The Grace of Monsters

[burntrosechick]

Alrighty now, do not post unless you are burntrosechick or goodnight burrito.
Also, don't steal our s**t.
Capice?

[burntrosechick]

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xHanna|28|#447f9exxxxReid|32|#2b302fxxxxxFire|40|#871111xxxxAran|22|#5a8707xxTorrin|2&1/2|#db7c07xxIolite|30-50|#


xShanyn|30|#3d1c0axx.Roen|16|#d1515cxxxxBree|4|#826d49xxxxxLiv|22|#496b73xxxx.Starlin|13|#4f459cxxxCarden|15|#82054c

[burntrosechick]

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What has happened in Dell for the past 22 years or so.....

[burntrosechick]

Jensen slowed his brother and the three guards with them...He sensed the monster raptor only two miunutes before it broke through the clouds above. His reflexes were shift and in under a minute he had an arrow pulled from his quiver, tucked and pulled taunt against his bowstring. All lined up to kill the beast, a quick fair shot into the raptor's chest from Jensen slowed the beast's dive. A repeated shot in the brillant teal forehead of the creature finally did it in, one of his lieutenants, Duram was the lucky killer. Sticking to his brother the golden haired Commander found a uncommon feeling of peace coming over him. This trip was needed for a couple different reasons and this was one of the first moments when his younger brother was quiet. Less than a minute after his silent thanks to a higher-power....his brother chimed in with bored distain. "Remind me again? Why you are dragging me along on your tour of the northern hold." In the statement where unspoken questions and the older sibling rolled his eyes and huffed before setting his horse to a quick canter. "I wanted your pleasant company and charming wit. Maybe you should do more then just weary your horse...We have a three more days of riding at this rate." Sighing softly the man's mind slipped into thoughts of the past. I swear he gets more insolent each year, as if one trip away from his whores would be such a terrible nuisance. Dear Dell.

Growing up together Jensen was always the protector and right after their mother's death he was the one who fed and took care of Trystan. They fought and had some legendary pissing contests between them, but they were known throughout all of Dell for being two sides of a cracked mirror. The rumors that ran a muck were always a well spring of issues for the duo...Specially the correct rumors of Jensen's monster lineage. As children they never brought up anything at home about his impossibly golden hair, or his jade eyes. While he grew up on the outskirts of a very small town in the east of Dell, Jensen learned little about his powers over the years. One or two bad incidents with monsters did teach him he had to be more careful than most folks. But it wasn't Queen Fire sensed him...
See, the two brothers had just lost their mother before the winter months. Together the boys couldn't travel further than to their home town until the ice and snow was melting. Their mother's last words were frantic, all pinned around a man named Evin who apparently was Trystan's father. Long story short, after a month of the pair struggling to survive. And the 14 year old Jensen managed to keep his brother alive. Somehow. Dell knoly knew how though, nothing had been more terrifying in his life than that winter. Jensen has had many scares in his life, but loosing his brother or having him sick, hurt, or dead? Those sorts of thoughts drive him to anger and insanity very quickly. Although the two never realized it, Jensen treated him as much as a Father does a son, as he did a Older brother to younger brother. Coming up on the large dead monster he saw one of his men collecting their arrows and cleaning them as another set to burning the body. At another time the crew might have even taken the time to eat the meat, but they had more ground to cover before nightfall. If they were lucky, they would reach the next town on their way before the darkness forced them to camp outside.

The rather normal sized group moved on riding well, they reached the humble inn that Jensen had hoped to stop at. After acquiring rooms for his men and himself the Commander went to relax and wash up for supper. The human monster was two inches shorter than his father had been, but six foot three never failed to make him stand out. He was taller, had broader shoulders, and was much more defined than any average healthy male of age. Jensen normally failed to notice any of that since being a monster the drawbacks on the rumors were the same watered down issues Queen Fire dealt with. Women and some odd men practically throwing themselves at him. Random angry outbursts from others who responded to unintentional mesmerizing in hot headed rage. And there were many men and women who constantly had to ask about everything. Jensen tried to avoid dealing with most of all that by being: rude, gruff, generally unapproachable, and overworked. Usually it worked and when it didn't he used his fists and title to get people to back off. He hadn't needed to abuse his power yet, but deep down he was terrified of the people's reaction when the rumors were proved true. Fire had exonerated herself and proved to be a good human monster, but the people knew monsters could be evil...And he was the son of Cansrel, honestly some days the man thanked his lucky stars Fire happened upon him and his brother. If not he had no idea where his life would have led. Some small part of him suspected it would have very well been similar to his mother's fate, or doing something stupidly heroic for Trystan. A snort escaped the large man and he smoothed his studded leather armor. On a travel like this he never saw the point to wearing nothing but light armor. Plus, he was so used to the weight as a town guard before he even was picked up by Fire, that he felt naked sometimes without armor grounding him. Reminding him where his body stopped and ended.

Unlike Lady Fire his powers were more focused on sensing everything, including inanimate objects, if he stood still and focused rather hard. His mind skills were a thimbleful compared to hers. But like any monster he had keen senses and could read a lie off a person's face from a mile off. His brother never failed to hate him for that, but Jensen liked to know when people lied to him. Just as he liked to be a truthful as he could be. having as many secrets as he did though, that meant he spent a lot of time leaving unanswered questions when talking to others. But constantly knowing whether you were being lied to, or conned? It made the man realize as a boy, it was better to not speak at all if he couldn't tell anyone the truth. Somehow as his thoughts were a mile away, he ended up walking himself to the dining room, where the gracious innkeeper's wife was serving supper. "I'm sorry I'm late Ma'am." His soft smile made the old woman's cheeks flare and the man was grateful he had died his hair again before leaving two days ago. The color was faded and the blonde was beginning to shine through but it helped to keep his appearance toned down so little sweet old married women like her didn't try to jump him. Looking around the table he smiled at his men and spoke as he tried to keep his temper tucked away. See as Jensen ate with his companions, one very important companion was off as usual. Probably looking for a whore, a stiff drink, or a card game. After he finished eating the man spoke to the innkeeper and found his brother was looking for all of the three he guessed. Since he had headed for the only pub in town.

