Cruel World (DigitalSiren x Staine)

[Bunny]

The world was neatly segmented down the middle. Humans and subhumans. It wasn't an equal balance however. It had once been closer to equal once upon a time, though not even Ruby's great grand parents had known such a time. Humans feared what was unlike them, when the first subhumans had started showing up, it was said they had been novel. Cute things that attracted males and females to them. However, they bred faster than humans and mating with a human almost certainly resulted in the off-spring being subhuman. It was said humanity feared that the subhumans, once known as demihumans, would outnumber humans ten to one in a mere decade. So what else was there to do but purge them?

Women, children and men murdered in swathes. The rabid them or us mentality took hold and humanity was determined it was them. Salt in the wound after the initial purge, demihumans were down graded to subhuman. They could no longer find gainful employment as they once had.. They were relegated to working menial jobs no human would take and to slaves, sexual play things. They could only be employed by humans and their pay was room and board. In the century since the original purge one had occurred every ten years like clockwork. Those who were held as slaves and pets were immune to such things, but the feral subhumans that lived in the slums were not.

Ruby came from a family that belonged to a wealthy human, they had been indentured to the Epiphanes since before they could recall. Her mother's family had once been treated as equals, that was whispered to the children in the night but that was long since over. Ruby had known that at a young age when she watched their Master pin her mother to a wall and rape her in their tiny set of rooms. Friends wouldn't do such a thing. Her young brain had easily been able to understand such things. It wasn't the first nor was it the last. Her parents worked to the bone as servants and were used for the pleasure of any human in the house who wished them. Her small family was not alone in such treatment. Ruby was a Lepidae, a bunny type subhuman. Her Master also had Neko and Kitsune, cats and foxes in order. All three families were bred for specific traits. Her family was bread for the docile natures, crimson hair and eyes.

Ruby was a shining example of what the Epiphanes' wanted. A tiny female she had a mass of crimson hair that fell in soft waves down her back in a cascade of silken perfection. Her ears matched that deep rich color of her hair while her little bunny tail that sprouted just above her heart shaped rear was a shocking, pristine white, like cotton. Large, innocent eyes were so red they held a tinge of purple to them. She was an almost perfect mix of her mother and father. Though she'd overheard the Master talking with his son, Antiochus, saying they had hoped she'd be taller, curvier. Ruby was four feet and eleven inches exactly, her form was gracefully feminine, but unlike her mother she lack the generous pillowy curves. She was lithe in comparison.

Perhaps that is what first drew the young Master's eye. The fact she wasn't like her mother... She was smaller, more delicate like a doll. Perhaps it was she was coming of age and just a few months before turning seventeen she was almost free game. That was the one blessed thing the Epiphanes never indulged in. The children were protected from molestation until they turned seventeen. It was a hard rule that was never violated. She was close to being free game, a piece of ass for anyone who wanted her. She watched the hungry way Antiochus watched her.. Was well aware when he called for her to bring him tea or snacks while he fucked one of the other girls, made her watch him, that it was for more than cruelties sake. He was picturing her, he had told her as much. He was showing her what lay ahead for her... And she simply couldn't do it. So, she ran days before her seventeenth birthday.

---

Icy cold rain fell from the heavens in an unrelenting sleety downpour. Shivering underneath a tree Ruby was curled on a bench, wishing the tree's boughs were able to shield her better, but beggars couldn't be choosers. It had been two weeks since she had fled, her birthday had come and gone and she had survived like the animal humans thought them to be. Eating from the trash, sleeping in alleyways and shooed from standing too long before a human business. She was however free. It was something she had never been before.

That was the thought she clung to as her teeth chattered, her slender arms wrapped around her knees as she curled into a ball for warmth. Where she had once been quite beautiful she now looked like a drowned rat. Her hair was in tangles as it hung limp around her dirt stained face. She'd lost weight in the two weeks so her clothing no longer fit properly and like her face it bore the stains of living on the streets. All that however didn't diminish her beauty if one looked close enough.

When the men found her she had been half asleep in a daze of sorts. Trembling from the cold and wet the fact that she'd even been able to obtain any kind of rest was amazing in of itself. So when the end of a stick she started, head shooting up to the sound of masculine laughter. Her crimson eyes were unfocused as she looked at the group of three men. They were dressed well enough in warm coats, though they did nothing to shield themselves from the rain. Their breath came out in white little puffs. "What do we have here hmm?" the tallest one asked, smirking while the fattest of the three chuckled "Looks to me like a wee little subhuman with three perfectly good holes!"

Scrambling to her feet her heart pounding she looked between the three. "Please.." One of them mimicked her soft sweet voice in a mocking falsetto imitation. Panic was spreading through her which only increased as one the third began to whistle Run Rabbit Run merrily. If that wasn't her queue, she didn't know what was. Stumbling away from the bench and them, she took off running in the frigid rain. The three seemed to be good sports before her impending rape, allowing her a fifteen second head start.

Bitter mouthfuls of glacial air were sucked in desperately, a stitch forming in her side. She couldn't stop though, to stop meant rape.. if not death after. She'd heard of men like them that used and then killed feral subhumans. The human authorities didn't care, they were no better than vermin if they were not owned. A branch snapped not too far behind her and Ruby put on another burst of speed. Her feet suddenly found purchase on a loose gravel path and she skidded along the small rocks before smashing into them painfully. Whimpering, Ruby could feel the scrapes, the cuts which now held little shards of rock, but her adrenaline was running high. It allowed her to climb to her feet and take off again, little clouds of dust and stone shooting out from her hasty footfalls.

Looking over her shoulder to gauge how far away the three men were was her fatal mistake. Ruby never saw the tree branch in the path. One small foot caught on it and for a second time within minutes, Ruby crashed to the rocky earth, a cry of pain forced from her body with all of the air in her lungs. Sprawled on the gravel path she could hear the lazy crunch of boots approach her. Tears leaked down her cheeks as she trembled on the path. Soaked, bloodied, bruised and with a twisted ankle, she wasn't going to out run them now. Not that Ruby had much of a chance to before either. It had been a sporting game. The blind fear before the spoils.

So what was the point? Looking into the distance she could see a large shape heading towards them in the haze of rain.. Darkened with the last lamppost behind it. "Help me.. Please" her please was a weak whisper as her body gave out. Fear and pain pulling her under as she heard that damned whistle approach her. At least she'd not be awake when they touched her and with any luck, if they planned to kill her, she would just never wake. That was her last thought as blackness claimed her.

 

[Staine]

Vilkas was different. The world had been a crazy place long before he had been born into it, a cruel, unforgiving place for certain people that never seemed to get any better. Demihumans...that was the name they had at first, he had read about that once, but now they were known as subhuman. Less than human. To be fair, demihuman meant the same thing anyway but was mostly focused on the meaning of 'half', as in half human, half animal, not considered inferior but subhuman drove the point home. They had been culled before his time, sent to camps, rallied and segregated. No demihuman could get a decent job, would be paid anywhere close to minimum wage if they were paid with anything other than room and board alone, or rise above their status, not with the strict rules in place. It had been a system taken on by not just America but the entire world, humanity as a whole had banded together to suppress the latest threat to their existence, which was not much of a threat at all in his opinion. Of course, Vilkas had his own secret, something which made him sympathise. A genetic quirk, born of a demihuman but displaying none of the outward traits. They had gotten it right with the cheesy monster movies which had clearly been based on a real encounter with one of his kind in the past.

A werewolf.

Appearing completely human, he had little problems fitting in, once his mother had seen that she had left him outside a fire station in a cardboard box with only a note and his name, Vilkas. He had gone through the system, been adopted and bounced from home to home when he started to age and the humans that raised him noticed off things about how he behaved...how on the full moon and the nights before and after he seemed to grow wilder, a problem child. Of course...they never realised it was because of the phases of the moon, they didn't know how it affected him much like the tides, how it brought out his base, primal instincts. No, they saw a child who would aggressively disobey, would be uncontrollable. Later in his teens he would lash out when not left alone, and once he hit 16 he learned more of his nature, the animal side long since dormant inside him finding a place. It happened slowly at first, his hand changed, grew wolf like claws when he was angry, thankfully with nobody around. Over time, with much practice, he learned that he could change himself into the animal, not even just partially but completely if he focused. The entire world would shift, he would be down on all four legs, a huge wolf with jet black fur and emerald green eyes that seemed to almost glow. The partial transformations were actually harder, ears, hands, feet, a tail...he could do it, he practised in private until it became almost second nature but at first, any distraction could drag him out of it. Then there was the hybrid form...more animal than a demihuman normally could be, more human than a wolf, powerful, huge, terrifying to look at. His mind went fuzzy when he transformed that way, instincts trying to take over, but the physical benefits were huge.

When the full moon approached, he ached. He could feel it grow closer, the night before he would suffer if he didn't transform and the purer the wolf form he took the more it eased up, the same for the night after the full moon but on the night itself...the monster took over. He couldn't control it completely, it took monumental effort to not run wild through the streets and the woods, hunting. Arousal, pure animal lust could take over him if he had been feeling horny, not uncommon for a hot blooded wolf...and the thrill of the hunt made it almost impossible to resist. Hiding it had been a challenge that had driven him to find his own way in the world and separate himself from other people his entire adult life, finding a trade for himself that didn't require much human contact, distancing himself. On the full moon, he would lock himself up in his home, reinforced doors and locks that he couldn't handle in that form, on that night kept his secret safe and those around him safer.

It was a lonely life.

Smoking calmed him, so on the cold and rainy night in mid September when he had ran out of smokes he had found himself walking to the local garage to pick some up. Sure, Vilkas had a truck, he could have driven but he had been feeling antsy, worked up and the fresh air would do him the world of good so he had opted to walk through the park, had even been tempted to transform and run as a wolf, something he liked to do to work off the tension but unfortunately he couldn't carry his purchases back in that form, not without raising suspicion. He had never met anybody like himself, he didn't know if werewolves were common knowledge, he only knew what he was from movies and books, folklore...he was self taught, and cautious to a fault. He was walking back, his thick woollen coat pulled around him to keep out the biting chill of the wind as the rain drenched him from head to toe, his long black hair slick and plastered to his face and his head as he struggled to see through it. It was the kind of weather he loved to walk in, much better than the hot nights. The noise caught his attention before he saw the shapes moving through the rain, the smaller figure being chased by what looked like another three, falling into the gravel. It looked painful, the figure looked to be panicked, in distress, and he could just about make out the ears. A demihuman, no doubt the three behind her were human. Vilkas sighed and took a drag on the cigarette he had barely managed to light. He knew he should just walk on, not get involved in something that didn't concern him but he heard the words. "Help me...please...". He did his best to ignore the injustices around the world, things he hated and made him sick to his stomach but he protected his own secret first and foremost but this? Right in front of him, could he really leave her to her fate?

