Give You What I Have [ulrica]

[Felypsa]

To her great surprise, Assyrian did not push her for explanations. She was sure he had to be wondering, but his only comment was that she was a “strange little dove.” Yet the tone of his voice made it seem like he did not consider this to be a bad thing at all. Misty glanced up at him. Funny how she had no perception of the fact that he was not at all alone. To her, there was only him. How embarrassing it would be to find out that there was a third party listening in on this.

“I’m glad you think so. I would never want to be boring.” Misty gave a smile. She had this idea that she had to remain interesting to Assyrian, or else he would simply leave her in the next town. It made sense: he had full control of his destiny, and she was only tagging along as long as he permitted it. And there would have to be a reason that he permitted it…so her “strangeness” was just as good a reason as any.

Furthermore, she had the feeling now that Assyrian had seen a lot more amazing things in his travels than a sunrise. That magnificent creature, for instance—the dragon—Misty felt certain that it had come straight from his memory. It was disturbing to think that she could have seen such a thing…her magic was expanding, it seemed. Out of necessity? she wondered. Now that she had left home, were the deeper throes of her ability manifesting themselves? What did it mean that she could see part of Assyrian’s mind in the air now?

She wanted to tell him, to warn him, but she did not yet understand the nature of this power yet. So far, it seemed no more dangerous than visions. She ought to see if she could control it at will. Focusing on Assyrian, she tried to gather the moisture in the air and reveal the place he was taking her, the one where there was supposedly delicious breakfast that she was dying to have. Obediently, the water droplets swirled in front of her, forming a thin veil of mist. But when she tried to make it reveal the image, nothing happened. Discouraged, Misty released the water, which evaporated back into the air.

Hopefully Assyrian did not notice that covert bit of magic…and if he did, hopefully he thought it was nothing more than a strange occurrence in nature. “So—not to be a nuisance—but how much further do we have to go?” Misty asked, her voice tentative and soft, as if she were truly afraid of annoying him with this question.

[ulrica]

<sub>Misty's smile was charming, as were her petty worries. She didn't want to seem boring? If only she could understand how very un-boring she was to her shifter escort. Such a strange, and intriguing creature, there was obviously more to her than met the eye and Assyrian vowed to uncover it. "Oh, I wouldn't worry about that, I'm a hard one to bore." He replied with a sly wink and a return smile.

They walked on for a few moments and while Misty practiced with her mist, Assyrian let his mind wander. This worked for both of them as Misty wouldn't need to bother with explanations and he wouldn't have to wonder if he was going mad after seeing the fog coalesce before her face. Once more, his thoughts returned to the troubling matter of the young woman's previous question about the 'beautiful She' as Assyrian had come to label whoever or whatever Misty had seen earlier. Who had she been talking about? It had to have been someone absolutely marvelous to have made his traveling partner react in such a manner. He couldn't forget that dreamy look on her face, as if she was looking past the material realm and into- The man tensed slightly, a shock running through his entire body. He needed to sit down, he needed to breathe and take a moment to wrap his head around things. What was this creature who walked beside him so passively? Was she truly some monstrous beast? A succubus perhaps in the guise of an innocent young woman? No, surely not. That's just foolish.. Assyrian argued with himself, but he lacked the confidence needed to sway him toward either side.

"Della! There you are!" He exclaimed suddenly, dipping his head as he stepped away from Misty and strode quickly toward the short haired pointer which was scrambling onto the road. "Where have you been, old girl?" He asked her, playing the part of a concerned owner perfectly - even if the cheer in his voice did seem a bit strained - as he knelt down and cradled her head in one hand while scratching behind her ears with the other. The dog meanwhile glared up at him, obviously not fond of this sort of treatment. "You are irritatingly in character right now..."</sub>[/i][/color] The creature grumbled to her soulmate, though her slender tail thumped a couple times against the gravelly ground. "I'm just a bit shaken up at the moment.." He replied, his voice weary. "Well, lucky for you, I have called in a bit of help."[/color]

Assyrian's face blanched and he was grateful for being turned away from Misty. "You didn't."[/i] He said, horrified at even the idea. “So—not to be a nuisance—but how much further do we have to go?” He started, not expecting her voice. "She will meet us discreetly at the next town. She said you won't even know she's there."[/color] Assyrian stood as Della pulled away and trotted over to stand beside Shadowfax's legs, the large charge who was currently awaiting further instruction from Misty who was then the closest person. "Uh, How much longer.. How much longer..?" The man mumbled, looking up at the sky and running a wide hand through his hair.

