping. Plus, what kind of jerk just wakes up the stranger who let them sleep in your bed? Not this jerk.

He lay there, watching her for a while, noticing her fur, remembering how soft it had felt last night, at the tavern. She was sleeping, wasn't she? And he just wanted to feel how soft she was, just this once... He stretched a hand out to her, stroking her soft shoulder, relishing the feel of it on her fingers. He was like a little kid, childish in his delight – but after all, who didn't like petting cats? ...Damn, it was kind of hard to stop petting her, too. It was so smooth, the feel of her fur underneath his fingertips.

The feel of fingers running through her short fur soon stirred her from her sleep. Her eyes opened slowly and she looked at the man for a moment, not saying a thing about him petting her, but waiting for him to notice that she was awake before she sat up.

Once he did notice, she sat up and stretched. Then smiled to him and leaned in close. "Like petting me?" She purred. Remembering how he had held her hips when she danced. She was highly amused at his actions.

She slipped out of bed and decided it was time for a bath. With out warning she stripped of her clothes while walking to the bathroom area. Leaving the door wide open as she prepared her bath and soon slunk into the hot water.

"You can join me if you'd like~" She was teasing him now... but there was still that offer if he took it.

Reks spent a few more precious moments, petting her soft fur, before realizing that she was definitely wide awake, watching him pet her in an amused fashion. He froze as soon as he realized he'd been caught, before slowly, guilty, retracting his hand, his eyes downcast, ears flattened, embarrassed. She took it as a joke though, purring good-naturedly, but he couldn't bring himself to respond. Damnit, next time he'd have to be more careful and restrain himself from just petting her like that – even if she was asleep.

He sat up, unable to believe it was still morning. A bit of sun peaked through the curtains, but besides that, the room was dark, and cool. That was Hyoite for you – all snow and no sun, but it was something he could deal with. The mage hunter swung his legs around the bed, meaning to get up and off it, but he never managed to. There was Solae, casually stripping herself of any and all of her clothing, with no regards towards Reks, who sat there and took it all in.

Sure, he might not have been too ruffled by her scantily clad form (and even then he had been uncomfortable), but here she was, just totally naked, in a tub, acting like everything was all well and dandy. His ears stood up, alert, and his face flushed when she asked if he wanted to join her. "N-No, I think I'll pass," he muttered, trying to keep up that tough guy act, and utterly failing. It was the first time he had ever seen anyone naked before, and for it to happen so unceremoniously...

"Tell me when you're done," he called over to her without looking at her, obviously flustered despite his best attempts to hide it. He'd have to shower too, of course, but not with her. Despite them being partners from now on, she was still a stranger, wasn't she?

He lay back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling, in an attempt not to be too distracting by Solae's casual stance at being totally naked in front of him. "You could've at least given me a warning," Reks accused, "before just, you know..." Before just stripping away all of your clothes! was what he wanted to say, but instead, he left the sentence hanging in the air.

"Oh, you're no fun~" she said and cleaned herself up. It didn't take her took long before she was done. And she got out of the water and did this neat thing where she shook a bit and all the water was shaken out of her fur. Then she dried her hair with a towel and braided it.

For his sake she wrapped the towel around her, though it was rather small and was hard to cover her chest fully-- not to mention her tail which was sticking out and holding up the towel. She left the bathroom and looked to him. "Why warn you?  It makes the situation less friendly." she pointed out. "Ahh, but you can get in there now, if you want~" she smiled. Walking to the dresser to pull out a new top, which was more like a bra, and a skirt that was all lace except for the top part which was like a pair of panties with the lace attached to it.

And, with out warning, she dropped the towel to get dressed. Seeming unworried about the winter weather outside with how she dressed-- a plus to having fur.

He wasn't sure if he'd ever get used to it – her strange indifference when it came to personal space. On the Isles, everyone had been like her, he could remember – eager and willing to treat strangers like family, because there was supposedly no such thing as a stranger within the village. Reks had never been able to ascribe to their philosophy – even before the curse, he had always considered himself a loner, though not by choice. It was as if an invisible barrier was wrought up between himself in the world, one that he couldn't break down, one that he could scream in, and no one else would hear his cries.

It would lake things less friendly, she said. "Tch," he grunted, smirking, "At least someone's comfortable." He wasn't frustrated with her, really – but more at himself, for being flustered at something she obviously didn't have a problem with it. And, right as he had been thinking these things, he watched Solae unceremoniously drop her towel, and wondered – what did he expect? It seemed, at this point, that she was doing it just to watch him squirm, either that or she just did it out of habit.

He slinked into the bathroom when she said it was open, looked around a bit, and then at the door. He grasped the doorknob, decided he couldn't be so open to take a bath with the door open. "I'll be out in a sec," he informed, and turned the door. He didn't lock it, just turned it, and out of laziness left it slightly ajar.

When he had said he'd be out in a second, he really meant it. There was something Reks hated about spending too long in the bath, where he was most vulnerable. Swiftly, he filled the bath, removed his clothes, and set to work quickly, cleaning himself tidily, making sure to scrub behind the ears. Less than five minutes after he jumped in, he was out, fully dressed, good as new. Taking long baths wasn't his thing.

Reks made his way to the chair where he had draped his cloak last night, pulled it on, flipped the hood over his head, and surreptitiously tied the strings on his hood tighter, so that it'd be harder to flick off. While he tied it, he sat on the edge of the bed, thinking. "Just to make sure last night wasn't a dream," he started, "Did you really mean all you said yesterday – that you'd help neutralize the curse?" It couldn't hurt to be sure – after all, he'd have vivid dreams about solving all of his problems before, only to wake up and realize it had all been a bitter illusion. Reks, ever the paranoid, had to be sure.

It seemed like a flash and he was back out and cleaned. She turned to look at him with a flick of her tail, then grinned. "Was it true, what I said?" she repeated in a question. Then leaned down and picked up a black bag. Walking over to Reks and setting it on his lap.

"Inside.. you'll find everything needed for me to perform the ritual." she said calmly. "It will be painful. For both parties. And it will take some time. I want you to be well prepared." She thought letting him see the items would make it easier for him to foresee the events. In the bag were items like chalk and henna tattoo ink... plain things. Although, there was also a knife in there, one with a silver handle and silver blade (which was hidden in a sheath). The blade just screamed ominous things-- and radiated pain.. It was like the knife was made for one purpose-- and that was to be soaked in blood.

She smiled to him and patted his head. "You'll have to be shirtless too, kitty." She said. "But, for now.. wear what you'd like. Up until the events. And I already know the perfect spot in the woods to do it. So.. make sure you eat up and have plenty of water. It's quite the hike."

She mentioned nothing of the cold, it was something she wasn't too familiar with. And her slightly shaggy fur was to blame for that.

So it was true.

Reks peered inside the bag that she set on his lap, dim grey eyes widening at its contents. Of course, there was some plain things, some expected things... But there were some things in there that Reks would rather hope would not be needed for the ritual. "Do I want to know why there's a knife in that bag?" he asked, his eyes still wide, imagining up horrible, dreadful things.

Dear gods, this woman was going to torture him, wasn't she? He looked up at her, but could not find the eyes of a sadist. Then again, he had just met her less than twenty four hours ago – did he really want to take this gamble? But even she had said it before – if he did not neutralize the curse with her, then the witch would always know where he was. And so he would be stuck in an unwinnable wild goose chase.

Oh, and not only that, but he'd have to be shirtless during this long and supposedly painful operation. His ears, under his hood, stood at attention. "Shirtless? In this cold?" He shook his head, and laughed. "I think you just want an excuse to ogle me." He didn't think that, not really, but he had to tease her in order to make light of this situation.

Reks stared down at the bag, and closed it up, so he would no longer have to look at its contents. He looked at her, determined. "No matter what this ritual wants me to do... I'm ready for anything," he decided, his decision firm and remade, for he would not let this opportunity go to waste.

They'd need to eat up, she said, before heading out to do the ritual. He grinned, boyish in his delight. "Does that mean we get to have breakfast before this? 'Cause I'm hungry as all hell." He strode over to the door, but remembered she had locked it the night before, or he thought he had heard her lock it. "I'm guessing 'open sesame' wouldn't work on this lock..." She probably had a key or something, or maybe it wasn't even locked at all – either way, it was better to let her handle it.

She noticed his look of fear and smiled. "Don't worry.. We'll come to its use later." She said and tossed a couple rolls of bandages in the bag before he closed it. She then pulled her hair up into a  messy, and rather large, bun. Securing it in place and looking to him. "You're safe with me, don't worry."

She swayed her tail. "And the cold wont affect you much. In fact, I don't think you'll be cold in the least." She watched him walk to the door, remembering the spell and she chuckled. "not even a key.. But it's OK." she waved her hand and the spell then walked up to him. "And don't worry about food. It's on me. Eat what you want."

She needed him to have his strength. It was going to a big test of his commitment today.

He watched her open the door, and tilted his head, curious. Strange, he was sure he heard that door lock, but she just opened that door like it had been open that whole time. He furrowed his brows, but then shook his head – who gave a damn about the way she opened doors, anyway? He was hungry, goddamnit, he didn't have time to overanalyze things. Reks had already decided that he was going to have a huge breakfast today, in order to take his mind off the ritual, and off the knife she kept in that bag...

The mage hunter strode out of the door, and grinned at her when she said breakfast was on her. "Are you sure?" he asked, shoving his hand in his pockets, walking backwards down the hallway, so he could keep looking at her. "I mean, I'm no dainty eater. I might empty out your wallet, if you tell me to eat what I want." He was joking, of course – or, well, was he? The mage hunter had a huge appetite, especially in the mornings...

He strode back into the tavern – it was a lot calmer during this time of day. After all, there weren't many people who had the time to waste at a tavern during the morning, no, but hell – that meant for food for him. He waved over to the barkeep, who must've groaned at the sight of the 'city boy.' "Barkeep!" Reks called out to him, sliding into a seat near the bar, making sure there was a seat for Solae as well. "I need one of everything on your breakfast menu – don't leave out anything!" The barkeep stared at him with wide eyes, hoping he was kidding. He wasn't. Reks looked towards Solae, tilting his head. "What about you?"

