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((Copied from IMs))

Rpness

::Jyn tightened the rope on one of this traps, lightly grunting at the strain. He could have done it at any time, just thought that if he caught something early, he could just dry it up for jerky to devour on a later date. He patted his hands togeather, taking a step to do a look over at his work. Another rabbit snare, but with a different style then normal to see if it worked any better. The genet nodded with satisfaction before heading off to check his other traps::

::Calanthia needed to get away from her home. She was feeling cabin fever. However, she was in a haze. Her violet eyes were clouded over as she moved through the forest, dressed in her usual garb with katana swinging beside her. However, the female was not watching where she was going and next thing she knew, something was around her ankle and yanked her up into the air. A loud:: "EEEEEKKKKKK!" ::Rang through the forest as Cala was now hanging upside down, trying desperately to keep her skirt from obeying gravity's law::

::He was just nearing trap number 6 when he heard a soft...shout. In one smooth motion he brought both katars down and darted forwards. The male moved silently, weaving throughout the trees without so much breaking a twig as he moved towards the southwest upper corner rabbit trap, or simply put, number 15. But when he arrived and slowed to a stop, he couldn't help but give the faintest smile:: Cala...what are you doing here?

::Cala was in a ball, trying to keep her skirt in a modest position when she glanced over to Jyn:: "Oh, Hi Jyn! I'm just, hanging around." ::She laughed nervously:: "Would you please let me down? I'm not all that tasty, even cooked."

I don't know...if you were foolish enough to get yourself snared perhaps I'll let you just dangle. ::He spoke lightly before shaking his head and walking to the tree the rope was tied to. Slowly he began working at the knot, knowing that cutting it would be faster...but it was more amusing this way::

::The closer he came towards her, the more the bengal anthro tried to keep that skirt up for modesty. A blush was creeping its way across her cheeks with his very step and when he had arrived she was blushing. Cala mewed sadly:: "I'm sorry. I know I should have been watching what I was up to but I wasn't even thinking of where I was heading before my world was turned upside down. I'm just lucky it was by you and not someone else." ::She smiled but a thought occured to her to make her eyes widden as she looked at the ground. She was going to plop. Her body curled even more at the idea::

Yeah. ::He grunted, at last the knot coming out. It immediatly snaked out of his hands, sending Cala down at gravities call. With quick reflexes, the genet jumped up into the tree and kicked off of it, grabbing onto the rope end and thankfully being heavier then the female, fell with it to pull her back up::

::Cala's eyes went wide and she mewed loudly as she was about to hit before she noticed she was coming back up and sighed with relief:: "Thank you, Jyn! For a minute there I thought for certain that I was going to meet the earth face first." ::The female then glanced over to Jyn curiously:: "I can untie myself from this, I think, but um, would you mind turning your head for a moment for me to untie myself?" ::She blushed a little. She could be shy::

Can you do so without distroying the loop? I want as little work for me to put this back up as possible. ::Okay...so he was a little bit irritated. The genet slowly let the rope slide through his fingers now, carefully lowering cala. He wasn't an idiot. He always left enough rope for it to be lowered down completely back to the floor just incase of accidents like this::

::Cala looked to him and a warm expression crossed over her face. For a moment, she had been worried for Jyn as he was acting a little differently, and she hoped nothing had happened to him. To hear him speak as such, she was assured that he was alright. When she was gently lowered to the ground, the bengal anthro looked to him w a small smile:: "Alright, well then, I leave it up to you as I do not wish to destroy your work. I am sorry for messing up this trap. Can I help you put it back together?"

No. ::an inch from the ground, he let go of the rope completely for her to fall just that little bit. he walked back over to her, crouching down. He jerked up his arms, bringing back up his katars before pulling the trapped leg to him::

::Cala winced a little at the impact and only sighed a little:: "I understand. Sorry again." ::She was about to try and get up when she felt her leg pulled towards him, making her DEEPLY blush as she looked over at him with big violet eyes. She looked like a trapt deer infront of a car. Smoothing out her skirt to try and keep herself modest in the new position she smiled to him, alittle nervous:: "So how are you today Jyn?"

Already tired. ::hands going to her ankle, he managed to work at the loop enough to slip two fingers between it and her ankle. Those two fingers moved back and forth there while the free hand worked on loosening the knot, slowly pulling open the loop. For a male spending his life in the forest, Jyn was surprisingly gentle, taking care not to let the rope scrape too much against her skin incase it got irritated:: Just don't get ensnared in one of my traps again. I wont get you out next time

::Cala couldn't help but to be amazed at how gentle he was being. Her violet eyes watched him her blush not fading at all as he surprised her:: "Well, there won't be a next time, that I can promise you. If there was though, because now you told me you won't help me, I will just have to cut my way out. I just was really surprised this time because.. my mind was somewhere else today." ::Her voice was serene and her smile was genuine as she stared to Jyn, with a warm expression:: "Jyn, you were a wanderer at one point like me, correct?"

Looks like I'll have to start making my traps out of metal then. ::He grumbled, slipping his other hand into the loop and pulling down. It easily slid from her leg:: But yeah, I was. ::Jyn smoothly stood in almost boneless grace before taking ahold of the end of the rope that he had undone and pulling it back to the tree trunk:: Why?

::Cala winced her one eye:: "That sounds horribly painful and rather cruel of you to do to your prey." ::She then rose to her feet slowly, brushing off her dress. Ah to be on the ground again:: "I was just wondering Jyn.... Do you ever miss it now that you are here?" She didn't look at him as she asked this question, only watched him with curiosity.::


Better then them breaking free and living on in pain. ::He shrugged before stopping completely. Jyn looked over at her, blurred images flashing through his mind. Running, blood, pain, hide, don't breathe, don't make a sound...His ears flicked once and he returned back to the rope:: No, I dislike walking in the pouring rain. ::His usual excuse as to why he no longer wandered. It worked well enough for him::

::Cala looked to him curiously:: "You live outdoors; don't you get rained on anyway?" ::She noticed the look in his eyes. She stared at the ground. Always curious of him but afraid to bother him too much as he was easily annoyed with her.:: "I was wondering, Jyn. Its okay for you to be honest with me as I don't mind: would you miss me if I decided to wander again?"

If you noticed at camp I have a tarp stretched out for the rain. Also catches the water for drinking. ::He finished with the knot and now climbed up into the tree to re-adjust the rope. The genet glanced down at her only once and never stopped working:: Nope.

::Cala smiled to him brightly. Without warning, she had come over, and hugged him, purring a little.:: "Thank you Jyn." ::She slipped her arms away from him and stepped back.:: "Have you caught anything edible yet today?"

eek What did I...What are... ::He slowly shook his head, baffled. Wouldn't she be, um, upset that he wouldn't miss her if she suddenly dissapeared out of his life? That she obviously didn't make that much impact for him since he barely could remember her name? Females were weird:: Let me guess, you're going on the road again. ::Hooking his legs on the branch he was on, the male fell backwards to sort of flip back onto his feet on the ground:: And yeah. Ate some deer this morning.

::Cala smiled to Jyn and twirled around.:: "That is why I like you, Jyn. You are the best at following my golden rule. Never a string to hold me down. That is why I think so highly of you, even though I am sure you do not care much for me because of who I am." ::A wink was tossed to him and she even blew him a kiss with her gloved hand. She then moved to lean against the tree he had been working on.:: "I have been feeling rather.. cramped in this land. Even though I am certain you do not view me as such, I still see you as my friend and wanted to make sure you would not be offended or upset by my disappearance first."

Why would I care again? ::He pulled the loop down to the ground before smoothing some leaves over it:: This is only the second time I've ever seen you. I don't give the title 'friend' out easily. So have fun on your travels, don't get rapped or mauled alive and refrain from eating oddly colored berries. ::He turned to start leaving::

::Cala looked down at the ground.:: "You wouldn't care at all huh? Maybe it wasn't so much about you as it was about me." ::She started to follow after him.:: "And I haven't left yet. I was just asking about it is all. You are very anxious to get away from me."

Correct. ::His fluffy tail twitched slightly as she followed after him, but he didn't stop her. Let the girl do what she wants:: And you just ate up time due to carelessness. You're not in my top 3 favorite people list right now, and you're basically the only one I've talked to in two months.

::Cala's eyes grew sad. She was batting a million with making people unhappy.:: "Is there anything I can do to make it up to you Jyn?" ::She really wanted to do right by him but he was an unusual male to her::

::He looked at her. Bad mistake. Catching to sad look in her eyes, he softly sighed:: ...Lets just say we're even now for the cookies. Don't worry about it. ::The feline could have a heart...sometimes...you just had to find it...somewhere::

::Cala suddenly brightly smiled and shot up to his side with bright violet eyes looking up at him with such a happy smile:: "Oh I'm so glad you got the cookies! Did you like them? I wasn't sure what kind to make for you." ::Her tail was swaying happily behind her::

Yeah, I got them. They were...alright. ::Yup...bad mistake. Now he made her happy and chipper again. Headache, here he came:: Did you make them yourself?

::Cala smiled to him and nodded.:: "I was not sure what kind you would like. So I did my best on the chocolate chip ones. Do you have a particular type of cookie you prefer?" ::She looked at him with intrigue::

Not going to answer that. ::He shook his head. Knowing his luck she might make him more:: Do you? ::Not that he really cared. He couldn't cook in a kitchen if his life depended on it::

::Cala looked at him with a small pout but sighed and smiled softly:: "Not really. I actually do not care for sweets too much. I only made cookies for you because it was a new skill I was taught and I wanted to share it with someone who I think of fondly." ::She had DEVIOUS plots now to make so many for him since he didnt have a type he would tell of. Without a single thought, she suddenly looked around the scenery she was following him into. The genet could have led her off to hell before she would notice.:: "I tried to find you before but got lost last time so I ended up making about five batches for you before I found your home again." ::Her voice was distant as she was staring at the scenery around them::

Don't you become attached to me now. ::He grumbled, wondering what was going on in that empty head of hers. Really he was just leading them to another trap for him to check up on since he had been interrupted:: But glad to know my home is hard to find

::Cala looked over to him and her face was very serious and somber.:: "Dearest Jyn, it is against my rule to grow attached to you or anyone else. Even if you begged me, I would never be attached." ::And she then smiled and without warning kissed his cheek and dashed quickly a foot between them to not get killed for it:: "That is why you are thought of so fondly by me Jyn."

And I'd sooner have my head impaled on a pike then beg for anything from you ::he sharply moved his hand to the side, feeling it rush through air:: and I'd rather beg then partake in affection towards someone else. ::He still felt the imprints of her lips against his cheek, warm and soft::

::Cala couldn't help but to laugh and she smiled to him warmly:: "Oh, but my dearest Jyn, you are so kind. Surely you would love a hug one day, wouldn't you?" ::She held out her arms to him, but still was a GOOD distance to not be killed:: "Hug?"

::He turned, walked right towards her...and turned at the last second to walk right on pass to the tree behind her:: Not in your life girl.

::When he had turned and walked right towards her, her smile dropped and a look of horror fell onto her face. Was this the end of Cala? She even closed her eyes at the last minute, scared to death for a moment he was gonna keel her before she openned an eye to see he walked right passed her. She sighed with relief then giggled and smiled, winking to him. "I promise my hug would be warm." ::She then twirled and followed after him. Whew! That guy could startle her when he wanted.::

I'd rather be incased in ice. ::He slowly circled the feline:: move to the right a bit. You're less then a foot away from a bear trap

::Cala blinked at him when he said move to the right. She then whispered quietly:: "Does my hug scare the big bad hunter?" ::But with her smile, it was more then obvious of her joking nature as she did exactly as Jyn told her.:: "I imagine that you didn't catch anything in this one if I'm able to be so close and not notice. Very nicely placed, concealed trap, by the way." ::She winked to him::

no, you do. ::He spoke dryly and continued walking to his next trap:: And I like to think that if an anthro can't spot my trap, no animal will. ::Even he could see the flirtation rolling off of cala, and he didn't hadn't had a girlfriend since...Jyn mentally shook his head::

::Cala followed after him with a smile.:: "How could a little lady like me possibly scare a big bad hunter with weapons like yourself? I'm hardly being bad or mean to you." ::She spoke with a sincere tone of voice. The bengal anthro couldn't help but to like Jyn as he was not one to care for her at all.:: "Well I should hope that you do catch something for your dinner tonight. If not, I will catch you something myself."

