Pie, anyone?

[Cory McQuiggin]

Cory felt the stitches of the ragged cloth run over stained hands. She knew that she could rub her hands until they turn from their marble white colour to raw red, and she still wouldn’t succeed in cleansing her hands. Her eyes flickered to the tips of her fingers and she forcefully swallowed a disappointed sigh. She had only picked up the cloth and already it looked like they were on the brink of bleeding…but that was not because of her obsession of keeping her hands clean in this work. Oh no. It was because of the bloody berries that she washed, cut, and cooked from morning until dusk in order to get a few decent couple of bucks. At first, the idea of working for a pie maker was something beyond a dream. I mean, getting paid and getting free slices of pie…what could be better? But, soon the pie lost its flavour and a worry of her hands being constantly a purple or red tint settled in. So now what one would assume to be a heavenly job has morphed into dutiful, every day work that’s as repetitive- not to mention annoying- as a talking toucan.

Cory’s thin fingers untied the bow that neatly held her apron in place and lifted the powdery cloth over her head. With a slight amount of hesitation, she passed it to the lady who owned the booth and fought the urge to wince as leathery hands clamped around what Cory had grown accustomed to. She was being fired. Somehow, Cory felt that this day would come ever since she threaten to shove a plum down a man’s throat if he didn’t make a decision soon, but she didn’t imagine that her small job would be cut short so quickly. It was a shame in it’s own way. But, fate had closed its hand around Cory’s future career and, thus, it was time to move on before the matter evolved to worse circumstances. Cory swallowed back another sigh and she heard the ‘I’m so sorry, dear…’ talk as her employer tried to comfort her. But Cory was beyond comforting at this point. Her logic has long ago left and anger fueled by embarrassment settled in its place. Yes, the way that her employer felt that some kind of comfort was needed was quite amusing- but its efforts were wasted on a woman like Cory. Her mind was already in a routine and no amount of rocking could get it off its current tracks.

Giving a small word of thanks, Cory left the booth and expertly plucked a well-overdue pie from the stand. Sure, her previous employer noticed, but Cory was a hard worker and didn’t ask for much in return. Weaving through the crowd of potential buyers and sellers, Cory held the pie in both of her hands and stared at the perfectly baked dessert. To some, the look across her face could be one of yearning. But to those who knew Cory a little all to well, it was the look of anger. It was mocking her. The pie dared to taunt her with its golden crust and mouth-watering scent. Here she was, holding it’s future in her hands, and it rears its head and laughs at her. Cory felt her eye twitch. And, in that one irritating moment, she did something that could’ve been left off for the better.

“This is what I think of your bloody home baked treats!” she bellowed, deciding to teach the pie (and her previous employer) a lesson. Balancing the pie on one hand, she pulled it back and then chucked it. He eyes were blinded by fury, so she wasn’t fully aware of how hard she tossed the dessert and where. So, you can imagine her embarrassment when she heard a rather loud ‘splat’ not too far off. Oh boy. It looked like someone was getting an unwanted mixed berry facial. Standing there, looking flabbergasted, Cory didn’t know whether to run up to the victim of her pie flinging and beg for mercy, or turn her tail and run.

What she did know, however, was that she better pray that the person in front of her wasn’t allergic to pie.

[Deklan O'farer]

OOC- Hope you don't mind my replying.

<sub>Deklan strode through the bustling market streets, his form towered above most average people and he grinned in pleasure as people tripped over themselves to remove themselves from his path. It was not so much his frightening appearance that had people rushing to run away, it was the badge her wore on the honour spot in the centre of his chest. It might have only been a small silver badge, no bigger than the size of his fist, but it told everyone who looked that he was the Lords Knight, he was part of a team who fought for and protected the Clan Lord, and Deklan had got himself a reputation through his job. Also the long, wicked spear he carried in his left hand helped too. If anyone got in his way he lifted the spear threateningly and they moved quick smart after that.

A small child ran across in front of him and Deklan turned swiftly to punish her, but before he could yell at her she had wriggled through the crowd and was gone. Deklan scowled, he hated children. They were so small and dirty and loud. Deklan eyes scanned the crowd looking for the ratty child, but he only met the backs of people or the frightened faces of others. Deklan huffed angrily and continued on his ego growing with every step. From the corner of his eye he surveyed the castle. When he was sure there was nothing awry, and the castle walls seemed the same light brown colour he focused his attention back on the crowd. “Get out of my way hag!” He barked loudly to a particularly slow old woman who was walking in front of him. The old lady turned to him and looked at him as if to say Respect your elders… Deklan narrowed his eyes in his way of saying Make me. He snorted angrily and stormed past her, not caring if he sent the women flying or not.

