Fantasy Secrets are Protection

[Vatusia]

Once Avalon had finally left all the things she had been planning on taking on the dresser, Accra made a mental note to go over the difference between certain groups of humans with the nymph. If he was going to continue to bring her out with him then she would need to learn not to steal from the people. It would only make things worse for the girl and possibly other inhumans. The majority of folks didn't have an opinion of non-humans one way or another, but enough stories about them stealing could cause that opinion to shift. But all thoughts of future consequences were pulled from Accra's mind as he saw that Avalon was demanding her gift from Jes. The gentle giant was just looking down at the shorter girl, then over at Accra with a question on his face. It took all of the thief's self-control to not burst out laughing. "Avalon, this is Jes, Jes this is Avalon," Accra chuckled. Jes was still looking between the two with possibly the most confused look Accra had ever seen. There was a very good reason that Jes's wife or the kids usually dealt with the customers. "I told her that your prodigy child was picking things out for her," Accra gave as an explanation. Jes nodded then grinned down at the nymph.

"So you weren't kidding when you said you were going to find some help," Jes rumbled. Accra scowled. It had been Jes who had suggested finding a non-human to help with his business. It had been his own wife who had suggested getting a slave. Anna had been adamant about the idea actually. If they weren't such good friends, Accra would do some searching to figure out why Anna had even suggested the idea when her husband seemed so opposed to the idea now. Perhaps he would ask Anna next time he saw her. But for now, Jes just waved his hand subtly to draw the thief's attention. "When you have time, you may want to check up with the smithy down the lane." Accra gave a small nod before looking to Avalon. Jes was no doubt directing him to a client, but Accra wasn't sure if he should take the nymph with him or get her back to the house. "Take her with. Outfit her with something to protect her," Jes advised. "While you are better off with Accra, his life isn't safe. You will need protection young nymph."

 

[Otakuforreal]

Avalon looked at Accra with a confused pout. This wasn't the Madeline who was supposed to give her a gift? Frowning, she shoved Jes away from her, moving back to be by Accra's side. If this person in front of her didn't have something for her, she wanted no part of them. She looked towards Accra with a frown. "Gift. Now." She demanded. She was told she was going to get a gift, and she wanted it. Then the man, Jes, spoke to her again, and she hid behind Accra, not fully trusting the man. She knew, for Accra had told her, that his work wasn't the safest. "I know." Was all she had said in response to Jes.

Not a moment later, Avalon saw something just a bit passed Jes, something that had glinted and caught her eye. So, with that same curious twinkle in her eye, she went, walked passed Jes, and picked up the metal object. It wan't anything spectacular; it was really just some metal piece that was needed to finish some sort of furniture. However, Avalon decided she liked what ever it was, and just like with the things in the other rooms, she put it in her pocket with a smile. However she didn't want to let this one go.

 

[Vatusia]

And Avalon was already back to pocketing things. Accra sighed as he stared at Jes and shook his head. The bear of a man just gave him a sad smile and then turned towards where his daughter had disappeared to. Madeline was taking an awfully long time for just picking out things for his worn down house. Maybe she was taking her time to pick things out for the nymph. It wouldn't be the first time that the family of furniture makers had adopted someone they barely knew. Accra certainly wasn't the first of their charity cases. Accra quietly passed a few coins to Jes as he stood up to look around for the prodigy daughter. Instead, he found Anna gliding down the aisle of furniture. "Anna," Accra greeted. He made a mock bow as the lady stopped in front of her husband. "What brings the generous Lady Annabelle the Generous down?" That brought a smile to Anna's lips. He had officially met Anna and Jes when he was hired to steal an heirloom from a 'Lady who disgraced her family'. It hadn't taken long for Accra to understand what had happened. The last of her line, Anna had said goodbye to the nobility and married her commoner paramour. The thief had finished that job by tossing his client in the river when he had threatened to have someone else go after Anna, removing her from her title if necessary. Humans would do awful things for power sometimes.

