The Forgotten (For Vixen)

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Cleph Endrod was a 27 year old human. He had tan skin, short silver hair, and no facial hair. He wore traditional human male clothing, consisting of a white cloth tunic with a leather vest and black trousers.

He had been living in the city of Denos for the past two years since he was found nearly dead outside the gates. He could not remember anything except his name, but he soon discovered that he was extraordinarily gifted as a fighter - he could easily defeat ten of his peers with any weapon. To repay their kindness, Cleph offered to help the citizens of Denos in any way he could. He regretted that offer immediately. He was named the protector of the city and was obligated to save it from its various troubles.

Lately, the largest trouble came from the Virani - a race of wilderness dwellers. Relations between humans and virani had never been good, usually do to disputes over land and resources. But traditionally the virani did not attack human cities nor humans attack the Virani ones. Recently, however, virani soldiers have been attacking the ramparts of the city for an unknown reason. And Cleph was expected to defend the city every time.

One night he heard a loud knock on the door. Cleph sighed and went to answer the door expecting a call for help, yet again. There were guards at the door. "How may I be of service?" he asked them, hiding his reluctance.

The guard captain replied "We were beset by virani soldiers. We were fortunately able to surround them, but most of them got away. We did capture the leader alive. She was able to take down twenty of our men, before we restrained her. We want you to quarter her, until we finish our questioning."

Cleph frowned. "You want me to babysit?" The guard nodded sheepishly. He moved out of the way as the guards moved the prisoner into his home.

[MissMonster]

Nova's father had wanted her to become a fighter. He wanted a son, but his little Nova was the closest thing he'd get. Upon his death just a year ago, she had efficiently became the new leader of a Virani task force. Being the daughter of a previous commanding officer, and quite the fighter, her comrades didn't seem entirely against the idea. Nova had just turned twenty-three, celebrating her twenty-third sunrise scheming their attack on the humans. The humans…

The Virani and the humans were two very different races, and it wasn't long before they clashed instantly as disputes over land turned into battles over supremacy. Initially, Nova didn't want the constant fighting, especially as a child. As a little girl, she had a very distinct memory of playing with human boy near a river, but it was such a foggy memory, all she could recall was laughter, and excited hushed voices. Her father wasn't too keen on her befriending a mortal, and instantly put a stop to his daughters relations.

Even still, Nova held the same memory…as if almost wishing she could feel the happiness she had felt back then once more.

"No mercy for these humans!" She yelled, fists raised.

"No mercy!" Was her soldiers' faithful response.

Nova was powerful. She stood at 5'6, with a very slim build. Her skin was a creamy ivory, her hair a beautiful golden as it fell down her shoulders and towards mid-back. Her body could be described as athletic and fit, a small bust with a tiny waist, yet round hips and perfect curves. She almost seemed very human--until you saw those tenacious crimson eyes.

The Virani were very different when it came to suiting up for battle. They didn't have a whole lot of armor, but rather, they believed in wearing less for easier access to move about. Their weapons were makeshift, yet powerful, and their agility seemed almost unmatched. Nova wore a tan colored dress, hugging her curves and showing her slender legs. Her face held war paint: two dark lines underneath those pugnacious red eyes.

Nova's soldiers fought, and they fought hard. She ruthlessly went through countless human men with her strength alone, but her triumph was short lived as she were finally restrained. She was like a little feral, screaming shrilly and warning the human soldiers that she'd break loose and destroy them all. Even as she were presented before this new male, Nova's attitude didn't leave her.

Her wrists were bound, but her mouth was not. "Unhand me you disgusting humans! And what do you mean babysit?! You will wish you never had seen me…I warn you now that I will break free!"

Nova's eyes shone something vicious as she struggled, glaring at Cleph as he came into view.

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Cleph did not care much for the enmity between humans and virani. After all, he did not have his full 25 years of memories. His allegiance to the city of Denos was purely one of obligation. Nevertheless, they seemed to be good people and he enjoyed their company. As the guards roughly brought Nova into his home he began to stare at her. She seemed familiar, but he could not remember any details about her. Perhaps it was only a deja vu.

He took her from the soldiers. He drew a knife from his belt. He cut the bonds of her hands. "What are you doing?" asked the Captain in shock. "She killed dozens of us! You can't trust the virani, if they had their way, they would slit all of our throats in our sleep. Listen to her!"

"If you want me to be her warden, you have to trust me," Cleph responded. "Besides, look at this face" he said placing his hand on the top of her head. The soldier's had their weapons ready. "Please, Cleph, take this seriously!" pleaded the Captain.