Deklan growled deep in his throat in frustration…how he hated all these people! As if trying to purposely annoy him, the same child darted around in the corner of his eye. Roaring in anger he whipped around faster than the human eye could have followed the grabbed the back of the child’s shirt. He hauled her up to his eye level. The girl squirmed and cried in his arms and Deklan held her for just a moment and then dropped her. Not bothering to check if she was ok he continued on. In the background the child’s cries intensified. Suddenly Deklan heard a feminine yelling about home baked treats. Pushing through the crowd he came across a rather amusing scene. A young boy, who only looked to be around 20 and a girl stood apart, the girl had a shocked and rather guilty look on her face. While the boy, well Deklan couldn’t really tell, his face was covered in something purple, Deklan guessed this was the ‘treat’ the girl had been bellowing about.

Deklan stepped into the centre of the crowd, people moved away as he did so. He cast his eyes from the boy, to then the girl, who was rather attractive he noticed trying to asses the situation before he spoke. “What has happened here?”</sub>

[Cory McQuiggin]

{OOC: no, not at all..I just realized I forgot to put open in my subjec t-.-;]

Cory watched in silent horror as a hand cleared the berry mess to allow one eye to furiously glare at her...then another. Oh boy. She should’ve run when she had the chance. The beery man- let’s call him that for now, shall we?- took a threatening step forward and a had strayed to his side. He had a weapon to his advantage, no doubt. “Is this your idea of a joke!?” he sputtered, pie crust splattering from his mouth. Cory swallowed hard. Was it too late to run now? “Listen, sir. I’m really sorry..” she started, pivoting her foot to her exit route. The plan? There wasn’t really one. All Cory knew was that she had the wind on her side and this was the kind of situation where it would probably become useful to leave a scene.

However, just as Cory was starting to shift her weight to her back foot, she noticed something was off. The crowd that surrounded her and the man had a reputation for wanting blood. No doubt they gathered to see a fight between a fired pie apprentice and a poor berry victim. So, why in the world were they backing off- minding their own business, if you will? Their hungry eyes adverted and soon they began to disperse to their own ways, not daring to be caught as witness. With brows knotted, Cory looked over her shoulder to see berry man’s hand was dutifully by his side. A look was slapped across his face that read ‘No weapon on me, sir. I’m as clean as a whistle.’ Following berry man’s eyes Cory found herself staring in the eyes of guard. Just peachy. The oh-so-great authorities are sticking their nose wherever they can now. Couldn’t they catch a thief or something useful like that?

Pulling herself to full height, she gave berry man a look that challenged him. She knew as well as him that getting involved with the guards was something to avoid…even if that meant a good ol’ lie. There was a heavy silence weighing between them before Cory realized Mr. Berry man, in all his fruity glory, was just going to leave her hanging. Fine. If he thinks that she’ll be intimidated by a guard- and a centaur, none-the-less! - he had another thing coming. Rolling up her sleeves, Cory pivoted on her foot and placed her hands on her hips. Her blue eyes were challenging as they stared directly into the guard’s eyes. She let a smile as sweet as honey etch onto her features, but her eyes still kept their daring edge.

“What happened here, you ask? Oh nothing more than a marketing dispute.” Cory cooed, flickering a sly smile to berry man. “You see, sir, he picked up a pie from my stall and tripped- getting a face full of my beautiful mixed berry pie. So, he’s just going to pay what he owes so he can cover ruining my labour.”

Cory then held out a hand to the side in front of berry man. Palm up, fingers flat. After a few moments of the absence of a few gold coins, Cory turned to him and smiled. “That’ll be three coins, bucko.” She could tell that he was furious to pay, but she knew that he rather loose a few coins then face a guard. What a meek guy! With her fingers coiling around the cleverly stolen coins, Cory faced the guard once more.

“So, if you don’t mind, I’ll be departing now.”

Without a second to spare, Cory threw herself into the crowd. At first her walking was calm and cool, but after she figured she got a few feet between her and the guard, she burst into a run. Her feet were hardly hard hitting the ground as fast as her heart was pounding against her chest.

