Growling Skies

[Kouros]

"I. Love. The rain."
Kouros told himself as he plodded, step after squelching step, through riverbank mud. The brown slime squeezed unplasantly between bare toes and weighed down the brown stained cloth that were his trousers. Water dripped from his nose and chin. It slid between his bare shoulder blades and over his chest. His shirt slapped his legs helplessly as it hung from a fisted hand slong side a pair of boots tied together at the laces and sodden pack chafed his shoulder. The rain fell, unmoved by wind, plastering his uniquely colored hair to his head and forcing him to look down to keep the droplets from blinding him as he marched forward. Between thunderclaps, his growls could be heard, low and resilliant against the weather. Lightning lit his path and all the world around him only to leave him blind afterward.

The current season is early Summer.
Climate: Hot and humimd, occasionally pleasant and spring-like. The sun in fairly hot at midday. Expect scattered showers and thunderstorms... Kouros and Aubrey had gotten the worst of the supposedly sunny summer weather.

The pair had been roused early in the day as the clouds broke open, pouring weeks of sticky himidity on their sleeping forms. "Told you we should have gotten the tent instead of that meal. We could be dry right now." He had yelled over the rumbling sky that morning as they scrambled to get their things packed, "You know, as in, not wet." Kouros had glared down at her, proud versus proud. It was her fault he was wet. Stopping the staring contest, Kouros had snatched at her hand and dragged her off toward the town, not caring if she stumbled in the mud and grinding his teeth in frustration. Why does she have to be so stubborn!

It had been far too long since the last rainshower and every one could feel it in the glaring sun. Hot and humid. Every day for quite some time, Kouros and Aubrey had walked alongside --or in-- Placid Rieve's shallows. Today meant a change for the better in reference to traveling conditions, but that meant trecking along in the worst of conditions. Kouros wasn't very happy, all things considered, and he didn't think Aubrey was either.

Hunched over, Kouros plowed a path upstream, toward a village a day's walk from where they ahd camped. That is, the village was a day's walk when the sun was out, but in the past four hours, he hadn't seen had nor tail of it peeking out from behind the grey masses of the fake night. The river was all they had to naviage by, even if standing near water wasn't smart during a thunderstorm. Kouros didn't like any of this and he made it very well known to the girl walking behind him, who's hand he held he refused to relinquish. "This," He growled to her between clenched teeth, "is why I love Heiseph."

[...deliverance...]

The rain drenched through the blanket she held around her shoulders. She refused to back it as the rainy chill began to soak into her skin causing shivered to vibrate through her body. She hadn't worn much over the past days other than the cloth that held her breasts, and the small knee-high skirt that was now pinned teasingly against her skin, revealing her thin physique and the alluring curve of her hips. As it is, the blanket was losing its use and valor, but at least provided a little warmth.

Currently her hand was clenched in Kouros's, but she made little effort to jerk it from him. He pulled her on, led her here, pushed her there. She didn't mind, though if she had her way, they would have hunkered down beneath the boughs of a thick tree or the shallow depression of a stony niche. But no... Kouros insisted they soldier on in the wet. It was partially his fault to, but she was still dreary with sleep and didn't have the willpower to fight with him right now--though she couldn't help but pick her way through the deeper puddles and traps of mud. She wasn't giving up her boots for anything. The high leather hugged her feet and calves comfortably and kept her feet from getting wet; she wasn't removing them for the world.

The heavy rain suddenly slipped through her defenses, and she glared at Kouros, for she only had one hand to support the blanket she clutched at her throat. the new barrage for water slid down between her breast and sent a cold shudder up her spine, and she jog slightly forward as she felt her pace lack and the strain of Kouros's incessent pulling dragging her nearly off her feet. Growling beneath her breath she pulled back up beside him and glared up at him. He towered over her reasonably feeble 5' 6". Her hair matted and clinging in loose wavy strands upon the side of her face held a stubbornly set chin and determined eyes, rain poured down the side of her face and the droplets stung her pupils as her amber eyes tried to catch his. It was unsuccessful so with a defiant sigh she growled through clenched teeth as she once again picked up her pace to catch up.
"Oh stop it! If we're not wet we're hungry, if we're not hungry we're wet. Stop acting like it's all my fault." she grumbled over the thunder, her face squinted forward against the rain as she tried to understand exactly what they were rushing for. She understood that there was a village about days walk from camp, but why rush there. It's not like they had a life to assiciate time to.

She felt a bitterness rise up inside her chest as she finally gave up on the blanket and let it fall away from her shoulders--struggling a moment to bunch it up and throw it over her shoulder and arm. They didn't have many posessions and what little they did have was being carried across Kouros's back. He was the more mature one afterall--Aubrey scoffed inside her own head, a failed attempt to help lighten her mood with jokery.

Suddenly her mood took an icy plunge as her footing was lost and her already miserable, now exposed body slide harshly into the mud. Furious, and embarressed at herself and him, she struggled slightly to her feet through the muck and turned visciouslly upon Kouros, snapping her arm backwards, she tried with all her might to pull her hand from his grasp.
"Will you stop it!" she screamed in exasperation over the storm, her eyes alight with "loving" fury. She could never be mad at Kouros for long, but sometimes, he could be just as difficult as she knew she could be. "What the hell are we rushing for anyway!?" she snapped defiantly as she stood there in the rain, her copper skin marred by mud and debree, her hair flung about her face in unceremonious parade. She was just as irritated as he was about the weather, it wasn't like she got anything out of it. She stood stubbornly, feet rooted to the mud that she now waded in as the rain poured down on her form, soaking her cloths and revealing her in a most immodest way. She self-consciouslly realized it and her eyes flicked towards the blanket that had been forsaken in her sudden outburst. It laid there in the muck, drenched and now diry beyond repair. It wasn't worth picking up to use anymore. This only stroked her fire and she snapped her head venomously towards him, refusing to budge.

She loved him, she really did--he was the only companion she had and trusted, and yes, she was sorry for not allowing him to get the tent over the meal, but hell go cold if she'd admit it to him. Some fires couldn't be drenched even by the rain.

[Kouros]

As they walked, Kouros did his best to not trail ahead of his company, despite their foul mood. His legs were longer --he preferred, and was used to, traveling far and fast-- and she absolute insisted on skirting every single Heiseph cursed puddle that crossed her path. If you took off those blasted boots, He told himself instead of igniting the flame of an argument, you'd have an easier time traveleing, but no. You just can't do that, can you? Kouros closed his eyes and let out a gruff growl of a sigh.

In that moment, the wind blasted both from the front. Cold. Like hundreds of icy needles. Kouros stopped in his trekking to let Aubrey catch up and attempted to shield her from the gust, but little could be done with so much water falling from the skies. The rain seemed to be trying and soak them to the bone --and it seemed to be working. Every time Kouros moved he could swear there was water inplaces it wasn't a moment ago and never should be. He could stand water in small doses --no more than necessary for a bath and this was a lot more water than necessary for a bath.

A cat-like shiver ran down Kouros's spine, little droplets scattering against the rain, and headed forth again just in time to hear Aubrey's complaints start up again. "Oh stop it! If we're not wet we're hungry, if we're not hungry we're wet. Stop acting like it's all my fault." Kouros ignored her, unwilling to accept it was in any sense, in any way, his fault for their predicament. As far as he was concerned, it was her fault for being so --Kouros didn't even want to think about the way she had danced around him, eyes wide, innocently pleading for once, that they go to dinner and treat themselves. How was he supposed to counter that? Not likely.

Half lost in the memory that made him bite his cheek to keep from yelling at her, the jerk against his shoulder nearly pulled him backward. His bare feet slid in the mud, and he heard the sickening sound of Aubrey falling in the mud behind him. He cringed, an image of the furious face he was about to see popping into his mind's eye, and forced himself to put it away and turn around. Mud streaked his long time friend from head to toe. Forgetting he was holding her hand or that a gentleman would have helped her to her feet, Kouros stood there trying his hardest not to laugh at her to her face. Add her newest make-over to their current status and the hilarity of it all was getting the better of the otherwise stone faced Kouros.

He took Aubrey's screams without complaint and on they came, complaing about his complaining, almost like bickering siblings, one laughing at the other's anger. But Kouros and Aubrey were far from siblings. Sure they were both half-breeds --elf maidens for mothers, humans for fathers-- which, most would think, would make them nearly identical in features. Not true. Aubrey was voluptous, gracefully carved flesh and bone that could seduce any man. Kouros was tall --fifteen inches taller than Aubrey-- with arms, legs, and abdomen bearing certain angles suggesting nothing less than raw strength. Even his jaw was harsh, especially when coupled with a narrowed pair of unforgiving brown eyes, but right then, as he looked down at his friend, unforviging was the last term that could be used to describe his eyes.

"I dont know," He said dryly, crossing his arms over his chest, quietly trying to decide how many buttons he could push before she decided to actually get mad at him. "And even if I did, I wouldn't tell you. You're not old enough to understand." But Kouros did know why they were rushing and he did have very good reason for pushing her so hard. If anything, what awaited them was for her benefit. He hid a smile at her expression and smirked at an idea that was sure to get her fuming. "If you admit I was right, that we should have gotten the tent, then, and only then will I tell you."

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[...deliverance...]