Thats the problem. ::he didn't so much as glance back at her:: and I already ate once for the day. I'll have some jerky tomarrow afternoon if my traps dont have anything

::She moved up close to him to whisper very quietly to him in a very mature voice in his ear:: "Do you want me to mean to you, Jyn? I could do that, just for you." ::Annnddd then she leaped backwards out of range that she guessed he couldn't get her. Cala looked at him curiously.:: "Are you sure? I wouldn't mind getting some fish for you. I enjoy fishing and haven't eaten yet today so I need to go anyway." ::She smiled.::

I'm definatly getting metal traps stare ::The male shook his head and turned back to camp. He'd check the others in the morning:: And if you really want to, fine. I'll just make up the fire

::Cala twitched and looked over at him slowly. A fire. Uh-oh. She slowly backed away from him with a forced smile on her face.:: "Uh... yeah.. okay... I'll be back in afew minutes." She then turned and walked off to a nearby lake.::

::He shrugged and started to pick up the occasional twig on his way to camp, eventually getting a good arms load by the time he entered the clearing. Jyn moved to the blackened circle, dropped the sticks beside it and picked up his flint::

::Cala was at the lake's banks as she stripped off her gloves. A sigh escaped her:: "I WILL behave myself; I will NOT let the fire bother me.. I will keep a SAFE distance.." ::Oh great, she's talking to herself! Wading out to a deep end, her hands extended her claws and she laid in wait ready to snatch up the stupid fish that would come by. In the end, she came with a two fish in her arms, gloves tied to her waist beside her katana. She looked at Jyn before she would step foot into his camp::

Just in time. ::He called over his shoulder just as he struck his two stones togeather. Sparks flew onto the dried grass he had set aside for fires and he carefully blew on it for the thing to catch fire. Then he proceeded to add the wood::

::Cala came to find herself growing alittle nervous once again as she saw the fire beginning. Slowly she approached before she realized that there would need skewers to cook the fish:: "Uhm, you need the sticks to cook them on, correct?" ::She kept a small distance from the fire::

::he shook his head:: got plenty of sticks ::he pointed to the pile beside him and took two more, adding them to the slowly increasing blaze. He of course didn't notice what was wrong between him, cala and fires::

::Cala backed up as the fire increased. Her ears fell back and she gulped a little as she kneeled to the pile of the sticks, then scooted back away from the flames as she looked at him curiously.:: "Would you happen to have a slab I could clean them on?"

Their...fish. Not rabbits. Cook them first so the scales loosen up, tear it off then and eat around the guts and bones ::He shook his head, the male now looking at her again:: You alright?

::Cala shrugged:: "Many ways to cook a fish and I can clean them now. However, whatever way you like them best." She smiled to him and skewered them and held them out to him to place near the fire. She twitched her ear a little as he asked. A false smile was on her lips:: "I'm alright, yep, love being away from that fire." ::A big toothy grin::

::he took the fish-ka-bob and stuck them into the ground next to the fire. The genet then rested his elbows onto his knees, dark eyes intent on the fire:: ...I hate it when people fake emotions ::He murmered softly, not looking away from the flame::

::Cala's ears twitched at this and she just sighed, lettting a rather unhappy expression come across her face:: "I am fine, Jyn. I just don't wish to be near the fire and you at the same time is all." ::She came to glanced over at the sky:: "And I'm pretty certain you don't care why either so I'm just going to ask a question of you: Do other anthros come to see you out here?"

just don't smile when you don't want to smile. Its creepy. ::He tossed a stick into the fire:: No. Other anthros are smart enough to leave me alone. ::as he had said before...cala was the only anthro he had seen for two months::

::Cala looked over to him:: "I won't ever leave you alone here yourself, Jyn." ::She looked into the fire.:: "For my trip I will come back in one week's time and I promise to visit you first. If you want, I'll bring you back a present."

Why would you care? ::He sighed and let himself fall onto his back, crossing his arms under his head:: I'm used to being alone anyhow. Else you'll develop a dependency.

::Cala leaned foreward, on her hands and knees as she stared over at him:: "I have told you time and time again that I am fond of you. Do you just wish to not hear when I say such or do you not believe me?" ::She sighed:: "I care because I think of you as my friend."

I would think it's a mixture of both. ::He yawned, closing his eyes:: In a weeks time you'll forget about me, nothing new.

::Cala bit her bottom lip and sighed. She came crawling over to him and rested beside his head. Her violet eyes peered down at him with her long red ponytail trailing down her shoulder. Her one hand, regloved quickly, quickly carressed over over the side of his cheek, with the back of her fingers, not pulling away this time, willing to take her punishment.:: "I will never forget you Jyn. I do not forget my friends nor those that I am fond of. Ever. It is rare for me to ever want a friend, and you are one that I wish to have as a friend, even if it never happens. Even if I mean nothing to you, you mean a lot to me, Jyn."

You hardly know me. ::Jyn didn't jerk away though, having heard her approch. He did though open his eyes to stare up at her, just stare at her as if daring her to deny that fact. She didn't know a thing beyond his home in the woods, his name and that he had been a wanderer::

::Cala smiled to him with a warm compassion:: "Jyn, it only takes me a moment to see you for who you are. You've been kind to me and have respected me despite how mean I have been. You even put up with my jokes and play games with me too." ::She leaned down and kissed his lips softly. She looked at him in a serene expression:: "You are precious to me."

eek eek eek ::He completely deserved that. Coughing lightly, the male took hold of cala's shoulders and sat up, pushing the female up:: Girl...uh... ::Jyn shook his head, for once having not a clue on what to say. The genet took a slow breath:: it's not you, its me...no, no it's you, I'm not lying there. ::He removed a hand from her shoulder to place gently ontop of her head:: I don't want to sleep with you, make out with you, or even give you a hug. I don't even concider you as a friend yet

::Cala laughed and continued to laugh out of amusement. She wiped the corner of her eye:: "Oh, Jyn. I do not expect you to even care if I lived or died. I expect nothing from you at all. All I wish for you to know is that you are infact precious to me. I know that you do not think of me as your friend. I am alone in wanting a friendship. I understand and respect that. But to even think I would expect to sleep with you, makeout or hug you!" ::Cala sighed and shook her head with a smile:: "Jyn, I want nothing more then to be in your company and be left to think of you as my friend. Nothing more." ::Cala smiled::

You sure? Thats it. Nothing more. ::he eyed her warily. His first kiss in 4 years and it was from a girl who he couldn't even care enough to remember her full first name. Calathia or something like that:: You are one odd female

::Cala smiled to him:: "I want nothing more then to be in your company and be allowed to think of you as my friend even if you don't think the same of me." ::The bengal anthro's fur started to feel warmer and she gasped as she realized how close she was to the fire. She moved away from it again sighed a little before smiling to Jyn:: "I may be an odd female, but to me you are an odd male and I wouldn't like you any other way."

...Fine...just remember it isn't going both ways. ::He lightly sighed:: and no kissing me anymore. Its iritating enough having you less then 5 feet from me. ::Jyn reached forwards and slowly turned the sticked fish to give them an even cook::

::Cala pouted:: "I won't kiss you anymore but may I at least get a hug? One hug? I won't ask for it anymore besides this one time." :espite her asking, she stayed still, never moving towards him. The bengal was respecting his space and seemed to recognize that she was lucky to get away with the kiss::

No. ::He spoke flatly. Just don't look at her. Don't look at her. Don't look at her...Jyn glanced at the female and repressed a sigh. Respecting his space, keeping her distance, she tried to look more innocent then she was. The genet shook his head:: One hug for this one time, understand?

::Cala's face brightened and she wiggled but she stayed put and smiled. She nodded to him and was very happy but of course she wasn't about to tackle him. And the fire being so close to him... She didn't want to risk it. He was being so sweet she had to figure to get him something nice on her trip:: "Yes, Jyn. Thank you."

Never again... ::He shook his head again before opening his arms in a 'I wish I was anywhere but here' manner:: Well come on. I'm not moving to you for a hug I don't even want. ::someone just wack him over the head with something already, he felt like his own sweetness could give him a cavity right then::

::Cala took a breath, and slowly approached him, violet eyes staring over at the flames. The bengal then moved over and embraced him. Not tightly but not loosely. She smiled brightly up at him and fought herself.:: "Thank you very much Jyn." ::She sighed with relief. Her voice was softer as she spoke in amost a sad voice:: "I really needed a hug today."

::He would have been fine, if she had not spoken. Silently he wrapped his arm around her small figure, slowly exhaling as he held her close in a gentle hug. Females were weird. They could be stronger then any man in the sense that if they broke, all they needed was a bit of comfort. When men break, they normally don't ever become fixed:: It's okay.

::Cala whispered quietly:: "I really do hope so, Jyn. For the first time in a long time, I have to say I am truly scared. Its nice to know that even though you don't care, you still will allow me this one hug. It means a lot to me right now and really makes me feel like things will be alright." ::She spoke from the heart and couldn't help but to listen to his heartbeat.::

Just don't ever second guess yourself. That is how doubts form in the first place. ::WHY was he giving his own personal philosophy to her now? Maybe she reminded him a bit of Seret, maybe he called to a soft part in his heart or maybe he just wanted to calm her down so she would let go and run away already. Who could really say for certain?:: Besides...most of the time things turn out on top for the cute girls in life.

::Cala listened quietly to him. She took all he said into her heart. She was very still as she did not want to run away. However she did loosen her grip just a little so that he could move her when he had had enough of her:: "How can I relieve my doubts should they form?" ::Mentally, however, she was squeeing and mewing happily cause he called her cute.::

You barrel on through anyway. Can't have any doubts if the deed is already done. ::He actually grinned at this, the very first smile from him the entire day. Jyn let his hands slip up her sides to...grip her shoulders again and push her into a sitting position away from him. He had given her his hug and she loosened up first. Her fault::

::Cala sat there looking up at him. She allowed herself to be pushed away and seemed rather content. She smiled to him:: "Thank you Jyn." ::Her bengal fur was growing even more warm and the feline scooted far away from the fire to sit alone in the dancing shadows of the flames.:: "I like to stare at the fire but I cannot get too close to it."

::He shrugged:: Not my place to ask. ::the male reached forwards and picked up a shishka-fish before extending it to Cala:: Looks done to me

::Cala smiled and took the fish. She sniffed at it, and gave a nod. She then looked around for a slab or a flatsurface to clean the fish up. Without a word spoken, a curious violet stare was given to Jyn and her head tilted.::

...if you insist. ::Jyn smoothly stood, chisteled upper body glowing in the firelight. How had it get so dark so quickly? He walked to a tree with multiple different instruments strewn about it. Carefully he picking out a stone slab about 5 inches wide and a slender knife for scraping off the scales. He started back towards the fire::

::Cala was quiet. She had caught her breath and held it as she watched him. The firelight certainly gave him quite an appearance that was alluring. She remained quiet and still. She was going to be good. She would not reach out and touch and caress like she wanted. And she REALLY wanted. As he came back she merely bowed her head in thanks, but there was a faint blush on her face as she stayed put and said nothing. She would work in silence and not stare. She WANTED to stare but she wouldn't.::

::He handed her the stone and knife before sitting back down. But surprisingly, he didn't take up his own fish. No, the male slowly began taking off his katars, putting them beside him before removing his long black gloves and dropping them ontop of the weapon. He curled and un curled his fingers, flexing them from their fixed state of holding the katars. That was what the gloves were for, but he hated to leave it up for chance of him slicing something and having the weapon go flying. Now he picked up the staked fish, pale scars criss crossing the back of his hands and up his arms flashing omniously::

::Cala tried her hardest to not stare at him. She however did use the excuse of the fish to look at him curiously:: "Jyn, would you like me to clean that fish for you?" ::She noted the scars he bore but never once stared at them. Her eyes were fixed directly on his face.::

I got it. ::And with that, bit into the fish. It was a shallow bite though and he pulled back, turning his head and spitting some flesh out. Now there was a small hole in the scales. Ignoring the heat, he proceeded to pick at the whole and tear off the scales, flesh and all::

::Sometimes it slipped her mind exactly how smart Jyn was and how he lived his life outdoors. After all, this campsite he designed and created for himself. She only smiled a little as she went to knife work, moving fast with ungloved hands as she took the gloves off for the innards to be removed without staining. Finally, two beautiful fillets of fish were on the slab and she smiled with satisfaction as she took a bite. SHe glanced over to Jyn. She wondered if he would sit over at the fire the whole night with his back to her::

::as he worked with both hands and teeth, he let the guts drop into the fire, letting them cook. He couldn't bury or toss them, it would attract unwanted creatures. So that left burning them unless he wanted to go and toss them into the river or eat them. Now scales in a neat pile beside him, he picked off the meat and ate it. A thought dawned on him and he turned his head to look directly at cala, the little bit of gold in his obsidian eyes glinting:: Are you planning on spending the night?