"Of course I'm serious about breakfast. I need you to be strong and comfortable." She was honest, and it didn't matter to her what he ordered, so when they got to the bar and he ordered one of everything, she just smiled and leaned over the bar with her arms crossed and tail swaying as she looked at the barkeep. "I'll have every fish meal you have." she said, fully aware there were like ten. Then she tossed the barkeep the money and walked towards a large table meant for 10. Her tail wrapping around his arm and pulling him along with.

"You weren't kidding.. You do have quite the appetite. I can wait to see you eat it all." She sat down and crossed her legs. "Are you nervous about the ritual?"

He hadn't expected for her to actually have the money to pay for the whole goddamn breakfast menu – plus her own food. He had actually been kidding, and had ordered it all to see if she'd really tell him to tone it down or not, but she paid for it all like it was nothing!

His mouth went slightly agape as she casually handed the coin to the barkeep, but quickly fixed himself so he didn't look so surprised. It was true, Reks did have a huge appetite, but, by gods, the whole damn breakfast menu was soon going to be his! He wasn't sure whether he should be in raptures, or fear for his stomach, and all the food he was going to promptly consume.

She led him away, towards a large table, her tail swung around his arm. He didn't even mind it, really – her tail felt soft and warm on his arm, just like the rest of her fur. The mage hunter took a seat, and realized they were at such a large table because he had ordered so much frickin' food. He was grinning though, because the truth was that Reks never really had enough to eat, even when he made him own money hunting mages. He had always been very frugal, so he'd always order a little less than he needed. But today... he'd feast like a king.

Reks cracked his knuckles, preparing for the feast, grinning at her comment about his big appetite. "It's not every day I get treated for breakfast, so I'm making the most of it." The question was – would he be able to eat it all? Well, he damn well better.

Considering how upbeat Reks was, it made sense that she was wondering if he was worried. He nodded, biting his lip. "Of course," he agreed, his voice a notch quieter than it had been before. "I have no idea what's gonna happen, or how bad it'll hurt... But pain is the least of my enemies." He looked towards the tattoos on his wrist and clenched his wrist, taking in a deep breath. "I have to find the witch that gave me these marks. I promised someone that I would..." He unclenched his fist, eyes determined. "So for that, I'll do anything."

She smirked. "Don't worry. You will be fine, and you wont remember much." She reassured the man. Watching as they started to bring out the food. She eagerly started to eat from her many dishes of fish grinning to him. "I hope you enjoy being spoiled." She purred out.

But it was easy to tell her mind was in two places-- she was concentrating hard on everything she needed to have in place for this ritual.

((Sorry, very short. But I'm pretty sick.))

Wait, what? "I won't... remember much?" he echoed, wanting that bit clarified. Hell, what was she planning to do to him – wipe his memory with some crazy shaman-esque elixir? Or crack him over the head to induce amnesia? He sat there, staring, his brows furrowed, but his question was forgotten the minute the maids brought out his breakfast. Food, a gluttonous amount of food, was packed onto the table – covering every inch of it, laid out all in front of him, a smorgasbord of sin. She had really ordered the whole goddamn breakfast meal – she hadn't been kidding around.

His grey eyes darted here and there, from the start to the end of the table, obviously blown away by the absurdity of the situation he had somehow pulled himself into. However, only after a moment's hesitation, Reks tucked his napkin under his neck, pulled out a knife and fork, and dug in the nearest plate of food. A hamsteak, with eggs and dried potatoes, was the closest meal to him, and even by itself, it was a monstrous meal. Scarfing down more of these ridiculously filling meals seemed impossible to him, but he would do it – somehow – or he would never live it down.

"This much all cost a fortune," he grumbled, between bites. He looked up at her, curious. "To be honest, I didn't think you'd actually order it all... Either you're the most charitable person I've ever met, or the craziest." He used the word 'crazy' in an endearing fashion, though. He laughed a little, between bites of his hamsteak and potatoes. "About this ritual, though... Are you sure it'll be... you know, safe?" In other words, would he live to see another day? The though unnerved him, and made him eager to eat even faster.

"I'm not going to knock you out or anything. Rest assured. It just takes a lot of energy out of the person. You'll probably pass out. And usually you don't remember much after such an event." She nodded. Looking over all of his food and laughing. It was amusing to see so much food, and the look on his face made it better. He was so excited to see it all.

"Well, I suppose I'm both. I'm no this charitable to anyone. I guess I was just surprised to see another cat. There aren't many of us around-- not that I've seen. It is a shame you wish to hide it. It's such a good look for you." She admitted, continuing to eat her own fish meals.

"Is it safe? For you it is. It requires more of a point on my behalf. But, that's OK. It's something I'm used to. Many of these spells require a sort of payment." She nodded. "You'll be fine~"

Reks pushed aside the plate of hamsteak and potatoes, which was now empty, cleaned of its contents. He chugged a glass of water and pulled up another plate towards him – one filled with eggs, bacon, and a double stack of pancakes. His eyes went wide at the size of the portions, but eventually, the mage hunter manned up and dug into his meal heatily, making sure to listen to Solae while he chowed down. Apparently, people didn't normally remember anything, after such events, since they took a lot out of you...

"Yeah, but what if I want to remember?" he interjected, between bites of bacon. "I'd hate to forget something this important..." He stopped eating for a moment and furrowed his brows, wondering what in the hell he had gotten himself into. No, not with the food, not really, but with this – having a stranger do such a ritual for him, trusting said stranger with his life... Was this really the right way to do things? Did he really have no other choice?

Of course he didn't. If the curse wasn't neutralized, then the witch would always know where he was. He'd always be hunting for someone who would always be two steps ahead of him. At least now, if Solae could neutralize the curse, he would have a better chance at catching the witch off guard...

Such a ritual was safe, she said, but for her, there was a payment. Reks pushed away his current plate, pulling up another one – a bowl of oatmeal – and looked at her, furrowing his brows. "A payment?" he echoed, curious. "What kind of payment? It won't..." He wasn't sure how to word his question. "It won't be anything extreme, will it?"

She had already finished her meal and was quite amused with watching Reks eat. He did have a healthy appetite for such a skinny boy. But, that just made her like him more. He was amusing in her eyes.

But, wanting to remember the ritual? She shook her head. "You can try.. But you'll probably pass out anyway. It's pretty powerful." She nodded. "But, go ahead and try to remember. It's just going to keep the pain of the features retracting a memory. It's not going to feel good. Worse than the pain you feel now." She didn't feel right not having him prepared. Then again.. she really didn't know much about him to begin with. Her ears perked up and she paused. "Say... what is it that you do to have been cursed like this?"

Then he had to ask what her price was. She shook her head again and smiled. "You'll just have to see if you remember. Why would I tell you? It would probably make you rethink the whole thing."

One more plate – that's all he could handle. One more goddamn plate.

Reks pulled the nearest plate closest to him – a plate filled to the brim with hash browns, eggs, and smoked sausages. He started chowing down as quickly as he could without looking back, plunging his fork into the smoked meats and chewing voraciously – one might have assumed he hadn't eaten in years. Well, he had eaten before – but never so heartily, and never in such big portions. Never, ever in his life had he ever been treated to such a spread of food, and he was sure it would be his last. So he ate, his dim grey eyes following Solae as she spoke about the ritual, and how it would be impossible for him to remember what would happen to him.

Apparently, not remembering what would happen was a good thing. Apparently, it was going to hurt. Reks frowned, wondering just how bad the pain could possibly be, and stopped to ponder this, between bites of hash browns and sausage. He swallowed, before shaking his head and laughing. "It's hard to imagine... a pain worse than this." The curse was not just physical, the constant injection of poison in his veins – it was mental. Knowing that the curse was his punishment for not being able to save his friend... knowing that, while he sat here in relative luxury, while the fortune teller who was who knew where... It made him sick. He put down his fork, unable to eat any further, at the thought of that enigmatic fortune teller's fate – the friend he had made so many years ago.

"Say... what is it that you do to have been cursed like this?"

He looked up at her, his right ear twitching underneath his hood. "I tried to save my friend," he muttered, looking down at all the food he had wasting. "Back on the Isles, I had this one friend – a fortune teller. He was just like me, in a lot of ways – he didn't exactly fit in. He was a lot older than me, but, I guess... he actually cared about me, you know?" He bit his lip, his heart feeling heavy in his chest. "Anyway, he had a sister – I can't remember her name anymore – but one night, she ripped Kalev's eyes out, blinding him. I saw it with my own eyes..." He looked down at his own hands, which were clenched into fists. "I tried to stop her, tried to do something to get his eyes back – but she laughed, called me a nuisance – 'reckless.'"

 And that's why they call me Reks. She nicknamed me.

"When I woke up, I was so angry... That's how I first got my... you know." He gestured to his hood subtly, shaking his head. He breathed out a long sigh, shook his head. "It was three years ago, I think. Time goes by fast..."

Reks could only wonder just what her price was that she had to pay – and was feeling antsy about the whole ordeal. "...I just don't want you to get hurt helping out a total stranger like me." He looked away, scoffed, shook his head. "Good samaritans like you always end up getting the crappy end of the deal, is all."

She listened to his story, the emotion in his voice, how he looked at his hands. It was almost like those tattoos were a constant shade of red in Reks' eyes. She shook her head and looked to the food he wasn't eating any more. "That's pretty harsh." she said softly. "I've never heard of getting such a curse for a reason like that. Usually curses are reserved for special events, they take a lot out of the cursor."

But, bringing up the memory saddened her. She has brought him to tell her a dark secret-- something she was sure he never told anyone else. But, then it switched to him being worried about her? She scoffed at the thought. "No need to be worried, I'm not as 'good' as you would think. Plus, I think you deserve a good deed to be done unto you." She stood up and walked over to him. Holding out her hand. "We might as well get it over with. You deserve some relief, even if it's just physical pain."

Harsh was right – harsh only scraped the surface.