Her temper flared a moment as he turned around with a look that was fairly unconcerned. She pouted, but it was not a sad kind of expression, it was fury mingled with dissapointed rage. Smoke seemed eminate off her skin as the pouring rain touched an inferno of feirce rebellion. Aubrey was irritated, both by the rain and by him. Yes she remembered that moment back in the town, where food had seemed a very alluring aspect of life. Besides, would it hurt to actually eat their fill for once in the hands of an actual waiter. Stealing was fine, she had no problem with it, but sometimes she liked to enjoy a good honest meal. Damn it, she didn't know it would rain! She felt wrongly accused, though this was only half the case. She hadn't made it easy for him, and knew deep down she had never intended to lose that battle either. Still she raised her chin in defiance and refused to give in to the accusations that were being put upon her.

Silence ensued for a moment as she watched a smile play itself within his eyes and tug at the sides of his mouth. She only glared harder, and if looks could kill, the moment surely would have been riddled with holes. His words didn't help her mood, and made her mouth fall slightly open in protest.

He didn't know!? He'd dragged her down the length of the damned river and didn't know why?! She snarled beneath her breath, and clenched her fist. Repeated his actions, she crossed her own arms and tilted her hips dissaprovingly as he continued, her mind grumbling--trying to drown out his reasons. She didn't even want to know now--sometimes her stubborness could really cripple her. But his continuous words made her change her tune and she promptly fixed her eyes on his, ignoring the stinging rain as her face opened in surprise that he would dare... before it closed into a paper thin line, her eyes narrowing to slits as she set her weight back slightly--almost impersonating a serpent waiting to strike. He was taunting her, and her smile expressed a certain "touche" smirk. It was true, he was a little bit older. He seemed to like to use that statement when he didn't have anything else. Her expression lightened a little as she prepared to retort, but he quickly continued and she remained locked in silence for a moment longer. Again he dared...

She growled outwardly, and leaned down to pick up the blanket, which she furiously wrapped around her upper arm as she lifted her feet with a squelching slurp. The mud settled beneath her and she promptly flung her head around, her hair flying around with her and she stalked up to him, past him and then onwardly. Looking back, she frowned and turned away from him walking forward into the rainy shield. Her voice trespassed across the winds back to him, barely audible over the storm's thunderous roar. It was almost similiar to a dangerous whisper, taunting and teasing, like both parties knew the answer.
"I thought you didn't know..."

She teased as she looked over her shoulder--her expression defiant to the end and rebellious to the very core of her creation. She'd never relent, he knew that. Her pride and valor just would not allow it. Curiousity probably would get the better of her later on down the road, but right now... did he honestly think he would get such a confession out of her? Yeah... right. And though it appeared she had stepped onto the playing field of his little game, she was still pissed at him and her "tough love" had not diminished in the least. She was waiting for an opportunity to strike at him as he had struck at her. She shook her head slightly and frowned inside her own head, pride rebelled against comradery. What was it about the damn fool that left him so...
She couldn't seem to find the right word, but she supposed "attractive" would suffice. She knew she loved him overall, but dang she didn't have to like him right now.

[Kouros]

"I thought you didn't know..." Kouros watched without moving, rain dripping from his angled features, as Aubrey strutted past him with the treasures the Gods bestowed upon her at birth. Any man would goggle at her; any girl would idolize her. Over time Kouros had built an immunity to her hip-swaying walk and temptress eyes, but, while he could control himself, that didn't mean he didn't notice it. Not in the least. The tease died, rain pelting the words into the mud.

Chuckling to himself, Kouros moved to follow, unfolding his arms with a light heart. Stubborn girl doesn't know what she wants.

[/color] Beautiful as she was, Kouros held her near and dear as something like the spoiled younger sister he could do without. For all of her tantrums, screams, complaints, necessities, and inconveniences, Kouros had followed her since they were little. He would come up with the plan, she would claim it as hers then set it into motion with bold forte and blazing eyes. He remembered a little boy chasing her down the dusty village streets begging her to wait and smiled. There he was a couple decades --or was it centuries?-- later, still following her, this time down a muddy riverbank.

It didn't take long in the pelting rain for his bravado, smiles, and upright walk to become sullen, grimacing, and hunched. He trailed Aubrey dilligently, letting her set the pace and once he even managed to reach a long arm out to catch her shoulder before she lost her balance yet again. He let a satisfied smirk flash across his face when he'd pulled her upright before letting her go again. Faithfully loyal more like a dog than a cat, Kouros walked on behind her. Their travel was steady, but for every puddle Aubrey went around, Kouros was wishing for that tent. There was no way to tell what time it was without a sun dotting the sky. Surely the day was nearing an end... surely, but that meant even less light to walk by and they hadn't gotten nearly as far as he'd wanted to. Good thing they still had until dawn two days following before the caravan left. Else AUbrey would never forgive him for this trek in the rain.

Thinking night would fall soon and that her legs were probably more weary than his own, Kouros started scouting for shelter of any sort. Aubrey couldn't hear his absences, but every now and then he would swerve inland while still keeping her insight, to search for a rocky outcropping or a bunch of trees. Anything, no matter how meager, would work. They needed a rest and something in their stomaches.
It was during one of these looks inland that Kouros took his turn to fall. Down he went, moving forward before his foot was clear from the ankle-deep mud. Up went his arms to keep what mud he could out of his face, but all he succeeded in doing was splattering the mud further. His eyes stayed safe, clear of the brown muck, but when he pushed himself up, not doubting Aubrey was reveling in his appearance --the rain had long cleared her of the earthen cloak. "Uck," Was all he could mutter as he moved to stand, shaking thick trails of mud from his hands so he could wipe his face clean. He didn't growl, however. There was no use for it anymore, but the good humor was gone. He had other things on his mind than finding time to prod at Aubrey's swollen pride or let her injure his own.
[/right][/size][/color]

[...deliverance...]

Aubrey did her best to ignore him as they moved onward, though she barely had any idea as to where they were truly going. She only followed the river, that Kouros had been following prior to their little episode. She knew she would emberrass herself if he had planned to stray from the water's edge, but she hoped and prayed his plans did no such thing. It was bad enough she'd fallen into the muck and ruined her image even more so than it already was. Yes in some ways, one could call her vain, but she couldn't help it sometimes. She liked her appearance and knew the advantage that such a body offered her. Distractions were a necessary thing in their world, and what better distraction for male company than the appearance of an exotic, beautiful woman? Of course, she greatly enjoyed enticing men and seeing their eyes follow her. She liked to see their stupified faces as Kouros and herself stole from beneath their faces. She sometimes liked the reaction she got. Of course, Kouros was the only exception. She respected him, and only flaunted herself before him when she was trying to get her way or just get under his skin--still she didn't do it often. Kouros was not like other men, Kouros was her friend and she had no desire to humiliate him like the many men she had. She was a temptress and she knew it, but she did have self control. She did have a shawl she sometimes used to enstill a minor sense of modesty, but it currently was inside the pack that Kouros sported, and she didn't want it to befall beneath the same fate as the muddy, weather worn blanket.

She shivered in the rain, as a gust of wind hit her bate shoulders and stomach. Her finger tips were blue and the fragile skin was cold to the touch. She crossed her arms before her, to gather her body heat close to her and occasionally tilted her head to the side to make sure Kouros had not strayed away or become seperated, whether by some joke of his or unfortunate circumstance. She was nothing without him, for she wasn't a fighter and really had very little fighting skills except general self defense--losing him was probably the greatest fear inside her mind that even rivalled her innate fear of death--it's gruesome image of ensnarement that she had gathered from floating stories was far from appealing to the elegant young half-breed.

At first, she didn't even notice his slight wanderings over the growling skies above her, but once when she glanced back and saw no wandering Kouros behind her, Her steps stopped near completely, and she turned around to face behind her, panic quickly filling her heart as she did not see him at first in the nearby vicinity. She didn't bother to try and hide the cold sensation that filled her face, and smothered her eyes, it was there and she left it open for the world to see. Kouros was gone, and her heart was screaming it's pain.

Fortunately, this was not the case. The storm's trap had finally caught up to Kouros, as Aubrey noticed a dirty figure raising itself from the earth. At first she felt relief flood her body as the panic subsided and left her ragged and spent. It filled her quietly like a warming mist and she smiled shakily and caringly. Yet remembering the previous situation it quickly faded and a smirk found itself a spot upon her visage, as all evidence of her past emotional panic faded and was replaced with her usual personality. She pranced proudly up to him, for he had wandered not far from their path, and stared him smugly in the face. Arms crossed proudly. She noted his expression cautiously, careful not to prod to hard, but man... she just couldn't resist.

Evil smile spreading sadisticly across her face as she stood over him while he picked himself up--mud now spread out over him. The rain had washed the muck from her skin, though her clothes were still stained from the dirt. They would need a good washing once the weather cleaned up. Not the point, though.

Her words reached out to him sharply, with all intent to cause injury--at least a little.
"Karma's a bitch, ain't it?" she mocked smartly as she tried to hide her now innocently amused smile from him. It still showed through her feeble attempts to hide her face.

[Kouros]

"Karma's a bitch, ain't it?"
Yes, there she was. Luxuriously tan and smug to an extent that Kouros fought the urge to literally want to wipe that look of her face. Then again, he could, technically, wipe it off her face. Kouros grinned, white teeth flashing past the mud mask as he thought of smearing a length of mud across her luscious lips, but while he relished the thought of such a cruel revenge, he had never physically picked on her and a part of him never would. Kouros had more pride in himself and respect in her than to do that to her. The thought was nice though. Satisfying in its own devilish way.

