Admitting to Sin {Bayn}

[Despair]

There were three very simple words that could describe the tavern: Loud, stuffy, and treacherous.

Throngs of men, some sober, most not, crowded round the bar and the many tables. A cacophony of whooping and cheering as the dice rolled, cat-calling and whistling as the barmaids and waitresses walked by, and the occasional hollaring as a fight broke out amongst the tables.

Right in the midst of all the mayhem, the petite form of a girl who couldn't be any taller than 5'3 wove her way through the crowd, turning heads as she went. A natural beauty: with a slender, delicate frame that seemed thrice as fragile in such a rowdy environment; Great big eyes the color of the foam-touched waves that lapped at the shores of the ocean peered out from behind long, dark lashes; the dress she wore, though simply cut and a humble gray color, was not enough to disguise the ample curves of her body.

Nimue wrinkled her nose as she slipped past a group of particularly sweaty men, not uncommon in the trashy little village just east of Ermete. Perverts and rapists, the whole lot of them; she'd heard tales.

Ah, Ermete! Not a large town, truthfully, but a breath-taking one nonetheless. How often had she climbed onto the roof of her father's tavern and gazed longingly out at that delightful town, or--on a clear day--the towers of the palace far in the distance?

Finally making her way to the counter, Nimue set down her barren tray and waited for the attending barmaid, a busty brunette, to glance her way. After a long moment she caught the other girl's gaze and raised her voice to be heard over all the noise. "I've finished here," she called. The brunette paused for a moment to unscramble her words, and a moment later the nonplussed expression on her pretty visage cleared, and she nodded and waved. Nimue forced a smile and returned the wav before turning and making her way down the hall to the exit.

"Going so soon, sugar?"

"Stay awhile."

"Hey baby, slow down."

The suggestions and pickup lines were hardly new to her, and though they still brought a fierce blush of humiliation to her cheeks, Nimue remained calm and stealthily navigated her way around eager whispers and roaming hands with the ease of long years of practice.

As she opened the door, the fresh air rushed straight to her head, clearing her mind and easing the throbbing pain in her skull. She closed her eyes, feeling the gentle breeze caress her dark locks for a moment before focusing once more on the dirt path before her. Picking up her lantern from the shelf on the ground next to the door and lighting it with a match from the pocket sewn into her waistline, Nimue began the equally dangerous journey back home.

In all the years she had lived in the trashy town of Badesdyn, she had been fortunate to have never fallen victim to the abundant criminals lurking about the streets. However, she had seen and heard enough of the misfortunes of other women to invoke plenty of caution on her journies to and from the tavern, and now she began a brisk walk in the direction of her home, far up the street.

However, her luck did not hold. No sooner had she gotten past the home of a widow and her two children and turned down the darkest alley along her way than she felt two strong arms wrap around her, almost crushing her. A voice whispered next to her ear, with a heavy street-accent, and the scent of ale made her hold her breath. "Aint you a perty one," the man hissed.

A tremble ran through her, but she said nothing, feeling her heart hammer against her ribs. It was happening to her, after all the time she had taken in an attempt to avoid it...all her nightmares, coming to life there and then.

"What, you mute, girlie?" the man cackled. "Or maybe you like it? Yeah, I think that's it." he grunted, turning her around roughly so that she could look into his beady eyes. His teeth were yellow and chipped, and his face resembled a skull, it was so sunken and thin. He grinned, and she felt dread grasp her insides in its icy grip.

"Say somethin'." He snapped, his brow furrowing. Nimue acted without thought. Leaning up, she spat directly into his eyes, and then swung her latern up, catching him in the head. With a cry of pain, the man fell back and crumpled to the ground. Without stopping to scoop up her latern, Nimue spun about on her heel and ran as fast as her legs would carry her.

Footsteps sounded behind her, and she could hear the man's gravely voice yelling. A moment later more voices and footsteps joined in, echoing through the alleyways. Nimue bit back a scream of terror and forced herself to run even faster, the cold wind now burning her lungs and throat and making her eyes water.

She could hear them gaining, their hollars and footsteps drawing ever closer, and she could feel herself gradually slowing down. her heartbeat was so frantic it was no longer seperate, audible beats and had become almost a humming noise. Tears welled in her eyes, blurring her vision, and she felt herself stumble and crash to the ground, landing on something hard. She scrambled to her feet, and suddenly found herself staring right at a man's broad chest. Her turquoise gaze followed up his collar bone and neck until she found herself gazing into a chisled, devastatingly handsome visage that had absolutely no place in the streets of Badesdyn.

