ofeventualities | closed to somethingveryspecial.

[What a charming young woman this is. Everyone else in Jade's life at the moment seems to so eager to sever ties as soon as they get -- why would this be any different? It's because of those experiences, coupled with her own, that Jade is able to see right through what Kainé is doing. There was a time in which she would have done the same thing...

[These days, it seems that all she does is take it. Never would have pegged herself to be a masochist, but here she is, when she could be on her way back to the city right about now.

[But she doesn't. She can't. At least not to return to the inevitable tasks that are ahead. Instead, she fiddles with the amulet. It may not be a gift, but within contains something... precious. Well, they all do, but this one in particular she keeps close.

[There's a fleeting moment Jade contemplated bringing Zar'Ah out, just to see how Kainé would react. Return the favor she's being given. But Kainé seems like more the "fight" than "flight" type, and Jade has put Zar'Ah through enough lately that she's soon to abandon the notion.]

I'll go whatever pace I feel like, thanks. [Jade just remarks flatly, resting her hands on the straps of her backpack as she steps out under the misty clouds. The chill and the rain feel nice, after being tied up for who knows how long. Despite her choice words, Jade doesn't seem as peeved by Kainé's attitude as she might expect, instead rolling the insults over like water off a duck's feathers.

[Rather, she is bemused when the other woman seems lost. Jade pauses, blinks.]

Hm. Did you misplace your camp, by chance? [There's a tilt of levity in her tone, before it fades.

[She glances towards the main road, leading down a winding path between trees and foliage. There's a moment of hesitation, before she speaks up again.]

So, assuming your camp doesn't decide to return home from the war any minute now... Ark's actually not all that far from here. I've got a small hideout in the Undercity. People don't tend to bother me down there.

[Which is kind of her preference at the moment.]

[Not doing... whatever with that amulet was a wise move. Kainé is absolutely the type to strike first and there won't be a need for questions. Running just isn't an option; much to Weiss' dismay.

Kainé just shrugs, not giving the retort a second thought. What she does react to, is the burn about her camp. She crosses her arms under her bust and narrows her eyes.]

Don't be stupid. We probably just came out a different way. [Kainé does actually listen to the idea though, but looks hesitant at the mention of going to a city. Her expression drops and she averts her gaze.]

I don't go into cities. I'm not...

[The hand gripping her Shade arm, subconsciously slides a little higher out of her own discomfort.]

[There's a hint of exasperation when Jade heaves out a high.]

For fuck's sake...

[Why should she even bother? Most people she knows either end up dying or rightfully leaving her in the end. So what does she care if Kainé wants to risk her neck for no reason? Sure, she seems like she can handle herself well enough, but so is Jade, and she still managed to get caught unawares. All it takes is one mistake, and it's all over.

[But still... Why does she have to care so goddamn much?]

Look, sleeping outside is straight-up suicide. You got rabid animals, people losing their minds to the Red Madness. Not to mention Nehrimese who've been ordered to kill anyone on sight...

[The last one is a bit of a punch to the gut. Being an outlander herself, she has gotten all too accustomed to the scowls and snide remarks from the locals who've suffered the brunt end of her former countrymen's invasion. She'd done her best to try to hide her accent, but most tend to notice the "Nehrimese bitch" the second she opens her mouth.

[Not wanting to finish that thought, Jade slips her backpack around and starts rummaging through it while she continues:] Anyways, it won't be the city proper. It's no house in the Larxes, but I'm not in the mood to deal with those upper-level snobs, myself.

[Finally, she fishes a hooded travel cloak from her backpack and just chucks it at Kainé. Whether the other woman catches it or lets it fall in the dirt matters very little, since the fabric is already pretty weathered and worn.]

Just put this on. Someone who looks like me will probably still stick out more than someone like you even in the Undercity, but still. Don't want people getting the idea that you're a, er... representative of the Silver Cloud or something.

[Not that Jade would judge, but something tells her that Kainé wouldn't be all the way out here if she was an Undercity prostitute.]

I can handle myself.

[She turns before Jade even throws the cloak...

And freezes, noticing something disturbing; at least to her.

It's getting darker as though the light is literally being sucked away, from more than just the cloud cover. When Kainé speaks again, there's a tremor in her voice.]