This was trouble, this was big trouble. What would happen to Misty? Would he have to protect her? Would her safety even be jeopardized? "About an hour or so.." He finally said a few seconds later, turning and pointing down the road to the top of a hill. "Once we top that hill, you'll be able to see the town." Pulling himself together, Assyrian turned with a smile and walked back to Misty's side. He offered his arm, and laughed, registering the whole of what she had said. "Silly dove, I assure you, you are not a nuisance at all. No where near in fact. Just eager to get a good meal, and to be honest I can't blame you. I'm quite hungry myself."

"We're dead, we're all dead you know that right?"

Della laughed, the crystalline sound like music in his head. "You have no faith."[/color][/sub][/color]

[Felypsa]

It was so odd how Assyrian was having all this drama in his head and Misty was so completely oblivious. Granted, she did notice that he was distracted when he answered her, but she would have never imagined what was truly going on in his head. An argument that brought him a sense of dread. He hid it very well. Misty wrinkled her nose a bit when he said there was still an hour left, but she would be patient. Again, Assyrian held his arm out for her, and more out of habit now than anything else, she went ahead and took it.

She smiled down at the dog, who had decided to rejoin them. “She’s a good girl,” Misty declared. “Very loyal. We used to have a dog, but he was a big lazybones. If he’d gotten separated from us in the forest, he’d never find us. He’d just give up, sit down to take a nap, and that would be that.” She shook her head. She barely remembered the old dog, who died when she was very little. He had supposedly been bought to keep the pests away but had been “pretty useless” in his last few years of age, according to her dad. Berlach totally loved him, though, so didn’t had him put down or anything. Or replaced…they hadn’t had a dog since. Just a stray here and there, but they never stayed long.

Misty pulled her head out of reminiscence. She seemed to be doing that a lot today. Maybe it was because she was with a new person, who knew as little of her as she knew of him. “Have you had her long?” she asked softly, looking over at Della with a smile. “Do you think I could pet her?” Funny she hadn’t asked before. Maybe she had felt that Assyrian (and by extension his dog) was too much of a stranger…but now that they were more like acquaintances, she felt bold enough to make such requests.

[ulrica]

<sub>Della grumped lowly at Misty's praise, still holding onto her previous stereotype of the girl. "You're impossible you know that..." Assyrian sighed, almost wishing this whole charade could be over with. Almost wishing that he could simply tell the young weaver the dark secret which loomed in his shadow, but of course that was foolish in itself and he doubted it would ever happen. "Of course I know that. In all technicalities I shouldn't exist." The creature replied, intentionally taking his statement incorrectly. With another mental sigh, Assyrian dropped it, knowing this to be yet another of his many loosing battles.

"Yes, she is a good dog when she wants to be." The shifter replied, chuckling at Misty's story. “Have you had her long?” "U-Umm..." Assyrian began, hesitating slightly. "Two years."</sub>[/color] Della prompted at her soulmate's floundering, her quick wit the only thing keeping their little masquerade alive sometimes. "About two years I suppose." Assyrian finished a few seconds later, trying to keep the surprise at her question from his voice. In truth, he should have seen it coming; should have assumed it to have come sooner actually. Still, he hadn't been ready for it for some reason. Hadn't thought of how old Della looked in relation to their bond. Two years was probably pushing it, but there was no way she would pass for any older. Especially if Misty had owned dogs in the past. “Do you think I could pet her?”

Assyrian at first thought this to be an odd question, then again he looked at Della as another person rather than the dog whose skin she currently wore. Misty wouldn't know any better. "Of course! She loves the attention. Scratch her behind the ears and she'll be your friend for life." He joked, coming to a halt so that the young woman's request could be more easily filled. The large charger bumped his nose into the man's back, curious as to why they were stopping. However, the beast didn't wait long to find the answer as he wandered of the side of the road to a patch of sweet grass, shadowy ears flicked forward in his eagerness. Not liking the situation one bit, Della sent an image of Misty pulling away a bloodied hand. Even so, she understood the need for the charade to be continued just as she understood Assyrian's enthusiasm for her to be pet was punishment.