::Cala blinked at him and she a sad smile was on her face:: "I never impose myself on anyone. I was actually going to leave after helping to clean up after dinner since I know how tired you are already." ::She would have liked to spend the night but already she had pushed her boundaries with him. She was not about to risk it all away::

::He shrugged:: alright. ::Jyn went back to his fish, spitting out a tiny bone next to the scales to be later dealt with. He honestly didn't care if she spent the night since it wasn't like he was going to wake up to her naked beside him or see her fiddling around with his traps. Be more likely to get ensnared with that last one. But if cala wanted to go, more power to her::

::Cala had seen what Jyn had done with the guts of the fish and so slowly and carefully, pushing everything aside, she picked up the disgarded items on the slab and carried them over to the bonfire, tossing them in as he had done and she turned returning quickly back to her spot. She went back to eating, her eyes watching the genet with lots of questions that were never asked of him but more of her inquisitive nature revealing itself in silence::

::it wasn't long before the fish was devoured, the bones and scales neatly in a pile beside him. The male stood, tossed the scales into the fire last and walked back to that tree. He came back a moment later with a clay bowl and a round stone, smoothed with usage. He put some bones into it and started to ground them up. Jyn was quick, quiet, and efficiant in a nutshell. Which made him a perfect survival type:: Bring your fish bones over here Cala ::He called softly::

::Cala watched him curiously. She had no idea what was going on, as Jyn pulled out another useful skill. Without needing to be asked twice, the bengal came to him with a quick pace, carrying her fish bones. His gentle tone could get her to do anything he wanted really. She set them down for him and watched with eyed filled with wonder, pondering what he was doing::

Bones dont burn. ::The male spoke softly, taking her bones and adding it into the bowl. He could only do this with fish because the bones were smaller, easier to mash:: And take years to decompose on their own. ::Jyn lightly grunted as the white powder crunched:: breaking it up helps make it go faster, not as much to take on at once.

((Copied from IMs))

Rpness

Cala was gone for an entire week. Her travels took her to a very big land and upon return, she had a new glove and her hand was healed. Not only that but there was something strapped to her back, wrapped. She carefully tread through the forest that she knew to contain the genet cat. Her violet eyes glanced around cautiously for him and his sneaky traps.

::Today was set aside for a day of work. Three deer skins laid stretched out on the ground infront of him, soaking up the sunlight as he finished up salting the deer meat for drying out. Three more additions for blankets and jerky for whenever he got too lazy to get food himself. Which of course he had learned was basically never, so ate the jerky normally when his traps were fruitless. He lifted his arms high up into the sky, stretching as tight as the skins before relaxing again. Jyn had been at this all morning, but still hadn't quite completed the amount he had been aiming for::

::Calanthia came into the campsite smiling and leaned back against a tree as she watched the genet cat at work. Always work, never play with him. He would hardly get passed the age of sixty with this going on.:: "Hello Jyn." ::She called out her greeting as to not startle him. Though she had hopes that she couldn't have done such::: "Might I ask as to what you are doing?" ::The wrapped gift on her back bothered her so she stood up tall::

Preparing blankets and jerky. ::He called back, turning his head to look at her. He acted as though she had never left...since he had never expected her to come back:: In a month or so I'll have to get serious about winter. But for right now I can keep at a lazy pace.

::Cala's violet eyes blinked a little. No hi? No welcome of any kind? She felt a little disappointed. However, she shrugged it off. She shouldn't expect much from him at all. Though, she had held out a little hope he would at least say hi:: "A lazy pace? My friend, you are working harder then most anthros that I've seen." ::She then smiled to him:: "Have you at least eaten some lunch?"

I also live harder then most anthros. I'd like to see another anthro who lived like I did, just to exchange tips. ::he nodded then to her second question, picking up a peice of salted meat. He actually smiled back at her. Maybe becoming a bit...comfortable? Nah:: Yeah. Jerky.

::Cala couldn't help but to smile even more at this. She slowly approached where he was, still leaving a space between them:: "Well I kept my promise to you. I have returned, and you're the first person I've seen. Also I do have some gifts for you."

You actually brought me something? ::he tossed the bit of salted meat into his little basket:: Didn't I tell you that you that I don't want anything you possibly could possess or give? ::He had thought she had been joking earlier::

::Cala looked at the ground:: "I made a verbal promise to bring you something. And since I didn't know what exactly to get you, I brought back several things. However, if you really won't accept them after I've carried them this far for you.." ::A sigh escaped her::

Don't put words in my mouth, I said I didn't want anything, not that I wont accept them. ::he put just enough snap in it to seem like he ment it all along. He was such a pushover at times it sickened him:: And anyway...I'm feline...I at least want to see what you carried all this way

::Cala smiled brightly to him. From her back, she pulled over her shoulder a large back that made a 'thud' sound when she set it on the ground. It was extremely heavy:: "As I said before, I didn't know what you would like exactly so I brought back more then one item. They are all for you but..anyway," ::Her hands slipped into the bag. She brought out the largest item first: a mohogony golden-flecked camo wooden crossbow. She also pulled out several special arrows, bolts. She set it down before him as if he were a god receiving a sacrifice:: "This is the first thing I picked up for you.."

::he stared at her. Just sort of stared at her for a few moments before slowly reaching down and picking up the crossbow. He gently hefted it in his hands, bringing it back to make like he was aiming at something before slowly lowering it:: I haven't touched a crossbow in years... ::Jyn murmered quietly, looking up from the weapon::

::Cala smiled to him brightly:: "So do you like it? Will you please accept it?" ::Oh but the bag was hardly empty. Many more items laid in wait.::

Truth be told, I don't think I can. ::He shrugged, refusing to look at the weapon in his hands:: If I recall correctly, crossbows aren't cheap these days

::Calanthia smiled to him:: "Please accept it. Its a one-of-a-kind piece and I really couldn't find anything like it again for you. The other items I have for you are nothing compared to it. Please?"

::not immediatly answering her, he picked up an arrow and notched it into the crossbow. He brought the beautiful weapon to his shoulder, turned to the side, aimed and fired. He jolted back slightly from the recoil, but as the arrow shot out, it was only a hair shy of dead center of a tree trunk. He had gotten rusty again:: Do you know how to use a crossbow?

::Cala watched him and smiled as he fired the crossbow. She then blinked at his question:: "No I do not. All the specialty items I have in this bag for you I do not know anything of. I found them strictly through inquiry and networking through many many stores."

Then I'll accept it. ::He gently set the item on the ground before standing and jogging over to the tree. after a bit Jyn managed to work the arrow free, closely examining it as he walked back:: But only if you let me teach you.

::Cala smiled to him and nodded to him:: "Agreed then. Might I offer to you your other gifts?" ::She still had a bag halfway full of other items::

::He eyed the bag she had, slowly nodding. If the first thing was a crossbow, what else could she have gotten him?::

"I was not sure if you would enjoy a crossbow as I know you like to work with your hands and that is a ranged weapon. So I traveled to another country outside of these lands for this particular item." ::She then lifted out an Irish dagger with an 11 inch blade. It was shealthed in a lovely black sheathe with celtic stitching. She held it out to him to take from her::

I don't like to be restricted to close range combat ::He admitted softly. Another shard of his past. The genet slowly reached out and took ahold of the irish dagger, slowly sliding it from it's sheath to admire the blade and balance. He held out a finger to rest the bottom of the hilt on:: You've got a good eye. ::He hadn't a clue what he would use such a nice weapon for though. or really the crossbow either except for fleeing prey. But he recognized good craftmanship when he saw it...it was hard not to be appreciative at the very least::

::Calanthia smiled a little at his soft comment then watched him take the dagger. She blushed faintly at his comment on her shopping abilities.:: "Only the best for you, Jyn. Those weapons were the harder ones to find. The first because its an original piece and that one was forged in another land. The next few are more of a practical use or what I at least hope will be. May I show them to you?"

::The blade whispered in its sheath as he closed it again, gently placing the dagger at his side:: you don't have to ask Cala. ::They said the way to a mans heart is through his stomach. Well, Jyn obviously wasn't that big of an eater, so the way to his heart was through his weapons. Of course she would see that flaw in him::

"This is a piece set. The man at the store said that they should be useful items to a professional hunter. If they are useless, please tell me and I will return them immediately." ::Cala then slowly pulled out two skinning knives[/urls], one longer then the other and set them down before him. Then she pulled out a handcrafted crown ulu. The three items were for skinning or at least she had been told that. She looked up at him to see if they were something he would accept::

::He eyed them slightly, inspecting them carefully without touching them:: They're alright...I can use them as back up for when my set breaks. ::So his was about ready to kick the bucket soon and he was thinking about making replacements in a few days. He wasn't about to tell her that::

::Cala merely gave a nod to him. She had felt a little sad by that remark:: "This last item I thought you might like. Though, I must admit, it has no real.. well.. um... I'm babbling, please excuse me.. here is your last item that I have. I hope you take it." ::Cala blushed a little as the last item she took out, folded and handed over to him, refusing to look at him. There, folded up, was an extremely large Triskelion Blanket Throw. It was extremely plush to the touch but made out of a durable material.:: "It came from the same land as the dagger and.. I just thought it was nice.."

::he blinked, touching the blanket slowly. A real blanket...or at least...he thought it was. It seemed a bit different then any blanket he'd ever seen. Jyn poked it again slightly, looking up at cala with almost a touch of...innocents around him. A hint of embarrassment:: What is it exactly?

::Cala blushed a little as she smiled softly at the ground, not able to stare up at him:: "A special blanket made in the land of people who are close to this earth. The symbol is one for protection and good wishes. When I left here before, I was worried about you being so cold. And since you can't have a fire at night because of the insects, I hope.. that this will keep you safe and warm."

Ah....well...thanks... ::he spoke a bit awkwardly. What was he supposed to do? Give her a hug? A pat on the back with a well done? Wait, no. Maybe this was sort of like...christmas. He recalled celebrating it a while ago. Maybe it was somthing like that?:: Hold on... ::the male walked away from her, the weapons, the skinning tools and the blanket to a tree. He reached inside the top hole he had carved into the trunk and took something out. Something big, something bulky, something pure black. It was one of his most prized possessions here::

::Calanthia blinked and looked up at him with he said thanks. She smiled brightly to him. However, when he asked her to hold on, the bengal blinked and her tail flicked behind her. Where was he going? What was he doing? She saw him grab something large but she had no idea what exactly. She just watched quietly::

Here... ::upon closer look, Cala could see it was also very...furry. He handed it over to her just before crouching down infront:: When I first got here, I made the mistake of attracting the first and only bear that I've seen. Big fish from the river and it was hungry. ::he softly sighed:: safe to say that I won that battle. Skinned it, tanned it, oiled it down a bit and broke it in with usage...That is one of the warmest blankets I've ever encountered, excellent for winter storms. And it was a big bear, so can cover your entire body without killing another one to add on

::Cala looked at the very furry item handed to her, taking it into her hands as if inspecting. Honestly, though she was admiring it, petting it as if it were still alive. Calanthia smiled up at him brightly.:: "Thank you very much Jyn. Its very nice and its beautiful. However, I do not understand. Why is it you are giving this to me?" ::Her hand continued to carress over the large blanket fondly::

::He at least had the decency to look embarrassed, looking down at the ground between his feet:: Its a gift. ::What was it called...how to put this in the right words...:: basically, a show of appreciation. ::Jyn shrugged::

::Cala blushed brightly and blinked. She smiled warmly to Jyn. Moving to lean against him, she wrapped as much of it around the two of them and whispered quietly:: "Thank you Jyn. I like it very much." ::He didn't need to say anything as she could kinda understand.::

eek ::he softly coughed, the tiniest touch of red lighting upon his cheeks as the fuzzy blanket fell upon him, her warm body pressing against his arm. Jyn promptly scooched away from cala and the blanket, tilting his head slightly just incase she recognized the faintest of blush from him:: Best not get too warm around me again. ::The genet quietly explained::

::Cala laughed:: "It would take more then a blanket to make me lose myself again. And see?" ::She held up both her hands to reveal the gloves.:: "As long as these stay on you are safe around me I promise." ::The bengal anthro looked at him with smile before she sat on the ground and completely wrapped up her body with the blanket covering over her head as well so she was completely encased with it::

::still was too warm of a position for him. Too cozy. The feline gently picked up the crossbow, arrows and dagger before making his way to the tree which had previously held the beloved bear blanket::

::First her tail popped out of the balnket, swishing it as she was nuzzling the inside of the blanket, enjoying the scent. It smelled like Jyn. If he listened he could hear her purring inside of the blanket ball. She then popped her head out of it:: "Hey Jyn?" ::She called out curiously to him::

What is it? ::He called back over his shoulder, smartly squeezing in the crossbow into the small crevace before slipping in the irish dagger and arrows after it so they wouldn't get rain-damadged::

::Cala smiled brightly to him and stood up, with the blanket wrapped around her like a cloak. It could fit her curves very nicely:: "If you are done your work, want to play a game with me?" ::She asked so innocently of him::

"How about we play Tree-Top tag?" ::The bengal smiled brightly to him as her tail swayed. She twirled the blanket off from her body, slowly folding it in a nice fashion.::

More specific. What is Tree Top tag? ::Back to the tree! Maybe he should develope a better storage method then this...::

"Well the rules are simple. One person is 'it' and the other is the prey. The person who is 'it' has to try and tackle or tag the prey and then they become it and the roles reverse. All played in the trees. No touching the ground. The first person to either fall or touch the ground loses. Want to play?"

