Kaede Akamori's Story

Kaede

Kaede continues following behind the group. He slides a little further back with each step. Except for Peng-E the group makes him feel on edge, "There is something wrong with these people, if they're even people." he repeats to himself. He's not so much afraid as he is being cautious -- probably too cautious. He needs to make sure that he doesn't arouse suspicion among the Mistresses.
His caution is eased momentarily when their group merges with Kenner and his group. Seeing Kenner does bring some measure of relief, but the group he's with doesn't bring one iota of ease, rather they bot make the hair on the back of his neck stand. "Wonderful! We've run into a group of common-looking thugs." he murmurs in his mind, though he is certain that they are anything but common. "I never expected to see saints and women of wholesome virtue," Kaede contemplates, "But, I also never anticipated that I'd be rambling around the third plane of Hell either." He feels like he has crossed through Minauros with its vile rains and harsh winds, past the demonic hoard of guardians that protect Mammon's golden fortress. If Kenner were less human and more serpent-like, Kaede would swear Kenner was the Viscount Mammon. Kaede shakes his head clearing his head of such thoughts.

Kaede bows to the 'gentlemen', "Gentlemen. Good day to both of you. It's a pleasure. I am Prince Kaede Akimori second son of King Haru. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance." As uncertain as Kaede feels about the two new men, this mission is not about these men, Kenner, the women or his concerns; it is about acquiring what he needs and getting what is rightfully his and if that means dealing with unscrupulous and amoral beings then so be it.

Kaede steps back to the women and follows Kenner down the hall toward the atrium.
"Welcome to the atrium, a crowning example of design if ever there was one. As you look around you there is nature for all to see and if you cast your eyes above even the sun itself is part of Raven Loft." Kaede stands in awe inhaling the entire scene with his eyes, etching every plant, every piece of glass, every carving, everything about the room. He is amazed by the splendor and workmanship of the room. This room surpasses anything piece of construction he has ever seen, "The number of master craftsmen it must have taken to design and build such a structure." he whispers, a gasp in his voice.
"For all those slaves who want to see the world as they left it and come back to nature, however it is still safe to let them roam free here. There is no chance of escape even for those with the power of flight." Kenner proclaims not hiding his pride in the splendor of the room.
"Amazing!" is the only thing the young Prince can think to say, his mind blank of any thought of the others with him and earlier concerns. "A man who crafted this is someone not to be trifled with." he etches into his brain.

His muses of the room are interrupted by the noises below. The slaves have arrived. Kaede plants his focus on the slaves. He sits down and observes, the way the Emperor does when he picks a special woman for the evening. His attention begins with the rowdy young one who was singing an odd, but threatening song. Kaede smiles, "The dog that howls the loudest is not always the most dangerous. But, never be too quick to judge." he thinks.
The creature rolling in the grass is the next to earn his attention. It's a tall and fascinating looking being. He wonders how it might fare in a fight, if it could be trained to kill, and more importantly, kill the right target. That one wears black, while the girl has red and black.
"Interesting!" he says in a low voice as he tries to imagine them finishing off his father and brother. But the image doesn't come to him. Something about them bothers him. "For now." he says nodding his head.
He watches some of the others going about their routines and then his eyes fixate on a girl sitting near the lake. He cocks his head, sits up and leans forward, "She's one of us." he tells himself, shocked that a girl that might be from his region could be here. "Who would sell one of our people to this place? The Emperor would be infuriated should he discover this." he shouts in his head. It's possible he could be wrong. He etches that girl to his memory as well, "I will need to learn more about her." he whispers.

"Kenner, sir," Kaede says turning toward his host, "Questions. That girl down there singing that strange song. That creature rolling in the grass. Why do they have black collars. Specificall, Sir. I understand they're dangerous. Can I speak to them? Do they have the intelligence to understand? I mean, the girl is singing a song, but I can teach a parrot to do the same. That doesn't mean it would understand me and be able to hold conversation. No disrespect intended." he pauses for a brief second, "Oh, and that girl by the lake sitting there with her thoughts in the blue and orange collar. What of her? May I speak to her?"

Kenner

Kenner looked at the young prince as he turned his head from peering over at the slaves on the grounds below, he could understand the questions and knew that there would be more to come. He leaned back on the rail of the patio and gave a slight smirk as he spoke.."The collars are to be considered a type of rating system if you'd like to prefer it as such. Blue's are good for anyone, they serve and attend as well as any maid or butler maybe even more so actually."
He looks down again and see's the collected slaves begin to mull about trying to get their bearings with the new site before them. He was rather caught off when he noticed Nix in her seclusion singing a song about him, one that he had heard before but never had the chance to pay attention.

"Reds make excellent fighters (if) they can be tempered, oranges are very good at the arts. Some can paint, play music, or even sing with great tune to their voices. Pinks are those that love their masters and do whatever they can to.. ease them. While as you guessed those with a black collar are usually thought of as being dangerous, but not generally for their character but because of their type or breed." Kenner turns back towards the group of masters and smiles while raising himself up and sitting on the railing. "So why don't you observe for now while you converse for as well, I have to check up on one of our new additions."

With that he leaned back on the rail and fell backwards off the patio, the fall however was short seeing as the ground was only fifteen feet from the atrium grounds. His robe flapped in the air and foiled around as the air swept by his body and in mid fall Kenner corrected his position, tumbling over and landing solidly on his feet with a loud thump on the soft soil. A guard eating his roll on a short break was peering in from the gate when Kenner touched down and the sudden landing caused him a great deal of freight as he fell back on his stool and sent his snack flying.
Kenner was not one to lose his stride and quickly stood with a step in Nix's direction, working his way past several of the other slaves. Approaching Nix from the back he set himself on a low stone passing a look of thought on his face before he spoke to her."Why.. do you maintain that form, surely you would feel better in yours human form wouldn't you?"
He knew that she harbored a hatred for him off from the start with the look she bore in her eyes, he didn't care about what she would do however. If she tried anything it would most likely be an intense learning experience for her instead of him.

