Sale in the Marketplace [Caroline]

[Ain_Soph_Aur]

Returning is never what you make it to be...
July 25th 2010

The Gummi ship, The Graceful Light traveled through the vast blackness that was the space between words yet again, with little sense of direction he soon found himself accidentally on a pathway leading back to Agrabah. Why his navigation gummi malfunctioned was beyond him as it had never done that before, but he couldn't readjust the flight path. It wasn't his first choice to return to such a hot world as he remembered it to be but soon landed just the same on the outskirts of town. His ship again getting covered by sand, annoying sand. This time he brought some water with him and made his way to the marketplace.

His expressionless face made him out to be simple thug that had arrived from beyond the dunes, most of the people avoided him for that reason. That and his dark messy hair, and tall muscular body which showed that he wasn't from around here. Every other person seemed to be skinny, and hungry looking in comparison.

Ain was not much for socializing and passed up even the biggest of bargains at the market. As he walked straight on through almost bumping into people as he did, there wasn't much to do in a world he had already searched once. His loose clothing dragged against him due to the wind as the heat beat down on him from the waves of the sun, he soon ducked into a alleyway to get some shade and rest for the time being. It was too much to expect him to stay in the sun all day even for a man of his caliber. "Back to this world, huh." he said with a sigh, taking a drink of his canteen. "Sand."

Not much was happening in this world, or so he thought as he considered just leaving. It wasn't a bad idea to look around for any heartless that may have arrived in his absence however, this might prove to be more informative then he thought. In the end it didn't matter as he had no where to go and nothing to lose or gain from this venture. He never did gain anything.

----

Ain would never complain, his life was now much better then when he was a poor kid living with his mother. He almost wished he stayed with the Navy where he had purpose to his life, no matter how little.

[Oathkeeper Emi]

It's hotter'n blazes in here...
--

Caroline woke up slowly. This was not her bed. This was not her bedroom. This was some dark, dusty, hot broom cupboard. She was dirty, and she was sweating. Oh, the horror. Ladies do not sweat.

The upside to all this was that she seemed to be alone. The events of the past few days came back to her. Those men had kidnapped her right out of her own room, and then all she remembered was being tossed into the back of a truck and then...nothing, at least until she woke up. Caroline had no idea what this was all about, though from snippets of conversations she'd picked out in moments of consciousness she felt that she could piece it together. This was Daddy's fault. He owed these men money, and she was his motivation.

Caroline shook her head and rose to her feet. She was a mess. Her hair hadn't been combed, she had a run in her hose and blisters on her feet. She stumbled over to the door and knocked on it.

"Excuse me?[/color]" she called out, pouting. "I demand to be released right this instant![/color]"

However, her captors had gone off into the marketplace to find potential buyers for their new item: Caroline. She was truly alone for now, and there was a small window of time for her escape. Perhaps someone had heard her and would release her? Her kidnappers may have succeeded in their plot, but they weren't exactly the sharpest tools in the shed.

Caroline continued to bang on the door and shout. Unfortunately, unless someone was standing nearby, she probably couldn't be heard over the ambient noise of the marketplace.

[Ain_Soph_Aur]

Better ignored, yet I should check it out.

As he stood there the towns marketplace blurred from his senses, he was ready to leave the world. Taking several steps back into the marketplace he then heard a banging noise from the direction of alleyway he was just at, he couldn't make it out but he also thought he heard someone's voice. Under normal circumstances this was his cue to ignore it and continue on his way but there was something frantic about the banging he heard that said he should investigate things further. With lucky or lack of luck it was a heartless but things rarely went the way he wanted.

Ain pulled his dark messy hair from his right ear and listened for a moment. His even darker eyes peeking out from beyond the strands, he moved down the alleyway yet again. Adjusting his clothing he walked carefully and quietly until he saw a door in a odd place at the end of the alley. The door shook from many repeated slams and bangs, without much thought he moved in front of the door. "Is someone there?" he said, a rather odd question to ask but if they didn't answer he could conclude that it wasn't a person.

His gauntlet at ready to engage in combat if need be, he made no expressions to reveal his intentions. As he tried to open the door which made a click to reveal it was locked.

[Oathkeeper Emi]

They're smarter than they look.
--

Caroline stopped, perked up and then continued banging on the door. "Of course there's someone in here![/color]" Whoever had responded to her cries for help was trying to open the door, but it was locked. The blond on the other side knew it couldn't have been the men that kidnapped her. They surely wouldn't have asked if there was anyone in there. This was her chance for escape.

