taron
Moderator
[The Honorable Mod of +Anima 101]
Posts: 822
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Post by taron on Aug 8, 2009 9:01:59 GMT -5
Kona looked up. It was dark, everywhere, it was dark. He frowned, wondering why, maybe it was night and he should be sleeping, but he could hear sounds outside. His dog ears pricked up, listening, and his tail brushed the hard floor, back and forth. Even with his enhanced vision, everything looked wrong in this light, and he sat pulled together in a ball, waiting for the sun to return.
Then a door opened, and he felt hands on his collar.
'Come on, the auction is starting' Kona growled as his neck was pulled, but the man shook him. 'None of that, or you can stay in the dark for another week!' The boy whined and let himself be tugged outside.
The ground was warm under his feet, and it took a while for his eyes to adjust to the sudden glare of sunshine, but he could see they were leading him onto some kind of raised platform.
'Next we have a young Dingo +anima. He's quick on his feet and viscious when he wants to be, but also somewhat disobeydiant. We recommend only those with more experience with +anima to place bids' The mans voice rang in Kona's ears, and he stared out at the crowd. Everyone was watching, all eyes on him, and it hurt. He liked attention, but not this much. He pulled frantically at the ropes holding him, but the guards had been well informed of his capabilities and immediately grabbed his arms, forcing him to remain stationary. The boy snarled, the sound creating unease throughout the crowds, but the first man continued.
'We'll start the bidding at 2500 gillah' He wasnt about to tell anyone this kid was messed up in the head; that wouldnt help make a decent profit.
((XD not really sure, is 2500 a decent price?))
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Post by Ruko on Aug 10, 2009 12:32:11 GMT -5
Kareena walked toward the crowd. Today, she was going to buy another +Anima. she'd be letting one go soon, and it was about time to get another. Her parents wouldn't approve of this, but she didn't care. Lia, her most long-time human servant, and about the age of twenty, walked alongside her. If the +Anima went out of control, she'd help her contain it.
Standing on the edge of the crowd, Kareena saw the snarling dingo +Anima, and watched him with cool eyes. Beside her, Lia shivered. Kareena turned to Lia, and nodded. Lia looked at her mistress, puzzled for a moment, but shrugged. It was not her place to question her. She raised her hand, calling out loud through the murmuring crowd. "2,500 gillers!"
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taron
Moderator
[The Honorable Mod of +Anima 101]
Posts: 822
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Post by taron on Aug 10, 2009 13:00:38 GMT -5
Kona couldnt hear as someone shouted out from the crowd, his only focus was escape, and the tight grip on his arms was painful; the men were leaving no room for a mistake to occur. He gritted his teeth, growling louder and clenched his eyes shut, determined not to loose it infront of these people. Not that he had much control, but somewhere inside he knew it was wrong to hurt these people, no matter how angry he felt.
The first man replied to the voice. '2500 over there, any advances on 2500?' silence. He waited, but it seemed some people had backed off following Konas actions. The boy let out a faint howl and fell to his knees, surprising the guards. It was safer just to retreat into himself, and he leaned forward, hiding his face from the eyes of the crowd. Why were they watching him, why were the men being mean to him? He didnt understand, and that made the situation that much more scary.
'Sold to the young lady over there, 2500 gillah!'
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Post by Ruko on Aug 10, 2009 13:13:48 GMT -5
Kareena smiled, revealing perfectly white teeth. She was already done! Making her way up to the stage, with Lia following worriedly behind, she pushed her way to the crowd. Walking up the stairs, she motioned for Lia to take the +Anima, and put the collar on him. Lia shook her head, terrified. She was not going near that thing!
Kareena sighed, walking toward the +Anima. One of the men tapped her on the shoulder. "Young lady, I think you should get some help. He's a wild one." Kaleena smiled at him disarmingly. "Believe me, I think I can handle him." The man backed off, and Kaleena knelt down next to the +Anima boy. They were often quite frightened or angry at the beginning, and she figured he would be no different. After all, he was hiding his face. She gwntly put her hand on his shoulder. "Hey, it's okay. Just come with me."
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taron
Moderator
[The Honorable Mod of +Anima 101]
Posts: 822
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Post by taron on Aug 10, 2009 14:33:34 GMT -5
Kona's head shot up immediately to face whoever had just touched him. To his immediate surprise, it was a girl, and not one he would consider very dangerous. Girls were okay, he knew from experience it wasnt the girls who were mean to him, in fact, they were more likely to be the ones to give him hugs and scratch his ears. Still, this girl looked...different, as if, even though she wasnt like the first man, Kona should still be afraid? that wasnt really the word...more....he should just behave himself.
