come set me free; [Ekun]

[Freyja Magnusson]

I've got my back against the wall
I CAN STILL HEAR THE BLUE SKIES CALL

It was impossible. There could be no happiness in a place like this—where everyone was neither friend nor foe, but only looking out for themselves. It was something she had learned in the short months she’d spent as a rogue. There were no sympathetic souls, and they turned a blind eye to a small, fragile girl getting beaten and tossed about like a ragdoll. Her rail-thin arms were still bruised from the attack, and Freyja winced remembering them. It had been a week since then, and she’d just now gotten the strength to go out and look for food.

Not that she would find much here; the place looked deserted.
Warehouses scattered here and here, and a scant building that looked as if it would tumble down on her if she took even a step inside. The small girl darted from shadow to shadow, moving in quick bursts of speed from hiding spot to hiding spot, mirroring the instincts and survival tactics she’d learned in the sea when she had been nothing more than another squid amongst thousands just like her. But now everything was different…her time spent out of the ocean had been some of the best years in what she learned would have been a very short life –her species of squid only lived a year.

If her adopted parents hadn’t discovered her, she never would have known their love. Then again, she wouldn’t have known the pain of losing them. The pain endured by these strange people poking and prodding at her with sharp needles. Strapping her down and shocking her to make her light up. That was after they’d left her in a cell to rot, her insides shifting and changing; she wished she would’ve died. It was so painful…

Freyja’s erratic pattern of dodging and weaving from maybe-enemies had halted and she sort of drifted along now, as if moved by a current she couldn’t control. Her pupil-less blue eyes were glazed and she wandered along, not noticing that she’d come to a small patch of shrubs and undergrowth. She drifted on, thin fingers trailing out to touch the rough leaves at her side, her mind thinking and dreaming up what it may. She was so distracted, she didn’t notice the black mound at her feet, not even when her foot hooked on it and she tumbled forward, arms flailing wildly for a moment before pushing out in front of her to break her fall. She tumbled a few feet more with a few tiny squeaks before coming to a rest on her back.

She heard a snarl from behind her, and Freyja slowly rose to her feet, shaking; her blue eyes rounded, lips forming “oh, my” in a soundless whisper.

[Bellenie]

She had been resting, her belly full of the meat the small den of rabbits gave her, and a content sigh escaping her lips as she curled herself into some undergrowth. She usually would've taken the time to at least dig a small den but she was lazy and needed a small nap; so settling for the cover was good enough for her.

She moved slightly in her sleep, not dreaming really as she lay there unsuspecting until she woke with a start, a small body flinging itself forward and over her. Her jowls clenched as she stood up, her fur bristling on the stocky body of the badger as she stepped forward towards the lithe female, a harsh growl escaping her lips as she parted her jaws to speak in rough shifter-tongue.

"What in the hell are you doing kicking people while they sleep little one? Haven't you heard to leave sleeping bears lie?" She barked a laugh from her jaws, her claws digging into the ground as she came forward around the side of the girl quickly, her head low but her eyes staring straight up as she slowly circled her and shifted into the lithe, muscular tanned woman.

Still speaking shifter-tongue she tilted her head to the side, her wild white locks falling to her waist in layers as she swayed in her spot. "Haven't you learned to respect your elders?" she said as she giggled softly, though it had a harsh edge to it, "pups never learn do they?"

She then lunged forward at the girl, fast enough to catch the other off guard as she forced all her weight on the girl to tackle her to the ground. Almost straddling her waist she lifted her right hand and swiped at the girl like she would in her animal form, more like a slap-scratch then anything as her left fist curled into a fist she had recently learned by watching two humans fight before. She growled whilst doing this, her teeth bared as she swung with her other hand towards the girls jaw.

[Freyja Magnusson]

I've got my back against the wall
I CAN STILL HEAR THE BLUE SKIES CALL

Wonderful. This is what she got for not paying attention. She could hear her mother's voice in her head, lecturing her about daydreaming. Even now as the bulky, stout looking animal snarled at her in Shiftertongue, Freyja was getting distracted by persistent thoughts and memories. It was like an onrush of emotion, but the rough and gravelly grumble of the strange animal she'd accidentally tripped over snapped her out of it. She had never seen an animal like it; there wasn't anything like it in Iceland. The closest thing she had seen to it was a cute little fox. But this thing wasn't cute--not at all, really. It had a very nasty look to it and to be frank, even though it was relatively small in comparison to her its jaws looked menacing enough.

