Looking for an Escape

[synistergrrl]

~Lounging across the bed of the hotel room, Rue's form seemed lithe and graceful as he stretched catlike. The trick pulled on his shoes, buttoning his shirt, he turned his tired eyes to that stunning creature beside him. Rue's dark eyes seemed to stare at the man with disinterest. He wasn't the worst in the world, but Rue could see the want in his eyes, that need to rescue Rue from this horrible life he was leading. Rue all but sighed, he knew it was coming even before the man said anything. He was like a book to the bagheera. His soul was bare, as easy to read as the lust in his eyes from earlier. He'd not thought twice about wanting to take advantage of Rue then. So when his voice finally came to him, Rue was already sitting up.~

Why do you do this? You're so lovely... I'd think that you could find a job doing something else... couldn't you?

~Rue shrugged, tugging on his own pants, standing as his head cocked to look at The Trick.~

Not anything that makes the kind of money I do on the streets. Not unless you're gonna pay me to sit around your house?

~The Trick stared for a moment as blush slowly crept up his cheeks.~

Well... I couldn't pay you, but you are more then welcome to come with me. My apartment isn't much, but I can offer you a warm bed and decent meals. You can just... clean up or something until you find a job? How 'bout that?

~Rue's smile was pitying.The Trick was trying so hard. But others had tried, others with lots more money then this little guy. And there had been times, just sometimes, that Rue had taken them up on it for a bit. Just a few weeks, but they always wanted to lay down rules on him, force him to be all good and such, but they still wanted the little whore in bed. Rue was no dog to be tamed, no matter what these silly apes thought. He shrugged, tugging his shirt on.~

You'd regret it. Trust me. Besides,

~And as he spoke, he moved around the bed to stand in front of the The Trick.~

I don't think you could afford it. What do you do? By your clothes and such, I'd guess you're a manager type, maybe for one of the hotels around here? You'd simply try and put a collar on me and I'm not here to be tamed.

~The Trick stared at Rue for a moment and then looked away embarrassed for having even suggested it.~

Look... we aren't looking to be rescued, no matter what you think. We only want the money you're ready to spend on us, and we want it quick, not strings. Understand?

~The Trick frowned and stood up stiffly. His pride was hurt, but Rue didn't seem to much care. He went over to tug on his shoes. Watching the Trick finished tugging his things on and then leave in a huff, Rue waited 10 minutes or so and followed suit. He didn't want to run into the Trick outside, bruised egos could be dangerous. Though, he didn't think the guy could do to much to him, he still wasn't going to take the chance, Tricks could be so fucking odd sometimes.~

~Walking down the street back to the corner where the rest of the little ragtag group hung out, Rue's brain was on other things. Karstyn for one. The Vampire intrigued him, made him want more. More what though? That's what frightened Rue. Hadn't he been told to watch out for Vampires, they could be dangerous. But maybe it was just that Rue was naive enough to think he could handle himself no matter what. Or maybe it was over confidence, or stupidity. Whatever it was, Rue was full of it. Enough so that he wandered if he'd be able to track down the Vampire. It'd been a few days now and maybe that's all the vamp had needed, just that one night. But Rue was positive he would see Karstyn again. In fact, that night, before he'd headed home, he would have lay money on that. But now, he wasn't so sure.~

~A sigh escaped his lips as a car began to slowly creep along beside him. Turning those dark lined eyes on the driver, he just waited for the window to roll down. Rue often wondered if there was something about him that screamed like all those bleary neon signs on the strip that he was a whore. It was so odd, how they honed in on him. It was like they knew. All those fucking sick freaks, all those sad little tricks, all of them, they were drawn to him like flies to rotten meat. There was a part of him that was sickened by the whole thing. As if he couldn't imagine why on god's green earth they'd even think that he would be slightly interested in this. It was wrong, Rue knew that. And no matter what others tried to say, none of the people he knew selling themselves enjoyed it. None of them. It was degrading. No matter what they said, no matter what front they put on. Rue was no different. But it afforded him to live however he wanted, no rules, no regulations.~

~There was a slight cough and Rue turned to find himself looking down into the car of an older man, slightly gray haired. He smiled up at Rue and the first few words out of his mouth made Rue want to rip his head off.~

You remind me alot of my own son... don't you need a warm comfortable place to rest for a bit?