The fantasy sparked a though and something mischeviously evil glinted in his eye as he started up a staring contest with her. He shifted his pack on his shoulder and let her ponder for a moment what gears might be turning behind his eyes, but the staring contest and lapse of silence didn't last long. Kouros ruined the game by pointing, rather suddenly, further into the walls of moving grey. It was like seeing a marble sculpture walk off its pedistal, that's how sudden and jerky the movement was.

"Out there," He ordered. "Look." Kouros's grin subdued itself to a smile, but his eyes were demanding even in their amusement. He wondered how annoyed she would be that her karma comment had simply rolled off his shoulders. In all they're years together, no matter how much or often she tried to push his buttons, she could never breech the cold fronteir that was Kouros. He'd been that way since their parents execution, and, while Kouros hadn't noticed the change, he knew his temper was cooler and his will was stronger. If he didn't want to let someone bother him, they didn't bother him. Besides, a public argument always attracted attention from by-standers and that simply wasn't good for the business of theives. For now, he would wait to get his small vengance against Aubrey. He knew better than to waste all his leverage on her at once.

Out to the left, barely visible in the downpour, was the darker outline of something rather large and forboding. It towered in the darknress; it's sharp edges made fuzzy and soft by the changing pattern of rain. When she didn't look back, Kouros leaned close to her cheek, bending at the waist to bring himself to her level. She always had hated his height advantage. "A cave," He said, voice full of the smugness she had displayed a moment ago. He sounded like he was explaining things to a child not old enough to understand what they were looking at.
Part I of Project Karma Revenge: Complete.
Satisfied in that win, Kouros let a wiry smile curl his lips, his eyes narrowed and he looked, for a moment, more cat than human. The slow movements ended and he moved again with startling quickness. Standing tall beside Aubrey, he wrapped a muddy arm around her shoulders --more like draped since she was so short in comparison-- and hugged her close to his mud-covered side. Looking out into at the sillouette of what would be their abode out of the rain, Kouros said more five measley words.
"Karma's a bitch, ain't it?"
Game. Set. Match.
Part II: Complete.

[...deliverance...]

ooc: your an ass! LOL ;D

[...deliverance...]

She stood there, smug and proud--wallowing in her successful vengeance. Her eyes glittered with self-praise, and her posture reflected an innocent arrogance that was known in Aubrey's character. However, her jubilee was short lived as she noted his smile.

A smile! Come on now! She scowled down at him, though she was still proud of her little retort, and only released an exasperated sigh as he began to stand. Rolling her eyes at his attempt to stare her down, she did not miss the evil glint that shimmered behind his eyes. She eyed him carefully, and leaned away from him slightly as he finished standing--easily towering over her. She wasn't worried about being physically wounded by her taller friend, but she wouldn't put it past him to be plotting his own revenge. She prepared herself for a fistful of mud, or some quick condescending retort, but all she got was a sudden attentive guesture that demanded she quickly look behind her. Her eyes were slightly wide, as she turned about quickly to look where he was pointed, half worried that there was some unseen enemy in the misty rain. Yet, there was none and the dark shadow of an outcropping--perhaps a shallow cave caught her attention, and she felt her heart drop as she realized why he had wandered from the trail. She cursed herself, for he certainly wouldn't let her live this one down. She didn't look back to him, but fumed silently to herself as she realized he'd defeated her once again. Welll... only half way. She still couldn't help but smirk proudly at her reigning comment that she knew still topped his wanderings to the cave. For look who was covered in mud to begin, and who had mocked her when she had fallen like so? Dear, dear Kouros. Indeed, karma had encroached upon him, and there was nothing--not even his cool unrippling calm--that could take away her confidence and pride in her retort.

Yet, that smug smirk didn't last any longer than the first, as she felt his form sidle closer to her and wrap his mud-covered arm around her, before she could react and pull away. Disgusted and reviled as the sudden chill swept across her skin, she shoved her elbow harshly into his unprotected side. "Get off me, you ass-hole!" she screamed. growling hotly as she ripped herself away from him--whirling around on him feircely, an unquestionably fury blaring within her auburn eyes. However, she did not whirl on him with blows--though she silently hoped that her elbow had caused him some minor discomfort--but instead immediately chucked the soiled blanket squarely into his close-ranged face. Her hair came all around her face in wild strands, and her lips had formed into a thin line as her anger boiled on the surface. Mud lined her skin once again, and goosebumps formed beneath the muck for the second time today. Her voice--which had roared over the tempest--echoed figuratively as its aftermath still rumbled poisonously within the air and within her head.

Glaring murderously at the smug and cocky companion she had known since birth, Aubrey turned around without another word, and stalked off into the rain. Fuming inside her head as she began to consider the thousand different ways she could kill him over and over again. If he wanted her angry, he had accomplished it.
For his sake, there had better be a warm, clean, hot spring inside the recesses of that drive alcove. But the sheer absence of the falling rain was enough to coax a sigh of releif as she entered the overhang of the cave mouth. She looked over her shoulder to glare coldly at Kouros. If she was a terribly cruel being, she'd keep Kouros out in the rain... but she supposed she had enough loving reserve for her friend to at least spare him a damp, cold night in the rain.

Entering deeper into the darkness, she paused to listen, carefully analysing all sounds to hopefully find an empty abode. Luckily, it was indeed empty, but it was not silent. Below the pitter pats of the rain on the surface earth above, she could hear the gentle trickling of water, perhaps she could atleast find a draining spout to rinse off and wash her soiled clothes.

Following the sound, she found that the cave floor sloped downwards, slightly and small veins had been warn into the rock in certain areas. Slowly the pieces began to fit together--and her hopes were fullfilled as her keen eye-site found a reflection in the floor. At the very back of the shallow cave, a large pool had formed. She assumed this rock had probably been worn in by run-off over hundreds of years. Now a pleasantly shallow pool resided within the back. It was a fair size and stretched a good deal deeper than she had realized. Slipping off her boots, she slipped one foot in experimentally and found that the gradual downward slope still persisted into the pool. She would be able to wade in, without problems. However, to her dismay this was no hot-spring, and the rain had made the water's cold, giving her an immediate shiver as the chill ran up the length of her leg. Pulling her foot out, she shook herself gently, releiving the chill and turned back around towards the cavern mouth. Though her mood improved at the finding of the water--which she knew she could use to clean herself and her clothes, even if the water was dangerously cold--it declined back into fermenting anger at the thought of once again moving towards Kouros. She would wait until the man had settled in their things and once they were indeed "settled" for the night, before she went back to the frigid waters in the rear of the cave--however at the moment... that time couldn't come soon enough.

[Kouros]

Good. Maybe she'll be quiet now.
The knapsack of belonging slapped noisily to the floor of the dry cave. The entrance was large, wide enough so he could see a reasonable distance out into the opaque rainfall, but an overhand kept the innards dry. Kouros was glad for that overhang; he would sleep the night as close to the entrance as possible for Aubrey's sake, if not to hide from the sparks jumping from he reyes. He hadn't noticed the swolled puddle in the back of the sanctuary until the slow movement of Aubrey wading in alterted his hearing. His flesh crawled at the notion of voluntarily walking into it. But as he had hoped, maybe she would be happier after a thourough bath.

As he set about making camp with their soaked through supplies, Kouros gave Aubrey the space she so desired. His comments earlier had made her angry --and not the kind of angry that would pass over quickly and quietly. A nagging feeling told him she would stay upset for a good long time, most likely until the rain ceased and she could get as far ahead of him as she desired. Still, this had happened before between the two friends and somehow it always righted itself. Day after day of travel with the same person could ignite a match under even the quietest of people, the smallest of movements fanning the flames. Everyone snaps after a time. Kouros chuckled to himself as he noisily dumped the knapsack contents onto the rock floor. Aubrey had snapped quite a few times.

From the pile of this and that, he pulled out four extra sets of dripping clothes. He wrung the excess water from two sets of clothes to each friend and set them over various rocks to dry. A set of his and hers clothes sported bright colors, elaborate designs in shining thread, and false gems to suggest higher status; the other set of clothes were black, dark for night operations. Aubrey's clothes were smaller than his and he wondered, setting each out to dry and listening to the dull slosh of rain in the background, how they could hold such a vivacious spirit. Aubrey stood taller than Kouros in spirit and she never let him forget it. His boots stood twice the size of the ones he would later gather from the pond's edge, a cozy sight in the soon to be firelight.

He set one of two cooking pots out in the rain to cather the crisp falling water --tea was a very nice thought right about now. Their bones, he was sure could do with some deforsting, but that meant a fire so as he waited for the pot to fill, he scavanged at the brush in the mouth of the cave for wood that had yet to be dampened by the rain. He came back with a small armload of kindling and went back for a later log that had been dragged into the cave by, he assumed, its last inhabitants. Strong hands cracked the log over a rock and quick hands set a small glowing flame to life a good distance away from the entrance. The light warmed their hide-away. It glinted off Aubrey and her bath water and set shadows playing over Kouros and the rock formations. It would take time, but the fire would warm the alcove and hopefully dry out their clothes, knapsack, and the two sleeping-cloaks set out about the fire.

Kouros stepped back out into the rain to retrieve the pot and set it over the fire on a collapsable wire stand he'd purchased a while back. He set two cups to wait and searched through a pile that held knives, rope, a felt pouch that jingled, multiple things wrapped in oiled cloths for the wrap of smoked meat and another of tea leaves. Methodically, Kouros picked out the two best leaves and added them to the cups while he waited for the water to boil. Only a little longer... In the mean time, he knew Aubrey would be needing a towel after boiling her bath water so he did his best to dry one of the cloaks --his cloak. Once he couldn't get it any dryer without having to wait, he hung it over a rock near the edge of the pond. He kept his eyes averted on his walk there and back, studying the patterns of the gravel beneath his bare feet as he went.