"What in the hell are you doing kicking people while they sleep little one? Haven't you heard to leave sleeping bears lie?"

Freyja blinked, her wide eyes confused. Bear? That thing certainly wasn't a bear. At least, she didn't think. She'd seen a picture of one before. Now they were scary. Freyja didn't utter a word in reply, however, keeping mute as usual. She found it was usually better. She blinked a few more times at the Retro and started to back away, slowly. She could feel instinctively that this animal meant her harm, even though the other appeared relatively calm and had even...giggled? Freyja found it odd and unsettling, and she gave the animal a quick nod of her head in apology and was turning to leave when the badger shifted, and sprang at her.

Freyja tried to twist away from the girl, but she was much bigger and much more powerful, and the girl's sinewy limbs easily locked around Freyja and shoved her to the ground. Freyja still didn't make a sound other than a soft squeak of surprise, even when the woman's nails scraped harshly across her cheek, drawing blood. Her skin flashed a vibrant blue, the tiny pin pricks of bio-luminescence making themselves known in the weak light of dusk. Her body was sending out alarm signals, and she flailed uselessly against her attacker. Her thin arms weren't so very strong, but Freyja's instincts kicked in. Her pulse was hammering and the blows kept falling, a few which she managed to block but she could already feel her face and arms bruising and swelling.

Bellenie swung again, and Freyja blocked the blow and took the opportunity to literally latch herself onto the woman's neck. Her hands, enforced with the suction cups she knew so well from her old squid form, enabled her to grip the woman's throat with a cement hold. She tightened her grip and simultaneously pushed upwards so that the struggling woman fell backwards, with Freyja trying to ignore her stinging blows as she fought back. Freyja hadn't intended hurt her, but this woman had forced her hand! When Freyja had managed to get her small body out from underneath the woman's straddle, she let go of the badger woman's neck which was pock-marked with the shape of Freyja's hand with the pattern of the suction-cup like growths. She tried to get to her feet but in her rush ended up half-crawling as she desperately tried to scramble away.


ooc| came out longer than I wanted o.o

[Bellenie]

Bellenie snarled at the girl whilst swinging at her, a pride filling her chest as the other flailed feebly in attempts to stop the other, though as the girl blocked one fist she curled her right into the same curled position. Though before she was able to swing upon the other she felt the girls hand wrap around her throat, a growl in response escaping her vocals as her left hand gripped one of the girls arms to try and pull the others grip off of her, to no avail it felt like the girls hands were literally attached to her neck.

With her left hand attached to the others arm her right swung towards the others abdomen in succession as the other managed to push her up and off of the little one to release her and scramble away. Her push off made her left hand go to her throat as she rubbed at it, feeling the small indents to her skin as she remembered the small light spots that came from the others skin, having mostly ignored it although she had tried not to become distracted by it either.

She then realized the other was getting away and scrambled after her, her right hand grabbing the others ankle and tugging back on it to send the other into the dirt. Although what she didn't expect was the hand to come around the back of the neck and lift her off the ground like a rag doll.

[Ekun Kalejaiye]

Ekun had been watched the small lithe female darting in and out of the shadows, a small smile playing on his features as he adjusted the small bag he had in his hand, a average portion of food in it that he had just picked up. His stomach was rumbling as he hadn't eaten in a few days, not more than a piece of bread here or there, but he understood that the whelps and the lower ones of the group needed food first. He had just gotten the food and had been heading back to the express down the tracks when he had spotted her, a small smile playing on his features as he watched her agile movements so smooth and graceful. He wondered if she was a scout by how quickly she moved about, his vision barely able to keep track of her as he stood still, his lean body barely moving; even his breath shallow as he watched her.

He crouched as she came slightly closer to him, about to call out to her when he saw her eyes widen as she pitched forward and he frowned before he moved forward quickly to see if she needed assistance, freezing when he heard the snarl. He immediately crouched as instinct took over, putting the food down in some overgrown grass before moving forward slowly, neither of the females noticing as he sat listening to either of them. He sniffed the air, either of them holding no scent, clearly they were foreign smells, holding no scent to them; Rogue.

