Love Poison No Cure Needed

Kayad's 'Care' 3.9

Kayad examined the incoming group with a critical eye. The boy he recognised as a senior from Hydralinus Academy. A pure water Realmskin academy. Kayad had heard he was repeating his final year for the third time and recalled that the first time that Kayad had done the stealth competition he’d been a seed participant.

Pity this time he would have no chance of sprouting. He may not even have the chance of breathing Kayad thought as he watched the way Ned roved his eyes over Meg then Kayad himself before settling on Sorrel as he licked his lips. The prick was looking for a beating and Kayad was more than happy to deliver. He didn’t understand why everyone had to keep salivating over his flower. It was his and he’d shred anyone who tried to make out otherwise.

“Adie? You okay?” Sorrel asked as he touched Kayad’s shoulder. Kayad restrained his growl and pulled his eyes away from the group. The humans were older than Ned late twenties at the youngest but could be nearly forty as well. Kayad never could judge ages. Probably because he didn’t actually care you got the respect your attitude deserved.

With the way the humans acted like everyone should be cowed by them Kayad had determined that they deserved exactly no respect.

“Well, well. If it isn’t Megan and Edward how nice to see you.” Ned commented as he strolled over to the edge of the pool near the volleyball net.

“Gee Ned, and here I had been thinking how nice it had been to not see you,” Meg responded tartly. Chris in turn tossed the ball back towards the basket to the side of the volleyball area as it was clear that we shouldn’t continue playing with the tools around. After all, some things we did naturally while playing were closer to Olympic skills for humans, not something to just be used any old way.

Besides Kayad figured that if they did continue playing it could be guaranteed that someone would accidentally on purpose plant the ball in Ned’s face.

“Oh, done already. I always knew your kind had no endurance.” Ned looked Chris up and down before he twisted his lips and shook his head.

“Naw, your lots are just to ugly for my attention. Gotta have standards after all.” Chris replied airily as he waved his hand.

“he, if that’s the case you won’t mind going a round then. Winner takes the prizes.” Ned responded as he flicked a look over at Meg and Sorrel who had moved to the edge of the pool when the ball was tossed in the basket.

Eddy bristled on the spot while Meg shivered slightly. Sorrel had no particular response as he just straightened up after he climbed out and went to get some of the towels.

“What’s the matter, not man enough to win. Too scared of losing.” One of the humans taunted.

“Now Claw, no need to be degrading, not everyone knows how to use their equipment.” The other responded with a laugh.

“Your right Maul. Best to let them retreat with indignity.” Claw started to cackle as well until the pair sounded like a rooster farm.

“You're on.” Eddy snapped as he glared at the group.

Kayad shrugged and moved to the other side of the net as he gestured for the three to get in.

“Weird, I didn’t think that grown men got so bored they could be reduced to petty verbal jabs. I guess I just saw too many normal adults with too much other stuff to do.” Sorrel said as she tossed the ball straight to Ned. He likely meant to make it a quiet aside to Meg but underestimated how well the sound travelled over the water.

The three whipped their heads around and glared at Sorrel. Kayad preferred the anger to the salivating but he still didn’t like them looking at all. Sorrel didn’t have a shirt on dammit.

“Come on then ladies, some of us are not so bored and have other things we’d rather do with our day.” Kayad interrupted as Ned started to speak. The trio spun back to face Kayad who offered them a bland smile. His smile deepened as the fury rose in their eyes.

While perhaps he couldn’t outright beat them, he could show them some ‘care’ while they played the game. It would not be too hard since a large part of this game involved managing things in the air and even with the water dragging at him, he was very comfortable with leaping.

The game started and Ned served. The ball shot over the net. Chris flicked it up into the air where Kayad promptly jumped up and spiked it straight into Claw’s chest. The trashy street names might mean something amongst humans but for someone that actually had claws and knew how to maul they were nothing more than an amusing invite.

So, the game continued. While Eddy seemed focused on scoring points seemed he’d taken the snide comment on Meg as a matter of pride and was determined to win the match. Chris on the hand had noticed what Kayad was doing and had laughed before working to facilitate the matter.

Each time Eddy returned the ball it struck the water. While each time Kayad returned, he struck flesh. Since the ball was only plastic and air it wouldn’t do serious damage and Kayad controlled his strength to not damage the ball. After all the game would stop if the ball was destroyed.

Ned managed to make a few hits on their side of the water, but the score was overall one sided. Even with them restraining themselves the humans just couldn’t match up to their reflexes.

 Finally, after the ball once again slammed into Maul’s face this time leaving his nose bleeding the human snarled, “Enough, let's do this the old-fashioned way.” The ball was tossed aside while Maul and Claw passed under the net and lunged towards Kayad and Chris while Ned and Eddy both jumped for the edge aiming for where Meg and Sorrel had watched from.