Tyki Mikk ||Intractable Sensations||

Chapter 1: Unexpected Invitation

Duty over Desire, Dignity over Love.

Give up on everything else.

Forget what is dear to you.

All that counts, is to wear this name with pride.

The next day was just as hectic as the day before, except for the fact that she had at least found a place to stay. Naomi looked around, scanning her surroundings. It was already noon and she was starving. So, she had decided a while ago to buy something to eat, that would actually be cheap, but still enough to fill her stomach.

And so she ended up at a small market with nearly everything you could possibly think of. The noise of dealers shouting out their prices, men and women negotiating and children running around the place, screaming and laughing, filled her ears.

It had been a long time since she was alone in a market and the brunette fully enjoyed the feeling of freedom. And that was the reason why she was smiling most of the time while passing people who eyed her suspiciously. But she didn't care.

Her stomach growling brought her back to reality and Naomi remembered why she was here in the first place. Searching for a stand with fruit or something similar, she slowly walked down the streets.

A group of children ran past her, playing and teasing each other, oblivious to the world around them. The brunette was watching them, when someone violently hit their shoulder against her to push her aside. "Ouch!" Naomi cried out, but the person just continued his path. Naomi 'tss'-ed when she recognized a man who didn't give a damn about who he had just hurt. "Could at least have apologized", she murmured. It was then that she noticed her trouser pocket being much lighter than used to be. The pocket with the money. 'Bastard!', she mentally cursed.

Now she had two choices. Either she would give up the money and not be able to go through another week or she could ran after the thief hoping to still catch him. Since having nothing to eat and having to sleep on the streets was not what she had in mind, she decided for the latter and started to sprint to the corner where she had seen the men disappear into an alley.

Naomi made it to the alley, finding not a slightest hint of someone being there. "Damn", she cursed. She ran down the alley and kept on running down different streets, with no success at all. Heavily panting, the brunette stopped and leaned against a wall in a deserted street trying to calm down her breathing. Now it was a fact that she had been robbed and had almost no money left. 'Fabulous', she thought bitterly. All thought of food had gone out of her mind and the brunette was instead worrying where to stay tonight. She would be able to buy a meal, but of what was still left, it would not be enough to afford another night in the inn, in the already cheap inn.

Sighing she started walking again. In the past she never had to worry about being low on money. 'Why would I take so much money with me anyway?', she questioned herself. Apparently, running away from the family also had its bad sides. A low voice in the back of her mind suggested to her to go back home, but she immediately shoved the voice out of her thoughts, when Naomi remembered her father's words before she left.

The way his eyes regarded her, told her everything. He was disappointed, no, he was ashamed to call her his daughter.

"You do nothing, but bring shame over our family." That comment struck her.

Up until now, everytime she had done something wrong in his eyes, he had always lectured her and tried to lead her into the right direction. But not this time. He had given up on her.

This place could not be considered a home. She would rather sleep on the street as a beggar as returning there.

Lost in her thoughts, the brunette rounded a corner and smacked into something. Well, someone. A moan escaped her lips when her butt hit the ground. Very hard.

Confused, she looked up to see who just knocked her off her feet and looked into a pair of golden eyes.

Naomi blinked a few times, while her brain tried to process the image in front of her.

It seemed that she, in her own world, had managed to walk into someone. Actually, not just someone. The stranger had dark brown curly hair, combed back and partly hidden under a top hat. A pair of sharp, golden eyes gave his face a prominent look. And in one word described, he was just handsome. The man in front of her watched her, looking slightly curious.

Blushing, she averted her eyes and tried to stutter out some words that would make sense. "I-I'm sorry."

When the brunette didn't hear a response, she turned to him looking him into the face. A gentle smile adored his lips and he held out a hand for her. Blushing an even redder tone, she gratefully took his hand and he effortlessly pulled her up again. Naomi just kept on watching him and she was sure that she looked like a complete fool at that moment, but she just couldn't get herself to turn away.

"Are you hurt?" His voice was kind, as if he was the one to blame for her falling. It was undeniable that she was strongly attracted by this man and his gentle behavior left her startled for a moment.

"No, I'm so sorry, sir. I didn't watch where I was going an-"

"It's okay", he interrupted her. "You were the one ending up hurt, miss."

He was still smiling and Naomi couldn't help, but be struck by the image of pure male beauty right in front of her. She had never been caught off guard by any men. He looked at her, his smile slowly vanishing and he seemed like something was bothering him.

"Miss, I know it is none of my business, but what is a beautiful young lady doing in such a lonesome place?" Naomi blushed for the third time at the word 'beautiful' and was surprised by his question. Why would he even bother?

Now, she had the chance to either admit her foolishness to him or just don't answer at all. And she did answer.

"Well, I..." she sighed. "I was robbes and tried to catch the thief, but instead ended up being lost."

While speaking she had been looking at the ground. When she heard a low chuckle, she lifted her gaze to meet his eyes. Apparently, her being robbed must have been funny, because he had an amused glint in his eyes. Puzzled, the brunette watched him as a small smile spread over his face.

Feeling uneasy in the current atmosphere, she spoke up. "You haven't seen by any chance a man rushing past you, sir?" She just couldn't help, but ask, although she knew it was quiet senseless. Even if he had seen the thief, he would be miles away by now, not forgetting to mention that even if she caught up to the man, getting back what belonged to her would not be easy to accomplish. But still, for a tiny bit of hope, she would have gone after him.

"No, I'm sorry."

Naomi was sure that the man in front of her saw the last bit of hope die on her face and as a result his smile slowly faded.

Trying to stay objective, which turned out to be rather difficult, she tried to weigh up her choices. No place to stay. No food. The chances for her to survive another two days like that were very low at that point. She sighed as to release the despair that slowly build up inside of her. You know, you could still return home. Live in a huge mansion, with food and a soft bed, suggested the voice in the back of her mind. 'Go to hell!', she mentally cursed the voice.

She was reminded of the man's presence, when he began speak, his voice gentle, as afraid the brunette in front of him would break down by any harshness.

"What did he steal anyway?" The source of all her sorrow, she was about to reply, but just in time stopped herself.

"Almost all of my money." As if to underline the dramatic atmosphere, her stomach started growling. Blood rushing to her face, Naomi was beyond embarrassed. She tried to mask this fact by giving an awkward laughter. "It seem my stomach likes this just as much as me."

His polite laughter sounded graceful, just like everything else on him.

"Well, well. I can't ignore the fact that the lady in front of me is nearly starving. May I invite you for lunch, miss?" The tone in his voice was kind and was not meant to be insulting at all. Astonished, she blinked a few times and only managed to look at him.

Seeing her face, the man quickly added, "Of course I do not expect anything from you. It was just a suggestion."

A/N: Hope you liked the first chapter! :D Please Review!

By the way the song 'New Perspective' from Panic At The Disco perfectly suits Naomi and 'There's A Good Reason This Tables Are Numbered, Honey, You Just Haven't Thought Of It Yet' also from Panic At The Disco fits Tyki perfectly. (In my point of view, at least ;) )