Screams. That was all that filled the air in this dank, dark place. Hopelessness and death hung heavy in the air. Sobbing and gleeful laughing perforated the ear drums.
"Aye, I love it when they scream." A gruff voice chuckled malevolently. "Awe, done already? It was just starting to get fun." Alistair could hear the beating of a body coming from his neighbors pen. She always got it the worst because she gave them what they wanted, anguish and pain. Alistair learned long ago that if you avoid playing their games, they grow tired of you and move on to the next one.
The creak of the gate closing and the sound of keys jingling signaled the end of her torture for today. "Oy, wot about 'im?" A second voice, slurred and foul pierced the darkness of Alistair's lair.
"Nobody. A worthless mutt. The Missus seems to favor him, though. He's spent many a night chained in her room. No idea what she sees in this mutt." The man kicked the gate and Alistair merely stared at the man. "Wipe that look off your face, you mongrel. I'm your better." The man grew enraged. Alistair just continued to stare through this man, looking down on him. "You worthless mutt!" The man unlocked the gate barring Alistair's pen. He took his belt off and chuckled. "Now scream!" The man brought the belt back and swung at Alistair. The buckle connected with his face, creating a small gash on his cheek. "Howl! Show me your pain!"
"If that's all you've got, maybe Master needs a new whipping boy." Alistair had two silver ears, wolf like in shape and appearance. They were tucked low on his head and his tail rested on the ground behind him.
"Why, you!" The man exploded with rage and started beating Alistair with the belt. Over and over the belt hit its mark, but everytime, this wolf creature, this worthless mutt would rise up. He would still look through this man like he was nothing. Exhausted and out of breathe, the man slumped out of the pen in defeat. "What's with that mongrel? Why doesn't he scream? Beg for his life? Why does he look at me as though I'm the worthless one? Gah!" The man kicked the rusted gate several times, the sound echoed through the building.
"Leave him alone!" A sweet, gentle voice filled the dank, despair filled building.
"What?" The two men turned to see who had barked these orders. Upon laying their eyes on the voice's owner, they rushed to get out their apologies. "Terribly sorry, m'lady. We weren't expecting you. What are you doing in this place?" The first man spoke and lowered his head.
"My business is my own. Now, leave!" She commanded.
"Ah, yes. By your leave, my lady." The two men shuffled away in silence.
"You poor thing." She walked over to Alistair's pen and unlocked the gate. "Look at what they did to you. Your ears and tail, and your face." The woman was filled with despair and regret. "I'm sorry. I wish I could free you. All I can do is this." She raised her hands and started chanting. "Blessed Lords who rule above, grant my target your healing light: Cure Wounds!" A warm, gentle light enveloped Alistair's body, soothing his pain and healing his fresh wounds.
"A...Priestess..." Alistair whispered gently. "I don't know how to thank you." He bowed his head, touching his forehead to the ground.
"Just tell me your name and we'll call it even." She chuckled softly at this young man's actions.
"My...name. The one that was given at birth is Alistair Silver, after the color of my fur. However, Master only calls me Worthless Mutt." Alistair looked up to soak in this woman's radiance. Her light purple hair was tipped in turquoise, elaborately styled and went down to her knees. Her eyes. They were beautiful and golden, like the setting sun. Her aura was warm and innocent. They always were at first. Most feigned innocence to trick you into lowering your guard. She had a narrow waist and average sized breasts.
"Alistair. It's a strong name. You may call me Tamanari." She smiled and looked this demi-human up and down. Despite the ragged clothes and body full of scars, he was rather handsome. Standing at a daunting 6'7" this pale skinned man had a rebellious feel about him. He had black elbow length hair. It was straight and tied with a knot in the back. He had deep purple eyes that were wide like her own. He had a muscular torso, chiseled abs, and a straight waist with toned legs. 'Wow. I didn't know men came in this level of hotness. Let me just check his status.'
ERROR! ERROR! ERROR!
'Error? What's going on? All I'm able to see is his level and Health Bar...WHAT!?' Her golden eyes went wide in shock.
Alistair Silver
-----------------
Level: 1
Health: 3,000
Mana: 1650
Strength: ??