The truth of the situation was that Reks had never told anyone about his situation before – he had never seen a reason to, had never been asked about it. And why bother? He was a lone wolf - he didn't work in packs. And if he did – with fellow mage hunters – then they wouldn't care to hear his life story, and with good reason, because he wouldn't have cared to hear about their own histories. But here, in this tavern, in the bitter cold of Hyoite, he somehow was okay with telling Solae all this – and he barely knew her, for crying out loud. He was going soft.

"I'm sure there was something more to it," Reks muttered – voicing thoughts that he had been sure to keep in the back of his mind. "There was some reason why she choose to curse me – not because of what I had saw, but for some other reason. Some connection I had with him, maybe, but..." He sighed, furrowed his brows. "I just don't know. I don't have any of the answers that I need."

She held out her hand to her, and claimed that he deserved a good deed to be done onto him, and that it would be best to get this over with. He nodded, standing up from the table, and waved over to his good friend, barkeep. "Sorry about the mess!" he called over to him, to which the barkeep narrowed his eyes, and probably muttered something about how glad he was, to be rid of the no good cityboy.

"I'm ready," he told Solae, looking up at her, determined. On the outside, he was full of determination, brimming with a certain spark of unmeasurable fortitude. On the inside, he wasn't sure – full of doubt, and fear. But he would not let it show. He was a master at wearing a tough guy face – there was no way he would let his doubt show.

She led him toward the bartender and chuckled at the comment. Watching Reks walk outside, but she turned to tip the man so his time cleaning was more enjoyable. And she stepped outside and looked at the boy. "Well.. I'm glad I brought what I needed." She pointed to her bag. Then ruffled up his hood and chuckled. "Come now. This is going to be a long day."

She turned and headed off towards the woods. There was a clearing a couple of miles in that would be perfect for this. No one would see the lights from the fire or hear the chanting. Or the screams. What ever happened would be between them. And that would be the best.

She seemed to walk as though she knew exactly where to go, though she would stop to look back a Reks to make sure he was still there. When they made it to the clearing, she pushed aside some snow and then started to gather wood to make a fire. Reks would need the heat more than her, but she wanted him comfortable.

It was already hard enough for Reks to put his fate – or maybe even his life – in the hands of a total stranger, but to follow her out into the woods, into the wilderness... This was even a harder test of courage. But, still, Solae traversed through the snowy bramble with grace and purpose – she knew what she was doing, of course. Her easy stride made him a little more comfortable, at least – whatever the hell this ritual entailed, at least she knew what she was doing. At least he would be in the hands of someone capable... right? Right.

She seemed capable at everything – of kindness, patience, charity. Perhaps it was just too hard for him to believe, that someone would smile at him and extend out a hand to aid him, without even knowing him, or anything about him except for his name and a sordid past. He bit his lip, looking up at her as he trailed behind her through the bramble, still wondering if, maybe, this had been all part of some strange dream. But the bitter cold stung at his flesh, and he could still feel the pain of the curse soaring through his tattoos – ah, he was alive, definitely.

Once they had reached the clearing, she began to collect firewood, to which Reks jumped at the chance to help. "Here – let me get that," he offered, and swiftly began to collect wood. He was good at being quick at this sort of thing – hunting mages through the thick and thin of forests made one able to adapt in any situation. He had also learned to bring his own flint with him at all times – he wasn't a mage after all, and couldn't make fire appear out of thin air. He sat, cross-legged, using the flint and bit of steel to create sparks, staring at the bundle of wood determinedly. Of all the things Reks wanted to be, he wanted to be useful to her, most of all.

The fire was started with no time – as expected of someone of Reks' caliber. He sat near the fire, staring into the flames with his knees pulled up toward his chest, before looking up at her suddenly. He knew knew now was not the time for idle chatter, but he couldn't help but ask, "Is it true, Solae? That you've... never met another cat before?" It wasn't so hard to believe, really, since he had never met another cat either. "I mean, even without the cat ears, I'm..." Not anything special. Just a delinquent kid on the streets. Just someone passing through. "It's hard to believe, that you're doing all this just for me." He knew, he knew, he was bringing this up again, but it was so hard to justify her kindness. For Reks, this sort of unwarranted kindness – to him, of all people – was hard to believe in.

She turned and watched Reks take the wood from her and quickly start stacking them in the firepit. Amused she 'sat on air' but was using her strong tail as a ballast as she watched him spark up the fire with flint. She took note of how it was done without magic, and she was highly amused at that. Too much work in her eyes.

She stood up and walked over to the flames. Sitting on a stump next to Rek's and she started pulling items out of her bag as he spoke, letting him fully finish his ramble of thoughts before she turned and looked at him. "Do you know how rare it is for a humanoid and a feline creature to procreate?" she asked, smiling to Reks. "You're probably lucky, being turned into a cat. You can hide it. But, for me..? My mother was feline. Her instincts are to raise you for so long then let you go. I haven't seen her since I was three-- when I left her side. I suppose that makes you strong. It's what led me to get my profession." Though she still didn't come right out to say she was a mage. She thought he knew.

She turned back to the flames, then to her bag. Setting the knife on her lap, then she took out a small book that looked as though its been passed down for years. Picking up an apple she set out earlier and handed it to him. "Here. Munch on this." she chuckled. Pulling out a bag of herbs and she opened it.

Fishing through different stems and leaves that weren't labeled she pulled out what she needed and tossed them into the flames. There was a burst of smoke and the fire turned blue and got much hotter. She reached out and her hand started to glow as she moved them in a pattern and seemed to catch the smoke and meld it into a very familiar design for Reks. The same one that he would've seen somewhere when he was cursed. And she lowered her arms. That smoke symbol continuing to hang over the hot flames.

Then she looked to Reks to see his reaction.  She did just use magic.

Reks squinted at the fruit she handed him, and was suddenly reminded of all the crap he had for breakfast. If it had been any other day, he would've eaten the apple with vigor, but today... well, he didn't have room for anything else! He looked up to make sure she wasn't watching, then buried the apple under a pile of snow, trying to look as innocent as possible. It was funny, though, because him refusing to eat an apple she had given him would soon grow to be the least of his worries.

Before him, she made smoke – and gods, not just any smoke, but forged it into the same symbols he had seen, so many years ago. How long had it been, he wondered, since he had been a scared little kid, staring up into the face of a mage who would only be known as the witch from that day forth, knowing that he was useless, scared, and unable to do a thing – to help his friend, or to help himself? Now, he stared up at the same symbols again, but this time, a stranger was conjuring them – conjuring them! With magic! The same person he had shared a bed with that night. The same person who he was slowly growing to trust, in his own warped way.

The person who was conjuring magic in front of him was a mage.

He stood up, defensive, crouched – under his hood, his cat ears twitched in defiance, and stood tall with anger. He narrowed his eyes, speechless, locked in an anger he could not even begin to grasp straws at. When she had said she was going to help him – she meant with magic, goddamnit, she had meant it all that time. How had he been so blind? How had he, a mage hunter, allowed this to happen? Not only had he managed to fraternize with the enemy, but he had almost let her break through all his mental defenses, had almost let her get through...

"You're a mage." He said the word mage the way one would say the word manure – with snide, contempt, disgust. It was still too much to comprehend – and now that he stared up at those symbols, at her conjurings, he knew he couldn't trust her. How could he trust anyone who had just as much power to curse him as the witch did? She probably meant to amplify the curse, or maybe she worked for the witch, or worse... He took two steps backwards, his eyes still narrowed. "I can't believe it... you're a goddamn mage."

How could he have been so stupid? Despite everything, Reks' adrenaline was shot; in this sort of situation, where he needed to choose to either fight or flee, he couldn't choose either. Instead, he stood there, still as a stone statue. He had nearly trusted her. He had been so in awe of her... How could this have happened?

Solae looked over as Reks stood and became very defensive stance. She knew something would happen after he had told her his profession. She was his enemy. But, Solae made a promise, and she was very keen on her promises. She turned away from him and let her ears droop as she picked up that ceremonial knife and stood up. She held her arm above the symbol in smoke and brought the blade to her wrist. In one swift movement she sliced into her skin deeply and let her blood stain the smoke.

Her blood seemed to spiral around the smoke, filling it, changing it to a dingy red color before seeping out and forming another character throughout that one. Making the curse he bore into a whole other curse-- a curse on herself. As the symbol laid out, it sucked more and more blood from her.

Her own personal curse hardened in the air then shifted and twisted over top the symbol that bound him and then bursted out with a green light which reached out and surrounded him. Sucking the pain from him and causing the tattoos to fade. Suddenly Solae cried out in pain-- the cut didn't hurt her much, but those tattoos that marred his wrists formed on her sides and she fell to her knees. Holding her side.

The green light soon faded and Reks was left in human form-- his normal form. Solae grimaced and pulled her hand from her side. She dipped her fingers into the blood seeping from her wrist and drew a line over the tattoos on his sides and they soon faded. But she wasn't expecting him to have been in that much pain. She struggled to get out the bandages to wrap her wrist. She was still losing quite a bit of blood.

Fight, or flight?

He still couldn't decide, still couldn't do either. This was how natural selection worked, wasn't it? People who were too stupid to confront danger when they saw it ended up being killed. Perhaps he was not fit to survive, a person like Reks, someone who allowed strangers to win him over with the promise of neutralizing a curse. She couldn't have been telling the truth, of course – because she was a mage. He couldn't trust her, and if he couldn't fight, then he'd have to leave... So then why, why could he only stand here, hoping that what he had just seen was a lie?

Despite everything, she still drew out that damned knife. He remembered the first time he had seen it, just this morning, and had wondered just what it was for. He had figured it would be for him now, to inflict some sort of unnatural, magical pain on him, but imagine Reks' face – when she did not advance towards him with the knife, as he had surely thought she would. What had she said before, at the tavern? That this would take quite a toll on her, or something, and he had wondered what she meant...

"You idiot, don't –!" He started, but it was too late – she had done it, she had took the knife to her own wrist. His eyes widened as he watched her, confused, afraid – but not for himself. Despite this damned green light that surrounded him – light from magic, light that was unnatural, powerful, sick, and wrong – he was not afraid. In fact, the light seemed to be... helping him? Healing him... Taking away all of his pain.