"I'm afraid the door's locked,[/color]" she said, trying to look for the lock itself. Certainly, her kidnappers weren't so stupid as to lock the door from the inside. No, there was a keyhole on either side of the door, and she didn't have a key.

She took a step back, planting her hands on her hips. "It looks like we'll have to break the door down. Can you help me?[/color]"

Judging from the sound of the voice on the other side of the door, it had to be a man. And a man could help her break down the door, right? Oh, how she wished her father or uncle were here to help her!

[Ain_Soph_Aur]

A lady in distress, huh?

Desert sand blew down from a rooftop above as he listened from beyond the locked door, his eyes opened a tad wider as he listened to what sounded like a girl on the other side. He wasn't sure what was going on, whether the girl locked herself in or someone locked her in this room. She was however asking for help, without a blink he thought about it and within a couple moments he took one step back. No matter how much he told himself he did not care for these people he has recently been too involved with them.

"Move away from the door." he stated dully, as he felt the door to check what it was made of and looked at carefully. "The door is made out of wood and has been severely weathered by the sand without being maintained properly. Normally this wouldn't work due to the thickness."

Ain's dark eyes focused with almost intensity on the door and whipped his right arm back that wore his black gauntlet-ready to unsheathe his blade, his hair pulled away from his face with the other hand so he could get a better look. After a moment in time he breathed, and closed his eyes for a second. "Are you clear of the door?" he stated as his clothing whipped to his side, meanwhile wondering if this really was a good idea to help a stranger yet again. Lately it had become too difficult to ignore things, or maybe it was just that something shouldn't be ignored at all. Either way, he did not care at least on the surface.

[Oathkeeper Emi]

I bake a mean apple pie.
--

Caroline was relieved to hear that the man was, in fact, going to help her. She did as she was told and backed away from the door. Far away. Better safe than sorry- she didn't want to be dirty, thirsty and have about sixty billion splinters. She walked backwards until her back was flat against the opposite wall, listening intently to what he was saying about the integrity of the door. She had been hoping breaking down the door was possible, and thanks to his explanation, she now knew it was. Another relief. If things worked out, she would be out of this room and on her way to an escape soon.

"Yes, I'm clear,[/color] she told him, raising her voice so that she could be heard. "Don't go hurting yourself, now.[/color]"

Naturally, she was worried about his welfare as well as her own. There was no need for him to injure himself trying to save her. She would feel awful it that happened. Come to think of it, she was going to have to find some way to repay him for his kindness. Caroline idly wondered if the man liked apple pie, bracing herself for the impact she knew she was coming.

[Ain_Soph_Aur]

Targeting certain points works in most cases...

The blade extended from his gauntlet quickly as he got a confirmation from the girl that was locked away. With a flick of his wrist his toned arm pulled more to his side and drew close to the door with a quick cut to the upper section. As if in dance his feet shifted and he spinned around only to do a single cut to lower right section leading into another cut in the center. Spinning on his heels he did some quick cuts to the base of the door and a single cut in the center. All the while the door only seemingly taking minimal damage.

Ain took a step back and retracted his blade back into his gauntlet, improving his posture he looked over where he cut carefully before lunging forward again with a single punch causing the door to break. Well, to be exact shatter into splinters of wood. Taking a step back again he scratched his brow, and waited still unable to see the girl within the room. "You can come out now." he stated as didn't make a effort to say any more.

[Oathkeeper Emi]

Always a lady.
--

Caroline shrieked when the door shattered. The dust settled and her breathing slowed down. She pressed a hand to her chest and squinted in the sudden light from the alleyway. Her eyes were used to the dim light of the room.

She picked through the debris on the floor, stumbling a little. High heels weren't exactly the best footwear for the situation. She was doing as she was told and coming out into the open. Obedient little thing, she was. She was frightened though. What if those men came back? Would this one continue to help, or leave her to mercies of her kidnappers? She very much hoped he would do the first.

Before she introduced herself, she gave him a once over. Dark, shaggy hair (Caroline decided he needed a hair cut, she couldn't even see his eyes) and his clothes didn't seem to fit very well. To her, he looked sloppy... but he had good taste in shoes.

"Thank you kindly, sir,[/color]" she said, dusting off the front of her dress. "I seem to have forgotten my manners. My name's Caroline.[/color]"

[Ain_Soph_Aur]

Blond hair. Never seen that before.

