Post by Mila on Nov 16, 2012 23:05:38 GMT -5
10:06:55 [Brax] He woke to the silence of the morning, sprawled almost horizontally across the spacious bed, with the blankets in a heap on the floor. He wore only cotton boxer shorts, but the chill of an English morning didn't phase him. Shifter's didn't feel the cold or maybe, that was just Brax? Waking up in a room with four others took getting used to, not when he'd had the dormitory to himself for the entire break. But there they were, sleeping and dead to the world. After swiping a hand across his eyes, he sat up squinted into the curtain drawn darkness, gauging that the sun probably wouldn't be up yet. If asked if he always rose this early, the Shifter would swear no. It was rare for him to be in bed before lights out, and even then he wasn't a stranger to breaking the rules add to this that the night had been peppered by screaming freshmen, their dreams plagued by nightmares of the Assembly. This happened at the beginning of every year. Standing, he dressed himself in the standard issue navy gym shorts, shorts, T-shirt and sneakers. Every movement he made was agile and with the silence of a Predator. Some of it was natural Shifter instinct, other was rehearsed stealth. How else would he survive waking a bunch of guys every morning? Teenagers were never morning people. Smirking wryly to himself, he closed the door carefully behind himself and headed down the Hall which housed every male, Magus dormitory. The secret entries to the Houses met with a short Hall to the common room and from there there were two doorways. Girls, boys. Braxton stepped past the threshold into the common room, his step quickening.
10:21:26 Leila quietly watched the scattered groups of students as they milled about the hallways, though there weren’t many there was always that group of bright-eyed-and-bushy-tailed bunch that never failed to amuse her, shaking her heads she continued into the hallways. Having finally given in to the rules and regulations of Hex Institute after blatantly disregarding them on the first day back she now seamlessly matched the rest of the student body as they went about their business, obviously ignoring the fact that she too was undoubtedly one of those aforementioned early birds. Tugging at the tie, no doubt somewhat off centre already, she slowly made her way down to the main hall. Having just exited the Magus dorms she found herself people watching as everyone seemed to be on some or other mission of sorts huddled in small groups as they quietly whispered to one another, raising an eyebrow she grinned to herself and continued on her way... or at least she would have if she hadn’t heard that last snippet of gossip from a gaggle of half wits on her right. I what... The grin quickly disappeared in favour of a scowl that deepened as she heard the rest of what could only be deemed as garbage and in turn a blatant lie, turning her narrowed gaze to the air heads just a pace behind her she lifted her arms folding them across her chest before quietly demanding answers. “Professor who?!” Seething with rage Leila all but yelled at the trio as they stammered and stuttered incoherently before scattering off into the void for all she cared, to say she was furious was a vast understatement as she stormed out of the castle building and onto the open grounds of Hex Institute. Her exit would no doubt seen by the only other early riser from her House, Brax, coincidentally the mastermind behind the stories currently circulating the school’s proverbial grapevine. Eyes flashing almost gold while the air around her seemed to shimmer slightly, it was the few warnings that could be seen prior to a change but for now Leila remained human and a rather irate one at that. [e]
10:41:38 [Brax] There were those who raised as early as he, but most just milled about in the Main Hall for an early breakfast and gossip and even then, there were only a handful. Few braved the cold, misty morning outdoors. He'd jogged down a number of staircases and hallways without meeting so much as a single living soul, for there was an encounter or two with a mournful ghost drifting confusedly on it's eternal way. It was only just coming light out, shadow overcast leaving the Courtyard in gloom. With the honed senses of a shifter, his molten Amber eyes caught sight of the Were immediately. He halted in his tracks. It was uncommon enough to find others in the halls at this hour, let alone outdoors. It went without saying he was even more surprised to find a moody, Magus Leila storming by. Insert habitual hair tousle here, he narrowed his eyes and changed his course to coincide with hers. “Were.” he called, and not altogether unfriendly. “What are you doing?” His words may not have been the nicest, but there was a trace, a minuscule hint of concern in his tone, and his expression wasn't sarcastic in the least. Muscular arms crossed over his broad chest and he stood, legs apart and waiting for her answer.
