Lost (Annia, Jesse)

[Lovely]

December 10, 2009
before dawn
Onmadia


The girl crouched behind the stables, her arms wrapped around herself in a feeble attept to stay warm, it was a couple hours before dawn and the coldest part of the night, not to mention recent snow blanketed the town in white. She shivered from the cold and also quiet sobs that a normal person likely wouldn't hear from where she hid, the temperature made her injuries hurt even more and blood dotted the thin white material of her nightgown. She huddled down with her head tipped toward her knees, wondering if she'd freeze to death before she figured out what to do... if there was any choice other than staying out here until the cold and snow swallowed her.

Scents on the cold air were sharp tonight. He stayed still a moment, looking around the small farmstead, hoping to find a stray lamb weakened from the weather and far from its protective flock. His luck for such things was rare, but the scent told him something had strayed far and sat alone in fear similar to the lamb he sought. "Not lamb," he grinned, scolding himself for the mistake and running his tongue over his lip. He turned toward the stables, listening close and walking slowly, lightly, trying not to disturb the horses. One whinnied cautiously to its stablemates that intruders were nearby. He continued on, following the scent. Behind the stables? He questionned whether a lame animal had come in from the woods in search of the horses' hay and water. The scent was even more unexpected when he found that the light, faint blood belonged to a girl huddled in the dark. "Not a lamb, but just as lost," he muttered to the night air in a steaming breath of amused surprise as he stayed a few feet away. The blood he smelled on her might not have been her own and caution was paramount.

Annia hadn't heard the sound of the man's footsteps as he approached and was started by the quiet murmur that came from where he stood, not far at all from where she crouched. Her breath fogged out and sounded sharply as her head snapped up, her eyes wide with terror, sure that her brother in law had found her and would finish what he'd begun. Somewhere beneath that fear was instinct and strength, a will to survive and fight to her last breath. She saw that the man who stood there was certainly not her brother in law but her was also not anyone she knew, she lowered her head a bit to hide her face in the shadows. His keen sight would have had time enough to at least see some of the marks, small cuts on her face from being hit, her gentle beauty marred by bruises and swelling. The blood that stained her nightgown was mostly her own, a small amount of it belonging to her brother in law as she had hurt in back while trying to fight him off. "I intended to be here.. I believe you're the one who is lost."

His hands were hidden in the folds of the cloak that draped his tall form, though he showed no movement or stance that would alarm her. He shrugged a little and looked around for her attacker, smelling the air though she might not know he did this. "To be lost, I'd have intention to be somewhere I had not found. I found my way here directly. The horses," he explained as the reason he came, though they'd made no sound until he was near. "Something alarmed them and drew me from the road. Are you badly hurt?"

"It wasn't me.. I didn't bother them." She spoke quietly as if defending herself against some accusation though he'd not specifically made any toward her. Her head tilted more as if his question of how badly she was hurt, caused her pain in being voiced. She curled into a tighter ball and shook her head a little. "I'll live." She almost sounded as if she was sorry the injuries weren't going to kill her though she didn't truly wish to die, only to stop hurting and being hurt.

"Perhaps you will," he agreed. His smile was broad and gentle as he leaned closer to her. "But not dressed like this. Hold this around you," he said, pulling the cloak off his shoulders to offer to her.

[Lovely]

Her gaze lifted up to his face as he leaned over her and removed his cloak to offer it to her, his kindness surprised enough for it to be seen in her eyes as she studied him for a moment. She'd not had time nor thought to grab her own cloak or her shoes, she'd run out of the house as she was, dressed in only her nightgown. Annia didn't understand why her sister and her brother in law hated her so much, but she'd sort of gotten used to being beaten on by both of them. Her brother in law had tried to take this attack further and force himself on her, it was what spurred her to flee the house into the cold dark night in nothing but her night gown. "I can't go back there.. I won't let you take me back." She spoke the words with a fire in her eyes and it was almost like she growled them at him.

"Perhaps now I am lost," he frowned, helping to settle the cloth around her shoulders to warm her. He wore thin coverings, himself, loosely laced as if he'd dressed quickly and run off into the night as well. The cold did not seem to bother him. "I can't take you back to a place I do not know. Unless you don't wish for me to find you better shelter than this until your wounds are tended."

Annia closed her eyes, she seemed exhausted and her sigh was slightly whimpered as her head gently shook. "If only you could.. there is no place. No one in this village would take me in and risk my brother in law's anger. He's not known for being a nice man.." The few tears that slipped free froze against her cheek and the bruises old and new would be clearly seen in the moon light with the way her face tilted as she leaned against the wall of the stable.

"Then we leave the village," he shrugged, having intended that already. She was far too cold, though, and he sat beside her and reached for the edge of the cloak to wrap around himself. "You need warmth. Sit closer beside me. If you don't trust me, look for yourself and see that I am unarmed."

As he shifted himself into the cloak she gasped softly, thinking of how cold she must be for him to feel so warm, the heat seemed to radiate from him and he didn't need to ask her more than once for her to curl closely to him. "So warm.." She whispered in a voice that sounded immensely grateful for his kindness. "Where would... we.. go?" The word we stuck for a moment as she was not used to having someone who was kind or caring toward her.

"Someplace with others who understand being hated, others who keep to themselves. Nothing like this village and probably nothing you're used to, though it's not that far from here." She was warming quickly beside him but her cool skin made him shiver a little, though not entirely due to the chill. He looked around the stable for anything of use to help get her away from here safely. Sacks used for carting grain were stacked near the haybales. It looked like a delivery that had come in the wagon, some of the sacks torn and wet, some mildewed from travel without cover under the weather. The contents were mostly lost, but the cloth would serve to keep her warmer and covered until he could get them back to his home. He'd said it wasn't far, but that was when he was traveling alone and speed made up for the distance. "We can use those," he suggested, nodding to the pile. "The cloak will help a little, but you're going to need covering until I find you something better, especially on your feet. Not perfect and probably uncomfortable, but you need the warmth."