* * * *

Peeshka eyed Nitha for several seconds as she soaked in what the naga said, it had been a long time since they received a slave who could not speak the common language on Thaiden. Granted there were other races of beings that inhabited this land but that did not stop anything at a language barrier.

She would have to concentrate herself on one voice in order to speak the correct language for the naga to respond, it had however been some time for Peeshka to speak a tongue that was not native to her. Being of her origins she could speak the best of the highest of heaven and even boast with the dregs of hell if she had to, but languages on the human plane were not her real forte.
Peeshka went silent for a moment as she could pick out a voice within the torrent of one's within herself and it only took several seconds to find one that she found herself liking. She went straight for a second and leaned into the bars of Nitha's cell.

~See üks räägib oma keelt.. Olete Naga .. parandada?~ The voice she spoke with now was singular and much stranger then before, because it bore a strange sound to that of a young woman.. almost a child. She tilted her head with the question as she finished speak towards Nitha.

EAVIA

Eavia looked around the atruim, then back at Kenner and two other men.
"Pleased to meet you," She says, bowing her head slightly "I am Mistress Eavia."

Eavia turns her gaze to the Prince "So it's ok for other species to be enslaved but not your precious humans? Really, you'd think the, what do you call yourselves? Oh yes, the most 'intelligent' species would understand that they are just like the rest of 'us' and judging by that girls standards she won't last a week. Also if you were what you so 'modestly' say you are she wouldn't have gotten caught now would she?" She quips, knowing she shouldn't but sometimes human's infuriate her.

She then bows her head to him "I apologise but sometimes people just need to be put it their place."

She then turns from the men and inspects the slaves, most are species she knew of like the Naga, but had never seen.
"How wonderful." She whispers to herself and then says, more loudly to Kenner "How do you get such an amazing collection of slaves?" She asks, smiling a little brighter than usual, she enjoyed observing such ferocious creatures.

Then her eye lands on a Neko, nothing special really but she can't stop looking at him and even Eavia, whom doesn't own a soul has to have a small soft spot for him.
She can see that the Neko had grown up into slavery, otherwise she doubted he'd be so well tempered.
"Could you please tell me the collar of the Neko Kenner?" She asks, extending a slim, gloved finger to the creature.

She wanted it and, it was fact, that Mistress Eavia always got what she wanted.


~

HOPE

Hope noticed the human girl standing behind her but didn't want to say anything, as if the startle her and anyway, how did she know that she wasn't as vicious as the rest of them. Although she hardly looked it.

Sighing, she trudged along behind the others, occasionally looking behind her, just seeing glimpses of another human thrilled her, but she dare not speak.

Gasping, she looks around the atrium as they enter, it's beautiful with a glistening lake and soft dewy grass.
She wants to just run and dance in it, but being whom she is, Hope says silent and finds a secluded place among the trees, watching the other human girl as she goes to sit by the lake.

Really, she doesn't look very dangerous and I'm at least a little taller, I could take her if she tried anything, Hope muses, standing.

She walks timidly over and whispers "Hello." Some distance away.

KAEDE

"So it's ok for other species to be enslaved but not your precious humans? Really, you'd think the, what do you call yourselves? Oh yes, the most 'intelligent' species would understand that they are just like the rest of 'us' and judging by that girls standards she won't last a week. Also if you were what you so 'modestly' say you are she wouldn't have gotten caught now would she?"
The woman's words have caught Kaede completely off guard. He's not used to people talking to him as such. But what really catches his attention is her ability to read his mind. He isn't necessarily surprised that she can; there are many creatures out there capable of that ability, he just didn't really think about it. Before he can organize his thoughts she has turned away from him and her interests lie elsewhere. "Some things are better left unsaid." he muses to himself smiling, trying not to show how irritated he is at her dressing down. "I must be more careful in my thoughts." he decides.

His attention returns back towards the grounds and the creatures below. He tries to wash the woman's words from his mind but her finds it difficult. She obviously misunderstood his thoughts or she's hypersensitive, he isn't sure which it is, he's hoping for the former rather than the latter -- there is also a tinge of anger that he was spoken to like that from a woman. He's more progressive and open-minded than most from his lands when it comes towards women and their status. He has found woman to be just as gifted, talented and intelligent as men and in some cases more so. But still, he carries some of the same prejudices of his people and being talked to like that from a woman is difficult to swallow. More so, that he can't afford to say something back and find himself in a distracting squabble.

His irritation is swept aside when he catches the creature who was signing the irritating song lunging at Kenner. He rises when the beast latches into Kenner's flesh and Kenner seems uninjured by the whole affair. It lasts a scant few seconds and then it ends with the beast taking human form, laid out on the ground in convulsions. Then Kenner lays a robe on her to cover her nakedness.
"Fascinating!" is the only thing that he can think to utter.
Kenner rejoins the group momentarily and departs to change his clothes.

Kaede sits back down in his seat and contemplates everything he's seen and how it fits in his plans. Periodically, he checks over at the white woman to try and ascertain if she is reading his thoughts again, but he's satisfied that she has other interests.
"How does that work for me?" he wonders. "Can that girl on the ground be my answer?" He ponders that thought and many other thoughts as well, trying to figure out how each of the beings down below could be used to his advantage and what he could offer them in return for their services.
"The girl laid out on the ground is easy." he tells himself, "Her freedom after the deed. But can she be trusted?" that is his over-arching worry. "Could I trust her?"
He turns his attention toward the two girls, "Both are artistic. But how are they artistic? Singing? Acting? Painting? There are lots of ways to be artistic. Some are less useful than others. What would they want?" he ponders, "The girl similar to me is easy, going back to her people. The other girl...gold? rubies? A title? Can they be useful in a killing?"
The shy, timid creature with the unkempt fur would be a distraction. But he hardly looks like he has the capacity to kill. The darker cat-like creature may have more possibilities. "Oh, damned it all." he mutters, rolling his eyes in frustration. "I don't know."
Kaede sits trying to gather his thoughts. There are too many possibilities and, for all his planning over the past few years, this part has always been the most difficult. This is a Tetsume venture, not his. He ponders sending for his friend to have him come and check them out. After a few minutes of thinking he decides not to. This is his job and he needs Tetsume back keeping everyone organized and ready for his return.