10:59:05 Leila blindly crossed the school grounds, the cold weather having little to no effect as her body had long since adjusted to suit the chill that seemed to lurk just about everywhere in England, sighing at the change in scenery she then took a deep breath as she stubbornly refused to dwell on what she had just heard. Settling into somewhat of a tense standoff she mentally berated herself for almost losing control, but with her thoughts drifting back to the rumour Leila had heard earlier she found herself more than just a little divided focus-wise, get it together. The short phrase pulled a reluctant smile from her as she remembered the last time she lost control, but that train of thought ended rather abruptly at the arrival and call from Brax resulting in her turning to face him with a small frown. “What? Wait, why are you up so early?” though she had heard his concern she wasn’t exactly all too keen on sharing what had happened, considering who he was and the fact that he wasn’t a fan of Were’s made her wary all the same. Though she would have to admit that she was rather curious as to why he was concerned, storing this thought away for later rumination she moved to face him completely her arms loosely pocketed in her blazer as she peered up at the grudgingly taller male. [e]
11:14:57 [Brax] His countenance gave way to a wry smirk, “That awkward moment when people answer a question with a question.” He shook his head, and gave the collar of his shirt navy shirt a tug. “Running.” Being cloistered indoors and adhering to obedience didn't strike his fancy, and in the concerns of the lights out ruling, one could only say that the Hex rules forgot to mention how early a student was allowed to rise, leave his dorm and roam the premises. Rather than put it to the question, he did as he was inclined and had done so for years, storing a worthy explanation and debate on the matter did a Professor ever find fault with it. None had. In fact, this one of the few times he'd bumped into anybody at least on his way out. “What's your excuse, Were?” Without intending to give into instinct, he circled her, his step and expression calculating and reminiscing a Predator. “Meeting a guy?' Brax canted his head, then shook it. “I wouldn't count on it. Escaping Hex?” He pretended to consider this one for a few moments, then shook his head again. “You wouldn't have the balls. I could sit here and wonder why the fuck you're up and outside on the first day back when it's shit-tits-freezing or, you could just tell me?”
11:29:49 Leila continued to frown at the sports clad Shifter, her curiosity clearly on display as she canted her head to the side wondering about his motives especially since her run in with those vapid air heads from earlier, shaking off the thoughts of hunting them down for more information she quickly turned her attention back to Brax. Shifting her weight from one foot to the other she apprehensively ran a hand through her hair, casting a quick glance over his shoulder she longingly peered at the shadowy forest that loomed up in the distance and quietly sighed before smirking as he began to circle around her. Rolling her eyes at his attempt of predatory dominance she bit back a laugh, “Excuse? Since when did students need excuses to be outdoors?” Shaking her head at the thought she smiled again before continuing, “Who said it was a guy?” Grinning impishly she shrugged a shoulder blatantly ignoring that bit about having balls and what not as she slyly winked at him, before sarcastically replying to his comment about the weather. “Also since when have you had a problem with the weather, you are a shifter right? Last I checked neither one of us need school regulation fur coats... or have I been mistaken?” [e]
11:42:52 [Brax] He raised a brow, and clicked his tongue. “Don't pull that. No one's out at this hour. It's probably against the rules.” His 'guy' comment had been entirely a joke, cloaking a jibe about her failure to be as much of a flirting twat as the rest of the Hex, female populous. The way some girls went around, it was any wonder the Institute didn't remove the 'H' and replace it with an 'S'. Her knee-jerk reaction to question who said it was a guy brought to mind a certain rumour he'd heard. One, that the minute had left Maya's lips, he'd kown it was Bull. “Never have, never will Leila.” Her name seemed foreign on his tongue, he rarely gave Were's the respect that came with addressing them by name. “But I figured a Were needed to be in uncontrolled form to benefit from a fur-coat.” Shifters were stronger, controlled, adaptive Were's with a wider range and less weakness. Simple as that. Simple, and fact. In Brax's opinion. “So, I take it you're suffering female mood-swings..” Typical male insult number one, always blame a girl's anger on her period, and expect it to make her angrier. “Or it's because everyone found out about you and Doc. You know, maybe you do have balls after all.” Delivering a purely Braxton Kennedy grin, he stopped his walking in front of her, crossed his arms over his broad chest and waited for that to sink in. Joking aside, the guy wasn't an idiot. The rumours that went around Hex were worse than a suburban mothers club. Adding to that, that any moron would know had it been true the Doc would have 'mysteriously left the school' and Leila would be suffering some serious punishment for the discretion.
