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(( >.< it's the worst. I'm on my phone at the moment c: Yeah! I'd love to go ahead and just start this because I'm so ready. I'll probably add things about her along the way. ))
((Awesome! Do you want to start or should I? And where are we picking up?))
((Hmmm, I think I can start c: I was thinking like, my charrie could be sneaking out of her house to go to the darker parts of town and she's kind of naive about it. She could run into your charrie somehow. There could be a sort of conflict, but I'm too sure what yet >.< any ideas? If not, I think I can come up with something c: ))
((Hmmm...She could be confronted by street kids who recognize her as a rich girl? And Caulder helps her out?))
((Ohh, I like that! C: I'll go ahead and get started then~ :D I'm so excited! ))
((Lovely! I'm excited too! :D ))
Charlotte took soft steps on a path she wasn't familiar with. She was far from home and this was a good thing, a very good thing. At least, it seemed that way for now. She'd never ventured out into this part of town ever before and she was determined to prove to her parents that she wasn't meant to be locked up like she was most of the time in her large mansion of a home. Most people assume she had the lifestyle everyone wanted to have in this town. She was from a wealthy family with elegant light constantly surrounding them...for the most part. All the money in the world was in her hands and she had every opportunity she could possibly want and yet, she didn't want any of it. So here she was, venturing out far from her comfort zone. Things had been fascinating as she shifted her gaze from place to place. No one was dressed the way she usually was dressed. Usually, she was powered and primped up in a soft colored gown or finest silk around. No one wore that on a day to day basis where she was exploring. Much like how she dressed herself at the moment. She wore much duller colors of grey that covered most of her fair skin. It was mostly to keep herself from being noticed, but blending in was also a plus. A cheap cloth hood was over her head as she tucked a few strands of hair back into the hooding. A gold and diamond bracelet slung on her wrist she had forgotten to take off when she left home.
The sun was slowly setting down the longer she walked. And the further she walked, the dark it became. She knew she was going deep into the slums where her parents explained lived the, 'lesser' people. No one had light or power here. Well, that was something she had in common, but she didn't plan on thinking about that now. Biting her lip, a sudden feeling of emptiness washed over her. She could feel eyes on her with every move she made. A thud had her nearly jump in place. Twisting her body around she froze and color drained from her healthy looking face.
"Little girl, you do now that you shouldn't be out alone here at this time of the evening don't you?" A man with an all too wide of smile asked in a tone that sent chills down Charlottes' body.
"Well, yeah, I was on my way home and I guess I lost track of time and I'm leaving right now," she tried to make her voice squeak a little less, but her sudden fear got the best of her.
"Oh my, I see, I see. How about I and a couple of my good friends lead you back home if you're so lost?"
Suddenly, two other men appeared and dark intention laid deep within their eyes. They didn't give her so much as two heart beats before stepping closer to her.
"Sta-Stand back!" She cried out and raised her arm with the bracelet which caught the men's intention. As each one of their eyes went to her wrist, she jerked her arm back, ready to run. Seconds later, she charged backwards, stumbling on her feet in the process until she felt two filthy hands grab one arm and then another pair grab the other arm. Her lips dropped open to scream out. "Fire!" she cried. It was the word her father had once told her as a little girl to call out if she ever got into danger. No one would simply come if she asked for help. People needed to know their own lives were in danger too. "Fire, fire, fire!" she kept repeating.
(( oh gosh, i'm so sorry for taking forever D: this shouldn't be a constant thing! I'll be much faster next post c: ))
((It's okay c: I understand how people can get really busy, happens to me all the time.))
From his vantage point on the roof of a low slung building that currently served officially as an inn and unofficially as a drug dealership, Caulder could see everything that went on on the street below him. He could observe the people walking by without being noticed himself. It was funny, really, how most people looked all around them yet never thought to look up. It was the reason he spent so much time on roofs. Never the same place for long, of course, as that would increase risk of detection by the government. Something Caulder had to avoid at all costs.
With his long legs dangling over the edge of the roof, Caulder idly watched as people milled about below him, going about their daily business. As usual, no one looked up. Even if they did, it wouldn't matter; they would see a skinny, dark-haired teenage boy, and perhaps they might notice that he looked a little untamed and wild, but it wouldn't be anything out of the ordinary. A glance at him wouldn't give away his deepest secret: he was a Hex, a dangerous one at that, and he had the ability to drain the life out of a person without moving a muscle. Most people didn't even believe in Hexes, thought of them as only myths. Few, who maybe had had a Hex family member who'd been taken by the government, would know better.
A girl walking by the inn-turned-drug-dealership caught his eye as he sat there. He wasn't sure what it was about her that drew his gaze to her; maybe it was the way she walked, as though it was he first time she was walking down this street and everything she saw surprised her. Maybe it was the strands of fiery red hair that peeked out from under her hood. Maybe it was the unusual sight of the bracelet she wore on her wrist: gold and diamond, no doubt extremely valuable. Evidently she was unfamiliar with this area. No one who lived around here would walk around wearing that. Hell, no one who lived around here would even own something as expensive as that.