Trotting near, Della flopped onto her haunches at her soulmate's side when he called her. Looking up at the two people with a doggy grin - mouth hanging wide open and tongue lolling from the side of her black maw - the small pointer would 'grin' and bear the coming attention without causing bodily harm to either of the party.[/color]

((OOOC: Sorry for the wait >.< I've been pretty busy with bball camps lately))[/sub]

[Felypsa]

And here Misty was trying to be as friendly and charming as she could manage. She had no idea the kind of torment she was putting both her companions through. She was relieved to hear that Della was friendly enough to allow her to pet her, and Misty reached forward as she was instructed.

Delicately and tentatively she scratched the dog right in that sweet spot and was rewarded not with a stump of a hand, but a sheer loyal grin. Misty laughed lightly, running her hand down the dog’s back a few more times before withdrawing her hand. “She’s a sweetie,” she commented, looking at Assyrian.

She noticed then that Shadowfax had wandered off to nibble at some grass. Misty’s feet were a bit sore too. She was accustomed to being on them as she raced through the tavern performing various tasks, but for some reason, walking for an extended period of time was making her wish she was in a bit better physical shape. And she was still quite famished.

“I think maybe I should ride again,” she suggested, a bit hesitantly, hoping Assyrian would not get exasperated with her switching. But he had been extraordinarily patient with her so far, she had no reason to believe such a request would be denied. Misty just didn’t want to faint before they got to town. That would be…beyond embarrassing.

oOc| not a problem :3 sorry this post is so short >>

[ulrica]

<sub>Assyrian grinned, holding back a laugh at the bristling anger which flowed through his link. An attitude which was by no means 'sweet'. "She can be, yes. But trust me, she has her temperamental times." The shifter replied with an amused smile. Misty had seemed so timid when petting Della, even though she had clear permission to pet the creature. It was a strange thing, odd in its human normality. Is this what it's like all the time for them.... Just living, instead of running...? "Give it up, love... Remember what happened last time...?" The man sighed at Della's words. "How could I forget...?" Assyrian could never live a normal life, his father had ensured that, but at the same time he didn't want to. All the adventures he had experienced in the past...he wouldn't trade that for the world. And yet, he couldn't deny the yearning he felt when around people like Misty. Not necessarily women, just people. Just humans. He couldn't realize how wrong he was in thinking his traveling partner was merely human.

“I think maybe I should ride again." Assyrian blinked, his face blank with surprise from being yanked out of his own thoughts. "What? Oh! Oh right, right! Yes, alright! Let me just, uh...call him over for you." The man stammered out, tripping over his own words in surprise. It wasn't a pleasant thing, annoying him with the way it must affect Misty image of him. Where she had once thought of him as a handsome knight, surely he must now be a stuttering buffoon... Whistling sharply, Assyrian called the large stallion from his grazing. Giving a low nicker, Shadowfax tossed his head, gave a flick of his tail and trotted toward the small party. Hooves clopping onto the rocky road, the charger pulled up to a hasty halt mere inches from his master. A close call to some, but simply habit to the rider and mount. Besides, because of his breeding, Shadow knew nothing about personal space. Taking a firm grasp of the bridle, Assyrian positioned the stallion so as to make it easier for Misty to mount up, then walked around to her side to help. "Ready when you are." He said with a smile, clasping his hands together to form a sort of stirrup about a foot lower than the actual stirrup. If the young woman would accept his help, then Assyrian would wait for her foot to be firmly placed in his steady hands then help boost her up and into the saddle. If she would rather try out her own independence, Assyrian would nod his head and move to hold Shadow's head in case the stallion would continue on before his mount was ready.</sub>[/color]

((OOC: No worries ^_^))[/sub]

[Felypsa]

Funny how they were both equally concerned with how their actions and little flaws might be interpreted by the other. Misty would never think of Assyrian as bumbling or incompetent. Her first impression of him would stick, even if he tripped over a root and fell flat on his face.

Yet Misty herself could not get over how mundane he must perceive her. Their insecurities were no doubt purely exaggerated imagination, worrying over nothing. But it would take time to accept that.