He watched as the amazon-like female launched herself at the younger girl, sending them both down into a tumble of limbs and fists, his eyes widening as it happened. Watching with intrigue he silently found himself rooting for the smaller of the two females; she had done nothing wrong expect daydreaming and falling over the other! As the little ones hands found their way around the others neck he grinned, hoping the small one would have something up her sleeve. Though it seemed not as she merely pushed off the other to make her escape before the white-haired beauty went after her and grabbed the others ankle to haul her back.

She was giving up .. why did the darker skinned female insist on fighting a fight she knew she was to win for a misunderstanding? He grit his teeth as he then quickly stood and stepped in between the little one and the tan amazon before he reached out and grabbed her neck with his talon-like nails grazing her neck as she gasped, her eyes only widening for a second before she gripped his arm with her own hands.

"Before you do anything harsh before thinking, I warn you that I could easily make you immobilized by merely piercing your flesh with my nails," he said in both a tone that was low and no-nonsense, though at the same time holding a warning to her.

"What do I care? Who are you to stop me from doing what I want? I defend my territory!" she gritted her teeth as she sneered back at him. Although, he noticed, she had stopped moving against his hold, eying his other hand she could see, wearily, as she considered the warning. The one girl had glowing skin and in the wild bright colors usually meant warning, although she had not heeded it before, she wondered what type of creature this was. The girl had white eyes and this male had all black.

"This is Fallen territory, rogue, and I should warn you that if you try to do harm to her again I might have to prove to you my warning is more a threat. I shall not hurt someone if I need not to, but I suggest you make leave and steer clear from here," he said again lowly before he shoved her away. She staggered and caught herself as she looked to either of them slowly before turning and running off, jumping into the undergrowth and disappearing as she shifted back into her form and continued to run.

He turned back to the girl slowly and offered a small smile as he leaned down and offered a hand to her to help her sit up at least. "If I weren't mistaken it seems like you tend to attract trouble to yourself, miss," he said eying her legs where he knew the other hadn't touched, the bruises and bumps evident on her skin as his right hand gently stroked the skin of her leg gently before looking back up to her, black eyes meeting white as he waited for her, "little ones like you shouldn't be out on their own," he said softly.

[Freyja Magnusson]

I've got my back against the wall
I CAN STILL HEAR THE BLUE SKIES CALL

Freyja was scrambling to get away, determination lighting her face. She managed to stumble to her feet when she saw a man sprinting towards them, her pure blue eyes widening as she put on the brakes. What the heck?! All she’d done was trip over a silly looking animal she hadn’t seen and now she was going to get killed! She let out a strangled gurgle of contempt and turned on heel, only to remember the woman at her heels. She darted quickly to the side with her agile ease, but only got a foot or two before she felt her ankle twinge and pain shot up through her leg; she gasped and thumped to the ground again, groaning as she hit the grass-cracked cement.

She heard the man speaking something. He spoke so strangely, she could hardly understand him. But she concentrated and listened intently; pushing herself up so she could see his lips move and perhaps understand him better. Freyja was surprised to see the strange man holding the other woman by the neck; he seemed very strong. She watched in silence as he threatened her, blue eyes rounding when he said something about his nails being poison. She eyed the claw-looking things on his fingers warily, especially when he squeezed the other woman’s neck and Freyja heard her struggling for air.

She continued to look on, thinking that perhaps this man was not so much a threat. He seemed to be saying that he was protecting her. It was strange, she hadn’t seen anyone act in such a way in this place. Jumping out and helping a stranger for no reason. She herself would have done the same, of course, if she was more fit for fighting. But as it was she’d be more than useless in a physical confrontation, being as she was so weak from a few weeks without more than a scrap of bread or two to eat. Freyja sighed and began drifting off again, but the woman’s retort snapped her back. Then the man answered, saying something about the Fallen. So he was from the FallenRing, then? She noticed then that he had wings, and a pair of antennae poking out from his head. He…he was like her!
She got excited for a moment; she hadn’t really seen anyone like herself, Anthro they called it. Stuck between two forms. But then she remembered that he was part of a Ring, and Rings were dangerous. They didn’t like it when you went on their territory—she had the scars to prove it.