But what really caught Caulder's attention wasn't really the girl herself, it was the fact that as she walked a rippling movement trailed after her, and now that he leaned forward and made out what it was, he could see that she was being followed. Three of them, from what he could tell. Likely they'd seen her bracelet and set their sights on it. The fact that she was a girl out on her own didn't really help matters. Caulder debated for a moment whether he should warn the girl or not, then decided against it. Whatever happened to her wasn't really his problem. She should've known better, he thought, before venturing out so late in the day into the poor districts that she obviously had no experience in.
He'd almost turned away, going back to his rather dull observation of the other streetgoers, when he realized that the men had closed around the girl a little further down the street, almost out of his eyesight, bringing to mind a pack of wolves circling hungrily around a deer. Unable to look away, he watched as they closed in around her, reminding him no longer of wolves, but sharks, and that made up his mind for him. No matter how foolish the girl was, or how Caulder felt towards the rich, he hated seeing innocent people getting picked on by those stronger than them.
Swinging down easily from the rooftop, he landed lightly on the ground below him, knees slightly bent to absorb the shock. The street had mostly cleared out by now, though the inn was still full; most people knew to stay off the streets when it grew dark. Except, of course, this girl. The men, so intent on the prey, hadn't noticed him yet, and in a few strides Caulder had reached them -- just as the girl began shrieking, "Fire, fire, fire!" over and over again. That momentarily threw him for a loop (maybe the girl was crazy?) but only for a split second.
The two who had a hold of the girl's arms staggered backwards, releasing their grip on her, and threw up their hands in front of them as though they were trying to ward off a blow. In reality, it was no physical attack they were fending off. Caulder had used his power to temporarily overload their minds, and they'd felt it as though something huge had smacked into them. Caulder had used his Hex ability so many times before that he no longer had to think about it; it was as easy as a flick of the wrist.
From his vantage point on the roof of a low slung building that currently served officially as an inn and unofficially as a drug dealership, Caulder could see everything that went on on the street below him. He could observe the people walking by without being noticed himself. It was funny, really, how most people looked all around them yet never thought to look up. It was the reason he spent so much time on roofs. Never the same place for long, of course, as that would increase risk of detection by the government. Something Caulder had to avoid at all costs.
With his long legs dangling over the edge of the roof, Caulder idly watched as people milled about below him, going about their daily business. As usual, no one looked up. Even if they did, it wouldn't matter; they would see a skinny, dark-haired teenage boy, and perhaps they might notice that he looked a little untamed and wild, but it wouldn't be anything out of the ordinary. A glance at him wouldn't give away his deepest secret: he was a Hex, a dangerous one at that, and he had the ability to drain the life out of a person without moving a muscle. Most people didn't even believe in Hexes, thought of them as only myths. Few, who maybe had had a Hex family member who'd been taken by the government, would know better.
A girl walking by the inn-turned-drug-dealership caught his eye as he sat there. He wasn't sure what it was about her that drew his gaze to her; maybe it was the way she walked, as though it was he first time she was walking down this street and everything she saw surprised her. Maybe it was the strands of fiery red hair that peeked out from under her hood. Maybe it was the unusual sight of the bracelet she wore on her wrist: gold and diamond, no doubt extremely valuable. Evidently she was unfamiliar with this area. No one who lived around here would walk around wearing that. Hell, no one who lived around here would even own something as expensive as that.
But what really caught Caulder's attention wasn't really the girl herself, it was the fact that as she walked a rippling movement trailed after her, and now that he leaned forward and made out what it was, he could see that she was being followed. Three of them, from what he could tell. Likely they'd seen her bracelet and set their sights on it. The fact that she was a girl out on her own didn't really help matters. Caulder debated for a moment whether he should warn the girl or not, then decided against it. Whatever happened to her wasn't really his problem. She should've known better, he thought, before venturing out so late in the day into the poor districts that she obviously had no experience in.
He'd almost turned away, going back to his rather dull observation of the other streetgoers, when he realized that the men had closed around the girl a little further down the street, almost out of his eyesight, bringing to mind a pack of wolves circling hungrily around a deer. Unable to look away, he watched as they closed in around her, reminding him no longer of wolves, but sharks, and that made up his mind for him. No matter how foolish the girl was, or how Caulder felt towards the rich, he hated seeing innocent people getting picked on by those stronger than them.
Swinging down easily from the rooftop, he landed lightly on the ground below him, knees slightly bent to absorb the shock. The street had mostly cleared out by now, though the inn was still full; most people knew to stay off the streets when it grew dark. Except, of course, this girl. The men, so intent on the prey, hadn't noticed him yet, and in a few strides Caulder had reached them -- just as the girl began shrieking, "Fire, fire, fire!" over and over again. That momentarily threw him for a loop (maybe the girl was crazy?) but only for a split second.