Now all he had to do was wait. For the tea water to boil. For Aubrey to finish her bath. For the rain to stop. He left the mean for when Aubrey was to return, so she could have her pick of pieces before he touched them; it was set up next to the cup she had labeled her own so she could eat and drink when she pleased. Kouros stood and faced the flashing thunderstorm. His body seemed to hold the same quiet furiocity as the forboding, looming, gray clouds that had snuck up on them the night previous. He ruffled a hand through his hair sending a small spray of water cascading through the air around him. Thoughts couldn't be read on his placid expression, but he walked away from the fire when he heard Aubrey emerging and stood at the entrance to the cavern.

Arms crossed, back to the fire's warmth, this is what she wanted right? To be as far away from him as she could get? It ate away at him, but he'd give the space to her. Her tempter needed cooling, even if he was the one to start her fuming. He would never admit he'd gone too far. It would just take longer than normal for her to get over herself. Right?
Kouros sighed.
How much longer will it take? mark my words, Rigel, I will find out what you did to our parents, sludge that calls yourself water. I will not let you escape for what you did to Aubrey. And I will get to that town before that caravan leaves...

[/color]

[scarred]

The rain. That cold penetrable downpour which chills the very marrow of the bone and dampens the skin with unconquerable moisture. Destruction lies in its wake--Food is spoiled, clothes are souled, and mold becomes a conquering King. Therefore, to a restless traveler, all those hours in the rain begin to grow very tiring, and it is very likely that a rare and dry, shallow cave would appeal to more than one organism of life. And it is here that I must point out how possible it is that this "kouros" and this "Aubrey" are not alone. Likewise, Zedekiah had fallen into slumber with no illusions to the fact that he would be joined by company later on in the afternoon. However, Zede knew to fall asleep in the presence of risk was unwise and thus, he was not located in an easily located or reached area in the small chamber. He had found a small ledge that moved past the cold small pond. Though the small body of water was very large, there was a small niche on the very back wall of the cave, overlooking the clear, dark water. Zede had come in during the day and had had no need for fire at the time, so he held no campblaze to alert his presence to the two newcomers. His slumber and slow, deep breathing made very little sound and was silent compared to the roaring downpour of the rain. So in an overall view, he was non-existant for now.

Yet at the beginning of his rest, it was already predestined that he would be roused by another roommates of sorts, and of course it was the smoke that woke him along with the soft tenative sound of displacing water. He gently transfused back into the alert mind of a skilled soldier and the gentle patience of a wronged hero.
Opening a bright yellow and dull red eye, the sentinel found his vision beholding a dark sky outside the cave mouth, a pitterpatter pattern of falling rain, a young woman in the frigid waters--he quickly averted his gaze--and the capfire of a young man. Neither one seemed to pay much attention to the other and a slight tension seemed to float within the air. He didn't get the impression that they hated each other, but the two did not seem to be very motivated to speak to one another. Though their relationship was not presently important to Zedekiah, it could very soon evolve to be. For now he was not terribly concerned whilst his presence still remained undetected, and though he had pondered the motion of remaining silent and still, and unimportant in their perspective, the ledge he perched in the back of this watery cavern, was smaller than he had realized and already the few hours of sleep he had managed had left his body stiff. The rain irritated his mottled skin, and he rubbed his scarred face briskly with his hands, as he blinked the sleep from his eyes. Again he saw the pair--these two hjumanoid forms intrugued him and pullde3 at the sociable portion of him that was still alive. In truth, he didn't keep company very often, but wandered alone and desolate with a dark cloud always hovering over his head, even when the sky shown with the sun's beautiful radiance.
Ever since the "incident" life had lost its luster in the eyes of the ex-soldier. At one point he had always favored his human form, but now that he nolonger had a face, the body he once found could relate tot he majority of Algaësia's population, nolonger seemed as human, and he found that many could nolonger assume him as friend.

Of course, he didn't encourage noble company as his appearance had subconsciously dropped from hero to rogue. He didn't intend to appear as malignant and dangerous as he did, but it seemed the pitch black attire--from an ebony tunic and breeches, to a long draping cloak that matches with the equally dark black mask--was a subconscious preferance.

Nonetheless, one can only be lonely for so long, and even if he wanted to avoud their company, he just couldn't remain on this ledge and--from what he knew--the entrance was equally the only exit. He would have to pass them either way. Yet the deciding factor was the sound of the pounding rain--its rhythmic melody was relentlessly pounding the muddy terrain, and Zede had no desire to enter the torrent before the morning. Thus, he shifted audibly and began a slow and careful decent--loose stones cascading gently down the slape and into the world below. In his completely black attire, he was confident that he was too far back and the fire to far to really be seen, but he made no attempt to hide in silence. He had no intention of surprising them anymore than he assumed he already would.

Once free of the overhang, he began to sidle along the slim lip before the water that was on the far side of the cave. He would reach the woman first, and already he was trying to reherse what he would say. How does one address a bathing woman? He knew he must not look or stare, but beyond that... well, perhaps she would be the first to speak.

[...deliverance...]

Aubrey still believed that the cave was empty. Her alert senses would have probably been alerted to most visitors, but if we think about it, there is a constant risk of human error. Not to mention the simple fact that Aubrey had not spent a terrible amount of time listening for “roommates.” So all in all, it was very possible—in her mind—that a small animal could be residing in those deeper, darker corners of the cavern. Of course, she’d not imagined in her wildest dreams that another “man”—or humanoid—could be lurking in the shadows, but this explanation is unimportant at the moment.

Aubrey watched as Kouros entered the cave. To be honest, he wasn’t guilty of any terrible crime. Many people would think that her furious glare was a little bit of an over reaction, but that was just what made Aubrey... well… Aubrey. Her naturally outspoken nature had one been pleasant, optimistic, and relatively friendly. She still had that sharp edged tongue, but before her mother’s murder and her father’s personal exile, she had never been quite as bitter and temperamental. IN an analogy of sorts, Kouros : quiet :: Aubrey : angry. She reacted to the pain and hurt in a much different way than her dear friend. She didn’t lock herself up, but quite the contrary, she lashed out. She kept up an offensive barrier and that created her defense from the sufferings of their past. Therefore, she could hold on to her anger till she had none left—as far as time wise, it could be a short while… it could be a long while.

Hell, she’s a woman… your guess is as good as mind.

Therefore, her watchful eye was more of a glare, and it remained as such until she receded into the cave rear—back by the water. She glanced back occasionally to make sure Kouros had his back to her. Normally, she wouldn’t have cared terribly much if he glanced in passing—though she still would have cared slightly… of course—but in her disgruntled expression, her stubbornness was ready to reprimand him for even seeing her out of the corner of his eye—even with her clothes. Yet as she disconnected the breast strap and loosened the belt from around her waist, she felt a lonely chill seep into her bones and through the surface of her skin. She glanced quickly at Kouros’s outlined form, surrounded by fire, and she sighed in gentle frustration. A greater need was beginning to calm her umbrage and that need involved the freezing black shallows.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped into the glass liquid. Its bitter chill took her breath away, filling the cave with her sudden, soft gasp. Yet, she forced herself to continue the gradual slide into the icy pool—knowing that to release herself of her earthen prison, the necessary tortures must be endured.

Body sliding slowly and painfully into the cold abyss, she noticed orange shimmers floating upon the surface from the fire’s light whilst it reflected in the ripples that she had created. However, its warm glow did little to stop the wrenching shudders that had begun to wrack her system. Her teeth chattered within her skull as she settled herself neck deep in the frigid waters. But now her lower extremities were numb from the cold, and her hands were shaking—blue skin shining from beneath her nails. She certainly wouldn’t be lingering any longer than she needed to. She should have done the sensible thing and suffered through the muck till the town was reached, but the dark brown film just could not be tolerated any longer. To her—especially in her stubbornness—these cold, numbing waters were the lesser of the two evils, even though, realistically… this was not so.

Her shivers dulled, however, in intensity as the numbness in her body grew and her bodice fell callous to the cold, but the wash did not last long and she was soon ready to exit the dark pool. Night had come quickly and though she could here the rain’s constant drum, the shadows of the evening world would not allow her to see it. With a groan she began to ease herself out of the water, but she stopped suddenly—a feint scrape of feet had grabbed her attention—and her body went still, cold heart hammering inside her naked chest.

But stiff numb limbs do not hold up well and her tired joints crumbled unexpectantly beneath her, sending her beneath the water for a brief moment. She came up, water splashing violently around her as she sunk up to her chin, fearing the stranger that she knew was in the cave. The noise reverberated from the rear, she could feel it, and didn’t know what to expect. Her words caught in her throat as she tried to grab Kouros’s attention, but hopefully he too would notice—if not the stranger, then her sudden splashing about. Now, with this sudden need, and her position of vulnerability… all was forgiven.

She froze beneath the water, adrenaline was pulsing through her chilled body as she saw a shadow begin to form from the shadows themselves. It was a man, covered in black; even his face was hidden by a black mass. She could barely discern him, but it was enough for her to apprehend the situation. The cold was no longer a problem, and the water became her only barrier between him and her. Weakly she whispered to Kouros, but her strangled gasp came out as little more than an exhale of air—her voice cracking—“Kour…os…”, she managed.

