//Dare The *Night* Sky\\ - Crush

[flame]

It was dark out when the brunet moved through the forest. Her short hair fell into her eyes as she walked. Well Ok it was just a park, but she could pretend right? She walked with a certain… confidence. She was good. She had a knife on her, but she wasn’t confident because of that. Her fire could protect her if she really needed it. No, she was confident because she’d visited Harland and his brood. Harland had told her some interesting facts about her father.

So she’d gone for a walk. A nice long walk. She needed to clear her head. She’d wanted to go out and arrest him, but not yet. She needed to wait, just wait. Opportune moment. That was the important thing. She stepped out onto a path and looked up, her eyes watching the sky. Of course she dared anyone to come and get her. She had her service gun on her. Though she looked like a normal girl, probably worth the capturing. She wasn’t exactly a clean cop though. Sometimes you had to take a bribe, or give one to get by. She knew that. She’d grown up in the real world after all.

WORDS: what ever
TAG: Gray
NOTES: Hm.
WEARING: Look at Image
TEMPLATE CREDITS: MISS MAGGIE of Caution 2.0
BANNER CREDITS: Google Images of GOOGLE

[Crush]

What are you doing out here? It's the middle of the night, Graydon.

Why do you insist on calling me by my full name, Rico?

The stallion snorted and nudged his rider's shoulder,, not bothering to answer, much to Gray's annoyance. He sighed and leaned back, an arm wrapped around the black equine's head, rubbing the cheek gently and earning himself the horse's equivalent of a kiss - his hair got ruffled around in by the stallion's upper lip. A smile slipped onto his lips, his voice dropping lower.

Couldn't sleep. Like normal. And Camelot gets tiring.

He mumbled softly, knowing the horse understood more than most guardians. So many were nothing more than policemen, not the military soldiers that he had been. Even them, most weren't on the elite squads, like he had been. They just didn't get it. No one did, even when they said they did. This stallion, though, had been on the brink of death - just like Gray had been. He understood it more.

Just go home, I'll be back for the morning run. Promise.

Ricochet snorted and shook his head, pulling it out of Gray's grip and turning to head back towards the gated community. He paused, glanced back, ears flickering, eyes shifting to the woods.

Alright. But there's someone else around.

Gray smiled slightly. As if he didn't already know. He'd turned off his empath powers the moment he'd felt another presence, before anyone could catch onto his memories and thoughts. Not that he was worried.

[flame]

What Tia saw first was big black horse. She stopped and eyed it. It was a guardian horse. Well-muscled, built for well anything in the city. She didn’t recognize it though. She frowned as she tried to figure out if she might have known the horse, or it’s relatives. Maybe. Probably not. There were many places Guardian horses came from, some even came with the trainees. Not her of course, she hadn’t had a horse, still didn’t in fact. Then she searched for the guardian. Ah. There he was. She’d seen him around, though only at a distance. She’d been working the lower city for a long time now, mostly you only saw the few people above or with you, not much else.

She raised a hand in greeting, knowing better than to run, or hide. He might have a power, and he was a guardian. It was instinctual for them to chase when you ran. They were like wolves. She liked that identification. She walked forward, nodding to the horse. She kept her body language open. She’d learned for horses to not act like a predator or a monster but to just be relaxed. ”Hello. Nice Horse. What’s his name?” she asked, holding her hand out to the animal as she got closer. She was more interested in the horse really. Not to say the rider wasn’t cute, but the horse was just more interesting. She blamed it on Harland. He always spoke of beauty in the form of horses. Your hair is as beautiful as a brushed horses mane, that kind of thing. It had rubbed off a bit, in that you always talk about the horse than the person. She’d kept that habbit, it let her figure out the rider. See how he treats his animals, that shows a man. Or a woman, or a what ever. She smiled a little as she kept one eye on the horse, the other on the man.

WORDS: what ever
TAG: Gray
NOTES: Hm.
WEARING: Look at Image
TEMPLATE CREDITS: MISS MAGGIE of Caution 2.0
BANNER CREDITS: Google Images of GOOGLE

[Crush]

The instant she went for the horse, Gray nearly felt his heart stop. He acted in the flurry of movement any trained professional had - though he wasn't what she thought he was. He wasn't a guardian, he never had been. He'd been a soldier. Now a messenger, but that was hardly the point. The training was still there. A hand laid on the horse's muzzle just moments before the stallion, ears already flat back, went to lunge. A lack of trust, something Gray could understand. People had nearly killed him. He had no right to trust them. Gray's eyes met Rico's, calm, and with a bite of his lip, he dared to open up those empath powers, the ones that shared himself with the one he touched with them. But, at least he could aim them - aim them solely at his horse. A quiver went through the beast as the memories of gunfire flashed through his mind from Gray's, though that hadn't been the intention. At least Rico knew that, and rather than pull away, he pressed his head to his rider's chest a moment, close enough for Gray to whisper one word that this girl wouldn't hear.

