Tatcon x Raven

[moonlit raven]

It was a typical crowed Saturday at the public market downtown. It was in full swing of fall season, with all kinds of fruits and vegetables to be sold, as well as knickknacks, jams, pies, street fare, and a million other things that enticed the hundreds of people that flooded the street. It was easy then for a girl to get lost in the crowd.

Raven did stand out though, if only for her atypical clothes. She wore a long black tench coat that went down her her ankles. Her shirt was not visible underneath but one could see the bottom of her skirt and her heavy black leather boots. She was smaller than most, and from what one could see, had a slender and petite body. Her hair was long and as dark as her namesake, her eyes a dark gray. She looked like a goth teenager, drawing disapproving looks for some of the older ladies.

In reality, Raven did not favor these dark clothes above others, she simply wore them to fit in, to appear human. What walked among her were lesser beings, who wouldn't know a creature like herself. Even if there where subtle hints that she was different, like the way she moved with sharp, graceful movements like a bird of prey, or her black fingernails that looked unusual when one looked too closely. No one picked up on these things, it wasn't in their nature.

The girl looked over some apples at a stand, standing close to a family, the mother having dark hair like herself. When the farmer running the stand stopped to talk to an old woman, her hand snuck out, her talons clutching a ripe fruit and putting it in her pocket. No one noticed anything as she walked off, back into the sea of humans.

 

[Tatcon Valdez]

Delightful, these little markets. Even in the the modern world people still got together and sole their wares like they had when Amillio was young to this world. It always made him smile as he picked some of the best fruit and vegetables to give to those he cared for on a temporary basis. While the spent some time to heal their souls, he would take the time to heal their wounds and feed there stomachs. From that point on, they would be well set to return to the world they fleed.

Many people would stop to take a look at the man in the long grey robes, trappings of a long ago monk. It wasn't exclusively the clothes that made him worthy of interest, but his size. Standing at six foot seven he was definitely heads above most, but his shoulders and back were broad, a massively framed man who seemed almost encumbered by his mass. He definitely didn't wear it like those distorted body builders he had seen on the television, but it was apparent he was very, very strong. Auburn hair was held back in a ponytail tied with a black ribbon, deep, caring mahogany eyes allowed him to see the world as he straightened himself up and started to walk, a slight grimace in his mid 30 aged face showing some kind of strain. Well, it was time to move on and see what else was for sale, perhaps a little keepsake for the fourteen year old girl who---

It was in the middle of that thought that he felt the presence of another of his breed. Faint, she didn't seem completely whole, but that sensation was not something you could miss in a world of mortal beings. Looking over his shoulder slowly he would see the long dark hair and coat of the one who was eminating the aura, and then the apple she took. A small act, however one who was prone to those actions normally committed others, and it was with that knowledge that he slowly turned after her and started to walk. She did manage to blend well, but those dark brown eyes didn't lose track of the unique creature, and he would follow her for a good long while, watching carefully the whole time.

 

[moonlit raven]

Raven repeated her routine a few more times, stopping by popular stands, with too many customers and not enough eyes watching their products. She always made sure that the shopkeepers were distracted before lifting an item. It wasn't long before a small jar of jam, a cookie, another apple from a different shop, and a bottle of water went onto her seemingly never ending pockets. Another reason she liked the trench coat; you could hide so much under it. After visiting each stand she would blend back in to the crowd. She was particularly good at this, light on her feet, and her small frame hid well behind the masses of taller people.

She meandered to one of the quieter corners of the public market, finding an unoccupied bench and taking a seat. She opened the bottled water and began snacking on an apple. It would make for a quick breakfast while she planned what to do next. Winter was coming soon, and she was contemplating going south, where living on the streets might be more tolerable. Still, she needed a bit more cash and food before she ditched this city, and moved on to the next. In her chosen occupation, one never stayed in one place for very long.

 

[Tatcon Valdez]

These actions of hers would not go unnoticed, but after a while the massively framed man would stop following the girl, and disappear in his own right as he made out for a different location, one pre meditated by his observation of the young one. As she would sit herself down on the bench, Amillio would be seen walking towards the very same bench, and without asking he would turn and place himself down slowly, groaning a bit with strain. Remaining quiet for a few moments to see how she would react, he would watch the crowd, and then let his intention be known.

"In ancient times, in the Middle East of this world, a thief would have their hand cut off as a punishment for their actions. A bit barbaric, don't you think?" He would say, his voice coming from his lips strong, but coarse as if had swallowed fire for a living. "Why do you take from these people young one? Is it an inability to operate in this world?" He would continue, those mahogany eyes turning towards her slowly as he awaited a response.

 

[moonlit raven]

Raven stared as the giant man took a seat next to her, giving him only sideways glances. He was huge, by any standard, and she had a feeling that a third person observing them might find the situation comical. A tiny girl and a huge man juxtaposed on a lone bench. She noted hsi strange clothing and appearance before turning her attention back to her apple. When he did finally speak, her blood ran cold. He had caught her stealing.

She knew she should have bolted right then and there, to take off once out of sight. But something stopped her, some feeling within her mind that she couldn't shake. He was different from the others...her dark eyes widened as she realized what he was, then narrowed again quickly. Demons typically did not like half-breeds like herself, and for that reason, she made an effort not to interact with them. She grew up among humans, and fit in better to their world.

"I operate just fine in this world. I scrape by as best I can, but I can take care of myself." she said, dismissing him. She did not want someone here to patronize her. She had survived on her own in the streets since she was a child, with no one's help. She had no need to be judged by some giant demon.

 

[Tatcon Valdez]

"Take care of yourself.." he would say quietly, turning his attention back to the market as he nodded a few times. "Stealing from the people who are trying to make a living legitimately is not operating just fine." He responded, placing strong hands upon his knees as he sighed lightly. "I am not here to harm you for the act, however. I am not here to kill you either. I know the common response from us to half-breeds is usually cruel, but there is a reason I am here and have been for so long and it has nothing to do with hunting down petty thieves with a unique lineage." He had a tendancy towards talking too much, however he always made sure that every word had to be heard.

"I own a church in the city center which I run as a home for stray humans and other creatures who pretend to be them. I would like you to come there so you can stop being a leech to these good people." He offered, looking back at her to catch her response. He had a feeling that her years of being desolate would protest at such a possible offer, but he had to make it. It was an oath he had sworn to himself and he was not going to break it for one wayward half-breed.