You know this is how rumours start...right? I mean I guess this ship HAS sailed

[Eteri]

Eh? Why was he constantly either staring at me or doing everything he could to look away from me I squeezed him tighter..for good measure...he made an interesting sound and then murmured. Interesting... I gave another squeeze and he drew away, tilting his head to the side so he could take a few deep breaths.

Finally I got an answer from him, so the mark wasn't my doing. It was his. I furrowed my brow. "Is needle thing?" He nodded. Ok... Made sense...except it didn't leave marks before so why now? Did he have to do something more? I lifted my arm to inspect the place he had drawn my blood from. It was clear. I pressed my fingers against it. It didn't hurt. Something was definitely different. I shifted in his lap and he gave another cute groan, but he shifted his eyes to the floor muttering words under his breath.

Dammit why won't he look at me?

"Also why no look at Eteri?"

"well... I uh..."

There he goes again being all quiet. What is he doing? I needed to...investigate. I leaned in closer, I felt my skin graze the material on his jacket. He stilled. Hmm...wait..I had lifted my shirt up and he got all weird..Oh...Oh...

"OH!" It dawned on me, as all the pieces finally came together. He was uncomfortable with my body, more so my very exposed body. "Nevin I sorry!" I said as I clambered off of him. "Be back!" I half stumbled half ran to the room and opened his closet. l...Went through the pile of clothes and found a pair of UGH loose fitting pants. I bought them to my nose to sniff them. They smelt like him. I mean...obviously. They were his... But whatever. I put them on and tightened them around my waist before heading back to the workshop.

"Is better?" I asked a I extended my arms and did a semi twirl then...stumbled..ugh...dizzy...bad idea.

I plodded over and sat next to him. I shuffled uncomfortably, not liking the feeling of clothes. "Not used to this. Will try. Nevin..." I shifted the topic back to the red mark, and how it came about. "You didn't do no stupid did you?" I asked.

[Nevin]

After she had hugged him tight and leaned back Nevin was very glad that she seemed to be distracted by other thoughts than rising issues. “It is indeed from my threads, but I didn't take anything out from you so I guess they left a mark because I gave something to you instead. That's the first time I've done that, so I didn't know that would happen. I'm sorry - it should fade in a few days. Uh, Eteri, honey, what is-”

Why, oh why did she have to chose then to ask why he was keeping his gaze on the ceiling? It was really the only safe place for him to look at the moment - she was close enough that if he looked down at all, soft orbs would be directly in his line of sight. And by Crimson, he was doing his damndest to continue to treat her like… Well, like family. Her speech and innocent outlook on life made him want to cherish and keep her safe - but oh, her physique and her unwitting actions were driving his thoughts down an entirely different path.

She squirmed in his lap apparently upset about his inability to explain his issue with looking t her - then leaned forward, pressing against his upper torso again and he did his best to bite back a groan in the back of his throat. Then, suddenly, she squeaked and launched off of his lap and ran from the room, apologizing as she went. Nevin stared after her, his eyes wide. Had she - had she actually realized and been embarrassed about what she was doing? That would be a first.

He was still in the process of recovering, taking deep, steadying breaths, when Eteri came back into the room. Dark red eyes widened in shock, and then his lips quirked in amusement. She had decided that stealing a pair of his pants was the solution to whatever problem had run through her head. His eyes traveled back up and froze - she had tried, breast her heart, her shirt was now half pulled down but the other half had, ah, caught part way down and stuck. She spun around, showing off - and Nevin was treated to the sight of the base of her tail, because his pants weren't designed with a tail growing from the base of the spine. He drank in the sight and shuddered as she moved over to sit down beside him, leaning her head against his knee.

“I don't, know what you mean by doing a stupid, Eteri. I couldn't let you die, and I did what I could to prevent that.” He tilted his head to one side, and studied her as he began to rub the top of her head. This girl had slipped inside of his defenses with surprising ease, and had carved a place for herself in his life that he found she fit quite comfortably in. She wasn't the only person he had grown close to quickly - but she was the only one he would even consider this casual contact with. Which was strange - he normally was not one for touching, even when he initiated hugs to his friends he normally felt awkward about it, like he was doing something wrong.

But… He knew so little about her. She had mentioned a sister once, before, saying she was the skilled one. Nevin thought the girl was being a tad hard on herself - the unexpected feeling of rightness and warmth and satisfaction coiling in his gut indicated just how talented Eteri was. Who on Althanas was she comparing herself to? He cleared his throat and started scratching the base of one of her ears.

“Eteri, I want to know more about you. You have family, a sister? What is she like?” Finding out more about her family meant finding out more about this bizarre little cat girl who had wormed her way into his life.

