I stopped bouncing and padded happily over to Nevin and in one neat turn on the ball of my heel I swung my back to Nevin to let him put the glimmering red necklace on me. I lifted up the back of my hair as he reached out and carefully wrapped it around my neck. His breathing tickled my skin as he exhaled.

“Does that feel OK pet?”

I turned back to face him and smiled. “mmmm. Am fine.” his look of concern turned to a wry grin as he coiled one arm around my waist, his hand resting on my stomach as he pulled me against him. He buried his face in my hair, breathing deeply, then I heard him chuckle and push me away, one hand slapping my ass as he did so. I yelped in surprise and glared at him. He wasn't normally so… Crass. “Nevin!” I huffed.

“Down that route is no going for a walk and wearing no clothes at all.” He gave me a grin that had a definite edge to it.

I grumbled in response and turned away from him as I bit my lip. I wouldn't say it out loud but I had to say, well… Think… I liked his confidence. He was always so withdrawn and his actions always held some sort of cautious hesitance. “let's go.” I mumbled in my huffy tone, not allowing him to gloat as I headed out the room and down the hall. I heard his warm, rolling laugh echoing down the hall as he followed me at a sedate pace, closing the door to our bedroom as he left it.

“So, beloved pet. Shall we grab a snack while we’re out?”

I nodded as I headed into the kitchen, amusing briefly to pick up the small woven basket I took to the marketplace. It felt empty. Good. “yes. Eteri think it be nice to have a night time pick the nick.” We had just eaten dinner, but he had caught onto my increased appetite lately. I appreciated the thought.

“It's picnic.” His vermilion eyes followed my every move as he spoke. He sounded amused, like he was just in the edge of laughing.

“that's what I said! A Pic the nick!” I waved the basket at him, brandishing it but Nevin laughed it off and shook his head, his lips stretched out as he leaned back, avoiding the basket.

He followed me as we left his store and were now out in the street. I paused and took a deep breath, enjoying the fresh night air and the buzz of people around me. “this nice~” I mused happily.

This is what I needed, to get out. To have that breeze tickle my skin and to run. Oh how I just wanted to sprint off, cast away the basket and scale the buildings. Running across the rooftops like I used to. But I'd be good.

I felt the arm before I realized Nevin had slid up behind me, silently. He took the basket from me with one arm, as his other squeezed me against him, my rear grinding against his crotch as he chuckled in my ear. “Go burn off some of that energy, my pet. I'll meet you at the night market to pick out some food.” His lips pressed against the back of my ear, before I felt his hand at the small of my back, giving me a gentle shove away.

I turned to look at him with my brows furrowed in confusion. It felt...it definitely felt like he was grinding himself against me but then...he just pushes me away? What the hell Nevin! He stood and stared down at me with those vermillion eyes, which practically glimmered in the pale light of the night. “I-uh.”

“Go on.” His voice was a booming command.

My ears flattened against my head and my lip jutted out in a pout as I turned and did just that. He was tormenting me. Most likely on purpose. And that tone of voice? That loud and dominant tone? Where the hell did that come from?

I had planned on following him around but before I knew it I had found myself ...well… lost. Dammit. Dammit, double triple dammit. How did he even get me to do that!? What did he want me to do again? He said something about the night markets…

I turned to look behind me, I could backtrack and follow the noises and sounds of the people heading to the night markets. But that seemed boring.

Well he did tell me to go burn off energy, and amidst the confusion - he was right… I did feel all this energy and I may as well put it to good use. I gave myself a nod of affirmation. FIrst thing first… not be lost. I headed for the first building. Someone's home I think. And used the window-pane as a foothold and quickly scaled the building.

“There!”

This was better. I could see now. I could feel the wind against my skin- the cool breeze against my face… and I could see the direction I wanted to go, toward the forest.

With a running start I leapt onto the next building and headed toward my destination.