The two who had a hold of the girl's arms staggered backwards, releasing their grip on her, and threw up their hands in front of them as though they were trying to ward off a blow. In reality, it was no physical attack they were fending off. Caulder had used his power to temporarily overload their minds, and they'd felt it as though something huge had smacked into them. Caulder had used his Hex ability so many times before that he no longer had to think about it; it was as easy as a flick of the wrist.
(( yee that was such a pretty post c: I'm going to reply as soon as I get home :D ))
((Why thank you, dear :)
Okay, sounds good!))
Okay, sounds good!))
The hood on Charlotte's shirt soon came undone as she felt the tug and pull on her arms. Damn it. The last thing she wanted was for her father to be even remotely close to being right. This whole getting out into the world without her parents permission was supposed to be a right of passage when she got back. She could then shove it in their faces that she wasn't mean to be held in some god-awful mansion for most of her life. Of course, she had only thought that was the very last thing she wanted until these men ganged up on her. How frustrating. It was her own fault. She had been the one so dead set on seeing the world. She was the one who wanted so badly to discover the darker side. Why wasn't what she had good enough? It always felt that way. There was always something so much bigger and better around the corner and she wanted it. But now, now she would never get the chance keep discovering. Who knew what these men would do to her. Oh god, she just wanted to squeeze her eyes shut to make this situation go away. Still, her tainted red colored lips kept screaming out fire with what little hope she had left. She would not, could not beg these men for her release. Their grip tightened ever so slightly and she kept her eyes shut while trying to will them away.
To her surprise, her arms were freed seconds later, which sent her jerking forward since she was pulling away so hard before. She caught herself from going head first into dirty pavement. Only then did she blink her eyelids open. Her gaze shifted down to her hands as if she had done something. Was this it? Had she finally gained an ability like her parents had so desperately been hoping? She had her grunts and moans of pain behind so she feared looking back. However, her head lifted up to meet the eyes of a stranger. He wasn't one of the three men, she knew. Her brows quivered together as she pulled away from much bluer eyes than hers back to the three men.
The three men had fallen against the ground in what seemed like a hard motion. It couldn't have been her. Light didn't work that way. Not any light power she had seen at least. With a dry swallow, she twisted her sight back to the male. His dark attire told her he was obviously from this place. No one from above had dressed like that. No one looked liked him nor contained the energy he gave off that sent a soft chill down her spine. Charlotte wasn't sure where to step. For all she knew, he could easily be after her too. At that thought, her fingers went up to make sure her hair hadn't fallen out and when she felt the entire hood had come off, she hastily recovered her head.
Run. She should probably run right? "Um," she stumbled as her pulse pumped radically. Before she could try to get another word out she heard crumbles of dirt under feet behind her and she turned to watch the men running like lightening away from the scene. Okay, now her odds of this guy being a good guy at all were looking slimmer. Cautiously, she gazed back over to those piercing blue eyes. "Did you, how," she stammered for the right question. "Where did you come from?" she came up with in a weaker tone than she would have liked to use.
Caulder had his attention focused on the three men, using his power like a psychic weapon as he beat them to their knees with only his force of mind. He knew he should be careful not to overdo it; using energy as a weapon drained his energy, and he couldn't use up too much or it would leave him on the knees just like his victims. But at the moment he felt furious, an irrational rage burning away all reasonable thought. The men were cowering from him, expressions of horror and terror on their faces, and abruptly he stopped and backed off. What was wrong with him? He could've killed them, and he really didn't want that on his conscience. Whatever he was, he wasn't a killer.
He took a step back from the men, turning away, knowing they wouldn't attack him. The sound of scrambling, followed by running feet, told him they were high tailing it out of there. Good. He'd likely given them the fright of their lives, he thought, with a twinge of guilt that he quickly suppressed. It was their fault, trying to attack this girl simply because she was an easy target. Those hadn't been innocent men, or he wouldn't have attacked them. Those were cold-blooded, cruel men who wouldn't hesitate to take advantage of a naive girl out on her own.
Incidentally. The girl. For whom he'd just taken the risk of using his power in public. Not that anyone else would easily make sense of it, but still. Turning to face the girl, he was met with her stare. She was watching him as though he gave her the creeps, which he couldn't blame her for either, considering the conclusions she was likely reaching in her head. Never mind that he'd just saved her skin.
When she finally got her question out, his anger and frustration with himself, the men, the girl, and the world at large made his voice tense and irritable. What was that supposed to mean, anyway, where had he come from? "Around," he said, purposefully vague. "I think a better question would be, who are you and what the hell do you think you're doing here? You're obviously not from around here."