“Bloody freakin’ hell!” She breathed, dodging children, animals, and vendors alike. “I just committed thievery in front of a freaking guard of the Lord!”

[Deklan O'farer]

<sub>Deklan looked over the scene with a carefully trained eye, he suspected something. Maybe it was the way the boy quick as lightning tucked something away in his pocket? Maybe it was the way the girl and the boy seemed to exchange some sort of agreement through the air? Whatever it was…Deklan smelled a rat. The girl looked at him rather defiantly and Deklan hardened his face, he didn’t like the look in her eyes. One of his pet peeves was commoners talking back. “Well if there is no problem then I’d assume neither of you have any pretences about giving me your names?” His tone was cold, flat and as hard as steel, this sort of voice allowed no questions, just obedience.

Deklan watched the coin exchange with slight amusement, by now he had started to catch up that things were perhaps not as they appeared. But it was rather fun to watch this boy squirm knowing full well the girl had him in his power. But what Deklan didn’t understand was why the boy didn’t just say she threw the pie? His gaze shifted from boy to girl and from girl to boy. Again he got the feeling that some sort of exchange was being done. Deklan shifted on his hooves, resting the back left foot, but his body tensed ready for action.

And action came only seconds later, almost giving no warning apart from a possible slight tensing of her body, the girl took flight, disappearing into the crowd as quick as a hare. But Deklan was just as fast, if not faster. The girl had a head start and probably figured she could lose him in the crowd, but Deklan was at least a few feet taller than basically everyone in the crowd and followed the girls head easily as it bobbed and weaved amongst the crowd. Deklan sprung into the crowd, and the crowd parted like the red sea, sensing his urgency they were quick to get out of his way. Every few seconds he would gain a few more metres. In less than a minute he had gained enough ground and reached out one of his mammoth hands he firmly grasped the girls shoulder. “No, what did my mother always say? Innocent until proven guilty, unless they run.” A smirk split his face, quite an evil one at that. It was the sort of smirk a cat got when it caught the mouse and held it squirming beneath one paw.</sub>

[Cory McQuiggin]

For one fleeting moment, Cory felt like she could win this. With the sound of a few newly gained coins clinking in her pocket, paired with the wind whipping through her hair, she felt freedom. The emotion overwhelmed her and, slowly, a smile began to creep up her face. But, just as quickly as it appeared, it vanished into oblivion. Behind, oh too close behind her, was the sound of hell on heels….Well, on hooves to be more technically correct. The thundering rhythm made Cory’s blood run cold and her mind went into overdrive. Passing a quick glance over her shoulder, she could tell that he was gaining ground. Fast. Spitting out a curse, Cory turned her back to the wind and pushed her legs as fast as they would go. She tried, oh how did she try, but the reality of life was closing in on her and she knew she was a doomed woman. She knew how the crowd parted for the guard, allowing clear passage. She also knew that the crowd refused to move for her and was bound and determined to be as thick as molasses in January. With the sound of hooves nearly on her heel, Cory tried to give one last push, but a hand pinned her down. Her blue eyes locked upon it, but she tried not to gape. His hand is nearly eating her whole shoulder! God, he could squish her like a bug, if he wanted to.

It would be common for someone to assume that, once caught, a victim will fold and be about as fearsome as a new born. Unfortunately for these people, they never saw an angered McQuiggin. Act as a newborn? Ha! Such foolishness! No, she turns into a wounded animal that has been cornered. Her teeth are bared and insanity fills her eyes. Oh ho. Sorry Mr. Guard man, so much for an intimidation tactic. Whipping around, Cory grey eyes settled on Delkan’s. Sure, she had to look up. Sure, her head only reached half way up his male torso. But height doesn’t pose a threat for Cory: It’s challenge. Tower over her, will you? Well, once she’s done cutting you down, you’ll feel about as tall as a toddler. Trying to shrug off his shoulder, (due to its massive size, it didn’t look as graceful as Cory hoped, plus it took her a few tries to do.) Cory crossed her arms over her chest and cocked her head to the side.

“Well, officer…Have you ever considered I enjoy running just because I enjoy it? I am a Zrak, after all. To feel the wind whipping through my hair is what I live for.” Cory knew she would gain nothing from being snappy. So, instead of having the words dripping with venom, she laced them with honey. However, that doesn’t mean that each word wasn’t sharp as imaginable.