Freyjalooked on warily, both relieved and scared when the terrifying woman ran off, because the man approached her. She looked up at him, letting out a soft squeak as he leaned down. She pulled away as he skimmed a hand along her leg, bunching up her limbs to her body, much like a squid, out of instinct. She covered her face with her hands for a moment, peeking out at him from behind her fingers when he spoke. "Little ones like you shouldn't be out on their own,"

His voice was very deep, and very gentle. And he had helped her and chased off the woman who thought she was a bear. But she stared back at him indignantly, a pout forming on her lips. She wasn’t little. Her brows furrowed and she crinkled her nose, dissatisfied with her supposed savior. It wasn’t very heroic to call her names, or to infer that she couldn’t handle herself. She snorted and shook her head, giving him half a glare. She didn’t hold it for long—she was never one to hold grudges, especially over something so trivial. With a sigh, she motioned to her ankle, shaking her head solemnly. Then she looked to the sky, noticing that it would be night soon. She let out a soft whimper and motioned to the sky. “…help?” she asked, her voice coming out a rough, raspy croak. It had been so long since she’d spoken.

ooc| fwoo

[Ekun Kalejaiye]

He watched her, so fragile looking and scared, he hoped she wasn't scared of him. He sighed softly as she covered her face with her hands, patiently watching before she peered out at him and made a face to his small statement. He wondered why she made the face in the first place, maybe she was trying to not seem so little? He smiled softly at the thought, the fact that she was so miniscule compared to himself amusing to his mind.

She motioned to the sky and managed out the single word that seemed to be more universal than it sounded, the way she looked all battered up helped her case quite a bit. He usually wasn't one for protecting but she seemed to call to him in some way, and he couldn't help but smile softly to her before scooping her up into his arms easily. He picked her up with no visible effort as he made he way over to where he had left his pack of food and leaned over to get it, grabbing it with one arm and handing it to her to hold before picking her up once more.

He made his way slowly towards the train cars, picking his way easily through the patches of high grass as he looked down to her in his arms. "Do you have a name?" he asked her softly, "my name is Ekun," he said as he smiled to her again. He couldn't help it around her, and he didn't bother to try and figure it out, this warm feeling was a nice change since he had come to the Menagerie.

[Freyja Magnusson]

I've got my back against the wall
I CAN STILL HEAR THE BLUE SKIES CALL

Freyja wasn't expecting to be picked up, and she sucked in a big gulp of air, her cheeks puffed out and her already round blue eyes got even rounder. It was awkward being this close to a strange man she'd never met. Back in Iceland she had loved personal contact, and couldn't get enough hugs from the few loved ones she had. She missed Adam dearly--the only other person in her old life who had accepted her for who she was, other than her parents. She looked up to the strange man, who was different like she was, and wondered something. she wondered if, perhaps, she could grow to care for him like she had for Adam. To trust someone again after so much trust had been shattered, broken. She wondered something else; what if he wasn't a savior?

She peeked a few shy glances at him, managing to scrutinize him with her pupil-less eyes, examining the lines of his face and the construct of his face, as if she could draw from it his intentions. Was he good? A hero in a cape? Or, was he the villain? She didn't see a cape, nor any sign of an evil curly black mustache... She didn't have much luck, and when she saw his likewise black eyes train on her she let out a soft gasp, averting her gaze instantly. She had never liked eye contact. No wild animal did, really, seeing as it was a direct challenge. She squirmed lightly underneath his gaze, casting her eyes out to the setting sun. And where he was taking her. Frejya listened mutely as he spoke, giving her a name. And asking for one in return. Protocol required she give him one in return...she turned his name over in her head a few times, quietly mouthing the sound to herself. Ekun. It was a very interesting name, and she rather liked it.

She had to tell him her name, right? she tried, but her voice wouldn't come. She thought maybe, maybe he could set her down and she could write it in the dirt? Oh, but...she couldn't spell properly in English. She supposed then she would have to suck it up, muster up the courage. He also had an accent, and maybe if they spoke in Shiftertongue he wouldn't make fun of the way she talked. “…Ff-” she started, keeping her eyes trained on the ground. “…Freyja.” It came out a hoarse whisper, and she felt her skin prickling in embarrassment. The small dots of light all along her skin began to sparkle and shine, slowly becoming more apparent as the sun began to set.

ooc| fwoo

[Ekun Kalejaiye]

He laughed softly at her antics, her nervousness evident as she made faces and flared those small pin pointed lights like little beacons. He knew she didn't mean anything by them except the fact that she was nervous, when in nature it usually meant to back off. He just paid attention to where he was going, going towards a train that had a crude red plus sign painted, though not overly large, on one of the doors and he walked towards it as he waited for her to answer him.

