Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ A diamond in the rough ❯ Caught red handed ( Chapter 1 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Otori reached back and tightened the green headband he had tied around his forehead to keep his bangs from falling into his eyes. He wiped his hands nervously on his shorts. He was wearing finger less gloves so it wasn't necessary but it was more of a habit at this point. This moment and the escape were what he lived for. He looked around the empty room once more before lifting the lid of the glass lidded chest and grabbing out the rather ugly but priceless bit of history he was after. He set the lid carefully back down and tucked the fist sized golden statue in his pocket. He slipped into the shadows back the way he came only to see the shadow of a guard in front of his escape route. The mans back was to him, and for the moment that was the only thing that saved him. He cursed softly under his breath and snuck up behind the guard. He used the element of suprise to knock the startled elf out, with a precisely placed blow behind one ear. He figured the guard deserved the headache he got for not wearing a helmet. He grinned to himself and darted a glance up and down the hallway before darting across it and into the room that held the open window he had climbed into.
He darted quickly into the room and behind a heavy peice of furniture as habit. He hadn't come this far in his career to be caught. He'd just determined that the coast was clear and stood up when a blindingly bright flash of light blinded him. He hissed and raised an arm defensively over his watering eyes and tried to figure out the source of the attack. Hands grabbed him while he was trying to get to the window and when he struggled, a fist connected with his jaw, opening his lip while another buried itself in his gut. "Looks like you were right, sir." Said one of the guards as the statue was lifted from his pouch. "Well, I'd heard rumors about this heist and I saw someone climb in this window so I did what any good citizen would do." Otori raised his head looking blindly in the direction of an oh so familiar voice. He hacked and spat blood at the voice. "You hired me, ass hole!" He hissed then went limp as something hit him on the back of the head, causing his vision to go from white to black. He wasn't totally unconcious but was in no shape to resist the guards as they drug him off.
Dark eyes stared at the thief eyeing his appearance making note of his handsome features.He sighed as he stood hiding around the corner "Cute to bad he got caught." Raven said to himself and began to think of a way to help him.His ears perked up at hearing the theif said that one of his fathers workers had hired him.Raven frowned as he stepped out from around the corner "Whats the meaning of this ?" He asked as he stared at the guards.The guards stepped back as they saw the prince stepped forward "Prince Raven ." They said in unison .Raven folded his arms across his chest "Whats this about someone hiring someone to steal from my father?"
Otori hung limply in the guards' arms, let them think they had knocked him out. He might have paled a little when he heard the title the guards addressed him with, but he was too good at playing possum to let his body react. "He lies to save his skin, highness." His contractor said and stepped forward. Otori half opened one eye to watch even though he knew that all he would see is a pair of highly polished shoes he would love to drop in the chocobo stables manure pile. Along with the rest of him too. His contractor was elvaan, which should have warned him, and lower nobility with aspirations, which also whould have warned him. But the money had been too good to refuse. It wasn't as if he hadn't been in this place dozens of times so it wasn't a blind run. He supposed he also should have been suspicious of stealing such a priceless and unfenceable object. He mentally shook his head, he wouldn't worry about it until he made his escape and then the Lord would pay.
Raven eyed the contractor he knew he was under handed and sneaky and probably tricked the man into stealing the historical object "Corvine I dont know what you are trying to pull here but let him go now.Im not saying he is innocent but I will make him work off his guilt." He frowned deeply "You on the other hand my father would throw into the prison and never you let you see the light of day again."
Raven signaled the guards to let the man go "Whats your name?" He asked curiously.
Otori dropped to his hands and knees, not quite recovered enough to support his own weight. He was silent for a long time. Long enough for one of the guards to seize him by a handful of hair and yank him upright and forcing him to look at the prince. "Answer his highness' question." Otori made a short sharp noise of pain and sized up the prince. Suprisingly he found the man rather attractive for an elf, he vaguely wondered why this 'prince' was being kind to him. Or at least giving him the benefit of the doubt. Finally after the guard's hand tightened in what could be considered a preamble to further violence he answered. "Otori." He gave the prince a challenging glare, pulling out of seeming nowhere the appearance at least of noble indignation, under the sullenness of being caught.
Raven eyed the thief as the guard yanked him up by his hair and found him eyeing the man noticing he looked very handsome in that position."Otori." Raven said as he motioned for the guard to let him go "I am giving you the benefit of the doubt because I believe you the look in your eyes not the words coming out of your mouth but you will work off your debt for breaking into the castle." He walked over and ordered for the item to be handed to him "I will give it to my father myself."
Otori blinked in suprise and stared at Raven as if he couldn't quite believe what he was hearing. He was silent for a short time longer then bowed his head slightly. "As you say." He had had dealings with guards enough in his childhood to know that moving until he'd been given the order to would result in more blows, most especially with a noble present. Unconsciously his hands fisted at his sides as he bit back his growing chagrin and anger at himself, as well as a great deal of growing confusion. What did this Prince Raven intend for him to do?
Raven motioned for Otori to come towards him "Come here." He said .The Prince eyed the thief "Do you have any skills besides stealing property from me?" Raven asked as he looked at the relic then back to Otori " Or do you have an idea on how to pay my family back for stealing?" Raven smiled at Otori his dark hair falling into his eyes "I can come up with a few ideas but I want your in put first."
Otori rose to his feet in one smooth motion and met the princes stare cooly with his own. He paused just long enough to be insulting without actually being long enough to make it commentable, or punishable. "I've done some work as a bodyguard, once or twice as a watchdog over some junk that was thought of as valuble enough to hire a thief to catch a theif. Ruin exploring, trap disarming, the usual." He said in a slightly bored voice. He left out anything that really branded him as a theif and miscreant, such as a few assasinations, roof walking, pick pocketing, and chicanery. Oddly enough some part of him wanted to tell the prince all of what he knew, but not in front of guards or where he could be overheard. That would be tantamount to admitting guilt and dying a slow and horrible death.
Raven stood there quietly thinking as he looked at the man before him and smiled "Then you will be my new body guard." He looked at all the guards as they gasped "Oh hush now not like all of you are angels so dont even act like it.Most of you came questionable back grounds dealing wth gambling and drinking." Raven sighed as he rubbed his temples "Begone all of you except Otori." He watched as the guards leave "So tell me about yourself."
Otori watched the guards leave with a look of faint shock on his face. He relaxed slightly when the last of them left and turned to look at Raven. "What is it you want to know? A sob story of a hard an unloved childhood, pushed onto the streets by drunken angry parents? One of a happy but poor child taking to a life of theivery to feed his sickly mother and younger siblings? An orphen perhaps? Some faint bitterness in the way he replied told that there was some truth to each of his offerings of his background stories, but largely that he kept a great many secrets. He still looked like he was on his guard and didn't quite trust his current situation.
Raven sighed as he stared at the human "I never have understood you humans ." He looked a bit sad his dark eyes looked away from Otori he couldnt figure out what attracted him to the man maybe he was going crazy or maybe just lonely "No need to be snide it was an honest statement I was just curious.Well follow me I will show you to your room it near mine so you can be near by."He walked down the hall towards their rooms .Raven stood infront of what was now Otori's room "You dont have to associate with me if you dont wish to."Raven kept his eyes away from Otori "Purely a business deal nothing more nothing less."