W... what the hell's happening? [She whirls back around to face Jade, her eyes wide with fear.] Where's the light going? Shit! This is bad... Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!

[Of all the turns Jade could've expected this conversation to take, this certainly wasn't it. She stares at Kainé, observing her response and not even dignifying her snubbing the cloak as she closes the opening to her bag. Oh well, that thing was already dirty, anyway.

[When she looks up, she sees that it is getting dark outside. It's an odd solace to her that she's never quite thought about before -- the burning, blinding light in her visions were always unsettling, always harrowing to wake up from, that the night and its stretching shadows were more of a comfort than anything else.

[For Kainé, it seems to present something entirely else.]

Guess it's later than I thought? We'll be fine if we stay on the road. Oh, and... Maybe this'll help.

[Despite how Kainé reacted to her magic earlier, Jade doesn't hesitate to summon a ball of light from the palm of her hand. It raises into existence like a tiny sun, warm and illuminating the area, casting a pale, yellowish glow on her face.

[Who knows, maybe Kainé has a fear of the dark. Maybe she spent her life underground and never seen day cycles before. Few things would surprise her at this point.]

[For Kainé, dark means danger. Dark means death. And so she barely registers the other woman's assurance until the ball of light is formed in Jade's hand.

This time, Kainé doesn't even react negatively, in fact, she visibly relaxes, moving closer with the warm illumination working as a protective barrier. Still, she dismisses her weapons and wraps her arms comfortingly and protectively around herself; though she still remains vigilant enough that she can react should anything actually attack.]

Th... thanks. [A brief moment of vulnerability before she falls back into her usual brash attitude. Her body language still remains unsure though.]

So how far we gotta go? No stops, we keep going until... [A small hesitation.] until this dark is fucking behind us.

[Pleasantly surprised by Kainé's reaction, Jade keeps the light up. She dignifies that fleeting moment of gratitude with a fleeting smile of her own.]

No problem.

[It really isn't, though. The spell doesn't drain her too much, so it's not like she'll drop dead in the middle of the road just for maintaining a ball of magic light at the very least.

[As for her question... Jade shrugs. She isn't put off by Kainé's mannerisms, sensing there being a good reason as to why she's so crass and guarded. It's a defense mechanism Jade herself is all too familiar with.]

Just a few miles. We could probably get there faster if I could find where my donkey ran off to...

[Yes, she has a donkey.]

[She notices the smile and has to look away or her mask might come undone. Kainé has no idea that Jade can see right through her.

At the shrug and answer, Kainé huffs impatiently, though her interest is soon peaked when the other woman mentions a 'donkey.' She raises a brow and turns her attention back to Jade as they walk.]

What the hell's a donkey? And if it'll get us there faster, find it.

Hmmm...

[Before Jade could comment on just how comfortable Kainé seems to be, barking orders at her like that... she realizes something.]

Could maybe do one better, actually.

[One hand still holding the mage light, she fishes a whistle from her pocket. It looks pretty worthless, hence why the bounty hunters probably didn't bother taking it from her when they captured her.

[Taking a few steps down the road, Jade turns towards the forest and blows the whistle. Almost a whole minute passes of her just standing there, patiently holding the ball of light as the sun closes over the horizon and the two moons fit the sky.

[Eventually, hoofbeats echo from the distance. Emerging from the trees, a somewhat small, long-eared donkey appears, black eyes blinking as it stops between Jade and Kainé. Well, "small" is pretty relative to Jade. Next to Kainé, the animal is pretty average-sized.

[Putting the whistle back in her pocket, she shrugs.]

Huh. Wasn't sure that'd actually work, to be honest.

[But she's glad it did. Her feet are sore, and she still feels rather battered after her captivity.]

Edited 2023-09-19 03:12 (UTC)

[Jade blows the whistle and Kainé raises an eyebrow. Just about before the full minute passes, she huffs and speaks up, and clapping her hands slowly.]

That was a great song and all, but can we get back on the fucking road?

[No sooner had the words left her mouth then the galloping is heard and the animal is standing before them. Kainé blinks sheepishly for a moment then quickly changes the subject.]

That's a 'donkey'? [Kainé puts a hand on her hip and tilts her head a little. It's kind of cute. Kainé has a bit of a soft spot for animals. She wouldn't be caught dead saying so aloud though.] You sure it can carry us both?