Her breathing was ragged and strained, and she couldn't find her voice, but the panic in her gaze and demeanor was clear as she clutched his arm, wordlessly begging for his help.

[{K}itsune]

Badesdyn. My mother had sent me here to gather intel on the enemy. This place disgusted me. Rape, crime, murder. This place was a hell hole. Nothing like Hudoben. And they say we're evil, Bayn thought, his crimson eyes narrowing with anger. They were nothing like this. Even he, the son of a demon and Gods cared not for such vile pass-times. Hudoben had more class than this piece of sh.it.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a man appraising him, probably deciding that he was rich, based on his clothing, and he could loot him. Hell no. The man stepped foward until he was standing directly in front of him, and Bayn's eyes lifted and met the man's gaze; his eyes like ice. Red ice. Instantly the would-be criminal realized his mistake, but it was too late.

"Die," the young prince of Hudoben announced, his voice dealing the death blow even before his hand shot out. Ripping through senew, muscle, and bone, Bayn's hand tore through the man's body, straight through his heart, before he yanked it back out again, watching as the man fell to the ground in convulsive shudders, before he bled to death. Looking at his hand with disdain, his blood boiled, and the blood seemed to lift from his skin, red whisps of vapor rising into the atmosphere, adding to the clouds overhead.

Shaking his hand roughly to rid it of the left over few drops, Bayn growled low under his breath. "Nymphadora. Food." he murmured, impassive. Hearing the beat of wings over his head, he jerked his head sharply letting her know he heard her, and that he'd move on. As he kept moving he heard the emerald dragon land behind him.

"Enjoy filth." he muttered, knowing she would hear. Catching her firey snort, he smirked making his visage devistatingly handsome. Anyone looking at him now would think he was a God. Good, because he was just as good as one. A Fallen Angel, if you will.

So far this assignment had been a complete waste of his time. The people here didn't get drunk like other places. Here they didn't drink to loosen their tongues, here they drank to forget. That said they drank until nothing they said was of importance or they passed out from the booze. Either way they were a waste of space, and Bayn was seriously considering coming back to this place later and completely wiping it off the map. He'd be doing the rest of Ivalia a favor. His birth-parents would be grateful, and he knew that his mother would be very proud of him.

His objective was to learn if the King of this god-forsaken Kingdom had taken any steps toward being prepared for war, but no-one here knew anything. Obviously even the rulers of this Kingdom knew how horrid this place was, and cared for it just as little as he did. Or perhaps that was too generous to consider the leaders of Mitya as smart as he was when it came to what mattered and what didn't.

Quite suddenly out of a side street, a woman - beautiful, of course - ran toward him and fell the ground. He didn't think she'd seen him yet however. As she got to her feet, she seemed to finally notice that there was someone in front of her. Cool crimson eyes gazed down at her from a body that towered over her. Her chest was rising and falling with heavily exagerated breathing, showing how much she had been exerting herself. This woman didn't look like the wh.ores he'd seen back in the main part. This was a lady. One who was being chased by someone.

Slowly her eyes raked up finally catching his face in her sights, and he knew what she must be seeing. Platinum blonde hair, that went to his chin in silky strands, a chiseled face - one for the Gods - and finally scarlet eyes that pierced through the darkness. An overall overwhelming appearance to someone who was already overcome with emotions.

As his eyes caught onto hers and held them, he felt his teeth grind together in sudden anger. The terror in her eyes was so evident and she had to be so horror-struck already if she had enough courage to look to him for help. His features, although handsome, were also not very welcoming - he looked very cold.

Reading the plea for help from her eyes, his eyes flashed up as footsteps sounded on the concrete from the way she had appeared. Deciding quickly, he moved her - surprisingly gentle - behind his back, a wall the only thing behind him. His arms crossed over his chest, making him look three times more intimidating. Power surged, almost tangable, off him, in black wisps. Then a group of ten or so men appeared from the dark.

They looked confident - maybe a little drunk - until they saw him. First they took in his defined body, the muscles evident on his arms, then their gazes lifted to his eyes, which instantly had them frozen to where they stood. "Die or leave. Choose." he murmured, his voice smooth, delicious voice surprisingly alluring even when he was telling people to decide what was more important, their pride or their lives.

Most of them stumbled from their spots and turned, running away crying in horror, suddenly released from their paralysis, while one man stayed, the leader, perhaps. "Very well." Bayn stepped forward, and the next second he disappeared. The second second, the man who had opposed him lay on the ground. There was no blood, but he was definitely dead. Second three and Bayn was standing in front of the woman again.