Otori's cheek twitched and before he even could think he jabbed a finger into Raven's chest. "I never undertand you elves either. I've learned the hard way not to trust what you don't understand. You say you want me as a bodyguard, fine. But how am I supposed to do that if you do not wish me around?" He pulled his hand back and straightened to his full height, he was still at least a foot shorter than the prince but it didnt seem to matter as he glared up at Raven. "Have you ever had a bodyguard? Not those wannabes in uniforms, but someone directly responsible for your life? Those guards are nice if you want ornaments, but if your enemies send someone after you what would you rather have an ornament or someone capable of defending you and buying you time to escape?"
Raven glared at Otori ''Now you listen here I was trying to be nice and when I mean associate I meant you dont have talk to me and pretend to be my friend I have enough poeple to do that for me!" He snapped "I dont need another kiss ass thank you very much." Raven flipped his hair over his shoulder "So you dont have to pretend to be my friend or anything I just knew you had been tricked and I got you out of trouble is all."
Otori's hands snapped into fists and he glared at Raven, fighting back the urge to settle this with violence. "Why would I pretend anything? You think because you are nobility, everyone has to fall down to their knees and lick your boots? Sorry highness," He said that last part making a mockery out of the word highness. "Leave it to those court officials and hangers on to do the ass kissing. If you want a friend, you need to prove you can be one in return instead of buying one." He didn't mention he probably would have been out of the mansion before the sun was up.
Raven stood there tears welling up in his "Fine!" He shouted and stormed off to his room "Just get out now then ....you're right most drop down and lick my boots but I rather them not."Raven shrugged as he opened the decorated door to his room "I knew by the look in your eyes you were different but all you see me as is a high and mighty prince .Then so be it just go ." He walked into his room and slammed the door and walked over to his bed and took a seat.Raven folded his hands in his hands into his lap as he stared out the window next to his bed.A stray tear streaked down his face as he sat there "Stupid idiot."
Otori jerked back a step as Raven slammed the door. He stared at it a moment then silently slid the door open and slipped inside. He wasn't really sure what he was doing, or why he was drawn to this man. He did feel an ass for making him cry and wondered absently if some of the rumors he'd heard about how long it took an elf to reach adulthood were true. He looked over at the prince and sighed softly in exasperation. At this point he didn't really have anything to lose. He walked silently over to the bed and without being invited to sat down and put an awkward arm around the elf.
Raven froze as he felt an arm be put around him and opened his eyes.He looked at Otori and instantly his back stiffened "Come to mock me some more or take pity on an elvaan fool?" Raven asked as he raised a hand and wiped tears from his face "Here let me save you the trouble." he stood up began to act like his father "Raven it is time you grow up and find a wife settle down and have some children.Stop acting such a fool and become a distinguished Prince for your kingdom ." Raven sighed "Youre not a fighter youre a Prince so stop running off and helping the guards fight its not your job." He flopped back down on to the bed in an ungraceful manner "There nothing else to make fun of."
Otori looked at him a moment while he ranted. His gaze slid to one side of the Prince as he talked. "I didnt come to make fun of you. Or to take pity on you." He said softly, and raised his eyes to look at Raven. "I can not help how I was raised any more than you can."
Raven shrugged "Who cares how I was raised .Im just a spoiled Prince what do I know?" He sighed "Im tired of having to sneak out of this damn prison at night. I might as well be a prisoner here myself ." Raven looked over at Otori "I suppose that is why I didnt want them to imprison you. I know what it feels like and you seem so wild and free I do believe it would break that spirit of yours if they did so." He sighed and stared at the wall "I envy you being able to come and go places as you please .As free as the wind blows no restraints to hold you down must be nice."
"There are worse things than being who you are." Otori said softly almost as if he did feel sorry, and he did, for his sake and Raven's. Without really thinking about it he reached a hand over and gently turned the prince's face to him. "Being wild and free lacks alot of certainties, everything is in constant flux." He leaned forward and kissed the elf, not really able to explain why he was doing it even to himself.
Raven looked at Otori as he kissed him his eyes wide as saucers for a moment .The prince relaxed as he kissed Otori back and his eyes slid shut as his arms snaked out around the thiefs waist groaning.Raven came back to his senses and pulled back from Otori the slightest bit "My first kiss." He slammed a hand over his mouth at his admission and blushed furiously shaking his head sending his dark hair flying about.
Otori opened his eyes and looked at Raven, confused for a moment at his reaction. He reflexively ducked out of the way and brought an arm up to shield his face from the flying hair. "Your. . .first?" He asked after a moment, scarcely able to believe what he had heard. "No one's ever kissed you before?"
Ravens face was scarlet "Other than my mother no." He looked away to hide his embarassment "I..I havent really had anyone make and effort really.I am usually secluded here in my room reading and studying scrolls." Raven laughed lightly "No one would finds me interesting except for a Princess my parents try to get me to marry." Raven placed a hand over his eyes "I told them Im not interested but still they try to force them on me."
Otori pulled back to look at the prince. "You've never wanted any attention from a girl?" He looked thoughtful for a moment. "Surely you've been attracted to someone before, whether you acted on it or not."
Raven opened his mouth but couldnt find his voice and blushed again a he took a deep breath "I have yes but it wasnt a girl.He worked as a guard here. my Father found out about my infatuation with him and sent him away." Sadness crossed the Prince's features "I do not have a choice on who I love either and no I have not heard from the guard again." Raven looked out the window as a breeze blew in making his hair move in ebony waves "I have closed my heart off since then."
"Did he share your feelings?" He wasn't entirely sure why he was asking this. He absently reached forward and tucked a strand of ebony hair behind the prince's ear. "One thing I have learned is that there is always a choice. The only thing you get from closing youself off is loneliness."
Raven sighed and closed his eyes "He said he did but I never truly got to find out it all happened so fast."A slight smile crossed his features as he sat there remembering "He taught me how to use a sword so I could defend myself if I was ever attacked.My father saw no use in me learning such nonsense as he called it ." Raven laughed "If I cant defend myself I am no use to my kingdom or at least thats how I see it."
"Sometimes being old doesn't neccesarrily make one wise. If you can't defend yourself, you might as well be a glass ornament or an exotic bird. Just there to look pretty, but of all the solidity of spun sugar." Otori smiled a mischeivious grin. "If that guard were here. what would you do?" He figured he had a 50/50 chance of getting an entertaining answer or at least another blush.
Raven looked thoughtful for a moment before answering "He would have probably would have been my first." He said as he rested his chin in his hand.Raven blinked as his mouth opened wide like a fish out of water "Why am I telling you this? I mean unless you have interest in me?" Raven asked as he turned to look at Otori showing that his eyes were as dark as onyx "Would that be the reason youre asking such silly questions?"
Otori blushed slightly and looked up at Raven, his blue eyes full of challenge. "Are you interested in me?" He asked neatly turning the question around. "What silly questions have I asked?" There was a ghost of a smile on his face and the tone of his voice seemed to be lightly teasing. "Would you do anything if I answered?"
Raven shrugged "I dont know you havent really answered ." He eyed Otori taking in his features noting he really was handsome for a human "Are you sure you do not have elvaan blood in you? You answer in such riddles like we do." Raven laughed as he looked dead straight into Otori's eyes "If you have such faith in the answer you apparently already know then ask.Would be foolish to stay silent would it not?"
"Perhaps, my parents never spoke of it." Otori chuckled and gazed back at Raven, unwilling to back down. "Maybe the answer is one that doesnt need a verbal answer, just a simple look or gesture." He gave the prince a grin showing remarkably white teeth considering his profession.
Raven narrowed his eyes and snorted "Rubbish." He stated as he folded his hands into his lap and turned to look out the window to watch the sunset "The simplest of questions have the most complex answers. Either way the answer will weigh on both of us so maybe it is best to stay silent."Raven sighed began to gnaw on his lower lip remembering the kiss that happened earlier and eagerly wanting another.He turned and looked at Otori "Oh well this nobility stuff its for the birds anyway let the Yagudo have it." He leaned forward and kissed Otori.