[Ignoring Kainé, Jade simply waited until the donkey answered her call. After what had happened -- being ambushed by the bounty hunters -- she almost didn't expect it to work.

[More than relieved to see her hoofed buddy again, Jade greets the animal with a pat on its nose. She bumps its forehead with her own for a moment in relief that she didn't lose her mount for good.]

This is Butterstuff.

[Jade pats him on the nose a few more times before turning back to Kainé with a mild, knowing look.]

And donkeys are capable of carrying people and large cargo. So... yes, he can carry us both. Probably.

[As she says this, she hops onto the donkey's back with ease, his "saddle" being not much more than a blanket. She has to grab onto his wiry mane for purchase, but it's become like second nature to her now.

[Looking down at Kainé now, Jade holds out her hand to help the other woman mount the creature, leaving her just enough space to sit in front of Jade.]

C'mon. It's not that hard once you're used to it.

Edited 2023-09-20 18:12 (UTC)

[Kainé watches as the animal trots up. It's smaller than a boar, but if Jade says it can carry both of them, then whatever. If it means getting somewhere where there's more light faster, that's all the better. She can already feel Tyrann stirring and she doesn't like it.

She even thinks it's kind of cute. Until Jade introduces the donkey by name and Kainé can't help but raise a brow and comment on the name choice sarcastically.]

Butter...stuff. Right...

[Again, she just observes as the other woman mounts the donkey and shrugs, strolling up and debating whether she should take the offered help.

At length, she decides it's not pity and easily climbs into the intended space.]

I'll be fine. I've ridden boars plenty.

[Her body does stiffen a little for two reasons though. The fact that Tyrann's awareness is growing. It won't be long before they have to hear his shit again, but what makes her even more nervous is when she realizes exactly how close she is to Jade. She can feel the other woman's front pressed up against her pretty-much bare back. Kainé really hopes Jade doesn't notice how she awkwardly bites at her lower lip and the faint flush dusting her cheeks.

Look, she's not used to being this close to anyone! People aren't supposed to touch her! She's a curse! A freak!

Kainé squeezes her eyes shut, hoping that Tyrann doesn't catch on to her internal struggle and out her. In any case, she's pretty quiet when they set off.]

[If Jade is taking offense to Kainé's reaction to the name of her donkey, she doesn't let it show. She just shrugs.]

Hey, it's better than sticking to some boring shit like "Whirlwind".

[All Jade had to do was kill a troll, and she got this donkey for her efforts. She can't complain either way.

[With Kainé joining her, neither does the donkey, as Butterstuff seems to carry the two women just fine on his back. Jade reaches around Kainé's sides, one hand gripping the thick mane of the animal. This of course means that Jade's front is pressed up against the other woman's back, but she assumes it's fine -- she's not exactly the most endowed in the chest area to make it awkward, or so she thinks.]

Just hold on right here, okay?

[Jade pulls at the mane with a gloved fist, as if showing Kainé how to best stay on. Without a proper saddle, it might take some additional balance on both women's part, but Jade makes sure not to go too fast too suddenly.

[Still, the donkey is quicker than if they were hoofing it on foot, his pace starting out in a canter. If there's any time in which Kainé seems to tilt from one side or another, Jade doesn't hesitate to bring her free hand up to support her waist, not really thinking about how intimate it might come across between her wearing gloves and the act being necessary.

[Admittedly, it is rather difficult to keep her thoughts in check. Kainé is beautiful, and her clothes leave very little to the imagination -- heck, Jade's seen whores in the brothel wear more clothing than her rescuer. Far be it from her to gripe about being saved by a gorgeous scantily clad woman with a pair of swords, even if it's unusual around these parts.]

[The reply does get a small smirk.]

I woulda named her Bad-ass.

[Oh, if Kainé was only aware of that missed opportunistic pun she just made. Weiss would have groaned. It might have been glorious. Alas...

She reaches out with a gloved hand of her own, another retort on her tongue.]

Look! I know how to ri...de...

[Kainé trails off as the swell of the other woman's breasts presses flush to her back. Her breath catches and her hand slips its grip from the donkey's mane, resulting in her, indeed, teetering to the side.