He took a step back from the men, turning away, knowing they wouldn't attack him. The sound of scrambling, followed by running feet, told him they were high tailing it out of there. Good. He'd likely given them the fright of their lives, he thought, with a twinge of guilt that he quickly suppressed. It was their fault, trying to attack this girl simply because she was an easy target. Those hadn't been innocent men, or he wouldn't have attacked them. Those were cold-blooded, cruel men who wouldn't hesitate to take advantage of a naive girl out on her own.
Incidentally. The girl. For whom he'd just taken the risk of using his power in public. Not that anyone else would easily make sense of it, but still. Turning to face the girl, he was met with her stare. She was watching him as though he gave her the creeps, which he couldn't blame her for either, considering the conclusions she was likely reaching in her head. Never mind that he'd just saved her skin.
When she finally got her question out, his anger and frustration with himself, the men, the girl, and the world at large made his voice tense and irritable. What was that supposed to mean, anyway, where had he come from? "Around," he said, purposefully vague. "I think a better question would be, who are you and what the hell do you think you're doing here? You're obviously not from around here."
((Sorry, it's short, but I have to go now so I kinda rushed it.))
(( don't worry about it c: it was still lovely~ ))
Charlotte swallowed dryly as she cautiously looked over this guy. Honestly, he seemed just plain pissed at everything. She had, for moment, only a mare moment, thought that he might have been the one to throttle those guys down to the ground. That was a crazy, insane, and...impossible. He was there and they were there. How in the hell could that have worked. Light an inner voice reminded her. However, what just happened couldn't have come from a light sourced power. Light sourced powers were never so vulgar and destructive. It wasn't real. It couldn't have been him. Even if it was then at would mean he would, he would have to have a He-. Nope, not going to even mention that idea. From what she was told, everyone who had one were gone in this world. If someone were to exist with such a darkness, the kingdoms of light wouldn't hesitate to execute this guy.
Execution sounded horrible until he opened his mouth. Her eyes instantly narrowed on him. No one had that kind of nerve to speak to her in such a way. If he even had the slightest idea of where she came from, he wouldn't snap like he did. And around? That wasn't helpful whatsoever. It was a simple question really. It wasn't like she was asking for his freaking life story.
A soft huff came out from her nose as it scrunched lightly. Fine, if he wanted to be so smart with his answer, she wouldn't have a problem answering the same way. "That's two questions," she replied as her slender arms crossed below her chest. Her sleeves riled up above her wrists until it revealed the expensive jewelry. "Anyways," she continued on as the bottom of her shoe scraped against the dirt. "I can't tell you who I am," she boldly answered while her delicate fingers came up over her heart as if to gesture to herself. "And I'm just, wait, why is it so obvious that I'm not from around here?" The question wasn't supposed to be snide in the least. It was actually quite innocent. It was a let down, really. She had gone so far to disguise herself.
As weird as it might have sounded, she wanted to know. If she could fix the little things about herself to make it look less like she was from somewhere else then she could come out more often. Escaping from her home was easy enough. This guy could have been her chance to understand how she could look less foreign to this part of the land.
Caulder eyed the girl for a whole minute, arms folded across his chest as he considered her and her question. The fear had already faded from her expression, and it was slowly being replaced with an expression that he was unfortunately familiar with and greatly disliked. It was the same expression he saw every time he happened to meet the eyes of a rich person; it was the same expression they gave to 'street ruffians' like him; it was the same expression that said, "Who do you think you are?" and, "You aren't fit to clean my shoes, much less talk back to me", all at the same time.
That expression didn't make him feel particularly fond of this girl. He wasn't sure what her game was or what she up to, and he really wasn't very interested in finding out. He'd just saved her neck, and she was acting like he was irritating her. And did she really have no idea why she was standing out like a bright red target?
"That bracelet," he said finally, nodding to her jewelry. "It's gold, isn't it? No one here would be able to afford something like that. People like those tramps a minute ago, they'll spot it in a second. You want to leave that at home if you're going to come wandering here." He resisted the urge to call her a little girl; no matter how accurate the term was or how naive she really was, he doubted she'd take it well.
Glancing around them, he noted that it was about the time where he needed to get back to wherever he was staying at the moment. Especially now, since he was feeling quite a bit more worn out than he was letting on, due to using his Hex ability without careful restraint. Plus, he was hungry now. He needed to lose this girl and find a way to get some food, then head back to his hideout and check out for the night. But something stopped him.
The girl, of course.
He couldn't very well just up and leave her here. The exact same predicament he'd just saved her from would surface once more, and he couldn't let his energy just go to waste, could he? Not after what he'd done to help her. But it was more than just that -- something else stopped him from walking away. His damned conscience, probably. That had to be a good thing, right? Sometimes he wasn't sure he still had one. Those were his darkest moments. If you didn't have a conscience, then you deserved to be executed, didn't you, regardless of the nature of your supposed crime?
If he left, the girl wouldn't make it far here on her own, especially now that it was getting dark. Which meant he needed to make sure she got back to her home. Wherever that was.