Hey, it's okay, Just come with me. Compared to the horrid yells from the first man and his guards, her calm tone was almost hypnotic, and Kona's ears twitched. He could almost feel his anger fading, but that wasnt right! Nothing could stop him when he went crazy, this girl must be dangerous if she had that kind of power. Getting to his feet quickly, Kona backed away. He wanted to run, to bark and scream and make trouble, but the girls eyes held him together. Behave yourself... In the end he just whined pitifully
'Get out of my head!' Why was he so freaked out? She didnt appear a nasty person, she hadnt grabbed him by the neck and shaken him, but she might as well have done; he couldnt think straight, and now everyone was looking at him again...
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Post by Ruko on Aug 10, 2009 14:42:08 GMT -5
Get out of my head!
Standing up, Kaleena smiled at the boy. He looked frightened, and they needed to get home. She stepped forward and grabbed his hands. "I'm not in your head. I'm just talking to you. Now, we need to get home." She smiled again. "Come on. I'll bet your hungry." She used the calmest, gentlest voice she could. She stared at him, peering into his eyes, their faces maybe a foot apart, at the most. It's alright. Come on. I'm not going to hurt you, I promise. Just don't make a scene, and we'll get home soon.
Seeing the boy a little less wild, Lia stepped forward from where she had been standing at the base of the stairs. Some help she was. Still, she was just there to catch him if he tried to run. Not to help calm him down. That was her job. Still, he was Kaleena's age, maybe older. He should be one to quickly calm down. Everything's alright. Don't worry. She blinked slowly.
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taron
Moderator
[The Honorable Mod of +Anima 101]
Posts: 822
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Post by taron on Aug 10, 2009 15:06:53 GMT -5
The girl grabbed Kona's hands, and his eyes locked onto hers. It was peculiar, like he could see her words just by looking into her eyes, and somehow it was comforting. Her hold was gentle, not rough like he was used to, and he felt that, as long as her eyes were on him, he would be safe. Now we need to get you home. But Kona didnt have a home, what could she mean? And at the mention of food, he remembered how his stomach had hurt during those long hours in the dark room, and automatically started nodding, hoping she'd rid him of his hunger, that which was a reminder of that horrible place. His tail, which had been stiff until then, began wagging slowly at the prospect of food and this home in the near future, and he squeezed her hand.
When a second girl suddenly approached, Kona jumped and moved to put distance between him and the stranger, still clinging to the girl who was bringing him comfort, and remaining silent.
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Post by Ruko on Aug 10, 2009 15:14:46 GMT -5
As the boy began nodding, and his tail started wagging, Kaleena could've laughed. But she didn't. It took enormous self-control not to, but she didn't. He squeezed her hand, and she squeezed right back, trying to comfort him. When Lia approached, he shyed away from her, though Kaleena noted with approval that he didn't let go of her. Good. It was working.
She smiled at the +Anima boy once again, squeezing his hands, yet still trying to be gentle. "It's okay. She's a friend. She can go now, if you like." At those words, Lia dropped back, blending into the crowd, who was already focused on the next +Anima being sold off. "Come one. Let's go home." She spoke as calmly and gently as she could, never removing her eyes from his, and blinking slowly whenever she did. Slowly, slowly, she made her way, walking backwards toward the stairs, still holding the boy's hands and gently pulling him with her.
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taron
Moderator
[The Honorable Mod of +Anima 101]
Posts: 822
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Post by taron on Aug 10, 2009 15:37:06 GMT -5
Part of Kona thought that this could perhaps be a trap, but he didnt care, he couldnt care. It was like a dream, and the girl was the dreamweaver. She could make it how she wanted, bend anything to suit her, and the suit him. It was alright. He watched her like she was the sun, and everything revolved around her, and allowed himself to be lead. Anywhere. Anywhere and he'd be okay, because it was a dream.
They left the platform and its crowd, and with the removal of those many piercing eyes, Kona felt the last of his fears fade away, replaced by new admiration for this person holding his hand. He wanted to speak, to ask questions, but that might spoil it, ruin the peaceful state he'd been lulled into. The other girl was a friend, and the first said it would all be okay, he had nothing to worry about.
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Post by Ruko on Aug 10, 2009 15:45:03 GMT -5
Following behind the pair, Lia stayed behind far enough so she thought she wouldn't frighten the +Anima. She didn't like this one much. She didn't like how the boy wasn't letting go of her Misstress's hand, or the way he was looking at her. But, it wasn't her place, though maybe she'd warn the misstress later, after it was gone.
Kaleena led the boy toward where her house was. She was satisfied both with her work, and the fact that Lia had stayed behind. Good. She smiled at the boy, locking gazes again as they walked almost side-by-side, with her a little ahead. Squeezing his hand, she blinked slowly. "Would you like to tell me your name?" Her voice remained calm and gentle. Everything is all right. Just tell me your name, and I'll tell you mine. It's all going to be okay. She never knew when they would shatter. Their life was hard, and she didn't blame them. That's why it was her job to help them get past it. Too many to count had, and he would be the next. Blinking slowly, and reassuringly squeezing his hand, she led him through the nearly empty streets, waiting for his answer.