"I heard that you had gotten yourself a companion. I couldn't very well resist seeing the beauty that had you considering sprucing up that hole you call a home," Anna trilled. Accra huffed at the insult of his home. It wasn't that bad. But there was no use arguing with the Lady. The tiny woman floated over to where Avalon was, her dark eyes scanning the girl up and down. She must have seen something because not a moment later was she pulling the nymph in for an embrace. "I am sorry for whatever they did to you. If you ever need to get away from Accra, or just need time with other women, our doors are always open to you." Accra and Jes both rolled their eyes at Anna's theatrics. They both knew that Anna would adopt the girl as one of her own children if it weren't for the fact that Avalon didn't resemble dark-haired Anna at all. "And you," Anna hissed as she turned on the thief, "if you don't get that home cleaned up I will be taking her from you!" Accra just let out a sigh and shook his head. It was an empty threat if he had ever heard one, but still. "I promise to get it cleaned. I'm actually having your wonderful daughter get some furniture for the rest of my house. I'm thinking about turning the second floor into a library," Accra hummed, half to appease Anna and half figuring out his plans out loud. The woman just nodded before turning back to Avalon and embracing her again. With a final smile, she turned and stalked off, apparently satisfied. "Women..."

 

[Otakuforreal]

Once she was pocketing shiny things that had caught her eye, the next thing she knew, she was being hugged by a strange woman. At the brief mention at what she had been through, Avalon's webbed ears folded back, a clear sign that she did not enjoy remembering the torture, the separation from her people and family. Now slightly upset, she shoved the woman away, sticking her tongue out at her before making her way towards the other side of the room, sitting down in the corner, curled up. The bad memories flooded her head, and she whined, the longing for her friends and family stronger now. One other reason she hated humans-- they never seemed to think about how their words can effect others, whether they were other humans or not.

Even as Anna had left her alone, she refused to come out from her corner, only watching Accra discuss his plans of what to do with the house, and only half paying attention to him. Now, more than ever, she wanted to go to the shoddy house she called home, and sleep in her plain bed, in her plain room, and just forget that the world existed. Then perhaps after that, she'd find the nearest body of water and go for a swim. She missed the sound of rushing water and the feel of the cold wetness on her skin. She missed just being near water, but now she realized..she probably wouldn't see much of the water anymore.

 

[Vatusia]

There were a lot of things that Accra had been expecting Avalon to do when she had suddenly had her personal space invaded. Curling up in the corner had not even been on the top fifteen things expected. Accra gave a shrug to Jes, who wandered off, probably to find his wayward daughter or trouble-making sons. Now that the mask-wearing man thought about it, the shop was entirely too quiet. But that was Jes's problem. Accra got to deal with the nymph. So with an effort to make enough noise to not startle Avalon, Accra crossed the room and kneeled in front of the blonde. His first instinct was to ask what was wrong. But then he remembered the state that he had bought the girl in less than a day ago. Perhaps being out this long was simply too much for the nymph. "Tell me what you need," Accra whispered. The thief was not used to dealing with people directly like this. "Tell me what you need and you shall have it. I told you I would take care of your needs and that doesn't exclude emotionally." Accra forced himself to look at the nymph's face. He could read the pain there but he couldn't tell what it was from. He lowered his gaze, focusing on her hands and wrists. he could still see the bruises there from where she had been chained. Perhaps he should have done something harsher to the old witch that had sold Avalon to the thief. It wasn't too late to fix that mistake either.

But for now, he needed to focus on what he could do to make the nymph more comfortable. "Take her back to your house, Accra. I'll have the workers deliver your furniture tomorrow." Accra turned slowly to see Madeline starting at them with a cold sympathy. The thief just nodded to the young girl before turning back to Avalon. He stood slowly, stretching out his body before offering a hand to Avalon. He made sure to leave her plenty of room to stand should she not want any physical contact. Maybe it would be wise to talk with the nymph more about her needs. For now, though, he would settle for getting her safely back to the house. Everything else, including the potential job, could wait.

 

[Otakuforreal]

Avalon looked up at Accra and backed more into a corner, and her eyes showed intense fear-- a change from the curious looks she gave everything, or the enraged look she gave the old witch who tortured her and sold her. She remained silent, the fear still strong after a few minutes at just staring at Accra. She knew he didn't treat her as such, but the fact still remained that he had bought her. He owned her. Really, she was nothing more than his property. However, he seemed to treat her gently. Whether or not it was to gain her trust didn't matter to her..She appreciated it. She fished out of her pockets every shiny thing she had taken, throwing them across the room. She didn't want them any longer. When she was asked what she wanted, "Home" was all that escaped her lips, her voice trembling as if the tears could start to trickle down her blue tinted skin.