He couldn't. He was just a few feet from her when he could see the figures in the rain behind her, saw them freeze when they realised he was there, human eyes so much worse than his own. "Turn around boys, this chase is over." His voice was deep, rough, he didn't speak so much and when he did it was usually in shorter sentences, not because he didn't like to talk, he had on occasion had many long conversations when he found a person he liked but because he usually just didn't. He used as few words as possible to get what he needed, like when he went to the store. "Woah, dude, chill out, this has nothing to do with you, our subhuman is just being a little feisty is all." The man's voice made Vilkas want to punch him almost immediately, that entitled human teenage whine that spoke of somebody who had never known hard work or hardship. His friends rallied to his side, emboldened by their numbers even if his size gave them reason to be wary. Vilkas was over 6 ft tall by a few inches and muscular, his frame impressive by any metrics and the long, raven black hair and matching beard of just an inch lent a wildness to his appearance that had given pause to more than a few rude individuals once he simply looked at them. He shook his head, looking down at the girl on the floor. A rabbit, by the ears. "Show me papers. If she is yours, you have papers? Is she branded?" He hated that they were often branded when taken as slaves but right now, he didn't believe them for a moment and knew it was an easy way to verify if they told the truth. It worked, one of them brandishing the stick he had chased her with, swinging it at him. "Fuck you, what are you some kind of subhuman lover?" Vilkas raised his arm and winced a little as the stick hit him full on, snapping on the arm of his coat. It barely hurt, truth be told, thick muscle and bone and a padded woollen coat made for a great defence and before the boy could react he had a hand gripping his collar. It took little effort to shove him into one of his friends and with a speed that didn't match his size, Vilkas was swiftly on the third, punching him once in the stomach before he too could join the fight and attack him, or draw a weapon. Seconds, and all three of them were on the floor.

"Fucking kids, not so much fun with bigger prey is it?" He didn't pay them any more attention as he turned to the girl and frowned. He could leave her here, but if he did then why the fuck had he intervened in the first place? She was a miserable looking thing, thin and drenched, shivering even as she laid unconscious, covered in cuts and scrapes from the gravel. He unbuttoned his coat and pulled it off, keeping the inside dry right up until it came into contact with her and he wrapped her up in it, her small frame completely covered to the point he had to make sure there was at least a little part of her face uncovered so she could breathe, and he lifted her into his arms. "Tiny little thing, aren't you?" She wouldn't hear him, he was sure of that, but it didn't matter. He started the short walk home, groaning as he realised his cigarettes were in the coat pocket.

In his house, something he had worked hard to afford, he rested her down on the sofa, thankfully leather like most of his furniture and likely to survive being a little wet, and his lit the fire to warm up the room. If he was lucky, she wouldn't die of hypothermia and leave him having to explain a dead demihuman he had never seen before to a coroner in the morning. He left her for just a moment while he grabbed a first aid kit and looking down at her, he knew what he had to do. The clothes were still soaked, they were not making her situation any better so first he removed them as delicately as he could, large, strong hands well practised at intricate leatherwork made short work of her clothes, removing it all piece by piece and piling it on the ground next to the sofa. It looked to be all she owned, he wasn't going to ruin them if he could help it. Naked, he at least appreciated that now that she wasn't drowning and beat up as much, she was a pretty young thing, flawless, beautiful but looked like she had been through the wars. Such a shame, probably had a hard life like all demihumans did. It made him feel guilty that he could pass for human when he was anything but. She was covered in small cuts and bruises, so for the next hour or so he used band-aids, anti-septic ointment and soothing balm to take care of her, rubbing it in to her wounds, covering them, making sure she didn't get infected while the heat from the fire warmed her up and hopefully chased away the potential pneumonia. Once he was satisfied she was okay, he wrapped her in a warm blanket and lifted her up, still naked but at least covered now, and carried her up the stairs and to his bedroom, laying her on the large four post bed he had been looking forward to sleeping in and tucking her in beneath the extra layers. The last thing he did before he left her there was to light the fire in that room too, keeping the room toasty and warm, something he knew she sorely needed. Another half hour passed as he cleaned up downstairs, threw her ragged clothes into the washing machine and stripped down to his boxer shorts, leaving them on as an afterthought just in case she came down to find him before exhausted, and after one last, satisfying cigarette, he fell asleep on the couch, forgoing a blanket since the room was so warm anyway.

 

[Bunny]

Ruby wasn't awake during the fight, short as it was. Nor as she was cradled into strong arms, wrapped in the warmth of a jacket. She slept through the walk home. Through the gentle hands that stripped her clothing that has seen better days and the doctoring of her wounds. Tucked into a soft bed, blankets and quilts pulled over her, a warm fire set in the hearth. The blackness was unwilling to release her until long after the fire had died in the hearth and left soft glowing embers. It was the sun that pulled her from slumber. As if the rays of light were prince Phillip kissing along her pale skin. Ruby mummered softly she turning on her side, the light still falling across her face. Still caught in the tangles of sleep, her body didn't hurt yet.. Though slowly as she woke so did the pain.

A whimper caught in her throat. Her dark lashes slowly lifted from her cheeks and Ruby found herself in a strange place. The first thought was she hadn't fled, that it had been an elaborate dream, but she didn't know this room. It wasn't the home she'd known for seventeen years of her life. Slowly sitting up the sheets feel from her torso, pooling around her waist. Looking down she gasped. "What..." Her soft voice was filled with confusion. Why was she naked? Looking around she saw a chest of drawers. Slipping from the bed, she let out a small cry of pain as she put weight on both her feet. Instantly her left foot rose some, taking the pressure off her injured ankle. Her mind rushed back to the night before and she whimpered. Was she in on of their houses? Hobbling to the dresser, she pulled one of the drawers open. Boxers. Frowning she bit her lower lip. She didn't want to wear whoever's clothing this was. Hopping on one foot back to the bed, she pulled the sheet she'd had wrapped around her the night before off, twisting it about her slender form.

One of her fluffy ears bent in the middle, the other standing up as she stared at the door. There was no harm checking it, right? She stood there considering for a few moments, one hand on a poster, keeping her upright, before deciding to try it anyway. Quietly she turned the doorknob, feeling it give way without issue. The door gently swung inwards and she peeked into the hallway. With care she slowly hobbled towards the stairs, careful to not make a sound as she crossed the wooden floors, descended the stairs with some difficulty and found herself looking down at a stranger to her, asleep on the couch.

She could smell something funny. Upstairs that scent had been more prominent. It was his room.. He didn't smell like a subhuman, nor look like one.. but he didn't smell exactly human either. It was confusing. Deciding to not linger just staring down at him she reached out with one small hand, giving him a gentle shake. "Umm.. Hello?" Her voice was soft and timid. Her ears had perked when she'd come down the stairs but now they lay backwards, nervous. When he woke she took a few steps back, forgetting her ankle she put weight for a second time on her foot, ears flattening further as she gave a small cry of pain.

 

[Staine]

Vilkas wasn't a light sleeper, but he didn't exactly sleep like the dead either so it didn't take much to wake him once the demihuman had shaken him and spoken. He stirred slowly from his peaceful, dreamless sleep and at first his brow furrowed as he realised he wasn't in his bed. Her voice lingered in his ear as memories of the night before came back, the walk through the storm, the cold, the girl being chased and the teenagers chasing her for no doubt awful purposes. His eyes opened, bright green that seemed to contrast with his dark hair, vibrant and reflecting the sunlight that poured in through a crack the curtains didn't quite cover. He wasn't cold, even though there was a slight chill in the air due to the month it was, barely chased by the appearance of the sun and the fact that he was almost completely naked, wearing only his cotton black boxer shorts. Stretching, he shifted to sit up and turned towards the girl who had stumbled backwards before making a sound of pain, her ears flat against her bright red, crimson hair. He chuckled and shook his head. "Might want to keep your weight off that foot, girl, looks like you twisted your ankle." He could see it was bruised now which hadn't shown up hours earlier when he had treated her, at least not as severely, he did remember it had already started to colour a little but it hadn't seemed as important as the rest of her injuries at the time. Whatever, he wasn't a doctor, he didn't feel guilty for missing it even if he felt a little bad for her pain.

He wasn't shy and didn't feel the need to cover himself as he stood up, easily dwarfing her with his height. She was small, smaller than most girls her age, and Vilkas was hardly a small man, huge and intimidating in most regards, but he hadn't realised exactly the difference between them when she had been laying down, a different perspective putting it into much sharper focus. Still, even though she might be scared, he didn't mean her harm and he wasn't the type to sugar coat things or try to put her at ease when he just wanted to help. In truth, he hadn't spent enough time around people recently to develop those kind of social skills. He was rough as he walked over to her and grabbed her wrist, tugging gently towards the sofa. "Come here, let me take a look" When she didn't move fast enough for his liking, he reached down and lifted her with both hands by her waist, easily moving her towards the sofa where he sat her down and lowed himself to one knee.

She was covered by his bedsheet, mostly, and he didn't move it much to spare her modesty, instead just lifting it near the affected ankle and grabbing above the bruising, trying to be gentle but gripping it a little tighter than he had to in order to stop her pulling away. Vilkas knew she would be wary, scared, she had almost been raped by the looks of it last night, and had a rough time recently in a world that she was always considered inferior in...he understood all of that, but to him he was just trying to help and it would take too long to gain her trust before seeing to the injury. "I'm going to need to wrap this, stay here, don't move." Leaving her there he went to find his first aid kit again, taking out the bandages and a small splint. Returning he was at least happy to see she was still there, flashing her a wolfish smile that was more like a grin than anything, meant to soothe but likely doing anything but. "Good, at least you have some sense. This might hurt a little, you should really see a doctor but well...they don't usually treat your kind very well." The disdain in his voice when he said the last words wasn't meant for her at all but it was quite clear in his tone as he placed the splint against her ankle and bound it tightly in the bandages, careful only to not completely cut off circulation and ignoring any sounds of pain she might make, holding her steady in case she struggled. When he was done, he held out his hand with two painkillers in it. "Swallow these. I'll go get you some water." Another visit to the kitchen and he returned moments later with a glass of ice cold water, holding it out to her. "Trust me, they will help. What's your name?" He flashed her a smile again, at least he was trying. "I'm Vilkas."

 

[Bunny]

His eyes were a shocking green, it was what she noticed as she stumbled back from him, pain lacing up her injured leg. Sitting up he was just a tiny bit shorter than she was standing, which had added to the fear. The chuckle and words of advice were not cruel but she still felt wary of him. He was human, even if his smell was off, she was subhuman. He could easily just claim her as his. She hadn't run away from one monster to find herself with another. Granted, she didn't know if he was a monster, but her view of humans was dark. Cruel and abusive, they took and took from a population that was already beaten down. So Ruby's eyes were cautious as she watched him, her ears still flat to her head. She wasn't trembling yet though! That was a bright side.