[Eteri]

I shut my eyes. It was inevitable, eventually it always ended up being about her. "Ayaka older sister. Can see souls better than Eteri. Can not do soul seamstress like Eteri. But very smart. She speak lots language. She Alchemist she-"

"She's an alchemist?" Nevin asked, his ministrations against my head pausing. I felt a pang of jealousy tug at me. Everyone thought Ayaka was amazing. "Good one." I said, then, before he could ask any more about that I continued. "Ayaka look after Eteri when parents died."

"I'm sorry that happened." Nevin said.

I shifted my head shaking it. "No sad. Is ok. Is life. Got watch souls move on. Very pretty. Help with grieve." I said. I felt a tad...bad...chances were that my poor speech didn't help. I wished I were better at Tradespeak, then I'd be able to talk as fluently as Ayaka. I would be able to do so many more things. I sighed. My sister... "You Alchemist too...so will bump into her. She finds other Alchemists... trades secrets and knowledge, gets smarter. Ayaka likes money. Always scolded Eteri. Think Eteri too .. too what word for flip-floppy?"

"Flippant?"

"Think Eteri too flippant." I confirmed. "Can not make up mind. Too trusting. Does not do the good or the bad. Eteri ...." I paused. "Have many issues..." I finally admitted. There were things I didn't like thinking about. Let alone talk about...My fingers curled into a tiny ball and my torso curled around his.

"Issues?" Nevin pried. "Like what?" His hand fell to the mid of my back and he began to rub it in small circles.

I still felt dizzy and feverish...maybe that's why I was so comfortable talking about a life I'd rather forget. I mean, I guess not forget, but move on from. I wasn't entirely happy there. My fingers danced along his knee as I continued. "Not smart. Born no soul. Am known in clan as 'lost one' no soul sometimes die easy. Weak but Eteri grew strong. Lost one not very good with....with..." I scrunched my head, unable to say that people like me had trouble learning, had trouble articulating and behaving in a way that was deemed correct by social standards. "Nekojin is furry. All furry. More like cat. Lost one are too but sometime more animal...Eteri think.." I tilted my head up towards Nevin who ...well he was watching me, he didn't look angry or bored. Genuinely intrigued.

"This clan...what is it? What is your first language?

"Eteri from Ninyama. Many people from home can do the soul magic. Would put angry spirits to rest. Help dead move on. Eteri do too, but Eteri teased. People pretend not see because no soul."

I picked my tone up a bit, trying to brighten the mood. It felt a little too..sad for my liking. "Is ok though. Eteri travel lots places. No like still. Like explore, want see lots want help learn better. Eteri even make the friends. Eteri find happy places. Warm safe places. Places like this, is home."

[Nevin]

Nevin stared at the girl who was leaning against him, digesting what she had said. It honestly sounded like she had a fair bit of sister worship going on in her head - which wasn't that surprising, if this Ayaka was the only person who had looked after and cared for the girl after her parents had died. It sounded like she had been an outcast, ostracized in her village just for who she was. He -

”Come off of it you idiot. You're never going to get chosen for the Empowered Priests. They don't come around here ever, all you'll ever see are our normal priests. And they won't let you study more than herbology here.” I glared at the man who had smacked me on the side of the head. My father, a tall, imposing man, and one who held position as one of the town elders. He did not agree with my desire to learn Alchemy, not in the least - but this was the first time he had actually laid his hands on me over it. I stood up right, ear throbbing in pain, and snarled at him.

“You can't stop me any more, Elder.” I saw his face stiffen at my words, and I knew my refusal to call him father had cut. I couldn't find it in myself to care though. “If I can't learn Alchemy here, I'll just go somewhere I can. I'm going to help people, and the Eternal Sway can't stop me without killing me.” I stared hard at his face, daring him to report my desires to the local church. He and I both knew that if he did report me the Hunters would happily string me up for unsupervised magical activities, even if I never even learned any magical skills. Finally, he caved, and looked away.

“Tonight. Leave, tonight. I'll tell your mother and sister that you are seeking to join a different chapter, one with more chances to get noticed by the Empowered.” I tried to hide my shock but couldn't. I took a step forward, reaching a hand up -

Nevin gasped, loudly. That had been - a memory? One that he couldn't remember before? But why now? He shook his head, suddenly a bit woozy, before focusing his attention back on Eteri. One hand cupped her chin and tilted her head from side to side, studying her with a slight tilt to his head as he brought himself out of the webs of memory.

“I think the word you're looking for is ‘animalistic’ - it means someone who is more in touch with a natural state, or more akin to animal nature.” And it was something he had noticed about her, for sure. And he shook his head at something else she had said.

“I would argue you are plenty smart, Eteri. Let me tell you something - I certainly can't speak two languages, not even a little. The fact that you can is seriously impressive. And let me assure you.” Nevin locked his eyes onto hers and smiled. “I do see you. And I'm glad you're here. I won’t try to tie you here - but I will say, my life seems a bit more… active and energetic when you're around. I've been told I'm a stick in the mud, so, I'll take all the help you want to give me. And just so you know, and trust your own abilities more - I'm remembering things I couldn't before. And I'm sure it is because of what you did for me.”

