homeless_pard | A flight long in the running...

Entry tags:

jason au,
starter

A flight long in the running...

Who: Khem and a new world!
When: Start of canon smash here!
What: Terrified kitty arrives in the vague area of St. Louis.

Tired. She was so bone weary that had someone told her that she'd die but it would be in a bed, she might honestly accept that trade at this point. The pads of her feet were leaving red marks along the rough stone she scrambled and clawed haphazardly upward, ever upward, ever away, through so many terrains they all blurred together in a haze of color and snatched hunts.

She should have lost him. Should have, and there had been times over the past turns where she had almost believed him gone. Finally shaken from her trail and naught more than a shadow left in her mind to spur her onward. Any hunter would eventually give up on game when coursing it had run to long...

...surely?

Ah, but she'd little experience with hunters, those near the abbey were more farmers with the occasional lord's man, and even had they needed care it was likelier that they would seek tending from their own ladies. AN isolated abbey was not easy to seek out when ill.

Still, it had seemed logical that he'd stop. At the Wastes perhaps.

At the Falls.

At the turn of blasted scree to strange, new lands past where tales she knew ended...

...and yet here she was, his shadow practically nipping at her heels. She was flagging and he hadn't stopped. This hunt was soon to end, as any chased thing knew in time, escape simply wasn't going to happen. Mayhap it would kinder, cleaner, to miss a jump. To tumble and not reach for ledges as she went down.

Kinder...but she shrank from it none the less. A little further...

...a little further...

...until there was naught left but sheer walls and a deep, dark crack between. A cave, not a passage. No exit. A tomb for one hard worn girl who had thought, foolishly, that finding fur had granted her freedom. And so it was to end.

If he hounded her even here, his bootsteps harsh on the stones behind her, then she was determined he would know who he was to slay. Not some cat that had teased him, not some furred prize, but as a woman. If he was to slay her, let him slay a woman and be haunted by her face. An unkindness perhaps, but she was far past ability to feel for him.

To wonder if she could explain, or beg her safety somehow.

No, let him have a flickering pang of conscience as he did his fell deeds. And so as the mouth of the cave darkened she set her back to the stone, fingers rather than claws lifted to shade her face, skin covered in long, dark hair and gooseflesh that gave some semblance of proper depth to her too-thin frame.

Let him slay a woman.

And yet, as she watched the dull, metallic sheen of a dart gun rising, it wasn't pain she felt burn through her chest but warmth where her single item, the amber stone on a string about her neck graced to her by Gunnora, flickered like sunlight and the wall at her back faded to naught so that she was falling...

...falling...

...falling...

...there was a brief scream, she couldn't help it, as her shoulders struck beaten grass and tree roots, shock making the sound choke off as abruptly as it had started. A heartbeat, two, as she stared up at tangled tree limbs and dappled light she shouldn't be seeing then she was sitting up with a gasp, trying to espy the Hunter.

And he was not there. Somehow, somehow...he was not there, and she sat in a wood far younger than the one before the stones she'd climbed, hands and feet still bleeding harshly from the abuse she'd pounded into them over the many moons of travel. She was alone and she was...naked. The stone upon her breast cooling from it's earlier warmth. She'd give thanks somehow, later. For now she shivered back into fur in a blur of mist and achingly, carefully, hauled herself up into a tree to try to determine where she might be.

A how would take much longer no doubt, but...

...rest seemed a blessing, and she was still so very, very tired.

With luck there would be no fresh, strange beasts to contest her claiming the crook of a tree, there to watch, or likelier pass into blessed unconsciousness.

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That sudden rush of fear from the leopard filled his senses and he had to close his eyes to make sure he had a hold of himself before continuing on. Fear was intoxicating and so hard to ignore, and he felt his beast stir with interest.

He tried to send out some calming energy, knowing that at least it had felt the touch of his power before.

"Hey, it's ok, you don't have to freak out. I just...if there's a hunter or not, we should clear out of here before dark." He paused, thinking for a moment. He was a stranger, after all. "You don't have to tell me where you live. I can take you anywhere you feel safe."