He almost felt dizzy, from being free from a pain that he had felt too long, constantly, for every waking moment of his life, since he had been cursed. Was this what it was like, to not feel the poison running through his veins? He pressed a hand to his head, and realized that this cat ears were gone, as if they had never even existed in the first place. Had ... had Solae really?

Her yelp of pain reminded him – she had really hurt herself, had shed her own blood, for him. To help him – a stranger, who she barely even knew, who called her a goddamn mage – she hadn't even hesitated.

"Solae!" he cried out, knowing that she must've been in a world of pain, if she had took on his curse. He ran to her side, and, as she did not hesitate to hurt herself to help him, he did not hesitate to help her in return. Reks, biting his lip, took the bandages from her bag, and swiftly, efficiently, wrapped them around her wrist. He pulled the bandages tighter, and as he wrapped them, could not bear to look her in the eye.

"Solae, I'm..." He hung his head, shaking it, biting his lip. A few droplets of tears fell on her freshly bandaged wrist, despite Reks' best efforts to keep them inside. "I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice hoarse, small, and scared. He put pressure on her wrist, to stop the bleeding, and tried to stop himself from shaking like a leaf. "I'm so sorry..."

She was the most courageous person he had ever known.

Everything around her got blurry, and her shaky hands had knocked over her bag as she reached for the bandages she stupidly left in the bag. But this pain was horrid! She had taken on his curse, and the pain would diminish soon enough. But initially it made her feel like she had cut out her own innards and laid them out on the flame for some messed up bbq. She winced, holding her side again and reaching out.

But this time everything went black. She fell a little limp and panted. Managing to get her eyes open to see Reks at her side and felt a horribly painful pressure on her wrist. She stared at his face, confused to see the streaks the tears left. She closed her eyes, then struggled to open them again. "D-don't apologize." she said softly. "I can only do so much to take from you what Lelana did." she said in a weak voice. It was true... Seeing those tattoos she knew exactly who had cursed him. Those markings were something that ran in the family. And, in truth, she got her powers because the very father of the girl who cursed Reks was part demon. And that man was the one who fathered her.

Solae looked at Reks with watery eyes. "I... I can only... neutralize that curse... because I share the blood of the one.. who made it." She said softly and swallowed hard. "But... that's a lot of pain.." she chuckled weakly. "You can... leave... if you really want. I'll stay close enough. But I know you don't... like 'mages.'"

Lelena.

She spoke the name – the name of the witch – the name he had almost allowed himself to forget. But there it was, the truth brought forth into the light, and with her name, he could remember her face. He wanted to forget it all, but he couldn't – he had to stop being such a kid. Finally, he allowed himself to look up at Solae, his eyes wide, brimming with questions.

"Lelena?" he echoed. "You know her – the witch? How..." He knew she was weak – her voice was hoarse and ragged, so how could he sit there and demand answers from her? Instead, he shook his head, knowing that the answers would come in due time. But she mentioned the curse – and that the only reason she had been able to neutralize it was because she was related to... Lelena? How could that even be possible?

Lelena wasn't a cat... So how... He didn't understand, so he tucked all the questions in the back of his mind – for later, when she was stronger. "Sssh, don't talk – save your strength," he muttered, still keeping pressure on her wound. She seemed to out of it to do it herself, and it made a beam of pride shoot up in his heart – that he could take care of her, this extraordinary woman – this exceptional mage, of all people, who had really kept her promise, for him.

"You can... leave... if you really want. I'll stay close enough. But I know you don't... like 'mages.'"

He stared at her incredulously, eyebrow raised, as if he could not believe what he had just heard. What happened next was unexplainable, even to him – there was just a surge of emotion that ran wild through his  head, all of them conflicting and confusing, and he only knew one way to make sense of anything. He brought Solae close to him, his hands on her shoulders, and brought his lips to hers. The kiss was quick, filled with all of his emotion toward her – his confusion, with a hint of lust.

He drew back from her, shaking his head, scowling at himself, while still keeping pressure on the wound. "Don't say stupid shit like that," he cursed, biting his lip. "I'm not leaving your side, Solae." He couldn't, not after all she had done.

She tried to word things.. but her breath came up short. Especially when he leaned in and kisser her. That made her eyes widened and she looked up at him. He told her to save her strength, and after getting kissed by someone who supposedly hated her because she was a mage... She was very confused.

Solae shifted a bit and sat up slightly.. but ended up slumping against his shoulder and winced. The intense pain was gone now.. Just the sting of the cut remained. And the dizzy feeling swirling in her head from lack of blood. But she was persistent and reached up to rub her forehead. Then grit her teeth and forced herself to stand. Staggering a bit. "T-too cold to be... outside. You'll get sick." Even though she was weak.. she would be able to maintain body heat better than him. He was human. No heavy fur. But this walk was going to be tough on her. And she was trying her best not to think of that kiss. Sure, he was hot. But he hated her. Her mind still wrapped around those words. And though she found herself attracted to him, she wasn't allowing those feelings to come to fruition. So she didn't upset him.

She hadn't said anything about the kiss, and maybe it was better that she didn't, because not even Reks knew what had caused him to act so boldly. But this feeling – these emotions he felt toward her, that lay buried in his chest – they only intensified as she started to stand up, albeit shakily, saying that it was too cold for him to be in the snow. He shook his head, unable to believe it – after all that happened, was she still worrying about him?

"Don't worry about me," Reks grunted – but it was true, they probably should head back to the tavern. Not because he was cold or anything (okay, to be honest, it was frickin' freezing out here and he was all for heading back...) but because it would be a good idea to get Solae in a warm bed, so she could rest her head easily. But the walk back was far, and tiring – but they'd make it somehow, wouldn't they?

"Lean on me, if you have to," Reks offered, even though his offer wasn't the most helpful. It was annoying, that she was a few inches taller than him, but he was strong, and hardy, and acting as her support pillar was the very least he could do. It would be a long walk, but he would be there for her, in any way that he could be.

She rose a brow at him and shook her head. "But.. you're human." she said softly. "You have .. to be cold." She pouted a bit.. She wasn't cold, but her body did shiver. Lack of blood would do that.. She tried to take a few steps with her tail flicking wildly, that tail being the only reason she didn't fall over. So, when he made the offer for her to lean on him.. She did.

And she brought an arm around him to hold his waist. Glancing up to his face a moment, then she looked ahead and walked with him. Each step being more painful than the last. And in a good hour they finally got back to the inn and she was actually paler than white. If that was possible. She just needed to rest. Her fur felt cold to the touch and her tail drug on the ground as they made it to her room and he laid her on her bed. She licked her dry lips and looked up at him. "Come... tomorrow.. I'll be OK."

After an agonizing hour, they had finally made it to the inn, but Solae didn't look well, not in the slightest. She was a lot paler than she had been before, her lips dry, and her clothes stained with blood. He wanted to help her – to get her some food, some water, anything to make her more comfortable, but again, he could only stand there and feel helpless. He had to stop this, didn't he? He had to stop feeling so powerless and letting situations slip out of control.

"Solae... are you sure? You're a bloody mess..." He frowned, biting his lip once more. "I can help you change, if you want – so you can have a bath. I'm sure you'd be a lot more comfortable that way, right?" If it were Reks, he wouldn't want to be laying down in the same bloody clothes as he had been before such a ritual had occurred. He looked to her, wondering if she would let him help her – it was his duty, was it not?

He tried put on a brave face, and smiled a little – trying to liven up the gloomy mood. "C'mon, let me help you – I'll be your knight, just for today."

She shifted to look down at her clothes and the crusted blood.. Well, that was attractive. She then looked to Reks and pouted. "I...suppose that'll be a good idea." And she had plenty of clothes left. Even oversized t-shirt like gowns for uber comfort.

She slowly sat up and looked at him.. Would her being naked in front of him be a good idea? She didn't know.. But he really has a point. So she moved carefully, helping him slip off her clothes. Her eyes staring at his face. Seeing him with out ears.. It suited him better this way.

Ah... his suggestion seemed like a good idea at the time. What Reks forgot to register was that helping her take off her clothes meant seeing her naked. Before, she had walked around the room with barely any clothes on, no problem, but this... After he had just kissed her, and ended up crying a sad little baby over what she had done for him... was this a good idea, he wondered? But he was the one who had brought it up, and he wasn't going to take back his words.

He helped her slide off her clothes, trying not to stare, but it was hard, when everything was so up close and personal. Shit, he had never been this close to someone before, especially not a woman, especially not when she was naked. Her top was gone before he knew it, and, with shaky hands – with hands that were nervous as all hell – he removed the bottom half of her clothes as well. He was trying to look everywhere but at her, but he couldn't help but bring his eyes back to her, no matter what he did. Shit, shit, this was not good – why was he being such a perv? Stop it, Reks, he scolded himself, this is not the time. This is not the time.

"...I'll get a bath running for you," he offered abruptly, turning towards the bathroom and running the hot water, adding the scented soaps and oils for her. As quickly as he left, he returned, trying his hardest not to stare. He held out a hand toward her, offering, "Do you need help getting up?" Despite how awkward it would be, for her to lean on him in this condition... bah, but now was not the time to be worrying about these things!

She moved slowly, making it easier to get the clothes off. She had no issues with being naked in front of him. Though she barely knew Reks, the boy meant a lot more than some stranger. He was cursed by her sister, and for no reason, really. Well, that's how she felt. And after feeling the pain he was in, she couldn't help but feel even worse about that curse.

Though, she did notice his strange looks, the long looks, as he helped her strip. And though she was exhausted, she smirked. Amused at how he acted now that he had gone off and kissed her. He seemed so uneasy. And possibly even bothered in the good way over her naked.

She couldn't resist the urge to chuckle when he stormed off to start a bath. Then he came back and she smiled to him. "I believe so." she said softly. Holding onto his hand and arm she got to her feet and used his support to get to the bathroom. And slowly sat in the tub. Looking to Reks again. But she chose to stay quiet.