"Others.." She kind of echoed softly, the fear creeping back into her that these others would not welcome her and would turn her away or worse. He said they kept to themselves and were used to being hated, in her experience people like that did not take kindly to strangers. "I don't want to cause you any trouble.. will these others be alright with you bringing me there with you?" While the rest of her had started to warm up in the couple of moments she'd been beside him, her feet had not and they ached from the cold, she wouldn't complain about being uncomfortable with sacks wrapped around them for warmth. She had little choice at the moment and was very grateful for his helping her at all.

[Lovely]

"I'll bite them if they say anything about it," he confirmed, curling his arm around her a moment for the comfort it would provide her and to see how tense she still was. "It's no trouble to help. Let me get those and get you covered up."

His comment made her chuckle softly, he'd find she was still fairly tense but she'd also been crouched in the cold and considering the attack she'd fled from, she was also quite calm and composed. Some in her position might have simply been hysterical but she had a fierce inner strength even if it was very battered at the moment. Her hand reached to his to keep him from moving off just yet. "What is your name?"

He chuckled a little. Names... he'd forgot that some needed those to identify themselves. He hadn't been around people much lately to need them anyway. "My family's name was Burgess. I just go by Jesse," he shrugged again, folding the cloak down around her as he got up again to get the wrappings and find something to secure them with. There wasn't much more than the straw itself, but he braided some together quickly, making a length enough to hold the cloth down for the short trip. "Mmm like I said, it's not perfect, but if I take much else, they'll be looking for thieves instead of rats or rabbits."

He didn't seem like he much cared to tell her his name and didn't ask hers in return so she left it unvoiced for now, not understanding why he'd chuckled at her asking. Annia just nodded and let her hand drop away as he got up and started to move around, she stared down at the ground even when he returned. "You shouldn't have to take anything at all.. you're being more than generous to help me and I will find a way to repay you." She had nothing to offer him, she was certain he wouldn't want a torn and blood spattered nightgown.

"You don't have to repay me," he grinned, bringing her the bags and make-shift strappings for the temporary boots. He shook some of the stale grain into the bottoms to further cover her toes for the warmth. "You might not want to take these off, actually. My mother used to cover my p-... you know, kids playing in snow don't know any better. I think the fire should still be hot when we get there."

"I do have to repay you." She whispered quietly, almost under her breath, insisting that she did need to do something for his kindness even if what he was making to cover her feet appeared to be terribly uncomfortable to walk in. She was certain she'd want to take them off before they got to wherever they were going but she was grateful that he was trying to keep her warm, bare feet in the snow for much longer would be far more uncomfortable.

The straw twine would hold long enough to get her by the fire he spoke of as long as they kept a steady pace. The bed of grain would feel like soft earth but the cloth would not keep it dry long. He looked toward the horses again. He wasn't gifted with talking to them like some were. They still shifted restlessly in their stalls. No, he couldn't take a horse and didn't want to risk having anyone come looking for one. He finished fashioning her boots and stood back. "Alright. Try them and we'll go. If I have to carry you, then I will."

"You don't have to carry me." If he looked down at her as she slowly got to her feet, he would see the determination in her eyes - she was not going to make him carry her. She hurt more now than when she'd first left her sister's house, crouching in the cold had not helped her injuries at all. Her hand braced against the wall of the stable, it probably would have been wiser to hide inside rather than behind it but she would have also risked being discovered much more easily. She shivered again as her head nodded and she took a step away from the shelter of the wall. "Thank you." The makeshift boots were not as uncomfortable as she'd thought they would be but with as cold as her feet were already, walking wasn't going to be very easy. "Let's go."

[Lovely]

The cold did not appear to affect him as much as her. He reached out to help steady her at the least and started to walk slowly as she got her footing and balance. "Alright. We go that way from town," he gestured, not knowing directions as much as the landmarks of the area as well as the forest creatures around them would. "There's a clearing with two gnarled oaks that stand like brothers. From there we turn toward the main road, but not taking the main road. We stay near it, though," he said, though the distance he spoke of might not tell her much except her knowledge of the main road and where it led. He shrugged, "At a horse's steady pace, it's only a few moments, but on foot.. frozen, numbed feet?.. We'll get there," he said, hoping not to discourage her. As she tested the shoes his attention was drawn more to the sense of discomfort that ran underneath the cold's sting.

He started to describe the way there and the distance they would have to travel, slowed by her aches, bruises, and cold feet were very discouraging. Annia reached for his sleeve to stop him, tears shimmering in her eyes as she gently shook her head. "I'll slow you down too much.. if he comes looking he'll easily follow our tracks.. I can not put you in such danger. You have been more kind to me than anyone has since my parents were killed.. I will never forget that but I can't ask you to take such a risk.. or put your family at risk if he followed that far.. it wouldn't be right." She bit gently at her lower lip and reached to shift his cloak off her shoulders to give it back to him.

He reached out to stop her removing his cloak. "Then I'm carrying you," he said, challenging her, almost insisting. "If I can haul wood, I can certainly carry you... twig," he teased, still smiling and trying to put her at ease again. "If he has only one set of tracks to follow, then you're assured knowing they're not yours."

Her face turned slightly and her jaw worked as she fought with her own pride and sense of what was right and fair to ask of a stranger. Her fingers clasped his on the cloak as he kept her from taking it off and she brought her gaze back to his. "I'm not a twig.. my sister says if I get fat no man will ever want me for his wife and gives me less than half the amount of food she and her husband take.." She explained with a slight pout, watching his face and how he seemed to enjoy teasing her but didn't appear to be trying to be cruel to her. "I'll let you carry me..." She gave in quietly, not wanting to go back to her sister and the man who attacked her and let him finish what he'd started. ".. because you're right about the tracks.." Snow started to drift down again as she spoke and she hoped there would be enough to cover all their tracks before anyone came looking for her.

Jesse nodded and he tried again to close the cloak around her. "Bundle up. I can move pretty fast," he said, clasping back around her fingers with his warmer ones. "Climb up and hold on when you're ready, then," he said then, turning to let her grasp hold of his shoulders which was how he'd meant to carry her.

Annia stared at his back in utter confusion, having no idea what he meant or what he wanted her to do, hadn't he said he was going to carry her? Why did he turn around and what was she supposed to climb on? She looked around for what it was he meant her to climb up, but there was nothing back here. Did he mean the trees that were not that far off, but why would he want her to climb into a tree? "What am I supposed to climb?" She asked in a small voice that sounded somewhat bewildered. Perhaps if she knew what she was to climb on then she'd also know what she was expected to hold onto, not that she wanted to climb on anything in her nightgown or with the bruises on her legs.

