Run, Don't Look Back (Open to All)

[Craig Jamerson]

Salt stained the air and the blood mingled with sweat as it leaked into the corner of Craig's mouth. He grimaced, willing it to not be there but not moving to wipe it off. He was on a ship of antiquity; wooden planks, large sails, even a spoked wheel to guide the caravel. It was truly a remarkable vessel and Craig would have liked to spend more time evaluating it if not for the vicious storm he found himself in. Water thrashed at the expeditionary ship and rain came hard on his face. More impossible to ignore was the awful swaying of the ship. It was rocking back and forth, back and forth.
The rocking seemed as if it would never end and the taste of blood continued to pervade his taste buds so intrusively that he finally decided to remove it. Unfortunately, he couldn't seem to move his limbs. His eyes bolted wide and he screamed.

A slight pushing sound came from the unconscious being's throat before he came to, screaming bloody murder. He sat up suddenly, eyes wide as he did so before stopping abruptly. His eyes flitted about briefly as he was clearly wondering where he happened to be. PAIN. Craig thought when he suddenly doubled over while clenching his ribs and stomach. Something hurt very bad and he anticipated cracked ribs and major bruising. Probably nothing completely life-threatening, but a hinderance to be sure. His brow furrowed as his face broke out in a cold sweat and he began shivering.

Craig's attention was splintered again as he became suddenly aware of another by his side. He pushed himself away from the unidentified figure quickly as he spun his head to see who it might be. The girl. He managed to think before he grunted in pain at the sudden movement. "Nngh!!" Pain was something he hadn't typically had to deal with and this stabbing in his abdomen was awful. Breathing as softly as he could, though still raggedly, the man hoisted his head to look at the girl. With teeth partly clenched, he forced the inquiries, "Where are we?" and "What the hell happened?" out in between small, tender gasps of breath.

[Adelaide Bernadette]

His sudden arise started even the shifter herself. His screams of pain reached her ears as she leaped up while dropping the washcloth into the bucket, causing water to splash onto the floor.

Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion for her. His moving away from her, her reaching out to hold him down, her healing trying to kick in. Everything too slow.

Hush deary, you're safe. Just, please, relax." Her voice, sounding more panicked over his well being, came out rushed and out of breath. She was still trying to calm herself down from all that had occurred.

A grunt passed her lips as she tried to hold him down, for she could feel bones beneath his flesh that indicated breaking.

"I'm so sorry, but I can't hold back. This will hurt." She bit her bottom lip hard, for she wasn't talking to him, but herself. She would push herself harder in order to help heal him. Her body, already tired and ready to collapse, pushed the healing further causing it to flood into his system and along his bones. Her panting came out harsh as sweat seemed to drip from her forehead.

This really was wearing her out, for after that small push, he felt bones within him begin to pop into place and her eyes to close.

[Craig Jamerson]

The woman comforted him (poorly... her voice was practically shaking itself) and begged him to relax. He tried to, knowing it would be unwise to aggravate his wounds through strenuous movement but found it very difficult to do. When she began to apologize, he was confused; irrationally afraid she might be about to finish him off and that he'd chosen the wrong gamble in the fight he'd gotten out of. Her promise of pain further cultivated distrust and he began to protest when a heat rushed through his very veins. Uncertain whether it was something to be dreaded or appreciated, Craig decided he didn't have much choice in the matter as he could hardly run. He would have to hope for the best. The warmth coursed down his legs and into his feet and upwards to the top of his skull before doubling back and gaining heat along his ribcage and navel. It was almost a burning sensation and was rather worrisome as the momentum of the swirling heat increased, concentrated still.

Suddenly, he heard a series of crunching, popping noises from within his belly and he let a loud grunt out through his grimacing visage as his ribs re-aligned. "Are you trying to kill me?!" he demanded with a pained wheeze. "And what was that all about?" he inquired further, seemingly having decided that his first question was simply not enough information. Maybe she could tell him something...

[Adelaide Bernadette]

Her eyes shot open, glaring down at him as she stood. She was running on low energy, and was now cranky from lack of sleep.