Swallowing hard, she narrowed her eyes at this new stranger. His expression was blank—courtesy of the mask—and his black attire gave him a dangerous and ominous aura. Yet he didn’t seem threatening, though his silence was disconcerting. Swallowing hard, she found her voice. It still cracked along the edges but it was stronger, and the knowledge that Kouros was indeed still with her, gave her courage. Kouros had always been her protector, and she had often times used his tall and dominating appearance to her advantage among the towns—of course, he always meant more to her than a meager advantage, but lets avoid sentimental thoughts in such a situation.

“Who…” she swallowed as her voice cracked and broke, “…are you?”
She finished shakily, but firmly nonetheless.

Huddling in the water, hiding her exposed nakedness in the ebony depths… the shudders and shivered began to wrack her body once again. Already a fuzzy feeling was growing on her toes and fingers, the feeling gone… her mind beginning to feel the drowsy cold as well. She could not linger in this cold runoff much longer, else she could very well catch cold.

She resisted the urge to glance behind her and call for Kouros again, but she did not trust this stranger enough to turn her back to him for even a moment. The powers in Algaësia were vast and seemingly endless—one never knew who or what they might run into in a day.

[Kouros]

Standing at the edge of the cavern left Kouros longing for the warmth of the fire. His thoughts had continued on for some time and left a frigid layer of frost over his heart. Going back to the fire, he cared not if Aubrey would be upset with him. He chanced a look up at the bathing woman --he had heard her submerged herself long ago-- and caught sight of a lump on the ledge behind her. Kouros, not wanting to give away his knowledge of their guest, continued to move toward the fireplace while quietly watching the form shift.
His cat eyes made the scene brighter than the average human, but Kouros always took great caution before making any movement. For along moment, Kouros stood over the fire, as though warming his hands, looking at the shape’s head swiveled, caught sight of Aubrey. A deep malice instantly bubbled within Kouros; he resisted the instinctual urge to growl.
That’s right, snake. Avert your eyes, lest I claw one out for looking at her.

Kouros didn’t, however, resist the urge to move forward the moment their guest moved to rise from its spot. Dark brown eyes flashed in the firelight as Kouros ducked past its hearth to the back of a stalagmite. No fear? Kouros questioned to himself at the sound of rocks, skidding, scraping, tumbling lightly. The stranger was making his move. Aubrey would shriek, Kouros figured, or begin to flail. Sure enough he could hear the fiery girl splashing around in the cavern’s pool, trying to get his attention no doubt. Kouros could not resist a satisfied grin. For all the words of hatred she sent his way she always fell back on his strong arm. She feared being caught out alone. She took his strength and calm head for granted. Another thought then twisted his lips further. Should he leave her there, seemingly incapable of protecting herself? Kouros did know Aubrey’s skills and they were nothing to be trifled with, but they depended on who she was to use them against. From the way this stranger’s steps echoed off the rock framing the pool, Aubrey’s… talents would only get her so far. If this stranger wanted Aubrey dead, dead Aubrey would be. Still, she had twisted a cold dagger in Kouros --she could badger and plague him with sarcastic comments for hours on end and then thrown a fit when he finally laid home a comment.

It was Aubrey’s fearful whisper that finally pushed Kouros forth. He could not rightly leave her there to suffer. If anything happened to her, he would never forgive himself --he would never forgive her quick temper. But that whisper had been so full of fear that his limbs moved without question. Slinking from one rock to another, Kouros made his way around the edge of the pool to where his ears suggested the stranger would come forth. Crouching in wait, Kouros listened intently to Aubrey. Her teeth chattered loud enough for him to hear and for a moment he felt bad for her, naked and cold in the water with a stranger suddenly appearing out of the dark.

Her fault, He gruffed to himself as he turned his attention back to the stranger, She wanted out of the rain, she wanted the bath. Well, Aubrey, this is what you get. No --Aubrey don’t talk to him! Kouros pinched the bridge of his nose willing his anger and exasperation back to the depths of his chest. She was just so… so… impulsive sometimes he wanted to strangle her! Does she ever think twice about inviting unknown company into conversation? Nooo. Of course she doesn’t! Rrr…

Kouros kept the growl in his head as he listened for the stranger’s response. The being’s attention should be on Aubrey now --the girl in the water just to the other side of Kouros’s hiding spot-- not on the missing shape by the fire. Kouros prayed --prayed!-- that she wouldn’t say anything of him. They needed any bit of surprise they could get on this guy, but he hadn’t made himself all so invisible to their notice. Kouros hoped he wasn’t in search of a fight or to steal from them. His bones were sore from the cold, his joints ached from walking through the mud, and the sudden shakes in Aubrey unnerved him. He wanted her out of the water and by the fire. If worse came to worse he was going to have to distract the stranger for Aubrey’s sake. Kouros could wait, sitting on his heels for the stranger’s response.

[/color]

[...deliverance...]

To her surprise the stranger did not answer, barely acknowledge her. He continued his approach along the wall, and Aubrey--unnerved by his silence--gathered herself for something, anything. Collected her power within her, she felt herself fall under a deep pressure, something numbing that stole away her strength. She'd been in the water far too long. It's chill was taking effect and dragging away her energy. She dared not use it, for fear of using too much. She did what seemed so unnatural to her. She fled. Watching his regard for the water, she took it into her advantage and begrudgingly shuffled further into the depths until her toes barely treat upon the smooth stone beneath her. Each gentle ripple that fell across her cheak sent a shiver down her spine. But she was stronger than many would believe. She fought back waves of numbness and found a strength of reserve that she pulled from the water. In an instant she was gone. Molding the world around her, she found a latching hold--shaking but strong within this sudden stranger's mind. She erased herself from his eyes, becoming invisible to none but him. Kouros could still see her, though now that she looked for him... she could not say the same. A cold fear welled up within her, but she assured herself that Kouros would not leave. In her new security she scanned the walls, the caves niches, the shadows... but found only scant evidence of Kouros's presence--but a faint shadow behind a rock, seemed more curved than should be. Her mind could rightly be imagining things, but it would break her if she were to consider that Kouros had surely abandoned her. It never crossed her mind that all her stubborn childish moments might someday drive him away. She was too... well... lets just say, she couldn't fathom such a reality and didn't think it was even possible. The two had been through so much...

Suddenly she was aware of a tug at her subconscious--the anchor that held her illusion fast to her victim. The man... masked and cloaked in black--though amazed at her sudden dissapearance could now be found fleeing the cave. He ignored the rain, and left the scene--almost as if he had never seen the girl, or the fire. Aubrey did no how to feel now... the scenerio confused and bewilded her and he illusional attachment drifted slowly back to her in a daze of its own.

She was suddenly very tired... and felt a sudden cold ripple splash across her face--arousing her from her confusiong.
She gasped, feeling the water again as if for the first time as knew life filled her body with a chilling white fire--warming her, while the water fought furiously to drag her under, beneath its cold influence. She struggled with it, splashing and spraying water all about. She didn't care. In a rapid pant she fled the water, ignoring her nakedness. She grappled at the towl and dragged it swiftly around her shoulders, cold and wet, feebly covered, and shivering. She slumped to the floor outside the pool, her muscles numb and week, her mind tired of fighting--tired from the strong illusion that she had conjured in her discomfort and panic. She could scarsely move and remained content against the stone, revelling in the warmer atmosphere outside the pool. The towl provided little aid to her overhauling body warmth, but the fire seemed leagues away.

She was too embaressed to call to Kouros again. She admitted it to herself that she regretted snapping at him so seriously, and the previous mud "issue" was now forgotten behind this new confusing incident. Much contrary to what Kouros might think, however... Aubrey did want him. She wanted his strength. The security he gave her, the static life he offered her. She needed him, but stubborn as she was she could not, would not call out to him.

Her face, blank and tired, her body cold and convulsing in innocent shivers, and the fire... oh so far away.

ooc: sorry, if it's a little vague... I need to get back into her rhythm

[Kouros]

Damn you.

Kouros ended up istening more than looking, a change of pace he did not enjoy in the slightest. The stranger's forward approach forced Kouros further behind his boulder to keep from being seen. You best not be touching her while I can't see you. The man had yet to speak words so without sight, Kouros was nearly useless in his hiding spot. He also knew Aubrey would be missing him should she even glimpse toward the fire or his spot. Dont worry, Aubrey. I haven't left you.

Kouros willed the thought toward his friend as he closed his eyes and drew the feline prowling his sub-conscious into the forefront of his thoughts. The growl slowly moved from within his mind to his throat. Pupils slitted; ears pointed. Nails became claws; hair replaced clothes. The squatting man was soon crouching, poised to launch himself from all fours. In the same length of time that it took Aubrey to cloak herself from the stranger's mind's eye, the man she sought vanished. She would not find Kouros coming to her aid, but the spotted, golden arched back and twitching tail of a cheetah.

As Aubrey sought Kouros --an act the man remained oblivious to-- the cheetah's growl grew as the cat peeked its yellow gaze out at the man gazing curiously about for the vanished Aubrey. Once the man noticed the angry cat glowering from its shadowy corner of the cavern, a fang unknowingly glinting in the firelight, he turned to flee from the cave quickly skipping by the slinking feline. Claws clicked lightly on the stone floor as Kouros paced after the stanger, keeping to the shadows so his eyes gleamed, to be sure that he would leave him and Aubrey far behind.