Leaving the inn wasn't a problem, tracking his brother down wasn't a problem...Oh no, Jensen's problem came when he saw his brother had something filched from his pocket seemingly unsuspected. Jensen knew better, and watched in slow motion as his brother caught the arm of the thief. But something unbelievable happened, something that shocked him to his very core. It also made his heart almost stop. The thief's arm caught fire where he was holding it and traveled up his arm like a greedy and hungry snake. Dancing on his skin. "Trystan!" A loud scream wrenched from his chest and the man reacted instinctively. Somehow, he managed to take hold of the thief's mind as Fire had always told him about. His scream had made their gaze lock and he mentally screamed at her with all of his might. Stop! Freeze what you're doing! He didn't think of a implications of what he did, he just reacted and somehow in his actions he stumbled into the power Fire had always told him he had. Jensen could do more then just sense things. He happened to be able to stop a graced female thief, he had been running towards the two. The seconds he had moved through had been so long for him as he had done so much with his mind that he almost tipped over in front of the two. Strengthening his hold over her Jensen looked over his brother with worry but a clinical eye. "You PRAT! You should have waited for me at least. Only you would get involved with a graceling who is stealing..." Jensen picked his brother's monogrammed kerchief and felt a flare of hatred. Their mother had sewn those tiny edges and so painstakingly monogrammed his full name and her favorite saying. 'Always remember each desperate storm is followed by peace, calm, and serenity' Looking to his brother he felt his stomach sink as a few nearby patrons of the pub were coming to see about the shouting he had done. Herding the two back to the inn was difficult and he felt his head swimming. Mostly because he couldn't feel anything but worried about a unknown graceling stealing from them, one who managed to lit a fire out of thin air...Or so it seemed.

[Goodnight Burrito]

Giza brushed her hair back with her fingers, ridding it of tangles. It wasn't a difficult project; her hair always was fuzz and perfect. She had her father's hair, smooth as silk. But she always wished for her mother's hair. Her mother's hair had been a wild untamed mess, just like her spirit. As a young girl Giza would sit as he mother sew dresses together and play with the dark locks that cascaded down her back. They would spend evenings siting in comfertable silence until the older woman would pull her daughter to her lap, discarding what ever she had been doing before to brush strands of brown hair from the young girl's face. "I wish I had your hair momma," little Giza would say sadly. "I wanna be beautiful like you." The sailor's wife would smile kindly and place a kiss on Giza's forehead. "You are more beautiful then the moon, or the wolf's wanting cry," she would say.

The 18 year old Graceling so painfully missed the woman. She had died when Giza was 13 of illness; she had been sick the year before and bed ridden. Still till the day she died Giza would come to her room as the night fell and comb her mother's hair. And her mother would say: "You are more beautiful then the moon, or the wolf's wanting cry." When Giza was 6 her deep brown eyes changed, one become as bright as the rising moon. Giza pulled the small dusty mirror from her leather satchel and held it out from her face. Dropping one hand from the glass, she took it up to cover her left eye, leaving the dark one uncovered. When she hid her graceling eye, Giza though she still looked like her mother.

Today Giza hid on the outskirts of a small forest near an Inn. A distraught lover of sorts had hired Giza for a job. As she was a mercenary for hire this was probably one of the easiest jobs she had done in a while. Steal a monogrammed kerchief or something of that sort. Giza had traveled through the mountains many times, broken into noble homes, killed men... this was going to be a breeze. So Giza waiting in the tree's, her clothing dark to blend into the shadows. Some area's on her body where blackened and burned from the result of fire, but from the money she earned Giza had managed to obtain fire proof clothing as well as bag to carry her belongings in. Well, most of them at least, she had a store in the mountains as well as a few things back at the bakery her father ran.

Giza sat crossed legged on the ground beneath a rather large tree so she could see the inn, but they could not see her. The man she was looking for had yet to come into the view so she entertain herself by setting small leaves and twigs on fire with her mind. And then once that had become tiresome she set things alight with her matchbox and man the flames dance. As was her graceling; Pyro Telekinesis, the ability to start and control fires with her mind. Though she did not tell people of her grace, Giza passed it off as the ability to not be affected by temperatures. She could set herself on fire and not be burned, and she could walk naked in a snow storm and come out unharmed, room temperature.

The graceling thief stood abruptly, striding forward and stopping just inside of the tree line. Giza watched him move for a moment before shaking out her hair and put a tantalizing smile on her pink lips. Giza pulled the top of her black top down, exposing the tops of her breasts. Putting a swing to her hips as she walked, Giza kept her eyes trailed on the man. As she got closer, she side stepped so they could collide. They brushed shoulders as she they did her hand snaked in and pulled the kerchief into her palm. "Sorry, didn't see you there big boy," her voice was sticky like honey, and Giza made to stalk off prize in hand, but her arm was caught and pulled painfully backwards. In her shock a spark was lit and the flame curled around their connected hands and put both bodies. The flames flew up her body faster than his, the fire knew her, loved her, she accepted it. Her face was engulfed in the fire and she tried to pull away. It crawled up the other's arm slowly, growing larger as she grew more distressed. "Let go!"