11:58:51 Leila smirking at her last comment she positively gloated thanks to her small one uppance over the infamous Brax, though a minor win she factored it as a win none the less, the spat from earlier all but forgotten as she revelled in the moment. Clearly though that moment didn’t last very long at all as she shook her head, “How about we leave it at... I was getting some air, huh? Also since when have you and the rules gotten along oh so very well?” Missing his jibe at her failure as a flirt completely she paid that comment a rather scant amount of attention before scowling at his next comment, “You’d be surprised by how little you know about control, sunshine.” Folding her arms across her chest she seethingly replied in a rather lofty voice, “I don’t need the moon to wait for an excuse to hunt you down.” The thinly veiled threat was entirely true, however being in control of that change was where she held her bluff and since neither of them shared classes he would have no idea if she were indeed bluffing or not. Blindly rising to the bait as he mentioned that ridiculous rumour about herself and some or other professor she narrowed her gaze and refused to give him the satisfaction of an answer, instead she stood her ground fighting the urge to growl at him while her eyes suddenly darkened reflecting the change of moods. [e]
12:15:45 [Brax] The victory she was inwardly gloating on seemed to have missed his notice, otherwise he was simply unimpressed by her comments on fur-coats and the lack of offensive remarks regarding Shifter's and their strength. It seemed that while both considered their insults clever, the other was oblivious or unphased by the attempt. Ironic, wasn't it? When she dared to lecture on control, he couldn't keep the scoff was from his throat. “Please. Were's are mindle- you know? Whatever.” He backed up, hands raised. “Have it your way, Moonshine.” Get it? Because she called him sunshine? And Were's and the full moo-, never mind. Keep your head in the clouds, I'm not going to argue with a Were. It's an one-sided debate, one of your kind simply couldn't possibly compete with even an untouched's intelligence and, putting you against a Shifter is like putting a newborn against a dragon. “I came out here to run. You know, that thing lazy Were's don't do? Not waste my time.” Already turning his back on her, and resuming his jog to the Forest he muttered something along the lines of, “Why don't you go meet the Doc or whatever the fuck you came out here to do.” Never, ever, compete with a Shifter. Leila was earning her place on Brax's Shit-list for the year, and she was easily competing with the likes of Christian, Hunter, Elaine and anyone that associated with any of the three. Whether she responded, followed after him or headed within Hex, he was on his usual track, breaking the threshold of trees and immersing himself in the fogged over depths. In the morning all that could be seen was mist covered ground, fog-faded, thin trucks and unknown all around you. It unsettled most people, but it had a way of blocking the rest of the world from Brax. Peculiarly enough, the Leader jock, Shifter extraordinaire, comedian and 'playboy' as dubbed by one, Violette, was as much a lone wolf as anything.
13:03:56 Leila didn’t know what to think, first those stupid airheads and now him too this had gone far enough and to make things even more ridiculous she had no idea who the damned professor was giving the rumour even less credit than it already had and that on top of the fact that she was Housed in Magus while said professor was probably Head of nothing to do with Magus clearly meant nothing either! Brax’s continued monologue was given no response at all as Leila released a low warning growl, he may be a Shifter and he may be a sixth year student but when pushed too far a Were could become a rather volatile, something every student knew and made sure to avoid. In truth her ability to hold off the change for so long should have given Leila something to grin about, but due to her current state that brief idea of control had long gone, overall the Were had long since reached her limit of calm and all the deep breaths and counting back from ten was not going to help at this point either. That being said the last thread of calm shattered when Brax mentioned the Doc and her rumoured relationship, resulting in a feral howl that heralded the sudden change. The sickening sounds of bones snapping and rearranging themselves echoed across the grounds as Leila fell to the ground on all fours, crouched in somewhat of a hunched position her body shook as the rest of her features contorted and shifted into that of a Werewolf, the ripped Hex uniform fell in tattered piles as the wolf took over. It took just a few seconds before the creature finally stopped shuddering, the hulking humanoid figure shared no resemblance with the human that had stood in its place not too long ago. Clawed hands curled into fists as another howl was released, the human emotion of anger had triggered the change and in turn the animal instinct to protect itself manifested. [e]