Kaede gets up and steps closer to the rail, he watches the both the hopeful buyers and the merchandise. From the buyers he tries to gather a glimmer of what they're planning on buying. If he has any doubts about whether or not to purchase a creature that any of them want, he plans on passing. Kaede is not interested in a bidding war. From the slaves he hopes to get some inspiration from what he sees. Maybe getting closer will help.

Syntira had watched the whole ordeal between the were-Hyena and Kenner with severe interest. Her non-human eyes had been able to catch much more of the action than the average observer. Her nostrils flared at the scent released from the pair. When the female being had first attacked Kenner, Syn’s reflexes had shoved her forward and almost over the railing. Her wings folded on her back threatened to tear through her robe. Just as the Mistress’ feet had clambered on top of the railing however, the woman stopped. It would be rude for her to interrupt the quarrel. Kenner had been a Master for many decades, and she did not wish to demean him by jumping to his rescue. Instead, Syn sat down on the railing; one foot hanging down and the other perched so that the Dragonkin could rest her chin on her knee.

A black liquid had oozed out of... Kenner? And was now inside of the were-hyena’s mouth. The female creature’s eyes rolled back in her head, and after a few moments she lay on the ground convulsing. Syn could not hear the exchanges between the two, but she wished that she had. As she took mental notes, Syn lost track of the Master. He reappeared soon, clambering over the railing. She nodded at his words, but she was too transfixed on what had just occurred to really process them. As soon as the Master left, her eyes shifted around the area. Pesshka was down with the potential companions, and Syn had done quite enough observing from afar. She stood on the railing and turned around, facing the two other masters. Shedding off her most outer layer, the long black and gold robe, she placed the material over the railing.

“If you two would excuse me...” Her cool tone travelled to the pair. Syn nodded politely, closing her eyes as she did so. Without opening them she leaned backward, falling over the railing. In the air the Mistress took a moment to sigh, recalling the same free-fall she had conducted earlier when she left for Raven Loft. Spinning her torso around, her wings unfolded from her back, the outer scales reflecting the red of her hair, and the inner scales shimmering with a gold color. Stretching the apendages out wide, her fall was slowed until she glided down to the grass. One foot touched the ground gracefully before being joined by the other. Finally opening her eyes, her black slits scanned the area. There was quite a wide variety of species before her. She smiled, though to anyone but one accustomed to Dragonkin it may have appeared wicked. Though in her human form, Syn’s teeth were much sharper than the average being. Finally her eyes focused on a similar looking trio. They were all males, one with brown ears, one with a white tail, and the last with a red stripe across his face. Well.. I think direct conversations would be a no at this point.. at least for those with Black Collars, Alice on the other hand I know can be easily communicated with. Kenner’s words echoed in her ear. The Mistress sighed, that meant that the canine-like Neko would be out of the question for now. At least, she was not permitted to approach him. Syn would not refuse if he took an interest in herself. Giving him one last longing glance, her eyes shifted to the feline-like Nekos.

“Who do we have here?” Syntira made her way over to the pair. She knew that her appearance may be frightening to the two, so she bowed deeply, flicking her wings low against her back submissively. The last thing she wanted to do was scare the two, so she even released a peaceful scent. As far as she was aware, Nekos should be able to understand Dragonkin scenting. Syn hoped so, but she was not completely sure. Her eyes flicked back up to the pair, but she remained in her unguarded stance. They pleaded for acceptance.

The larger man gives Emalyn a stiff stare as she responds to Roldan's question, he almost starts to lift his hand and strike her. This must stem from the fact that she basically ignored him for the entire trip from start all the way to finish.
His eye catches a small glint of metallic silver before his arm reaches back all the way and he realizes that the tip of a rapier is pointed narrowly at his chin. Roldan had slipped the papers to one side and produced the blade from its sheath on the back of his hip and his grip on it is rock solid as he points it further in and begins to prod the man on his lower lip. "I would suspect you to know the house rules.." The other trader lays his hand on his own face and speaks in the defense or his partner. "I apologize sir.. He doesn't get out much and I was rather apprehensive to bring him to begin with."

Two of the other guards step forward to edge the girl away from her original handlers, moving her behind Roldan and taking her into the doorway. Roldan takes his share of the papers and presses a small bag of silver into the hands of the more sensible trader while the other stepped back into the back of the carriage while still rubbing his chin.
He looks back at Emalyn as he steps towards her and smiles at the young Neko.. "Yes.. This will be your home now and don't worry, we will take good care of you." He reassures the young girl, petting her head lightly and brushing her ear with his fingers.
"Take her to the holding area.. Master Kenner should still be there and he would want to see her as well."
Roldan dropped his hand and stuffed the papers under his arm as he walked by, intent on going to his office to file the new arrival. While he does this the other two guards move Emalyn along with them down the side passage and through the master hall.

Peeshka finally enters the patio overlooking the Atrium as she peers at the other Masters, noticing that one is missing she strides over to the rail and looks down to see her getting aquianted with some of the other slaves. She cranes her head to the side as she speaks down into the clearing..~Time to head back now little one's.~
The guards were opening the main door as she finished speaking and they moved once again with the same trained sequence they had done before. Approaching the slaves calmly and cautiously, setting restraints and coaxing them out the gate as a reminisces of what happened before. The guards sway past Mistress Syntira, unfortunately they had to interrupt her conversation to get all the slaves rounded up and back out of the atrium.
"Apologies Mistress.. as per Master Kenner orders we are order to bring the slaves back to the holding area." Strangely the guards do not wait for a reply as they issue the slaves away and disappear themselves.