And then he stood, dwarfing her diminutive frame. She didn't even come up to his armpits.. A small soft squeak as she took a hesitant step backwards, trembling now. So much for that... Her eyes traced across his bare chest taking in the scars. They looked like claw marks... What on earth did he do, to get such marks on his skin? Did he hunt ferals? Her mind swam with possibilities, so lost on her thoughts she didn't hear him speak. A small cry of alarm as he touched her, her small from struggling against him. Only sat on the couch she made a soft sound in her throat, that sounded like a sort of chirping purr, but lower. A mix of fear and anger at being man handled in such a way, her ears still flat to her head, a clear sigh of her distress.

With him kneeling before her, Ruby shifted on the couch. When his hand touched her bare skin she struggled against his hand, but his grip was firm. It didn't hurt but it didn't allow her room to struggle away either. Slowly she stilled, frowning at him. He wasn't being cruel, not by any means.. though his bedside manor left something to be desired. When eh told her to stay, like she was a pet, her hackles rose some and she watched him leave with stony eyes. She did stay, but not because he told her too... Now that she was off her foot, her ankle screamed in pain. She hurt all over, but it was by far the worse. Pulling the sheet up she could see the bruises the blossomed against her pale skin, frowning. How'd she hurt herself?

She had remembered the night before, but now the details cam flooding back and Ruby hugged herself. The boys.. that stupid fucking song.. The cold rain.. Gravel path and then a figure in the distance. He wasn't any of those boys, she knew that. Had he been the shadowy figure? His smile she knew was meant to be kind, but it didn't help much. It was a mix of predator and human. Frowning still she gave a small nod. There had very little point in trying to flee. She had no clothing and was a gimp. She wouldn't have gotten far. Rather than point it out she watched as he knelt with his first aid kit.

Oh goodie, more pain. Biting her lower lip she offered another small nod, letting him know she was ready. He really was trying to help her, it seemed. It could still be some kind of horrible joke, but she doubted it. Whimpered as he tended to her, unable to help the pain filled little sounds as the slipped from her throat. Tears made her crimson eyes shimmer like glass. His touch was gentle but firm, not allowing her to struggle and hurt herself or him.

His hand was held out, two small pills offered. She didn't know what they were. While he seemed to be the kind soul who rescued her, she wasn't will to tempt fate. "No thank you.." her voice was soft, but her eyes were firm. She wasn't going to take unknown pills, not from a stranger and definitely not from a strange human. She wasn't a fool. She took the water he offered, taking small sip of it. The coolness of the liquid rushing down her throat soothingly. When he insisted she take them she frowned. Sighing softly she held her hand for them. Fuck it... She hurt badly, he seemed kind. Biting her lower lip, Ruby slowly echoed his own smile, hers shy. "Ruby."

She took a slow deep breath, watching him. "Why are you helping me?"

 

[Staine]

The girl was clearly quite frightened as he had approached her, the size difference, perhaps the scars on his chest and his general demeanour, Vilkas knew he wasn't the best at mincing his words or putting people at ease, but whatever it was, she was almost certainly afraid of him at first. As he had treated her, she did seem to relax a little, which helped, but he had also heard other sounds from her. Ones of annoyance, of pain, even confusion. Again, it was all to be expected, he was...or appeared...human. She was demihuman, no doubt accustomed to beatings and worse from men and women alike that looked like he did and came without the animal features that marked her out as something to be owned, treated like dirt, abused and possessed. Tears were forming in her eyes, he caught them as he glanced up at her and looked back down to spare her at least a little embarrassment, not that it was very important to him at the time. Tending the wound on the other hand, that mattered, if he allowed her to hurt herself any more then what could be an easy fix today would result in lifelong issues, a shame for one so young. All the while she had hugged herself, kept quiet bar those noises she made, watching him with open suspicion and those soft looking rabbit ears of hers flat on her head, a clear sign that she was uncomfortable.

It was when he offered her the pills that she spoke for the first time. Her voice was soft, cute even, but there was little doubt that her refusal carried weight to it. He looked up at her disapproving. He should be softer, gentler with his tone but Vilkas was far too removed from most people to have those kind of delicate skills. "Girl, if I wanted to hurt you then you wouldn't have woken up bandaged and in my bed. It wouldn't have been hard to rape you, the pills are just painkillers. Take them." His voice had no anger in it, just the same gruff tone that he had been using the entire time and sterner edge to it. "It's going to hurt like hell if you don't, there is no reason to be in such pain." He placed them in her hand when she held it out, and passed her the water. "Good choice." He watched her swallow them before he looked back down at her ankle, examining the work with the bandage. The splint was small but sturdy, it should keep it straight and prevent her from twisting it further but he really couldn't recommend putting any weight on it for now. "Keep your weight off this ankle for a few days, let it heal. It's the best I can do for you." Still knelt, though almost as tall as she was sitting, he looked up and chuckled. "My bedsheet, huh? Your clothes are in the washing machine, I did my best not to tear them. Keep the sheet for now if you feel it helps your modesty." He didn't mind to be honest, he couldn't deny he liked how she looked without it but he had in truth barely paid much attention to her body, he had been focused on treating her. Priorities, and above anything else he didn't want to be like those boys and the men that he saw mistreating demihumans on a daily basis, no matter how pretty the one in front of him was, naked or not.

He rose to his feet, stretching and yawning before he turned to where he had folded his own clothes. Reaching into his coat pocket, still wet, he found his cigarettes and lighter, pulling one out and lighting it. He didn't care about smoking outside, he knew it was bad for the room but this was his own private home, his front room. He didn't have many visitors at all, it didn't matter to him if it smelled of smoke. Taking a drag he sighed softly, the edge of his craving dissipating before he chuckled at her name. "Ruby, huh? It's cute, matches your hair." Her question didn't bother him, if he had lived a life that he suspected she had, he would have been suspicious too. "Because I don't like asshole kids that think they can treat a girl like a fucktoy just because she has some rabbit ears, a tail and a cute ass." He took another drag of his cigarette and sat down in his chair, on an angle to the right of the sofa, large, leather and a soft brown colour, clearly well maintained. "Because you needed help, and I was there. Walking away would have left a bad taste in my mouth." He grinned at her, the same wolfish smile that, while meant in a friendly way only showed off the unusually sharp edge of his incisor teeth and highlighted the slightly feral look he had about him. "Maybe I'm just a sucker for red haired bunny rabbits in distress. Who knows, really. I could help, I did help, here we are. The door is over there if you want to leave, but I wouldn't recommend it on that foot, and I'll be keeping my sheet." Again, he wasn't angry, but he didn't sugar coat his words. He'd never felt like he had to before. At least she had smiled, once, he had seen that. "How are the rest of your wounds? Ankle seems the worst but you had a lot of scrapes from the gravel, I can't see them with the sheet in the way."

 

[Bunny]

She tilted her head to one side, his argument while in theory was sound, it wasn't solid. "Or it could be some sort of cruel joke.." She wouldn't put anything past a human. While more tended to ignore their existence, some like the boys the night before were sadistic for the sake of it. The delighted in hurting subhumans for no other reason than they could. No one who mattered in the world cared about subhumans, so no one cared if you raped them, murdered them.. What was one more dead subhuman? Ruby swallowed the pills under the desperate hope it wasn't some kind of drug... Well a drug that would so something else other than dim the pain she felt.

His demeanor was kind of odd, she could tell he was trying to be playful, though it left something to be desired. Lifting a single brow at the comment about the bed sheet. He was being playful.. She could try too, couldn't she? He was doing his best to reassure her that he meant her no harm, perhaps it was he just didn't interact with many subhumans that made him feel awkward. That unicorn of a human that didn't treat her kind like disposable trash. "Was this or your clothing.. Thought you'd feel better if I didn't wear your boxers" Her tone was dry, but her eyes dance some. She liked not being naked. She saw what happened when her kind was and while the sheet wouldn't provide much if any more protection than being nude, it made her feel better.

Ruby's eye followed him as he stood and her nose wrinkled as he lit the cigarette, but she said nothing and turned her face away from him. Her mind shifted back to a question she'd long wondered. Did her parent's name her.. or had the Master? Seemed like a fruitless train of though so she looked up at him a smile tugged at her mouth some. "Cute ass?" Her head tilted. The odd conversation was actually helping to soothe her, her earls slowly lifting a bit. She was still uneasy.. but she was relaxing some. "Most people would have just ignored it..." She didn't know this from personal experience, but from stories of others. Shaking her head, her hair swaying some. "I.. Thank you Vilkas" That thank you was meant wholeheartedly.

His offer for her to find somewhere else earned him another shake of her head. He was being kind and she'd have no where else to go, they both knew it. And naked? No. Frowning some she wondered what he'd want for his help. No one did anything for free. His question drew her eyes back to his. "I don't know... I ache pretty much all over. Oddly enough it feel like I have been scraped over a cheese grater" She wanted a shower.. Her clothes back. Though asking for either, was hard. When she was seen as no better than the couch she sat on for her whole life... knowing you took what you got and were thankful for it, made it hard to request anything. She wouldn't have from the Master she'd known her whole life, she had know Vilkas maybe half an hour now, no time at all.

 

[Staine]

"A cruel joke, huh? Aye, I suppose it might be." Vilkas laughed at that, it wasn't like she could be sure either way and while he was a huge man, covered in scars and had the social skills of a animal that had been left in the dark for too long he wasn't stupid nor unreasonable, he didn't begrudge her the mistrust that had to have been built up over her entire life. When she looked at him, he was sure she saw a human, a large, intimidating one and a man at that. Women were no better, but men were much more likely to rape a girl like her. For the graces of a quirk of nature, his life would have been a short one, probably one of hard labour and constant beatings. Now he had managed to live to 34 years of age in relative comfort, though it was a lonely existence. He didn't know how much he had missed just conversation until he had it, and while it wasn't much, he did enjoy engaging with the girl, just a little. "But in that case you have nothing to lose. If I wanted you, I don't think you'd be getting away on that ankle, or fighting me off." He flashed that grin at her again, unaware it might seem unsettling. "The sleeping pills might be better for you." In truth they were merely painkillers, as he had said they were, but his sense of humour was far from tactful.

At least her ears seemed to be rising a little. Vilkas knew a lot about animals, he knew enough to recognise transferable signs of distress and comfort that some demihumans possessed as well, and her ears seemed to be a good indicator of her mood. Slowly they had risen a little from her head, not as flat, like she was trying to hide from him in plain sight, a rabbit caught in the headlights. "I think they would be a mite big for you, little red, but it wouldn't have bothered me too much. If you need something to wear while your clothes wash, you can look at what I have but I have no women's clothes here, only mine." He grinned again, the little red name seemed fitting, she was small, her hair and ears were so very red and while she didn't know it, the situation reminded him of the story in more than one way though he didn't intend to dress as anybody's grandma. "Maybe one of my T-shirts would make a passable dress, given how small you are." He didn't mean it in an unkind way, her size was cute, everything about her was cute now that she wasn't drowning in the rain, shivering and injured. Well, injured as much. "Cute enough, I didn't really spend much time examining it, only looked for cuts and scrapes and thankfully it was spared." He chuckled, finishing off his cigarette and stubbing it out in his ash tray. "Does that offend you? I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks your ass is cute. You're cute, for such a shorty."