For a breath, the cheetah stood at the opening to the oriface to the rock watching the shadow disappear into the sheets of rain. The human within Kouros had given the reigns to the feline, but the human was not completely lost to feral instincts. The scent reminded and the sound of splashing, furious splashing pulled the flickering tuffts of ears and then the cat's head back to the pool of water where Aubrey bathed. The cat cared about Aubrey as though she were kin; a bond of love not quite the same as Kouros's, but not very far off from their joint need --and desire-- to be together.

The furious movement from the water pulled the quick slim beast into a lope and just as she pulled herself from the water, hand snatching the towel, the cheetah approached her. She slid, barely covered, to a seat on the rocks. Aubrey didn't need to call Kouros; he knew her prideful, unhealthy ways enough transform back to a man. She watched as the cat resigned to his human ways, remaining only in his hair, sleek physique, and the stipes down his cheeks. The resemblence, undenyable.

Motions moved Kouros to silence; he found no need to speak about the events. He knew she would be too stubborn to ask for the help he would willingly give her. The duo was nothing without the other half and a bond greater than family kept him there to aid her. For all of their arguments, their pointless disagreements, she knew --she had to know-- that Kouros would forever be there to save her.
He hoped she knew that, even in his silence, it was all for her.
You dumbass... What am I going to do with you?
Out of respect for her, his eyes remained averted even after he opened them. He looked beyond her at the rocks and rubble as he slipped his arms around her shoulders and under her knees. If her towel shifted, he didn't know it for his eyes found her face and stayed there. He may have looked a stoic giant to some, but the curve to his brow and lock of his jaw were subtle clues to how concerned he truly was for his female friend as he lifted her shaking body from the stone and clutched her close.

A few paces ended by in the bright circle of the fire. His eyes never left her as he walked and he watched in restrained fear as her already blue and purple lips shook from the cold. Gently he set her down before a formation that would hold her up and quickly turned his eyes from her bare legs to finding dry clothes among those he set out to dry. Nothing that would help, nothing other than one of his shirts so he took that and dropped it lighting into her lap.

While she occupied herself with the task, Kouros silently went about pouring the now boiling water into a mug. The tea leaves swooped and spun in the barrage of hot liquid. The small pile of tinder grew smaller as two more pieces disappeared into the dancing orange flame while he waited for Aubrey and the tea. Once he was sure she was clothed, settled in what little covering he could provide at the very moment, he picked the leaf out of the steaming liquid with two fingers and offered the mug to her with an outstretched hand. Tossing the leaf into the pot sitting over the fire, he placed his own in the liquid to save time.

Here Kouros paused and gave himself a moment to stare into the fire. The light danced on his face in perfect pattern along side the shadow. Still nothing of the turmoil about the silent stranger or his fear of frostbite could be read on his face. Kouros would not show her any inkling of these thoughts and left his muscular back facing her as he knelt on transitory emotion. He shook the worries mentally, as a cat would shake its paw after dipping it in water, and returned his thoughts to the task at hand. Aubrey was in need, trembling from the cold behind him. She needed someone strong. She needed his arm.

But an arm he did not give her. Transforming back into a cheetah, Kouros turned, tail following the path of his nose, to pad up beside her. The beast's deep brown eyes met hers before tearing away and the cat silently stretched out beside her and rested its forepaws over her lap. He hoped that his fur would help to keep her bare legs warm, but even as he rested, breathing slowly, he could feel the quakes seizing hold of her muscles in a desperate attempt to warm her being.


[-ooc- Hush I said! I'm just glad you're back. Quick reply, I know, I've been EXPLODING with Kouros muse ^^; ]
[/right]

[...deliverance...]

ooc: *huggles* ^_^

Aubrey was vaguely aware of the lurking cat as Kouros drove the intruder out with a firm resilience. she doubted the man would return. To many, the predetory feline--known for its versatility and speed--was enough encouragement. However, Aubrey did not fear the cheetah, nor the man behind it. In fact she was glad to see him about, her heart releived, but not surprised that he was still here. He would not willingly abandon her... she knew this. Yet, still a part of her had feared and doubted. The world had proven to her repeatedly, just how cold and unpredictable it could be.

Shivering, teeth chattering, she didn't care about her exposed body, or about moral. She was glad to feel Kouros's strong arms around her, supporting her to the short jaunt back to the fire. She did not speak to him, she was half ashamed. She knew she'd been unfair to him earlier, but her apologies were so rare and feeble, if they ever came at all. She couldn't bring herself to relinquish her pride just yet.
when he set her down, she moved as close as she could to the fire--the cold water within her body consistantly chilling her soul. She was glad when Kouros returned, and swiftly exchanged the meager towl for the large shirt he offered. She did not look to meet his gaze, nor apologize, nor demand... though her barrier was beginning to chip away as she felt more isolated and alone. She was momentarily broken, stripped of her pride--left figuratively naked before the world... and worse before Kouros. She was shaken by the stranger, by the cold of the water, and suffocated by the dismal array of pittering rain. Her vibrant personality could only hold up for so long, and now she felt as if she'd temporarily driven Kouros away from her in her previous anger. She feared he was angry, and this killed her inside. Like a cat, doused by the rain, wet and miserable, she came stumbling back... lacking the confidence and venom she'd previously responded with, but not truly knowing how to apologize for her ill-comments.

She was left in a pickle. Her true vibrant and spirited personality, still wanted to be angry, whilst the more necessary womanly portion of her soul begged for companionship, and the strength of her child-hood friend that had always been there to catch her when she stumbled.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The rest of the evening went by in a blur. She could scarcely remember her own thoughts, much less her actions or Kouros's. She dozed in and out of restless dreams, and was vaguely away of the feline warmth beside her. It was not what she wanted. Her constant shivering had waned into spastic tremors that sometimes spanned minutes, sometimes hours.
She felt hot even in the chill, but the tea soothed her restlessness and eased her head. She leaned it back against the wall, but could not get comfortable. Feeling forlorn and out of her element, without her pride to lean on, she glanced groggily towards the cat at her side--his warmth filling her, but his presence was comfortless. Feebly she whisper, not out of ill-health, but out of shame. Aubrey was not known for her sentiment. This effect of shock had rendered her... softened her. She wanted Kouros, and didn't want him angry at her, if he was.

Her eyes searched for the deep brown pools of the cheetah, her emotions left raw before her--expressing themselves in her pale cheaks, drained of color.
"Kouros...?" her voice whispered softly, cracking as if speaking for the first time, "I need the man."
Her voice was soft and feeble, a rare occasion--a moment in time when she set aside her sarcasm and "good natured", "loving" jest. This was one such time, when the reality of their bond showed its true colors, where events dragged out the very fibers of what held them so tightly together. For Aubrey could not survive without Kouros, and she liked to think the same could be said for him.

She let her words fade as she looked at the cat, but then... that pride of hers found a new foundation and she looked away. She would always be aubrey, soft or not. she hated feeling so helpless, and yet... at the same time, she liked to feel him hold her--she liked to be held by a strength and security she'd known all her life... the only thing constant in her shifting world. It was because of Kouros that Aubrey knew; no matter how rough Algaësia seemed, there would always be at least one good thing in her world.

[Kouros]

Even as a cheetah Kouros could not still his thoughts or his heart as he laying across Aubrey's lap. As the rock solid half to the duo, Kouros had always been laconic in his speech and gentlemanly to her in some degree. He respected her, as a person, as the stable part of his life, as Aubrey. The last thing he wished to do was provide reason for her to turn him away.

A part of him unknowingly feared her rejection. That was why he kept such a clear line drawn between them. He would rather keep what he knew so well than risk trying something at just the wrong moment that may ruin them. Still, as Aubrey's voice strained against her pride, Kouros's heart --feline or human-- could not deny her anything. As long as she wanted it, needed it, Aubrey would always find his Achiles' heel.

"Kouros...?" Cat ears easily caught her raspy whisper and flicked a fluffy round aud back to listen further while he black-tiped tail twitched expectantly. The human, however, caught the longing in the call of his name and brown eyes raised to find Aubrey's gaze as she spoke again. "I need the man."

Gently the cheetah lifted itself from Aubrey's lap, but instead of transforming into a man Kouros first leaned forward and brushed a furry cheek to Aubrey's. A sign of affection and comfort that meant a great deal between cats; an indirect way of showing Aubrey how much his human heart also cared. Even so, the brush of warm fluffy fur moved from her cheek down her neck to her shoulder until it could caress her no further.

Stepping away, the cheetah sat on on its hind legs. The fire crackled, popped, and threw shadows over the limber cat that looked less and less feline by the moment. Soon the shape and cut of a man became more prevalant than that of the swift cat until Kouros knelt on the cold stone floor beside Aubrey. Stretching out stiff joints, he seated himself against the stone wall at her side without saying a word.

He might have come off as frigid toward her, stormy or smoldering in his almost secretive lack of a verbal response, but the arms reaching to her shape proved quite the opposite. Strong arms gathered her onto his lap, cradled her again to his bare chest. One knee remained bent to keep her secure as Kouros held her close, closer and tighter than possibly he ever had before. His intention could have merely been to basnish the chill from Aubrey's bones by sharing body heat, but the heavy sigh that escaped from his lips suggested otherwise.
Aubrey...