The leather clad Peeshka looks back at the other Masters and informs them..~It is now getting late and now dinner will be delivered to your quarters for tonight's meal.. so please enjoy your first night.~ She gives a slight bow as she leans back on the rail and falls over, her body giving away to a quick fall as she lands with an intense solid thud.
Her body recovers quickly however and she trots over to Syntira's person.
~Well.. Mistress, I suspect you would either like to eat or finish your little conversation. That or you could do both at the same time.. however you would have to pay for that dinner." It was obvious that she was making a sly little stab at her origins and if she had a face behind that mask it would be wearing an intense smirk for the moment.

It took some time while everyone was being ushered to and fro with their own effects passing by, a small audience of guards was given to the Masters to bring them back to their respective room. On their arrival they were met with the presentation of a personal dinner laid on the center table of their rooms. A meal fit for their taste and pallet was presented but one would guess how someone would have access to such knowledge.
The slaves in turn were returned to the holding area and instead of being brought in, one was released and allowed entry for them to get better acquainted with the new rooming.

Kenner looked to Quinn as she turned away from him and he noticed the small strip of incantations under her sleeves. He was quick to reach out and grab her right hand and pull her back around to face him, holding her arm closely so he can inspect it. By this time the other slaves were being released back into the room, one by one they came in and their bindings were released.
"It looks as though you were the center of some concern for a few people." He smiles for a while as he can be seen contemplating something as it crossed his mind. "I know of a way to quickly have you released if that if your wish.. but it is dangerous" as the slaves finished with their reentry he dropped her arm softly before returning. "We will finish this some other time.."

He walked past her and strode past Silver who was still situated next to Nitha and dipped his fingers in the fountain, giving the water a small flick as he walked past them to get their attention. "Alright ladies.. get ready for dinner." He walked up to the others as they got situated as well and spoke to them.
"Alright I suggest everyone grab a seat somewhere or at your beds and hold tight, Evix should be here with the food and I suggest everyone be at their best behavior." He laid his eyes on Nix and gave the hyena a smile with some teeth showing on his side before moving past.
His eyes pick out the new Neko girl who was being let into the door with by two other guards on the opposite door. He kept a cock sided look to his head as he walked up on the young girl and turned his eye to the guards. "Unregistered? The guard shook his head slightly and returned "No sir, Roldan says she was contracted through one of our agents." Kenner flashed a look of realization and issued the guards to move with their work as he took the young girl in his hands, holding her lightly at the shoulders and looked her over.

"My.. you are young, go ahead and take a bed for now while dinner comes. We will get you a collar tomorrow morning."
He sets the girl to his side and steps past as Peeshka shows up around the corner, she leaned around the doors edge and scanned her vision over the whole room, it was as if she was waiting for something.

Kaede

The Prince watches a bit startled as the woman with red hair climbs over the railing and joins the creatures below, "Can she do that?" he wonders. No one says anything to her, so he decides it must be okay, though he doesn't have the interest to join her. Kaede returns his attention to the girls sitting by the lake. While he still wonders how a girl from his lands wound up here, it's the other girl that captures his attention. "She would be the perfect distraction, if she does something interesting, like sing or play an instrument." he reasons. Returning the girl to his native land would probably curry favor with the Emperor, something he could use. But, ironically, it would also work against him as the favor would rest on his whole family, and his father would benefit. Then killing him would become problematic and could earn him the fury of the emperor. "Regicide is bad. Killing a family member is really bad. Murdering a man that the Emperor has heaped praise upon can be unforgivable."
The girls don't seem to have attracted the attention of any of the Masters. "Their tastes appear to be quite exotic. Run of the mill humans may be the ones they don't want." He contemplates that thought or a bit and if that's all that's available to him he needs to justify taking the girls, not just to himself, but to his army as well.
"The one girl could distract my father with her talent. And once he is dead and my brother too, I could use the return of the other girl as a way of appeasing a displeased Emperor. One must do what one must do." he whispers.
Kaede watches the whole display below for a while and then when the announcement for dinner is given he rises and watches them exit. "Anyone of them is acceptable." he nods. "Even that blood thirsty assassin creature could be of use to me... if properly inspired."
Kaede is not really that hungry, but the opportunity to sit with the other Masters and hear their appraisals is something he just can't afford to miss. If this is going to go smoothly, without a hint of discord, he's going to have to know which creatures are wanted by the others, so that he knows which ones are off-limits to him.

Kaede

Kaede follows the attendants to the dining hall. He's mildly disappointed that Kenner is nowhere to be seen. Right now he is fairly certain that he will find what he's looking for, he just needs to decide what method he'll use at his father's court. He knows he can't be too obvious; bringing back some demon or giant four headed hydra might alert suspicion. And even if it didn't, the guards would be on watch for the creature doing something. "That leaves out the serpent creature." he mutters to himself.
Any questions or qualms he has had about killing his father and brother have been washed away long ago. He's come to grips with his decision to be an assassin, a rebel, a murderer. This is going to be a first for the family. All changes in king have been when the monarch has either died or been incapacitate. This is new, uncharted territory. He isn't even sure that once the deed is done, that he will be able to control it; prevent it from spinning out of control and consuming him along with it. "Once you've deposed one king through treachery and murder, what's to prevent someone else from doing the same?" he often wonders.

"Had they learned nothing from grandfather?" This thought has always been central to his disappointment at his father, "When he brought us together before he died and reminded us that a King without the people is just someone with a lot of land. A king is the leader of the people. He is responsible for the people. Did they learn nothing from his words?" The precipitating event that lead to his decision to be an assassin may have been his father choosing that insipid dolt of an older brother. But it's his betrayal of the people, of what is grandfather had told them, that is his justification.

