Arreyis

Devouring Light

The taxi dropped Ayrie off in front of Markus's temple, as she didn't yet feel like faving the priests. She went to the courtyard and sat on a bench, still jumping at every little sound. She felt like she would zap anything that came into her path, so she decided to sit and meditate for a while. Seeing that it was nearly dinner time, she didn't have much longer before the priests came out in search of her, but she wasn't nearly as afraid of them as she was of hurting someone.

"Ayrie? What are you doing here?" Markus asked softly, standing at a distance as if he could sense her fear.

"Markus... I-i didn't know where else to go..." Ayrie said, tears finally falling from her eyes. "I just h-had the w-worst day..."

"Oh, my dear." He sat beside her, putting his arm comfortingly behind her to allow her to rest her head. "Tell me. What can I do to help you?"

Ayrie thought for a few moments, using the time to compose herself.

"Teach me something to defend myself." She said. "I need to know more defensive magics. Something to bind, maybe, and silence." She spat the last word out as if it were an attack.

"Of course my dear. Let us begin." He stood and motioned for her to follow him inside, where they went inside a practice room that he had heavily sheilded. "Anything you do in here stays in here. You cannot harm me, nor can I harm you, and nothing can escape. We will begin with a binding spell..."

Devouring Light

Ayrie was settled into what seemed like an interrogation room. It was the only place safe enough for her to meet with the prisoners on her list today, as they were some of the worst. Her yellow dress stood out starkly against the grey walls of the room, making her look like a daffodil in a dark cave. She had seen three so far, all to the same end- none of them wanted to confess or have their last rights. They wanted to frighten her, as a result her determination was waning as she asked for the last prisoner of the day to be brought to her.

The next man was sent in in chains, wearing a browm jumpsuit with numbers printed on it. His face gave her the worst impression, his eyes were dark brown with circles beneath, and there were scars on his face.

"Hello... Samuel." Ayrie said, looking at her sheet. "My name is Ayrie. I'm here to offer a place for safe confession, and if you'd like final rights."

The man just smiled at her, his eyes hungry and crazed. "Helllo Ayyyrie." He drawled.

"Please, have a seat. Guard, you may wait outside, with the door open please." Ayrie said brightly, trying not to allow the man to get under her skin. He just smiled wider, almost as if this was exactly what he wanted. The guard, smarter than the average muscle for hire, sat the man down and shackled him to the chair.

"You look like a nice lady. What are you doing here?" Samuel asked, his smile never leaving his face.

"I told you. Confessions and last rights. Is there anything you'd like to talk about? Any regrets you have?" She was still trying to project an air of aloof kindness.

"I regret not taking a woman like you to my shack." He said, his voice rising as he spoke. "I regret allowing the last one to live long enough to escape and tattle on me! I regret..."

"Guard!" Ayrie shouted. Her heart was beating fast as the man stared at her, still shouting his regrets at her as she stood and backed away.

It took too long for the guard to arrive, it felt like ages to Ayrie. He finally did and got the man unshackled from the chair and pulled him from the room, still shouting obscenities at her.

"Ohh my god..." Ayrie whispered, taking a gasping breath. She stood there for some time, composing her emotions as best as she could. When she was finally able to move she went straight to her office, grabbed her things, and bee lined for the exit to the prison. She swiped her card to leave and gave the guard a teary smile as she left, practically running outside to the taxi that was waiting for her.

Devouring Light

'I'm such an idiot.' Ayrie thought to herself watching Asran leave. 'Of course I can't expect him to flirt with me, no matter what this strange attraction feels like to me. I'm nobody.'

She sighed and moved to the desk, sitting in the chair and propping her feet on the desk. She spent a few moments staring out the window, then got up and decided to start planning her decorations. She didn't know when she would be needed, but she assumed she would get some sort of sheet that told her who was next in line. After spending a few minutes imagining her office, she stepped out and went to find someone to tell her what was next.

Devouring Light

"I'm okay..." Ayrie said, not moving away. This feeling was dangerous, and it made her heart beat fast. She had been through so much the last couple days, it was nice to just be close to someone. The fact that that someone happened to be Asran just felt better. "I mean I feel like an idiot but I'm okay."

Devouring Light

"That was nice of you." Ayrie said, running her fingers over the familiar symbol. It had always reminded her of a flower, the way the lines began in the middle and worked their way out like petals. "I think I can make this work..."

She twirled around the room, picturing what she'd like to add to it. Not looking where she was going she bumped into Asran, catching herself on his shirt sleeve.

"Oh! I'm sorry." She blushed.

Devouring Light

Ayrie appreciated Asran's concern, she felt she could handle it, it would just take time to get used to. When he handed her the plastic card she stared at it, then put it in a hidden pocket on her dress.

"Thank you." She said simply. She felt nervous, as if things were moving too quickly, but she took a moment to take a deep breath and center herself. Squaring her shoulders and trying to produce an air of confidence out of her nerves.

Devouring Light

'This whole mysterious thing is starting to annoy.' Ayrie thought as she followed Asran inside. He could have at least given her that much. 'Oh well, I'll figure him out.'

Ayrie flinched when the prisoners began catcalling her, but she followed Asran without pausing. She had known coming here would have its trials, this was simply one of them.

Devouring Light

Ayrie felt sorry for him, knowing he was working less than twelve hours after the incident with his curse. He had to be exhausted, but there were so many concerns to deal with, the least of which was finding her a place to work. He had taken time to find her a job, though, and she was grateful to have a way to payback his generosity.

This line of thinking preoccupied her as they walked through the temple, and as such she didn't notice the looks they got as they passed the receptionists. She did smile back at Asran as she went through the door, and dutifully followed him into the taxi. As they pulled up to the jail she couldn't help but think of how, were she a prisoner, the place might suck the life right out of her. As it was she felt a general sad and drowsy mood emanating from the place.

"I've been thinking about what you'd want from me." She said before they headed inside the jail. "I'm still unsure, but I gather it must have something to do with what I offer you that others cannot. The only uncommon thing about me is my power. So, something you need or want must be related to light magic, and since I'm such an agreeable person," she smiled, knowing full well she could be entirely opposite that statement, "you must think I'll help you get it."

She paused, watching him closely. "Am I on the right track?"

Devouring Light

"Okay, then I'll do it. Just let me know where to go and when to start." Ayrie said with a half-smile. It wasn't an exciting job, but it was one that would appease the priests and get her out of the house while they remained.

"As far as the priests, they won't stop me from taking confessions. It's one of the basic tenants of the faith." she said, "I don't know if I can get them to leave, short of requesting new companions from the church, which would be granted as it is my right to get along with who is staying here. For now they are resting, but tomorrow they will likely get out and start to amble around the city."

Devouring Light

"I understand, it's just that it's such an eerie thing for me to watch, and if I know the person I wouldn't be able to. So as long as I do not have to watch, I will do this for you." She said. "I wouldn't want you to get so hungry you hurt innocent people."

Ayrie wasn't sure how she would handle seeing people she knew eaten by Asran in his demonic form. She had nearly been sick the first time, although the second time she had been so worried about him she hadn't paid much mind to what the wraith was doing for him.