Sounds a bit childish. ::he paused infront of the tree before slipping the set into it with the bow, arrows and dagger. They were his presents, it sorta could be organized by them being grouped togeather. Jyn turned back to her, crossing his arms carefully with his katars:: What are the stakes involved?

::Calanthia smiled brightly:: "How about we each set our own? If I win, I want a hug. That's my stake."

What is with you and hugs? ::He murmered, shaking his head:: But if I win, you have to help me finish up my deer skins

"Deal." ::Cala couldn't help but to giggle at his murmur:: "I think you're cute and your fur is very soft and I like your scent. I figure a hug is about the nicest thing I can ask for from you to enjoy all three at the same time."

...'cute'? ::He looked at her skeptically before swinging up into a tree. He took off his gloves and katars, sticking them far above the ground. They could only hinder manuverability up in the air and there was no way he was letting himself get into yet another hug. Every time he embraced her it was too warm::

::Calanthia took off her shoes and climbed up into the tree with ease. Now that she was up there, there was no chance of her getting down. Literally, she didn't like getting down trees. Cala's tail twitched and she crouched low, her violet eyes taking in a rather wild look. Her hands quickly took off her gloves and tied them too her waist, leaving her katana down on the ground by her shoes. Her claws dug into the bark:: "To make it fair, I'll let you choose. Do you want me to be it first or would you like to? Also, we should set a time limit."

I'll give you a chance. I'll be it first. ::though he didnt dig his claws into the bark, he held onto the limb he was on with a powerful grip. Jyn pointed to the sky, the sun directly overhead saying it is noon:: when the sun reaches the halfway point between overhead and ground, we'll meet back here.

::Calanthia laughed at him and his cocky attitude.:: "Oh how sweet of you." ::She said dryly. She then beamed a grin:: "Remember, whoever is 'It' by that point in the game is the loser! So ready?" ::She wiggled alittle::

Ready. ::He hadn't ment it to be cocky, just the truth. He slept in the trees everyday, climbed them, and knew the forest well enough to dream walking through it perfectly. And of course, Genet cats loved trees as well:: Always ready ::without warning he pushed his powerful limbs down, launching himself off of his branch towards her::

::When an bengal's agility, Calanthia was already off pouncing onto a higher branch across the way and began to scamper away across the treetops. The bengal anthro giggled as she used her claws on the third branch on the trunk, spinning around the trunk to the lower branches::

::his hands reached the branch and he flipped himself back onto the branch, planting his feet not on the branch for a second before pushing up again to grip a new branch above. Quick and agile, he leapt off after her, keeping above and using the trees foliage to hide his passing::

::Cala moved quickly and darted, zig-zagging between two branches across the way. She could not see where Jyn was all she could tell was that he must have been on his way and she had to keep up the pace. So she tried turning her direction to the right and nearly slipped off the branch, latching onto another. However, it slowed her down::

::landing on the tree she had previously used to lower herself down, he stopped and listened quietly, his delicate ears perked. There! Could be a bird, but... He jumped onto another tree, sending the branch swaying a bit:: SNAP! ::His head jerked to the branches base. He cursed, jumping up just as it fell. He dangled on the branch before swinging himself up. Jyn had almost forgot that he had also trapped the surrounding trees against anthros. The genet cat softly chuckled. This would get real interesting, real fast::

::Cala had just heard the branch snap back a ways behind her stopped. Should she see if she won? Might as well! She began heading back just to see Jyn still in the treetops. Her eyes grew wide, ears lowered. Uh oh. Not good that he was that close already! And so she took off diagonially to the left hurrying and had a branch snap under her feet. She began to fall and used a swinging motion to slam her body into the tree as she hurried back up the tree and tried to recover the distance between her and Jyn::

::eyeing the branch on the ground, his head jerked up again at another snap. No. Not his. Cala's. Taking a slow breath, he leapt off his tree to free fall down to the lower branch of one father. He made his way back up, jumping branch to branch in the direction of the sound. Many times feeling the branch give way to his feet. He couldn't stay still for any more then a second then. Great::

::Cala sighed with relief as she was on a steady thick branch but looked up to see a Genet heading her way. CRAP! She was on her feet and moving once more to dart to the left trying to lose ground. However, she was greatly slowed from the force of slamming into a trunk. So her jumps were shorter::

::The genet jumped from another branch, hand reaching out to grab the next. How many trapped limbs did he make anyway? And where was his-He let out a grunt, quickly dropping down onto a branch. He waited. No snap. Jyn sighed and looked down at one of his hands, three drops of blood forming. The male licked them off. There they were. Using a knife he had chipped at random branches to make them stick up. When someone carelessly grabbed onto them then to swing, it punctured them, hurting the hand and making it harder to continue to swing. He was really paranoid when he first got here wasn't he? The cat wipped his hand on his pants leg before jumping again. There was no helping using his hands, they were necessary. all he could do was hope he would get lucky and not run into any more...and hoped he had bought enough disinfectent::

::Cala sniffed at the air. Blood. That made her swing around and head to the scent of the blood. Was Jyn hurt? She had to be certain::: "Jyn are you alright?" ::She called out heading towards him::

::not daring on stopping for thought of snapping branches, he continued to swing. He managed to only wince as his other hand landed right on the little wooden spikes and when his hand slipped around to continue with his momentum, made little bloody lines:: Yeah. Its nothing ::he called back, landing again to look at the damage. Alright...so just barreling through WASN'T a good idea::

::Cala looked around for him as she moved:: "Where are you?" ::She smelled even more blood and this made her panic alittle. She quickly moved and of course, a branch snapped under her weight and she fell landing on the ground with an oommph!:: "Owwy.." ::She rubbed her backside but that minor to her as she stood up and look around above her:: "Jyn???" ::She called out::

::he scootched towards the base of the branch, propping his back up against the trunk as he got down to licking his wound. It was an instinctual responce, but saliva also did help wounds a bit with the bleeding:: I'm fine. ::Jyn called back again:: Don't worry

::Cala used her sense of smell to try and find him. She found his tree and started to climb up the tree and spotted him on the branch. Calanthia frowned:: "You're not fine, Jyn! Look at your hands!" ::She got very worried as her ears pinned back.::

Its nothing. ::He grumbled again, watching as she climbed up:: Just too paranoid for my own good. ::Jyn sighed, licking a scratch again::

::Calanthia swung her body to grab onto the part of the branch he wasn't on, and pulled herself up to face him, straddling the branch. Her hands reached out to him:: "May I see please?"

stare ::slowly he held his hands out to the bengal, not looking at her:: I've had worse. ::Wait. His hands. He would have to rely on Jerky some more for the next week, and definatly no more making new traps, only checking up on previous made ones::

::As she took his hands into hers, the bengal's violet eyes went over his wounds with care. She sighed sadly as she took the hem of her skirt, and tearing it off with her claws and teeth. She then tied it around one hand wound. She then tore another part of her skirt to tie it to his other hand. She then kissed the palms of both his hands and sighs.:: "I'm sorry I don't have a first aid kit with me. This is all I have with me"

You don't have to... ::he grunted as she tore off the hem of her skirt and then butchured another part of her attire to tie up his other hand:: Its fine, I'm fine, its just a few scratches. I think I still have some left over gauze and bandages at camp.

::Cala looked up at him as she smiled softly but her eyes depicted how much she was still worried for him:: "I know you will be fine.. I just.." ::She sighed and looked away:: "I want to try and help you make sure that you won't get infections or splinters in there is all."

Disinfectent at camp. Got some incase someone cuts their hands while handling the knives. ::He had to sell a deerskin to pay for it, but he got some. Jyn lightly sighed, swinging his feet to the side:: Don't think I have tweezers though. ::He jumped down off of the branch to the ground, softly grunting on impact since he couldn't use his arms too to absorb some of the hit::

"That was a one time only thing. As long as I am not distracted by anyone." ::Cala followed his lead, landing beside him as she looked at him with a serious expression:: "If you have a splinter I will have to fetch it out with my bare claws."

I said someone. I've cut myself once or twice before. ::He slowly straightened, hating the feeling of being weak:: Lets hope I don't have any splinters then.

::Calanthia looked to him with a smile as she started to head towards his camp:: "You know, this means you won Tree-Top Tag. So you won your wager. I will help you finish your work on the deer skins when your hands have healed."

::He shook his head, slowly walking with her:: I lost. That last swing took me out of the game unless I wanted to attempt getting every branch touched with blood

::Calanthia looked to him with a smile. Her eyes saw him with a very caring stare. In her eyes he could see her heart:: "You never touched the ground. I fell to the ground. Whether you could move or not, I still hit the ground. So, you win. I will not be hugging you." ::She turned her back to him as she walked on.::

::Jyn blinked, letting himself look her in the eyes. Why would she be so earnestly caring towards someone like him? Someone who was often concidered barbaric because of his lifestyle and cold persona? He shook his head, scootching out the thoughts. Like he cared:: That works well enough for me. ::No warm embrace. That was better then well enough::

::Calanthia walked on with her hands clasped behind her back as her long red lockes swaying in her ponytail passed.:: "I thought it might." ::The bengal anthro however stared on sighing silently to herself. She really did want that hug but with him injuried.. she couldn't ask him for one. Her face was a sad one but that is why she walked ahead of Jyn, to hide it away. Should she face him, she only presented a calm, warm smile to him.::

::arriving back to the camp, and wondering how Cala managed not to trip any traps, Jyn walked two the last tree and picked out the gauze, bandages and disinfectent gell. He moved back towards the tree trunk, already starting to bite at the bits of dress on his hands. What concerned him was that he was starting to bleed through, meaning the dress was either of thin material, or the cuts were deeper then they appeared::

::Cala was immediately at his side. She kneeled down infront of him when he sat down on the trunk. She sighed and gently, with a soft touch, lifted his chin away from the dressings, and untied the dress bits herself. She looked up at him with a serious expression:: "May I tend to your wounds now?"

::His eyes widened and he looked away again, voice going soft:: I can do it. ::So what if both hands were sort of torn up and bleeding? Only one of them was really bad::

"I know you can. I have no doubt that you could. I just wanted to help you to repay you for doing the same for my hand. May I?" ::She didn't move when asking as a way to respect him and his wishes::

You don't have to repay what is freely given. ::He felt the warm blood pool and slip down his hand. His blood for some reason or another, always smelled sweeter then any other animal blood. Slowly he extended a hand to her, sighing lightly::

::Cala smiled to him softly however she was fast to work. She touched him gently, the gloves taking a cloth to to clean away the blood. She was quick to disinfect and she was already starting to wrap his hand. She was, for a change, quiet as she worked::

::He didn't speak as she worked, looking at the ground stubbernly. He royally had messed himself up for this week. No means of defense since waving around his katars could tear open his wounds again, limited work on his traps, no skin preperations or little camp improvements...Jyn sighed. He really relied on his own two hands too much it seemed::

::Cala finally finished her wrappings, and leaned down, kissing his palms as she had before looking up at him with her violet eyes full of worry:: "You won't be able to hunt will you?"