"Where do you live?" This time his voice lacked the previous irritation; it was a simple question that he needed answered for her own safety. He knew she had to come from an area that the likes of him wouldn't dare to venture into. She was of light, while he was - not. Yet she was still just a girl, and she needed his help, even if she didn't want to admit or accept it.
That expression didn't make him feel particularly fond of this girl. He wasn't sure what her game was or what she up to, and he really wasn't very interested in finding out. He'd just saved her neck, and she was acting like he was irritating her. And did she really have no idea why she was standing out like a bright red target?
"That bracelet," he said finally, nodding to her jewelry. "It's gold, isn't it? No one here would be able to afford something like that. People like those tramps a minute ago, they'll spot it in a second. You want to leave that at home if you're going to come wandering here." He resisted the urge to call her a little girl; no matter how accurate the term was or how naive she really was, he doubted she'd take it well.
Glancing around them, he noted that it was about the time where he needed to get back to wherever he was staying at the moment. Especially now, since he was feeling quite a bit more worn out than he was letting on, due to using his Hex ability without careful restraint. Plus, he was hungry now. He needed to lose this girl and find a way to get some food, then head back to his hideout and check out for the night. But something stopped him.
The girl, of course.
He couldn't very well just up and leave her here. The exact same predicament he'd just saved her from would surface once more, and he couldn't let his energy just go to waste, could he? Not after what he'd done to help her. But it was more than just that -- something else stopped him from walking away. His damned conscience, probably. That had to be a good thing, right? Sometimes he wasn't sure he still had one. Those were his darkest moments. If you didn't have a conscience, then you deserved to be executed, didn't you, regardless of the nature of your supposed crime?
If he left, the girl wouldn't make it far here on her own, especially now that it was getting dark. Which meant he needed to make sure she got back to her home. Wherever that was.
"Where do you live?" This time his voice lacked the previous irritation; it was a simple question that he needed answered for her own safety. He knew she had to come from an area that the likes of him wouldn't dare to venture into. She was of light, while he was - not. Yet she was still just a girl, and she needed his help, even if she didn't want to admit or accept it.
A reply is coming, I promise! C: (like really soon. Like today soon. Like in a hour soon.)School has just been so awful ;A;
Just know I haven't forgotten about you and I'm still really excited for this!
No worries, just a reminder since this got like buried in the thread c: looking forward to seeing it ^^
Charlottes' body weight shifted to her right. A naive part of her told her she'd be fine to get into a comfortable position. Preparing to run away wasn't at the top of her list of proprieties. Instead, the curiosity she withheld inside her wanted to burst through. This guy wasn't a complete threat, she determined. He would have already made his move if he had planned anything by now. Still, a nervous bubble boiled up inside her throat. She'd have to remind herself that she still wasn't supposed to be down here, in the dark. Her well-being belonged to the royal crowed who had light and power. The thought was laughable though. She had neither of those things. The more she remembered that little secret, the more reason she felt to be as rebellious as she was being.
Her glance tilted away from the stranger towards her golden bracelet. Jewellery as fine as her bracelet came as easily air came into her lungs. She hadn't questioned whether or not to take the gold off her wrist. "How careless," she muttered under her breath as if to scold herself. The thing nearly got her killed while she had twenty more lying on her dresser in her room.
Within a couple of heartbeats her slim fingers slipped over to the latch before it fell to the ground. The action was as easy as cutting through butter. Dirt crumbled over the shiny surface as her feet shifted on the ground. It wasn't like it was worth much in her eyes. It only reminded her of how little material things mattered to her. How worthless they were in her homeland.
The attitude that came along with the dark man before her didn't exactly make her fond of the fact that he was right. However, she wasn't so ignorant to ignore someone who clearly lived these parts of the land everyday.
At the sound of his voice, she met those blue eyes straight on. The question had her fingers wiggling lightly at her side. "I," she paused to see if a clever enough response would come to her. Sure, it was clear she hadn't lived here , but that didn't mean that if she told him exactly where she lived, he wouldn't take the opportunity now to attack her. For gods sakes, she was apart of one of the most notable wealthy families.
"Oh, uh, I just live north of here," she vaguely answered, suddenly on a more stable set of feet. The atmosphere around had all too noticeably gotten darker. If she didn't started home now, surely she'd get spotted again. Although, she had to take her chances with this guy or figure her way out. Without the bracelet, chances on her own looked better.
Voice strained, she stepped back and mumbled, "Well, thank you for the tip. I really do need to go now though. Curfew and all, you know? I mean, it's not like someone else has a curfew for me. I just set them myself and-" She forced her mouth shut before she blabbered any longer then twisted around. A heartbeat later, she soon noticed that she didn't even know where north was let alone where she came from. With a light peer around her shoulder, she still thought chances on her own were better. So, her foot stepped forward, back to him as she held her head high. Another step and she stumbled over a branch that dug into the ground. The only thing she could tell herself out of pride was to not look back.