He was prestine as usual. Knowing that touching her would be stupid, with her so scared, he tilted his head down just a bit, so that she could see into his eyes and know he meant no harm. "I would think, a smart-looking woman like you would know that this is no place for you to be." he murmured gently.

[Despair]

When his endless crimson orbs met hers, she felt time stop, her already-scarce breath hitching in her throat. For a long moment, all she could do was stare at him, feeling as if the world had been spun around and flipped upside down, and his rubiscent gaze on hers was the only thing rooting her to the ground.

And then he looked up and away, and she gasped for oxygen as a wave of dizziness overcame her. Nimue offered no resistance as his strong arms reached out for her, one hand reaching out and touching her so lightly she barely felt it as he moved her from his path. Sinking to her knees, the petite, angelic girl struggled to recover from her terrifying encounter.

It seemed like only moments before he had turned back to her. Slowly, she raised her depthless turquoise orbs to meet his gaze with shy hesitation, forcing herself to stand. He spoke, and his words only barely registered as her vision went dark, and a split second later swam with bright lights. With a gasp, her hand reached out to his forearm to steady herself, lithe form wavering.

"I would think, a smart-looking woman like you would know that this is no place for you to be."

It took her a long moment to reply, swallowing hard once before daring to meet his gaze as her vision returned. For a moment all she could see was darkness and his eyes with their sanguinary depths, and then the rest of the world faded into view. "Th-thank you," she spoke in her melodious tones, barely above a whisper as she gazed up at him. "I know I ought not be out here, but my father's tavern is down th--" she paused mid-sentence, her eyes widening and body going very still as she attempted to get her bearings. Turning her head, her dark, sleek curls shimmering, she tried to recall the twists and turns she had taken in her wild attempt at shaking off the pursuit. "Actually," she whispered, "I haven't the faintest idea where we are right now."

A shiver ran through her small form as she realized the dangerous situation, her gaze falling on the dead bodies of the men. Attempting to reason with herself, she quickly reminded herself that those men were going to rape her--or worse--and turned back to her savior. "If you...don't mind...Who are you?" she inquired timidly.

[{K}itsune]

It was while he was waiting for her to respond that he had a chance to rewind time in his mind, and think over her reaction to him. When her eyes had met his, it had almost seemed like she was looking at him like she'd been drowning and he'd save her; like she needed him. It was...even to his highly trained emotions...unnerving. Why would this woman he hardly even knew look at him in such a way? Pleading? Scared? Those emotions made sense to see on a woman who was going to be raped's face. Hunger? Not so much.

However, it didn't turn him off of wanting to help her, even now. For a moment as she got to her feet, the light seemed to go out of her eyes, and suddenly it returned probably causing her eyes to flash with light and her head to swim with dizziness. Her form fell forward and she clasped onto his strong fore-arm yet again, to get her barings. Sensing, more than knowing, that her knees would buckle, he took a step forward, causing her to be slightly resting against his chest, so that if she fell, she'd fall against him and go hardly anywhere.

"Th-thank you," she whispered, which he met with a silent nod, feeling like he didn't have to respond with words. Her voice had an angelic like quality that sent his head almost reeling with the irony. He a demon - yet truly born a God - and she an angel. It wasn't like he was crushing on her or anything, he was just noticing what was going on around them. Bayn's brain just worked that way, taking in everything and anything.

"I know I ought not be out here, but my father's tavern is down th--" she began, finally answering his question. Then suddenly she broke off, her head swinging around wildly with renewed fear. It seemed all her running had done nothing to the map in her head. It was all but gone. She had no clue where she was, how to get where she was going, or even where she had come from. As her head whipped around, Bayn's keen eyes saw her curls flying back and forth, breaking down every movement so it was like he was watching her in slow motion.

"Actually, I haven't the faintest idea where we are right now." Bayn nodded his head understandably, ignoring the feeling having the warmth of another body against his was giving him. "Don't worry, I can get you out of this labyrinth." he murmured gently, completely unlike him.

He allowed her to assess the bodies and to realize that he was dangerous. She however seemed determined to shake that off, and look at him like her saviour. Strang girl. "If you...don't mind...Who are you?" she questioned shyly. "Bayn." he responded, his voice sounding like the food to a starving person; enough to make a person drool. His sexy voice didn't help. The girl was screwed.

ooc// eh, it's ok.