"Do you not know how to shut up? My goodness, you talk more than a child does." She sighed and rubbed her forehead, looking away for a split second.

"I'm sorry, just...tired. You took a bit of energy out of me." Looking down at the human, she offered a small smile, as well as a hand. "Like I said, you're safe. If I were to try and kill you, I would have left you in your destroyed car, yet I brought you here. If I were wanting to kill you, I would have eaten you when changed, instead I was protecting you from those men. So don't ask me if I'm trying to kill you, when you yourself already know the answer."

Huffing slightly, she wobbled her way to the small open kitchen near. "As for your second question, that might need some food in our stomach and a comfy cushion to sit upon. Are you hungry?" She looked back at him, allowing him to see her fully. She was tired, for the bags under her eyes gave that away clearly. She only wished he would come to an agreement and accept her offer of food, for she only wished to sit down and close her eyes once more.

[Craig Jamerson]

Craig was taken aback by her abruptness. She had suddenly become snappy at him... like he didn't have good reason to be asking questions. "I'm sorry, just...tired. You took a bit of energy out of me," the woman offered as recompense and explained that it was quite obvious he had no reason to fear death from her. It was reasonable, sure, but at the same time, hostages and people used for bartering were not usually killed either.

She offered him food, refusing to answer his second question for now. Craig's face turned into a slight frown and he shook his head once. "No, I'm not hungry, I'd rather prefer to know what's going on." He reclined into the sofa, trying to relax himself. His side was sore still from all the action but he was feeling entirely better than he had been only minutes ago. "How did you do that?" He questioned.

[Adelaide Bernadette]

His hesitation was normal for her, seeing she grew up around hesitation constantly. Nodding to his answer, she herself dug into the fridge and pulled out a jar of jelly. A peanut butter and jelly sandwich sounded amazing, and her stomach agreed full heartedly.

The loud grumble from her tummy gave away her desperate attempt to eat as her shaky hands pulled out two slices of bread, along with the peanut butter from the cabinet above the stove. She knew this place pretty well, for they were related to her mother in some way, she forgot how though. Did they know of her? Of course not. All they knew was a monster came out of their cousin, sister, whatever she was to them, and ended up killing her to pieces.

Pish posh. To think, her own descendant family believed she was a monster, how sickening. Pulling open a drawer, Adelaide reached down and pulled out a butter knife and yanked open. Her shakiness was getting worse as her stomach protested again. Grumbling under her breath, she worked quickly to get her masterpiece created and to be devoured down into her tummy.

"I'll answer your question, just...give me a minute. I know you don't want to wait, but...I need food." Heck, her shakiness could clearly show she needed some form of sugar within her. Some form of food in all.

With quickness, she worked fast on spreading the ingredients over the bread and pushing the two pieces together. Licking her lips, she ate hungrily. The taste was amazing, for she had to lean against the island just to hold herself up while eating her delicious food.

Half way through, she found his eyes and cleared her throat, containing herself and making her way, along with her sandwich, to the couch opposite of the one he sat on and sat down. Her eyes, once dull and worried for his sake, now shone to life due to the newly found sugar and energy within her.

Clearing her throat once more, she looked up at him, for she was quite short, even when sitting. "That, dear, is called healing. Tends to help when you're hurt, like your broken bones. And before I forget, I saved your contraption. It's on the island waiting for you. Not wet, dusty, damaged. Nothing. In perfect, or what condition it was in when I found yourself and it."

Looking towards it, she shrugged. "You mentioned you wanted to know what was going on, right?" Taking another bite of her sandwich, she chewed while she waited for his response.

[Craig Jamerson]

Craig waited patiently for her to finish making her food in the other room and decided to use this time to process some of the information he'd acquired over the brief period of time that everything had happened in. She was clearly not Human. Nor was she a Draconian or Dragon from what he knew of the two species. Yet another species makes an appearance, he mused. It was rather amazing to him that another sentient species could exist on this planet without Humans knowing... let alone two.

Let alone three.