He turned back around, confused. "Onto my back. Haven't you ever...? I mean, I just thought.." He stammered, looking at how lost she was. He could carry her in his arms more like a child but that would slow him a little. Over his shoulder like firewood? "How... should I carry you?"

[Lovely]

"On your back? Like a horse?" She was still confused but trying to understand, though she glanced down at her attire and motioned the the lack of covering. She hoped he'd understand that what she was picturing had her far too exposed for comfort even with the circumstances, her cheeks grew slightly red at the thought. The bruises would hurt like heck, she'd be freezing, and extremely embarrassed but felt she had no right to protest to how he wanted to do this. "However is best for you." She spoke quietly, not meeting his gaze. "I just didn't understand what you wanted me to do."

He shrugged again, amused at the comparison and trying not to find that insulting. She was right. "Like a horse, I suppose, yes. It's best for me what's going to get you there in the least pain. You've suffered enough for one night, haven't you? How about this instead?" He reached out to lift her from the ground and drape her over his arms.

She chewed lightly at her lip as he lifted her in his arms, it didn't hurt her much to be held like this and she figured it was about as comfortable as she would get with her injuries. She smiled softly and nodded her head. "Yes, I think this is much better.. for me." She wasn't convinced it was better for him and felt as if she was being a terrible trouble to him when all he was doing was being kind to her. "I'm sorry for being so difficult."

"Repay me by getting well quickly. I might know a thing or two to help with that," he said, sensing more that she was truly in pain now that she was even closer than before. He cradled her as much as he could and tested his own footing and balance. The horses stirred uneasily again, more likely due to the strange shape their outlines made with her across his arms like this. They seemed to sense an additional danger though and his ears pricked to the sounds around them. "Hold onto my shoulders and close your eyes. Don't open them until I stop." He wasn't sure she'd do that, but he needed the benefit of speed, now. Something made the horses' and his own nose twitch with something or someone approaching.

She'd protested enough to his offers of help that when he asked her to close her eyes, she did so without questioning his reasons. A simple nod of her head and she tucked it down against the shoulder she wrapped her her arms around, her face pressed into his neck, and her held closed. She heard the horses stir and though she wasn't aware of the other things he sensed, she worried that her brother in law was going to come looking for her. She didn't want to be hurt anymore tonight or any other night, she hoped Jesse could get her safely away from the village and those who would abuse her.

Against his neck she would feel the muscles tighten and twist as if straining against something far heavier than her. He'd lifted her with little effort.. like a twig.. and he hoped she would not look to see the transformation of wolf's head on the tall man carrying her. His shoulders would seem to cushion her even more as they broadened under the tunic that covered him loosely. She would certainly feel the warmth of the creature within him though not quite feel the fur as he only transformed enough to launch forward faster and further, remaining upright on stronger haunches than his man-form provided. His wolf-like prints would be obscured by the boots that still tugged at his knees, the soft soles making small puddles in the freshly snow-covered mud as he bounded away from the stables toward the clearing he'd spoken of.

Annia felt the differences and wondered if perhaps she'd imagined what she thought she felt happening beneathed her head and arms, perhaps she'd simply dozed off and dreamed his shoulders became more broad. She didn't open her eyes, in fact she squeezed them closed more tightly to keep from peeking out at him. Her thoughts scattered from simply explainations like imagining ro dreaming to much more fantastic ones of him being some sort of monster that would kill her if she disobeyed him and looked to see him as a monster. Her fingers dug in where she held onto him as she frightened herself a little with such thoughts and to seek the comfort of the handsome and kind man she pictured in her head to keep the other images away. Jesse had helped her and she was awful to let her imagination come up with such things. It felt like they were moving fast but the way he held her, she felt secure... so much so that she actually started to fall asleep after she made herself stop thinking about monsters.

[Lovely]

The sound of arrows piercing air might startle her into opening her eyes. The shouts were distant already but the shots whirred past, stricking the brush around them. He leapt and darted between the thicker trees and the shots stopped after a moment and he slowed. The ground beneath them sounded different now, harder and drier like the road he'd mentioned. -Never on it...- he'd said, darting again to the softer earth, crossing over the road quickly then down again into deep woods. The village was soon a memory along with the shouts and anger and the man who'd scared her into hiding. Jesse stopped near the entrance of a cave that glowed with firelight and echoed with voices and laughter. Here he stopped and leaned down to set her onto a low stump for the moment. "Rest here," he said, and catch your breath while I catch mine. I'll introduce you in a minute."

The sounds, a certain voice in particular, though distant pulled her eyes open to try to see in the darkness over Jesse's shoulder. Her fingers dug into Jesse's shirt as the fear rose up in her more from what chased after them than by what she saw when she turned her head back toward Jesse's face. The monster she'd imagined was there and she was not as frightened as she thought she would be. He would see her eyes open and staring up at him as he set her to the stump to catch her breath while he caught his. "Will he be able to follow us here?" She asked softly, more worrried that her brother in law would find them and harm Jesse, than she was that the now wolf headed man would harm her. Fear, a bit of awe, and curiosity mingled in her eyes as her hand slowly reached up toward Jesse's face. "May I?" She asked softly, seeking his permission before touching him in such a way. Why wasn't she screaming or trying to run? She knew the answer deep down - he was no monster in her eyes.

"He can try. He won't get far," he said, standing still and nodding slowly as his his thick shoulders and chest rose and fell. The same kind eyes gazed out to her though surrounded by black and grey fur that glowed with the faint pink and orange from the nearby firelight. His eyes themselves shone slightly red as they caught the light as well. "You may," he chuckled. "I should change. I didn't want to frighten you."

"You didn't frighten me... much." She assured him with a faint smile, he'd know from her scent she was being honest and was scared but at the same time felt safe with him. "You can change if you want to.. of course.. but you don't have to on my account." Her fingers were gentle and light as they explored, running over the side of his face, she'd never seen anything like this before. It wasn't a trick, some sort of magic to make you think you saw a wolf head, she could feel it beneath her fingers. "Does it hurt you... to change like this?"