I've got jerky and my traps....damn... ::skinning them might take a bit of work though. Maybe in two or so days he'd have scabs and if he was very careful...:: I'll manage

::Cala sighed and looked to the ground. Her voice was soft and almost a whisper:: "I will stay here with you to help you. Let me be your hands for you. I may not be as experienced at this stuff, but I can learn. You would also be teaching me along the way more survival skills."

No ::He shook his head slowly, curling his bandaged hands back into his lap. Disinfectent sort of burned:: I'm not an invalid just because my hands temporarily are out of service. If I tear open the wound a few times well...it isn't like I haven't had a scar before to marr my skin. And I still can do things with them. Just no climbing trees or sparring with wild grizzly bears. ::He shook his head again, firmer this time:: Besides, we both know you don't like to be tied to a place.

::Cala looked up at him with her eyes very sad.:: "No one is saying you are invalid. And sure, I do not like to be tied down. But Jyn, haven't you learned anything about me now? I concider you my friend. Someone I am willing to do anything for. Please, let me stay and be your hands."

::He flat out refused to look at her now, knowing how well THAT always turned out:: I know enough about you cala to know that you do want to help. Don't know why exactly, but you want to be friends. I'm not denying that. But if I wasn't hurt, you wouldn't be asking to stay. I can deal on my own for a week to let the wounds heal. There's no need for obligation on either of our parts

::Cala could feel herself getting upset now:: "Why will you not let me be your friend?" ::Her bottom lip quivered:: "Friends help one another. Not out of need or reason but out of wanting to do so. I don't doubt that you can do it on your own. I just..." ::She sighed and looked at the ground, ears pinned back as she could feel herself about ready to cry. However, she wouldn't do it infront of him.::

Cala... ::He shook his head, voice as soft as it ever had been before:: when did you think I concidered you a friend?

"I never thought you concidered me a friend. I just wish to be a friend to you. Nothing more." ::Her eyes staring at the ground, a glassy look coming over the violet hues.::

If wishes were fishes there'd be no room left in the sea to swim. ::perhaps this was why no one liked him. Just when he felt someone start to get close...he sharply pushed them away before they possibly could get any closer. He didn't enjoy it, but it was something that had to be done::

::Cala looked up, those violet eyes staring up at him. Her hands lifted and forced Jyn to stare into her eyes, the pain that he had caused swimming over the hues.:: "Have you ever had a true friend in your life, Jyn?"

I'm not that pathetic...I once even loved someone. Once... ::he jerked his head out of her grasp, shocked that he had let it slip.::

::Cala looked to him with her eyes full of compassion, sympathy and care:: "From the way you act, I take it something happened to this love." ::It wasn't so much a question. Cala did not move. She remained still as her eyes stared at him.::

Yeah ::He softly growled, closing his eyes:: Something always happens

::Cala looked at him with a stare. She could feel herself growing in her sorrow. Since his eyes were closed, she leaned over his lap, and kissed his forehead, a tear sliding down her face, and rolling off her jaw, hitting his leg below. She whispered softly:: "I am sorry for the things you have experienced as I cannot imagine what you must have endured."

Don't apologize. : surprised f course no one could imagine. He didn't even believe it was real at times:: It only makes things worse.

::Cala's voice was nothing more then a whisper. Her hand caressed the side of his face:: "I only wish to try and make things better for you. To do what I can for you. However, I can do nothing if you do not let me." ::She came back to kneeling infront of him::

::He flinched but didn't pull away from the hand on him. Maybe he really was becoming soft. It was sickening:: I'm fine.

::A sigh escaped her:: "Jyn you do not understand me at all. I do not comprehend how it is you could be around me this long and not understand." ::She stared at his hands:: "I cannot explain it, myself either. Let me just say it like this." ::She once again placed her face near his, and without warning, nuzzled his cheek as she whispered quietly:: "I want to be there for you, through good and bad times. I just want nothing more then to be near you. That is all."

But, WHY? ::This wasn't working. She was supposed to run off in a fit of tears, killing whatever there could be between them. Companionship, friendship, whatever. Not nuzzle against him as if he was the sweetest thing on the planet feeling sorry for him::

::Her ear twitched and she winced lightly at his elevated tone with her ear being so close. She rested her cheek against his:: "Because, Jyn, I care for you. I think of you fondly. And I want to be your friend. That is all there is to it. Nothing more. I will not abandon you, ever and I will be around should you ever need me, even though you won't ever. "

::he sighed, slowly reaching up and taking her by the shoulders. He flinched at the spark of pain. Oh yeah. He had hurt himself. Jyn gently pushed her back, feeling her cheek brush against him with the movement:: Thats not what I ment. I ment why, with my personality. I'm not nice. I'm not caring. I'm not sweet. I don't even remember your full first name Cala.

::When he flinched, Cala looked worired and was about to look at his hands when his words got her attention she looked up at him. Her violet eyes stared into his hues.:: "You are nice to me. Even if you say hurtful things, or even you don't remember my full name, Jyn, you mean a lot to me. I am fond of you. I want to be your friend." ::Her hand reached out to touch his cheek::

::his eyes flashed open, a hand moving from her shoulder to take ahold of the advancing one and slowly lower it to his lap:: If I didn't know better I'd swear you want to be more. ::He slowly shook his head:: You can stay...but only until my hands heal enough not to tear open on me::

::When he took hold of her hand, she blinked to him. Cala looked innocent:: "I know nothing of how it is you imagine I want more of you then I know you would give me. All I can be is me, Jyn." ::She then smiled to him softly, however her violet eyes turned to the ground:: "Thank you, Jyn. Are you hungry? What may I do for you? Did you hurt your hands again?"

((Copied from IMs))

Rpness

::As the sun broke through the horizon, and the birds chirped, the forest came alive with sounds. Slowly the genet cats eyes opened, awakening to find himself...quite litterly curled up around cala. An arm around her slender waist, the other under his head for a pillow but bent so his fingers brushed against her forehead, he was lightly pressed against her body. Even his tail had wrapped around the both of them under the warm black bear blanket. He blinked slightly, yawning as things quite hadn't...Jyn barked out a cry of surprise, flinging himself back and into the tree trunk:: WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!

::Cala immediately jumped up, her hand on her katana as she glared out, ready to attack:: "HUH!? What is it Jyn!" ::She then glanced over to him curiously and blinked innocently:: "I... don't see anything.." ::She sighed, relaxing as she knelt back down and yawned. She smiled over to him sweetly:: "Good morning Jyn. Did you sleep well?" ::She behaved herself the WHOLE night though there were visible teethmarks in her bottom lip. She had battled temptation and won!::

::he stared wide eyed at her, mouth slack in horror:: What. The. Hell. Happened? ::His eyes widened even further:: Did you do anything?...Did I do anything? ::The male looked side to side, a hand going to his head. He didn't drink any alcohol, or gotten high, or was really all that depressed. Jyn wracked his brain but it all came up blank::

::Calanthia blinked at him alittle:: "Huh? Last night? Nothing happened beyond you pulling me down to sleep with you under the blanket after I covered you with it. You were rather demanding and I figured if you really wanted me to share the blanket with you that badly half-awake, I was not going to argue." ::She then looked up at the sky and sighed softly:: "Nothing sexual happened between us. You just were concerned about sharing the blanket. That is all." ::She glanced over to him:: "And I was good and did nothing but sleep beside you. I would never do anything, Jyn to someone who doesn't want that, even if they are half-awake." ::Rising from her kneeling position, she sighed once more:: "I'm going to wash up then make some breakfast for you, okay? Please calm down." ::The bengal anthro released her hair from the ornament, crimson lockes flowing around her body, free, and she turned heading to the river::

::he still was twitching a bit, looking down at the arm that had been wrapped so comfortably around her. Fitted so perfectly, how he had went into that position so easily. He couldn't be THAT lonely. Not so lonely as to snuggle up to Cala. Why would he even want to sleep with her in the first place? In either ways. Jyn twitched and stood up, carefully padding towards the lake, but further up away from the female. There he carefully took off the bloodied bandages and stripped down to nothing::

::Calanthia was at the lakeside, setting down the ornament. She set down her gloves, and was slowly to come out her dress. She was very shy as her arms hid away her chest, crisscrossing over herself as she entered the water. Her violet eyes stared at the waters as she shivered out of the sheer chill. She knew why Jyn didn't trust her to be good. But after fighting to be good all night and that being her wakeup call? She shook her head and dipped her head under, long red hair floating at the top::

::Smoothly jyn dived into the river, powerful muscles springing loose to make a quiet little splash at the end. He curved his body up to rise back to the surface, using the cold waters to give him a sort of slap in the face. How was he going to make it through this week? With an attractive feline with him 24/7, and his lonely subconcious...he was pretty much so S.O.L. these oncoming days. Sure, in the daytime he couldn't care less, but at night he always seemed to turn sentimental. His emotions bubbled up more in the most annoying ways. Thats it, no matter what the condition of his hands, he was sleeping up in the trees tonight!::

::Calanthia finally come up and sighed with relief. The cool waters TRULY helped after being so warm last night. Then waking up to shouting. Jyn gave her a heartattack this morning. She shook her head and came out of the lake. She had no time to think of such things. However, she found a boulder to sit upon near the lake to dry off. Climbing up the boulder, she lake down to sunbathe and dry herself naturally.::

::The genet got down to the business of scrubbing at his body, washing away the dirt, grime and sweat of the day if not the memories. He took extra care with his tail, the thing often catching random twigs and the like, and combed through his hair. It was a morning ritual before he set back down to work. And at the end he waded back to the bank, pulling himself out to just sort of sit and stare at the opposite bank while feeling the suns rays beat down on his shoulders and upper back::

::From the elevated level, Calanthia's violet eye caught movement from a distance. She blinked. What was that? She turned her head to see Jyn. ALL of Jyn.. Her eyes nearly popped out of her head as her jaw dropped and her entire face slowly filled with rising blood, flushing her entire face. She was speechless. She was caught like a deer in headlights::

::Slowly he stood up, oblivious to the gawking female as he picked up the shreds of cloth and slowly wrapped them around his hands again. Using his teeth he tied them again, flicked his tail once and began the process of redressing. In the back of his mind though, he could have sworn that he was being watched. Of course, when you live in the forest surrounded by a hundred different animals, chances were that you had at least one set of eyes on you::

::As he got up and dressed, Cala came back to her senses. She flailed, slipping off the rock:: "MEW!" ::She landed with a thud on the ground landing harshly on her tail and her elbows.:: "Oww." ::She glanced down at her elbows. They were scratched and she sniffled like a child. Oh this was going to be a BAD week for her::

Mmm? ::Jyn stopped as he zipped up his chain paints, looking in the direction of the mew. Lightly frowning, he jogged towards the sound. As he saw a flash of red and brown he shook his head:: Cala, what did you do thi-i-i...s... ::He froze, blinked, promptly turned around, and walked back from where he came from::

::Cala froze as she heard him coming, tears still running down her face and gasped, blush returning as if it had never left when she looked up to see Jyn there. When he turned away, Cala's face drained and sighed as she got up slowly, legs shaking. So much for trying to dry off. She had to rewash herself off again. There was only one issue Cala had and Jyn had proven it was infact an issue: her body. Redressing quickly, her dress dampened and her hair was pulled up quickly into the ornament. She winced and intook breath sharply pulling her one glove up over the wounded elbow:: "Better face him and get this over with." ::She whispered softly, turning she headed back towards the camp. She had no idea what she would do for breakfast::

::Jyn had quite quickly went back to his bathing spot, picking up his over shirt and quickly putting it on. Glancing down, he buttoned his pants, feeling his face heat up hotter then a fire on a cold winters night. First waking up curled next to cala, and now a mental picture forever imprinted in his mind. Today was NOT his day. Jyn walked into camp, immediatly walking over to his second storage tree. Long. Long. LONG week ahead::

::Cala never faced him as she sat down beside what would be a fire later. She felt awful. Not only did she spy on him, but he hated her body just as so many others had. No wonder he rejected her. Her voice was a squeak:: "What should I cook for breakfast, Jyn?" ::She asked::

whatever you want ::He slipped the cash into his pocket:: I'm going to town for some more bandages and rope. ::he concidered also taking a skin down to sell, but disregarded it. He only had three prepaired and liked to sell them in bulk::

::Cala didn't say nothing, just closed her eyes as she got up and kept her back to him:: "Have a safe trip, Jyn. I would ask if you want me to come along, but I want breakfast to be ready for you when you get back. Do you like eggs?"