He wasn't demanding, that helped a little against the fear, it let her try to think, to somehow parse how to be gracious in this circumstance because rudeness would only serve to push the risk greater towards a new hunt wouldn't it? It was only sheer will power that let her ease slightly and stretch a paw out again, the words certainly far shakier now but...

...best to know.

I have no home. Nor clothing.

They would see if that admission gave her reason to flee.

The words hit closer to home than she can know: so many of his friends have been kicked out or estranged from their families. His own family wouldn't even speak to him when they'd found out. It just made it that much more important for them to stick together.

His expression became more gentle. "If you want, I can take you somewhere safe. No one will bother you and there's people who can figure out what to do next."

Then he smirked, but warmly. "If you think you'll be ok by yourself for a bit, I usually keep a spare change of clothes in my car. I can run and get them for you?" If the leopard can shift, it would be that much easier to get out of this park without causing a scene. And while he's on the petite side for a man, clothing is clothing.

Edited 2021-12-09 05:10 (UTC)

To be slightly fair to the abbey, she would have lost her place upon turning eighteen regardless of if she had been caught out as a shifter. The new Abbess had been cruel that way.

She considered that for perhaps longer than was comfortable for them both before carefully spelling out, Your word to the welcome, and lack of harm? If he swore, then yes.

But she'd not budge an inch on anything else without that oath.

He frowned at that, eyeing the leopard. He wasn't sure whether it had some history of abuse and was concerned, or if he was supposed to offer his protection; he certainly wasn't alphic enough to promise protection to anyone.
But, he was Jean-Claude's pomme-de-sang: if he asked for protection for someone, he had little doubt that Jean-Claude would give it.

And something in those fearful eyes reminded him of far too many people he loved.

"Anyone who tries to hurt you will go through me first. OK?"

There was a curious stillness in the air, a feel like stormclouds waiting but never breaking for a brief moment, then a scratched Witnessed Once that word was complete the feeling faded. That he would try to ensure that peace was enough, yes.

Clothing would be a boon young lord. She'd wait.

He shuddered, unable to keep from rubbing at his suddenly goosefleshed arms. Whoever this cat was, he was getting more and more concerned about what he was dealing with.

He nodded, still trying to shake off the sensation. "I'll be back. Ten, maybe fifteen minutes, ok? Just stay hidden."

He took off at an easy jog and was soon lost in the underbrush, moving with unnatural grace through the trees. Maybe it seemed longer to him because he was trying to hurry without demonstrating his true speed, but it seemed to take forever to get to his car, wrench the gym bag with his spare full moon gear from the trunk, and hurry back to where the leopard hid.

He would be ashamed at how winded he was if he wasn't so distracted by the situation. Clearly he hadn't been working out enough since cutting his hours at the club...

He offered the gym bag with a weak, flushed smile. "Here you go," he panted softly.

That was a bag, but one hoped there was some semblance of clothing within? And in truth it felt like an eternity to her as well; certainly long enough to worry he had left for other reasons despite his oath.

After all, mayhap some, the foolish, were not aware of what such promises could mean...

There was a relieved little chirrup when he returned though, and a pointed look that she wasn't going to do anything until he turned around. A brief moment, no sound of sliding bone or wetness, and there was the sound of the zipper being fiddled with until she figured out the fastener on the bag and got herself dressed.

For some semblance of 'dressed' that meant the young lord had broad shoulders and wider hips than her own so the strange clothing was loose and slipping even as she had to hold the waist with still damaged hands. "My thanks lord," she offered softly once covered.

He was expecting the milk skinned girl with unbound hair that went past her knees yes?

To his credit, he quickly caught on and purposefully turned his back. He'd been reamed enough times by the women in his pack...and the pard...he could go on. Not to mention that he didn't especially like when someone watched him shift. However, when he heard the zipper on the bag after none of the telltale sounds of a shift, he was back to concern over what he was dealing with.