Cleph nodded reluctantly. He grabbed the leg chains carried by the guards and wrapped it around his bed post. "There! Now she can't escape. Probably." The guards left nervously. Cleph reckoned that they probably would not get much sleep tonight.

He turned to Nova. "My name is Cleph. Please think of my place as a hotel...or at least one you cannot leave. But know you will be save and well treated here. Or not, I guess that depends on you. You must be tired and hungry. Feel free to lie in the bed, I'll get you something. What do virani eat anyways?"

As he turned his back to her, part of him felt as though he had known her well once. Maybe it was only wishful thinking, after all she was quite sexy, especially in her face paint and short dress. He felt as though her name was on the tip of his tongue, but he couldn't quite discover it. "What is your name?"

[MissMonster]

Nova took the war seriously. It was the same war that had claimed many lives of her fellow Virani, consequently, her father being one of them. She wasn't always so hardened, but past circumstances easily turned her so. Even as she caught Cleph's eyes, the girl didn't seem very fazed by him. In fact, she merely scoffed. This was their protector? She could handle him...at least she thought she could. However, as the male drew a knife from his belt, cutting her bindings, Nova couldn't help but blink in surprise. That wasn't something she were expecting...nevertheless, her guard remained up.

The blond woman wanted to smirk upon the other humans' concern, a bit of arrogance showing in her eyes. But rather than cause alarm so quickly, she decided to play along with Cleph's ploy, lest she'd become bound again. If anything, after those men leave, she'd simply eradicate this one and escape back to her people. As Cleph placed a hand on her head, Nova held half a mind to smack him, but instead, gave off a mock innocent expression towards the other Denosians.

They didn't seem too pleased, so her new warden wrapped her leg chains around the bed's post. She frowned a little, but otherwise made no attempt to move just yet. As the guards left, Nova gave them all ominous glares, even playfully biting at one who moved too close as he hastily exited. With them gone, that left her and Cleph.

He was....awkwardly nice. They were enemies after all. "Virani eat things similar to humans I suppose. We like meat and vegetables. Unless you humans eat other things..." She quipped, hesitantly climbing on top of the bed. She were a bit weary from her fighting, and gently splayed herself onto it on her stomach.

She hadn't noticed him staring at first, but her crimson eyes turned to meet his. For a brief moment...something felt off...but she ignored it. Or at least, tried to.

"Nova...why are you not afraid of me, Cleph?"

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"Should I be afraid of you, Nova?" asked Cleph. "You don't seem that scary to me. You look very cute, instead. But, of course, I don't know you. Would you slit my throat in my sleep, like the guard said you would, if I unshackled you?" He was roasting a chicken in the oven. "I can get you some chicken if you like. You know I thought that virani ate grass. Funny, right? But don't make fun of me, I've only had two years to learn about the world."

He continued to prepare the meal, before realizing that his statement would likely be confusing to her. "Two years ago I was found almost dead outside Denos. I don't remember anything before that." He said this pretty casually. He did not particularly mind his memory loss; he figured that there would not be much in his past worth remembering. He looked at her lying face down on the bed. He stared at the silhouette of her bottom, which seemed to be pushing against her tight dress. He caught himself staring at her bottom for too long and shook his head and refocused himself. "Do you hate humans? If so, why?"

He continued to cook, slowly poking at the chicken. He was not the best of cooks, but given only his two years of experience, he was pretty proud of what he had accomplished. He snatched the chicken out of the oven, slightly burning his hands. He looked back to see if Nova had seen him. "I don't own oven mitts, okay?" he said, just in case. He drew the same knife that he used to cut Nova's bonds and washed it in his sink. "I only have one knife," he explained yet again. He truly did not have much furnishings in his home. "I don't get a lot of guests so..." He divided the chicken slicings into two portions. "Okay, dinner is ready," he said.

Of course Nova could not reach the kitchen from the bed, since her chain was too short. "Small problem," Cleph said. "I don't have any cups or plates." He went to the sink and cupped his hands and collected some water. He quickly rushed over to Nova, with water slowly falling from between his hands. "Drink from my hand, hurry!" he demanded.

[MissMonster]

Nova raised an eye brow at Cleph's response, almost intrigued though she didn't show it right away. Her face remained hardened, untrusting even if she found his reply amusing. "Slitting your throat sounds quite messy. I would opt for asphyxiation." She smirked a little, crimson eyes watching as the man continued to speak to her. It was strange…he spoke to her as if they were old friends or something. He just continued to make conversation, despite the fact there was a dangerous Virani laying on his bed. It reminded her of someone…but whoever that someone was, she just simply could not recall.