Oh dear it didn't notify me! *facepalm* I'll post soon, I promise x.x
no worries c: i just wasn't sure if you saw this or not~ can't wait :D
Thanks for reminding me, otherwise this would've died and that would be sad :/
:3
:3
haha, no problem c: yeah >.< especially since we're still at the beginning
i'm uber excited for thissss <3
(view spoiler)
'Xactly :3
And it won't let me see the image ><
But my post will be a bit shorter, is that okay?
And it won't let me see the image ><
But my post will be a bit shorter, is that okay?
Ah, I think I messed up the image >.< I'll fix it later~ it's just a cute gif of a dog that's all fluffy xD Don't even worry about length! I prefer quality over quantity anyways C: write whatever feels right mmk?
Awww I love fluffy dogs and I love gifs and I especially love gifs of fluffy dogs XD
Thanks, dear, you're the best C:
Thanks, dear, you're the best C:
Yessss. Fluffy dog gifs are the best :3 This gif also included a fluffy dog struggling to move around in a bowl Cx
Pshhhh. Stop it you ;u;
Can't wait to see your post :D
Awwwwwwwwwwwwww *dies of cuteness overload*
Here it is! :D
Here it is! :D
Caulder's eyes tracked the bracelet as it fell from her hand, and they remained fixed on the spot where it lay, now covered in dust and and dirt. "How careless," he echoed, agreeing, so softly that he wasn't sure she could even hear him. But he wasn't just talking about her forgetting to take off the price of jewelry, but about how easily she'd tossed it away, like it was worth nothing. Something like that could've fed Caulder's family for at least two good weeks. If he'd still lived with them.
If the girl hadn't been there to look on, Caulder might have even resorted to picking the bracelet up and pocketing it, for later use to get some much-needed supplies - anything from food to clothes would be welcome. But he didn't want to scrabble in the dirt, not with her looking on in her finely tailored clothes and her rich airs.
Finally breaking his gaze away from the bracelet, he fixed his eyes on her again, waiting out her rambling until she'd fallen silent and turned around. So. She wouldn't tell him. He didn't really blame her for distrusting him, he supposed, considering he'd probably creeped her out by what he'd done to her would-be attackers. He stood there for a moment, very still, watching as she walked away from her. He could tell from the proud tilt of her head and the way she held herself that she wasn't used to accepting help. Let alone help from someone like him.
Still. He couldn't just let her walk off, could he? He sighed to himself, and, cursing his own inability to walk away, strode after the girl. He caught up to her easily, what with his longer stride, and, still grumbling under his breath, kept pace with her.
"You don't really think I'm going to let you march off by yourself, do you?" His tone was conversational, matter-of-fact, as though he didn't really expect or want an answer.
If the girl hadn't been there to look on, Caulder might have even resorted to picking the bracelet up and pocketing it, for later use to get some much-needed supplies - anything from food to clothes would be welcome. But he didn't want to scrabble in the dirt, not with her looking on in her finely tailored clothes and her rich airs.
Finally breaking his gaze away from the bracelet, he fixed his eyes on her again, waiting out her rambling until she'd fallen silent and turned around. So. She wouldn't tell him. He didn't really blame her for distrusting him, he supposed, considering he'd probably creeped her out by what he'd done to her would-be attackers. He stood there for a moment, very still, watching as she walked away from her. He could tell from the proud tilt of her head and the way she held herself that she wasn't used to accepting help. Let alone help from someone like him.
Still. He couldn't just let her walk off, could he? He sighed to himself, and, cursing his own inability to walk away, strode after the girl. He caught up to her easily, what with his longer stride, and, still grumbling under his breath, kept pace with her.
"You don't really think I'm going to let you march off by yourself, do you?" His tone was conversational, matter-of-fact, as though he didn't really expect or want an answer.
(Wonderful :D )Charlotte stepped one foot after the other. The determination she conjured up since turning around was slowly subsiding. There was going to be nothing to light her path soon and even if she did have light, she didn't have a specific path. Still, her bets were placed on getting home on her own. Her fingers fidgeted together as a nervous habit. The wind was beginning to chill her neck and she almost hoped her guards would come looking for her. Almost.
Keeping a steady, cautious pace, she widened at the sudden voice next to her. Stay calm, she told herself. It was best to ignore him now if he wasn't going to give up on figuring out where she lived. The only reason he could possibly have to follow after her was to find that out right? Her father had warned her about the darker ones. They would use the lighter ones for all they had and take and take and take. At the time, she hadn't wanted to believe and yet, it felt so plausible.
Her gaze trickled to him at his question. Her breaths became shallow and cautious like there was a limited supply around her. "Yes, that's exactly what I want you to do," she answered even though the tone of his voice told her that he didn't care much about her answer. A few crunches of dirt beneath her feet marked their steps.