Go.

Then, the stallion danced away a few steps before spinning and setting into a canter, back to their home. The guardians would let him through the gate. All the Camelot guardians knew the stallion, knew Gray. He passed through the gates often enough they had little choice. Only when Rico was out of range did he turn his eye to the woman who'd nearly gotten herself bit.

Ricochet. He doesn't like people he doesn't know.

He eyed her a moment, taking in the confidence, the build, everything. Probably a guardian herself. Not one he knew, mind you, and he knew quite a few. They tended to be high in the ranks, though, the ones invited to military balls and meetings with the government and royal family. All of which things he, unfortunately, still had to go to, on occasion. He got out of them via his work as often as possible. He held a hand out, letting the right side of his mouth twist up into a crooked smile.

And I'm Graydon Taylor. Who might you be?

[flame]

She watched the stallion dance away, nearly trying to bite her. She snatched her hand back, but didn’t force the situation. If a horse didn’t like you he didn’t like you. He had the choice. He was much to large for her to dally with dealing with him. She glanced at the man as he spoke. So that horse was Richoset. Interesting. She’d heard about him. Bairly excaped with his life. Good horse obviously. The woman nodded. ”Didn’t recognize him, good lookin’ horse though. Understand his fear. Not that I’d do anything, I grew up around horses.” she said watching him canter off. He was a beauty, that was for sure.

When the horse disappeared in the distance she turned her own gaze on the man. Human, she assumed. He had the barring that only a Military man could have. He’d seen what she didn’t, though they’d both fought battles. She smiled a little as his hand came up. She took it firmly with her own right hand, and shook it. ”Tia Johnson. So what brings you here on a night like this, Graydon?” she didn’t use the shortened term until she knew him better. Of course she just might make up her own name for him, that was just her. ”Your not a guardian exactly are you?” she asked as she gave him a rather cocky grin. She was rather confident in that. From a distance he could have been guardian, but up close no. He didn’t have that kind fo movement. Guardians were good, but only the military could move like cats and still look like wolves.

WORDS: what ever.
TAG: Gray
NOTES: Hm.
WEARING: Look at Image
TEMPLATE CREDITS: MISS MAGGIE of Caution 2.0
BANNER CREDITS: Google Images of GOOGLE

[Crush]

Doesn't matter if you would do anything. Sometimes, it's the memories you end up more afraid of.

Experience spoke those words, his eyes turning back to the shadows as they swallowed his horse up, not meeting her own. That was enough to say he wasn't so different from the horse, as if she probably couldn't already tell. Then, his hands were shoved in his pockets and he turned his gaze back to her. Only his posture screamed military - every thing else about him, from the longer hair to the unkempt wrinkles in his clothes, it all said civilian. Not even guardian. But, then again, he had a feeling she could see it. In his eyes, if anything. They usually gave him away.

You don't waste any time beginning to interrogate your acquaintances, do you?

He said with a chuckle, not replying right away, though not like he was hiding anything. He just had to get a joke in first. It kept the mood light, which kept him from thinking about the worse stuff. It was just how he was. Keep it fun, you didn't have to worry. Keep moving, you didn't get attached to anything that could get taken away. The life of a messenger - his life, now.

Couldn't sleep. Didn't feel like sticking around home. It's not a crime. And no, I'm not a guardian. I'm a messenger.

No, he wasn't going to openly admit he was ex-military. That was half the fun, pretending it had never happened. It helped, most days. The days it didn't, it made it ten times worse, though. Still, he didn't seem to learn his lesson. Though, to be fair, a couple really bad days didn't bother you much after you saw the black abyss of death.

[flame]

Tia nodded. There were memories she wanted to forget, but she wouldn’t let herself. There were times when she let herself forget her past. Just for a time, pretend she’s something different. Doesn’t work well for long. ”Just depends on how you handle it.” she said softly, not really caring.

She chuckled at his joke. ”Someone has to have the upperhand.” she said with a grin, amused at him. He was cute, no way more than that but she’d seen plenty in this gorram town. She’d seen plenty. She liked it here thought. She raised her hands at his slightly defencive reaction.

”Woh, slow down there partner. Never said it was a crime. I’m not on duty.” her tone was joking, though she hide the slight unsertanty under her long lashes. She watched him for a moment. ”Ah. That would explain the horse. He’s a beauty. I’ve got one I ride in the outskirts. She’s a good one, but no where near as well built as him. Or as beautiful. Though I don’t think I should say that when she’s around. I’ve been told not to be rude to horses, just because I can’t talk to them, doesn’t mean they can’t understand me… and I can get rather rude at times. So I listen.” she said with a slight smile, the memories of earlier flooding back. Harland had been happy to see her. Excited even.