The girl emerged from the room in wear that was not suited for travel or anything really, why would anyone want to wear such difficult clothing and footwear. There was a lot of things that seemed strange including her blond hair, in fact this was the first time he had ever seen someone with blond hair in his life. He wasn't about to dwell on that fact however as stood more like a soldier, partly from his memory of serving the royal family when he was in the navy and he got that kind of aura from her.

The heat of the desert was getting worse by the minute, and it was really starting to get to him. If it wasn't for the shade of the alleyway he would most certainly be dehydrated by now. Out of courtesy he handed the girl his canteen, and made no effort to appear friendly. He was however very logical, a girl like her would not survive in the desert for certain. She looked like a rich girl that was thrown down a dirt path, not that it was his business.

"You must be thirsty." he said quietly, as he waited for her to finish "My name is Ain."

Ain looked down at her wondering more why such a girl like Caroline was locked away, should he ask or should he not. It wasn't his business to delve into others matters but he was sure of one thing. He just destroyed a door without knowing or asking why, and for that reason he needed some answers at the very least. "May I ask how you came to be locked in a room, you don't seem to be from around here." he stated as the wind parted his hair slightly.

[Oathkeeper Emi]

Storytime with Caroline.
--

Caroline took the canteen, thanked him quietly and stared at it for a moment. There wasn't a snowball's chance in hell she was putting her mouth on that. She reached into the pocket of her dress and pulled out a handkerchief, wiping down the canteen thoroughly before taking a very dainty sip from it. The first taste of water, though.... it made her want to guzzle the whole thing. She controlled herself though, telling herself this wasn't the only water left in the universe and that she would be able to find more later.

She handed the canteen back to Ain and explained herself. "I'm not from around here at all. I'm from New Orleans,[/color]" she said. Her endearing drawl meant she pronounced it "New Awlens". "I was in my bedroom back home, fixing to go to choir practice. I was the only one in the house. Mama and my sisters had already gone out. I heard a crash- it like to give me a heart attack- and the next thing I knew I was waking up in the back of a pickup truck.[/color]"

She tapped her chest and leaned in close to whisper, as what she was about to say wasn't proper in the least bit. "I was quick enough though, and managed to shoved the gun Daddy gave me in my dress.[/color]"

[Ain_Soph_Aur]

I shouldn't get involved anymore then this...

Ain received the canteen back from her and pocketed it swiftly. He eyed her carefully as she talked, she didn't seem to be lieing to him so that meant she was probably kidnapped. He wondered what the New Orleans world looked like, must be strange place indeed. Turning away from the girl, Caroline he took a few steps away and stopped. His eyes as dull as his expression always was, he sighed a little. It was likely he got involved in something that he shouldn't have, it was too late to put her back in the room however as the door was gone.

Turning back slightly he nodded.

"Caroline, I will accept what you say as the truth." he stated, as he started walking off. "If that is the case you should probably get moving before the people that kidnapped you get back.."

[Oathkeeper Emi]

I won't make it very long without you...
--

When Ain started walking off, Caroline almost burst into tears. Was he really leaving her alone? Poor little Caroline, alone in the world with no way home and no kind soul to confide in? She wouldn't last an hour without someone to help her. She began to jog after him, chasing him. She would have ran but her shoes weren't the kind to run in unless you were a lady of questionable morals. At least, that's what Mama always said.

"Oh, please don't leave me alone! If those mean come back and find me gone, there's gonna be trouble. I don't know where to go or what to do,[/color]" she whimpered. "Please help me, at least long enough for me to make it back to New Orleans.[/color]"

At that point, she did start to cry pitiful little tears. She pulled out her handkerchief again, stopping in the middle of her path to dab away tears even though really it would make no difference except to wash some of the dust on her face away. She was just about to launch into another weeping plea when somebody behind them yelled "Hey!"

Caroline gasped and turned around. It was those three men and now they were running after them. She shrieked and decided now was a good time to run. Being improper sure was better than being in their custody for another moment. She kicked off her shoes and started to run, speeding past Ain.

[Ain_Soph_Aur]

Already, that was quick. What am I doing?

After Caroline started to cry, he couldn't help but stiffen in place. Deep down in his being he knew that no matter how much his body refused to feel, he cared about the people around him. Knowing that it was his fault for treating her like he did, for a normal person they would feel awful at this point, for a normal person they wouldn't leave a girl alone like that and he was not normal at all. Caroline must have been scared for her life and the best thing he could do was just walk away. Was he truly heartless, not getting involved doesn't make you a bad person, right? Logically it was the right choice, so why was it so hard.

"I'm..." he started only to be interrupted as a voice from behind yelled and a shoeless Caroline ran ahead of him in fear. The people that kidnapped her were already here, what bad timing.