And suddenly there was a voice and the fire flew from her and the man. Put out as if dosed by icy water. Giza felt cold for the first time since she was 6. Something had compelled her to freeze and now she stood wide eyed and stalk still. The stolen good dropped from her hand, slightly charred at one corner but other than that unharmed. Another man came running at them, almost tripping over himself in the process. Giza's felt someone's large hand close over her shoulder and she was steered towards the pub. The man holding her towered over her, she felt so small and weak, though she knew damn well she could have taken him if she had had her wits about her, but her senses were dulled into numbness. She heard someone request a private room and Giza was pushed into it. "Come near me and I swear I'll bite you," she hissed, not wanting to set fire to anything else, so this seemed like as good as any threat all things considered.



out of crystal :

[burntrosechick]

Disdain was something Trystan faked most days...Unlike his brother he didn't happen to be a giant, while he still was taller than most men, He only hit five foot eleven. His build was more slender but defined in ways his brother was not. Jensen's body had thick corded muscles all brought about by training, fighting, and hard labor for the last seventeen years. Where he had bult and a well known strength and power, Trystan was built from his own training. He could swim better than anyone he ever met, and climb more swiftly than most of Jensen's own men even. The man was well known for his bedroom games and his odd role at court...But it was rare to find a man who didn't also know that he fought well hand to hand and happened to be lightening quick on his feet. Trystan happened to be one of the best employed spies in the whole court, currently he was being groomed long distance by Clara to take over their spies. Garan's daughter Shanyn, also was trying to get him prepared to run the entire branch of spies for the royal family. It wasn't an easy job, but it meant he could screw around when he pleased. Trystan also found that all of his lifestyle wants made the game easier, high stakes games were something fun for the man. So when his brother whisked him away from his work and training to putter uselessly about around the north hold he felt very tired. While he could go to see his father possibly, it wasn't something he wanted to take time away from training, and ******** to do. The ride was uncomfortable and long for the seemingly pampered man. Even now while riding with his brother he was dressed best of the troupe, leading most anyone who would pass them to believe he was in charge of them. Or, the man who hired them. When in all actuality Trystan was a dead limb to the group while on horseback. Even when they took down the raptor he wasn't any true help at all. Throwing knives and darts were something he was much better at then using a bow and arrow. He hadn't even taken the items his brother had commissioned for him.


The young spy was much more comfortable with punching blades hidden by his sleeves...Or by the feel of his own fists hitting flesh. But being a reasonable sort of male he did wear his sword when he left the "safety" of King's City. Once they reached the inn the young male tossed his belongings in his room and bathed. A hot bathed soothed him and he planned for a meal at the nearest tavern or pub. The town was small but it was big enough he knew they were bound to have a small building with alcohol, warm food, women, and possibly a card table. Counting cards was somewhat of his specialty, and gambling was his game. Plus when locals disliked loosing to him, he got to fight. And there was nothing more that Trystan Caddock loved more. So feeling restless he talked to the Innkeeper, and asked about a place where he could get a stiff drink or two. Setting outside he felt comfortable armed with a few daggers, a stiletto, and his sword. Moving quick and steadily Trystan's blue gaze kept note of everyone around him. About six feet or so from the pub's entrance a woman bumped into him. The first thing he noticed was a glimpse of her right eye, and the exposed cleavage. He was about to make a comment to her when he felt the slightest flutter as his left pocket. A hint of white and his hand instinctively caught the woman's arm.


He wasn't a decent pickpocket, nor did the young man usually act so rash. But his senses were telling something was off and the dirty blonde man always listened to his gut. He a had a brother who was a damn monster for Dell's sake. Highly in-tuned instincts were the only thing that kept him alive some days, well, other than his brother's interference a few times. As his hand was tight on her lower forearm within seconds he watched as a fire lept over her skin and danced over her and danced up his arm. He smelled the burnt hair and some flesh and grunted deep in his chest as he registered the pain without screaming. One thing he had gotten used to as a child was pain, he always got into small stupid fights. Or happened to "play" with aggressive animals, and sometimes went up against monsters he shouldn't have tackled alone...Because of that he grew a strong pain tolerance over the years. His mind was elsewhere as she shouted for him to let her go, and his body reacted to her words out of a blinding pain rather than her outburst. But when the fire suddenly stopped he found his hand drop from the woman as he shudder and shouted. "For the LOVE OF DELL!" His words were cut off as he saw his brother come to a sudden and unsteady stop in front of him. Of course his brother was here to save him, he always saved him, a spike of irritation flared in his mind. But the pain made him gasp and forget it as his brother led him somewhere. His mind was muddled and rather disoriented as he hoped that his brother hadn't gotten himself hurt or something idiotic. Being a monster when he bled there could be very....unusual happen stances. And his abilities and parentage wasn't common knowledge by any means. So while Trystan should have been worried about his own pain all his mind could focus on was if his brother had scrapped or cut himself in his hurry. It wouldn't help anyone to draw something like monster wolves to this town because of the fresh blood of a human monster. "I forget, do we have Ezael with us?" Ezael was a solider of Jensen's who happened to be a few of their other trips. The young man couldn't remember in his daze if he was with them and knew the man had been the son of a castle healer. He knew some of the finer points of on the field medic training...Trystan's soft voice was very different from his usual firm baritone, and his face was glazed and removed. If you didn't know him better one might assume he was just shocked or had gotten a bad bit of news...Rather than have his arm burned badly. One of Jensen's men came up, since his brother was too busy to speak since he was guiding Trystan and the female thief by two uninjured arms. "Sir, no. Ezael went on a mission to the west. I have some medical knowledge though." Another man came form the dining room where they had been sitting in and requested a private room and helped Jensen move the woman inside pushing her before helping the seemingly over pampered Court-member. "We're going to need a few items, go talk to the Innkeeper and his wife." The two men went off, one in search of emergency healing herbs and wrapping they had brought, while the other went to speak with their hosts for help. Trystan caught the woman's fierce statement. "Come near me and I swear I'll bite you." Fixing his detached glare on the woman his voice was rough and unfeeling. "Yes because a bite sounds so threatening after burning me!"


His thoughts came back to him as he realized the silence of his brother, looking to him he focused his thoughts into a sentence as Fire and taught him. Hey, What the hell is going on with you...And is she alright? Wait why is she alright! Didn't her face go up in flames?[./i] Turning back to the woman Trystan took in her appearance. Her eyes captivated him and felt wary as hell. Gracelings were still new and mysterious at times to Dellitians, open trade had sprouted up between the two lands after Katsa and Bitterblue's discoveries. Queen fire and the deceased King Brigan had been the ones to support the slow allowance of new citizens from the seven kingdoms. Just as the seven kingdoms had allowances for new Dellitian immigrants. Yet people still had wary feelings around unknown Gracelings.


