Old Roots.

Skye made his way out of the tavern, resting on a nearby boulder and put his head in his hands. Everything had changed, and he was unaccustomed to such things... So many old faces raced through his mind, remembering the golden days of Nightmare... however golden a Village in Nightmare could be anyway.

*the village was still new to her and she walked confidently through the town, headphones by her neck. New faces...and familiar ones were to come up eventually. Alyss had passed by the tavern and headed around the corner, wisps of her pink hair whipped in the wind*

He caught the familiar scent almost instantly, bolting his head up from his knees. What was once a tired and bored demeanor became awake and alert, even excited by this presence of this person. He saw the pink hair first from around the corner, anticipating the rest of her to continue forward. His eyes were waiting, and he tried putting himself in a much calmer position; his usual grin, pointed hair and cool, calm blue eyes. Image was everything.

Heh..just be calm.

*a familiar presence, just like she thought she would feel. Alyss slowed her pace, hoping to buy herself some time. Then she branched off the corner...and her blue eyes caught a blonde man in short hair*

False alarm...Can't be him. It doesn't even look like him.

*erasing it from her mind, Alyss briskly made her way to a field to relax, ignoring the man that she now passed*

Ignored, huh...

He frowned as he rose from his seat, and began walking behind Alyss in a quick yet silent stride. Eventually he caught up to her, leaned his head into her ear, and spoke in his usual soft, cool tone.

"And how's my little Alyss been this past year..?"

*freezing in her place, she stood, stiff, the feel of his breath against the ear. Surprise flooded her...maybe a little bit of relief*

He's not dead. Good job at least.

*trying to swallow the lump in her throat, she turned to him*

Skye...I didn't think that was...didn't think that was you. You look...different.

He stopped in surprise, a somewhat bewildered look on his face (o.o). He blinked for a few seconds, before pulling back swiftly.

"A-ah, that's right, I did have a... makeover of sorts." He smiled warmly, brushing his hand through his shorter hair. "I kinda like it.. but what d'ya think?"

*she hid a shadow of a smile*

As I said...it's different.

*she hesitated, then continued to walk down the path*

If you'd like, I'm heading to a field to relax. Join me if you'd like?

*Alyss tilted her head in the direction, a path between some dingy houses in the background*

He nodded, still in his slight warm smile. Catching up to her side, he put an arm around her shoulders, holding her as close as she would allow. "I've missed you, y'know.." His hand on her elbow began glowing slightly, sending soothing, perhaps affectionate pulses of his own energy to her.

*inhaling a breath quickly, she coughed quietly. Alyss' longer pink hair swayed slightly as a breeze rolled*

He's much more affectionate now.

*turning to him once again, she looked straight into his eyes, crystal blue*

Skye...I have missed you too. I have to ask though...something else has changed in you hasn't it?

*she paused, afterall..this wasn't the same Skye that Alyss Frey remembered. Not at the least, the cold blooded man who attacked her and then took her in. It was strange...after all this time*

Ah, perhaps she finally gets it.. I really hope so at least.

He continued along with her, walking at the same pace and calm as always. "Alyss, that's the thing." He looked her directly in the eye now, his own a solid blue color. "I haven't changed a bit."

*holding back a laugh, Alyss shook her head as she broke contact with his eyes. Denial*

Sure you have. Let's talk more at the field yes?

*shakely bringing herself between the small alley, she walked towards the field of green just west of the village now*

So tell me, what have you been doing recently that's interesting?

Later then..

"Eh, the past year or so's just been a bit of traveling.. Amazing how diverse the planet can be when you open yourself to it." It actually reminded him a lot of the nomadic group he was raised in. He'd always felt more at home.. away from just that.

They began to arrive at the field, a lone yet elaborate tree standing on top of a fairly round, gradually tall hill. It was relaxing to say the least.. Skye beckoned her to sit.

"And Jening has now arrived."

*the well dressed man stepped into the green field that was currently occupied with with two people. He was dressed in brown today, the silk chocolate vest contrasted against the muddy brown of the smooth white striped dress shirt underneath, cropped black hair set off grey eyes. Walking over to a shaded tree, Jening grinned happily as he thought of enjoying the day upon the branch of the very tree in front of him. Therefore he jumped, landing upon the first sturdy branch. Quickly it broke under his weight, the sound of a pillar hitting the earth then quieted, splinters followed Jening as he stood at the base, looking up at the ligatation of the branch above him. Laughing nervously, Jening tiptoed away from the area backwards, bumping into a pink haired girl with headphones on the shoulder. He jumped back immediately, blushing*

"Ah! Jening offers apologies, Miss."