[Despair]

"Don't worry, I can get you out of this labyrinth." he said, in a low voice that would send any other girl into either shocked silence or delighted squeals. Its rich tones still whispered through her mind as she awaited a reply to her last question, echoing with a haunting note that sent chills through her body. She ducked her head for a second, suddenly feeling awkward and out of place beside this handsome man. No, not beside--against. She had noticed when he had pulled her towards him to steady her, but the reality of his strong, hard physique against her own tiny, soft form only just sank in.

"Bayn." Came the answer after a stretch of silence that had been seemingly endless. Nimue looked up at him with her seafoam-green eyes, long lashes fluttering as a small smile graced her lips despite the stress of her situation. Shock had settled in, and she was feeling almost as if she were someone else, watching everything happen at a distance. Of course, the fear and horror of being nearly raped and probably killed, then seeing her would-be tormenters slaughtered with little more than a few swift movements and softly-spoken words, would set in later. But for now, she could see everything with a calm perspective, more or less unbiased by fright or panic.

"I'm Nimue." she told him in her quiet, lilting tones. "Thank you again for helping me. If it's any trouble, I might be able to find my way back. I don't want to burden you." He had done so much for her already, as she had dragged him into her affairs without his permission, and she didn't want to ask for his help if he had no wish to give it.

[{K}itsune]

Cool crimson eyes appraised the girl silently, making him look... not cold, but distant. The truth of the matter was that he was completely focused on the girl in front of him. Bayn saw every movement, catching every detail. It wasn't that he was trying to see unapproachable, but his eyes had a way of making people feel like he was seeing right into their souls, and he was being very secretive of what he saw there. His eyes, voice, and look all would cause humans to associate him with the bad boy type, but he was really so much more than that, that he didn't try to mask how he really was. He was on a completely different level than most other beings on Ivalia, that he kept true to his ways of silent watching and hypnotism. People would follow his voice anywhere, even to their deaths. He was far more dangerous than a simple human attempting to rape a young women. Yet this young woman didn't seem to see the depth of the danger she was in. Bayn was too risky to be around.

As her head ducked in what resembled shame, one of his eyebrows raised, but no change came to his eyes. They stayed calculating and wise. By the time her head lifted so that her eyes could meet his own, his face had returned to normal, but with a comforting, gentle edge to it. As her turquoise eyes met his, and she smiled ever so slightly, Bayn felt like laughing. This woman must be in shock if she couldn't realize how much of a threat he was. He killed people on a daily basis, and yet this woman wasn't running away. It wasn't that he was planning any harm on her, he'd saved her afterall, but even animals ran away from him sometimes.

The far-away look in her eyes, helped him to discern that she really was in a state of shock, nothing had sunk in yet. "I'm Nimue." Yet another bad choice, but a pretty name nonetheless. "Thank you again for helping me. If it's any trouble I might be able to find my way back. I don't want to burden you." she responded. Not the usual scream of terror he was use to. Her voice had a quality much like his own, rather mesermizing. Had he not been trained, he would have been dazed by it. Releasing his hold on her, he tilted his head down so that she could see into his chilling, yet beautiful eyes. "It's no problem, and yes, I'm sure you could find your way back, but probably not before you were found again. That'd be kind of pointless, no wouldn't it?" he murmured, his voice luring her in with it's warm, rich tones.

"Come." he added, softly. He took a few steps away from her in the direction he was headed - surprisingly, it was the same place she was going, and he knew that - before he paused to let her decide if she'd follow him or wait to be raped.

[Despair]

"It's no problem, and yes, I'm sure you could find your way back, but probably not before you were found again. That'd be kind of pointless, no wouldn't it?"

His voice was soothing, hypnotic; inviting her to wordlessly surrender with neither argument nor hesitation. Inviting her to blindly trust him, even as the piercing rubiscent of his depthless gaze burned into her soul, breaking into her mind and reading her thoughts. It was as if he could see into the darkest corners of her very being, and assess what he saw there at his leisure. A sense of discomfort and impending danger settled over her, as if she was somehow treading upon a thin ledge, below which was nothing but darkness and an endless void. One misstep, and the power that Nimue could sense within him could be turned upon her.

However, there was a reassuring glimmer in those sanguine eyes. Somehow, the predatory aura radiating from every pore of his skin seemed tame, like a purring lion. Deadly, yes, but serene until aggravated.

"Come," he added, and any doubt in her mind ceased to exist. Moving forward, feeling slightly hypnotized, Nimue let him lead her forward. Staying there would be asking for harm, anyhow. She would rather this man turn on her than face those...those...disgusting beasts from before ever again. At least Bayn had some sense of honor.