Their powers could be just as incredible and stunning as Queen Fire's or as terrifying as Cansrel's powers. Even someone as open minded as Trystan felt a small spark of fear, even though one of his best spies who he worked with was a female graceling. "What is your Grace?" It was required of every Graceling to display their full Grace when coming to Dell. A precautionary law had been made by the dead King, and wary Queen that all Gracelings found in Dell must tell their Grace to those who ask unless so pardoned by the crown. For fear of coming across a new Leck they had anyone who refused taken into custody and taken to Fire for questioning. Thankfully no Graceling had yet refused the law, but there were always options for that. Jensen seemed to be a flux of emotions. Worry, confusion, surprise, and a flicker of fear made his brother's mind race as he tried to joke and lighten the moment. "You know graceling Thief...You better keep your teeth to yourself unless you want to be bitten yourself." His lame joke died off as Jensen's earlier man stepped back into the room with healing items and the innkeeper's wife in tow. "Don't you worry your pretty head Boyo. I'll clean, dress, and medicate you right. My mother always was burning herself while cooking, it was lucky my siblings and I didn't starve some winters." Her joking brought a fake smile to Trystan's face and he was as kind as he could be as she treated his wound. The bantered back and forth until his arm was wound up tight and his head felt light and stuffed with cotton from the herbs. Looking to Jensen the younger brother heard his voice in his mind before he instructed one of his men to take you to his room. We're going to have to go back home. That fire started out of no where, and her whole body just...It doesn't show up right in my head. There's something strange about her. I need Fire's thoughts, and seeing the northern hold isn't worth letting this woman go. I want to know how she did, what she did. And I can't get the answer from her head. Trystan listened to his brother's fading voice as he was led to his door, once his head hit the pillow he was out and his g mind wasn't focused on his brother and the new prisoner they acquired.

[Goodnight Burrito]

Despite the glare from the man Giza set her lips in a harsh straight line, her eyes darkening and she returned a glare of her own. "I bite hard," she growled. As the two, she assumed they were brothers, silently looked at each other Giza backed slowly away from both of them, backing into the corner of the room farthest from them. Giza nervously combed her finger's through her dark hair, eye's darting between the two as they're attention was turned from her to each other. When the man whom she had burnt, aparently named Trystan, turned to survey her Giza straighten her posture. Her eyes glinted dangerously at them and she snarled. From her back pocket her long fingers gripped her matchbox and flicked it, creating a warm flame that caressed the palm of her hand. "I don't feel heat or cold," Giza said, her jaw locked. She held her hand out, and flicking the matchbox again, she held her open hand above the flame. It wasn't a complete lie, Giza could withstand extreme temperatures...

An older woman shuffled into the room and Giza placed the matchbox back into her pocket. These men were starting to irritate her. But as she watched the one she had stolen from woozy from pain, liquid guilt pooled in her stomach like the run off from the melting snow. Not taking her eyes from the two men she pulled her bag from her back and stuffed a hand into fire proof sack, searching for a small wooden box. Her finger's wrapped around into and she pulled up. Placing the bag back onto her back Giza lifted the lid from its place upon the box and took a wary step towards Trystan. Her thin fingers held a small circle she had pulled from the wood cube. Giza stopped in front of him, keeping her eyes trailed on him and his brother and she held out her hand. "Its medicine..." she said softly almost silently asking for forgiveness. "Should clear your head." She had burnt more than a few in her time. Her father, the girls who had mocked her eyes and countless ex-lovers. She saw the distrust in both their eyes so she popped on of the circles into her own mouth and swallowed to show that they would not harm Trystan.

Giza dropped two into his out stretched hand and placed the lid back in place. Reaching behind her she stuffed the box back into it. With that done Giza returned to her defensive posture, her guilt almost gone. She crossed her arms under her chest with resulting in the raising of her breasts. Maybe a bit of sex appeal would help her cause."Can I leave now?" she asked, trying to keep her voice bored. Her father would once say that her grace was going to be the ability to change moods in the blink of an eye. But it was a still her needed for the line of work she did. You needed to be able to become a new person in a second or you'd be screwed. When she did bigger jobs she would paint her lips pitch black, and draw delicate designs upon her face and Giza became The Fire Started. A woman whose grace was feared, but not proven. During small jobs she was Giza, the girl who did not get cold.

"Because my father is a noble man whom is expecting me home in a day's time." Yet another bold faced lie. Her father was an ex sailor who owned a small bakery and she had not seen him in 5 months. Before she could get an answer Trystan was lead away and she was left with only the older man.




out of crystal :

[burntrosechick]

Jensen's mind was whirling, the oddest thing he found was the feel of her mind. She was resistant to his dipping into her thoughts. But her push earlier had finally shown the man who to utilize his powers. Where Fire always compared her abilities to feeling each mind and coaxing it...Jensen realized he did better finding the mind with his powers and he kept his unwavering gaze on the woman. She was jittery, nervous, and when she spoke to Trystan he felt the hair on the back of his neck stand at attention. While a stark shiver found it's way down his spine the Graceling thief spoke. "I don't feel heat or cold," Her statement cut off suddenly, her jaw locked and Jensen knew in that moment that she was lying. Her little show with the matchbox didn't impress or calm his fears. Her mind had the slightly slimy feel of lies, and smelled almost of a rotting meat after her statement.