I'll just grab something in town. ::In his mind, lets just skip the awkward breakfast. Maybe lunch too. Hell, why not just make it an even day and skip dinner too? He started off to the left:: I'll be back later. You can run back home in that time and...do whatever.

::Cala flinched at that. Did she really disgust him that much. Her voice sounded heartbroken:: "Have a good day then Jyn." ::The bengal stared at the ground. She moved over slowly to the place she had slept beside Jyn and sat there, her legs pulled up to her chest. She didn't even watch him leave as she stared at the ground::

bye ::he spoke quietly, feeling his face heat again before he disapeared into the forest. Maybe he could find a blacksmith to knock him out, give him amnesia::

::It was there that Cala stayed while he was gone. Only getting up to use the restroom now and then, she would come back and sit down on the bear blanket once more, staring at the blackened circle that would be a fire should he return.:: "If he returns.." ::She muttered quietly to herself. Cala laid down on the blanket, and wrapped some of it over herself. Her fingers toyed with the fur as she was in a haze. Never moving for any sound. Should an animal come and devour her, Cala wouldn't care. She wouldn't even scream. Her violet eyes were blank as she remained there in that spot::

::hours passed, the sun climbed high into the sky, but jyn didn't come back. Occasionally an animal call sounded, whether a typical bird or the bark of a fox. The music that the genet listened to. And just as the sun started to move from its upmost position, the bushes sounded::

::Cala didn't even move. She stayed completely still. Her body moved only with breathing as she laid there on the bear blanket. The sun had warmed her body and of course the usual response happened, but she did not move. By this point, she only had heard the sound and didn't even care as she laid there. She had tried to sleep but it was futile. Now she laid in wait to see if today would be the day she would know what it was like to be prey::

I hope I still remember how to sew. ::The male grumbled, stumbling out of the bushes while looking at a hole in his pants. Rope was coiled around one shoulder as a hand held two boxes. One of bandages and one of gauze::

::Hearing his voice, Cala slowly got up from the position she had been laying in, her hands pushing her up, making her wince from her elbows:: "Welcome back Jyn. Would you like me to start the fire for you?" ::She still refused to look at him and her body felt heavy for some reason. Only through an effort did she come into a sitting position::

No, just dropping off these things then checking the traps. ::He didn't really look at her either as he walked to his tool tree. Even in the town he had no rest, just sort of felt a mixture of anger and lifelessness::

"Ah I see. Would you like me to assist you with your traps then?" ::She did not look up but her voice indicated that she was ready to work upon a moment's notice::

I can do it. I wont be doing anything big, just check ups. ::He tossed the rope into the branches and moved over to where he had set the disinfectent, placing in the bandages and gauze::

::Calanthia, like a ragdoll, flopped back over onto the blanket, and rewrapped herself:: "I see. Stay safe then, Jyn." ::She curled herself up into a ball with her eyes staring at the fur::

::Giving him space, good:: If you want something to do though, you can get a fire started. ::With that he quickly moved into the forest, just incase she changed her mind and decided to be stubbern::

::Like a doll, she rose up from the blanket her dull violet eyes staring at the abyss before her. She did as before, gathering the kindling and the dry grass and the wood. After assembling them, she picked up the two stones. Without a change on her blank face she lit up the fire. After doing this, she returned the rocks to their place and came to sit down, kneeling on the pelt of the bear. It was here she stayed, quiet, staring now at the dancing flames::

::Two hours passed before jyn came back, holding a single bloodied rabbit in a hand. He was quiet coming back to camp, taking his old skinning tools before settling by the fire again. Lightly sweating, he slowly began the process of skinning the unfortunat creature, its neck and foot already broken::

"Do your hands not hurt, Jyn?" ::No matter how he may have felt towards her or her body, maybe... maybe he would let her care..::

No. ::he responded stoicly, setting the skin off to the side and slowly cutting down its stomach::

::Another wince. Nope. Her face dropped as she let her gaze fall to her knees where her hands were planted:: "Oh.. I see.." ::She felt herself reccede farther away. Was she really that bad to look at? If this is how she was treated for her body, she could only imagine what he thought of her face.. oh heavens. All this time.. Her eyes glazed over with her harpies taunting her mind::

::He smoothly started to pull the guts out of the rabbit, attention held on the creature, completely unaware of cala's depression. He thought she was only just as embarrassed as he, keeping quiet as to dismiss the entire morning completely. And maybe the afternoon would quickly receed into night, where they could sleep and forget::

::She now didn't even bother to try to sound hopeful. Her heart had given up:: "Is there anything else you would like me to do for you tonight Jyn?"

There's nothing really... ::he glanced at her with the lightest frown, pausing slightly in what he was doing. He shook his head and continued until it was hollowed out before feeding a stick through it. He put the stabbed rabbit up on the two holder sticks and stood:: I'll be back. ::the genet walked back towards the river::

::Calanthia stayed still. She didn't even look like she heard him as she waited quietly. The bengal anthro was only waiting for him to come back so that she might wish him good night and lay back down.::

::walking to the river, he ignored the fact that he was still wearing the cloth bandages and just plunged his bloody hands into the water. Jyn sighed and tossed the peices of dress off. Slowly he walked back, hands dripping::

::Cala sniffed at the air and slowly asked:: "May I tend to your wounded hands Jyn?" ::She would put off laying down again to tend to him if that is what was required. She couldn't help to still care for him::

no, but you can tell me whats wrong ::He quietly spoke, walking back to the fireplace::

::Calanthia stared at the ground:: "I know you do not like apologies.. but I am sorry that my body disgusted you so badly earlier. If I could, I would give up my body for another as I hate to disgust others. Since I can't change it, all I can do is stay out of the way, and be silent, only useful when I can be." ::Her voice was filled with her broken heart once more::

::he stared blankly at her, blinking only once in a while:: I...don't think...your body is...disgusting.... ::his face warmed again, eyes jerking to the fire::

::Calanthia's eyes regained a little light as she looked up only to the fire. Her voice now cracked with her emotion starting to break through:: "But... all day.. you've been distant... you've treated me like the others... I do not understand..."

I...was embarrassed. Normally I don't see...naked...women. ::He shook his head::

"Embarrassed?" ::She sniffled a little and for the first time today, Cala moved to look at him:: "So it wasn't out of disgust of me?" ::Her hand came up to her eye to wipe it::

::he softly chuckled:: no...no it wasn't out of disgust

::For the first time, she laughed and silently cried at the same time:: "I'm so relieved.. I was scared that..." ::She shook her head:: "I promise to be more careful next time to keep out of your view. People have been disgusted with me before so I am rather shy.."

You? Shy? ::he reached over, turning the stick with the rabbit over:: I thought you were just embarrassed like I was

::Cala shook her head. Pulling her legs up, knees to her chin, she rested on:: "It is one reason I travel. People get disgusted with my body easily. So I do not stay long because there is only so long I can take someone disliking me to the point of not wanting to see my face." ::She spoke with a far away voice:: "I was chased away from my last home.." biggrin id she realize she was spilling the beans about herself to him? Probably not::

::Jyn stared into the fire, slowly rolling his shoulers:: Don't see why... ::He shook his head:: it isn't like you're ugly

::Cala looked at the fire and sighed softly:: "Apparently I am. Before I came to see you over a week ago, someone had called me fat. I've been called everything from fat, to hideous, to I don't even remember anymore. That is why I do my best to just forget about the past. I try so hard to forget about how many homes I was forced out of.."

::he deeply frowned, shaking his head:: You're obnoxious, stubbern, childish, and confusing...but you are attractive, that much I can say

"Confusing? How so? I do not understand confusing or attractive." ::Cala's ears folded.:: "This is where I personally believe myself to be ugly. For I only believe one is only as beautiful as one's soul. That is why I am fond of you, Jyn. Not for anything more then you." ::Her eyes drifted away::

your...behavior is confusing. And thats why I said attractive, not beautiful. I do think about my word choice. ::He sighed. Why was he getting into such a serious conversation...with her? About her...something along the lines of her::

::Calanthia glanced over to him as she stared at him with a rather rare look. One of a maturity, one of her age. Her voice even took on the twenty one years:: "How is my behavior confusing?" ::She then turned to stare at the ground::

::he softly growled:: like...you wait a few minutes to get angry at me. Until after the time for argument has passed.

::Cala spoke honestly:: "I've not gotten angry with you. Ever, Jyn. I have been frustrated to the point of tears, yes. However, I do not like to cry infront of others. When I am distant it is only to hide away that shameful pain. Never anger." ::Her voice dropped alittle:: "I cannot be angry with you Jyn."

well, then waited to be frustrated at me. I don't care if you cry infront of me, I just don't like feeling like when I try to do something it gets the opposite intended effect ::his eyes narrowed a bit::

::She glanced over to him with a curious stare:: "You want me to cry infront of you? Why?"

I thought you were angry at me. Sad is alot better then angry ::why did he care?:: And if you run into the woods, you might trip a trap ::there we go::

::Cala looked at the ground. A whisper escaped her:: "I was so upset, Jyn, I didn't care if I got caught in a trap because I knew you wouldn't come for me and I would die there." ::She then spoke a little louder:: "It may take me time.. to adjust.. but I will not run away again Jyn. This I promise."

that would be a mess to clean up... ::he murmered, grimacing as an image of her mauled hanging body flashed in his mind:: I'd rather not clean up

::Cala looked at the ground:: "I actually was hoping a bear found me today before you got back because I was scared to face you again." ::The bengal anthro wrapped the blanket around her body:: "When you came back I was waiting for you to chase me away from here."

I've tried to do that more times then I can count. ::he turned the rabbit again, shaking his head::

::Calanthia glanced away into the forest:: "Get eaten by a bear or chase me away from here? Because today, Jyn, I came to realize how bad I can be to you when I try to be good. I want to stay but if you do not want me here.. I will leave." ::Her voice was mature once more but pained. Calanthia was one to face reality no matter how much it hurt.::

you're doing the same thing that you had done when I first met you. As I said, do what you want. You're not getting that. ::he gently took the stick away from the fire, offering cala the first peice::

::Cala turned her head away:: "No thank you. I have not been hungry." ::She sighed:: "Everything I want is nothing that you want. You are the one I am curious of. I want to know you, Jyn. I want to know what you like and don't like. I want to know what angers you and what makes you happy. I want to know if you want me here. You know what I want." ::Her violet eyes turned to him:: "What is it that you want?"

::shrugging he tore off a peice of meat and ate it:: what I want doesn't matter really. I couldn't care less if you lived or died as long as it doesn't concern me. All I want is that you don't get too close to me. It wont end good

::Cala looked at the ground:: "I do not understand how it could not end good." ::She then got an idea:: "Do you know how close you can get to me Jyn?" ::A small smile was on her face with this new idea.::

You don't want to. ::he swallowed the bit of rabbit down, a frown coming across his face:: No...not really

"If I didn't want to, Jyn, why would I have stayed here with you affer all this?" ::Calanthia rose from the bear blanket.:: "Jyn allow me to show you how close you can get to me. And no I will not do anything inappropriate, I promise." ::Her voice sincere::

::he eyed her now, skeptical:: ... al...right... ::why did he suddenly feel like he was putting his head into the mouth of a bear?::

::Calanthia came over to him and kneeled beside him. Her expression was a warm smile with sad violet eyes as she took out her katana blade. The sharp edge glistened in the fire light. Cala took up Jyn's hand with her free one and made him grasp the hilt of it. She positioned it right over her heart, the point of the sword digging into her chest, a small droplet of blood starting to form:: "You could run this blade straight through me right now. Kill me in an instant. That is how close I have allowed you to get to me. Why? Because I am fond of you. No other reason."

You don't let someone run you through because you're 'fond' of them. I am 'fond' of my weapons. ::he moved the katana back:: and I'm not going to kill you for no reason

::Calanthia moved quickly, repositioning herself, by forcing Jyn's hand to point the sword once more at her heart:: "Jyn, I would rather die by someone I think of as a friend then by anything else. It would make me happiest to know that you would live better without me. If my life is the cost of your happiness, I would give it all to you. That is how close I have let you come to me."

that is moronic ::he spoke flatly:: this is only...what...the fourth...fifth time I've seen you? You've seen me? ::he dropped the blade, eyes flashing::

::Cala looked at him sincerely:: "I know from a single meeting people whether or not I will see them again and if I will like them. Whether or not you feel the same way, is your choice. All I know is that," ::She lifted up her blade:: "I want to see you happy, Jyn. No matter the cost."