She looked him over again. ”So, Graydon the Messanger, I’m supprised you get any time off with Ricochet lookin’ like that.” she said with a sly smile.

WORDS: what ever.
TAG: Gray
NOTES: Hm.
WEARING: Look at Image
TEMPLATE CREDITS: MISS MAGGIE of Caution 2.0
BANNER CREDITS: Google Images of GOOGLE

[Crush]

That smug smirk he so often wore slipped onto his face as he too a few steps back, hopping up on the back of the bench without so much as a single glance back at it. You had to have a good sense of your surroundings if you were to survive a war zone. Settling himself on the bench back, relaxed without any loud sounds around him.

Yeah. Yeah, you really are better off being nice to them.

He replied, as if he knew. And he did. He knew way too well, because he could understand them just like they could understand him. He'd gotten used to pretending he couldn't, of course, and he hated to let others know. They all thought he was crazy, affected by the war, but it was real. Just like his empathic abilities. He chuckled softly to himself for a moment, so soft he could hardly hear it himself. He flashed her a wink with her next comment.

Who said I did? Got back from a week long errand 'round noon-ish, leavin' for the day tomorrow around seven. It's a busy life, being one of the best out there.

[flame]

The brunet couldn’t help but giggle at his words. He was very right. She slipped her hands into the pockets of her jacket. ”Yes, it is. Tends to make they like you. Usually I have a carrot or ten on me when I go down to the Guardian stables, but sadly, I didn’t have any for him. Though I wonder if he would have taken it.” she said with a slight grin. Her dark brown hair falling into her eyes for a second before she reached up and tucked it behind her ear. She was more relaxed than before. He was interesting

She nodded. ”Ah. Makes sence. He looks good for a horse that’s been out all week. You usually go out that long?” she asked, finding herself a great deal more curious about him than she intended. Not that it was a bad thing, but at least it was different. Usually she met someone and didn’t care. Just wanted to get lost. Though she was thinking it was going to get really cold soon. Her dark eyes watched him. For a second she flicked back to her father. She wondered if she should leave or not. There was information to go over, but no. Be polite stay. She could do that. ”What made you want to become a messanger? Isn’t that like one of the hardest jobs besides the military? Always moving, never settling down, deffinetly romantic. At least to some.” she asked, finally finding a good question. Of course it made her grin a bit, at the romantic part.

WORDS: what ever.
TAG: Gray
NOTES: Hm.
WEARING: Look at Image
TEMPLATE CREDITS: MISS MAGGIE of Caution 2.0
BANNER CREDITS: Google Images of GOOGLE

[Crush]

Gray shrugged a bit, knowing for a fact Rico wouldn't have taken it, but letting her believe it could have gone either way. The stallion was too distrustful sometimes, but Gray couldn't blame him, not after seeing the state he'd been in when bought.

He's used to it, and being out for the week doesn't mean it was all fast paced. Never said it was a rush delivery.

He replied with a small smile, on the verge of a grin, yet no teeth showed. He rarely found a reason to smile - or grin, he supposed - with teeth showing. He didn't find it necessary most the time, nor was he often in the mental state to really be that happy.

Yeah, it can be difficult, I suppose. But you're your own boss, really - and I like the space. It doesn't pay too well, most the time, but then again, it doesn't have to. Usually get a free room and stall, and meals, while I'm delivering. And anyway, it's fun, despite the difficulty and danger. A lot more than can be said for the military.

Probably shouldn't have added that last sentence, he knew, but it was too late now. He didn't always think before he spoke, but he supposed that was alright. It wasn't like she couldn't go digging in the old newspapers in the library and find stuff on him. "Brave soldier risks life for injured comrade." "Hero takes four bullets and lives." Stuff like that. He hated it, but at least he'd been on a hell of a lot of drugs, enough to keep him asleep, while the newspapers had their go at making him seem great. If he hadn't been, he probably would have gone homicidal on them. There was nothing glorious or wonderful about it, not like they made it out to be.

[flame]

She shook her head. ”No. Of course not, but it’s got to be hard to some extent to be out on your own. I’m not sayin’ it’s not a cool thing to do. I almost became a messanger, but someone caught me breaking up a fight between tw older boys. I was snagged pretty quickly after that for the Guardians.” she said, giving out information. Though it was all stuff that was known about her, at least on the streets. No one knew that she was a daughter of a wealthy merchant, or that she was his technical heir. She was the first born after all. She smiled a little at him.