Her gesture with the herbs wasn't lost on him and he stared her down as she showed him the stuff was safe. I won't dare say thank you, Trystan wouldn't need her things if she hadn't burned him....how in the hell had she lit those flames. And pain tolerance or no, how does she still have all her hair? "Can I leave now?" Her voice drew him from his thoughts and he looked to the woman and his eyes glazed over. His nostrils flared and his right eyebrow steadily raised. "First off, you can put those things away." Jensen's mood slipped into a semi familiar territory and he showed a soft edged disdain. As a man, honorary Uncle, and Commander of the King & Queen's forces he hated when women tried to use their body to get something. He preferred women who were straight forward and unpretentious. Even the most beautiful set of breasts wouldn't turn him from his task. "Second of all, NO." Moving to his feet the tall blonde looked down at the woman, his extremely vivid green eyes capturing hers. "And lastly, it's against the law to lie about your Grace. Also, you attempted to steal and assaulted a member of the court."

Crossing his arms and stared at her and withheld his title waiting to see what she would say next. "Because my father is a noble man whom is expecting me home in a day's time." Her words shocked and infuriated him. "If I even believed that I would drag you to your father by your ear. Unaccompanied? In a small town like this? Either you were lying in wait for us or, you happen to be a idiotic thief by chance." His eyes were almost blazing and he picked up a scent of a memory from her mind. The smell of fresh baked goods and the scent of the sea filled her mind when he mentioned the words 'your father'. Shaking his head he moved his door blocking the only exit to the room and made sure to block the exit with his body as well. His hold on her mind tightened and Jensen tried to use his power as he had in the alley. Sit down and cut the lies about your Daddy, Little girl. She seemed to be too shielded for his words to touch her mind like his thoughts could reach most others. The feel of her mind reminded Jensen of the gracelings he had initially met, the cadence of her mind was similar to Po, she wasn't trained against instruction. It was as if she was born strengthened against mental attack. "I'm taking you to see the royal court, Queen Fire should be able to straighten out your lies." His gaze was harsh and unforgiving as he thought of his brother. He could feel his brother's sleeping mind and mentally checked on his men.

[Goodnight Burrito]

]

Giza looked down at her chest as he commented on them. She huffed and crossed her arms over her breast, covering them but leaving her shirt where it was. Giza glared at him with the same distaste as he looked upon her with. They were two unblinking dogs, waiting for the other to slip up and show some neck. She was waiting for this man to break stride so she could trip him up. He came closer and Giza stood her ground, standing at 5"4' and glaring up at him. Giza dropped her arms and clenched her fists. "I was not lying about my grace!" she snarled, and a spark glinted in the air besides her in anger. She shut her eyes tight. She could not get angry. There were innocent people in the pub. Another spark ignited behind her and the rooms was popping quietly with sparks as she slowed her breathing and stepped back from the much taller man. "I don't," Giza's jaw tightened. She had really screwed up this time. "I start fire's with my mind," she said, her chin titled upwards, back straight. "And I also don't feel heat or cold; not lying there"

"Plus," she looked him up and down, trying to decide her next move. "You're brother grabbed me first, if he hadn't I would be back home, with my payment and he would not be burnt," with a glint in her eye Giza backed towards the table slowly. "Should never stick your hand into an open flame," she said her voice sliding into a sickeningly sweet tone. Like honey. Her hands found the wood and she pulled herself up and slid backwards, her eyes now hooded and mouth slightly open. "But you're a," Giza's eyes slid up and down his body again, but slowly, making sure he saw the motion. "A strong, impressive young man." Her hands went to the front of her shirt, playing with it and inching it slowly down. "And I'm sure you and I could make a deal of sorts," she winked for good measure and slid her shirt up an inch to show the defined 'V' of her hips and toned stomach. "You can have your way with me. And in turn, once you're good and done, I'm on my way," her brow rose delicately. "No questions asked."

What she had expected was for him to turn into a typical man: Agree "no questions asked'. She had used this tactic before, and though she did not want to sleep with this man whom she did not know the name on, she wanted even less to see the queen. Giza did not expect him to explode at her. She was almost startled and scampered back on the table to get away from him as he came at her. Giza couldn't make out most of what he yelled, and she pushed herself to stand on the table. Pulling her shirt back into place, Giza looked down at him and screeched back. "SHUT UP!" They were attracting attention; she could hear the scraping of chairs upon wood as people got up to find out what was happening. Another scream came from her mouth but he did not listen and sparks were beginning to appear about the room. She glared at him hard as her body went up in a sudden blaze of hot flames. They engulfed her, and only her, staying away from the wood in the room. Giza jumped at him, hopping to scare him and as she collided with him the fire went out and they toppled over backwards, his back hitting the floor with Giza on top of him. As they landed the door was forced open and a few men burst inside. "What's going on!?" they asked wide eyed, at the scene in front of them; Jensen on the floor with Giza straddling him. "Just a lovers quarrel," she said batting her eyelashes at the men, and patting Jensen's cheek. They did not seem to believe, so she leaned down and pecked his lips in mock apology and then whispered airily in his ear. "My name's Giza dearest,"



out of crystal :

[burntrosechick]

He stood his ground as she came to meet him, her arms crossed, covering her chest from his veiw finally. She was a whole foot shorter than him and it showed, it almost looked as if she were staring up at his chin, if the moment hadn't been so serious. Or if the tension in the room wasn't thick enough to cut and serve on a dish...It would have been rather humorous, even Jensen would have smiled about the way the two looked. But it was tense, uncomfortable, and a stand off. The female caved first, as she did three things; dropping her arms, clenching her fists, and yelling. "I was not lying about my grace!" Jensen laughed and gave her a impertinent look, he could smell the lie plain and clear. His voice was quick to tell her his thoughts. Just as he felt he was going nowhere he saw a spark snap in the middle of the air. The flame popped in and out of existence in the middle of the air. Seeming to burn of nothing than air and having been started by nothing. So he felt his head spin and began to freak out internally. Oh s**t there is something wrong here, should I try to shut her down again? Or wait for her to make a more obvious move? The blonde's thoughts were highly occupied as his mind whirled a mile a a minute. "I don't, I start fires with my mind." Her jaw twitched and tightened as she spoke and her eyes seemed to gleam in the light of the room. Jensen was shocked by the clean smell and feel of the truth. Her next comment felt like a lie, and the man's thoughts tried to understand why her mind didn't seem to believe her ability of feeling temperature, had anything to do with her Grace. Shaking his head the man ran his fingers through his hair, his right hand shook as it finished fiddling with his hair. Glancing sideways he got a clear shot of her face and he felt a even more pressing need to get her to Fire. If her words were true she could be involved or happen to be 'the firestarter', she had popped up about four years ago and was very well known for her crimes. She was a opportunity sell sword, complete mercenary for hire. Her specialties where said to be pyrotechnics, thieving, and assassinations. Oh dear dell....I need fire, hell at this point I would kill for advice from anyone who could restrain her properly.