His lip curled under the tickling touch and his tongue followed along it to soothe it. He curled into the touch a little then pulled away, appearing as if he was smiling. "Ticklish whiskers," he explained. "Usually they twitch when trouble's nearby. They sometimes tease me and tell me I'm really a cat. No pain though, not anymore. At first I think I was more scared. I hardly remember now, though."

She laughed very softly at his comment about his whiskers teasing him and telling him he was a cat, even with his face like this she couldn't see him as a cruel monster.. she saw him as the kind man who had given her his cloak as she shivered in the cold. "I can only imagine how frightening it must have been at first." She wondered how long he'd been like this, how old he'd been when it first happened but didn't want to be rude or bring up painful memories in asking. "You're very warm." She observed with a gentle smile, letting her hand drop into her lap so she didn't tickle him too much with her touch.

"It was a long time ago. Although I think it's scarier for others. It is still scary sometimes, if my temper gets the better of me. You think I'm warm now?" He chuckled and turned his back so she would not see the gruesome contortion of his features as he reverted to the form of the man she'd met. "That's why you can wear my cloak for now. I'm fine. Are you feet better now?"

He didn't seem like he was old enough for it to have been so long ago and that made her curious about his age, again she didn't ask. "I suppose I should be more frightened.. I just can't seem to be able to be that frightened of you. I imagine if I saw you lose your temper I might be.." She shivered and in her mind saw her brother in law and how he frightened her with his temper, she tried but could not put Jesse's face on the image. "My feet? Yes.. better.. they hurt a little from being so cold before.. they've warmed and I can feel it more now. Thank you.. for the coverings and for the cloak.." She motioned slightly toward the light and voices within the cave and blushed a bit. "I am in just my nightgown, it's not proper for meeting new people."

[Lovely]

"That's... why I'll introduce you in a minute. Stay here and I'll bring you something, okay?" He didn't know what he could find, but Cady likely had something to help. The voices in the den rose and fell with more laughter... were they celebrating? He could smell the remnants of fresh kill and wondered what he'd missed. "Will you be alright here for a few minutes?"

She smiled at him again, something in her eyes in the way of deep gratitude but also as if she didn't feel she was worthy of his kindness. "Thank you." She nearly whispered the words and snuggled herself deeper into his cloak as if hiding. "I think I will be fine for a few minutes."

He accepted the words and scent then nodded and turned to head into the warm den. Shadows rose and fell around him, perhaps from the others inside getting up and moving around him, though they were only misty shapes elongated over the walls. The voices had roared for a moment then quieted to a soft murmur before Jesse returned with a a stack of folded items and a corked leather bag that sloshed half-full of some kind of liquid. He expected Cady's curiosity would get the better of her and she would try to follow behind him, if Mitch would let her.

Annia listened but was afraid to look into the cave after Jesse, not that she feared his friends but that she thought she would end up only staring in and waiting for him to come back which would make the time he was gone seem even longer. When Jesse came back out she looked up to him with a warm smile, genuinely glad that he's returned, though she remained wrapped into his cloak. "Hello." She greeted him softly, her eyes more on his face than the items he carried, she was curious but he'd not offered her anything so it would be impolite to ask or assume anything was for her.

"Hope that wasn't too long a wait. I found a little more than expected, so if these don't work...," he said, handing out the stack of clothing containing a pair of long pants that looked like his own and a shirt that tied closed in some dark color, but also a dress that lay on top. He set them down for her beside the stump then held out the drink. "Something to help warm you more. Don't take too much, though."

She was a little surprised that he brought her mens clothing as well as the dress, she appreciated that he brought her anything at all but one glance told her there was no way she could wear the pants or shirt. He'd teasingly called her a twig but he was right in saying there wasn't much to her, she was slender and the clothing looked as if it would fit him, it would fall right off her. "Thank you. I didn't really notice the time so it can't have been long." Her fingers brushed over the dress, the cut and style of it not something she would have ever worn. Her sister would have a fit and after last night she suspected her brother in law would have attacked her much sooner if she did. "I think the dress will fit me well." She smiled, feeling a bit more brave for even considering wearing it and wondering if it would be as flattering to her shape as she was sure it was on whomever it belonged to. She held onto that courage as she slowly reached for the pouch with the drink Jesse offered. "Wh.. what is it?" He'd warned her not to take too much but what was too much? She sniffed the container once she'd pulled it open, she had no idea what was inside, nothing she'd ever had before. Annia took a sip, which she nearly spit out but forced herself to swallow, she tried to hand it back while at the same time trying to hide her face and the expression on it. The drink did funny things to her mouth and made her flush, besides the taste of it was not like anything she was used to and she gasped a little.

"It's not ale, but now you probably don't feel as cold. It's hard to come by, but the tavern will sometimes offer it. We use it more as medicine for the things we can't heal so well. It doesn't take much for that, either. There's water inside. Go ahead and put that on and we'll go in," he said, corking the container as he took it back and speaking of the dress.

[Lovely]

"I'm not allowed to go into the tavern." She said as a weak explaination as to why she'd reacted to the drink as she had, but it was the truth - there was very little she was allowed to do and all of it centered around serving her sister and brother in law. "My face feels warm and in my mouth.. it's a strange drink.. does it make your mouth feel.. funny?" She asked as she stood up and shifted his cloak off her shoulders, the sip was not enough to keep the cold at bay long as she stood there in only the thin nightgown, glancing around for a place she could change into the dress. "Would.. you hold this up.. like a curtain?" She asked softly, her cheeks warm again with another deep blush as she held the cloak out to him and pulled the dress into her other hand.

"Funny? Numb, yes. Drink enough and everything else seems to go numb, too. To ward off a chill, though, it's what you needed for right now." He took the cloak next and straightened it out to block her from his sight and any one else's who might be peeking from the den. "You don't have to thank me, but if you insist still, you can thank Cady for her dress in the morning."

"I suppose that is useful if you don't feel well or have been injured." She commented about the drink, licking at her lips with a slight chuckle. "I will thank Cady as well for the dress.. but I still insist on finding a way to thank you for everything you've done and are doing for me. You'll make it easier on yourself if you just tell me what you want." She slipped the nightgown over her head and let it drop down to the ground for now, the make shift boots made her feel a bit clumsy and she ended up pulling the dress over her head rather that stepping into it. The dress fit much better the she expected, she and this Cady must be close in size. "Ohhh.." She breathed the word as she glanced down while doing up the laces in the front, her cheeks pinked up again.