Cory’s gaze then flittered to the rooftop of one of the buildings. Cory swallowed back a groan. The rooftops! Why didn’t she flee to there in the first place?! A horse can’t jump that high and this one in front of her probably can’t jump it either. Forcing herself to lock gazes once more; Cory smothered a grin with a stern lip. Well, at least she knows her escape route now…

[Deklan O'farer]

OOC: Hey I'm really busy tonight, I'll reply tomorrow I PROMISE!

[Deklan O'farer]

<sub>A frown creased the forehead of the handsome centaur as the girl turned her eyes definatly onto his. In them he saw determination and a certain strength, and that deeply annoyed him. His shifted his hand to cover more of the girls shoulder, tightening his grip ever so slightly, he wasn't takigng any chances with this one. As soon as he had done this the girl, with some trouble, shrugged it off. Deklan's eyes narrowed and he quickly shifted his hands down the staff of the spear so it tilted slightly towards her. This was her warning, if she ran he threw it...and he was an excellent marksman.

His face twitched as the smart alec comment left her lips, he tried to keep himself calm, knowing how bad it would look if he attacked a seemingly innocent civilian. He bent down slightly so his head was at her head level, curling his top lip in a menacing sort of way he met her gaze. "I would advise you to keep you humour to yourself. I am not one to be toyed with."

A small smirk spread across his face. He could imagine breaking the girls neck, then again she was quite pretty so he could also imagine doing other things to her. The smirk spread into a smile and he toyed with the idea of offering her an offer, but he assumed this paticular female would not be into the sort of offer he could give her. The crowd began to thin off a little bit as the sun began to set, many people turned back towards home with their goods to start fires, cook dinners etc etc. Sooner or later he would be alone with this girl and when that time came Deklan would decide what to do with her.

But for now he decided to try and pry some valuable information out of this girl, she obviously worked in the market, she would know something about everyone, and it was Deklan's job to know everything that went on in this market. Sidling a little closer to the girl, he once agin placed his hand on her shoulder. "Now tell me, is there anything you want to tell me? Any valuable information that could result in your free release?" He was sure this girls lips would stay sealed, but for now he could try his hardest.</sub>

[Cory McQuiggin]

Cory raised a brow when the centaur tightened his grip around his spear. Oh no! Not the pointy stick!…In case you were wondering, yes, that was sarcasm in written format…While other’s may take this threat as a sign to shut up and smarten up, Cory saw this small gesture as a victory. He wasn’t sure about her. Cory wasn’t surprised. I mean, how many people has he faced that are actually willing to stand up against a guard? Her guess was that she was the first one. The thought made a smirk tug at the corners of her lips. She had him down to a T. She’ll act all innocent while there’s still witnesses around and by the time the sun sets, he’ll be so furious he’ll be seeing red. That’s the point where she wanted him most. People are so predictable when fueled by rage. There was no cunning, no logic, to their thought process and this gave Cory the upper hand.

Her grey eyes watched the guard bend down to her level and a flicker of mischievousness danced behind her determined stare. He probably doesn’t know it, but already rumours were spreading like wild fire through the market. He had to lower down to her? Oh my! A guard should never lower himself to a peasant! Where’s the pride and honour of the lord if he does this? Unthinkable!..Oh yes, soon they shall remember the Centaur who lowered him to a common Zrak.

When he commented about not toying with him, Cory thought about commenting something along the lines of ‘But you’re a pony, aren’t you? Everyone loves playing with ponies!’…But she decided to drop it for now. It wouldn’t look good for the witnesses. Cory had to be the image of innocence. Only then, will the odds be in her favour.

“What humour, sir? I only speak the truth.” Cory bluntly stated, slapping a look of confusion across her face, “And why would I toy with you? You, a guard of the Lord? I have no disrespect for you nor that man.”

Cory felt the night creep forth. Already, shadows were as long as could be and vendors began to close shop. Soon, the crowd became few and eventually to nothing. Cory shifted her weight from on foot to another. Boy. Does this guy ever take a break? Her feet were aching. Phew. Trying to trick a guard was no small business….But, she refused to let up now. No, she wouldn’t dare. Her goal was so close within her reach, she just had to reach out and grab it! Her spine tingled when she thought about the feeling of success if this plan falls through. Her daydreaming was disturbed, however, when an oh-too-familiar mammoth hand was planted on her shoulder. She was nearly thrown off balance due to the unexpected weight. She looked at him with questioning eyes.

"Now tell me, is there anything you want to tell me? Any valuable information that could result in your free release?"