Her thank you, and the smile she had not long ago had made him feel a little better about what he had done. He had felt good saving her anyway, it had felt right, but she seemed genuinely grateful even if she clearly didn't trust him. He nodded as she tried her best to engage him and talk with him, not treat him like a monster despite appearances and her past. The girl had clearly seen things before that made it hard to trust, but she hadn't become completely jaded yet. "I imagine so, that gravel looked painful." He climbed to his feet and grabbed his jeans from the night before, starting to pull them on in a rare moment of modesty, not for himself but so she felt more comfortable. Buttoning them, he didn't bother with the shirt just yet. "Well I'm hungry...and I feel like a shower too, I didn't get one last night. Do you eat? I mean..." He laughed and shook his head, that trademark grin back. "Silly question, I meant what do you eat? I don't have much in the way of vegetarian things but I could manage something, if I must." He was already walking towards the kitchen, he felt like something hearty, filling, he hadn't had supper or his shower the night before, he had spent his time making sure she was okay. "I have cereal, don't know why, I don't eat the stuff often." He was already pulling bacon and eggs from the refrigerator, along with butter and bread. "Long as you're here feel free to walk around the house, if you can manage it, get cleaned up if you wanna but don't steal my stuff. If you need anything, ask."

 

[Bunny]

Ruby slowly lifted a brow. Was this meant to be comforting? The delicate arch was joined by the second as he joked about the sleeping pills. It was a joke, right? "You're not funny, you know that right?" She erred on the side of caution. If it wasn't a joke, she couldn't do much. She'd trusted him. "It's actually pretty messed up to joke about that" She frowned, her ears lowering again. The pretty little Lepidae didn't seem amused. In fact she shifted away from him some, just to be safe. The brutal truth was if he wanted to harm her, even not a gimp, she couldn't protect herself. She was a small, delicate female and he was a large, musclebound male. Short of a lucky kick or just being faster, she wouldn't stand a chance. The small amount of progress he'd made at putting her to ease gone in a few seconds.

Her head canted to one side. Little Red? It was no worse than Ruby... And while she thought it was cute,s he wasn't quite feeling safe enough suddenly to admit it. He offered her a shirt, claiming it might fit her like a dress. True enough she supposed, again their drastic high difference was brought into sharp focus. She was already small, but he was Jolly Green. Cute, cute, cute. That word echoed in his words. Her crimson eyes studied him steadily. She was starting to get that Vilkas didn't talk to people much... It would also explain the joke. Taking a slow deep breath she shook her head some "No, it doesn't bother me. I suppose, my cute ass was spared because I never fell on it, just my face." She'd been called Ruby Doll, by her Master more than once. He had thought she was just freaking adorable. Honestly, Ruby had always wished to be taller, stronger. Not prey in a world that already looked down on them. At least Neko and Kitsune could protect themselves if they were desperate enough.

The assumption about him was further cemented when he asked if she ate. Her smile was shy as he said it was a silly question. "A little" She admitted, her voice warmer than a few moments ago. "Just because I am a bunny, doesn't mean I am a vegetarian" While she did have a soft spot for all vegetables and fruit, she could and would eat pretty much anything. Vilkas had walked towards the kitchen, calling over his shoulder to feel free to wander about, just don't steal his things. Frowning at his back she sighed. He didn't know her, for all he knew she could be a thief. Were other subhumans? She didn't honestly know. It would make sense to try and take what you could, she supposed. "I'm going to take a shower, if that's okay" In response to his grunt, she looked up the stairs. She'd seen a bathroom on her way down.

Ruby's progress was slow, but that was expected as she slowly crossed the short distance to the stairs and then up them. She made a stop in his bedroom picking out a black muscle shirt. It was long and stretchy and would fit her more like a dress than any of his other shirts. Heading into the bathroom, she locked the door. She doubted a small little door lock would be any more of a match for him than she was, but it made her feel more secure. Setting the shirt on the counter, she slowly unwrapped the sheet from around her slender frame, folding it with care. It would need to be washed, but the few seconds it took to fold it cost her nothing.

Slowly she worked up the courage to look in the mirror. As she had joked before, she had only falling face first last night. Her arms and legs seemed to bare the majority of the wounds. Her skin had been rubbed away in many places, some large than others. Her face was not immune to the damage either, cuts across her left cheek, chin and forehead. Sighing she inspected what she could, taking note that all of them had been cleaned and cared for with care. Looking at the closed locked door she tilted her head. He was an odd duck, but he did seem quite sincere about not trying to pull one over on her. He was... Very different from any human she'd ever met.

Turning the water on she took a shower. The first in a few weeks. It felt amazing to wash her hair, to gently scrub her body clean of dirt and grime. Once she felt less like the beast humans thought her kind to be she turned the water off and took care drying off. Hanging the towel up she pulled the tank top over her body with the same sort of care. It fit her just like she thought it would. The soft ribbed fabric clinging to her slender form. It clung to her breasts, a handful for her small hands.. Perky. Master had said they were like apples. She had been unsure if that was good or bad. Her waist was slender, the soft fabric hugging it before flaring for the swell of her hips Her tail was squished beneath the fabric, distorting her rear. She was unlikely to show it off and she was not going to cut up his shirt without permission.

By the time she made it back don the stairs, one hand with a death grip on the banister, the other holding the sheet, her hair had begun to dry. A brilliant shiny ruby shade, it was curling softly about her shoulders. Placing the sheet on the couch she picked up the empty water glass, carrying it into the kitchen where he was finishing up cooking. "Can I help with anything?" The glass was placed in the sink and she leaned against the counter to help take the weight off her foot.

 

[Staine]

Her reaction had been amusing at the very least, he was actually surprised that she told him he wasn't funny, the very accusation bringing a deep laugh from him and that grin, ever present. "And if I'm not joking?" He shook his head, he could see she wasn't very amused with it at all but what could he do about that? Nothing as far as he knew. "Relax, they were painkillers, you'll see. If I wanted you helpless I would have cuffed you to my bed, I know I have cuffs or shackles around here somewhere." He laughed again, if he wasn't amusing her he was definitely amusing himself. "I'm joking, I promise." He knew that he really should stop, making her feel at ease was probably the right thing to do but he just didn't operate that way, it was something he never had to do and so instead he had let the laughter die down. "I'm sorry. I don't get many visitors, I spend most of my time alone...my sense of humour might be a little coarse, they really were painkillers though, you're safe here. I won't hurt you." It wasn't a lie, for now, though when the full moon approached, and it wasn't that far away really, things might change. He would have to prepare her for that, or maybe by then she would be gone. He didn't know, he hadn't really thought about how long she would be with him, should he kick her out sooner rather than later? It seemed rough, to help her and then leave her alone to fend for herself.

He had smiled at her comment, glad at least he hadn't offended her. "Good, because I'm not usually one for hiding what I think, and it's a nice ass. Don't worry, that doesn't mean I'm going to jump on you." He had nodded as he had stood up to go to the kitchen. "Aye, you got a few cuts there, pretty face too. They will heal, don't worry too much about it." He was relieved to hear she wasn't a vegetarian, at least she had smiled then and he didn't feel so bad about worrying her with his joke anymore. "A shower is fine, I don't have anything that smells pretty though, you'll have to do with what's there. Try not to fall, and keep weight off that foot." His tone wasn't scary or strict, but somehow it still managed to convey that he wasn't going to be argued with on this. Vilkas had spent his time to take care of her wounds, he wouldn't have her ruining that work by being clumsy. While she left to take care of herself, he started to heat up a frying pan for the eggs and the bacon, popping the bread in the toaster and looking for something to go with it. If he was going to make a breakfast for two, he should have other things than just these, so he pulled some sausages from the fridge too, and some tomatoes to add colour, not his favourite but they all went well together.

It didn't take long, all in all. The bacon was fried along with the sausages while he grilled the tomatoes just a little on either side, before he plated them up and started on the eggs. As an afterthought, he grabbed a pitcher and filled it with orange juice, always a favourite of his, placing it on the table and making it back just in time to save the toast from burning. He thought about buttering it, but he liked to go a little heavy on it and he knew it might not be the same for her so in a rare moment of forethought, he placed the butter and a knife on the table along with the toast on a separate plate. At that point, she had walked back into the kitchen, more hobbled than anything, and he turned to face her. "Feel better?" She did look perhaps a little more refreshed, more vibrant even, and without the sheet he could see a little more of her again, and he liked what he saw. He turned back to the frying eggs and hissed as one of them spat, the small droplets of hot oil hitting him in the chest, a soft growl escaping him. "Bottom cupboard there by the fridge, there are glasses, take a couple to the table and sit, that's what you can do to help." Leaving her to do that, he managed to guide the eggs onto the plates with the spatula and soon was bringing them to the table too, with the knives and forks needed to eat it. It wasn't the kind of breakfast he would make all the time, but it was one he very much enjoyed, he had a thing for bacon, eggs and sausages, something he had seen called a full English once. Whatever it was, bacon for breakfast couldn't be bad, right?

The kitchen table wasn't so big, he hadn't needed a large once since he didn't have visitors but there was room for two comfortably and he sat on the far end, letting her have the one closest to the door so she wouldn't have to walk as far. "If you don't like it, I can make cereal, it's kind of bland though." He had already started to eat, cutting a little from everything and taking a bite in one fork full. "Glad the tank top fits, shame your tail has no way to fit through. You can cut it it's uncomfortable." He was just making small talk, but he had something he really did want to ask. "So, Ruby...what happened? In the park?" He knew it might be hard for her to speak about but he wanted to know, he had to in case anybody was going to be looking for her. "The assholes, were they people you know? I don't know where you came from or why you were there, but if somebody is looking for you I think you should tell me. I don't like surprises."

 

[Bunny]

He had confirmed what she thought, his social ineptitude wasn't cruel, it was just a lack of social awareness. Ruby would have thought it was more common sense to not joke about such things perhaps he just had a twisted sense of humor like Lilabet. The Kitsune had a twisted, dark sense of humor. Vilkas reminded her of that a little, just with less practice. This was echoed further when he commented on her ass yet again. She'd come to notice that men liked certain parts of female bodies more than others. Her master had been a boob man, Vilkas seemed to have a deep fascination with her ass. She took this in stride, being objectified your whole life, even if it hadn't always been sexual, was common place for her.

