Following the North Star

[loves.blessing.]

Occ: This follows up the thread The Stars at Night, are Big and Bright with Logan.

After the two war veterans were done exchanging pleasantries with one another and embracing they had been showed to their rooms they would be sleeping. McKinley had dashed inside still uneasy being around so many people trained to kill someone like herself so easily.

The room was simple, having a window to over look the view of the training yard where a few men were training with one another. The room held a bed, a love seat one table holding a lamp a small dresser and a door which she guess led to the bathroom. Glancing back over her shoulder she could see that the two men were having a serious discussion. Glancing back at the door that led to the bathroom she cleared her throat nodding towards the door before making a break for it.

There inside the small bathroom was a single sink the toilet and a shower, stripping off her sticky, stiff clothing before she glanced in the mirror seeing her own reflection. Her peach-sun kissed skin was not pale the off set of the blood on her face making her complexion almost glow. She had small bags starting to form under her piercing blue orbs that were also slightly dull and lifeless. A few bruises still covered her body turning on the hot water she let it warm up sticking her hand under the running water. Adjusting the temperature too a little less the scolding hot she stepped in hissing at first as the water burned her skin before she grew used to it. The water ran red for a few minutes as she tried to scrub her flesh clean not only of the blood but of the memoires.

After what seemed like a life time of scrubbing she washing her hair just as vigorously as she had her body. She finally rinsed her hair, stepping out of the shower after turning off the water she chewed on her lower lip looking down at her filthy clothes. Glancing at the closed door she quickly dried her hair just enough so that water was pouring down her body from the wet mop. Wrapping the towel tightly around her body she opened the door peaking out to see Logan standing at the window looking out.

Stepping out her body was met with the cool air of the room sending a gentle shiver down her spine. The towel was tightly wrapped around her frame showing her small yet perky chest of along with her flat stomach, small yet curved hips that turned into her small round rump, the water droplets glistening in the moon light showing her long let seemed to go for miles, her towel stopping at mid thigh. Her hair was a mess as it was still wet a few drops sliding down her chest getting lost in the small amount of cleavage she had. Making her way to her satchel that she had disregarded at door, bending over she held her towel as the material started to slowly creep up her legs threatening to expose her butt. She grabbed a plain white bra that had lace trimming and matching lace boy shorts. She was able to grab some sleeping shorts and an oversize t-shirt before she heard someone clearing their throat.

Turning around with her eyes large and doe like as if she was a small child with their hand caught in the cookie jar. Fumbling to hide her panties and bra, her cheeks flushing red, "um I forgot to grab some clothes...."

[Logan]

The Ranger Outpost in the heart of the Concordian Forest had come along nicely. Marshal Stormcrow had the Rangers in superior fitness and shape in the limited time since rebuilding the wooden fortress, but it was the work they'd done in updating some of the archaic features which most impressed the psion. Since his departure, they added reasonable plumbing, allowing for luxuries like hot showers, an electric grid, allowing for lighting even in the darkest of nights, and most importantly, the barracks were split into multiple smaller quarters.

The Officers Quarters, which were on the east side of the fort, held the Marshal, and his six subordinates, the Brigadiers. The more traditional soldier barracks now held their position to the west side of the fort, and were nearly filled with roughly two hundred soldiers of various rank and status. Most notably, however, were the guest Diplomat Quarters, where McKinley and Logan found themselves. For the first time in the Rangers history, they'd set aside an area for political dignitaries with the expectation of actual use, and the quarters were adorned with the various artifacts and magics located by the Rangers in the last decade.

A pair of guards were stationed outside the Diplomat Quarters for the safety of the psion and his guest, and also as a means of keeping tabs on their coming and going. As he passed by the guards, Logan gave them a salutary nod, then entered through the rather ornate and large wooden doorway. The blue and green walls, in stark contrast to the yellow ceiling, caught his attention most. He hadn't seen architecture or artistry like that in years, and it seemed a bit out of place for the Rangers to decorate so luxuriously. After a few moments of admiring their temporary living space, McKinley appeared from what he only assumed was the private bath.

He cleared his throat with a wide grin, and then at her response he shrugged.

"You don't need to feel embarrassed, Kin. I should've announced my presence," he said as he gave her a quick, involuntary once over, "and don't feel like you have to change on my account."