"What I want? Never really thought much... Just kinda get what I can use and use what I have." He paused for the moment, considering that in relation to her. He'd carried her off from everything she knew. What if she didn't want to stay? His shoulders fell a little. He was distracted from the thought by her gasp. "Oh? Are you alright?" He moved the 'curtain' down a little, but not enough to see.

Annia also thought about what he said in relation to her and wondered if his intent was to 'use' her. He really didn't seem like that was what he was after though if it were she would gladly trade the life she'd left behind for his advances. "I'm not hurt but.. I'm not sure if it's alright." She shifted and reached to tug the cloak down a little so he could see the front of the dress and how it shaped and accentuated her curves. She'd never had so much of her skin revealed in that area, it was flattering to say the least but she wasn't used to clothes that flattered.

He lowered the cloak as she tugged on it, then spun it behind her to drape back over her shoulders. "It's very alright and better than a barely-there gown. Less like a twig," he grinned, glancing down over the curves that were more accentuated, but not as much as Cady's. The laces were more demurely fastened at least. The sack boots made him laugh a little now. "We'll find you something better for your feet in the morning. There are several crates inside, so maybe one of them will have.. something better."

"I've never worn a dress like this.. it's so.. pretty.." It was not a fancy dress or made of fine silks like the nobles wore but it was lovely and far nicer than anything she'd ever worn before, she felt prettier for having it on. The way Jesse looked at her made her smile a little and blush a bit more, he seemed to like her in it and that lifted her spirits. "You like it?" She asked softly, shuffling her feet back a little as he laughed at the boots. "Perhaps I could take the boots off before we go inside.. I'm sure it's warmer in there and I won't embarass you as much."

"You're not embarrassing me at all," he defended, the chuckle fading away. "I never claimed to be a shoemaker.. which is good since I'm not very good at it. They got you here and you can be rid of them when you want. I do like the dress on you." He smiled still and wondered if Cady would part with it. The crate inside with fine silks and laces would be there, too. Mitch had offered them, but this girl had made such a fuss over the rest that such finery would send her over the edge, he was certain. In the morning, he would show them to her, though.

[Lovely]

She was like a gentle night blossom, coming to life beneath his smile and approval, she stood straighter, seemed less timid and afraid, her eyes lifting to meet his as she smiled sweetly. "Would you help me get the boots off.. I've warmed up some and my toes would like to be free." She giggled a little that she actually said such a thing to him rather than just keeping her silly thoughts in her head like she normally did.

"Only your toes?" He asked and his eyebrow flickered upward before he knelt down to pull the straws apart and let the sacks slide off her slender feet and ankles. He piled the cloth bits together and shook the grain loose to the dirt. "Maybe something will grow here," he said, standing slowly in front of her.

"I think there are some other parts that are already free." She almost thanked him again but bit her lip, studying him and still trying to find a way to repay him. She glanced at the ground where he shook out the cloth. "That would be nice wouldn't it?" Her smile warmed further and her eyes sparkled lightly, appearing less haunted and no longer fearful of every noise and shadow around them. "Jesse, can I ask you something rather personal?"

"Of course you can. I'm pretty simple. Not much to hide... okay, well maybe a little," he clarified, then confided in a lower tone. "I'm not around people often. I forget sometimes. Of course you can ask anything you like."

"It's very improper of me to ask.." She started, suddenly nervous again, her chest rising and falling in slightly more rapid breaths, her fingers twisting together in front of her waist. He said he wasn't around people often which gave her a little hope and courage to voice the question though she stammered through it. "I.. was wondering.. if you're.. are you married... or.. or courting someone?" Her cheeks were pink and warm, her eyes glancing to him and then down, her teeth pulling at her lower lip as she waited for him to become angry she'd asked such a direct question or to answer her that he was married or courting someone. She'd noticed how handsome he was the moment he'd found her and several times since, he was kind, and she felt safe with him, she'd relaxed some and her thoughts began to move in a different direction than she was used to. Annia felt like she was a new person.. or perhaps the same only free to be more of who she was than she'd been able to show before.

"Neither," he said quietly. He seemed to shy away a little himself now and looked away to the moon moving overhead and brightening their home. "Although that could change," he murmured, correlating the moon with his thoughts as he looked back to see her in its glow.

Her heart sank a little and yet was hopeful with the way he answered that perhaps he might consider her for such a thing. It was silly to think one as handsome as he was would ever want her.. a twig, he called her. Her face tilted slightly to look up as he did, when he looked back he'd see how the light brought out the sparkle in her eyes and made her fair skin look more radiant despite the bruises that would fade in time. She was a beauty with a lively spirit, even if she didn't know it, one kept well hidden by her sister's jealousy, beaten down by the years of cruelty but not broken yet. "I hope it does change. You deserve someone who will love and cherish you.. someone who will be good to you." It was a sincere wish for him, even if that person was not her, that he find someone worthy of him.

He nodded again, feeling his own cheeks flush a little though the smile seemed to remain. "Thank you. We.. better get you inside before we both freeze in place right here. Mitch is waiting. He's sort of our dad.. kinda."

[Lovely]

"It's not so bad right here.. I sorta of really like it." Her hand reached out to find his, her gaze remained on the moon above them for a moment before she finally brought it back to Jesse. His smile was gorgeous and she returned it with a sweet one of her own. "Like your dad? The head of your.. family.. or clan?" She wasn't sure if the terms she used were right or what they used to describe themselves but she thought she understood what he meant.

"Something like that. He's one of the few still awake, keeping watch. He doesn't sleep much. I can kinda see why tonight. He's got a lot on his mind. I think you'll like him." He tugged her hand gently and started to walk out of the moonlight, slowly and reluctantly pulling her from it as well.

She tugged back at him for a second so she could scoop up her discarded nightgown and the other clothes he'd brought out with him so they wouldn't leave a mess at the entrance to his home. "Is he.. Are the others like you?" She asked softly, wondering about his family and if his ability was at least part of the reason they stayed out here and didn't like strangers much. It made sense with how he'd described them before and she hoped they wouldn't be upset that he'd brought her back here.