His eyes were blank as he tried to hide his worries and fears, Jensen would single-handedly need to keep her leashed to him on the trip back or she would get free somehow. He missed her first comment but mention of Trystan brought his steeled green gaze on the female. "You're brother grabbed me first, if he hadn't I would be back home, with my payment and he would not be burnt." Looking at her he felt a pinch of disgust. His wording was quick and witty, coming from the heart..."So you wish to lay the blame of the whole incident on my brother. You were filching a precious and priceless heirloom. He's not to blame here, you are! YOU and only you are to blame!"He learned a hard lesson when he had a baby brother to support. Stealing for any reason, unless it was done to steal something back. It was wrong, and if you didn't legitimately own the item you are stealing then it doesn't belong in your possession. Whether you are starving or not, there are ways. Jensen could also tell form the look on her face, eyes, and clothing that she had never gone hungry as a child. Nor was she stealing and such now because she couldn't feed herself. Somethings could flew under the man's moral radar, but this was a black and white issue which had strict guidelines on the grey area. "You stole from him, you assaulted him, and you initially lied about your GRACE!"

His commander voice was in effect, and he watched with a confused and wary eyes as the woman backed onto the table in the middle of the room. "You should never stick your hand into an open flame." His face blanked and his brow furrowed. Between the sweet condescending tone and the hidden meaning Jensen was lost. Never the one for subtle social nuisances he would have never got the come on. Staying silent was a safe option, so he did...As she set herself on the table he turned with a questioning look on his face. "What in the name of Dell are you doing?" Watching her continue his innocent brain froze him in place as she tried to seduce him. Her come hither voice explained her meaning though, and she was lucky it didn't make him completely loose his mind. "But you're a-" A luminous brown and pale cream eye flicked up and down his body. His eyes followed with a irritated impatience. Jensen's leather armor was well made and used but to an untrained eye...One wouldn't notice the fine craftsmanship and then obvious spot of his station. Since he took so many pains to be battle ready and as unassuming as he could be out of King's City. "-a strong, impressive young man." As her hands went to the front of her shirt his face drained of all emotion, his eyes seemed to dance and flared a vivid spring green. "And I'm sure you and I could make a deal of sorts." Her words danced in his head, leaving him sick and disgusted underneath his hard exterior. Her mind opened as she spoke. It was as if in her disgust and vulnerability he saw what she wasn't even registering in her eyes. She didn't want this, but she was damned determined to avoid meeting the one person who get the real truth of her character and mind.

As she exposed more of skin he could smell a faint rot of mold and felt beyond pissed about all of this. The trip was mandatory but simple. He was to tour the northern holds, see a good handful of lords and nobles and be back with Trystan in time for the winter Gala. Now he was trapped in a sick and demented nightmare. "You can have your way with me. And in turn, once you're good and done, I'm on my way." Acting seemed to be her specialty and Jensen was glad for once that his brother wasn't here in this terrible moment. That boy had less sense then god gave a inch worm when it comes to beautiful women and sex. Someone different from Jensen would have gone along with her plan. "No questions asked." Those three words would have made any other male jump at the offer.

Instead he responded with a jumble of words, thoughts, and a ton of anger. "Are you KIDDING ME!" He strode across the room screaming at the top of his lungs and began to tear into her verbally and mentally. "I am the COMMANDER of the King's army! Do you think I am going to risk our kingdom's safety and my brother's justice for sex?" You don't even care enough about your own heart to give it the respect it deserves. What kind of WHORE is unwilling deep down, yet still offers. What kind of deep dark secrets are you scared of our savior Queen seeing in your mind? He stalked closer and continued to yell dually in her mind and out loud. "Your Grace must be insanity since there is no way I would ever bed a prisoner, let alone someone who offered their body to me in a DEAL!" What did you think?!? That I was going to just say ******** it and screw you? Get so lost in a whore who has the lowest self esteem I have ever saw? Jensen didn't think about the implications that would come about if she realized he was screaming inside her mind. He was too furious and yet in all his rage he never once made a fist. He never tried to hit her, or even touch her. The man actually took steps to make sure neither one touched...It was as if he was terrified of getting near her body. As if she had a disease that she could give him. The door was trying to be opened as the woman stood on the table and pulled her skirt together and screamed out loud and in her mind. Telling him to shut up! His face was burning with fury and he was about to scream another phrase as she glared at him. But when he opened his mouth to scream she burst into flames. They engulfed her, dancing across her skin and he was rapt in horror, fear, and amazement. Some small part of his mind couldn't help but find her an ethereal beauty as she stood there, a small inferno licking her skin. Her eyes and stance screamed power and anger. But when she tried to jump right in front of him he made the mistake of stepping forward to catch her. They both responded oddly as she came to the ground and she ended up colliding with him. When she was within centimeters of burning him he used his powers again. It was an instinct, and his voice was strangely calm as her ordered her to put the flames out until he said so. Put them away and keep them hidden for now.