Friends don't do that... ::he spoke softly, looking down at the cooked carcass:: lovers do that...

::Calanthia glanced over to him:: "It is what I do for all my friends, whether they be merely friends or encounters later makes no difference to me. I treat all the same because I will never love." ::She sat down to try and wipe away the crimson smear left on her pocelian skin.:: "You speak from experience?"

::he quirked an eyebrow at her. Never love...mmm...:: Yes ::he slipped down the trunk to prop his back up against it:: I do

::Cala glanced back to him with her eyes flashing in the light:: "I cannot love when I cannot be settled. Only when I have settled can I begin to love." ::The bengal anthro yawned and laid down on the bear blanket:: "This is the lost love you spoke of before, is it not?" ::From her tired voice, she seemed barely aware of what she spoke. She felt weary from the emotional rollercoaster.::

Yes...Seret... ::he closed his eyes, feeling the backs of them warm. His Seret. He suddenly wasn't very hungry anymore::

::Cala was beginning to fall asleep as she whispered:: "Seret must have been sweet and gentle." ::The bengal's tail swayed behind her to try and keep her concious.::

my nightflower. ::he tossed the cooked rabbit into the fire without a second thought::

"Mmm.. I see.." ::Her voice told of her drifting into slumber:: "How nice.. it must have been.. for you.." ::How long could she hold on?::

::he softly sighed:: go to sleep cala. I'll put out the fire in a bit ::he opened his eyes slightly, watching the bunny burn::

"Are.. you.. sure..." ::Even mostly asleep she could be disagreeable. That was truly sad. Her swaying tail slowly lowered to lay over her side::

just go to sleep. ::facing the fire, back to the trunk and the feline, he didn't let the pain in his chest show through his words. Even as a tear slipped down his cheek, forming on his chin and dropping down:: its okay

::The feline curled herself up, nuzzling the soft pelt as she whispered softly:: "Okay.. if you... need anything... please ask.... Goodnight Jyn..." ::And she was off, asleep, unaware.::

::perhaps he was a hypocrite, wanting to see cala cry and keep this discrete. But as he stared into the flame, the genet pulled his legs up to his chest with just a few silent tears. His face stoic, shoulders strong, he never gasped out or sobbed, no hints to show the bleeding wound still in him:: Forgive me Seret...for everything... ::he watched until the flames died on their own::

::Calanthia slept on with no knowledge of her friend's pain. There was no sign that she could hear anything even in her slumber. However, the bengal anthro did roll over, facing the direction of his voice. Her hands were clasped over her heart, over the wound she herself had made. In her sleep, she looked peaceful despite the day's trials..::

((Copied from IMs))

Rpness

Lets explore that thought another time. ::he murmered, getting another spoonfull of soup:: one down...tell you what cala...if you eat 9 more spoonfulls, I'll give you a hug. Finish half the bowl, and I might even give you a kiss on the cheek. Or just a hershey kiss, whichever I feel like more ::he lifted the spoon back up to her lips::

::Calanthia whispered quietly:: "No chocolate.. bad for.. bengals.. " ::When he lifted up the spoon again, she took another sip but started feeling funny. After not eating for so long, it was hard on her stomach and she rested her head back against his shoulder, pursing her lips. Her stomach hurt her. However, she swallowed hard and forced herself to try and sip down the soup. With at least a promise of a hug, she would do whatever it took for the hug.::

then I'll just give you a hershey kiss wrapper and you can make pretend you ate it. ::the male grumbled, patiently waiting for her to devour the spoonful before taking up another:: Thats two. Lets go for three now...

::Calanthia grumbled herself that time at the sound of eating again. However, with much exhaustion and dislike expressed across her face, she took the third:: "Meanie.." ::However, she turned her head away from him as she reswallowed that last bit of soup:: "So.. want.. a hug... after all.. this.."

You will. After 7 more spoonfulls. And no throwing it back up afterwards either. ::he dipped the spoon in again:: I ate your weird scrambled eggs, you can eat this soup

"Didn't hold you.. to not.. throwing it up.. afterwards.. Didn't make you eat it.. Can't promise I'll.. keep it down.." ::She sounded tired if anything as she looked evilly at the spoon. Oh if she had mind powers, she wanted to bend it. It hurt her stomach::

what would be the point of eating them if I was just going to throw it up? And if you throw this back up, I'm not hugging you. You're sick enough for me. ::jyn gently lifted the spoon to her lips:: come on, number 4

::That caused Calanthia to whine:: "Meanie.." ::was her protest. Too feeble to think of anything else and much too hot.:: "Can't help if.. my body.. says no soup.." ::However, she did sip it slowly. In a sad voice she spoke softly:: "Sorry for.. the trouble.. " ::The whole time, she couldn't bring herself to look at Jyn himself. She felt ashamed to be stupid enough to let herself get sick.::

I don't care what your body says, your will just has to be stronger then it. ::another spoonful up:: And you don't listen to me. When I promise something, I keep it. When I tell you something, I mean it. And when I say for you not to apologize, I expect you not to!

::Calanthia sniffled as she shuddered:: "I wanted.. to help you.. not burden.. look how.. pathetic I've.. become now.." ::She slowly took the next spoonful of soup but took her time swallowing it as she hung her head in shame. Her ears pinned back:: "I failed.."

Cala, you probably got sick because you don't have the immune system to take living in the forest. If anything, this is my fault. Now stop whinning about it, cut out the self pity party, and get better soon so I don't have to make another run for more soup ::he scooped up some more into the spoon for the sixth one::

::Calanthia openned her mouth:: "Ss-.." ::She stopped herself and instead ate the spoonful. In her state of being there was no ability to go hide from him or walk away to regain her composure. She was out in the open, hot, sweating, not feeling well.. and now.. a tear rolled from her eye as she stared at the ground. Her voice trembled lightly:: "Not your fault... not forest... me.. my fault... just my fault..." ::And now she owed him money for the soup::

I told you to cut out the self pity already. Did sickness also rob you of your short term memory or just your hearing? ::when he got worried, jyn tended to get very sarcastic and very bitter to try and cover it up. It was a habit now that he couldn't pull free from, but cursed in his mind as he got the seventh spoonful ready::

::Hearing this only made another tear spill down her face:: "Yes Jyn.." ::was all she could say. Would she ever tell him the real reason for her fever? She resigned that she had to own up to the stomach thing, but to admit how deeply his words could cut into her heart.. enough to get her this way? Never. She rested her head on his shoulder, eyes closing as she panted from the heat of the blankets. She didn't move when he would present the next spoonful.::

::he pressed it lightly against her lips:: come one cala, it's number 7. you're almost there hun- ::he winced at the affectionate term, wanting to wash his tongue out with soap now:: you're almost there cala. ::Jyn revised softly::

::She almost turned her lips away when her ear flicked lightly at what almost came out of his mouth. Oh, she was REALLY sick to imagine what she thought she just heard. Calanthia slowly sipped and hid away her face in his shoulder:: "No more.."

::Jyn sighed but nodded, setting the spoon down to pick up the motrin bottle. Popping it open and taking out three he rose it up to cala slightly:: I'm not sure if 7 spoonfulls of chicken noodle soup is enough food, but we have to take care of that headache.

::Tears were sliding down her face freely now:: "No.. I did this.. I'll pay for it.. The headache.. will go away.. soon.." ::Her body shook. Was it from the fever or was it from a silent sob? She wouldn't tell but she was ashamed:: "No more... no more.." ::Her voice was hollow as she whispered this over and over until she coughed, which she lashed her head away from Jyn for, and silenced herself as her head swayed back against him from the sudden movement::

::he waited a moment, looking quietly at cala for a moment. Slowly the other arm wrapped around her waist to embrace the female in a hug from behind, gentle and strong. Jyn moved his head forwards, lips brushing her cheek in the barest of kisses:: I'll only ask this once... ::he spoke in a whisper, still holding her close:: ...please

::Calanthia was caught off guard. She stopped crying instantly as a blush unrelated completely to the fever. She only smiled in a small way, as she whispered quietly:: "Okay.. for you.." ::She reached out with a shaky hand, she tried to take the pills and sighed as exhaustion was heavy, her eyelids already halfway down. She would have to swallow them without any water and if they didn't stick to her throat they might kill her. She loved her options but she was grateful enough to not complain for water. She would risk choking::

::hey...it actually worked! His pride burned with the usage of 'please' but it had actually worked! Jyn gently placed the pills into her hands before using that one to fill the spoon with broth:: You're sweat is in the water bucket...so this may be better then nothing ::and sneaks some more food in her at the same time::

::Calanthia took the pills into her hands, staring down at them with violet eyes that looked revived, a light relit in the hues. She slipped them passed her lips and took the broth from the spoon to help them spill down her throat. Calanthia leaned back, and without knowing what she exactly did, she nuzzled his chest, but made herself dizzy and stopped as she rested her eyes:: "Thank you.."

I told you not to thank me either. ::he spoke quietly, sighing. She didn't listen too well did she?:: Now, go back to sleep. Don't worry...I wont leave
EternalxMyth: ::Calanthia softly spoke:: "You can.. if you want.. I don't mind.. I am.. used to it by now..." ::And she slipped away as her body continued heating and sweating, and the sweat around her body began to stick to her skin and clothing. The cooling process had began::

I promised I wouldn't ::he did though, gently lay her back down to the ground. He covered her again with the bear blanket and slipped the deer skin under her head. The male was half tempted to eat the rest of the chicken noodle...but didn't want to catch whatever she had::


::Some time had passed, her body twisting under the blankets. Her fever began to break as she was chilling down. She muttered incoherently. Slowly, after at least two hours had passed, she slowly came to. She felt a lot colder.. and.. something else.. Her violet eyes shot open. Without warning, she threw off the blankets, and quickly stood up, causing her to stumble left and right before she got her landlegs back. She ran off into the forest as far and fast as she could before, tripping and getting 'sick' across the ground before her. Luckily her stomach only purged itself of bile, acid and some chicken soup broth. The pills however, were not in the mess. Her body had managed to absorb them:: "Jyn will be so angry with me.." ::She mewed in sorrow. Better face him now. She moved to stand again, her whole body shaking terribly from the fierce nature of her stomach's demand to be emptied. She turned and took a step to return only to fall to her knees. She was panting as she wiped away her mouth and took off the now tainted glove. She decided to crawl back despite how slow this was all going to take::

::and of course, jyn was right there behind her. Having resorted to sewing his pants back up while waiting for cala to awaken, he had jumped up and ran after the feline when she fleed:: You right, I am. stare

::Calanthia looked up at him, her eyes wide, tears starting to fall:: "I'm sorry Jyn.. I...":: what more was there for her to do or say for her body? She started crying, her back heaving as she muttered through the sob:: "I'll.. make it up somehow.. I'll crawl back to camp so you don't have to worry about me.." ::Tears fell down her face, leaving a trail as she began her trip. However, with tears in her eyes, the faintness of her fever, feeling so dizzy, left her in a sad condition. Her tail dragged behind her, picking up dirt. She was if nothing else determined to get back to camp herself. Jyn wouldn't help her there, that she was certain of. Not after that.:

fine ::he put his back up against a tree, watching as she crawled her way back to camp. He'd make sure nothing ate her, but he wouldn't help-a snap of a twig. he looked to the side...well...looks like cala had run straight into the territory of quite the large grizzly bear. His voice dropped low:: Cala, freeze.

::Calanthia kept going. Her voice was not full of logic but strict emotion:: "I did this.. I got here.. I'll do it myself.." ::She was determined to get back to the camp::

Cala, no. Freeze. ::he whispered sharply, keeping his eyes at the direction of the snap:: We have company...and I don't have my katars.