The telepath moved over next to one of the two beds in the room before he removed his trenchcoat and shirt. The years of battle left countless scars across his back and chest. He turned back to McKinley, shrugged again as she gave him a once over, and then made his way into the private bath area. She wasn't the only one who needed a good cleansing.

[loves.blessing.]

McKinley's cheeks flushed red as she felt his eyes glanced over her exposed flesh, chewing on her lower lip with nervousness. Though she couldn't help but smile at his kind words, his lingering eyes rose goose bumps on her freshly clean flesh. When he stripped off his shirt exposing his scars she caught her own eyes lingering over his flesh, all the scars on his back, arms and upper neck for most it would have been off putting but to her it was sexy. The look of surprise washed over her face as she had never thought of any one sexy, charming or handsome yes but sexy no. Maybe it was because they were kindred spirits in a way that they have both been through war, she having her own scars though covered by her towel and hair. One a branding mark marking her a slave the other from multiple lashings from her first Master and now the Monster that was chasing.

After he left to the bathing chambers she waited until the water had been turned on, her back facing the door as she quickly dried herself off before dropping the towel to the floor. Putting on her bra and panties she than pulled her shorts on followed by her over sized t-shirt that stopped mid thigh making her look as if she had no shorts under the shirt. The shorts just a simple black mesh and the shirt a simple white t-shirt that looked as if it could be a males. Picking up her towel she placed it in hamper type thing as she took her satchel before sitting down on the bed digging through it. Pulling out her sketch pad and pencil than grabbing the comb before she put it next to the bed. She had chosen the bed closest to the bed closet to door so she could follow through with her plans that she was intending to do.

After a few snarls and low murmured curse words spilling out of her mouth her hair was combed and parted deeply to the side. Tossing her comb back in the bag she turned on the lamp closest to her, resting herself against the back board of the bed. Her knees pulled up so that she could use it to rest her sketch pad on while she drew. Her shorts were hiked a little as if to give a little tease of what might be under them. Closing her eyes the first thing that had came to mind was Logan and his scarred back though unlike her, he didn't hide them with shame. Letting her fingers grip the pencil she fluidly let her hand move across the pad, when the door to the bathroom finally up she was greeted with a sight that made her pencil stopped all together. Her mouth fell open a little as she knew that her eyes were wondering where they were not meant too.

A clean Logan stood in front of her, his chest was just as muscular as his back, some scarring also showing but her eyes didn't seem to notice or care. Traveling down his beautifully sculpted chest to his abdomen that was just as equally gorgeous along with the small v shape that sent her heart racing. The clearing of someone's throat brought her attention back up to the person's face. Her piercing blue orbs met his eyes that held amusement in them only for her cheeks to become flushed with redness all over again. "So-sorry.." Dipping her head back down to her sketch that just needed to simple be shaded now, the picture of Logan with his back to her. His left arm stretched behind his head showing his muscle due to him stretching.

[Logan]

The exhaustion and emotions of the day faded as the water streamed over the psion's skin. Everything melted away as he closed his eyes and took deep breaths. A few moments passed, and he opened his eyes and scrubbed himself clean. Only a few minutes had passed before he re-appeared in the room, mostly dried from the towel he wore around his waist. As McKinley gave him a good once over, he quietly chuckled to himself, trying not to disturb her focus for just a moment before he cleared his throat to snap her out of the trance.

Logan didn't say much else for a few minutes as she scribbled and he got himself dressed again. He was thankful for the change of clothes in the dresser next to his bed, which were astonishingly his size. Well, at least the white shirt was the right size. The pants were tighter than he anticipated, and pulling them on proved to be a bit of a task, especially while trying to maintain a modicum of modesty with such a scrawny towel. A few more moments passed, complete with subtle grunts and groans as his form slowly molded its way into the tight-fitting linen trousers. They certainly did not feel comfortable, but he didn't have much choice given the state of his former attire.

He turned his attention back to the girl. She still sat on her bed, sketching out something in her notebook. Silently, he made his way over, and snuck a peek without her knowing, then stopped when he realized it was a sketch of his back side. Every scar was clearly sketched in incredible detail, enough to even make himself a bit uneasy over their appearance on his own form. He didn't realize it before, but she was a very talented artist. Keeping his silence, he made his way back over to the side of his bed and sat down, running a hand through his hair to let it air dry quicker.

"You know, you still haven't told me who is after you and why. Maybe now might be a good time to fill me in?"

[loves.blessing.]