Misty happily accepted Assyrian’s help in getting up on Charger; she still felt too small and shy to do it herself. Once seated, the soreness in her pelvis returned from her legs being so spread apart, but it was preferable to the soreness in her feet. Misty flashed a smile of thanks toward Assyrian and then reached forward to pet the stallion lightly.

“Do you like other animals too, or just horses and dogs?” she asked, looking back down at him. Somehow he seemed like one of those people who could get any kind of animal to like them and who loved them in turn.

[ulrica]

<sub>Shadowfax seemed to understand the inexperience of his new rider and was obligingly still as Misty mounted up, something for which Assyrian was greatly appreciative of. The young woman smiled brightly once squarely seated in the saddle, reaching down to pet the dark stallion. "Beautiful, you look like you were born to ride." The man said, returning her smile with one of his own before turning and touching Shadow's chin as a way of informing the horse he needed to follow.

“Do you like other animals too, or just horses and dogs?” Assyrian shrugged, glancing back at her to make sure she was doing alright. "Well, horses are what I'm most familiar with. For as long as I can remember I've had a horse with me. But when it comes to other animals..." He glanced down at Della, trying to tell as much truth as he could without flat out telling her the little short haired pointer tagging behind Shadowfax's heels could take the form of whatever creature she pleased at will. The tall man shrugged again, running a hand through his hair. "I suppose I like them well enough, but I don't really have much use for them. Della can hunt, and fight, and she's pretty self-sufficient. There are other animals that can hunt too, but training them would take time I don't have." He chuckled lowly, glancing back again. "I guess I just don't have time for a permanent addition, you know?" The shifter turned back to face the road, leaning forward slightly as they began the ascent of the hill.

A single question burned in his mind, completely unwarranted but present and gnawing irritatingly at his thoughts nonetheless. No, it wasn't unwarranted. He couldn't shake this feeling. The prickling at the back of his neck, the tenseness between his shoulders as if expecting an arrow to thud painfully into his flesh at any moment. The feeling of being watched, stalked...hunted. "Would you mind if I asked you a question?" The hill steepened as he glanced back and he caught the subtle change in Shadow's stance as his head lowered and he pushed harder with his hind legs almost bringing him into a trot. "Lean forward some." The man would advise if Misty didn't automatically adjust to the stallions weight shift. He placed a hand on the cheek strap and gave a gentle tug, keeping the charger at a smooth pace.

Assyrian looked up at Misty, a grave look in his darkening eyes - which had turned a stormy gray - mixed with forced curiosity. "Is your father a powerful man in Escavas?" The shifter begain, his voice careful. "That is to say... Will he send someone after you? Someone to bring you back?" Concern. That's the best word for the look which then covered his face. Not for himself, not even for Della, mostly for Misty if truth be told. He could take care of himself, disappear before being given a second glance. It's what he did, it's what he was good at. But Misty... She would suffer the wrath of her father if she went back. Assyrian knew he was probably over reacting, it was most likely just some animal following them. Probably curious about Della and her femininity. But what if it wasn't an animal? Would it be a hit man sent by the angry inn keeper? Or would it be something much, much worse...</sub>[/color]

[Felypsa]

Hm, perhaps she was wrong. But that was all right. This whole journey so far had just been them getting to know one another, though there was still so much they were hiding from each other. Misty wondered how far they would get before she wound up trusting Assyrian with that secret. And almost as if he had been reading her mind, he asked her a question…well, first if he could ask her a question. Misty, noticing his change in tone, gave a nod, and a simple little smile. “Of course.”

Then—after giving her a look that was deeply serious, so much so that it sent a slight chill down her spine—he gave his concerns. At first, Misty was going to laugh at the idea that her father, though intimidating within The Rising Dragon, his domain, could have influence anywhere else. He was just an innkeeper. But of course, she couldn’t laugh. Briefly, she was paralyzed by the memory of the voices she had heard just before she escaped. Her father had been about to introduce her to someone…someone she had never met before.

Misty shook her head, both to get rid of the memory and to answer Assyrian. “I doubt it. He would probably like to,” she admitted, “but he doesn’t have the money to afford such things. He’ll go to the authorities, perhaps, and report it. But I left him a very vague note…and not even the authorities in Escavas like leaving it. They might send word of me to the next couple of towns. But I doubt it will get any further than that.” She gave a wan smile. “Though perhaps that’s just the naive optimism talking.”