"Chicken is fine." He only had two years to learn about the world? Cleph must have caught the questioning look Nova was giving him, and the girl seemed slightly surprised. "I see.." The Virani stated slowly, wondering just how it must've felt to never remember anything up until two years ago. Now, her memory wasn't the sharpest, but she had great memories still. Even if she couldn't remember specific details.

Why was this man so familiar though? Nova wondered if perhaps, she had met someone with the same name. Or maybe his mannerisms seemed slightly recognizable. She was far too busy into her musings to notice him gazing at her plump derriere through the tight dress, and almost missed his question if it wasn't for her sharp hearing.

"I do. I did not always hate humans." Nova said simply. "But there are some things that cannot be taken care of with words alone. Humans destroyed many that us Virani hold dear." She fought the urge to bring up her father for example, but decided against it. "Why does your Denosian brethren hate us Virani?"

Nova turned her head at that point, inquisitively watching the male poke about with the chicken. She stifled a soft giggle. It was common for Virani men to cook, but Nova was well aware that not all men in general could. Cleph looked silly--but at least he tried. "Perhaps you should invest in some, unless you enjoy burning your hands." Why was she humoring the male by still conversing with him? He was still technically..an enemy. And she was in his custody for goodness sake! But the blond felt an odd sense of security…or familiarity.

Dinner was ready, and that was all good and well, but Nova couldn't exactly reach it. "…I hope you know you're going to have to feed me."

It was then the male said there was a problem, and Nova figured he meant her chain. However, instead and much to her chagrin, he ran off to get water for her to drink from his hands. She was less than impress, and glowered for a bit. Rather than drink it, she slapped his hands away wearily, water splashing onto him. This caused the young woman to giggle lightly, leaning back against the bed. "Perhaps it is time you invest in silverware as well.."

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"Asphyxiation? How brutal. I guess it is all the better that you are locked up." Her words sounded frightening, but Cleph was not particularly worried about them. Something about her calmed him, including her fierce blood-colored eyes. She remained lying face down on his bed with her long pale legs stretched out. He could not help but admire the muscular tone of her legs. She probably could asphyxiate him if she managed to get them around his neck.

He frowned as he heard her words about humans. "So I take it that when words fail, violence succeeds? If the virani truly think like that then the rumors I have heard about them are true. The people of Denos are afraid of your people. They cannot understand why you do not live in cities of concrete, steel, and wood. To them, you are a feral beast that cannot be predicted or trusted. They do not understand why you attack their walls or caravans." He turned around and faced her direction. "I do not think of virani as such though; but perhaps that is just my ignorance. I think of your people as rabbits, trying to prevent your dens and ways of life from being swept away by a construction crew."

He continued the cooking. "I would purchase some oven gloves, but I don't know where they are sold or how much they cost. To be honest, it is low on my priority list compared to buying food, ovens, pans,..." Cleph noted that Nova was joking with him and this relaxed him. He felt like he was making conversation with an old friend, not a dangerous enemy who had recently threatened to choke the life out of him.

He ran over to her with the best intentions of giving her some water, but was shocked as she knocked away his hands, throwing the water all over his tunic. He began to unfasten his leather vest. "Don't think that just because I am treating you as my guest, I won't treat you like my prisoner if you fail to appreciate my hospitality. I can and will punish you." His stare turned cold for a few seconds as he finished taking off his vest. His friendly look then returned as he began to unbutton his tunic.

"Unfortunately I do not have many tunics, so I'll need to get this one dry soon." He hung his tunic over the oven. "Let's try this again with the chicken," he said. He scooped as much of the slices as he could fit into hands and carried it to Nova. "Please, have some."

[MissMonster]

Despite carrying such a hardened shell, Nova was more or less putting on a front. She was playing the part as a warrior, something her father always wanted. She use to be quite the opposite, an affectionate child carrying an air of innocence, naivety. "You are wrong. Virani only wishes for peace. The humans are the ones who forced themselves upon us, upon our land. Reasoning and negotiating were tried...but they take us for granted." Her eyes narrowed a little. "We are beings of the land, and humans do not have the right to disrespect it. We attack because we are forced to--we attack because we must protect our home."

She sighed, her crimson eyes softening a little as she remembered her father's words to her. 'Don't let them take what is ours, Nova...we worked too hard to allow them to simply steal.'

Breaking out of her reverie, Nova looked to Cleph as he compared her Virani kin to rabbits. For some reason, that made her giggle, especially at how off-handed the comment seemed. There was something familiar about his friendly demeanor--it almost made conversation easy.