The pencil immediately froze in motion of shading as her intense gaze fell from the drawing of him back towards him, her lips catching in between her teeth as she nodded. Slowly setting her stuff on the night stand beside her bed she got up and made her way over to his bed, sitting in front of him crossing her legs over one another until she was sitting indian style. Her face grew somber as she took a deep breath, "okay I will tell you but I have to start with my first Master, Ernest." The name still sent uninviting chills down her spine as she forced the lump that rose in her throat down. Licking her lips nervously she gave him the short story of how she was stolen into slavery and that Ernest had slaughtered the old woman and the dog she grew to love. That after he beat her and branded her, breaking her spirit he would let her go to the market unescorted.

A few tears slipped from her eyes as she sniffled, "at first when J-Joel showed up I thought Mast- Ernest was testing me to see if I would try and flee or try and get help so each day that he would follow me like a lost puppy I simply ignored him." Taking a deep breath fidgeting with her fingers before she continued, "Like the stupid girl I was I gave in one day and simply told him my name and explained that we couldn't talk though I wanted so badly to I knew the beatings I would received weren't worth it. Though just him simply knowing my name pushed Joel to continue to show up each day even more just to harass me in a way. Finally after thirty six days of continuous poking and prodding I cracked and talked to him. I lied at first saying that I went to the market for my father that was deathly ill." Her voice cracked thick with tears as she explained the next part as more tears seemed to flow freely down her cheeks, "I- I just so badly wanted someone that wasn't controlled or bought by Ernest and so I let him in. That day on the way home from the market Ramsy caught Joel and I smiling and laughing. Never mind that I was happy for a brief moment, I was with another man that wasn't my Master. Ramsy dragged me back home where Ernest met me, with each blow to my body and face I simply thought, I am going to die until Monica stopped him. I was beaten to a pulp and the next day I was to have five lashings done to remind me where I belong and who I belonged too."

Another pause before she felt a hand wipe the tears away before it was placed on her leg in a comforting manor. "I wasn't able to go to the market for two weeks from how badly I was beaten and whipped. Finally I felt free and able to breathe as I rushed down the forest path to the market, still riddled with bruises Joel knew there was something up so I poured out my heart to him telling him everything and told him I could no longer talk or meet with him. He grew rather angry punching things and shouting, I thought it was because of what had happened to me. I- I didn't know it was because he had been planning something sick in his head to do to me and others.." A dry chuckle left her lips before she started again, "the next day I found Joel no where and thought he had taken heed to my warning, when I returned from the market-"

Her voice cut off as a small sob racked her small body only to be pulled into the strong arms of her companion, her hair slowly being stroked. A few shaky breaths later she continued, "I found the door to the manor ajar and thought that it was from one of the stable boys but the scene that unfolded in front of me will be forever imprinted into my mind. Monica was stripped of her top, her chest craved open. Macia another girl Ernest had bought before me was hung from the banister naked her body bloody and face swollen to the point I barely recognized her. I finally found Ernest his throat slit and he was choking on his own blood, I tried to ask him what happened and only was answered with a blow to the back of my head that knocked me out. I woke up I don't know how long I was out but I came to chained to a bed and Joel standing in front of me, I was so confused at first. I begged him to run and save himself only for his face to twist into a dark monster."

"He told me that he had butchered all the people at the manor besides a few people that pledged their loyalty of course Ramsy being the coward he is pledged his loyalty right away. After a week of him beating and trying to break me, he told me that by next full moon he would steal my virtue and that would make me have to love him. I would be his pet and he would be my Master, he stole my first kiss ever... I never got the proper kiss that most girls dreamt of because he forced his lips on mine. I panicked and started to form a plan I would seduce him and have him unchain me than I would knock him out and take off. So a week before the full moon I told him I wanted him to take me to his bed, he unchained me and took me to his chambers. He than stripped himself and myself and laid me down, right as he was getting ready to lay down I took the closest thing I could get my hands on which was a letter opener. I stabbed him in the groin and ran and ran for so long."

She hadn't realized she was shaking, her entire body trembling like a new born bird. "He found me some how I must have stayed in one spot too long.. But you see now why I can't accept for you to put your life in danger for mine Logan I will stay with you for as long as I can but when he comes you will not be in cross fire." Looking up at him she let her hand caress his cheek gently, giving his cheek a soft peck. The wetness from her tears rubbing off on his cheek as she pulled away wiping at her now blotchy face from crying.