He didn't know what he had been expecting, but when he heard the soft, feminine voice, he glanced over his shoulder and couldn't help but stare for a long moment.

She clearly needed a good meal, and for some reason even shifting wasn't healing her bloodied hands, but...she was gorgeous.

"Uh...you're...welcome...?"

He still was staring, mouth agape as he tried to formulate thought.
Are you ok?
What's your name?
Where are you from?
Do you have a boyfriend?

"I...do you need a hand? Um, to the car? I didn't have spare shoes, sorry..." he stammered on helplessly, still unable to really stop looking at her.

Edited 2021-12-09 05:57 (UTC)

She blinked, eyes now green over gold, as he asked his questions. Shoes yes, those would have been a boon as well but she had learned early in this fight to not forsake any minor kindness for want of one missing. She would certainly manage as she must. "The gift is gracious without care for such as shoes," she assured softly. Quite gracious indeed.

Ah, but, "I do not know what a car may be lord, is it your steading?" His home? A caravan even perhaps? Who was she to know, the word had no meaning in those she knew! "If we move slowly I may keep pace."

It took him a few moments to register that she was speaking to him, and then even longer when he realized the words coming out of her mouth.
Lord? Steading...?
He could feel his confusion matching her own.

"I'm...not a...lord?" She kind of reminded him of...Requiem. It would make sense for a vamp, but clearly she wasn't a vampire...

He took a deep breath, trying to roll with how he felt he'd speak to Requiem if he'd forgotten everything about the past couple centuries. "Transportation. We can go slow, but the terrain is a bit rough until we get to the trail."

He moved slowly, making sure to keep a close watch on her progress, which certainly wasn't a chore.

"I...uh...I'm Jason, by the way. Jason Schuyler."

"You are a young man of kindness and honor in my eyes, lord is a term of such," she offered, mincing after him. Yes, walking on the balls of her feet seemed to be best, they were the least painful, likely due to callus honestly. She'd take time to see to her hands and feet when granted another place to rest.

Transportation sounded lovely, honestly, she'd had naught but her own feet for years now. "Transport," she sighed with the same longing some did the term 'hot shower' or 'designer dress', "wouldst be welcome." Utterly.

Little did she know what terror it might be.

Oh. OH. She'd been utterly remiss...she paused, sweeping into a graceful, and deep, curtsy despite the fact she was in borrowed sweats. Her free hand more than illustrated how skirts should puddle to keep the action from being utterly ridiculous, "apologies lord Jason. I am Khemrys, late of Rhystead Abbey if it pleases."

The compliment flustered him a bit: he was the last person he felt would be described as "kind and honorable". He felt a flush to his cheeks which was extremely disconcerting. He was about to comment when she swept into that graceful curtsy, and he was back to stammering.

After an excruciating few seconds he reached out a hand to help her up. "Don't...you don't have to do that for me," he muffled, "Khemrys."

A strange name, but it rolled pleasantly off the tongue. He shook off any additional thoughts that tried to follow. He was going to ask about this abbey that she was apparently from, since the only time he'd heard of one was from The Sound of Music movie, but he figured it was best to wait for those questions.

He gestured to her bloodied hands and feet "Are you sure you're ok to walk? You shifted but you're still hurt."

Edited 2021-12-09 06:32 (UTC)

She took his hand gently, fingers a touch tacky from scab attempts, but the aid up was yet another sign that she had graced him 'lord' well. "Shouldst future events demand such only then," she agreed carefully. An informal lord was not a terrible thing?

Ah, she looked down at her feet a moment at his question, "apologies, I have been running harsh for some time. Like there are damages I've yet to feel proper, but I will treat myself when I am able, I'll not burden you."

Helping her to her feet helped clear his head slightly of the flood of mental images that were absolutely not appropriate to the current situation. This girl was clearly hurt, hunted, and needed help, not...

Not what he was going to think about right now.