"Freyja," he repeated, liking the sound of it on his tongue as he repeated it after she had told him. He smiled and looked down to her as they went, his eyes taking in all of the small pinpricks of light shining on her as she looked down and to her lap essentially as he held her. Walking up some makeshift steps that were built out of wood scraps and rocks for support. He knocked with his foot, hearing scrambling from the other side.

"You have a very pretty name," he said honestly as he eyed her, his gaze flickering to the bruises and whatnot littering her body as well. "It is unique, just like the pricks of light you give off," he said smiling warmly before the sliding door of the cart slide open to show a Fallen Healer standing there, she was mostly clean, a few dirt stains on her cheeks and although her once white shirt and jean shorts were faded they were clean.

"Ekun! How are you? Who is this?" she said brightly, her warm green eyes taking in the small form that was Freyja. "No matter! Bring her in here, she definitely could use some of my healing touch, right?" she said smiling as she looked to him. He laughed warmly as he followed her in and moved to a small cot made of dry grass wrapped tightly in cloth for fluff and a makeshift pillow made from some sort of stuffing and patch-worked materials. He set her down so she could sit up, smiling at her as he sat next to her.

"Kearie is an amazing healer, she will get you up in no time," he said softly as he gently lay a hand on her knee and took the rations he had given her to hold to take into his lap as Kearie sat on the floor in front of Freyja.

"That I am! I have to be with people like macho man Ekun over here getting beat up for pickin' fights with the wrong kind," she said grinning big-sisterly over at him before she looked to Freyja. "Alright, so I gotta touch ya a bit, but only so my powers can do their thing. Not tryin' to invade your personal space alright?" she said as she was already barely brushing the bruises on the girls leg, cool healing energy seeping into the other as the bruises lifted slowly; shrinking until they disappeared almost altogether.

[Freyja Magnusson]

I've got my back against the wall
I CAN STILL HEAR THE BLUE SKIES CALL

Freyja didn't quite know how to react to Ekun's comment. He had called her name very pretty. She rather liked hearing that, and it brought a ghost of a smile to her small, previously pouting lips. When he commented on the little lights she gave off, Freyja drew in a sharp breath, bracing for the sting of an insult. When it didn't come, however, Frejya glanced up at him to assure herself that he was still there. Well, he was. And what he'd said about her, that was very nice. Very kind of him not to make fun of her, the way she looked. True, he had called her small and implied she couldn't take care of herself. But she forgave him, now; she most certainly did. "Th-thank you...Ekun." She breathed with another small smile.

When he brought her to the run-down looking train car, however, her nerves came back full force. Her muscles tensed and the little lights got brighter and brighter, pulsing vibrantly in the eventide hour. This couldn't be good--oh, oh my. She flinched visibly when the door groaned open, flinching again when the other woman showed up. Was that woman going to attack her, as well? had this Ekun lead her into another trap? Freyja's heart beat a mile a minute and she resisted the urge to struggle, instead remaining frozen in Ekun's arms. Even when he put her down on the cot, she remained fairly rigid, eyeing the woman suspiciously. She sounded friendly enough, sure. But most of the kids back at school had sounded that way before they rounded on her.

Firefly yanked her ankle sharply away from the Kearie woman, but at Ekun's touch on her knee her leg shot out again and Kearie grabbed hold of it gently. She ran her hands lightly along Freyja's leg, the warmth sending an odd chill down her spine. When the woman pulled her hands away, Freyja could see that the bruises and cuts on her leg had disappeared. Her jaw dropped open and she squeaked in surprise, a slough of curses running through her mind. What the hell kind of trickery was this? Freyja glanced between Ekun and Kearie, back and forth, back and forth. It took her a moment to register the fact that this Kearie woman and her odd healing touch terrified her. It confused her more than anything, really, and being confused scared her. So, without a second thought Freyja was on her feet and bolting through the door. She ducked under Ekun and flew out into the desert, hoping to leave the two and their strangeness behind her. She could make it on her own.

Right?


ooc| fwoo