Reks let out a deep breath as Solae finally got in the tub – he hadn't realized how tense he would be. He looked at her, down in the tub, hoping that she didn't need help actually bathing. She... she didn't need help actually bathing, right? He had gone and offered to be her knight for the day, but there were some things that he just couldn't ask. She was tired, not paralyzed, and he wasn't sure what would happen to him if he actually had to... wash her... Reks shook his head at how ridiculous he was being, pointing his thumb over his shoulder, backing up.

"I'll be in the room if you need me," he told her, quickly, backing out of the bathroom and into the main room, running his hands through his hair. He was being the most pathetic person on the face of the earth today! He flipped off his hood, running his fingers over the spot where his cat ears had been, and, with relief, found that they really were gone.

She had kept her promise, despite his mistrust of her – and she was a mage, nonetheless. And apparently, she was related to Lelena, so that meant... she was related to Kalev as well. So she might've known him, his only friend back then, the fortune-teller! Man, he had so many questions, but, he couldn't ask any of them, not now. He lay on the bed, looking up at ceiling, ready to answer her call for help, if she needed him, lost in thought.

She nodded to him when he said he would be in the next room and she grabbed her sponge and soaked it in the water. She then used that sponge to scrub the blood off her white fur before it stained it-- not like that was likely, but she just didn't want to look dirty. And white fur was very hard to take car of.

Slowly, though, she was gaining some energy back so when she finished getting the blood off her side, she decided to clean her long black hair with the pink tips. Though she doubted she would be able to braid it come time she finished her bath.

A little dizzy from leaning back, she decided to clean up around the bandage carefully so she didn't get the bandage wet. Once she was satisfied with her cleaning job she stood up slowly and slipped out of the tub. Trying to be a bit more independent so she didn't weird out Reks more. Solae managed to dry off a bit, then slipped on her robe and slowly walked over to the bed and sat down. Looking at him. "Thank you." she said softly.

Her bath had been quick – which Reks was glad for, considering he was starting to get a bit worried about her, being in there all by herself. Her robe was back on, which was good, and Reks was noticeably more relaxed now, no longer as tense. When sat down on the bed, Reks realized he had been laying down on it and taking up most of the space, so he hopped off it quickly, considering that she definitely needed to be laying down, not him.

She thanked him, but Reks shook his head, rubbing the back of his head. "You don't have to thank me," he muttered, sighing. "I haven't done anything except... except but you in danger..." He shut his eyes closed for a second, and shook his head, laughing at himself. "But, look at you – you look better already! It's amazing, what a change a nice, warm bath can do." In reality, she still looked pretty worn out, but it was best to stay positive in this situation. He hated seeing her so weak – especially after the horrible way he had mistrusted her before. If he could, he'd do anything to make it up to her.

"You must be starving... I can bring up something from the tavern for you to eat, if you're hungry." Before he even finished his sentence, he was already at the door, ready to head down to the tavern to get her some food. "Is there anything you feel like eating?"

Solae shifted when he jumped to his feet and she moved to lay down and tugged the blankets over her and laid her head on the pillow with her head turned so she could watch him. He seemed to be less freaked out now, but was still nervous. "You don't need to lie. I know I look horrible. I'll be fine tomorrow. Just breathe." she said and chuckled. Looking to her bandaged wrist. Then she lowered her arm and watched him go over to the door.

"Uh.. no food. But, if you're hungry go get something and put it on my tab." she said to him snuggling into the blankets. She somewhat wondered if he'd sleep in her bed or in a chair. She didn't want him to be uncomfortable.. But, then again.. being in the same room as a mage might just be enough to drive him nuts. She felt bad for him, but what Lelena did was something she felt she needed to correct. Even if it was a temporary fix only when she's near.

Apparently, she would be fine tomorrow, but how was he supposed to be reassured by such a statement, when she had lost so much blood, and looked like a wreck. He sighed, shaking his head. "It's hard to breathe when suddenly slice your wrists with a huge frickin' knife," Reks grumbled, annoyed. "I hope I never have to see you do something so crazy again." Underneath his gruff mumbles was a hint of compassion, which he tried to cloak away – probably to no avail.

He raised an eyebrow as Solae confessed to not wanting food. Really, she wasn't hungry at all? He'd probably be famished in her situation, after losing all that blood, after doing it for someone who had just treated them horribly... Reks sucked in a breath – he wasn't really hungry, and he didn't really want to leave her, but he wanted to walk around, get some air, and clear his head a bit. Besides, she needed her rest, and there wasn't anything left here for him to do. He twisted the door open, making his way out the door. "I'll be back later then – you get your rest." It was more of a demand than a suggestion.

The tavern was dull without Solae here to liven things up. Apparently, the place didn't have any other talent lined up, so the bar wasn't as lively as it had been the other night. Reks sat at his usual spot, not hungry or thirsty, but just tired and confused – wanting and needing nothing, except for his situation to make sense. Solae was a mage, but she had kept her promise, and his ears really were gone... But then, she was related to Lelena, which meant she shared the same blood as her, which was why she could neutralize the spell to begin with? But then, that meant she was related to Kalev... It was all too much to take in! Reks flipped off his hood, running his hands through his hair, more annoyed than he could ever remember being in all his eighteen years.

Barkeep, still cleaning a glass (...was that the same glass from this morning?) strolled by, smirking a little at the mage hunter. "You took your hood off," he noticed. "Must've finally learned some manners, huh?"

Reks cut his eyes at the man. "Quite the opposite, actually." Would he ever forget it – how he treated Solae back there? Sighing, he waved his hand towards the back of the bar, pointing at his favorite brand of mead. "The usual," he muttered, ordering it out of mere habit rather than need. As barkeep brought the drink over, he stood there, hands on hips, obviously waiting for his tip. Reks shook his head, and began, "Put it on –" but then stopped himself, biting his tongue. "Nevermind..."  Instead, he took out his own bag of coins and tossed a few at barkeep – he couldn't keep using Solae's charity, especially not when he felt like he didn't deserve it...

With nothing to do at the bar, a half hour later, he came back into the tavern, still no more enlightened than he had been when he left. He was sure to be quiet, so that he would not wake Solae if she were sleeping. Which begged the question – where was he supposed to sleep? Did he dare risk disturbing her, and climbing next to her in bed? Could he even bring himself to sleep in the same space as a mage, even if it was Solae? Would he take the chair, or the floor, as he had joked about last night? And why did he have to go and make everything so different, so stunted, all of a sudden? Why had everything just decided to change?

Solae watched as Reks left. Having him out of the room cleared up a lot of tension, and now Solae could get about doing a spell to get her energy back-- something she thought she would have to do once he was asleep.

She carefully stood up and walked over to her small table and sat down. Pulling out some items she had tucked under the table hidden by a tablecloth. Setting some crystals into a certain pattern and she chanted a spell that made the stones glow an eerie blue color, that same color soon enveloped her and she breathed in a sigh of relief, the blue glow seeming to soak into her and she smiled. Now... to surprise Reks~

Fully restored, she cut the bandage off her wrist, which was healed up. And she walked to her closet and pulled out a pink belly dancer dress (//http://www.orientdancer.com/costumes/pink_bella_sale.shtml) and put it on. She adjusted everything and changed the band that held that bell on her tail to a pink one that matched the dress. Then she pulled her hair into a messy bun and fastened it with ties with coins that matched the dress.

Solae walked out of the room and down a back way to behind the stage. Talking to the tavern owner who was excited to hear that she wanted to dance again. So he stepped out on stage to get their attention. "You are some lucky men~ We have a beautiful woman back here who wishes to dance for you! Enjoy~" He backed off the stage and the curtains closed.

Eerie music started to play, not as mystic as her first dance, but it quickly picked up and the curtains opened to reveal Solae dancing on the stage. And, like she expected, Reks had come to the audience confused about someone dancing. So..Solae took to the audience sooner than she usually did and she played around and danced with some of the other men wanting to see Reks' jaw drop. She was also trying to show him that she was fine.

She swung her hips to get the coins to ring. Then she left the guy she was dancing with panting and wanting more. And Solae went over to Reks. Still dancing, but it was a bit more... intimate. And she spoke only loud enough for him to hear. "I'm fine now.. You don't have to worry."

Reks, always being slow on the uptake, took longer than it should've taken to realize that Solae wasn't even in this room – she was gone. Biting his lip in worry, he tossed back the covers, only to reaffirm his suspicions – she simply wasn't there. A million different theories ran through his head at once – what if the mage hunters had taken her, and she hadn't been able to defend herself since she was considerably weakened...

 Or what if Lelena or one of her minions (did Lelena even have minions?) found out about what she had done and decided to kidnap her... or worse! Reks groaned, holding his head, and found that he was shellshocked again. If he had to choice between fighting or fleeing, somehow, he could never decide, and picked neither, choosing to be a sitting duck for whatever danger approached. He was bad at making good decisions. So instead, he made no decisions at all.

Just as he was about to lose it, he heard barkeep's obnoxiously loud announcement – that woman was going to dance for them. He sucked in his breath and bolted for the door without hesitation, hoping, praying, that it was Solae, and not some other dancer... Then again, he didn't know if there were any other dancers as bold as Solae, who would choose Hyoite of all places to perform. He could only take his usual seat and glare at barkeep, who cleaned his glass (that same frickin' glasss) over and over again, as if he knew something that Reks didn't.

That music started to play, and Reks' jaw dropped as her saw her – Solae, in the flesh, dancing as if nothing had ever happened. She seemed totally fine now, as if all that happened had... well, never happened. In fact, she was more than fine, she was... a lot better, he knew, just by seeing her dance. He stood up, and wanted to say something – but all of his intelligence was sapped away as soon as she started dancing. Like she did before, she teased the other men, danced with them, left them wanting more – it was her job, was it not? – but this time, Reks could not help but be a little envious of every man she touched, teased, and toyed with...

Finally, she came over to him, dancing intimately, her hips swaying – entrancing him. He could almost feel the stares of the men in the tavern burying into his soul, but he couldn't care less about them in the slightest. She was fine, she said, and Reks wouldn't notice it, but he became noticeably more relaxed, after hearing her say so.