As Accra backed up and held is hand, she frowned and crawled out from her corner slowly, refusing to take his hand. She made her way towards the door, leaving the store and wandering outside, not paying attention to where she was going, her eyes holding little to no life in them. She had told herself that the torture she had endured, the horrors she had seen, would not effect her. But she had realized now how wrong she was, and how traumatized it made her. But now, all because of a well meaning sympathetic moment, the memories of months spent trapped in a tank filled with dirty water haunted her.

 

[Vatusia]

Accra watched in silence as Avalon exited the shop, the scattered trinkets left behind and forgotten. The thief looked worriedly over at the furniture maker, but she only shrugged and inclined her head towards where the nymph had just exited. He would be getting no help from Madeline today. So Accra stalked after Avalon, keeping a few steps between them once he had caught up. Since she hadn't taken his hand to get up then she probably didn't want to be touched. Accra could at least afford her that courtesy. The people on the street would be the biggest obstacle in their way on the trip back to the house. "Avalon, stay behind me," Accra whispered as he stepped in front of the nymph. As out of it as she was, Accra didn't want to risk her wandering off or encountering a crowd of too many. The celebrators had mostly all retired for the day, but there were still enough people out that she may get touched. Accra truly did not want to test his theory that she was touch-averse right now. Not in the middle of the city during the daytime.

So he guided her through the back alleys, checking to make sure he hadn't lost her frequently. It didn't take them long to get to their home. Accra let out a quiet sigh as he opened the door for the nymph to enter. He tossed the package with Avalon's dress on to the package of her other clothes. He would need to take those upstairs later. Once he was sure that she was settled. "Do you need anything else?" Accra asked quietly. He knew enough about dealing with emotionally unstable people to know to keep his voice low and phrase everything like a question or suggestion. But beyond that, he was running blind. Hopefully, they would manage to get through whatever this was with Avalon quickly. Otherwise, Accra really didn't know what to do.

 

[Otakuforreal]

Avalon did as she was told, staying behind Accra, though she was still out of it. She only wished to get home, to forget the days events and to sleep as long as her body would allow. She hugged herself, feeling unnaturally cold. She looked at Accra, her frown growing. She felt guilty he had to practically baby her, to make her feel comfortable. The way he did so made her feel for the slightest moment that he cared for her well being, but she knew better. He was a theif, and he was an excellent liar; she guessed he had to be in his line of work.

She was relieved when they quickly returned home. As soon as they walked through the door, she felt more calm. She made her way to a chair, sitting on it and curling up on it. She looked at Accra as he asked her what else she needed, and she thought it over for a few moments. "Tub..Blankets.." She told him, going back to her one word responses. She wanted a tub filled with water, warm or cold didn't' matter. And then she wanted a ton of blankets to nest herself in, to make her feel more safe. "Books." She added, nodding to herself.

 

[Vatusia]

A tub, probably with water. Blankets, hopefully not in the tub with the water. And books, which would go nowhere near the tub. That was doable enough. Accra quietly went to the sitting room, trusting Avalon to follow along behind him once she was ready. There was a tub in the bathroom just beyond the sitting room. He had two buckets of water prefilled. Accra poured the cool water into the tub. It wasn't much, but it should be enough for Avalon to at least splash herself with until Accra got more water and a bucket of boiling water so she wouldn't freeze. He had noticed the way she was hugging herself on the way back to the house. The last thing Accra wanted right now was for Avalon to get sick. If there was anything that the thief was worse with than emotionally unstable people it was those who were sick and emotionally unstable. Accra had to suppress an involuntary shudder at the thought of dealing with someone both sick and unstable. That would be his worst nightmare.

The thief jogged up the stairs to grab the blankets from his room and one of his books about the history of the country. Even if the nymph couldn't read, there were some maps in the front that she could look at. Accra quickly descended back to the sitting room and placed the blankets and book outside the bathroom before collecting the buckets so he could get more water. It would only take a few more full buckets to fill the tub up enough that Avalon could submerge most of her body in the water. Quiet steps were the only sound in the house as Accra moved to the courtyard in the back that had its own private well. It had been one of the reasons that the thief had decided to reside in this worn down house. Privacy was too rare in the city to pass by. Accra drew up the bucket already hanging in the well and set it aside. He quickly filled the other two buckets before bringing them back into the house. They were placed by the blankets and book before Accra departed again to get the last bucket of water heated. With the final bucket in hand, Accra moved to the top floor to get his stove started so that the water could begin to boil. It would probably take a while. Hopefully, Avalon would be able to take care of herself while he kept his eye on the fire. While he was worried for the girl, it would do neither of them good to have their lodging go up in flame because he was dotting on her.

 

[Otakuforreal]

Avalon watched as Accra hurried around the house, trying to make her comfortable, and she couldn't help but smile a bit. It was odd to see such a composed person such as himself move quickly, a small bit of worried implemented into his movements. As he went around to get the things she needed, Avalon made her way to the tub filled slightly with the cold water, and after disrobing, she sat herself down. Almost immediately, her fingers became webbed, and her skin turne a metallic blue. She missed how the water did this to her, and missed the feeling of water on her skin in general.

Though the water in the tub barely covered her legs, she leaned back and stared at the ceiling, relaxing. It was odd, having someone do something to make her comfortable, and it was odd he rushed to do so. But, she figured it was only because he wanted her to get better so she could go back to work. That's all humans wanted from those who were different, right? So that's all Accra was doing for her. But, she couldn't deny that she enjoyed being doted on, and she would savor it while it lasted.

 

[Vatusia]

It took a good twenty minutes before the water started to steam. Accra hadn't heard anything from the lower levels of the house, so he assumed that Avalon was soaking in the tub or curled up in the blankets reading. The thief poured the now hot water back into the bucket and carried it carefully down the stairs. Once he'd reached the ground floor he turned to the sitting room, where the blankets, book, and water buckets were still sitting outside the bathroom. The thief blinked behind his mask before shaking his head. Even when she wasn't demanding to be spoiled, it would seem that Avalon still wanted to be spoiled. Accra just let out a sigh as he grabbed up one of the other buckets. "Avalon I'm coming in," Accra called out. A few seconds later, he pushed the door open and entered. The first thing he noticed was Avalon's skin color, the second was that she hadn't even bothered to neatly fold her clothes. Another sigh escaped the thief. He poured the cold water bucket into the tub, making sure the water covered her legs before pouring in the hot water near her feet. Hopefully, it wouldn't burn her skin, but there wasn't much Accra could do about that considering she was already in the tub. "Do you want me to bring the blankets and book in here or leave them outside the door?" Accra questioned. He would rather not bring the book into the bathroom, but it wasn't one of his rarer books. If something happened to it, he could replace it. Accra quickly grabbed the last water bucket and emptied it into the tub. The water was now up to Avalon's very blue shoulders. He would need to get her a bigger tub if she wanted to be fully submerged. "Do you need me to stay or do you want me to leave?"

 

[Otakuforreal]

Avalon soaked in the tub as she heard Accra rush around the house, and as he made in way into the bathroom and filled her tub to her shoulders, she purred happily, leaning back with her eyes closed as she let the warmth envelope her. "Stay." She told Accra, looking over at him. "Leave the blankets outside." She told him. "I want you to read to me." She said softly, looking over at him, explaining why she wanted him to stay. She didn't know how to read, but she would love to learn. Until that day came, however, she wanted him to read to her. Any book he had, she wanted to listen; especially if it had pictures she could look at. Avalon smiled, though the smile was still sad and frightened, and shifted in the tub, some water spilling over the edges, as she folded her arms over the edge of the tub and rested her head on her arms. "Please?" She asked softly.

 

[Vatusia]

They were back up to multiple word replies. That was good. It meant that Avalon was stabilizing. Accra just nodded to the nymph's request and grabbed the book from where it was sitting on top of the books. This wouldn't necessarily be the most interesting book to read or listen to, but if Avalon wanted him to stay and read, then he would indulge her for a time. At least until her bath water got cold. Accra sat with his back to the tub, not caring if he got splashed. This way Avalon would be able to see any illustrations that were on the pages and he wouldn't have to move around to show her them. She would also be able to read over his shoulder should she feel so inclined. So the thief settled in on the floor and started on the first chapter of the glorious and fascinating history of the country. Honestly, he would rather be out sharpening a dull spoon into a knife, but Avalon had used the word please. It was the first time that Accra had heard that word from the nymph, even when she was demanding things or gifts. So as he continued to read on the rather boring history of the country they were currently in, Accra made sure to pay attention to any noises that he heard behind him. If Avalon was distressed enough to actually ask for something, then perhaps she was worse than the thief had originally guessed. Or maybe she was finally learning manners. Accra could only hope it was the latter.

 

[Otakuforreal]

The nymph leaned over the side of the tub as he started to read, Avalon pointing at every picture there was and asking questions about what they were. Avalon could care less about the history of a country that had treated her and others like her so cruelly, but she had to admit, it was nice having company and having someone read to her and willingly sit with her to make her feel better. Accra continued to read the book, and once it started to get to the treatment of nonhumans, one the book had justified by some far-fetched explanation, Avalon frowned and started to seem like she was getting worse. "Accra..why do humans hate those like me? Did we do something to make your people fear us?" She asked him, wanting to understand.

 

[Vatusia]

As soon as Avalon asked why humans hated non-humans, Accra closed the book. When she asked if there was something that been done that had made humans fear the non-humans, he put the book in his lap. He turned his head to look at the nymph from the corner of his eyes. Silver flashed from within the confines of his mask. "Don't lump me in with them, Avalon," Accra requested softly. There were few things that bothered the thief more than being counted among the general population. "I have no idea why humans hate non-humans. I think it might have something to do with humans don't like things that are different than them. Anything different is automatically scary. And with humans being the majority of inhabitants of the world, they must be normal. It's... stupid," Accra sighed. He couldn't really give Avalon a better answer. He doubted that an actual answer to that question existed. It was simply human nature to fear things they couldn't understand. With another sigh, Accra expanded upon his answer. "Humans can't even get along with other factions of humans. They wipe each other out over differences of opinions all the time. Perhaps the simplest answer is that humanity, at its core, is simply destructive." Accra stood from his place by the tub and stretched himself out, feeling his muscles unknot. "Jes told me of a possible job. Do you feel like coming with me or do you want to stay here?"

 

[Otakuforreal]

Avalon frowned as he explained as best he could why she and others like her were different. It was odd, to say the least, to despise someone simply because they are different; because everyone was different one way or another. "Well..You are much different than humans. Almost to the point where I wonder if you are one." She told him, trying to lighten the mood. She realized her PTSD breakdown probably ruined the atmosphere in the normally quiet and calm home. "It saddens me that I have to hide. But..if it means I survive, I will do so as long as I must." She sighed. At his question, she thought it over. "..How long will you be away?" She asked him, one of her webbed fingers tracing over the designs on his mask. "I..wish to stay home." She explained. "But I don't wish to be alone anymore."

 

[Vatusia]

Accra stayed as still as possible as Avalon traced one of the lines on his mask. How long would it take him to get the job and be back? He couldn't say for sure. "I shouldn't be longer than an hour, however, I cannot say for sure. If you want me to stay, I will," Accra stated. They were sure to have attracted attention earlier. Between Avalon's odd behavior and his mask, Accra wanted to keep an eye on the house. With the way this day had been going, he would return home to his home ransacked and Avalon who knows where. If the guild managed to get its claws into his own secrets, things would quickly become unlivable in the city. "You do realize that if we stay in for the rest of the day, I will be expecting us to get the second floor cleaned? I didn't just give Madeline blanket permission for nothing. I was very serious about that library," Accra teased. Perhaps he could shift the nymph's focus from the outside world and the dangers that lie there to the dangerous dust bunnies that had ahold over his house. The thief wouldn't put it past Anna, or even Jes, to tell their workers to not deliver if his house was a disaster. It had only taken them being in the house once before they declared Accra mad for living there. Perhaps he was. If so, he was even more mad for buying a nymph slave to live there with him. "But the decision is yours, Avalon."

 

[Otakuforreal]

Avalon thought it over for a moment. An hour wasn't too bad, right? She could survive for an hour alone, she was sure. "You may leave, if it's only for an hour. If you want, I'll start cleaning the second floor." She told him, drawing her hand back from his mask, and a smile on her face from his teasing. "It will take my mind off today. I'm tired, but I feel as though I will not be able to sleep that well. Besides, I suppose its the least I can do for my behavior today." She explained, though her face turned into a pout. "But do not expect me to always be this way! I still hate manual labor." She told him, the same Avalon shining through. "So..I suppose you may leave to your work."

 

[Vatusia]

Accra chuckled as Avalon practically gave him leave to do his own job. He smiled behind his mask as she told him to not get used to her cleaning or doing any physical labor. "I'll be back as soon as I can. Feel free to soak as long as you like," Accra hummed as he stood. In truth, it shouldn't take him even an hour to get this done, but he didn't want to underestimate the time and end up leaving Avalon wondering where he was. It would only serve to distress the nymph further. With a final wave over his shoulder, Accra left the nymph to her soak. He was out the front door a few seconds later, the door latching and locking behind him. It should keep most of the amateurs out of his house. He would need to teach Avalon how to deal with anyone who got past the basic security he had.

The thief contemplated adding extra security to the house, at least until he was sure Avalon would be able to deal with any intruders. Though Accra wasn't sure that Avalon would ever be able to deal with some of the meaner threats to his privacy. That was something he would need to discuss with the nymph though. After all, he didn't know her abilities or her limits. The buildings passed by in a blur as he puzzled over how things would go in the future. Three new ideas for security later and Accra was at the smith that Jes had mentioned. The apprentice that was currently at the forge startled when he spotted the masked man. He screamed for his master before turning to stare in terror at the thief. Apparently even here, at a client, his reputation had preceded him. He really should explain that to Avalon when he got back.

 

[Otakuforreal]

Back at home, Avalon soaked in the warm tub for a good while, closing her eyes and relaxing. So far, Accra had not been the person she thought he was. She supposed he was kind-- at least a little bit if he was on good terms with the carpenter and his family. And if she was honest, it didn't seem like there was much for her to do at his house; besides the occasional chore she may do. So what was the true reason he wanted to buy her? Pleasure? Company? Did it have something to do with his job?

Now that she thought about it..She didn't know much about the place she now called home. And she was Oh so curious. So, she lifted herself up from the tub and dried off, not bothering to get dressed. She didn't know if she particularly liked clothes, maybe besides the silk she loved to have against her skin. And now that she was in the privacy of her home, she could do as she pleased. So, the young nymph wandered around the house, looking and exploring every nook and cranny she could find, and letting her curiosity be satisfied.

 

[Vatusia]

It took a considerable amount of patience for Accra to stand still as the apprentice smith stared at him in abject horror. He was so very tempted to make the boy's fears of the thief worse. Or at least confirm whatever he had heard about the masked man. However amusing that seemed, it would be in poor taste. He was here professionally. Not to torture some poor apprentice who had heard too many stories for his own good. It didn't take long for his master to appear, anyway. "Ahh, the secret thief. I was hoping to see you soon," the older man hummed. The smith waved Accra towards the back of the forge, casting a look towards his apprentice. The boy scuttled off, resuming his work. "Forgive the boy. He's been spending too much time with the street urchins listening to their stories. Now, as for why I require your... services. A competitor of mine has taken an interest in my older apprentice, Jason. I need something to make sure I don't lose my apprentice to the hack, Wilson. His work is shoddy, but he charges less. I'm not getting younger, and I don't have the patience to start from scratch with a new apprentice," the smith explained. Accra nodded. Seemed like a simple enough job. Find something that would either force the elder apprentice to stay or that would convince him that this Wilson was not one he wanted to be under. The look on the older man's face said he didn't particularly care what the thief had to do to achieve this job. "You will receive payment upon completion." Accra nodded. That was typical of the artisan's. After all, they didn't get paid until they produced something. Without another word, Accra stalked off, smirking at the still frightened apprentice. Sometimes Accra wondered about the stories they told about him. Then again, it was probably best he didn't know. He might be tempted to reinforce some of those stories. The whole meeting hadn't taken even ten minutes. He would be back long before the hour he had told Avalon. Maybe he should pick up some fresh fruits on his way back. That was the only thing he had gotten the nymph to eat thus far. Might be best to get more.

 

[Otakuforreal]

Exploring was fun for Avalon. Exploring the house was not.

The nymph sighed as she dug around Accra's room, nothing that really caught her eye showing up. Then again, she didn't really look that well to begin with. With a pout, she sat on his bed, thinking. Surely Accra wouldn't get upset if she had went out to the River just for an hour or so, right? She was still scared to leave, she wouldn't deny that. But, there was just something about the cool ripples upon the river's surface that was calming to Avalon. The river always flowed, so it was practically a new river each time one would visit, and upon the waters stream, she could let her anxiety go.

Plus, she didn't need to worry about clothes. Oh, how she hated them! So restricting and uncomfortable-- silk or not.