It was weird, having someone walk with her. Usually, someone followed her around like the palace guards. The rest of the time she was alone or following the footsteps of her parents. Physically and mentally. How long had it been since she had met a new person? All too long. Everyone knew everyone where she lived. Either that, or everyone knew her.
A subtle smile nearly peered the corner of her lips. Even if this guy was suspicious, dark, and plain terrifying, he was still someone new. "What's it going to take for you to leave?" She suddenly asked as she stopped mid stride and twisted to the side to face him.
Caulder kept pace with her, taking one long stride for every two of hers, watching her sidelong. He couldn't help feeling a grudging sense of admiration for this girl and her stubborn refusal to accept his help. She was proud, he could tell, and tougher than he would have expected a blueblood like her to be. Maybe it was foolish of her in this particular situation, but he admired her anyway. They were complete strangers, and he'd just taken down three men without moving a muscle, yet she wasn't showing many outward signs of fear towards him. Bravery was something Caulder respected.
Still. Her pride would get her into her trouble if she insisted on going on her own. And it didn't matter what she said - he wasn't about to leave her to fend for herself. Naive as she was, he guessed she might not even know the way back. And Caulder was nothing if not stubborn.
He saw the hint of a smile tug at her lips and wondered briefly what it was that had suddenly amused her. Facing forward again, it took him a moment to realize that she'd stopped walking. He turned to face her, finding her a step behind him, eyeing him as she asked her question. It sounded to him almost like a challenge.
Well. At least she didn't sound afraid or angry at him. That was an improvement. For what, Jackson? he asked himself. It's not like you know her. You'll likely never see her again after today.
He met her gaze, the corner of his mouth twitching as he suppressed a smile. "Well. There's nothing much you can do to get rid of me." His expression turned serious again. "Those guys back there? There's a whole lot more like them around here. It's not safe for girls like you." It wasn't really safe for anyone, really, but at least the people who lived here knew how to play this game. And she didn't.
Still. Her pride would get her into her trouble if she insisted on going on her own. And it didn't matter what she said - he wasn't about to leave her to fend for herself. Naive as she was, he guessed she might not even know the way back. And Caulder was nothing if not stubborn.
He saw the hint of a smile tug at her lips and wondered briefly what it was that had suddenly amused her. Facing forward again, it took him a moment to realize that she'd stopped walking. He turned to face her, finding her a step behind him, eyeing him as she asked her question. It sounded to him almost like a challenge.
Well. At least she didn't sound afraid or angry at him. That was an improvement. For what, Jackson? he asked himself. It's not like you know her. You'll likely never see her again after today.
He met her gaze, the corner of his mouth twitching as he suppressed a smile. "Well. There's nothing much you can do to get rid of me." His expression turned serious again. "Those guys back there? There's a whole lot more like them around here. It's not safe for girls like you." It wasn't really safe for anyone, really, but at least the people who lived here knew how to play this game. And she didn't.
Now, it would be dumb to say Charlotte would do anything to get rid of this guy because she was going to stoop to that level. However, she would have to eventually pluck him off her trail so her guards didn't see her arrive with someone on the darker side of the land. What kind of faces would her parents of her guards make if they saw her with him? That would be entertaining. They'd so quickly see she was able to walk wherever she liked and not get into trouble. Then again...if she had any social contact with someone like him then that would send her and her family's reputation into turmoil. No one would speak to someone crazy enough to engage in contact with the darkness. God, what did they know though? Had anyone that came from light taken a chance on a darker sided resident? In conclusion, it wasn't a risk she could take. At least, not right now.
With a slight huff of breath from Charlotte, she kept her arms crossed, eyes narrowed up at the stranger. "I'm sure you have a price," she replied confidently. She thought she saw a smile emerging from him, but it quickly subsided and his expression became serious. Serious faces were always such a drag. She had gotten them constantly from her parents. It was always something with them. Whether it was about how she needed to figure out a light power soon or about how she presented herself to the public.
As he proceeded to warn her about the attackers, she reframed explaining she had it under control. "Girls like me?" She questioned him before twisting her body to continue walking towards her home. "Please explain, because I hardly think there are too many if not any girls like me," she retorted over her shoulder. "So, please, I'm truly curious what kind of girl am I that makes you think it's not safe for me to be out here?"
Oh, Caulder thought as the realization hit him. She doesn't want to be seen with me. Of course. She was of the light side, he was of the dark; her people would no doubt be enraged if they discovered she had been associated with him, however briefly. He felt the old, familiar bitterness rising in him, and he swallowed it down like bile. It didn't matter. He'd just see her safely out of this area into the light sector and then he'd be on his way. He didn't care what she thought -- he was not, after all, he reminded himself, doing this for her in particular. He was doing this simply because his conscience wouldn't allow him to abandon her here to fend for herself. She probably didn't even know the way home.
