Tegan and Taj- An awkward romance

Rasera held the cape in the air for a moment longer, before she brought it back around her. The material easily covering her smaller frame easily. She watched him settle in after talking to his horse and she too laid down after wrapping the cape around her. She nodded at his instruction not to put out the fire, "Good night Akar." She said, easily falling into a light sleep.

~*~*~

Rasera woke as the morning light played on her face, groaning slightly as she had done every morning after sleeping on the ground at sat up. She looked over to Akar and couldn't help as her gaze leveled on him. The fact that he had found her last night at all was a miracle in and of itself and something she had never expected. She cared for him deeply, she knew it to be true, but she knew telling him now would not be the time. She knew she probably would never do so unless he could find his sister and ease the ache in his heart for her. She quietly made sure she had everything in her small bag, unsure if Mask was awake or not.

Rasera watched as the horse had come over to her, patting her neck gently as she watched her go over to Mask. What happened next totally shocked her and she found herself trying with all her might not to laugh when Mask jumped to life thanks to the alarm clock that was Sorrahkin. An amused sparkle stayed in her eyes as Mask addressed her. "And good morning to you. I slept well thank you." She was still wearing his cape, it was hanging loosely around her shoulders and fell the the ground around her slim body. Her silky blonde hair cascaded over her shoulders and framed her gentle features.

"Would you like to head to town?" She asked, slipping the cape from her shoulders and walking over to him with a smile on her face. He looked like he still wasn't awake and it was kinda of cute. She reached up and brushed down some of his hair that was sticking up at an awkward angel as she giggled.

Rasera handed him her things and waited for him to attach the her bag before getting a hand up to get on the horse. It brought back memories from when she had rode Sorrahkin was during that terrible tornado. She was more than glad never to return to that horrible town where bad luck had followed them for so long. She adjusted her position in the saddle to ensure there was room for Mask.

The ride over for Rasera was a little awkward at best, having no idea about how to feel with Mask's arms around her and his body up against her for the duration of the ride. She eventually got used to the rhythm of the ride and relaxed into it, holding on to ensure she wouldn't fall off.

~*~*~*~

As they came into town, Rasera took note that this wasn't the best of towns to be in and wouldn't have even an issue making sure to be careful. As he got off she took his hand, slipping off of the horse and onto the ground. She looked around and kept close to him for the time being. She patted Sorrahkin's neck turning from Mask for a short minute. "I'll tie her up if you want to go in the inn?" She suggested, secretly wanting to praise the horse for the morning without Mask around.

Rasera smiled and turned with Sorrahkin as Mask went off. She found a small area that she would be able to put her up for the night. She rubbed the horses neck. "You got him so good this morning." She laughed, finally able to do so without invoking a glare from him. She tied the reins to the post. "I know you are used to walking around on your own but I don't trust the looks of the town...Make sure to make a lot of noise if someone comes after you, okay?" She rubbed the horses next a bit more enjoying the company of the beast.

~*~*~*~

When Mask entered the room he caught the eye of one particular woman. She was thin and well off in the chest area. Her hair was a rich dark brown color and her eyes were a deep brown color that held way too much experience for her young age. She wore a dark red corset that showed off her skin and breast, tied tight to show off her small waist. She had on a floor length skirt that was also a deep red but had a slit going nearly up to the top of her thigh to show off her shapely legs. The man who had entered put a renewed fire in the courtesans belly and she knew he would be a great time not only in bed but he looked like he might have some money to steal. She let her hair out of the loose pony tail that it was kept it and shook it out so it was cascading around her shoulders in a sensual way.

She walked over to Mask, going to his side and smiling at him. "You are far too handsome to be without a woman on your side." She whispered into his ear, curling herself around him to cut off any comfortable escape chances. "My name is Chara, pleasure." She introduced, every moment she was near him the want to drag him upstairs and ravage him grew even stronger. "Let me show you how soft my lips are..." She whispered once more, trailing kisses up his neck, around his ear and onto his own lips.

Rasera left Sorrahkin in good faith that she would be fine and decided to walk into the inn at the exact moment she saw the woman kissing Mask. She felt a cold weight drop into her stomach as her eyes went wide with disbelief. "I-..." That was all she could get out before tears clogged her throat and rimmed her eyes.

Chara looked to the door seeing Rasera standing there and a cat like grin found its way to her face. "It seems you do have a girlfriend, my apologies." She said with no hint of remorse, crawling out of his lap and back to the table where she had been.

Rasera didn't want Mask to see her tears, to see her pain and as soon as she could get her legs working she turned out of the door way and bolted into the street.

Rasera ran blindly, half not knowing where she was head and wanting to get away from Mask's calls and the other half her tears were blurring her vision. She was hurt, deeply so and she didn't want to act so childish in front of Mask. If he had wanted someone like that, it was his business and she would be happy if he was....but....Her heart ached.

A movement in the shadows saw Mask running, and a grin came upon its features. "Finely dressed for someone from this town." He remarked, "Perhaps someone important." He had guessed this with nicer dressed people from out of town before and only on a few counts he had been right but it was more than worth a shot. If he proved to be a nobody he would just take pleasure in killing him slowly. He gripped the lead pipe in his hand and started to jog, keeping pace with the man in the shadows. He was looking for someone, a woman. Perhaps SHE was the important one and he was the servant. Even better, he had not had the warm touch of a woman's skin in such a long time.

The man waited until he was in a slightly less populated area and came up behind Mask. "You are looking for Rasera, right?" He grinned, stepping out of the shadows. He was a huge man, standing probably close to seven feet and rippling muscles everywhere. He had ice blue eyes and blonde hair that was kept short. Before Mask could even ask a question, he took the chance to keep the surprise and brought the pole across his head. With a loud crack and a thud the man was down. "Oh my, you're head is broken lets see if we can fix that." He said, picking Mask up easily and tossing him over his shoulder.