~Rue turned on him with all the rage of the big cat that roamed in his flesh. The snarl was feral and then man's eyes grew huge. Rue leaned into the car, a low growl rolling off him as the rage rolled up in his throat.~

That's the SICKEST thing I've ever heard.... get the FUCK out of here.... GO HOME.

~His words were forced, spit at the man, whom he all but grabbed and shook. The car squealed off, leaving Rue standing there panting and pushing back the fury that raged over his skin like chills. He'd felt that side of him that wanted blood calling to him. It screamed to rip out that pathetic man's throat. But Rue had controlled it. But he was well aware that the city was wearing on him. He would need to go out into desert soon and just let loose. Vaguely he wondered if DJ would come. Though he wondered if the Corax would be frightened of him once he shifted to that cat form. It did him good to just run, freely through the desert and know that there was nothing that could hurt him under Selene's perfect protection.~

~That's what he needed. Tomorrow evening he'd head out there, with or without DJ. And maybe, maybe he'd feel better. Maybe he'd not feel so lost and stressed and concerned for himself, his own mind. Maybe he could slough off some of the dirt and grim the city was marking him with. That was something to look forward to. As he drew closer to the corner, he searched it for DJ. He wanted to ask the corax if he ever felt like this. He wanted the Corax to smooth his ruffled fur and tell him he was stunning and perfect and not just some lowly whore on the streets of the city of sin.~

[latentfire]

-Darren was on a seperate corner near the others. he was standing there, leaning himself against a lamp post. his dark eyes watching car after car drive by... no one stopped.. not one... the other side of the street cars stopped.. now that Dj had left that area. He wanted to see if anyone would stop for him. It was his decision to live down and dirty, on the streets even if he had a tiny little apartment to call his own. So far, well... he wasnt doing really good as a whore. But did he tell Carue that? face the facts that he couldnt make it on the streets like the pretty bagheera could? no, of course not! He would give up and walk away... finding some place to slip into.. some open window, some easily unlocked door... and steal to make his living... to bring money back to the group. well, after he hit the pawn shop. The people there were pretty sure he was stealing all the stuff he sold, but they couldnt prove it so they took what he brought them... watches, rings, electronics, cds, dvds... do das that would be missed more easily then when he used to just steal for fun or to supply his apartment building-

-The bird's feathers were ruffled though as he stood there.. watching no one want him. How could they not? He had on tight ripped jeans.. in the knee on one leg and the thigh on the other... a sleeveless shirt with a cross on the front, his hat.. and his fingerless gloves... his full tattooed arms showing.. his studded belt and his multiple accessories all of the silver persuasion... so he was a big more muscular then the other boys... but he was still skinny.. in a way. he lifted his hand to his hat and lifted it before repositioning it and setting it back down, his foot tapping impatiently on the ground.. he wondered if the problem was he was strapped.. but the people in the car couldnt tell he had two guns on him and a blade... he sighed, he didnt know what his problem was.... maybe it was because he looked like a thug... good looking, hell yes... but not the type one would think was a street whore selling his body. that is why no one was interested in his goods. -

-DJ minded, but then again he didnt mind.. because the one time when he was picked up, with some of the others help... well things didnt go as planned... he didnt know what to do and he ended up hurting the guy and stealing from him... one lost return customer but you shouldnt scare a bird.-

-he turned his head when he saw movement coming towards them, getting off of the lamp post to try his seduction like the others taught him on the passer by... but it ended up being carue... looking non too happy as well. he sighed let the Kitten come to him. his thumbs hooking into his pants pockets as he leaned back against the lamp post. putting his foot up on it so his knee was at a 90 degree angle. his head tilted downwards so his hat's shadow hid his eyes-

not a good day for you either, Pretty?

-he pushed off of the lamp post and walked over to Carue, sliding his arm around his waist.. he lifted up and pecked his cheek with his lips, then he whispered in his ear...the bird was extremely perceptive-

you look like you need a hot bubble bath...

-he glanced past Carue, his eyes rising to the moon to see if that was perhaps the reason for pretty's unhappy body movements.. no it wasnt full... it wasnt that... something else had happened. he slid away from him, his fingers trailing down his arm to take his hand in his, he held onto it as his eyes stared into the kitten's-

tell me...

[synistergrrl]

~DJ's arm around his waist seemed all he needed. Someone to pet that ruffled fur and make him feel stunning again, raised up in the world. As they walked, Rue's dark eyes settled on the bird and he shrugged.~

It's nothing... I... just... I need a break, DJ. I want to go and run... tomorrow night.. in the desert... will you come with? You know I won't hurt you. But we'll be free out there...