Every day for the longest time, Kouros had watched Aubrey dancing between vending stalls, eagerly fawning over this trinket or that piece of clothing. Memory couldn't tell Kouros when watching her seduce a rich merchant for his money had begun to make his blood boil. The scene was a common enough one to them, but now Kouros always found himself watching her eyes nearly as eager as the merchant, or worse, with eyes turning envy green. Somwhere in his travels, their friendship had turned to something more for Kouros and he'd acknowledged and accepted it for some time --Aubrey was not simply his childhood friend.

He could feel her heartbeat and the rise and fall of her breathing as he held her. It calmed him, surprisingly, to finally have her body in his arms, but his relief at knowing he actively banished the pins and needles created by the frigid waters was not enough to replace the worry. Instead of resting his cheek to her head as he wished, he tipped his head back to the wall and stared at the shadows sweeping across the cave's ceiling. He did not want to appear too attracted to her all at once. Careful, small steps were best. Having her in his arms was enough for him.

In the silence that followed Kouros finally offered Aubrey the sound of his voice. "Karma's a bitch." He whispered at the ceiling, quoting their earlier argument. Although the words came from the sore spot that kept them both from speaking, Kouros's voice had held no malice or spite toward Aubrey. In fact, his voice seemed to float and wrap around her, saying more than just "karma's a bitch". The rumble in his chest reminded her that he would always be there, argument or no; he never took them to heart and found the whole ordel remotely mirthful. Regardless of the situation --argument, emotions, or otherwise-- they were still children that had no one save the other so Kouros would hold her until one of them sought to move.

[...deliverance...]

Aubrey watched vacantly as the cat stood and rubbed affectionately across her cheak. Between the cheetah and the man, she much prefered the man. She didn't know why, for sure... it was a complicated preferance, and keep in mind she loved the cat as much as the man--since they were one in the same. Yet, to her... the feline was less human, less Kouros. Again... it's a difficult concept and her feeble rationalizations could barely do it justice.

She sighed beneath her breath, averting her eyes for the moment--lost in herself even as he pulled her into her lap. The sudden closeness, the sudden comfort. She felt as if she had never been so secure, and an unexplainable warmth filled her body and ceased her shivering. She swallowed whatever pride was attempting to rebuild, and looked back to him. He seemed reserved before her, and she suddenly wondered if he answered her pleas because he felt he had to. However, the pitiful doubt was smothered by the pure contact of the moment. He held her so tight, so warmly. The embrace of a man who did care--someone she knew cared.
The feelings that swam through her now enlightened her to a fact that she'd often considered but never lingered... Indeed, they were not mere childhood friends.
She leaned her head against his chest, holding it there, feeling the pressure of his heat, feeling the rhythm of his breath. It soothed her, placing her into a lullaby that rocked and supported her--kept her from falling into the dark. She closed her eyes--overtaken by a drowsiness that had previously plagued her. However, this time it was different. It offered comfort, not pain... it offered safety, not torture... and it was a pleasurable feeling to be encased as she was. The sleep that beckoned her would be a peaceful one no doubt...

...but it would momentarily have to wait.

"Karma's a bitch."

She heard his voice so clearly, and her instinctual argumentative personality sprung forth... but found no valor to fight with. She didn't want to fight. She thought at first it was spite, something to scold her--but it did not seem as malicious as that. It was blatant, but gentle. As if to tease, but not to spurn.

A fragile smile flitted across her face, but it's innocence was muffled. Even through her weakened state she was still Aubrey. Her gentle facial features blossomed with new life as she shifted her head and looked up towards his face--handsome and strong. Her amber eyes were alight, but still subdued by a haze. She lingered there, as if to retort, then chuckled softly--accepting his victory as she settled her face back against his chest. She shifted herself comfortably within his arms--snuggling closer to his warmth and security. Again she closed her eyes, drifted on the brink of sleep.

She opened her mouth, a soft sigh escaping with her words.
"Asshole." she whispered.
There was a smile upon her face, and her words held no seriousness or venom in them. They were innocent in themselves--similiar to his own prior tone. If she were to react any differently, there would truly be something awry.

Within her own mind, she wondered if these enlightenments--these deeper feelings--were singularly her own... or if Kouros, too, was having similiar conflictions. Aubrey didn't know and refused to think about it. For all her flirtations, she never acted upon any of them. To be honest, there were few men who she found worth the effort--and those she did... funny enough... she always compared, first, to Kouros. There were few out of that small number... who came anywhere close.
With that she drifted softly away--into a restful, dreamless slumber.

[Kouros]

“Asshole,” she whispered and a low chuckle resonated from deep within Kouros’s chest, a fulfillment of merriment to counter the worry threatening to strangle him. She would always be his Aubrey, the ragtag playmate from years gone by. After all that time she still had a tongue sharper than his claws.
His eyes found hers for a fleeting moment, but he did not let them linger upon her. He’d already crossed one line tonight, putting thoughts into her head that he didn’t completely regret and showing her something he wasn’t sure he wanted reveal quite yet. A reeling mind warned him of the consequences should he have gazed upon her longer than that single second --surely his lips would find hers-- and yet... his heart tugged to look back.

Soon enough though, Kouros’s arms clung to her sleeping form and his mind breathed a sigh of sheer relief. Their friendship would not be jeopardized this night.
But that’s no guarantee for the morrow...

He dared not stir as her breath rose and fell, escaping in little sighs audible only to Kouros’s cat hearing. The fire popped and crackled over the onslaught of rain. Chocolate eyes, heavy with the need for sleep, wandered to the opening of the cave. The sheet of rain had refused to yield. It would make travel to the village difficult even if the fates soaked the remaining water back to the clouds. The path would be hard to travel; the two could look forward to ankle deep mud at the least. If luck allied with the duo, they would come across a marooned caravan.

Then we could restock on supplies. Aubrey will be hungry for something other than dried meat. But that’s only if she healthy in the morning.
Fear pricked a pin hole in his heart. If. And a very big if at that.
Kouros sighed heavily and let his head fall back against the rock outcropping, kicking himself for letting her wade for so long. If he’d shown himself earlier the invader would have been gone sooner and she could have been out warming by the fire.
Again. If.

Thoughts of ‘if’ did no good for either of them; Kouros normally avoided thoughts like those, but he could still feel the occasional tremor run through her. The water had chilled her to the bones. Kouros held her tighter, hunching over her and resting his cheek to his forehead, fighting the foothold fear sought to gain in his mind. He couldn’t afford fear.

It would take hours for Kouros's mind to calm enough to allow sleep to finally overtake him. The monotonous drone of the rain had evened out to nothing more than a mere drizzle and the final log had nearly burned through when his eyelids could no longer keep his eyes on guard. He'd swallowed what rations of his he could reach, which wasn't enough, as well as both their glasses of tea so hers wouldn't spill. Aubrey's shivers had ceased and the sun boldly struck a ray of light into the mouth of the cavern as Kouros's arms slid from their tight hold of the girl. Exhaustion claimed another leaving the sleeping pair without a guard.

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[...deliverance...]

Aubrey awoke several hours after the sun had begun to make its presence in the dawn. She did not want to wake up, not now, not here. She was so warm, so comfortable, she did not even open her eyes, even as her senses began to announce the morning to her. She cursed it and nestled her head more comfortably against Kouros's chest, blissfully unaware of the past night and of the now. She was still reletively lost in sleep, even if her senses were not.

Suddenly, she remembered. Like cold water washing over her, she remembered the masked stranger--his face looming before her in her peaceful darkness. She gasped audibly in a soft whisper as she opened her eyes with a start, piecing her world back together as she gathered her bearings.

Kouros...? She tilted her head, looking up into his sleeping eyes. The sound of his deep breaths were calming, but she was now up and suddenly very aware of how stiff she was from the cold influence of the night. Carefully, hoping not to disturb him to much, she slipped delicately from his arms and moved to the back of the cave were she found her effects. The once damp clothes were now dry, but were very cold and very stiff. She took a few moments to shake them out before sliding into their chilled interior. She bit her lip as she endured the shivers that once again wracked up her spine--a sensation she was fast becoming accustomed to, but lucky enough for her... her little venture in the water would cause nothing more than a few cold symptoms.

Once she had her shift on--her usual skimpy attire--she shuffled through her things to pull out the wool blanket, that she had refused to pull out in the rain. It's warm, untarnished hide was a comfort to her as she wrapped it securely around her shoulders, using it as one might a cloak with no capture.

Shaking the cold off her in a vain attempt, she moved quietly pasted Kouros to where the fire was smoldering, no longer of any use. With a grouchy stare, she scolded it in a very childish manner and began to fiddle with some of the sticks before throwing on some new ones. Suddenly, she was confronted with yet another dilema. Fire...

"Dammit." she cursed quietly beneath her breath--defeated before she even started. She had only a small clue how to start a fire with barely nothing, and she lacked the motivation and initiative to actually work to get one started. She'd leave it for Kouros when he woke up.

Thinking about him, she glanced behind her in his direction. Her eyes betrayed her, reflecting a thoughtful tenderness that lingered a moment before drifting towards the cave entrance to confront the frigid morning.
She didn't really understand and know if she accepted the feelings she experienced the past night. She loved him as a friend, she loved his sarcasm, she loved how he protected her like a guardian, she loved...

Did she love him...? She had to think about it. A part of her felt she did--why else would it upset her so to imagine life without him? Last night she had felt something she didn't know if she'd ever felt before. It was a serenity. A warmth that canvassed her soul and made her mind light and airy. To be perfectly blatant and cheaky, she had almost felt her skin tingle within his strong embrace. Surely, such feelings were not shared between mere friends...