Ah. So he wanted to know about the market did he? Oh ho. To bad for him, she was fired earlier this morning. That’s not to say she didn’t know anything at all but, alas, by now today’s news is yesterday’s history. She was as dry as a desert. If he was looking for any information, he was barking up the wrong tree…er, so to speak. However, this doesn’t mean that she should let him know about her slight dilemma right away, does it?

“Actually, there is.” Cory replied, trying her best not to snap at the guard, “I know for a definite fact that if you keep acting the way you are, you’ll loose your job. Not very comforting, eh?”

[Deklan O'farer]

<sub>Deklan was not impressed with this females behaviour, he was not used to someone being so forward and almost agressive, he narrowed his eyes and growled low in his throat. The drive to snap her neck clawed at the back of his mind, but he decided to save that thought for later a grin spread across his face at the thought of it. For now he just not so subetly studied the girl, wondering what she was thinking, was she planning escape, was she planning to try and over power him Deklan almost scoffed at the idea of the small human over powering him. And he caught the flicker of amusement when she lowered himself down to her, what she didn't realize was that it didn't matter if the market whispered about him, it would not change his status and would only make life more difficult for those who got caught doing the whispering. Even now when he walked around people turned their backs and muttered words about him, it actually boosted Deklans ego knowing that so many people had heard of him.

Deklan almost laughed when she claimed she held no disrespect for him, knowing full well she would love nothing better to snuff him and refuse to talk to him at all. But luckily for him, he had not to worry about that. Deklan wondered if this girl used this deer caught in the headlights act often. He hadn't seen her around the markets before, and this usually meant they were fairly new, as Deklan had usually seen each face at least once.

A wide smile cracked open his face at her words of him losing his job. A deep chuckle that started in his gut and moved upwards fast forced its way out of his mouth until it shattered the relative silence of the markets. Once he had controlled his laughter he lowered his voice so only she could hear. "Do you honestly think the Lord will care about one grimy servant girl? I am his most trusted Knight, his most ruthless and his most efficent. So if you have been under the pretence that you are safe? You should change your thinking, because you are merely an ant to the Lord...you make no difference whether you are here or not. And..." He was beginning to get worked up now, one hoof scraped at the earth. The villagers are happy the Lords treatment of them is fair and just, they value your life as much as they value head lice... Deklan finished, a some what triumphant look on his face. He was sure this girl would have some smart comeback, surely for someone like her her spirit would not be broken by his scare tactics, however true they might be. And it was true Deklan was the lords best Knight he was given preferential treatment in the castle and almost treated with the same status as a Lord...yes Deklans position was a fairly concrete one.</sub>

[Deklan O'farer]

Posted

[Cory McQuiggin]

Cory tried not to wince when the guard laughed at her. She was a bold woman and truly didn’t appreciate someone laughing at her in any aspect. It made her blood boil and her fingers itched to form fists at her side. However, Cory ignored such urges and continued to stare defiantly at the overgrown horse…That’s not to say that images of back-handing this brute didn’t play through her mind pleasantly. Cory bit her tongue as the idiot on four legs began to lecture her. For every sentence he made, she was able to make a sarcastic rebuttal, but to say such things would be suicide. She will win this fight with cunning, not brute arrogance. Go on, let him be cocky and crude- it will only be his downfall in the end.

When he stopped, Cory tried not a raise a brow. She quickly noted his muscles tense in his jaw and a slightest of shifts in his eyes. He was ready. They had formed a rhythm, her and the brute; one snide remark will follow another. He had delivered his blow and now he waited for her return. But, to be honest, how could she fight back against his last remark? She was a wanderer, Lords and their servants held no interest to her. All that mattered was for her to survive each day as it comes- surely no Lord or ‘favourable’ knight helped her with that. Her return would be a weak one, especially finding no fury in his last attempt to cut her down besides the laugh. To some, this was a signal of defeat, to Cory, it was a sign to push further.

She opened her mouth wide and poised her hand as if about to make a cruel remark. But, instead of words flowing forth, she sprung forward. The idiot had both hands on his spear, making in the perfect ramp to reach the rooftops. Landing gently on the piece of staff between his mammoth hands, she dared to flash the brute a smile before running to the tip and leaping off to land on the dirty roof of one of the buildings. She didn’t dare wipe the layer of grime off; instead she pushed herself to her feet and ran as fast as her legs carried her. Using the aid of the wind, she bounded from rooftop to rooftop with the grace of a mountain goat: sure of their footing and brave enough to get there fast. Remembering that her pursuer has a rather dangerous spear at his disposal, she tried her best not to stay in one spot too long. She also did her best not to let her landings be predictable. He only had one spear; no doubt he will want to save it until he was sure of a kill.