[{K}itsune]

While the girl took her time to assess what he had said, and her choice, he grasped the moment to think over other things. His mother, the Queen of Hudoben, had asked him to come here under the pretense of finding out anything he could about what the Royals were planning in this area. It seemed like poor planning on his dear mother's part. Then again, he knew that everything she did was calculated and turned over in that mind of hers, and everything she did had a purpose behind it. Never once had she sent him on a mission that he didn't return successful. This wouldn't be any different. Perhaps at this woman's - Nimue's - father's tavern he could find a group of less disgusting, drunken creatures and find what he had come to this sh.it hole for.

Even with all that thought going on inside his dome, his eyes never once changed. Eyes were like windows into the soul, people said? Only if the person didn't know how to hide it. Gods were known for being able to do so. But so were other powerful creatures, so no one would ever be able to guess what breed he truly was.

She, however, was meerly a human, and he could read her eyes well enough. So, when the idea that she might be in danger finally settled in, he saw it. Inside, he smiled. Good for her, at least she finally recognized it. Still, she didn't try to run. How odd. When his final word had finally sunk in, that fear disappeared however and she followed after him like a puppy begging for attention. Ah, yes, she'd felt the hypnotizing power that his voice commanded. When he wasn't trying to command people, his voice usually contained a small bit of it's mesmerizing qualities. After a few moments of hearing his voice, it usually sank in. She'd more than likely do or answer anything he said now.

Suddenly he felt a savage triumph ripple through his body at being able to have someone under his power. No man would ever understand the high that one could feel when having one so completely under your power. This woman wasn't as deeply under his command because he hadn't tried, but she was still stuck, his to command, nonetheless. The sadistic smile that begged to be seen stayed hidden away, thoroughly protected by the control he had over his eyes. How could people ever not think he was evil? He loved the power he had like a twisted lover, and he would never give that up.

Knowing that she wouldn't remember later, he unleashed the full hypnotic power of his eyes, forcefully pulling her completely under his control. He wouldn't hurt her, he wouldn't rape her, but he'd have fun watching her be submissive for the time being. The vicious thoughts in his mind also caused him to decide that he would leave a "suggestion" in her mind, which would make her want to find him out, and probably make her crave for him. Oh, he'd leave it there for a while, but he would take it away after she found him following the suggestion. He had honor, he was just power-happy at the moment. That happened to him sometimes, probably as a result of the sludge his mother fed to him at a young age. He didn't have control over himself sometimes, a mixture of his Godly power and the toxic sludge that made both he and his mother demons.

His hand reached out, knowing she would take it, as he led her through the maze toward freedom.

ooc// idk what came over me XD appaarently i need to make an evil post. lol

[Despair]

OOC: DUDE! XD That post was killlerrrr! And lol. Now you know how I feel when I want to post as Azrael. EVILLLL....
So anyway, do we have a plot in mind here or are we just pulling stuff out of our asses at this point? XD

BIC:

His eyes suddenly seemed to eclipse the world around them, everything but the sanguinary depths of his irises growing unfocused and blurry. Nimue took an unbalanced step forward, her own orbs growing wide as she felt a web being woven around her mind, binding her to him. She could feel it, almost as if the web was real, cobwebs brushing against her skin.

"Stop it!" she gasped, jerking back the moment she felt the unknown presence in the air. Her elegant neck twisted from side to side, dragging her head with it as she struggled to break the hypnosis he was wrapping around her. "I can feel what you're doing, stop it!"

Her words were panicked and strained as she struggled to fight the binding. In a way, the idea of loosing control to him wasn't so bad a fate, but rushes of adrenaline and terror were abruptly skewing her judgement...perhaps in a good way.

Bayn reached out a hand, and she felt her own rise to meet it automatically, but her nails dug into his flesh. Not nearly hard enough to hurt him in any way, but enough to tell him that, unlike all his other victims, she knew what he was doing and had enough presence of mind to fight it as best she could. Then their entire hands touched, palms flat against one another, and she felt her wild fear suddenly begin to ebb away, slowly drifting into a sense of contentment to follow his lead. Her fingers relaxed, but her body continued to tremble as her gaze focused on his with a mixture of resentment and bewilderment. Nimue wasn't angry with him by far, no, but she was frightened. She couldn't understand what he was doing or why, and the loss of control was terrifying her. He hadn't lost her trust, however.