A sudden cry of a wild bird jolted her out of her thoughts as she flinched and turned a surprised glare out to the world, searching for the bird that dared intrude upon her contemplations. The world revolved around her. Screw that darned bird. Ah, Aubrey would surely never change, no matter how much sentiment got thrown in the works. It was what made her Aubrey. Anything less, and she was nothing but another chrony for the world to toy with.

A sudden vain influence overcame her as she realized how much a mess she must seem. Her hair stringent and knotted from her lack of commitment and stiff from the water that had frosted overnight. Growling stubbornly beneath her breath, she began to fight with the mess as she wandered to the cave entrance, determined to enjoy the morning and its silence until Kouros woke up. She was in no rush, and actually wanted to rest in the tranquillity of this silent wintery moment. Curiously, she glanced at Kouros, unsure if he was awake or not. More contemplative thoughts threatened to throw her back into her emotions but she pushed them aside, as a knot tugged painfully at her scalp.

Whining her malcontent, she fussed over it at the cave mouth, listening to the dawn in all its pale glory.

[Kouros]

The sleep that siezed Kouros proved complete and all-encompassing. The world disappeared behind his eye-lids and the viel of darkness lingered only a moment before he fell prey to his sub-conscious mind and dreams sped through his head as they do through all sleeping creatures.

Kouros dreamt of clear skies and two children gorging themselves on wild raspberries. The girl laughed in the dream, a pure sound his heart remembered but could not hear in the internal movie. She laughed and the blonde boy opposite her scrubbed his face clear of the smeared berry juice.
Kouros dreamt of better days; days when he and Aubrey whined in unison as their mothers jointly called the wet and muddy pair away from the river to try and scold them through smiles; days when drying laundry meant marvelous games of hide-and-seek and dinner meant six gathered around a table made for four.

Kouros would not, however, remember these dreams when he finally began to stirr. He would wake feeling as though his eyes closed in one long, unsatisfying blink. First he would feel the aching from a head tipped askew and then the unwelcoming slab of rock his spine protested against leaning against any longer. A draft would roll over him, making him acutely aware of the missing body that had been in his hold when his eyes first closed themselves. Uncertainty would wrap icy hands around his heart and he would then jolt, brown eyes flashing open as he stirred the rubble of the cavern floor.

And so went Kouros's waking hours.

"Aubrey!...?"
Her name slipped from his lips before he gave himself a moment to survey the cavern entrance behind him. When his immediate sights yielded no shapely woman, only rearranged possessions, Kouros feared the worst. He always expected the worst.

Finding balance on bare feet, Kouros pivoted, every muscle tense and ready as chocolate eyes roved in search of his Aubrey. If he had lost her, lost her to that bastard from the previous night --the thought made him heartsick.

But there.
Standing at the entrance of the cave, splashed in late morning light, stood the half elf in her skimpy attire, hair tangled in her fingers. Kouros's heart sighed a loud breath of joy and relief, and for a moment all he could do was stare at her.
He wanted... No, he could not. His lips thinned into a disapproving line as he forced his fists to uncurl themselves and his shoulders to fall. Again he pivoted, turning to find himself staring at his discarded shirt and the ashen remains of their fire.

If she spoke then, she would have to wait for a response. He would hear her, of course --Kouros hung onto every word she spoke-- but at this very moment his mind was too busy kicking himself to easily find sarcasic or japing words for her.

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[...deliverance...]

Aubrey was almost lost within the chilly winds of the morning air, when Kouros awoke with a start. His voice echoed suddenly behind her with a worried feirceness that startled her. She gasped beneath her breath, and her whole body tensed for a moment as shocked senses grappled for some reason for him to call her name so suddenly as if there was something to fear. This tension did not last but a mere second or so, before she returned to reletive peace, but not before the warm contours of the woolen blanket fell from chilled pale fingers.

Grouchily she snatched it back up and wrapped it about her, aware of how cold the morning frost truly was on her bare skin. Turning about to look at him, a disgruntled face boasted a frown, but lacked any true anger. She had no right to be upset with him, even for startling her. It wasn't intentional anyways...

Slowly, but uncertainly... noticing his quiet attitude, she approached the center of the shallow cave. Her mouth opened as if to speak, but she didn't know what to say... a Thank you... an apology.
She suddenly scoffed at herself within her own mind... an apology...? What had she done wrong...? honestly, she couldn't remember. She'd been foolish no doubt. Her vanity had led her into the recesses of the water, which had overall led her to this troublesome state and ended in the arousal of feelings she didn't understand entirely. Either way, Aubrey wasn't one for apologizing, even when she was truly wrong... these sentiment had left her rather twisted about within herself, and her stubborn venom was now struggling minutely with the initiative that lingered, wanting to be pleasant.

She didn't know what to say to him as she came up by the smoking fire. Sarcasm didn't seem right, but the weight of the situation seemed almost suffocating and the tension was more than her mind could bear. Damn the stranger...

She settled across from him, looking at the stone as she lowered her body crosswise to sit upon the chilled cavern floor. When she did finally raise her eyes, she saw him focused on his task, and her heart remembered the night before. It remembered how he had come to her, wrapped her in his arms--how he had comforted her that night. Her heart remembered the closeness they had shared, the depth of their bond as it was tested by the new arrival. She also remembered how the situation had infatuated her with that odd warmth that made her love him more than hate him. She was used to hating him--it was easy. Their relationship was always slightly touch and go, filled with humor and sarcasm. It was always fun to be around him, to joke with him, to tease him, and Aubrey bitterly wanted that back. As much as she wanted to love him, she didn't know if she could... would it strain the relationship they already had? Perhaps it was a risk she would one day consider, as it were... she would never forget the realization that there might be something more.

The moment passed and she dropped her eyes; they bore intently into the rubbled pile of ash and bark that lay before her. The silence that had covered them, suddenly faded as her voice whispered softly, "Thank you," referring to his provided comfort and security.

There was a comfortable serenity that seemed to fill her and the air around her as she said the words, a pair of syllables she did not often say. It felt good, but Aubrey was still Aubrey.

"So," she suddenly started, a briskness and sarcasm back in her words--once again showing the Aubrey that everyone knew, "are we just going to forego breakfast, or are you actually going to get that fire going?" There was a teasing smile attached to her words, coy and full of life... yet it still bore a reasonably soft edge that would remain until Kouros returned the fire.
She wanted to forget the stranger, forget the tension, but she wanted to keep the moment. She wondered if it was unhealthy to remember the good secure feeling she'd embraced within his arms... she also wondered--half hoping--that Kouros had felt it too.

[Kouros]

Walking away from Aubrey did not save Kouros from the thought of her.
Kneeling before their things by the fire, he collapsed the piece of cloth that had sported their dried meat rations into a fisted hand and hooked one of the cup handles through a crooked finger. An air of silence filled the cavern as he relieved the cup of the sopping tea leaf, tossing it to the side as useless.
His thoughts revolved around how warm she had been in his arms as he monotonously emptied his drink over the warmer bits of fire. She had been... so much of the girl he remembered from all so long ago... Kouros's features softened at the flickering memories. Another tea leaf joined its comrade on the floor of the cavern.

If only they could go back to those days... A part of Kouros would give almost anything to be able to fall asleep next to her under the skies as they used to, tumbled into a pile, unafraid of and naiieve to the world. Everything he did was to make her happy and yet, they hadn't laughed freely in so long. Not over something truly funny.

He mused over the fact that their sarcasm had turned into bickering and barbed teasing about their misfortunes when Aubrey chose to locate herself nearby. His heart cringed, ached at how close she was, just out of his reach. And what got him most of all was how new this feeling was. He had long ago acknowledged how fond of her he had become, but never did he think being near her would hurt.

"Thank you..."
His cat hearing heard the soft song of her voice clear as the day outside. It washed over him like the cold water of the pool had the night before, but refused to let his face crease in the same way his throat was tying into knots because of the soft song of her voice.
Still, internal frustration at his own lack of control over his emotions left Kouros a tad cold to her thanks. He made no motion that he had heard. Surely she knew his cat ears had heard, but he seeminly found himself too distracted by stuffing the used cloth into the drier mug. If only he could stuff his emotions into a small container just as easily...

But Aubrey made herself known yet again, this time much louder, and much like her old self.
"So are we just going to forego breakfast, or are you actually going to get that fire going?"
As if to roil her, Kouros immediately brushed a powerful hand through the prominent pile of black, white, and greys, dispersing the potential fire over the cavern floor.

"Unless you want to eat boiled rocks, there wont be a hot breakfast this morning."
He stood after he finished scattering the fire's remnants which left Aubrey sitting cross-legged before a smeared pile of ash. Looking down at Aubrey, he clapped his hands clean of dust and soot, steadiliy meeting her gaze with a distant pair of cat-like eyes. Standing like that, Kouros looked almost as if he had no bone in him to care for Aubrey.

But that was not so.
The frustration had vanished the moment she had spoken aloud, filing their hideaway with the vivacity that was his Aubrey. Worries belayed, he fell into the corner of their existance where he was happy just to be alive and with her. He would be content in that corner for the time being and placed a pair of cleaned, capable hands on his hips and let her see the breifest inkling of a smile crease his visage before he disguised the look of affection with words of his own.
"Someone put us behind schedule..."

That was the best Kouros could do as he retrieved the shirt she had discarded.Nevertheless, poking Aubrey's sore spots with the blatant truth was Kouros's signature move.
It would take some time, but they would get there, to the village, a soft bed. That is... if they didnt beat each other to hell first...

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