He pondered at what she might be. She could transform into a cat-creature, that was certain. Could she transform into anything else? She could also apparently heal; a very useful skill to have. He wondered what else she might be able to do briefly before deciding it was a tangent that was irrelevant. Much more important to focus on the facts to extrapolate more information about his situation. It was then that she returned and confirmed his suspicions about her being able to heal and informed him that his laptop was safe and sound. It seemed she may be grateful.

Grunting at the effort, Craig pushed himself into a sitting position slowly. "Of course I would like to know what's going on," the man said, feeling a bit like a broken record. Maybe she needed more prompting. "To start off, you could tell me what was with the guys with guns. Then you could tell me where you are. From there you have the choice of what are you, who are you, why you carried me here, or what your plans are now." He half-smiled briefly before adding, "Don't worry, I'll wait."

[Adelaide Bernadette]

She smiled at his enthusiasm, even if it did sound a bit...smartassish. She chewed her food slowly, thinking of the answers he wanted to his questions.

For one, he wanted to know about the men and guns. That would require her to tell him of her shifting, and that she happened to be an elder all in one. If he could handle her shifting into a tiger, what makes her think he could handle all of the extra information?

Hmm, what is she? A human...well, more human than most supernaturals. A female. A shifter. An elder.

Who is she? Well, she already silently answered that.

Why she carried him there? To save him of course. Obviously. Was he so dumb he couldn't see that?

Her plans now...? That one question stumped her, for she only wanted answers to her own questions.

Sighing, she cleared her throat and looked towards Craig.

"My name is Adelaide Bernadette, but please just call me Ade. I am a tattooist, and a proud one at that. There's really no point in keeping any information from you, since you already saw me shift. I am a shifter, one that can 'shift' in different forms. I brought you here since I, well...you came back after seeing me as something else... No one has done that before, and I felt that someone so less judgemental shouldn't have to die due to me and my stupidity."

Looking out the window, she sighed once more. The sparkle in her eye left as the next question came to mind.

"Those...men. They're hunters. They hunt my kind, and well, all other kinds as far as I know. I went for a run, thinking it was safe. It was far out and I couldn't smell anything around." She stood up and walked over to a window. "I was taught to stay away from people. 'Never get caught' is what I was raised to do. However...it was misty and the scents were all mixed together. They caught me while I was resting... almost killing me right then and there."

Looking over at him, she smiled softly. "Thank goodness I'm quick on my feet." Shaking her head, she focused on the story. "Anyways, the entire trip went on until I came up to you. I honestly thought you would run from fear that I might be crazy as to being naked." She shrugged and smiled, looking towards Craig with a chuckle coming out of her lips.

Looking away slightly, she ran a hand through her hair. "About those plans...well, I'd rather not say since I barely know you. It's a bit...personal. No offense." She looked towards him and shrugged, mouthing a sorry before sitting back in the chair and awaiting for his answer.

She wouldn't be surprised if he was so surprised from the information, he went into shock.

She had just welcomed him into the realm of the shifting life after all.

[Craig Jamerson]

Craig folded his hands together, twining his fingers, as she cleared her throat and began by introducing herself. She then described herself as a Shifter, seemingly a similar being to those "Shapeshifters" he'd seen in old movies like Star Trek and such. Also, evidently he was the first to not view her as a freak of nature and run away. Not surprising, really. He probably would have if not for his already being familiarized with sentient non-Humans. The only reason he hadn't run away that time was because a Dragon would've eaten him whole. Once you get past the initial shock, though, it's not too bad, he noted.

She then explained the guys with guns, calling them Hunters. Seemed they have a vendetta against supernatural creatures. He nodded, indicating he understood what she was saying and she divulged that she had personal matters to attend to. He couldn't resist a slight crack in his face as a smile twinged the corners of his mouth. So she didn't intend to kill him. Wonderful.