Ruby nodded when he asked if she felt better. She'd taken for granted a hot shower and she hadn't been brave enough to enter the slums. She was prey, not only to humans but her own kind as well. There were bigger, badder animals out there. Wolves and Tigers and Bears, Oh My! So she'd not been able to shower. That freezing rain the night before the closest she'd come. Drawn back to the room and out of her mind she dropped when he growled. A soft smile on her face she picked up the towel and handed it to him for the oil. "Okay" hobbling to the cupboard indicated, Ruby leaned against the counter and reached up the tips of her fingers snagging on the surface of two smooth glasses, working them closer to her before they fell neatly into her other outstretched hand, her good foot solid on the ground and the other hovering behind her some. She looked like a ballet dancer if only for a moment.

By the time he was done cooking and setting the table she'd made it with the glasses. Setting them down she reached for the orange juice, pouring him a glass first and handing it to him before pouring herself some. "I am sure it will be good" She said this reassuringly with a shy smile. No one had ever really cared if she liked what she was fed, it was nice for it to be worried over. Her ears perked up a little when he offered to let her cut his shirt. "Are.. you sure? I don't want to ruin your things... You're being far too kind already" lifting her fork, she scooped some eggs onto it, the fork pausing halfway to her her mouth when he asked his next question.

Frowning for a moment she looked away. The question while it seemed easy had many moving parts. She decided to tackle the easiest first. "No, I didn't know them. I was trying to sleep on a bench under one of the big trees.. I.. I ran away from home" She let her voice trail off. As to someone looking for her, she had no doubt her Master would be looking for her. She was after all his property. His son, the young Master would also be looking for her no doubt. Slowly she nodded. "I don't know how long they will look, but I am sure my Master is looking for me." She snorted softly and played with her eggs, pushing them around her appetite gone. "Well not personally, he will have others looking for me" She set her fork down and put her hands in her lap, fidgeting.

She didn't want to put him in any danger, perhaps she should leave before she was healed. Just in case though, he should know who might come calling. "I was owned by the Epiphanes" Even living under a rock, he'd might have heard of the powerful family. Powerful the next town or so over. Ruby hadn't been foolish. When she had run, she'd run fast and hard. She hadn't stopped until she felt like no one was following her. Her ears had drooped, sagging under the weight of who was chasing her, the danger she might have brought to Vilkas.

Standing slowly she moved closer to his chair, careful to keep her weight off her foot. Leaning against the table for stability, she slowly lifted the shirt, one hand moving down to hide herself as best as she could. Just above where her pubes would have been was a brand. A delicate little bird, with wings spread across her smooth mound. The lines of the brand were elegant, made of gentle curves and a little diamond. The only mark normally on her flawless skin. Blush in her cheeks, she quickly pulled the shirt back down and stepped away. Sitting down again she looked unsure. "I can.. leave if you'd prefer. I'd just need my clothes" Maybe she could brave a slum.. Find some bigger, badder animal to protect her? Though she knew that it wouldn't come free.. Hell she expected even his help wouldn't be free at some point.

 

[Staine]

Vilkas had taken the towel from her with a grunt, wiping down his bare chest to remove the oil droplets. He didn't often cook with no shirt on and now he remembered why, not that he had been burnt like this a lot in the past. He was overreacting anyway, it hadn't really hurt so much. "Thanks." The word was short, sweet, and all that was really needed. More fun was watching her try to get the glasses from the cupboard. Sure, he could have stepped to the side and helped, she was short and having difficulties but it was amusing to watch, he was grinning by the time she had gotten them down. "You could have asked for help, short stack." Something about watching her attempt to get them down while knowing full well she was injured and the cupboard was high made him chuckle, she was determined he had to give her that. Still, she did manage to get them and soon he was at the table with her, taking the glass of orange juice gratefully and taking a sip to wash down the bite of food he was already swallowing. "I'm sure, it's just a shirt, I have more." He took another bite and considered while he swallowed, using the act of eating to let him think a little more before he spoke. "Doesn't cost me anything, I will make you something better suited but for now it will do." His trade was leather goods, he didn't know if she liked wearing leather but he was okay with fabrics too, he could manage to whip something up for her to wear or failing that, there were stores nearby.

He listened and ate while she told him of what had happened, that she was a runaway just trying to sleep on the park bench and the men that had attacked her weren't the ones she was running from. He frowned a little, and pointed his fork towards her plate. "Eat, keep your strength up. You're meant to be recovering." He could see she was being cagey with her food now, probably lost her appetite a little but that wouldn't do. "Bad life with your 'Master' then, huh? Didn't expect anything else, you're cute, people are assholes. Got tired of being treated like a fucktoy?" He didn't say it in a mean way, just matter of fact, he assumed that was what had made her run in the first place, she didn't look like she did much labour so there was only one reason he could think of she would be kept as a slave. Hearing the name of the family after her made him swear though, everybody knew the Epiphanes, very wealthy, very influential. Just the kind of people he would usually avoid. "Fuck, had to be those cunts huh? Never liked the look of them, never like the look of anybody though really so nothing new there." He shook his head. "That could be a problem. Did they chip you?" He doubted she would know if they had, but he was aware that rich owners often liked to implant microchips in their favourite slaves and 'pets' to keep track of them for situations like this. The tracking wasn't perfect, they wouldn't lead them to his door but maybe the town they were in. Something to consider.

He watched her stand, his eyes on her hand as she covered herself and revealed the brand. That wasn't good either, the Epiphanes likely had some documentation for her and if they did come for her, the only way to deal with it without running would be to dispute that she was their slave. The brand made it harder, but they could possibly fix that. He lifted his hand, crooked a finger to her. "Come here." She seemed to not like that idea but she did move closer to him, and he could see the brand better, it was very similar to the logo they often used like a coat of arms. "Had to belong to one of the troublesome ones didn't you, little red?" He reached out to touch the brand, and when she flinched backwards and stumbled his hand shot out to steady her and hold her still. "Don't make a fuss, I'm not going to fucking molest you, I need to see." He held her firmly, struggling wouldn't get her very far unless she hit him anyway, and he wasn't too concerned about that as he traced his finger over the raised lines of the brand itself. "Yeah, this could be a bother, if they come and see this, they will have the law on their side to take you back. Doubt they will be too gentle with you either." He shook his head. "No way to get rid of it either, it's a scar, like mine." Looking up into her eyes from where he was sitting, he had a serious look about him. "You don't have to leave, but if you stay you need to let me do a few things. Re-brand this for a start." He caught himself and grinned. "Not one of ownership, I don't need a damn slave, but we need to cover it. Something pretty if you like, you can even help design it but it has to be done. Then I need to examine you, so I hope you're not shy." He released her, making sure she didn't fall since she had been struggling a little. "Eat your food, best not to let it go to waste." He picked up a slice of toast and started to butter it, his eyes softening while he looked at her. "I know you've been through a lot, I'm not the best company but don't worry, I won't let those assholes touch you again. Your master can go fuck himself with a spiky dildo if he thinks he is getting past me without being hurt."

 

[Bunny]

Her life hadn't been bad, not if she thought about it. She was still off limits, she did nothing more than some chores normally in the manor. She wasn't touched and had been educated. Allowed to sit in classes for the humans of the home. No special attention given so she had to work hard to get the same info they got. Ruby didn't see much point in correcting him. It's what she would have been. A sex slave, used for the pleasure of others. When asked if she was chipped she gave a small shake of her head. "I don't think so, no." Chipping had the chance to scar the merchandise so to speak, so while possible, she really doubted it. Though it was an added fear that hadn't existed just moments before.

His gruff voice made her look back at him. She didn't want to stand closer to him, not exposed as she was. Her ears lowered and she bit her lower lip, slowly walking closer. Two steps. Troublesome? Did he run a half way house for subhumans? When he reached out to touch her brand, she kissed and took a step back, on her bad ankle. Stumbling she would have fallen had he not caught her. She hissed again, eyes narrowing as she struggled against his strong grasp. The sounds devolved into something more akin to the animals in which she shared her ears and tail with. Unhappy low growling chirps. She didn't like being touched against her will and her face while afraid also showed great signs of unhappiness. When he mentioned she didn't have to go but he would need to re-brand her her ears laid completely flat to her head and she shook her head emphatically no. Her head shaking got worse when he said eh'd need to examine her. A part of her brain rationalized it, but the fear was taking over. She didn't want to be branded, didn't want to be searched...

Released she put distance between them. Trembling from head to foot, her small arms wrapped around her. She could hear his words, what he was saying but she was still struggling to get over the firm hand on her wrist, holding her prisoner. Her breathing was close to hyperventilation. Closing her eyes she exhaled, counting to three, before taking a deep breath and holding it. She did this for a minute or two, slowly calming herself before nodding, her eyes closed. Vilkas would protect her? While that felt odd to just accept, his tone suggested he wasn't messing around. Her rear found the seat of the chair once more and she stared down at her plate. She wasn't hungry anymore, but he had made her food. Slowly she began to eat, her motions methodical. One bite after the other until half of everything was gone.

She used the time to think. Vilkas scared her, that was to be sure. He didn't seem normal for a human. Her arm ached where he had grabbed her. Looking down at ti, she rubbed it with one small hand. There was the puzzling question as to why someone who claimed he didn't do social interactions would want her to stay. Would want to help protect her. Her life hadn't even been that bad. There were others who had it far worse. Slowly she looked up at him. Her ears still rested lower to her head, but had risen slightly. Uneasy and still a little scared she was calming down.

 

[Staine]

Vilkas had nodded as she told him she didn't think she was chipped, though if she were to stay with him he couldn't just take her word for it. Well, one problem at a time anyway, that could be dealt with later, when he had grabbed her and she had struggled he had to hold her steady, gripping more firmly than he had expected to and worried she might get hurt. "Ruby, just try to relax." His voice was a low growl, not angry but he wasn't used to having to do this kind of thing and rather than treating her like a human or a demihuman, he was treating her like a scared animal, exactly like she was acting. "I'm just checking, I'm not trying to hurt you." She hadn't seemed to like the idea of being re-branded, and he honestly couldn't fault her for that, it looked like it would have hurt, it was scarring by fire and he didn't fancy it himself, not even as the one doing the brand but if she wanted to be free of her master and his influence, it was going to have to be done and sooner rather than later. Looking up at her as he released her, he could see that her ears had flattened again, she was scared, and his next comment had been meant to soothe her a little, but he didn't think it would, not at this stage. He looked down at his own food and leading by example he gave her some space while he ate, at least glad to see she was trying to do the same herself. His was gone far sooner than hers was and he washed it down with a big swig of orange juice before he rose from his seat, reaching into his pocket for his cigarettes.