Once she'd gathered the items, he offered her the firey drink again. "Yes, but they're not 'cat's'," he joked, his eyes rolling a little at how he was teased from time to time. "One or two of them are a little sharp-edged, but stay by me and you'll be okay. Do you think you need a little more before you meet them?"

She laughed a little, part of it was nervousness at how he mentioned some of them were sharped edged and she should stay by him, she had no problem with keeping close to him. "Do you think it would be better if I were.. drunk?" She eyed the drink, unsure if she should take more of the strong liquid if it wasn't really needed, he had said they used it for wounds and that seemed more important.

He shrugged. "Not really. Not right now anyway. If they get wild, maybe, but it's hard to be wild when you're asleep... most of the time. I'm not helping, am I? Heh, take another sip if you want to, but I think you're fine without it. How's that?" He glanced back at the moon, shaking his head. His pale guardian was doing nothing to help him speak like an intelligent man, was it?

Annia laughed softly and shook her head just a little. "I think I am fine for now.. perhaps I'll get drunk later." She teased and blushed but would consider it after his warning of how the others could get wild.

It was quite possible once the others woke up. There was something in the air tonight, a tension he couldn't explain to her that made even the short fur on his neck bristle. He considered the drink himself, but put it away and gestured to the cave with it. "Let's get you there, first," he grinned. "It's in reach if you change your mind."

"Alright." She agreed again with a bit of a smile, biting at her lower lip a moment later as she waited for him to move forward and lead her into the cave to meet the others.

As described, there was a man sitting outside the cave in the wafting smoke from their fire. He looked like a wolf in the way his eyes narrowed against the stinging cloud as he chewed on a cigar that glowed briefly. He nodded at the pair as they approached and blew out a smoke ring toward them. "Fine evening," he said, smiling at the young lady. "Cady'll be happy you liked that. Nice on you."

"It is. I'll thank her myself in the morning," Jesse nodded in return, happy they'd had something that would suit her. "Cady is Mitch's sister," he said, explaining slowly the relations if he hadn't already. There would be a lot of names to learn.

[Lovely]

The man sitting by the fire had a reassurring warmth to him while at the same time giving off something dangerous that made Annia want to keep on his good side. She smiled softly and blushed once again when Mitch complimented the dress on her. She nodded slightly her thanks and glanced to Jesse for a moment before looking back to Mitch. "Your sister is very kind to let me use it.. it's lovely." She brushed her hands over her abdomen, and bit at her lip. "I would like to thank her as well.. but if she's sleeping.." She assumed that was why Jesse said he would thank her later. "I hope you didn't disturb her to borrow it." She addressed the man beside her, sneaking another glance at him.

Jesse shook his head. "Trust me... I'm pretty sure I didn't," he said, shuffling a foot a little and avoiding saying much in front of Mitch. The man wasn't inside for plenty of reasons and he surely didn't need to hear the details. "'Kind' is pretty much Cady all over, really. It's fine," he said, hoping to reassure her.

"Got some aches and pains you need to tend to," Mitch noted, looking her over and sensing the aches she was doing very well to hide. "No sense a strong girl like you putting up with those scratches. Jesse will see to them for you."

"Oh." Annia wasn't sure what to say and could sense a little awkwardness from Jesse in regard to Cady and the borrowing of the dress so she didn't say much else on it. "I look forward to meeting her.. when I can." Mitch brought up her injuries, which for a few moments she'd forgotten were so visible. Her gaze went to the floor of the cavern and she chewed at her lower lip. "I don't want to be any trouble... You all have already been so generous.."

Mitch raised his head and blew more smoke upward. The firelight caught his eyes as he turned, a hint of the red shining back with the smile. "Me either. That's why I'm out here in the fresh air tonight," he said, though the fresher air would seem to be away from the smoke enshrouding him. "Not that all trouble's a bad thing. You just rest up tonight. May be a big day tomorrow."

Jesse realized Mitch was spurring them on a little and encouraging his thoughts to turn toward engaging in trouble he didn't think she was ready for, though he did consider it once or twice already. "Glad you approve," he said curtly. "Thank you. You're right about the wounds. The one who caused them is looking for her. If you hear or see... you know... alert me?"

Annia chuckled softly at Mitch's comment about wanting to stay out of trouble as well, it lifted her gaze from the floor and she relaxed a little. It was short lived as her thoughts turned to the kind of trouble that wasn't a bad thing... maybe. Her glance strayed to Jesse again and she felt warmer all over. She tensed as Jesse brought up her brother in law and that he was looking for her. She feared that would be the kind of trouble Mitch would want nowhere near his family and thier home. "I'll try to rest. Thank you."

"Don't you worry about a thing. You're a welcomed guest," Mitch said, grinning around the cigar he puffed. The crimson swirled in his gaze a little as he considered focusing on Jesse's news to keep his mind off other things. "You help her relax and I'll worry about any guests that aren't welcomed."

"I'll do my best," Jesse said, wondering what was making the mill grind and turn in Mitch's thoughts. Many things were happening at once and it was strange. It had been quiet for them for a long time and the changes were exciting. He wasn't sure how relaxing his company would be as his curiosity began to rise.

Annia nodded a little she felt welcome in one way, they'd been kind but at the same time she wondered if she really was welcome. Jesse had laughed when she asked his name back at the stable but now he told her the names of the others and even who Cady was in relation to Mitch yet he'd not asked her name nor had Mitch and she'd not been introduced simply brought in. They spoke of protecting her and tending her wounds, helping her relax and no one cared about her name. She was most definitely out of her element and thier ways were much different than those she was used. "Thank you again." Her hands had settled near her waist, clasped together and she smiled a bit shyly, thinking of what might come next.

[Lovely]

"Something wrong?" Jesse's nose crinkled a little with the grin as she seemed to withdraw a little. It didn't seem to be because of pain. "I mean, besides the bruises and... are.. are you okay?" They'd mostly been dismissed by Mitch and he started to back into the cave, reaching his hand out for her to follow him.