She had spoken, but he hadn't been paying attention and did not catch what she said. He looked at her, standing there with her arms crossed defiantly, looking right back at him through narrowed blue eyes, her posture and expression telling him she wasn't going to back down. Well, neither was he. Once again he felt a sense of respect, however reluctant, for her stubborn unwillingness to simply obey. He knew the feeling. He wasn't very obedient himself.
"Yes, girls like you," he retorted at her comment, falling in stride beside her again, this time maintaining a few feet between them. Girls like her, rich girls who had light, who had whole, intact families, who could carelessly toss money into the dirt as though it was worth nothing, as though they had a hundred more at home anyway. Girls who never worried about whether they'd find another meal, who worried instead about staying thin and not eating too much, who could thought people like him were worthless and beneath their notice. But all he said out loud was, "You don't know this place. I do."
A few more long strides and he veered to the right, steering the girl after him. "This way."
She had spoken, but he hadn't been paying attention and did not catch what she said. He looked at her, standing there with her arms crossed defiantly, looking right back at him through narrowed blue eyes, her posture and expression telling him she wasn't going to back down. Well, neither was he. Once again he felt a sense of respect, however reluctant, for her stubborn unwillingness to simply obey. He knew the feeling. He wasn't very obedient himself.
"Yes, girls like you," he retorted at her comment, falling in stride beside her again, this time maintaining a few feet between them. Girls like her, rich girls who had light, who had whole, intact families, who could carelessly toss money into the dirt as though it was worth nothing, as though they had a hundred more at home anyway. Girls who never worried about whether they'd find another meal, who worried instead about staying thin and not eating too much, who could thought people like him were worthless and beneath their notice. But all he said out loud was, "You don't know this place. I do."
A few more long strides and he veered to the right, steering the girl after him. "This way."
((I'm so sorry!!!!!!! D: I completely forgot to replyyyy but I want to continue since we're still in the beginning >.< but if you don't want to keep going with this, I understand.))Charlotte had always been taught the darks would think lowly of her. They would be bitter to her because of what she was. Why should she feel bad for being born into wealth and light? It was not her fault. And the darks should understand their place in this world. They don't have what the lights have and that's why the lights have so much more power. People like her are obviously more fit to rule and decide.
However, that idea, she guessed, could make someone bitter over the years. To not have a choice about what you are and where you'll be placed in life would be frustrating. She could barely imagine what that's like. She only did have one thing in common with the darks besides the very rare ones. It was a constant sting in the back of her mind.
As he answered her oh so specifically, she couldn't keep her glare off of him. She could only guess his thoughts rapidly spinning in his head. He probably assumed she was like every other enlightened girl. It felt like she was nothing like them back home. All they talked about was their next materialistic fix. Charlotte never quite got the same enjoyment they got from things though. If anything, the more stuff she got the more empty she felt. The darkness wasn't filled with the best of the best. They couldn't spend time talking about the finest dresses or jewellery because they...they didn't have it. They were considered unworthy of it.
She scoffed. "I know it well enough," the lie boiled through her teeth. Suddenly, he turned tightly and she had no other choice but to follow him. Giving in slightly was better than getting attacked again she assured herself. Her legs tried to make long strides to meet his pace. Obviously he knew by now she was from the lighter side. If he could just get her to the main gates...she could blow him off. Well, for now, she had to go along with this adventure. She could only imagine the disgusted faces of her so called friends if she told them about how she walked side by side with a dark.
((I hope it's okay if I go ahead and do a small time skip to when they arrive at the gates that separate the dark and light >.< ))
The sun just barely peeked out. It was ready to plunge down until darkness consumed them. The bright gate glistened with silver and pure crystals. The bars stood multiple feet above her head and the top bars did wonderful curves and waves. It circled around the enlightened empire. Charlotte was breathing softly after trying to hurry herself to the gates. She could have cried out from relief. As much mistrust she was supposed to have against the darker ones, some naive trust grew. This guy had taken her to where she needed to be. He didn't trick her. Now, why he would do that? She had no clue.
Her arm swiped over her forehead to brush off the hair that stuck against her skin. "See, I told you, I know my way around," she snuck in there. A slight curl on her lips appeared. Even if he did lead the whole way here, she wouldn't completely acknowledge it.
As her fingers reached out to touch the cool surface of the gate, she realised she would have to face her doom soon enough. It was easier to get out than in. Once she slipped inside the barrier, guards would come rushing. Her parents, god, her parents would be pissed. With that in mind, she turned back to the dark one. "Are you going to tell me your name?" She questioned and had to tilt her head back a bit to look him in the eyes. "I think it's necessary to know who," she paused to breathed in, "to know who my guide was this evening. I mean, if I ever happen to get lost again, theoretically of course, I know who to find. You did say so yourself. You 'know this place'."
And I absolutely still want to do this! And I'm thinking we can just leave our characters like this and maybe fill them in later.