While it was her who was going through a rough, confusing time, after being attacked no less, he still felt a little stressed about the situation. Vilkas just wasn't good at handling these kinds of things, he supposed he should try to calm her down but he didn't know how. He'd watched her do the strange breathing as she tried instead to calm herself, it seemed to have helped, it had gotten her to a place where she could eat but it wasn't enough. She was rubbing her arm now, and she looked up at him, he even offered her a smile as he spoke. "You hurt your ankle again trying to get away from me. Sorry. Your arm too, I held too hard?" He sighed as he was walking past her towards the back door of the house, which was fixed in the kitchen they were in. The back yard was large, spacious and surrounded by a tall wooden fence for privacy, mostly just slightly overgrown grass with tanning racks along the east fence which he used for his craft. Opening the door he lit the cigarette, taking a drag and blowing the smoke outwards with his back to her while he gathered his thoughts. He had no reason to help her, he certainly didn't need her here but he felt somehow responsible. If he had left her, she wouldn't be his problem, might even be dead or worse but he hadn't, he had brought her home and he didn't feel like just throwing her out was an option even if it saved him trouble. Still looking out into the yard, he leaned against the door frame while a gentle, brisk breeze flowed over him. "Finish the rest if you can." His tone was softer, he might not be good at this, but he was trying his best. If she was still scared, well, better scared than dead, right?

"I wouldn't want to be branded again either, but you want to be free of them, right? The Epiphanes?" His cigarette was half way down already, it was helping calm him a little. "Then the brand needs to be unrecognisable. If they don't have that, it's one less way of you being recognised as theirs, there are a lot of people out there who would turn you in just for their favour alone not to mention any reward." Another drag on the cigarette while he thought about how to phrase his words, it was difficult, she hadn't spoken much since they started eating and he was finding it hard to hold the conversation but she was scared, he knew that much. The noises she had made alone told him that. "Listen, little red." He sighed, it wasn't easy to say what he wanted to. "I'm not a heartless bastard but I'm not as stupid as I look either. I know you're scared, you have no reason to trust me but this is either my way or you have to go. I need to check to be sure you're not chipped, with my own eyes. I need to do something about that brand. I don't want them turning up here but if they do, if anybody has seen you in this town and it gets back to them, I need to be able to deny that you are who they say you are." He flicked the cigarette out into the back yard, only the butt remaining, and blew out the last of the smoke. "You're cute, I'm sure you know that. Examining you, you probably think I'm just trying to take advantage of you, probably used to those cunts touching you, doing things to you...but that's not what I'm after." He laughed softly. "Even if you do have a cute ass, I can probably manage to contain myself long enough not to rape you." Even though the words weren't perfect, he was trying to soften his tone as he looked out into the cloudy sky. She was going to be trouble, he just knew it, but still he felt it was the right thing to do.

 

[Bunny]

She was trying to relax, but the flight reflex was hard to ignore in humans, in subhumans? That fight or flight response hit harder. They were after all more than just animal looking. Traits they held true in their animal counterparts had echos in subhumans. So a bunny was likely to flee.. prey animals didn't normally have a strong fight response. "It's... it's okay.. was my fault.." Ruby whispered the words, to the apology. Both hurt, but she had been the cause just as much, if not more. Watching him stand and walk toward the kitchen, she could easily follow his path, which helped put her at ease. Him being out of view behind her wouldn't have done. Watching him pull another cigarette out of the pack she wrinkled her nose silently. Did he know not only that those killed, but they reeked as well? His request he finish her food, was met with a soft internal groan. It hadn't been an order, the tone had indicated that much. "Okay.." She could try for him. Lifting her second piece of toast she nibbled on it while he spoke.

He had no idea what it felt like to be branded. Upon turning fifteen she'd been branded and even now she could recall that flash of searing pain, the smell of her own skin cooking under the glowing iron rod. Shivering she fought off a wave of nausea. Spearing a tomato she chewed slowly, before speaking. "How would we even mask it?" She didn't really relish the idea of a huge mark down there. She knew he was right, about people being eager to turn her in. When he said little red, his tone soft, but the nickname pointedly spoken, she looked up at him. What he said made sense, she hated every word of it, but she knew he had a very valid point. "Can you... Look without touching?" She wasn't a fan of letting him, even the kind stranger who had saved her touching her. "Or.. Minimal touching?" The talk of branding her sooner rather than later made her stomach turn and she pushed the plate away. She couldn't eat any more.

Sighing she shook her head, her silky crimson hair swaying with the motion. "I didn't.. think that was the goal..." Besides he could have done that last night. Her voice was so soft, she wasn't sure he'd hear her. "I don't want to be touched because it makes me feel uncomfortable. It's why I ran away." Ruby's voice held the tears her eyes did, though as a human, she doubted he had heard her.. And she didn't elaborate or plan to repeat herself. He didn't need to know she ran before she had been 'claimed'. It was the idea of being touched against her will, like what had almost happened last night that scared her. Made her feel ill. Was it so wrong to want to choose who touched her? Some sort of crime to decided what was done to her, who touched her. What was done to and with her body? She wasn't a doll, she wasn't human either... But she was a living breathing creature with thoughts and feelings.

 

[Staine]

Closing the back door, Vilkas had turned towards the girl and looked at her, a little sadness in his eyes. It was hard not to feel for her, even as somebody who was almost completely isolated from social interactions he knew how things often went for her kind, it was his own blessing that his animal side and human side had managed to separate themselves. He liked to think that even were he not a werewolf, a genetic freak that could pass for human he would stand up and be strong, live his same life but he knew that wasn't the case deep down. He would be like her and all the rest of the demihumans, slaves to humans and forced into labour or worse until he died. If he was lucky he would be some middle aged cougars bedslave. "I should have been more gentle, my fault too bunny."

She had asked her questions, started to calm down a little even but she was still distressed clearly, pushing the rest of her food away. Considering she likely hadn't eaten very well since running away from her owners, that in itself was concerning but he didn't want to push her anymore, he wanted to at least give her a break. Moving to stand beside her, he was about to place his hand on top of her head, to try and comfort her but that last phrase of hers gave him pause. He didn't know if she would pull away or not, but some part of him felt the gentle touch would be good, would show his intent more than his inept social skills. "I'll touch as little as I can, but I need to be thorough." His voice was steady as he looked down at her, still sitting she was shorter even than she usually would be compared to him. His size probably wasn't helping her with the situation, he was likely scaring her just by being him, his hand was still hovering somewhere over her head when he decided no, it wouldn't really be a good idea. He reached past her and grabbed her plate, placing it on top of his as he gathered the dishes up and carried them to the side. Scraping out the leftovers of her food into the garbage. "I can understand why you ran away, I would have too, it seems like a terrible life to lead, but..."

This was hard. How was he meant to convince the poor, abused girl that he wasn't trying to harm her in any way, that while he had to touch her, he wouldn't be what every human in her life had probably proven to be? "This has to be done. Just the once, I have to feel around for the implant, not just scars but smaller ones used to tag can be done by needle, just under the skin. I'm sorry, I wish I could tell you everything was okay but it isn't, little red." He sat down in his chair again, only his orange juice left on the table. "The brand, we brand over it. Change it to look like something else, something that could mean nothing to you or something you enjoy looking at would be better." He took a sip of his juice and tried smiling at her, though it only ended up looking strange and forced he was sure, it wasn't reaching his eyes either. "I'll make you a deal. Be brave, for the brand and let me check you for any microchip implants and I will let you brand me first. You can even choose the shape and location as long as you're not a bitch about it." It was a stupid idea really, he didn't know why it would appeal for her but he wanted her at ease and he had enough scars, what was one more? "I'll share your pain a little."

 

[Bunny]

Ruby could see the sorrow in his eyes and she couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking about. Did he pity her or was it because he had hurt her? She decided not to pry. The one answer would only upset her and the other there was little to be done about it now. Her chin dipped in a small nod. Both at fault. Her eyes scanned his face, her maroon eyes flickering across it. He was a large, strong man... but he was trying it seemed his hardest to meet her half way. He was no less intimidating, his size and bulk enough to scare her a little. He was human. That was another thing for her to fear. Even still, the large man was trying to be king. Watching as he crossed the distance to her her she tried to control her fear. Her mind told her it was silly, though another part told her to run. Something about him was off and she couldn't place it. It wasn't just that he was human. There was something about Vilkas that scared her on a primal level.

The hand hovering over her head didn't help. Her hear raced as it lingered there and rather than trying to look up at him she focused once again on his face as he spoke. Biting the inside of her cheek she frowned, but nodded again. "Okay..." Ruby's voice trailed off as he reached over her head to grab the plates, his body moving in closer as he reached. Vilkas created the oddest desires in her. One part of her felt honestly and truly safe, she wanted to lean in and lay her cheek against his warm stomach. The other part of her wanted to scoot away from him, afraid of him as he crowded her. She settled for not moving or breathing until he leaned back and moved away. Her life in honestly hadn't been horrible. The thought came back for a second time that morning. She'd be mostly ignored, like one might a dog. Though, that wouldn't have lasted. She knew it and he had already assumed it was a thing. A fuck toy, a bed slave... She'd have been at the young Master's whims and anyone else who had wanted a piece of her.

A soft sigh left her, the sound defeated. She understood. As much as it was about protecting her, it was about protecting him too. He had saved her, would keep her safe even after she'd healed from the sound of it. It wasn't sexual and the touching would be minimal. She hated it, but it was necessary. The branding was also necessary. She hated the idea of it almost as much as being touched. It was something that would protect her more than him. As Ruby thought about it, she sighed again. It would be nice to sort of reclaim her life that never once been hers. The brand hers, no longer her Master's. Her mouth opened to agree, to thank him for the idea when he spoke again. Her mouth closed and her eyes grew wide.

"Vilkas..." Biting her lower lip she offered him a shy smile, her voice shy but warm. "Rain check on giving you a brand?" She didn't know him well enough to brand him.. Perhaps later or never. Her mind drifted back to her own mark. "I don't think covering the lines would be easy, or would just look wrong. Or easy to spot. Best bed is a fresh canvas.." She hated the idea of the half dollar sized brand being re-branded over with something that large, but... she couldn't think of a better way to hide it. "Did.. you want to do the search while I still had some courage?" Her voice trembled and gave her away but she needed to do this now. Like ripping a band-aid off. Once done the fear would be gone. Her hands went to his shirt as she stood. Ruby lifted it off in one smooth motion, eyes closing tightly. If she couldn't see it, did it make it better somehow?

 

[Staine]

He really was trying his best. Vilkas had seen the way she had frozen up when he reached past her, glad he had decided against touching her for now considering how she even held her breath. He scared her, that was evident, and why wouldn't he? He had to wonder if on some level the animal part of her sensed his own mutation, the wolf inside him always striving to break free. It took a lot of control not to let it out sometimes...it was like a pull, a desire to act on things he wanted on instinct over thinking them through. When he looked at her, a little part of him wanted to just take her then and there. She was pretty, she was a prey animal as well. That didn't make it any easier...inside him the wolf howled, it wanted her, wanted to ravage her and mate her, wanted the satisfaction of making her his. The internal struggle was near constant but usually he had it under control, he had a lot of practice, but her constant presence was going to eventually be a bit of an issue if she stayed. How would he explain that though? That she might have to go to be safe or he very well might do things to her which would make her 'master' seem gentle?