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taron
Moderator
[The Honorable Mod of +Anima 101]
Posts: 822
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Post by taron on Aug 10, 2009 15:58:33 GMT -5
Of course, name! Kona opened his mouth, but froze. He'd given people his name before, and it had led to bad things, very bad, with other mean people, not girls though. He wondered whether knowing someones name gave you great power over them, it had certainly seemed like that, but it was okay. The girl said it would be okay, so he smiled.
'Kona...Kona is my name' Names were important, and he wouldnt forget his, even if he never spoke it aloud ever again. Giving her what she had asked for also gave him a new sense of pride and accomplishment, despite it only being a small request. Nevertheless, he decided he liked pleasing her, she made everything okay for him, so he should be nice to her. She had asked him whether 'he would like to' tell her, meaning his feelings meant something to her. His tail wagged faster, and the words were out before he could think about it.
'Tell me your name' He paused, trying to remember how to make it sound nice...oh yeah. 'Please...' he added, tilting his head.
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Post by Ruko on Aug 10, 2009 16:05:55 GMT -5
Kaleena smiled at him, pleased that he answered and that he asked. "Kona, my name is Kaleena." She felt like laughing at his tail waggin. "We're almost to my house. You can get some food there, okay? I'll bet you're hungry." She used a more playful, yet still gentle tone this time. If he had gotten far enough to tell her his name, and to even ask for hers, he was good. Kaleena felt like letting a smug look come over her face but decided against it. The +Anima boy was like a small child, a breakable item, and he needed to be handled carefully.
He was progressing well, even in the short time, and Kaleena was glad she had chosen Kona to buy. He seemed rather nice. Mimicing his movements, she tilted her head to the side as well, waiting for his response.
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taron
Moderator
[The Honorable Mod of +Anima 101]
Posts: 822
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Post by taron on Aug 11, 2009 12:05:55 GMT -5
Kona's face lit up and he nodded again. 'Yes, Kaleena, i am hungry'. This game was fun, it didnt feel like a conversation at all, it was as if they were daring each other each time to put more into their replies. Was that bad? Maybe she was squeezing him for information....that was a silly thought, Kaleena was nice. Kaleena...He chanted the name over and over outloud, ignoring whatever look she may be giving him. It sounded nice, and Kona decided he liked it. All she'd done was offer him food, that was hardly dangerous, though some human food could be strange, he'd discovered from experience, not simple, the way he liked it. Then he further decided he didnt care what food it was, he'd eat it. Kaleena had said it would be okay.
As he walked beside her, Kona could have started jumping up and down with how bizarre the whole situation was. That morning had been awful, and the marks were still painful on his neck, but now he was almost dizzy with new joy, and swayed a little on the spot. Then, unintentionally, he let slip a high-pitched bark and slammed both hands to his mouth, shocked. Oh no! why did he always have to go and do that?
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Post by Ruko on Aug 11, 2009 12:18:52 GMT -5
Yes, Kaleena, I am hungry.
Kaleena smiled when she said that, glad to have an excuse to take him home with her. She didn't like telling them that they were slaves, that she'd bought him, right away, because it usually disturbed them, and they didn't trust her anymore. She liked it when people trusted her. Then, Kona began chanting her name, and at first she was shocked, calm demeanor slipping, but then she giggled. He was SO cute!
Then, Kona barked. It was so completely unexpected that Kaleena's whole recovered look shattered. Lia looked on with disapproval as Kaleena began laughing. It wasn't a mean laugh, but she was delighted. He was the sweetest thing she'd ever met! That little bark was adorable!
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taron
Moderator
[The Honorable Mod of +Anima 101]
Posts: 822
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Post by taron on Aug 11, 2009 12:36:41 GMT -5
Kona blinked. She was...laughing? She wasnt angry with him, or embarassed or ashamed or disgraced! She was laughing! she'd found it funny. He watched her, confused, but also relieved, and pretty soon he was giggling with her, a couple of extra barks included. Kaleena was wonderful! She was kind and good, she'd give him food and a home, and her eyes made him behave himself so he wouldnt hurt anyone, and she didnt mind if he barked or acted strange around her. Completely overwhelmed and without really thinking, Kona leaned over and held her in a tight hug, still grinning, showing off his sharp canines. When he'd calmed down, he let go and returned to just holding her hand.
'Why is it funny? Why dont you hate me yet, like normal people...' That sounded wrong, Kaleena wasnt 'not normal' she was just...special. 'I mean, uh...' Think think 'Why did you save me, back where all those people were?' He was curious, but really he would have accepted any answer she gave. Maybe not everyone needed a reason to be nice.
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