[Eteri]

I wanted to sleep. I needed it.. Thaynes above I was so very, very tired

Emotional talks took a lot out of me. I was never good with them. They were always fleeting with me. Ayaka said it was because there was nothing to ground them, I guess she could have been right... I don't know...

I groaned as I rolled my head into Nevin's lap so I didn't have to deal with talking anymore. I'd have stared there, in that dark smooshy and warm place and I'd have fallen asleep but alas - that was not meant to be. Nevin's hand slipped down to pry my face away from his lap to peer into his large ** orbs. Dazzling in the flickering night of the lantern, and his back aglow with the faintest of light from the slowly rising morning sun.

I wasn't sure how true his words were. He could have just been making up lies to make me feel better. How would someones soul affect their memory? Was that a thing? I mean.. I had memories and I didn't even have a soul. Heck, the two mish-mash of ones inside of me weren't even my own and I didn't have any strange things happen. Still..

Wait...

I blinked. "Red?"

Nevin seemed slightly startled. "What?"

I lifted my head from his lap and instead slidded myself into it. I felt him stiffen up (in more ways than one) as usual. I knew that this sort of contact bothered him, and yet it was almost like I couldn't help myself. "Red." I said again. It didn't exactly clarify anything. So I reached out to brush my thumbs just under his eyes, hands cupping his face. "Is eyes. Thought black but red. Is..." I tilted my head. "Different. Nice."

We stared silently at each other for a few ...seconds? Minutes? More? I couldn't tell. At some point I felt his hands wrap around my waist. I think I heard him mention that I was sweaty... and still had a fever, that I should probably lie down. He was right. I needed to lie down. I needed to sleep... I needed to...


To....


Everything went blank, and the next second I knew, I had my lips pressed hard against his, my arms slipped around his shoulders to pull him closer. his breath was...well it wasn't pleasant, but mine probably wasn't either. His lips tasted of copper and tingled with a semi-sweet aftertaste, they were chapped and I felt his tongue nervously lick them before I pressed further. He made a startled noise and at first he seemed as though he was going to pull away but instead his grip tightened. One hand clinging to my waist and drawing me forward into his hips - the other found its way to the back of my head, pressing me closer so he could deepen the kiss.

I wasn't sure when the last time I kissed someone was...probably back when I was in heat...maybe? I don't know... wait...shit..why am I worrying about this right now? Ah...

My thoughts melted away as we sat entangled within each others arms on the floor. I finally broke away to draw a deep breath only to realise that the world was on a merry-go-round and I was flat bang in the middle of it.

His face shifted and I could feel his lips dancing over my neck. I shivered because- because it felt good but also because..I mean.. wait.. no wait... "G-Gah!" I shoved him away and semi crawled-semi ran to the bedroom. Instead of hiding in my area I grabbed a blanket, crawled into his closet and shut the door.

My heart beat hard against my chest and I felt like I needed to throw up again. What was that.. what was that... what was that

Why did I kiss Nevin?

And why did I want to do it again?

I wasn't ovulating so this shouldn't be a thing right? RIGHT? Why else would someone want to kiss and be close to someone and? I'm very confused..

[Nevin]

The tiny sounds she made were musical to his ears, and Nevin found himself desperately craving more. That is, until she suddenly pulled back and ran away, and he heard a door in the bedroom slam. For a moment he was very very confused - firstly, in the fact that while he had most definitely been visiting the 'inn' Philomel suggested, nothing had ever quite been like that. It was probably his own fault, but those sessions ended up usually being more educational in nature, or strictly for a short, businesslike interaction. None of the soft lips and sharp teeth, nails digging into the back of his head and his shoulder -

Nevin shook his head, trying to clear away the fuzziness. This was - this was - it was hard to think straight. He took a step in the direction she had run - the bedroom, that meant she wanted to continue right? Then the alchemist grabbed his doorframe and drove his forehead into it, splitting open the skin and sending a trail of blood leaking down his face.

The sharp burst of pain cleared the fog of arousal away, a knife cutting through the haze. Now more clear headed, Nevin could process the fact that Eteri had seemed confused, and almost afraid as she fled, and not in a good way. And that the only door in his bedroom was the door into the small closet where he stored his clothes. He took a deep, shuddering breath - and even his nose could smell the mixed scents in the air. So - he had to get out of the shop for a time, give Eteri space to recover from whatever had frightened her. They could talk about all of that after a chance to cool off had gone by.