Her response to him dragged him from those thoughts and he nodded, giving her a soft, hopefully understanding smile which probably looked as wolfish as the grin he had so often directed towards her. "I expected you to just say no anyway, but okay. Standing offer, to make it fair." He didn't really think it was fair, he had nothing to do with her needed this brand but he didn't really mind. He could take it. Nodding, he saw sense in what she said. "I was thinking just lines to match and seeing what I could make. I could fashion something to go over it but a fresh canvas could work. Do you have any idea what you would want there instead, little red?" He had no sooner asked than she had moved on to the idea of searching her, and with her eyes closed had pulled his shirt up and over her head. He was about to ask her if she was sure and his breath caught, a small gasp that became an unbidden, very quiet growl of arousal. Hopefully she hadn't heard it. "Sure, no time like the present I suppose..." He was having a hard time controlling the wolf now, seeing her completely bare in front of him was different this time. He wasn't concerned about her health, or focused on just a singular brand but her entire body was exposed, she was so beautiful, flawless but for the scrapes from the previous night, curves in all the right places...he wanted her, there was no doubt about that.

"Come with me, Ruby..." He didn't even use the nickname he had decided to furnish her with as he reached down to take her hand, careful not to touch the rest of her as he led her back into the front room. The table in front of his chair was large enough for her, even though it was just a mahogany coffee table, and the light in the room shining in from the window would make it easy to see. He pulled her towards it and then pushed her backwards, one hand on her back and one on her shoulder as he guided her down onto her back. "You need to lay down. I'm going to have to touch you, I...I am sorry, I heard you say you aren't comfortable being touched in the kitchen but...I have to be sure. And..." He didn't really know what else to say. His heart was racing faster, part of it arousal and part of it the beast trying to break free, to force the human side of him to comply in taking what it wanted, taking the bunny in front of him. With her laying down he started simple, his big, strong yet skilled hands on her hair, pulling it aside as he leaned in closer, sat on the edge of his chair and looking for any marks, needle or otherwise. There was nothing as he moved on down, his fingertips gliding over her slender neck and throat, trying to feel for an implant. It would have to be this way for all of her, and he knew she was going to hate it. She'd think he was just some kind of pervert, and she wouldn't be completely wrong but that wasn't his goal, his intention. He used his thumb to pull her lower lip down, checking to see if there was anything implanted in place of a tooth, very rare but he had heard of such things. Her shoulders, then down to her chest, running his hands over her breasts, cupping them, a gentle squeeze before he moved on, trying not to linger as he grew hard and the wolf tried to rebel inside him. Lower...he had to go lower, next would be her midriff and her navel, then down to where her brand was...he couldn't leave any of her without being searched. Another soft growl slipped out, his eyes were starting to darken a little with lust but if she didn't look she would never know, and that would be fine by him.

 

[Bunny]

Ruby's small hand was dwarfed by his larger one as he lead her from the kitchen table to the small coffee table before the couch and another chair. She'd heard that low growl, she wasn't human. She could hear better than a human, but her sense of smell and vision was far superior. One of her lovely crimson ears twitched towards him after that little growl. It made her uncertainty rise, her fear spiking a little. There was definitely something off about him, though she still couldn't place it. Trying to control the animalistic panic rising inside her. Ruby's eyes opened and then found his when he told her she needed to lay down, that he'd need to touch her. Guided to the smooth mahogany surface, her bare back pressed against the cool varnished wood.

The start of the examination wasn't too bad, the tips of his fingers brushing her skin with a firm but gentle pressure. Trailing them along her hair and neck. She didn't relax though, Ruby knew this was just the start that firm touch of his hands. Her mouth opened for him while he inspected her mouth. Her eyes had fallen closed once again at the start of the examination, unable to keep looking at him while he touched her. The feel of his fingers trailed down Ruby's shoulders, and when he cupped her breasts, she'd flinched visibly. Those soft round mounds had easily been cupped in each one of his hands, a little shy of a full handful. The slender intake of her waist was next, hands lowering further and further. Even before she heard that growl, she trembled on the table before him.

That growl made once of her ears turn towards him, the sound was unmistakable now. Her eyes opened and met his and the look in his eyes took her breath away. Lust, need.. Trembling harder it took a lot for her to not bolt. It wasn't even her injured foot that held her in place. There was something about the way he watched her that yet again reminded her there was something off about Vilkas. There was undeniable lust in his eyes but, there was something else far more primal. He was looking at her like prey too. She couldn't help the soft chittering that started in her throat, pure fear spiking through her strongly. Even she could smell it, that scent of her fear, which spoke of exactly how scared she was. Her eyes snapped closed and her head turned away from him. It wasn't something silly like if she couldn't see him, he couldn't see her. She knew this needed to be done, but she couldn't lay there and look into his lusty eyes while listening to him growl at her like some sort of fox or big cat. It took all of her will power to not tell him to stop. She wanted to demand he hurry, but even that wasn't whispered. Like a doe in headlights, fear paralyzing her on that table.

 

[Staine]

It hadn't been hard to miss her flinching when his hands had found her breasts, not that he had expected anything less. She didn't like to be touched and he really didn't want her to feel uncomfortable or violated no matter how appealing touching her was. They had been so soft, he had been tempted to flick his thumb over the nipples when she had flinched, the predator in him screaming out for him to take her, to make her his. Vilkas fought it every step of the way. To unleash himself on her after saving her from those boys the previous night...it wouldn't be a fair or kind fate for her. Sure, he wouldn't kill her, but he knew from experience that if he truly gave in and let that side of him take over he would be far from gentle and she was so small...the animal she resembled made his wolf want her all the more. No, he had to control himself, his only outlet would be the soft, almost inaudible growls and the way his breath caught when a strong wave of desire pulsed through him.

It was when he growled just a little louder as his fingers glided over the slightly raised flesh of the brand. There was definite lust in his eyes, on some level even the human side of him wanted to embrace it, would relish in hurting her just to hear those sounds, to see her flinch. It was a well hidden part of him that he didn't embrace often, but it seemed Ruby brought it out of him as she trembled. That's what got him, that fear. As much as he wanted to put her at ease it was intoxicating and he had to fight harder, his eyes flicking towards hers. She was looking directly at him...he could see something in there. Recognition? Her eyes were soon closed and she turned her head while his hand moved down to her thighs, parting them. He could see her sex, the delicate folds, inviting, so very tempting and he breathed in deeply before running his hand down her thigh to check for any chip, to focus on the task at hand. "Shhh...you're safe, little red. I won't harm you, I won't hurt you, you're safe. I won't harm you..." Whether he was saying it to remind himself or to reassure her he wasn't even sure anymore, but he was starting to get control again. Her thighs and legs examined, he gently nudged her ribs to roll her over onto her stomach. "Turn. I need to do the back too, then I can stop."

He helped her onto her stomach with just a little force, she was light enough that it wasn't difficult even if she didn't try to roll herself. "I..." he felt he should say something, he knew she had seen it in his eyes, not only the lust but the wolf. Maybe she didn't know what it was, it was unlikely that she would but he was a predator, an apex predator at that and it wasn't inconceivable that it would show to a demihuman. That her instincts would be screaming at her to run. With one hand he checked her, running it down over her back and shoulders while the other gently petted. "I'm sorry if I scared you, I didn't mean to, I almost..." He sighed. Talking to her was helping but at the same time, how did he explain it? Hell, he could even smell her fear in the air now. "It doesn't matter. I can control it, I will control it. I won't harm you..." Again he hadn't been able to tell her, and his hand glided down to her rear, the soft cotton tail white and pristine, his hand brushing against it and gently cupping her ass, fingertips slipping barely between the cheeks, parting them even as he looked for any sign of injection or scarring but there was nothing. He paused...just staring. So perfect, every inch of her even with the cuts and scrapes...if she looked she would see the huge bulge in his jeans, the outline of him clearly visible, showing his arousal. He forced himself to move on, finishing with the backs of her thighs and calves. "Nothing...if you are being tracked, it's hidden well." He had already pulled his hands from her. "You can get dressed now. I'm sorry you had to go through that, I did have to be sure..." He felt somewhat dirty. He didn't feel like he had done anything wrong exactly, he still felt it had been a wise idea to check but he also felt bad for enjoying it and even now he wanted to touch her tail again, to just pet it and maybe tug on it a little...what was wrong with him?

 

[Bunny]

The words of comfort should have helped, far more than they were. Vilkas scared her on a primitive level. She had never felt this sort of fear before, something so pungent it was almost tangible in the air around her. Every fiber in her being screamed at her to run and she didn't know why. Yes he felt off in a way she couldn't quite place her finger on. But Vilkas was just a human, Ruby had been around other humans, some who had turned her stomach.. This level of fear was unheard of in her. What was it about him? That soft chittering sound of fear grated at her nerves. She couldn't help what she was, prey.. But she didn't have to like it. His mantra was for them both, a part of Ruby's brain clicked. He said this wasn't sexual, that he wouldn't hurt her.... But he wanted to. Was that it? That it was sexual for him, but he was trying.. That he did want to hurt her? She knew that was a thing, hurting someone for sexual pleasure. She had been taught about sexual needs, desires.. It was important she be able to service the guests of the family should they so desire her. So while a virgin she wasn't uneducated either, though the 'education' was bare bones. When he tapped her ribs she rolled some, his strong hands helping her the rest of the way.

Short of running, which wasn't an option she just needed to get this done. They didn't have to be anything to one another and he'd not touch her again. Even his reaction while strong to her slender, naked form had been strong.. His desire was easily scented by the small female before him. Ruby actually trusted him not to act on it. His words were a jumble of feelings half finished and confusing. Frowning she laid still as his hands ran over the last of her flesh. When he announced she was done, that he hadn't found anything she pushed herself into a kneeling position. Trembling she slowly stood, shirt in her hands. Pulling it over her head she looked away from him, unable to not notice his arousal, large as it was. They both knew what that had done to him. They both knew he scared her. She also knew that silly certainty, she could trust him. She took a few steps backwards, uneasy on her already off balanced feet. Unable to meet his eyes she stared at the kitchen. "Did you have scissors?" Motioning to the shirt, she wanted to cut a hole for her tail, the soft white appendage trapped beneath the dark material. It was a little uncomfortable.

"And if you wanted your shower.. I could clean up" Scared as she was, he had been kind and while confused and unsure about him... the desire the fear.. She could make an effort. She also wanted him away from her some time. So her nerves could hopefully calm, instead of feeling raw and frayed. Away from him, the feeling that something about him was off, his odd smell.. His erection, her suspicions about his sexual tendencies.