Constitution: ??
Dexterity: ??
Intelligence: ??
Wisdom: ??
Charisma: ??
Skills: ??
Magick: ??
-----------------
'How does he have 3,000 Health and 1,650 Mana as a level 1?' She was still shook over this information. Never before had she met an individual whose stats were unreadable.
"Mistress Tamanari? Is something wrong?" Alistair feigned innocence and concern, but really he couldn't care less. He never let his true thoughts surface to anyone.
"Oh, nothing. Everything is fine. Thank you for your concern." She smiled sweetly and reached her hand out to touch his cheek.
Smack! "Don't touch me!" Alistair slapped Tamanari's hand away and jumped back putting some distance between them. He started growly softly, putting his walls back up.
"Ah, I'm sorry. I should have asked for your permission. I won't bother you again!" Tamanari rose to her feet and dashed out of the building, locking the door behind her.
"Good riddance. I don't need anyone feeding me their false emotions and false sympathy. I've gone this long alone, I can go longer." Alistair howled loudly, his voice echoing through to the cool, night air.
Later that night, as Alistair laid on his bed of hay, he drifted back and forth between consciousness and unconsciousness. 'Alistair.' He heard this woman's voice saying his name. Why was he dreaming about her? What was it supposed to mean? 'All I wanted was to be friends.'
Alistair felt her emotions flow into him. "She...really means that? How? How could a human not harbor a hidden urge? There's nothing. Just sincerity...Was I too harsh?" Alistair shot up dripping in a cold sweat. "Tamanari!" Alistair shouted her name and placed one hand over the left side of his face. "Tamanari? Why did I call her name?" Alistair sighed and laid back down, but sleep refused to come again. "I must apologize. I think I may have made a mistake..." Alistair's ears droop to the side. 'I wonder if she will ever come back...'
Several days passed. Many long days of hard labor. Alistair finished early today so they allowed him to retire before the other slaves. Upon his arrival, he noticed that his bed had been disturbed. There was a scent that he didn't recognize in his room. "What's going on?" Alistair walked in and looked around for a minute. Everything seemed to be normal, except for his bed of hay. Something white was sticking out of his bed. "Hm?" He pulled out a piece of paper that was stuffed away and hidden. He flipped the note over and gasped. "Tamanari?" Alistair quickly opened the letter and began to read her note.
"Alistair. I'm sorry for the other night. It sometimes slips my mind how you and the other slaves are treated. I should have been more considerate of your position. I hope you can forgive me. I'll come tonight in hopes that you will speak to me. I haven't stopped thinking about you since the night we met." Alistair finished reading her note and crumpled it in his hand. 'She wants to...see me again?' Flames appeared in the hand that was holding the note. 'No evidence.' Alistair sat down and prepared for his evening meditations. If Tamanari was really coming over, he needed to do his nightly routines before her arrival.
The moon was already high in the sky before Alistair was prepared to meet Tamanari. Time ticked by slowly, but still nothing. 'Was she merely toying with my emotions?' He shook his head and sighed. As he was about to give up and lay down for the night, a clatter of feet came from the darkness.
"Alistair. It's Tamanari. Have you been waiting for me long?" Her sweet voice cut through the darkness.
"That voice, and that scent...Tamanari." Alistair sat up quickly, his silver tail giving away his emotions.
"I'm sorry it took me so long. It's getting harder for me to sneak out at night." She walked over and stopped at the gate leading to his pen. "May I come inside?" Her voice was sweet and warm.
'She's...asking to come inside? That's never happened.' Alistair locked eyes with her again. "Please. Come in." Alistair shifted his position so that he was now sitting on his knees. 'Why is she so different?'
Tamanari walked gracefully into Alistair's den. "I'm glad you aren't still mad at me, Alistair." She sat down on her knees across from him.
"I was never mad at you, Tamanari. I'm just not used to...gentle hands..." Alistair's ears dropped to the side and his gaze shifted to the ground.
"What happened, Alistair?" Tamanari wanted to hold him, to try and ease his sadness, but she knew better for right now.