He gave an amused chuff. "You're really not a burden." He paused, knowing how alarming it could sound to a young woman, alone and hurt with a stranger, especially considering the thoughts he'd just banished from his head. "I can carry you, if you don't mind it. I'm a lot stronger than I look. There's no reason to push through if you're hurting."

He made sure his expression was the very picture of pure intent.

She blinked, a bit tense at that offer. When had she last been carri-grabbed, so she couldn't run...

...no. No. Carried. Carried.

She'd certainly been a child? Far too young to fear, yes. She shivered, convulsive, but...what if she angered him by truly being slow? "If it is best," she managed, distantly proud the words didn't choke her.

He noticed her tense, but in his mind he credited it to hesitation over letting a strange man carry her off to who knows where. Still, he didn't want to freak her out. "It's a long walk and most of the trail is gravel."

He leaned down, placing his arms just far enough that she could move into his lift rather than just grabbing her up. "It's ok," he assured.

She did step forward, and when picked up she was more like malnourished iron in his arms than anything but she didn't whimper? That was a triumph! "An unfortunate place to arrive." If it truly was all gravel to leave it.

He carried her gingerly, letting her stay rigid in his arms and trying to be as calming as he could with the tension he could feel buzzing around her.
The trees and underbrush finally opened to a wide gravel path that cut through the trees. He continued steadily, putting his back to the sun as his shoes crunched through the gravel. More people were beginning to appear on the trails, especially after turning a corner to empty onto the paved main trail. Most eyed the pair curiously and continued on, with a few slowing to ask if everything was alright. Jason simply smiled and explained that his friend had slipped on some rocks and got a little scraped up. A natural performer, it was easy to be charming and put them at ease.
Just ahead, the path can be seen ending in a large, cleared area filled with lights. "Car's just ahead and I'll set you down, ok?"

This was...more people than she'd seen in over a year honestly. Given the fact she'd fled the abbey at night and through the sleeping village nearby, it may be more than she'd been graced to see even in two years...

Every moment, honestly, she assumed someone would say this was wrong, or would decry her as foreign and evil and call the hunt once more. Instead people seemed...awkward. She started apologizing, quietly, to, to each person that approached them? She did not know the ruse, but the soft words seemed to reassure as well? "yes, please." Yes, ground. Firm ground would be nice...the lights were getting a look though. They were...like way stones. Huh.

If she thinks this is a lot, she will be shocked once they get into the city. There were more cars in the parking lot since he'd arrived, but it was getting later and more people were stopping by the park after work hours. He didn't stop until he reached his car, setting her gently onto her damaged feet.

He was digging his keys out of his pocket while he gave her a moment to adjust to the hard pavement under her feet. He was glad he'd recently cleaned his car out and didn't have to clear a spot for her. He opened the passenger door for her. "M'lady," he said brightly.

She is in for a great deal of shock yes, from the feel of asphalt the very odd looking...transport, yes. A great deal of shock, and eyes bleeding a touch to gold at his words.

Likely it was teasing on his part, but it held far different meaning in her own understanding, meaning and connotations that he certainly had not asked...

"Is...such common in your lands?" She managed, hands balling, "to lay claim so easily?" Or boldly, to strangers?

Edited 2021-12-10 01:04 (UTC)

He froze, blinking in confusion.

"...what?"

A clear clash of cultures, this, coupled with modern concepts of historical speech that comes from movies and TV shows. But his confusion is written all over his face.

Oh dear, how best to try to deal with the sad, tired blushing? "It is an unkindness, lord, to claim a woman who is not your betrothed." Or wed. And a cruelty to one such as she honestly.

"It does not seem you meant the harm, but please, such terms are not for the likes of myself." Now to look away from him, yes, very much so. And...stare down into the transport. It was odd not to look up at a wagon bench honestly.

His mouth gaped slightly at that as he struggled for words. "Oh no, I wasn't...I was just..." He passed a hand through his hair, ruffling it slightly. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that. I was trying to be...polite?"

And you're fucking it up, you idiot.

He took a clearing breath and gestured again towards the car, if a little helplessly. "If you want to get in, we can get going."

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