He can smell the food waffling in from down the hallway. Earlier he wasn't hungry, but the smell is so good that he is now hungry. His step picks up as they get closer to the hall. When they enter he politely waits for the women masters to enter first and he follows. Then once they are seated he joins them. As for eating, he doesn't wait on that. He helps himself to the bread, the soup, the fruit and vegetables that fill the spaces on the table. The only thing he ignores is the plentiful array of meat. It makes him slightly ill to eat flesh of any kind. An odd thought that makes him chuckle sometimes when he thinks about it. "An assassin who feels remorse over the killing of some small animal." He justifies by reminding himself, that if he had to, he would kill and eat an animal, but he doesn't. And just like the animal, he has to kill his father and brother.

It was not long after the time that Kenner specified that the tone did sound, a light solid chime emanating from deep and high somewhere from inside Raven Loft.
Some have gone to sleep, while others full from their meal idled off into dreams as they lay in their beds. Hitha lay around the rock instead on on it, the large plush pillows allowed her to fall asleep faster then she would have normally.
While the little girl Silver had curled up and leaned herself against the Naga, a lone thumb perched in her lips and a soft look of grace that came from her dreams.

Nix had her feet barely brushed under the covers of her bed and she was still slightly whimpering in the half cupped moments of her soft breath, sleep had come but it was not without turbulence. While Bloodsong did not gather himself in a bed, instead he had pulled off the wool blanket and two sheets to gather around himself as he lay against the base of a bed. His ears twitched from moment to moment in time with a small smack of his lips, his dreams full with days of uncaring.

Miyako and Persephone slept apart from one another, the space between their beds was slight and the two looked as though mirror images of one another. A leg hung slightly off one side of the bed, while one arm laid flailed out to the other.
Quin was the last of the group to fall into slumber, she sat on her bed for several minutes after the others had drifted off into sleep and she eyed the room with a strange sense of disillusion.
But with all things her lids became heavy and she soon resigned herself to lay down on the covers and fall away. Not even worrying about removing her own boots she just turned over and was pulled away into her dreams.

The young prince Kaede had been lead back to his quarters with the other masters, he however was not so easy to put to rest. Kaede spent some time pacing back and forth at the foot of his bed and wondered about the plethora of slaves to be had outside of his door and what purpose they could be used to serve his intentions most fully.
But the worrying addled his mind for the whole time, it wasn't until after he stopped pacing that his body realized how tired it was and a long forcible yawn broke from his lips and he resigned himself to sleep after preparing for bed.

Kenner sat in his quarters, the chair in his study suited to his needs quite clearly as the head master held a large book in hand. He was not one to sleep so quickly and even then, sleep did not come easy to him and for good reason.
It wasn't until a leather glove began to slip its way around the back of his neck that he began to pay attention once again to his surroundings..~Please Kenner.. you look tired, come to bed..~ Peeshka pulled on with a low tone to her speech. Kenner only turned his head slightly as he looked around to stare into the empty eyes of her mask. "Alright then.. you talked me into it." He replied to her.

She pulled away from him as he stood and the two walked slowly towards the bed and as he laid himself down, he discarded the top of his robe by letting it fall to the floor. Peeshka took a knee on the edge of his bed and started to crawl in after him. The sound of her outfit making exaggerated stretching sounds along the way.
As she climbed up along the bed to his arms and snaked her way in between them she turned to look at him, which made him look back with a strange expression. "You know you shouldn't wear that to bed." He said as he reached up and lightly gripped the sides of her mask, slowly he began to remove the white shell and as it pulled away the dark emptiness of her face was there starring back at him. With the two same pin points of light pointed back at his eyes and with a nudge against him she curled up into his arms with a dejected sigh. They had both had a long day and in the view of things, they were looking forward to the days to follow.

Kaede

Kaede lay in his bed, a restless slumber would be an understatement. He tries to come to grips with just how difficult it was to choose. This would be the first real test of his leadership. Actually, it was choosing Tetsume to be his second-in-command, that was his first major decision, but it was a no-brainer. He had known Tetsume for a long time, he was brilliant, loyal and had a sixth sense for people. Tetsume has been instrumental in building his team of assassins. But choosing Tetsume was before he had his little army. The men didn't know much about his work prior to their arrival, they would look to this decision as his first great test. If he fails, the men may desert him, or worse, betray him.
"Why can't I have Tetsume's keen eye for people?" he wondered, his arm over his eyes, head staring at the ceiling. "Why can't I be more decisive? More intuitive? Maybe I'm trying too hard." he complains to himself.
Kaede sits up, walks to the table and lights a candle. He grabs his book and opens the leather bound book taking the papers from the folder. From his pack he pulls a pen out and writes down everything he's seen today; everything about the slaves that he has observed and what possible use they'd be to him. Sleep is no longer an option for Kaede, he can sleep when he has secured his grip on the throne. For now, he needs to think, needs to organize his thoughts, needs to be a real leader.

Persephone fakes sleep and stays silent in the corner.
She hasn't sleep through a whole night for years and she wasn't about to start now, not in this place.
Sighing slightly, she rolls over on her bed that is hidden in the dark and looks at the sleeping inmates.
Many she didn't know of, and many more she couldn't even understand what species they were.

She wracks her brain to try and find something positive to think about as she felt her body slowly sinking into the hard bed; her eyelids drooping.
But alas nothing good came to mind and so, once more she fell into a dream of terror and horror, a dream only someone whose had her past can dream about.

But then, her dream changes, she's back in her cell but, but she's being freed? No, surely not.
And then the man, a master she reckons, that was looking at them all comes in, he takes her away.
"What's going on?" She asks them, I can speak? She thinks to herself, confused.
And again the dream twists, turning her confusion into horror.

"NO!" She screams, yet she cannot scream and all you can see is her mouth forming the letters, no sound is made.
"N-no, anything but that." She whimpers in her mind, and then thinks, did the human girl just hear that?