"The Missus..." Alistair grabbed his clothes and tried to cover his body. "She wouldn't stop. No matter how much I...how much I begged or pleaded..." Alistair's body was trembling. Physical pain didn't matter to him. He could handle any kind of torture, but what she did hurt him all the way to his soul.
"Alistair. She didn't..." Tamanari was in disbelief upon learning this truth. Alistair nodded, giving truth to her thoughts. "How could she do that to you? That's...I have no words to express my anger." Tamanari was distraught. 'How could mother do this?'
"I wasn't the first. The Master...took my mother. I am the product of his indiscretion. When the previous Missus, the one he had before, found out, she had...she had my mother flogged to death in front of me." Alistair's defenses dropped. The pain of reliving these memories were traumatizing.
"Alistair. I'm sorry." She moved over to his side and wrapped her arms around him. She pulled his head into her chest and started stroking his head lovingly. "You should never be treated like that, Alistair. What can I do?"
Alistair couldn't hear her voice over the pain of the past. "I'm sorry. Mom I'm sorry..." Alistair sobbed softly into Tamanari's chest.
"Shh. It's okay, Alistair. I'm here for you. You aren't alone." She cooed and held this trembling man close to her body.
"T-Tamanari...?" Alistair whispered her name softly.
"Yes, I'm here for you. Alistair." She squeezed him gently.
"I'm okay now. Thank you, Tamanari." He whispered softly. She went to withdraw her arms. "Can we...Can you stay like this for awhile? It's been so long since I've felt this warmth." Alistair hated himself for feeling this way. He didn't need anyone before. He had always been fine on his own. 'That's a lie. I never wanted to be alone. I always assumed it was my fate, so I tried to make myself accept it.' He thought to himself and wrapped his arms around Tamanari.
"Of course. I can stay until first light when I have to sneak back to my bed. I'll come back though, however many nights you want." She ran her hand backwards through his luscious, black hair. 'His hair is almost as long as mine. And these ears...' Her golden hues locked on his silver wolf ears. "Can I touch them...Alistair?" She asked shyly.
"M-my...ears?" Alistair shifted nervously and looked into her eyes. "Only if you promise to come back every night." Alistair looked to the ground. 'What are these feelings?'
"I promise. I want to keep talking with you. You are so unique and interesting. I can't wait to learn more about you." She reached her hands up slowly and looked down for Alistair's permission. He nodded and she smiled as she gently grabbed his ears. "Wow..." She started rubbing them between her fingers. "They are so soft and life like."
Alistair started squirming from her touch. "Ah. Th-that's because they are real, Tamanari." Alistair shivered under her touch. His breathing became ragged and heavy.
"Hm? Alistair! What's wrong?" She looked down at the young man in her arms. His face was red and his breathing was heavy.
"Our ears are...are very sensitive to touch." Alistair gripped his shirt tightly, trying to calm his racing heart.
"Oh. Th-they are, huh?" Tamanari's face tinged pink. "I wish you would have said something before I touched them." Tamanari whispered and used her long purple hair to hide her face.
She had whispered these words but because of Alistair's race and keen sense of hearing, he heard her words loud and clear. "I'm sorry. I figured you knew. If not, then it gave me a chance to laugh at someone's reactions. Can you forgive me?" Alistair gave Tamanari his best puppy dog eyes.
"That's cheating!" Tamanari's heart skipped a beat. She placed both her hands on his face, trying to hide his look. "You aren't playing fair." Tamanari pouted. "Ugh. Fine. I forgive you. Just please stop that look. My heart can't handle it." She sighed softly and looked out the window. "The sun..." She whispered and frowned.
"Do you have to leave?" Alistair sat up and looked out the window.
"Yes. If I don't they will come looking for me. You could be whipped for 'influencing' me." She said the last part sarcastically. "I'll come back tonight. I promise." She ran her hand backwards through his hair one more time. "My mind will be filled with thoughts of you until I return." She stood up slowly and hurried out of the building, stopping only once to look back.
"Farewell, Tamanari." Alistair waved and laid back down on his bed of hay. "Huh. Well, then. That didn't go how I thought. She was...different then the other people. I hope she returns tonight." Alistair rolled over and decided to sleep for a few hours.