"Sure you will do your best," Mitch chuckled, thin billows of smoke rising with each sound. He wouldn't stand for him treating a guest as anything but gold and silk. He looked the girl over approvingly with another gentle nod. She looked fine and smelled fine and would be a good, strong one to keep around when she was fixed up, he thought, chuckling to himself and reminding himself she wasn't a horse, just a strong-willed girl that Jesse took a liking to which was something special in itself. "Just remember to wake her up in time for breakfast."

Annia turned toward Jesse a little and licked at her lips before daring to speak in reply to his question of whether she was okay. "I'm fine.. it's just.. your ways are different than what I am used to. I suppose it will take me some time to adjust." She realized that might sound insulting so she added a slight joke in a lower voice. "No one has struck me in over an hour.. that alone is very odd." She cleared her throat and blushed softly that she'd actually said such a thing. "Is there anything I can do to help with breakfast?.. I don't mind waking up early."

Mitch heard her just as clearly in the whispers. "Anyone who does is likely to loose their hand," he chimed in, tamping out the cigar now and getting up to stretch a bit. It was no idle threat where some folks might joke about such things. "Just be up and ready to eat before the boys eat it all."

Jesse sighed. "He and Cady take care of most of that. Not sure what we have that you'll like, but there's probably something from those crates. Those weren't here when I left. It might only be bread. We get a lot of that.. you know... things that we can carry easily," he said sheepishly.

Her eyes widened as she realized that Mitch had heard her comment and to what he said in return. Had she spoken that loudly or was his hearing that sharp? "Oh.. I have no place to be picky, whatever you have is fine. Even if I miss most of it, I'd be thankful to get any at all." Her words spoken truly as sometimes between her sister and brother in law, they ate everything and left nothing for her.

"That's not something anyone should have to get used to or accept," Jesse muttered, wondering if that's what concerned her most and whether she thought she'd stepped into another situation of bullies. A band of thieves was bad enough. "You have a place and a say as long as you stay."

"From the looks of it, he's hoping you're going to stay a while, so make yourself comfortable," Mitch said, taking a glance in at the fire and going over to stoke the coals a little.

"Unfortunately that is my life." She reached to take Jesse's hands and stepped closer to him. "Or it was... it could change if I stay.. with you.. and I'm hoping you want me to for the same reasons I want to... and it's not just that you feel sorry for me. "

"Never felt sorry for anyone that I know of," Jesse considered out loud, wondering about her reasons. She couldn't find his intentions in a scent or a particular turn of his voice like his pack brothers could. "You didn't have to accept my help, but you did. I'm really glad you did."

Mitch turned to look at the boy as one of the logs cracked loudly. He tossed the stick he'd be poking the fire with on top of the sparks and small flames, letting them rise up. "Don't mind me," he teased, giving the girl another smile, soft and warm like a doting father. "He means yes.. for the same reasons you want to stay and we both hope that's what you decide."

[Lovely]

Jesse's answer was not at all what she hoped for, she tried to smile at him but it fell short and she swallowed. It surprised her how much it stung and she blinked back the tears, she'd only known him a short time but in that time she'd felt things she'd never imagined she would. Mitch spoke up and she couldn't help the slight laugh that slipped out. "Is he always like this?" She asked Jesse in regard to the man by the fire, not that she minded at all.. she was quickly growing fond of him as well.

"Um... yes, he is," Jesse chuckled, his eyes searching the stones overhead for any assistance. The moon hadn't helped him. Why should the dome of rock do him any favors, either? He looked back at her bashfully. "He is, but he's also right most of the time.

"That's why I'm in charge," Mitch admitted proudly, yet with a keen humility that assured them both that it had not and likely never would go to his head. He protected them and helped them as much as they helped him. He stepped away from them and the fire to leave them to their conversations without his help. Jesse would have to figure out a way to tell her himself, he decided.

Annia laughed again at Mitch's comment and glanced at him as he moved away and left them alone, her eyes came back over Jesse's face and she smiled shyly again. "Is he right now.. about this.. about why you want me to stay?" She was hopeful but also scared of getting those hopes crushed.

"I wish your nose could tell you for me," he chuckled, feeling his own face grow warmer. He could blame it on the fire, he thought, but he knew better. He brought her nearer to it so she could get warmed up. He'd forgotten how cold her feet had to be. "Since you're not able to tell that way, I guess I have to confess out loud... Yes."

They shifted toward the fire and she couldn't help how her toes curled and flexed welcoming it's warmth. "It would probably be much easier if my nose could tell me.. but I'm not like you.. thank you for confessing." It made her feel much better about being there and accepting the offer - for the right reasons. Her thumbs stroked gently over his hands, her smile still shy but her eyes shone a little brighter. "I'd like to stay... for a very long time." She blushed, feeling brave and shy at the same time. "Is.. the way you can smell things like that.. why you haven't asked my name?"

"I don't use names much. I don't want to make you feel strange about it, but you smell a certain way... a good way, so don't be offended, and it's just as good as a name for me, or the others. Everyone's scent is a little different, so I can tell them apart from each other. I didn't think about it when you asked me mine, I'm sorry. I bet it's a pretty name for you, though," he said.

"Oh.. but I'm not like you and I need names.. and for people to know mine.. how do I know you are talking to me if you never use it?" She explained softly, giving a small nervous laugh. "I'm not sure if what you said means you don't want to know my name or if you do.. It's going to take me awhile to adjust.. this is all so different."

"Hopefully I'm close enough that you'll be pretty sure I'm talking to you. Of course it all depends on what I'm saying to you... or how I'm saying it. Maybe you should tell me and maybe I can stop fumbling around what I am trying to say," he laughed, biting at his own lip. "Maybe you can teach me about being more human... if you let me teach you how to speak wolf?"

She bit at her lip, now that he was talking or trying to, she thought he was quite adorable and her eyes sparkled as she gazed up at him. "I'd like that very much, for us to learn from each other and about each other." Her thumb stroked over his hand again and she shifted a little bit closer to him and the warmth that radiated from him. "My name is Annia."

[Lovely]

"It is pretty," he said quietly, reaching up to her chin to look at the marks by the fire's light. His other hand curled around hers. "Welcome, Annia. Do you trust me to help make these heal fast? You're still human, so it will take some time, but not as much as you might normally. I guess you know how long they take, don't you? He hurt you a great deal. That won't happen here."