Grey eyes glanced to the horizon. The forest wasn’t too far off. If she could only reach the tress, she’ll be safe. The guard would be far too large and wouldn’t be as nimble as her. Sure, she grew up on the mountainside, but she was just as nimble in the forest. There were perhaps eight houses between her and the stretch of land that created an open valley between the forest and the castle. She knew that if she could make a head start, she might have a chance to reach the branches of the trees before a certain spear pierces her back….That is, if the idiot on four legs didn’t get a sudden shock of intelligence.

[Rosalie Ryszard]

OOC: Umm, I hope you guys don't mind me coming in

<sub>Rosalie had been innocently walking down the streets with her guards following her...emphasis on the word had. She had used to stiffling crowds to her advantage and slipped away, and the pleasant shock of being alone was just starting to sink in. She ducked her head as a familar face swung towards her, and staying in a crouched position she scuttled along a few metres until she reached the safety of a stall. There she stayed for a few minutes before moving off again.

She didn't even have a plan of where she was going she just knew she wanted to wander. She let the crowd take her away, and she gladly went taking in the sites, smells and sounds of the markets. Suddenly out of the corner of her eye a black shadow darted across the sky. Rosalie's head spun around, and her eyes caught the figure of a person soaring across the sky. For a moment Rosalie thought it was flying, but then when the figure landed upon the roof parallel to where it had previously been, she realized that it was jumping from roof to roof. Rosalie saw the girl glance backwards anf followed her line of vision until she caught sight of a most unwelcome figure...Deklan. He was her fathers most trusted guard, but he was cruel and had a foul mind and Rosalie positively despised him. It was then she decided she would help this person who was obviously trying to escape from Deklan. Not that she was paticulary compassionate person, it was more to see Deklan lose for once that motivated her. Quickly glancing around she spotted an open tent roughly in the direction of where the girl was headed. She raced forwards and got to the tent just as the person was coming towards her.

Rosalie jumped up in the air and gestured wildly to the girl. Her body language clearly saying Quick...in here. As the figure neared her Rosalie realized it was in fact a female and this made Rosalie even more urgent, she knew life for women was difficult enough and if Deklan was to get his hands on this girl there was no doubt what plans he had for her. "Hello! Girl! Down here!" Rosalie continued to jump and point frantically hoping the girl would trust her enough.</sub>

[/sub]

[Deklan O'farer]

OOC: Terribly sorry about not replying

<sub>Deklan frowned as the girl as the girl's mouth opened and Deklan prepared himself for the string of words, and or curses that he was sure was to follow. Now Deklan is usually a fairly unsuprisable person, it takes a bit more than the average person to suprise him or shake him up a bit. But what this girl did next certainly threw him off balance. The girl seemed to tense up all over and then she sprung, soaring through the air, Deklan felt a slight weight in his arms and realized she was using his spear as a levy to the roofs. Deklan's eyes shot up as he followed her slow arc to the roofstops, he watched this whole scene in a sort of slow motion and he wouldn't have been at all suprised if this girl had simply taken flight. But there was no time to wonder, or watch her, before the girl had even touched down Deklan had sprung into action, he whipped around and after a quick glance up to the skies to make sure he was going in the right direction he took off at a full pelt gallop.

By now he had guessed the girls idea, she figured if she could head him off at the woods she could lose him in amongst the thick knit of trees, well she was right about one thing. There was no way Deklan's massive bulk could have wound its way through the trees has fast as her lithe frame could, but he had the advantage of being bigger and faster. And while she had to jump from rooftop to rooftop which shaved off precious seconds every time she became airborne, he was constricted to the ground and he was free to charge ahead with no obstacles. By now the crowd had thinned out a great deal so he had no problem dodging the last stragglers who were either looking for a last chance bargain, or the shopowners packing up their stalls for the night.