"Damnit, Solae..." he muttered, watching her hips. "I was so worried... I..." It was hard for him to concentrate on what he wanted to say – how could he, with all these distractions? Eventually, he pulled his dim grey eyes up toward her own, still worried, still concerned. "Can you ever forgive me? For what I... For how I..." The words were sticking in his throat – he couldn't find it in him to explain how wrong he was. He wanted to forget about it all, but with every sway of her hips, he felt more and more guilty – he didn't deserve her, he knew, but he'd give anything to be good enough for her.

She looked at his face as he spoke and she ran a finger up his throat and to his chin, tilting his head up so she could look into his eyes. "Can I ever forgive you?" She asked softly, bringing her tail around to wrap around his arm and pulled that arm to her hip as she moved even closer to him. "You acted out based on history. And I am a mage. Your hate for me is understandable."

Solae looked up when the music came to a stop and she drew back to bow and laughed as she was clapped for. When it died down a bit, she reached out and grabbed Reks' hand and pulled him all the way back to her room. She closed the door and ran her finger over the pane of the door, putting that same lock back on it. And she turned to look at him.

"I forgive you." She said softly. "And I would understand it if you chose to stay at the outermost boundaries of this cure. I'm surprised you didn't let me die. My death would've canceled out the curse, put it on my body and then end with my life. I almost thought you would. But you're keeping the curse." She stepped up to him. But didn't close the gap. "Why did you kiss me?"

Her body was hypnotic. Every delicate movement she made, and every sway of her hips did not go unnoticed by Reks, who could only watch her, star struck, trying to find words while she moved hypnotically, seductively. When she trailed her finger up her chin, he froze at her touch, and felt as if he would melt. She probably had no idea what she did to him – hell, even Reks couldn't understand it.

He had spent most of his life drifting, never forming any bonds or relationships, and here Solae came – unexpected and uninvited – into his life. But he welcomed her nonetheless, despite his previous mistrust. At her words, he shook his head, and felt dirty again – god, he'd been horrid to her. "That doesn't make what I did right," he muttered, and shook his head, knowing that he was undeserving of her touch.

She dragged him into their room, locking their door again, and forgave him, saying she would understand it if he stayed at the fringes of the cure, if he wished. He closed his eyes and shook his head vehemently. "No – that's not what I want," he replied, his voice shaky. "You're a mage, sure, but... you're Solae before you're a mage. I don't care what you do, or what you can do, and I should've... I should've never mistrusted you." He paused, and replied firmly, "I want to travel with you... if you'll let me, after what I've done."

Apparently, the curse would've been broken if he had left her to die, but hell if Reks would've done that, not ever. The very thought was insane, and if he had cat ears at the moment, they've would've stood up in anger. "I couldn't... I would've never done that to you," he said, in his defense. "Never in a million years would I have left you – or even another mage – there to die. That's not... that's not the kind of mage hunter I am..." He was a delinquent at best, but he didn't have blood on his hands, and he didn't plan to, not ever.

All he wanted was for things to go back to normal again. (What was 'normal' for them?) But then she asked him, stepping closer, but not too close – why did you kiss me?

Huh. Why indeed. Hell if Reks could explain it. At the question, he balked, and reached up to scratch his hair, trying to find an answer. The last thing he wanted to do was get all sentimental and sappy about this. He put his head in his hands for a moment, before looking at her, determined. "I couldn't resist you anymore. When I saw you, bleeding, talking about stupid shit like leaving you there, I wanted you to know..." He stepped closer, closing the gap. "...How I really feel about you."

She looked down at him and paused to think about the confession he had just given her. Solae just merely sucked in a breath and reached out to rest her hand on his cheek. "Reks. I don't want you to feel pressured into being with someone who you don't like." She started. "I am a mage...and your hatred for them may make a relationship with me very conflicting. And though I adore you... I don't want you conflicted."

Solae paused, then leaned in to kiss his cheek. "I will say this though...I would never perform such an act for someone I did not like." As in, she shared his feelings. She stepped back and looked at him. Then moved to sit on a chair and pulled the bell off her tail. "I'll let you decide. Reks. You can come with me. If that's what you really want. Though, if you want to chose that.. I ask that you spend one night with me how you would hope to spend nights with me. Do what you would like. I'll go along. But I wont be upset if, in the morning, you find you cannot truly do this."

Solae was used to men leaving her, much like her father, she expected that this would be the case no matter what.

He wished he had never mistrusted her.

It was a stupid thing to do – it was something he could never take back, no matter how much he wanted to. She didn't get it, she really didn't get it – he wanted to be with her, goddamnit, he didn't care what she was! (A part of him did, some nagging, out-of-the-line part of him couldn't help but think that things would be better if she wasn't a mage.) But despite any heinous stray thoughts that lingered in his head, he couldn't imagine leaving her, after she had changed his life so much for the better. They were bonded together now, weren't they? That... had to mean something, didn't it?

She kissed his cheek, which only made his cheek flush red – god, what a girly thing to do. He furrowed his brow, annoyed at himself, and placed a hand on the cheek she had kissed, as if doing so would preserve it somehow. He looked up at her, wanting to prove to her that this what he really wanted – more than anything, but didn't know if words could do such a thing. "Solae, I... I want to travel with you," he started again, as if repeating himself would confirm his statements. "I'll spend a day with you, travelling. But just know, I won't change my mind." His voice was peppered with that burst of determination, as he said with conviction, "The next morning, I'll still be there – with you." It was a promise.

He wasn't sure why this meant so much to him, but it did. And to be honest, his feelings were her were still confusing, still disorienting, and he didn't understand any of it. But he knew what he did feel was something he had never felt before, something that he couldn't convey with actions or words, no matter how hard he tried. The closest he had ever come to expressing it had been that kiss he had given her – brief, but bold – but now, he wasn't sure what else to do – except to prove to her, somehow, that he would always be around.

Solae watched Reks' emotions as he spoke, trying to prove to her that he was sorry, and wished he could take back what he said. And his desire to prove that he would stay with her. But, Solae decided to ask another question, just to be sure. "And, you don't think it would be strange to be with a cat when you seem to hold animosity against felines after what you've been through?"

Solae stood up, knowing what he would say. So she sauntered over to him and reached out to his face with her hand closed, her nails brushing over his skin, then opened her hand and let her fingers brush back over his jawline and pushed his chin back up and she studied his face. Then leaned in and kissed his lips softly. Deciding it would be the best thing to do in that situation to make him feel better. Though, it was honest.

She wasn't making this easy — hell, why would she? He had done the stupidest thing in the world, and he wasn't sure if he could ever prove how sorry he was about it. He looked up at her as she asked him what seemed to be her ultimate question — wouldn't it be hard to be with her, after he held so much animosity towards felines? He paused, but only for a moment, and determination shone in those dim grey eyes of his.

"How I feel about others — felines, mages — it doesn't matter. But what I feel for you — to me, that's the most important thing, right now." It was his confession of sorts, and if he could, he would've written it in blood, to make it official — to let her know, just how strongly this meant to him. And perhaps he had finally been able to express how strongly he felt, for Solae closed the gap between them, brushed her fingers across his face, and kissed him softly.

He didn't expect it (how could he?) but he leaned into it, returning it softly. He wanted to return it with the same vigor and passion as his first kiss to her had been, but he couldn't — guilt consumed him. Eventually, he pulled away, his cheeks flushed red (Goddamnit Reks, stop being such a girl, some voice in his head nagged). He looked up to her again, sucked in a deep breath. "I won't break my promise to you, Solae," he assured, biting his lip. "After all, you kept your promise to me." She had spilled her own blood to do it, too. How could he ever forget it?

She chuckled when he pulled away and kissed his forehead. "Ok ok.. You win, Reks. I believe you." She had been teasing him enough. She placed her hands on his shoulders and brought herself face to face with him. "So... now that we've come to terms with this..... What would you like to do now?"

Solae stepped back and swayed her tail as she walked to the dresser to find something more comfortable to wear.

She said she believed him, and if she said it, did she mean it? He could only hope so – and trust that she would tell the truth. He sighed a little in relief, but knew that this struggle was far from over. There would come a time when he would have to prove his loyalty, and then, he knew, he would have to step up. But, as of now, all Reks could do was be as faithful to his word as he possibly could.

What did he want to do now, she wondered. At her words, Reks took a seat on a plush chair, sitting cross-legged on it, biting his lip. He brought his eyes down to the floor, sucking in a deep breath. "We could talk," he suggested, staring at the floor. "...You said before, that you could only neutralize my curse... because of the blood you share with the one who made it." He paused, and struggled to say her name. "Lelena, the Witch." He studied her, curious. "So you're... you're really related to her?" His tone was not doubtful, just... curious.

She watched him sit down and figured he was finally settling down. Though, he chose such a morbid thing to ask her, so she just pouted and turned back to shuffling through her dresser and finally found a short skirt and a tank top. So, uncaring, she stripped down and pulled on a black thong and the skirt. Then the tanktop-- braless, and smoothed it over her stomach, but with the hip hugging skirt and the tank being held up by her chest, her mid section was still visible.

And she turned to walk back over to him. "Yes.. I am related to her." She answered plainly and bent over in front of him. Bringing herself face-to-face with him. "Why don't we do something more fun?"

Reks bit his lip, narrowing his eyes a little at Solae's blunt confirmation. Alright, so she was related to her – but how? Lelena wasn't a cat, as far as he had known – did that mean her father had an affair? And if that was true, did that mean she had lived on the islands? If so, why didn't Reks remember her? And if not, then ... gods, none of this was making sense! And Solae didn't seem like she wanted to sit down and talk about this, despite all of the questions that Reks had. He hated being left in the dark about things, especially things as important as this!

But then, she was changing – just totally uncaring that he was right there, watching. He knew he probably should avert his eyes, but, how could he? Normally, this sort of thing wouldn't have bothered him, but – goddamnit, this was not good. He looked down, struggling for words. "That's it?" he quipped, obviously annoyed. "I know you're related to her, but..." He cut himself off, however, as she brought herself face to face with him, and he stared at her, not knowing what she meant. Something more fun, she had said... "W-What do you mean?" he asked, legitimately oblivious, but obviously flustered, with wide anxious eyes.