So he went into his bedroom - and sure enough the door to the closet was firmly closed, with the end of a blanket sticking out from underneath. He took exhaled, long and slow, and shook his head. "Eteri. I'm going out for a walk. I'll be back inside of an hour." He heard a weak response through the door, and nodded before picking up a change of clothes from the pile that had been shoved out of the closet onto the ground. Once he was changed he left, long legs carrying him out into the brisk morning air.

—————

Three days. Three days since Eteri had recovered, and they had - well, that had been far more than a kiss. The feline female had been doing her best to observe Nevin discretely, always from a corner or from near a doorway, and making a break for it if he talked to her or started to walk towards her. Despite this, he had seen marks on her neck - ad he remembered how her skin had felt as he nibbled on her. Yes, from more than a normal kiss.

But that was just it. Since that had happened, Eteri had been a constant presence, a shadow that hung around him no matter what he did or where he went. She wouldn't talk to him - she would start to, then mewl and run, and if he got close to her she would run even faster. And yet - she always was somewhere where she could watch him, and if he ignored her for too long she began moving things or making very unsubtle noises, loud coughs or sneezes until he looked to her. Then it was right back to avoiding him, keeping her distance. And it was driving him insane.

And to make matters worse, she wouldn't even walk near him when he went out. No, she would follow him from a distance, not even really trying to hide. Once or twice he had been talking to a female store owner, or someone he knew - and if he made that mistake, he was pelted by small rocks until he stopped. But she was always looking away if he turned in her direction, steadfastly ignoring his gaze. The this point, he honestly didn't know what to do about it looks.

Things came to a head on the city streets as he was making his way to the market. Four women surrounded him, backing him up against a wall. He could have easily gotten free, but he had been hearing mutterings behind his back for these past few days - and these rumors had none of the light-hearted fun that Stonevale's had had. No, these ones were downright vile. And he had a feeling that the women around him were at least in part responsible.

"What can I do for you women?" His voice was as calm as he could force it to be. One of the women - wait, hadn't he seen her before, when Eteri had had her sleep walking episode? He had, that fan was fairly recognizable. The woman with the fan stepped forward, up into his personal space.

"Why, we're here to talk about that little strumpet that has been clinging to you like a leech." What.

"You see, the little bitch has been telling everyone that she's been sleeping with you, and well, of course she's lying to drag you down. Her kind always do. So, we're here to make an offer. No, no, I'm here to make an offer." The woman batted her eyelashes to him as she moved in close, just shy of pressing her body against his.

" You take one of us, preferably me, as your companion and well, we will make sure the little harlot is run out of town. Doesn't that sound wonderful? You will fina-gurk" The was unceremoniously cut off by Nevin's hand planting itself in her stomach and shoving her back. He didn't bother it holding back - he had in fact, wrapped his arm in threads to bolster his strength. He swept a furious gaze over the other girls around him.

"One word. One, single, fucking word from any of you, and I will show you why infuriating a man who makes his trade in medicine is one of the dumbest things you could ever do. And you. Insulting Eteri is literally the second dumbest thing you could have done in this situation. Insulting her to my face, that was the dumbest." The woman tried to stand up, but Nevin stepped on her dress, pinning her down. He knelt over her, glaring, and his tone was full of barely suppressed anger.

" I have known Eteri for over a month now. And in that time, she has proven herself to be worth far more than your vapid ass could hope to achieve. And to make matters perfectly clear to you - no, we have not slept together. Eteri doesn't speak this language well, and shit like you were asking doesn't register with her. She has very literally slept in my home - just sleep, and nothing more. Your petty accusations just betray the depths of your depravity - you are so unbelievably pathetic that you cannot comprehend a man wanting to spend time with a woman for anything other than filling her up. Your life must be so empty if that's all you are. I will warn you now, little fool - if I find you have been perpetuating rumors about her I will find you and make you suffer. Now, the lot of you - get out of my sight." He stopped back, and the girls helped their humiliated leader to her feet. The woman looked like she was about to say something, when the only person in the group of girls who hadn't moved yet slapped her hand over the fan holding brats mouth. She bowed her head to Nevin, then dragged the others away.

Nevin stood in the street for a solid fifteen seconds, then threw his hands up with a cry of anger. This was too damn much for today, he was done and going home. He would lock himself in his workshop and not come out again until the world made sense. He turned in his heel and stalked in the direction of his store.

Outside if it, he paused. There was a woman peering inside, dressed in a strangely flowing outfit Nevin would have ignored her - his sign clearly did 'closed' - except that he saw a brown tail lashing, and brown ears twitching on top of her head. It was yet another cat girl. Nevin dive a thread into his palm, using the sting to make sure he kept his temper.

"I am sorry miss, but the store is closed. You'll have to come back another time."

~Fin~

[Philomel]

Name of Judgement: You know this how ruours start right...
Judgement Type: No Judgement

Rewards:

Nevin receives:
1000 EXP
90 GP

Eteri receives:
705 EXP
90 GP

[Philomel]

All rewards have been added.