God only knows why he didn't want his men to know, but some small little part of his mind was too busy trying to process everything. But the woman was like a flame herself. Constantly flickering, shifting and changing to suit the moment. She could flare out of control and bank to a level like a ember if you gave her the second to change. His men finally got the door opened as the woman landed on top of him, laying and straddling him. It felt odd and he was trying to move out from underneath her when they came inside. "What's going on?" She was quick to lie to them and his men didn't give the woman a second glance, although two of them arched their brows when she patted their commander's cheek. He caught her hand and glared as he restrained her hand, explaining. "She got riled up and it's a long story. Can you see if the town has a smithy? I'm going to need handcuffs for our prisoner, we're heading back to King's City. You'll be reassigned once we get back." One of his married men looked forlorn and Jensen felt a small bit of guilt. He had said when they got to the end of their trip he could stay in his hometown, and Trystan and him would head home with only three escorts. The woman leaned in and gave him a chaste kiss before he knew what was happening. Don't you dare kiss me again. His death glare could have spoken league on it's own, but his powers just seemed to be on the run. Maybe it had been the stress of the day...When she leaned forward and whispered in his ear, Jensen tried to ignore the sound of her husky voice, and the steady heat of her body. "My name's Giza dearest" No, that was doubtful. He restrained her other hand and looked to his current second in command for this trip. "Can you get me some rope in the meantime?"

[Goodnight Burrito]

Giza laughed aloud at the suggestion of rope, though deep down her stomach flopped when he asked for cuffs. She did not like being restrained at all in any ways, shape or manner. Jensen held both of her hands away from her body, his finger's gripping hard on her wrist to make sure she can't struggle away. One of his men came and gripped her waist to pull her off his commander. Jensen stood as Giza was pulled to her feet. Another man entered with a long length of rope, which he tied several times tight around her arms and hands. Giza blew her hair out of her face almost lazily as if she had someone better to do than this. "We'll take her to the wine cellar," said one of the men to Jensen's men as they began to push her out of the door. As they passed Jensen Giza snapped her jaws at him and winked. "Till we meet again lover," and with a barking laugh she was gone.

time skip.

The 18 year old bounced against Jensen as his horse made steady pace over the hills. She was to be near him at all times because she was 'A threat to other's and herself' as he put it. Of course she didn't agree, but what are you gonna do. So as they rode along Giza made sure her bottom rubbed against the space between Jensen's legs. She could feel his stomach clenching in either anger or arousal, but either way she was satisfied with her work.

She glanced back at Trystan she saw him riding close by, a look of confliction on his face. "I wish you'd let me burn the arm hair's off the other arm," Giza called to him. "You know, so you'd match." Her face split into a grin as his face darkened and he muttered someone about not 'seeing rowan because of her.' "It's not my fault you didn't just look at my breast and then let me walk away like planed," Giza huffed and glanced down at the shackles holding her hands together. She didn't like the way they rubbed against her wrists. Just as she was about to complain about them one of the other men rode up beside them. "Sir, may I suggest that we break for camp." The sun was low in the sky and they had been traveling for the better part of the day, so Giza agreed with his man. They horses need to be watered anyways and Giza wanted to bath herself.

They rode for a short while till they found a cropping of forest near a stream. Jenson slid of the saddle, and gripped Giza's waist to pull her off after him. She stretched out her back and cracked her neck before patting the horse behind her. "Pretty girl," Giza smiled at the animal kindly and then strode passed Jensen. "I suppose I'll start a fire for us, yes?" she asked a smirk on her face. "Oh, and I want to bath."



out of crystal :

[burntrosechick]

Jensen sighed as he kept his horse at a steady gallop, the female prisoner Giza was riding in front of him. Her body pinned between the neck of his war mare, and his body. She seemed rather determined to drive him crazy as the rode on, they had been moving for about seven hours straight and each hours she moved closer and closer to him. Rubbing and grinding her a** against his crotch, he had long since tensed his body. By now his muscles were beginning to grow numb, his crotch as was aching from everything, and he was considering tying her to the back of his horse. It also didn't help when she tried to talk to the two of them. Like when she looked back to Trystan and mentioned something about burning him again. "I wish you'd let me burn the arm hair's off the other arm," His face darkened and Jensen could almost hear his brother's angry thoughts. I'm drug out of the castle, burned, and now I don't even get to see Liv, or her houseboy Rowan."You know, so you'd match." Looking up his slightly sweat damped light brown hair flicked, and his blue eyes pierced her gaze as the younger brother fought his urge to spit at her. [******** fabulous, I miss seeing Liv...Rowan...And I would kill for one of Marie's pies." His muttering barely carried over the sounds of the collection of horses. Marie was the sweet old lady who watched over the town guard up north...In the shadow of Liv's holding in the north. Marie took care of Trystan's father and was famous around the north for her pies. As Giza continued the young man fought the urge to try and hurt her and sped up his horse moving his steed to the left of his brother. But still in range for his brother to reach him mentally and keep him safe from monster attack...probably.

"It's not my fault you didn't just look at my breast and then let me walk away like planned." Jensen shook his head and sighed as he tried to ignore the pouty little firestarter nudged between his legs and his beautiful dappled grey horse. The girl was his favorite, she happened to be the daughter of his first horse ever...Before their mother died, the boy's once found a wild cream and white stallion. He was young, untrained, and skitterish as all get out. But, somehow, Jensen figured out enough of his powers to get the horse to calm down. After some gentle handling and care the two boys had themselves a horse. They never broke him, and when they ended up coming to the castle in King's City the horse's behavior highly amused the King and Queen alike. Apparently the Queen's favorite River Mare had a similar reaction to the place and with her help he learned how to ride him, without a saddle. But as stallions do...they used him to breed a few of the horses and one fine dappled grey mare happened to have a perfect and sweet colt of his. Something about her just made him fall in love. The only way a solider and a horse can bond, so far despite her slightly smaller size she has proved to be a excellent and wonderful horse for him. She also was one of the few animals who took to his powers with love and acceptance rather than falling under them, as even her father had. One of his men's voice broke through his thoughts as he smiled looking upon Shimmer. "Sir, may I suggest that we break for camp."

