[Nyx] ch 17.1 - Silent Guard Duty

[Mysticsage]

Mendernich - Bath
Day 17 - Noon


Nyx laid at the edge of the bath for a moment as he watched his human resting on the smooth tiles attempting to catch her breath from the aftermath of whatever ritual she had been performing. He had immediately recognized the face she used when she was deep in focus, and the way that her lips sometimes moved made him realize she must be using that power of hers. However, as soon as she made contact with whoever or whatever was on the other side all Nyx's hair stood on end as if he had been struck by lightning. The overwhelming nature of whatever was on the other end seemed to almost fill the room. Yet, from what he could see no one else was able to feel it like he was. Perhaps it had something to do with the connection that Amelia and he shared.

However, faced with such a presence he felt completely powerless. He didn't even know who to bare his fangs at, let alone if he could win, but that didn't matter if they threatened Amelia he would eat out their throat regardless. At least for the time being she seemed to be calm, and while he didn't know all the details he could sense her determination. So he simply set up sentry while he dried himself from the pool. He watched her pretending to be enjoying the warmth of the room while he studied her for any new developments pretending not to notice or care as to not tip her hand to the others. The last thing she needed when on the hunt like this was a bunch of people crowding her out of concern.

So he sat and waited, and continued to be aloof throughout the entire affair.  Including when he moved to spy over her shoulder the thing she was writing by using the new abilities that came to him as if second nature. He felt like a bowl filling with water and yet when it almost overflowed it just grew deeper to hold more. He knew he was changing new memories and more made themselves known through the haze of his mind,  as his instincts seemed to grow sharper with each passing day. Though it came so naturally that if it hadn't been pointed out he probably would not have noticed.

He did however notices the changes in Amelia his human, beyond the obvious development of her powers. There were qualities like her grace and composure in a situation that went above and beyond the limits she had shown in the past. Even if his memories were blurring there were scenes from his past that would be hard to forget. Nights where she would lock herself in her room reading books as she attempted to escape the normal ups and downs of teenage life. The carefree girl who had so little to worry about outside of school and the daily traps of living in society as a human. Normally when things got too tough for her to handle she either spent her time in the dojo. He could tell that things were beginning to overwhelm her based on how her eyes scanned almost everyone around them or how she bit her lip to hold back her thoughts. She had managed to find a number of people who were willing to ease her burden, and even if it sturred new emotions inside Nyx when she held others, she did seem to need their help.

But as Amelia laid back and the otherworldly presence left the room, he could tell there was another episode coming. Her body language oozed exhaustion and as she took a moment to wipe her nose Nyx smelled something more than the blood that made a small trail down the side of her face.

He could smell her fear.

New feelings welled up inside of him in severity that he had never felt before, a desire to protect her and fight off any threat that would dare try to harm her, his human, his territory, and his authority. Yet, he knew that voicing any of that desire, and the more complex emotions that were the true root of his feelings that he had yet to even understand he had yet was impossible. Amelia was passionate if anything else and anyone trying to shelter her from the world too much would find that she would only work harder to fight her way to freedom. She was like a bird who loved to fly and would rather die than have her wings clipped. He had to respect that fighting spirit, and he didn't realize that his own attitude and personality were in part due to her care.

So it would have appeared that all Nyx could do was watch her from his napping spot, keenly through half-closed eyes, as she did her best to stand on shaking feet. However, there were somethings that he could get away with because of his status he reasoned that no one else could. So as she went to go get changed and prepare herself for whatever evening plans she had for the both of them, he decided to make his move.

Making a motion to his new companions to stay put for the time being as he slinked his way to a route of railings and ledges around the castle's exterior towards a window of the changing room that he had found. Using flash step it was a simple matter to get into position with little trouble, a moving shadow in an otherwise busy environment. Even if this smaller form was somehow feeling slightly uncomfortable, like a piece of clothing a half size too small the muscles that had begun to show themselves in earnest over the last few hours under his fur still carried him where he wanted.

He never looked into the room, even though she regularly forgot that he was in the room when she changed at night regardless. He just needed to know that she was safe, and moments like this where she thought she was alone were the only times she really let done her defenses. She would wait till the burden became so much that she exploded but any animal understood the bad effects of stress. So just in case, she fell apart in these quiet moments he would keep a quiet sentry hidden and alter, ready to take note if something happened. The blood alone was a problem, though she had tried to hide it.  He couldn't smell any more blood but he would have to find an excuse later to check himself that she wasn't needlessly hiding something. Sure enough, his instincts were on the mark. The exhaustion overwhelmed her and she slumped against the wall for a moment gathering herself alone from the world.

He felt a swelling of rage inside himself as all he could do was to be a shadow present but out of sight for her at this moment. He needed to get stronger, he was the reason they were in this mess and his pride meant that he was responsible for the both of them, and yet he did not enough power to save her from this pain. A fire in him was lit when he realized how weak he was and yet had glimpses of memories of what he could become if he simply pushed himself. To Nyx's expanding mind he did not understand how insane it was to think that if he just pushed harder he could somehow exceed his natural limits.

And yet the fact remained he had been blessed by divine powers. Logic no longer fully applied to either himself or Amelia.

By the time Amelia had gathered herself Nyx had left the window ledge to return to the bath with Mati and the animals none the wiser. She returned then to fetch him a moment later as the pair were meant to head to the home of the man in the black robes to do some kind of work, satisfied that no one was aware of his various concerns.