It was the human's turn to look suprised as Raven leaned forward and kissed him. After a moment he kissed the elf back, his arms encircling the prince about the waist while one buried itself lightly in the mane of ebony hair. "Sometimes a simple question is just what it seems to be." He said when the need for air interupted the kiss.
Raven smiled "I would suppose so." he raised a hand and touched Otori's cheek "Who knew humans could be so insightful." He laughed lightly as he caught the mans lips again and deepened the kiss groaning lightly as he did so.
Otori closed his eyes and crushed the elf to him, his own moan barely making audible. He'd learned by necessity the silence was a virtue when he was young and even now it carried over. "Living on the edge grants one wisdom at a young age." Otori laughed lightly. He wanted more than just simple kissing but he knew better than to push. He would be content with whatever pace the prince set.
Raven pulled back and began panting for air he felt hot all of the sudden and his face was flushed "I agree with that." He said as he pulled at his tunic collar "Its hot in here." The Prince muttered hoping it was the muggy summer air causing his uneasiness .He was about to stand up but blushed and decided it might not be such a wise move to do that right at this very moment.
Otori looked at the prince for a moment then nodded slightly. "It is at that." The human hid a knowing smile and politely looked away. "Learning to survive tends to make one something either of a thrill seeker or a pack rat. Let the pack rats hide in their burrows, I'll be walking roof trees with the alley cats."
Raven relaxed his shoulders and looked at Otori "Sounds nice." He sighed as he grabbed a pillow and placed it in his lap trying to hide his enthusiasm ."Better than being a kept bird in a guilded cage." Raven stared at Otori wanting to pull him ove and let him take him to be wild care free and not give a damn for once but he didnt want to force anything "But each person is born into a life they have to lead sometimes there is not much choice on what they can do."
"That's not entirely true. Rave." Otori said unconsciously shortening the princes name. "There is always a choice." He looked over at the prince, understandingg at least part of the longing look in the elf's eyes. Otori leaned over, reaching up with a hand to brush back the dark hair to whisper into the pointed ear. "Sometimes you just dont see the other choices. Did this bird want to stretch his wings?"
Raven nodded slowly "More than anything." He whispered back "My wings have been clipped for so long I dont know if I even know how to." A deflated look crossed his features "I barely get out of these castle walls and when I do its because I climbed out the window." He bite on his lower lips nervously as he looked at Otori " Such a long life span to spend sitting here wasting away all alone."
The human nodded shortly and nibbled carefully on the pointed ear. "I will take you there. Tommorrow during the day at first, Less to see but also alot less people that will need to be persuaded to leave you be." He pushed Raven lightly back against the mattress. "Will that suffice? When they learn not to touch we can go after nightfall when things pick up."
Raven nodded as his breath caught in his throat "That will suffice ." He muttered as he looked into Otori's eyes "I will wear something less noticable if you wish." Raven muttered incoherently almost as if he was hypnotized by the mans gaze "So people wont know who I am." His hand touched Otori's side feeling the muscles under his tunic and blinked in amazement.Judging by the look of the human a person would think he was slight and thin but looks can be deceiving.
Otori chuckled at Raven's light touch against his side. "I won't break any more than you will." He teasingly ran a hand up the elf's side. "Don't be afraid of that." He looked at the prince and smiled slightly. "If this is going too fast for you just say so." He leaned down and kissed Raven deeply.
Raven closed his eyes as he ran his hand up into Otori's shaggy hair.He was rather liking this kissing thing and began to wonder why he skipped out on it for so many years .Raven pulled back panting "Im fine." He said in a groan as his body reflexively arched up against the thief.A look of confusion crossed his face "Im sorry I didnt do that on purpose...Its almost as if I dont have control of what I do." Raven leaned forward catching Otori's lips in a bruising kiss.
Otori smiled at the prince's forcefulness and at his reactions. "There is nothing to apologize for." He said gently placing a finger against Raven's lips. He pulled away for a moment and sat up straddling the elf's hips and effectively holding him down. "I think I need to do something at least to cool off a little." He gave the prince a crooked grin and pulled his tunic off and tossed it aside, his belt, gloves, and low soft shoes followed it. "That's a little better I think."
Raven stared at Otori's chest rather hard and swallowed not knowing what to do .He raised his hands and began to unlace his tunic and began to shrug it off.Raven blushed as he laid back onto the bed wrapping his arms around himself as he laid under the man and noticed how tan and toned he was "Here I thought you were a scrawny thing." Raven muttered staring .
"You should know by now that appearances can be deceiving." Otori noted Rave's blush and slid off of him to stretch out on the bed beside him. He wasn't done by far but noticed the reaction and decided to back off a little. "A slight trick I use to my advantage. Clothing a size or two too big, not only is it comfortable in hot weather, but it makes it look as if I've fallen on hard times."
Raven blinked "You are a sneak." He said as he rolled over onto his side to look at Otori.The prince began to gnaw on his lower lip as a nagging question began to build in the back of his mind "You want to be my first dont you?" He asked in a whisper "Why? Is it because Im royalty and its something you can brag about to your friends ? " Raven lowered his eyes to the bed and began to pick at the quilting "Just wondering."
Otori looked at Raven and reached over to pull his hand from picking at the quilt. "I do want to be your first, but not for any of those reasons." He raised a hand to gently touch the elf's face. "If I felt that way I wouldn't have stopped. I won't force you to do this if you don't want to, but whatever happens is for us alone. No one else."
Raven gave Otori a relieved smile and leaned his face into his hand "Good." He breathed "I want you to be my first. I know we met only a short while ago but I just cant explain it." Raven said as he sat up and pulled his boots off dropping them to the floor with a thud." I dont know maybe Im hypnotized ." Raven looked back over his shoulder causing his hair to fall down his back in waves "Have you bewitched me?"
"If I have, you've done the same to me." Otori smiled softly and sat up. He reached his arms around the taller elf and pulled him against him. "It's a spell I won't fight." He knew that the elf could probably feel the excitement he was feeling.
Dark eyes locked onto Otoris face and the prince smiled.If this was some cruel hoax then let it wait until after for right now happiness felt really good "I wont fight it either." Raven said as he leaned over and gave Otori a kiss "Feels to good to fight it. For once Im going to do what I want and just live a little bit."
"Wisely said. Let tommorrow see to itself." He drew his hands slowly down Raven's chest even as he met the dark eyes with his blue ones. He tugged a little on the waist of the pants, then greatly daring slid a hand down the front to tease the elf and gauging his reaction.
Raven sat there in shock for a moment and then closed his eyes as he felt Otori begin to tease him.His back arched backwards and his hair pooled underneath him as he fell back onto the bed panting "Feels good." Raven moaned and wriggled around on the bed "Suppose to feel like this ?" He asked panting "I always heard it was painful."
Otori chuckled in his throat and pulled off Raven's pants before removing his own. "That depends on your perspective, I'd suppose. But, since this is your first, I'll do my best to make it not hurt." He ground his hips against the prince before shifting enough forward to kiss the man.
Ravens eyes fluttered shut as he groaned rubbing up against Otori "Gods above.." He muttered as he kissed Otori back his hands roaming uo the mans back digging in his nails "Feels good." The prince said against the thiefs lips "Youve done this before?" He asked as he kissed Otoris neck "With who?"