::Calanthia stopped and slowly rose up from the ground. She stumbled a little and glanced over to him with her violet eyes looking serious, tear river stains on her face as she looked feirce for a change. She might not have been well but she had summoned enough common sense to hear his voice. She was alittle hunched as she felt top heavy:: "You haven't noticed have you.." ::Her hand rested on her sheathed katana. She had tied it on that morning and never removed it.:: "Besides, to me, it doesn't matter what happens to me." ::Her ears fell backwards as she tried to glance out but felt far too drained to even care that much::

yes, but I care if I get mauled by a bear. ::he growled back, instantly wishing the words back at a even louder roar. Oh.....this wasn't going to end well. At. All::

"Fine, Jyn.. if it means.. that much to you.." ::Calanthia never said anything more as a rather elegant, though tired appearance came down on her being. She couldn't stand straight and her steps were uncertain, but she headed towards the roar, her one gloved hand drawing out her katana. She glanced back to Jyn and smiled to him:: "Go on back to camp. Everything will be alright." ::She turned to find this bear. Since she didn't care about herself, she didn't mind being a decoy.::

::he growled even louder suddenly reaching out, grabbing her by the wrist, and yanking her back. Jyn plucked the katana from her hands:: I got a better idea. You run back to camp, get my katars, and come back here. ::slowly a fuzzy brown form was materializing. Slowly meaning, it was barreling through on a rampage::

::Calanthia fell backwards. She glanced over to him as she looked over to him with a glare:: "Not enough time in my state. You care about getting mauled. I don't. Just let me entertain this thing so you can go back." ::She really couldn't get there in enough time. There was no way for her to hurry there.::

Yes, I do care. But if you're going to die, don't let me know about it. Basically... ::he crouched down, hands sliding to the back of her neck and press down:: go to sleep

::Calanthia was twitching a little at him with annoyance and had openned her mouth to defy him and argue but something hit her neck. Before she knew anything, she fell to the ground, hitting it like a ton of bricks, asleep. Oh she might kill him later for that one::

::he sighed, standing with the blade:: one down, one left to go. ::he hadn't really weilded a katana before, but hey, how different could it be from a regular sword? Jyn glanced down at cala and nodded to himself before rushing forwards to meet their unexpected guest::

::Calanthia was out for much longer then she could have imainged. At least an hour had passed before she started to come back around. She tried to sniff at the air to detect what scents were nearby::

::the bear, dead, the genet...not much better. three feet from the bear, jyn sat propped up against a tree, eyes closed. In a hand he loosly held cala's bloodied katana, a huge gash seen in his side seen. All around the signs of battle shown. A bloody smear on a tree, matted fur everywhere, and a few crushed bushes. But the important thing was, jyn had won his second bear fight. And ironic as it was...came out nearly the same::

::The smell of blood got her to open her eyes. Calanthia felt better in a sense. She got open, shaking a little. Her eyes were tired but she saw Jyn and gasped at him. She came over to him and knelt down beside him:: "Jyn?"

::his eyes fluttered but didn't open, the katana dropping completely out of his hands:: bout...time...you woke...

::Calanthia glared at him:: "You idiot! Wait here." ::She got up and walked as fast as she could to the camp, getting out the gauze, the disinfectant, more gauze, wrappings, bandages and clips. Coming back to him, she came to kneel down beside him as she sighed:: "This is just to get you back to the camp. Now don't argue or get the wrong idea about this." ::She leaned over and carefully undressed him from his vest-like clothing to get a better view::

::his head rolled against the trunk, fading in and out of conciousness from already bleeding alot while she slept. He didn't react as she came back and slipped his over shirt off, breathing remaining as haggard as ever:: forget it...lost blood... ::he shuddered slightly:: kill me now ::he whispered, though now uncertain if he was dreaming or not as a burning house flashed in his mind. His seret. His seret was in that house. Why wasn't he in that damn house too?::

"Kill you?" ::Calanthia growled loudly and with a roar of her own, she shouted at the top of her lungs:: "I SWEAR TO THE HEAVENS JYN IF YOU DIE YOUR SPIRIT WILL REGRET IT NOW WAKE THE HELL UP AND HANG IN THERE OR ELSE SO HELP YOU!" ::Calanthia worked faster then she had ever imagined, pouring half the bottle of disinfectant straight onto the major wound::

::he lightly groaned, rising away from the burning house to a gray plane:: I'm sorry seret...I'm sorry...I can't... ::he shuddered again, face pale:: don't be...mad seret...I tried...I did...

::Calanthia growled even more angry then before. She had to work fast as she cleaned, wrapped, tightened, clasped. She then got up and ran back to the camp. With Jyn in trouble, she threw aside her ailments. Reaching her supplies, she grabbed an instrument that Leena had given her when she told her that she wanted to write Jyn a note. A ballpoint pen. She also glanced to see there was thread and a needle. In her supplies she had brought out a first aid kit. In this kit was the right thread for stitches. She grabbed that, the needle, and the pen and hurried back to Jyn. She threw everything down but the needle and the pen. Both soaked in indisinfectant, she undid her wrappings of his wound. It was too large yet for phase two to work. So she would need to give him stitches unfortunately. And with nothing to heat the needle, she had to just thread it and with unusual percision and a steady hand, she began stitching up the large gash:: "Dummy, you should have just let me be a decoy. Look what you got yourself into because of me!"

::he didn't move again, not even to shudder. He barely breathed as cala ran, looking worse by the minute. Reality mixed with dreams, things becoming blurred, distorted. Noises muffled, he couldn't get enough air. Flick back inside the burning house, looking around for seret. Yank back into conciousness, pure black which ragged breaths he couldn't tell if they were his or cala's. Cala? The name flashed away. There was yelling. He couldn't make out the words:: ...I love you...

::Calanthia glared down at the wound. And she almost, ALMOST stopped to look at him as if he was crazy. The bengal anthro growled lightly:: "Hush, you do not love me. No one does. And you will REALLY hate me after this. But don't move." ::Finally finishing up, she poured on more disinfectant, rewrapped and clasped. She then took the pen that had soaked in disinfectant ontop of her lap. She had pulled the thing appart so that there was never a pen part, only the white outmost shell that had two holes on either end. She removed her long glove, the last glove she had on. She carefully moved Jyn to sit up. This was going to hurt the both of them. Pouring disinfectant on her inner elbow, she also poured some on the blade of her katana that she lifted up from the ground. She sliced her inner elbow, and stuck the pen's casing into a vain, crying out. She then splashed his arm and sliced a small hole to stick the other end. A primative but functional blood transfusion. Would he accept it though? She pulled out tape carefully from the kit and wrapped the two points of incisions. She used her free hand to then steady Jyn as she sighed, her violet eyes displaying her wearyness::

::he sharply groaned as he slit open his arm, as if he wasn't cut up enough:: I do love... ::he didn't finish, his lips going still with the rest of him::

::Calanthia glared over to him as she reached with her free hand to pat his face.:: "Jyn. Come on Jyn, hang in there. Jyn." ::She spoke with a gentle voice:: "Jyn, you must hang in there. Please, hang in there." ::She rested her head against his:: "You love Seret.. Seret would want you to live on.. please.. live on for Seret.." ::She hated to use that. But it was the truth::

::Jyn felt dead. He felt so cold, so alone. Perhaps thats why he let cala stay around. They were ultimatly both alone, so alone. The world no longer held a place for him, so he held onto his meaningless existance in hiding. Seret was probably alone too. Dying alone because of him. And in this cold black strip between life and death, Jyn faintly smiled at the fact that he'd be dying alone like her. A voice clawed at the outside of it. Yes, yes, seret would want him to live. But seret hated to be alone. She was shy, but no one ever wants to be completely alone:: alone ::he whispered deep inside, echoing through his body::

::Calanthia had no idea what that meant. Alone? The bengal anthro spoke in a soft manner:: "Jyn you don't have to be alone. Seret would want you happy, not alone. I will always be there for you Jyn. It is what my friendship offers. I will be there for you. You will never be alone again." ::She turned and kissed his cheek, petting his hair with her free hand, trying to move as little as possible. She could give him friendship. Would he take it?::

::Friendship? Cala. The scratching voice was cala's. No...he had tried the friendship road. He had begun to accept her as...possibly...a friend. Ultimatly they both were still alone. And he couldn't get attatched. Not to her. Not to the one female that could never love. If they came back, they'd kill her. They'd kill her and she didn't even love him. Die now. He could die now and stop that from happening. She didn't even love him, he wouldn't let her die because of something she wasn't. What was the fairness in that? He took a sharp breath in. No, no, no, that was the OPPOSITE of what he wanted! What the hell was cala doing out there to his body? He should have bled to death already!::

::Calanthia was starting to feel more tired then she was. By now she had given him at least a pint of her blood and she was feeling her weakness creep in. This caused her to rest her head on his shoulder:: "Jyn, please come back and be my friend.." ::She stared down at his chest to monitor his breathing. With her feline ears she listened to the heartbeat in his shoulder::

::he took another sharp breath, mentally cursing himself as he rose back up to gray. THIS wasn't fair!:: no ::he groaned in an almost inaudible whisper:: don't love me...no... ::Jyn couldn't be her friend. This was why he couldn't have friends. Why he lived alone from everyone else in a secluded forest set with deadly traps to thwart entry. No friends:: Can't...

::Calanthia nuzzled his shoulder:: "You can. You can do anything you want, Jyn. I can promise to not love you. I can promise to never be your lover. But, I won't let you think you're alone. Why can you not have at least one friend in this world?" ::The bengal anthro curled her tail around Jyn protectively as she waited patiently::

...they'll kill you ::for cala...for cala he pushed through. She had to know at least. Had to...his eyes opened into slits:: they'll kill you... ::it hurt so much to speak. His eyes glistened slightly:: and you can't even...love me. ::what the hell was she doing to his body? he glanced down at the pain in his arm, but all he saw was a blur::

::Calanthia laughed lightly and nuzzled his shoulder:: "Oh, Jyn. I was willing to die in a bear's jaws today to help you live on. I do not fear death for I have nothing to bind me. I may not be able to love you but I can be your friend.. it is all I can give.. until my heart can be settled, I am to never be loved.. and never know love.. it is.. fate..." ::Sleepy, sleepy, sleepy. Yawning, she asked quietly:: "Who is they and why would they kill me?" ::Her eyes were bothering her as she closed them::

I know ::he slowly reached up to the pain, hand shaking slightly. A tube? Why that sneaky bengal...:: its why we can't ::He ripped out the tube, causing his vision to darken dangerously again::

::Calanthia screamed as it caused her pain. Cala's blood squirted out, flowing out onto Jyn and Cala's arms. Growling, she forcefully grabbed and inserted the tube into him first, growling and sticking it back into herself:: "Do that again Jyn and I swear you will live just to regret that! That hurt!" ::She mewed and smiled evilly:: "If you do that again, I will be very mean and kiss you. Now be good and sit there this time." ::Just as precaution, her free hand took his hand, and held it, squeezing tightly as she rested her head on his shoulder.:: "Why we can't what Jyn?"

given enough cala ::he protested, knowing that to get him up this far, he was being fairly pumped with it throught he small tube. Jyn took a shuddering breath, glancing down at cala blurrily:: can't...be friends. ::He bent his head down, softly kissing her lips::

::Calanthia felt as though she might fall asleep there as she listened to his voice. When he protested she looked up at him when he said they couldn't be friends, and she completely STOPPED breathing as he kissed her lips. Ohhh... not.. good.. she was so confused, not feeling well, and to top it all off, Jyn wasn't himself. He couldn't be himself. This was not Jyn! She kissed him back but pulled away with sad eyes and she whispered softly:: "Jyn... go to sleep, Jyn.. when you wake up, it will all be a dream." ::How she wished she could believe it was him who kissed her. But he wasn't concious enough to realize what he had done. The sleep would help him and would allow herself to get much needed rest as well. Her hand that held his, squeezed his tightly:: "I will be here when you wake up just as you were there for me too."

Everything...is a dream ::he whispered back as she pulled away. He gently smiled and closed his eyes, plunging into sleep as she had bade. Tomarrow he would explain more...today he lacked the words. It hurt too much to talk, and hurt even more to live. But tomarrow it would be better...tomarrow he'd make her leave...but today...sleep. Sleep for he lacked the words to say::

::When he had slipped away into sleep, Calanthia had slowly pulled free the tube and bandaged up both their arms. Was he fully aware of what he did? He almost sounded like it.. but it couldn't have been. She felt exhausted and being that she had no way to move him back to the camp with her blood in his vains, and her head spinning once more now from the kiss. Carefully she laid him down and moved quickly to grab leaves and things for camoflauge. Laying down beside him, she sighed and whispered:: "Please forgive me for this Jyn. Its the only way for me to keep you warm." ::And so, her entire body wrapped around his. Her arms held to his torso, missing the wound of course. Her one leg laid over his, and her tail curled over his waist. Her chest covered what it could safely of his, and she rested her head on his shoulder. She even used her long red hair, taking it down, to cover over his body. Calanthia slipped from concious easily but always stayed pairly awake, the katana next to her, to fend off anything of the night::