 

[Staine]

Vilkas himself was barely managing to hold himself back from shaking, not from fear like Ruby but from desire. It was so very rare that he would come face to face with a demihuman that the wolf inside him resonated with so much but here he was, with the naked bunny in front of him and the wolf screaming to be set free. On most days he would say his urges were at a 2, maybe a 3 on the arbitrary scale of how difficult it was to control himself, it was a non-issue if anything. Right now he was at an 8 at the very least. Most humans didn't trigger any kind of reaction in him other than a slight lust if he found them attractive, most demihumans barely got past that stage either. Ruby ticked very box that would push the number higher and examining her like that, while not inherently sexual, had pushed him far too much. When she pulled the top over herself he was both relieved and ashamed, he could see she wasn't looking at him anymore, she couldn't face him. She knew. He knew. They both knew...that he wanted her. "Scissors, yes...there are some in the first aid kit, cupboard just beneath the sink." His tone was light and had the barest hint of a tremble in it. "Little red, I..." What could he even say to this situation? "I said it wasn't sexual and I meant it, I just...nevermind. I'm sorry."

He nodded at her suggestion of a shower and he grabbed his shirt from the previous night, putting distance between them by carrying it to the laundry hamper he kept by the washing machine and placing it inside. "Yeah, a shower would be good, I think. Clean up if you can but don't hurt yourself doing it, your ankle..." He felt awkward around her now, and guilty that he had been affected so much. He left her there, moving surprisingly fast for somebody his size as he made himself scarce and went towards the bathroom, stopping only to grab fresh boxer shorts, jeans and a red and black checked shirt that looked more at home on a lumberjack than anything else. He was suddenly very aware that he had been topless in her presence for far too long, he wasn't a shy man but now it didn't feel as innocuous. Stripping off, he was still hard and almost ten inches in length, thick, aching for her. He sighed, he could take care of this need and maybe be better off for it but there would only be one thought on his mind as he did so and she was right downstairs. That and he didn't want to give the beast inside him, the feral passenger that sometimes tried to dictate his thoughts and actions, the satisfaction. He didn't want to reward this lack of control he was under.

When he stepped beneath the shower, it was freezing by design. He shivered as the bracing spray hit him and the ice cold droplets rolled down his body, driving away the lust in the traditional method one would hear about. It wasn't pleasant, he craved that soothing heat but it did the trick, and five minutes beneath it he was feeling much more like himself and able to turn the heat up. Grabbing his shower gel, he washed himself slowly and thoroughly, taking care with his hair which he tied back after washing three times mostly to give her space. Even as anti social as he was, he knew that after that exchange it would be welcomed. He was feeling a little better but still guilty when he stepped out to dry himself off and dressed in the black jeans and checked shirt before making his way back down with dirty clothes in hand. Opening the washing machine, he pulled out Ruby's clothes, not saying a word to her as he replaced them with his own and stuffed hers in the drier. Setting it going, it was then that he knew he should probably at least speak, say something to ease the tension. "Did you find the scissors? Look..." He was frowning as he looked at her, his bright emerald eyes sad. "I didn't expect to be affected like that when I saw you, I didn't know it would...it caught me off guard and I hate that you saw me like that, that you know..." He sighed, why the hell did he have to let somebody into his life? Years of solitude and only talking when he absolutely had to and now this. "I'm not a monster, I'm not like that...I didn't want to scare you, didn't mean to..." No matter how he tried to phrase it, it just wasn't working. He started to fish out his cigarettes and lighter again. "This is why I don't talk to people, heh. i'm not good at this."

 

[Bunny]

When he told her where to find the scissors she turned and headed to where he had indicated, pausing near the kitchen table as he said her new nickname, her head turning only slightly in acknowledgment. His words were heard and she nodded some, unsure if she could say anything else at the moment. Her question and suggestion had taken a lot of willpower. Besides, she needed time to think. Another nod as he cautioned her about her ankle before she continued into the kitchen. She could hear him leave, one ear turning towards the sound as she knelt before cupboard in question, rummaging in the first aid kit. Finding them she stood and went about the problem of figuring out where to cut the shirt. She only wanted a hole big enough for her fluffy white tail to slip through. After some careful consideration she pinched a bit of the shirt and struggled out of it while holding the pinched location. A few cuts later there was a small hole in the shirt that fit snuggly around her fluffy white tail. "That's better.."

After replacing the scissors she cleaned up the mess she'd made before starting on the dishes. It was a mindless task that didn't strain her and she was able to let her mind wander as she scrubbed the food from the plates and pans in hot soapy water, rinsing them and setting them in the drying rack. Jumping a little as he came back into the kitchen. Heart racing she looked at him, nodding. "I did" Though the soft cotton floof of white was evidence of that. Ruby set the last dish in the drying rack and pulled the plug in the sink, turning to face him as she dried he hands on a towel. His eyes were sad and she frowned softly. I twas clear he was ashamed, embarrassed.. "You couldn't help it.." Hanging up the towel she moved closer to him, despite her body telling her not to.

Her hands touched one of his larger ones, both small ones curling around it. "You're not a monster" Her voice while soft was adamant. "A monster wouldn't have saved me. Nor would a monster not have taken advantage of me while I was unconscious" Her maroon eyes held his, her small hands squeezing the one they held "Or tended to my wounds. Or not forced himself on me once I was awake... Or feel bad about it now" Her head gave a small shake. "Not a monster... At worst the only monstrous thing about you is your smoking habit" her voice was light, teasing and her smile shy. Leaning up on her one good foot her lips brushed his chin, unable to reach his cheek without his help. "Thank you. For then.. now"

Blush in her cheeks she pulled away and cleared her throat, one arm under her breasts, the other holding her elbow as she looked away, lashes lowered. She'd just wanted him to know he wasn't a monster, the kiss had not been planned. She'd felt it might chase away the sadness. He'd done a good thing saving her. He was trying to still do the right thing. She didn't want him to feel bad about it.

 

[Staine]

He had actually noticed the tail the moment he had walked into the kitchen, he knew she had found the scissors and used them but in searching for something to say it had seemed like the easy choice. That, and he didn't want to point attention to the fact that he had noticed, because where her tail was situated was that area of her body, the one that had gotten such a strong reaction from him. They both must have noticed that. "I see, well that's good. Your clothes should be dry later if you'd like to wear them and if not, I can make you something else. If you plan to stay that long, that is..." He wasn't sure she would anymore, not that he had any indication prior apart from her being willing to let him examine her. Even that wasn't proof she planned to stay any longer than her ankle took to heal though he recommended at least that. When she comforted him he was surprised. He had seen how scared she had been, smelled it in the air and even now he could sense it, that part of him that wanted to prey on her knew she feared him and relished it, yet she was being so brave, she had even taken one of his hands in hers and he listened in silence. What she said made sense, but that just meant she didn't know. She didn't know the danger she was in around him. Should he tell her? He felt he should, but...he had never told that secret to anybody. Never had to. Now, if she were to stay near him and provoke such strong reactions from the wolf that he struggled to hold it back then...

"Thank you." It was all he could manage before he had to pause and consider his words, breaking into an awkward smile, still sad but he was trying. "Though you can't say I'm not a monster, you don't know me, little red, what I was feeling." He opened his mouth to say more when she leaned up and kissed his chin and his breath caught. It wasn't arousal or even close, it was something else...it felt nice. Nice, just warm and friendly and it made him feel something he definitely wasn't used to feeling and couldn't quite put a finger on. Whatever it was, it shocked him out of his thoughts, he blinked, dumbfounded as he stared after her while she cleared her throat and walked away. She was blushing, he could see that, his eyes were beyond keen and there was very little he missed, just one of the senses that always seemed to be better than that of other people, other humans. "Haha, well that was unexpected..." He grinned, like the tension was somehow broken. He wasn't stupid, he still felt bad but it was like it washed over him and chased away those awkward feelings he had been dwelling on. "You must have some faith in strangers, to be willing to get so close to a stranger whose intentions you don't know...and to comfort me after all you have been through, when I acted like that...you're a strange one, Ruby."

He looked down at his cigarette. They helped him control himself, helped take the edge off whatever he was craving at the time whether it was to mate or to run naked through the woods, human or wolf form didn't matter. He went through at least twenty a day and still felt fit as a fiddle, like his body rid itself of the toxins that were harmful to the humans who had invented the habit. "Aye, I suppose they aren't nice but they aren't the only thing monstrous about me, little red." He brought it to his lips, lighting it as he moved towards the back door, more for her than himself. "I don't want to harm you, I will keep you as safe as I can, I meant that, but...what if I can't control myself? What if I can't stop it? I've never felt a pull like that before..." He knew the way he was speaking was vague, he didn't know if he should or shouldn't tell her his secret but could he let her stay without knowing?

 

[Bunny]

She looked back to him, canting her head to one side. Hair fell into her eyes but she didn't bother to move it. "You want to hurt me" It wasn't said as a question, it was said as a statement of fact. She didn't seem scared by this. "And not all strangers, trust is earned. You have given me many reasons to trust you" She wanted to say he gave her no reasons not to, but that wasn't wholly true. She still had far more reasons to trust him. When he called her strange she offered him a small pout. "I am not!" Crossing her arms she frowned some. His words were just as confusing as before. "Why.. not?" she watched as he stepped away to smoke, and this time she didn't wrinkle her nose... even if it did reek.

Her mind went back to the feelings she had, the odd smell.. "You smell funny" she blushed and shook her head, hands rising as she did. "I mean, you don't smell like other humans. You clearly are not a subhuman though either." She spoke sort of like she was musing out loud. Toying with a curl she gazed off into the distance speaking still. "I also know you scare me" A small giggle "Not you, you.. but like something about you on a primeval level. Like some left over flight or flight response." She shrugged and looked back to him. "But I still trust you... even with that feeling." She bit her lower lip for a moment and looked down. "But, if you do hurt me.. just promise not to break me" She didn't want to pry, but she felt he wouldn't hurt her if he could help it... "Or kill me.." The afterthought was given and she smiled some. "But I don't think you will lose control" She didn't honestly know, but it wouldn't help to cast doubt. At least for her, having someone doubt her.. question of she could do something? It made her struggle. She liked support, to be told she could do it.

"Um.. anyway.." Ruby shifted in place "You said you could make clothes?" This line of talk made her uncomfortable, so a change of subject was in order. "What kind of clothes do you make?" She was trying to pull his thoughts away too. Helping him stop his worrying. Either he would or wouldn't lose control and if he did she'd do her best to deal with it. What else could she do. Depending on what he was hiding, she'd leave or work through it. She had no where else to go for now at least. Maybe when she was better, she could be a maid for him. Not a slave, but helping him on her own terms for room and board. That didn't sound horrible honestly. And well.. Vilkas seemed like he needed a friend just as much as she did.