Thread: Nevermore: Neither Here Nor There (Haru & Mally)

The reflexes of Straton were what saved her from hitting the ground too hard. The girl's body went limp and she started to lean and the tiger managed to grab her, cushioning her tumble. The feline head dipped close, and he could hear her heartbeat, strong and sure, and her breathing was steady. She'd merely fainted. By now the gates had been close and Straton gave a nod to the guardsmen, who were alert and a bit aloof. With a small bit of willpower and concentration Straton shifted back. The transformation back to human was more painful, as large internal organs shrank, contracting in fits of pain as his torson compressed. Exapanding into a larger torso was easy by comparison, and Straton winced and grunted in pain, the girl still cradled in his arms. He wasn't letting her go nor out of his sight. The animorph had no idea what these people might do to her if he left her unattended. With his skin steaming from the transformation, which expended large amounts of energy, Straton felt suddenly weak and knew he had to get back to the room he'd paid for. Back to the Drunken Goat he went, his clothes disheveled but intact, as was always the case when he shifted, and he entered the place with the slip of a girl in his arms. hardly a look was cast his way, which was just how he wanted it, and the key for his room was still in his pocket. The people of Bladecrest knew him well enough and he trudged up the stairs, stopping just long enough at the var to say that he'd like two meals delivered to his room, healthy servings of the evening special. The room was a decently appointed affair, with a large bed, and a chest of drawers. An adjoining washroom, shared by another room, though it happened to be vacant at the moment. That was a stroke of luck really, and Straton laid the girl gently in the bed before going to the washroom and getting a cloth to soak with warm water. Wringing it out in the sink he brought it back to the room to lay across the girl's forehead, using one corner to wipe her face. She was really quite lovely, but her clothing was strange. They could rectify that on the morrow though, after she woke up. Right now he didn't even know her name. Gently patting her cheek he tried to rouse her. Wake up girl. C'mon. You're ok. You're not hurt. Wake up. he said, not quite slapping her, but definitely shaking her. A creak outside the door and then a knock had him looking that way and he opened it a crack to see Josie standing there, the buxom serving girl that had waited on him earlier. She'd expressed a bit of interest, quite curious about the animorph, and as he opened the door to let her in, her smile faded a bit at the sight of the girl on the bed. I could have kept you company tonight, you know. she said with a pout. Straton smiled. I know you could have Josie. Maybe next time, ok? he said, and leaned in to kiss her softly, hoping to appease her. I'll hold you to that handsome. she said and unabashedly gave his crotch a squeeze before she took her leave. Straton shut the door and barred it this time. The meals she had brought, and knowing they were for him, were piled high with roasted pork and vegetables, rye bread and a large pitcher of stout. Good, he'd need it, but he needed to get this girl awake before he would feel comfortable eating. Going back to her he tried to rouse her again, sitting on the bed beside her.