14:16:30 [Brax] Leila was no Spring Chicken at Hex, while she may not have recalled his name the large school simply wasn't large enough for her to make it this far without encountering the Doc once. Considering Were's lack of control, it was understandable and explainable that she simply wasn't thinking straight. That said, their impromptu debate had left Braxton in a sour mood, enough to have him ditch her in the Couryard and begin jogging into a sprint for the Forest. True to his Shifter nature, he was agile and near graceful with athleticism, his legs and pushing him far into the mist ridden Forest. Her growl never reached his ears, nor did the snapping of bones nor tear of clothing from her body. It wasn't until the distinct howl that could only belong to a Were reach his ears that he halted in tracks for the second time that, too early morning. Predatorial, he dropped to his haunches and turned in one, fluid movement. Amber eyes were molten, seeming to darken and grow feral as a low, wrathful growl left his throat. The sound was inhuman, but he was no Were. Control and concentration remained in tact. There argument had caused the girl to reduce herself to the beast that defined the racism cast upon her kind. A monstrosity. Inhuman. A creature, that probably knew nothing currently, other than it wanted blood. Braxton's blood. His calloused hand reached for the hem of his navy, T-shirt and pulled it up over his head. He wasn't about ready to ruin his uniform on the first day of the Semester. It earned demerits and punishment likely in the form of essays on wastefulness and responsibility. Things, Braxton would gladly do without. His shirt tossed to the ground, and shorts quickly discarded. There was no one to see the defined sculpting of his athletic body. Broad chest, solid abdominals with a trail of hair that led to his V-cut hips and below. His head leant one way, than the next in a grotesque 'cracking' of his neck as men often did, knuckles and necks alike. Bared teeth already revealed elongated canines, and while his mind found that concentration, he began to shift. Rivulets of power beaded through his body, a shock wave that altered everything in it's path. Lightly haired flesh, took to a tawny fur, limbs grew larger, or leaner and ultimately shifted to a being altogether new. One wouldn't call the creature that stood on it's hind legs a wolf, nor would they call it a Were. He was too large, particularly through the shoulders to pass as an ordinary canine, but there was no comparison between the Shifter and the Were. Snarling as he was, drunk on the adrenaline of his Ether, he wasn't completely feral. Lunging onto all fours he hastened to a sprint, even faster than Brax's human legs could take him. Nostrils flaring, growls leaving his throat he headed for his enemy. There was no desire to hurt the girl. She was younger, female, despite her race and above all, Kennedy wasn't stupid enough to land himself in a penalty that was likely execution just for an argument with an acquaintance. It may have been better just to walk away, allow Leila to cool herself. A request that may have been simple for some, but Brax couldn't back down from a matter of Pride. He wouldn't run like a coward.
14:31:32 Leila was nowhere near in control and though she tried and failed, her change was completely and utterly unrestrained, when Dryke got word of this there was going to be hell to pay and that thought alone kept Leila from giving up. The Werewolf reached about four feet in height as it remained crouched near the ground, but easily reached six foot when she stood, covered in a dark grey almost black coat of fur it was easy to see how the creature could be mistaken for a wolf at first glance. A very big wolf at that. Canine features complete with a muzzle and ears remained trained on Brax as he broke through the tree line moving quickly and shifting too, having since identified him as the threat, the creature locked its amber gaze on the male parting its jaws to growl once more hackles now rising in turn as she held her ground. It would seem as if Leila had asserted some semblance of control over the wolf as the creature stood hauntingly still, but the snap its powerful jaws quickly rectified that assumption, every move that Brax made was in turn followed by that eerily golden stare. The Shifter was much bigger than her and despite that Leila did not back down, that stubborn streak bled through into the creature’s mindset as that one instinct remained, protect. Howling yet again she remained crouched amidst the ripped remains of her once immaculate uniform, something held the creature back from blindly attacking the Shifter bearing down upon her and for a moment it would seem like control but in the blink of an eye that theory was destroyed as the Werewolf lunged forward in a flat out run toward the oncoming Brax. It would later become known that the Magus duo were never going to ever see eye to eye and that Brax and effectively caused Leila’s change, a fact which she would hold against him for quite some time. [e]
14:47:16 [Brax] Emerged from the treeline at a Sprint, but he did not keep his speed. He slowed, agile movements made as he came to stalk around the Were, a mirror of their only positions only, their was no smirk on a boys face nor anger on a girls. Were and Shifter, one out for blood and the other intent on proving his superiority. Knowing, at least in his biased opinion that Were's had little control, the Predator continued to stalk his prey. He drew no attention with loud howls, but snarled and taunted with a few forward tenses. Never did he strike. He was goading her into do it, for he would not attack but he would defend. True to her nature, the Werewolf lunged for him. The Shifter moved swiftly, backing up and to the left to assure they did not come in contact. Amber eyes bore into the feral Leila's, willing her to try again. That your best shot Were? Come on, make me bleed.