[{K}itsune]

ooc// it's kinda the later of the two XD lol but i was thinking he could lead her out or something, he'd leave. the "suggestion" would make her want to find him, or her dad would be killed or something, and then she wanted to find him (having somehow decided she needed him in times of comfort, yada yada) then i figured we'd go from there...idk?

bic// As her eyes widened with fear, and she began to shake frantically to avoid the hypnosis he was casting over her, he could feel his chest hum with pleasure. Never had a human been able to feel what he was doing before. One second they were completely in control of their lives, and the next, they could do only what he wanted. The fact that this woman could not only sense what he was doing, but was attempting to fight it, brought him a wild sense of something akin to pride. Perhaps this girl was worth saving afterall. Many of the women he saves - which he didn't do often - were completely worthless.

"Stop it!" she cried, "I can feel what you're doing, stop it!" Her cry might have worked... if he wasn't so completely twisted under the crushing weight of the influencial toxins at the moment. When the toxins took over, he was less than a God; he was completely demon, and not one second went by, that he didn't enjoy it.

His eyes cast down to their hands, knowing he didn't have to keep looking at her for the spell to wrap completely around her, he watched cooly as her hand jerked up towards his, completely against her will. As her nails dug into his flesh, he smirked internally. Good girl. His own eyes rose to met hers again, as their palms completely touched and his fingers curled around hers. The terror began to melt away as the warmth of his flesh added to the drowzying (sp?) his eyes had. She was however still not very happy at him; like a child sulking. Breathing out his unique, enticing aroma over her, he waited, letting the almost drug like qualities it had settle into the pleasure center of her brain. In moments, she would forget her struggle. If she sensed that happening, it wouldn't matter for two reasons: a) it couldn't be fought, and b) when this was all over, and the hypnotism wore off, she'd forget it ever happened, having these memories replaced with new, fabricated ones that left him in a good light.

If he wasn't lost, at her cry he would have stopped, instead he murmured, his voice smooth like honey, "The back alleys are dangerous, and there are things here that are better for you to not see or remember. Do not be afraid, this is for your protection," he murmured, his voice echoing with honesty - which was easily fabricated, but impossible to discern.

His fingers curled around hers, he led her through the maze as if he was taking a stroll with a lover. After the drugs had settled in, he questioned in a soft, enticing voice, "So tell me about yourself? Tell it all."

[Despair]

"The back alleys are dangerous, and there are things here that are better for you to not see or remember. Do not be afraid, this is for your protection," he purred, that alluring voice caressing, gently wrapping the web he so cunningly wove around her. Nimue felt a sense of safety and tranquility settling over her, easing her worries and panic steadily.

"B-but..." she softly began to protest, managing to retract her slender fingers from his the tiniest bit, withdrawing from the trance just for a moment, before the haze returned to her eyes.

He knows what he's doing. He saved you, didn't he? Trust him. a voice in the depths of her mind whispered enticingly. It was true...she owed him. What was a little trance compared to saving her life?

Something else was affecting her, she knew, but she couldn't tell what. He was beginning to pull her forward, her hand in his much larger one securely, and she felt herself moving as well, falling into step beside him. She fought the urge to move closer and breathe in his heavenly scent visciously, but felt herself inch the slightest bit closer anyhow.

"So tell me about yourself? Tell it all." he urged her.

Nimue hesitated, unsure of what to tell him. She didn't want to ramble and bore him, since he was being so nice and leading her through the maze of alleyways. And so polite, too! Why weren't there more gentlemen like him?

"Well," she began slowly, "I've lived in Badesdyn my entire life. My father, Dante Darkingale, runs a tavern nearby, where I work the dayshift. I hate it. The tavern, this city, all of it. Not a day goes by where someone I know isn't hurt somehow by the...the monsters that run around here." she faltered, her voice breaking with emotion. "And now war, or so I've heard. My father has been on military break, but he'll have to return to the army if and when the order is given. It terrifies me. I don't think the King truly wants to fight at all, he'd rather stay out of the troubles in Ivalia and Erebus and Huboden, but I don't think he has much of a choice."

A moment went by in silence, her thoughts lost in various reveries, before she began again. "My mother...She left my father long ago. She used to write letters, but as of two years ago, my father has been burning them. I have no way to contact her until I can leave on my own, I suppose. Are you certain this is the right way?" she asked abruptly, glancing around the alley they were currently in.

[{K}itsune]

Bayn knew his powers were stunning. Back at the castle, each and every one of the servants and royals working in the palace had been under his spell at one point or another. His hypnotism had many different levels to it, one being the regular inslavement and another forcing the victim to tell nothing but the truth. It was very useful when it came to sniffing out spies. No one could resist it completely when he was trying. He'd even put his mother under once, at her request, so that she could see what it was like. Even she couldn't resist it, although she was the closest to doing so. He'd had to exert himself to the point of almost drop-dead exhaustion before he'd caught her. It had been good training though, and it had made him proud to be the son of such a powerful demoness.