Otori caught his breath and Raven's reaction and the nails in his back. "Yes, with one person. . . A gentleman never tells." He made another inarticulate moan and moved his head to one side to give the prince more room. "They aren't here anymore so I won't sully their name by telling." His hands moved along the princes body as if trying to memorize it.
Raven wanted to pout at being denied what he considered vital information but a moan cut it off as he heard Otori enjoying his actions "Sorry didnt mean to pry." He mumbled as he kissed the mans collar bone "Just curious." Raven muttered against Otoris skin "I will not ask again I promise I give my word as a Elvaan."

Otori reached over and kissed Raven lightly on the cheek. "Do you have a valet or someone who comes and wakes you up in the mornings?" He asked and propped himself up on one elbow. He was suprised at how striking the elf was, personally he thought the disheveled look made the prince look even more handsome. He'd pulled the blankets over both of them granting the naive prince some privacy.
Raven yawned and burrowed under the quilts even in summer the castle was drafty and gave him a chill "Yes I do they bring me breakfast." He smiled at Otori and gave him a quick kiss on the lips "If you dont want to be here come morning that is fine .I dont want you in any trouble this will be something we will have to keep hidden." He looked at the thief noting that flushed cheeks made him appear cute and young "Flushed features suit you."
Otori laughed "This disheveled look suits you, it makes me tempted to start again." A light blush touched his cheeks. "I'll be here when you wake, you did hire me for a job after all. Duty before pleasure they say." He sighed suddenly loathe to leave the warmth of the prince and the sheets. "Let them wonder which servant or noble finally caught your attention." He kissed the prince's forehead and hugged him tightly. "Just guard your tongue like I will guard your body." He released the prince and slid reluctantly out of bed and gathered up his clothes. He slipped through the side door to his rooms and into his much colder and lonelier bed.
Raven watched Otori go and wrapped his arms tight around himself feeling rather lonely again.He slipped from the quilts and over to a nightstand and slipped on some night clothes .Raven pulled his hair into a ponytail and walked over to the door that Otori had walked through and placed a hand on the door debating on opening it and going in.
Otori turned his head toward the door and listened to Raven move about. He more than wanted to go back and hold the prince until the sun rose, but he knew the folly of that. He draped his clothing and armor over the back of the chair and pulled out a small vial of pills.
He looked at the various colored shapes for a moment before dumping out two, one white and the other an ugly muddy brown and dry swallowed them. Both were necessary, one was to prevent any accidents as a result of his recent exercises, the other was to prevent certain signs of what he called the family curse from showing. He looked back at the door and sighed softly before climbing into bed. He hoped the prince would go back to bed before the second pill put him through his own private hell, and left him unable to move for a short period of time.
Raven heard Otori settle into bed and sighed walking away from the door and getting into his own bed.He settled down under the quilts and pulled them up to his chin as he laid there pondering what had happened earlier that evening.Raven smiled as he rolled over onto his side and closed his eyes "Good night Otori." He said ran a hand over the spot that the thief once laid in finding it still warm.A few moments later he started drifting off to sleep wanting morning to hurry up and arrive so he could see his thief again.
Otori listened as the prince went back to bed. "Night, Raven." He said softly. He enjoyed about 30 minutes of comfort and was drifting off to sleep when his nightly fight began. His body twitched as all his muscled jerked angrily pulling themselves into their rightful configuration. Sweat poured off of him and he whimpered slightly as the spell fought with his body. He managed to writhe off the bed and hit the floor with a dull thump and a muffled gasp. When he muscles ceased to stretch he curled up on himself and took the short breather until the medicine spell took effect and his body changed back to the one he was familiar with.
Raven woke early the next morning and crawled out of bed.He sighed as his muscles groaned in aggrivation "Sore." Raven muttered as he walked across the room and to the door that joined his room to Otori's. "Otori." He said as he knocked on the door.The prince waited for a few minutes and after getting no reply he opened the door and walked in.Raven noticed Otori lying on the floor appearing to be asleep and naked "Otori?" Raven said as he walked over to the man and then paused his features appeared different.The prince blinked and took a step back more from shock than anything "Otori are you alright?"
Otori's eyes flickered open when he heard Raven's voice. He tried to reach up and cover his ears but as soon as he moved, his body seized up and his muscles spasmed again pulling him back into his human form. "Please. . don't look at me." He hissed, it didnt take long for his body to change back but the pain lasted. He lay still for a moment then pushed himself slowly into a sitting position.
Raven stood there in more awe than anything "Half blood?" He said as he knelt down next to Otori "Why didnt you say something?" The prince asked as he reached a hand out and touched the mans cheek "You should have told me." Raven helped Otori up and over to the bed "Rest I will have someone bring you breakfast." He tilted his head a string of ebony hair falling loose from his ponytail and into his eyes "You look as if you have been trampled ." The prince grabbed a rope that hung from the ceiling next to Otori's bed and pulled it making a bell ring.He quickly covered Otori up so no one would see his naked state .A servant walked into the room and bowed "My prince what would you like?" Raven smiled at the woman "I would like my breakfast brought here and my guard is not feeling well bring his here also." The woman bowed "As you wish ." She hurried out of the room to get the food.
"I didn't want you to know. . anyone to know." He half closed his eyes and waited for the pain to fade. "I'm not so good as to be able to flaunt what I am, and how many half elfs do you see running around?" Otori looked away, ashamed of what he was and that someone knew his secret. He did feel better but he also felt like he'd been stripped nekkid and hung up in front of the auction house. "It's a worse stigma than just being a bastard child. I'm neither fish nor fowl."
Raven looked at Otori with kindness in his eyes "I will not tell anyone." He walked over to Otori and took a seat at the foot of the bed and patted his leg "Nothing to be ashamed of and yes I know very few half elves run around." Raven knew the fate of most half bloods usually they were drowned at birth even if they made it that far."But its like this though youre a rare find think of it that way." A huge grin plastered across the prince's face as he moved towards Otori giving him a kiss.Raven pulled back once he heard a knock at the door "Come in." He said and stood ."Breakfast." The servant said as she wheeled the carriage in that held the food ."Thank you, you may go." She bowed and left .Raven blushed as his stomach growled upon smelling the food "Well lets eat."
Otori looked up at the prince and tilted his head slightly to one side. He blushed a little at the compliment and looked away as the servant entered. One thing he had going for him is his change had left his skin pale and sweat streaked and the blush across his cheeks looked like nothing more than fever spots. The smell of food made him oddly famished and ravenous at the same time. He propped himself up and looked at all the food, smiling a little as the prince's stomach growled. "Rare find I might be, but the end result is still the same. If I don't hide I die."
Raven shoved a tart into his mouth and turned to look Otori looking like a chipmunk with full cheeks.He chewed his food as he took a seat on the bed again and swallowed "I know." he said with a sigh "Its not fair for you to have to hide but that is the way it is." Raven reached over for another tart revealing he had a rather large sweet tooth "But what I was coming to ask you earlier before I found you in such a state was if you wanted to go to the springs and get a bath ?" He popped the tart into his mouth as he looked at Otori.
Otori helped himself to the ham and meat, he didnt really see much of anything that was on the cart except the bread. His stomach growled audibly as he started to eat. He actually seemed to possess some manners, which was suprising considering his background. He found himself smiling at the way the prince ate. "As run down as I feel, a hot bath sounds heavenly."
Raven grinned "Good good." He said as he folded his hands into his lap "I thought that after last night a bath would do us both good." Raven blushed as he poured himself some milk "My muscles ache a bit the healing waters of the spring should remedy that ." He took a drink of milk as he looked over at Otori trying to figure out what he was thinking by reading his expression.