And Jade's save doesn't make it any better, Kainé's side twitching slightly as she swallows and attempts to compose herself.

In the back of her mind, Tyrann laughs and speaks, only heard by her.

You're welcome Sunshine. Bwa ha ha!

Of course! She killed shit! Dammit!

You asshole! I bet you're really getting off on this aren't you?

Kainé spits back in her head, to which Tyrann laughs harder.

No, but you will, coutesy of me. What can I say? I'm a generous bastard. Enjoy that, Sunshine. I sure as hell will! Kya ha ha!

Jade may or may not note that Kainé's body language indicates a jumble of emotions. Anger, discomfort, shame, dread, arousal.

Maybe she can find a way to sneak off alone to take care of Tyrann's gift

It takes her a bit, but Kainé finally manages to speak.]

How much longer?

[She attempts impatience, but her tone is more wavering, and when she realizes it, she hastily fumbles for an excuse.]

I really gotta take a piss!

[Something about the totally candid way Kainé says the name causes Jade to pause for a bit, as if the realization sinks in.]

Bad... Ass...

[And then she just fucking laughs -- maybe harder than she probably should have, given the questionable state of her ribs at the moment. Still, she laughs through the pain.]

Damn! Why didn't I ever think of that?

[She's having second thoughts on her donkey's name now. Oh well.

[It does give her something else to think about rather than dwell on the closeness of the other woman, though it doesn't quite occur to her that Kainé might be having problems for entirely different reasons. The way she stirs against her does make Jade worry that she's maybe making the young woman a little uncomfortable, especially when she speaks up...]

Uhm, probably about twenty minutes, tops? But... if you gotta piss, I'd suggest you do it somewhere outside. I don't exactly have working plumbing at this place.

[Unlike the topside homes with their pipes and tinkerings, the denizens of the Undercity aren't quite as fortunate.]

[Jade's reaction has her suddenly feeling self-conscious, which is, of course, masked by a display of violent insults. Kainé scowls before crossing her arms under her bust and shooting thr other woman a threatening look.]

What the fuck is your deal? You better shut the hell up or I'll quiet you myself by shoving your goddamn head up that donky's ass!

[~~Oh Kainé~~]

Plumbing? What the fuck...? Whatever forget it. Let's just stop. [She tries to think of a bluff but comes up short, instead quickly swinging from the donky's back (even if they're still moving) and being sure to keep her own back to the other woman. She looks once more over her shoulder.] I might be a bit...

It's a really big piss.

[Before Jade can interject, she's off, hurriedly searching for a suitable clump of bushes, far enough from the main road. Even her fear of the dark is stronger than the disgust she's feeling in herself right about now.]

Say one goddamn thing and I fucking swear I'll slit my own damn throat. Just shut up and let's get this over with.

[In fact, before the Shade can even start, she growls internally. Which is enough to keep him quiet, for the moment.]

[Perhaps it helps that Jade has endured the company of many prickly individuals that she is able to tolerate the insults, coupled with the fact that... Well, Kainé did also just save her worthless ass not long ago.

[It also helps that she's hot, and certainly not someone Jade would kick out of bed. But she does her best to contain those kinds of thoughts for now, not wanting to make this situation any more awkward than it kinda already is.]

Hey. Say what you want about me, but don't do my donkey dirty like that.

[Leave Butters out of this.

[Then she gives a start when Kainé just fucks off mid-step. Jade leans back, pulling her hands away when Kainé disappears into the forest.]

Well, alright then...

[She falls quiet, and for a while she just sits there. It's already getting late, but Jade doesn't see herself as having anywhere else to be...

[So she waits, figuring that it's the least she can do.

[Some time passes before it occurs to Jade just how big of a piss does this have to be, really? to justify how long Kainé is taking. Maybe she had second thoughts about accompanying Jade and decided to go her own way.]

Maybe she fell in...? [Jade comments to herself, before dismounting the donkey as well. She turns, giving him a quick pat on the face, and talks as if he can understand her:] Stay here, okay? I'm just... gonna go check on our new "friend".

closed to somethingveryspecial.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

Can't sleep... pain... gonna try this.

weh, hope you're feeling better. :c

Cw: mention of suicide. I can change if needed.

no subject