"B-but..." she began, ever so slightly pulling her hand away, but the moment she started, she was buried by his power. He watched as her eyes became unfocused and hazy and a peaceful, unworried smile settled in place. He could practically hear the suggestion that had been planted in her mind begin it's work, slowly making her trust him without question. His blood boiled with barbaric triumph at having her so completely under his control.

His grip tightened over hers to make her feel secure. Everything now was automatic, like checking things off a list. Maintain appearances, keep her feeling safe, don't do anything sudden. Of course, after she'd been under his control for a while - the hypnotic spell kept winding tighter around his victims until he told it to stop, securely imprisoning them within its web - he could do whatever he wanted with her, and she wouldn't be able to spook or find anything wrong with it. That also got him excited.

The fact that she was edging closer to him wouldn't help her case either. The more of his scent that she breathed in, the faster and stronger the hypnotism wound itself. As she began speaking, he listened intently. It was the unwhor.ish girls who'd be able to give him the most information in this place, and she fell under that catagory - for now at least. The fact that she hated it here might help the suggestion along later as well. The more of an out she wanted, the stronger the suggestion would be, until all she could think about was him, and her desire for him, in many ways.

His eyes stayed clear, but his heart lurched with triumph as Nimue began talking about the war. She'd heard from her father that it was likely a war would start soon. That was all he needed to know. Now, if he could find out when exactly this was expected to happen, he could go home and report to his mother victoriously. Not much of a choice? No. The King didn't have much of a choice, he personally was seeing to that.

Her mother yet again brought him to the suggestion. The Prince of Hudoben didn't really know why he was so excited about the fact that she'd come to him, but he figured it had to be because of the fact that she'd fought against him. For a human, that was impressive. For a human girl it was unheard of.

"Are you certain this is the right way?" she asked quite suddenly. Turning his scarlet gaze down on her, he smiled ever so slightly. "Of course. I've had to walk through these back passages many times, I know my way. Don't you trust me?" Yet another little nudge to kick the suggestion up. He was practically purring on the inside. Another few minutes and they'd be out.

"You said your father though he'd have to go to war soon? Did he hear that from someone, and how long do you think you'll have with him before he leaves? Did he say? As for your mother, I am very sorry. I have grown up without a father, so I feel your pain. Perhaps one day you'll be able to find her. I hope that you do." he purred.

[Despair]

"Of course. I've had to walk through these back passages many times, I know my way. Don't you trust me?"

And it clicked. She had been searching for a way to describe him, to put the odd aura he radiated a name, and all the pieces had abruptly fallen into place.

Predator.

That was the only way to put it. The way he moved, with the effortless grace and power of a wildcat; The way he spoke, with the carefully-chosen words in such low, rich tones; The way that his heated gaze burned holes into her mind; Predatory. All of it. And she was as helpless to his spell as a mouse in the paws of a cat.

"Don't you trust me?" She heard his words echo through her mind. Something was off.

Nimue had had the sense that he was merely toying with her. He wanted...something. What, exactly, she wasn't sure. Her brow furrowed and her steps slowed as, yet again, the words echoed.

"...trust me?"

And in that moment, another voice, the voice of reason, rose up to contradict the new, enticing one.


[glow=yellow,2,000]Why should he need to confirm it?[/glow]


He shouldn't have to ask if she trusted him. Trust was an unspoken bond, mutually recognized. She wasn't a stranger to it, despite the area she lived in.


[shadow=grey,left,300]It was just a question.[/shadow]


That infuriating little voice piped up, but Nimue shoved it to the back of her mind visciously, just as abruptly wrenching her hand free from Bayn's grasp.

"No." she whispered, staring at him. The web was closing in desperately, but she refused to let it draw her in any further. Not yet. No, she couldn't hold it off forever, but she was certainly going to try. Stumbling back, she let the wall of the alley support her. For a moment he didn't even seem to notice, rambling on and on, firing off question after question. Unnecessary, odd questions...about...the war?!


[shadow=grey,left,300]What are you doing? He's been so kind to you![/shadow]


"No, I don't trust you!" she gasped.


[shadow=grey,left,300]Can you even hear yourself?[/shadow]


Struggling to ignore the unwanted criticism from within her own mind, she shot a fierce glare at Bayn.

"I know what you're doing!"



[shadow=grey,left,300]Yes--rescuing you from rapists and murderers, and now showing you back to your father's tavern. Very awful of him, isn't it?[/shadow]



Her cheeks flushed with humiliation, but she didn't give up yet.