Otori reached for a tart and although he knew the prince was watching him, he allowed his face to show no expression other than his weariness and simple enjoyment of the food. He was debating about simply leaving off his pills. Not many people would expect the human thief was the half elven bodyguard of the prince. "You have a point, usually if I wanted to use the springs I had to sneak in."
Raven tilted his head giving Otori an open look "Well now you dont have to sneak you have my permission.My personal body guards do get some certain perks." A mischievious grin came across the princes face as he gave Otori a certain look "Anyway." He said as he got up and dusted the crumbs off of his night clothes "Im going to grab my things and get ready to go to the springs finish up with breakfast and we will be on our way." Raven walked to the door that seperated Otori's room from his and stood in the doorway "Remember your promise to me about letting me spread my wings." He said with a child like expression of joy on his face "It sounds like it will be fun." Raven turned and walked into his room to gather his things.
Otori smiled and hastily stuffed himself with what he could, manners forgotten. He slipped out of bed and pulled on his clothes and fastening his belt over his tunic. He found it rather odd that all he owned, he carried around with him, other than a few things too heavy or valuble to him that he kept with a moogle. Most of what he laid his hands on if it wasnt edible or immediately useful he turned it into ready cash. He was ready to go anywhere, even into hiding with no notice to anyone.
Raven pulled on a dressing robe over his night clothes and grabbed some clothing to change into after the bath.He fingered the hat he loved so much and stroked the feather that protruded from it "If father only knew he would tan my hide." He muttered and placed it on top of the rest on his clothes in the bag and tied it off.Raven slung it over his shoulder as he walked over to the door.He leaned on the door frame "Ready?" He asked as he brushed some hair from his face "Lets go to town after this."
"Hai." Otori looked up from stuffing some of the perishables into a makeshift bag. He wasn't intending to eat or steal all of it, merely to do what he usually did when gifted with an excess of perishable food. He was going to share it with children and some few grownups. It was a useful way to obtain information and early warnings, Children often saw more than they let on and tended to stay bought once they got over their suspicions. Others might think he was soft, but few seemed to learn what he knew with his network of street urchins.
Raven smiled as he adjusted his bag "Alright ." He said as he headed out into the main hall and down the elaborate hall way to the exit of the castle .
Raven stepped out onto the cobble stone path way that led down to the springs.He took a deep breath enojying the smell of the flowers that grew along the path "Always liked this area its peaceful and quiet." He said as he continued to walk "All the trees and the flowers.I always hate to see winter come because I cant use the springs then." Raven entered the area where the springs were and pointed to a rather large tree "I fell from that tree as a child and broke my arm." Raven laughed as he approached the spring and settled his belongings on the ground and began to undress.The robe and night clothes slipped from his body and hit the ground with out a sound."Feels so good." He said as he lowered his body into the water and dunked his head under getting his hair soaked "Come in." Raven motioned to Otori.
"This tree?" He asked. He set his makeshift bundle where it was well out of the way of any accidental splashes and undressed. The tree was one he used routinely to get into the springs. Quick as a thought he was up it and swinging from a branch that overhung the water, before dropping into the spring. He laughed as he resurfaced and half swam half waded over to Raven. He settled within arms length and rested his head on the low ledge surrounding the pool, letting the heat leach the aches from his body. "The spring stays hot year round correct?"
Raven nodded "But I rather hate the cold." He stretched out in the water and closed his eyes " Getting hot then getting suddenly cold not my favorite thing to do." Raven swam towards Otori "I rather stay warm." Dark eyes landed on blue and then scanned the area quickly before returning to Otori "I know you like it too." He said with a snicker and leaned over givng the thief a kiss.The prince pulled back and swam towards the other side of the spring "So whats on the agenda today?"
Otori looked suprised at Raven's forwardness, he was half tempted to swim after the prince and return the favor. If he did that their outing would be delayed. "Well, I brought some bribes for my little mob. You might as well let them get a feel for you. After that we can go wherever suits your highnesses fancy. My one request is that if I stop you from going somewhere or doing something, dont question me and do as I say. You can be angry about it later and I will explain it later."
Raven sighed "Alright I will do as you see fit." He climbed out of the water and twisted his hair until all the water dripped out of it "Wont be as much fun but I can live with that." He said with his back to Otori as he began to braid his hair "I brought some clothing that no one will recognize me in.No one knows I even have it let alone know I even studied for it." He pulled out his undergarments and pulled them on "Might even surprise you." Raven said with a laugh as he pulled on the red and black leggings "Its a terrible secret I keep hidden from my family." He pulled on a pair of red boots and then the red and black tunic."My father would throttle me." Raven pulled on some glove and then the hat making sure his hair was tucked underneath it.The hat covered a good portion of his face because of the way it was tilted.Raven shoved his other clothing into the bag and straped on his sword "When they find out good chanced I will be banished."
Otori climbed out of the pool or started to, then froze when he saw Raven's distinctive armor. "A Red Mage needs a Thief for a body guard?" He laughed sharply and climbed the rest of the way out of the pool and abruptly vanished. He looked around quickly for a moment then abruptly darted silently over to Raven and grabbed him pulling him swiftly if gently backwards and giving him a deep kiss."Gotcha." He said when he pulled back and held onto Raven just long enough to let him regain his balance even as he liberated the elf of his hat, holding it out of sight while holding him.
Raven blinked for a moment as Otori grabbed him and began to kiss.His eyes closed as he kissed Otori back groaning as he did so but pulled back as he felt his hat be taken from his head and the wet braid fall down and hit his back "Hey give that back." Raven said as he stared into Otoris eyes "Thats my hat you little thief." He said trying to snatch it back "Dont make me heat you up in a way you dont like ." he said in warning.
Otori smirked and placed Raven's hat on his head, and did something that made his outline shimmer and grow indistinct. He walked over and began to pull his clothes on. "It was your hat." He laughed, "If you want your hat back come get it." He fastened his chest armor on that left very little to the imagination. It actually made his hair look redder than it was, almost as bright as what color it had been when Raven had found him earlier.
Raven raised a brow and raised his hand casting a binding spell on Otori and strolled over to Otori taking his time to get there knowing the man couldnt run away and plucked the hat from his head and placed it back on to his own.He bowed slightly to Otori "Thank you very much kind sir for returning my hat to me greatly appreciate it." Raven pressed himself to Otori and gave him a long deep kiss. After a few moments he pulled back "Take that as a token of my gratitude ." He said smiling.
Otori growled and struggled uselessly against the binding spell. He moaned softly and kissed Raven back and slid his hands around the elf. When the prince pulled back, Otori had his wallet concealed up one sleeve. He gave Raven a mischevious grin. "I'll take that, and this as well." He flipped the wallet neatly up into the air and caught it again, and made a show of looking through it."
Raven laughed "Take it I dont have nothing but a few gil in it I left most of my money in a safer spot than my wallet." His eyes sparkled as he looked at Otori for once in his life he didnt have to pretend to be perfect and was happy for it.Raven tucked his hair under his hat "Are we going to go see your friends or are we going to stand here and flirt all day?" He asked as he raised a gloved hand and touched his lovers face "We could just go back to my room if you wish."
Otori looked thoughtful for a moment and handed Raven back his wallet. "It'd be a waste of food, if we didn't go. And I promised you I would take you. Besides if you want to do that, I have somewhere we can go where there aren't any servants to tell tales." He tied his headband around his head to keep his bangs out of his eyes, and reached for the bag of food. "Take your spell off and lets go.Before I decide to do more than flirt." He laughed .