14:59:02 Leila would effectively collide with the much bigger frame of the Shifter in a tangled heap of limbs and claws, her attack was messy and easy to read which in turn would allow Brax to easily gain the advantage and should her attack miss she would gracelessly skitter to a halt using her claws to dig into the ground. Leaving several deep claw marks furrowed into the school grounds as she regained her footing with a frustrated growl directed at him, baring her teeth she snapped at him yet again moving into a low crouch ready to defend herself. Internally Leila continued to try reigning in the already rampant psyche of the wolf that had blindly leapt to her defence after her earlier encounter with the Shifter, whom she fully blamed for this rather situation. But her thoughts were easily drowned out by the returned attention to Brax’s taunts and it didn’t take much goading on his part for her to attack again, using the same blind attack she waited for him to re-enter her peripheral vision as he circled moving around her. Rushing forward with one arm outstretched the creature swiped at the Shifter it was a undirected attack more of a prelude than much else as the Were used this momentum to add a second attack this time reaching out with a clawed hand, trying to catch him before he backed up as he did before. There may not have been much in the sense of control, but the creature did seem to be learning to ready attacks rather than rush in... the earlier instinct of protect was slowly blurring into attack. [e]
15:26:25 [Brax] Even a Shifter could be winded when a rabid feral hurled itself in true bestial rage, forelegs pushing Brax into a heap on the ground without so much as an inch of prowess. Muzzle collided with maw, and the metallic lure of blood kept his wrath burning strong. The messy attack had rendered him fully able to deflect her attempt to pinion him, and he easily hurled her to the side with a push of his own forelegs. With another lunge, he'd collided on top of her, snarling into her bestial face. Rather than strike, or attempt to maul her with the violent intent she harboured for him, he backed up, continuing to stalk her. They were both a little winded, but fighting defensively and with the control and concentration he'd worked at for years, she'd tire long before him. It was no aid to her case that she was younger, had years less training and didn't apply to her Ether with the obsessive training Braxton endured day in, day out. Leila struck for him again, her first hit missing entirely, the second deflected with a swipe of his own, but not quickly enough. Her claws bit into his foreleg and chest. The wound wasn't deep but it drew from him a snarl more vicious than any. Molten amber orbs coursed with rage, and he found himself inwardly fighting the desire to sick his teeth into her Were neck and viciously savage her to pieces. Finally, Braxton launched himself at her. He came with the force of a larger male, the speed of a Shifter and the training of hard-practise. If successful, he'd knock her down on her side, his clawed paws pinioning her to the forest floor. as he pressed his full weight onto her. Yes, they'd moved into the trees during their brawl, instinctual? Or coincidence?
15:55:15 [Leila] First day of classes had barely begun and the two of them were already at each other’s throats, if today was anything to go by then this week was going to be one fun-filled adventure with Dryke pulling out all the stops. Well there was that and the fact that Leila despite showing promise with her dwindling control was only a fifth year student, meaning that she was nowhere near being able to control the length of time she was able to hold a change... clearly today was going to be a bad day. Both students were technically set on an equal footing, Leila’s brute strength tempered with her lack of control and Brax’s experience with his Shifter abilities made for an interesting matchup and each one proved themselves more than capable of being able to fend for themselves. The younger Werewolf yelped as she was easily knocked aside, her smaller frame falling to the ground after he collided on top of her, winded and weaker than before she returned his growl with a low whine before attacking once more. With the first hit missing she put all she had into that second swipe despite yowling in pain when his attack hit, she quickly swung around for a follow up attack albeit weaker the wolf was stubbornly determined to leave her mark. The shifter’s claws had left long scars along her shoulder and down her arm enough to stagger her already weakening form, there was no way that she could avoid his next attack and as such the Werewolf offered no resistance when he knocked her down. What happened next could only be described as mortifyingly embarrassing as the forest echoed with the sounds of bones reforming and snapping back into a form very much human and not canine, Leila reappeared sans her Hex uniform, positively furious and very much embarrassed at her current position beneath Brax’s shifted form. Her injuries though still rather painful began to slowly heal, that all too familiar itch preceded the Were’s ability to heal and it also made for a rather great distraction as she attempted to change her position and cover herself. Refusing to meet his gaze she remained prone and very much quiet while silently thanking every God out there that she was in the forest and not out on the school grounds, aside from the fact that her entire body ached from bones to muscle fibre there was no way that she was going to move right away... even with her body healing itself it would take a moment or two before she would be able to find her feet. [e]