She was even showing her playful side at tossing the water from her face, watching as he undressed his shirts in front of her. For some reason, his words seemed almost as if they were coming from an irritated parent admonishing a child...and that took Nova off guard. "Punish me? And just how would you go about doing that?" Nova was curious as to how this human thought he could intimidate her, though part of her wondered if maybe his words were not an intimidation...but a warning promise. His gaze became cold--and that definitely made her falter.

Nova became uncharacteristically silent, crimson eyes staring at his chiseled chest once the tunic was unbuttoned. At his comment, she wanted to say she didn't mind him parading around without the tunic, but of course chose not to say anything. Instead, the Virani female watched as Cleph returned with slices of chicken in his hands. She gave him a weary, indignant look before slowly crawling onto her hands and knees. She was hungry after all...

Slowly, the girl bent herself downwards, moving her head to nibble the pieces--hesitantly at first--before eating the slices in his hands. After she finished, she sat back against his bed, nodding in mock approval.

"Not bad for someone who lacks the right equipment for cooking."

[lowmobile]

Nova's lips and teeth tickled his hands and she ate from them. He found it funny how she ate hungrily from his hands, despite her annoyed words and insults. She even complimented him, backhanded as it was. As she finished eating, he began musing her words about humans and virani. "I can't say I know the entirety of the conflict between humans and virani, but why do you say humans are disrespecting your land? The humans are only trying to survive, right? It's their land too." Cleph did not quite understand why she was so angry. There seemed to be plenty of land in the world.

He returned to the kitchen and began washing his hands. He decided to answer her second question. "You want to know how I would punish you? I would put you over my knee and spank your virani bottom. I would smack your ass and watch it bounce until you begged me to stop." Cleph realized that he was not just talking to himself. "Sorry, I got lost in my thoughts. I just learned about spanking, and I am eager to try it. So don't misbehave, okay?"

He finishd washing his hands and he returned and sat next to Nova. He had multiple scars on the right side of his body. The scars resembled the patterns of virani blades. He, of course, did not remember how he got them, but all he knew was that he was expected to die at one point. He was also possibly tortured...at least that is what the human doctor of Denos told him.

"So I expect you are going to be interrogated tomorrow," he said. "Don't worry, I'll make sure they interrogate you here so they cannot hurt you. I'm not sure when you can go home, but I assure you that as long as I am here, I will guarantee your safety." He felt close to her, maybe as if he had said these words to her in the past. But no memories returned to him no matter how hard he strained his brain.

[MissMonster]

((So sorry about the delay!))

Nova couldn't help but roll her eyes, trying to remind herself that Cleph did not understand the conflict in it's entirely due to the fact of his laboring memory. "No. It is not their land." She sighed, running a finger through her golden locks, crimson eyes staring intently at the male before her. "It is ours. Or--it is our ancestors. They claimed the land and give back to it at the same time. We praise the land, and she rewards us with lush vegetation, rain, and beautiful animals. The humans came with the intent to build. Building is fine..but not here. Not somewhere so sacred. We have given them many chances, but we are a warrior race. We refuse to let someone else tarnish what we own, and we protect our land...just as a wolf protects it's den."

Just the thought made Nova's eyes light up a little, almost in a renewed sense of determination. Her father would've been proud to hear her words...she just knew he would.

As Cleph headed for the kitchen, Nova took the time to lounge against the bed. The male didn't seem so bad--even if he did seem a bit familiar. The virani female turned her head at his response to her curious question, tilting it in slight confusion. "Spank?" The word was foreign to the girl, but she slowly got the gist of it. "Y-You would punish me like a child?!" Though they didn't call such a punishment a 'spanking' in her culture, Nova quickly understood what Cleph meant by his informative explanation.

Nova felt her cheeks blush, and quickly looked away for a moment.

"....." She seemed at a loss for words, letting the embarrassed flush of her cheeks subside before she turned towards Cleph again. "That is a mere child's punishment. Why would a warrior princess such as myself be afraid?"

Nova inquisitively gazed at the male sitting beside her, scrutinizing his many scars. Slowly, Nova boldly ran her soft fingers against them, instantly recognizing them as..."Virani..blades? You don't much about my people--yet you've come in contact with their weaponry?"

The girl blinked in confusion, especially at Cleph's latter words. Her eyes suddenly widened, as if a flood of memories were beginning to come back to her. She felt weary, her heart beating wildly in her chest.

"I...I feel as if I know you.."