Raven smiled and waved his hand removing the spell "Would that be such a bad thing? Do more than flirt?" He smiled as straightened his hat "Honestly I wouldnt object and I dont think you would either.I think I have found something better than sweets I have become addicted to." Dark eyes moved over to Otori and scanned his whole body "Definetly better than sweets and less fattening." Raven said as he bowed "After you lead the way."
Otori blushed almost as red as his harness. "Well, if you are addicted to it, you dont have to worry about your sweets." He said and led Raven on a random seeming way out of the grounds and onto the street. The confident way that he moved said that he'd done this even in broad daylight more than once or twice. He walked down the street as if he was on an errand and nothing was out of the ordinary, taking a side alley that led out to an area less than a city block away and a drastically different social class. "Keep your hand near your sword and for heavens sake dont gawk or try to stare anyone down."
Raven nodded as he flexed his sword hand getting it ready "This is where the children you take care of play?" He asked looking around curiously "Not such a safe place." He muttered "They orphans?" He asked as he weaved through the crowd. A sad look came across his face thinking about children without parents he wasnt foolish he knew it happened but didnt mean he had to like it "Wait ." Raven said to Otori as he stopped at a vendor who was selling food.He pointed out what he wanted and had them bundle it for him and paid to woman.He walked up to Otori and took his hand placing the parcel in his palm "Cookies." Raven smiled "Those are from me to them."
Otori took the packet with a smile and put a few fingers to his lips producing a shrill if somewhat silly sounding whistle. He walked over to halfway clean doorstep and settled down onto it. He didn't act as if anything was strange about what he was doing. "No, they aren't orphans, at least not most of them. And mostly they don't play, if you gave them toys they would sell them for more useful things, like food and keeping themselves warm in winter and under shelter at night. Life here you learn to grow up fast." He parceled out the food efficeintly making sure all his 'children' got food and a cookie. He had to laugh at some of the things they whispered to him before they took their food and darted off to find a safe place to eat what might be their only meal that day. There was still plenty of food left in his bag when the children had taken their shares and scattered. He gave Raven a symapthetic stare as the children gave the elf suspicious looks and the look of shock and pity on Raven's face. "You shouldn't pity them, they won't thank you for it. And it draws attention of the wrong sort." He wasn't trying to be rude but he was telling the simple truth. He stopped at the door of a run down home with the windows covered in paper and half rotted boards. "Miranda, it's me. . open up." There was a clatter of locks being slid back and an old woman whose face was a mass of wrinkles peer cautiously out at him, before she gasped and the door opened wide. With suprising strength, the old woman grabbed his arm and yanked him inside barely allowing Raven time to enter before she slammed the door shut.
Raven blinked as he looked at Otori "I dont mean too." he said quietly as he slipped a mask of indifference onto his face as he followed the man "I love kids ." He whispered "But I wont have any so I tend to spoil random ones rotten its habit." Raven stood behind Otori as he knocked on the door.He glanced around at the condition of the house and was surprised it was able to stand.He tilted his head as he looked at the older lady that opened the door and looked a bit shocked as Otori was pulled inside.He made sure he darted inside before the lady slammed the door shut.Dark eyes scanned the room taking in the area as he stood there quietly barely looking as if he was breathing he stood so still."Otori who is this?" He asked as the emotionless mask slipped over his face.
"It's okay Raven." He dropped to one knee and hugged the woman like she was a grandmother or his own mother. "I was worried about you." She said and drew a hand back to slap him a stinging blow across the cheek. "I heard you'd been caught on one of your stupid jobs! What's a poor old woman supposed to think?" Otori dropped his gaze to the floor and sighed, not seeming to react much as the old woman scolded him and slapped him. He waited until she was done and raised his head to look at her. "I brought this for you and the little ones." The old woman sniffed and struck him again even as she took the bag. "Stolen, I'd wager. Why cant you get a respectable job? I worry that one of these days you will go out and not come back, then what will happen to us?!" Otori sighed and shook his head. "I know you will do fine, its been taken care of." The woman slapped him again and stormed off. Otori shook his head and looked askance at the prince. "Sometimes she gets this way. She's much too old for her blows to hurt unless you are a mite." He rose and headed toward the door, "Well, errands are run, what would you like to see?"
Raven moved the gloved hand that he was using to hide his laughing ."Anywhere is fine." He said with a chuckle "Dont know she looked like she smacked you a good one." His gloved hand touched Otori's cheek and leaned over placing a kiss on the red mark there "Now all better." Raven said with a laugh "As for healing your ego from getting beat up from that lady I dont know how to cure." Raven walked out the door and stood on the stoop waiting on Otori.He watched the kids that Otori had given the food too staring at him .Raven just looked right back not showing pity or sorrow just a look "Do they play games?" he asked quietly.
Otori looked at them and saw some of them giggle and run off, only to return by an entirely different route and continue to watch. "To the younger ones, this is a game. To the older ones its a life lesson learned." He headed up the street to a tavern he knew he could get decent food and beer at. "Play is for when your stomach is full and your next meal is only hours instead of days away." Otori's gaze flicked suddenly to one side and he froze for half a step, before he continued on his way acting as if he hadn't noticed anything out of the ordinary. Less than a minute later a small group of half grown kids swarmed out of everywhere and pulled him to the ground. They were a mix of humes, catgirls, a few halflings and even a galka and a lone elven girl. The didn't seemed to be armed or coordinated but soon they sorted themselves out and each child held one of Otori's limbs pinned to the ground while a halfling sat on his chest with a look that was a stern look warring with childlike glee on his little face. "We got you, fair and square. We get your treasure." Otori looked at them and mock growled. "Never! you'll have to torture me to get me to tell you."
"You asked for it," One of the catgirls said and they all bent to tickling him until he went red in the face. "All right! have mercy, I'll talk." He caught his breath as the children fell back. Otori jerked his head at Raven. "He has it."
Raven blinked "I have what?!" he started to step back away from the kids and Otori "I will get you for this Otori ." He said as he stared at the kids "He lies he has it hidden in his trousers." Raven said with a smirk "Hold him there and I will get it out for you." He gave a wink to the prone Otori .Raven knelt down and dug into one of his pockets and pulled out a second bundle of cookies "Sweets best treasure in the world." He began to divide it up amongst the kids ."As for payment for my treasure continue the tickle torture on Otori I am enjoying his suffering."
Otori blinked at Raven and then quickly if gently, freed himself from the children. "Let's save that for later. Finish those and go help Miranda. I think she's over her slapping quota for the day." One of the catgirls tugged on his hand and handed him a bottle of muddy brown pills. "Mr.Tammas said to give you these. If he gave them to Momma Miranda she'd throw them away. He said you are sick. Are you going to be ok?" She looked worried and for a moment all the kids looked at him, waiting for an answer. "I'll be fine, it's just a tiny little cold."
Raven looked at Otori and took note how easy it was for him to lie.Doubts started to run through his mind and he shook his head clearing them away .Raven looked away from Otori with a look of irratation on his face "He will be fine I will make sure of it." He muttered "Now go on home before it gets late and make sure you get your sweets and fill your belly full." He adjusted his hat so no one could see the dark look in his eyes "Otori pocket your meds and lets go grab something to eat I am half starved."
Otori ruffled the catgirl's ears and the children scattered. He slid the pills into a pocket and looked at Raven noting the hint of anger in his voice. He sighed and led the way to the best, if seediest looking tavern in the district. "It may not look like much but at least the food came from what it's claimed to be and he drinks aren't watered down." He didnt mention it also had a reputation He stepped inside and glanced around breifly and then after a pointed glance at a few humans, his usual table magically emptied itself. Otori went over and dropped lightly onto one bench and ordered two shepard's pies and ale for two.
