Thread: [ the apprentice ] [ newblood x Niksis ]

Zyra felt an undeniable rush coursing through her. Back home, she had been notorious for her scrappy nature. She had grown up amid organized crime, she had to learn how to protect herself. When her legacy within the underbelly - as low level as it was - had been cut out of the running by rivals, her need to protect herself increased. The bar she had been found in had been a last resort, a safe haven for her and girls like her who were running from their unsavory pasts. She had ended up being a protector of herself and her colleagues. Zyra liked adrenaline. She liked throwing a punch or two in high heels and leather pants. ..but this. This had been different. Green eyes stared at the heaps on the floor, chest raising and falling as though she had just completed a sprint. While the high from the moment remained, the power and ferocity had subsided. She had shown him pieces of herself that even she had not began to understand yet, and she could sense that something about it had drawn him in. At his consoling words to justify their deaths, Zyra's eyes snapped up to meet his. This must be common for him, she realized. Death was just a part of his status in this galaxy, a byproduct of his control. Her lips parted, wanting to say something but not quite finding the words. She wanted to argue with him, but he was right they had deserved it. They had killed her friends. Eyelids fluttered, conflicted as to whether she wanted to put some blame onto him as well. When told he was proud of her, the woman's focus returned to his face. His hands on her shoulders made her feel small. His presence was a lot more intimidating up close. He seemed like a celestial phenomena all on his own. Like a black hole that she was helpless in circling. Unable to control herself, her eyelids fluttered closed at the sensation of his warmth. His body and his breath soothed her, his velvety words really were comforting. In that moment he was gentle, she wondered if she was seeing a rare side of him. Her eyes slipped closed and she found her center, she herself wondering what it was she wanted out of this. She didn't want to writhe in bars anymore. She realized that she usually didn't let people get this close to her, much less touch her. Had he been anyone else - even one of the Order's troopers - she would fight their touch away. Whether out of fear or curiosity, she didn't dare tell him to take his hands off of her. Zyra swallowed hard, eyes opening slowly again. There was only right answer to this. She had a feeling that he got what he wanted, and she was interested in making this easier on herself. If he was not lying to her, she was also interested in increased power and control. His final question had hung in the air for some time, but now she was certain that she knew her answer. Zyra's hands lifted, hooking on both of his wrists as he held her shoulders steady. Her head tilted upward, green eyes meeting his dark ones. Her nodding was gentle but firm. I accept your offer. Show me what I need to know . She accepted, a brow arched. In that moment she accepted that her life had just changed, but she couldn't quite comprehend how. She was nervous and scared, but also eager in a lot of ways. How do we begin? Zyra asked, biting on her lush bottom lip.