Kenner

The morning begins with a resounding tone coursing throughout the halls of Raven Loft as somewhere withing a bell is being struck. The light has begun to crawl up the side of the mountain home and the guards had just finished switching details with their replacements.
The sound of boots trotting down the long hallways and the voices of multitudes of patrons coming from within give the hold a sound of a small city unto itself.

Kenner is the first to be awake from his a Peeshka's rest, though for arguments sake they both find it hard to do such a thing and even more so for her. He had managed to gather a cup of tea from the dinning hall adjacent from his room and was now reaching the bottom of the staircase. He would give and receive the usual greeting from the new guards on watch and passed by into the holding area.

Roldan was already standing in the doorway looking over the slaves with a pad in his hand and taking head count.
"Ah.. good morning Master Kenner" He gave with a slight nod but still did not manage to turn his head completely towards Kenner, a tune to how his head was still in his work.
Kenner gave him a touch on the shoulder as he walked passed."Good morning to you to Roldan, and how are our guest doing this fine morning? He gave as an obvious question.

"Good, as far as I can tell." He answered. "The Maidens should be here in a few minutes to help them prepare and tehn the day should be yours."
Kenner gave a slight smile as he walked on towards the beds and looked on at the slaves.."I trust everyone had a good nights rest.." it was obvious by the looks on the torrent of faces coming his way that it wasn't like that at all, no matter how much his smile tried to smooth things over.

There was a knock on Kaede's chamber door after the rise of the sun and a voice issued from behind to obstruction.. ~Master Kaede, you are invited for breakfast in thirty minutes and Kenner said he will be joining you to discus your intentions.~ Peeshka was sounding rather fulfilled this morning, despite how torrential her speech made things sound.

Kaede

"Master Kaede, you are invited for breakfast in thirty minutes and Kenner said he will be joining you to discus your intentions." a female voice calls out after knocking on the door.
Kaede lifts his head from the table, one of the pieces of paper dangling to the side of his face. "Huh?" he mumbles startled from his sleep, brushing the paper away. Sometime during the evening the prince feel asleep and his head had laid resting on the table. He looks down at the papers scattered on the desk and a few on the floor, "Oh, damn it!" he curses as he lifts two slightly damp pieces form the table, "I drooled on them." he complains aloud. "Stupid." he says releasing a quick laugh. He carefully collects his papers into piles and lays the wet ones flat on the table, checking them over, "Still legible. No harm done." he utters softly, pleased that they're still in good shape. He carefully places the dry one's in his bag, rabbit-earing the places where the wet one's will go and places them back into the binder and the binder back in his pack.

Kaede climbs into the tub and spends about fifteen minutes soaking in the warm water. He'd be happy to spend the next fifteen hours in the water, soothing his tired body. The water is soothing and allows him to think more clearly. But, the voice said thirty minutes and being late is never an option when you don't know someone really well and you need them more than they need you. He climbs out from the tub, thoroughly drying off and covering himself with a new kimono; an elegant light blue, with white cranes embroidered in the fabric. He admires it in the mirror, "Perfect for a business meeting." he tells himself nodding.
He carefully lifts the papers from the table, "Still damp." He returns them to the table top and exits the room. He wants to return them to the binder, but he cant chance getting more important documents wet in the process. "They'll be fine." he tells himself as he bounds down the stairs and briskly walks to the dining room.

"Good morning." he says bowing before checking to see who is assembled. He blushes slightly when he realizes, no one is there yet. "Oh, well..." he says laughing, "Better to look the fool when there's no one to witness your stupidity."

Kaede walks over to the table and sits patiently waiting for his host. He knows he's not the brightest candle wick, but he is certain that he is best suited to lead his people than what they have now or would under his brother. He has taken great pains to surround himself with good people. This is the climax in his plan and the denouement will be the actual kill. He just needs to make sure he doesn't let this opportunity get away from him

Kenner

The voices and slight movements abound Kenner made him sure in his mind that the night was not entirely true for the other slaves. His being approached by Quinn did tell him that she was willing to forget what transpired with her and Bloodsong not merely a few hours ago.
He looked at her and took her wrist in his hands, he held them aloft for a moment and looked at her with his same smile. "All in due time Quinn, but for now you need to get readied for this day." he turned his head as the sound of humming began to come from the other gate and he looked back at the others as he released Quinn's arms.

"I understand that most of this is still.. out there.. for most of you, but I will make sure to have everyone attended to and set on your path." the sound of humming becomes slightly louder as he looks back. "Now what happens next I suggest everyone just stay calm and let the maidens do their duties then breakfast will be served." He gives a slight bow as he back out the main gate and exits the holding area.
The approaching sound of the humming tune was growing more and more little footsteps to signal such an approach.

As a guard swings the door ajar several forms enter and begin to spread among the room.
Each is apparently a woman dressed in clean white linens and each carries a set of items, they move in concert with one another and it is noticeable that the humming is coming from each and every one of them. The tune in fact is soothing and crisp with very little wane in its tone. The girls move and break off into small groups of three separating themselves among one slave a group. They bring with them bowls of warm water and towels in hand, while one carries a wooden box in both her hands and they get to work.
They wipe the exposed areas of the body clean and brush hair with a gentle touch, it was obvious that this kind of treatment was more then a usual slave was expecting.

There was another woman there however and she did not work with the others, instead she stood near the center of the room and basked in what was transpiring. She wore a heavy brown linen dress that possessed a cowl much like the other women in the room, it hugged against the sides of her face and left the greying skin of her moth exposed. Dark almost purple lips framed her mouth and the slightly crooked smile was no more inviting then her appearance.
One arm was wrapped around her waist while the other dangled beside her, a gloved hand revealing that she was lacking one of the fingers normally had by other humanoid beings. She stared almost blankly into space, though the same problem with Peeshka remained here as her eyes were not discernibly in view.