Raven sat down at the table and took off his hat sitting it by his right hand."Not proper to eat supper with a hat on." He said as he stretched and looked around the room at the people "Looks like everyone who passes through stops here to eat ." Raven said trying to make small talk until their dinner got there.He cocked his head to the side and looked at Otori not able to hold his tongue any longer "Easy for lies to pass your lips isnt it? Why did you tell her you were sick ? Youre the farthest thing from being ill."
Otori gave Raven a sharp look. "What do you expect me to tell her? You saw what happens if I dont take them. You know what would happen if I didn't." He said in a harsh whisper leaning over the table slightly. "How would you explain that to someone so young?!" He dropped back just as the tavern's best looking wench brought over their food and her eyes went first to Otori then speculatively over to Raven. She smiled as she made certain the elf got a good view of her best features. "If you need anything else just let me know." She said and hurried off to wait on more customers.
Raven blinked as he looked at the wench and then back to Otori "Could she be more forward ?" He asked as he rolled his eyes "I dont know Im usually honest so lying is hard for me." Raven said as he picked up a fork and began to poke his food with it "I was just wondering if it was that easy to lie to a child then must be really easy to lie to an adult." He stabbed his food with the fork and took a bite of his food .Raven's eyes never left his plate as he ate "Sorry just food for thought ." He said as he reached over and picked up his drink.
Otori looked over at Raven and sighed, shaking his head before turning his attention to his food. The elf did have a point, much as he hated to admit it. That didn't give him any right to suggest that he lied to everyone. Usually when he lied it was because the truth would hurt far more, sometimes pyshically. He raised his head at the sound of raised voices as a group of people in the corner reached the stage of drunk that made them rude and belligerant. A few of them were dressed like nobility or weathy merchants and they had a few galka with them. He shuddered and looked away. Galka children he was all right with but grown ones just gave him the creeps. Part of it was from something he had blocked out and occasionally had nightmares about.
Raven turned his head and eyed the arguing men over his glass as he took a drink and sat the glass down."Whats their problem ?" He asked as he took another bite of food."If it wasnt for street urchins like you we wouldnt have streets flooded with rats stealing from our shops!" An elvaan with dark hair yelled and slammed his mug down on the table."Thats right !" Another said "If it wasnt for those damn brats running around we would actually make a profit." Raven narrowed his eyes but turned his attention back to his food he was already in a foul mood he didnt need to hear this crap to piss him off even more.
Otori frowned and kept a peripheral ear on the argument. "What are we supposed to do about it?" Rumbled one of the galka, whose white hair looked badly in need of a washing. "Their parents spend the daylight hours working for you." The other Galka grunted and the few humes with them looked more than ready to start something. One of the 'rats' unwisely chose that moment to dart in the door on a legitamate errand to one of the galka. He stopped when he saw the angry nobility and the look on his face said loads about what he thought of the nobles that came here. He delivered a slip of paper to the white haired galka and almost hid from sight behind him while he waited for a reply.
The elvaan that first started the argument growled "Look there is one now!" He said as he stormed around the table and grabbed the boy by the shirt collar dragging the boy towards the door "Get out you damned street rat!" He yelled but just as he was about to throw the boy out the door Raven threw out his hand while he finished off his glass of meade sending a strong wind that slammed it shut before he could "Public establishment he can stay." He muttered as he turned to his food."Who the hell do you think you are?!" the man snapped dropping the boy to the floor with a thump "Someone thats trying to eat dinner in peace and quiet " Raven said "So how about shutting the hell up." The man growled and began cursing Raven.The prince grew irrated and threw out his hand again casting a silence spell on him "Ahh much better ." Raven said as he tried to order another mug of meade.
Otori looked up in suprise at Raven's actions. He wasn't entirely suprised when the child came running over and scrambled under the table to hide behind him. "You do know what's going to happen next, dont you?" He asked and slid the rest of his pie over to the boy, and asked the tavern wench for a glass of cider or small beer for the child. He slid a hand off the table and there was a sharp click but he made no other movement.
Raven stood up with a pure look of anger on his face "No one hurts a child around me." he said stomping over to the man to stare him down.The man looked up at him and realized what he was and started to back up ."Oh please what are you going to do? More magic tricks? We do what we want around here you have no say warlock!" Raven's head snapped towards the other mans direction "Say what you want words have never killed anyone!" he snapped "But I will tell you this lay a hand on a child or anyone else that has done no wrong and I am liable to give you a permanent grin from ear to ear." The noble that Raven had made a fool of earlier decided to jump Raven while his back was turned knocking the prince face first into a table.
"Stay here kid." Otori muttered and vanished reappearing behind the noble that jumped Raven and dropping him to the floor with a well placed blow. "I can't help but think you didn't" he said and raised his fists up in a defensive position and faced the other two nobles. "I'm gonna have to pay for this," He complained under his breath. The white haired galka went over to the child while his 3 friends waited in tense silence to see what would happen next. "Can't back down now, Just tell me, you want them down, dead, or permanently dead?" He asked casually as he eyed the remaining nobles.
Raven stood up and wiped blood from his mouth and growled "Dont want them dead but a good ass kicking sounds damn nice right about now." He turned glared at one of the nobles and punched him square in the face knocking him flat on his ass."Get up!" Raven snapped as the man began to crawl backwards away from the angry elf "I said get up!" He yelled again as the man shook his head.Raven threw out his hand sending a fire spell at the noble setting his pants on fire "If you dont get up I will make you get up." Raven said as the man clammered to his feet and ran out of the tavern with the back of his trousers on fire screaming bloody murder.
Otori dropped his hands to his side and shook his head. He turned and saw the galka was speaking with the boy. The other noble followed the second out of the door. He sighed and dug the gil out of a pouch to pay for the food and damages and paid the tavernkeeper. "You don't really have any idea at all what you started." He said softly, a warning edge to his voice. "We're leaving."
Raven walked over to the table and grabbed his hat and pulled it onto his head "Fine by me." He muttered and stormed out the door and down the street.He grumbled to himself as he did so "What was I suppose to do just sit there and let a kid get thrown out on his ass and get hurt." Raven kicked a trash container knocking it over spilling garbage all along the ground "Damn it to hell Im never coming out to town again." He leaned against the stone wall of a shop and waited for Otori with his hat covering his dark eyes.
Otori emerged from the tavern a moment later and walked up to Raven. "Come with me." He said quietly and started off heading deeper into the slums and straight inside a building that was a ruin, only a few floors of what had been an immense mansion still standing. The human headed straight inside as if unaware of the buildings decrepit state. He ran lightly up a flight of stairs and onward into an almost dreary shadowed hallway. Oddly enough from the outside it appeared open to the elements but there was only the light from the windows here. Otori finally stopped in front of a suprisingly solid door, knocked on it in a random pattern and then shoved the door open. its hinges giving easily. Warm light pooled out into the hallway and he waited impatiently for the prince to catch up .
Raven followed Otori caustiously up the steps.He eyed the surroundings afraid they would collapse in on him at any minute "What are we doing here ?" Raven asked as he looked at Otori as he licked his cut lip "The place appears as if it will collapse if I sneeze or breathe to hard." He peered into the door way where Otori stood "I rather not stay here very long if you dont mind."