As for the stranger, well, she didn’t know what he was capable of. Didn’t know what he wanted. For all she knew, he just wanted to ask her a question. She couldn’t have known what his true purpose was…and how ruthless he was going to be to get it.

[ulrica]

<sub>While Misty's words didn't exactly erase Assyrian's fears, they did ease them and the man was able to ignore the uncomfortable feelings growing in the back of his head. "Well, you would know best right?" He replied with a smile. "If your townspeople are really as rooted as they seem, which I have to say is odd for such a seaside town, then they'll write a letter or send a bird. In the worse case I guess we can make another midnight dash away from town again, eh dove?" A wry grin coated the shifter's face, disguising any remaining anxiety as he forced his eyes back into the clear blue the girl would be familiar with.

Assyrian sighed raggedly as they reached the hilltop, feigning exhaustion further by leaning into Shadowfax's sturdy shoulder. "Ah, and here we are milady." With a flourish of his hand, the man presented the small town which neighbored Escavas. "Is it satisfactory?" He asked, resting a hand on Della's dark head as she came to sit beside him.

"You know she's in there don't you? She's probably watching you right now." Della asked, her voice a jeering taunt which sent a rugged groan echoing through Assyrian's thoughts. "Yes I know... I have half a mind to give her something to watch." The man shot back, receiving a tendril of shock in return as Della had full access to the questionable schemes running through his head. "You wouldn't dare..." Assyrian laughed at her petty denial. "Perhaps... Food for thought."

"Come on, I bet you're starving by now. Hold on tight, he swings a lot going down hills." The tall shifter started down the hill with Della trotting behind him. If the dog seemed a bit more irritated than usual, well, it would surely have to be your imagination. After all, what was there that could have upset her? Everyone knows it's foolish to think she could have been having conversations with Assyrian through the entire trip... Just as the shifter had warned Shadow's hind end swung from side to side faster and wider than when simply walking. "You alright up there, dove?" Asked youthful looking soldier as he twisted around to watch Misty. The messy mop of dark hair cast shadows across his face as he did this, making the tattoos near his eye seem even more tribal and feral in the way they merged in and out of the darkness. But he turned away, and as quickly as the effects of the lighting had been created, they disappeared.</sub>[/color]

((OOC: Blargh >.< So sorry for the wait, I've been rather swamped with work lately))[/sub]

[Felypsa]

She did know best…which did not reassure her at all, because Misty knew very little. She could be underestimating her father’s force of will, the authorities in the town, and, of course, that mystery man who had been looking for her. Hopefully that would not come to backfire on her. But, the gods help her, she trusted Assyrian. And she was too thrilled with the change of events to be worried about the crushing end to it all. No; the adventure had only begun, it would not shut down so soon.

The prospect of a midnight dash was both daunting and enthralling. Misty couldn’t help but grin, almost wildly, back at Assyrian. She did notice the shift in his eye color, but it was so subtle that it was easy to pass it off as a trick of the light. Ah, how naive she was.

There was more discomfort as Shadowfax continued on, but it was well rewarded by Assyrian’s next words and the sight of the little down just yonder. Her eyes lit up and danced, looking much like emeralds themselves. It was small, that much was clear, and its architecture was similar to Escavas, but Assyrian would not be disappointed to the answer. “Satisfactory? It’s so lovely!” It was quaint and adorable, unlike anything she had ever seen. Escavas was so large and bustling, and though it was on the sea, Misty was thrilled at the idea of having this cute little village at the foot of a hill.

Of course, first they had to get down that hill. And though Misty’s stomach was so eagerly looking forward to what tantalizing prospects that town held, she found herself awkwardly jostled by Shadowfax’s tossing backside. The whole thing was so beyond what she expected that she actually had to laugh, even as she clung to the reins for dear life. “I am barely hanging on!” she replied to him, still laughing.

This all had to be so routine and simple for Assyrian, but for Misty, it was such a new experience that she was enjoying every moment, even this uncomfortable one.

oOc| it's fine, I'll be fairly busy myself in the next few weeks :scream: