(Hey guys, I have another part for Ren and Reza but haven't had time to finish it so this is all you get tonight.
)
Arriving at the market Darth browsed various venders looking at everything from herbs to weapons to cloth. His presence was relatively ignored, while wolves were not common in the feline tribe, everyone seemed to accept him and his shifter flaws rather well and only addressed him to answer questions or when impolite to not do so.
He had a good eye for the tools of his trade, however was starting to look at cheaper alternatives after losing part of a set of custom made throwing knives to an assignation. Retrieving the precious items would have been to risky from the body of such a high profile individual. Yet using anything less then that set would have given him less accuracy, leaving him torn over future endeavors.
His sense of smell told him that Ray was near but he had little interest in finding her too quickly. Instead he was about to himself to traditional feline cuisine when he noticed the odd flowery scent he so accosted with the small white rabbit Jharna.
It took little time to find the creature, to which he squatted down to fully view. "Jharna?"
--
The semi-familiar voice both soothed and startled the girl causing her to shake like a leaf as she peered up at the man. Two white fangs forever loomed over his lower lip reminding her of the childhood stories were blood sucking monsters would prayed on people while they slept. His emerald green eyes were as cold as the stone they so full-heartily mimicked. As his hands wrapped around her quivering body she fought the urge to bit into the golden brown flesh.
--
Pressing her to his chest he stayed on the ground and whispered a soft soothing noise. "Your alright." Holding the soft ball of fur close until the trembling eventually slowed then stopped. Once he felt she was calm enough he held her out and placed her on the ground by his feet, remanding on her level.
"Have you ever tried the flesh of a white pine nut? They are a sessional thing to this region and not something to miss a chance at." He offered as conversation to the still shaken girl. They had traveled mostly in silence with Ray until finding the group. However he had noticed the way she would linger at the feet of those she cared for, once or twice he had even found her soft white fur next to his arm as he rose from sleep or hung by the fire.
Jharna shook her head, ears perking up in curiosity to the man's offer.
"Well then." Darth said easing to a standing position. "Lets see, I feel I saw a vender down that way. Would you like me to carry you or do you want to walk?" He had no more asked then felt the push of paws on his pants and shoe. She reached up his leg in a 'pick me up' kind of way he imagined a puppy would do.
Scooping her up he let her back legs rest on his left arm while her for limbs pressed into his right. She was mindful of her sharp toe nails, much to his relief. Even when shifting her weight to lay on her back feet while sprawling her upper body on his chest when time came for him to fish money from a pocket.
Darth learned two things as he bought food then retreated benign a set of trees with the rabbit: one that Jharna could eat more food then he found plausible for her size and two that a man toting around a fluffy white rabbit was a new and unfortunate way to pick up women. It was an unwanted change from the previously professional experience he had been enjoying.
Walking through the market had caused an uproar of loving coos from women as they piled around him to comment on the adorable rabbit or how cute he himself was by proxy. Jharna had not helped with the situation, her ears would perk up and in a almost an adorable way she would accept head scratches that resulted in a leg thump that made holding the exited ball of fur a challenge. It was only when a feline women close to his age had run a hand suggestively along his tail that the fangs came out.
With a snarl he had left the group in the dust, only to reluctantly find another group as they waited in line for food. Retreating into a less crowded area had been of great relief. He had grown so accustomed to her creature form that to find a young women sitting next to him nearly caused him to spring from his seat. "Jharna, sorry you just. Wow.." he said pressing his hand to his chest as the adrenalin passed. Her bright eyed smile shown both pleasure at the startle and concern.
He looked her up and down for a moment, the behavior of the white rabbit had so reminded him of a young child that to see a young women in front of him was hard to accept. "Jharna, do you mind if I ask how old you are?"
Her eyes fell to the ground as a stream of long white hair slide from behind her ear cascading over her face. 'Well at least the shy behavior was constant.' Darth thought as he leaded over slightly to try and peer into her eyes, a wolf like curiously getting the better of him. He had asked a question and wanted an answer.
To his shock she peered back up at him with a impish look to her. "18" Her voice was so soft the words could have been wishful thinking on his part.
"18?" Darth repeated to be sure he had indeed heard correctly. A little nod confirmed his request. "Well, if that doesn't just take all. I could have sworn you were no more then eight or nine."
She smiled warmly at him, a slight rosiness to her cheeks before leaning her side into his. Reluctantly he draped an arm over her so she could more comfortably rest. She looked exhausted, he imagined getting that worked up over every little thing must be wearing. However he wasn't really looking to be seen by Ren or anyone for that matter with an arm draped around Beaugro's eldest princess. It would send the wrong impression and could jeopardies his plans.
"If you want to become a rabbit again we could go find the others, I am happy to carry you if you want to sleep." She shook her head before nuzzling into his breast, pulling her legs onto the bench and forcing him to lean a little to better support her.
"Look this is going to come off wrong, but I can't get caught with you snuggling up to me." Her eyes peered up at him with a questioning look. "Your brother may not act like he cares about you but I can guarantee he would slit my throat if he thought for one minute that I was making a move on his sister."
She seemed to accept this, though reluctantly and changed back into a rabbit form before curling up in his arms. He had half a mind to place her back on the bench but though otherwise, instead he made himself comfortable, letting her rest against him in the shade. They had time and he for one didn't mind the idea of catching a quick nap if given the chance.