Fearful Alleys

[Weather]

ooc| I'm sorry, I couldn't resist, but I'll get her paged soon. XD



Fear, the word itself defined the Rivet who dwelled in the deserted, grimy alleyway. Beautiful this female was, but also bordering on paranoid; now she skittered across the cobblestone path without a sound, hoping not to be seen even though there was not another soul to be seen.

Perhaps it was her name which explained her irrational fear; Libitina, named for the goddess of burial and death. It was fitting, for the thing she feared most was indeed dying and lying in a coffin for all of eternity. Not that she didn't have more unusual phobias, she couldn't look at a human without flinching in fear, but death was a sickly, horrible obsession to her.

The wind toppled a few cans, causing a violent shiver to shake down her spine. Her earring, a prized possession, shook with her quaking body as she spied a rat.

"No doubt diseased," Libitina half whispered, half whimpered. She needed to leave the ground, she was too vulnerable here. With amazing agility she jumped upon a trash bag; for now she was safe. But she knew she couldn't stay on her perch for long. No, what she needed was company...a distraction of a sort.

[nicholos]

Built like a shadow and harder to catch, Cid slinks his way through the filth-ridden streets, tail twitching slowly like a furry boa behind him. His glittering blue eyes scan the sidewalk suspiciously, pupils sliding as if on ice.

He tiptoes to the corner of an ancient brick building, tosses a glance once more over his shoulder, and ducks into the adjacent alleyway. He sniffs hungrily, catching the scent of warm blood.

The unfortunate victim crosses into his view- a rat that doesn't have very long to live. Cid crouches with purpose, muscles coiling; he is a bullet in a pistol. Jaw agape he leaps, tearing into the rodent with excessive enthusiasm, bones crunching.
So immersed is he in his meal, he utterly fails to notice the alley's second resident.

[Weather]

Olive eyes immediately strike upon the newcomer; she wouldn't be who she was without the correct speed in her movements. But, unlike her new company, her movements were indecisive and nervous, not smooth as the other Rivet had already mastered.

Libitina gulps and large, anxious eyes search for an exit route, to find a way to desert this Rivet. With no visible escapes to be found, she decides silently on her mission: to stay quiet. He hadn't spotted her so far, who was to say that he ever would? As if to reassure herself, Libitina leans against the wall, as if trying to fold into it; to hide is her only means of protection.

Her plan--if it could even be called that, is foiled when the rat is attacked. At the sight of the collision a small, high pitched screech is released from her throat. Her eyes grow larger as blood seeps into the cracks in the road, and her head spins at the sound of bones crunching. The smell of death overtakes the alleyway and Libitina can't stand it, can't stand being in the same environment as the slain creature.

Body shaking like never before, the fragile Rivet bows her head tentatively to the male in respect, but then turns her back, thoughts swirling in her fearful mind.

[nicholos]

As Cid's belly slowly becomes full enough to grant his mind a ratio of the distributed energy, he finally starts to realize he is not alone. The all-too-satisfying scream of terror when he bit into his meal, the tingling feeling down his spine could only mean one thing...

Cid froze, snapping his head to the size with so much force you'd expect he'd have whiplash.
Before he can demand Who's there?!, her quivering form enters his sight and the question is no longer necessary.

Wow. How did he miss this one, with her exotic coat and lean form?
Cid reconsiders his entrance; not very suave. He seeks to regain his composure, standing from his meal, rubbing the side of his mouth with one artificial claw, kicking the rat's caracass behind him with another.

He smiles a gentlemanly smile, but his eyes still glitter with malice.
"Hello there," he says softly, "I'm sorry if I stole your dinner, angel, I just didn't see you there." His smile broadens, exposing the edges of sharp canids, "What's your name?"

[Weather]

Libitina hears, rather then sees, the male consume his fill of meat off the rat. Soon he would realize he wasn't alone, and hopefully he didn't believe she would steal his meal. He wouldn't have been more wrong if that was the case, Libitina was not one to do actual hunting, especially in the disgusting alleyways. No, she scavenges from forgotten meals, and sometimes fish when she could get it.

The moment of discovery comes unexpectedly, but Libitina only takes a silent step back as the male whips his neck to face her. It would help not at all to show the extent of her fear, and he didn't seem close to attacking her, what with his stomach already full.

Plus, she thinks glancing at the night sky above; I suppose I could outrun him, if the situation called for it. It was something she'd rather not do, but she couldn't well attack him unless she wished to embrace death.