Solae knew that Reks was being tormented by something, though she couldn't figure it out. So, she silently muttered a chant to allow her to read his thoughts, and read them she did. Solae almost pouted at the content that marred his thoughts and moved to sit on his lap. Reaching up she brushed his bangs back and tucked his hair behind his ear. Then let her hand rest where those cat ears used to be.

"She is my half sister. We share the same father. And, though I never lived with her, I have visited. It caused many problems with her-- she hated me. It was obvious. So I chose not to torture her with my presence any more than what was necessary to keep appearances up with my father. Though he disliked my learning how to dance, and that was the only thing that kept me alive." Solae answered, then stretched out a bit. "Anything else you need to know or can we do something less melancholy?" She pouted. But decided to be daring and leaned in to kiss his lips softly.

Ahhh – Solae always knew just the right ways to make him a little nervous. She was full on sitting in his lap now, and Reks wasn't sure if he deserved all the attention. Hadn't he just been clamoring over trying to prove himself to her, a moment ago? Apparently, she really did hold no ill will – or maybe she just liked toying with him. (She probably just liked toying with him...) Reks bit his lip, unsure of how to react to her positive attention, especially when she tucked his hair behind his ear, and placed a hand on his head. Reks had grown up without much love or affection from anyone – not his parents, and he rarely had any friends, besides the fortune teller – so to be tended to like this... it was a nice feeling.

"I just... it's hard for me to believe, you know? You're nothing like her... at all." He didn't mean in terms of looks, but in terms of personality... But then again, Kalev had been nothing like his sister as well. Maybe crazy didn't run in the family. For now, he was satisfied, and his heart sat a little easier in his chest, but that didn't mean he wasn't still nervous. Why was Solae all over him like this? (And what was she hinting about...?)

He was about to ask, but then she leaned over and kissed his lips and goddamnit, what had he been thinking about again? There was that flurry of emotions racing through his head again, but then, just like in his first kiss, he returned it with that spark of lust. He pulled away, his heart beating out of his chest, and asked, as innocent as could possibly be, "...That depends on what you mean by something 'less melancholy.'" He wasn't trying to be coy or flirty, although it might've sounded that way, if you didn't take for account the serious look in his eyes when he said it.

She chuckled when their lips parted and her fingers remained on his jawline. Watching his face as he spoke and nodded. "I barely knew my sister. And my antics come purely from my lifestyle. I never lived with my father and my mother left me when I was three. And I'm certain she's dead. So, I am a free spirit." She grinned.

His words that attempted to be coy or flirty... which ever. Though she found it very cute and attractive. She leaned in and kissed his neck. Speaking into his ear. "Well, why don't we just go with the flow and see what happens?" she asked, holding onto his shoulder and letting her tail drag along his leg gently.

A "free spirit" – that explained Solae perfectly, didn't it? She was someone who lived by her own rules, and yet, she was kind, honest, dependable... He shook his head, and could only think about how cruel it was – how Lelena had apparently not only made her own brother's life hard, along with Reks, but she had given Solae a hard time as well. He sucked in his breath, hoping that the day would soon come when he did find the witch, Lelena. Was it so bad, to want a little revenge? And if he could not take revenge, then could he at least reclaim what she had stolen?

Ahhh, but Solae was kissing his neck again – damnit, it was hard to stay focused when she was so close to him. Go with the flow, she had said, and see what happens. He shut his eyes, and when he did, he could nearly hear his heart beating out of his chest. In this sort of situation... how should he act? What should he say? Never before had he ever been intimate with someone before, so Reks was new to this, to showing affection for others.

"I'm not sure if I know how to go with the flow," Reks replied, legitimately worried. He wasn't someone who spoke in parables – he had no idea what Solae wanted from him, or what he was supposed to do, and that freaked him out a little. But he liked being close to her, so when he slid his hand near her waist, he hoped she wouldn't mind – he just liked the feel of her, underneath his fingertips.

She paused when he admitted he didn't know how to go with the flow, and almost laughed. It was strange to meet someone who didn't take such obvious hints. So she leaned back and looked at him. "Reks... Are you a virgin?" She asked.. Curious like a cat.

She looked over his face, then brushed his hair back and nuzzled against his neck. "I would've never guessed you to be so innocent."

He was a virgin – but he didn't know it would be so painfully obvious. He bit his lip, as soon as she said it – if she could tell just by looking at him, then what did that say about him? He nodded, slowly, hesitatingly – it was the last thing he wanted to admit, sure, but it was true, and he couldn't deny it. "I am, I guess..." he acknowledged, shaking his head. He laughed uneasily, "Is it that obvious?" It probably was, considering she had pinned him for a virgin without much hesitation.

She didn't seem to be turned off by it, though. As she nuzzled against his neck, he couldn't help but love how soft she felt against his skin. "It's my best kept secret," he laughed, although it wasn't so much of a secret anymore. "So I really don't have any ...experience... in this sort of thing..." In this sort of situation, he would just have to follow her lead.

She chuckled and kissed his neck and purred softly. "That's so cute~ I will admit, it became obvious, but only when i started to come on to you." She admitted and played with his hair. "I've never been in a relationship with a virgin.... Or.. well, a relationship period." She made a face.

Though shook her head and looked at him. "Well, if you want to be my boyfriend.. I'll make that 'best kept secret' go away?" She chuckled. "We don't have to today though. When ever you're ready. But, I promise I wont let anyone find out your secret."

Cute. Reks did not want to be cute. Still, being cute was better than being awkward, he supposed, but still. One of the main reasons why he loathed his cat ears was because they were so damn cutesy – how was anyone supposed to take him seriously when he was sporting a pair of fluffy cat ears atop his head? He took it as a complement, though – at this point, he knew Solae was, at best, honest, and at worse, a tease. Plus, the kiss she delivered to his neck was enough to erase any grumpiness he might've been feeling toward the matter.

But if he had those cat ears now, they would've perked up in surprise at her confession – that she had never been in a relationship before. He tilted his head, earnestly curious. "Really?" he asked, unable to believe it. "Not even one?" It seemed so surreal. He had just assumed that she would've had a relationship in the past before – after all, she was talented, flirty, confident...

And she wanted him, of all people, to be her boyfriend? (Her first boyfriend? His first girlfriend?) It was impossible, for him to believe that a guy like him could maybe, possibly, be in a relationship with her. What was so good about him that she'd propose this? Just a few seconds ago, he had been ready to tear his heart out in order to prove how serious he was about fixing his mistake, and now... this? His eyes widened, and in his head, he thought furiously, play it cool, play it cool, play it cool, hoping that he hadn't turned red.

But – how was this going to work? A mage hunter and a mage – that just didn't seem logical, no matter which way he sliced it. Just because he happened to have all these feelings for Solae, that didn't mean... that didn't mean he could just push away so many years of prejudice, not in one night. Didn't he have a agreement with his boss – the mysterious woman in La'marri, dressed in elegant robes? Hadn't she given him some purpose in his life? Who was he to betray that? Who was he to be so vain as to think, even for a second, that this could work?

But that was Reks – foolish, and reckless.

"If you don't mind having a guy like me for a boyfriend," Reks started, with a laugh. "then, yeah, I... I'd definitely want that." Trying to sound as casual as possible, his voice was pensive, peppered with a plethora of those emotions again, running through him like a locomotive. He didn't know exactly what he meant by a 'guy like me' – a delinquent, maybe, a wanderer, a kid who didn't even know who he was, but – if he knew one thing, it was that he wanted Solae, with every fiber of his being, for some inexplicable reason that he couldn't explain.

She promised him softly – that she'd make his best kept secret go away. Was he even ready, for such a thing? She seemed to know without him saying anything that it didn't have to be tonight – some other time, then. He nodded, breathing out a sigh of relief. "I don't think I'm ready yet – for that kind of thing," he said softly, shaking his head. "I still feel as if I have to make it up to you – for what I said." For what he did. "When I finally do show you, that I'll always be here – I think then... then, I'll be ready."

She knew this was tough, but it was life. It was how things were. And she was OK with that. She was OK with teaching Reks. She was also OK with him being a mage hunter. But she was determined to show him that mages weren't all bad.

"It's fine. It doesn't havet o be today. I just want you to know that I will help you out. That I will not leave you in such a position that you're in pain." She nuzzled against him. "Just trust me." She said.

But she realized it would all be so hard. So, in order to try and help, she leaned back and turned his head so he was looking at her. "I'm going to quit being a mage." She said softly. "The only magic I'll use will be to help you out with this curse. I'll stop practicing it. It that's what you want." She nodded. "I just want you comfortable with me."

Though, Solae soon stood up and held her hand out to him. "Why don't we get some sleep? You look exhausted.."

He felt utterly safe in Solae's arms – it was like, if he was with her, then nothing could go wrong. It was a strange feeling, considering that she was a mage, but he wasn't about to question it. So when she nuzzled her head against her neck, telling her to trust him, he nodded, and replied softly, "I trust you." He wasn't sure how it happened, but he truly trusted Solae. It was strange, bizarre, and considering the time he had known her, it shouldn't even be possible. But Reks trusted her – more than he trusted anyone else in the world.

As she turned her head to face him, Reks' eyes opened wide, not expecting the words that came out of her mouth. She would... quit being a mage? She would stop doing magic? Was such a thing even possible? To tell a mage to stop doing magic... wasn't that like telling a soldier to stop fighting? His eyes widened, he shook his head, even though some dark part of him told him that things would be easier this way. If she stopped doing magic, ultimately, he'd be more at ease around her, but at what cost?

"Solae... I can't ask you to do that, I can't," Reks muttered, shaking his head. "Your magic – isn't it a part of who you are? I couldn't ask you to stop doing it without feeling like the biggest jackass in the world." Even though magic itself unnerved him, he had to realize – it was magic that had repressed the cat ears, that had erased the tattoos. "You shouldn't have to change, for me – not after everything you've done for me." He bit his lip. "Let me change for you."