Gathering all of her courage, knowing the river would take away her fears and worries, she set off, letting her heart guided her to her river: One that sat a few miles from the town. She sighed as she dove right in, enjoying how the cool water felt on her bare skin. She could feel her hands and feet web together, smiling at the silver shine her wet skin gave, and loved how pretty it looked under the moon light. Truly nothing was better than this. She'd return home later, but now was the time for forgetting.

 

[Vatusia]

As the thief entered the marketplace, a few patrons turned to look at him before hurrying off. Accra paid them no mind as he browsed the stalls, looking for fruit for Avalon and fish and meat for him. Hopefully, she would like whatever he decided to pick out for her. The girl was picky and stubborn at the best of times, the masked man didn't want to see what she was like when she was unsatisfied with the food that was bought for her. Perhaps eventually she would be stable enough to come out with him for long periods so that he wouldn't have to guess. But that was a long way away. For now, he would be getting her food, she would be dealing with it, and he would be dealing with her. So after picking what he thought she would like and some things for him, Accra took his food items and started heading back towards his house. The back alleys were quiet at this time of night. The sun was just beginning to set and people would be preparing for Carnevale again tonight. It was the perfect time to get anywhere without needing to worry terribly about being shadowed. So instead of taking a convoluted path to his house, Accra took the most direct. It would be best if he got back to Avalon quickly. No telling the trouble the nymph could get into on her own.

And trouble was what he found when he got home. Everything was fine on the first two floors. But when he got to the top floor, he could tell something was off. Not only was his door open, but there was no sign of the nymph. Accra's eyes narrowed behind his mask, searching for any signs of a struggle or break-in. If someone had taken Avalon, then he would expect to find more things out of place then there were. So she left and went into his room of her own free will. Accra let out a hiss through clenched teeth. He left her alone for an hour after doing the things that she wanted to and this was how she repaid him? The thief had no clue what he was going to do to the nymph once he found her, but he knew it would be unpleasant. With thoughts already swirling around his mind, Accra stalked back down the stairs and towards the street below. It wouldn't be hard to find someone who had seen the beautiful nymph and which way she had gone. The masked man doubted that the revelries would be in full swing by the time he had tracked down the ungrateful girl. And when he found her, she would understand the errors of her ways.

 

[Otakuforreal]

Luckily in the dirt there were foot prints, leading down to the lake that was a ways away. Avalon didn't know better; she was always attracted to the water, and with Accra gone, there was no one to stop her from exploring and going to the water she so missed. She didn't think twice, didn't consider the fact that maybe there would be less than kind people who would do anything for an exotic nymph as a pet. Technically speaking, she was already a pet. But it wasn't like she was going to just run off and never come back! She would go back to the house and sleep! Just..maybe not until morning.

Her giggles traveled through the air as she swam to the lake, her metallic skin glimmering in the moonlight. No clothes, no people, no worries. In her mind, surely Accra would understand. He knew she needed much more than just a bathtub to soothe her aquatic needs, surely. Maybe this instance would make him take her to the lake, maybe there was an ocean she could sunbathe at and hear the waves crashing on the ocean. She smiled and got out of the water, sitting at the edge with her feet still in. It was then she brushed out her hair and began singing, feeling herself grow the calmest she'd been in a very long while.

 

[Vatusia]

The girl wasn't even careful enough to cover her tracks. Accra sighed to himself. There would be a very long winded rant when they got back to the house. He could already feel the frustration settling into his bones from her likely response. The thief shook the thoughts out of his head as he followed the nymph's trail. "Too easy," he muttered to himself. It was far too easy to track her down. It was no wonder she had been caught in the first place. Looks like he was also going to be teaching her avoidance techniques on top of self-defense. As he got nearer to the lake, Accra could faintly make out the sound of singing. Accra let out a long-winded sigh. She was lucky it was just him coming down to the lake at night and not someone unsavory. It wasn't even as if she hadn't already seen the dark side of men. The nymph had been a slave just a day ago. She, better than anyone, should know the danger she was in being alone in a secluded place.

That lesson could be drilled into her head another time. He needed to get them back to the house before anyone decided to teach the nymph those lessons themselves. Once the wayward nymph was in sight, Accra just stood there for a little bit and enjoyed the moment of peace. Too soon he would be ruining it. It was a peaceful and beautiful night to be out by the water. So different from the city in which he lived. But still, they needed to get back. So the thief took a few noisy steps forward. Let the girl get scared. It seemed she needed to be reminded of fear. "Care to explain what you're doing out here, Avalon?"