His eyes, light with malice, takes her attention more than the charming smile; the eyes couldn't hide his true nature, just like her own olive eyes showed her scared disposition. "Hello sir," she speaks, turning around to face him. Her voice is light in tone, sing-song to underline the quake that was always present. "Oh no," Libitina chuckles and wraps her tail around her thin frame. Unsaid words hangs in the air, she rarely eats, thanks for her fear of becoming heavy.

A thin smile reaches her face but not her eyes, and she inclines her head slightly. "My name sir, is Libitina," she introduced. "And your own?" She asks, curious.

[nicholos]

OOC| Haha, I said snap his head to the size. *facepalms*

"My name is Cid," he nearly purrs, flicking one ear dismissively. "A small creature like you shouldn't be out back these alleys all by yourself, you know." He leans forward, a little uncomfortable with her height advantage on the trashbag. "It's dangerous." His eyes narrow slightly, and his smile erupts into a grin, toothy and entertained.

His look of intensity fades a bit and he takes a few steps back, giving a head gesture, encouraging her to come down from her litter podium.

"I know a good place to terrorize if you're interested. We could be partners." His eyes gauge her exits subtley. He manages to appear inquisitive, though the outcome is no question to him.

[Weather]

ooc| XD That's okay, I didn't notice.

"Cid," she nods, her eyes never leaving the male's face. "Pleasure to meet you," she says politely, and at his comment laughs softly, a sound which sounds like rain. "Size matters little to me, speed is my advantage," Libitina admits and allows a glance around as he moves closer. Such a nervous animal, it's a surprise she was able to keep her cool for this time. "Danger sir, is something I know well," was all she said, a tense smile revealing vampire-like canines.

She obliges, leaping from her tiny perch but not leaving it; she should at least be close to it. She was much like a puppet, easy to manipulate and not quite there in life's reality.

"Ah sir, I doubt I would be a helpful partner. My fears are often times a handicap," she whispers and feels her muscles tighten, for now she did not trust this male.

[Nicholos]

OOC| Puppet analogy is great. ^^

Cid retains his lax attitude, brushing off her comment. "Oh, come on now. We all know the best way to overcome your fear is to face it. Besides." He tilts his head to the side, a sort of would-this-face-lie-to-you demeanor coming over him. "I'll protect you."

He skitters a few playful steps closer to the alley's exit, pebbles scattering away from his claws. "We'll be careful; don't you worry." His tail flows back and forth amiably, anticipation pouring over him like a bucket of water. He shakes like a dog, hoping the imaginary droplets will catch her, too. "It'll be fun!"

[Weather]

ooc| I know, and I always wanted a puppet-like character. XD;

Libitina fought the urge to roll her eyes, careful to avoid snorting in disbelief; she had heard that saying nearly her whole life, and it hadn't gotten her anywhere so far. In fact, it had most likely made it harder for her, but this cheery male wouldn't know that, and he seemed amiable enough. At his comment she nearly fell upon the mossy cobblestone path in surprise; she wasn't used to be spoken to as such. She was easy to keep her demeanor though, and merely blinked.

She follows obediently, her feet not making a sound in the still air, tail moving calmly against her side as she moves. "Fun?" She asks, her eyebrows arching, Libitina was not used to thinking of her life in terms of fun. But, she was open enough to the idea, and just smiles slightly in agreement.

[Nicholos]

Head tilted curiously to the side, Cid has his first genuine smile of the evening, watching the wired female with a kind of fascination. How she maintains such a constant level of fear, he'd never understand. The exhausting result would've tolled him to extinction ages back, no doubt.

Even in light of his history, he fancies himself a gentleman, never considers how quickly he'd drop her like a bad habit if it came down to the wire. His fabricated exterior watches out for her step, positioning himself in such a way on their trek that he is between her and the street.

He takes the longer road to their destination, avoiding as much exposure to watching eyes as possible- an irritation, but perhaps she'll be less likely to take off running this way. One dip takes them clear out of society, slinking through a mess of broken cement that was perhaps, once, a functioning tunnel for drainage of some kind. These outlets few consider, but if the passage is clear, A to B becomes a simpler endeavor. Even if it reeks to the high heavens.