Oh!

*her shoulder was bumped slightly and she turned to see the man in such formal clothing...a rarity in these parts. Her eyes caught the tie and the vest, loose shirt underneath. Was there a wedding? Some type of event..?*

Interesting man...

It's alright.

*her eyes ran over to Skye immediately. Alyss knew of his...temper with other men*

The tips of his hair seemed to be on fire as he walked over to the man who seemed to come from absolutely nowhere. He stooped over and grabbed him by the collar, attempting to lift him... but he was extremely heavy. Probably the reason his branch broke. Leaving him on the ground, he looked down at him.

"I only have two questions for you... Who the fuck are you, and what the fuck are you doing here."

SKYE!

*laying her fingers upon his wrists and pulling in suggestion to let the new stranger go*

He's done really nothing wrong, come on now Skye, calm down.

*the man quieted, looking at Skye in the eyes curiously. He seemed more worried that his dress shirt was getting ruined than the man who threatened him by the collar*

"You are very protective of the young Miss. However..."

*looking to Alyss with grey eyes, he looked intensely at her bare shoulder. His expression was modest and a bit serious*

"Ahem.. Jening is just worried for you is all."

Giving a severe look at the man still, he sat down as calmly as he possibly could. Afterall, it was true that he hadn't done any actual harm.. yet.

"Just leave the worrying to me.. Jening's your name?"

As he spoke, two fingers were slowly making their way to Alyss's shoulder with the intention to soothe and heal it, as best as he could. That heavy a man falling down on her must have been rough,

*clearing his throat slightly, Jening carefully fixed the tie around his neck, then nodded to the blonde man in front of him, whom worried for the pink haired woman. He has the slightest smile on his face*

"Why yes, that is Jening's name. At your service."

*bowing slightly, he introduced himself and then bent down to the sitting pink haired woman, his fingers reached for her bare shoulder*

Jening will now help the young lady with her shoulder..

His own glow still in his left two fingers, Skye lunged for Jening, gripping his neck and sending him several feet from Alyss. "Did I not just say that I'd handle it, boy?" His eyes were somewhat burnt-orange now, in sheer annoyance at the man.

*her fingers held his shoulders and pulled, her strength enough to sit Skye up, yet Jening still lay on the ground due to his weight. Her shoulder had a bit of pressure on it, yet it wasn't as bad as they considered it. Slowly she peeled his fingers off of Jening's neck, a hand rested protectively on his chest*

Skye. Calm...he only wants to atone for what he did. You are out of line.

He growled slightly as he was seated.. always at her whim however. Skye said nothing and just sat for a bit, his happy mood from before now long gone. The place that was once peaceful and relaxing had become a battleground, and completely undesirable.

He suddenly stood again, facing Alyss and taking her by the hand. "Alyss.. let's just be off. Find some other place or something."

*Alyss grumbled softly, then removed her hands from the quarrelling two. She brushed herself off and stood, at first defiant*

But...

*cutting herself off, she quieted and then sighed*

Alright...let's move elsewhere..

Though...he's interesting. He's...remarkably heavy, but it's doesn't seem to be the actual body. In fact, he seems almost......graceful? At least for someone in his weight.

*rubbing her shoulder tenderly, she nodded to the man named Jening*

It was nice meeting you.

*imprint of the pressure of the woman's hand lingered on his chest, the branch that broke underneath him was stabbing him in the back a bit painfully. Sitting himself up, Jening again adjusted the tie around his neck, smoothing the collar. The vest was going to get soiled from these instantaneous reactions this man did. Nonetheless, Jening cleared his throat softly and stood with the other two people. Looking Alyss directly in the eyes, he gave a flit of a smile*

It was lovely meeting for Jening to meet such a charming young woman and a..a......

*he paused, searching for an appropriate word*

An energetic man.

*His left hand reached into the back pocket of his dress pants, pulling something rectangular in bare digits. His right hand took the girl's hand, he bent down placing his lips upon the top of her hand, kissing it gently, the soft smell of purfume wafted to his senses*

It was a pleasure, Miss Alyss.