Looking down at the man he felt a small spark of indignation, it wasn't late enough to suggest stopping when carting a prisoner. But feeling hungry he relented, he would just need to have a talk with his men it seemed about when it's proper to offer comments to higher stationed officers. "There is a small stream ahead. We can get water for the horses, and bathe as long as there aren't many monsters fish or bugs." Riding on the horse Jensen could avoid irritating things such as the monster bugs. But if he bathed properly he would probably have a few monster fish bites which would drive tons of bugs to mess with him. Not commenting on the way his man had 'offered his thoughts", he continued as if the man hadn't said a word. "We will stop there for supper, we will ride on after that. I wish to make up the time, four days is too long to return while carting a prisoner." His tone was matter of fact like, even though the said prisoner was resting right in front of him, between his legs. Jensen did notice the way the men were looking and felt a spike of irritation. The sooner this female was away from his men the sooner they would act like proper lieutenants.

The group traveled on for a decent time and as the stream came in sight Jensen made sure to scan the outlying area extensively before checking his shields and sending a message to his brother mind to mind. We're doubling back to the stream you passed. Come back and we'll eat, you can wash again... Jensen smiled at the spike of annoyed but happiness he felt over the mental link. His younger brother had always been rather adamant about cleanliness, while Jensen didn't see much harm in being covered in sweat and muck every once in awhile...Trystan was almost obsessive about the whole thing, he was happiest when he could bathe twice a day and had consistently clean hair. Showing his hair for Dirty Blonde and seeming very similar in color to Jensen's hair while the man's was usually at least slightly dirty or dyed. We aren't staying the night though. I want to get this-Graceling-back to Fire and I know you are dying to reconnect with your little spies anyways. The tone was teasing and light, and he ignored his brother's response. The blonde haired ad green eyed human monster slid gracefully from the saddle and patted the a** of his horse. She softly whinneyed and he felt irritated as he had to deal with the abrasive, rude, harlot graceling before attending his baby. He lifted her at her waist and plopped her on the ground steadily, but rough before loosing the saddle on his mare and talking to her quietly. "I'll get your feed after I deal with the lady, Shimmer." Her mental harrumph made him grin from ear to ear and he rubber her nose as she licked his hand. Her thought's were always worded well since she was a horse but he could make out a decent chunk from time to time when she wished to really speak to him. Lady Flame-moon ride again? Quirking his eyebrow Jensen pulled back and had his green monster gaze caught by his horse's hazel gaze. Flame-moon? He did a double take at his prisoner as she strode past him. Yes, Lady Flamemoon. Her. She snorted in the direction of Giza and he fought hard to not chuckle. Since it would possibly end his conversation with Shimmer, and would draw stares. Yes, she's going home with us. His mare's snort showed her disapproval of that and he kissed the tip of her nose chastely before following the woman. Lady Fire needs to see her mind. Like she does with many others. Once Jensen reached the woman's side he almost missed the mental after thought from Shimmer. You can see her too though. The camp came together quickly, after repeatedly stopping Giza trying to "help" with the fire the men had water boiling and were roasting the last of the fresh meat they had for supper. Trystan finally came about and saw to his horse Shade and Jensen's baby Shimmer. Meanwhile Jensen found a clean towel, some smaller men's riding clothes, soap, and lead the woman to the water. "You shouldn't take too long. Water this deep is bound to have a small population of monster fish somewhere." His words were short and clipped, he knew there were only four such fish in the stream and they were almost a half a mile away. They would have to swim hard against the current to even reach her in the time it would take to bathe properly.

[Goodnight Burrito]

Giza brushed her shirt of indignantly after the 3rd time someone had hauled her away from the camp fire. She had been helping and no one seemed to really enjoy the help. Really though, they had a human flint box at their disposal, it was beyond her as to why they were not taking advantage of that. At least she had a few of the men wrapped around her finger, all but the married one. With a few bats of her eye lashes they were on their knees. It was too bad that they had enough sense to keep her away from flammable objects.

The fire started was being 'watched' by one of Jenson's men as he went to find her things to bath in. She was leaning onto his knee, her hair tickling his chin. Giza could see a faint blush crossing his cheeks as she pressed her breasts up, making them extremely visible to the man. If she was stuck with them, she might as well have a bit of fun right? Giza's tongue out and over her lips, the man followed her action and before she could open her mouth, her arm was grabbed and yanked up. She rolled her eyes and allowed herself to be dragged after Jensen.

They stopped at the pond and in his clinical ton Jensen explained the dangers of bathing to long. She nodded her thanks and began to strip. His face was emotionless in a second and he spun around to face away from the pond. Giza laughed and continued in the nude to the water. She supposed it was cold, but as she stepped into the liquid she could not feel if it was or not. Giza slid under the water, letting it wet her long hair. The dripping strands clung to her face and neck as she splashed water onto her face.

Giza was silent as she bathed, washing each crack and crevice of her smooth body. The fire started liked her body, she had the same tanned skin as both her mother and father, with her mother's slim build. The only noticeable blemish upon her body was on between her shoulder blades: A large scar, and though it was faded it still resembling claw marks. It was as if a large cat had taken its paw to it, which was exactly what had happened. When Giza was younger she had been playing in the woods near their home when an animal, dazed from hunger came upon her. She was attacked and only saved by the appearance of her fiery grace.

Deciding she was down bathing, she turned to face the shore and her eyes connected with Jenson's mortified ones. He's posture was ridged as he spun back around and Giza gave a loud barking laugh. "Like what you see?" she guffawed and splashed her way to the edge of the pool. She quickly dried herself off and pulled on the clean clothing, her eyes on Jensen the entire time. He was obviously embarrassed, though she though the entire thing was a riot. Once Giza was dressed she pranced around him so they face each other and with a serious sultry tone Giza said: "I showed you mine, now don't I get to see yours?" And her face broke out in a grin.


out of crystal :