To her horror, Rasera had seen the entire thing, she had been going in circles for some time now and heard Mask calling for her. She had wiped her tears and was soon going to approach when the man did so first, speaking her name and then hitting Mask. "Oh god..." Fresh tears were brought to her eyes but now was no time to cry, she had to follow him.

The man walked in the room soon after Mask had woken and grinned down at him. "So yer awake then." He stated the obvious, moving to take a seat near him. "So, i will ask you nicely once, where is you pretty princess Rasera? Lie to me or be of no use and when we find her, and we will, I will take personal pleasure in taking her innocence." He warned, leaning back in the chair.

Rasera looked at the building where Mask had been taken into and groaned, it was some creepy looking building the middle of no where in this god forsaken town. He had been taken because of her and she wasn't going to let it stay that way. She had seen a light come on in a hallway on the right side and assumed that was where they had taken him. That was where she was going to start looking.

"Oh, but I don't have to break you, boy, I have her painting." The man withdrew the photo of Mask and Vesperia and grinned madly. "I've asked some of my boys and they have seen this girl in town with you. We know she is here and what she looks like." He looked at the picture and stroked the girls face with a perverse look on his own face. Of course had had mixed up Vesperia for being Rasera just as Mask had done when they first met.

Rasera had gotten into the building just fine, there were seemingly no guards around and she was more than thankful that this guy seemed way overly confident in his powers. Judging from his size though, he definitely seemed to have a good reason. As she walked in the hallways she heard voices and took to a light jog to get closer. As she edged herself along the wall she saw a room with light streaming out of it. That had to be it! She got closer, straining to hear the words and voices. Mask. He was there. She knew it. She couldn't let Mask be killed, no. Taking a deep breath she walked into the doorway, not daring to look at Mask. She knew he would look at her in fear, perhaps anger, or even disgust but she had to at least save his life. "Release him."

The man who had been teasing Mask was more than shocked to see his prey walk into the room and stood, grabbing at his sword. "How nice of you to keep me from having to look. Come here pretty flower." He demanded, holding his sword out at her.

"Release him to safety and I will." She demanded once more, never looking at Mask once, her voice an even thread of sound.

The man walked over to Mask, easily picked him up and threw him out of the room tossing his sword at him and the picture. "Scram before I decided to kill you. The generosity of this little prize has sav-" Before he could continue he felt a sharp and deep pain run through his back and turned to see the cause of it. There was Rasera, a short short that she had picked up was now running through his flesh. Rasera felt the warm liquid of blood run down her hands from the sword and she felt the tears pouring down her face. She had never killed a human and it broke her heart and soul to do so. When she went to pull the sword from him so he would fall she came in contact with his skin and she scream in pain, her head exploding. She saw something in her mind and as fast as it was there it was gone. The man landed on the ground as his life essence spilled out around him. Rasera quickly moved away and over to Mask, dropping to her knees in front of him. "Are you alright?" She dare not touch him incase he didn't want her anymore.

Rasera felt mentally battered, the hurt from finding another woman on Mask, the fear watching him get kidnapped and trying to save him, the feel of killing another human being for the first time. Her heart was broken and the only thing holding it together was that Mask was alive and she had saved him. As she sat on her knees in front of him she only wanted to touch the lines of strain on his face and make them disappear.

To her surprise he pulled her in his lap and held her close, even going as far to kiss her head and rest his own upon her. She felt the heat crawl into her face as she leaned into him. He had made a point to say that he should be asking about her well being and then it hit her, a wave of emotion she couldn't contain any further. Tears poured down her face in heart wrenching sobs that wracked her small body. She had put on a brave face up until now and she couldn't keep it up.

When Rasera finally got her sobbing at least under control she could hear the gentle hum in Mask's chest, listening to the gentle tune she found herself wanting to listen to more of it. Her sobs soon turned soft cries and then sniffles as she calmed herself. She was so tired she felt like she could sleep for days in Mask's arms. She also knew, however that they would not want to be around the body any longer than needed.

She sat up slightly, not wanting to pull away from his warmth. "We should get out of here...." She suggested, the tears still fresh on her face and her large blue eyes red from crying. She pulled away from him, standing and then looked back at the dead body. She stood staring at it for a long long moment, feeling the sorrow on her heart. "Are you okay to walk?" She asked, turning back to him.

"I remember your bow was with Sorrahkin..." She recalled the weapon with the horse when she had put her up and frowned. She saw a small bag of money on the mans hip. With a numb feeling in her chest she walked over to him and picked the bag from his body being careful not to touch his skin for fear of it hurting her. "I believe this is yours."

She walked back over to him and handed him the coins, noticing that it was hard for him to stand but could do so. "Akar..." There was a pained thread of sound that came from her throat and then she shook her head not wanting to worry him further. She held out her hand, ready to head back to the inn.

Chara watched in the shadows as Mask and Rasera entered the room, frowning deeply when she saw that the two of them were in good shape. She wanted Mask for herself, wanted to pleasure herself with his handsome body and yet. She slipped up to Mask, bending slightly to allow her cleavage to spill out. "I apologize for my assumptions earlier. I didn't know." She purred, looking over to Rasera and her red rimmed eyes. "She's very pretty."

Rasera felt her stomach flip when she saw the same woman which had started this entire mess and without conscious thought she slipped her hand from his and she backed a step away averting her eyes. The woman was beautiful woman who was so open made Rasera self conscious and she felt the weird stab of jealously.