He looked down at his hands. "I'll stop hunting mages. I'll find another line of work – something I can be good at." It hurt for him to say – but better he stop rounding up mages and sending them to a world unknown then for her to stop practicing magic. It was kidnapping – that's what he did, plan and simple. He snagged mages and brought them to La'marri, where that strange woman would take them and do hell knew what to them. It was criminal, he knew, but he had always pinned himself to be a delinquent. "I'll find a way to use my talents for... a gentler purpose." Maybe he could find some way to put himself to good use, for the community around him. Or was that thought in itself a stupid, optimistic dream?

But she stood up, and held out her hand to him, suggesting they get some rest. "You're right," Reks agreed, "I am exhausted... let's go to bed."

Solae watched him as he spoke and smiled. "Yes.. I was born to be a mage, but only half of me. And, to be honest, it is such a pain from time to time." She admitted. "Though, if you really feel that way. I can stay... me. I don't want you to change, though. Sure.. killing mages is wrong. Though... I like that dangerous side to you." She admitted.

"Maybe.. you should just kill her." and by her, she meant her sister. Solae never liked her-- never cared much for that part of the family. In fact, for all she cared, she just appeared out of thin air with how she was raised. No one was there for her.

But she silently got Reks to the bed and sat down next to him. Though, as she lay down, she realized something. "Oh.. this may seem weird to ask.. But is 'Reks' really your real name? It seems... to not be right. Like something is missing from it."

Reks looked up at her quickly, when she mentioned him killing mages. "I don't kill them," he corrected, not wanting her to get the wrong idea. "I kidnap them. I know, it's not much better. But apparently, there's a want for mages lately – certain people will pay good money to get their hands on a mage." He realized what he was saying was probably insensitive, and he shook his head – it was probably better not to get into the specifics. Besides, the identity of his employer – it was supposed to be a secret, he knew. "Either way, it's not really an honest way of living."

There had to be something he could use his power for – or maybe he could settle down and find an easier job? Though, she admitted to liking that dangerous side of him, and he laughed, shaking his head. "Me? I'm not so dangerous," he admitted, although, that was a bit of a lie. All of that anger he had built up inside of him – it could be deadly, when unleashed in combat. There, in battle, lay the real reason he was called 'Reks.'

"I don't know if I could," Reks admitted, biting his lip. "I've... never killed anyone before. But I know she needs to be stopped. If she was so ruthless as to rip out her own brother's eyes, then I can only wonder – what the hell is she doing to other people out there now?" He didn't want to think about it.

He followed Solae to bed, and was surprised to find out how tired he was. Today was probably one of the longest days of his life. And it was the first time in a while he'd be going to bed without feeling any pain... He turned his grey eyes towards her when she asked about his name, and for a moment, he had to think – his real name... He hadn't used it since he left the island, and even then, he'd give anyone who called him by his real name a good punch. But, if Solae wanted to know, he'd tell her. "It's Requiem," he admitted, cringing at the sound of it. "Requiem Stratus. But... my full name is worthless to me. I've been Reks since I can remember."

Since the day I was cursed.

"You don't want to kill, Reks.. Stay pure." She said softly. Playing with his hair.

But the weight of the day was like an anvil on her head. She just was so tired. So going to sleep seemed like the best thing to do. But, just laying on the bed didn't mean that sleep would come. It meant she would get to be one step closer to the mysterious Reks.

Hearing his name, she couldn't help but smile. And she moved in closer to him and placed her hand on his cheek. "Requiem.. I love it." she said softly. "There's so much power in your name... Why don't you ever use it?" She asked curiously. Her tail flicking. She really did love his name. But she wouldn't use it if he didn't want her to.

Stay pure, she said. Reks could only wonder if it was possible to do something like that – stay pure – in a world that was so corrupt, so full of sin. But he would try to hold onto this 'purity' as Solae called it, although he wasn't sure how long it could last. He knew, of course, that getting out of the business would probably be the best for a person like him. If he could find another job, he could stop all of the pointless fighting, all of the kidnapping, and find a more peaceful way to survive. He had lived so far on the sole basis that he was good at rounding up mages, but now, he'd need another purpose. It was for the best, though. It was not healthy, to live such a prejudiced life.

But Solae – she loved his name, which honestly surprised him. "Really?" he asked, smiling a little. Then, she asked why she never used it, to which Reks shook his head, biting his lip. "My parents found me on the day of a funeral – their child had just died, and after the burial, a dirge began to play. A requiem." He frowned a little. "They found me floating in a basket down the river, and decided take me in, to name me just that – Requiem." He paused. "I guess I just hate the fact that it reminds me what I am – just someone who showed up randomly on a sad day. It kind of pisses me off."

To this day, he still didn't know – who were his real parents, where had he been born, why had he been floating down that river? They were questions that bringing up his real name always managed to resurface. So he went by Reks, in order to run from the things that really mattered, but he knew – that way of living, that wasn't healthy either. "But... you can call me Requiem, if you want," he offered, truly meaning it. He wanted, desperately, to change the way he had been living. Running, hiding, kidnapping, surviving. He was tired of surviving. He wanted to live. "I mean, if you don't think it sounds silly or anything..." He was self-conscious about his real name – to use it was to acknowledge that he really human, underneath his tough façade.

She rolled onto her stomach and let her tail snake around in the air, flicking back and forth which was a sure sign that he was interested in the conversation. "You were found on the day of a funeral? Well.. I don't think there's a reason to dislike your name for that reason." She scooted closer to him.

"I think of it this way... Their son died, and they found you. You weren't a replacement, but a gift from their passed child. He didn't want them lonely so he led them to you. And your name was given to you to speak of that song that led them to you. Their child watching out for not only them-- but you." She smiled. "I like Requiem. It suits you. Only the most beautiful and moving of songs are played at a funeral."

"So, now that that is settled, Requiem... I think I'll save using your name for in private." She snuggled close to him and started to purr.

Reks knew he had never fit in with the other Yoreiq islanders – it was something obvious, something you could tell just by looking at the color of his skin. It was a dingy, dusty pale, compared to the rich browns and earthy tones the other islanders had. And yet, despite everything, they had never made him feel different – it was just something that resonated inside of Reks, something that he could never shake off. So when Lelena had betrayed her brother – another outcast, another somebody who definitely didn't fit in – he was glad to have an excuse to leave. He thought, maybe, he'd be able to carve out a new home for him, somewhere. So far, he had been unlucky in that endeavor – until he met Solae, that is.

Solae's explanation of things – that the child had been looking out for him, and his parents as well – made Reks' heart feel a little lighter. "I guess that makes me lucky," he noted with a small laugh, wondering what kind of person his old folks' child had been – or what he would've become, if time had allowed it. To hear her speak highly of his name put a smile on his face; he had always hated his name, and had hid underneath a nickname given to him by a witch to hide it, but if Solae liked it... then maybe it wasn't so bad.

He liked that idea – keeping his real name for private use. "Oh? So it'll be our little secret then," he teased, wrapping an arm around her waist, bringing her a little closer. Besides his old folks, his real name was quite a well-kept secret. He was surprised he even managed to tell her, but he trusted Solae more than anyone else. "For when we're together, like this." This quiet, unassuming intimacy – there was something about it that he really liked. Being close to Solae... was like coming home for the first time.

She curled up into his embrace and chuckled. It was nice to be held by him--and the fact that he was actually embracing her made her feel so much better. She had broken through his shell. Gotten him to open up and she was accepted by him-- even if they were enemies.

But, the added warmth was adding to her sleepiness. She nuzzled her face into the crook of his neck and kissed the soft skin. "Well, Requiem, it's been a long day. I think it's time to go to bed. Don't you think..?" A hand ran up his chest and rested on his shoulder. Holding him close so he would at least have to sleep with her.

Though, by morning it wouldn't be a shock to find her curled up with her back to him, giving him the chance to spoon with her, but also allowing him to get up as he needed. Her tail was wrapped around her leg and the tip was twitching as she slept peacefully. Covered in half the blankets.

It had been a long day, and Reks was dead tired. "You're right," he agreed, stifling a yawn. "We deserve a good rest, after everything that happened..." It would be strange, sleeping without having to deal with the constant pain ringing through his body – but it was a welcomed change. And so, for the first night since he left Yoreiq, Reks slept soundly, without a worry in his mind. It was probably the most restful sleep he'd ever had in his life.

When dawn broke, the last thing Reks wanted to do was get out of bed. He was damn cozy where he was, and while he was all about seizing the day, he could do that after five more minutes of sleep, couldn't he? He groggily opened his eyes, noting that Solae's back was turned to him – she must've shifted during the night. Gently, he hugged her from behind, relishing the feel of her fur on his fingertips. He hoped he hadn't disturbed her – that was the last thing he wanted to do. All he wanted to do was hold her in his arms, even if it was for just a little while.

She shifted when he rolled up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. Though her eyes never opened, she reached up and placed her hands over his and snuggled back against him for a moment. But soon found herself just wanting to look at him so she carefully rolled in his arms and opened her eyes. Bringing herself face to face with him.

"Hi." she said softly, bringing her arms around him lazily and snuggling up against his neck.

A few moments after he had latched onto her back, Solae had rolled carefully in his arms, facing him now, wide awake. He grinned, glad to see her face – it was easily the best view he could ever wake up to. When he looked at her, he couldn't help but remember everything they had gone through, and that rush of gratitude surged through him again, grateful for her, and her presence, and the fact that she had forgiven him, after everything was said and done.

"Hey," was his casual, drowsy reply. Reks pulled her a little closer to him, his fingers curled around her waist. "I didn't wake you up, did I?" he asked, his dim grey eyes curious, grinning a little as she snuggled closer to him. Solae was just so soft – everything about her was warm and welcoming,  and she was making it damn difficult for him to want to get out of bed. Couldn't he just lay here forever with her in his arms?

She smiled to him and nodded. "You did.. but that's OK. I like to wake up early anyway." She said softly. Looking down to where his hand was, then up to his face. "Strange... isn't it? Seeing a human with fur... and even a tail." As she spoke her tail snaked up his leg and curled around his ankle. Though she just nuzzled a bit more, kissing his neck. "Though, I prefer the feel of your skin. Smooth... soft. Cream colored. I'm finding myself jealous.."

But she fell quiet, pulling herself closer to him and sighing. "How did you sleep?"