She nodded. There, he’d just affirmed her guess with out her asking, or him saying no, or yes. ”I’ve heard it can be a good lifestyle, but sadly, I’m not that kind of person who can survive out on the road for days with only me, my horse, and a few belongings. I like a warm house, and back up. But that’s just me. To each his own, as they say.”

WORDS: what ever.
TAG: Gray
NOTES: She’s… enjoying herself
WEARING: Look at Image
TEMPLATE CREDITS: MISS MAGGIE of Caution 2.0
BANNER CREDITS: Google Images of GOOGLE

[Crush]

Don't get me wrong - I don't mind company. I'd just rather not have anyone else's lives depending on me when I do my job. Not any more. I run deliveries with a couple others on occasion, or with guardians on my flanks for the important documents. I mean, it's no big deal.

He truly had no problem working with others - liked it, even. But, when it came down to it, he knew he'd never manage to live the life of a soldier again, or even a guardian. He'd only be able to think of the bullets and the pain and the blackness of death. In a way, he knew, he wasn't actually escaping it at all - with each errand he was just running, just barely staying ahead, hoping to permanently outrun it eventually but knowing he probably never would. Finally, a proper grin cracked across his face.

Of course, that's provided they can keep up. Most the time I gotta slow down for them. Makes Rico miserable to deal with.

Resting his elbows on his knees, fingers laced and chin resting on those, one could almost swear he was paying complete attention to her; a lie. It was hard to, with all the conversations of the nocturnal animals around him. A "here, mousey, mousey" to his right from an owl. The soft chatterings of a family of shrews muffled through the ground; one of the young ones was getting a rather harsh reprimand, actually. He had to stop himself from chuckling at it, though he was used to hiding emotion related to that aspect of his life.

[flame]

Tia’s brown eyes flashed for a second with compassion. She wasn’t so totally focused on her revenge that she can’t see pain in other’s. There was a story here. A sad one. She felt her motherly instinct reach out for him. She stopped herself. She was not going to be overly friendly. ”But there’s got to be someone here. People always have someone… or something.”

She was curious. And she was a cop. She wanted to help. Even if she dipped into the darker side at things. She had to really to get information. She suddenly missed her mare. And her dog. But one was in her small little apartment, and the other was asleep in the guardian stables. She smiled when he did. She closed her eyes for a second before he spoke. ”Shaman doesn’t know how to be slow. The poor girl hates it when I have to do crowd control. Sadly she takes forever to break her rider’s in. And it is her breaking us in. Her last rider was actually a messenger actually, but she refused to go with the LAST messenger knocking me over and standing over me until I said alright and let her take me. It was a very interesting moment. So I get the feeling of having to go to slow.”

WORDS: what ever.
TAG: Gray
NOTES: She’s… enjoying herself
WEARING: Look at Image
TEMPLATE CREDITS: MISS MAGGIE of Caution 2.0
BANNER CREDITS: Google Images of GOOGLE

[Crush]

He shook his head, but didn't meet her gaze as soon as she suggested there had to be someone. There had been, once, but he was younger then. His parents were off in some village somewhere, enjoying life, but he'd never been close to them. The one person he'd been close to was buried in the ground. The others he'd been sort of close to were as well.

No one. Nothing.

A lonely life; he didn't say it out loud, but he didn't have to. It was in his voice, his eyes. It was unmistakeable, but he didn't care. He smiled at her story, nearly chuckling but not quite, hands shifting to rest on the back of the bench, one on either side of him, fingers gripping around the wood and leaning back a bit.

Heh. Sounds like she's a picky one.

He replied, thinking how he'd love to meet this mare. She'd provide an interesting conversation, he was sure... but then again, that would involve making himself seem crazy and he didn't quite feel up to that quite yet. He hardly knew her, after all. It just wasn't right to shove crazy down someone's throat when you hardly knew them.

[flame]

She nodded, definatly someone interesting under his sexy looks. But that was for a later time, a later date. She shoved her hands into her pockets feeling the slight chill. Her dark eyes watching him carefully, hoping for anything different. She liked reading people, but it seemed this was all she was gonna get.

”I swear she can talk. I know that there’s one of the grooms in the stable who can talk to them. He says that she chose me because I was different. At least that’s what I think he said she said. I can’t always be sure. Half the time she acts like a normal horse, but the rest? Not at all.” she mused. She didn’t care if people knew she believed in magic. She had it. And she was powerful. Though she couldn’t talk to animals. She glanced at him, wondering how he’d react to that. In the Guardian’s it was well known they had magic. It was pointless to have a partner who could use magic and one who didn’t, who didn’t know the other used magic. It wasn’t helpful.

WORDS: what ever.
TAG: Gray
NOTES: She’s… enjoying herself
WEARING: Look at Image
TEMPLATE CREDITS: MISS MAGGIE of Caution 2.0
BANNER CREDITS: Google Images of GOOGLE