* * * *

While the others worked down below Kenner was about to enter the dinning area after passing by the guards downstairs and sending them onto their assigned duties. He pressed the door open to see Kaede sitting at his side of the table and looking about the room, only to avert his eyes to Kenner when he entered.
A kitchen attendant was standing at the opposite side of the room near the kitchen door and noticed when Kenner entered, he gave her a nod and that was her signal to bring out the food. As he sat he leaned into his seat and looked at Kaede.."I am glad that you chose to meet me for breakfast, not many masters are willing to be up so early in the morning. I did have some other masters as guest a while back and their company was rather disappointing." No sooner then when he finished did several of the kitchen staff come back through the door, they carried platters with cooked sausages and bowls of boiled eggs with dates and other fresh fruit.

As they laid the items down near the center of the table Kenner reached out and took a date, popping it into his mouth and eating it. "I understand you had some questions for me?.."

Kaede

Kaede rises and bows slightly to his host. He isn't sure why they aren't being joined by the other masters, but protocol and politeness prevent him from asking such a question; after-all he may prefer to dine with each one at a time, or maybe the others have made their purchases and have gone. Why they're not there is of little interest to Kaede. His quip about no one else being an early riser brings out a smile as does Kenner's query about what he wants to know.

Kaede contains his enthusiasm at his good-fortune to have Kenner all to himself. It's something he's wanted since he arrived, but the man has always been so damned busy with one thing after another. Kaede sits and gather his thoughts for a minute, disguising his uncertainty as to what to ask first by taking a slow drink of the wine provided.
"Yes." Kaede says smiling taking another drink, trying to look as confident as possible. He takes another sip and feigns a cough as if a bit of it went down wrong, giving him more time to ponder his questions, making sure they come out correct, "Regicide is a dangerous game!" he tells himself.

"Well my good Lord Kenner." Kaede begins, a polite smile plastered across his lips, "I am fairly certain that you understood my needs from our correspondence, so I won't bore you, or waste your precious time by reviewing what I am here for." Oh, how he hopes Kenner understands what he needs, if he doesn't then he will have to decide whether or not to explain to him, and Kenner might not approve of what he has planned. Secrecy is what has kept him alive. He can't afford having some concerned citizen blabbing his scheme to his father.

"I am looking for two slaves of unusual qualities. Or maybe one of absolutely outstanding qualities to present at my father's court for the celebration of my family's five hundredth year in service to our Emperor. A gift." Kaede leans in, his forearms resting on the table, his hands playing with the cup as he thinks about what he should say. "The celebration is in three months time and I am assuming that they will be ready by then. I cannot afford something that would give my father, brother or courtiers caution; in other words, no drooling, maniacal crazies." Kaede pulls back slightly, lifting his arms from table, taking another drink of his wine. "Nothing that would put everyone on edge. I would like someone or something gifted in the arts, especially singing; someone that would be a hit at the court. Nothing is more soothing than a fine singing voice. As to the second? I'm open to exploring options. Do you possess any creatures that meet my needs? What are the costs involved? How long does your expert training take?"

Kaede pours himself another goblet full of wine and leans back thinking, his fingers nervously running through the grooves of the dragon design on the gold vessel that holds his drink. "Ah, yes, one last thing." he blurts out, sitting up in the chair, "The fate of the slaves. I got the impression from your letters that you don't tolerate using your finds on suicide missions. And I don't disagree. But... there is no guarantee that my plans will come to fruition. If my plan fails, my men, myself and the slaves will likely be executed." Kaede stops briefly to take another drink, "Most cruelly I might add. Everyone who is with me in the town understands the peril. If you refuse me the sale, I will gladly pack up my things and return to my men. My time is too valuable to be wasting here when the sale is unattainable." He sets the goblet down, "And judging from watching you, my guess is, your time is too valuable to be wasted on someone to whom you will never sell. Oh, one last thing... I do not do bidding wars. If one of the other Masters covets a particular slave, I will not challenge them. I am not a peasant-haggler. In addition, the others look far more powerful than I. I do not wish to make unpleasant enemies."

Kenner

Kenner looked on across the table and Kaede as he spoke, knowing full well that he was talking about and was at first surprised that he was considering the other Masters supposed feelings and needs. But it was the mention that Kaede had certain needs and expectations for the slaves he hopes to take with him.
Smiling slightly as he leans into the table.."I can understand you needs and the attempt that you will be making with your family.. such privilege comes with its own dangers." He begins to lift a small cup to his mouth and pauses "And please refrain from calling me Lord Kenner.. I hate that title and my name suits just fine by itself." He continues to finish his drink

Afterwards he eats another date and speaks again. "The training can take up to a month and a half at least, at most two. We keep them here along with their intended master so the two can get more acquainted.. your treatment of them will be paramount however." As he speaks a female guard walks in walking silently and cautiously, she leans in and places her mouth to Kenner's ear. He in turn leans his head into hers as if he was expecting her to be there and she passes a message to him.
He rubs his hands together as she pulls away and moves back out the main door, closing it behind her.
"Well.. everything is going fine for now, our little wolf-kin is still fighting slightly but that is his nature. Soon the additions will receive breakfast and then the day can start in earnest." He continues to eat as Kaede does as well and he looks back up for the table with the need to clarify something to the young noble. "Kaede I feel I need to inform you that I knew your grandfather and his father as well, so if you even intend to waste my time.. all I have to do is wait you out." He says so with a strange smile on his face and then continues "But as for the treatment of your purchase, whatever happens to them after you leave Raven Loft is your responsibility however.. anything negative that reaches my ears will look badly on the owner."

