Tsajasuna's masterpiece

- Some Time in the Past -

"Are we there yet?"

Tsajasuna was ready to erupt with anger, but continued walking. The same question had been asked a hundred times since they left the township. Nayan tripped slightly as he ran to catchup with the witch, his shackles making it difficult to move with grace. Tsajasuna felt his eyes on her, as as she always did. The gaze of a young child.

"A-are we there yet? I'm hungry"

Tsajasuna stopped abruptly, causing Nayan to skid and fall over. He fell on his front with a grunt as Tsajasuna turned and looked down upon him. She had wrapped the homunculus in heavy steel chains, strapping his arms to the front and thrown a huge hooded cloak over his back. The bandages she had wrapped him in underneath - the only clothing the demented thing would wear - constantly came undone and impeded his footing. He was forever trailing wrappings of cotton. She watched him in silence as he wriggled in the dirt, unable to stand up without the use of his arms. Tsajasuna rolled her eyes, and moved her arm upward slightly - as she did, Nayan was lifted by magic and was able to right himself. He clung to her side, boring his eyes into her.

They were on a dirt road weaving through a great forest. The shadows of the trees shaded them both from the intense sunlight of the mid-day, but it was still unbearably bright for the Khajiit vampire. They had been staying in a local town, recuperating after a long journey made on foot over the neighbouring mountains. Tsajasuna had told the local guard that Nayan was a young Mer she had found in lands beyond, that she had taken pity on his condition of madness and had taken him under her wing. The shackles were necessary, she assured them. She had asked for a locked cell in the town barracks for him whilst she rested at the local inn, and the guardsmen head had kindly obliged...after much coin had been exchanged and no more questions asked. Tsajasuna had expected a peaceful sleep for once, and was most angered upon being awakened by the panicking innkeeper very early the next morning.

The deplorable nature of Men.

From what the Khajiit gathered, one of the guards had entered Nayan's cell, tired of his constant tittering and chattering and tried to gag him. The witch felt anger ripple through her, as she suspected the guard had had another reason for the gag. Nayan's porcelain skin and feminine looks attracted the worst kinds of attention at times. This was one of them. Nayan had sunk his teeth into the guard as he tried to place the gag in his mouth, and the taste of blood was all the homunculus needed to go berserk. Other guards had tried to stop Nayan with blade and bow, but by then, the travellers' cover had been blown. Nayan had killed two more guards by the time he was dragged into the town square, howling and screeching like a wounded beast and splattered with blood. The innkeeper had woken her up immediately - the guardsmen were not popular among the townfolk, but Nayan had frightened them. Tsajasuna had worked fast in the dull morning light to save them both, and flee the town as quickly as possible.

"Not yet, child. Nayan will have to practice patience."

"But I'll starve!"

"Don't be ridiculous. Khajiit knows that Nayan had eaten before leaving the city walls. Do not lie."

Nayan thought for a moment, his eyes dropping to the ground. He looked back up at her.

"I'll starve!"

"Maybe if Nayan hadn't lied, Khajiit would have gone to catch him something. Alas, Nayan is a liar and so will go hungry."

Nayan wailed, tears welling in his eyes. Tsajasuna closed her own, wanting to be out of the sun, wanting sleep, wanting silence. She made a mental note to acquire the biggest hat she could next time she was in a town. She listened intently for any sound around them, and heard trickling water. A stream was nearby. She looked at Nayan's face, his pale skin looking almost translucent in the light. His eyes were milky, unnerving white orbs that shook and twitched constantly, but as always, they were fastened on hers. His hair was unkempt, long and a grimy silver. Dried blood spoilt his androgynous features, covering most of his face and neck. It was a good thing Tsajasuna kept hoods and cloaks for these occasions.

"Come, child. This one needs rest."

Wandering off the dirt path and into the wood, Tsajasuna followed her keen sense of smell. Nayan followed dutifully behind, his tall frame knocking branches and leaves from their perches. He stumbled often, but Tsajasuna would always lift him carefully with magic if he needed it.

Such a clumsy beast, thought Tsajasuna. How would he ever survive.

A small copse was in front of them, a dull beam of sunlight shining through the trees and onto the water. A small waterfall trickled into the pond in front of them, dragonflies hovering lazily over the surface. The clearing was dark and comfortable for the uncanny pair of travellers.

Nayan was finally silent. Tsajasuna bent to take off her heels and placed them next to a nearby tree. She ambled down to the waters edge, and sat down gracefully, edging her soles into the water. The coolness on her sore feet was delightful.

There was a heavy thud beside her as Nayan slumped down onto the ground, his knees to his chest. He looked puzzled as to what Tsajasuna was doing, studying where her feet disappeared under the water.

"Tsajasuna is cooling her feet in the cold waters, child. It is a pleasurable feeling after a long journey on the road."

Nayan was rocking on his feet slightly. He wrinkled his face, and looked at Tsajasuna from under his hood.

"What does pleasure feel like?"

Tsajasuna felt a dull thud in her heart - she remembered it as guilt. Nayan couldn't feel anything in terms of emotion. At least, not to the witches knowledge. She suspected that eating made the homunculus gain some semblance of pleasure, but otherwise, he was unfathomable. She hoped some emotion would blossom in him some day.

The guilt faded. He wasn't her child. He was an experiment.

"Come here, Nayan. Sit in front of Khajiit."

Obediently, Nayan shuffled over to where the old Khajiit was as she moved back slightly. Sitting in front of the water, Nayan stared at his reflection. He noticed the blood on his face. Gently, Tsajasuna took off the hooded cloak she had hidden him in. Folding it neatly, she placed it next to her heels. Nayan didn't take his eyes off the reflection.

"One must take care of the things they love most, child. It is not good to ruin that which one treasures."

Nayan glanced at the shoes and cloak, tucked away by the tree. Again, he felt Tsajasuna's cold hands on his shoulders.

"Lean back, child."

Tsajasuna felt his body tense as he leaned onto her chest, and she gently placed Nayan's head on her lap. The cold metal of the chains were heavy on her thighs, but it didn't bother her. She wasn't about to take them off. She gazed down at Nayan's face, as a mother would a baby. Cupping water from the pond with her right hand, she poured it delicately over the blood on Nayan's face to wash it away. A small smile crept across his face.

"Does this one understand what Khajiit means, Nayan? One must take care of what they treasure most."

Nayan said nothing, but continued ardently staring up at Tsajasuna. Again, she cupped more water from the pond, and slowly poured it over his face. Her dress dried instantly underneath. A useful side-effect of the enchantment she'd placed upon it.

"I love you, mother."

"No, child. Nayan does not understand what love is."

He grinned, and Tsajasuna caught sight of his terrible fangs for but a second. His head shook, as if he was answering negatively to some unheard question. He was muttering under his breath.

"Good enough, good enough."

Tsajasuna stroked his face with her other hand ever so delicately, his face mostly clean of blood. She felt his arms strain against their steel bonds slightly. The absolute adoration in his eyes pleased her greatly.

What an obedient child.