16:14:51 [Brax] He'd always been at the throats of Were's, particularly Leila but never in such a literal fashion. It was the first day of classes and neither of them would come out of this with the strength for a full day of Hex tutelage. It was a turn of luck that he didn't have Dryke until the afternoon, the Fourth Years stuck with her this morning. Injuries wouldn't go unnoticed beneath her eye. The metallic taste in his mouth, the scent of his and her blood soured his wolven nostrils and had him curl his mouth in another snarl. His heart thumped in his shifted breast, his body running on pure, practised stamina and adrenaline but he too was growing tired and sore from the battering they had given each other. The Shifter pressed his weight upon her, expecting another onslaught of attacks but it seemed the Were had nothing left. Her body began to shift and crack beneath his heavy paws, and the rage within him made him slow in releasing her from the exacting hold. Rather than simply letting her go, his body gave a shudder that even she would feel. One that coursed through his veins, every muscle and bone shifting, ever particle adapting as per the commands of his mind and Ether. The fur seemed to invert and disappear entirely, birthing sparsely haired flesh which snaked up forelegs that were fluidly becoming biceps, paws that melded into the superior, shape of a hand. Maw gave way to a face, chiselled and sculpted in masculine. They were undeniably close, his hands still positioned on his shoulders, his breathy panting in her face as his snarling had been moments before. The last to alter to his original form were his elongated canines and the shift in his amber eyes, from beast to human. Leila wouldn't meet his gaze, and understandably enough. His lip was swollen and bloodied, a drop or two of his metallic essence falling to her face. There was no hiding the bleeding claw scathing on his broad chest or right forearm, nor the injuries on her person. In true female prioritisation, what would likely occur most importantly to her was that they were both naked. Braxton shifted his weight and stood, without any bashful damsel covering and shifting. Wiping his mouth with the back of one hand his padded footsteps left her. The Shifter considered leaving the girl to an unfortunate situation. Trust a Were to lose all thought and ruin her clothing. But he returned, dressed in his gym shorts and discarded sneakers. The shirt he left off, and tossed to her while keeping his gaze averted, but he may have peeked once or twice. He was big enough for the shirt to cover her nearly to mid thigh. For anything else, she'd have to go wanting for, and thank herself in the process. One habitual tousle of his tawny hair as he paced forward, then turned back it became clear he was fighting an inward battle and the losing end stopped, turned his gaze again and offered an arm to help her up.
16:33:02 Leila thought of every curse under the sun as she hoped and prayed that this was all just one big and terrible nightmare that she would wake up from and then all would be right with the world, clearly she was wrong. This was real and what made it worse was that she was in no way able to move on her own, well not without help until that healing of hers fully kicked into gear and so she would unwillingly remain curled up on the forest floor hazel eyes shut tight as she waited for the inevitable snide remark. A long and awkward moment passed before Leila was able to wriggle her fingers and not too long after that she would be seen tentatively moving her injured arm, her injury was already beginning to look days old as the skin healed itself along with the rest of the scrapes and bruises that covered the lithe teen’s frame. Still refusing to look at him she felt his body shift and return to its original form as he shuddered over her, the sudden drops of blood took her by surprise as her curiosity drove her to look at the bloodied lip she had given him. Leila stared at him wide-eyed but still found herself unwilling to speak to him as she found herself still tensed and waiting for his comment about Shifter’s being superior and what not, with nothing said from his side she enviously watched him as he easily rose to his feet. Dropping her gaze she took a deep breath as she gingerly rearranged her still wobbly limbs into some semblance of cover, by the time he returned she had eventually covered herself enough to be presentable, if that even meant much considering her distinct lack of clothing. She looked a right mess, covered in dirt and scratches along her body that were slowly beginning to fade away along with the bruises too, but this musing was quickly dropped when Brax offered her his shift. Silently accepting the garment she quickly donned the item while his back was turned making sure to pull it down as she all but drowned in it, “Thank you.” Though whispered she knew he’d hear it but what floored her was his offering to help her to her feet, wordlessly she took his hand while the other hand consciously tugged the shirt lower in hopes of preserving what modesty she had left. [e]