* * * *

With the maidens now done with their duties they quickly and cleanly gathered up their things and began to leave the holding area, still humming the same low and delightful tune that preceded them. The other however that came with them stood still near the center of the room, she was content to look on as the morning routine came to a fold with the slaves. Even so the smell of a meal was begin to wash into the large room with the preceding of the air that moved throughout the building. It was the kitchen staff again and this time there was a different set of individuals that came before. Most likely a cause to the staff being switched out due to a shift change.
The carried plates of soup and eggs much of which was scrambled with a covering of cheese, the meal itself was meant to be hearty so it would fill them up and keep them going. The flavor was only to come in at second since feeding them was a priority. The woman looked on still and gave a switch of her stance towards Bloodsong, his thrashing had caught her attention and she took a step towards him. "All bathed off now.. isn't that a nice feeling?" He voice cut the air and there as a sense of unevenness to it, like it was spiced and laid across the edge of a blade.
She turned to look across the whole group and began to speak again."I am Lady Bella.. when the time comes I will train you in the finer aspects of a servants service to their master and I will also instruct you in the manners of class and status." Though her eyes are not visible or the fact that she has any could be known, her head stays pointed at Bloodsong.."But I can see why Master Kenner had his reservations."

She raises her hands and claps them together then continues to wring her hands.."Now are there any questions or.. concerns either of you would like to voice?"

Kaede

Kaede smiles pleasantly and nods affirmative to everything Kenner says. His smile wavers only slightly at the mention of his father and grandfather. He has a good poker-face for most circumstances and he holds it for the most part during this conversation. The thoughts of what would happen should father find out is unnerving. His father had proven to be a selfish, cruel and at times a capricious person. That last quality was something they shared; Kaede was not above letting his whims dictate his actions.
When Kenner finishes, Kaede pours himself another goblet full of wine, "I see. Your position is not unreasonable. Though, unless you can reach into the abyss and pull me out, a failure on my part will be of little concern to anyone. Let me assure you, I am not coward, nor am I a fool. I have attached to my service a very bright and capable assistant to aid me in my endeavor. I am sure you have noticed the small camp about a quarter's day ride from your castle. Those, as you know, are my people. He planted them there to watch for me."
Kaede grabs an apple and quickly eats the fruit, core and all. "Your selection of fruit and your cooking staff are excellent. I congratulate you on your good taste." Kaede, like his father and grandfather, and he's sure every ruler before him, always mixes flattery with business. It's never idle flattery, he'd never tell a burn victim, with a huge wart on his cheek that he was a truly handsome man. No, they look for moments when they can use it, make their kind words seem natural and well deserved. After-all if you lie and the person across from you can detect a lie, you'd be at a great disadvantage.
Kaede sits and ponders his next action. He will not rise from his seat before his host, that would be ungracious. "Tell me," he finally tosses in, "Tell me, Kenner. How often do you get shipments of slaves. I mean, and don't take this the wrong way, but judging from your place and your organizational style, I'm guessing it's not a common occurrence." Kaede was planning on waiting for a reply, but he can't resist, the question he wants to know, he has to ask, "Tell, me. Do you know who provides each slave? Their original owner or person who took them from their home?" he asks emphasizing 'took.' "And if I were to buy that slave, would that be information you'd share with the buyer?"

This question he has been dying to ask since he saw the girl who obviously comes from somewhere near his land. He can't help but wonder how she wound up a slave in this place. The Emperor doesn't forbid slavery, but he frowns strongly and opposes moving people from his lands to a foreign place. How she wound up here is troubling; someone must have sold her and he fears it was someone from the Emperor's land.
If knowledge truly is power, this knowledge could prove invaluable should his plans falter and he and his entourage need the protection of the Emperor.

Kenner

While Kenner listened to Kaede he could understand that the young noble and foresaw where his words were coming from. He could know from over the table so easily because it was not new to him, even before he took lead of Raven Loft he had spent decades dealing with other nobles of different stripes with their own agendas.
It was refreshing to know that Kaede was showing a more transparent nature to himself out of delegation then out of stupidity and the fact he was not hiding much from Kenner was showing that he was a far cry from the others in his family. However when he touched on the subject of information to the purchases prior time before Raven Loft he wondered what Kaede was going for, it wasn't just speculation for the slaves original whereabouts. Kenner laid his fork down after he had done with half of his eggs and looked back. The question did not bother him, it was just a surprise.
Seeing as the most common question was the one he asked earlier as to where slaves were acquired from and how many at the chosen intervals "Raven Loft can contain anywhere from three hundred to five hundred new bodies, however a vast majority of those lives already have a planned path before they reach our walls. The group you looked at earlier was the prior purchases of field agents and those who wish to sell their.. acquisitions to the house personally." he skirts the fork around his plate with a finger and continues "And if you wish so, the information of where either one of them came from will be made known to you with the event of a decided purchase."

The main door swings open and Peeshka enters, today she is wearing a long silvery black dress that hugs her form quite nicely. It dangles and frills from the wrist with a long skirt that drapes to the floor. Without the leather and buckles the dress is far more quiet then what she normally wears seeing as the air around her isn't full of the jangle of metal and the leathers stretching. She wears a different mask as well, instead this one looks like a metallic face plate with slits for the eyes and three holes bored into both sides to allow air into the mouth and nose.
She leans in on Kenner's back and hugs him with both her arms, apparently the night was good and her rest had set her in a more fashionable mood. She looks up over the table and gives a slight nod to Kaede..~Good morning to you Kaede.~ She spoke cleanly and clearly, despite her voice still bearing the words of others she was far less threatening today in whole.

She stands and looks down on Kenner..~There is a problem in the master hall.. Miss Shia is here.~ This causes Kenner to lightly cough on a date as he turns his head, grabbing a quick drink before sending a response.
"ahk.. Again?.. but its only been a week." She shrugs for a moment.

~She just arrived as I awoke, her and her guards are current arguing with Roldan.. weapons have not been drawn yet but the words are getting heated.~ Kenner wipes his mouth and tosses the napkin down, looking rather upset about the whole ordeal and then he returns his eyes to Kaede.
"Kaede.. I must take my leave for the time being, there are pressing matters that require my attention. You may ask the guard outside to escort you to the holding area.. you should at least have the opportunity to pick for yourself today and get acquainted. I will be in to join you shortly after..." He stands and steps back with Peeshka in tow, both of them heading out the door leaving Kaede to finish his meal.