Otori sighed and placing a hand in the small of Raven's back shoved him into the room and closed and locked the door behind him. This room or rather set of rooms bore no resemblance to the structure they just passed through. "It's sturdier than it looks. I think the moogle had something to do with that." The room was bare stone in most places with a pile of cushions over in one corner where someone obviously slept and there were stands of armor gone dusty with disuse and boxes of things that appeared to have no apparent purpose. Otori slid the locks home and wedged the bar against the supports set into the stone of the door. He walked over and dropped onto the pile of cushions sending up a scent of dried lavender and fresh straw. "You don't have any idea what you just caused do you?" He asked and pulled out a fairly sizeable metal bound box. "Come here let me look at that."
Raven folded his amrs across his chest "I have a feeling I stirred up a hornets nest and does it look like I care?" He asked as he leaned against the wall next to the door."Honestly I could have killed those cretons it crossed my mind a few times." Raven licked his lip again "Im fine I dont need to be tended to like some woman." He said with a snort "Its just a cut no big deal I have had worse." He tilted his hat until it covered his eyes to prevent Otori from seeing the hurt in them.Yeah his feelings were hurt because it seemed like Otori treated him more like a child than anything else "Im not going to die dont worry."
Otori sighed and dropped down onto the cushions. "When I told you that I would bring you here, I told you to do as I said and ask why and argue later." He pointed out in something like exasperation. His limbs began to tingle slightly but he ignored it, figuring it was a result of the excitement and the repurcussions it would bring. "Tell me, what happens when a noble is denied something by someone of what he thinks of as lower status?"
Raven sighed "I would suppose they cut a fit kicking and crying to their mothers?" He asked sarcastically "What would you have liked for me to have done? Say oh Im the prince and if you touch that child I will have you in the tar and feathered?" He pulled his hat off and tossed it on a near by table "Im not like that I dont throw my weight around and I be damned if I am going to let a child get pushed around by a drunk arrogant noble!" he yelled pointing a finger at Otori "I didnt see you do anything to help the boy you just sat there doing nothing!"Raven hissed as his head began to hurt and he touched his froehead and felt a developing knot there "Sorry for not being like those nobles Im just not that way."
Otori turned his head to look at Raven. "There would have been a fight over it but it wouldn't have been our responisibility." His hands began to tremble but he ignored it. He turned his head back to the room behind him when he heard a squeak. A creature about the size of a small dog with long ears and three tails poked its head into the room. Then bounded around the room with all the energy of a puppy and stopped sniffing at Ravens boots. "He's safe Carby." Otori said and put a arm over his eyes. At the sound of his voice the little blue glowing creature bounded over and occupied itself with sniffing Otori's face and hands. "What's done is done. We'll just stay here for a bit, then slip out the back way."
Raven sat down on the table and folded his arms acros his chest "What ever." He muttered as he looked at Otori "Whats wrong with you? You get hurt or something?" Raven asked as he saw him start shaking.He turned his head and stared at the wall "Have you taken your medicine today?" He asked letting Otori know it was his turn to be treated like a child "Your illness and all you might want to take it before your cold gets worse."
Otori grunted and the Carbuncle curled up next to him.
"It's nothing, it happens every once and awhile." Carby lifted its head as a slight shudder ran through Otori's body. It squeaked and prodded the human with it's nose and began to glow softly as it cast something on it's master. It put it's front paws on Otori's chest and laid its head on them. His arms still shook slightly but the shakind seemed to ease slightly. "It's fine."
Raven looked at Otori a look of worry crossed his face "Are you ok?" He asked as he got up from the table and walked over to him touching his face."You dont look good love." Raven bit his lip at what he just said hoping Otori didnt pay any mind to the slip he just made "Maybe I should go find a healer and bring them here?"Raven said as he brushed some hair out Otori's face "Do you want me to?"
"No. . it's fine. Just give me a bit." He gave a slight hissing intake of breath and sweat sprang out on his arms and what little of his shin was visible under the harness. He raised shaking hands to the straps that held the harness in place and after a few fumbling attempts managed to unfasten it and pulled is off over his head. "Not now." He muttered to himself and rolled onto his side and drew his hands across his chest. In a short while his skin was drenched in sweat and something was slightly disturbing about the way he looked. It was like he was being stretched slightly. Carby squeaked and darted around to his face and started licking at it.
Raven sat there with his legs folded under him and watched Otori with interest "Its starting isnt it?" He asked as he wiped some sweat off of the thiefs brow .Raven sighed he didnt know what to do other than to stay where he was and try to comfort him as best he could "You want me to get you anything? A drink maybe? Would that help?" He asked as he sat there next to Otori "I dont know how to help you , you will have to tell me what to do."
"I wouldn't be able to drink it." He said. His eyes half opened turning from their usual sky blue to a deep sapphire hue. He wanted to be held at the same time as he wanted to suffer in peace. "It's too late to do anything." Carby raised its head to look at Raven and whimpered, giving it a hopeful look, as if expecting him to make its master better.
Raven gently pulled Otori's upper body into his lap and stroked his hair "Its ok it will pass soon enough."He smiled gently as he looked down into Otoris eyes "Why dont you just stop taking the meds and stay the way you were born.I wont let anyone hurt you I promise." Raven said as he leaned over and placed a kiss on Otori's lips "You look good either way ." He muttered as he sat back up .
Otori made a grimace as his features narrowed slightly and became more refined even as his ears seemed to grow. "I'm supposed to protect you. How can I do that if I'm that easy to spot? You won't be able to spread your wings." His hair took on a deeper and more brilliant shade of red. A final shudder ran through his body and he gasped then his body went limp. "I'm not sure what would happen if I stopped taking them."
Raven sat there and stared at Otori in awe he knew his mouth was wide open as he stared but he didnt care." Never know until you try." He muttered as he continued to stare.'If Otori wasnt sick right now.' Raven thought to himself as he closed his and inwardly groaned "Dont worry about me worry about yourself for right now." He said quietly as he stroked Otori's hair "Besides honestly if I have to I am very capable of taking care myself to an extent." Raven said with a smile " But staying sick like this to hide who you are isnt really worth it now is it?" He asked as he looked away from Otori before he got anymore ideas running in his head.
"I have no choice." He whispered as his overstressed body pulled him into sleep. "I'm a curse as most of you see it." His eyes slid closed as he lost his grip on coherancy. Carbuncle squeaked and butted it's head against Otori before curling up next to Raven.
Raven sighed "I dont see you that way." He whispered and pulled Otori tight against him giving him a hug "Im scared Im falling in love with you." Raven whispered and placed a kiss on Otori's lips "Get some rest I have to leave soon or my father will be sending the guards out to look for me."
Even asleep his cheeks reddened slightly and he nuzzled against Raven's chest. His tense muscles seemed to relax against Raven's warmth.
Raven adjusted him onto the pile of pillows and found a blanket to cover him up with.He placed a kiss on Otori's lips ''Get some sleep." He whispered as he stood up and walked over to the table and pulled his hat on.Raven looked back over his shoulder at Otori for second before moving over to unlock the door and creeping outside he shut it quietly before heading off towards home.
There was a soft glow from behind him as the Carbuncle walked through the door and squeaked reproachfully at Raven. It stared at him with mild brown eyes as it stopped a few feet away from him. It did nothing more than stand there and stare up at him.
Raven knelt down and scratched Carby behind the ear "Watch over Otori for me I have to go home." He stood up and began to walk down the stairs slowly still afraid they were going to fall down if he breathed to hard "I will be ok ." He said as he exited the building and started down the street.
Carby followed him like a stray animal not making any effort to hide itself. It squeaked whenever Raven looked at it but was otherwise silent, not even paying any mind to the various children who offered it treats or tried to pet it.