[Weather]

Creeping silently below the navy sky dotted with stars, Libitina didn't notice the grin; nor did she notice how peculiar her air of fear actually was. Blue paws dart fluently, like water splashing amongst the rocks; this Rivet had mastered the art of moving quickly and without a sound. She might not have been able to fight and hold her own, but her movements--though almost too stiff, resembled a nervous dancer.

And who was this male who accompanied her? Already she knew better then to stay for long, that could prove disastrous. But for the first time she felt accepted, and for the time she wouldn't have to constantly watch her steps or her words. She wasn't silly, though tugged along life by strings, it was never her heart which proved her folly, and it would not this time either.

Following Cid a pace behind, she allowed him to lead to their destination. It was with relief when she noticed that they were avoiding the eyes of humans and other beings alike, she was not one to like eyes upon them. The debris was a fascination to Libitina, the perfect place for a Rivet who preferred not to be seen, and she easily made her way through the mounds of forgotten concrete. It did provide an unwelcome smell, but having lived most of her life in the maze of alleyways, the female found it a simple task to ignore it.

"Cid, may I ask why you came across the alleyway?" She asked casually, wanting to keep up some type of conversation to pass the time.

[nicholos]

Cid begins to pick up the pace, realizing that his partner can traverse his routes with ease. He's stopped glancing back to make sure she's still there, as each time he finds her nearly neck to neck with him, not at all deterred by the shattered city excrement around them.

His pace slows slightly at her inquiry; he considers whether he can play a strategic angle on his answer, dismisses the idea. "I was looking for something to eat," he explains, "I'll admit rat isn't my first choice, but you take what you can get, you know?"

He shuffles to a halt in his tracks; they've hit a dead end. This passage wasn't closed up before...
Cid refrains from snarling in frustration, else he betray things may not have gone as planned. Some idiot must've tried driving their car over the concrete above. What brainchild would... he shakes his head, mumbling to himself as he circles around the obstacle, considering how they might go forward.

[Weather]

Libitina speeds up slightly, happy to pick up the pace; the wind hitting her face blew away all of her lingering thoughts of fear. Running, if nothing else, released her from less-then-delightful anxious thoughts. She fell into pace at Cib's shoulder, inches from his side and yet in a universe away. As always, her eyes take on that cloudy look they always seemed to as she ran; seeming to see nothing and yet aware of everything. Such confusing thoughts would muddle her own if she took the time to study them, but she enjoyed these rare and few moments where fear could not catch her.

As he slows, she follows suit and breaks her rush, now only trotting atop the slabs of concrete which rose like natural stone from the earth. "To eat, of course," she notes and looks down with embarrassment. Of course that was his plan, he had stricken that rat after all, and all that blood had been spilled. For a moment she becomes dizzy with the thought of the crimson liquid, but Cib's next comment brings her back from her dangerous mind. "Oh, I've had experience with eating only what you can find," Libitina speaks, remembering the days of going hungry; those weren't too long ago.

She halts suddenly at his ankles, studying the dead end curiously. Her careful eyes, trained to pick up the smallest detail, watch to find a crack or break within the concrete which they could travel through. Nothing obvious, but that was to be expected with the ancient slab. Perhaps jumping could solve the problem...She turned to Cib, waiting to see if he could come across an answer before she herself spoke.

[Nicholos]

Cid is the one embarrassed now. He chuckles lightly, figures he might as well fess up.

"This wasn't like this before," he says, "It's been open all the time I've lived here." He crouches, looks up, stands, leans to the side. Hmm.

He circles around behind Libitina, cranes his neck all the way back, revealing a long scar beneath his chin where the fur has refused to grow back.

"I dunno," he sighs finally, "What do people call you for short, anyway? Tina?" He bats at her spotted tail offhandedly, like he's not really aware he's doing it.

[Weather]

Libitina smiles kindly at his apparent embarrassment, she wasn't used to having others show any sort of emotion around her.

"I didn't suppose it was," she says softly, looking up at the mountain of concrete and metal. "It is strange how easy things can..." she stops her words at Cib's strange behavior. As if addressing it, she head her head to the side until it is nearly reaching to her shoulders. Quite ridiculous looking, but his actions were curious enough to be suffice for it.

Eying the scar, Libitina blinks and arches her neck, gathering strength to ask the obvious question. "How did you injure yourself?" The Rivet asked gently, such a nasty scar could not have been an accident.

Libitina chuckles and shakes her head lightly. "I don't know, I don't tell many my name," she admits. Her tail, as if alive in its own right, sways softly on the ground at his touch.