Her smile grew a little less shy as he said her name was pretty and to hear it in his voice, it did sound pretty. Not at all the way it sounded when her sister screeched it or her brother in law yelled it along with other angry words and awful things. Jesse brought up that not so distant past as he asked her to trust him in helping her heal. "As often as they are made, it seems they never really heal. There is always another new mark to replace the older ones." Her voice was sad and he would see it now as he examined her more closely, the layers of bruises and cuts, some fresh from tonight's attack and others weeks old that could quite heal as they were reopened or rebruised. "They both hurt me.." Her voice was soft and a single tear broke free for the life she'd known but her gaze held to Jesse's face. "I trust you."

"Then don't move. This isn't supposed to hurt, but it might. Those are pretty deep," he warned, leaning closer to her. He couldn't help but admire her scent even more near her cheek although it was made a little bitter from the wounds. He held her chin gently still and she would feel the cool, rough swab of his tongue lightly addressing the worst of the marks.

Her hand gripped his tightly and her other came to rest and clench at his arm as he swabbed at the tender wound. She held herself from moving mostly but let out a soft gasp at the sting, which didn't last long and turned cool.

"Not horrible, is it? I.. haven't healed a girl before. My brothers, sure, but they're... not you," he stammered again around his words, hoping she understood that he was as unfamiliar with this kind of contact with humans as she was with him.

"It's not horrible.." She reassured him, letting her hand unclench and brush gently over his arm. "It stings at first but then that goes away and it's.. cool but rough.. it doesn't hurt as much now as it did before you.. tried to heal it." She blushed again and bit at her lip lightly. "It kind of makes me feel... well, that we should be somewhere more private."

"More private for wh-...," he paused and watched her expressions as her scent began to change. It was having an unexpected effect on him as well. "Oh. There's.. well, there's my bunk, which is more... it's back there out of the way," he said, pointing out a darkened recess that seemed large enough for a creature his height to curl up in comfortably.

She hadn't quite meant what he thought or hadn't known she did, he read scents and things that she wasn't aware had changed to reflect her growing interest and attraction to him. "That is fine with me... your family won't disapprove of us being alone.. or there together?" The thought of being curled up in the dark with him would send a pleasant and sweet fragrance for him to discover as she licked her lips.

"Mitch? The others? I don't know why they would disapprove. We could pile rocks in our bunks if we wanted. I don't know why any of them would do that, but if that's what he wants with him in his bunk, nobody says anything. If Mitch thought there would be any problem, he wouldn't have let you in past the fire," he explained.

"Oh." She bit at her lip and studied him for a moment. "It's so very different here. Back in the village it would not be allowed.. for us to be alone as we're not married." She wondered if he knew that and just didn't consider it or if he knew so little of the customs she'd grown up with.

[Lovely]

He sat back and ran his hand over his neck. "It is so very different here. I already chose you and ... maybe I misunderstood, but you said yes when you said you wanted to stay for a long time. I offended you after all, didn't I?"

"No.. I'm not offended. I just don't fully understand your ways.." She bit at her lower lip, once again studying his face. Her head shook slightly and she smiled a little after a few moments. "All I had to do was accept and we're... back in the village there are all these things you have to do - a ceremony.. Here, you choose me and I accept and.. then it is? Is that how it works?" She hoped she understood as her smile brightened but remained shy with the blush that warmed her cheeks now.

"That's how we like it to work," he said, smiling bashfully again and trying to be more concise with his words and explanations. "There's not any fussy ceremony if you don't want or need one. Maybe there's a little show of bravado for some, but that's not me. Seems it worked okay without it. Since.. you weren't sure what I meant.. if you want to think about it a while...um, there's my bunk and you're still really cold. If.. that's okay to let me warm you up and help the scratches?"

"Of course it's alright for you to warm me up.. and help with the scratches.." She shook her head a bit, keeping ahold of him gently as she looked up into his eyes. "I don't need to think about it awhile.. when I said yes, I know what I meant.. that I wanted to be with you. I just didn't know that simply agreeing meant we were. I like that there is no fuss.. though there is a part of the ceremony I wouldn't mind if we did.. there is a kiss at the end after you both agree.."

He laughed. "I wouldn't mind either," he said, leaning closer to partake in the simple exchange of silent vows. Her scent was rich with curiosity and peppered with bits of fear and eagerness throughout that made him want to linger and nuzzle. He brushed her cheek a little with his own then met her lips softly.

She was happy that he liked and agreed to her suggestion, she couldn't help curling closer to him and the warmth that invited her more now that she knew he wanted her for the same reasons she wanted to stay here with him. The way he brushed her cheek before he kissed her made her feel like he could melt her with his sweetness. Her kiss met his softly, a little shy at first but once thier lips met, she was helpless against the feelings that stirred and brought her up on tip toe to taste more of it.

Jesse was tempted to carry her, but the pain she had ran deep. The changes in her scent ran a bit deeper and seemed to help mask the pain if not relieve it. He smiled gently as he parted from her kiss. "Annia... there's another ceremony I think you forgot," he suggested, wrapping her in a gentle embrace.

His arms around her felt so right and she knew this is where she belonged, there was no doubt about it despite the obvious differences between them. "Another ceremony?" She studied him for a moment, her head tipped to the side a little as her thoughts wandered to certain things. "Do you mean.. the wedding night?" Her cheeks warmed but she smiled sweetly, her eyes alight with wonder. "Or what do call it.. without ceremonies like we have I'm not sure what you would call it. If I would call you my husband now or something different."

He wasn't sure of the word for it that best described one night of thousands he hoped to enjoy with her as his mate. That was the only word he could find and shrugged gently again. "Mate? It's more than that, but I have to teach you first... what it sounds like, smells like, how it feels... I think we start with that one."

"Mate.." She repeated the word softly, trying out how it sounded and felt to say it in her voice, her smile semmed semi fixed on her face, shifting a little with the reactions and emotions. "Is that what you would call me as well.. your mate?" Her teeth tugged gently at her lower lip, making her smile a bit adorable, her fingers gently running over his arm. "I know it may take me awhile to understand everything fully.. but I will do my best to learn."

He nodded and leaned down to kiss her again. "You have all the time you need to learn," he promised, brushing her lips again and slowly taking her up into his arms.