She was apparently finished and he looked about, considering what she'd said. No reason not to believe it... not after she'd proven it so vividly to him. He looked her over. More than met the eye, for sure. But it explained her vivid appearance. She'd probably had a rather crazy childhood and adolescence compared to him. He considered her behavior. She was obviously not used to being aided and she was particularly sensitive to his actions of assistance, it seemed. Perhaps this would be a good time to try and get further with her. Not sexually, but emotionally. If nothing else, he would love a sample of her blood. To do so, he'd have to find the right phrase to reply with before speaking... otherwise the moment could very well be lost forever and the opportunity squandered. He sat there, eyes down and hands still clasped, presumably thinking about what she'd said as he debated what to say for maximum effect. Something simple... something reassuring. Something to make him a relief in her life. Something like...

He kept his eyes to the floor and spoke softly, but loud enough for her to hear him. "You're not crazy, you know." He said simply. He slowly pulled his eyes up to meet her own. "You're really not. In fact, you're very sensible and intelligent." He sighed a sad sigh and his eyes fell to the side. "I wish you could trust me enough for us to be friends but," his brown eyes found her face again, "You've clearly been hurt." A melancholy smile crossed his face and he continued, "I'm sorry for the pain my people have caused you. I would never attempt to cause you anguish." He offered her a weak, useless apology, but with any luck she would be quick to assure him that he was a fine Human, cementing the thought in her own mind. Just maybe, he would get another sample.

[Adelaide Bernadette]

His words surprised her, for she hadn't expected that kind of response from all that she had told him first. Looking over at him, she offered a soft smile.

"Your words are nice, but not necessary. I know I'm not crazy, but being told I'm not helps more." She flashed a smile before looking out the window.

"I can already tell you're not like others. You had, after all, come back to help a stranger that changed into a tiger before you." Giggling to herself, she stood up and walked to the window.

"Maybe in time, being friends I mean. Who knows, I sure can't tell the future. Can you?" Looking over at him, she raised an eyebrow. Making her way back to her seat, she plopped on down and relaxed. Before she could really settle, she pulled herself from the chair and made her way to the kitchen only to pull out a pepsi and slip back into the chair.

The sizzle of the drink could be heard as she pulled the cap off. Taking a quick sip, she swallowed before turning her eyes back onto Craig.

"But with this rate, I can assume we could possibly be friends. Or at least, I can only hope for such."

((Sorry it's late. Wasn't too sure on what to say.))

[Craig Jamerson]

Craig watched her reaction carefully, though he attempted to be ambivalent to the matter. A small smile flashed her face and he 'knew' he'd hit a good note with her. She set him off-balance with her first words, making him wonder if he'd actually said the right things, but as she spoke at the frosty panes, he thought his initial analysis confirmed.

He watched her pace to the thin, glassy shield protecting them from the outside world and listened carefully to what she had to say. He didn't want to mess up now. "Maybe in time, being friends I mean. Who knows, I sure can't tell the future. Can you?" the woman asked him, likely rhetorically. He smiled at the joke, shrugging at his lack of success in reading the future. Adelaide said nothing in reply, preferring to walk to the kitchen and grab a familiar Pepsi drink from the refrigerator.

"But with this rate, I can assume we could possibly be friends. Or at least, I can only hope for such." She suggested after she returned. Craig nodded appropriately (he hoped) and replied solemnly. "What do you do to survive? Live in the woods like a gypsy? Or perhaps you live like Robin Hood?" Craig failed to surpress a chuckle at the image of a blue, female Robin hood swooping on a vine to attack a oligarchical armored vehicle, robbing the rich and giving to the poor. His humored eyes played about her face. Was this the right time to ask for a sample? Ah, but what excuse? What reason would suffice for such a thing. She hadn't revealed any needs or desires that would require one's blood samples. Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, he returned to the topic at hand. "I know you said you're a tattooist... so do you just live like any other Human in a city and just keep yourself as hidden as possible? I'm sure you don't stay in one place too long, anyways." He hesitated, wondering if what he'd said had been a bit harsh sounding. "What I mean is, it can't be safe for you to stay in one place with these Hunter folks, right?" Craig explained. He certainly didn't want to offend. Besides, this blood could be very helpful. Who knew, maybe it was the cure to some disease. The potential was nigh limitless. He leaned against the arm of the couch to hear her side of the conversation.

[Craig Jamerson]

Adelaide seems to be gone. Can we get this thread archived, I guess?