~He said it all rather quickly as he turned to DJ to look at him. He didn't want the others to hear. So he pushed DJ back against the wall and looked up at him with want and need, pleading for DJ to agree. His hands slipped up DJ's chest as he buried into the bird. Something was wrong, through Rue didn't seem so ready to reveal his true feelings. Not yet. He kept his head buried against DJ for a moment and then he spoke again.~

Do I look like a whore, DJ? I can't get the grim off me anymore. I feel like it's stuck to my skin. I want to scrub it clean and yet it never seems to come. I always have that... film of dirt and....

~Here he shivered, his lip curling into a snarl.~

I can feel them, hear them.. smell them... and I can't seem to stop it, to make it go away... I'm falling, DJ, and there seems to be no end....

~Some of what he was saying made little sense, like he was a rambeling madman. But DJ got the impression that Rue was feeling less then his normal self. That something had crawled under his skin. He needed to be off the streets and away from people in case he lost his shit and shifted.~

[latentfire]

-DJ walked with the cat down the street away from the others. he turned his head to look at the purturbed pussy cat, a frown of worry over his face. he took his hand and patted it softly. before Carue could go on-

of course i will come with you... i long to fly away from these buildings.. these lights. we will go tomorrow, mark my word.

-he smiles to Rue, trying to make him feel better with an infectious smile. he soon found himself up against the wall, his breath knocked out of him.. for what was a simple shove for some was harder on the hallowed boned variety. he quickly regained his breath though, it just startled him more then hurt. he felt rue's hands sliding up his chest then the leopard cuddled into him. he wrapped his inked arms around carue. holding the kitty to him. he let out a sigh, feeling rue's pain. something was really wrong, bothering the king of the cats... then it started to have light shined on it as Rue talked.....he must had had a really bad experience today. life on the streets could be hell even on the supernatural.. especially ones as proud as the cats-

no, you dont look like a whore Rue... your beautiful.. gorgeous.. your special.. you dont look like a whore, you look like a super model... one everyone admires and loves.. .cherishes... what is even more remarkable is how your personality surpasses your beauty. Your not dirty love.. -he slides his hands up and puts Rue's cheeks in his palms as he looks at him-

you just need to shed your human skin for a little bit... let the wind glide through your feathers.. i mean fur... let yourself get back to knowing your roots.. you live too much like a human Carue... live for Helios for a little bit... you are magnificent... you are prince of the cats, my little bagheera. you will feel better once you run... once you let selene guide you and helios see your fur.

-he nods sagely, he always felt better after a good fly... a good run was probably just what the doctor ordered for his furred friend... Dj couldnt imagine how Rue could do it.. human skin day after day, night after night.. he had to fly... he had to! Daily or else he felt he was going to erupt and go insane. yes, Carue needed to feel like bastet again-

you need to let yourself feel like a bastet again -he stroked his fingers through his hair- after you let go in the desert.. then we will search the city... and i will find what ever you need... my princely one

[synistergrrl]

~Rue allowed the bird to stroke him, to feed his ego and make him feel like he was above all this. He smiled a little at what DJ said. It was true, all of it. Nodding, he pushed back into DJ and purred almost against him.~

Princely one... that's funny, DJ. But you're right. Tomorrow, me and you shall go out to the desert and everything will be much better. This city is just wearing on me. I just need to be reminded of what I am.

~Slowly he pulled out of the corax's embrace. He was done for the night and so his head cocked and he held up the wad of cash.~

Let's go eat, DJ. My treat... something really good for once....

~Stepping back, he waited for the bird to follow. They passed the group, telling those that were going to stay that they'd see them later and then they slipped off. Rue seemed thrilled to get away from the seedy side of the strip and just like that, blossomed again. They went to a decent chinese restraunt and ordered the best. Rue holding up the conversation easily. That night, DJ was privy to all of Rue's past, where he'd come from and how he'd slipped to the strip. It wasn't a unusual story, something that happened alot, it was just as shame it happened to a Bagheera, one that seemed to need the creature comforts of a higher standard of living. During all this, he surely let DJ pet him, stroke his ego and smooth the fur. He even suggested they spring for a hotel room, avoiding going back to that dingy abondoned building for the night. Rue wanted a bath and after a little goading covinced DJ to it.~