Ain stopped flat and turned to the three men that were chasing after her. Allowing Caroline to run ahead and hopefully escape. He wasn't about to let something like this happen in front of him, no matter how he felt about not wanting to getting involved. The blade extended quick from his gauntlet, with each of the three men held revolvers and wore trench coats like villains he knew he didn't have to hold back. They were using guns which was a surprise, if he fought them it cold get dangerous but it was too late for that.

Springing forward he kicked the revolver out of one of the thugs hands and spinned in place and punched him in the jaw with his free hand rather then his blade extended gauntlet. The thug falling down unconscious as a result, the other two stopping to take aim with their revolvers in confusion. "Who the hell are you, mind your own business!" said one of the thugs not even caring about his ally on the ground. Ain however just stared blankly at them, he hoped that Caroline would keep running while he had their attention.

"Walk away." he stated in a firm, serious voice as gave his warning. His face not revealing his intentions outwardly but his actions spoke for themselves.

[Oathkeeper Emi]

I'll be the lookout.
--

Caroline did keep running a little further, ducking behind a nearby corner and peeking around it. She wanted to see what was going on. She wouldn't have been able to forgive herself if she had run off and let Ain be killed. Also, now she kind of wanted to make sure those men were properly taken care of. Now that she had seen Ain defend her, she wanted to make sure the job was finished, just to be sure she was still safe so she wouldn't be running away from them still, in danger of being caught.

Of course, she did feel sort of bad that she had dragged this nice person into this mess. Really though, what else was she supposed to do? If he wanted to be upset about it later, he would have to understand that it was partly his fault, too- even though she had chased after him. Caroline chewed on her lip. Things could be straightened out as soon as this was over... otherwise, things wouldn't need straightening out at all.

She made sure she was out of sight behind the corner, peeking out just enough to see and not an inch more.

[Ain_Soph_Aur]

What did I do....? I didn't want to....

Looking carefully at the thugs he noted that while they were aiming guns at him their hands were shaking like they never fired a gun before, it didn't take him a lot of effort to tell him that these were just normal people who are trying to look tough but in reality they were weak. The guns they held were the only defense, if they didn't work then they would be completely defenseless. This was the first time since Atlantica that he fought against actual people, he looked down at the guy he knocked out and back at the two who were aiming at him- didn't they care about their ally.

Out of the corner of his eye he saw Caroline hiding beyond the corner of the alleyway, this question beckoned why she hadn't run away when she had the chance to. He covered her escape yet she still remained, it just wasn't logical to stay around because in the chance that he fell in battle they would most surely catch her. He would have to finish this fight now, he couldn't allow them to get past him or who knows what they would do to the girl.

Ain straightened his body and stood tall against his foes, he moved his hair from his eyes to get a better look at them and his surroundings. His leg tensed as he prepared to move to a side alley on his right but knew he could be shot at this range, even still he had to move fast. Dashing to the side the fired on him, luckily they were novices with their skill with a gun and missed just barely with only one of the two shots they fired grazed his left arm. His arm was bleeding now and his jacket was torn but he didn't mind it for the time being as the thugs continued to fire even when they didn't have a clear shot- hitting up and around the walls of the alleyway until they ran out of bullets and started to reload. Taking the time that they needed to reload he decided to use a power that he felt for a while now, something inside told him it was time to use.

He activated Aura Rage, which in burst covered his body with fiery looking flames and made a cut to the air. His blade longer then normal due to flaming red extension, his eyes now focused were blazing red. The thugs yelled, "What the Hell!?" in confusion as to what was happening as they finished reloading and aimed at him yet again. Walking forward almost slowly, they began firing at him again only to have Ain deflect them with quick powerful slashes and reached them within moments.

"Stop or I will--" he stated confidently his body covered in the flames of his rage, which oddly enough had no effect on his emotional state. That did little good as they still fired at him without delay, which he deflected just the same and ended the fight with one single cut across both of them with his Aura Rage extended blade.

His power now not needed ended, the flames disappearing and as they did he dropped to one knee in exhaustion- it must have been a side effect of the power he used. Outwardly he didn't seem to care that he killed the thugs but his hand started squeezing into itself rather tightly under the weight of his choice to end their life. He turned back to Caroline, his arm still bleeding he approached her.

"Caroline, wasn't it?" he said quietly, his eyes looking at her blankly as sweat rolled down his cheek his hand still squeezing tightly. "For a while, I will stay with you until you feel safe."