Deklan flew across the ground and he was sure he was making ground on the girl, if he wasn't he was atleast keeping pace with her and once she was back on the ground for the few metres between the markets and the forest he was positive he would be able to catch her. Just as he was nearing the open air, something from the corner of his eye drew his attention, a woman stood near and open flap of a tent, gesturing wildly in the air. "We have a little helper I see?" Deklan was preparing himself to launch full speed into the female when he noticed the fine garbs she wore, and the flash of silver from around her neck caught his attention. This woman was not any street commoner, she was a Lady of high rank. And as the few metres between him and the girl closed, the details on her face became clear and Deklan instantly recognized her. "Rosalie..." He growled deep in his throat, he grunted in annoyance and sat back on his haunches, trying to slow his massive bulk rapidly. He knew if Rosalie, the Clan Leaders daughter, decided to grant the other wretch freedom he had no choice but to obey. When he had come to a complete halt, dust twining around his tree stump legs, he narrowed his eyes glancing up quickly he could see the female was almost on top of them. "M'lady...what are you doing out so late. And where are you retainers?" Deklans eyes flashed angrily at the thought of the idiots who had let the girl out of their sight, vowing to punish them later.</sub>

[Cory McQuiggin]

The sound of wind pounding her ears was comfort that Cory had deprived herself of for far too long. She was mostly confined to the ground, using her abilities only to make a task easier. Cory was only small when she played with her talents this much. The natural feeling engulfed every muscle of Cory’s body, encouraging her to lean forward and just let the speed take her away. However, she wasn’t as foolish to let herself fall away to some mere childhood memories. She pushed past the roar of the wind to focus on the pounding of hooves. Sure, he had an advantage over her, but Cory knew that as long as she stayed where he couldn’t venture, she at least had a fighting chance. Occasionally, she would pull her gaze from the rooftops to flicker a glance to Delkan. He was gaining. Fast.

However, an odd sight caught Cory’s attention as she was returning her grey eyes to the path in front of her. Was it her miracle that she so desperately needed? For a fleeting second, Cory wondered if the girl had mistaken her for someone else…but, then again, how many people flail their arms in the air just for the fun of it? Few too many, is the answer. On less…urgent occasions Cory would probably pry into who this person was and why she was helping a guard-fleeing woman as herself; but there was no time. The irritating guard was too close on her heels and she needed to act fast or face the threat to be cornered.

Taking a daring leap to the side, Cory glided toward the woman, the taste of freedom so close. But, as the gap between her and the unknown rescuer became thinner, the idiot appeared. In a moment of panic, Cory twisted her body in the air and clasped onto the edge of a roof with a with-knuckled grip. As quick as she could, she scrambled up the side of the wall to lay flat on the dirty roof. Dear Gods. That was too close to measure.

With curiosity tugging onto her very being, the Zrak pulled herself closer to the edge and let her grey gaze linger over the two. How odd…the brute didn’t snarl nor threaten the girl. Although Cory had only met him for a few moments, Cory felt like this was a rare sight to witness. Had she found a weakness? Has this woman have something that holds her above the guard?…Or is it that Delkan, himself, feared this woman? If so, should Cory be weary as well? Since she was too high up to hear their conversation, Cory fell upon that of facts. The two the pounded her mind were:

1. Delkan will most likely eat her in a nice pot of soup….she hated soup
2. This mystery woman looked sincere in helping her. She was probably the best bet for the moment.

A sly grin began to creep upon her features. If she can somehow get this woman on her side, she will be untouchable! Oh, Cory could taunt- and maybe even punish- that arrogant guard till he turns blue. The chance was too sweet to refuse.

“But how to get close…?” Cory pondered, her question barely above whisper. “Just walking over and acting casual wouldn’t be too bold, would it?”

She had to make a move one way or another.
“Oh my! Fancy meeting you here!” Cory called down, staring directly at the woman. “How are you doing. love? Has life been treating you well?”

This was an either ‘break it or make it’ attempt. Either the girl would catch the hint to follow along, or give the guard more reason to skewer her and place Cory upon the fire.

[Rosalie Ryszard]

Rosalie grinned as she wittnessed Deklan's reaction, first came the anger she was ready for. Not even a flicker of fear rippled through her as Deklan charged full speed towards her. She counted in her head, and was almost perfect. She saw the tightening of his brow, this was him getting curious, wondering why she was dressed in such fine garbs, then came the realization; the widening of the eyes and the unmistakble shifting of weight to allow a quick stop. A small smirk spread across her face as Deklan fought to compose his features, she knew that he wanted to kill her so much right now, ever since Deklan had come to work at the castle Rosalie had annoyed him as often as she could. And it had worked, he had learnt to despise her and avoid her.

NOT FINISHED!