"What do you want?"
The voice suddenly seemed to switch tactics.


[shadow=grey,left,300]What do you want, Nimue? What would you rather he do?[/shadow]


Nimue hesitated, her mind drifting to all the things he could do to her in that dark alley. His chisled physique pressed against her own slender, soft form...his strong hands in places no man's had ever drifted before...Abruptly realizing where her thoughts had strayed, she shook her head swiftly, her lovely form trembling with the effort of fighting off the hypnotic pulses swimming through her. No, what was wrong with her? And the voice was hardly helping;


[shadow=grey,left,300]A kiss, perhaps? I'm sure he'd be more than willing to oblige, were you to ask...[/shadow]


Her breath-taking, seafoam-green eyes focused for just a split second on his handsome visage, and more specifically, on his lips, before glancing away with heat rushing to color her cheeks.

"Who are you, really?"

[{K}itsune]

He could almost see the word float across her eyes as what he was dawned on her. Yes, Bayn was a predator, of the most dangerous kind. It was his job to go after the weak, and take their secrets before disposing of them, but he could just as easily go after the strongest beings out there. He was the top of the food chain. Envied by all, surpassed by none. Stealth and cunning came to him as easily as breathing did, he needed no effort to outsmart even the most intellegent minds, or drag down the purest of heart. He was a Demonic God who could have or do anything he pleased. Nothing was denied him. It was impossible. He was not egotistical (unless the toxins were in control, of course), it was meerly fact.

Following directly by her spirt of genius, he saw confusion flare through her mind like a wildfire, bringing with it the voice of reason to battle the voice of raw desire, submission, and insanity. She could try, and she would, but both he and she knew she would be dragged down soon enough. All he had to do was change the path of the alleys, and she wouldn't be able to find her way out before she lost control.

Pausing where he stood, his head leveled, and he looked down at her through his russet eyes. He watched as her eyebrows furrowed, caution filling her senses as she struggled to remember what was happening to her, what he was doing. He had to give her credit. She had spunk, and he admired her for that. As her hand ripped from his own, Bayn's hand fell to his side, and he waited, his face impassive, but his eyes smouldering gorgeously.

"No." she whispered, panicked. He exhaled, his scent rushing over her in intoxicating waves. "No, I don't trust you!" she cried, "I know what you're doing!" she added, accusingly. "What do you want?" she whispered. As she blushed, he smirked inside. Ah, the suggestion must be powerful, if it could affect her so. His suggestions were usually fairly persuasive, and she'd experienced a lot of his hypnotic powers, it was probably nearly unbearable to resist.

As he breathed in through his nose he understood what tactic it was taking now. It was attempting to arouse her. Apparently it wasn't doing to bad of a job. Her body trembled, and he felt a moment of guilt, before the toxins kicked back in, and he watched silently. Suddenly her eyes flashed to his lips, and he had a vision of her jumping him. Her eyes were so piercingly focused on his mouth, that it really looked like she might for a second, before she glanced away, ashamed with fire coloring her cheeks.

"Who are you, really?"

"I'm Bayn. I was sent here by the Royal family to see what the soldiers and people around Mitya know about the upcoming war. They want to know if their soldiers know when to report for battle and what preparations have been made," he murmured, gently. Not one word was a lie. They were twisted, but not one was a lie. He was sent here by the Royal family of Hudoben, to see what the people and soldiers knew of the war, and what had been done in preparation for the date that he was trying to discern. All the truth. The silk of his voice mixed in with the hypnotics working on her mind already, and he lifted his hand. "We're almost there now, and you'll be able to get rid of me." he added, his voice sounding sad - yet again, easily fabricated.

[Despair]

"I'm Bayn. I was sent here by the Royal family to see what the soldiers and people around Mitya know about the upcoming war. They want to know if their soldiers know when to report for battle and what preparations have been made,"

Guilt washed over her immediately. Who did she think she was, to accuse him so? Shocked, her eyes widened, and her hand raised once more to take his. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I don't know what...what I..." abruptly, she broke off, her exhausted mind making a valliant attempt at battling off the haze once and for all.

You're being an idiot. Just let him lead you out.

She shook her head, focusing her gaze on the ground in embarassment.

"We're almost there now, and you'll be able to get rid of me."

Her head snapped up, her enchanting, forest-green eyes widening, ashamed and guilty. "I don't want to be rid of you, that's not...I..." She fell silent, deciding not to say anything else for the time being. Obviously, speaking wasn't getting her anywhere.

((orry, I know it's horrible. It's because I'm exhausted...fighting with my bf D: ))